My Friend: Doris White

Wisconsin artist Doris White (b.1924-d.1995) garnered international acclaim for her bold and poetic watercolor techniques and is recognized as the first woman to receive the Grand Award and Gold Medal from the American Watercolor Society. White’s beautifully controlled strokes of color and her push into abstraction highlight the importance of her work in a time of realism, inspiring viewers to reimagine the boundaries of watercolor.

Beginning with large sweeping blocks of color, White builds intricate and atmospheric forms using brushes, razors, sponges, and blotting paper, working smaller and more detailed as the colors and textures escalate. Painting quickly, White leveraged the wet-on-wet techniques to achieve luminous compositions. These compositions emphasized her deep connection to her surroundings and showcased her never-ending exploration of materials and methods.

Sally Musbach’s dedicated collection of ephemera and artwork as well as her generous donation enabled us to share the work and life of her best friend, Doris White.

This exhibition is made possible by the charitable donation of Cedarburg Art Museum members, Terry and Dirk Hausmann.

Doris White in her Studio, “Milwaukee Journal Photo”