Artist Spotlight: Ann Kraft Walker

Ann Kraft Walker of The Woodlands, Texas, is this month's Spotlight Artist. If you would like to be in the spotlight, please email Anna at annarosebain@gmail.com to submit your information. 

Interview with Spotlight Artist for September/October, Annie Walker:

Artist Ann Kraft Walker

1) When and how did you first become seriously interested in Art? I started playing around with paints in the late 90s. I was interested in folk art for years...( ugh! ) and had no training at all.  I attended the PSoA conference for the first time seven years ago and that began to open my eyes to real art ( instead of folk art ). I was off to a very slow start, as we were raising three children. Art stayed on the back burner until five years ago when our youngest left for college.

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? I paint in oil, as well as drawing with charcoal.  So far I focus on portraits and still life, but would like to add landscape to the mix soon I hope. I have taken workshops from Clayton Beck, Casey Baugh, and Rob Liberace.

3) What do you try to express in your work? I try to express sensitivity to beauty in my work. 

4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? Casey Baugh has been the biggest influence so far.

"Psalm 149:3" by Ann Kraft Walker

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work?  For inspiration, the most important thing I do is pray!!  As well as LOTS of museum visits and lots of art books!

6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? Ten years from now I hope to still be painting as much as I can, enjoying the never ending pursuit of learning to paint.

7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art?  I don't think I consciously set goals, it's more like I have lists and lists of ideas for paintings I'm dying to do. I wish I didn't have to sleep!

8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist?  I am so ecstatically happy being an artist!!! Wow, what a BLESSING!!! Sometimes I wish I had started much earlier, and had serious art education, but, I don't regret the years that my number one job and joy was just being a mommy!!

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? Living in Northern Germany for almost three years in the early 90s was the greatest opportunity for extensive travel and exposure to the great museums.

10) Best piece of advice for other artists?  ...the process is the real joy!!!

Biography:

I was Texas born in 1955.  In 1977 I received a BFA in Art History at The University of Texas at Austin (a major I could accomplish without any math requirements). Later I moved to Germany for several years which provided the opportunity for extensive travel and many museum visits where my love for art deepened.  At The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, I distinctly remember the desire to learn to paint washing over me.  However, I was busy raising three children and did not take up a paintbrush until my mid-forties.  What a privilege to begin the never ending pursuit of learning to paint.  Any shred of talent I possess is a gift from God and a reflection of His grace.

I am a member of The Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, The International Guild of Realism and American Women Artists. 

Awards and Exhibitions:

"Kate" by Ann Kraft Walker

• 2012 Featured in Galeria Artelibre
• 2012 International Artist Magazine, Challenge No. 72 - Finalist
• 2012 Southwest Art Magazine Artistic Excellence Competition - Finalist
• 2012 Drawing featured in Strokes of Genius 42012 Exhibited - International Guild of Realism 7th Annual International Juried Exhibition
• 2012 Exhibited - 27th Annual Bosque Art Classic
• 2012 Oil Painters of America Summer Online Showcase - First Place
• 2012  The Artist Magazine, 29th Annual Art Competition - Finalist - ( Two Paintings )
• 2012 Exhibited - Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibit
• 2012 Exhibited - The Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery
• 2012 Raymar Art's 6th Annual Competition, January - Finalist
• 2012 BoldBrush FAV 15% : February, March, May, June, July
• 2012 Exhibited - CSOPA  Faces Of Winter
• 2012 Exhibited - Scottsdale Artist School Best and Brightest
• 2011 American China Oil Painters Artist League - Exhibition of Contemporary American and Chinese Realism.- Finalist
• 2011 Richeson 75 Small Works  - Finalist
• 2011 Richeson 75 Animals Birds and Wildlife - Finalist
• 2011 Richeson 75 Portrait and Figure - Finalist
• 2011 Southwest Art Magazine, Artistic Excellence Competition - Finalist
• 2011 The Artist Magazine, 28th Annual Art Competition,- Finalist
• 2011 Intenational Artist Magazine, Challenge No.64 - Finalist
• 2011 BoldBrush FAV 15% : June, July, October, December,
• 2010 Lone Start Art Guild Show - Best of Show, Mayor's Choice, First Place, Second Place
• 2010 Woodlands Art League Spring Show - Best of Show
• 2010 Woodlands Art League Fall Show - Best of Show
• 2009 Woodlands Art League Spring Show - Best of Show
• 2009 Woodlands Art League Fall Show - Best of Show, First Place, Third Place

