Spotlight on: Ann Kraft Walker, 2017 Texas Top Ten

ARTIST: Ann Kraft Walker

CITY: The Woodlands

WEBSITE: AnnKraftWalker.com

" Never Fails ",   10"x14",    oil on linen

BIO:

Born and raised in Texas in 1955, Ann received a BFA at University of Texas in Austin and has traveled extensively throughout Europe, pursuing her love for painting in the classical tradition. Initially beginning her career painting in the primitive folk art style, Ann’s work has focused exclusively on classical realism, studying under such renowned artist’s as Casey Baugh, Joshua LaRock and Robert Liberace.

Ann Kraft Walker’s work has won awards and recognitions by Oil Painters of America, Art Renewal Center, and Portrait Society of America, among many others, and has been featured numerous fine art publications, including Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, and International Artist. Her work is included in many public and private collections, including the permanent collection of the White House.

She is a member of The Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, The International Guild of Realism, American Women Artists, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and The Salmagundi Club.

Spotlight on: Suzie Greer Baker, 2017 Texas Top Ten

Your Name: Suzie Greer Baker

Current City: Shenandoah, Texas

Website:www.suziebaker.com

"Vigil", 30"x 24", Oil on Linen Panel

Bio:

Suzie Baker is an award-winning artist whose paintings have been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, Plein Air, and Southwest Art Magazines. She has been named “Three to Watch” by both Southwest Art and Fine Art Connoisseur. She serves on the board of directors and is a signature member of Oil Painters of America and regularly exhibits in prestigious national shows and invitationals. In addition to being a still life and portrait artist, Suzie has been painting en plein air since she was a teenager. Suzie teaches workshops nationally and at The Woodlands Art League in The Woodlands, Texas, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Statement:

"I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University. Following my degree program, I worked as an ad agency Art Director before trading my Pantone swatches for a brush and palette. I paint in oils and am motivated by color, immediacy of stroke, composition, the camaraderie of other artists, and ultimately the desire to evolve as an artist. I strive to create paintings that communicate confidence in execution and that exhibit a fresh, intuitive, and spontaneous quality. I will paint till I can paint no more. When I'm not painting, I'm thinking about what I want to paint next. I can't not paint." 

Spotlight on: Gini Morelock Bosco, 2017 Texas Top Ten

NAME: Gini Morelock Bosco

CITY: Granbury, Texas

WEBSITE: www.gmorelockbosco.com

 “Turquoise Earrings”, 16X12, Oil on Linen Canvas

BIO:

Gini Morelock Bosco’s earliest interest in art came from a painting done by her grandfather George Wall, an engraver by trade. The idea that someone could create a scene from a flat surface that you can feel with all your senses, planted a seed. Drawing became a passion, telling a story through line and gesture.

Early influences were the works of Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. Gini explains, “My work is not like theirs however they opened my eyes to the depth and beauty of the ordinary or commonplace.”

This is the concept that fills her heart and drives her work. Portrait and figurative works are her preference, inspired by the works of John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Lilian Westcott Hale, Cecilia Beaux, Lilla Cabot Perry as well as many of the English and Russian Impressionist. Gini’s skills, while methodical, are beautiful as well as accurate. With great sensitivity she breathes life into a person’s likeness one brush stroke at a time.

Working primarily in oil, as well as charcoal and pastel, Gini creates works in a traditional painterly style that take you into their own existence, like reading a good book; making a connection between past and present, capturing a single moment forever. 

 A native Texan, born in Dallas, Gini now resides in the historical town of Granbury, Texas with husband Frank .

