Florida Artists Group

Artists Bio:

Therese Payne Ferguson is originally from Charleston, West Virginia, but her parents
moved to Melbourne when she was three. Except for a few years after marrying Larry
Ferguson, she has always called Eau Gallie (Melbourne) home and where she raised two
boys, Brian and David.

Art has always been a part of her life and has come naturally as a passion. She studied at
Eastern Florida College studying drawing, design and painting in oils and acrylics. Therese
took many other courses locally such as pottery, stained glass, drafting, pastels and gourd
art. After seeing a demonstration by a local watercolorists, she started exploring this
medium on her own. Over the years, she has been fortunate to take workshops with top
national watercolor instructors.

Therese has worked as a graphic designer, owned a candle manufacturing company, crafted
gourds and owned her own gallery and art studio. She has been a popular teacher stressing
learning to “see” color and learning everything you can about the paints and supplies you
work with as well as studying your subjects. She taught through the Adult Continuing
Ed for over 17 years teaching beginning watercolor painting. After retiring from that, she
has been teaching intermediate and advanced watercolor classes, working to advance her
students into a more professional level.

Her style is bold and bright. It stands out when you enter the room because of her use of
strong values and composition. It draws you in to come closer and take time to absorb all
of the emotion and beauty of the painting.

She will speak up quickly when talking to clients that art is not about decorating because
it has the right color in it, but that it need to be something that evokes an emotion and a
love of the painting. You want to be able to walk by it everyday and remember why you
loved it in the first time you saw it.

She has participated in art competitions and outdoor art festivals for many years, receiving
numerous awards as well as state and local community service awards. A past president
of the Brevard Watercolor Society, past president of the Florida Gourd Society, and awarded
signature membership in the Florida Watercolor Society and Southern Watercolor Society.
Her artwork has drawn the attention of others and leading to commissioned to
create several event posters.

Therese’s artwork can be seen at the Highland Art Studios, located at 1425 Highland Ave.,
and The Art Gallery of Viera. Her paintings are in collections both private and corporate
throughout the United States and internationally.

Artist Statement:

“My journey as an artist allows me to grow every single day as I continue to explore and
experiment in the watercolor medium. I love the transparent glow that you achieve by
mingling colors or adding various techniques... it's like magic with every brush stroke.
Sometimes it will take me on a different path or an exciting journey, different than
what I had planned, but always opening new and wonderfully exciting explorations of
color, light and shadow.”

Living in tropical Florida surroundings has been a big influence on my subjects as
well as my style. I paint subjects ranging from flowers full of life, and wildlife, to bold
still lifes. While some of my subjects are “found” and others evolve in the studio, they all
benefit from developing a creative eye to some degree. I often add more color, simplify
the images, or focus in on a particular area to bring them to life. I never want to be
confined to copying a photograph, I want to add myself into the painting. I start with
a very detailed pencil drawing where I work out my composition, then transfer it to
my watercolor paper. I may make changes from the first drawing right up to the last
brush stroke, whatever it takes, till I am satisfied with the outcome.

I would describe my style as realism with a painterly touch. I want my art to be looked
at as realism, but want the viewer to see the art of brush strokes once they come closer
to explore. I choose subjects that make me happy either because of the subject, the colors
or the strong play of light and shadows that twinkle. I work, adding as many layers as
it takes to build up strong values, anywhere from 2 to 10 glazes of pigment. My process
involves working on dry paper, laying down color and moving it around with a wet brush.

My palette consists of light fast transparent pigments from different manufacturers. It is
a palette that has evolved over the years of choosing pigments that mix well and colors
that I like. I usually work on 140 lb. archival mould-made Arches paper. All framing
procedures are done in a conservation manner to preserve the archival integrity of the
original artwork or giclée printed on watercolor paper. I love sharing my passion for
painting and the watercolor medium as well as my inspirations for these
paintings with my viewers.

I have taught watercolor classes and workshops for over 30 years, which means that I
will have several paintings in process at all times. I find that if I am working on a large
painting, I prefer to isolate and paint from morning to late into the night so that I am
just concentrating on that painting.

Exhibitions and Awards:

