Catching up with artists we featured years ago
This story was featured in the September 2019 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2019 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Mark McKenna
Sarah van der Helm
Jeff Merrill
Derek Harrison
TJ Cunningham
Mark McKenna
Featured in 2014
Mark McKenna, Bulldozer, oil, 22 x 40.
How has your artwork changed since you were last featured? As I have begun to paint more multi-animal scenes, with the animals integrated into their environments, the complexity of my work has improved dramatically. Also, my work is much more consistent and recognizable as my own. Finally, I have been able to increase the sophistication of my work in regard to overall design, edges and transitions, color, and texture.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since then? I have been accepted into more shows, including The Russell’s Saturday-night auction and Art in Action events. The Brinton Museum purchased one of my paintings for its permanent collection. But my greatest achievement is that I have been able to transition from part-time to full-time status as an artist.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career? In 2014 I began showing my work in Great Falls, MT, during Western Art Week. I have been able to connect with so many wonderful artists and art buyers, which has been invaluable.
What are your goals for the future? My first goal is to continue to improve my skills and the quality of my work. My second goal is to continue to promote my work well through a combination of national shows, strong social media and web presence, and good gallery representation.
What galleries represent your work? Astoria Fine Art, Jackson, WY; A. Banks Gallery, Bozeman, MT; Dick Idol Signature Gallery, Whitefish, MT; and www.markmckennastudios.com.
Sarah van der Helm
Featured in 2014
Sarah van der Helm, Tang Dynasty Horse, oil, 16 x 24.
How has your artwork changed since you were last featured? Even though my interest in Asian subjects has stayed the same, I am painting them in different light and with lighter backgrounds. For my paper series, I have been painting them on a much larger scale. I am enjoying the impact that they have.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since then? I became a Master Signature Artist in the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society, and in 2015 I won Best of Show in its Signature Artist exhibition. I joined Oil Painters of America and have been in several Salon and National exhibitions. I have been included in several shows at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and the Parker Arts, Culture, & Events Center, both in Colorado.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career? Becoming represented by M.A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa; Mary Ann Doran has been a big reason for my success. She has done a great job supporting and selling my work. Another important point in my life was moving to Denver and being represented by Abend Gallery. They have exposed my work to a new group of patrons.
What are your goals for the future? To continue growing as an artist and working hard sharpening my painting skills, creating paintings that are as realistic as I can make them and that are interesting and impactful.
What galleries represent your work? Abend Gallery, Denver, CO; M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK; and www.sarahvanderhelm.com.
Jeff Merrill
Featured in 2013
Jeff Merrill, Mary Page and Li’l Jim, oil, 16 x 18.
How has your artwork changed since you were last featured? I don’t think my work has changed a lot. If anything, I think my sense of design as well as paint handling have both improved. I feel like the more you paint, the less you have to think about the process.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since then? I received the Gold Medal for my painting CROSSING STOCKTON from Oil Painters of America in its 2014 Western Regional Competition, held at Mountainsong Galleries in Carmel, CA.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career? The biggest turning point was definitely when I went back to school to get my Master of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I was able to study with some great artist-mentors like Zhaoming Wu and Huihan Liu, among others. There were also a lot of great students in my classes, which further inspired and motivated me.
What are your goals for the future? I am currently working on some larger multi-figure works, mainly scenes from Spain. These include flamenco dancers, fishermen, and more. Also, I’ve recently started on some religious genre paintings, such as parables and stories from the Bible. I am currently doing a painting of the Prodigal Son.
What galleries represent your work? InSight Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX, and www.jeffmerrill.com.
Derek Harrison
Featured in 2014
Derek Harrison, Moments, oil, 30 x 40.
How has your artwork changed since you were last featured? It has been a very fun and consistent evolution. I’m always striving for a high level of technical skill coupled with interesting concepts. I feel like I am communicating my ideas within this visual medium far more effectively than ever before.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since then? It’s hard to narrow that down to just a few. I feel like each step forward is an accomplishment. I’ve been fortunate to have won a number of awards over the past few years, had some great shows, built relationships with new collectors, and taught on a regular basis.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career? There are many complexities when it comes to working as an artist and advancing a career. However, I have always felt that ultimately it comes down to the work. If it is strong, it will carry you forward. The turning point for me was when I put my work in front of and above all else, dedicating my life to art.
What are your goals for the future? I am always pursuing progression in all areas. New experiences lead to more enlightenment and better ideas, and practice makes perfect. I will be having a major exhibition at Waterhouse Gallery next year, a two-person show with Hsin-Yao Tseng. My goal is to make this something very special.
What galleries represent your work? Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA; Abend Gallery, Denver, CO; and www.derekharrisonart.com.
TJ Cunningham
Featured in 2014
TJ Cunningham, Spring, oil, 12 x 24.
How has your artwork changed since you were last featured? My work has grown stronger in the last five years, mostly due to the hundreds of hours I have spent painting from life. Plein-air work especially has refined both my colors and my textures.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since then? Since 2014 I have been focusing almost exclusively on landscape painting. Awards I have won in that genre include: two Awards of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America; an Honorable Mention from the Art Renewal Center; Best Overall Oil and Best Building in the Plein Air Salon’s bimonthly competitions; Top 25 Finalist in the Plein Air Salon’s annual competition; and First Place Landscape from the Portrait Society of America in its 2016 Members Only Competition.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career? Like the brush strokes in my paintings, thousands of tiny turning points make up my career. For me, the pursuit of virtuosity is a relentless and gradual progression.
What are your goals for the future? I have been painting professionally for nine years, and over that time my goal has remained the same: I want to speak the language of painting perfectly with my own artistic voice.
What galleries represent your work? Edgewater Gallery on the Green, Middlebury, VT; Edgewater Gallery, Boston, MA; Argosy Gallery, Bar Harbor, ME; Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison, CT; Collins Galleries, Orleans, MA; Old Main Gallery & Framing, Bozeman, MT; and www.cunninghamfineart.com.
This story was featured in the September 2019 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2019 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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