The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - December 2020

The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - December 2020

Corresponding with the art gallery that is featured each month in Ann Kullberg's COLOR MagazineThe Pencil Box blog series will give artists a bit more space to share insight and inspiration about their colored pencil art. Make sure to check out FB group links at the bottom of this post. Call for entry is posted every month in participating Facebook groups - join in the fun and your artwork could be featured, too!


Under Her Wing by Terri Neal
18x13 inches, Arches Aquarelle

Under Her Wing is a drawing of a red necked grebe pair nesting. They are an Oregon conservation strategy species, which means a species that is at risk with a declining population. Grebes build floating nests in wetlands areas. When the chicks hatch they ride on their parents backs until they can swim in a week or two. I was lucky to find this nest with the new chicks. I consider it a gift from nature when I witness animals pursuing their natural behavior. Upon finding the nest it was imperative to sit quietly and observe the parents behavior and wait for the chicks to peek out from the back feathers. I have been working on documenting many at risk species with drawings.

About Terri Neal:

Terri Neal has a keen interest in animals and the natural world. Her realistic style conveys her love of the subject matter and color. Her quest is to find the soul and whimsy in each of her animal subjects. Terri has received multiple awards for her artwork.

See more at: https://www.fergsartyside.com/



Little Laplander by Lisa Hammerstein
9x12 inches, Claire Fontaine Pastelmat

For me old photographs are memories frozen in time. Every picture tells a story. I’m affectionately calling this piece “Little Laplander” named after my husband as a young child. In this memory my husband is uncomfortably dressed up in a family heirloom from his Finnish born Grandmother. He is standing on his childhood property in front of his Mother’s favorite Rhododendron bush undoubtedly planted by his Father who was an avid gardener. The story as told by my Husband was about how uncomfortable he was standing in a heavy wool outfit to model on a hot Summers day. His discomfort was obvious by his frowning face. The convergence of these bits of memories made this photograph cry out to be drawn.

About Lisa Hammerstein:

Lisa’s art journey was fueled by her need to keep her mind active after a devastating diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Fears of becoming physically and mentally atrophied drove her to discover her hidden desire to draw. Her lifelong love of the arts found a perfect mate in color pencils.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/Lisas-World-of-Art-1241662569343167/



Serenity by Sheri Engel
16"x20", Grey Pastelmat

I had mostly been doing portraits, and decided to try something different. I loved the photo I took because of all the reflections in the water. You could also see a couple of the koi very clearly. It looked challenging and it certainly was. The image was taken at an outdoor mall near where I live. I used the grid method to be absolutely sure I got as much detail as I could. Also, we have a koi pond in our backyard and my husband really loves koi, so the drawing was for him. I am very happy with the outcome.

About Sheri Engel:

Sheri is a self-taught artist who started drawing later in life at the age of 47. She started with portraiture but slowly added to her drawings to include still life, landscapes, botanical and pet portraiture. She lives in South Orange County, California with her husband, two kids and a dog. 



Nala by Emma Tildesley
8x11 inches, Grafix Dura Lar

Nala is my own Bengal cat who came to live with us in February this year. She is the most playful and inquisitive kitten I have ever come across. Agile, confident and very intelligent, she loves to play fetch and will happily break anything that is left in her way, even if it is at the top of a 7-foot-high cabinet. Nothing is Bengal proof. Nala has a striking coat and beautiful emerald eyes. She loves to pose, making her a wonderful model to draw but aside from that, I wanted to capture her unique personality and the mischievous look in her eyes whilst she is still in the adorably naughty kitten stage.

About Emma Tildesley:

Emma is a Botanical and Nature artist from Worcestershire in the UK. Currently studying for a Diploma with the Society of Botanical Artists, she works primarily in Coloured Pencil and Watercolour. Taking inspiration from the nature surrounding her, Emma enjoys painting vibrant, realistic studies with extreme attention to detail.

See more at: https://www.instagram.com/emmatildesleybotanicalart/


These artworks are published in the DECEMBER 2020 issue of COLOR Magazine.

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