About the Artist
Ann Smiga Greene
Bio and Artist Statement
Ann received a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Saint Francis University and pursued a career in the healthcare industry. Her artistic journey began after college graduation when she took a watercolor class at the local high school. “Love at first splash” occurred the first time she saw cerulean blue pigment blossom on wet watercolor paper. Ann painted for fun while continuing her career as a clinical lab tech, then as a healthcare information technology analyst. In 2004 Ann decided approach her artwork more seriously. She attended workshops with accomplished artists whose work she admired, including celebrated artists Barbara Nechis, Frank Webb, Eric Weigardt, Karen Rosasco, Pat Dews, Judi Betts, Gerald Brommer, Skip Lawrence, Nancy Barch, Ratindra Das, Sterling Edwards, Fabio Cembranelli, Robert Burridge, Linda Kemp, Teresa Kirk, and Stan Kurth. From each of these artists and from their workshops, Ann gained additional knowledge and techniques with which to bolster her own evolving expertise.
Ann has achieved signature member status in the National Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Women in Watercolor, Garden State Watercolor Society; New Jersey Watercolor Society; International Society of Experimental Artists, Master Fellow; Watercolor West; and the Baltimore Watercolor Society. She has won numerous awards including the Best in Show from New Jersey Watercolor Society in 2024, First Place Abstract Award in Women in Watercolor in 2022, the National Watercolor Society Award XXI in the National Watercolor Society in 2022, and the Lily Y Award from Watercolor West in 2018. Cheap Joe’s has selected her work to appear in their Art Stuff Reference Catalog 2023. Her work has been featured in Watercolor Artists Magazine and the Art of Watercolour Magazine. She is the current President of the New Jersey Watercolor Society.
Ann lives in the beautiful, rural farm country of Sussex County, NJ with her husband David (her most ardent supporter) and daughter Ina (equestrian extraordinaire). Her son Zack lives in Austin, TX (pursuing his dream at Collings Guitars). Ann teaches workshops, classes in her home studio, and adult watercolor classes at the Kittatinny Regional High School.
Artist Statement
“I believe most artists create not merely out of desire, but because they are compelled by something internal—a persistent force that demands expression. For me, this drive doesn’t subside until I begin a piece, and it stays with me until the work feels complete. Creating art is not just what I do; it is a fundamental part of who I am.
Painting allows me to express my ideas and engage my imagination. I’m drawn to the physicality of the materials—the paint, the paper—and the freedom of working without a fixed map. I explore shifting perspectives, experiment with new approaches, and enjoy making unexpected connections. These aspects are essential to my creative process.
Each painting offers a unique view and tells a personal story, often moving beyond the boundaries of the image itself. Sometimes, the work surprises me, revealing parts of my inner world I hadn’t consciously recognized. Every time I pick up the brush, I take another step forward on my journey as a visual artist.
Ultimately, I hope my work invites viewers to pause, explore, and imagine their own stories within the images—stories that resonate personally and extend beyond the canvas.”
Thank you for visiting and please don't hesitate to write if you have any questions!
Signature Memberships
National Watercolor Society
American Watercolor Society
Transparent Watercolor Society of America
International Society of Experimental Artists (Nautilus Fellow Member)
Women in Watercolor
Baltimore Watercolor Society
Watercolor West
New Jersey Watercolor Society
Garden State Watercolor Society
Recognitions and Awards
2025
National Watercolor Society – Signature Membership
National Watercolor Society 105th International Open Exhibition – invited
NJ State Fair Art in Sussex County – Featured Artist
Allied Artists 112th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
Women in Watercolor – Signature Membership
Women in Watercolor 6th Annual Exhibition – Landscape Finalist Award
Women in Watercolor 6th Annual Exhibition – Abstract Finalist Award
International Society of Experimental Artists 2025 34th Innovations IOE – invited, Master Fellow
Philadelphia Water Color Society 2025 Members Show - invited
Skylands 37 Regional Art Exhibit - The Angela Kelliher Memorial Award
Transparent Watercolor Society of America 49th Exhibition - Rosie Mehaffey Memorial Award
International Society of Experimental Artists 11th Making Our Marks - invited
Women in Watercolor 2nd Annual Members Exhibit – invited
2024
New Jersey Watercolor Society 82nd Annual Open Juried Exhibition - Best in Show
Art in Sussex County 2024 - Committee's Choice Award
Allied Artists 111th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
New Jersey Watercolor Society 2024 Elected Members - Award of Excellence
