Professional Honorable Mentions | 27th Annual Member Show
Inspiration can arrive in an unexpected tumble of pencils, a curious bird outside the window, or a fleeting encounter with wildlife. We're delighted to spotlight Nancy Honaker, Julie Podstolski, and Gemma Gylling, the Professional category honorable mentions in our 27th Annual COLOR Magazine Member Show. Their drawings invite us to look a little closer at the color, character, and possibilities around us. Below, each artist shares the inspiration behind her artwork in her own words.
Explore the October 2026 issue of COLOR Magazine for more featured winners, and visit the full Member Show to enjoy artwork from across our colored pencil community.
Nancy Honaker: I Could Have Been a Pencil
From Nancy: My wooden mannequin fell off my drawing board onto my pencils which were lying on the floor and voilà...a reference idea was born! Once I began the drawing, it was amazing how many colors went into rendering each pencil besides the ACTUAL color of that pencil!
Julie Podstolski: Getting to Know You
From Julie: In a wintry tree outside my veranda in the Southern Forests area of South-Western Australia, a western rosella is as curious about me as I am about him. In this drawing I have endeavoured to capture his keen, inquisitive and endearing intelligence.
Gemma Gylling: Born to be Wild - Save Them
From Gemma: Born to be Wild is a reflection of my deep admiration for wildlife and the intricate beauty of the natural world. This artwork was inspired by a moment of quiet observation during an early morning safari, when a leopard crossed our path. Witnessing the animal’s cautious movements and its graceful retreat into the tall grass, then finally to a clearing, I was struck by the sense of mystery and presence that wild creatures hold. The vibrant backdrop of bushes and the interplay of light and color compelled me to capture this experience on paper.
See the Full 27th Annual Member Show
Congratulations to Nancy, Julie, and Gemma! Thank you for sharing your artwork and the moments that inspired it with our colored pencil community.
There's plenty more to discover. Visit the 27th Annual COLOR Magazine Member Show to see the other winners, browse all the entries, and read juror Christina (Chris) Bond's comments on the award-winning artwork and honorable mentions.