Art News, Local Events, & Member Highlights
July 2026 Meeting
Ribbon Award Winners
Here are our ribbon award winners for the July ALA meeting held on the 28th (L-R): Katie Bradley - 1st Place.
Katie's pic got inadvertently excluded from the group picture & we apologize for that. In the pic Katie should be to the left of Pam who was our 2nd place winner. Following are the rest of this month's winners (L-R).Pam Huddleston - 2nd; Suzette Patterson - 3rd; Jay Ewing - 4th; Kim Perkins - 5th; and, Georgia Chastain - 6th Place.
Following is a brief profile highlighting each winning work and the artist; and, this time we're sure to include Katie's beautiful 1st place winning oil on canvas.
Katie Bradley
"Metamorphosis"
1st place with her fantastic oil on canvas portrait. Katie's portraiture work is renowned within the ALA, and this oil is as equally impressive as her beautiful watercolors. She is frequently a "Best in Show" award winner at gallery events as well. We can see why. Katie's not just Good, she's Good Good!
Katie's winning artwork will be on display at the prestigious Art Group Gallery from August 15th thru August 30, 2026.
Pam Huddleston
"Swan with Babies"
Pam's acrylic on canvas could be in the running for becoming our group's new reigning photo-realist. Her work conveys the softness of down, perhaps a soft breeze wrapping the reeds and pushing the little babes along as they make their leisurely way to anywhere they choose. Be assured, Momma Swan has an all-encompassing eye on them, too, as her expression conveys.
Pam's painting will be on display at the Red Door Gallery and Framing Studio in NLR's Historic Park Hill District from August 15th thru August 31, 2026. Check it out.
Suzzette Patterson
"Santa Fe Truck"
Looks like Suzzette may have used a little too much water in this watercolor work since the truck looks like it's dripping with rust in all its degradation of colors. We all know, however, it's really Suzette's tried and true Demonstration of Skill in her artform that shines through.
You can check out Suzette's winning artwork from August 15 thru August 31, 2026 at Pyramid Art Books and Hearne Gallery in Little Rock.
Jay Ewing
"Hopetown"
Jay's artwork in watercolors on paper is another example of one of his recurring themes of quiet serenity featuring staples like the lighthouse, a boat with sails, tranquil waters and a billowy sky where clouds puff up and dissipate like a frightened pufferfish.
You can view Jay's work from August 15 -August 31, 2026 at the prestigious and highly-trafficked Draft and Table restaurant at the corner of Broadway and N Main in NLR'S Argenta District.
Kim Perkins
"Afternoon Float"
Kim's watercolor on paper is a fantastic illustration of capturing a season, not only by the work's subject matter, but assuredly by the color choices Kim made. It had to be a super bright, sun-drenched summertime day, perfect for taking a float trip with family and friends. We love the impression given of a deep pool of blue reflecting the Azure sky overhead and the glittering, almost reflective nature of the passing bluffside.
Coming up, Kim's winning entry can be found on display at the Argentinean restaurant, "Buenos Aires", in Little Rock's River Market from August 15th - August 31, 2026.
Georgia Chastain
"Picnic"
If you're not a Razorback fan, Heaven forbid, Georgia's pastel work gives us an alternative to a favorite stadium pasttime. What better way to tailgate than being lakeside with a blanket and a basket full of any dietician's nightmares and your family on a tranquil sunny day. The blanket, too, is a welcome invite for napping afterward.
Visit the historic Lindsey's BBQ & Hospitality House in NLR where Georgia's winning work will be on display from August 15th - August 31, 2026.
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Michael Lierly
Our July Demo Artist
Michael has had extensive training in a vast array of artistic disciplines including drawing, painting, design, color theory and art history. He has several educational accolades including a BFA in illustration from The School of Visual Arts in NYC and his MFA in Painting from Indiana University.
Michael is currently a professor at UCA and at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art. His slide demonstration to the group was a tangible expression of his artistic philosophy that Art has a universal purpose and that purpose is to communicate - oftentimes without words.
Part of Michael's presentation was a slide of the following etching of "Woman With Dead Child" created by Kathe Kollwitz, a German artist in 1903. The emotions of anger, despair, loss, horror and grief are all embedded in the work. Not one word is needed to explain the art - Mrs. Kollwitz's expressive and creative work says it all.
