Artport

Shirlene Anderson

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Maria Ashcraft

Sponsored by: Russell Ashcraft

Maria Ashcraft, a Bossier City resident since 2002, now lives in Benton, LA with her husband Russell and their two rescue dogs, Princess and Rascal. Maria began her painting journey after moving to Louisiana, inspired by the state’s natural beauty and her international travels. She has studied at Louisiana State University Shreveport, Bossier Parish Community College, and participated in various local workshops.

Her artistic focus is on landscapes, portraits, and animals, with a particular affection for capturing the innocent expressions of dogs. Maria also enjoys painting abstracts and collages, favoring vibrant colors and bold contrasts to bring her subjects to life.

Ken Beatty

Sponsored by: Friends and Family

Ken Beatty is a Louisiana-based artist who explores abstract concepts through texture, layers, and color. His paintings often feature both organic and structural lines and shapes. Each piece begins as an experiment, driven by questions like, “Can I do this?” or “How would this idea be represented?” These inquiries guide his process as he manipulates the canvas to create a cohesive work of art.

Inspired by travel and nature, Ken typically starts with reference photos. He envisions his finished paintings as backdrops to someone’s life, wondering how the piece may evolve depending on who views it and where it’s displayed.

Noah Bounds

Bio

Lisa Brandeburg

Sponsored by: Lisa Brandeburg

Lisa Brandeburg, a Shreveport native, embarked on her artistic journey at 44, taking her first art class as an adult. Inspired by artists like Hopper, Degas, and other contemporary figures, Lisa initially focused on pet portraits. Over time, her subjects have expanded to include landscapes, florals, weddings, and more. Lisa has participated in four juried shows, and painting continues to bring her great joy.

Isabelle De Joya Vea

Bio

Lisandra Di Liberto Torres

Bio

Marabella Dunn

Sponsored by: Lockhart Jewelers

Marabella Dunn has been immersed in the arts her entire life. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a focus on painting and drawing from the Kansas City Art Institute. Marabella furthered her studies in Paris, France, working with renowned artists Jean Helion, Leland Bell, and George Spavanta through the New York Studio School.

Don Edwards

Sponsored by: Nature Art Gallery

Don Edwards has been painting full-time for over 48 years.  His work captures intriguing, realistic moments in nature that are a window of his travels around the world to Colorado Rocky Mountains, Wyoming Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Alaska and the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya and the Kruger National Park in South Africa. In 1981, he was the recipient of the Louisiana Artist of the Year for the Wild Turkey Federation Stamp and Print Program. He was honored again in 1987, as Louisiana Artist of the Year by Ducks Unlimited. In 1990, the honor was bestowed again as Louisiana Artist of the Year for the Wild Turkey Federation, this time for the 10th Anniversary Stamp and Print Program.  He created four turkey stamps as Louisiana Artist of the Year on behalf of the Toledo Bend Bass Association three times running including the 25th Anniversary turkey stamp.

Catherine Emmons

Sponsored by: ArkLaTex Farms

Catherine Emmons has been a Shreveport-based artist for 20 years. She has participated in Artport in the past, with one of her pieces resulting in a sale, and has won awards in local competitions. Catherine specializes in painting florals and portraits, which are her primary artistic passions.

Chuck Gray

Sponsored by: Chuck Gray

Chuck Gray has always been an inveterate storyteller, though he didn’t consider himself an artist until the age of fifty when he began teaching himself to draw and paint. Over the years, Chuck has written and illustrated two books: The Da Viino Code and The Queen of Cuisine. 

More recently, he has focused on creating oil pastels on large canvases in the style of Piet Mondrian, incorporating vertical and horizontal lines into both his artwork and the frames and shadowboxes he designs himself. Chuck and his wife, Pam, enjoy their life on Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, where they embrace the joys of great food, great wine, great stories, and a wonderful city.

