Category “1Artist Bio Photo”

Catherine Simpson – Figurative Nostalgia

Catherine Simpson is emerging as a storyteller with children in the lead roles. Her predominant medium is watercolor as well as silverpoint and pencil drawings.

An appreciation for life’s lighter side is easily ascertained when viewing her children studies.

It is with true feeling that Catherine portrays the simple message of the children that are depicted in each composition.

Catherine was born in London, Ontario, Canada, where she produces her “Forever Young” series of paintings. Her work enjoys a universal appeal, is appreciated by young and old alike and can be found in both corporate and private collections in Canada, the United States and internationally.

Participation in numerous gallery exhibitions and major juried art festivals has created a demand for her work resulting in a selection of limited edition prints, decorator prints and collector plates, figurines and the award winning Pine Ridge Art Catherine Simpson Forever Young Calendar.

Catherine is a self-taught artist whose artistic gift has been acknowledged during her career with Best in Show, People’s Choice, and the Canadian Collectable of the Year nominations six times – and awarded twice.

“I continue to try and capture those special memories of childhood that we can all share. Hopefully the stories I tell will trigger at least one personal memory for you, of your family or your own childhood days.

Rediscovering those special times in our lives should help to brighten up each and every day ahead ~ and remind us to let our hearts ~ Be Forever Young!

In the attic of every grownups head joyful memories of youth are safely tucked away waiting to be rediscovered. My art attempts to light the way.”

Suzie Seerey-Lester – Wildlife and Landscape

Who is Suzie Seerey-Lester?  Well, besides being married to John Seerey-Lester, one of the world’s top wildlife artists, she has been a painter in her own right for many years.  But there is more to Suzie than her painting.

For some 30 years she was a diver and diving instructor trainer where she brought her skills to important use when she worked for the CIA, teaching CIA agents, Secret Service Agents, FBI and other law enforcement personnel how to dive, as well as other “specialized” skills.   Before turning a professional artist, Suzie worked for several Fortune 500 companies where she excelled in Sales and Marketing.  In her last position in an international corporation she was responsible for more than $2 Million in sales per month.  She eventually turned professional artist, leaving the corporate world behind her, but not forgetting the skills she had acquired along the way.  Even so over the years she has suffered the pitfalls and hard knocks of selling art that all artists go through.  From these experiences, she sharpened her business skills and created these systems to pass on to other artists.  When she is not painting she is in charge of the business end of the Seerey-Lester organization.   Suzie now travels all over the globe to paint, from Alaska to Maine, Africa, Guatemala, England and Spain, with her husband John.

She has won several distinguished awards for her art including: Top 100 in Paint America for two different paintings, Juror’s Award in Paint America for the judges’ favorite painting of the entire show, Judges Award from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Artist of the Year from the Ocean Foundation, Top 200 and Top 100 in “Arts for the Parks”, and has shown in Bennington Art Museum, Coos Bay Art Museum, Grants Pass Art Museum, and the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson’s “Birds in Art”. She recently showed with the Audubon Artists at the prestigious Salmagundi Art Club in New York City.  She has sold pieces at Christie’s and Sotheby’s Art Auctions in London, The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Honolulu Zoo. Suzie was honored by the Raymond James Financial Organization in “Women in the Arts” and has her artwork published in “The Best of Oil Painting” book.  Suzie is a member of Society of Animal Artists (SAA), The Wildlife Artists Association (WAA), Oil Painters of America (OPA), American Society of Marine Artists  (ASMA), Artists for Conservation (AFC) and a founding member of Southern Plein Air Artists (SPAA), and the PhArtists.  John and Suzie appeared on the cover of Wildlife Art Magazine for the March 2008 issue, as well as a featured 8 page article on them, and their art.  Suzie was the featured artist for Word Catalyst Magazine in September 2009. Her best selling, award winning book “My Painting is Done, Now What Do I Do?” is now available to rave reviews.

From May until November every year Suzie volunteers for the Mote Marine Loggerhead Research Program on the “turtle patrol” for the loggerhead turtles.  She is licensed by the State of Florida to identify and verify nests, collect data, rescue and release the endangered baby loggerheads and green turtle.  Suzie received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008, in recognition for her valuable service.

