Andy Thomas

Grand ol' Gang and True Blues are truly the most exciting project that Andy Thomas has worked on. It took weeks and piles of research material just to begin the paintings. Countless sketches of presidents and layouts were done to come up with the originals. With these two paintings Andy has captured the spirit and likeness of some of our nations greatest presidents. You can just hear the muttering between them as they play a friendly game of poker. Again, the creative side put them in the back ground of the convention centers of years ago and if you look closely you will find various items that were related to them, each in their own way.

Many call Andy Thomas the "Storyteller" and if you have ever had a chance to view his work you might just agree. Currently he is telling many stories with his action filled western art. These pieces are bringing the cowboys back to life as well as the American West history. In the past, Andy has painted many subjects from a picnic by the river, kids playing sports to a brutal bear fight. All of his paintings end up telling you, the viewer, some kind of story of our lives.

Westerns I am pretty confident that this action shoot em' up western will holds it's own on the auction block. Not too many of today's artists can bring to you the breath, sweat and intensity of the old west as Andy does. I guess that you would have to pay a premium price to own a classic Russell to compare to Andy's work. Now that is a pretty nice comparison. Not to mention that Andy's auction piece at the CM Russell auction in March sold for $180,000. This set a record for the show as the highest price paid for any artist other than Russell! This was another unique painting that Andy not only captured a fine portrait of Charlie Russell himself but the characters that he used in many of his paintings. Charlie Russell and his Characters was an ingenious painting by Andy. Another aspect of his unique abilities.

John Pototschnik (Poe-toe-sh-nick) was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, England but grew up in Wichita, Kansas. He received his art training at Wichita State University in advertising design, followed by instruction in illustration and design at Art Center College in Los Angeles. Most recently he has studied human anatomy at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

In 1982, Pototschnik began painting professionally in the fine arts. Prior to that, he worked as a freelance illustrator for ten years with many of Dallas' major advertising agencies and companies.

Since beginning his fine art career, Pototschnik has become a popular speaker and juror among art organizations. His paintings are in many private collections from Hawaii to Rhode Island and also in several public collections  including : cities, banks, corporations and museums.

Pototschnik resides in Wylie, Texas with his wife Marcia. They have two grown sons. He is a past president of Artists and Craftsmen Associated and the Plano Art Association. He has been honored with four George Washington Honor Medals from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, the John Steven Jones Fellowship, plus many other regional and national awards. He is recognized in "Who's Who in American Art" and "Who's Who in the Southwest". His work has appeared in "First", "The Artist's Magazine", "Southwest Art", "American Artist", "PleinAir Magazine", "American Art Collector" and "International Artist", plus six books..."The Best of Portrait Painting", "200 Great Painting Ideas for Artists", and "Expressing the Visual Language of the Landscape", "100 Ways to Paint Landscapes", "100 Ways to Paint Flowers and Gardens", and "100 Ways to Paint Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes". Several of his paintings have been published by the New York Graphic Society and Bentley House Publishing. He is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and the Outdoor Painters Society.

"My artistic influences are diverse, ranging from the Barbizon painters of Corot, Daubigny and Millet to the American tonalist, George Inness. I believe all I need to know of the principles of art are to be found in the works of the masters. My paintings are not flamboyant, mysterious, trendy or shocking but I am interested in depicting the truth about life, as I see it, in a naturalistic way free of frills and bravado. I enjoy depicting simple, common, everyday life and its objects as things of beauty and worth. I intend to show the dignity and value of the subjects I paint - just as my artistic influences have. Through continued hard work I want to give to society paintings that transcend the culture and it's ever changing tastes. . . paintings that speak to the heart."

Doug Hall’s paintings reflect his admiration and respect for the culture of early Eastern Woodland Native Americans. Most influential in his development has been mentor Bob Tommey, a master of color who resides in Carthage, Missouri.

Hall grew up painting in Neosho, Missouri and now lives in McDonald County surrounded by Huckleberry State Forest. He is an avid black powder shooter and horseback rider.

Past recognition includes the George Phippen Memorial Fine Art Award, Prescott, Arizona, 2002; First place in oils, Sedona, Arizona, 2003; Artists' Choice and the H.E. Williams Award, Midwest Gathering of the Artists, 2004; and Best of Show, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 2005.

I was born in Southwest Missouri. At the age of three, my family moved to Washington State where my father managed a dairy farm. This is when I developed a love for majestic mountains, wildlife and my American Indian heritage. Every fall the Indians would come to work in the hop fields. I vividly remember watching them dance and sing in the evenings. I was able to see their teepees and experience their culture first-hand. These things have been the inspiration for nearly every piece I create. 

