The Artists

Carlos Benson

        Carlos  has been doodling ever since he can remember. He is self-taught, having honed  his drawing skills on the pages of all his school books. Those doodling skills later earned him a two year comic strip contract the largest paper in Utah,  The Salt Lake Tribune. His comic strip ran for two years.
        Located now in Independence, Missouri, he has entered many art shows and has won several first place awards for his realistic drawings which you see here today. He also created an interactive children's e-book called Gabe and the Pesky Bug, which is available in the iTunes APP store and the Kindle ebook store. He specializes in graphite pencil and markers.
        Carlos was born in Chile and moved to the States when he was nine. He is a graduate of the University of Utah, a veteran of Desert Storm and is now a local mailman. He has been married to Audree for over 20 years. He is currently working on illustrations for a Christian children’s interactive e-book for the iPad.  Like all artists, he wishes he could draw for a living.

Visit his website at www.carlosbenson.com .

Johnni Dowhower

She was born into the freedom of the country with mineral spring’s swimming, cave exploring, and Indian mound playing along Missouri bluffs.  The wildlife, flora and fauna were her playmates and playground.  This has been her inspiration no matter where she has been in her life.  This makes photography and plein air painting a natural outcome.
The chance to experience all the textures first hand in nature shows up often as a third dimension.  This calls for a palette knife not just a brush.  Observing the wonderful detailing carries over into her subjects as does her use of the beautiful colors displayed in nature.
She grew up with only original art work hanging in the home.  Her mother and uncle worked in the art industry, the grandmothers painted.  There were even cousins that worked in the arts but a fifthgrade school teacher sealed her into becoming a kindergarten through twelfth grade plus art teacher.
Her first degree was from Graceland University in Iowa and her masters in curriculum with an emphasis in the arts came from Lesley University in Massachusetts. Her continuing art education has earned her several extra years of college hours. Through the years, the professional art workshops and camps have kept her abreast of the new and innovative art ideas, movements and materials.
Just as nature is in constant flux so is her art style but whether implied or tactile texture is there in all her work.
From high school art awards and scholarships; through selling her art or   having entries in juried shows she has continued to perfect her art.

Ted Stillwell

George Lightfoot

George is a native of Kansas City, born in 1931 and now lives in Independence, Missouri. His father was an artist also so George has been drawing and painting since early childhood. He began by learning from his father, then continued taking art courses throughout elementary school, high school and college. 

He has continued his art education through individual study, advanced painting courses through Metropolitan Community College and by attending many demonstrations and workshops conducted by well known artists.  He has been showing and selling his artwork since 1979. 

George works in acrylic on canvas to create his original paintings and his lifelong interest in architecture usually dictates the choice of subject matter for his paintings. The rich heritage of beautiful and historical buildings in and around the Kansas City area provide him with a prime field from which to paint. 

George has developed his own distinctive and recognizable style which has earned him many juried art show awards along with many satisfied customers and collectors of his artwork.

Pat Deeter

Pat was born 1931, raised in Kansas City, MO and much of her work reflects her love of the Heartland she grew up around.  Using multiple techniques and mediums including oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel, Pat incorporates a style that invites the viewer into the painting.  She often captures her subjects “en plein-aire” or on location.  The setting could be a field in Missouri but as a prolific world traveler it is just as likely a painting on location in Mexico, the Amazon, the Caribbean, Europe or South America.  Her command and love of color, movement and emotion is apparent in her portraits, landscapes, and still lifes.
Pat’s passion and talent for painting has produced many awards and her works have been displayed in One-Woman Shows and Featured Artist Shows.  Her accolades include many Best of Show and Purchase Awards.  She holds Signature status in Kansas Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society and Mid-America Pastel Society.
The “Lighthouse, Antique Farm Equipment and Historical Sites” series captures American icons and the historical building blocks of our nation.  This is an ongoing series which premiered at Powell Gardens.  Pat is often commissioned to capture local scenes, personal portraits and special pets; her pet portraits hang in many Central Midwest homes.
Pat taught art classes throughout Missouri, Illinois and Pennsylvania as well as Fort Richie, Maryland.   She has also taught many courses at Primary Colors in Independence Missouri as well as her private studio.
Pennsylvania South Mountain Restoration Center selected Pat’s mural design expressing the bounty and beauty of the Cumberland Valley.  Hagerstown, Maryland Art Museum procured one of Pat’s watercolors for their permanent exhibit.  She also has two paintings on permanent display in the “Healing Art Works” at the Hunterdon Medical Facility, New Jersey.
Pat’s Ambition: ”Meaningful paintings with vivid color and dramatic lighting sharing the story of life”
EDUCATION:
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO.    BFA Rockford University, Rockford, IL.  1980
GALLERIES:
Art Squared Gallery, Independence, MO.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Independence Art Association, ArtsKCnow
Past Pres. Greater Kansas City Art Association and Independence Art Association

Marcia Pugh

Marcia has always enjoyed a good sunset, sunrise, the drama of trees, and has attempted to recreate what she sees and feels.  Starting as a child with pastels, she moved on to oils in college; then changed to acrylics when her own children were young… a simpler approach.  She enjoyed acrylics, and stayed with that media for most of her paintings.
She has been involved in education as an elementary school teacher, worked with youth at church in many capacities…and used art as a meaningful part in all of these endeavors.  She also loves to play the piano….and take each day as a mysterious adventure. 
Joining the Independence Art Association brought a wonderful group of friends and co-artists into her life after she retired from teaching.  Now part of that group has formed ‘Art Squared Gallery’ at The Emporium; and art, and sharing art, has become an even larger part of her daily activities.
Marcia is interested in adding different medias to her artistic expressions.  Much lies ahead in the form of experimenting with new ideas.  She is very excited and happy to be a part of this new adventure….Art Squared Gallery. 

Bette Kunkle

I have been doing artwork since early childhood. My first art teacher was my mom who was a greeting card artist for Hallmark Cards. She trained me with her watercolors and sable brushes. With hours of practice, I became very proficient at illustrating people. I won several awards for my artwork during my grade school and secondary school years. My high school teacher entered my work in galleries and shows, and provided the opportunity for me to do quick portraits at a local shopping mall.
I majored in art my first two years at Kansas State University, then graduated with a degree in Interior Design. After graduation I moved home to Omaha where I worked for eight years as an Interior Designer. During that time, I was an active member of the Omaha Artist Association. I studied oil painting at Bellevue College and illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute. I moved to Kansas City where I worked as an Interior Decorator for two years. When the economy began to tighten up and sales became harder to make, I decided to go back to school earning an associate in mechanical drafting. I went from my career of interior design to engineering technology at Butler Manufacturing. For the next 28 years I was employed as a technician at Butler, happily married to Dennis Kunkle, and raising our daughter. I retired from Butler Manufacturing in 2010. Currently I am an active member of Independence Art Association serving on the IAA Board. My artwork has been displayed at various local art galleries. I enjoy doing “Plein Aire” painting, studio workshops; and showcasing my artwork. I also do custom portraits in pastels.
 
Contact me for pricing on portraits and prints at (816)507-3053 or email me at bdartgallery@comcast.net. My artwork can also bee seen on the Independence Art Association website; http://independenceartassociation.org/ . Click on “Members Gallery”.