Steven S. Walker. An incredible artist that I featured back in 2014  (a brilliant nocturne that was also the winner of Plein Air Salon’s “Best Nocturne” – I couldn’t agree more). His paintings are so special – just look at this one above – how beautiful he captured the light, that magical light in the trees, grass, shrubs and a hint of it on the fabulous house in the distance.

I AM CRAZY about the trees he is painting, from a unique angle – LOOKING UP! Check out his FB/Instagram to see what I mean. Whoa! Nice guy, fabulous artist –

See more of Steven’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Book!

Read a bit about Steven, from his website:

“I didn’t come from a family of artists, I wasn’t top of my class or win a lot of awards but I’ve always had a strong work ethic and the passion to work on my craft.”

Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and raised in Richmond, Virginia he discovered his love for art at a very early age. With little interest in anything else, Steven took the next big step towards his pursuit of a career in art when he earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. He would later earn his masters in fine arts from Marywood University, where he also met his wife/ fellow artist Evelyn.

Instant success was not in the cards as Steven continued showing at a string of coffee shops, libraries and other businesses. Eventually his hard work paid off with a few local awards that soon caught the attention of two gallery owners. Since his venture into gallery life, his landscapes have been well received by collectors as his paintings are part of several private collections such as Airstream Inc., Hilton Hotels, the Boy Scouts of America, Dominion Resources, Virginia State Department, the National Parks Service, the Columbus Convention Center and the United States Air Force.

Since going full time as an artist in 2008, Steven has been included in several local and national juried competitions including the Richeson 75 Landscape Competition, Plein Air Salon, the International Salon Competition, the Oil Painters of America Salon and the Art Renewal Center. Steven also had the privilege of being a part of a statewide traveling exhibition with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

He has participated in several artist in residency programs in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Colorado. In 2014, he was selected to create the Ohio Governor’s Art Awards by the Ohio Arts Council and in 2015 he received honorable mention in the Southwest Art Magazine’s Artistic Excellence Competition.

Steven currently resides in Hahira, Georgia where he continues to work hard on the advancement of his career, with the assistance of his lovely wife Evelyn and studio assistant/daughter Poppy. Currently, his work is represented in Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

“I should have quit years ago but that would have proven so many people right.” – SW

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via StevenWalkerStudios.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Teddi Parker. This woman paints such fun and interesting paintings. I love her paintings of bees (as well as every other subject!). This painting has a fabulous abstract background – the bees are lively and bright – and Interesting! Be sure to read her bio – (It’s fabulous!) I usually try to feature available pieces but it looks like Teddi’s work sells pretty quickly on Daily Paintworks (check link below) – she paints often, so be sure to check today and check back often!

As a side note: This painting also gave me the chance to say how much we NEED to help save the bees! 🐝🐝🐝  SaveBees.org has some good ideas on how you can help!

See more of Teddi’s work via these links:

Instagram  |  Daily Paintworks

Read a bit about Teddi, from her website (I love this – you get a great sense of who Teddi is via this bio – great sense of humor):

Here’s what I hang on walls next to shows (well edited by my husband) :

My passion for painting started at a young age and was greatly encouraged by my family throughout my early life. With this foundation in place, I began to experiment and learn new techniques over the course of the semester I studied Spanish in Argentina. While living in Buenos Aires, I purchased canvasses and paints and then carried the finished paintings through the subway system by hand.  Just imagine that for a minute. ::wink::

 

Through the gracious advice and critique of my pen-pal mentor, I am now making up for the lack of formal artistic training in my past and am currently learning how to better evoke emotion through vibrant use of color.

What started out simply as a hobby (and a means to cover the empty walls of my friends’ apartments) has sprouted into a discovery of the power of beauty through painting. I love Jesus, and that is what gives me the confidence to approach a fresh, empty canvass and bring it to life. After all, he’s the real creator of beauty.

Here’s what I actually sound like:

My husband and I live in Fort Collins, CO.  I moved out here from Minnesota to go to school for Spanish, and still love everything about languages but have pursued expressing creativity and embracing the need to create more and more.  My whole family is creative and right-brained, so I really enjoy being married to a left-brained engineer to keep things organized and business-y.  Thanks Love.

I recently discovered the online community of artists at the Daily Paintworks website and have been floored with inspiration ever since.  The site is full of artists from everywhere and they are committed to doing a small painting everyday > and here’s my new conviction.  It hit me fresh how any skill is like learning to play an instrument, you need to practice.  So after all this hesitation and resistance I’m diving in.  Follow my adventure here as I post new paintings (almost) daily with hopefully a blurb of thoughts.  My hope through this daily painting venture is to improve my skills in capturing a unified piece using minimal and well placed brush strokes, better understand color theory through practice, and experiment with composition.  I admire the suggestive-ness of the many artists that inspire me lately, and hope to incorporate this into my work.

