Recent Member News & Awards

There have been lots of exciting events taking place in Texas, with many artists receiving local and national recognition. Here are a few things our artists are buzzing about:

Michael Gillespie:

Michael Gillespie of Crandall, TX, had two recent shows, a solo show and a two-person show. The solo show was "Portraits, Figures, and Biblical Themes" at C.C. Young Senior Center in Dallas, and Michael sold a figure painting there. The other show was at the Forney Art Center's Gallery in Crumbzz Breakfast Bistro in Forney.

In other exciting news, Michael received a Merit Award for a figure painting (shown below) in the Pastel Society of the Southwest's Annual Juried Show (Judith Carducci was the judge), and he was named a Signature Member.

Merit Award winning painting by Michael Gillespie

Ann Kraft Walker:

Ann Kraft Walker has had great success in national competitions, including the Portrait Society of America's Members Only Competition! Below is a list of recent awards and exhibitions:

- " Four Months At Sea " - Honorable Mention - Cumberland Society Juried Exhibition
- " Jiggy's Birds " - Award of Merit - NOAPS International On-line Exhibition
- " Eileen's Lament " - BoldBrush and Raymar Finalist (Fall 2013)

-   PSoA Members Only Competition 2013 - First Place Still Life
- " Four Months At Sea " and " Cinderella " - Salon International - April 2014
- " In A Mirror Dimly " - OPA National Exhibition - June 2014
-   Texas Masters Show - InSight Gallery - March 2014

PSOA Members Only Competition
1st Place Still Life Award winner, "Eileen's Lament"
by Ann Kraft Walker

Brenda Hash:

Brenda Hash's pastel painting, "Thoughts of Elberta" (24" x 36"), will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence at this year's PSoA Conference in Washington, D.C. for the 16th Annual International Portrait Competition. 

Certificate of Excellence winner, "Thoughts of Elbert",
by Brenda Hash

Suzie Baker:

Suzie's self portrait, "Squint" (oil, 20x16"), won 2nd place in the 2013 PSoA Members Only Competition's Outside the Box category.

2nd Place "Outside the Box" category winner,
"Squint," by Suzie Baker

James Tennison:

James Tennison received a 5th Merit award in the Commissioned Portrait category of the 2013 PSoA Members Only Competition for his beautiful portrait of "Caroline," 36x24", oil.

5th Merit award winner, "Caroline,"
by James Tennison

Anna Rose Bain:

Anna Rose Bain's oil portrait of "Caroline and Carson" (42x36"), received a 6th Honorable Mention in the Commissioned Portrait category of the 2013 PSoA Members Only Competition. 

Anna was also juried into the following national shows:

- "California Beauty" - Oil Painters of America 23rd Annual National Juried Exhibition (June 2014)

- "Self Portrait at 23 Weeks Pregnant" - American Women Artists 17th Annual National Juried Show (August 2014)

6th Honorable Mention winner, "Caroline
and Carson," by Anna Rose Bain