Born November 12, 1942 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. Architect and watercolor painter, known for his photorealistic still lifes, flowers, landscapes, and other subjects. He studied at Auburn University, where he graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and Architecture, and obtained a master's degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Princeton University. He currently lives and paints in Fort Worth, Texas.

Laurin McCracken combines many of the skills she learned as an architect. As a watercolorist, he uses his experience in art history, drawing, photography and visits to some of the most important museums in the world.

He is a signature member of more than a dozen watercolor societies including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Southern Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, and Watercolor USA Honor Society. He is an Elected Member of the Allied Artists of America in their Watermedia Category.

His paintings have been included in multiple shows in China: Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Biennial Exhibition 2010 & 2012, the Beijing International Art Biennale 2010; 2012, and 2015; the Shenzhen International Watercolor Biennial 2013 and 2015; and the Qingdao International Watercolour Salon, 2014.

His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the National Museum of China; the Asian Museum of Watercolor Art in Haikou City, Hainan Province, China; and The Watercolor Museum in Fabriano, Italy.

His work has been published in many national and international magazines and books including Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, Artist’s, Drawing, American Artist, International Artist, and Southwest Art. His work has been included in books such as Splash 9-20; Strokes of Genius 2 & 3, Secrets of International Watercolor Masters, Volume #1 published in China, Masters of Realistic Imagery published in Germany and Masters of Watercolor published in St. Petersburg, Russia.

His work is represented by Southside Gallery in Oxford, Mississippi, and Cassidy Bayou Gallery in Sumner, Mississippi.

Since 2008 to date, it has received multiple awards, of which we mention the most recent ones.

My paintings have been recognized with the following awards:

2023: Award of Merit - Louisiana Watercolor Society, 53rd Annual International Exhibition; Winslow Homer Award of Merit - Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 47th Annual Exhibition.

2016: Jury Prize - Society of Watercolor Artists, 35th International Juried Exhibition.

2015: Honorable Mention - National Watercolor Society, China/NWS International Small Picture Exchange Exhibition; Acquisition Prize - National Museum of Art of China, 6th Beijing Biennale.

2014: Second Prize – Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, 39th Annual Exhibition; Third Prize - Watercolor Artist Magazine, National Competition (Cover?); Jack Richeson Merit Award – Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 38th Annual Juried Exhibition; Ann Thornton Memorial Prize – Society of Watercolor Artists, Annual International Juried Art Exhibition.

Learn more about Laurin McCraken