News from Pastel Artist Daggi Wallace

This post submitted by Dallas member Daggi Wallace:

"Innocence Lost" 22x16

This piece won the following awards:

• Degas Pastel Society Award at the Pastel Society of America's 39th Juried Exhibition at the National Arts Club in New York City,Sept 2011
• Honorable Mention at the International Association of Pastel Societies, Dec 2011
• Second Place at the Art Connection Member Show at the Irving Art Center in Irving, TX, Oct 2011

Other awards and recognitions:

• “Choices” and “Searching” were both awarded Honorable Mention at the Pastel Society of the Southwest Juried Show, Richardson, TX, Nov 2011 (juror Doug Dawson)
• Everett Raymond Kinstler juried my three paintings "This, too Shall Pass", "Broken Promises" and "Treasures Along the Path" into the Richeson 75 Figure/Portrait competition
• I was voted in as full member of the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club this summer
• My painting "Secrets" was included in their 113th Annual Juried Exhibition at the National Arts Club in NYC in September
• “Broken Promises” also was accepted into the International Association of Pastel Societies show, Dec 2011
• I had a solo exhibition featuring my Moni’s Kids nonprofit portraits (aiding children in need) and my Up Close & Personal series at Luminarte Design Gallery in Dallas, TX, Oct 2011.

Thanks for letting me share!
Wishing you all the Best for the Holiday Season!
Daggi Wallace

Member News: Successful Portrait Unveiling

Post submitted by McKinney member, Connie Erickson:

I thought I would share my good fortune with  Texas portrait artists. Columbia Tennessee is near where I used to live and has been a wonderful source of commissions for me.
Merry Christmas, Connie Erickson

Connie,

The dedication was a wonderful celebration of Mr. Walter’s 32 years as CEO of Maury Regional. The portrait was the star of the day! Mr. Walter said that he thanks you “for making him look better than he actually does!” Attached is a snapshot of the portrait and the sign. It looks wonderful.   I will forward the press coverage once it is in print. Dr. Rebecca Hawkins, one of your other subjects, was in attendance as she is a board member as well. Thank you again for your talent!

Joe K. Kilgore, Executive Director

Upcoming Workshop: Judith Carducci

Post submitted by Dallas member, Michael Mentler:

The Society of Figurative Arts Dallas

Presents

JUDITH CARDUCCI 

Jan. 26th-30th, 2012

 5-day workshop instructed by one of today's foremost portrait painters

About the Artist:

Judith Carducci has received international recognition and her work has been shown in such venues as; The National Arts Club and the Salmagundi Club in New York City, the Cahoon Museum of American Art, and the Butler Institute of American Art. Her work has been featured in; International Artist, Pastel Artist International, American Artist, The Pastel Journal and The Artist's Magazine.

For information about the artist visit http://www.judithcarducci.com/

Cost:

$600 (Includes model fees) - $200 advance deposit required

Enroll on-line

  (Space is limited so enroll now!)

Society of Figurative Arts Studio is located at 3306 Wiley Post, Carrolton, Texas 75006 (just west of Addison airport)

Click for Map

Society of Figurative Arts

tsofa.com

For additional information contact

Michael Mentler at:

972 679-1625

A GREAT WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR

Artist Spotlight: Michael Mentler

Michael Mentler of Dallas, TX, is this month's Spotlight Artist. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and Washington University in Saint Louis, where he taught figure drawing and design. Michael's work has been featured in Saint Louis magazine, Communication Arts, Art Direction, Graphis and more recently in American Artist Drawing Magazine in a feature article titled "Learn From The Sketchbooks of a Modern Day Leonardo." Michael has also been featured in Juliette Aristides' new book Lessons in Classical Drawing (Essential Techniques From Inside the Atelier). More on Michael at Artist Daily.



