Hi, I’m Daniela Werneck, a Brazilian-born watercolor artist living in Houston, Texas. I studied Interior Design at the Fine Arts School of Rio de Janeiro, graduated in 1999, but it wasn’t until later in life that I truly found my voice through watercolor. I’ve been painting full-time since 2015, focusing on detailed, realistic figurative work that blends emotion, storytelling, and a touch of nostalgia.
My work has been shown in national and international exhibitions, and I’m honored to have pieces in collections like the Bennett Collection of Women Realists and Dick Blick Art Materials. You might also spot my work in publications like Splash, American Art Collector, International Artists, Southwest, and Watercolor Artist Magazines.
I paint what I feel, drawing inspiration from my roots, my surroundings, and everyday beauty—always chasing light, detail, and meaning!
Artist Statement
I am a self-taught figurative watercolor artist who finds beauty in quiet moments, small details, and emotional depth. My work is rooted in realism but guided by imagination and storytelling. Inspired by my Brazilian heritage and shaped by my life experiences—including caring for children in foster care- I seek to create paintings that evoke a sense of innocence, serenity, and wonder.
I paint using photo references and often work with young models, allowing them to express themselves freely and naturally. Light plays a central role in my work; it brings warmth, softness, and a divine quality that I’m constantly chasing. I work with a limited color palette, usually no more than five colors, to keep harmony and focus across my pieces. I paint on Aquabord, a surface that gives me the freedom to move, erase, and sculpt the pigment as I go, making the process as fluid and intuitive as the final image feels.
Painting is my form of meditation. I work in silence or listen to books and podcasts, getting lost in the detail of lace, fabric, skin, flowers, and tile. Every element I include—whether a vintage dress, a kiskadee bird, or a pattern of Portuguese tiles—carries meaning and memory. My goal is for each piece to feel like a quiet story, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and find their own connection.
Affiliations
National Watercolor Society (Signature Member)
Watercolor Art Society of Houston (Signature Member)
Women in Watercolor Society (Signature Member)
American Women Artist (Master Member)
The National portrait Society
SELECTION OF AWARDS AND EXHIBITS
2025 International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "Echoes of Porcelain"- 2nd Place Award
2025 41st Annual Competition by Artist Magazine "Sunny Morning"- Honorable Mention in Portrait/Figure category
2024 104th International Watercolor Competition at National Watercolor Society “In The Courtyard” - 3rd Place Award
2024 "Expanding Horizons" exhibition by American Women Artists at Loveland Museum “Sunny Morning” - Juror's Choice Award
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2024 "Three Voices" exhibition at RJD Gallery
2024 International Watercolor Competition at Women in Watercolor “Let The Light In” - Best in Show
2024 Annual Online Exhibition at American Women Artists “Talking to a Hummingbird” - Merit Award
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2024 Mater and Heritage Member of AWA exhibition at Tubac Art Center “Let The Light In” - Best in Show
2023 International Art Magazine Competition “Talking to a Hummingbird” - Second Place Award
2023 Annual Online Exhibition at American Women Artists “In Full Bloom” - Grand Prize Award
2023 Solo Show at RJD Gallery: "Metamorphosis"
2023 International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "The Blue Butterfly" - Herbert Family Award
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2023 "Pushing Forward Reaching Back" at Brookgreen Gardens (museum) by American Women Artists "The Blue Butterfly" - Best Figurative/ Portraiture Award
2023 Bold Brush competition month of January In "Full Bloom" - Best in Show
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2023 'Splash - The Best of Watercolor" at Artists Network "In Full Bloom" - Second Place Award
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2022 19 Watermedia Showcase at Artists Network "She Holds The Future" - Honorable Mention
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2022 'More Than..." at Tucson Museum of Art "Serene Mother" - Invited by the museum
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2022 Members Only Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "The Eclosion of A Butterfly" - First Place award.
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2022 102nd International Exhibition at National Watercolor Society "Bursting Into Bloom" - Third Place award.
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2022 ARC Salon "She Holds the Future" - Finalists
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2022 Spring Online Exhibition at American Women Artists “Keepsake” - Merit award for figurative
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2022 Breaking Through, The Rise of American Women Artists at Customs House Museum & Cultural Center - "Spring Solace"
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2021 Members Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston “Amo De Mia Vivo” - 2nd Place award
2021 Spring Online Exhibition at American Women Artists “The Retreat” - Grand Prize Award
2021 Lifting The Sky at American Women Artists “The Great Kiskadee” - Finalist
2021 International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston “The Black Letter and A White Canvas” - Award of Merit
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2020 ARC Salon “The Great Kiskadee” and "Serene Mother" - Semi-Finalists
2020 Members Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston “The Retreat” - 1st Place award
2020 1st International Women In Watercolor contest “The Retreat” - 1st Place award
2020 Splash 22 international watercolor competition- "The Swallow" - Honorable Mention
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2020 “Shades of Light” is our 10th annual juried art show to benefit The Retreat at RJD Gallery “Dreams of Hope”
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2020 Spring Online Juried Show at American Women Artists “The Swallow” - Finalist
2020 February exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston " Gone With The Wind" - 3rd Place Award​
2019 December Small Paintings exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston " Innocence" - 3rd Place Award
2019 Members Competition at Portrait Society of America “The Swallow' - Finalist
2019 “Inside Out/Outside In” at RJD gallery by Poets and Artist "The Swallow".
2019 “Paint The Figure Now” at ZHOU B Art Center by Poets and Artists "Crown and Crows".
2019 - “Tri-States Portrait Exhibition” at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum by The Portrait Society of America "Tired of The Way Things Have Been".
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2019 - "50th Members Exhibition" at Watercolor Society Houston "Spring Solace". - Second Place Award ​
2019 Annual Online Exhibition at American Women Artists "Lost in Doubts" - Finalist
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2019 Splash 21 international watercolor competition- "Left on The Shelf" - Finalist
2019 International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "Picking at Crumbs"
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2019 "I Observe" juried exhibition at Rehs Contemporary Gallery "Dreamer" and "Lost in Doubts"
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2018 Members Competition at Portrait Society of America “Dreamer"- Finalist
2018 Members-only exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "Dreamer" - Honorable Mention Award
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2018 International Exhibition at Louisiana Watercolor Society “Left on The Shelf” - Second Place Award
2018 National Exhibition at Texas Watercolor Society “Thoughts Lost Me” - Cheap Joe’s Award
2018 National Exhibition at Georgia Watercolor Society “The Girl with Popcorn Dress”
2018 International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston "When You Live in an Upside Down World" - Honorable Mention Award
2017 Members Competition at Portrait Society of America “Tired of the Way Things Have Been” – Fifth Place Award
2017 48th Member-Only Annual Exhibition of Houston Watercolor Society "After Church"
2017 Watercolor Art Magazine Competition “The Girl with Popcorn Dress” – Honorable Mention, featured in the May/June issue.
2017 NWS Members Exhibition at National Watercolor Society "The Girl with Popcorn Dress" – Past President Award
2017 National Exhibition at Texas Watercolor Society “Left on the Shelf” – Holbein award
2016 Members Annual Exhibition at Watercolor Society of Houston “The Girl with Popcorn Dress” - Second Place Award
2016 Annual International Exhibition at Watercolor Art Society of Houston “The Imaginary Rainbow Rain”- Merit Award
2016 Texas Top Ten Portrait Artist by Portrait Society of America “Who Cares” – Top Ten.
2015 46th Annual Members Exhibition at Watercolor Society of Houston "By Your Side”- Holbein Award
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2015 66th National Exhibition at Texas Watercolor Society "Love of My Life”- Jack Richeson & Co. Award