The top five artists in each category were given awards in the Western Art international online art exhibition. Below are the biographies and/or artist’s statements along with the artist’s websites or emails.
To contact these artists directly for purchase inquiries or to see more of their work, please visit the Western Art Exhibition page for contact information.
Congratulations again to all the winners and thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Best in Show (Traditional) – Kathy Paulus – “The Patriot” – pastel
Kathy Paulus resides in Moreno Valley, California. She worked for 23 years as an Infant Specialist with children with disabilities from birth to 3 years. She started her art career after retiring in her early 50’s.
Kathy considers herself a self-taught artist specializing in pastel work and scratchboard. She specializes in domestic/wild animal portraits and still life subjects. She enjoys realism and the challenge to capture the real beauty in animals. She has a special love for horses and all wild cats.
Kathy has done many commissioned animal portraits and enjoys the joy it brings to a devoted pet owner. She is also a scratchboard artist and she became a member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artist in 2018. Scratchboard art enables her to achieve fine detail in realism in her animal studies. She alternates working with pastels and scratch work.
She is an active member of the Redlands Art Association in Redlands, California and Yucaipa Vision Quest Art Association in Yucaipa, California. She is involved in Paint My Photo, an international group of artist and photographers. She is also involved in many online groups as well. She enjoys teaching in workshops and sharing the knowledge she has developed through the years in the area of pastels and scratch art. She enters many local and international art shows and has won many awards for her pastel work and Scratchboard art.
To learn more about Kathy and to see more of her work, visit her Facebook Page.
Best in Show (Photography & Digital) – Judy Belleci – “A Time to gather …” – photography
Judy Belleci is FootePrint Art … By definition a footprint is a mark left behind; an impression of the ‘sole’ of a person; a vestige … Thus is FootePrint Art. Judy creates and presents her art as an outward expression of her passions and character. Her style is clean simplicity … Judy is first an artist — her heart, her soul, and her eyes. with photography Judy prefers the quick and uncomplicated ability to create something with the click of the shutter. however, that is only the beginning for her. then she launches into her creative process in which she finds so much joy and elation. and then there are the results … zen; that contemplation of one’s essential nature to the exclusion of all else. Judy’s heart and creativity are her way of expressing harmony and a sense of the divine order of our universe.
To learn more about Judy and to see more of her work, visit her website.
Best in Show (3-Dimensional) – Robert Seliger – “Teton Starry Night (hand carved table)” – mixed media
An award-winning furniture designer, Robert Seliger has spent the last 20 years pushing the boundaries of his craft and expanding his sources of inspiration from dreams and visions. Artistic talent surfaced at a young age winning numerous national awards, then studying architecture in college and taking many workshops at the Anderson Ranch art school. From original copyrighted designs, Seliger creates each multimedia piece with hand-selected hardwoods, exotic accent materials, traditional joinery, and a multi-layered hand-rubbed finish. Each piece is signed by the artist, with clientele around the globe Singapore, Dubai, Zurich, Moscow, Tokyo, and all points in between.
To learn more about Robert and to see more of his work, visit his website.
2nd Place (Traditional) – Lance Bukove – “Santa Fe across Arizona” – mixed media
Lance has been a professional artist for over 30 years. He is mostly self-taught but has had some formal training. Colored pencil, ink and watercolor are his media of choice but he has worked with both acrylic and ink. He has also done 3D art and sculpture. His pieces lean towards realism but for the past few years he has been experimenting with a more Abstract feel. Lane’s works are in both corporate and private collections around the world.
To learn more about Lance and to see more of his work, he can be contacted via his Email.
2nd Place (Photography & Digital) – Elizabeth Kayl – “Daddy of ‘Em All” – digital photography
Artist Biography: Elizabeth has had her work included into juried gallery shows in 32 different US states and in 3 international countries in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date. Elizabeth has recently won a Juror’s Award, three Best in Show Awards, a First Place Award and a Visitor’s Choice. Her work has been featured in many permanent public art locations, as well. By day, she is employed as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the beautiful art-inspired City of Loveland, Colorado.
Artist Statement: I have always been told that I have an “eye” for capturing a good photograph. Driving down the road or walking along a city sidewalk, I am constantly seeking to find that perfect composition or subject to frame in my mind, hoping that my camera is with me. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I became serious about sharing my work with a broader audience than just my family and have been pleased with the success I have received in doing so. As a photographer by passion and not trade, I am intrigued by both the ordinary and extraordinary, particularly drawn toward unusual landscapes, birds, and architecture.