Interview with our December Spotlight Artist, Michael Mentler:

1) When and how did you first become seriously interested in Art? About age 8 or 9

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? Study with Howard Sidman at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. 1958 to 1963

- First Solo X 1959 at Mac Center for the Arts

- American Academy of Art  and The School of the Art Institute (Figure Drawing) 1963
- Layton School of Art in Milwaukee 1964

- Washington University in St. Louis 1964-1970

   (Instructed at Washington University 1972-74

I work in any and all mediums in drawing/painting/sculpture

Figurative/Formal Representation
    

3) What do you try to express in your work? For me the expression is in the creative process not the product.  The product is only a faint reflection of the original experience.

4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? Francis Bacon, Isabel Bishop, Charles Bragg, Bruegel, Corot, Coubert, R. Crumb, Daumier, De Kooning, Delacroix, Diebenkorn, Dubuffet, Durer, Frank Duveneck, Giacometti, Arshile Gorky, Goya, Franz Hals, Hans Hofmann, Hokusai,   Holbein, Wassily Kandinsky, Ingres, Wolf Kahn, Klimt, Franz Kline, Lautrec, Mantegna, Javier Marin, Matisse, Michelangelo, Modigliani, Henry Moore, Rembrandt, Rodin, Medardo Rosso, Rubens, Schiele, Sorolla, Antonio Tapies, Tiepolo, Titian, Euan Uglow, Anthony Van Dyck, Velazquez, Rogier van der Weyden, Whistler, Zurbaran and Zorn to name a few.

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work? Get out of bed.

6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? Breathing

7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art? Yes, but they change every few minutes.

8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist? Do you have any regrets in this career choice or things you would have done differently? In the end if you had a choice you are probably not an artist

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? Yes

10) Best piece of advice for other artists?  Being an Artist is not for sissies.

Contact:

http://www.michaelmentler.com/

mentler@mac.com

Upcoming Workshop with Don Mullins

Texas PSoA members: consider attending this workshop by master artist, Don Mullins!

About the Instructor:  Don Mullins is one of only five Texas artists who have won awards from the Portrait Society of America. Don started his professional painting career in landscape, and then fell in love with figurative art.  He attended the renowned Lyme Academy of Fine Art  in Connecticut where he studied in the classic tradition of figurative anatomy. His colorful and distinctive style attracts clients from families and the business community. He has also received awards for his work from Oil Painters of America, Artist’s Magazine and the Lyme Academy of Fine Art. Don is a participating artist at Legacy Portrait Painters at Rail Station Studios in historic downtown Plano. 

Where:

Visual Expressions Creative Art Studio


Artist Don Mullins



 1425 N. Hwy 67 

(10 minutes from Downtown Dallas)

Cedar Hill, Texas 75104

972-293-1117

When:

January 11, 2012 every Wednesday evening for 6 weeks

Time:
6:30pm-9:30pm

Contact the Visual Expressions Creative Art Studio at 972-293-1117 (info@veartgallery.com) for registration and your supply list, or contact Don Mullins at 817-465-6064 (mullinsd@sbcglobal.net). 

We look forward to seeing you in January!

Texas Member Attends Nelson Shanks Exhibition Opening in Russia

This post submitted by Bryan, TX member Janene Pratt:

I was fortunate to be able to travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia to attend the opening of Nelson Shanks portrait exhibit there.  I studied under Nelson years ago.  We had such a wonderful time in Russia, we were treated like royalty and the exhibit was well received.  The exhibit will move to Moscow and then to China.  His exhibit included the wonderful portraits of Princess Diana, John Paul II and Mstislav Rostropovich.

We had a private tour, after hours, of The Heritage Museum in St. Petersburg led by Nelson.  The picture is below.  I am second to the right.

- Janene

Artist Spotlight: Susan Fleming Hotard

 Interview with our October Spotlight Artist, Susan Hotard:
1) When and how did you first become seriously interested in Art? Four years old. My parents influenced me. My father gave me art lessons when I was young. But I became a professional artist about 10 years ago.