Enjoy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via TeddiParker.com (I couldn’t access this site, you may have better luck, or use her DailyPaintworks link), used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Links updated 2/7/25

Adam Clague. Wow. His paintings are so incredible – just look at the light coming through the grapefruit section! Is that not crazy good?  It looks like you can reach into the painting and pick it up. Adam paints pretty much everything – fabulous portraits, landscapes and still life’s. Beautiful website as well!

See more of Adam’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Read a bit about Adam, from his website:

Adam Clague has a passion for faithfully capturing the beauty of God’s creation in paint. Adam paints in an impressionistic manner and works from life as much as possible to produce the most life-like results.

The artist received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Pensacola Christian College. It was during his studies that Adam met his wife and fellow painter, Andrea Orr Clague. The couple now lives near Kansas City, Missouri and enjoys pursuing art together.

Adam is a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and a director for the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society. In 2012, he was included in Southwest Art Magazine’s annual “21 Under 31” feature. His work has also been published in Artists On Art and Pratique Des Arts magazines. Adam’s work has received national awards, including the Portraiture Award of Excellence at the 2013 OPA National Exhibition, 2nd Honor Award at the 2014 Portrait Society of America International Competition, and Best of Show at the 2016 American Impressionist Society National Exhibition. Adam enjoys sharing what he has learned by teaching regular workshops to a growing audience.

Adam’s goal is to create art that edifies his viewers and directs them upward. He strives to share the beauty he sees with others and seeks to glorify the Lord through his work and life.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via AdamClague.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Michael Magrin. A remarkable artist who paints the landscape in such a way that is so tranquil. The calming nature of his work is so appreciated. Beautiful color palette, soft yet dramatic enough to depict the changing sky – stunning clouds, bits of light on the landscape – so well done!

Michael’s faith is apparent in his paintings and that is so refreshing!

See more of Michael’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Michael, from his website:

I am drawn to the landscape. It has a hold on me.

The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim His handiwork.

The landscape always reveals God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, which can be clearly observed and comprehended so that I am without excuse.

The daily newness of the landscape reminds me that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Pre-Medical Illustration and a Masters in Secondary Science Education. He resides in Colorado with his wife and two kids, paints daily, teaches often and is fully persuaded that the Lord will do what he promises.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via MichaelEllisStudios.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Warning… Once you start looking at Paul Heaton’s sketches you won’t be able to stop! Each one is so full of fabulousness (is that a word? Apparently so!) – This guy can sketch like you wouldn’t believe. He does it often (which is very obvious). He’s got a great sense of humor (read his bio below!). He offers online classes via Cratsy (link below). Everyone wants to know how to draw, they say if you draw ten minutes a day, every day you will see a noticeable improvement and it doesn’t take years and years. It’s kind of like writing, none of us were born knowing how to write, but you learn and then TA-DA! You can do it! Wouldn’t it be so cool to learn how to draw – learn perspective and any tips/tricks that would make it a little easier? That’s where I think classes would be a big help – that along with daily practice you will be amazing! So what’s holding you back? Paper, pencils, eraser… easy to take with you wherever you go – and perhaps a Craftsy class?

See more of Paul’s work via these links:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog  |   Online Classes via Cratsy

Read a bit about Paul, from his blog:

I really like to draw. I paint, too, though I’m not as fond of it (or as good at it). I also teach art, sell art supplies, pretend to blog, and other stuff.

I’ve been a correspondent for Urban Sketchers since (almost) the beginning, first from Bozeman, Montana, then from San Antonio, Texas (my hometown) and now from Denver, Colorado.

 

I received an MFA in painting from Montana State University in 2008 because I’d been there long enough and they acquiesced to my demand of a degree in exchange for my paying tuition and learning and stuff.

 

I am happily married in Denver to the extraordinary and rather intimidating Linda Permann. We have a dog, Freddie, who is not intimidating, but he does smell funny.

 

I also have a daughter, Juniper, who is already starting to threaten my status as the best artist in the family.

 

I have contributed artwork to these books:

 

The Art of Urban Sketching by Gabi Campanario

 

Urban Sketching: The Complete Guide to Techniques by Thomas Thorspecken

 

Capitol Knits by Tanis Gray

 

Other Peoples’ Love Letters by Bill Shapiro

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via Paul Heaston’s FB, Instagram and Blog (links above), used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Sharon Weaver. Loving the light in this tree – it’s that fabulous light that makes everything look so breathtaking! Paintings give you a feel for a place an artist has been – this is a beautiful spot!

See more of Sharon’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Blog  | Classes

Read a bit about Sharon, from her website:

Landscape oil painter

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via SharonWeaver.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Stephanie Hartshorn. Great artist – check out her website – right now many paintings are sold, but they’re fabulous! There is a winter scene that I just adore – you’ve got to see the snow – it’s wonderful!

