Painting of the Week: “Sweet Sixteen”

“Sweet Sixteen” by William A. Schneider received the Best of Show award at the 2020 Art of the Heartland National Exhibition. The annual competition is sponsored by Southwest Artists, a non-profit arts organization started in 1945.

The Art of the Heartland National Exhibition runs through October 31, 2020 at the Mena Gallery in Mena, Arkansas.  The Juror of Awards was noted artist Tim Tyler.

William commented: “The model is the sixteen-year-old neighbor of one of my artist friends. She agreed to model for our painting group. I loved the strong diagonal movement of the pose and an opportunity to paint one of my favorite themes: the beauty of youth.”

Related Article by William Schneider > Painting and the Search for Excellence

ABOUT THE ARTIST

William A. Schneider’s work has evolved since he finished his studies at the American Academy of Art. He credits the many hours he spent studying and copying masterworks by Nicolai Fechin with loosening up his brushwork and approach to edges.

Schneider has won awards up to and including “Best of Show” in most of the national juried representational exhibitions. His work has also been featured in publications including Art of the West, Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art, International Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, and Pastel Journal. His instructional DVDs are distributed by Liliedahl Video Productions and he has demonstrated his painting techniques at the Figurative Art Convention & Expo.

He was awarded signature status in Oil Painters of America (OPA). In addition, the Pastel Society of America has recognized him as a “Master Pastelist,” IAPS (the International Association of Pastel Societies) has named him to the Masters’ Circle and AIS made him a Master Signature Member (AISM). Visit his website at SchneiderArt.com.

Register here for Realism Live, a global virtual art conference in October 2020.