Cindy Griffin

Bio

Sena H. McWilliams

Karen Harrington

Bio

Ellie Hooper

Sponsored by: Red River Surgery Center

Eleanor “Ellie” Hooper is a Louisiana native and Shreveport-based artist, specializing in watercolor and oil paintings. With a vibrant and whimsical style, Ellie captures the beauty and wonder of the natural world, creating fresh and captivating depictions that resonate with audiences and collectors alike.

Her artwork often draws inspiration from her travels, whether international journeys or coast-to-coast adventures across the U.S., offering a unique perspective on the world and the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus.

In addition to her artistic practice, Ellie works as a PACU nurse at a local surgery center. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, pottery, and embarking on new adventures. Ellie’s work has been featured in numerous shows and museums, showcasing her talent and passion for art.

Gregg Hornbeak

Diane Jones

Ronald Kidwell

Sponsored by: Ron Kidwell Art

Ron Kidwell, a Shreveport native and Woodlawn High School graduate, has spent over 25 years painting in oils and acrylics. A retired employee of SWEPCO, Ron is a former president of both the Shreveport Art Club and the Men’s Art Guild. He is currently serving as the vice president of the Louisiana Society of Animal Artists. Additionally, Ron has spent 25 years teaching the Bob Ross technique, sharing his passion for painting with others.

Karen Lehr Lawley

Katie Lowder

Sponsored by: Lowder Art

Katie Lowder is an artist based in Shreveport, Louisiana, originally from St. Francisville. A self-taught painter with a background in high school art, she has been creating for more than 18 years.

As a mother of three, Katie embraces the limited time she has to paint, releasing only two collections a year—allowing for a more intentional and thoughtful creative process. She works with a variety of mediums, including acrylic, oil, and watercolor, and is most drawn to landscapes, florals, and abstract art. Her work often incorporates hidden details that hold personal or client-specific meaning, adding layers of depth and storytelling to each piece.

Julie Miller

Julie Miller is a painter whose work explores the depths of connection, emotion, and experience. Through her use of color, composition or subject matter, she creates immersive scenes that invite viewers to step in and discover their own narratives within each piece. For Julie, painting is more than a visual expression—it’s a way to bring stories to life, evoking personal and real emotions that resonate uniquely with each observer. Her art is an open invitation to engage, interpret, and feel.

Rebecca Nesbitt Prosino

Sponsored by: Rebecca Friedman, Frances Rennie, Keith Norwood, Eleonora Monge, Lucia Prosino, Rebecca Sanders, Jeannie Koops, Tara Kini, Christine Fox, Eliza Patten, Jennifer McMenamin, Robin Clawson, Bethany Cerella and Kevin Gronberg

Rebecca, a native of Shreveport, is a textile artist and painter currently living in Como, Italy. Rebecca paints the striking landscapes of Como using gouache en plein air and oils in the studio. She also paints still life in oil, and then renders these in textile collage with the vibrant fabrics of the Kaffe Fassett Collection.

As a juried artist with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC), Rebecca has showcased her work in several recent solo exhibitions, including Passion Project at Rhino Coffee, Paper Trail at SRAC, and Angoli Comaschi at Cornici Como in Como. Additionally, she is a founder and volunteer administrator for the Lake Como chapter of Urban Sketchers International.

Dennis O’Bryant

Kathleen Pate-Rives

Kathleen Pate-Rives is a local mixed media artist, instructor, and workshop leader whose work can be found in galleries, restaurants, and private collections both locally and nationally. She was the owner of Art Workz Gallery in Bossier and is an active leader in the arts community, serving as President of Creative Art Connection and a member of the Shreveport Art Club.

Passionate about expanding access to the arts, Kathleen has written grants to bring renowned artists to the area, providing opportunities for local artists to learn and grow. She finds inspiration in repurposing and recreating art, often incorporating found objects and recycled materials into her work, giving new life to unexpected elements.

