Artist Spotlight: Michael Holter

Michael Holter of Plano, TX, is this month's Spotlight Artist. If you would like to be in the spotlight, please email your information to Anna at annarosebain@gmail.com

"Through Three Lenses," Watercolor Self Portrait
by Michael Holter

Artist Biography:

Michael Holter is a Texas based artist working in both watercolor and oil. Michael's work has received numerous awards and recognition and can be found in private and corporate collections in the US and several foreign countries. His current work falls into two categories: watercolor figurative and oil landscapes (both plein air and studio). Michael has been painting most of his  life, and has been an art teacher, art director and businessman in the fine art and commercial creative arenas.

Michael is a member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, The Transparent Watercolor Society, Southwestern Watercolor Society, The Society of Watercolor Artists, The Outdoor Painters Society, and the Portrait Society of America.

Michael says, "I think of my work as impressionistic. I like to represent people or places and allow the painting to evolve from the structure of the recognizable. The challenge is to balance the care needed to make the representation interesting… and perhaps believable, with the freedom, looseness and painterly quality that makes painting so unique and expressive."

"I have been influenced by artists such as Charles Reid, Richard Schmid, Burt Silverman, Frank Webb, John Singer Sargeant, Ted Nuttall and many others. Even though I have an art degree, most of what I put into practice is self-taught through studying the work of these distinguished artists."

"My wife Cyndy, and I grew up in on the wide-open plains of North Dakota and got to Plano, TX by way of Minnesota (I can paint a snowy winter landscape with the best of ‘em) and then Virginia. We often travel and I am currently working on a series figurative paintings and a series influenced by a recent trip to Istanbul and the Mediterranean regions of Turkey."

"Hay, You?" - 14 x 22" - watercolor - by Michael Holter

Interview with Spotlight Artist for July, Michael Holter:

1) When and how did you first became seriously interested in art?  I have always had an interest and a natural aptitude for art and music, but it wasn’t until my early 20’s that I focused on pursuing a lifetime of creative work. 

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? I have a Bachelors Degree in Art and a MA in Visual Communication. I have combined that formal education with careful work and study of contemporary artists and their work. I have taken a few workshops but am largely self-taught in many of the finer points of painting. I work in both watercolor and oils. Much of my early work was in watercolor and the watercolor portraits that I am currently doing have received lots of attention with awards, sales and recent signature status in the Society of Watercolor Artists and the Southwestern Watercolor Society.

"Rose" - 11x14" - watercolor - by Michael Holter

3) What do you express in your work? My work is representational and focuses on real people and places. I am very interested in light and the effect of light on the subject.

4) What artists/professionals have been your  biggest influences? Richard Schmid, Ted Nuttall, John Singer Sargeant, Charles Reid, Burt Silverman, and many, many more.

"Lucky" - 14 x 14" - watercolor - by Michael Holter

"A Walk in Istanbul" - 10 x 7" - watercolor
by Michael Holter

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work? Lately, I have been painting plein air oils and some watercolors to challenge myself to quickly capture what is in front of me. I also frequently join a life-painting group for their regular paint night with a model.

6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? I am working toward refining the work and refining the market for my work.

7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art? Many of my goals come from commission deadlines and show entry deadlines. On a less rigid level my goal is to use some time every day to paint.

"Time Passing" - 16 x 14" - watercolor - by Michael Holter

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? No regrets. I know that I am doing what God intended for me to do.

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? Art and music are a part of the creative aspects of my life. I currently play guitar on my church worship team and started guitar as a teenager. I played professionally for a short time in my 20’s.

10) Best piece of advice for other artists? Stick to it. Regularly go back to the principles and elements of design and evaluate your work. Try new things for your own edification.

"Trail Boss" - 12x12" - watercolor - by Michael Holter

CONTACT THE ARTIST:
MICHAEL HOLTER
Phone: 972-965-2078
Email: michael@michaelholter.com
Website: http://michaelholter.com/

Paint Rowlett Plein Air Painting Competition

Upcoming Verdaccio Workshop with D.K. Richardson - August 2013

Don't miss the opportunity to learn these classical techniques: Verdaccio Under Painting Workshop and the Glazing the Verdaccio Underpainting with D.K. Richardson, August 3-4, and August 10-11. Please note: it takes 2 workshops to learn the full technique.

Register by calling Jerry’s Artarama in Austin at 512-420-9359.

There is a Holiday Inn Express just one block behind Jerry’s Artarama for those who need to make arrangements: http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/austin/ausmf/hoteldetail?destination=AUSTIN%2CTX%2CUnited+States&sicreative=21424621274&sicontent=0&sitrackingid=336309069&cm_mmc=Google-PS-HolidayInnExpress-_-G+B-AMER-%5BUSA%5D-West-_-%5BUSA%5D-%28TX%29-Austin-Market-_-holiday+inn+express+austin+tx&siclientid=1962&

Houston Meet-and-Greet a Smashing Success!

