While we continuously strive to bring you new artists and perspectives from around the world in every issue, over the course of this magazine’s 27-year history we’ve been lucky to have many incredible artists contribute their artwork and ideas more than once. We develop a rapport with these artists—each of which I value deeply. The features and demonstrations you read in each issue are a result of back and forth conversations, brainstorming and workshopping with artists who take time out of their busy and vibrant lives to share what they know with us. Those conversations are often as rewarding as the articles that result from them.
I’m delighted to point readers toward the cover artist of this issue, Mark Hobson, who not only shared a demonstration with us way back in 2010 (issue #74) but was also the Third Prize winner in last year’s Landscapes Competition. Mark was originally a biologist and high school teacher, taking his science background and translating it into art. He’s best known for his use of light in depicting Canada’s remote west coast as well as his entrancing underwater scenes, inspired by the artist’s love of scuba diving. Read Mark’s feature starting on page 38.
Another prominent contributor to the magazine is the late Kevin Grass, known for his whimsical Lame Ducks series. I was deeply saddened to hear of Kevin’s passing in February and immediately paused to reflect on what a bright light he was within the art world. In addition to his Lame Ducks—which feature delightfully comical scenes of rubber ducks embarking on human endeavors like playing baseball or floating in hot air balloons—Kevin was also a highly accomplished landscape and figurative painter. You can read his most recent columns in the June/July 2022 and 2023 issues of International Artist. Kevin was always a joy to work with, and he will be greatly missed.
As always, I hope you enjoy this latest issue and learn something new. From charcoal artist Emily Copeland to Choctaw oil painter Karen Clarkson, the pages of this magazine are filled with immensely talented artists. Happy painting!
Warmly,
Alyssa M. Tidwell
Editor
atidwell@internationalartist.com