I began drawing mountains and wildlife as soon as I could hold a pencil and remember telling my mother as the ripe age of six, that, “I want to be an artist.” With no formal training, I began painting in oils at the age of sixteen. Over the years, I had always wanted to sculpt and in 1992 I created my first sculpture out of beeswax. Sculpting came naturally to me and I immediately decided that is where I belong. I started using clay as opposed to beeswax, learned the technique of casting bronze, and in 1995 set up a foundry to cast my own work using the lost wax process. In the last few years, I have expanded my foundry to create more pieces, as well as increase casting, showing and setting up galleries. 

I have lived in Bruner, Missouri with my wife Carol for 38 years. We have two daughters, Ambrea and Tina, and three grandsons, Taylor, Austin and Easton.

I think every kid grew up playing cowboys and Indians. I feel there is a little cowboy spirit in us all. There is something to say about the cowboy way of life, the cowboy code of ethics, if you will. You don't have to live out West to embody the cowboy way of life. You just have to have the spirit of the West in you. Cowboy is not just a word- it’s an attitude and a way of thinking that becomes a total lifestyle. The western cowboy always had to stay strong to meet whatever came his way. That is what I'm trying to capture in my drawings and paintings-- that free unconquerable spirit that is the West that dwells deep inside me. You never get to pick your nightmares, you just have to put your head down and drive right through 'em". Bob Graham currently resides in a suburb of Charleston, SC where he was born in 1968.The town, shaped by tidal creeks, rivers, and the ever present ocean evokes a spirit of a bygone era that has greatly influenced his appreciation and awareness of the world that surrounds him. Mr. Graham exhibits his work regularly across The United States and is represented in numerous museums, corporate and private collections. His work also graces the covers of numerous books and he has several magazine illustrations to his credit.

Larry Clingman was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1950. He graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in Commercial Art in 1972.

Larry’s interest in art blossomed from an early age, but a particular appreciation for painting was gleaned from one of his commercial art instructors. B.H. Armstrong,  while attending MSU. Armstrong, himself an accomplished painter, encouraged Larry to paint, and his passion for it soon built an enduring enthusiasm in Larry as well.

Clingman moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1973, and, as a commercial artist, worked his way through designer, illustrator, and creative director titles with two of the town’s leading ad agencies and art studios. He started his own company in 1987 and enjoyed success working with national and regional clients for the next 20 years.

Since 2004, Clingman has devoted himself entirely to his painting. The painting style of Chiaroscuro strongly motivates and inspires Larry in many of his works. Old master’s influences include Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Chardin. Contemporary iconic influences include Albert Handell, Richard Schmid, David Leffel, Gregg Kruetz, and Jeff Legg.

Clingman’s paintings have exhibited regularly in regional galleries and shows including The American Art in Miniature Show at Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Spiva Art Center in Joplin, Missouri.

Two personally selected paintings by Richard Schmid were included in the top 52 works of the nationally recognized 14^th Annual Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction in Rist Canyon, Colorado. Clingman’s work was also juried in the 2010 and 2011 Oil Painter’s of America Western Regional Show, and most recently in the 2011 National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils at Devin Galleries in Coeur D’Alene Idaho.

Larry resides in Bixby, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa, with his wife Kathy, where he paints in the Pin Oak Studio.

He is currently working on a series of pictures of Eastern American Indians and pioneers. Many of his models are American Indians or serious re-enactors.

Steve and his wife, Susan live in a 1790’s log home in Mason County, Kentucky near the Warrior’s Trace. He is represented by Eisele Gallery of Fine Art, Maysville, Kentucky. His historical work is also exhibited at invitational museum and gallery shows nation wide.

He is a member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association, the Kentucky Corps of Longrifles, and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, the Kentucky Crafted Market, and Watercolor U.S.A Honor Society.

In 1977 Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education, from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky. He has taught landscape painting, figure painting and figure drawing. He has been a professional artist since 1991.his work has won many awards which include, The Medal of Honor Award from the American Artist Professional League, Salmagundi Club, 47^th Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. His painting “The Marble Players” was purchased for $6,500.00 by the Dunagan Museum, Bolivar, Missouri, from a Watercolor U.S.A. exhibition, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, Missouri. Other awards include an Honor Award from the Butler Institution of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio and Best of Show award from the Northeast Kentucky Artist Guild.