"But Now I See" by Ann Kraft Walker

"Cooper Mack" by Ann Kraft Walker

"John Lightfoot" by Ann Kraft Walker

"Cinderella" by Ann Kraft Walker

"The Visitor" by Ann Kraft Walker

"Undaunted" by Ann Kraft Walker

Contact Info:
Ann Kraft Walker
Website: AnnKraftWalker.com (coming soon!)
Email: AnnKraftWalker@gmail.com

Member News - Fall 2012

Connie Erikson - Upcoming Exhibition

         “ Caddo Lake – A Texas Treasure”

 “Sun Warmed Treetops”
16 x 20 inch oil by Connie Erickson

Opens October 20^th

Weiler House Fine Art Gallery Fort Worth

The exhibit features works in oil and pastel by artist Connie Erickson. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Nature Conservancy. The exhibit will run until November 17^th.

Weiler House Fine Art Gallery is located at 3126 Handley Drive in Fort Worth.

For Further information please contact bill@weilerhousefineart.com

Connie Erickson is soon moving to Illinois, so this may be a last chance to purchase  a

Painting of a place she lived from 2004 – 2008: her beloved Caddo Lake. Her home was on Pine Island Pond pictured in this painting.  Please join Connie in a celebration of her time in Texas.  She would love to see the many friends she has made while she lived here.

Susan Hotard - Recent Honors

Susan had two paintings accepted into the Richeson 75 Figure/ Portrait Competition, one of which was awarded 1st Place for Oils.

Susan also had one painting accepted into Audubon Artist Inc. in New York, and currently has 3 paintings in the Times-Picayune Show at Garden District Gallery in New Orleans.

Ann Kraft Walker - Recent Honors

Ann Kraft Walker had quite an amazing year! Here are some of the highlights:

• Finalist -  ACOPAL   " Psalm 149:3 "  
• Finalist -  Raymar Art Contest - January    " A Velvet Gaze "
• Exhibited - The Salon International  " My Bird " and " But Now I See "
• Exhibited -  OPA National Juried Exhibit  " Cinderella "
• Finalist - The Artist's Magazine 29th Annual Competition  " But Now I See '' and " The Visitor " 
• Exhibited - International Guild of Realism  " But Now I See " and " The Visitor " 
• Exhibited - 27th Annual Bosque Art Classic  " My Bird "
• Finalist - Southwest Art Artistic Excellence  " The Visitor " 
• First Place - OPA Online Showcase  " Never Fails "
• Finalist - International Artist Magazine Challenge # 72  " But Now I See " 
• Strokes of Genius 4  " John Lightfoot "

"Never Fails," 12x14", oil, by Ann Kraft Walker 

"Psalm 149:3", by Ann Kraft Walker

Kay Polk - Teaching Again

Submitted by Dallas artist, Kay Polk:
Dallas-based Kay Polk has started teaching classes in her home studio. Her classes are limited to 5-6 people in a class.  If anyone is interested, they should email Kay at:  studio@kpolk.com.  Her class is currently full but she will be starting more classes.  They are for students working in oil and pastel with either general or portraiture focus.  

Gay Paratore - Between Texas and Maine

Submitted by Santa Fe artist, Gay Paratore: 
"We got back from spending our summer in Maine to get ready for my one woman show at the Butler Longhorn Museum in League City, Texas (see photo). The next week I entered the Watercolor Art Society of Houston Membership Show and won a merchandise award and the invitation for the show had my art work featured as I had won first place last year. They are having a watercolor portrait competition  coming up soon, looking forward to that. I was in three shows in Maine and just before we left I was awarded 1st place at the Beaumont International Show. This has been a good year for me; I'm not using a cane anymore and was able to hike the trails in Acadia Park again. I will be teaching classes there for Schoodic Arts for All again next year; this will be my fourth year to do so. Ya'll come! Nearly 100 workshops the first two weeks in August!  Maine is really beautiful! If your down this way the National Society of Artists is having their National Show at Butler; I luckily got all three of my works accepted! I hope everyone has a great holiday season. Gay Paratore

