DAUD AKHRIEV
Fine Artist

Daud Akhriev was born in the former Soviet Union in 1959. He studied classical painting and drawing for 14 years, graduating with honors from the Repin Institute (Russian Academy of Fine Art) with a masters degree in fine art, under the tutelage of the late painter and Academic, Piotr Fomin. In 1991 he emigrated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Akhriev, now a U.S. citizen, shares a home base in Chattanooga, Tennesee and Andalusia, Spain with his artist wife, Melissa Hefferlin.

Akhriev is internationally sought after as an instructor for figure and landscape painting and for his monumental work. The Four Seasons, his four 9 foot bronze figures completed for the city of Chattanooga, are listed on the national Public Art Registry. Additional public art includes the Erlanger Chapel Mosaic and the Baylor School Mosaic, as well as murals at the Collegedale Seventh-Day Adventist Church and St. Peter's Episcopal.

Daud Akhriev, Stylistic Pluralism was published in 2002 by Common Place publishing. He is also featured in Traditions Rediscovered, the Finley Collection of Russian Art. Akhriev’s drawings are in several books about the Repin Institute, both in Russian language and in Chinese, and in numerous magazines such as Artists Magazine, Pastel Journal, Island Journal, Chattanooga Magazine, Southern Living and American Art Collector.



Awards and Recognition

• Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Juror of Awards, Members Choice Award, Charleston SC, 2023
• Pastel Journal April, 2023, Feature Article
• 24th Annual Pastel 100, Pastel Journal, 24th, Founder’s Award 2022
• The International Portrait Competition, Portrait Society of America, Finalist and winner Southwest Art Award 2021
• Art Renewal Center 15th Salon, Southwest Art Magazine Award, Barcelona 2021
• Portrait Society of America, “Best Non-Commissioned Portrait” Members Only Competition, 2020
• Pastel Journal, Feature article, August 2020
• Pastel Journal, Feature article, August 2020
• 5th Bienale Internacional de Pintura Al Pastel, Hahnemuhle Award Spain 2020
• Oil Painters of America Annual Juried Exhibition, Master Signature Gold Medal USA 2019
• Oil Painters of America Virtuosos Exhibition, Award of Excellence, USA 2018
• Oil Painters of America Annual Juried Exhibition, Most Original Master Signature Division, Award of Excellence, USA 2018
• Spanish Pastel Biennial, Rembrandt Award, Oviedo, Spain 2018
• Most Imaginative Painting, Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs Museum of Art, Colorado 2018
• Pastel 100, Pastel Journal, 2018
• Pastel 100, Pastel Journal, 2017
• Master Signature Status, Oil Painters of America, 2016
• Silver Medal Winner, Oil Painters of American National Juried Exhibition, 2016
• Grand Prize, Plein Air Magazine, Spring Competition 2016
• Silver Prize, Plein Air Magazine, Spring Competition, 2016
• Grand Prize, Pastel Journal 100, 2015
• Second Portrait Prize, Pastel Journal 100, 2015, Finalist, Salon 2015 ARC, Figurative Work
• Ten Best Mosaics 2015 (one of), Society of American Mosaic Artists, 2015
• Winning Team, Erlanger Hospital Chapel Redesign competition, 2014-15 (with HK Architects)
• Featured Artist, Hunter Museum Invitational Biennial Exhibition II, 2010
• National Registry of Public Art for the Four Seasons, Chattanooga TN 2009
• Best Still Life, Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, 2008
• Best Still Life and Second Place Overall, National Juried Show, Oil Painters of America 2006
• Feature Article, Artists Magazine, Feb 2006

LEE ALBAN
Fine Artist


Lee Alban began drawing as a child and learned basic art techniques from television programs and library books. Throughout his school years his interest intensified and, though encouraged by teachers, chose not to pursue an art career. It was a life choice based on the limited ability of an artist to support a family and other social considerations. Instead, he followed his love of biology and became a secondary school teacher, married, raised two children and eventually retired at age 52. At that time he entered the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland. The Schuler School is a small traditional atelier that has produced some of the country's premier artists.

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Proficient in many styles of painting, Alban fell in love with realism. He also combines realistic subject matter with impressionistic landscape paintings to produce the "Spirits of the American West" series. His work has garnered numerous awards in every genre, including the prestigious Gold Medal Award from Allied Artists of America and the Excellence in Still Life Award from Oil Painters of America. He has attained signature memberships in the Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. He is also an elected member of the Allied Artists of America and is designated as an Assoc. Living Master by the Art Renewal Society. His work has appeared in major art publications, including Artists Magazine (cover), American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, International Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur, and the quarterly journal of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art.

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Alban is known for portraits of women "steam" workers and for his narrative paintings of Native American heritage, but he also paints landscapes, diners, railroad scenes, figures, and still life. His work is found educational institutions, corporations, and private collections throughout the country.

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He makes NO COMPROMISES: refusing to follow temporary economic or stylistic trends in exception to the timeless art of contemporary realism.


Exhibitions

2020 Allied Artists of America New York, NY
2020 The Russell Exhibition Auction Great Falls, MT
2020 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition Annapolis, MD
2019 Southwest Art Of The Heartlands Mena, AR
2019 RJD Gallery, Believe Exhibition The Hamptons, NY
2019 NOAPS Best Of America Exhibition Park City, UT
2019 International Guild Of Realism Alexandria, VA
2018 NOAPS Best Of American Exhibition Cincinnati, OH
2018 International Guild Of Realism Santa Fe, NM
2017 Allied Artists Of America New York, NY
2017 NOAPS Best Of America Fort Wayne, IN
2017 Southwest Art Of The Heartlands Mena, AR
2017 Oil Painters Of America, Eastern Regional St. Simons Island, GA
2017 Mountain Oyster Club Art Show Tucson, AZ
2017 International Guild Of Realism Carmel, CA
2016 Group Exhibition, “The Cauldron” Lovetts Gallery Tulsa, OK
2016 Southwest Art, Art of the Heartland Mena, AR
2016 Oil Painter’s of America National Exhibition Dallas, TX
2015 Traveling The West Show and Sale Dallas, TX
2015 Southwest Art, Art of the Heartland Mena, AR
2015 Masterworks From the International Guild of Realism Traveling Exhibition
2015 Virtuosos at the Salmagundi Club New York, NY
2015 Allied Artists of America National Exhibition New York, NY
2015 NOAPS Spring Signature/Masters Exhibition Beach, MO
2015 Oil Painter’s Of America National Exhibition Augustine, FL
2014 Allied Artists of America 100th Anniversary Exhibition New York, NY
2014 “Black Gold” solo exhibition, East Texas Oil Museum Kilgore, TX
2014 “Black Gold” solo exhibition Fredericksburg, TX
2014 Oil Painter’s Of America National Exhibition Bennington, VT
2014 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition Scottsdale, AZ
2013 NOAPS, Best of America Bolivar, MO
2013 International Guild Realism Tempe, AZ
2013 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition Scottsdale, AZ
2013 International Salon Exhibition San Antonio, TX
2013 Oil Painter’s of America National Exhibition Fredericksburg, TX
2012 NOAPS, Best of America Bolivar, MO
2012 Oil Painter’s of America Eastern Regional Bennington, VT
2012 Salmagundi Club Non-members Open Exhibition New York, NY
2012 International Guild of Realism Carmel, CA
2012 International Salon Exhibition San Antonio, TX
2012 Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art Scottsdale, AZ
2012 Blossom II (traveling exhibit) OH, IL, LA, AZ, FL, VA
2011 Main Street Gallery Dual Artist Exhibition Annapolis, MD
2011 American Artists Professional League National New York, NY
2011 Oil Painter’s of America Eastern Regional Orleans, MA
2011 International Guild of Realism Santa Fe, NM
2011 Salmagundi Club Non-members Open Exhibition New York, NY


Awards

2020 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV (Stephanie, Lady of Steam)
2020 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV (Waiting on a Night Train)
2020 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition, Best Narrative Award
2020 NOAPS Spring Online Exhibition, Merit Award
2019 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Figurative
2019 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Landscape
2018 International Guild of Realism, Patron's Choice
2018 International Guild of Realism, Best Landscape
2018 BoldBrush Painting Competition June, Top 15% FAV
2018 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV
2017 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Navajo Heritage
2017 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, The Break Room
2017 NOAPS On-Line Spring Exhibition, Most Innovative
2017 BoldBrush Painting Competition, Second Place
2017 Art Renewal Center Assoc. Living Master Award
2017 International Artists Magazine, Seascapes River and Streams Finalist
2017 Portrait Society of America, Members Only On-line Exhibition, Out Of The Box 2nd Place
2016 Southwest Art Magazine, Artistic Excellence, Finalist
2016 International Artist Magazine, Rivers, Streams, and Lakes Finalist
2016 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape Finalist
2016 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Portrait Finalist
2016 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interiors Finalist
2016 NOAPS On-Line Spring Exhibition, Award of Excellence
2015 Artists Magazine All Media Art Competition, Honorable Mention
2015 Southwest Artists, Art of the Heartland, Second Place
2015 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Still Life Finalist
2015 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Landscape Finalist
2015 NOAPS Signature/Masters Exhibition, First Place
2015 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist
2014 Allied Artists of America On0line Competition, Elected Member Award
2014 Allied Artists of America, 100th Anniversary Exhibition, Best Seascape Award
2014 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Landscape, Finalist
2014 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interior, Finalist
2014 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Still Life Finalist
2013 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition, Best Landscape
2013 NOAPS On-Line Exhibition, Award of Merit
2013 NOAPS Best Of America Exhibition, Award of Merit
2013 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interior, Finalist
2013 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape Finalist
2013 NOAPS Online Exhibition, Most Innovative Painting Award
2013 International Artist Magazine, Landscape Finalist
2012 Artist’s Magazine, Over 60 Competition, First Place
2012 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Still Life, Finalist
2012 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape, Finalist
2011 Flora and Fauna Exhibition, Schuler School of Fine Arts, Second Place
2011 America China Oil Painting Artists League, Finalist
2011 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, Top 50
2011 Blossom II, Art of the Flower, Finalist
2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Animals
2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Portraits and Figures
2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Landscape
2010 Oil Painters of America 19th National Exhibition, First Place Excellence In Still Life


Selected Publications

2020 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, "The Timeless Appeal of Horses"
2020 Railroad Heritage (CRP&A Journal) 3rd qtr., "Getting The Signal"
2020 International Artist Magazine, "Past and Present"
2020 Western Art Collector Magazine, "Painting The West"
2020 American Art Collector Magazine, Artists Focus "Silk and Steel"
2019 American Art Collector Magazine, "Collector's Focus, Portraits"
2020 American Art Collector Magazine, "Interpreting Life"
2018 American Art Collector Magazine, "Reimagining The West"
2018 Western Art Collector Magazine, "Silk and Steel"
2017 International Artists Magazine, "Know The River Has Its Destination"
2016 Western Art Collector Magazine, “Western Art East Of The Mississippi”
2016 International Artist Magazine “To Touch The Earth Is To Have Harmony . . .”
2016 Book (page): “Incite 4: Relax. Restore. Renew.”
2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Upcoming Show Preview: Silk And Steel”
2016 Southwest Art Magazine “Oil Painters Of America”
2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Spirits Of The American West”
2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Destination Texas”
2015 American Art Collector Magazine “Florida Bound”
2014 American Art Collector Magazine Preview “Black Gold Exhibition”
2014 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine “Off The Walls, Artists and Galleries”
2014 Western Art Collector Magazine “Artist Focus, Americana”
2014 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine “Dining And Wining: An Ageless Theme Endures”
2013 American Art collector Magazine “The Essence Of Form, Collecting Figurative Art”
2013 American Art Collector Magazine “Advancing Realism”
2013 International Artist Magazine “Early Morning Pasture”
2013 American Art Collector Magazine “Enduring Tradition”
2012 Artist Magazine Cover feature
2012 Southwest Art Magazine “A Portfolio Of Winners”
2012 International Artist Magazine “Three Point Linkage”
2012 Southwest Art Magazine “Art Values: Collectibles”
2012 Southwest Art Magazine “Art Values: Research and Development”
2011 April/May International Artist Magazine “Flowers and Gardens”
2011 American Art Collector Magazine “Salon International”
2010 American Art Collector Magazine “American Legacy”
2010 American Art Collector Magazine “San Antonio Salon”
2009 International Artists Magazine “Yellow Hibiscus”
2009 International Artists Magazine “Morning Hustle”
2009 American Art Collector Magazine “Trompe L’Oeil Masters”
2009 American Art Collector Magazine “Places of the Heart”

HEATHER ARENAS
Fine Artist


When Heather Arenas began her professional career, she decided there was no need for formal study because she had many opportunities to paint alongside some world class artists like Kim English and Daniel Sprick in Denver, Colorado. After several years of live study painting figures and landscapes in Colorado, Heather started to incorporate travel to find new subjects to paint such as the rainy streets of Barcelona, the gorse and sheep in Scotland and the colorful people and landscapes in Curacao. After a trip, she would return and paint a series to commemorate the experience.

Heather’s most recent series stems from a trip to see the museums in New York City. Since then she has been exploring the gestures of people viewing the exhibits and how expressive they can be to tell a narrative that goes beyond the walls of the museum. This series changed her attitude toward painting from just representing a subject to also incorporating less tangible ideas into her work. The woman in the yellow dress that appears in many pieces in this series represents her grandmother and other family members who supported her in her artistic career.
Heather’s style is recognizable by her high contrast, extensive use of grays, and bold brush work. She uses a combination of realism and impressionism to illustrate her story. Her goal is for her work to stand out from the crowd.
"My purpose as an artist is to create work that goes beyond 'That's nice' to creating stories with paint. I'm involving the viewer in the scene through experiences and memories of places they've been and people they know. I create multi-figure works that are expressive through gesture and a sense of place."



Recent Awards

• Cover of the FAC 2023 Museum & Gallery Guide
• AIS National Exhibition 2022, ‘Your Move!’, Hon Mention
• Bold Brush June 2022, 'We Are More Than Just ...', Finalist
• Bold Brush Feb 2022, 'Show Me the Monet!', Finalist
• Cover of the FAC 2021 Museum Guide
• Jerry's Artarama, Self Portrait Competition May 2020, 'I've Got This!', Finalist
• Gateway Intl, Oct 2019, 'A Small Offering', Finalist
• WAOW Fall Online 2019, “Left Turn, Clyde”, Best of Show
• Identity Portrait Competition September 2019, “I’ve Got This!”, Grand Prize
• WAOW National Juried Exhibition 2019, "Blush", Pursuit of Beauty award
• Gateway Intl, June 2019, “Moth-Winged Thoughts Carry Me Away”, Finalist
• AWA Spring Online 2019, “I’ve Got This”, Finalist
• Gateway Intl, 2017-2018 Grand Finale, "Red In The Sun", 3rd Place
• WAOW Spring Online 2018 for “Modern Day Venus”, Honorable Mention
• Chosen for AWA 25 in 25 Video Feb 2018, 25 in 25
• Gateway Intl Painting Contest, December 2017 for “Passion”, Finalist
• Gateway Intl Painting Contest, November 2017 for “Red in the Sun”, Finalist
• Sedona Art Prize, August 2017 for "It Takes All Kinds", Finalist
• Sedona Art Prize, June 2017 for "Red in the Sun", Finalist
• Bold Brush, May 2017 For "Oscar and Sharon's Big Day Out", Best of Show
• AWA Spring Online 2017, “Fisherman at Rest”, Finalist
• Sedona Art Prize, May 2017 for "Colorful Subject", Finalist
• WAOW Nat. Juried Exhibition 2016 for "Home on the Range", Art of the West Editor's Choice
• AWA National Juried Exhibition 2016 for "Orange Taffeta", Finalist
• WAOW Hot Summer Nights 2016 for "After the Dance", Best Overall
• WAOW Hot Summer Nights 2016 for "31st and Lexington", Honorable Mention
• OPA Online Showcase Spring 2016 "Belizean Chef", Honorable Mention
• AWA Spring Online Show 2016 for "Margaritas in Tubac", Finalist
• FASO August 2015 Bold Brush for “After the Lunch Rush” Finalist
• Finalist, Bold Brush May 2015 for "Angel in Disguise"
• Honorable Mention, CFAI Figurative show May 2015 for "Lady in Red"
• Finalist, AWA Spring Online Show 2015 for "Farmers Market Flowers"
• 2nd Place, WAOW Spring Online show 2015 for “Farmers Market Flowers”
• 3rd Place, Bold Brush January 2013 for "Ponytail"
• Jury Award Women Artists of the West 43rd National Exhibition 2013 for “Tapestry”
• Best Figurative and Wet Wall Painting of the Day Alla Prima Westcliffe, 2013

BLAIR ATHERHOLT
Fine Artist


Blair Atherholt never needed encouragement to draw. From early childhood through adolescence, he steadily filled numerous sketchbooks with pencil drawings done from both imagination and observation. This ever-growing love of creative expression led to his enrollment into the Schuler School of Fine Arts in 2011 to pursue the study of techniques and disciplines of the Old Masters. The life works of Hans Schuler, Sr. (1874-1951) and Jacques Maroger (1884-1962) and their dedication to excellence in visual art represent the hallmark of the Schuler School and its mission. Atherholt graduated the four year Schuler program and emerged in 2015 with one goal: to pursue a career as a fine artist.

Now at 29 years old, Atherholt continues to fill sketchbooks, but is focused primarily upon traditional still life painting. Fusing traditional techniques with contemporary and imaginative subject matter, he strives with each new painting to improve his control of the medium one measured brushstroke at a time.

Atherholt’s work has been included in multiple national shows and international publications. His demonstration article “Precision in Painting” can be found as the cover article of International Artist Magazine issue #134. Most recently, he received an Award of Excellence in the Oil Painters of America 2021 Salon, American Art Collector Editors Choice Award in the International Guild of Realism's 15th Annual Exhibition, as well as an Award of Excellence in the OPA Wet Paint Competition. He was awarded 2nd Place in the Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition: Still Life + Interiors, as well as the Windows to the Divine Award in the Art Renewal Center's 14th International Salon. He received the Realism Award of Excellence in the Oil Painters of America 28th National Juried Exhibition, as well as the Best Still Life Award in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society's Best of America Small Works Exhibition. He was also honored to be a featured artist in Southwest Art Magazine's 21 Under 31 issue, in September 2017. His work is part of numerous public and private collections.