Susan Hotard
susan@susanhotardartist.com

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? B.F.A. in interior design, Louisiana Tech University. Design, drafting, perspective drawing, color theory, drawing, lettering, watercolor, and rendering, and Art History. New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, classical training. Oil mostly, still life, portraiture, figure painting: all from life. Also watercolor and pastel.

3) What do you try to express in your work? Trying to express life through painterly brushwork

4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? M. Dell Weller (at New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts), Raymond Everett Kinstler, John Singer Sargent, Velazquez, Franz Hals

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work?  Inspiration: looking at life, being still, thinking, praying, sometimes the ideas are gifts.



6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? I hope I am still searching, discovering, painting better, teaching my grandchildren.
7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art? Goals: sometimes I realize that the galleries need more of my work, and will paint with that in mind. It helps to have either real or artificial deadlines. Goal: paint better and keep studying. Sometimes I set up problems: still life in cool light or in warm light for example. Helps to know that you have a solo show to paint towards! That is a real motivator!

8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist? Do you have any regrets in this career choice or things you would have done differently? Yes, am happy with my job choice.

"Todd," by Susan Hotard

 

"Here's Looking at You Kid," by Susan Hotard

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? I created over a dozen Katrina cartoons in the aftermath of the storm. Had an accident when I was a toddler (around 14 mos.), my right thumb was amputated. But mostly, I can do anything I want except twiddle my thumbs. And if ever I become a famous artist, I won’t have to cut off my ear!

10) Best piece of advice for other artists?  Keep painting! Keep studying! Keep trying to learn and get better. Encourage others.

Susan's Bio and Artist's Statement:

 “Objects radiate brilliantly against dark umber backgrounds”- American Artist 2005

“an innovative style far from the placid still life”- The Advocate 2004

“astute use of light and shadow”-  The Advocate 2005

Susan Hotard had a cover story in the national magazine, American Artist, July/August
2005; and was a still life finalist in both The Artist’s Magazine, and International Artistmagazine. Her approach to painting and her palette were published in How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Still Life and Florals 2004.

Since being honored with the highest award at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in 2002, Susan has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows. She has studied painting in New York with Everett Ray Kinstler at The Art Students League, and Daniel Greene in North Salem; and has taught painting workshops and classes in portraiture, figure, and still life. She and her husband moved from New Orleans to The Woodlands, Texas in 2007. She knows what it means to miss New Orleans but was delighted that there was a vibrant art community in the North Houston area. Susan makes many trips a year to visit with her large family and close art friends that still live in the New Orleans area.


"Meca" by Susan Hotard


Artist’s Statement:
"Painting is my tool for interpreting the life our Almighty God has so wonderfully made. Whether it be portraiture, still life, or landscape, I try to record my observations of the world in a realistic, yet painterly way. Painting is a life-long journey. And I’m certainly enjoying the trip."


"Nandina with Granny Smith Apples", by Susan Hotard


Publications:
American Artist, July/August 2005 (cover story)
How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Still Life and Florals, International Artist Publishing, January 2004
The Artist’s Magazine, Still Life Competition, Finalist, December 2005
The Times-Picayune: Artistic Expression June 19, 2006
Gulf Coast Arts and Entertainment Review, September/October 2004
The Advocate Magazine, Baton Rouge, November 2004 & December 2005 (art reviews)New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Spring 2002

Exhibitions/ Art Organizations/ Awards:
Audubon Artists 69th Exhibit, Allied Artists Award 2011; NYC
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, highest award 2002: The Gwendolyn Laan Ozols Award
New Rouge Fusion, Baton Rouge, 1st place, December 2005
The Artist’s Magazine, still life competition finalist, December 2005
International Artist Publishing, Art Prize Challenge 17, finalist, 2003
Art 11, November 2010
Garden District Gallery, Language of Flowers 2009
Garden District Gallery, Food, Glorious Food 2010
Garden District Gallery, Seeing Music 2011
Just Figures, April 2009
Richeson Small Works, March 2009; March 2010
NOAFA Academy Gallery, Invitational Drawing Exhibition, January 2009
NOAFA Academy Gallery, miniature show; November 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 

