The Northwest Watercolor Society announced that the painting “The Tourist Girlfriend” by Obstruction Island artist Caroline Buchanan has been accepted for its 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition. The exhibit was selected by watercolor artist and juror Mark Mehaffey. The 73rd Open Exhibition runs from April 15 through May 31 at the Mercer View

Gallery, 8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island. A reception and awards ceremony will be held on April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Seattle-based Northwest Watercolor Society Open Exhibition is open to any water media artists world-wide whose paintings are selected. The current exhibit of 64 paintings includes 14 artists from Washington state and 24 from the states that comprise the Pacific Northwest, and five from other countries besides the U.S. Signature membership is achieved when an artist becomes a signature member of the NWWS when he or she has been accepted in two or more Open Exhibitions. Buchanan has been a signature member since 1981.

“The Tourist Girlfriend” was inspired by the girlfriend of a Greek basket merchant, sitting in the sun in Hania, Crete, turning away from writing in her journal. The subject followed its own journey through several interpretations over a number of years. Buchanan has lived on Obstruction Island since 1992. She has taught workshops in far-flung places such as the Greek Islands and Tahiti. She also teaches and shows locally. More info can be found at www.buchananwatercolors.com.