Samantha McNally is an award-winning, professional watercolor artist, whose works are collected and appreciated across the country. Known for her realism and delicacy in capturing floral and nature-inspired subjects, Samantha also teaches watercolor to students online, and is past President of the California Watercolor Association.
Samantha studied art at Ramapo College and Ridgewood School of Art in NJ, and the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She further honed her eye for creating finely detailed work during her 15-year career as an embroidery designer in the NYC garment district.
Awards and Special Recognition:
The Grumbacher gold medal and special award ribbon in 1999 for "Dogwood" at the Mount St. Mary Art Show in Newburgh, NY.
In 2001 Samantha was awarded Honorable mention for “Flowers” in the CWA Blackhawk Gallery.
In 2004, third place for “Two Roses” in the CWA Blackhawk Gallery.
In 2006 “Victoria’s Roses" and “Sea VI” won third place ribbons at the CWA Gallery.
In 2008, "Columbine" won an Honorable Mention at Gallery Concord.
In 2010 “Sea Lions” by Samantha McNally was accepted into the CWA National exhibition. This painting won the People’s Choice Award, Children’s vote.
Samantha won Honorable Mention in November 2010 for “Alphabet Storm” at the CWA show in the DVC Library.
In October 2011 “Basking in the Sun” won Honorable Mention in the Alameda Free Library show in Alameda, CA.
The Frank Bette Center in Alameda chose "Meyers House" and "Tucker Ice Cream" painted during the Plein Air Competition in August 2012 for their 2013 calendar. The Meyers House Museum chose Samantha's painting "Meyers House" for the VIP tour pass.
In December 2012 "Big Cat Rescue Tiger" won the People's Choice Award at the Vacaville Art Gallery and Third Place in the California Watercolor Association San Leandro Library show July 2013
Samantha won 4th place on June 30, 2016 in the Marin County Fair Plein Air Competition "Marin County Fair".
"Stanislaus Rapids" won an honorable mention at the California Watercolor Association show at the Delta Gallery in Brentwood, CA, April 2017.
"The Depot" was chosen to represent Benicia Open Studios, May 6 and 7, 2017, and printed on the banners, brochures and tote bags for the event.
"Mt Diablo" was chosen to be wrapped around the utility box on Main St and Mt Diablo Blvd in Walnut Creek, CA 2017
Samantha won the Merit Award, June 30, 2017 at the Marin County Fair Plein Air Competition "Marin County Fair 2".
"Whitewater" won 2nd Place People's Choice at Artist Getaway in June 2018.
"Sierra Beauty" won 2nd Place People's Choice at Artist Getaway in June 2019.
"A Dozen Roses" won Honorable Mention at the CWA Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery show in San Ramon, July 2020.
"Clint Eastwood's Ranch" won Honorable Mention at the Fairfield Suisun City Visual Arts Association's 57th Annual Juried Nor-Cal Regional Art Show November 2020.
"Pink Quartet" won Honorable Mention in the CWA member show March 2021.
"Spring Blooms" was accepted into the CWA 52nd National Exhibition 2022.
"Ukraine's National Flower" was chosen for the Artify Orinda project 2022.
"Aloe" was accepted into the CWA 53rd National Exhibition 2023.
"Egret" was accepted into the CWA 55th International Exhibition 2025.
Jurying and Judging Shows:
In May 2019 Samantha was the juror for the Main Street Arts, Martinez, show, "Lookin Out My Backdoor" and also the one of the Awards Judges on a three Judge panel for the same show.
September 22, 2019, Samantha was the Awards Judge at the Pleasanton Art League Plein Air Paint Out.
May 20, 2023, Samantha judged the awards with Pam McCauley for the Trilogy Art Show in Rio Vista.
July 23, 2023 Samantha juried the John Muir Medical Center show for California Watercolor Association.
December 2023 Samantha and Bonnie Fry juried the "Smaller Works" CWA exhibit at Main Street Arts Gallery.
April 1, 2024 Samantha juried the show for the Rossmore Art Association.
Demos:
Concord Art Association demo in September 2020.
Alamo Danville Arts Society demo in June 2021.
Las Juntas Art Society aka East Bay Artist Guild 2021.
Pinole Artisans demo in October 2024.
Alamo Danville Arts Society demo in January 2025.
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@samanthamcnallywatercolors
Exhibits:
Mount St. Mary Art Show, Newburgh, New York in the spring of 1999.
The Fort Mason Center in San Francisco at the Artist's Tools of the Trade Expo with CWA November 3,4 and 5, 2000.
CWA Member Show at the State Capital. 1400 Tenth Street Sacramento, CA. December, 2000.
The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, CA on April 14, 15, and 16, 2000 at the Harvest Festival with CWA.