"The Way," by Susan Hotard

NOAFA Academy Gallery, Response to Katrina, April 2006

La Nouvelle Salon, World Trade Center, New Orleans, August 2006

Mid- City Art Studios, open studios, December 2006

Crazy Eights, St. Tammany Art Association, November 2006
Galerie Eclat, New Orleans, Solo Show, May 2003

Galerie Eclat, New Orleans, Solo Show, May 2005

River Oaks Square Center, June/ July 2008 Degas Pastel Society National show, 2000, 2001, 2004
From Cezanne to Vermeer, Galerie Eclat, 2003
Modigiliani Group Show, Galerie Eclat, 2003

Junior League Show house 2002, 3 paintings

New Orleans Art Association WTC Show 2002
St. Tammany Art Association, Ashes to Art 2001

Associated Women in the Arts 2000

Art in Bloom, NOMA; 1995, 2001, 2007
Whimsie 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

WYES Art Auction Donor

Art Organizations: Portrait Society of America, New Orleans Art Association, Louisiana

Watercolor Society, Degas Pastel Society, Pone Aliquid Contra Faciem Meam Carbone Delineabo, La Nouvelle Salon, Woodlands Art League

Contact:

http://www.susanhotardartist.com/

Susan@SusanHotardArtist.com

Sign up for a Graphite Workshop THIS WEEKEND in Alpine, TX

Post submitted by Alpine, TX member Deborah Allison:

I teach adult-ed classes at the Museum of the Big Bend and it just so happens that I've got a portrait drawing in graphite workshop this weekend.

Graphite portrait by Deborah Allison

Just for Grown Ups!

Beginning Portraiture In Graphite One-Day Workshop
October 22
9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. with one-hour lunch on your own
$120 - Includes All Supplies
Ms. Allison will teach the basic elements of drawing the face using a live model. Workshop will include live demonstration and participant time to work from life.

The link for the class is: http://www.sulross.edu/museum/education-adults.html

The workshop is 9:30-5:30 with lunch on your own. $125 covers tuition, supplies and model fee.  The museum has been wonderful about letting us use their space and does all of the advertising and admin for the class.

Deborah Allison

Alpine, TX

Upcoming Show at Rail Station Studio Gallery

Post submitted by Texas member Gene Dillard:

Rail Station Studios and Gallery is proud to present a show of works by a group of artists who gather to paint and draw every Friday night. The group has been meeting for more than 15 years for the purpose of painting and drawing from life.

Currently, the group meets at Brookhaven College... though officially a class, the group is open to all artists of all levels and no instruction is offered. It is the passion to paint and draw and practice that drives these artists to achieve their artistic goals

Upcoming Event and News from Pastel Artist, Daggi Wallace

This post submitted by Dallas member Daggi Wallace:

Please, join me this Saturday, Oct 15th, 2011 at 7pm at Luminarte Design Gallery in Dallas, Tx, for my first solo exhibition. The show features the first series of portraits from my nonprofit Moni's Kids, plus all new work from my Up Close & Personal series. The proceeds from sales of the Moni's Kids portraits go towards the library we started at their orphanage in Haiti this past summer.

If you know anyone else who might like to stop by, please feel free to forward this to them.
Thank you for your support!
Best,

Daggi

Other exciting news from Daggi:

Innocence Lost, 22x16, pastel

This painting won the Degas Pastel Society Award at the 39th Annual Pastel Society of America Exhibition at the National Arts Club in NYC last month. I achieved signature membership earlier this year.

"Secrets" 12x24 pastel

"Secrets" is showing at the National Arts Club this month as part of the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 115th Annual Juried Exhibition.
I was also recently juried in as full member of the CLWAC.