In 2000 she married world-renowned wildlife artist, John Seerey-Lester.  They live, work and play in Florida.

Suzie is considered by many to be a real mermaid.

John Seerey-Lester – Wildlife, History, Nostalgia

For nearly four decades, Sir John Seerey-Lester was at the top level of representational painters, particularly in the genre of wildlife art. Knighted in Austria and represented in the White House’s art collection, Seerey-Lester was a favorite of collectors, a mentor to many, and an inspiration to thousands of painters. He died of cancer at age 74 on May 19, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Suzie, and his son, John Jr.

Seerey-Lester was born and raised in England and moved to the United States in 1980, becoming a citizen in 2012. He resided in Osprey, Florida at the time of his death.

Seerey-Lester was known to be generous with other artists with encouragement and advice, and was popular for his ability to tell stories from his adventures and those of others. Although his fame came primarily from his work with a paintbrush, Seerey-Lester was a writer as well, publishing four books illustrated with his paintings. In later years, the artist focused on retelling in words and paintings the stories from Theodore Roosevelt’s hunts. It was a natural fit for the artist, as Seerey-Lester put a high value on telling a story in his paintings.

His work hangs in major museums including the Gilcrease Museum, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Bennington Center for the Arts, and the Sonora Desert Museum. His paintings regularly appeared in shows at the Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and his participation in the “Western Visions” shows at the National Museum of Wildlife Art was always expected. He and his wife were the subject of a two-person show at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in 2016.

Seerey-Lester served on the board of directors for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and Artists for Conservation, and was a member of the Society of Animal Artists, the Boone and Crockett Club, Oil Painters of America, Southern Plein Air Artists, and the NRA’s Hunters Leadership Forum.

His awards and recognitions included knighthood by His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Andres of Austria, the Ring of Freedom Award from the National Rifle Association, the Simon Combes Award for Conservation, and Artist of the Year from Sporting Classics.

His book titles include Legends of the Hunt: Campfire Tales, The Legendary Hunts of: Theodore Roosevelt, Tracks in the Sand, Vol. 1, Legends of the Hunt, Painting Wildlife With John Seerey-Lester, and Impressions of India and Nepal.

 

Lindsay Scott – Wildlife

A native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), Lindsay Scott grew up in a tropical setting surrounded by a dazzling parade of colorful birds and exotic wildlife, learning the basics of bush survival. She has the uncanny ability to detect a snake in the tall grass 100 yards away and can recall the occasional leopard strolling down her street. Nature became her passion, and her love for Africa’s wildlife and its landscape became deeply rooted in her subconscious.

Scott always loved to draw. Encouraged by a high school art teacher to continue her artistic studies, she moved to Cape Town to attend the Michealis School of Fine Art in South Africa. But there, representational art was frowned upon, and ironically, African wildlife art was considered irrelevant compared to abstract art. Scott bolstered her studies with courses in botany, biology and zoology and continued doing field sketches of the plants and wildlife she loved. She transferred and earned her degree in fine art with a minor in biology from the University of Minnesota.

Scott has worked as a botanical researcher at the University of Cape Town and as a curator of paleobotany and ornithology at the South African Museum. She also conducted natural history field trips throughout Africa and Antarctica. She spent 14 months in Australia researching bird behavior for The National Geographic Society. Her first-hand knowledge of animal behavior expanded as she filled countless sketch pads with her observations.

As adept with a pencil as she is with a brush, Scott’s drawings are exquisitely detailed. In 1984, her black and white drawing of two mourning doves was accepted for the prestigious “Birds in Art” Exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum; an honor that she has enjoyed 11 times. One of her pencil drawings is part of the Museum’s permanent collection. She received the Award of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists, as well as Best of Show and First Place at the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show.

Seeing detail with the eye of a naturalist, she has a zoologist’s knowledge of animal behavior and an uncanny ability to convey the body language and facial expressions of the animals. A devoted conservationist, Scott sees her role as a wildlife artist as a way to educate and raise the consciousness of others: “I hope that what I do encourages people’s desire to learn more and preserve what precious little resources are left…Nature is the most healing thing on this planet. I try to bring a little bit of that indoors.”

