Artist’s Statement:

“Emotional, evocative, dramatic, and powerful--are words used to describe my works in watercolor, ink, and collage.  Character and figurative studies dominate but exploration through abstraction also is important.  Characteristics in style include movement of form, variety of both textures and values through use of limited palette in the majority of my work. It is important that the viewer create his own story concerning my subjects through my initial response of capturing the essence of the subject matter through transparent watercolor.”  (BIO BELOW)

UPDATE!

39th Biennial Juried Tennessee Watercolor Society, Purchase Award $1200 Jeffrey A. Shoham, Jerry's Artarama of Knoxville "HERITAGE SPIRIT DANCE" Traveling Show (4 venues)-Clarksville Custom House-West Tennessee Regional-Pryor Art Gallery, CSCC, and Arts Building Chattanooga

54th Mid-Southern Watercolorist, Diamond Signature Membership; John Hubert Memorial Award -"Dave Reminiscing"

"Darkest Before the Night" was a FINALIST in Women in Watercolors Online International Competition. (60 countries)

82nd Watercolor Society National, "Crazy Crescendo," won AWARD OF EXCELLENCE. 

"David Reminiscing" won 2nd Place in the final exhibition of GCVAA (TN) National Exhibition. 

MGAL notified me that I am a Lifetime Member.

"Darkest Before the Light" won the BRONZE AWARD in the 53rd Mid-Southern Watercolorist, Little Rock Arkansas. 

"Darkest Before the Light" has won the SILVER AWARD at Aqueous USA-Kentucky Watercolor National 45th Exhibition. "Soul Soothing Sounds," was accepted into the 54th Watercolor West International Juried Exhibition, Coastline Art Gallery in Newport, CA. "Steve Reminiscing" was accepted into the 50th Tennessee Watercolor Society 50th Exhibition in AVA in Chattanooga. "Dali's Movement of Life" won 1st place in the GCVAA Regional Exhibition. The painting features the winding staircase in the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL. "The Sojourner and the Crow" received a Patron Cash Award from Tallahassee Watercolor Society and a couple of merchandise awards from the 81st Watercolor Society of Alabama. My painting, "Divine Journey" won a cash award of $500 from Fallbrook Art Center CA in the World of Watercolor 13th Signature American Watermedia International 2022 Exhibition.  "Let it Be" was awarded the Doris Williamson Mapes Memorial Award in the 52nd Mid-Southern Watercolorist....Signature Status received in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Southern Watercolor Society, "Crazy Crescendo" accepted Art Center, Manatee, FL. "Steve's Serenity" was accepted into the 2022 Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Kenosha Public Museum, WI.

"Steve Reminiscing" won (Cash Award 4th) in Missouri Watercolor International Exhibition 2021, St. Louis Gallery, MO.

Women in Watercolors 2021, "Steve Reminiscing" is Finalist by panel of jurors. "Phantom COVID II" received Lucille J "Lucija" Dragovan Memorial Award $500 in the 45th Transparent Watercolor Society of America Kenosha Public Museum, May 1 -August 1.  "Let It Be" won an award in the Watercolor Society of Alabama 80th National Exhibition, Patron Award $100 American Frame & Cheap Joes $200. "Steve Reminiscing" was awarded the SILVER AWARD ($1200) 51st Mid Southern Watercolorist  Society. Hot Springs AR, Convention Center. "The Movement of Life" was accepted and won a Cash Sponsor Award ($250) into 2021 Signature American Watermedia International Exhibition, Fallbrook Art Center, CA. (Feb.13-April 11).  "Divine Journey" received Golden Color Gift Certificate & QoR Paint Set in Southern Watercolor 44th Exhibition at Gadsden Art Center, April 23-June19, 2021. Watercolor Society of Alabama ONLINE Exhibition, "My Tribute" won 3rd place. (Online for year WSA Website)

2020

Watercolor Society Purchase Award Jerry's Artarama; Tennessee Watercolor Society 37th Exhibition Purchase-Jeffrey Shoham Award $1200 ("My Tribute"); 2020 National Watercolor  Society 50 Stars ONLINE Exhibition, Transparent Watercolor Society of America- 2020 Irving Shapiro Founders Award "Steve Reminiscing", Kenosha, Wisconsin;  43rd Southern Watercolor Online Exhibition-"Let It Be" Holbein Merchandise Award; 2020 Mid-Southern Watercolorist-"Braxton Dixon Reminiscing"- Arkansas Art League Award; Watercolor Society of Alabama National-"Grizz: The Storyteller"; Signature American 11th World of Watercolor and Beyond International Exhibition, accepted in Fallbrook, CA ,"Miss Louise Speaking Wisdom";  MGAL (Memphis-Germantown Art League) Winter Exhibition, St. George Episcopal Church Gallery, Germantown, BEST of SHOW, "Braxton Reminiscing" and Region I TnWS Exhibition 1st Place, The Ned , Jackson, TN....2019 Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous USA - Silver Award 2019 - "Steve Reminiscing";  National Watercolor Society Member Exhibition -"California Dreamer" 2019; Signature American Watermedia Exhibition, "Norm's World II" Fallbrook Art Center/CA (Marjorie and Jim Claborn Award); 2019 Fabriano in Acquarello Invitational Exhibition, Paper & Watermark Museum-"Mary Louise" (Fabriano, Italy); 2018  "Braxton Reminiscing" won GOLD AWARD Kentucky Watercolor Aqueous USA 2018; Signature Membership Watercolor West International, 50th Exhibition ("Norm's World II").  "Old Stogie II John" Purchase Award Jeffrey Shoham Collection/Jerry's Artarama/Knoxville (Tennessee Watercolor Society Exhibition/Clarksville TN Custom House;  GCVAA National Exhibition 1st Place -"California Dreamer"; 41st Southern Watercolor Exhibition, Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL ("Dennis" Canson Fine Paper Award); WSA Signature Silver Status Member and "Norm's World II" won Patron Award; 