Education

Schuler School of Fine Arts, Baltimore MD: Certificate of Completion, 4 Year Program; Additional Post-Graduate Year of Study (2015-2016)


Awards and Special Honors

• Oil Painters of America: 2021 Salon: Award of Excellence (June 2021)
• International Guild of Realism: 15th Annual Exhibition: American Art Collector Editors Choice Award (October 2020)
• Oil Painters of America Wet Paint Competition: Award of Excellence (September 2020)
• Boldbrush: Finalist (September 2020)
• The Demuth Museum: Annual Community Art Exhibition: 3rd Place (2020)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Spring Online: 3rd Place (2020)
• Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition: Still Life + Interiors: Second Place (2019)
• St. James Annual Juried Exhibition: People's Choice Award - First Place (2019)
• Art Renewal Center: 14th International Salon: Windows to the Divine Award (2019)
• Oil Painters of America: 28th National Juried Exhibition: Art Renewal Center Realism Award of Excellence (2019)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Best of America Small Works: Best Still Life Award (2019)
• International Artist's Magazine Art Prize Challenge #105: Still Life: Finalist (June/July 2018) Artists
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Spring Online International: Award of Excellence (2018)
• BoldBrush: 3rd Place (January 2018)
• Art Renewal Center's 13th Annual International Salon: Honorable Mention (2018)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Holiday Small Works Show: 3rd Place (December 2017)
• Art Renewal Center's 12th Annual International Salon: Finalist (2017)

• Canary Gallery, Birmingham AL: Solo Exhibition of Works II (May 2019)
• Canary Gallery, Birmingham AL: Solo Exhibition of Works (March 2018)

• Oil Painters of America: 2021 Salon Exhibition (June 2021)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Best of America Small Works (May 2021)
• Oil Painters of America: 30th National Juried Exhibition (April 2021)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: 30th Best of America National Exhibition (November 2020)
• Oil Painters of America: Eastern Regional Exhibition (November 2020)
• Windows to the Divine: Contemporary Visions of Beauty (November 2020)
• International Guild of Realism: 15th Annual Exhibition (October 2020)
• Oil Painters of America: 29th National Juried Exhibition (August 2020)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Spring Online (Spring 2020)
• Oil Painters of America: Eastern Regional Exhibition (October 2019)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: 29th Best of America National Exhibition (September 2019)
• Oil Painters of America: 28th National Juried Exhibition (May 2019)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Juried Best of America Small Works (March 2019)
• The Wilson Studio Art Show (December 2018)
• Oil Painters of America: Eastern Regional Exhibition (October 2018)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: 28th Best of America National Exhibition (September 2018)
• Allied Artists of America: 105th Annual Exhibition (August 2018)
• Oil Painters of America Salon: Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (June 2018)
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Juried Best of America Small Works (May 2018)

OLENA BABAK
Fine Artist

Olena Babak is an award winning, classically trained artist, whose landscapes and figurative works can be found in collections - U.S. and abroad. Some of her selected awards from 2016 include: Best Representation of Rockies National Park, Artist’s Choice Plein Air Richmond, 1st place Quick Draw & People’s Choice Award Finger Lakes Plein Air, Honorable Mention Art Renewal Center Salon, 1st place in Maine Art Show and many others.
Olena was also a recipient of the Hudson River Fellowship, NY and her works appear in numerous publications including two versions of the “Strokes of Genius” series, the “Poet’s and Artist’s: 100 Great Drawings,” and the “Classicist.” Formerly teaching graduate students at the Academy of Classical Design, Olena now offers private workshops and classes in her private studio and residence on the peaceful Great Moose Lake in central Maine.

Education

• Academy of Classical Design; Southern Pines, NC 2008-2011
• Studio Art Classes, University of Maine; Orono, ME 1999-2000
• Apprenticeship with G. Bereshnoi and A. Kylakov; Kharkiv, Ukraine, 1996-1997

• Workshop at Longboat Keys; Longboat Keys, FL 2015
• Workshop at Avondale Gallery; Jacksonville, FL 2015
• Teacher at Olena Babak Studios; Harland, ME 2012-present
• Workshops at Diversified Ink; Bangor, ME 2013-present
• Workshop at Oak Hollow Studios; Carthage, NC 2014
• Assistant Teacher at Academy of Classical Design; Southern Pines, NC 2009-2011

• Best of Show, Tilghman Island, Best of Show, Maritime Museum, Easton Plein Air, Easton, MD 2020
• First Place, Drawing Category, Bold Brush Competition, Online, 2020
• First Place, Hudson Valley Plein Air, Montgomery, NY 2019
• Best Nocturne, Second Place, Adirondack Plein Air Festival, Saranac Lake 2019
• Artist’s Choice & “Spirit of Wilderness” Founder’s Awards, Adirondack Plein Air, Saranac Lake, NY 2018
• People’s Choice Award, Bath County Plein Air, Warm Springs, VA 2018
• SourceTek Award, Richmond Plein Air, Richmond, VA 2018
• JFM Award, Wayne Plein Air, Wayne, PA 2018
• Best Use of Light Award, Solomons Plein Air, Solomons, MD 2017
• Best Marine, Cape Ann Plein Air, Gloucester, MA 2017
• Best Marine, Best Florida, Lighthouse Plein Air, Tequesta, FL 2017
• 2nd Place, Fingerlakes Plein Air, Canandaigua, NY 2017
• First Honorable Mention, Drawing Category, International ARC Salon, Port Reading, NJ 2017
• Charles Partridge Adams Award (Best Representation of Rockies Park), Rockies Plein Air; Estes Park, CO 2016
• Artist’s Choice Award, Richmond Plein Air; Richmond, VA 2016
• 1st Place, Quick Draw, Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival; Canandaigua, NY 2016
• People’s Choice Award, “Granger Homestead” Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival; Canandaigua, NY 2016
• 3rd Place, “Paint the Londontown Gardens” Pain Annapolis Plein Air Festival; Annapolis, MD 2016
• Finalist in Jerry’s Artarama Self Portrait Competition; Raleigh, NC 2016
• 1st Place, Maine Open Juried Art Show; Waterville, ME 2016
• 1st and 2nd Place , Bangor Art Society Open Juried Show; Bangor, ME 2015
• Guest Resident Artist and Lecturer, The Heliker-LaHotan Foundation; Cranberry Island, ME 2014
• 3rd Place , Bangor Art Society Open Juried Show; Bangor, ME 2014
• People’s Choice Award & 2nd Place, Maine Open Juried Art Show; Waterville, ME 2014
• Finalist, International ARC Salon; Port Reading, NJ 2014,2016
• Invitational Artist, Epcot, Disney; Orlando, FL 2014-2016
• Hudson River Fellowship, Grand Central Academy; New York, NY 2013
• Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Regional Artist Project Grant; Fayetteville, NC 2010
• Zucarro Scholarship, Academy of Classical Design; Southern Pines, NC 2009
• St. Augustine Gallery Scholarship, St Augustine Gallery; St. Augustine, FL 2008
• 1st Place, at the St. Augustine Art Association “Figure Show”; St. Augustine, FL 2006
• Publications and Public Events
• Plein Air Magazine June-July 2019
• Wild Seed Project Magazine; 2016
• The Classicist, NO10; 2014
• Strokes Of Genius 6, 9: The Best of Drawing; 2014, 2016
• Art Renewal Center Salon Catalogue; 2013-2014,2016
• Lecture “Learning How to See”, Bangor Art Association, Bangor Library; Bangor, ME 2013
• Lecture, “Atelier Approach to Drawing”, Art Studio; Pittsfield, ME 2013
• Lecture “Meet the Artist”, The Heliker-LaHotan Foundation, Engine; Cranberry Island, Biddeford, ME 2014

• Plein Air Magazine, Featured Artist, 2019
• Lecture “Roll of Portraiture Through the History,” Bangor Art Association, Bangor Library, Bangor, ME 2019
• Strokes Of Genius 6 & 9, The Best of Drawing, 2014, 2016,2020
• Art Renewal Center Salon Catalogue, 2013-2014,2016, 2019
• The Classicist, NO10, 2014
• Lecture, “Learning How to See,” Bangor Art Association, Bangor Library, Bangor, ME 2013
• Lecture, “Atelier Approach to Drawing,” Art Studio, Pitsfield, ME 2013
• Lecture, “Meet the Artist,” The Heliker-LaHotan Foundation, Engine, Cranberry Island, Biddeford, ME 2014

FRANK BAGGETT
Fine Artist


Artist statement and biography

Frank is a native Tennessean with the passion to capture many of Tennessee's typical scenes of beauty on canvas. Working mainly in oils, the artist renders paintings that are reminders of childhood memories, actual images of old buildings, or perhaps the romance of a large city ...his subject changes daily. He uses unusual techniques which include painting with a palette knife, painting with a small brush...or even a nail! His impasto style is a combination of Impressionism as well as Realism and can be seen done in demonstrations at both his studio which he teaches monthly classes, or when doing demos at a gallery or other venues. "Oftentimes I will walk past a place that I have crossed many times in the past, but this time the sunlight strikes it, and it suddenly becomes an inspiration," Baggett says. He enjoys using light in his cityscapes which can depict the noisy, chaotic lifestyle of urban life which often folks can identify with.


Artist's Comments:

"All of my life I have had the pleasure to hunt, fish, see a sunrise, and enjoy nature's
wonders of the world that I live in. I wish very much for my children's children to have the same pleasures from life as I have. The only way this will happen is for us to have concern for preserving what is before us now.. Life is a gift, please do not take it for granted. Painting is the way for me to show what I have witnessed, experienced, and dreamed during my life. To me a blank canvas already has a story to tell, all I have to do is explain it by painting on it. Many of my works are from directly around my studio from which I often hike into the woods, or fish on the Tennessee River. I try and put emotions into many of my works, trying to give feelings to each piece. One of my greatest satisfactions is to see the joy expressed in one of my students eyes when they complete an artwork and are proud of it. I feel that as an artist I have an obligation to show the beauty that we often walk by each day completely ignored and forgotten.
Art is in every individual's life, please take the time to sit down and watch a sunset, because a sunset is "hand painted"....right from God's own easel.


He is an active member of the following organizations:

• Member of the National Oil Painters Society
• Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society, Inc.
• Member of the Chestnut Group
• Registered in the Metro Nashville Arts Commission

• "It is not the quality of the brush that determines the outcome of the painting...it is the hand holding the brush".
• "To capture the light of nature is great, but to hold it on the canvas is quite unique".

JILL BASHAM
Fine Artist



"I am overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, in particular the atmosphere of an environment. Atmosphere is revealed by how the light strikes objects, both natural and manmade. I particularly enjoy the mood of skies and expansive views. Inspiration can arrive anywhere, from a bustling street in Manhattan to an isolated marsh. It's the "feeling" of the place that inspires me, and I hope to translate. When painting a scene, I don't have specific rules for myself. I prefer to let a scene and my feelings for it, set my approach. Palette knives, brushes, household items and hardware store finds have all been used in moving paint onto and around my canvases. I see each painting as an experiment that is unfolding. My initial goal can be interrupted by a new idea during the process, and I'm okay with taking a different path and veering from what might have been comfortable. Of course, there are risks with this, the fear of "failure", and quite possibly a painting that needs to be wiped off...yet that's okay with me. It's the safe paintings that I find less exciting. The truly moving pieces are the ones that I pushed a bit. There are stories to tell. I strive to get my paintings to a point to which I "feel" the place I have painted, and hope others do as well. My hope is that others see and feel the stories I'm telling."



Publications

Magazines

• Fine Art Connoisseur
• Plein Air Magazine
• American Art Collector
• Southwest Art
• Tidewater Times
• Shore Monthly
• The Talbot Spy

• 100 Plein-Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic, By Gary Pendleton
• From Above, Jill Basham and Kim VanDerHoek
• Memberships:
• Salmagundi Club, NYC
• Oil Painter's of America
• American Impressionist Society
• Washington Society of Landscape Painters

• San Angelo Museum, San Angelo TX
• Shannon Hospital, San Angelo TX (Black Jack's Hills)
• Cherokee Country Club, Atlanta GA (Here to Pray, Stone Mountain Lake)
• US Embassy Colombo Sri Lanka through US Department of State (temporary)
• The Allison and Keith Sullivan Collection (private) Annapolis, MD
• The Eastern Shore Agricultural Plein Air Collection

• Fine Art Connoisseur and Plein Air Magazine Advisory Committee member (2021/22)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3HF12oCOc4
• https://www.americanartcollector.com/pdf/GalleryFocus-Reinert.pdf
• https://www.outdoorpainter.com/my-little-plein-air-painting/
• http://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com/2018/07/for-the-love-of-it/
• http://theartedge.faso.com/blog/93478/art-talk-on-the-edge-interview-with-artist-jill-basham-part-1
• http://theartedge.faso.com/blog/93481/art-talk-on-the-edge-interview-with-artist-jill-basham-part-2

• Oil Painters of America, Demo Artist, National Convention, Charleston, SC
• American Impressionist Society Small Works Exhibition, "Coastal Clouds"
• Semi Finalist, Plein Air Salon, "Lowcountry Lanterns", "Blue Ridge Afternoon" and "View from La Maison de Famille"
• Second Place, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Quick Draw "The Air of Olmsted"
• Plein Air Salon, Best Plein Air Landscape, master artist CW Mundy, Judge, "Blue Ridge Afternoon"
• Plein Air Salon, Best Nocturne, master artist CW Mundy, Judge, "Lowcountry Lanterns"
• Plein Air Salon, Honorable Mention, master artist CW Mundy, Judge, "The Quiet Hour"
• Academy Art Museum, Easton MD, Workshop Instructor
• Oil Painters of America National Convention, Charleston SC, Demo. Artist

• Plein Air Salon, Second Place Overall, master artist Rose Frantzen, Judge, "View from La Maison de Famille"
• Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, Small Works Exhibition, December
• "Award of Excellence", Oil Painters of American National Exhibition, Dave Santillanes, Judge, "The Grand View"
• Plein Air Easton, juried artist, Easton MD
• Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, juried artist, "The Secret" 36x24
• Plein Air Convention and Expo., invited Field Instructor, Santa Fe, NM
• Artist in Residence, Provence, France

• Academy Art Museum, Easton MD, "Beauty and Bounty", The Eastern Shore Agriculture Plein Air Collection, "Field to Bay"
• Finalist, Boldbrush National Contest, "The Windy City", Tibor Nagy, judge
• Boldbrush National Contest, FAV15, multiple months
• American Impressionist Society, National Exhibition, "The Windy City"
• Second Place, Washington Society of Landscape Painters, Peer votes, "Lowcountry Lanterns"
• First Place, Boldbrush Contest, Abstract, Chin Shin, judge. "The Canal, New Hope"
• Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, Three Person Exhibition, "Journeys" with Christine Lashley and Kim VanDerHoek
• Olmsted Plein Air Invitational
• Best "Manchester-By-The-Sea" Award, "Sharksmouth View", Kathie Odom, judge; Cape Ann Plein Air, October
• Plein Air Easton, July
• Art School Live with Eric Rhoads episode 273

• "Ranch Land Award", Tim Newton, judge for "Beer and Deer"
• "Window's to the Divine", Denver Co. Invited Artist
• Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, Two Person Exhibition with Kim VanDerhoek, September
• Crystal Moll Gallery, Baltimore MD, Two Person Exhibition with Nancy Tankersley, June
• *Postponed Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC First Friday Gallery Walk Featured Artist/Saturday Demo. June
• Best In Show, Plein Air Easton, Mehves Lelic, curator, Academy Art Museum, judge (Easton), "Hidden Beauty"
• Best In Show, Plein Air Easton, Bernard Dellario, judge (Oxford), "Summer on the Shore"
• First Place, Boldbrush Contest, Abstract, Scott Prior, judge
• Plein Air Magazine, "Pushing Boundaries" January
• Invited instructor, Plein Air Convention, Denver, Colorado, May
• Invited artist, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, April
• Two Person Show, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA with Kim VanderHoek, September
• Podcast: Plein Air Easton, Featured Artist
• Shore Magazine, March
• Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, Landscape Show, Washington Society of Landscape Painters, February
• Boldbrush National Contest, FAV 15

• "Landscape Today" Exhibition, An Invitational of best landscape painters in the United States, Indianapolis, IN
• San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, Judges Talk: "Why This Works", "The Garland of Texas" and "Texas Ribbon" discussed by Judge Don Demers
• "Finalist", Mike Barr, Judge, Artmuse Contest
• "Judges Award", Kelly Kane, Editor-in-chief, Plein Air Magazine, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational
• Salmagundi Club, “Salmagundi Award”, Historic Black and White Exhibition for “Beginning of the End”
• Juror: Art Muse Contest, National online art competition, January
• Boldbrush National Contest, FAV 15
• "First Place", Quick Draw, Don Demers, Judge, En Plein Air Texas
• En Plein Air Texas, juried artist, Tim Newton, juror
• Door County Plein Air, automatic invitation, Grand Prize 2018, C.W. Mundy, Judge
• American Impressionists Society, Small Works Exhibition, "Where They Meet"
• Tidewater Times, "Plein Air Artist Extraordinaire" by Helen Chappell, August

• "Best of Show", given by C.W. Mundy, judge, Door County Plein Air Invitation, July 2018
• Salmagundi Club, "Landscapes: Day and Night"(juried)
• Salmagundi Club, Historic Black and White Exhibition (juried)
• Plein Air Easton (juried)
• "Honorable Mention", given by Jill Carver, judge, Plein Air Easton for "Descending" July 2018 (small works)
• Door County Plein Air Invitational
• Southwest Art, Artist Focus, January 2018
• The Moll 12: Group Exhibition, Crystal Moll Gallery Easton, MD
• Solo Show, South Street Art Gallery, Easton MD, "Jill Basham: The Landscapes of Emotion"
• American Art Collector, April 2018 "Emotional Reactions" upcoming show preview for "The Landscapes of Emotion"
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15" for "The Thaw"
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15" for "The Meeting on the Hill"
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15" for "Unfolding"
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15" for "Rolling In"
• "Grand Prize" Artmuse Contest, Master Division, Paul Kratter, judge, "The Garland of Texas"
• Acquisition, Permanent Collection, Cherokee Country Club, Atlanta GA, "Here to Pray" (Stone Mountain Lake)
• "Sense of Mystery Award", Seth Hopkins (Booth Museum, Director), Kenn Backhaus (PAPA), Tim Newton (Salmagundi Club), "Here to Pray", Olmsted Plein Air Invitational