Alan Sakhavarz – Wildlife and Nostalgia

Drawing, painting and sculpting are the vehicles with which Alan Sakhavarz weaves his imagination into an art form. The common thread throughout his diverse creations is his quest for understanding the human condition and the world we live in.

At times these thoughts are reflected in satirical narratives in cartoons and some times they manifest in lyrical manipulations of the human form. The latter convey subtle nuances of fleeting moments in life.

Sakhavarz is an Iranian born, self –taught artist who has worked in the tense environment of editorial rooms in Tehran and has experienced at first hand the devastating effects of political turmoil, revolution and social upheavals as an editorial cartoonist. For the past three decades that he has lived in Canada, he has also established himself as an accomplished painter and sculptor. This background has always been a constant influence in shaping the foundation of his work, hence, providing him with a unique ability to give shape to sometimes unspeakable ideas.

Currently based in Toronto, Alan Sakhavarz’s has works housed in both private and corporate collections across North America and has exhibited in numerous museums and galleries across Canada and the United States. A number of such exhibitions include: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, The Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, and The Leigh Yawkey Art Museum in Wisconsin. He is a signature member of the Society of animal artists and the Oil painters of America.

Don Roth – Whimsical Cats and Dogs

Southern California artist Don Roth comes to the craft of painting with a vast range of abilities and experience. He incorporates the technical skills of a making his creations a wonder to behold.  Don’s extraordinary talent blossomed while obtaining his Commercial Art degree in college, and continued to develop in the US Navy, where the artist served four years as an Illustrator Draftsman.  The following eight years were spent as a one-man-art-department for a large city in Orange County. Ultimately, Don found a home for nearly twenty years as a Senior Industrial Designer in the commercial aircraft industry.  It was there that the artist developed his skill creating precise airbrushed renderings, techniques that would distinguish his paintings from the competition in his ultimate career as a fine artist.

Currently, Don Roth has gained world-wide exposure with his whimsical and highly detailed series of “cool” cat paintings.  This on-going series of colorful and collectable images is titled “The Kool-Kat Kollection”, and has earned the artist the un-official title of “The Norman Rockwell of Cats”.  Don’s creations can now be seen locally in art galleries, pet gift shops, in the homes and offices of private collectors, on the lobby walls of a large hotel resort in Florida and in a soon-to be published children’s book.  Several of the images from the series can also be seen on greeting cards, t-shirts, beach towels, and jigsaw puzzles.

“The world is a serious and often stressful place to live.  If I can bring a chuckle or a smile to the face of my viewers with my paintings, then we are all the better for it.”

Don Roth is a member of the American Society of Portrait Artist and the American Society of Classical Realism.

Sueellen Ross – Wildlife, Cats and Dogs

Sueellen Ross brings a fresh approach to her art. She is known for both her strong design and her subtle humor. The lively images Ross creates are based on her own experiences; as a city person, she often approaches wildlife from the urban dweller’s point of view.

Ross attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. As soon as she was old enough to hold a pencil, Ross drew her childhood passions — horses and cats.

Ross’ range of subjects has considerably expanded since childhood, though she still holds a special fondness for etchings of domestic cats. Cat lovers, who instantly recognize the realism of Ross’ cats, have a particular appreciation of them; she captures both their characteristic poses and their own endearing personalities. She draws her own cats and those of her friends and neighbors going about their daily business of being cats.

Ross’ works have been exhibited from Alaska to Florida. Her 1986 one-woman show at Seattle’s Frye Art Museum was very successful. In 1987, Ross was the only etching artist included in the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s “Birds in Art” show. Ross modifies and simplifies her subjects, reducing them to their essential forms. She expresses these essential elements with an unmatched elegance.

Heide Presse – Figurative, Historic, Still Life

Combining her interest in art, history, and needlework, Heide’s paintings reveal many talents. Painting mid-19th century subjects allows her to indulge her fascination for period textiles and clothing, and to research the material culture of past eras. “Having chosen to depict the lives of the people who lived in the 19th century, I feel a strong responsibility to portray them as authentically as I can. Their voices fill my heart and imagination as I read their journals, and I strive to open a window into their lives, and enjoy depicting them in ordinary everyday moments. There is much beauty to be found in simplicity.”

