Ann Smiga Greene 

www.annsmigagreene.com

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 American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Women in Watercolor, Garden State Watercolor Society; New Jersey Watercolor Society; International Society of Experimental Artists, Nautilus 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.

“Most artists create, I believe, not simply because they want to, but because an internal force drives them. It gnaws at them until they begin their art and continues until they complete it. Creating art is not just something that I do; it is part of who I am. I create art to express my ideas and use my imagination. I enjoy the excitement of handling the actual paint and paper. I enjoy seeing with varying perspectives; trying something new; making connections among people and working without a map. These are all parts of my creative process. Every time I put a brush to paper, I take another step on my journey as a visual artist.”