Continuing a new tradition at the Morean, we present last year’s Margaret Murphy Steward Best of Show winner, Chris Duncan. In addition to a cash prize, the winning artist receives a solo show in our gallery to coincide with the following year’s members show. Chris is the ninth artist to receive this opportunity, and we are pleased to showcase her latest watercolor paintings during this time. Here’s what she has to say about her work:

“I paint with only the three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, pouring them onto the paper to blend randomly to create a rainbow of beautiful color combinations. I want to paint an interpretation of the essence of what I see and feel, rather than an exact replica.”

Chris Duncan was born and raised in Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in biology. In 1987, she took an early retirement from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and bought a stained glass store in Tampa, thinking she could finally focus on an art career. However, it was not yet her time, and within three years, she had to close the store.

For over 20 years, she worked for the Department of Transportation and then a large consulting firm in Tampa. She retired again in 2008.

After retirement, she was finally able to begin taking art classes at various regional art centers. Eventually, she developed her own style and has exhibited her work frequently in local art shows. This is her first solo exhibition.

She continues to love painting and to try different watercolor techniques in her St. Petersburg studio.