Sharon Pitts, “White Peonies”, Watercolor,, 26″x36”

About

Sharon Pitts is a local New Jersey artist who explores nature through her watercolor paintings. Pitts obtained her B.A. in Plastic and Graphic Arts from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1970. She has also studied various topics at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation, and Montclair State University. She has been a juror of many art exhibitions and has given demonstrations to various watercolor organizations. In addition to this, Pitts is an avid reader and traveler who has taught watercolor workshops in various places around the globe, with an upcoming workshop in New Zealand November 2026.

Sharon Pitts taught watercolor for five years at the Adult School of Montclair and for twenty years at the Montclair Art Museum. Currently, she teaches at the Van Vleck Gardens in Montclair and online at Il Chiostro. She has been Exhibition Chair and Director of Watercolor for Allied Artists of America, a national arts organization. Sharon also was publicity Chair for Women Artists of Montclair and a founding member Studio Montclair, Inc.

In 2006 Sharon formed PS Art Tours. She has taught numerous painting workshops in the South of France in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and in Croatia in 2010. Other workshops include Prince Edward Island, Cloudcroft, NM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Prince Frederick, Maryland.

You can find more about her artwork here: www.sharonpittsstudio.com

“Liquid Layers” – 2026 NBAS Watercolor and Mixed Media

Artist Statement

“The major focus of my work is based on themes derived from nature; florals, trees, leaves, still lives and landscapes which incorporate both the real and the imaginary. Other subjects include Hawaiian shirts, cowboy boots, kimonos, cigar paintings and jukeboxes. My work ranges in size from 8”x l0” to mural size landscapes up to 14 feet wide.

My work has been featured in Watercolor Artists Magazine and can be found in numerous private and corporate collections.”

New Brunswick Art Salon 2026 – Watercolor and Mixed Media “Liquid Layers” Exhibition

Selected Galleries and Solo Shows

  • 2026         
    • The Urban Muse Gallery, Denville, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2024-25   
    • Residency at BrassWorks, Montclair, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2024         
    • Watercolor and Photography in Harmony, Stover’s Mill Gallery, Erwinna, Pa. (two-person exhibit)
  • 2023         
    • “Transactions with Beauty”, Hillside Square, Montclair NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2018      
    • Art On Paper, Pier 36, New York, NY
  • 2017         
    • The Banner Project, “An Affair of the Art”, Studio Montclair, Inc.
    • Brass Works Gallery, “Site Specific”, Montclair NJ
  • 2016         
    • The Gallery at Berkshire Hathaway, Livingston, NJ (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2015         
    • Atrium Art Gallery, Morristown, NJ (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2014         
    • Calvary Episcopal Church, Summit, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2013         
    • “Full Circle”, Studio Montclair, Inc. Montclair, NJ
    • Faculty Show, Montclair Art Museum
    • PechaKucha at Montclair Art Museum
  • 2012         
    • Artist-in-Residence, Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Parsippany, NJ
    • “Art Connections 8”, George Segal Gallery, Montclair State University
  • 2011    
    • Van Vleck House and Gardens, Montclair, NJ
  • 2009    
    • The Atrium Gallery, Morristown, NJ
    • Faculty Show, Montclair Art Museum
  • 2008    
    • “Fascination with Nature”, Flyway Gallery, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2007    
    • “Art Connections 4”, George Segal Gallery, Montclair State University
    • Distinctive Palettes, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, NJ
  • 2006    
    • “Visions in Watercolor”, Dupre Gallery, Montclair, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2005        
    • “Evolving Themes”, Livingston Art Association, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2003        
    • Unitarian Church, Summit, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Blue Sky Café Ballroom, Montclair, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • “Natural Forms”, Aaron Faber Gallery, New York, NY (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Featured Artist, G.J. Cloninger, East Hanover, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • “From Nature to Neon”, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 2001    
    • “Kinetic Pop”, Fredrick Clement Gallery, Montclair, N.J.  (TWO-ARTIST EXHIBITION)
  • 2000    
    • “Fabulous With a Touch of Funk”, Berlex Laboratories, Montville, N.J. (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 1999    
    • “Mid-Winter Bloom”, Newark Academy Gallery, Livingston, N.J.  (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Jewel Spiegel Gallery, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
  • 1998         
    • Aaron Faber Gallery, New York, N.Y. (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 1995    
    • Broadfoot and Broadfoot, Boonton, N.J.
  • 1994    
    • Chasen Portfolio, Springfield, N.J.
  • 1993    
    • Essex Fine Arts, Montclair, N.J.
    • Art Insights, New York, N.Y.
  • 1991    
    • Windsors Gallery, Dania, Fl.
  • 1990    
    • Korby Gallery, Cedar Grove, N.J.
  • 1989    
    • Gallery at 211, Ossining, N.J.
  • 1987    
    • Atwood Gallery, New York, N.Y. (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 1979    
    • Gallery at 401, Magnolia, N.J.
    • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Pa.
    • Art and More, Philadelphia, Pa., (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Abington Art Center, Abington, Pa. (3-artist exhibition)
  • 1977    
    • Kammer Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa. (SOLO EXHIBITION)
  • 1976    
    • Widener University Museum of Art, Widener College (SOLO EXHIBITION)   
    • Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa., (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Vincent Kling Partnership, Philadelphia, Pa., (SOLO EXHIBITION)
    • Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