To learn more about Elizabeth and to see more of her work, visit her website.
3rd Place (Traditional) – Katrina Rae – “On My Way” – mixed media
Katrina Rae was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma currently working out of two studios, KRae Midwest Art Studio, MI. and KRae East Art Studio, VA. Katrina has attended the Kansas City Art Institute and Memphis Collage of Art. Katrina has shown in local, regional and international exhibitions and is a recognized award winning artist. Katrina has recently been working on a body of work involving the depiction of the American West, through portraiture and figurative paintings.
Katrina strives to bring awareness to a forgotten or lost way of life, untold stories and traditions. She works with models and authentic historical regalia during the periods of the 1700 and 1800’s. The medium in which she chooses is intentional. Pastels are a dry medium, obtaining purity of pigment, often in powder, stick, and pencil form. Katrina does not use brushes for application or blending. The working surface she chooses is intentional, insulation board, for its durability, limitless size options, weightlessness and ease of availability at your local home improvement store.
Katrina has discovered a clear coating that is applied to the surface of her paintings, as a protective barrier eliminating the traditional usage of glass. She continues on an evolutionary path, through experimentation with mixed media, moving forward in her depiction of the American West and the Indigenous people of the America’s.
To learn more about Katrina or to see more of her work, visit her website.
3rd Place (Photography & Digital) – Debra Behr – “Sedona” – photography
Debra Behr and an award winning photographer based in Santa Monica, California, USA. Her photographs appear in travel guides, books, encyclopedias, advertisements, art shows, magazines and newspapers.
To see more of Debra’s art, please visit her website.
4th Place (Traditional) – Mark Riley – “Pieces of the Past” – acrylic
Mark was born and raised in La Porte Indiana. He always felt from a very young age that he was meant to pursue a career in art. In High School he had a wonderful art teacher who stressed drawing and exposed the class to the works of the old masters. The teacher recognized Marks potential from the start and encouraged him to enter competitions.
Mark earned a state scholarship and attended Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis. After three semesters, he decided to enter the military. After a tour in Viet Nam, he entered and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BFA degree in painting. There he learned to appreciate all styles of art. Though Mark would have loved to be a full time painter, his career led him into technical illustration and graphics at an Aerospace company in Phoenix Arizona. There, Mark and his wife lived and raised 3 children.
After 40 years, Mark retired and is now creating real art full time. His Acrylic paintings won the Director’s Award twice at the Arizona State Fair. He has also shown in various states, winning awards. He has also shown his Acrylic and Watercolors and drawings in multiple International online exhibitions.
Mark admits that at his age he is still searching for his creative identity and realizes that there are many moments in time that are of great significance for painting. His hope is that he not miss them in his search for meaningful subject matter.
To see more of Mark’s artwork he can be reached via his Email.
4th Place (Photography & Digital) – Cindy Charles – “Wild” – digital photography
Cindy Charles is an award winning digital artist born and raised in the vibrant, multi-cultural city of Montreal, Canada. She graduated from McGill University with a degree in Psychology. While obtaining her degree, she enrolled in some art classes and art history classes, which ultimately paved the way to her artistic journey. Immersed in diverse cultures and the joie de vivre of her city, inspiration came quickly in her pursuit of exploring and dabbling in the world of painting and photography. Although, loving these mediums, none captured her attention, drive and passion more than the power of digital art.
After enrolling in a Photo Artistry course in 2017, she soon realised that this would become a life altering experience artistically and creatively. Developing this skill would ultimately lead to exhibits and sales of her art. Photo Artistry encompasses her favourite mediums and allows her to create without abandon, thus pushing her photography to a new level. Her digitally painted, bold, vibrant colours and strategically overlapping images and textures in her architecture and surreal images, are recurring themes in her conceptual art work.
To learn more about Cindy and to see more of her art, visit her website.
5th Place (Traditional) – Jay Decker – “Bonds Ranch Cowboy” – oil on canvas
Painting is truly a gift from God. I gave myself painting lessons for my 50th birthday and I discovered this. I work every day to become a better artist. I don’t know where this leads yet, but I will keep learning as much as I can.
To see more of Jay’s work, please visit his website.
5th Place (Photography & Digital) – Andres Trejo – “Man Watching Land” – digital
I am a passionate and dedicated illustrator. I enjoy working with all techniques of art; traditional to digital media. My creativity and imagination are important assets, to producing inspirational artwork, that comes to life in great confidence.
To see more of Andres’ work, he can be reached via his Email.