Carolyn Pitts

Sponsored by: J&CP Interest, LLC

Carolyn Pitts is a Louisiana wildlife artist and photographer who lives with her husband in Benton, Louisiana. A wildlife conservationist at heart, she specializes in landscapes, wildlife, and pet portraits. She fell in love with the outdoors in South Louisiana hunting and fishing with her husband, Jeffrey. Among the techniques Pitts uses are oils, pastels, watercolors, india ink and acrylics. She has studied under wildlife artists John Seerey – Lester, Kobus Moller, Don Edwards, Cory Carlson, Allan Flattmann, Virginia Vaughn, Kitty Wallis, Mike Windberg, Dalhart Windberg, Mark Mehaffey, and Morgan Samuel Price.  In addition to teaching at her studio, Pitts is also an active member of several arts organizations. These include the Louisiana Society of Animal Artists, the Shreveport Pastel Society, the Shreveport Art Club (served as President and 1st Vice President), the Creative ART Connection (served as President),Shreveport Hoover Watercolor Society and International Scratchboard Society. Carolyn’s work is on view in various public places in and around northwest Louisiana.  

Carolyn’s travels all over the United States have given her a collection of firsthand experiences, wildlife and natural landscapes that inspire her photography and paintings.  She creates that sense of the beauty and freedom that she finds in places like Yellowstone National Park, Alaska, Italy, Kruger National Park, and Tshukudu Game Reserve in South Africa. These adventures in the wild, observing wildlife in its natural habitat, have allowed her to capture rare moments in her work that bring her a deep sense of motivation and hopefully invites her audiences to take the journey alongside her.  

Henry Price

Sponsored by: HEP Creations

Henry Price has dedicated his life to supporting the arts. In 2010, he was invited to the Italian Riviera to participate in a study of Italian culture and the arts. He has worked with the George Rodrigue Blue Dog Foundation of the Arts and is a founding fellow of the Louisiana A+ initiative, which promotes the integration of the arts into school curricula across the state.

When art education faced significant challenges in Louisiana, Price advocated fiercely for its preservation. Working with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC), he was instrumental in the creation of the 39-year-old ArtBreak Festival in downtown Shreveport.

In recognition of his contributions, Price received the Southeastern Regional Art Supervisor of the Year Award from the National Art Education Association in 2014. On March 24, 2019, The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture invited him to serve as a panelist for the screening of the documentary “Clementine Hunter’s World.”

Kay R. Wallace

Sponsored by: Kay R. Wallace Art

Kay R. Wallace, a Shreveport, LA native, graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BFA in Graphic Design. After spending many years as a freelance artist and with a growing family, she embarked on a long journey in Children and Family Ministry.  In 2018, she returned to her artistic roots and began painting full time, bringing her years of creative experience into a new artistic direction.  Kay typically paints in acrylic and loves to use bold color to depict creative realism.  Her work can be seen at Kay R Wallace Art on Facebook and Instagram or her website, Kay R Wallace Art.com.

Rebeka Reed

Sponsored by: Agora Borealis

Rebekah Reed is a Shreveport-based artist whose passion for drawing began at the age of four. Now 39, she continues to find inspiration in both people and wildlife, capturing their essence through her work.

Specializing in portraits and animal subjects, Rebekah’s art reflects a deep appreciation for detail and expression. Whether portraying the soulful gaze of a person or the untamed beauty of an animal, her work is a testament to her lifelong dedication to the craft.

June Rose Dowis

Sponsored by: 318 Forum – Venture Publishing

June Rose Dowis is a Shreveport-based poet and artist whose work captures the beauty of observation and the power of reflection. As a haiku and senryu poet, she has been widely published in national and international journals, earning recognition in esteemed competitions such as the Haiku Society of America’s Gerald Brady Senryu Contest and the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Contest. She has also served as the South Region Coordinator for the Haiku Society of America, fostering connections among poets across Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

In addition to poetry, June explores mixed media, collage, and acrylics in her visual art, embracing the imperfections that make each piece unique. Whether through words or images, her work invites the viewer to slow down, appreciate the details of everyday life, and find meaning in the present moment.

