Studio Parker

Next painting in progress.

Pam’s latest painting, currently untitled, pastel on sanded paper, 8x10 inches.

What a difference a year makes! By this time in 2024 Pam and I earned 24 awards between us. Since then we have added 14 more, making it 38 awards since we first began entering competitions two and a half years ago. Before 2023 I had only entered into a competitive art exhibition one other time. That was in 1992 and I took first place in category along with best in show. Pam was also juried into a high profile show in 1997, which was her only exhibition until 2023. Be broke the ice together by both winning awards in the Arts Alive Festival here in North Alabama, and from that day, May 2023 we have added 36 more awards. Neither of us paint for the sake of winning awards, but it helps us to build our careers as artists and perhaps add a little confirmation to the prices we might charge for our artworks when they are for sale.

“The Red Vineyards near Arles” by Vincent Van Gogh, oil on canvas, 1888. The only painting Van Gogh sold in his lifetime. I was recently asked by a good friend what I thought of Vincent Van Gogh. That might sound like a simple question to answer, but for me nothing can ever be so simple! What makes it a good question is when you consider my own painting style and that of most of the artists I tend to admire and talk about, Van Gogh stands somewhat apart....

Rick’s Friday Favorite: The Red Vineyards “The Red Vineyards near Arles” by Vincent Van Gogh, oil on canvas, 1888. The only painting Van Gogh sold in his lifetime. I was recently asked by a good friend what I thought of Vincent Van Gogh. T…