Look closely. There's an individual behind every gaze.

Award Winning Watercolor Artist

Original watercolor paintings, fine art prints, and wildlife portraiture by Vanessa Thorman.

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Vanessa Magdaleno Thorman

I create highly detailed watercolor portraits that celebrate the beauty, personality, and individuality of wildlife. Something many people don’t realize about my work is that each painting begins with a real bird or animal — a creature whose eyes, posture, or expression caught my attention and I knew I had to paint them.

I use only the highest-quality professional paints on 100% cotton, cold-pressed paper, crafted for centuries by European mills. The result is a collection of original paintings that aim to capture not just the physical likeness, but the spirit and presence of each animal that inspired them.

About
  • ART IN THE PARK (Blowing Rock, NC) - June 13, 2026, 10am-4pm

    Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a highly popular monthly outdoor art festival showcasing juried fine arts and handcrafts from elite regional artisans. The events take place on Park Avenue in downtown Blowing Rock, wrapping right behind the city's central park

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  • EXHIBIT: TRANSFORMATION (The Mint Museum, Uptown Charlotte) - June 17 - August 23, 2026

    The opening reception for this exhibition is open to the public and will take place June 17th from 6-9pm.

    Transformation explores the quiet and continual process of change—through light, growth, perspective, and renewal.

    Located in Mint Museum Uptown; Level 5 MINT5pace


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  • HIGHLANDS MOUNTAINTOP ARTS FESTIVAL (Highlands, NC) - June 27-28, 2026

    This premier outdoor event is organized by the Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands and features approximately 80 to 120 regional artisans. Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

    Location: Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Pine Street, Highlands, NC.

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  • National Watercolor Society Exhibition

    Recipient of the 2025 ScholARTship Award from the National Watercolor Society for Belle of the Ball.

  • Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition

    Recipient of the 2026 Holbein Artists Materials Award which recognizes outstanding achievement in watermedia.

  • First Place - National Watercolor Exhibition

    Winner of the Best in Show prize at the 2024 Mark Arts National Watercolor Exhibition.