These cottages are so wonderful, oh how I would love to be in one right now! Stephanie has a great style to her paintings, and her light… wow!

See more of Stephanie’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |   Workshops

Read a bit about Stephanie, from her website:

As a nod to my previous career in architecture, structural themes often arise in my work. I have always loved the details of design: rhythms and complex beauty in the lines and curves of our manmade world. I’m captivated by an alleyway, for instance… piles & stacks, shafts of light that pass through and over old buildings, metal fire escapes.

My work is composed of rural and urban landscapes as well as particular objects that capture my love of sculpted form. My inner geek engages in design dialogue, my quiet side senses a good story. I enjoy the adventure of carving out these ideas on canvas; each brush stroke taking on a form of its own, overall a texture that explores and expresses the object.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via StudioHartshorn.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Susan Graeber. I have featured her in the past, but I enjoy her work so much I just had to feature her again. Isn’t this cone flower painting wonderful? I love the intensity and the proportions of this piece. Stunning!!

Susan is known for her birch tree paintings which I adore, (and also everything else she paints). You can see where her heart is, it shows vividly in each and every painting!

See more of Susan’s work via these links:

Website  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Susan, from her website:

I have had the good fortune of beginning my life long interest in painting from early childhood attending the Bryn Mawr school where creativity was encouraged. I attended Hobart William Smith colleges for one year and decided to commit to going to an art college rather than a liberal arts program,and then transferred into the Boston Museum School for two years. During that time period my family moved to Brussels, Belgium for three years, and I had the benefit of travel as well as painting programs during the summers in europe and seeing the museums first hand. After this time period I transferred into the Maryland Institute and graduated in 1980. I had a few jobs related to the arts including a gallery position, settled down and married an art dealer who is a works on paper dealer, and had two children.

I always painted plein air when our children were growing up, especially enjoying Maine and the Maryland countryside. I now am a full-time painter, and maintain a warehouse studio in Baltimore, but mostly prefer to paint on location. I love to paint on Monhegan island, Mt Desert island, New Mexico and Maryland. I am influenced by the artists Arthur W. Dow, Fairfield Porter,Wayne Tiebolt, Neill Welliver, Eduard Vulliard and others. I am most attracted to places in nature where light is creating abstract shapes, and color is creating a mood. Capturing fleeting light is always a challenge, and a thrill when occasionally it works in a painting! When painting, or even seeing that spot that pulled my attention, I am drawn to unexpected movements of light and beauty.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Images via SusanGraeber.com and CamdenFallsGallery.com, used with permission from the artist…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Jessica Magee. Fabulous abstract paintings. They have such a cool vibe to them. I love her color palette(s). Calming but with a little jolt in some – I like that, a lot!

Having worked in a few galleries in the past I know how some people think that abstracts are so easy to create. “I can do that” I heard many times. Well… try it! I thought that too and let me tell you, if you don’t have some kind of plan, direction, know what works or what doesn’t or if you just don’t have the right kind of creative energy it can be a mess. Sounds like I know from experience, hmmm?

Be sure to check out more of Jessica’s work – some are on paper, some are on canvas – she’s got an eye for these for sure! I see via Jessica’s Instagram that she’s had a pop up show at West Elm and Room & Board. Pretty fantastic!

See more of Jessica’s work via these links:

Website  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Jessica, from her website:

Jessica Magee was born and raised in Central Florida.  Having a Grandma who was a professional artist and sign painter, Jessica became interested in the arts at an early age.  Her Grandma taught her the basics of drawing the human form, how to use oil paints and even how to clean a paint brush. As an adolescent she would spend hours filling up sketchbooks with portraits of people she found in magazines, and in high school she took as many art electives as she could get her hands on.  It was during this time in high school that she developed a love for abstract art and color. Jessica attended the University of Florida and received a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design in 2005, and shortly afterward she moved to Denver, Colorado with her husband.  Jessica worked as a commercial interior designer for almost 10 years before becoming an architectural rep for tile and stone.  During her time as an interior designer, she painted in her free time and became interested in developing acrylic color studies using unique color combinations in flowing and organic forms.  Jessica had her first solo gallery show in 2013, and shortly thereafter received her first corporate commission with a local oil and gas firm.  In 2014 and 2017, she was accepted in to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, and 2015 – 2017 was accepted in to the Cherry Arts Festival at the Stanley Marketplace through a blind jury process.  Before the Stanley Arts Festival, Jessica had many marketing opportunities present themselves.  She was featured in a local newspaper publication and also was the subject of a television interview on a local Denver news station.  Currently Jessica is working on a partnership with West Elm as a local artist in Denver and Boulder, and continues to produce artwork for corporate and personal collections.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via JessicaMageeArtist.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Harry Stooshinoff. An incredible artist with a wonderful ability to simplify. His paintings are striking! Be sure to check out his website – There is nothing like watching a video of a scene being painted. Magic!

