HER HAIR
transparent watercolour
29 x 21.5 in.
traditionally framed (matted with glass)
framed dimension: 37.75 x 31 in.
$2,150

WHAT IS A TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOUR?

Transparency is the quality of watercolours that allows the passing of light through glazes of paint to reflect off the paper's surface. Transparency as a classification of watercolour indicates no white, bodycolours or gouaches (opaques) were used. In a transparent watercolour, the white of the paper is preserved by the artist wherever a white statement is intended in the painting.

SUMMER ARMS
mixed media - transparent watercolour and acrylic archival varnish
8 x 12.25 in.
unframed
$550

SUMMER
mixed media - transparent watercolour and acrylic archival varnish
8 x 12.25 in.
unframed
$550

BRIGHT LIGHT
mixed media - transparent watercolour and acrylic archival varnish
19.5 x 15.75 in.
framed, no glass
framed dimension: 21 x 17 1/8 in.
$1,550

WHAT IS AND WHY USE ACRYLIC ARCHIVAL VARNISH?

Acrylic archival varnish is a mineral spirit acrylic with ultraviolet filters which provides a protective coating for the foundation of the piece - a watercolour. The acrylic archival varnish bonds with the watercolour pigment and paper and the resulting image may be regarded as an acrylic impregnated image. This process protects the watercolour from dirt, dust, ultraviolet exposure and moisture, all without the need for glass!

PEARL SET IN SILVER
mixed media - transparent watercolour with archival varnish
20 x 12.5 in.
framed, no glass
framed dimension: 21.5 x 14 in.
SOLD

CHANCELVIE IN RED
transparent watercolour
21.5 x 13 in.
traditionally framed (matted and glass)
$1,750

PEACE
oil on board
48.5 x 24.25 in.
framed
framed dimension: 51 x 26 in.
$3,800

FINDING PEACE
transparent watercolour
20.75 x 28.25 in.
traditionally framed (matted and glass)
framed dimension: 31.25 x 37.75 in.
SOLD

LOVE FLOWERS
mixed media - transparent watercolour and acrylic archival varnish
22 x 20 in.
framed, no glass
framed dimension: 23.75 x 21.5 in.
$1,850

Primarily self-taught, and working almost exclusively in watercolour, Ann Balch began exhibiting her work in the early 1990's in solo and group shows.

Ann has received wonderful recognition in print. Her work and technique were featured in the October 2005 edition of the American magazine "Watercolor Magic". Ann was chosen as one of the top 10 finalists in the yearly competition of "Watercolor" magazine in 2005. The "Watercolor" magazine competition "elicited a tremendous response from artists worldwide. Entries poured in from across the United States and Canada and from as far away as Europe, Asia and Africa. An impressively high percentage of the works received were truly excellent and displayed not only technical mastery but also original and innovative artistry" (excerpt from Watercolor magazine).

The Spring 2006 issue featured a compelling artist statement by Ann and an exquisite portrait, entitled "Wedding Song".

You are welcome to drop by Gallery 78 and read the articles.

Her work was included in the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) 80th Anniversary exhibition (juried) in Toronto in 2005, and she won the 2004 Jarvis Award for Excellence in Transparent Watercolour and the 2001 Charles Comfort Award for Excellence in Figurative Painting at the CSPWC's annual juried exhibition in Toronto. The Comfort Award is presented only three or four times every 10 years, at the discretion of the judges.

She was one of six Canadian watercolourists to be represented at the Fifth International Watercolour Biennial held at the Museo Nacional de la Acuarela in Mexico City from October 2002 to February 2003. Thirty three countries participated with a total of 198 paintings being exhibited as three separate shows at this Mexico 's national Gallery devoted exclusively to exhibiting watercolours.

Balch's work is held in private and public collections in England, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and New Brunswick. The artist practices her art full-time, following a successful career in public relations.