"Woman With Dead Child" 1903
kathe Kollwitz
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Members Volunteer Activity
This creative illustration above was painted by two of ALA's members, Kathy Kemp and Suzette Patterson, for the stage set of the Argenta Community Theatre's recent production of "Cake", a socially relevant treatise on love, religion, and choice.
In contrast to the heady subject of the play, the set represents gooey cake icing with sprinkles and, while not on a canvas, is an example of Kathy and Suzzette's unique Artistic expression. We like it.
"The Art of Friendship" Exhibit
This exhibit of watercolors came to a close on July 25th. Thanks to the Laman Library Gallery for providing the venue.
The exhibit was a celebration of friendship from the artistic hands of watercolorists and ALA members, Kim Perkins and Laura Powers.
It was a fantastic cascade of color!
"Art On The Border" Show and Sales Event
ALA Member, Jay Ewing, participated in Fort Smith's "Art on The Border" show recently held on July 17 and 18th. We're anxiously awaiting a report on his experience.
The "Art on The Border" Show and Sale is an annual tradition sponsored in part by the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education's (ACHE) Research and is a powerful community lifeline to benefit local charities.
As artists, we're always on the lookout for venues to show our work. Keep this one on your calendars for next year's show.
A Very Special Benefactor
Whenever we get the chance, let's give NLR's Laman Library Gallery and its staff a heartfelt shout out of Thanks for their unrelenting support of the Arts.
On The Social Media Front
You can search YouTube under ALA Member, "Barbara Rhodes", for various tutorials she has produced which demonstrate her techniques for teaching kids in various artistic disciplines. Check 'em out!
Looking Ahead For Art
For those of us who like to plan ahead, keep an eye out for upcoming events in the City of Batesville, coming in October.
First, ALA Member, Myra Eley, will be a participant in the upcoming Batesville area's Arts Council Gallery showing in October; and Second, Myra keeps in touch with "Gallery 246", a collective of several local Batesville artists who, in addition to sharing studio space, also enjoys an occasional plein air outing; one is in the planning stages now with more info to come as we get closer to the Fall.
Dates, Locale and Times for the Arts Council Gallery showing and the separate plein air event to be announced. Stay Tuned.
"Venues and Vendors"
One of our most prolific Team Leaders, Cathy France, has been an enthusiastic participant in many faire and vendor markets in Arkansas. They provide a highly visible platform for getting her artwork in the public eye resulting in strong sales success.
Just take a look at the Wall Space below dedicated to Cathy's artwork at one of her latest vendor venues located within The Shoppes at Bowman Vendor Mall in LR (301 S. Bowman). Talk about visibility! Check it out.
"Our Common Ground"
A Juried Exhibit now showing at Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum (RAM) and running thru October 25th.
Another ALA Team Leader, Myra Eley, has been selected as a participant in RAM's Annual Juried Invitational Art Show currently being held in Fort Smith. The show began on June 27th and will enjoy a lengthy run thru October 25th.
"High Pollen Count"
"High Pollen Count" is Myra's work on display at the RAM Exhibit. So, plan a trip if you can to Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum this summer and offer your support for Myra and her creative endeavors.
ODDS & ENDS
Inspiration Awaits
This photo is of ALA Member Gary Owen's "studio" where he creates all of his wonderful watercolors.
He is the first member to respond to a request (more like a gauntlet) when our Membership Chair, Georgia Chastain, "Threw the Brush Down" and challenged all ALA members to submit photos of their so-called "Happy Place" where they create their artwork.
We think Gary is BRAVE to share this. How about you? Are you brave?
Click on the E-mail below to submit photos of your studios to ALA and we'll see just how brave you are!
"Evening at Bluebonnet Chapel"
The above rendering of a nighttime scene in watercolor and gouache was created by ALA member Gary Owen in his studio.
We now know Gary has gladly picked up the gauntlet (brush thrown above) and shows us, once again, that inspiration and artistic accomplishment can come from anywhere and be brushed into creation by the determined and driven artist regardless of their surroundings.
We do, however, know of an excellent "de-clutterer" if you're interested, Gary.
Another Studio "Throw-Down"
A few ALA members have taken up the previous challenge to "throw-down" and share a photo of where they produce their art. Cathy France is another brave soul to share this as shown in her photo above.
What's neat to see is the interesting graphic on the wall of the essential color wheel. While we all likely have these color relationships embedded deep within us, it never hurts to get a little nudge of remembrance now and then.