Artist Spotlight: Ellen Rhodes Moore

Ellen Rhodes Moore of Dallas, 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. 

Artist Ellen Rhodes Moore

Interview with Spotlight Artist for January, Ellen Rhodes Moore:

1. How did you first became interested in art? I have been drawing and making art since I could hold a pencil. I used to get into my mother’s stationery, unlimited white paper...Yay! This was when I was very little and I got into lots of trouble for this! I majored in studio art in college but couldn't find a job doing art so I got into advertising.

2. Training? Mediums? Subject matter? I have a B.A. in art but that really hasn't helped me. I've taken classes with different artists my entire life and probably will continue to do this, to constantly try to improve my work. My first love is drawing; then I progressed to pastel and lastly to oils, which I find the most challenging and complex.

I love the human figure the most but will draw or paint anything that inspires me. I do representational work although that was TOTALLY not appreciated when I was in college.

3. What do you express in your art? I am an optimist and like to have pretty paintings
around me. I love colorful paintings just as I love color in my home. I used to worry
that my subject matter might seem trite, but now I think that my art is a reflection of
who I am. I am an earnest, sincere, loving person so I am fine with trite subject
matter......parents and children, ladies in gardens, all fine by me.

4. Artists who influence you: Mary Cassatt, Degas, J.S. Sargent, Manet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Malcolme Leipke, Rob Liberace, Rose Frantzen, and Burt Silverman....and the list continues.

 5. How do you gain inspiration? Looking at other artist’s work or magazines can inspire me. But really anything can be inspirational- a music video or a photograph in the paper can launch an idea.

6. Where would you like to be ten years from now? I’d like to be more disciplined about making time for my art. I’d love to share my work with others in a show or whatever, but my real challenge has been organizing my time to make time for my work.

7. Do you set goals for yourself? I need to set smaller goals because I do set goals every year but haven’t met them. Other than broad goals like selling my art to someone other than friends or family. I would like to be represented by someone but I'm not sure a gallery is really the right match. That might be too stressful.

8. Are you happy with your career choice as an artist? Would you have done anything differently? That is a hard question to answer. I wish I had gone to Art Center College of Design in
California for college, which is where I wanted to go but my parents wouldn't send me -- that or Parsons School of Design in New York. For my art, I would have loved that. But I love my life and wouldn't have the family or children I have today if I had taken a different path. So, in that sense, I have no regrets.

My choice as an artist? There was no choice. Loving art and seeing the world through artistic eyes is like breathing for me so there was never a choice.

My greatest good fortune has been that my husband supports my art and has supported me financially so I can make the art I love, even though it has not been financially rewarding.....it has been spiritually rewarding.

9. Any fun facts you'd like to share? The project that has been the most rewarding to me has been my recent “Fallen Soldiers Project”. I paint the portraits of fallen soldiers in the Iraq-Afghanistan war and give this painting to the family. I have met wonderful people and this has been a win-win situation for me. I get to paint portraits that are loved and appreciated and I get to thank God for my talent by paying it forward. And I get to honor the sacrifice a family has made for our country. Plus no one ever complains that “there is something wrong with the mouth”, as John Singer Sargent would say.

10. Do you have any advice for other artists? Find other artists to talk to about your struggles, goals and desires. We share common frustrations. If you keep a list of your goals, you may see over time that you have met some of them. I think it is human nature that we keep raising the bar on ourselves. Regarding my own art, I wish I had listened less to authority figures about what I “should do” and listened to my own voice more. Try not to compare yourself to others but compare yourself to your own work. Look for improvement in your own work over time to feel more satisfaction and less dissatisfaction.

Contact Information:
Ellen Rhodes Moore
Dallas, TX
http://www.ellenmooreart.com/

Clayton Beck Workshop

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WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS  This workshop will focus on understanding what one sees and then how to translate that into paint. Areas covered will include understanding form and edges through the study of values and color temperature, the difference between representing form and light, tuning your palette and mixing color as it relates to the light source. Each study has  a different purpose and goal in order to gain a sense of control over the handling of the subject and materials. These exercises are designed to foster artistic growth and mastery over one’s materials and techniques to gain greater avenues of pictorial expression.     THE SOCIETY OF FIGURATIVE ARTS PRESENTS HEADS, FACES AND FIGURES A FIVE DAY MASTER-CLASS WORKSHOP WITH ONE OF THE WORLD'S PREMIER PAINTERS Clayton J. Beck III  March 7th-11th 9am - 4pm $650 Includes $25 model fee PAY WITH PAYPAL  $200 advance deposit is required to reserve your space for this event PAY DEPOSIT WITHPAYPAL    or make check out toTSOFA and send to TSOFA 4819 Broadway, Addison, Tx. 75001    The Society of Figurative Arts 3306 Wiley Post, Carrollton, Texas 75006   click for Map For information contact  Michael Mentler  972-679-1625 ABOUT THE ARTIST Clayton J. Beck III graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. During the 1980's, he taught & studied at the Palette &Chisel with Richard Schmid. He has received awards of excellence and distinction from the Portrait Society of America, the Midwest Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of America, the Municipal Art League of Chicago, the Palette & Chisel and the Oil Painters of America. Clayton has been invited to speak and/or demonstrate at the Prix de West Annual Show, the American  Impressionist Society, the Portrait Society of America.    For additional information  visit  Clayton J. Beck III We hope you will be able to attend this event. Please check tsofa.com for information about  The Society of Figurative Arts weekly class schedule and news about upcoming workshops. 3306 Wiley Post | Studio 104 | Carrolton, TX. 75006

Kay Polk Classes Starting in January

ATTENTION DFW PSOA MEMBERSHIP:

Renowned Dallas portrait painter, Kay Polk, is seeking several more students for her class starting in Portraiture on Jan 17th, 2013, in her home studio (classes are small and limited) from 10 - 2pm.  Cost is $500 for 5 classes plus model fee. 

For more information, email Kay at studio@kpolk.com, or call 214-234-0435.

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