GLoux - I see from his "chronology" that Bo Bartlett studied with Nelson Shanks, one of my "favorite" (at least I know the name) contemporary artists. Study with Nelson is a "powerful credential," if that influences anyone.

Good stuff at Bo's site, and I've put him on my "list."

A bit of thread drift, since there's no real "folk connection," but unfortunately, Nelson Shank's works are not easily accessible on the web. Even his studio (the link above) has "Coming Soon" as the only thing posted in the "Gallery." I suspect it has something to do with the ARC citation:

"Shanks is world renowned and has painted numerous heads of state and even the current Pope John Paul II. He receives the highest prices for commissions of any living portrait artist." (italics added)

One of the largest accessible "samples" of Nelson Shanks' works is in a half-dozen sidebar pictures in an article at Nelson Shanks – Humanist Realist by Kathryn Manzo. He's apparently otherwise "too high priced to be on the web." (Musical connection – his portrait of Pavorotti is there, large version 238 KB.)

It might be useful for some to know that there's a good listing of a few good contemporary "teaching" studios (ateliers) at ARC Atelier's. I've found quite a few "newbys" of interest there. There is, unfortunately, no way to search this list by artist names, but just browsing may be of interest. Be advised that these artists will all be "realist school."

John