I had three paintings juried into the Richeson 75 Figure/Portrait competition, two as part of the gallery exhibit and all three to be included in the catalogue. (Juror: Everett Raymond Kinstler)

Two paintings were accepted into the Pastel Society of the Southwest National Juried Show (Juror: Doug Dawson). The show runs from Nov 1-28 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. The reception and awards ceremony is on Nov 15th, from 6-9pm.

My website - Pastel Paintings that Capture Life's Moments http://www.daggistudio.com/
"Moni's Kids", my non-profit project http://www.daggistudio.com/page/358/monis-kids-non-profit-project
My blog, http://www.daggistudio.com/blog
My studio facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/daggiwallacestudio
Moni's Kids facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Monis-Kids/124149241002344?sk=wall

Rail Station Studio and Gallery Opening Reception

Post submitted by Plano member, Gene Dillard:

Public is invited to attend the opening of

Rail Station Studios and Gallery
in Historic Downtown Plano.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
7:00 - 10:00pm

Your are invited to attend an opening reception at the new Rail Station Studio and Gallery. It is located next to the Dart Rail Station on 15th Place in Historic Downtown Plano.
For the past several years it has been the location of Legacy Portrait Painters and the Michael Holter Studio. It will now maintain a primary emphasis on portrait and figurative subjects, but will be open to many other genres.

Artists whose work will be exhibited at the opening will include Gene Dillard, Don Mullins, Joanna Littlefield, Michael Holter, Don Dillard and Perri Sparks.

PAINTINGS BY EXHIBITORS

"Delilah" by Perri Sparks

Perri Sparks is a resident of Canada, former State Representative for Texas to the Portrait Society of America.

"Delilah" by Perri Sparks

"Dr. Ambrose" by Don Mullins

Don Mullins is a Portrait Society of America award winner and a participant in Legacy Portrait Painters. This commissioned portrait was featured this month on the cover of a national magazine honoring Dr. Ambrose who perished on 9-11.



"Dr. Ambrose," by Don Mullins

"Farm Hand" by Michael Holter

Michael Holter is resident artist at Rail Station Studios and an award winning watercolor painter. Currently exhibiting in a number of shows including the Southwest Watercolor Society competition.



"Farm Hand," by Michael Holter



“Sarah” by Gene Dillard

Gene Dillard manages Rail Station Studios. He is a member of Legacy Portrait Painters and a member of Portrait Society of America.

"Sarah," by Gene Dillard

Friday Night Lights and Shadows this Week

This post submitted by Plano member, Gene Dillard:

Fellow Artist,

This week our model will be Chris, a favorite model who has posed for our group
a number of times.

We had a good group last Friday and hope to have more folks back this week for a cool Fall sessions.

Fluff up your brushes and sharpen your chalk or pencils and enjoy this great session this Friday evening of creating art.

Remember our excellent location...Brookhaven College! The location is easily accessible (see two maps below). Because it is on a college campus, exterior lighting and security are excellent.

Best of all, the fee for each artist is only $15 per session!

Our session starts at 7:00 pm and lasts till 10:00 pm.  Come early and get a good spot for a good angle for this excellent model and enjoy a terrific evening with artists and friends!

See you on Friday!

Gene Dillard
214-403-9171

Studio location is in Building F. The campus is located on Valley View Lane just East of Marsh Lane. This is just a short distance North of LBJ Freeway.

Once you enter the campus, turn left at the first opportunity and proceed to the West 2 Parking area in front of Building F. Walk between buildings F and J and enter the second double glass doors  on the North side of building F.  Studio is two doors down the hall on the right, Rm F111.

In Memoriam: Gordon Wetmore

This from a recent e-mail sent out by Christine Egnoski:

Gordon Wetmore

July 9, 1938 – August 25, 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of founder and board chairman Gordon Wetmore.  Many members have been writing to me over the past couple of days expressing their admiration and love of Gordon. Nina Stahlberg wrote, “Those of us who have been members since the first conference grew to know and love Gordon and looked forward to his ‘southern charm’ each year.” 