International Society of Experimental Artists 2024 33rd Innovations IOE - invited
Garden State Watercolor Society 54th Annual Open Juried Exhibition - Honorable Mention
Skylands 36 Regional Art Exhibit - Vincent Buchinsky Memorial Award
Transparent Watercolor Society of America - Signature Membership
Transparent Watercolor Society of America 48th Exhibition - Denny Bond Memorial Award
Women in Watercolor - Signature Membership
2023
NJ Watercolor Society 81st Annual Open Juried Exhibition – Garden State Watercolor Award
International Society of Experimental Artists 32nd Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
American Watercolor Society - Signature Membership
Women in Watercolor 4th Annual Juried Exhibition – 2nd Place Abstract Category
2022
NJ Watercolor Society 80th Annual Open Juried Exhibition - Virginia Werder Memorial Award
Garden State Watercolor Society 52nd Annual Juried Exhibition -Lelia T. Wishart Memorial Award
International Society of Experimental Artists - Nautilus Fellow Member
Women in Watercolor 3rd Annual Juried Exhibition – 1st Place Abstract Category
Allied Artists of America 109th Annual Exhibition - invited
National Watercolor Society 102nd International Open Exhibition - Combined Cash Award XXI
International Society of Experimental Artists 31st Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
Baltimore Watercolor Society - Signature Membership
National Watercolor Society Member Exhibition - NWS Past President Mary Chater Award
ISEA 8th Members Making Our Marks Exhibition - Juror’s Award
2021
Garden State WS “Discovery” 51st Juried Exhibition - Best in Show Nummie Warga Award
Watercolor West - Signature Membership
Watercolor West 53rd International Juried Exhibition - Combined Gift Certificate Award II
Skylands 33rd Regional Art Exhibit - George Morville Sr Memorial Award
American Watercolor Associate Members Exhibition – 3rd Place Award
Mid-Atlantic (BWS) Regional Watercolor Exhibition - Merchandise Award
International Society of Experimental Artists 30th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 124th Annual Open Exhibition - invited
GSWC Member Exhibit - Holbein Award of Excellence for Signature Member
Transparent Watercolor Society of America 45th Annual Exhibit - invited
American Watercolor Society 154th Annual Exhibition – invited
2020
New Jersey Watercolor Society 78th Juried Exhibition - NJWCS Memorial Award
ISEA Utterly Unfathomable and Powerfully Profound Members Juried Exhibition - invited
International Society of Acrylic Painters Open Exhibit - invited
Garden State Watercolor Society 50th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
Watercolor West 52nd Annual International Juried Exhibition - Merchandise Award III
Allied Artists of America 107th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
International Society of Experimental Artists 29th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
Transparent Watercolor Society of America 44th Annual - Zoltan Szabo Founder’s Award
International Society of Experimental Artists 5th Annual All Members Digital – 3rd Prize
National Collage Society 23rd Small Format Exhibit - Purchase Award
2019
International Society of Experimental Artists Members Only Virtual Exhibit - Merit Award
New Jersey Watercolor Society 77th Juried Exhibition - Nummie Warga Memorial Award
GSWS “On the Road to 50 Years” Juried Exhibition - Cotswald Industries Award
Sussex County Journal Magazine - Featured Article
Skylands 32nd Annual Juried Art Exhibition - Mathias Award for Watercolor
Garden State Watercolor Signature Members Exhibition - Merit Award
Garden State Watercolor Signature Members Exhibition - Best in Show
2018
Garden State Watercolor Society 49th Juried Exhibition - Dagmar Tribble Memorial Award
New Jersey Watercolor Society 76th Juried Exhibition - Virginia Fluegel Award
Watercolor West 50th Annual International Juried Exhibition - Lily Y Award
Skylands 31st Annual Juried Art Exhibition - Best in Show
2017
Skylands 30th Annual Juried Art Exhibition - Best in Show
2016
National Collage Society 19th Annual Postcard Show - Honorable Mention
2015
Garden State Watercolor Signature Members Exhibition - Honorable Mention
2013
Adirondacks 32nd Annual National Exhibition of American Watercolors - invited
2012
Skylands 25th Annual Juried Art Exhibit - Century Link Award
Allied Artists of America 99th Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
International Society of Experimental Artists 21st Annual Juried Exhibition - invited
2011
New Jersey Watercolor Society 69th Juried Exhibition - John T. and Eileen Tierney Award
2010
New Jersey Watercolor Society - Signature Membership
Skylands 23rd Juried Art Exhibition - SCA&HC Board of Trustee's Award
Garden State Watercolor Society 41st Juried Exhibition - Cranbury Station Art Gallery Award
2009
Garden State Watercolor Society 40th Annual Juried Exhibition - Windsor Gallery Award
2006
Garden State Watercolor Society - Signature Membership
2005
Garden State Watercolor Society 36th Annual Juried Exhibition - Judy Rae Memorial Award
2004
New Jersey State Fair - First Prize in Amateur Watercolor Category