Group Exhibitions

  • 2024          
    • State of the Art, Studio Montclair Inc. Leach Gallery         
    • Studio Montclair, Inc. Juried Members Exhibition, Montclair, NJ         
    • Allied Artists of America, 111th Annual Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2022          
    • Allied Artists of America, 109th Annual Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2021          
    • “Inspired by and Object”, Studio Montclair, Inc.     
    • Faculty Show, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, NJ
  • 2010      
    • Genesis and Evolution, Academy Square, Montclair, NJ     
    • Art on Paper, Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ   
    • Ocean Reef Art League, Key Largo, Florida
  • 2008    
    • “The Flower Show”, BOI’S Gallery of New Hope, New Hope, PA
  • 2007    
    • Allied Artists of America Invitational, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT   
    • Allied Artists of America, 94th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY
  • 2006    
    • Allied Artists of America, 93rd Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY  
  • 2005         
    • Allied Artists of America, 92nd Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY
    • Butler 69th Midyear, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
    • “ArtWorks”, Park Avenue at Morris County, Florham Park, NJ
    • “Art Blooms”, Louisa Melrose Gallery, Frenchtown, NJ
  • 2004        
    • Art Market 2004, Montclair State University
    • Yard School of Art, Montclair Art Museum Faculty Show, Montclair, NJ
    • Allied Artists of America, 91st Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY
    • “Connections”, Kunstlerbund, Graz, Austria
    • 5th Annual Juried Art Show, Louisa Melrose Gallery, Frenchtown, NJ (Best in Show)
    • “Heartstrings”, Studio Montclair, Inc. at The Clifton Arts Center, Clifton, NJ
  • 2003         
    • “Black and White”, Women Artists of Montclair, Nandi Gallery, Montclair, NJ   
  • 2003-05 Traveling exhibition:
    • J. Wayne Stark Gallery, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
    • Museum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
    • Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
    • Bergstrom-Mahler Museum, Neenah, WI
    • Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville, VA
    • The UVSC Woodbury Gallery, Orem, UT
    • Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI
  • 2002      
    • Allied Artists of America, 89th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY
    • “Hot Flashes”, Women Artists of Montclair, Westminster Art Gallery, Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ        
    • “In America”, Gallery of the Sheraton Edison Hotel at Raritan Center N.J.
  • 2001    
    • “Salon 2001”, Fredrick Clement Gallery, Montclair, NJ
    • Allied Artists of America, Inc. 88th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, N.Y.
    • The Montclair Art Museum Yard School of Art Faculty Show at Gallery 214
    • Studio Montclair, Inc., 4th Annual Juried Exhibition, Montclair, N.J.
    • Community Arts Association, 7th National Open Exhibitions, Ridgewood, N.J.
    • The Allied Artists of America Member’s Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
  • 2000        
    • Allied Artists of America, Inc. 87th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, N.Y.
    • “Parallel Visions”, Berlex Laboratories, Montville, N.J.
    • “The Presby Art Show 2000”, Presby Iris Gardens, Montclair, N.J.
    • “Salon 2000”, Fredrick Clement Gallery, Montclair N.J.
