North Carolina artist Paula Holtzclaw has gained a national reputation for her ability to capture the drama of nature on canvas. Light-filled paintings of pristine, undeveloped landscapes are executed with a unique blend of classical realism and impressionism, while her still life paintings demonstrate a love of the Old Masters’ works.
Holtzclaw’s paintings have been included in many national juried and museum exhibitions. Museum venues include the Haggin Museum, Gilcrease Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Muscarelle Museum of Art, the Tucson Desert Museum, and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Paula has been the recipient of notable awards including:
- -Award of Excellence: “American Women Artists National 2019”
- -The F & M Bank Purchase Award: “American Women Artists National 2018,” First Place
- -Best Landscape: “Nautical Show at Salmagundi Art Club,” New York, NY, 2017
- -Best in Show: “National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society 2016”
- -“Women Painters of the Southeast Exhibition 2015”
PUBLICATIONS:
Most recent publication profiles of Paula and her work include the January 2019 issue of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine’s feature, "Today's Masters,” and a spread in the April 2019 issue of Art of the West Magazine, showcasing Holtzclaw and her studio.
Paula has also been featured in various other arts publications including American Artist magazine, the American Society of Marine Artists News & Journal, Charleston Style & Design Magazine, Today’s Charlotte Woman Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & HONORS:
Holtzclaw is a Master Member of American Women Artists (AWA), a Master Member of the Women Artists of the West (WAOW), and holds Signature Memberships in numerous prestigious art organizations and societies including:
- -Oil Painters of America (OPA)
- -the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA)
- -National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society (NOAPS)
- -The American Impressionist Society (AIS)
- By invitation, Holtzclaw is an artist member of the Salmagundi Club of New York and the Plein Air Painters of the SouthEast (PAP-SE). Paula is often called upon to serve as an entry and awards juror for regional and national exhibitions. Holtzclaw served on the Executive Board of American Women Artists from 2012-2019, a 501 (c) (3) educational nonprofit organization, dedicated to the advancement of women through the arts.
ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS & HONORS:
2019
- -Award of Excellence: “American Women Artists National Museum Exhibition,” Steamboat Springs Art Museum, CO, June-Sept. 2019
- -Third Place Master Division: “Women Artists of the West, 49th National Exhibition,” 2019
- -“34th Annual Bosque Art Classic,” Clifton, TX, Sept. 2019
- -“Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show,” Tucson, AZ
- -National Oil and Acrylic Society's “Best of America," National Exhibition, Park City, UT
- -“Women Artists of the West National Exhibition,” Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO
- -“American Women Artists Master Show,” RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX
- -“Southern Exposure,” solo exhibition, Cheryl Newby Gallery, Pawleys Island, SC, April 27-May 25, 2019
- -Award of Merit: National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society's "Best of America,” Small Works Show, Fredericksburg, TX, March 2019
- -Feature article: "The Studio of Paula Holtzclaw," Art of the West Magazine, March/April 2019
- -Feature article: "Today's Masters," Fine Art Connoisseur, Jan/Feb 2019
- -“Virtuosos of the OPA,” Cutter & Cutter Fine Art Gallery, St. Augustine, FL
2018
- -Awarded Signature Status, Oil Painters of America
- -“American Society of Marine Artists 40th Anniversary Marine Art Invitational,” Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC
- -“American Miniatures Invitational,” Settlers West, Tucson, AZ
- -California Art Club: "A Hint of Light," Altadena Town and Country Club, Altadena, CA
- -“AIS Impressions Small Works Showcase,” Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
- -National Oil and Acrylic Painters of America "Best of America," Small Works Exhibition, Richland Fine Art Gallery, Nashville, TN
- -“Oil Painters of America 2018 National Exhibition,” Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO
- -“Salmagundi Club Nautical Exhibition,” New York, NY
- -F & M Bank Purchase Award: American Women Artists, 2018, Haggin Museum Show, Stockton, CA
- -Award of Merit: National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society’s "Best of America 2018," Eisele Gallery of Fine Art, Cincinnati, OH
- -“Women Artists of the West 2018 National,” Price Tower, Bartlesville, OK
- -“33rd Annual Bosque Art Classic,” Clifton, TX
2017
- -Franklin G. Burroughs, Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum: "Grand Strand Collects," Sept. 28-Dec. 14, 2017
- -“American Women Artists National,” Tucson Desert Art Museum, Tucson, AZ.
- -Salmagundi Art Club of New York: “2017 Annual Members Show,” New York, NY
- -Awarded First Place: “Salmagundi Club Nautical Show,” July 10-July 27, 2017, New York, NY
- -Cheryl Newby Gallery: “Summer Show,” July 8-August 5, 2017, Pawleys Island, SC
- -Awarded Artist Membership, Salmagundi Club of New York
- -Awarded Artist Membership, The Bennington Collective, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
- -“Small Works Show,” Bennington Center for the Arts, May-December 2017
- -“Mountain Oyster Club Invitational,” Tucson, AZ
- -“American Miniatures Invitational,” Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ, February 11, 2017
- -“American Impressionist Society Small Works Exhibition,” Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
- -“Spring Showcase Invitational,” RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX, March 1-June 3, 2017
- -“17th National American Society of Marine Artists Exhibition,” September 9, 2016-January 26, 2018. Traveling exhibition hosted by six museums.
- -“Lyme Art Association Invitational,” Old Lyme, CT, Oct-Dec 2017
- -National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society’s "Best of America," Castle Gallery, Ft. Wayne, IN, Oct 16-Nov 11, 2017
- -“Women Artists of the West 47th National Exhibition,” McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
2016
- -Best Landscape by Signature Member Award: "Best of America," 2016 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA
- -Featured in Art of the West Magazine, May/June 2016 issue
- -“American Impressionist Society's 17th National Juried Exhibition,” Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
- -Women Painters of the Southeast, Abingdon, VA
- -“American Miniatures Invitational,” Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
- -“17th National American Society of Marine Artists Exhibition,” September 9, 2016-January 26, 2018. Traveling exhibition hosted by six museums.
- -“American Women Artists 25th National Exhibition,” Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
- -“Women Artists of the West,” RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX
- -Best Landscape: Pleinair, Feb/March 2016
2015
- -Awarded Master Signature Member of Women Artists of the West
- -Juror of Awards: “The Seaside Palette, Plein Air Event,” Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art, 25th Anniversary
- -“American Impressionist Society's 16th Annual Juried Exhibition,” Trailside Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
- -“American Women Artists National Master and Signature 25th Anniversary Member Show,” Scottsdale, AZ
- -“Women Artists of the West 45th National Exhibit,” Tucson National Art Museum, Tucson, AZ
- -National Oil and Acrylic Painters of America, 25th "Best of America" National Exhibition, Bolivar, MO
- -“Oil Painters of America Salon Show 2015,” Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL
- -Best Floral Award: “PleinAir Salon Competition,” for "Orchids with Pears," Judge: Bob Malenfant of Southwest Gallery in Dallas, TX
- -The Artist's Magazine “32nd Annual Art Competition,” Finalist in Still Life Category for "A Touch of Lace.”
- -Best in Show: “Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition,” Blue Ridge Arts Association, Blue Ridge, GA, April 3-May 15, 2015
Artist Statement:
I choose to paint what is beautiful and meaningful, knowing that this act of celebrating and communicating the beauty in this world has the power to uplift and inspire.
~ Paula Holtzclaw