Dottie Thompson, an artist and resident of Lakeside has won the Best of Theme award in the highly competitive November 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society Member’s gallery exhibition “Evoking Mystery.” Thompson’s painting titled “Got My Eye On You” was selected by local artist Alice Kayuha for this honor, out of 251 entries.
“This painting fits the Best of Theme because it is really mysterious. When you first look at it, you don’t even realize what it is. Then you look more closely. and you realize that it is an eye, probably of a crocodile or alligator. The reflection really begins to take on the presence of an eye looking at you. So, it really has a mystery to it,” Kayuha commented.
Thompson graduated from Helix High School and has been an hairstylist for over 60 years, and even now continues this work occasionally. She has been into different kinds of art all her life but began serious painting in oil about 18 years ago. Three years after that she began with watercolors. Other than adult education and a few private classes, Thompson has had no formal art training. She has, however, won many awards at different shows in San Diego, including at the San Diego Fair. She has held memberships at the East County Art Association, Foothills Art Association and San Diego Watercolor Society, which she only recently rejoined.
The SDWS Gallery Exhibit will run through Saturday Nov. 30. Paintings can be viewed and purchased at the gallery and on the SDWS website at www.sdws.org/galleryart.php?cat=7056
