Al Kline Watercolors

2023 Merit ARTIST

Al Kline has been nominated as one of three merit artist announced for 2023 at the Rockport Center for the Arts. The jurors this year were members of our RCA Exhibition Committee: Lucy Nye, Jean Giesey, and Greg Reuter. They selected these three merit artists because of their connection to aquatic life, the coast, and the fluidity of their aesthetic. The three selected artists will have a small group exhibition in next Fall in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery.

You can see the winning artwork on display now at the H-E-B Gallery in the new building at 204 S. Austin Street. Gallery hours are Tue-Sat 10-5, and Sun 12-4.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT (SWS NOVEMBER 2022)

Al Kline, SWS started painting in 2017, In 2018, his first entry into the Southwestern Watercolor Society exhibition was selected for exhibit and he has had a piece in every show since then. His entry in 2019 won the Past Presidents’ Award. He also won first place in the 2018 WSST Member’s Exhibition. This is an amazing record of success for someone who has been painting for such a short time. . . (READ MORE)

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a watercolor artist, my goal is to form an impression of my subjects. I enjoy coastal painting of wildlife and nautical themes. I explore and take advantage of the medium so it expresses the subject in a manner fit to watercolor. The medium allows my art to express an atmosphere of impressionism by the way watercolor flows and reacts on paper. This is something that I cannot control, nor do I want to. I allow the medium to offer certain details and effects offering a variety of edges and atmosphere to form an impression that exploits the properties only found in this magical medium.

bIOGRAPHY

Al Kline is the acting President of the Watercolor Society of South Texas (WSST) starting in 2018.  (WSSTX.ORG)  

He was born in Holland to Dutch parents.  He moved to the United States as a young child.  He showed interest in art including watercolor and drawing at a young age. He began to draw as early as age 5. He painted his first watercolor at the age of 11.  

He showed interest in various forms of art including commercial art, drawing, acrylic/watercolor painting and sculpting.  He won an illustrative award in Highschool for a poetry book cover.  

He earned degrees in Health Science Education in the fields of Chemistry and Biology.  He earned a Doctorate degree and spent the majority of his working life providing medicine and surgical services to his community for over 30 years.  

In 2017, he re-discovered the art of drawing and watercolor. He began his studies in watercolor in July 2017. He studied with renowned watercolor artists Frank Eber, Vladislav Yeliseyev, Iain Stewart and Herman Pekel. He was subsequently voted as President of the Watercolor Society of South Texas in 2018.   

In 2018 and 2019, while studying art through instructional workshops, he quickly gained recognition for his drawing skills and unique painting style.  He received notice in the watercolor community and accepted a number of awards and recognition.

In 2020, he began to focus more on teaching watercolor to the Watercolor Society of South Texas (WSST). The WSST has a rich history of promoting watercolor art in South Texas over the past 50 years.  With the advent of on-line platforms, Al utilized these  platforms to teach the basics of drawing and watercolor to the WSST society members. The WSST continues to offer monthly paint sessions and guest workshops.   

In 2022, after 5 years of painting and drawing, there was a conscious shift to his work. Not just painting portraits and scenes, but concentrating on compositional design and texture in order to express a deeper meaning to his paintings. The influences of Valfred Thelin, Nita Engle, Andrew Wyeth and others began to influence his artistic direction.

Through teaching, and now online instruction, he has gained notice as an accomplished watercolor artist.  His ability to simplify the painting process and skill of drawing and design have gained him international recognition.  He has accepted numerous awards.  His work has been recognized in local, state, national and international exhibitions.  He is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of South Texas and Southwestern Watercolor Society and member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and Transparent Watercolor Society of America.  

www.albertkline.com

AWARDS and Recognitions

• Vava Callahan Memorial Award with “Lonely Loco” Tri-Group 54th Annual Art Exhibition -2018

• 1st Place – 48th Annual Watercolor Society of South Texas for “Dock Inspection”. – 2018

• Best in Painting Category –  2018 Rockport Art Fest

• Selected Acceptance to the 55th, 56th, 57th, 58th & 59th Annual Members Show for the Southwestern Watercolor Society- 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.

• Signature Member Watercolor Society of South Texas - WSST in 2021

• Signature Member Southwester Watercolor Society - SWS in 2022

• Honorable Mention- 49th Annual watercolor Society of South Texas for “CC Marina Glow”. – 2019

• Peoples Choice Award – 2019 Helotes Art Gallery

• Past Presidents Award – 56th Annual Members Exhibition of the Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS)  2019 – “The Piper”

• Honorable Mention – “Lion Dance” – Tri-Group 56th Annual Art Exhibition-2020

• Second Place, 50th Anniversary Watercolor Society of South Texas for “Port A Flat Boat” - 2020

• Award of Distinction - 57th Annual Members Exhibition of the Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS) 2020 - “Kairos”

• NWS Member Participant Selection - NWS Members Exhibition 2021 - “Spots”

• NWS Member Participant Selection - NWS Members Exhibition 2022 - “Miniature Boxer”

• AWS 2022 Associate Members Online Exhibition and Selection - 2022 - “Quail Hunt”