His art has appeared on the cover of national magazines and books. He is a published author of short stories and historical essays.

Steve’s paintings can be found in museums, corporate, and private collections.

 John Lasater is an impressionist painter living in Northwest Arkansas. John worked for 13 years as a designer, illustrator and art director, so it was a natural transition ten years ago to begin creating meaningful images with paint. Looking at his artwork, you will hopefully sense goodness, simplicity, peace, honesty and intrigue. John’s honors include two Best of Show awards in 2009, and inclusion in several major shows such as the Oil Painters of America, the Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, and the Fine Art Connoisseur Publisher’s Invitational Retreat. John is also involved in promoting the arts having judged several local competitions and one national competition. Recently he cofounded an artists association which originated a successful outdoor painting event in Northwest Arkansas. John's art education includes workshops with nationally known artists C.W. Mundy, Carolyn Anderson, John Budicin, and Todd Williams.

Lyn has been creating art since childhood. While growing up on a farm in northern Missouri, necessity required her to be self-taught.  After marriage she and her husband settled in Kansas City,
worked in industry and raised three children. New opportunities abounded, and Lyn returned to her art. 
She found herself studying extensively with other artists including Robert Vaughn and Russell Ferguson.
 After retiring from large companies she and her husband moved near The Lake of the Ozarks in Mo,
where she established a studio. Lyn paints almost every day and is always on the lookout for new painting ideas.

Over the years she has studied in workshop situations with many well known artists, including Matt Smith,
 Albert Handel, Billy O'Donnell, Michael McClure, Joshua Been and many others. Although Lyn loves to paint in her studio, her greatest passion is plein air painting.  She paints her surroundings often and travels to locations within the U.S and Europe. Some of her favorites spots are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. She has also traveled to wonderful locations such as Nova Scotia, England, Ireland and France both painting and recording scenes for future paintings with her camera.  

A master of several media, Lyn produces works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, encaustic and pastel. 
She occasionally teaches small workshops but more often, she will be traveling and painting.  She and a circle of her best friends gather to paint whenever possible during the year.  Painting with her friends in a group is one of greatest joys.

Jason Sacran has a BFA in painting from Tennessee Tech University, and credits towards an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jason and his family live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was the curator for the Fort Smith Art Center for almost three years. Last year, Jason became a full-time artist/painter, and teaches part-time as an adjunct instructor for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Jason is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. He has had several exhibitions and been awarded many times for his works and achievements including several Best of Show and first place awards, scholarships and recognition awards. Jason is best known for his figurative and portrait work.

Tricia is a multi-faceted fine artist who creates in various mediums including oil, acrylic, mixed media and digital designs. She also works with recycled found objects.

Her oil paintings are primarily landscapes and floral works with a style that¹s bold and bright with highly textured strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. Her acrylics are Jackson Pollack-inspired with heavy splashes of color with
lots of motion.

Tricia is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield Missouri, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting.

More information -

Education

• McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin, Mo. 1975
• Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University),
  Springfield, Mo. 1979
  (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting)
• Central State University, Edmond, Okla. 1980 (Post graduate work,
• Graphics)

Born into an art family, April has been exposed to the arts all her life. Her father, Lowell Davis, has encouraged her love of art. April’s earliest bronze dates back to when she was five years old. She is a sculptor turned oil painter with a focus on nature. Sculpting and nature are a perfect blend for her beautiful flower sculptures. Sculpted entirely by hand April creates delicate flowers, which are then fired and painted with great attention paid to the many colors nature provides.

Lowell Davis is one of the founders of the Midwest Gathering of the Artists. He was an art director for 13 years in Dallas, Texas, after attending Kansas State University.

In time, he moved back to Missouri where he began to pursue his love of art and the easy country life. He reconstructed his boyhood hometown, Red Oak, where he continued his art career and established a following of collectors of his figures and oil paintings of animals and buildings that are on his farm.

He now enjoys the quiet life with his wife, Rose. He spends his days painting and canoeing down the peaceful Elk River, He reflects on a life of love, art, and dreams that came true.

As a regionalist painter, the inspiration and imagery for my paintings come from the small town of Carthage, Mo., where my home and studio are located, and from the beautiful, rolling countryside of my native Missouri Ozarks. My streetscapes and landscapes are loose, realistic renderings of scenes that most people relate to and feel comfortable with. My fascination with steam locomotives allows me to work with more abstract shapes and interesting colors and textures while still keeping a realistic viewpoint. They challenge me to convey the immense power they represent.

