All the World is a Watercolor Canvas

Myrtle Beach, SC

Grand Strand Magazine – June 2024

Written By: Ashley Daniels

Photographs by: Courtesy of Victoria Alger

Victoria Alger, a renowned watercolor artist based in Myrtle Beach, has harnessed the fluidity of watercolors to transform the canvas of life into vibrant art. Her recent watercolor, “Not Yet Harvested,” which won a First Place ribbon at the Island Art Gallery Miniature Masterpieces Exhibition in December 2023, illustrates her exceptional talent. A transition from a land-based profession to one dabbling in watercolors has given this former landscape designer a new medium through which she explores her artistic expressions.

The Evolution from Landscape Designer to Watercolor Artist

Having cultivated a successful career as a landscape architect, Alger found a rebirth in watercolors. “Design theory is design theory, whether you’re painting on a piece of paper or designing plans to be physically implemented on the ground,” she explains. The economic downturn in 2008 steered her towards this subtle yet profound shift, from crafting landscapes to painting them.

Alger’s love for watercolor blossomed at the OLLI program at Coastal Carolina University, where she embarked on a journey that would see her participate in prestigious shows and competitions like the ArtFields, infusing her landscape architecture virtuosity into her canvas works.

Diverse Themes and Vibrant Showcases

Victoria Alger is not one to shy away from any artistic challenge—whether painting en plein air, conducting workshops, or donating her art for charitable causes. Her subjects vary from serene landscapes to intimate portraits, each characterized by her signature use of light and vibrant colors, which reflects a theme of positivity and delight.

ArtFields 2024 marked yet another milestone where her watercolor, “Refuge at Hobcaw,” was featured, displaying the gratifying collage of her visions gracing esteemed exhibitions. Involved actively in the South Carolina Watercolor Society (SCWS), Alger has not only demonstrated her artistic prowess but has also taken a hands-on role in promoting watercolor art across the state.

Looking Toward a Colorful Future

As the current president of the SCWS, Alger is gearing up for the organization’s 50th anniversary in 2027. Plans are underway for a series of events and workshops that aim to inspire and engage new talents in the mesmerizing art of watercolors. Beyond the canvas, she remains deeply connected to her community and environmental efforts, showcasing that for Victoria Alger, life and art are irrevocably intertwined and as vibrant as a watercolor on a sunny datistential aspects of her story.