Saturday, June 29 - Houston area artists (as well as a few from Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio!) gathered at the iconic Cadillac Bar in Houston, TX for our annual Meet-and-Greet! There were 20 people in attendance, including members Alix Dunn, Beverly Chemin, Francis Huang, Sheila McGraw, Kim Abbati, Kirsten Coco, Delaram Izadpanah, Lenore Prudhomme, Pam Schrader, Rhonda Lanclos, Suzanne Taylor, and Suzie Baker. Non-members were also welcome to attend, and those who came enjoyed the meeting very much. The table was abuzz with excited conversation about networking and art-making. Our demo artist was PSOA member and 2013 Certificate of Excellence winner, D.K. Richardson. She brought several of her original pastel and oil paintings for attendees to admire (it's always wonderful to see the originals in person!), and gave a wonderful demonstration on steps to finishing a painting. She had two images on display to show "before" and "after" applying finishing touches. The demonstration was interactive, with a lot of helpful Q&As. 

As TX ambassador, I'd like to give a huge thanks to D.K. Richardson for sharing her time, talents, and wealth of information with fellow artists. I'd also like to thank Lenore Prudhomme, who found the venue for us and reserved our space.

The Meet-and-Greet was a hit and we are already looking forward to our next event, possibly in San Antonio in the fall. Stay tuned!

Meet-and-Greet, June 29!

Dear Artists,

We are all set to have our next Meet-and-Greet! I hope you will join us for great food and creative fellowship at one of Houston's most poplar hotspots, the Cadillac Bar!

What:     PSoA Meet-and-Greet and Live Portrait Demonstration featuring award-winning pastel artist, D.K. Richardson

When:    Saturday, June 29 - 12:30-4:00 p.m.

Where:  Cadillac Bar

                1802 Shepherd (I-10 and Shepherd) Houston, TX 77007 

Cost:       FREE - Just pay for your lunch; we've reserved a room for the lunch and the demonstration

     

What to Bring: Feel free to bring your portfolio to show the other artists

IMPORTANT!! PLEASE RSVP BY SUNDAY, JUNE 22, AS WE NEED TO GIVE THEM AN EXACT HEAD COUNT 5 DAYS IN ADVANCE!

Email me at annarosebain@gmail.com, or call 608-853-0582 to let me know you are coming!

P.S. Portrait Society membership is NOT required, so feel free to bring a friend, as long as you tell me how many are coming. :-)

I look forward to seeing you there! :-) :-)

Upcoming Portrait Workshop - Brenda Hash

Portrait Workshop - Pastel or Oil

Starting or Finishing that Portrait on Your To-do List

Whidbey Man, Oil on Copper by Brenda Hash, PSA

June 27^th – 29^th, 9:00am – 4:30pm

Taught by award winning artist 

Brenda Hash, PSA

Don't miss this opportunity to study with an artist that has won three awards from the Portrait Society of America.

www.brendahash.com

brenda.hash@gmail.com

 The workshop will be held at the

Gates Fine Art Building

2205 Avenue I, Rosenberg, TX 77471

                                                    

Cost: $225
Description: This is your opportunity to dust off those reference photos you have wanted to use to create that special portrait and actually get started or finish it.  Knowledge in the use of pastel or oil will be assumed. 
This class will focus on the essential skills necessary to paint convincing, colorful portraits in these mediums.  We will spend the first morning understanding classical measurements of the head and body and common mistakes made in their construction.  That afternoon we will review each participant’s reference photos, discuss composition strategies and best practices for approaching the creation of any great piece of art.  The remainder of the workshop will be spent in one-on-one guidance with each participant to finish the portrait of your choice.  Emphasis will be placed on producing an accurate likeness with beautiful skin color in whatever palette you bring.
To Register:  This class will be limited to 10 students.  To hold your spot, please send a deposit of $125 along with your contact information to –

Brenda Hash - Fine Art & Portraiture

9125 Shorelake Dr   

Missouri City, TX 77459

 Note:  Final payment of $100 will be due at the first class on June 27^th.
Supply list: 

·        Pastels or Oils (please no Winton or other student grade oil products)

·        Brushes, towels, canvas, razors, etc…needed for the medium you will use

·        Reference photos: Photos should NOT be taken with the flash on or in bright midday sun.  You should be able to see good color in the skin tones and have some of the face in soft shadow.  Bring a variety of poses, if possible.

·        Easels and tables are provided by the studio.

Questions:  Please email your questions to brenda.hash@gmail.com

News from Ann Kraft Walker

We are so proud of our very own Woodlands artist, Ann Kraft Walker! If you have not heard her name yet, you will! She has been very successful as of late, and is a living testament that hard work pays off! Congrats, Annie!

Richeson 75 Online Still Life/Floral - 3rd place- "The Dancing Chair"

"The Dancing Chair" by Ann Kraft Walker

Brian Neher's You Be The Judge - finalist - "The Visitor"  (voting for Grand Prize begins June 3rd)

NOAPS International Online Show - two paintings juried into the show - "In Remembrance" and "But Now I See"

AWA Online Competition - 3rd place - "A Velvet Gaze"

ARC Salon - Finalists - "Never Fails" and "The Visitor"

Salon International - three paintings  - Jury's Top 60, "In Remembrance" - Honorable Mention awarded by Max Ginsburg, and two paintings sold!

"In Remembrance" by Ann Kraft Walker

"Never Fails," by Ann Kraft Walker

April 2013 BoldBrush - finalist - "Psalm 149:3"

OPA National Juried Exhibition - "My Bird"  juried into the show.

NEW GALLERY REPRESENTATION: Ann is now represented by InSight Gallery, starting with the fall show.