• "Black Jack's Hills" added to permanent collection of Shannon Hospital, TX
• American Art Collector, Artist Focus, December
• "Award of Distinction", Plein Air Texas by judge Roger Dale Brown, OPA
• "Award of Merit", Best of the Chesapeake, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
• "Honorable Mention" Bucks County Plein Air for "Bucks Beauty" Andy Evansen PAPA, judge
• "Finalist" Artmuse Contest ,Master Division, judge Jason Sacran for "Heating Up"
• Plein Air Easton, juried artist (Jill Carver, jurist)
• American Impressionist Society, Inaugural Small Works Exhibition, Costa Mesa CA
• Salmagundi Club, Historic Black and White Exhibition
• Artmuse Show of Winners 2016, Jack Meier Gallery, Houston TX
• En Plein Air Texas, invited artist
• American Art Collector, Gallery Focus: Reinert Fine Art, February
• American Art Collector, Artist Focus, January
• FASO 30 Artists to Watch

• "Artists Choice Award", En Plein Air Texas, for "The Garland of Texas"
• "Award of Distinction", En Plein Air Texas by Judge Marc Hanson, OPAM, for "The Garland of Texas"
• American Art Collector, Artist Focus, December
• "Judges Award" given by Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief, Fine Art Connoisseur, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta
• "First Place", Art Muse Contest, Master Division, Eric Bowman judge, for "Crash"
• Washington Society of Landscape Painters: Juried into membership, Sponsor: Nancy Tankersley
• "Finalist", Art Muse Contest, Publisher Allan Duerr, Art of the West, for "Morning Fog"
• Salmagundi Club: Juried Annual Member's Show for "Journey Down"
• Plein Air Easton, Juried Artist (West Frasier, jurist)
• Salmagundi Club: Historic Black and White Exhibition, Don Donaldson Memorial Award
• 4 Fine Painters, Crystal Moll Gallery (Feb/March)
• Invited Artist: Olmsted Plein Air, Atlanta, GA (April)
• En Plein Air Texas, Juried Artist
• Solo Exhibition, 30+ pieces: Peninsula Gallery, Lewes DE (June)

• American Art Collector, December 2015, Article: "Moody Atmosphere: Jill Basham"
• Plein Air Texas, "Museum Purchase Award", Permanent Collection, San Angelo Museum of Fine Art for "Texas Ribbon" 20x24
• Oil Painters of America, Eastern Regional Exhibition, "Mire" juried in. Indianapolis, IN
• En Plein Air Texas, Juried Artist (Oct.)
• Bath Plein Air, Warm Springs, VA, Juried Artist (Sept)
• Plein Air Magazine, Featured Artist, August/September issue
• Plein Air Easton, "Best Painting by a Maryland Artist", Kip Forbes, Judge for "Meet Me at the End" 40x30
• Plein Air Easton, Juried Artist (Elaine Adams, jurist)
• BoldBrush Competition: "BoldBrush" Award (First Place), January, 2015
• Plein-Air Magazine/Outdoor Painter: Article, "Why This Works", an analysis of work for painting, "Bath County Beauty"
• Invited Artist: Olmsted Plein Air, Atlanta, GA, April 22-26, 2015
• January 10 - March 10, 2015 - Maryland My Maryland, McBride Gallery and Maryland House of Delegates, Annapolis, MD
• Group Show: Crystal Moll Gallery, Baltimore, MD, "Size Matters: a collection of Small and Large Works" February
• Three Person Show: "New Artists, New Voices", South Street Art Gallery, Easton, MD, March 4-28

• Salmagundi Club: "Thumb Box Exhibition", Award for "Ferry Bridge Lane"
• American Landscapes: Scenes from the Americas (National Show), "The Strip" juried
• Bath County Plein-Air: Invited Artist
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters: Awarded 'Best Landscape", Spring 2014 Online Exhibition 2014 for "Winter in the Country"
• Juried into Plein-Air Easton! 2014 by Christopher Forbes
• Juried into Paint Annapolis 2014 by Ned Mueller
• Solo Show, "Making Waves" Color Wheel Gallery 65, McLean, VA (3/3-3/28) Extended to April 15th
• American Art Collector March Edition for Solo Show "Making Waves"
• Juried into Salmagundi Club's 130th Members Show (March Show)
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15" ("Far Back")
• Book: 100 Plein-Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic, by Gary Pendleton

• People's Choice First Place: Holiday Show, Easton Studio, MD for "Slumber"
• Juried into Randy Higbee 6" Squared National Show, CA
• Group Show: Peninsula Gallery, "Small Gems"
• Group Show: Best of 2013 Artists, Crystal Moll Gallery, MD
• Boldbrush National Competition "FAV 15%", 3 times
• Group Show: Crystal Moll Gallery, MD "Plein-Air Summer Show"
• Group Show: Peninsula Gallery, DE "At Water's Edge"
• "Circle to Circle Award" for "Church from West" Paint Annapolis, awarded by Steve Doherty (Editor, Plein Air Magazine)
• Accepted artist: Plein Air Easton! 2013
• Demo. Artist: Plein Air Easton!2013
• Juried into The Oxford Fine Arts Fair, Oxford Md
• Juried into Paint Annapolis,2013 by Steve Doherty (Editor, Plein Air Magazine)

• Salmagundi Club NYC, Accepted Artist Member (11/12)
• U.S. State Department "Art in Embassies" requests work for US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Plein Air Easton! Third Place Overall, "Blackwater Dawn". Judge: Tim Newton (Salmagundi Club, NYC)
• Juried into Plein Air Easton!. Jurist: Don Demers (Internationally recognized marine artist)
• Juried into Mountain Maryland Plein Air. Jurist and Judge: Steve Doherty (Artist/Editor, Plein Air Magazine)
• Arts in Easton Banner Artist
• Festival of Trees Poster Artist

• U.S. State Department, "Art in Embassies" program, accepted artist
• Second Place: SMAL Plein Air Exhibit. Judge: Matthew Hillier (Internationally recognized artist)
• Paint the Town, St. Michaels, Grand Prize, "Morning Hope". Judge Carla Huber (Plein Air artist)
• Plein Air Painters of the Eastern Shore, First Place, "Otwell Sheep", Judge: Greg Vandevissar (artist)
• Juried into WAF Selections Gallery, Academy Art Museum, Easton MD. Judge: Alejandro Castro
• Solo Show: Easton's Promise Art Gallery (August)
• Juried into Plein Air Easton! Local Color. Jurist: Ned Mueller
• Juried into membership: Working Artists Forum

• Jill began painting

PAUL BATCH
Fine Artist


Paul Batch is a nationally represented contemporary painter best known for his atmospheric landscapes. Paul is a Signature member of Oil Painters of America (OPA) as well as an award-winning member of the Portrait Society of America. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Artist’s Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, American Art Collector, and most recently in Fine Art Connoisseur’s “Three to Watch” (January/February 2021).

Paul received both his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford (Connecticut). In addition to being a full time artist, Paul has been teaching art for over ten years and is looking forward to sharing his tips and techniques with you.


EDUCATION

Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

• MFA, Painting
• BFA, Painting

• 2nd Place Overall, August-September PleinAir Salon, PleinAir Magazine

• Exceptional Merit Award, The Art of the Portrait, International Portrait Competition, Portrait Society of America, Grand Hyatt, Atlanta, GA
• Best Associate Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Cutter & Cutter Fine Art Galleries, St. Augustine, FL
• Honorable Mention, 32nd Annual Art Competition, The Artist’s Magazine

• Exceptional Merit Award, The Art of the Portrait, International Portrait Competition, Portrait Society of America, Hyatt Regency Reston, Reston, VA

• Salmon Brook Watershed Association Award, Art & Agriculture: Celebrating the Farmington Valley’s Natural Beauty, The Gallery at Lost Acres Vineyard, North Granby, CT

• Steven Brown Memorial Award, Places of Inspiration: Celebrating the Farmington Valley’s Natural Beauty, The Gallery at Lost Acres Vineyard, North Granby, CT

• Before the Masterpiece, Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA
• Spring into Art, Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison, CT
• Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

• Virtuosos of the Oil Painters of America, Cutter & Cutter Fine Art Galleries, St. Augustine, FL
• Landscape Show, Huey’s Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM
• Winter in New England, New Works, Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison, CT
• Two Views: The Work of Paul Batch and Jonathan Earle, Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA
• The Holiday Show, The Cooley Gallery, Old Lyme, CT

• Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
• Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO
• Light Catchers: The Work of Jonathan Earle and Paul Batch, Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA

• Painting New England, The Gallery at Lost Acres Vineyard, North Granby, CT

• Mill House Gallery, Chester, CT

• Whispered Screams, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Silpe Gallery, West Hartford, CT

• Watching the Sun Set, The Gallery of Fine Art at Venetucci Home, Westbrook, CT
• Fleeting Light, Left Bank Gallery, Essex, CT

• “International Realism,” Art Renewal Center, 14th International ARC Salon, 2020
• “Exhibition Preview: Landscape Show,” Southwest Art Magazine, August 2019
• “Winners’ List,” PleinAir Magazine, Volume 9, Issue #4, September 2019
• “The Spirit in Solitary Places,” American Art Collector, February 2018
• “Inspiration in the Solitude of Quiet Seasons,” International Artist Magazine, Issue #122, August/September 2018
• “Master Showcase,” International Artist Magazine, Issue #107, February/March 2016
• The Artist’s Magazine, Volume 32, Issue #10, December 2015
• Fine Art Connoisseur, December 2015
• Journal of the Portrait Society of America, Issue #67, 2015, Color reproduction
• “The Art of the Portrait,” International Artist Magazine, Issue #104, August/September 2015
• Strokes of Genius 6; Value/Lights & Darks, North Light Publishing, Blue Ash, OH, October 23, 2014

MARK BEALE (1962-2019)
Painter


Born in 1962, Mark Beale grew up exploring the creeks and rivers of Tidewater, Virginia and developed an early love for the coastal landscape. As a teenager, he began studying studio art in free local workshops with Barclay Sheaks and later with Theodore Turner at the University of Virginia. In 1989, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina where he currently lives with his wife Terri. His oil painting style draws from the 19th Century Tonalist and Impressionist schools and from his formative experiences boating and painting on location.

Beale has extended the Tonalist style and applied it to the coastal landscape and marine environment based on 40 years of boating along the coastal south in small craft. This style emphasizes mood and atmosphere and a unifying sense of color harmony. He often chooses to depict times of changing light such as sunrise, sunset, moonrise, dawn or dusk and aims to communicate an emotional experience to viewer through a connection to nature. His work exudes a timeless quality, as he prefers to paint the pure landscape and only occasionally includes primitive skiffs and dwellings.

Beale’s work has been selected for numerous juried exhibitions and earned many awards including two from the National Parks Foundation “Paint the Parks” competition. In 2012, two of his works were chosen for the National Parks two - year traveling exhibit. In 2014, Beale was invited to exhibit at the historic Salmagundi Club in New York City, where the originators of Tonalism have exhibited their work since 1870.

Additionally, he has participated in several museum exhibitions across the country including the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, The Coutts Museum of Art in Eldorado, Kansas, and the Wildlife Experience Museum in Denver Colorado. He has been featured in many publications, including 7 features in Fine Art Connoisseur and American Art Collector magazines, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art.



Artist Statement

“Exploring our emotional connection to nature is the primary inspiration for my work. I am most interested in the moods and atmosphere of the coastal landscape, based on 40 years of boating in small craft along the coastal South. My goal is to create paintings that communicate an emotion and emphasize beauty, while drawing the viewer in to participate in the experience. Ultimately, I would like my paintings to remind others of the feelings that God's creation inspires in us."



Recent Honors and Exhibitions

2019

• ARC Salon international finalist, Art Renewal Center International Competition
• Bold Brush national painting competition "Favorite 15" jury's award for Golden Moonrise

• American Society of Marine Artists, National Marine Art Invitational, Charleston, SC - November 2018
• Gibbes Museum of Art, Fall Palmetto Stand chosen for the Art of Healing program, Roper - St Francis Hospital System
• Featured Artist, Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE), Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC, Feb.
• Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, solo feature, Tonalism Survives in Charleston, Fine Art Today Online, Jan.
• American Impressionist Society, Interview with Jason Sacran, americanimpressionistsocoety.org/blog.

• Featured Artist, Sea Island Landscapes, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC
• Featured in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, Southern Charms: Art in Charleston, Feb.
• Featured in American Art Collector magazine, Gallery Focus: Reinert Fine Art, Feb.

• Featured in American Art Collector magazine, Collecting Fine Art in Charleston and the Carolinas, Feb.
• Featured Artists – Landscape and Portrait, Mark Beale and Bob Graham, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC
• Featured in Fine Art Today online edition, Artist Profile: Mark Beale, Dec.

• Blue Ribbon Member’s Award, Charleston Artist Guild
• Gibbes Museum of Art, Renovation Exhibition, Charleston, SC
• Featured in Artists and Art Galleries of the South, 13:2
• Wildlife Experience Museum, Paint the Parks Winners Exhibition, Denver, CO

• Blue Ribbon Purchase Award, Magnolia Garden’s National Landscape Competition, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC
• Salmagundi Club, Invited Artist, Non- Members Exhibition, New York, NY
• Coutts Museum of Art, Paint the Parks Winners Exhibition, Eldorado, KS
• Second Place, South State Bank People’s Choice Awards, Charleston, SC

• Solo Show, On the Waterfront, Charleston Artist Guild Gallery
• Piccolo Spoletto Juried Art Exhibition, Charleston, SC

• Solo Show, Tones of the Coastal Landscape, Charleston Artist Guild Gallery, Charleston, SC
• Featured in American Art Collector magazine, Collecting Fine Art In Charleston, Nov.
• Featured in American Art Collector Magazine, Oil Painters of America: Focus on Representational Art, Oct.
• Featured in American Art Collector magazine: Ephemeral Visions: Collecting Landscape Art, Sept.

ROGER DALE BROWN
Fine Artist


Roger Dale Brown grew up in Tennessee, exploring the woods, creeks and fields around his Nashville home, a passionate observer of every aspect of nature since early childhood. He has made it his life’s work to connect deeply to places around the world, incorporating knowledge of their nature, history, architecture and culture in his creative process, and reflecting that knowledge in his painting and writing.

Roger’s art education has consisted of countless hours studying historical artists such as John Carlson, Arthur Streeton, Isaac Levitan and John Singer Sargent and concentrated his study with master teachers over the years. Roger has developed his own style, which draws deeply from the Impressionist view that painting from life is essential. This determination and dedication has culminated in his receiving Master Status with three top painting organizations in one year. The organizations who recognized him are Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, and American Society of Marine Artist.

Roger has a deep commitment to passing on his knowledge of the artistic process to his students. His self-directed education has given Roger a unique ability to recognize a student’s struggles and an ability to guide the learning process in clear and understandable ways. A celebrated teacher, he has led close to 100 workshops from Maine to Montana in the United States, and abroad in Ecuador, Italy and Scotland. His teaching includes live demonstrations as well as on-location, figurative, studio and still-life classes.

Roger has been honored to serve as juror for art and plein air competitions for Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society and others across the country. When not traveling to paint or teach, he lives with his artist wife and two dogs in Franklin, Tennessee, and teaches in his home studio.

“To capture the essence of a scene and make viewers feel they can step into a different day and understand its mood and beauty is my goal.”


Awards and Honors

Among his many awards, Roger has received Best of Show in the Barnes and Farms National Juried Art Show, Museum Purchase Award at the Easton Plein Air Competition, Award of Excellence in the Master Category at the American Impressionist National Show, as well as the Gold Medal Award from the Hudson Valley Art Association. His work has also been accepted in national juried exhibitions with both Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society where he received Artist Choice Award. He was also a finalist in the Art Renewal Center Salon. In addition, Roger has been published by International Artist Magazine, American Artist Magazine, American Art Collector Magazine, Plein-Air Magazine and the Artist Magazine.

Roger's oil paintings hang in the permanent collections of Tennessee State Museum and other museums throughout the United States and are held in several prominent galleries around the country. He was given Associate Living Master Status with the Art Renewal Center in 2015, and was awarded Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists in 2017 and received Fellow status in 2019. In 2018 Roger was awarded Master Status with Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society in 2018. His latest honor, in 2020, Roger was asked to join the prominent plein air organization, PAPA (Plein Air Painters of America).


