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News from Janine Helton
Janine Helton received confirmation that she is now a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society. Congratulations Janine!
Our Congratulations!
Janine Helton was so excited to receive the notification of inclusion in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 47th International Juried Exhibition, on display online from October 8 thru November 19, 2026. Juror Chris Krupinski had the following comments on my accepted painting, Sunstruck.
The close crop brings us right into the woman’s expression, which feels natural and caught in a real moment rather than posed. The strong warm reds, corals, and oranges of the face and scarf create a wonderful sense of warmth, while the cooler darks in the hair and clothing give those colors something to play against. The light across the face is especially well handled, giving the features dimension without becoming overly detailed. The scarf adds beautiful color and texture, but the face remains the center of attention.
Our Congratulations!
Connie Schmidt’s painting “Morning Joy” was awarded Third Place in the Estes Valley Plein Air 2026. The event, sponsored by the Art Center of Estes Park, juried 41 artists from across the country to participate in the nine day event. The exhibit opened on August 28 and will run through September 28, 2026.
An Invitation!
Mary Riney’s cousin, Christine Gartner, wrote a book, Bunnies don’t Belong in the Greenhouse, and Mary illustrated it. Mary and her cousin will be at Missouri Artists on Main, 321 South Main Street, Saint Charles, MO, during the Festival of the Little Hills this weekend and invites you to come by and check it out?
2026 Festival of the Little Hills
Friday, Aug 21, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug 22, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Aug 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Festival of the Little Hills is the Midwest’s Premier Arts and Craft Show. Coordinated by the not-for-profit organization of the same name, Fete Des Petite Cotes is named in honor of the settlement (now known as Saint Charles, Missouri) founded by the French-Canadian explorer Louis Blanchette in 1769.
Every year in August since 1971, the Festival of the Little Hills has been celebrating the rich history of St. Charles, Missouri and now showcases more than 300 arts and crafts vendors. More than 50 not-for-profit organizations provide a diverse selection of culinary delights making the Festival the major annual fundraiser to support their various endeavors.
Live entertainment and a children’s area known as the “Kids Corner” round out this family oriented Festival. Come join us this year to “Discover” what the Festival of the Little Hills has to offer.
Our Congratulations!
Janine Helton’s painting Time Well Spent was selected for inclusion in the Northwest Watercolor Society 86th Annual International Open Online Exhibition by Juror Dongfeng Li. The exhibition opens on October 30th and closes on December 11, 2026.
