painting demostration

 Here are my three paintings from my 90 minute online painting demonstration for the Philadelphia Watercolor Society...

In other news, we are almost ready to move! We are working on getting the Pennsylvania house ready to sell, and we have spruced up the yard and gardens, scheduled contractors to paint the interior and replace the floor coverings, contracted a realtor, etc. We received all the estimates we needed from movers and shippers and we will get those contracts drawn up later this week. We expect to be in our new home by the end of May, at the latest! 

Sneak peak of our little island villa

Awards and demos

 I'm delighted to announce that my painting "Into the Darkness" won Honorable Mention Award in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition! 

Into the Darkness, 12x16 WC

And don't forget -- my online painting demonstration for the Philadelphia Watercolor Society is this Saturday! Register on their website HERE to watch it live or to get access to the recording afterwards. 

more exhibition news

 I'm thrilled to announce that my painting "The Scream" juried into the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies 51st International Exhibition!

The Scream, 12x16 WC

I'm also pleased to announce that I am the judge of Philadelphia Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition. 

and I will also conduct a painting demonstration. 

I'm delighted to see this ad for my new business in the Spring issue of Plein Air Magazine, 

and excited that my painting "Surf's Up" was featured in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. 

Surf's Up, 16x20 WC on board

Florida Keys Watercolor Society

 After many flight cancelations, delays, and rerouting, I finally arrived home after my week in Florida, teaching for the Florida Keys Watercolor Society. 

This workshop was lessons on seascape painting in watercolor, and my students and I completed a total of six paintings. 

some of the artists in my workshop at the FKWS

I had a full class of 24 artists but everyone was able to keep up the pace. 

Annie with student at FKWS 

Here are some of my paintings from my demonstrations at the workshop.

The primary lessons were painting water movement, techniques for creating perspective, creating compositions, color choices, subject editing, and adding figures. 

Annie demonstrating techniques for the FKWS

This workshop sold out before I had a chance to advertise it or offer it to students outside of the FKWS, but we plan on scheduling another one soon so keep and eye on my website for details.

A New Year!

 The new year is off to busy start! In preparation for my move to the Virgin Islands, I haven't entered any juried shows or scheduled any events for the next several months. It will be late Spring or early Summer before we will be fully settled in our new home in the Caribbean. In the meantime, I'm so busy organizing and packing for this new adventure that I've no time for anything else. I will begin taking reservations for the first season (November 2026) of Caribbean Art Escapes as soon as we are settled in, so get ready!

Sandy beaches on St Croix

Next week I'm off to Florida to teach a workshop for the Florida Keys Watercolor Society. This workshop sold out instantly - with an overflowing waiting list - before anyone even had a chance to promote it, but maybe we can add another one in Florida in the future. Brian is going with me on this trip -- did you know that he graduated from Key West High School? We haven't been back there in nearly 40 years, so it will be nice to enjoy it again. 

Brian in Key West with his first car!

And coming up, the Philadelphia Watercolor Society has chosen me to be their Judge of Awards for their Annual 2026 Member Exhibition and I will also be conducting an online painting demonstration in conjunction with the event. The dates and details are still pending and I will announce them when I have more information. 

winter news

 We finally closed on our villa in the Virgin Islands! It will be a while before we move in, as I now have to schedule the movers and ship our household goods, cars, and my studio. I also have to transfer insurance, banking, billing, and a lot of other details for the move. My goal date is Springtime. 

We've been planning for this move for 20 years, and we finally started packing and setting the wheels in motion when Brian retired from the National Park Service earlier this year. 

Because I've been so busy with these moving preparations, I haven't entered any art exhibitions or plein air painting competitions this year. However I did enter the Southern Watercolor Society 49th juried exhibition, and I'm thrilled to learn that my painting "Into the Darkness" was accepted. I would have earned Signature Membership in Southern with this acceptance, however Southern merged with Missouri Watercolor Society earlier this month, and my Signature Status and Life Membership in MOWS carried over to Southern, so I didn't need this extra point after all. 

Into the Darkness, 12x16 watercolor by Annie Strack

I'm thrilled to report that I am now an ambassador for Fuumuui, a leading artist supplies and materials company producing brushes, paints, papers, and other fine materials. Check out my first article "How to choose the perfect brush for watercolor" on their website HERE. 

