Honors Award, 1996 Portrait Competiton, American Society of Portrait Artists

McKinney, Texas artist Connie Erickson considers herself a classical realist. She greatly admires and tries to emulate the creative vision and technical skill combined in the work of the masters and impressionists. The majority of her work is portraitive and figurative in oil and pastel.

Her portrait work includes academic, corporate and private commissions. She also enjoys painting still life, equestrian and landscape subjects for exhibits and galleries.

She has exhibited and received awards in numerous shows in the South and has shown several times in the Pastel Society of America Exhibition in New York. In 1996, Connie was a finalist in the American Society of Portrait Artists Competition. In 1993, she was a finalist in The Artists Magazine national contest in the portrait painting category. In 1994, Gaylord Entertainment commissioned Connie to do six 48x36 oil portraits which are now permanently installed in the newly renovated Ryman Auditorium.

After a Biology major and Nuclear Medicine career, Connie began her art studies in 1984, apprenticing with nationally-renowned artist, Daniel Greene. She also studied at the Art Student's League and with many other well-known working artists, most recently Richard Whitney in New Hampshire.

In addition to painting, Connie is on the faculty of Watkins Institute College of Art and Design where she teaches painting, pastel and figure drawing classes. She also teaches at Cheekwood Fine Arts Center, privately in her home studio, and has given workshops throughout the Central South.

Her memberships include the American Society of Portrait Artists, The American Society of Classical Realism, the Southeastern Pastel Society, and she is a former president of the Nashville Artists Guild.