    • “Ancestors, Revealing Our Tracks”, Women Artists of Montclair, Serengeti Plains, Montclair, NJ    
    • “It’s About Time”, The Gallery at Newark Academy, Livingston, N.J.
  • 1999    
    • Allied Artists of America, Inc., 86th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, N.Y.
    • Studio Montclair, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Colonnades Gallery, Montclair, N.J.
    • 41st Annual Westfield Hadassah Fine Art & Crafts Show, Westfield, NJ
    • “Raw/Refined”, Women Artists of Montclair, Fredrick Clement Gallery, Montclair, N.J.
  • 1998          
    • Allied Artists of America, Inc. 85th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, NYC.
    • Studio Montclair, 1st Annual Juried Exhibition, Montclair, N.J.
    • Community Arts Association, CAA 4th National Open Exhibition, Ridgewood Art Institute, Ridgewood, NJ
    • “Dark”, City Without Walls Gallery, Newark, N.J.
    • “Seeing Red”, Women Artists of Montclair, Nabisco Gallery, East Hanover, N.J.
  • 1997      
    • Allied Artists of America, Inc. 84th Annual Exhibition, New York, N.Y.
    • “Reconnection-Tapping into the Life Force of Nature through Art”, Essex Fine Arts Gallery, Montclair, NJ
    • 16th Annual Metro Show, Juried Small Works, City Without Walls Gallery, Newark, N.J.
    • Invitational Donation, Montclair Art Museum, “Art in Bloom”
    • “The Montclair Art Colony, Past and Present”, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, N.J.
    • “The Source”, Women Artists of Montclair (WAM), Westminster Gallery, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ
  • 1996      
    • “The Decade Show”, Women Artists of Montclair (WAM), Westminster Gallery,  Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ
  • 1995      
    • Invitational Donation, Montclair Art Museum, “Art in Bloom”, Montclair, N.J.
    • Nominee, Montclair Arts and Cultural Alliance, Outstanding Achievement in the Arts”
    • “Auras” WAM, Unitarian Church, Montclair, N.J.
    • “Focus on Art”, National Council of Jewish Women, JCC, Livingston, N.J.
  • 1994      
    • “The Bed”, WAM, Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J.
  • 1993      
    • “Emergence-After the Garden”, WAM, Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J.
  • 1992      
    • “More or Less, Less or More”, WAM, Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J.
  • 1990      
    • Art in the Park, Montclair, N.J. (1st Prize Watercolor)
    • “Dreamscapes/Intimate Rituals”, City Without Walls Gallery, Newark, N.J.
  • 1989      
    • “Intimate Rituals, Westminster Gallery, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, N.J.
    • “Women in Art”, Tobia Kraa Gallery, Montclair, N.J.
    • YMHA, Wayne, N.J., (two-artist show)
  • 1988      
    • “The Art Show”, Montclair, N.J. (1st Prize Watercolor)
  • 1988-96     
    • Art Expo, Jacob Javits Center, New York, N.Y.
  • 1980           
    • “Flora”, University City Arts League, Philadelphia, Pa.
    • “Holiday Exhibition”, Gloucester County College, N.J.
  • 1979      
    • Third Street Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 1978        
    • Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 1977      
    • “Invitational Small Paintings”, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa.
    • “37th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Woodmere Art Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 1976        
    • National Academy Galleries, New York, N.Y.
    • “176 Innovations”, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa.
    • Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 1975-79      
    • Rittenhouse Square Art Annual, Philadelphia, Pa.

