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The article discusses the author's views regarding the trend among artists of creating works that appear to be copies of works of celebrity artists. The author believes that this is not intentional on the part of the artists but thinks that this is a shortcut done by artists to attain creativity at the expense of their own development. It provides four lessons that artists should allegedly consider for their professional career in art, including step-by-step demonstration on how to create original paintings.

The article focuses on contemporary views on children's portraits. Despite the shift in attitude regarding children's portraits, and society's increasing tendency to value a child's freedom of expression and individual personality, many contemporary commissions still specify that the subject pose in their Sunday best, in a formal setting. Many contemporary artists offer alternatives to tradition while retaining enough of a portrait's purpose to suit parents' wishes.

The article outlines tips for painters on creating their masterpiece. It emphasizes the importance for artists to have a full range of technical ability. Artists should keep in mind that no technique or tool is better than another, and each has an appropriate use. It is essential for artists to continue to experiment with different approaches and materials. It stresses the value for artists to practice perseverance and to be willing to experience failures.

The article presents information on how to authenticate and archive an artwork. Artists can avoid authenticity issues that may arise by considering the importance documentation has on the validity of their work. It is also beneficial for artists to establish archival records to protect their future prospects and their patron's interests.

The article discusses the techniques used by artist Ruth L. Beeve to capture a variety of subjects while on location at the Forbes Trinchera Ranch in Colorado. Plein air painting still features plenty of chance and uncertainty for Beeve although she has painted confidently in water color for several years. Beeve took that approach when capturing the landscape of the Forbes Trinchera Ranch. Beeve's palette of water-soluble oils used during the location is also listed.

The article discusses realist artists who have been featured by American Artist during its 70 years of existence. In most cases, the reports were the first significant accounts of the featured artists' artwork, techniques and philosophies. Most of the early articles were illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of drawings, paintings, graphic designs, sculpture and ceramics.

The author describes his admiration and support for artist Reeve Schley III. A discussion on the family and educational background on Schley is presented as well as details on his early childhood. The author recounts the purchase of his first Schley painting. In addition to the pleasure that Schley's paintings and friendship has given him, the author is grateful to Schley for helping him feel comfortable collecting the works of living artists.

This article presents a conversation with artist Ken Auster about his paintings. His works cover a variety of subjects including cityscapes, restaurant interiors, beach scenes, landscapes and still lifes. He discusses his educational and artistic background. Auster believes that his sense of design and his understanding of color played a role in the success of his paintings. As for the future, Auster says that he will be making larger paintings.

This article presents a conversation with artist Reeve Schley III about his 50-year-old career and the influences on his creative process. An important aspect of his interest in creating art has been working directly from nature. Teaching has also had an impact on Schley's approach to painting, as he finds the interaction with students to be quite stimulating. Another influence on the development of his art has been the interaction with group of supportive collectors.

Focuses on the approach used by artist Robert Bauer in his drawings and paintings. Manner in which the bodies of work that he created were developed; Views of the artist on modern high-contrast photographic realism; Factors that influenced his method of pulling images out of exploratory marks; Importance of the relative directness of drawing to the activity of painting.

Features artist R. Kenton Nelson and his works. Description of his paintings; Problem with relying on photography for painting according to Nelson; Technique used by Nelson in his work.

Features artist Alan Peckolick and his works. Background of his career as a graphic designer; Comments by Peckolick on designing letterforms; Technique used by Peckolick for his paintings.

Features artist Mary Minifie and her works. Influence of Paul Ingbretson's painting and teaching methods on her work; Impact of the death of her husband on her painting career; Preference of Minifie regarding aspects of her paintings.

Focuses on an art project sponsored by FORBES Inc. and the periodical "American Artist" in London, England. Basis for the selection of artists for the project; Information on the relationship among the chosen artists; Characteristics of the realist painters.

Features artist Gary T. Erbe and his trompe l'oeil paintings. Basis of trompe l'oeil art; Concept of the levitational realism technique developed by Erbe; Information on Erbe's paintings "Baseball Album" and "The Mastery of Oil Painting."

Features artist Richard Boyer and his plein air paintings. Colors included in Boyer's palette; Painting techniques used by Boyer; Information on Boyer's painting, "Sunday Morning Fishing."

Presents paintings and drawings from several artists presented in various exhibitions. "Universalist Church," by Edward Hopper; "Newfields, New Hampshire," by Childe Hassam; "Woman Beside a River," by Alfred Thompson.

Profiles California painter Andrew Denman. Features of the acrylic paintings of Denman; Colors used in his paintings; His painting style; Advice of Denman to aspiring artists.

Profiles painter Victor Martinez. Educational and career background; Professional materials used by Martinez; Features of his works; His painting styles.

Profiles oil painter Jonathan Hotz. Reasons for painting in different locations; Colors used his paintings; Features of his art; Advice of Hotz to aspiring artists.

Profiles painter Peter Poskas. Features of his paintings; His painting styles; Methods used by Poskas regarding colors.

Describes the style and technique of artist Paula Lawson in painting pastel landscapes. Experience in her exploration of Texas landscape; Process in painting; Nature of coloring; Details of marking.

Recounts the nature of the techniques of Washington state artist Stan Miller in painting. Significance of experience to the development of the learning ability in painting; Details of the painting exercises being taught by Miller to his class; Importance of design or organization of shapes and values within a painting, to Miller; Selection of colors from a palette.