Select Honors and Exhibits

2020

• PAPA Membership - Plain Air Painters of America
• International ARC Salon - Finalist
• OPA Eastern Regional Gold Medal Master Division
• AIS National Show - Master Award of Excellence
• Featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine

• Awarded Master Status - American Society of Marine Artist
• International ARC Salon - Finalist

• Awarded Master Status - American Impressionist Society
• Judge for Oil Painters of America Salon Show
• Awarded Master Status - Oil Painters of America
• Key Note Speaker - Plein Air South
• American Impressionist Society - Award of Excellence Master Category

• Judge - En Plein Air Texas
• One Man Show - Leipers Creek Gallery, Leipers Fork, TN
• American Masters Show - Salmagundi Club
• American Society of Marine Painters - Signature Status
• OPA National - Plein-Air Awards Judge

• ARC Master Status
• International ARC Salon - Finalist Award
• All Nashville Show - Haynes Galleries, Nashville, TN
• Two Man Show - Haynes Galleries, Thomaston, Maine
• One Man Show - Travis Gallery, Doylestown, PA
• One Man Show - Beverly McNeal Gallery, Birmingham, AL
• One Man Show - Sylvan Gallery, Charleston, SC
• Judge & Juror - New Iberia Plein Air Festival
• Juror - Olmsted Plein Air Invitational
• Juror - En Plein Air Texas
• Published - “A Passion for Painting” book

• Oil Painters of America National
• Plein Air Convention - Featured Speaker/Demo
• Greenbrier Invitational
• Produced instructional DVD
• International ARC Salon - Finalist Award
• Salmugundi Club Members Show - Third Place
• Art Renewal Center - Associate Living Master

• American Impressionist Society, Nation Juried Exhibition
• Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition & National Exhibition - Demo
• American Masters of Today
• Chinese Cultural Exchange Program
• International ARC Salon- Finalist Award

• American Impressionist Society, Nation Juried Exhibition - Artist Choice & Honorable Mention  Awards
• Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition
• Salon International, International Juried Exhibition
• American Masters of Today

• American Impressionist Society, Nation Juried Exhibition
• Artist for the New Century, The Bennington, Bennington, VT
• Callaway Gardens Plein Air Festival - Second Place Award
• Plein Air Easton

• Oil Painters of America national Juried Exhibition 
• Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery
• Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational
• Plein Air Easton
• Callaway Gardens Plein Air Festival – Third Place Award
• Let There Be Art, Columbus Museum

• Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational
• Telluride Plein Air Competition 
• Plein Air Easton
• Callaway Gardens Plein Air Festival

• Plein Air Easton, Honorable Mention
• Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational 
• Oil Painters of America, National Show

• Artist Choice Award Estes Park Plein  Air Festival
• Purchase Award, Avalon Museum, Easton Maryland
• Third Place Plein Air Easton
• First Place Barnes and Farms Competition, Barnsite Gallery
• One man Show, Lyons View Gallery

• Featured Artist Huntsville Museum of Art Gala 
• One man show, Richland Fine Art
• Third Place Quick Draw Estes Park Plein Air Festival

• Gold Medal Winner Hudson Valley Art Association
• OPA Signature member

• Honorable Mention Easton Plein air competition
• One man show Hanson gallery
• National Arts Club

• Best of Show 39th Annual Central South Juried Art Show

• Honorable Mention 38th Annual Central South Juried Art Show 2003, 2004, 2006 
• Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition

• Painters of America National Juried Exhibition

• Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE) Past-President
• Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA)
• Cumberland Society of Painters
• California Art Club
• Oil Painters of America, Master Member
• American Impressionist Society, Master Member
• Art Renewal Center, Associate Living Master
• American Society of Marine Artist, Master Member
• Salmagundi Club

• Roger Dale Brown: A Passion for Painting
• Organize and Paint the Woodland Interior Landscape
• Harmonizing Rural Structures in the Painted Landscape
• Painting The Sunlit Harbor

• International Artist
• John Pototschnik Blog - Interview
• featured on OPA Blog Nashville Arts Magazine Plein Air Magazine Artist Magazine
• Art Collectors Magazine
• American Artists Magazine
• American Impressionist Society
• Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
• Art Renewal Center, Living Associate Master Portrait Society of America
• Artists and Galleries of the Southeast International Art Magazine

SCOTT BURDICK
Fine Artist


Scott was born in Chicago, where his mother and father early on encouraged his interest in Art. "I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a child and remember my mother showing me how to transform simple shapes like circles, triangles, and squares into objects like planes, helicopters, and fish. It seemed such a magical thing and made spending so much time in casts and on crutches much more bearable."

In high school, Scott began taking life-drawing classes at the American Academy of Art under the legendary Bill Parks. "Though I'd always loved drawing, it was Mr. Parks who filled me with the enthusiasm and discipline necessary to improve my skills. His love of painting and creative expression infected us all." After finishing the Academy, Scott continued his study at the Palette and Chisel Art club, where he met his wife, painter Susan Lyon. "It's a wonderful thing being able to paint together all the time and grow as artists together," Scott says.

His ideas for paintings come from everywhere. "What makes a subject attractive to me are the same things that attract us all. The beauty of a young girl, the character of a weathered face, the solitude of a farm at sunset, or even the story itself behind someone or something that makes it interesting." Scott believes it is the job of the artist to recognize this when it happens, analyze why, and use his technical skills to convey the feeling to someone else. He notes that some paintings are as simple as stopping at the sight of something interesting, while others may take more time to research than to actually paint.

Today, Scott and Susan live in a rural area of North Carolina..

"I see painting as both a way of exploring the world and then as the vehicle of sharing those discoveries with others. I travel to find subjects to paint as much as paint so I can travel and expand my horizons. Through this unique language, one can say things that are impossible with words."


ARTICLES

• 1990 April U.S. Art - Private Showing Page
• 1993 January American Artist - Feature
• 1994 Jan/Feb Art of the West - Feature
• 1994 Nov/Dec InformArt - Feature
• 1997 Spring Watercolor Magic - Feature and Cover
• 1997 Fall The Artist's Magazine - Feature and Cover
• 1997 November Art Talk - Feature and Cover
• 1998 Jul/Aug Art of the West - Feature
• 1998 June Southwest Art - part of group article
• 2000 International Artist - feature article "Painting in the Forbidden City"
• 2000 Southwest Art - part of group article on Plein Air Painting
• 2001 International Artist - part of group article on Plein Air Painting
• 2001 The Artist's Magazine - part of article on Portfolio Alternatives
• 2001 October issue, The Artist's Magazine - feature article and cover
• 2002 U.S. Art, January - group article on artist couples
• 2002 Art Talk, June/July - group article on artist couples
• 2002 Artist's Sketchbook, September - feature article on Nepal trip
• 2002 American Artist, September - feature and cover
• 2003 January SouthwestArt - feature
• 2003 Artist's Sketchbook, January - page on the creative process
• 2003 Watercolor Magic, February - part of a group article
• 2003 Artist's Sketchbook, July - part of a group article
• 2004 Art of the West, Jan/Feb - "Magnificent Seven" article
• 2005 Plein Air Magazine, Feb - feature article
• 2006 Southwest Art August- Dispatches Painting in France
• 2007 American Artist - October - cover and part of a group article.
• 2008 British Edition The Artist - May - Portraits Taking Shape
• 2011 Southwest Art Magazine June "Drawing out the Best"
• 2012 Southwest Art Magazine April Cover and article" Ten Prominent People"
• 2013 Southwest art Magazine, January "The Artists Studio"
• 2015 Pratique des Arts , French magazine April/May 2015
• 2018 Southwest Art Magazine, March Cover and article "The ties that Bind"

• 1988 Top 100 - Arts for the Parks
• 1992 Senator Martin J. Butler Award - Oil Painters of America
• 1993 Charles Vickery Award - Oil Painters of America
• 1994 Grumbacher Art Award - Oil Painters of America
• 1994 Top 200 - Arts for the Parks
• 1996 Silver Medal of Honor - Second Place American Watercolor Society
• 1996 Award of Excellence - Oil Painters of America
• 1999 Artist choice award – Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational
• 2001 Artist Choice award – Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, Mt
• 2002 Artist Choice award – Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, Mt
• 2003 Grand Prize – International 1996 Artist Magazine – Portrait/Figure completion
• 2003 Artist choice award Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational
• 2007 Artist Choice award – Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, Mt
• 2010 First Place – Portrait Society of America Competition
• 2011 Finalist – Portrait Society of America completion
• 2015 Buyers Choice Award – Prix de West Show

MICHELE BYRNE
Fine Artist


Museum Collections

• 2017 Grand Teton National Park Museum, Permanent Collection, Jackson Hole, WY
• 2015 The Mennello Museum of American Art in Orlando, FL – purchased ten of my American Flag paintings for its collection.
• 2012 The Bennington Museum – purchased “Paper Mill Bridge” for it's Permanent Collection, Bennington, VT

• 2023 Oil Painters Of America National Juried Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC
• 2022 PAAC (Plein Air Artists of Colorado) Nat’l Juried Show, The Allen Purchase Award & PAAC Board Award, Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO
• 2022 Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Nat’l Exhibit, Gallery Choice Award, Wild Sage Gallery, Taos, NM
• 2022 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibit, Southwest Gallery, Dallas, TX
• 2022 Salmagundi Club, Annual National Juried Members Exhibit, New York, NY
• 2022 American Impressionist Society 6th Annual Small Works Juried Exhibition, Taos, NM
• 2021 Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Gallery Choice Award, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
• 2021 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibit, Award of Excellence, Juror Jeremy Goodding
• 2021 Oil Painters of America Convention – Wet Paint Award of Excellence, Juror John Michael Carter
• 2021 Oil Painters of America National Salon Show – OPA – Impressionist Award, Juror Charles Young Walls
• 2021 Jemez Springs Plein Air, NM – PAPNM – 2nd Place Award, Juror Tobi Clement
• 2020 Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Annual Juried Exhibit, Wider Nightingale Fine Art, Taos, NM
• 2020 Plein Air Magazine Cover and eight page featured article December-January issue
• 2019 LILIEDAHL ART INSTUCTION VIDEO released third Instructional Video of my painting process. PALETTE KNIFE PAINTING with Michele Byrne
• 2019 Wayne Plein Air Festival, Rosemary Brushes Award, Wayne, PA
• 2019 Lighthouse Plein Air Invitational, Third Place Award, Quick Draw, Tequesta, FL
• 2019 Faculty Demo Instructor at PACE - PleinAir Magazine Annual Convention & Expo, San Francisco, CA
• 2018 Salmagundi Club, Maureen Hopper SCNYC Award, Fall Auctions, New York, NY
• 2018 President’s Choice Award, American Impressionist Society 19th National Juried Exhibition, The Penninsula School of Art, WI
• 2018 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, “Renoir” – The Spirit of Atlanta Award, Atlanta GA
• 2018 Salmagundi Club, Landscape Exhibit, Michael Harding Award, New York, NY
• 2017 Reading Hospital 150th Anniversary Commission for Commemorative Painting
• 2017 Salmagundi Club, Thumb-Box Exhibit, Memorial Award, New York, NY
• 2017 Awarded Membership, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters (RMPAP)
• 2017 Honorable Mention, American Impressionist Society 18th National Juried Exhibition, Montgomery-Lee Fine Art, Park City ,Utah – Juror Albert Handell
• 2017 LILIEDAHL Art Instructional Videos released an Instructional Video of my painting process. "PAINTING IMPRESSIONISTIC FIGURES with Michele Byrne"
• 2017 Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Invitational – Award of Excellence – Jackson Hole, WY – Juror Scott Jones
• 2017 Grand Teton National Park Foundation – Permanent Collection, Moose, WY
• 2017 Wayne Plein Air Festival – Rosemary Brushes Award, Juror Don Demers
• 2017 Lighthouse Arts Festival – Honorable Mention, Jupiter, FL – Juror George Van der Hook
• 2016 PleinAir Magazine Aug/Sept Salon – Second Prize Overall
• 2016 Award of Excellence, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Invitational, Grand Teton Nat’l Park, WY
• 2016 Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibit – Eisele Gallery of Fine Art, Cincinnati, OH
• 2016 American Impressionist Society 17th National Juried Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Seattle, WA
• 2016 Achieved Signature membership status with the American Impressionist Society
• 2015 Jane Impastato Award – Salmagundi Club Fall Auctions – Juror Elizabeth Spencer
• 2015 Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibit - Eckert & Ross Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
• 2015 American Impressionist Society 16th National Juried Exhibition, Trailside Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
• 2015 Macowin Tuttle Memorial Award (second place) - Salmagundi Club - Urban Landscapes Exhibit - Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 2014 American Impressionist Society 15th National Juried Exhibition, Abend Gallery, Denver,CO
• 2014 Award of Merrit and Randy Higby Award - Just Plein Fun Plein Air Invitational, Juror Jean Stern, Balboa Island, CA
• 2014 Invitational Faculty doing demo’s at PleinAir Magazine Annual Convention, Monterey, CA
• 2013 First Place Award, Just Plein Fun- Debra Huse Gallery Plein Air Invitational – Juror Jean Stern
• 2013 PleinAir Magazine, June/July – 8 Page Feature Article, by Steve Doherty
• 2013 TSKW - The Studios of Key West - 4 Week Artist Residency Fellowship, Key West, FL
• 2012 First Place Award & Peoples’ Choice Awards - Paint the Town, Chestertown, MD
• 2012 Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibit - Bennington, VT
• 2012 Second Place Award - Easton Plein Air Quick Draw, Easton, MD - Juror Tim Newton
• 2012 People’s Choice Award - Aspen Plein Air Invitational, Aspen, CO
• 2012 Third Place Award - Cranford Paint the Town, Cranford, NJ - Juror Joseph McGurl
• 2012 Southwest Art Magazine – September Issue – included in Urban Impressions article
• 2011 American Impressionist Society - National Juried Exhibition, Mountainsong Gallery, Carmel, CA
• 2011 First Place Award of Excellence - Berks Art Alliance 34th Annual Juried Show - Reading Museum, Reading, PA
• 2011 Southwest Art Magazine – September, Editor’s Choice “Artist’s to Watch” section
• 2011 People’s Choice Award – San Luis Obispo Plein Air, San Luis Obisbo Museum of Art, CA
• 2011 First Place Quick Draw Award - Aspen Plein Air Invitational, Aspen, Colorado
• 2010 1st Place Award - Salmagundi Club Winter Exhibition - New York, NY
• 2010 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Poster Artist
• 2010 2nd Place - Artists’ Choice Award: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO
• 2010 People’s Choice Award & 3rd Place Award: Cranford Paint the Town, Cranford, NJ
• 2009 Best of Show: Mountain Maryland Plein Air Event, Cumberland, MD - Juror Nancy Tankersley
• 2009 First Place Award: Berks Arts Council's ART OF JAZZ / Berks Jazz Fest, Reading, PA
• 2008 Open Box M Plein Air Award, Chadds Ford Art Festival, Chadds Ford, PA
• 2008 Purchase Award, Berks Art Alliance Juried Exhibition at the GoggleWorks, Reading, PA
• 2007 Peoples Choice Award & Award of Excellence: Paint Annapolis 07, Annapolis MD
• 2007 First Place Award: Rehoboth Beach Paint Out, Rehoboth Art League
• 2006 Second Place Award: Paint Annapolis 2006, Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Assoc.
• 2006 Featured in the February issue of Art Business News Magazine in the Emerging Artist section
• 2006 Published second book titled The Art of Conversation: Manhattan, which includes 39 paintings depicting conversations in the parks, streets and café’s of Manhattan. Introduction by Meredith Lewis, Editor of American Artist Watercolor Magazine. Available at Barnes& Nobles
• 2003 Auction Record established June 2003 at Freeman’s Auction, Philadelphia
• 2002 Published book titled The Art of Conversation, which includes 42 paintings and text explaining my inspirations and thoughts of conversation in modern day culture. Introduction written by Constance U. Battle, M.D., previous executive director of the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. Available at Barnes & Nobles

• 2019 The Fabric of America – From A Woman’s Perspective, Alvernia University, Reading, PA
• 2019 New Works, Gildea Contemporary Gallery, Key West, FL
• 2019 The Fabric of America From A Woman’s Perspective, Alvernia University, Reading, PA
• 2018 American Travels and Travels Within – The Loft@505, Reading, PA
• 2016 Cuba, Key West & Paris Impressions - Gingerbread Square Gallery, Key West, FL
• 2015 The Art of Conversation, Gingerbread Square Gallery, Key West, FL
• 2014 The Art of Conversation on California’s Central Coast, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, San Luis Obispo, CA
• 2014 Travels Plein Air, Gingerbread Square Gallery, Key West, FL
• 2013 The French Connection, TSKW - The Studios of Key West, Key West, FL
• 2011 The Art of Conversation, American Art Gallery, Snow Hill, MD
• 2011 New Works, The YR Club, Reading, PA
• 2009 Recent Works, Longwood Art Gallery, Kennett Square, PA
• 2009 Plein Air Paintings, American Art Gallery, Snow Hill, MD
• 2008 The Art of Conversation - All Plein Air, Fromm Gallery, JCC of Reading, PA
• 2007 New Works, Uptown Gallery, New York, NY
• 2006 The Art of Conversation: Manhattan, Happy Dog Gallery, Piermont, NY
• 2004 Recent Paintings/The Art of Conversation, Ventures Gallery, Rehoboth Art League, DE
• 2002 The Art of Conversation/Paintings from the Book, Institute of the Arts, Wyomissing, PA