2020
So. Watercolor Society Show - “Double Reds With Stripes”
Fla W/C Society Show - Fuschia Fantasy
Viera Gallery - Photo Show - award - Best of abstract photography
2019
Artists Guild Gallery, Vero Beach, Featured Artist Show
So. Watercolor Society Show
Fla W/C Society Show - “Double Reds With Stripes” - Laverne Phillips Memorial Award
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - BWS Merit Award
Melbourne Art Festival - Award Of Excellence
Space Coast Art Festival, Cocoa Bch - Jury Selection Judge
BWS & MINWA Wildlife show - BOS & Best Of Flora - Prickly Pears (Cactus)
Strawbridge Art League, Brevard Art Museum - Merit Award
Gallery 13, Vero Bch - Invitation Show, “ Koi Pond Reflections” And “Two Birds”
TGO Featured Artist Show
Historic EG Home & Garden Tour - Featured Artist and Demonstrator
Judge For The Sebastain Art Show
2018
So. Watercolor Society Show - “Double Reds With Stripes”
Fla W/C Society Show - Fuschia Fantasy
Viera Gallery - Photo Show - award - Best of abstract photography 2018
So. Watercolor Society Show - “Bamboo Garden”
Fla W/C Society Show - “Cherries & Lace”
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - BWS Merit Award
Melbourne Art Festival - Award Of Excellence
Space Coast Art Festival, Cocoa Bch - Jury Selection Committee
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - 2nd Place
Viera Art Gallery, Brush With Success - Silver Award - “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine”
2017
So. Watercolor Society Show - Koi Pond Reflections
Fla W/C Society Show - “Cherries & Lace”
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - Splash Award (People’s Choice)
Viera Art Gallery, Brush With Success - Bronze Award - “Pepper Reflections And Stripes”
Studios Of Cocoa Beach Invitation Show - Excellence Award - “Christmas Palm Berries“
2016
Artworks - BWS Merit Award
Fla W/C Society Show - “Hangin Out On The Dock” (Wh Pelicans)
5th Ave. Gallery 100% Pure Florida - “Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries”
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - - Viera Art Gallery Merit Award - “
BWS & MIWA WILDLIFE SHOW - Best Of Bird Scenes - ”Blue Herons Nesting in Tree”
Viera Art Gallery, Brush With Success - Bronze Award - “Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries”
Paint A Round - For Genesis House At Lexus
2015
Fla W/C Society Show
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - Viera Art Gallery Merit Award
BWS & MIWA WILDLIFE SHOW - Outstanding Bird Scene (Best Of Category)
5th Ave. Gallery, 100% Pure Florida
Viera Art Gallery, Brush With Success - Bronze Mention
Single Exhibition Melbourne Regional Airport
2014
So. Watercolor Society Show
Fla W/C Society Show - “Sunflowers & Lace:
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - Award
BWS & MIWA WILDLIFE SHOW - 10th Annual - 2nd Plac E & Minwa Award -
“The Eyes Tell The Story” (Owl)
Viera Art Gallery, Brush With Success - Silver Award - “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine”
2013
So. Watercolor Society Show - “White Birds Of Paradise” - Signature Awarded
Fla W/C Society Show - “Sun Kissed Bromeliads”
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - Merit Award
What A Difference A Day Makes - 24 Hr Challenge - Video on U-Tube
Flaunt - Thomasville Center For The Arts, Fl - Special Invitation - Painted Books
2012
So. Watercolor Society Show - Gallery Street Giclee Award - “A Pear For All Seasons”
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - Award Of General Excellence(1st)
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - “A Pear For All Seasons” - 1st Place - “A Pear For All Seasons”
AGOV - Bronze Award - “A Pear For All Seasons”
2011
Space Coast Birding Festival - 1st Place, "Rosy Afternoon", Roseate Spoonbill
FAEA (Fla Art Education Assoc.)- WDW Festival Of The Masters - Invitation Show -
Community Service Award
2010
So. Watercolor Society Show - Giclee Award, "Aunt Mary's Pears"
Fla W/C Society Show - Earned Signature Status, "Double Reds"
BWS & Merritt Island Wildlife Assoc. 7th Annual - 1st Place Fauna - “Here Fishy, Fishy”,
Titusville Art League Show -- 2nd Place Watercolors, " Cherries In Silver Bowl"
Gallery 13, Vero Bch - Invitation Fund Raiser Show For Hubbs Sea World - "Swimming Free" & "Blue Crabs"
Space Coast Birding Festival - Merit Award - "Early Birds, Blue Herons In Marsh" & 3rd Place - "Tri-color
Babies - What's For Lunch"
2009
Baccus Art Gallery - Featured Artist, Christmas Showcase Show
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - 12th Member's Show - Fws Merit Award & People's Choice Award
“Aunt Mary’s Quilt”
2008
So. Watercolor Society Show - “Green Bromeliads”
Fla W/C Society Show - (P-2) Daler-rowney & Alan Chiarra Award, "Green Bromeliads"
Artworks Art Festival, Melbourne - Award Of Distinction (1st)
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - 11th Annual - Splash, People’s Choice - "Cherries & Silver Apple Bowl"
BWS & MIWA WILDLIFE SHOW - 6th Annual, 2008 Best Of Show, - "Roseate Spoonbill"
Titusville Art League Show - 2nd Watercolors, "Cherries And Silver"
Commissioned To Do The Poster For The Antique Car Club Assoc. Of Fla. And The National Car Club Assoc.
"Red Caddie On Cocoa Beach"
Brevard Art Museum, Invitation -for The Love Of Art Ii, "Yellow Coconuts" And "Red Bromeliads"
Brevard Art Museum, Juried Show, "Decanters"
Children's Home Society Turtle Project - An Ocean Of Hope, Fiberglass Turtles,
1st Place - Tourist Turtle, Wal-mart, Beachside Purchased Turtle.
2007
Fla W/C Society Show - (P-1) - Rainbow Bromeliads - FWS Special Director’s Award
BWS & Merritt Island Wildlife Assoc., 5th Annual Wildlife Show - Purchase Award, "Moorhen In The Grass"
Central Brevard Art Assoc. Art Show - Best Of Show, "Sea Grapes In The Window"
Brevard Art Museum, For The Love Of Art I - “Yellow Coconuts” & “Double Reds”
Fngla (Florida Nursery Growers & Landscapers Assoc.), Painting Chosen For 2007 Poster
For Annual Trade Show
"Link's Courtyard" Purchased For Their Corporate Office
2006
Brevard Art Museum, For The Love Of Art 1 - “Glass Decanters”
Tws (Talahassee Watercolor Society) Tri-state Juried Show, 2 Paintings Accepted
2005
BWS SPLASH Member's Show - (Best Of Show) - 3rd Annual
Poster For FNGLA - Fla. Nursery Growers & Landscaping Assoc. “Link’s Garden