Barbara Rushing

Sarah-Katherine Semon

Sarah-Katherine Semon is a Shreveport native with a lifelong passion for creativity. A proud graduate of C.E. Byrd High School (Class of 2015) and Louisiana Tech University (Class of 2018), she has deep roots in the 318 community.

In 2017, she launched Art by Sarah-Katherine Semon as a way to share her artwork with others, turning her passion into a career. Through her art, she strives to bring beauty and inspiration to those around her. Grateful for the opportunity to pursue her dreams every day, Sarah-Katherine is honored to have the support of her community.

Susan Sexton

Sponsored by: Eagle-Heart Studio

Susan Sexton is a multi-media artist whose creativity has been a lifelong journey, beginning in second grade when she received her first pyrography iron. Born in Shreveport, she now resides in Shongaloo, Louisiana, where she draws inspiration from both nature and her Christian spirituality.  

Her artistic expression spans a variety of mediums, including pens, markers, acrylics, and oils, applied to paper, canvas, walls, and ceilings. She also creates with metals and wire, blending traditional and industrial techniques.  

Susan has honed her craft through formal study at various institutions, including Kansas State University, where she studied metalsmithing and jewelry, and North Webster Parish Vo-Technical School, where she trained in welding. Her diverse skill set and passion for creativity continue to shape her ever-evolving artistic journey.

Cindy Singletary

Cindy Singletary was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana but now resides with her husband in Benton, Louisiana. She is a watercolorist and a photographer and loves to create in both of these mediums. Cindy appreciates capturing the detailed illustrations of various wildlife forms and stunning new discoveries of nature’s canvas of land and water using the different techniques of each medium for uniquely beautiful results.  She is a member of the Hoover Watercolor Society and the Shreveport Photography Society.

Amber Stroud

Sponsored by: Pipeworks Plumbing

Amber Stroud  is a Shreveport-based artist who has always had a passion for art, ever since she was a child. Now in her 30s, she creates art that brings smiles to people’s faces. Amber specializes in a wide variety of subjects, from pet portraits to capturing cherished memories, such as a favorite moment under a willow tree. Her all-time favorite subject to paint is the state bird of Louisiana, the Pelican.

Gwen Talbot Hodges

Sponsored by: Johanna Lough, PT, Cert. DN at On Point Physical Therapy

Shreveport native Gwen Talbot Hodges is a nationally and internationally recognized artist whose work has earned prestigious accolades and widespread publication. A graduate of C.E. Byrd High School and Southern Methodist University, she has been a distinguished presence in every Artport exhibition, including Artport: The Address Book. In 2008, she was inducted into the C.E. Byrd Hall of Fame.

Hodges holds Signature Membership status in the National Watercolor Society, as well as the Southwestern and Louisiana Watercolor Societies. Her award-winning paintings have been featured in 14 books, including as the cover artist for Splash 7: A Celebration of Light – The Best of Watercolor by North Light Books. Her work has also been highlighted in numerous publications, including American Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, International Artist, Watercolor Magic, and on the front cover of Country Roads Magazine.

Her watercolor painting Sallie’s Satsuma was selected for display in the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion and, more recently, in the R.W. Norton Art Gallery. Hodges believes in the transformative power of art, stating, “What we focus on, we bring into our lives. Spending time with light and color is uplifting and soul-satisfying.”

Whitney Tates

Yuina Todman

Yuina Todman, originally from Okinawa, Japan, creates artwork inspired by nature and the human condition. Her work explores the fluidity of form, aiming to capture a deeper connection with her subjects. She believes that creating art is not about merely describing a subject defined by form, but rather engaging in a conversation with the subject and the materials themselves. 

In this process, she draws inspiration from nature’s effortless movements, like birds soaring in the sky or flowers blooming without thought. Her approach to art is a reflection of this natural flow, where the process itself is as important as the finished piece.“The material in front of me speaks to me, and my brush responds to it.” – Yuina Todman

Genevieve Tournebize

Sponsored by: Genevieve Tournebize Art

Originally from France, Genevieve Tournebize has called Shreveport home for the past 50 years, immersing herself in the richness of its environment. A lifelong artist, she works in oil, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, graphite, and charcoal, capturing the beauty she sees in portraits of people and animals, floral compositions, landscapes, and other inspired themes.  