Heide currently lives and maintains her studio in Tampa, Florida.  She has always had artistic talent, winning a best artist award in kindergarten, and earning her BFA in graphic design in Texas. After graduation, Heide worked in commercial art in northeast Texas, and eventually transitioned into fine art and painting. Her art has been featured in Art of the West, Western Art Collector, American Artist, The Artists Magazine, and Tampa Bay Magazine. Her work has been shown in many exhibitions and shows including, Quest for the West at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, A Timeless Legacy: Women Artists of Glacier National Park at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, Montana, American Miniatures,  Small Works, Great Wonders at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Western Visions at the National Wildlife Museum in Jackson, Wyoming, History Meets the Arts in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Arts for the Parks, in Jackson, Wyoming, American Women Artists, among many others. Her work was published by the Greenwich Workshop, and is part of many private and public collections. She is currently working on a large scale project of paintings interpreting a mid 1800s journal written by a woman.

Chad Poppleton – Wildlife

Chad Poppleton a resident of Cache Valley Utah, has been interested in art ever since he can remember.  Chad began his interest while on the farm with his grandfather.  He would spend hours on the tractor and would draw to pass the time.  Chad’s interest grew, as he got older, he became fascinated with big game wildlife.  Spending time in the mountains and being in their environment captivates him.  “Interpreting the behavior and character of each animal in its natural environment is the motivation for my work.  Studying, sketching, life painting, and observing the animal’s behavior helps me to identify their characteristics and relay that into the canvas.”

Chad studied at Utah State University under the direction of Glen Edwards and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art/ Illustration.

Legacy Galleries, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Scottsdale, Arizona represent Chad.  Chad was featured in the 21 under 31 in Southwest Art Magazine in 2002.  Chad has also been in the top 100 for Arts for the Parks in ’01-04’ He received Honorable Mention for the Wyoming Conservation Stamp 2003, as well as a selected artist at the Southwestern Wildlife Expo. in 2014.  Chas has participated in the prestigious Collector’s Covey miniature show with top honors. Chad is a proud member of the Russell Skull Society of Artists.

“As an artist my objective is to represent the subjects of wildlife correctly and accurately to the best of my ability.  Each animal is different and should engage the viewer emotionally within the piece.  The viewer should understand the character of the animal.”  As an avid sportsman and conservationist Chad spends as much time in the field as he does at the easel.  His paintings are a reflection of his love for the animals and the outdoors.

Kim Penner – Horses

Kim lives in a 100 year old character home near Lacombe Alberta, She spends her day, painting, riding and raising a family. This well accomplished artist was raised near Morden, Manitoba, and graduated from the University of Manitoba with degrees in Fine Arts & Education.

The road to her artistic career began early in life, with a great deal of support from her parents, who would enter her artwork in local fairs and art festivals. Further encouragement from teachers and peers, along with a passion for both horses and painting all contributed to Kim Penner’s ultimate decision to follow the path that seemed pre-ordained for her.

Penner is passionate about portraying both the natural beauty of horses, and that of the landscapes & environments that these gracious animals occupy, both domestically & in the wild. Research for her paintings takes her far & wide, from the rolling hills of Kentucky, to the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Kim Penner’s work has been enthusiastically received by collectors from around the world. Her paintings have been featured in publications such as Horse & Rider, The Paint Horse Journal, US Art, and the Collector Edition of New York.
Penner was awarded the “Best New Artist” at the 1997 Calgary Exhibition & Stampede Western Art Auction. This was followed by the “Best of Show” in 2003 for “Spirit of the West”, again at the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede Western Art Auction and “Best of Show” at the 2006 Calgary Stampede Sales Salon. In 2012 Kim was commissioned by Rocky Mountain Show Jumping to paint Eric Lamaze and Hickstead in a “Moment in Time” as a tribute to this amazing horse. Her art is also featured on stationary products including an annual calendar  by Pineridge Art .

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