The One Market Plaza Show in San Francisco with CWA. 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show at the Cow Palace with CWA. March 23, 24 and 25, 2001 and 2002.
The Sunset Magazine Spring Celebration in Menlo Park, CA with CWA. May 2002, 2003 and 2004.
"Pink Rose" and "Victoria's Roses" by Samantha McNally were included in The Frank Bette Center for the Arts Gallery show during the month of May, 2004 at 1601 Paru Street at Lincoln Ave. Alameda, California.
Gallery Concord in Concord, CA, 2004 to 2013.
“Golden Gate Bridge" and "Dew Drop Rose" were included in the CWA show at the John Muir Medical Center, 2005 in Walnut Creek, CA.
"Presidio" was included in the 2010 CWA Bay Model Show in Sausalito, CA.
November 2010 at the CWA show in the DVC Library.
John Muir Medical Center art show, 2011 in Walnut Creek, CA with the CWA show.
CWA Alameda Free Library Show in Alameda, CA 2011.
The Brown Couch Cafe in Oakland, CA, 340 14th Street, Oakland, CA. October 2011
East Bay Artist Guild Window Exhibitions in Pleasant Hill, CA, 2011.
August 10 through September 29, 2012 Samantha had 4 Plein Air paintings painted during the Frank Bette Plein Air paintout exhibited in the Frank Bette Gallery in Alameda, CA.
Arts Benicia had a show in March through September 2012 featuring Benicia "Endangered Vistas" at the City Council Chambers and "Benicia State Capital" was included.
Samantha exhibited 5 paintings in the Ethan Allen showroom in Fairfield, California from August 10 to September 4, 2012, for a Safe Quest charity event.
The Moraga Art Gallery hosted Samantha as their guest artist from October 2012 to January 2013.
Vacaville Art League Gallery 2012 and 2013.
Artist Getaway Art Show at the Hovey Winery in Murphys, CA on June 5, 2013.
Artist Getaway Art Show in Occidental, CA in October 2013.
Artist Getaway Art Show at the Hovey Winery in Murphys, CA in June 2104.
aRt Cottage Art Show during the month of July 2014 and 2015.
Capitola Plein Air Paint out 2016.
Carmel Plein Air Paint Out 2017.
Valley Art Gallery 2013 to present.
Benicia Plein Air Gallery 2014 to 2019.
Marin County Fair, June 30 to July 4, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The Delta Gallery CWA show, April 2017.
The Delta Gallery CWA show, March 2018.
CWA Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery, San Ramon, CA in September 2018.
CWA Village Theatre Art Gallery, Danville, CA, May 2019.
Once Upon a Canvas Gallery, Benicia, CA 2018 to 2020.
CWA Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, August 2019.
CWA San Ramon City Hall Gallery, San Ramon, CA September and October 2019.
CWA John Muir Health Aspen Center, Walnut Creek, CA September and October 2019.
CWA Lindsay Dirkx Brown, San Ramon, CA June and July 2020.
CWA Falkirk Cultural Center San Rafael, CA August 2020.
Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA, Fresh Works 2020.
Arts Benicia, Holiday Market 2020.
57th Annual Juried Nor-Cal Regional Art Show with the Fairfield Suisun Visual Arts Association 2020.
LAA, Bank of America in Lafayette, CA 2020.
HQ Gallery in Benicia, 2020 to 2022.
CWA Corte Madera, March 2021.
CWA Falkirk, San Rafael, April 2021.
Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA, Fresh Works 2021.
Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, Lafayette, CA June 2021.
CWA Lindsay Dirkx Brown, San Ramon, CA July 2021.
Main Street Arts Gallery, Martinez, August 2021 to present.
LAA Lindsay Dirkx Brown, San Ramon, September 2021.
Arts Benicia, Pure Paint, November-December 2021.
LAA Orinda Library, December 2021.
aRt Cottage Gallery, Concord, CA 2022 to present.
CWA 52nd National Exhibition, Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA January - March 2022.
Watercolor, A Happy Medium, curated by Samantha, March, April 2022 aRt Cottage in Concord.
LAA Lindsay Dirkx Brown, San Ramon, June 2022.
CWA 53rd National Exhibition, Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA January - March 2023.
CWA, Expanding White at the Corte Madera Community Center, January 2023.
Arts Benicia, Art of a Community, January 2023.
Featured Artist at Valley Art Gallery, May 16 to June 24 at Valley Art Gallery 2023.
Signature Members Show for California Watercolor Association at Harrington Gallery, June - July 2023.
LAA Lindsay Dirks Brown, San Ramon, June 2023.
LAA shows at Papillon Cafe, 2023, 2024, 2025.
Benicia Plein Air Gallery, April 2024 to present.
CWA 55th International Exhibition, February - March 2025.
Arts Benicia, Art of a Community, 2025