• 2021 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibit, Marks Arts, Wichita, Kansas
• PAPNM National Juried Exhibit, Sorrell Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
• American Impressionist Society 22nd National Juried Exhibit, Gallery 1516, Omaha, Nebraska
• Oil Painters of America National Salon Show – OPA
• Jemez Springs Plein Air, NM – PAPNM
• 2020 American Impressionist Society 21st National Juried Exhibit, Illume Fine Art, St. George, UT
• Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) Juried Annual Exhibit, Wilder Nightingale Art Gallery, Taos, NM
• 2019 Impressionism & Abstraction, Two Person Exhibit, Gildea Contemporary Gallery, Key West, FL
• American Impressionist Society 20th National Juried Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, NYC
• Door County Plein Air Invitational, Door County, WI
• Lighthouse Arts Plein Air Event, Tequesta, FL
• Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta, GA
• Wayne Plein Air Festival, Wayne, PA
• 2018 American Impressionist Society 19th National Juried Exhibit, Peninsula School of Art, Fishcreek WI
• Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta, GA
• Wayne Plein Air Festival, Wayne, PA
• Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Plein Air Invitational, Jackson Hole, WY
• Salmagundi Club Landscape Exhibit, New York, NY
• American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
• 2017 Salmagundi Club Thumb-Box Exhibit, New York, NY
• Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibit – Montgomery Fine Art, Park City, UT
• American Impressionist Society 18th National Juried Exhibit, Mary Anderson Fine Art, GA
• Lighthouse Arts Plein Air Event, Jupiter, FL
• Wayne Plein Air Festival, Wayne, PA
• 2016 American Dreams Exhibit – Eckert & Ross Fine Art Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
• 2016 Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibit – HowardMandville Gallery, Seattle, WA
• 2016 Lighthouse Arts Plein Air Event, Jupiter, FL
• 2016 Wayne Plein Air Festival, Wayne, PA
• 2016 Sedona Plein Air Invitational, Sedona, AZ
• 2016 Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibit – Eisele Gallery of Fine Art, Cincinnati, OH
• 2016 American Impressionist Society 17th National Juried Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Seattle, WA
• 2016 Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• 2013 Burchtree Fine Art - Two Person Show, Wayne, PA
• Laguna Plein Air Invitational – Laguna Beach, CA
• Featured Artist at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Fine Art Show, Villanova, PA
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Aspen Plein Air, Fourth Annual Invitational, Aspen, CO
• Debra Huse Gallery - Just Plein Fun Plein Air Invitational, Balboa Island, CA
• 2012 Juried in the Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Division Exhibit - Bennington, VT
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Aspen Plein Air, Second Annual Invitational, Aspen, CO
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• San Luis Obispo Plein Air Invitational, San Luis Obispo, CA
• 2011 American Impressionist Society Annual Juried Show, Mountainside Galleries, CA
• Easton Plein Air Invitational, Easton, MD
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Aspen Plein Air, Second Annual Invitational, Aspen, CO
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• Rittenhouse Square Art Annual, Philadelphia, PA
• Rehoboth Beach Art Festival, Rehoboth Beach, DE
• San Luis Obispo Plein Air Invitational, San Luis Obispo, CA
• 2010 Salmagundi Club, Nocturnes Exhibit, New York, NY
• Salmagundi Club, Winter Exhibit, New York, NY
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Aspen Plein Air, First Annual Invitational, Aspen, CO
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• Paint The Town - Plein Air Exhibit, Cranford, NJ
• Rittenhouse Square Art Annual, Philadelphia, PA
• 2009 Industry and the Landscape Juried Exhibit, The Goggleworks, Reading, PA
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• Rehoboth Beach Art Festival, Rehoboth Beach, DE
• 2008 Norfolk Plein Air Exhibit, Norfolk, VA
• Telluride Plein Air Exhibit, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
• Yellow Springs Art Show, Historic Yellow Springs, PA
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• Rittenhouse Square Art Annual, Philadelphia, PA
• 2007 Uptown Gallery, New York, NY, The Art of Conversation: Manhattan
• Purchase Awards/Berks Art Alliance 30th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Reading Public
• Museum, Reading, PA
• Immaculata University Art Show, Malvern, PA
• Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Annual, Philadelphia, PA
• Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Event, Wayne, PA
• Rehoboth Beach Art Festival, Rehoboth Beach, DE
• 2006 ArtExpo New York, Jacob Javits Center, NY, NY
• Philadelphia Sketch Club 143rd Annual Juried Exhibition/Small Oil Paintings, Phila, PA
• Washington Square Art Show, New York, NY
• Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Annual, Philadelphia, PA
• Paint Annapolis, Maryland Hall, Annapolis, MD
• Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, 110th Annual Juried Exhibit, New York, NY

• 2017 Studied with Carolyn Anderson
• 2015 Studied with CW Mundy in New Harmony, IN
• 2015 Studied with Quang Ho at the Salmagundi Club, NY
• 2011 Studied with artists Quang Ho, Carolyn Anderson and Dan McCaw
• 2009 Studied with artists Richard Schmid, Stuart Shils and Ken Auster
• 2001-2003 Figure and Portraiture classes, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
• 2002 Studied with California artist Robert Burridge at the Institute of the Arts, Wyomissing
• 1977-1981 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Communication Design, minor in Illustration/Painting, Kutztown University, PA

JOHN MICHAEL CARTER
Fine Artist


John Michael Carter was born in Chicago. He showed an interest in drawing at an early age and began his studies at 15 with his father E. L. Carter, a commercial artist and illustrator. After graduation from high school he attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

In 1970 Carter continued his studies at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. There he studied the major classical schools of drawing and painting with Reynolds Brown, Harry Carmean, and Lorser Feitelson . He received his B.F.A. in 1972. Carter has had many shows in galleries all over the country. His wide range of subject matter covers landscapes, still life, figurative painting, and portraiture. His portraits include senators, governors, university presidents as well as corporate and civic leaders.

In addition to Carter’s love of figurative painting, he enjoys the street scenes and landscapes he discovers in his travels here and abroad.

Mr. Carter has been a frequent guest instructor at art workshops across the country, including the Scottsdale Artist School since 1990, the Dallas Arts League and the Cincinnati Arts Club. His thorough classical training and experience in drawing and painting gives him the technical expertise for superb instruction.

He is a master signature member of Oil Painters of America and serves on the board of directors of that organization.


John Michael Carter is the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including:

• 1988 Arts for the Parks ( Judges Award of Merit)
• 2002 American Society of Portrait Artists International Competition ( First Prize/ People’s Choice )
• 2002 Portrait Society of America International Competition ( Finalist / Honors Award)
• 2003 Portrait Society of America International Competition ( Finalist / Honors Award)
• 2004 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition ( Best of Show )
• 2005 Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition ( Finalist )
• 2007 Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition ( Best of Show )
• 2012 Scottsdale Salon ( American Art Collector Award for Figurative Art )
• 2012 Hoosier Salon (Best of Show)

• Governor John Y. Brown, Kentucky
• John Gardner, former Secretary of H.E.W.
• U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, Indiana
• U.S. Senator Wendell Ford, Kentucky
• J.B. Duke, British American Tobacco Corp. , London, England
• Peter Goldmark, President of the Rockefeller Foundation
• David Jones, CEO Humana Corp.
• Governor E. Fletcher, Kentucky

PAUL CHENG
Oil Painters of America (OPA) Signature Member


Paul Cheng was born and grew up in Guangzhou China and studied at Guangzhou Fine Art College China, one of the most prestigious fine art colleges in China. He received his BFA degree from and taught at the same school. His paintings have exhibited at different fine arts competitions in China, Australia and the United States and has become an award-wining artist. Paul Cheng was featured in Southwest Art Magazine in April 2013. He has worked for some main entertainment companies as a Sr. visual development artist, art director and an Sr. illustrator of gaming companies in Australia and the United States. These projects he has worked were either nominated for Oscar Best Animation Feature Film or won Oscar Outstanding Achievement in Character Design in an Animated Feature Production and an Emmy award.


FINE ARTS EXHIBITIONS/AWARDS/HONORS

• Oil Painters of America’s 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2021)
• Oil Painters of America 2021 Western Regional Exhibition
• Oil Painters of America 2019 Western Regional Exhibition
• The Virtuosos of OPA Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils 2019
• Oil Painters of America’s 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2018)
• Oil Painters of America 2017 Western Regional Exhibition
• Oil Painters of America’s 26th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2017)
• OPA 2016 Juried Salon Show of Traditional Oils
• Oil Painters of America 2016 Western Regional Exhibition
• Mountain Oyster Club 46th Annual Contemporary Western Art Show & Sale(2015)
• Oil Painters of America 2014 Western Regional Exhibition
• 'Seascape Honorable Mention’ on Oil Painters Of America’s 23rd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2014)
• Greenhouse Gallery Salon International 2014
• Western Art and Landscape Show-2/2014(Greenhouse Fine Art gallery)
• Small Gems - 02/2014(Christian Daniels Gallery)
• Holiday Open House and Group Show-12/2013(Concetta D. Gallery)
• 'Finalist'- BoldBrush Painting Competition (November 2013)
• ‘Honorable Mention’ (OPA Online Showcase - Spring 2013)
• Oil Painters of America’s 22nd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2013)
• Top 60 Greenhouse Gallery Salon International 2013
• 'Finalist'- BoldBrush Painting Competition (August 2012)
• ‘Honorable Mention’ at OPA Online Showcase Competition (Summer 2012)
• OPA 2012 Western Regional Exhibition
• Oil Painters of America’s 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (2012)
• 'Finalist'- BoldBrush Painting Competition (January 2012)
• 'Second Place' - BoldBrush Painting Competition (December 2011)
• 'Finalist' - Raymar Competition(December 2011)
• 'Second Place' - Oil Painter of America Online Showcase Competition (Fall 2011)
• Oil Painter/Exhibitor of Laguna Festival of Arts, CA(2012)
• 17th CAC Exhibition “Eternal Light” (2009)

• "The spirit of art " by Bonnie Gangelhoff, Southwest art Magazine, April 2013.

• Artist Focus: Paul Cheng” by Froala Editor, American Art Collector magazine, November 2021 Edition

• "The Book of Life" (3D Animation feature -2014)
• "Free Birds " (3D Animation feature -2013)
• "Pink Panther" (TV Series -2011)
• "Back At The Barnyard” (3D TV series_Nik, Won 2009 An Emmy Award -2009)
• "Barnyard”(3D feature film_Paramount -2006)
• “Tarzan II”( 2D direct to video -2003)
• "Lenny & Sid" ( 2D direct to video-2002)
• "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (3D feature film Nickelodeon, Nominated Oscar 2002 Best Animation Feature -2001)
• " Titan A. E." (2D feature film -2000)
• "Bartok the Magnificent" (2D direct to video -1999 )
• "Anastasia" ( 2D feature film - 1998)
• " The Lion King II-Simba's Pride" (2D direct to video - 1997)
• "Aladdin and the Forty Thieves ( 2D direct to video - 1995)

• Instructor - Drawing and painting, at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art, China, 1986-1989.

• Signature Member of Oil Painters of America

JAMES CRANDALL
Fine Artist


After a long career as a concept illustrator in the advertising and motion-picture industry, James Crandall has shifted his focus to traditional easel painting. He finds subject matter in everyday life, and is always looking for an intriguing play of light, or the unstaged gestures of people at work and at play. An ongoing series of paintings depicts life in his maternal grandfather's hometown of Lucca in northern Tuscany, where he regularly visits. Recent work also includes scenes from the rural backroads of California's Gold Country, where he and his wife Nancy make their home.
He is a Master Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society.


Education:

• Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California 1978-1981 (BFA, Awarded with Distinction)
• University of California, Los Angeles, 1975-1977

• 2020 ADI Top 5 Most Awarded Artist Rating (4th)
• 2020 American Impressionist Society 21st National Exhibition
• 2018 1st Place, Master Class, ArtMuse Contest, October (Judge: Carol Marine)
• 2018 Finalist, BoldBrush Art Competition, October (Juror: Robert Lemler)
• 2018 2nd Annual American Impression Society Small Work Showcase, Cincinnati, OH
• 2018 40th Annual Crocker Museum Art Auction, Sacramento, CA
• 2017 Award of Excellence, Master Division, OPA Eastern Regional, St. Simons Island, GA
• 2017 President's Choice Award, American Impressionist Society's National Exhibition
• 2017 Awarded Signature Member status, American Impressionist Society
• 2017 Finalist, BoldBrush Art Competition, June (Juror: David Kassan)
• 2017 2nd Prize, BoldBrush Art Competition, May
• 2017 1st Place, Master Class, ArtMuse Contest, April
• 2017 California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition, Los Angeles
• 2017 Finalist, Master Class, ArtMuse Contest, February
• 2016 1st Place, Master Class, ArtMuse Contest, October
• 2016 Award of Excellence, Masters Division, OPA Western Regional, Scottsdale, AZ
• 2016 Gold Medal, Masters Division, Oil Painters of America's Salon, Fort Wayne, IN
• 2016 Award of Merit, American Impressionist Society National, Kirkland, WA
• 2016 Finalist, Boldbrush Art Competition, January & December
• 2015 Awarded Master Signature status, Oil Painters of America, December 2015
• 2015 2nd Prize, Signature division, Oil Painters of America Online Showcase, Fall 2015
• 2015 Judge, BoldBrush Art Competition, July 2015
• 2015 Finalist, RayMar Art Competition (January & February)
• 2014 Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of American Western Regional
• 2014 Finalist, RayMar Art Competition (July and October)
• 2014 Award of Excellence, Paso Artsfest, Paso Robles, California (Juror: Quang Ho)
• 2014 Finalist, Boldbrush Competition (April)
• 2013 1st Place, Signature division, Oil Painters of America Fall Online Showcase
• 2013 Solo Exhibition, Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, CA
• 2013 Finalist, RayMar Art Competition (February, August)
• 2013 California Art Club's Gold Medal Exhibition
• 2013 2nd Place, Boldbrush Painting Competition (June)
• 2013 2nd Place, Boldbrush Painting Competition (May)
• 2013 Finalist, RayMar Fine Art Competition, February 2013 (Juror: Nancy Guzik)
• 2012 3rd Prize, Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase
• 2012 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas (Jury's Top 50)
• 2012 Finalist, RayMar Art Fine Competition (January, March, September, November)
• 2012 Finalist, Bold Brush Art Competition, (January, September)
• 2012 Judge, BoldBrush Art Competition, December 2011
• 2011 BoldBrush Art Competiton, August 2011, (Best of Show Award)
• 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition, 2010-2011, (Finalist [Top 12 of the Year] Award)
• 2011 Oil Painters of America’s 20th Annual National, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Portraiture Award of Excellence)
• 2011 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas (Jury's Top Fifty)

NANCY CROOKSTON
Fine Artist


Nancy Seamons Crookston is a California-based artist awarded the title of Master Oil Painter of America.  She loves capturing the human figure in moments of stillness and reflection, as well as painting plein air, whether it’s the Rocky Mountains of her birth town in Utah, or a city scape of San Francisco.  Her paintings are often described as peaceful and calming. 

Nancy teaches workshops across the nation, helping painters learn the principles of Russian Color, which she learned from the late Russian Master, Sergei Bongart.

She has earned numerous awards including the Gold Medal Award from the 2014 Oil Painters of America’s Master Signature division, the Bronze Master Signature award at the 2013 National Oil Painters of America Show, the 2011 Eastern Regional Oil Painters of America Masters Gold Award, and the Gold Medal Award in 2002 for the National Oil Painters of America. 


Recent Exhibitions and Awards

• Oil Painters of America National Show 2019 Honorable Mention award - Master Signature Members
• Oil Painters of America National Show 2019 Studio Division First Place
• Virtuosos Show 2019 Award of Excellence
• Gold Medal Award Oil Painters of America Master Signature Division 2018 Salon Juried Show
• Merit Award 2015 American Impressionist Society
• Gold Medal Master Award 2014 National Oil Painters of America Master Signature Division
• Bronze Master Signature Award at the 2013 National Oil Painters of America
• Gold Medal Award at the 2011 Eastern Regional Oil Painters of America, Master Signature Division
• Gold Medal Award at the 2000 National Oil Painters of America

DMITRI DANISH
Fine Artist


Dmitri Danish was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in 1966. He was a natural artist from the start, taking his first drawing pencil in hand before he was able to walk or talk. His mother, an artist herself, was the first to discover Dmitri's talent. She saw that he expressed his thoughts, feelings and desires through his creations, and she started communicating with her son via color and shape. Painting became as natural for Danish as breathing, eating, or sleeping. By age 5, Danish was taking his first professional painting lessons; he was already able to paint quality landscapes, portraits, still life's and abstract paintings. At age 13 he was accepted into a gifted children's art school in Kharkiv, and by age 15 he was enrolled at the Kharkiv State Art College.

Danish's favorite genre is the cityscape, he painted cities that he read about in books, cities that he heard about on the radio or in people's conversations, and cities that he saw printed on postage stamps. He created new countries in his mind and painted their cities, streets, canals, doors and windows. Danish liked painting doors and windows most of all because of their symbolic appeal. They let him view and enter into unknown worlds, which he couldn't do in reality. His imagination was able to take him to those unusual and magical worlds that he saw in his dreams. In college Danish became fascinated with Kharkiv, the city where he was born and raised. He painted various buildings, wooden houses and walls, small coffee shops under huge old trees, and again, doors and windows from his Southern city. His paintings portrayed Kharkiv as a warm and cozy place to live.

In 1986 Danish graduated from college and began to teach art. He quickly realized that teaching art was not his ideal career - he wanted to express himself through art, not teach others. Danish went into the army for three years and as soon as he returned, he immediately entered into the department of Fine Art at the Kharkiv States Polytechnic University. He began to paint for a living. After two years he became a member of the prestigious Union of Ukrainian Artists and his paintings were in high demand. His career as a fine artist took off and he began to exhibit in Ukraine, Russia and other Eastern European countries. In 2000 the Kharkiv State Museum of Fine Art conducted a solo exhibition of Danish's works called "Cities and Mountains" and purchased three of his paintings that are now part of their permanent collection. During 2000-2001, the New Jersey Museum of Modern Art also purchased three of Danish's works. In 2003 the Ukrainian government purchased a painting and presented it to the outgoing ambassador of the United States to Ukraine. Danish has traveled most of Europe since the opening of the Russian borders visiting cities and countries he dreamed about as a child. He has spent time in Rome, Venice, Sienna, and in many cities of France, Holland, Hungary, Austria, Greece, and Turkey.

KEN DEWAARD
Fine Artist


For Ken there is nothing more rewarding and challenging than painting under an open sky, surrounded by the scents and sounds of nature, along with it's ever changing color and harmonies to excite one's creativity.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts with honors, Ken began working in a commercial art studio in Chicago. He continued his studies at the American Academy of Art, where he studied with nationally recognized watercolorist, Irving Shapiro. Upon Irving's recommendation Ken joined the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, where he soon began studying with Scott Burdick as well as Dan Gerhartz.
It is here that Ken adapted his direct and pure approach as well as his bravura brush style, which he achieves by painting directly from life.

Strongly inspired by John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Nicolai Fechin, and the Russian Impressionists, Ken finds himself painting an array of subject matter from everyday life. The feelings Ken evokes in his paintings are due in part to the excitement and passion he feels while capturing the fleeting effects of light, or the wonderful color nuances and harmonies presented by nature and all of her beauty.

Ken continues to travel throughout the United States as well as Italy and China. He has won numerous awards around the country in many of the top Plein Air Competitions including the coveted Artist Choice awards, Best of Show, along with a host of various other awards. He has spent many a summer day painting the Italian hillsides, American vistas, and beauty wherever it finds him. This has always been a contributing factor in his work, insight, and inspiration and growth as an artist.

