Artist of the Month

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At each month's meeting, members are invited to bring new work to share. Following a blind vote to select two Artists of the Month, contributing artists share the stories of the work they have brought.   

First Place: Murray Whiteman 

Member Since:     2023

Medium:  Oil

Story behind the art: 

This is a painting of Steve McQueen that was done for the movie Tom Horton.  Murray worked for Disney and Dream Works in Los Angeles, CA as a graphic designer and artist.

Murray was interested in cartoons and movies as a child.  In the 60's he was a street preacher in LA.  He has lived in McKinney for 8 years.

Second Place:  Deana McGarr

Member since:   2022

Medium: Watercolor and mixed media

Story behind the art:

Deana and her daughter always say to each other" I love you more!"  Every Christmas she gives her daughter a painting.  This her 2023 gift.

Deana has been painting since she was 6 years old.  You can find her in her home studio making people smile!

First Place: Betty Reusher 

Member Since:     2019

Medium:  Watercolor

Story behind the art: 

As an avid gardener, Betty notices flowers wherever she goes.  These were beautiful silk roses at Michaels that inspired her.

Betty is a self-taught artist who gives credit to her dad, an architect, for her natural talent.

Second Place:  Cindy Peters

Member since:   2019

Medium: Acrylic

Story behind the art:

Cindy says she was decorating her home for fall and needed something new, so as all artists do, she painted pumpkins to fill the space.

Cindy has been an artist her entire life.  Her studio is located in her home and she is inspired by music and her fellow artists.

First Place: Jenni Thomlinson

Member Since:     2012

Medium:  Acrylic

Story behind the art: 

Jenni painted her niece and "Smooshy Cat"

Jenni has been an artist for 30 years.  Love is her inspiration.  You can find Jenni in her "messy" home studio!

Second Place:  Janis Buck

Member since:   2021

Medium:  Oil

Story behind the art:

Janis wanted to create a piece that invokes the feeling of fall using different shapes rather than pumpkins. She was inspired by the bright colors of Chinese Lanterns. 

Janis has been an artist for 15 years.  You can find her in her home studio.

First Place: Gaby Pruitt 

Member Since:     2023

Medium:  Mixed Media/Photography

Story behind the art: 

Gaby wanted to create a landscape portrait but couldn't find an actual location that matched what she had in her head.  So she just created her own! The tree is scraps of photo paper twisted in interesting ways.  She created the rest of the landscape from images she had in her photo library.

Gaby has been a photographic artist since 2013.  Her studio is located at MillHouse McKinney.

Second Place:  Celeste Seitz

Member since:   2021

Medium:  Brick veneer/acrylic 

Artwork Title:  Molotov Cocktail

Story behind the art:

This piece is part Celeste's "Luxury Brand" Series called "Bottle Service" 

Celeste has been an artist since 2021.  Her studio is located in her home.  She draws inspiration from puzzles, punch lines, and social activism.