Focuses on composition in plein air painting. Tips on choosing the subject of the painting; Information on how painter Jean LeGassick created the "Summer Morning at the Lake" painting; Implication of the different sizes and shapes of canvass.

Features Max Mason, a mural painter. Approach used by Mason in painting; Technique in painting murals; Materials used by Mason in painting.

Profiles Brenda Ferguson, a pastel painter from Dixmont, Maine. Efforts of Ferguson to develop her own technique in painting; Challenges encountered by Ferguson in learning the techniques of painting; Event which gave Ferguson the opportunity to show her works.

Details the technique and method in painting used by artist Mario Robinson. Examples of the paintings created by Robinson; Description of the works of Robinson; Attitude of Robinson toward painting.

Presents news briefs on issues related to art in the U.S. as of May 2004. Results of the "Art Market Report," made by Hollis Taggart, president of the Hollis Taggart Galleries; Information on the winners of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society's exhibition at the Ella Carothers Dunnegan Gallery of Art in Bolivar, Missouri; Details of the exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Interborough Rapid Transit Co. subway line in New York City.

Presents an article on using colored pencils for paintings. Advantages of using the medium; Reason colored pencils have attracted artists in growing numbers; Purpose of the author for working on black paper.

Features Minnesota artist Joseph Paquet. Remarks from Paquet on teaching his knowledge of the painting process to others; Information on Paquet's method of painting; Tips on painting.

Focuses on developing a personal style in painting. Process of developing a personal style in art; Ways to incite the imagination; Pieces of advice regarding style development in painting.

Discusses the use of oils in the painting process by Richard Raiselis and describes Chad Wooters' method of utilizing different oils in building paintings. Significance of oils in painting, according to Wooters; Type and amount of oil Wooters uses; Information on the principle of fat over lean in painting.

Focuses on the art of painting unexpected visual occurrences by Wisconsin artist Jeffrey T. Larson as of February 2004. Approach of Larson to oil painting and to living; Artistic focus of the paintings of Larson; Aspect of the paintings of Larson; Educational background of Larson.

Presents the art of drawing upon one's own backyard as depicted by Lynn Newman, art coordinator for the Laramie County School District 1, as of February 2004. Educational background of Newman; Demonstration of a painting of Newman on his daughter and their cat; Example of an artistic connection of Newman with the changing land of Wyoming; Important things artists must know about themselves.

Focuses on the online jurying process used by several art shows in the U.S. Features of a system being developed by the Western States Arts Foundation with the National Association of Independent Artists to address the online submission of entries to a number of arts and crafts festivals organizers in the U.S.; Entry fee for artists who applied using the traditional approach; Benefits of online jurying process for several artists.

Focuses on the technique used by artist Ellen Hopkins Fountain in watercolor painting. Views of Fountain regarding the critical aspects of the watercolor painting process; Theme of paintings by Fountain; Materials used by Fountain in her artworks.

Focuses on the technique used by artist Ron Rencher in en plein air painting. Theme of paintings by Rencher; Description of several paintings by Rencher; Basic colors used by Rencher in his artworks.

Focuses on the technique used by artist Bob Rohm in painting landscape scenery in pastel or oil. Challenges associated with using oil or pastel in painting a landscape; Color used by Rohm when sketching the basic compositional elements of a landscape; Materials used by Rohm in landscape painting.

Offers information on actress and artist Victoria K. Bell. Theme of the painting "Things Are Not What They Seem," by Bell; Influence of Bell's career as an actress on her inspirations and styles in painting; Information on the reference materials used by Bell for her paintings; Approach used by Bell in her paintings.

Describes the encaustic-and-oil landscape paintings of Florida artist Leslie Neumann. Origin of Neumann's inclination to encaustics; Characterization of her works; Process of working on the 'Garden of Unearthly Delights.'

Features South Carolina artist Chet Goff. His reputation in the field of art; Background of Goff; His inclination to watercolor painting.

Presents an article on an artistic approach to painting. Views on automatism and its role in the artistry of painting; Description of the art movement; Most difficult phase in painting; Significance of the viewers' response to the painting.

Analyzes the artistic approach of artist Joyce Washor to miniature painting. Views of Washor on the value of painting miniatures; Advantages of painting small according to Washor; Significant disadvantage of miniature painting.

Describes the style of Californian artist Frank M. Serrano in landscape painting. Historical artists whose work gave Serrano a greater sense of the artistry of painting; Reputation of Serrano as a painter; His achievements in the field of art.

Relates the advice given by artists Blake Vonder Haar and Duffy Sheridan regarding the nature of canvas and linen painting. Things to remember when painting on canvas; Comparison between linen and canvas painting; Significance of experimenting with many varieties of canvas and linen.

Characterizes the works of Pennsylvanian artist Brian Keeler. His reputation as an artist; Style in painting; Background of Keeler in the field of art.

Describes the works of Colorado artist Ralph Oberg. Concept of his paintings; Recognition received by Oberg for his painting entitled 'Lake O'Hara Revisited'; Background of Oberg.

Features Chicago, Illinois artist Jessica Fine. Reputation as an artist; Characterization of her paintings; Her style in painting.

Features Kansas artist Louis Copt. Background of Copt in art; Description of a Kansas Prairie burn-off painting by Copt; His style in painting.

Looks at the perspective of Californian artist Paulette Beakley on art. Her style in painting; Description of her works; Background of Beakley in art.