A watercolor portrait of an elderly woman with white curly hair, glasses, and a black dress with white floral patterns. The background has soft pastel shades, and the artist's signature, "Tonnie Whittemore M.S. S." is in the bottom right corner.

Watercolor paintings, portraits, and fine art reproductions by Vonnie Whitworth, Virginia Beach artist.

Signature Member of the Virginia and National Watercolor Societies

Fine Art

A lush garden corner with green plants, bushes, a fountain, a vintage metal chair, and a statue of a woman near a stone wall and tree with colorful leaves.

Watercolor

Vonnie Whitworth’s watercolor work includes both portraits and landscapes, developed over a career spanning more than 50 years. Through layered washes and a focus on light and atmosphere, she creates work that is both technically refined and expressive. Her paintings have earned numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.

A detailed pencil portrait of an elderly man wearing a cap that has a cartoon wolf and the words 'TRUST ME' on it.

Drawings

Vonnie Whitworth’s drawings are rooted in precision, patience, and a deep understanding of value. Each piece is developed through careful observation, controlled mark-making, and gradual layering to achieve depth, structure, and realism. Attention to detail is central to her process, with subtle shifts in tone, edge, and contrast used to bring form and expression to life.

A smiling boy lying on a bed of colorful autumn leaves wearing a white sweatshirt with cartoon characters.

Commissions

Vonnie Whitworth accepts a limited number of private portrait commissions each year, working in both graphite and watercolor. Each piece is created through a highly personalized process, designed to capture not only likeness, but the individuality and spirit of the subject.

Giclée Reproductions

Upcoming Events

  • Exterior of the Virginia Beach Art Center, a purple building with large front windows and a sign indicating pottery classes. The sky is partly cloudy.

    Feminine Spirit May 1–31
    Tuesday–Friday 10:00–5:00, Saturday 10:00–4:00, Sunday 12:00–4:00

    532 Virginia Beach Blvd.
    Virginia Beach, VA 23451

  • Comic book style graphic with yellow explosion shape and red text that reads 'MIGHTY MINIS', with white cloud-like bursts and blue background with black radial lines.

    Saturday, May 9th
    6:30–9:30 PM

    The Garage Gallery at Creative Well Arts Foundation located in the ViBe Creative District near the oceanfront

  • Illustration of a sailing ship docked at the waterfront with a person walking nearby, with the text 'Williamsburg Landing' below.

    Exhibition Dates: June 2–26

    5700 Williamsburg Landing Drive, Williamsburg, VA

    Approximately 24–30 pieces.

Announcement

I’m excited to share that I will be maintaining a studio at the D'Art Center beginning May 1, 2026.


Studio Hours:
Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed Sunday & Monday

You can visit me at:
740 Boush St.
Norfolk, VA 23510

View through a window showing an art gallery with paintings on the walls, including floral and scenic artwork, a desk with a chair, and a nameplate that reads "Vonda Whitehurst."
An elderly woman is painting a realistic portrait of a woman with dark hair and a green shirt on an easel in an art studio. She is sitting at a wooden table with a palette, brushes, and paint supplies. The room has shelves with books and art materials, a window, and some artwork on the walls.

About the artist

Vonnie Whitworth is a nationally recognized watercolor artist based in Virginia Beach. She is a Signature Member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society.

Her work explores the human spirit through the fluid and expressive nature of watercolor. While she paints a range of subjects, portraiture remains her greatest passion—capturing not just likeness, but the depth and emotion within each individual.

Vonnie has spent her life painting and drawing professionally. Over the past 50 years, she and her husband have traveled extensively, finding inspiration both abroad and along the East Coast through art shows.

Today, she focuses on the refinement of her narrative voice. Each piece begins as a simple sheet of paper and evolves into a personal expression of meaning, intention, and experience.