LA VON ALECIA WESTFALL
M. ARTIST, CR., F-ASP, Ph. A.L.

Phone 281-565-6555
Fax 281-565-1880
E-mail  lavon@art-lavon.com

                 I am a visual artist with a lifetime of study, experience and achievement in the fine and photographic arts. Classic portrait painting in oil is my passion and profession. I own and operate an art studio in Sugar Land, Texas.  MASTERPIECE PORTRAIT PAINTING specializes in fine museum quality oil portrait paintings.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEGREES
 

2002  FELLOW 

American Society of Photographers

1994  FELLOW       

Texas Professional Photographers

1992  PHOTOGRAPHIC CRAFTSMAN       

Professional Photographers of America

1991  ASSOCIATE FELLOW       

Texas Professional Photographers

1990 ACHIEVEMENT       

Photographic Artists of Texas

1989  MASTER ARTIST        

Professional Photographers of America

1989  ARTIST OF THE LAUREL         

American Photographic Artisans Guild

1988  PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST         

American Photographic Artisans Guild

FINE ARTS DEGREE

Honors - Best Artist - St. Petersburg College, Florida

HONORS GRADUATE 

BEST ARTIST - Northeast High School, St. Petersburg, FL

                 Participate in continuing education at various schools and universities as time permits. Subjects include photography, portrait painting, commercial art, photographic art and digital imaging.
 

 PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

                 Professional career began at age fifteen as a color artist for Phil Graham Photography, St. Petersburg, FL.  Employed by Graham six years during high school and college. Work included oil coloring of black and white photographs, reception, sales, dark room enlarge and print, camera room assistance and film processing.

                 Established a specialized art service for professional photographers in Florida after graduating from college. Offered a range of enhancements from transparent tinting and hand coloring on black and white photographs to fine oil portrait painting. Later, included restorations and print enhancement to my services.

                 Moved my business to Texas in 1975. Began networking with photographers throughout the USA and marketing  portrait paintings to the public. Paintings are sold by commission only.
 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

 Member:                            International Photography Hall of Fame

American Society of Photographers

Professional Photographers of America

Southwestern Professional Photographers  

Texas Professional Photographers

Photographic Artists of Texas  (Professional Photographic Artists, Inc.)

Sugar Land Area Artists

Lone Star Art League

Women in the Literary and Visual Arts

Houston Museum of Fine Arts

Past member:                      Florida Photographers Association

American Photographic Artisans Guild

Carolina Artisans Guild
 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Texas Professional Photographers Association  Serving eleven years.

AUTHOR: Texas Photographer Magazine and Southern Exposure Magazine  Write illustrated articles on art.

REPORTER: Texas Professional Photographer Magazine  Nine years.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Photographic Artists of Texas   Serving thirteen years.

EDITOR: PAT CHAT, Photographic Artists of Texas  Monthly newsletter, three years.

JUROR: Texas PPA, ten years: Juror for Oklahoma, Florida and Louisiana Professional Photographic Art Competitions.

CHARTER PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER 1984 & 1985: Photographic Artists of Texas.

INSTRUCTOR 1989 & 1991: Professional Photographers of NC   Portrait Painting; NC State University, Raleigh.

ARTISTS JURY FOREMAN 1990: Texas Professional Photographers Association  State Competition.

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR 1990: Professional Photographers of America, International Convention, Las Vegas.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR 1990: Foto Fest International  Houston, TX; Artist workshop, Hand Coloring the Silver Image.

EARLY BIRD SPEAKER 1992: Professional Photographers of America  International Convention, Orlando. 

PLATFORM SPEAKER 1993: Southeast Professional Photographers Convention  Atlanta, GA Multi- media program.

INSTRUCTOR 1993: Florida Professional Photographers School  Portrait Painting; Datona Beach College, FL.

INSTRUCTOR 1998: Carolina Art School  Portrait Painting; Randolf Community College, NC.

PLATFORM SPEAKER 2000: Professional Photographers of America  International Convention, Las Vegas.

                 Serve organizations in many capacities and present numerous programs to artists and photographers in local guilds, and at state, regional and international conventions.  Programs include five day schools, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, slide shows and lectures.

AWARDS & HONORS

1978 BEST HAND COLORING                           

Florida Photographers Association: State Competition.    

1989 PROGRAM OF THE YEAR                                         

Photographic Artists of Texas: Best Program.

1990 ART COMPETITIONS

Photographic Artists of Texas: Won all 10 competitions in 1990.

1991 COLOR ARTIST OF THE YEAR                                   

Professional Photographers of America: High score.

1991 EPCOT DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ART                 

Professional Photographers of A: International Juried Award

1991, 1992, 1993,1994, SPECIALISTS AWARD                     

Photographic Artists of Texas: Annual Competition Winner.

1992 HIGH SCORE AWARD                                                              

Texas Professional Photographer: Annual Competition Winner.

1993 MAGAZINE COVER                                                                

Texas Professional Photographers: First Art Work on cover.

1993 PRESIDENTS AWARD                                                              

Texas Professional Photographers: Highest Print Score.

1994  PROGRAM OF THE YEAR                                         

Photographic Artists of Texas: Best Hands on class.

1994  FOUNDERS AWARD                                                              

Professional Photographic Artists, Inc.:  Service award.

1996  LOAN COLLECTION BOOK                                   

Professional Photographers of America: Art work published.

1997  STORYTELLERS MAGAZINE                                   

Professional Photographers of America: Winning art work.

1997  PRESIDENTS AWARD                                                              

Texas Professional Photographers: High score.

1997  BEST OF SHOW                                                                 

Texas Professional Photographers: Oil portrait, judges choice.

1997  MAGAZINE COVER                                                                

Texas Professional Photographers: First Oil Painting on cover.

1998  TPPA CENTENNIAL                                                  

Texas Professional Photographers: Art work on cover.    

1999 FUJI MASTERPIECE AWARD                                              

Texas Professional Photographers:  Art competition.

1999  COLLABORATIVE MANDELA PAINTING               

Photography Hall of Fame & Museum : Painting on display.

2001  COLOR ARTIST OF THE YEAR                                   

Professional Photographers of America: High score.

2001  LOAN COLLECTION BOOK                                   

Professional Photographers of America: Art work published.

2001  PROGRAM OF THE YEAR                                         

Photographic Artists of Texas:  Best Hands on Program.

TEXAS PPA BEST of SHOW                                                                 

Won Art Trophies  nineteen times in eight years of competition.

PPA LOAN COLLECTION       

LOAN awarded 34 times from a total of 43 meriting entries in international competition.

                 This list gives the highlights of the numerous awards received. Personal juried art work has hung in major International Exhibitions throughout the United States for the past nineteen years.

GOALS

                 Professional goals include mastering ever higher proficiency as a classic oil portrait artist: providing the finest quality art work to professional and public clients: sharing expertise with colleagues through writing and workshop instruction: increasing skills in photography and digital imaging: providing service and mentoring to colleagues through worthy organizations.