How do you find inspiration?
Barbara Hack: As an artist, I have always held a deep passion for the figure, which is central to my work. My paintings serve as an ongoing exploration of people and their emotions, allowing me to connect with the essence of each individual I portray. I seek out a diverse array of figures, each representing a unique mood and context that resonates with my own experiences.
In every painting or drawing, I strive to capture an ephemeral moment—those fleeting expressions and gestures that tell a story. This relationship between myself and the figure is vital; it’s a dialogue that transcends the canvas, revealing the complexities of human connection. Through my art, I aim to make these moments last in time, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the shared human experience.

What is the best thing about being an artist?
Barbara Hack: The best part of being an artist is the constant presence of inspiration all around you. It’s in the smallest details—the way light filters through trees or the the expressions on people’s faces. . Inspiration doesn’t have to be sought; it’s always there, waiting to be noticed. It’s in the quiet moments, in the unexpected, and in the mundane. As an artist, you’re always open to the world around you, finding beauty in the everyday, and turning it into something unique.

Inspiration and art are inseparable.

To see more of Barbara’s work, visit:
Website

Wrapped in You, 2022
by Narelle Zeller
22.4 × 22.4 in
Oil on linen

Narelle Zeller is an Australian representational portrait and figurative oil painter. Her refined oil paintings explore the beauty of the human condition and our environment, drawing inspiration from the people around her and her own personal life experiences. She aims to capture an honest and authentic representation of her subject and stir the viewer to question and connect to the personal and individual story behind each painting. Her paintings are found in the permanent collection of the Art Renewal Center as well as private collections. She recently exhibited in Figurativas at the European Museum of Modern Art.

To see more of Narelle’s work, visit:
website

Richard Boyer: Richard Boyer, who began his artistic journey in high school and ​developed his skills under the mentorship of​ portrait and figurative painter Alvin Gittins at the University of Utah, will be showcasing new oil paintings at Cole Gallery in Edmonds, Washington. The exhibition will run from March 20 to April 29, 2025.​ Some of Boyer’s latest works capture intimate moments of humanity in ​familiar social settings such as hotel bars and sidewalk cafes.

To see more of Richard’s work, visit:
website
Cole Gallery 
Instagram-@richard_boyer370 

Bonnie Zahn Griffith: Bonnie Griffith’s “Simply Aglow” captivates with its warm, harmonious tones and impressionistic style. Inspired by the beauty of the western landscape, Griffith renders her vision in oils and pastels, inviting viewers to step into the scene and craft their own story. Her work showcases the timeless allure of nature through her mastery of light and texture. Griffith works both en plein air and in studio and has work represented in several galleries across the west

To see more of Bonnie’s work, visit:
website

How did you develop your unique style?
JuliAnne Jonker: My journey began at a traditional Atelier school, where I honed my skills in classical techniques. I later discovered encaustic and cold wax painting, influenced by my background in photography and mentorship from several abstract painters. My current style is a fusion of both abstract and traditional elements. This blend not only reflects my artistic evolution but also my passion for exploring the interplay between abstraction and realism.

What is the most interesting thing you have painted/sculpted and why?
JuliAnne Jonker: I find profound inspiration in creating portraits of artists I admire. Two standout pieces include an encaustic wax painting of Jimi Hendrix and a bronze sculpture of Alphonse Mucha. Each portrait deepens my connection with the subject and the artistic community. Creating these works felt like tapping into a universal creative thread, making the experience particularly enriching and meaningful for me.

To see more of JuliAnne’s work, visit:
Website 

Eric Tardif: Eric Tardif was born in northern Quebec, in the French-speaking part of Canada. He studied applied ecology before turning to sculpture. It was during his sculpture courses that he came up with the idea of linking the dimensions of movement and space in the single material of wood.

His wood sculptures capture the elegant and graceful movements of birds through abstract expressions, but unlike most abstract art, Tardif’s designs draw from a
lifetime of close observation.

To see more of Eric’s work, visit:
Website 

Chelsie Nicole Contemporary is an art gallery and atelier in the Historic River District in Ozark, Missouri. Showcasing award-winning representational art from across the globe, the gallery is devoted to promoting and advancing contemporary figurative works.

We value the living artists working to create these new masterpieces and strive to advance the future of figurative work by connecting contemporary artists with collectors and offering skill-based studio education rooted in excellence and tradition. The atelier provides ongoing classes and hosts a wide array of workshops taught by modern masters.

Visit our website to view our upcoming exhibition schedule and available collections of timeless art, or to enroll in our upcoming classes or workshops.

Second Chances is dedicated to those daring enough to set down the past, make a new covenant, and look towards the future.

Anxious Contemplation explores how we navigate life’s decisions and changes. Anxiousness can often accompany our thoughts when we face decisions… whether moving towards the light of new possibilities or confronting the shadows of the past.

Emma Kalff
Perennial Adolescent, 2024
Oil on panel
45 × 48 in | 114.3 × 121.9 cm

Kalff’s figures are often set against expansive, twilight-toned landscapes. Her paintings explore the liminal beauty of dusk, where light softens and reality takes on a surreal edge. She uses soft, moody tones to create a sense of stillness, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the impermanence of time and memory.

In 2022, Kalff was featured in Southwest Art magazine’s “21 Under 31: Young Artists to Collect Now”. Her work has also been shown in American Art Collector magazine, Aesthetica magazine, and Studio Visit magazine. In 2023 she was listed as an “Artist to Watch” by Plein Air Magazine. Kalff’s paintings are in private and public collections, and have been shown at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art.

Kalff studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. She is currently based in Colorado, U.S.A.

Carole Belliveau: I paint plein air, studio landscapes and figures. Currently I am working on a collection featuring the children of Santa Fe, NM celebrating their Spanish Heritage during Fiesta. This collection along with landscapes of New Mexico will be offered in a solo show at Underwood Gallery, 225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe from September 6-27, 2025. Contact Raquel Underwood at 505-795-2295 for landscapes and figures.

To see more of Carole’s work, visit:
Website
Underwood Gallery, Santa NM 

Marcia Holmes: Continuing an expressionist series of Iris paintings in oil is my current focus. Having a representational floral inspiration is the lead to let the gestures flow in an imaginative field of luscious color and free interpretation. Having painted the Iris from life in Monet’s gardens almost ten years ago, I’ve revisited that path, pulled from realism to paint my contemporary take on nature. Private Commission bookings are available.

To see more of Marcia’s work, visit:
Website 
Instagram
The Degas Gallery in New Orleans, LA