After spending the last 14 years in the Driftless area of Wisconsin, Ken has recently moved to Maine. After much thought and consideration he and his wife along with their 4 young children decided on Hope ME, which is a neighboring town to Camden, mid coast Maine which is also where the Mountains Meet the Sea. The area is absoluetly gorgeous and full of inspiration, so much to paint!



Education

• 1980 - 1984 Western Illinois University / BA
• 1985 - 1991 American Academy Of Art - Shapiro / Smuskiewicz
• 1992 - 2001 Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art
• 1994 -1998 Independent Study / Scott Burdick / Dan Gerhartz

• 1999-2000 Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Chicago
• 2007 - 2009- Instructor- Scottsdale Artists School
• 2005 - 2016 - Instructor- Denmark Academy of Fine Art, Denmark, WI

• 2022 Cape Ann Plein Air - Best Nocturne Award - Patrick Saunders- MA
• 2022 Ogunquit Plein Air - 1st Place Award - Eric Jacobson - ME
• 2021 Cape Ann Plein Air - Best Body of Work - Greg LaRock Legacy Award
• 2021 Cape Ann Plein Air - Best Nocturne Award - Kathie Odom- MA
• 2019 Cape Ann Plein Air - First Place Award - Kenn Backhaus - MA
• 2018 Plein Air Easton - Best Hospitality Award - Jill Carver - MD
• 2017 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Artist Choice - Top Honors - FL
• 2017 Cape Ann Plein Air - Charles Movalli Award - Marc Hanson - MA
• 2016 Cape Ann Plein Air - Manchester by the Sea - Ray Hassard - MA
• 2016 Boothbay Plein Air - Best of Show - ME
• 2016 Boothbay Plein Air - Peoples Choice - ME
• 2016 Lighthouse Plein Air - Honorable Mention - Jim McVickers - FL
• 2015 Door County Plein Air- Best of Show - WI
• 2015 Door County Plein Air - Artist Choice - WI
• 2015 Olmsted Invitational Plein Air - Paint Quick Honorable Mention - GA
• 2015 Lighthouse Plein Air - 3rd Place Award - Jupiter FL
• 2014 Plein Air Easton - 3rd Place Award - Juror - Peter Trippi - MD
• 2014 Plein Air Easton Pre Event - Tilghman Island - Artist Choice Award
• 2013 Laguna Beach Invitational- The Strada Award - CA
• 2013 Laguna Beach Invitational- Randy Higbee Gallery Award - CA
• 2013 Plein Air Easton - Artist Choice Award - MD
• 2013 Plein Air Easton - 3rd Place Quick Draw - Juror - Don Demers - MD
• 2013 Easel's of Frederick - Best Architectural Award - Ron Donoughe - MD
• 2013 Richmond Plein Air - Honorable Mention - Juror - Steve Doherty - VA
• 2013 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Quick Draw -Honorable Mention - FL
• 2012 Sonoma Plein Air - Honorable Mention - CA
• 2012 Easton Plein Air - Quick Draw - Honorable Mention - MD
• 2012 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Artist Choice - Top Honors - FL
• 2012 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Quick Draw - Top Honors - FL
• 2012 Callaway Gardens Plein Air - Best of Show - Purchase Award - GA
• 2011 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Quick Draw - Top Honors - FL
• 2010 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Arist Choice Award - FL
• 2010 Florida's Forgotten Coast - Quick Draw - Honorable Mention - FL
• 2009 San Luis Obispo Plein Air - Best of Show - CA
• 2009 Award Plein Air Easton Competition - Best Gardenscape - MD
• 2009 Quick Draw at the Covered Bridge, Zumbrota MN - 2nd Place- MN
• 2008 Plein Air Easton Competition - Honorable Mention - MD
• 2007 Plein Air Easton Competition - Honorable Mention - MD
• 2005 Barns and Farms National Exhibit - Top Place - WI
• 2004 Barns and Farms National Exhibit - Forth Place - WI
• 2003 Odin Gallery - Best of Show - WI
• 1999 Southside Art League Regional XIV - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1999 Palette and Chisel Exhibit - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1998 Charlotte County National Art Exhibit - Second Place - FL
• 1998 Southside Art League Regional XIII - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1997 Harriet Bitterly Show - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1997 Oak Park Art League - Second Place - IL
• 1997 Artscape Smart Museum - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1996 Life and Imagination - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1996 Artscape Smart Museum - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1995 Silver Medal Show - Honorable Mention - IL
• 1995 Harriet Bitterly Show - First Place - IL
• 1994 Holiday Show - Third Place - IL
• 1994 Silver Medal Show - Second Place - IL

LYNNE FRASER
Fine Artist


As a native of Scotland, landscapes and scenery have always been Lynne’s muse. Lynne built her career creating 3D art, sculpting landscape designs for 30 years in Cincinnati, OH. Brushes and oil paints now replace her tracing paper & pencils and her love of outdoor painting now translates the scenery vividly onto canvas with a distinct impressionistic, ‘a la prima’ painting style. Lynne’s light-filled paintings chronicle her travels to Greece, Italy, Key West and ‘The Forgotten Coast’ of old Florida, and now Charleston, SC.

For the past 9 years, Lynne’s increasing fascination with the lowcountry of South Carolina and Florida Pan Handle, has resulted in sophisticated renderings of Shem Creek, Poe’s Tavern, Magnolia Plantation in Charleston and St Vincent Island, Indian Pass and Apalachacola, FL Whether at home in her adopted coastal towns of Port St Joe, Florida and Mt Pleasant, SC, the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati or traveling through Europe & the US, Lynne’s adventurous spirit instantly connects with the local views rendering them on canvas with attention to color, light, and detail. Her paintings are in private collections in the U.S. and Europe.

RALPH GRADY JAMES
Artist


Ralph Grady James lives near Mocksville, North Carolina. He attended N.C. School of the Arts in high school and later Indiana University to major in music. Although heavily involved in his study of music, Ralph also had a passion for the visual arts.

Ralph’s original inspiration came from his father, Eugene James, who was an artist as well as an architect and structural engineer. Mr. James seemed to capture images on canvas or paper with little effort at all; Ralph began to wrestle with capturing his own images even as a young boy.

Local seminars and the encouragement of other artists have impacted Ralph’s art as well. One pivotal seminar was led by Heiner Hertling, which introduced Ralph to oil painting; others have been led by John and Suzie Seerey-Lester. The encouragement (and challenge) of working with local artist in the weekly drawing group with Scott Burdick and Susan Lyon has inspired Ralph to continue to stretch his ability.

Ralph has always loved North Carolina’s natural habitat. He has always felt fortunate to be close to both the Appalachian mountains and the Outer Banks, both of which he loves. Growing up, he roamed the woods and fields of the family farm near the Yadkin River, observing wildlife in the seasonal changes.


Artist's Statement

In some way, our identity in life is determined by what and how we communicate with our world. Painting is one of those ways I use to reflect what is within me and also interact with and touch those around me. It is a way I seek to be understood by others and also to understand myself. Whether we express ourselves through painting, writing, speaking, or other methods, we all have an innate need to communicate who we are and what is important to us. It is how we express our passion, our love, our fear, our hope, our humor. Indeed, my art contains all of these – some readily apparent, others intentionally hidden. Georgia O’Keeffe spoke for me when she said, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.”

My desire? My desire is to communicate the beauty of God's creation in my paintings. I want to show to others what I see and feel: the majesty, the awe-inspiring beauty of creation and, vicariously, the One who created it. My desire is to ask questions of myself and the viewer, knowing that we will not like all of the answers. My desire is for us to find a bit more peace and contentment in our lives through this process and to remember to thank God that you and I are not in charge. I want the viewer of my art to become a participant in the scene: to smell, to feel, to seek, to remember, and to take another step forward in a sometimes uncertain life.

And yet, I strive and struggle trying to carefully keep this wonderful art thing in perspective. Like so many things we are passionate about, there is the tendency to let my love for art control my life instead of enhancing my life.  I like the way Scott Christensen puts it when he says, "...painting is not the aim or focus of life, but instead painting contributes to the art of living." For me, that means painting falls somewhere behind my faith and my family in priority though the balance is always difficult. I strive to hold it loosely so that God can make it work.


Honors

• "Voyages into the Sublime - Ralph Grady James captures the movement of the natural world", Southwest Art, June 2017
• Finalist—Animal/Wildlife category. The Artist Magazine32nd Annual Art Competition, December 2015 Issue
• “Artists to Watch—Ralph Grady James, A Slice of Heaven.” Southwest Art, September 2014
• Featured Artist, “Germanton Gallery Miniature Showcase.” American Art Collector, December 2013
• Featured, “Petite Perspectives, Collecting Small Works & Miniatures,” American Art Collector, November 2012
• Featured, “2012 Howard Mandville Anniversary Show,” Southwest Art, June 2012
• Featured, “An Artistic Journey,” Winston-Salem Monthly, July 2011

• 2017 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI 
• 2016 American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
• 2016 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, Elise Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
• 2015 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI, (selected for the 2016 national tour)
• 2015 Art of the Animal Kingdom, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT (2015)
• 2014 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI,(selected for the 2015 national tour and purchased for the museum’s permanent collection)
• 2013 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI,(selected for the 2014 national tour)
• 2012 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI,(selected for the 2013 national tour and purchased for the museum’s permanent collection)
• “Laumeister Fine Art Competition,” Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington VT 2011 Laumeister Fine Art Competition, Honorable Mention, Top Five Viewers Choice Award
• 2011 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI,(selected for the 2012 national tour)
• Paint America’s “Paint the Parks” 2010 Top 100 artist, juried exhibition and national tour
• American Impressionist Society, 2010 National Juried Exhibition
• 2009 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau WI,(selected for the 2010 national tour and purchased for the museum’s permanent collection).
• “Salon International,” Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX (2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)

• NC Museum of Natural Sciences(Raleigh, NC)
• Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum(Wausau, WI)
• Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centers (Winston-Salem, NC)

YELENA LAMM
Artist



Yelena Lamm was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she received her formal art training from the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School. In 1995, she moved to Pittsburgh, PA, with her family. Yelena is painting primarily in oil. In her lively and colorful portraits of pets and animals she loves to reflect on her subjects’ characters and personalities.  

Yelena’s artwork is acquired by collectors in the U.S. and abroad. She is a Signature member of Society of Animal Artists (SAA), and a member of Oil Painters of America (OPA), Portrait Society of America, National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS), andAmerican Women Artists (AWA).


Recent Juried Exhibitions and Awards

2023

• AWA Annual Online Juried Show
• OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition, Most Original Award of Excellence
• Society of Animal Artists 63rd Art & the Animal Exhibition
• NOAPS Best of America
• NOAPS Best of America Plein Air Competition, Fourth Place
• 24th Annual AIS National Exhibition
• AIS 2023 Paintout, Honorable Mention
• Westmoreland Art Nationals, Curator’s Choice Award
• NOAPS Best of America Small Works
• 16th ARC Salon, Semi-Finalist

• OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition
• NOAPS Best of America
• Westmoreland Art Nationals, Best in Show
• NOAPS Best of America Small Works
• NOAPS Best of America Small Works Plein Air Competition, First Place

• OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition
• NOAPS Best of America, Merit Award
• OPA 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils
• OPA Wet Paint Plein Air Competition, Award of Excellence
• Westmoreland Art Nationals, Painting Award in two exhibitions
• 15th ARC Salon, Finalist

• OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition
• Westmoreland Art Nationals, Executive Director’s Choice Award and Painting Award

• Artists and Illustrators Magazine, 6-page feature article & front cover, June 2023
• Southwest Art, Women In Art feature article, October/November 2022

AMY LAY
Fine Artist


Vibrancy, a sense of looseness and a comfortable nontraditional style are all ways in which Amy’s Paintings have been described.

Residing in and drawing inspiration from mountain hideaways in Wyoming and the Wallowa Mountains of Northeastern Oregon, Amy fosters an intimate love and fascination for the animals, wildlife and ecology surrounding her. Primarily self-taught but grateful for her Art Degree from Eastern Oregon University, Amy’s career has evolved from childhood dream to strong reality.

She renders her creations primarily with oil pigment and the organic and confident presence of graphite and charcoal. A bold use of color, powerful yet simple design and an ephemeral quality in her use of medium influenced by years of painting strictly in watercolor has given Amy’s work a highly recognizable and unique signature quality. A unique distinction in the genre as well, is her limited use of reference, relying on memory and creative gesture in her subjects gives her animals a very distinct non-photographic brand. Her work dances across the often thick line between realism and abstraction, traditional and contemporary and because of this, appeals to a very broad clientele and appeals to both the established “old guard” of wildlife art, and the growing contemporary genre.

Amy’s work can now be found in homes and private collections across the United States and can be obtained exclusively through several Fine Galleries and select Art Shows.

SUSAN LYON
Fine Artist


Susan Lyon grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. Her initial interest in art was sparked by a PBS television show on Georgia O'Keefe, that inspired her to take weekend art classes. Lyon studied art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and was an active participant in Chicago's Palette and Chisel Club. It is there she first began exhibiting and selling her work. She entered the Oil Painters of America. Susan draws inspiration from painters of the Guilded age such as Anders Zorn, Joaquin Sorolla and John Singer Sargent. She also is passionate about artists like Philip Malavin from Russia and contemporary masters Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik. Lyon's technique is to paint wet on wet to start and then wet on dry for her finishing touches. "My style is realistic with as much impressionistic color as possible. I like to combine wide brushes for sweeping strokes in the background with small, soft brushes for subtle details in my center of interest. One of my greatest passions is drawing, I hope to show collectors that works on paper is a wonderful addition to a serious collection."

Susan lives in a rural area of North Carolina with her husband, artist Scott Burdick, whom she met at the Palette and Chisel Art Club in Chicago. She and her husband travel widely "The excitement of traveling, seeing so many new sights and people, plus incredible works in museums; combined with the challenge of painting on the spot make me a travel addict! Even before I go on a trip I'm planning the one after."

Susan works equally in Oil and Pastel/charcoal and Mixed Media.

Selected Publications

• March issue of "Art Talk", 1997
• July/August "Art of the West" 1998
• January issue of Southwest Art 2000
• June / July issue of "International Artist" 2000
• U.S. Art fall of 2001
• June/July issue of "Art Talk" 2002
• May issue of Southwest art 2004
• The Artist's Sketch Book, August of 2004
• Art of the West Magazine, Cover and article; July/August 2005
• The Artist's Magazine "Most likely to Succeed" October 2005
• Southwest art, Dispatches Painting in France; Aug 2006
• The Artist's Magazine July/August 2008
• Southwest Art Magazine “Drawing out the Best” 2011
• Southwest art Magazine "The Artists Studio" January 2013
• Pratique De Arts, French Magazine April/May 2015
• Artists & Illustrators – How to use oil for Figure Sketching The Pastel Journal - Cover and article February 2018
• Art of the West – The power of two Nov/Dec 2018
• Art of the West - Cover and article "How I Got Here" Jan/Feb 2020
• Self Published Book "Visions and Voyages - The Art of Susan Lyon" Published 2008

• 1992 First Place in the Gold Medal Show - Palette and Chisel, Chicago
• 1993 First Place in the Gold Medal Show - Palette and Chisel, Chicago
• 1998 Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, Montana - Honorable Mention
• 2001 Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, Montana - Honorable Mention
• 2003 Honorable Mention for Figurative - International Artist Magazine
• 2004 Second Prize for Figurative - International Artist Magazine
• 2004 Montgomery frame award - Masters of the American West, LA
• 2007 Salon Show Greenhouse Gallery - Honorable mention
• 2008 CreateBetterpaintings.com - Honorable mention
• 2008 First place Portrait Society of America competition
• 2016 Donald Teague, Works on Paper award – Prix de West, Oklahoma City
• 2019 Gold Medal – Oil Painters of America National Show
• 2020 Finalist in the Portrait Society of America Gold Medal show

• 1998 - 2008 Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena , Montana
• 2003 - 2005 Masters of the American West, Los Angeles
• 2012 - present Prix de West Show, Oklahoma City
• 2018 - present Masters of the American West, Los Angeles

JILL McGANNON
Fine Artist


Jill Schultz McGannon received her BFA from the University of Georgia, USA in 1985 and her MFA from UGA in 1988. She has worked as an artist for 35 years, initially supplementing painting sales with commissions, teaching, and mural painting. Currently, she paints full time for galleries. She paints in oils in a painterly realistic style, preferring to work from life whenever possible. She started painting plein air in Italy in 1995, and continued painting plein air in coastal SC and GA upon returning home. She currently paints primarily on the SC and GA coast, and also in the Blue Ridge Mountains.



Recent awards

• 1st Place GA Colors Plein Air Community Award for Paint Quick, Oct. 2022
• 1st Place Blue Ridge, GA Plein Air, September, 2022
• 1st Place, Sautee Nacoochee Plein Air, April, 2022
• 1st Place GA Colors PaintQuick, St. Simons, GA, October, 2021
• Invited Artist for Olmsted Plein Air 2022 and 2023
• Acceptance into National Shows
• NOAPS (National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society) Best of America September 2022, Wilcox Gallery, Jackson, WY
• NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2022, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL
• NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2021, Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC
• OPA (Oil Painters of America) Eastern Regional 2022, James R Ross Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
• OPA National 2021, Escondito, CA.
• “Best Sky & Clouds” in the Plein Air Mag. Salon in August of 2022
• “Best Sunset” for the Plein Air Magazine Salon in August of 2021
• “Best Water” for the Plein Air Magazine Salon in January of 2020
• Featured in International Artist Mag. For Best Landscapes for January 2023.

PATRICK McGANNON
Fine Artist


Patrick has lived and worked in Atlanta since 1997 after relocating from his home town of Chicago. He received a BFA from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1989 and a MFA from Indiana University in 1991 in Drawing and Painting. While at Indiana University Patrick made two trips to Florence, Italy with IU, one trip as a student and one trip as a teacher’s assistant. These experiences began for him a love of antiquity and a life long endeavor to study the masters of the past and develop his skills as an artist. After receiving his MFA, Patrick taught drawing and painting at Southwest Missouri State University.
 
