International Artist

Welcome to the April/May issue of International Artist! As I write this on a cold March day from my hotel room in Cheyenne, Wyoming, much of the country is still deep in winter. Boston is blanketed in snow, and even Central Park has become a winter playground. Yet, we know what comes next—longer days, brighter skies and the unmistakable momentum of spring. For artists, that seasonal shift brings renewed energy, fresh perspectives and wonderful opportunities to create exceptional work. Beginning on page 31, you’ll find our annual Art Shows & Fairs Guide, a valuable resource for artists looking to share their work and connect with collectors. Exhibitions and art fairs remain an essential part of the artistic ecosystem, offering opportunities to present and sell work, build community and gain career…

Our past three covers, including the issue you hold in your hands, have featured mediums that are occasionally less recognized than the juggernaut that is oil paint. The December / January and February/March covers were two very different applications of the lush, textural medium of pastel, while this April/May issue is a lovely and luminous watercolor. These mediums are in no way inferior to oil—far from it—they’re simply a little less common, which is why I always look for truly standout works to grace our covers and bring more attention to the fantastic artists who work with them. This cover, by watercolorist and art educator Cindy Briggs, depicts a 14 th-century French cottage. Turn to page 38 for a dive into Briggs’ techniques in capturing old European stonework in watercolor,…

Misure Nien Changhua City, Taiwan, Morning by the Lake, watercolor and gouache, 30 x 21¼ (76 x 54 cm) Grand Prize is a four-page editorial feature in American Art Collector magazine Deeper Resonance Born in 1965 in Taiwan, Misure Nien is a contemporary gouache and watercolor artist known for his exquisite handling of light and lyrical approach to realism. With a strong foundation in classical techniques and a deep reverence for nature, his art often captures fleeting atmospheric moments through a fusion of layered brushwork and subtle emotional tones. Whether in watercolor or oil, landscape or seascape, his paintings speak with a quiet precision that resonates deeply with viewers. Nien’s works have been exhibited nationally and internationally, earning awards and a dedicated following among collectors. He is also an active educator,…

ART PRIZE CHALLENGE SERIES A continuing series of juried art competitions created to champion the finest talent in the art world today. Open to artists working in all painting and drawing media. ENTER OUR NEW ART COMPETITION  Challenge No. 154 Still Life See your work published in International Artist and receive a 4-page editorial feature in American Art Collector—the prestigious publication read by leading collectors and galleries seeking new talent in the world’s largest art market. PLUS award certificate and $200 in gift certificates from RAYMAR and BLICK Art Supplies. Winners and finalists in our competitions receive more than an award to hang on their walls. The true value of entering—and winning—is meaningful exposure and respectable acknowledgement nationally and internationally. Your work will be seen by thousands of readers worldwide,…

ONLINE Entering is easy! Visit our website to upload digital images of the artwork you’d like to submit and complete your entry using our secure server at International Artist (internationalartist.com/competitions). Before you begin, please make sure your image files are at minimum 400 pixels on the shortest edge. Once you’re on the official online entry page: 1. Choose the Art Prize Challenge you’d like to enter 2. Upload your prepared image files 3. Follow the simple step-by-step prompts 4. Complete your entry by paying the fee of US $18 through our secure server You can also explore the gallery of current entries for inspiration on our homepage. MAIL Scan this QR code to download our mailing-in entry form. 2026 Art Prize Challenge Schedule CHALLENGE No. 154 – Still Life Medium…

Each year, the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition offers a glimpse into the depth, diversity and evolving excellence of contemporary painting. Exclusively for our members, this competition celebrates artists who are deeply committed to their craft. From thousands of submissions, these winners exemplify not only skill, but intention, sensitivity and voice. This year’s First Place winners represent the very best of that achievement in five categories: Commissioned Portrait, Non-Commissioned Portrait, Outside the Box, Animals as the Subject and Landscape. We are honored to showcase these outstanding artists and their award-winning works. Their success reflects both individual dedication and the strength of the Portrait Society community as a whole, united by shared standards of excellence and a passion for elevating the art of portraiture and beyond. First Place Outside…