What to pack for a week in the Caribbean

 What to pack for your week-long trip in the Virgin Islands with Caribbean Art Escapes:

The climate in the Caribbean is sunny and warm. In the summer, the daily high temperatures are in the upper 80’s and evening lows in the upper 70’s. Summers are dry and mild and excellent "flat water" beach weather, except when there is tropical storm activity in the vicinity. Winters are slightly cooler, with highs in the lower to mid 80's and lows in the lower 70s, and it is also a wetter season with more rain. Winter also brings high winds, which cause big waves and rougher surf at the beaches. The sun is quite intense so sunscreen is a necessity year round. 

I recommend lightweight clothing that provides SPF protection, as well as a hat and sunglasses. There will be opportunities for swimming and water activities every day, so be sure to pack a bathing suit and cover-up. Beach shoes are highly recommended for accessing the water in some of the rocky areas, or you can wear other types of water shoes, surf shoes, scuba socks, or other types of shoes that can be worn in the water such as Crocs. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for other activities, but we won’t be doing anything too strenuous so your usual everyday casual footwear will be perfect for walking around town or touring the attractions on the island.

Pack light! You only need summer clothes, and not many of them. You know you will want to shop at the artisan markets and island boutiques while you’re here, so leave room in your suitcase to pack your vacation purchases and souvenirs for your return trip home.

St Croix is part of the United States Virgin Islands – a U.S. territory – so U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to travel here. More info about travel requirements HERE. However, if you want to take the ferry or the seaplane to visit any of the other islands while you’re here, you will need your passport. Side trips off-island are not included in your Caribbean Art Escapes package, but if you want to island hop or take a side trip while you’re here then we can help you make those arrangements. Info about island hopping HERE. 

There are only a couple of major airlines serving the Henry E. Rohlsen (STX) airport on St Croix with only one or two flights per day, and those flights are always booked full several weeks in advance. Flight delays are not uncommon. If you miss your connection you might find that there may not be another flight available, so be sure to schedule long layovers between your connecting flights! Click HERE for STX airport information.

Be sure to pack your cell phone and charger. Almost all major U.S. cellular plans work just fine here. Wifi is provided at the villa.

The coral reefs here are absolutely AH-MAY-ZING! We provide snorkeling equipment and you can walk out on a beach and see a fantastic assortment of tropical fish, turtles, octopus, and more in shallow water that is crystal clear. I highly recommend bringing a waterproof camera to capture the fantastic underwater scenery. If you’re not a swimmer, no worries -- we also provide boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boards, and other beach toys that you can float on, or you can just chill and hang out in a lounge chair under the shade of the palm trees.

Don’t forget your medications and any special items that you need, and always pack enough for an extra day in case you experience a flight delay. This is a very small island and shopping is quite limited. You may find that you can’t get a replacement here for something that you forgot to bring, so please make a list and double check it when you pack.

 

Packing list

* Light, breathable layers for warm weather

* Swimsuit + cover-up

* Wide-brim hat or cap (for sun protection while painting)

* Comfortable walking sandals or sneakers

* Water shoes (ESSENTIAL for rocky beaches or wading. Crocs or scuba booties can substitute)

* Daypack or tote bag for daily excursions

* Reusable water bottle (hydration is key!)

* Sunscreen (High SPF and reef-safe recommended)

* Sunglasses

* Phone/camera + charger

* Personal medications

* REAL ID or passport (passport is not required for U.S. citizens, but REAL ID is necessary)

* Health insurance card 

* Travel insurance info

* Copies of travel documents (digital & printed)

* Credit card and a small amount of cash (USD)

The recommended list of art supplies will depend on which type of workshop or retreat you have registered.

recent exhibitions and workshops!

 I was thrilled to receive an award for my painting "Three Faces of Annie" at the Philadelphia Watercolor Society 125th International Exhibition yesterday.

It was great to hang out with so many old friends at the reception -- Ken Call, Carmella Tuliszewski, Chris Krupinsky, and so many others. 

I also taught an online workshop for the Northern Plains Watercolor Society last week, and my students and I finished three different paintings in our process of exploring the different ways to add excitement to watercolor seascapes. 