In addition to studying fine art at The Art Institute of Chicago, Patrick was a conservation assistant in the Ryerson Library of the museum. This work and experience has developed into a career over the last 25 years as a fine art conservator of paper artifacts. Working intimately with antique artifacts of the past centuries as well as contemporary artists has contributed greatly to his understanding of artists' working processes and materials.
 
Patrick has continued to paint and attends drawing sessions weekly, where he works from a live model.  He has shown at Mason Fine Art (formerly Mason Murer) and Addington Gallery in Chicago, Illinois for the last twenty years.  Patrick has had paintings accepted into several national shows recently, including Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition of 2017 and OPA’s National Exhibition in 2015.



Recent Awards

2022

• Best in Show, Annual Member's Exhibition. Quinlan Arts Center, Gainesville, Georgia. 
• 2nd Place, Plein Air Event, Blue Ridge Mountain Art Center, Blue Ridge Georgia.
• Best in Show, Being Human Exhibition, Atlanta Artist's Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

• Best Portrait or Figure, NOAPS (National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society) Best Of America, Dana Gallery, Missoula, Montana, September 2021.
• 1st Place, NOAPS Plein Air event, Principle Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina, May 2021.

• NOAPS, Best of America, Wilcox Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming.
• OPA (Oil Painters of America) Eastern Regional Exhibition, Ross Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

• OPA (Oil Painters of America) 32nd Annual National Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC

SHERRIE McGRAW
Fine Artist


Sherrie McGraw has been at the forefront of the American Art scene for over thirty years. As a young woman in Oklahoma City in 1978, she was urged by her teachers Richard and Edith Goetz to move to New York to study at the famed Art Students League where they had studied within the lineage of Robert Brackman and George Bridgeman. In her initial years at the League she studied primarily with legendary artist, David Leffel, but also learned anatomy through Robert Beverly Hale and Jon Zahourek at the New York Academy.After just a few years in New York, she was already proceeding to make her own way as an exceptional artist and began exhibiting and winning awards in shows at the Salmagundi Club, the National Arts Club, the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, the Pastel Society, the Hudson Valley Art Association, and more. By the time she was thirty, she was teaching classes at the Art Students League, having been asked to take over those of Thomas Fogarty and Gustav Rehberger, as well as conduct her own. 

Currently, McGraw teaches workshops throughout the country. She gives lectures and demonstrations for art institutions such as the Portrait Society of America, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Brigham Young University, the Art Students League of New York, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and the Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. Her work has been shown in major institutions including the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Gilcrease Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Tucson Museum, as well as numerous prestigious collections, such as that of Senator John Warner, the Mellon family, the Forbes family, John Geraghty, Forest Fenn, Howard Terpning, John Mellencamp, George Carlson, Scott Christensen, and musicians Ida Kavafian, Steve Tenenbom, and Peter Wiley. She was the Vice-President of American Women Artists.McGraw is the author of the highly acclaimed book, The Language of Drawing, which has been drawing worldwide attention and can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art bookstore in New York City. She edited and wrote a foreword to The Drawings of Nicolai Fechin by Russia’s famed author Galina Tuluzakova, and worked on an initial edit of Tuluzakova’s new book on Fechin’s paintings, coming out later this year. Her work will be included in a book on drawing by Juliette Aristides, also to be published this year. She is presently writing a book on painting. 

The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, celebrated its 81st spring commencement in May 2010. Sherrie McGraw was selected to receive an Honorary Doctorate degree and presented a brief speech along with a slide show of her work at the event.

LEONARD MIZEREK
Fine Artist


LEONARD MIZEREK Fellow, ASMA, nurtured his artistic love of nature while growing up and painting in the Brandywine Valley and countryside of nearby Pennsylvania. His early influence was with the Pennsylvania Impressionists and Brandywine School.

He participated in several invitational Plein Air events including Mystic, Cape Ann, Annapolis, and 13 years in Easton MD, where this year he won 3 top awards juried by CEO of the Metropolitan Museum. He was featured painting live on TV France3 during a major antique boat festival.

His painting was recently purchased by the Minnesota Art Museum. In 2006, 2011 and 2016 he was awarded Artist in Residence at the Museum Yvonne Jean-Haffen in Dinan, France and three of his paintings were made part of the museum collection. He was one of 15 artists selected to paint at the Forbes Colorado Ranch and exhibited at the Forbes Museum in New York and made part of the permanent collection. He exhibited with 23 nationally recognized marine artists at, the Newport Art Museum, Maine Maritime Museum and Connecticut River Museum. He was featured on the cover of American Artist Magazine. He was featured in recent issues this year of magazines: American Art Collector Magazine June, American Art Review February, Sea History March, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine and Fine Art Today.

Known for his colorful, luminous seascapes and expressive brushwork, Leonard paints on site deriving inspiration from the many nearby coastal locations as well as harbors throughout the world. A central theme throughout Leonard’s work is his use of light. In Mizerek’s words, “ Light alters the color of all objects and touches those nearby. It sets a mood and evokes emotion, which I strive to portray in my work. I often explore various methods to interpret the way I view nature. I prefer marine subjects because I enjoy the way water reflects the floating objects, as well as the sky and time of day. It mirrors shapes and intensifies light. I paint outdoors to capture the light first hand and bring out all its color and luminosity.

Leonard was awarded the Salzman Award for Excellence in Painting in the 112th Annual Exhibiting Artist Members’ Exhibition of the National Arts Club in New York City. He received the Iron Man Award from the American Society of Marine Artists for distinguished achievement and a Merit Award at the Coos Art Museum in the state of Washington.

Past exhibitions have included: Over 30 Featured Artist and One Man Shows. The American Society of Marine Artists Exhibitions at the Cape Museum of Fine Arts, Chase Riverfront Arts Center, Wilmington, DE, the Delaware Art Museum, The Frye Museum of Art, Seattle, WA, The Mariner’s Museum, Norfolk, VA, The Cummer Museum, Jacksonville, FL, San Diego Maritime Museum, The Mystic Seaport Museum. He has exhibited in the Annual Mystic International and Modern Marine Masters Exhibitions since 1988 and two exhibitions at the National Academy of Design in New York. He graduated with a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and studied at The New York Art Students League with Max Ginsburg and Nelson Shanks and at the National Academy of Design with Raymond Kinstler. Leonard is an Officer and one of 27 Fellows of the American Society of Marine Artists and one of 70 elected members of the prestigious Guild of Boston Artists. He is a member of the New England Plein Air Painters, Signature Artist Member of the New England Watercolor Society, and the International Society of Marine Painters.

Leonard was selected for Painting Ships, Shores, & the Sea, a book showcasing America’s top marine artists by North Light Books. He was chosen as a finalist in The Artist Magazine’s Competition. He was included in several magazine articles in Maine Boats & Harbors, Sea History, Marine Art Quarterly, American Artist Magazine, American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Review, Soundings, and Watercolor Magazine. Len is also featured in the book, Splash 3, as well as Gallery of Marine Art, Rockport Publishers & Bound for Blue Water by Greenwich Workshop Press and Best of Worldwide Landscape.



Exhibitions

• Oil Painters of America, 32nd Annual National Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art |Charleston, SC | 2023
• Oil Painters of America, Eastern Regional Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art |Charleston, SC | 2020
• Nat’l Maritime Historical Society, D.C. Invitational | 2018, 19, 20
• Cape Ann Plein Air Juried Event | Mass 2020
• Solo Show – JM Stringer Gallery Vero Beach, Fl | 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
• Guild of Boston Artists Annual Members Exhibit | 04 thru 20
• Plein Air Easton Juried, Easton, MD | July 09 thru 2019
• Mystic International, Mystic, CT | 1988 thru 2019
• Modern Marine Masters Exhibition, Mystic, CT | ’95 thru 2019
• Solo Show – Shaw Gallery, Naples, FL | 04, 07, 09, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
• National Arts Club Exhibiting Artists Annual | 2009 thru 2020
• Guild of Boston Artists Two Man Show | April 2018
• ASMA 18th Nat’l Exhibition to 4 museums | 2019-2021
• ASMA 17th Nat’l Exhibition to 5 museums | 2016-2018
• ASMA 2016 Exhibition Minnesota Marine Art Museum
• OPA Eastern Regional | 2013, 2018 Salon Show
• ASMA Invitational 2018 Principle Gallery, Charleston
• Solo Show – JM Stringer Gallery, Bernardsville, NJ | 2011, 12, 13, 14, 15
• Artist in Residence, Musee-Yvonne-Jean Haffen, France | 06, 11, 16
• Marine Paintings Exhibition, Newman Gallery, Pa | 05, 06, 07, 09, 10
• National Academy of Design Annual Exhibition | 92/94
• France TV 3- Live painting performance | July 09
• National Arts Club, 2000Roundtable Exhibition | April 09 thru 2015
• Wet Paint 2000-2019, Mystic Seaport Gallery, Mystic, Ct
• American Impressionist Society Annual 2013, Charleston, SC
• Solo Show – Admiralty Gallery, Vero Beach, FL | 1999-2011
• Two Artist Show, JM Stringer Gallery, NJ | 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
• New York Yacht Club Exhibition, Newport, RI | 2009, 10, 11, 12
• ASMA 16th Nat’l Exhibition Online
• ASMA 15th National Exhibition to 8 Museums | 2011-2013
• ASMA- 30th Anniv. Exhibition- traveling to 5 museums | 2008-09
• ASMA- Regional Exhibition-traveling to 3 museums | May 08
• Krasl Museum Great Lakes Exhibition, MI, | June 07
• ISMP Ventura County Maritime Museum, CA | Feb 06
• ASMA Cold Spring Harbor Museum, NY | April 06
• Coos Bay Museum of Fine Art | July 04, 06, 07
• ASMA 12th Nat’l Exhibition, Cape Museum of Fine Arts, MA
• ASMA 12th National, Delaware Art Museum
• ASMA 13th Natl. Exhibition, Vero Beach Museum of Art, | 04
• ASMA Exhibition, Cape Museum of Fine Arts | 04
• The Everlasting Sea: Marine Artist Past & Present- 23 artists Invitational, Newport Museum of Art, RI,
• Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, ME
• CT River Museum, Essex, CT | 2003-04
• One Man Show- Premier Etage Gallery, Newport, RI
• ASMA 11th Nat’l. Exhibition
• ASMA 10th Nat’l. Exhibition, Mystic Seaport Museum, Ct | 92
• Forbes Museum Invitational, New York City
• ASMA Frye Museum, Seattle, WA- Cummer Museum, FL | 97
• ASMA – San Diego Maritime Museum, San Diego, CA | 95
• Int’l Society of Marine Painters Annual | 1991-2008

• Art Student’s League, New York, NY
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA /BFA
• National Academy of Design, New York, NY

• The National Arts Club – Exhibiting Artist Member

• The Guild of Boston Artists, Elected Artist Member
• American Society of Marine Artists, Fellow, Board Member
• American Impressionist Society
• Oil Painters of America Associate
• International Society of Marine Painters, Artist Member
• New England Watercolor Society, Signature Artist Member
• NorthEast Watercolor Society, Signature Artist Member

• Bell Helicopter
• Griswold
• Encore Bank
• American Yacht Club
• Tauck Tours
• Lexmark Int’l
• Deloitte Touche
• Forge Oak Farms, KY
• Vanderbilt Home Furnishings
• Berwind
• Fedex
• National Maritime Historical Society
• Barclay Intercontinental Penthouse, NYC

• Forbes Museum, NY, NY

• Museum Yvonne – Jean Haffen, Dinan, France
• Minnesota Marine Art Museum

• Oil Painters of America – Virtual International Wet Paint Competition, Plein Air Division – Second Place Award 2020
• National Arts Club – Award for Excellence in Painting 2011
• National Arts Club Online Show – People’s Choice Award 2009
• Plein Air Easton Quick Draw – 2nd Place 09, Honorable 2015
• Paint Annapolis – Hon. Mention Dueling Brushes 2009
• ASMA Ironman Award 2008
• Coos Bay Museum – Merit Award 06
• Sea Heritage Marine Art Exhibition, New York/ First Place
• Artitudes International Competition / Certificate of Excellence Delaware
• Art Center Scholarship Award, Wilmington, DE
• Artist Invitational, Forbes Ranch, CO
• Artist’s Magazine 95, 97, 2000, 02 Competition Finalist
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Graduate Art Award
• Northeast Watercolor Society / Napa Honor Award

• Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine – 1/07, 10/07, 5/08, 6/13, 7/16, 1/18
• Marine Art Quarterly – 01, 05, 08, 09, 10
• American Art Collector – 1/09, 2/11, 12/14, 1/15, 1/15, 2/15, 7/15, 10/16, 6/17, 7/17, 6/20
• Bound for Blue Water, Greenwich Workshop Press
• A Gallery of Marine Art, Rockport Publishers
• Painting Ships, Shores, and the Sea, Northlight Books
• American Art Review 2/20, Sea History Spring 2018, 2019, 2020

JACKI NEWELL
Fine Artist


Jacki Newell has been painting since her teen years in Omaha, Nebraska after taking weekly art lessons from a neighbor. The lessons were a good foundation and she has continued her education through reading art books, and magazines, and online forums. Throughout the years while raising three children, Jacki painted every chance she could get, with hopes she could do it professionally someday. That time has come. She now enjoys painting everyday in her studio at the White Whale Studios in Greenville, SC. 

Jacki and her husband Dave, moved to upstate South Carolina six years ago, where she has been busy painting the gorgeous scenery of this area. Still lifes of florals are also a common subject for her that she enjoys very much.

Light and atmosphere are what inspires Jacki to paint a particular scene. She attempts to capture the light and the “feel” of the subject. She tries to convey to the viewer, the beauty of the moment that captured her attention. The challenge is to remain focused on what attracted her to that scene in the first place while working out the complexities of the subject, whether the subject is a single flower, cityscape or marsh scene.

KATHIE ODOM
Oil Painter


After graduating from The University of Tennessee in Art Education and Fine Arts, Kathie received early recognition for pastel works. But it was 2009 when she found a home in painting oils en plein air.
 
I call myself a “Nostalgic Impressionist” as a way of identifying the subjects and style of painting that interest me most. No matter which part of America I paint, I am really passionate about plein air and allow myself to get lost in the wonderful process of it all!
 
Kathie resides with her husband and maintains a studio in the mountains of East Tennessee. She travels extensively exhibiting in fine art shows throughout the nation, teaching workshops and participating in plein air events. Kathie’s original works have sold internationally and she is quite proud of her gallery representation.

NEIL PATTERSON
OPA Master, SFCA, ASA, RMPAP, SCA

“I paint what I love and see around me, scenes that speak to me, places I want to explore. I try to capture moments of light, colour and atmosphere which spark my imagination. I want to create my own personal version of reality and entice the viewer to share it with me.”

“A photograph is what it is; a painting is what you want it to be.”

Born 1947 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.


EDUCATION

1969-1972 University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Charles Movalli Workshop
The Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale, AZ
Ted Goerschner Master Class, CA



SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 2016 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2014 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 2014 The Artym Gallery, Invermere, BC
• 2013 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2013 The University Club, New York, NY
• 2012 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 2011 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2010 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 2009 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2008 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 2001-2007 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2005-2006 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 2004-2006 West End Gallery, Edmonton, AB
• 2002 West End Gallery, Edmonton, AB
• 2001 Adele Campbell Fine Art, Whistler BC
• 2000 Pacific Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
• 1999-2003 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1999 Buffalo Trails, Big Fork, MT
• 1999 Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
• 1998-1999 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 1997 Tutt Street Gallery, Kelowna, BC
• 1995-1997 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1995 Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, AB
• 1993 Master’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1987 Wallace Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1983 Kiln Gallery, Bragg Creek, AB
• 1982 Renaissance Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1979 Quest Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1979 Walsh Gallery, Red Deer, AB
• 1978 Muttart Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1978 Sequoia Gallery, Edmonton, AB
• 1975 Canadian Guild of Crafts, Toronto, ON
• 1975 History of Ceramics in Alberta, Calgary & Edmonton, AB
• 1974 Rubiyat Gallery, Calgary, AB

• 2018 Gu Yuan Art Museum, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
• 2018 The Artym Gallery, Invermere, BC
• 2016-2017 Reinert Fine Art Gallery, SC
• 2016 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2016 The Artym Gallery, Invermere, BC
• 2016 Shaoguan City Art Academy, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
• 2016 Danxiashan Exhibition, Danxia Mountains, Guangdong, China
• 2015 Zhiwei Tu Art Museum, Wengyuan County, Guangdong, China
• 2014 Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 2014 Zhiwei Tu Art Museum, Wengyuan County, Guangdong, China
• 2014 Shaoguan Art Exhibition Hall, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
• 2014 Shenzhen University Museum, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
• 2000-2014 Oil Painters of America
• 2012-2014 Western Art Show, Calgary, AB
• 1994-2013 CM Russell, Great Falls, MT
• 2012-2013 Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1999-2012 Alicat Gallery, Bragg Creek, AB
• 2011 Desheng International Canvas Week Exhibition, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong, China
• 2011 Kwan Wu Sculpture Art Museum, Nanhai, Guangdong, China
• 2011 Wengshan Institute of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting, Longxian, Guangdong, China
• 2011 Shaoguan Art Exhibition Hall, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
• 2010 Western Art Show, Calgary, AB
• 2008-2009 Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters
• 2006 Longxian Art Exhibition, Longxian, Guangdong, China
• 2006 Shaoguan Museum Exhibition, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
• 2005-2006 Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
• 2005 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2004-2005 Snow Fire, Estes Park, CO
• 2004-2005 West End Gallery, Edmonton, AB
• 2004-2005 Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters
• 2001-2003 Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB
• 2000-2001 Adele Campbell Fine Art, Whistler, BC
• 2000 Western Art Show, Calgary, AB
• 2000 Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1999 Plein Air Invitational, Carmel, CA
• 1999 Pacific Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
• 1999 Arts for the Parks
• 1998 Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1998 Tutt Street Gallery, Kelowna, BC
• 1998 Adele Campbell Fine Art, Whistler, BC
• 1998 Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 1997-1998 Oil Painters of America
• 1997-1998 Glenbow Museum, Calgary, AB
• 1997-1998 Western Art Show, Calgary, AB
• 1995-1997 Arts for the Parks
• 1997 Hillcrest International Exhibition, CA
• 1996 Hammond Galleries, OH
• 1994-1995 Oil Painters of America
• 1993-1994 Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 1992-1994 Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale, AZ
• 1991-1993 Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1992 Oil Painters of America
• 1990 Alberta College of Art, Calgary, AB
• 1990 IBM, Banff, AB
• 1989-1990 State of the Arts Beaver House, Edmonton, AB
• 1987-1990 Sunshine Village, Banff, AB
• 1988-1990 Alberta Society of Artists
• 1985-1986 Alberta Society of Artists
• 1983-1990 Leighton Centre, Calgary, AB
• 1988 Olympic Organizing Committee, Calgary, AB
• 1983 Western Art Show, Calgary, AB
• 1981 Muttart Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1978-1980 Bragg Creek Artisans, Bragg Creek, AB
• 1977 Annex Gallery, Calgary, AB
• 1976 Glenbow Museum, Calgary, AB
• Best of Plein Air Laguna Plein Air Painters