Krystal Brown - Liberace Demo Recap

Submitted by Spring, TX artist, Krystal Brown:
I was able to attend the demo last week by Rob Liberace at the Woodlands Art League and it was amazing! He posed the model and painted for 3/20 minutes sessions.  During the breaks he would answer specific questions if anyone approached him to ask.  It was time well spent.  I’ve ordered books he’s recommended and have been referring back to the notes I took that night.  One of the best parts of the evening was meeting fellow artists in the area and setting goals.  I look forward to attending more of these type of events and the Art of the Portrait Annual Conference next spring in Atlanta! I’m finishing up a portrait commission and hope to update my painting blog http://mommapainter.blogspot.com/ sometime soon.  

Gene Dillard - Unique Project in Plano

Submitted by Plano, TX artist, Gene Dillard

UNIQUE PORTRAIT PROJECT IN PLANO

“DOWNTOWN FACE-TO-FACE”

During the month of December, a special exhibit will be held at the Plano Art Centre featuring artists from the Rail Station Studios and Gallery. The exhibit will spotlight works-in-progress for the “Downtown Fact-to-Face” project by Rail Station Studio portrait creators Gene Dillard and Gaby Pruitt.

The “Downtown Fact-to-Face” works-in-progress are part of a developing exhibit created by Gene and Gaby to portray a profile of personalities who make up the character of Historic Downtown Plano. Subjects include individuals ranging from city officials to shop owners and notable individuals who occupy the historic sector of Plano. A total of approximately 25 painted and photographic portraits will make up the final collection.

The “Downtown Fact-to-Face” project is a year-long endeavor that supports the efforts of the Historic Downtown Plano Association to promote the unique character of downtown. And the designated charity of the Association, The Assistance Center Collin County will be the beneficiary of the project when the collection of portraits are made available for sale at a special exhibit in the Spring.

The December exhibit will primarily feature figurative and portrait works by the studio artists, but will also include other genres.  Works included will be by Gene  and Gaby as well as participating artists Don Dillard, Don Mullins, Michael Holter and Joanna Littlefield; members of the Portrait Society of America.

Rail Station Studios and Gallery is located in Historic Downtown Plano at
1013 15^th Place, Plano 75075

214-403-9171

Alix Dunn - New Work

Submitted by Houston artist, Alix Dunn:
Canal Street Gallery of Houston, Texas presents new work by Alix Dunn, "The Texas Bottomlands."

"The Texas Bottomlands" - 48x72" - oil on canvas - by Alix Dunn 

The painting won first place in the summer 2011 H.A.S. show.

Unveiling: Lilibeth Andre

Lilibeth Andre Art and Design invites you to the unveiling of "The Lady of the Turquoise Pendant," a Young Adult Novel with illustrations by Lilibeth Andre.

When: Friday, October 19 - 6:30-9:30

Where: Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts

 1900 Kane Street Houston, TX 77007

RSVP to: (832) 660-7517 or info@lilibethandre.com 

http://lilibethandre.wordpress.com/

For more info on the upcoming artist open house, please click here: http://guitonstreetartists.wordpress.com/calendar/

Upcoming Event: Rob Liberace Demo and Reception

Dear Texas Portrait Society Members,

If you are in the Houston area, you will NOT want to miss out on this amazing event! The Woodlands Art League is hosting Robert Liberace for a workshop, and they have extended an invitation to Portrait Society members to attend an artist's reception, Thursday evening, October 11.

While I have been trying to get a Houston meet-and-greet going, I've simply been too tied down to do so this fall. But this is the next best thing! If you live in or around Houston, here is your chance to mingle with other talented portrait artists, chat with Rob Liberace, and watch him do an amazing painting demo! Details below.

Robert Liberace at Woodlands Art League 

Gallery - Market Street

Meet the Artist Reception

Thursday, October 11

6:30 pm Refreshments 

7pm Demo

9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1200

The Woodlands Texas, 77382

Contact: Kim Abbati 281-380-1131

I wish I could join you there! If you do get a chance to attend, please feel free to send me pictures so I can share on this blog! Thanks, all!

- Anna