robin lee makowski AWS, NWS, FWS-D, NMWS-MP, WFWS
fine artist | illustrator | author | instructor 

So What's Going On?

AWS - Many thanks to the judges for the 159th Annual American Watercolor Society International Exhibition!  My painting, 5 O'Clock Shadow, was accepted for the 2026 Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City in April!  We went up for the Awards Dinner and had a great time with a bunch of FWS people who also were accepted, got Signature, and won awards,  Since this was my third acceptance, I earned that elusive, coveted AWS Signature Membership!  Woohoo!!!!  For a watercolorist, it's like receiving a PhD.  Three more very big initials behind my name!

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WFWS - Thanks to the Colorado Watercolor Society for hosting the 2026 Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Show.  I found out last night I won third place for Claret Chorale!  Fabulous!  Many thanks to Judge & Juror, Xi Guo, for this honor.

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FWS - The 2026 FWS Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks away!  We took in the work last week for the 55th Annual Exhibition at the Herrig Center for the Arts.  Happy to say Two Too Many, HH Series #51, was invited to show by judge & juror, Soon Y. Warren!  Show is open September 1st - October 9th and it's going to be a great one!  Our 2026 Convention & Trade Show at the Bradenton Convention Center is also shaping up nicely.  What a fun time to get together with artist friends from all over the state and even across the country!  

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NWS - Happy Hour Squared, Happy Hour Series #54, is on display in San Pedro, CA (where we lived for 14 years!) in the National Watercolor Society 106th Open International Exhibition!  Many thanks to the judges, Robbie Laird, Ratindra Das, and Gail Webb for including my painting in this prestigious exhibition!  

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​​TaWS - I was thrilled to receive word from Jennifer at the Tallahassee Watercolor Society that the newest addition to the Happy Hour Series, The Golden Hour, HH#55, will be included in the 2026 Brush Strokes Exhibition at the Tallahassee City Hall!  The painting will be headed north while I'm headed south to Bradenton for FWS, but I'll get to see the show when I pick up in December.  Looking forward to being part of this show again this year.

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NAW - Friend and fellow artist, Lana Cease, Started the North American Watercolor Society and I'm honored to be a Charter Member!  NAW had its first International Online Exhibition earlier this year.  Artist, Lana Privitera was the judge and juror.  I broke out an old favorite, Last Call - HH#25, for the show.  Not only was it accepted, but it won the Michael Harding Merit Award!  Michael Harding watercolors are to die for and I'm looking forward to adding to my stock.  Many thanks to Lana Cease for all her hard work to put all this together, and to Lana Privitera for the honors.  

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Workshops & Judging - I added a page to the website outlining workshops I teach and judging credentials, if anyone is looking for those services.  Right now, I only teach in-person workshops within three hours drive in Florida, nothing online.  Not set up for it...yet.   ​

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​ ​Updated September 1st, 2026