• Alberta Art Foundation
• Alberta Government Telephones
• Alberta Housing Corporation
• Alberta Treasury Branch
• Alberta Wheat Pool
• Amoco Canada
• ATCO Enterprises
• Black & Company
• Canada Utilities
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• CJ Campbell
• Coles Nikiforuk Pennel
• CP Rail
• Donghua Buddhist Temple
• Esso Resources
• Government of Longxian
• Government of Shaoguan
• Government of Guangdong
• Gruman, Brown & Crossfield
• Heritage Hotels
• Heritage Savings and Trust
• Home Oil
• Howard Mackie
• Mcleod Dixon
• Milner Fenerty
• Northern Telecom
• Olympic Organizing Committee 1988
• Ogilvie & Company
• Pioneer Oil & Gas
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Shaoguan Art Museum
• Shaoguan University
• Stanford Perrott
• Sunshine Village
• University of Calgary
• Wengshan Institute of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting
• Zhiwei Tu Art Museum

• 2018 Painting Demonstration, Gu Yuan Art Museum, Zhuhai, China
• 2017 Visiting Professor and Painting Demonstration, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, China
• 2015 Golden Brush Award, Oil Painters of America
• 2008-2014 President, Oil Painters of America
• 2002-2014 Member, Board of Directors, Oil Painters of America
• 2013 Honorary Membership, Society of Canadian Artists
• 2013 Painting Demonstration, Zhiwei Tu Art Museum, Wengyuan, China
• 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, Federation of Canadian Artists
• 2006-2007 Vice-President, Oil Painters of America
• 2002 Award of Excellence Second Place, Everett Raymond Kinstler
• 2001 Juror of Awards, Oil Painters of America, Springville, UT
• 2000 Awarded Master Signature Member, Oil Painters of America
• 1999 Top 100, Art for the Parks
• 1996-1998 Top 200, Art for the Parks
• 1995 Top 100, Art for the Parks
• 1993 Elected Artist Member, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 1993 Non-member Show, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• 1993 Signature Member, Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1992 Premier National Juried Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Chicago, IL
• 1991 Finalist, Artist Magazine Landscape Competition
• 1991 Robert Genn Award, Federation of Canadian Artists
• 1987-1989 Sunshine Village Purchase Awards
• 1988 Gifts for Dignitaries, Olympic Organizing Committee
• 1984 Membership, Alberta Society of Artists
• 1978 Mural Commission, Petro-Chemical Plant, Joffrey, AB
• Co-chair Exhibitions, Oil Painters of America
• Signature Advisory Board Chair, Oil Painters of America
• First Canadian awarded Signature Member, Oil Painters of America
• Signature Membership, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters
• Honorary Advisor, Wengshan Institute of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting, Longxian, China

• 2013-2018 Zhiwei Tu Art Museum Publications
• 2006 The Artist’s Magazine, December
• 2006 Art of the West
• 2005 Art Avenue Magazine - City Television
• 2005 100 Ways to Paint Still Life & Florals
• 2001 Art Avenue Magazine
• 2000 Report News Magazine, July
• 2000 CFCN Television
• 1999 International Artist Magazine
• 1995 The Best of Flower Painting: North Light Books, Cincinnati
• 1993 Access Television Network
• 1991 The Artist’s Magazine, December
• 1990 Signature Magazine Cover, Edmonton
• 1990 ATCO Enterprises, Christmas Card
• 1985 CTV Network News
• 1985 CFCN Television
• 1982 The Calgary Herald
• 1975 The History of Ceramics in Alberta
• 1975 Red Deer Advocate
• 1975 Mountaineer, Rocky Mountain House
• 1973 Tactile Magazine, March/April
• 1962 Observer Magazine
• Art of the West Magazine USA
• Southwest Art USA
• Plein Air Magazine USA
• Connoisseur Magazine USA
• Cowboys and Indians Magazine USA
• Liliedahl Video Productions (3 DVD’s)
• Design and Composition: Secrets of Professional Artists

• Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• Master Signature Member, Oil Painters of America (OPA)
• Signature Member, Alberta Society of Artists (ASA)
• Signature Member, Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA)
• Honorary Member, Society of Canadian Artists
• Signature Member, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters (RMPAP)
• Tucson Plein Air Painters
• Laguna Plein Air Painters
• California Club
• Plein Air Painters of Alberta
• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society

JAMES SWANSON
Fine Artist


Signature Member American Impressionists Society
Signature Member Oil Painters of America
Signature Member National Oil & Acrylic Society
Member Portrait Society of America
Member Society of Animal Artists

I'm originally from Beloit, Wisconsin and went to college to be a Forest Ranger, but I soon discovered that my real talent was painting trees rather than identifying them. That realization prompted me to transfer to The Columbus College of Art and Design, where I found my passion for illustration.

After college, I worked as an Art Director for an advertising agency before transitioning to the illustration world, where I created and illustrated posters, ads, book and magazine covers for major brands like Budweiser, ESPN, US Tennis Open, McDonald's, Kraft, and Soap Box Derby, among others.

I've since shifted my focus to fine art and have been fortunate enough to be represented by a few galleries around the United States. I'm proud to be a Signature Artist member of The National Oil & Acrylic Society, The American Impressionists Society, and The Oil Painters of America, having had my paintings repeatedly accepted into their highly competitive National Juried exhibitions. I'm also now a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists.

I've won numerous painting awards, including the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award and the Most Original Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America's 2023 National Exhibit.

In 2022, I was awarded the Artist in Residence of Mackinac Island Historical State Park, where I spent two weeks creating 13 pieces of art and immersing myself in the island's rich culture and history.

Southwest Art Magazine featured me as one to collect in their October/November 2021 issue.

I'm also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught over 150 online classes and videos in the past three years. I'm known for my good sense of humor and positive teaching style, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists.

He is also a Rembrandt Oil Paint Ambassador.



Exhibitions

• 2023 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition - Reinert Fine Art Charleston, SC
• Awarded The Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award & The Most Original Award of Excellence
• "A Brighter Day" oil painting won an Honorable Mention in the Water Category in Pleinair magazines Art Competition
• "These Boots" oil painting was an Finalist Award Winner in the January 2023 Bold Brush Painting competition
• 2022 Awarded 3rd place in MVIS National impressionists show at the Cathy Kline Gallery, Kansas City, MO
• 2022 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small works show National Exhibition at The Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL
• 2022 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best National Exhibition at Wilcox Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
• 2022 American Impressionists Society, National Exhibition at Mary Williams’s Fine Art Gallery, Boulder, CO
• 2022 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art, Taos, NM
• 2021 Oil Painters of America National Salon Exhibition at Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA
• 2021 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition at California Center for the Arts Museum Escondido CA
• 2021 Yosemite Renaissance 36 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
• 2021 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at Reinert Gallery Charleston, SC
• 2021 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC
• 2020 The 75th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute, IN
• 2020 Water Show at the McCord Gallery in Palos IL
• 2020 Mackinac Island Art Exhibition at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum in Mackinac Island MI
• 2020 Oil Painters of America, National Salon Show held online
• 2020 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis MD
• 2020 Yosemite Renaissance 35 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
• 2019 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at the Crooked Tree Art Gallery in Petoskey, Michigan
• 2019 Arkansas Territory Bicentennial Art Exhibition
• 2019 The Emerald Isle Show at the McCord Gallery Palos IL - Won Best of Show
• 2019 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX
• 2019 The 74th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute, IN
• 2019 Virtuosos of the Oil Painters of America at the Cutter & Cutter Fine Art in St. Augustine, FL
• 2019 Yosemite Renaissance 34 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
• 2018 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis MD
• 2018 Mackinac Island Art Exhibition at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum in Mackinac Island MI
• 2018 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best National Exhibition at the Richland Art Gallery in Nashville TN
• 2019 American Impressionists Society, National Exhibition at the Peninsula School of Art - Guenzel Gallery in Fish Creek, WI
• 2018 The 73rd Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum Terra Haute, IN
• 2018 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition at the Steamboat Springs Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, CO.

HENRY VON GENK III
Fine Artist


Henry Von Genk, III, was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and resides with his family in Atlantic Beach.

Henry has been an accomplished artist for twenty-nine years.
After a long and successful career executing murals for museums and clients around the world, Henry is focusing on his life-long destiny of fine art.

He is a self-taught artist who has mastered a realistic style of landscape painting. Working in oils, Henry uses a unique glazing and shadowing technique to bring richness and depth to his paintings.

His love for Florida’s waterways and salt marshes of the Southeast coastline is evident in all his paintings. They portray the play of sunlight on the

State’s natural beauty, and are generally devoid of man-made intrusions. He portrays his home state, Florida, as it was, and as it should be. Henry’s paintings place you there, warm the heart and stimulate the feelings we all get when actually viewing these beautiful vistas.

Henry has had many one-man art shows and has donated paintings for select charity fundraisers. Henry was selected for the 2011 Featured Artist of the year by the St. Johns Riverkeeper. Henry also was invited by a jury to be one of the artists for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo 2009 through 2017 shows. His works are owned by private collectors across the country as well as internationally, and include many well known celebrities and major corporations.

CHARLES YOUNG WALLS
Fine Artist


Charles Young Walls has been an artist all of his life, and art has always been in the forefront of his pursuits. He completed a BFA from Arizona State University after which, following years of artistic struggle, he finally found the training he was looking for. He studied art at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League, both in New York City. Continuing to hone his painting skills, Charles then spent a decade pursuing a successful career in illustration before returning to the field of fine art.

He enjoys a growing reputation as an award winning painter and has exhibited in numerous exhibitions in the South and nationwide. He received the Presidents' Award of Excellence at the 2015 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition and at the 2013 OPA National Exhibition he was awarded the John August Dietrich Memorial Figurative Award of Excellence. Most recently he was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2015 OPA Salon Exhibition.

Charles is a Signature Member of both Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society. He also holds membership with the Portrait Society of America, the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society, and the California Art Club. Charles and his wife currently live in the Atlanta area.

In the 2020 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, highest honor, Gold Medal.

ANN WATCHER
Fine Artist


“Joy is everything”

As an oil painter, Ann explores a wide range of subject matter, from marshes and beaches to boats and figures, believing that it is not the subject matter that defines her art but the expression of it, the play of light, active compositions, textures and bold color choices. Ann combines an Impressionistic sensibility with touches of abstraction. She develops the image through several stages, starting with a gestural, wet on wet approach, adding layers through techniques such as scumbling and glazing. Composition and mood inform her art with the goal of creating a visual experience for the viewer. Ann is curious about the endless possibilities of art that can be created from exploring soft light at day’s end to the geometry of a marina!

Ann received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Carolina. While there, she earned an internship at the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington, DC and also studied at the New York Studio School.

Over the last ten years, Ann’s paintings have been included in numerous juried shows, including Art in Embassies, a division of the U.S. State Department. Ann’s paintings, including “The Heart of an Old House,” were in an exhibit on southern women artists at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain where she also taught workshops. In 2020, Ann’s paintings were accepted into four major American exhibitions, including national exhibitions with the American Impressionist Society, American Women Artists and two exhibitions with Oil Painters of America (OPA) Ann is ecstatic that “Looking Glass” was accepted into OPA’s 2022 National Juried Exhibition held at the Steamboat Springs Museum in Colorado, and “Shimmering Boats” has been accepted into OPA’S 2023 National Juried Exhibition at Reinert Fine Art in Charleston, SC.

Ann’s art has been featured in the media with a commercial for the Levine Cancer Center and season three of the Showtime series, “Homeland.” Duke University Medical Pavilion commissioned Ann to paint a scene for its cancer center. Ann’s art hangs in numerous private collections around the country.

Ann’s professional memberships include Associate member of Oil Painters of America and Signature status with the American Impressionist Society.

Ann believes that her art is a journey and that anything can be made magical by the addition of brush strokes, color and light!

NI ZHU
Fine Artist


Ni Zhu grew up in a small town in southern China. She studied law in Beijing University and came to North America for graduate studies. While still on a career path to become a law professor, Ni encountered the passion of her life, painting. A career change had to happen as she devoted more and more time and energy in art. She started taking classes at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco as well as workshops with master painters such as Huihan Liu, Zhaoming Wu, and Daniel Gerhartz. She earned her MFA degree in 2020.

Ni always finds herself intrigued by a certain light, a certain mood, or simply a certain moment in life. Naturally she paints people doing their thing in their own world, trying to recreate the mood or feeling that once moved her. Having grown up in China, lived in North America for 20 years and travelled extensively across the globe, Ni is constantly touched and inspired by interesting moments of life in various contexts and situations.

Ni holds signature membership in the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society. She is also a member of the California Art Club and the Women Artists of the West. Recent recognitions include First Place in the Landscape category of the 37th Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition in 2020, the In Pursuit of Beauty Special Award at Women Artists of the West 50th National Exhibition in 2020, the Outstanding Composition and Technique Award of Excellence at the 2017 OPA annual National Exhibition, and the director’s choice award at the 2016 Spring Show of the Academy of Art University.


Education

• 2020 Master of Fine Arts in Painting, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
• 2000-06 Doctoral Candidate, University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 1999 Master of Laws, cum laude, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• 1998 Bachelor of Laws, Beijing University School of Law, Beijing, China

• Signature Member, Oil Painters of America
• Signature Member, American Impressionist Society
• Artist Member, California Art Club
• Artist Member, Women Artists of the West

• Kim Agricola, “Ni Zhu: Where passion meets precision”, Southwest Art Magazine, September 2018 Issue, page 20

• 2022 Venessa in Plein Air, Award of Merit, Best Portriat/Figurative, Women Artists of the West 52nd National Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
• 2022 Once upon a Time in Egypt, Award of Excellence, NOAPS Best of America, Wilcox Gallery, Jackson, WY
• 2021 Buying Vegetables in Venice, Honorable Mention, American Impressionist Society 5th Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, South Carolina
• 2020 Under the Shade Sails No.2, First Place in the Landscape category, 37th Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition
• 2020 Golden, 2D Award of Merit and In Pursuit of Beauty Special Award, Women Artists of the West 50th National Exhibition
• 2017 The Light, Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Outstanding Composition and Technique Award of Excellence
• 2017 Face It, Colonel George J.Morales Memorial Award, American Artists Professional League 89th Grand National Exhibition
• 2016 Leaving for Work, Director’s Choice Award, Academy of Art University Spring Show

• 2020 Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Paso Robles, California

• 2023 American Impressionist Society 5th Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase, the District Gallery, Knoxville, TN
• 2023 California Art Club 112nd Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA
• 2022 Women Artists of the West 52nd National Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
• 2022 NOAPS Best of America, Wilcox Gallery, Jackson, WY
• 2022 MORE THAN: EXPANDING IDENTITIES OF ARTISTS FROM THE AMERICAN WEST, Tucson Museum of Art, Arizona
• 2022 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Southwest Gallery, Dallas, TX
• 2022 California Art Club 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA
• 2021 American Impressionist Society 22nd Annual National Juried Exhibition, Gallery 1516, Omaha, Nebraska
• 2021 Oil Painters of America 30th National Juried Exhibition, California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum, Escondido, CA
• 2021 American Impressionist Society 5th Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, South Carolina
• 2021 Women Artists of the West 51st National Exhibition 2021, The Museum of Western Art, Kerrville, Texas
• 2020 Allied Artists of America 107th Annual Exhibition
• 2020 American Impressionist Society 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah
• 2020 Oil Painters of America 2020 Salon Show
• 2020 National Association of Women Artists, Small Works and Beyond
• 2020 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas
• 2020 California Art Club 109th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, Orange, California
• 2020 American Impressionist Society 4th Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas
• 2020 Women Artists of the West 50th National Exhibition Jubilee Celebration, Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona (Golden No.1, 2D Award of Merit and In Pursuit of Beauty Special Award)
• 2019 Favell Museum Art Show and Sale, Klamath Falls, Oregon
• 2019 American Impressionist Society 3rd Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, Michigan
• 2019 California Art Club 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Pasadena, California
• 2018 Salon at the Triton: Statewide 2D Competition & Exhibition, Triton Museum, Santa Clara, California
• 2018 American Impressionist Society 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Peninsula School of Art - Guenzel Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
• 2018 Pacific Art League, the Human Form, Palo Alto, California (Simone, Second Place)
• 2018 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
• 2017 American Artists Professional League 89th Grand National Exhibition, New York,New York
• 2017 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St. George, Utah
• 2017 Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase (The Tibetan Monk Ngawang, honorable mention)
• 2017 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Eisele Fine Art Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2016 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Marshall Gallery of fine Art, Scottsdale, Arizona
• 2016 American Women Artists National Juried Exhibition & Annual Members Show, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, Vermont
• 2016 Academy of Art University Spring Show, San Francisco, California
• 2016 St. Mary Museum of Art, Reflections in Water, Moraga, California
• 2015 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Wild Horse Gallery, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
• 2014 Academy of Art University Spring Show, San Francisco, California (Venice No.3, Italy Award)
• 2014 An Italian Sojourn 2, the Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco
• 2013 Academy of Art University Fine Art Italy Program Group Show, Santa Reparata International School of Art, Florence, Italy
• 2012 Sanchez Art Center annual 50-50 Show, Pacifica, California