Tom Edgerton reminded me about a time he spent with Gordon in 2002 (it shows how Gordon was open, sharing, generous, kind and altruistic); “When we had the first Philadelphia conference, I was walking into the hotel when Gordon and Ed were leaving to go out to the Wyeth compound at Brandywine, they graciously invited me, and all the way there Gordon and Ed conversed about their goals and aims for the Society. One thing they said repeatedly--which really struck a chord with me--was, ‘It's about the members--it's bigger than any one person.’  Joanna McKethan wrote, “I love Gordon, such a personable man who has given the society the mark of his generous personality, as well as the necessary ingredient of faith.”

Almost 15 years ago Gordon called and asked me to become the Executive Director of a non-profit art organization that he was starting along with fellow artists Edward Jonas and Tom Donahue. Through the years Gordon and I spoke often and had become very close, working long hours on projects together and sharing a pride in the on-going success of the Portrait Society. Gordon and all the board serve with no remuneration, and he was always willing to put aside his own art work to assist in endeavors of the Portrait Society.  He was very proud of the tremendous growth and impact made by the Society in the art world. In the beginning I thought of Gordon as my boss, but through the years he became my mentor and my friend. He was always gracious and kind. Gordon leaves behind the legacy of passion – for his own art, for helping others develop their talent and for his family.  He was a true leader and influenced the resurgence of representation art in America.

We are all grateful for knowing Gordon and benefiting from his passion for his art and the Portrait Society.

Christine

P.S. Gordon’s wife, Connie, has requested that a scholarship be set up in Gordon’s name.  So we are pleased to announce the Gordon Wetmore Legacy Scholarship Fund.  You can visit our website at http://www.portraitsociety.org/ to read about the details of the scholarship and there will be a button to click if you wish to make a donation.

An Introduction from your Newest Texas Co-Ambassador

Welcome to the Texas Portrait Network! This blog is brand new and still a work in progress. I will be adding much more material within the next few months. For the first post, I thought I'd share the introductory letter I sent out to Texas members.

Dear Artists,

My name is Anna Rose Bain, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newest TX co-ambassador for the Portrait Society of America! My hope is that in filling this role, I will have the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can, and to help you and serve you to the best of my ability. The Portrait Society is truly a wonderful organization, enabling artists to connect with each other and learn from the best in the business. There is so much amazing talent right here in the state of Texas, and we shouldn't have to wait until the annual conference to start connecting. Hopefully, over the next few months, Kathy Gray and I will be able to organize one or more get-togethers for artists in different parts of the state. I am so looking forward to meeting you!

In the mean time, though, I'd like to share a little of my own artistic background with you.

I was born and raised in rural Wisconsin, and started drawing from the moment I could pick up a pencil. I started doing portraits at around the age of 10, and by the time I went to college, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a professional portrait artist. I majored in art at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. After graduating in 2007, I lived in Madison, WI, for about a year and worked for a portrait photography studio, where I learned to master Photoshop, as well as utilize web design and marketing how-to's. I was married to my wonderful husband Steve in 2008, and that's the year that we moved to the Dallas area. We have been here ever since, and I work at home in my studio here in Garland, specializing in commissioned portraits. I also enjoy figurative painting, still life, and plein air. I teach some private lessons, but some of you may remember me most for a mini-workshop I taught in Austin a couple years ago on "Photoshop for Painters."

As your new co-ambassador, I hope to contribute by:
1) Connecting artists by organizing more get-togethers around the state
2) Empowering artists with technological tools - I will share as much as I can about Photoshop, web design, social networking, blogging, and so forth.
3) Maintaining a blog (this blog!) for TX members where they can access member news, resources, upcoming events and competitions, and much more. We will have featured artists on the blog -- not historical figures, but real live TX portrait artists!

Remember, artists are always better in groups! We thrive in an environment where we can grow and learn from each other.

Thank you for your time, and again, I am so excited to be here!

Happy painting!

Sincerely,
Anna Rose Bain