Artist’s Statement:

“Emotional, evocative, dramatic, and powerful--are words used to describe my works in watercolor, ink, and collage.  Character and figurative studies dominate but exploration through abstraction also is important.  Characteristics in style include movement of form, variety of both textures and values through use of limited palette in the majority of my work. It is important that the viewer create his own story concerning my subjects through my initial response of capturing the essence of the subject matter through transparent watercolor.”

 National and International award-winning Tennessee artist, Tuva Page Stephens has studied art from many nationally known watercolorists:  Mary Whyte, Mary Ann Beckwith, Leslie Frontz, John Salminen, Cheng-Khee Chee, Jean Grastorf, George James, Frank Webb, Gerald Brommer, Judi Betts, Laurin McCracken, Tony Couch, Mark Mehaffey, Tom Lynch, Kathleen Conover, Paul Jackson, Tom Francesconi, Ted Nuttall, Soon Y. Warren, Rose Edin and Don Andrews.  Tuva is a Signature Member of Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), National Watercolor Society (NWS), Southern Watercolor Society (SW) Past President/LM, Watercolor West (WW), Tennessee Watercolor Society (TnWS) (Past President), Kentucky Watercolor Society (KWS) , Watercolor Society of Alabama (WSA Bronze), Missouri Watercolor Society (MOWS) and Mississippi Watercolor Society (MSWS).  In 2010 she was the featured watercolorist for her signature figurative/character portraits on Tennessee Crossroads which can still be viewed on YouTube.  Thirty-three years of teaching high school art and directing drama productions involving designing award winning sets have been her best teacher. She was the recipient of numerous teacher awards during her teaching career.  Tuva will teach workshops upon request. Contact her directly to find out more information.

Tuva retired in May 2009 to pursue her dreams of becoming an established competitive professional artist.  At the age of 15 her study of art began while in high school through Art Instruction School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She graduated from the University of  Tennessee at Martin with a BS in Secondary Education in English and Art.  She has been enjoying the freedom of painting as much as possible now and prides herself in painting a variety of subject matter.  

Tuva was the President of the Southern Watercolor Society (18 states) May 2015 until August 2017. Stephens was the President (2010-12) and Secretary (2008-10) of Tennessee Watercolor Society.  Her works have been accepted 2006 through 2018 into TnWS Society Biennial Exhibitions.  She received TnWS Signature Membership in 2010. She is also an active member of the Gibson Co.Visual Art Association (GCVAA), Memphis Germantown Art League (MGAL Platinum Star Status), SW (Southern Watercolor Society--18 states) 2010*, 2011, 2012*, 2013*, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017*, 2018*. She received SW Lifetime Membership in 2018. KWS (Kentucky Watercolor Society) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016*2017*, and 2018*; Watercolor Society of Alabama National Exhibition acceptance each year from 2011-2018 (Bronze Status), Recognition of Excellence (online competition) 2011 and 2012, Award Winner 2012*, 2017*, 2018* and a Sustaining Associate Member AWS. Watercolor West International Exhibitions 2014, 2015, 2018; Signature Member and award winner National Watercolor Society 2016. She received the Board of Directors Award  in the 2013 of MOWS International and received first place in the MOWS Members' Invitational 2013, judged the next exhibition. She received the Board of Director's Award 2013-Signature American Watermedia , and MS Grand National-4th place award, 2014. "Old Stogie I" received the Grand Award MGAL National Exhibition 2015, Memphis. Signature Member of Transparent Watercolor Society (2013, 2015, 2017). In 2016 she was awarded Signature Membership into National Watercolor Society and received an award on "Firm Foundation" that was accepted into the international exhibition. "Braxton Reminiscing" received the GOLD AWARD, Aqueous USA-Kentucky Watercolor Society 2018. " Steve Reminiscing" received SILVER AWARD in the Kentucky Watercolor Society-Aqueous USA in 2019 and "Darkest Before the Light: won the SILVER AWARD in KWS-Aqueous USA in 2022.

Tuva is perfectly happy to paint for the joy of painting, but must admit it is fun to win shows, conduct workshops and sell her work.  She resides in McKenzie, Tennessee with her supportive husband, manager and critic, Don Stephens and their beloved cream-colored Persian, "Eli". 

The digital images of artwork on this website are the property of TUVA STEPHENS.  Any duplication or use of the images without her written permission constitutes copyright infringement.