Denise Willing-Booher transforms, inanimate and living subjects into dynamic watercolor paintings, taking our human perception of nature further into simple expressive shapes and line. Using creative composition, stroke and color to make the commonplace captivating, her images challenge societies view of what is considered beautiful. 

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Denise’s work has won numerous regional and international awards and is in many corporate and private art collections. She is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society as well as the President and past 1st Vice President; Past President of the Michigan Water Color Society and is a University of Michigan Ann Arbor BFA Honor Graduate. 

 

I want you to stop and feel the wonder I feel when I see a sunrise. Connect with the soul of the person I have painted. Our lives are so fast paced. We walk past everything without seeing it. See the unseen. I strive to convey raw beauty and emotion in my painting through an up close perspective with composition and light. Life, emotions, and nature inspire me. 

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Working intuitively and organically I may paint on location, work in my sketchbook with concepts, or take reference images of things that speak to me.  First, I will do small, quick test-paintings, testing different compositions, designs, color palettes, while also testing my paper and how I want to paint my subject to communicate the feeling I want. Once I have the right combination of all those elements, I draw it out simply, allowing changes all through the process. I am passionate about watercolors, they are a challenging, magical medium. 

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Being an artist to me is an amazing, unending journey of discovery and development.

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Awards

Fallbrook Art Center’s Signature Watermedia International Exhibition 2019

Richeson Landscape International Exhibition 2018

Kaleidoscope Show Award 2018

Michigan Water Color Society International Exhibition 2018

Richeson Portrait Notable 2018

Kaleidoscope Show “Best of Show” 2017

Artist Magazine Annual International Competition Finalist Landscape category 2017

2nd Place Northville Arthouse Graded Wash Competition 2017

Michigan Water Color Society Award 2017

National Watercolor Society Signature Membership 2016

Michigan Water Color Society Award 2016

Flint Institute of Arts “Paint Out” People’s Choice Award 2015

Flint Institute of Arts “Paint Out” People’s Choice Award 2014

Greater Flint Arts Council Annual Members Show “Honorable Mention” 2015

Greater Flint Arts Council Members Show “2nd Place” 2014

Michigan Water Color Society Award 2013

Kaleidoscope Show Award 2015 2018

Kiwanis Art Fair Fenton $1000 People’s Choice Award 2013

Michigan Water Color Society 2009, 2012

Over 200 PRA and FAAF Graphic Design/Advertising Awards of Excellence

 

Commissions 

Art of My Own

St. Joseph Mercy Health System

Michigan Transportation Authority

Genesys Health System

Hurley Medical Center

McLaren Hospital

Numerous Private Commissions

Several Commissions that are part of Federally Funded Collections