Her artistic journey began with a love of doodling and drawing, which continued through moves to Spain and eventually the United States, where her children were born. In the quiet hours after they went to sleep, she found solace in painting, ceramics, and china painting—what she once called her “art therapy.” Now retired, Genevieve dedicates herself fully to her craft, learning and creating more than ever before. For her, art is not just a passion but a daily practice, a way to celebrate beauty in both nature and human connection.

Mary Virginia Hill

Sponsored by: Hill Geophysical Consulting LLC

Mary Virginia grew up in Shreveport, where her mother, Jerry Wray, was a painter and community arts activist who earned her BFA at Newcomb College (now Tulane). Inspired by her mother’s legacy, Mary Virginia also attended Newcomb, before transferring to Hunter College in Manhattan to immerse herself in the city’s renowned museums. She earned her MFA at the University of Alabama and taught for a time before living in Rochester, NY, where she exhibited with a couple of galleries. She returned to Shreveport in 1985 and has since enjoyed working with acrylics and watercolors in an abstract, process-oriented style. Her work is deeply influenced by her love of landscape, color, and abstract expressionist art.

Lindsey Waters

Sponsored by: Waters Specialty Countertops

Lindsey Waters is an experimental collage artist based in Shreveport, Louisiana who reconstructs her abstract paintings into something entirely new. After earning her BFA in Studio Art from Louisiana Tech University in 2012, she developed a process of cutting up her own paintings into intricate fragments and layering them into dynamic, immersive compositions.

Using acrylics, watercolor, alcohol inks, and other texture-rich materials on synthetic paper, Lindsey creates work that is both meticulous and expressive. Her process is deeply intuitive—a meditative act of deconstruction and reconstruction, where each piece finds its place in an evolving visual rhythm. Through her art she pushes the boundaries of abstraction, offering a space to contemplate the beauty of change and the fluidity of life.  

Jessica Welch

Leah Welch

Sponsored by: Plumber for Hire & Simon Fitzgerald LLC Bankruptcy Law Firm

Leah Welch is a Shreveport-based artist and educator whose work vividly reflects the vibrant tapestry of life in Louisiana. Educated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in Art, from Minot State University, she embarked on a career that has been both fulfilling and formative. Her teaching career, spanning from Donnie Bickham Middle School to North Caddo High School and currently Youree Drive Middle School, has provided her with a platform to cultivate creativity in students while continually refining her own artistic voice.

Her artwork is a celebration of Shreveport’s unique cultural and natural landscape. From the vibrant festivals and the rich musical heritage to the everyday beauty of the local food and nature, her pieces aim to capture the essence of this dynamic city. Each painting and photograph reflect not only her personal experiences but also the collective spirit of the community that has influenced her work.

Highlights of her art practice include solo exhibitions such as “Art by Leah Welch” at the Bossier Arts Council, showcasing a collection of paintings that convey her deep affection for Louisiana. Her work has also been featured in various esteemed venues, including the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum and the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, where she explored themes from oil paintings of local architecture to printmaking of flowers.

Mark and Mike Mangham

Sponsored by: Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS

Mike and Mark Mangham, twin brothers from Southern Hills in south Shreveport, have always had a passion for looking at old photographs. Around 2015, they began sharing images they discovered at the Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS (with permission) on Facebook. Inspired by these vintage photos, they started taking their own pictures from the exact spots where the original images were captured, then merging the two to create what they called “blends.” The name “Twin Blends” was coined by Mike, reflecting both their twin connection and the blending of past and present.

Their mission is to showcase the history and beauty of the Shreveport-Bossier City area in a fun and engaging way. Through their work, they aim to honor the men and women who helped shape the region, as well as the legendary photographers who captured moments in time for future generations to appreciate.

“You can’t fully appreciate the Present without looking back to the Past.” — Mark & Mike Mangham