Local painter leads Florida Watercolor Society

Kim Minichiello began painting with watercolors in the early 2000s simply as a means to document her travels. Inspired by travel sketchbooks from other artists, she always carried a compact kit of watercolors and her own sketchbook wherever she would travel for her job as a designer for Disney Imagineering.

“I’ve done a lot of traveling working for Walt Disney Imagineering, and I was always enamored by these (travel sketch) books,” Minichiello said. “With all the traveling that I do, I just told myself, ‘I want to do that,’ (but) I wasn’t that comfortable with watercolor. I hadn’t painted with it that much, but by wanting to do that (travel sketchbook), it was my goal to keep a travel sketchbook and do them in watercolor. I got very, very familiar with the medium, and I loved it so much, it just became my preferred medium. I don’t use oil (paints) as much anymore because I love watercolor and the flow and the pigment on the paper ... and it’s easier to travel with.”

Today, Minichiello is at the head of the Florida Watercolor Society as its president for 2019. She is originally from Logansport, Indiana, but currently lives near Windermere. Her paintings have been featured at the SoBo Art Gallery in downtown Winter Garden, and she currently has one on display at SoBo as part of Florida Watercolor Society’s Traveling Exhibition. She’s previously served as a member of the Winter Garden Art Association’s Board of Directors, but serving as president of the Florida Watercolor Society — a position that has been four years in the making for her — takes up much of her free time these days.

“It’s a huge responsibility, and I felt very honored and flattered that my peers had faith in me to do the job,” Minichiello said. “Before I was president, I was on the board for four years doing different jobs at certain VP (vice president) levels to work my way up to the presidency job. Then I know what needs to be done to pull off what our main event each year, (which) is a convention ... (and) an annual exhibition for our members (that features) 100 paintings, and we also do a big trade show as part of the convention.”

When Minichiello is not working on one of her own paintings, she shares her passion for painting with others. Minichiello teaches private painting lessons and group painting classes from her home. She sets up tables, watercolor sets and paper in her garage to form a classroom for her students. Occasionally, she is contracted with Disney to teach painting workshops.

Minichiello said the work she has done with the Florida Watercolor Society has been a years-long commitment. She said working her way up to president and then beyond that position can take up to eight years. To be president, members have to work their way up from third vice president. Along the way, the presidents-in-the-making learn what it takes to run the Florida Watercolor Society’s annual convention, trade show and art exhibition.

For the first time since 2012, the Florida Watercolor Society’s Convention, Trade Show and Art Exhibition will take place in the Orlando area — Sept. 19 to 22 at the Double Tree Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld; 10100 International Drive. The 48th annual Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition will take place Sept. 10 to Nov. 8 at Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando.

When the Florida Watercolor Society takes on a new third vice president, where that person lives is taken into account. The annual convention, trade show and exhibition is held in different cities throughout the state each year, and it’s typically held close to where the president of the Florida Watercolor Society for that year lives.