I love Harry’s philosophy! He paints every day – his paintings are VERY reasonably priced. This is a man who clearly does what he loves every single day!

See more of Harry’s work via these links:

Website  |  Instagram  |  Etsy  |  Blog

Read a bit about Harry, from his website:

I am both a painter and teacher. I hold a B Ed, BFA and an MFA. I have been producing artwork almost on a daily basis for over 35 years. A few decades ago I started making small pictures so that I could start and finish the piece in one sitting. The work is small because an intimate scale encourages maximum intuition, freedom, and experimentation.

My work is both abstract and figurative, and there is no inherent contradiction between these sensibilities; one inclination supports the other. 

 I am prolific and I do not wish to die with 10,000 paintings under my bed! Making small work also solved a few practical problems; small work is easy to mail. I very much enjoy selling art online. Mailing pieces to destinations all over the world is a great pleasure.

I live in the rolling countryside of the Oak Ridges Moraine, an ancient landform located just north of Lake Ontario, and am inspired by what I see every day. I roam this unique place in all seasons, and document my impressions. At first view, rural environments may seem natural, but they have been continually altered and reshaped by man. The landscape will be very different tomorrow; it seems negligent not to record how it looked and felt today.

It’s a big NOISY world, so I make small, quiet paintings.

Harry’s right, it IS a big NOISY world – check out those small paintings!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via HarryStooshinoff.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Benz Amataya Kuipers. These paintings are fabulous. Wonderful colors and shapes – to me they are just so happy. I love that Benz has her children join in on her paintings, or at least some of them. She posts wonderful videos of the kids painting. They don’t just splash paint all over, they put thoughtful strokes. Brilliant actually. I think for those of us who wish we could loosen up there is something to be learned here! You cannot help but smile when you look through her paintings on her website, FB and Instagram – I love to watch her children paint, they get so into it!

If you’re in the Chicago area, Benz (Amataya Studio) will be teaching a Family Painting Adventure – this sounds like so much fun! (Visit GrowArtists.com) – I think this is such an amazing opportunity. Two classes, one for ages 2-4 and the other for ages 5-12. In addition to showing their artistic skill, it’s a chance to bond over both of you painting on a single painting while reenforcing what it means to be a “team”.

An all-family painting session for kids 5-12 years old and their parents/caregivers. This is a process painting class. We encourage playful explorations of art materials, colors, lines, shapes and forms. We will provide a different theme for each class and trust the children to show us what they can do with paint. Each adult+child team will create an 8×10 painting to bring home in addition to other works on paper.

See more of Benz’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Benz, from her website:

I am a Thai contemporary painter currently based in Chicago. I am self taught and started painting at age 34.  I did not grow up making art. Books were my refuge. I spent most of free time in my childhood reading and writing. I wanted to be a writer, but somehow I went to a business school and even got a Master’s in Marketing. I was lost for a long time. Along the way, I have always had the desire to create. I’ve tried taking drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking classes, but nothing has stuck. I’ve always got hung up on the techniques and then I gave up.

It wasn’t until I had my children that I learned a truly liberating way of art making. The way my boys draw and paint amazes me. It’s so fun, so fearless, so real, so raw, so carefree. I wanted to paint like that, so I started exploring and experimenting with process-based art and haven’t stopped since.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My process honors the rawness, innocence, courage, joy, and spontaneity that I found in my children’s art-making process . My paintings are simply my spontaneous and unfiltered responses to my creative urges. My process is straightforward. I don’t plan ahead on how I want my paintings to look. I follow my impulses, choose colors and make marks that feel right to me at the time.                          

My art is open-ended and inviting. My highest hope is to inspire other reluctant painters (or artists, or anyone) to try their hands at art without being too hard on themselves.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via AmatayaStudio.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Painting by Jessica Fields

Jessica Fields. Fabulous paintings – great texture with a palette knife. Each is so interesting to me. I love the layers of color! Be sure to peruse the links below. Many on Jessica’s website are sold – don’t miss Instagram! Fabulous! You can definitely tell that painting puts her in her happy place!

See more of Jessica’s work via these links:

Website  |  Instagram 

Read a bit about Jessica, (from her website):

Jessica Leitko Fields (that’s me) is a working painter, collage gluer and general maker living in Greenville, SC.

I’m originally from, lets say, Houston, because who remembers anything from before they were five anyway. And there I garnered a love for all things flat and stripey. Add a dose of a Louisiana farm on my mother’s side and all those fields start to make sense. Then I married a Fields! Like a joke. I liked them so much I married them. 

I went to school at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design where I learned to love paint and color and texture and to really really hate snow. 

I’m typically a teacher by trade with a special fondness for art history and history in general which will crop up in my titles from time to time. 

This is my happy place. 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via fieldart.work, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.