Teaching Experience

  • 2023-current
    • Watercolor in the Garden, Van Vleck Garden, Montclair, NJ
  • 2022-current
  • 2011    
    • Art Journal, New York Open Center, New York, NY
  • 2001-2020     
    • Watercolor instructor, Yard School of Art, Montclair Art Museum
  • 2007
    • Jumpstarting your Creativity, The Adult School of Montclair
  • 2007
    • Watercolor instructor, Visual Arts Center, Summit, NJ
    • Watercolor instructor, Jersey Central Art Studios, Cranford, NJ
  • 1995-2005
    • Watercolor instructor, Montclair Adult School
    • Adjunct staff, Essex County College, Newark, NJ

Watercolor Workshops and Demonstrations


2025 Watercolor Art Journal, Dievole Winery and Resort, Tuscany, Italy
2024 Watercolor Art Journal, Verona, Lake Garda and Venice, Italy
2024 Watercolor demonstration, Hunterdon Watercolor Society, Flemington, NJ
2023 Watercolor Journal at San Giovanni d’Asso, Tuscany, Italy
2022 Watercolor Journal at San Fedele Monastery, Tuscany, Italy
2019 Watercolor Journal in the Cinque Terre
2018 Watercolor Journal, Painting in Venice, Italy
2017 Watercolor Journal in Croatia
2016 Watercolor Journal in Paris
2015 Watercolor Journal with Sharon Pitts, Tuscany, Italy
2014 Watercolor Journal with Sharon Pitts, Tuscany, Italy
2013 Watercolor Journal in Tuscany, Renewal II
2012 Watercolor Journal In Tuscany, Renewal I
2011 Watercolor Journal in Tuscany
2008 Provence, France
2007 Les Pradailles, Fiac, France
Calvert Artists’ Guild, Prince Frederick, Maryland
Watercolor demonstration, Rutherford Art Center, Rutherford, NJ
Watercolor workshop, Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA
Watercolor demonstration, Bloomfield Art League, NJ
2006 Watercolor demonstration, Clifton Art Association, Clifton, NJ
2006 Les Pradailles, Fiac, France
2006 Morris County Art Association, Morristown, NJ
2006 Gold Coast Watercolor Society, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Cloudcroft Art Workshops, Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Watercolor demonstration, Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, Montclair, NJ
Watercolor demonstration, Livingston Art Association, Livingston, NJ
2001-3 Bloomfield Art League, Bloomfield, NJ
2002 Prince Edward Island, Canada
2003 Roxbury Art Association, Roxbury, NJ

Juror

New Jersey Art Association, 2025
New Jersey Art Association, 2023
Livingston Art Association
West Essex Art Association
Art Association of Rutherford
National Society of Arts & Letters, 2007
Millburn-Short Hills Art Center, 2005
Bloomfield Art League, 1999, 2003
May In Montclair
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, Children’s Art Show
Paint the Town!  Montclair, NJ, 1998

Collections

Widener University Museum of Art
Commission for CBS, Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive Corporation
Gennet, Kallmann, Antin and Robinson
Due Process Stables Golf Course
Pfizer, Inc.
Sankyo Pharma Inc.
Senior Care and Activities Center, Montclair, NJ
Commission for Becton Dickinson
Commission for Barnes and Noble 2009, 2010, 2011
Private Collections

Publications

Bucks County Herald, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 Stover Mill Gallery to present “Natural Fusion: Photography & Watercolor in Harmony
Watercolor Artist Magazine
Downtown Cranford Magazine, October 2007
Downtown Cranford Magazine, “Artist Loves Teaching”, Mary Ann Matlock, May 2007
Who’s Who in American Art, 2005-06 Edition, 2007-2008 Edition
Akron Beacon Journal, July 17, 2005, “Realism on display at Butler show”, Dorothy Shinn, Art and Architecture Critic
Nouveau, January, 2005, “Louise Melrose Gallery Presents Art Blooms”, Teri Murphy
New York Times, September 14, 1997, “Three Rare Invitations to the Inner Sanctum”, On the Towns Section, William Zimmer
The Star-Ledger, November 27, l997, “Watercolorist showcases blooming creations”, Sheryl Weinstein

Memberships and Affiliations (past and present)

President, PS Art Tours
Allied Artists of America, Director of Exhibitions and Director of Watercolor
Studio Montclair, Inc.
Women Artists of Montclair, Artists Fellowship

Contact

Website: www.sharonpittsstudio.com
Instagram: @watercolorwoman