Everyone enjoyed learning new techniques to depict a variety of seascapes. I still need titles for these new paintings, so if you have any ideas for me, tell me in the comments! 

I also went out and painted en plein air with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society at the Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford.

And last but not least, I bought another kayak! I now have plenty of kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, snorkeling equipment, etc., for guests to use when they come to a workshop at Caribbean Art Escapes. I can hardly wait for the fun to begin! 

current exhibitions

 I'm excited to share that I am an invited Master Artist in the Watercolor International VII exhibition in Greece! The exhibit is on display in Thessaloniki, Greece, and also available to view online. 

Halcyon Days, 12x16 watercolor

I also just shipped off a painting to the Silk Road 11th International Biennial in China. I'm honored to represent the United States again in this prestigious event, and thrilled to have my painting joins the permanent public collection of the Republic of China. 

Knot Moving, 18x24 watercolor

I just shipped this painting off to Connecticut, to the Northeast Watercolor Society Juried International Exhibition, 

Out of Darkness, 12x9 watercolor

and next week I'm delivering this painting to the Philadelphia Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition, 

Three Faces of Annie, 14x20 watercolor

I have several workshops and demos coming up, be sure to watch my website for links and listings. The next one is this one-day online workshop, you can register here:

Our new business venture -- Caribbean Art Escapes -- will start accepting registrations soon! Be sure to follow our progress on Facebook for the latest updates! 

big news!

 If you've been following me on Facebook or Instagram you've noticed all the posts about the Virgin Islands lately -- well, we're almost ready to move! We're house hunting for the perfect property to open Caribbean Art Escapes, an island business offering artist retreats and workshops on the island of St. Croix. The webpage will launch soon, and the Facebook page is here. 

We are going to have our first workshops and retreats in the Winter season of 2026/27, for small intimate groups of up to six artists. We are only going to offer a limited number of groups each season, so be sure to keep an eye on us for registration details -- coming soon! 

Guests will enjoy 8 days, 7 nights, all inclusive* stay in our exclusive private villa. This week-long artist retreat blends daily painting sessions with island exploration, giving you the perfect balance of focused creative time and unforgettable experiences. Each day, we’ll set up our easels in inspiring locations—from the pastel façades of Christiansted to windswept cliffs at Point Udall—learning to capture not just the view, but the feeling of the place.

Morning painting sessions are followed by afternoons swimming at the beaches, sightseeing, exploring local markets and boutiques, and touring the historic landmarks and incredible beauty of the island. Bring your underwater camera -- we'll go snorkeling and get up close and personal with the sea turtles, tropical fish, octopus, and other exotic marine life in the crystal clear water. 

Be sure to bring your bathing suits! The unspoiled beaches of the island of St Croix are among the best in the Caribbean. Snorkeling equipment is provided, as well as beach chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, floaties, kayaks, surfboards, and other beach toys for your entertainment.

From painting lush botanical gardens and historic sugar plantations to capturing the ever-changing blues of the sea, you'll experience the island through the eyes of an artist—brush in hand, surrounded by beauty. Each day blends structured guidance and personal time to create, reflect, and connect.

With a small, supportive group of fellow creatives, you'll leave not just with a refreshed portfolio, but with renewed artistic vision, lasting friendships, and a sketchbook full of sunlit memories.

Each morning begins with a new adventure—painting in tropical gardens, at historic sugar mills, colonial era forts, or right by the water’s edge. Whether you’re here to build skills or simply to soak up beauty, you’ll find yourself recharged, inspired, and surrounded by a community that shares your passion.

We are also now in the process of lining up more artist instructors to lead workshops for us! We plan to offer workshops in a variety of mediums for plein air painters, studio painters, and other types of creative, meditative, and inspirational pursuits. 

Guests will enjoy unlimited access to the art studio/classroom at our villa in addition to excursions to spectacular painting locations. Evenings are reserved for shared meals on the terrace, conversations around the fire pit, and time to relax or reflect. 

I'm so excited to finally be able to announce this new venture! Keep an eye out for more news, coming soon. We're going to offer a special low introductory price for a very limited time and the inaugural events are going to sell out quickly, so be sure to watch closely for updates. 

*All inclusive: includes airport transfers and ground transportation, meals, lodging, wifi, and workshop instruction. NOT included: Airfare, travel insurance, and alcoholic beverages.