Meet Our Group of Eight Artists October 2024

By Kara Dicker

The Group of 8 Show at Heartland Art Club’s Members’ Gallery offers our members an exclusive opportunity to showcase their work. The eight artists featured in this season’s show are exceptionally skilled, each bringing a distinct voice and mastery to their craft. In this post, Kara Dicker asked some of them to share the best advice they’ve received as professional artists.

Photos by Doug Simes

Susan Wehrman has advanced the technique of colored pencil.

“One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was KEEP LEARNING! No matter how long you’ve been an artist, no matter how skilled you are, try lots of new things and definitely take advantage of all the online workshops being offered these days. There are so many exceptional artists out there with different techniques and styles, and a lot of them are teaching. I continue to take lots of workshops, and I learn something new from every single one of them. Sometimes they lead your art in a whole new direction that you would never have come to on your own.”

Carolyn Karasek’s dramatic portraits contain the magical element of storytelling.

“The best piece of advice I received as a professional artist from a former teacher of mine was to be true to yourself, create your own truth. Don’t try to be someone else.
From my father when I was 18 – “To thine own self be true.” — William Shakespeare”

Julie Barbeau’s cow portraits depict the founding heifers from her family’s cattle ranch in Southeast Missouri.

“Remember that you are always learning. Your first one hundred paintings are just practice, so keep painting, and paint often! You can only paint as well as you can draw. Work from life as much as possible. Study art history, composition, anatomy, gesture drawing and perspective.”

Judy Stroup’s plein air landscapes evoke a sense of place.

“In thinking about that question, I’d have to say a couple of things. First of all, paint what you love, and second, trust the process. Those two things will give authenticity to your voice.”

Stacey McAdams displays her deep love for contrast and color theory.

“The best advice (but not the easiest) I have ever received is to follow your intuition. If your inner voice tells you to put green on the face, put green on the face! Be free with color choices and brush strokes rather than a slave to the photo. Following this advice has allowed my style to develop naturally over time, and it’s fun!”

“I began as a freelance illustrator in 1980, and that was my sole source of income until a few years ago when I started doing fine art. The best piece of advice I ever received as a professional artist was to take care of the business side of being an artist. Being self-employed, no one is going to do it for you: keep good records, pay your taxes (and pay them on time), and save for retirement.”