STUDY

Artists studied with include: Kay Polk, James Tennison, Ned Muller, Louis Escabedo, Peggy Baumgaertner and  Jeffery Watts

AWARDS and HONORS

American Impressionist Society, National Show                                         2014

American Impressionist Society, Small Works Show                                  2017

Oil Painters of America , National Show                                                     2009;2016

Oil Painters of America, Western Regional                                                 2012;2015 

Oil Painters of America , Juried Salon Show                                               2015;2016          

Bosque Conservatory Art Classic, National Show                                       2007;2009-2015 

Salon International                                                                                        2012-2014                                                                                                              

People's Choice Award, Rio Brazos National Show                                     2008

People's Choice Award, Rio Brazos National Show                                     2007

Juror’s Merit Award, Rio Brazos National Show                                         2007

Dorothy Barta Portrait/Figure award, Pastel Society of the Southwest        2006

People's Choice Award, Pastel Society of the Southwest                              2006

First  Award of Excellence, Pastel Society of the Southwest                        2004

Award of Merit, Pastel Society of the Southwest                                          2004

Dorothy Barta Portrait/ Figure Award, Pastel Society of the Southwest      2002

Juror’s Merit Award, Rio Brazos National Show                                          2002

AFFILIATIONS

American Women Artist

American Impressionist Society

Oil Painters of America- Signature Member

Pastel Society of the Southwest- Signature Member

Portrait Society of America 

The Winners of the 2017 Texas Top Ten Competition

Thank you to all who entered the 2017 Texas Top Ten Competition and to our esteemed judge, Michael Mentler. 

Drum roll, please..........

The following artists are the winners of the 2017 Texas Top Ten Competition. 

 Gini Morelock-Bosco, Turquoise Earrings

Stephen Zhang, Rialto, 36x48", watercolor on paper

Karen Offutt, Lighthouse, 24x18", Oil on board

Nancy Boren, Sing Your Song 20x20", oil on canvas

Ann Kraft Walker,  Never Fails, 12x14", oil on canvas

Bo Tan, Bill Gates, 44x60, oil on canvas

Jennifer Balkan,  Sisters, 24x30", oil on wood panel 

 James Tennison, Governor Rick Perry, 30x25", oil

 Naomi Hughes, Girl in Yellow

Suzie Baker, Vigil, 30x24", oil on linen

FOUR Days Remaining to Enter the 2017 TX Top Ten Competition!

Texas Top Ten Competition Only One Week Left to Apply! Calling All Artists Living in Texas The "Texas Top Ten" is a FREE online competition open for artists living in the state of Texas; Portrait Society of America membership is not required. This online competition is presented to you by the Texas State Ambassador, Gaye Sekula, in coordination with the Portrait Society of America.  Certificates recognizing the Top Ten winners will be awarded. The winners will also be featured in the Portrait Society of America's Website, State Ambassador E-News and our quarterly journal, The Art of the Portrait . Meet our Judge, Michael Mentler    Based out of Dallas, Texas, Michael Mentler  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) . The submission form is available now through Sunday, December 11, 2016 at midnight. Rules and Eligibility Artist must reside in Texas. (Portrait Society faculty, juror, board members, and Texas ambassador are not permitted to enter the competition.) Only one work may be submitted per entrant. (Sculptors may submit up to four views of a single work.) Submit Portrait and Figurative works only No works involving photographic printing or mechanical processes in the actual final product will be permitted. No classroom works or works produced under assistance of instructors will be permitted. Image Specifications The .jpg format is required. Your file dimensions should be at least 400 x 400 pixels but should not exceed 1024 x 1024.  Please label your .jpg image with your first and last name. For example, gaye-sekula.jpg   ENTER  If you have any questions or concerns about the Texas Top Ten Competition, please contact the Portrait Society's  Texas State Ambassador, Gaye Sekula, at sekulastudio@gmail.com.

Portrait Society of America presents: The Art of the Portrait Conference April 20 - 23, 2017, Atlanta, Georgia  The Portrait Society of America is returning to Washington, D.C. to celebrate our 19th annual conference. Attendees will have a chance to fuel their artistic journeys with exciting programs from new and returning faculty. Join us, along with 800 artists from around the globe, to spend four days experiencing a diverse array of demonstrations, illustrated lectures, portfolio reviews, our 6 x 9" Mystery Art Sale, an exhibit of finalists of the prestigious International Portrait Competition, and so much more. Click HERE to visit our website for more information and to register today. STAY CONNECTED