The Washington Arts Club is presenting “Barbara Ernst Prey: An American Portrait” November 18 to December 20. There will be a reception on November 25, 6:30 to 9 pm.

Prey, a gifted artist with an international reputation, brings new life to the medium of watercolor both through challenging and often complex compositions and the brilliant Maine light that glances across the images.

The humanistic and timeless quality of her watercolors is seen in the 20 larger and smaller paintings in the exhibit. After spending half a year researching and working on the NASA commission, which stretched the range of her artistic vision and talents, Prey’s new works reflect a new dynamic. “This year I have gone from painting the familiar to the universe, it is both awesome and exhilarating,” she said.

Represented by Pamela Auchincloss in New York, Prey graduated from Williams College and has a master’s from Harvard University. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and a Henry Luce Foundation grant for her work where she was able to travel, study and exhibit extensively in Europe and Asia.

The Arts Club of Washington is at 2017 I Street NW. For information, 202-331-7282 or artsclubofwashington.com.