Walt Costilow

Originally from Mississippi, Walt Costilow spent his childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana where he graduated from high school in 1967. It was there that he began his interest in art and participated in numerous art events throughout high school. His early influences were Norman Rockwell, the Wyeths, and the Jackson Square artists. After graduation, Walt opted for a degree in Engineering. He received a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University and an MS degree from The University of Southern California. He became an aerospace engineer and military pilot. During his Air Force career, he continued his interest in watercolor art as a hobby. Walt learned through trial and error, observing and studying other artists’ books and methods. He completed numerous aviation works while flying in the Air Force. After leaving the military, he returned to the Birmingham, Alabama area. It was here that he studied watercolor painting with a successful local artist. He has since completed studies with nationally, and internationally award winning artists. He has been strongly influenced by current watercolor realists.

After a forty year career in international aviation, Walt retired from full time flying to concentrate on his art. He enjoys watercolor realism and aviation subjects. Walt’s aviation art has exhibited with the International Exhibit for the American Society of Aviation Artists at The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. He has also exhibited paintings with Virginia Bader Aviation Fine Art.

Walt has won awards locally from the Watercolor Society of Alabama and regionally from the Southern Watercolor Society, Georgia and Pennsylvania Watercolor Society. He is a Signature Member of the Watercolor Society of Alabama, the Mississippi Watercolor Society, the Georgia Watercolor Society, the Texas Watercolor Society, the Southern Watercolor Society, and the Louisiana Watercolor Society. He is an Associate Member and exhibiting artist with the American Society of Aviation Artists, the Missouri Watercolor Society, the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and The Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is also an Associate Member of the American and National Watercolor Societies.

Exhibits 2014-21

Alabama Watercolor Society National Juried Exhibit
Mississippi Watercolor Society Grand National Exhibit
Louisiana Watercolor Society Juried Member Exhibit
Louisiana Watercolor Society National Exhibit
Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit
Southern Watercolor Society National Exhibit
Transparent Watercolor Society of America International Exhibit
Texas Watercolor Society National Exhibit
Montana Watercolor Society National Exhibit
The Philadelphia Watercolor Society Annual International Exhibit
The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society National Exhibit
American Society of Aviation Artists International Exhibit