For over 20 years, I painted exclusively in transparent watercolor (probably the most difficult medium to master). In the last few years, I expanded into gouache, acrylics and oils as well - a very rewarding experience. Many works in this new medium tend toward impressionism which I love. I believe I always had an innate sense of art. In college, I doodled strange creatures instead of paying attention to my music courses. But music was my chosen field and I spent five years as a woodwind artist in a U.S. Navy Band.

Born in 1953 Lewis realized at an early age that he had a gift and calling in artistic pursuits. He is a BFA graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design. His artistic influences range from Whistler to Wolf Kahn. Though he has only recently begun to paint for exhibition, Lewis has years of experience as an illustrator, art director, designer and University art instructor. His new paintings are mature yet fresh, abstraction and realism combined and reduced to a simple reminder of the everyday, and sometimes the exotic creation around us. This kind of work is only accomplished through experience, authority, and vision, this kind of vision from humility, love and faith. He resides with his wife Sherry on a wooded hilltop in the Arkansas Ozark foot hills. Strong family ties in Florida contribute to his range of subject matter, and love for seascape and tropical subjects.

Born in Hollywood, California Theresa knew she wanted to be an artist at six years old. “I remember telling my teachers how to color and draw, stating matter of factly that I am going to be an artist when I grow up. Formal studies began at the University of Hawaii., University of Utah. "I have always believed that art should speak to everyone. Capturing a place in time, an event or moment and infusing it with emotion... are my highest priorties. To draw the viewer into this impressionistic world of realism I tell the story through shapes of color and light expressed with gestural brushwork and a solid design.Whether it is a landscape, still life or figurative I am happy to paint anything that stirs my heart, mind and soul.shapes of color and light; therefore I am happy to paint anything that stirs my heart and mind.I strive for a mix of realism and looseness I find emotionally and visually satisfying" She is influenced by Sargent, Sorrolla, Zorn and current artists Richard Schmid, Dan Gerhartz and Jeremy Lipking. Always eager to improve she has attended workshops with several local artists and received scholarships to Scottsdale Artists' School twice in the last three years. She continues to strive towards excellence and has lived in the Missouri/Kansas area for the past 16 years. She is a member of SPIVA of Joplin Mo, Artists of Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs Artists Guild, Bartlesville Art Association, Ok, artCentral of Carthage, Mo., NOAPS, Oil Painters of America, The Academic Artists Association and Landscape Artists International. She also teaches regular classes, dabbles in photography, gives workshops and is a member of Artists Who Teach.

Bob Tommey, nationally known painter and sculptor, was born March 2, 1928 in Ozan, Arkansas. He is best known for his western art and is an admired and respected art teacher with a long list of successful artists who credit Bob's expertise for their achievements. Since 1978, he has been a founder and driving force behind the Midwest Gathering of the Artists show held annually in his adopted home of Carthage, Missouri.

After studying painting and illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute, Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Today, he excels in his ability to paint all subject matter using spontaneous brushwork and creative virtuosity. Most of the time he can be found painting en plein air.

Through this discipline he has found his own recognizable voice, which is now becoming his signature style.

I sculpt, paint, and create because I love to. I try to incorporate art into everything I do. I have always aspired to be a working artist, and now I am pursuing my dream. I work in all mediums. My mood and subject matter often dictate what medium and style I choose for a sculpture or painting. I paint in both realism and abstract styles because I feel that emotions are expressed and understood better through abstract, while the beauty of a subject should be seen through realism. I grew up and attended school in Webb City, MO where I learned the basics of painting and drawing from my high school art teacher, and artist, John Fitzgibbon. While in high school, I attended "Arts Encounter '96" at William Woods University. I took first place with my "Tomato Still Life" at the exhibit. During my senior year I was awarded the "Thomas Hart Benton Art Scholarship" to MSSU. After a couple of years at MSSU majoring in Studio Arts, I left school to start a family. Four kids later I am still pursuing a Bachelors degree in Studio Arts at MSSU as a non-traditional student. Most recently, I was awarded 1st Place for my "found wood" sculpture "Shadow's Perfect Sky" at the 2009 ArtCentral Members show in Carthage, MO. Currently, I reside just outside of Avilla, MO on a crop and cattle farm with my husband Kyle Wilson and our four kids. For the last six years, I have been devoted to my family. During this time the art I created was inspired by sights from our farm, and the emotions I have experienced as a young mother and wife.