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Winston Featured in Artist’s Magazine — Now in Print!

by In Awards &. Competitions, News and Events, Publications Tagged , , , , , , ,

Back in June, I shared that my portrait of Winston received an Honorable Mention in Artists Magazine’s 4th Annual Best in Show | Pets competition. I’m delighted to say that the September/October 2025 issue is now out in print — and Winston is in it!

artists magazine cover septOct-2025
Cover image courtesy of Artist’s Magazine

Seeing this piece in the pages of Artists Magazine feels especially meaningful. The juror, Emma Colbert, described it as “a little masterpiece using light and shade to create a whole world for Winston,” which captures exactly what I hoped to convey in this portrait of a beloved shop dog and his woodworking world.

The issue is available on newsstands through October 20, and you can also find it online in the Artists Network shop:
Artists Magazine September/October 2025 Print Edition

I’ll be able to share the feature pages after October 20, once the issue goes off newsstands — stay tuned for that update!

If you missed the story behind Winston’s portrait and how it came to be, you can read the earlier post here:
Winston Receives an Honorable Mention

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My Work at the 2025 Seattle Art Fair

by In Exhibition, News and Events Tagged , , , ,

I’m honored to be showing several of my still life paintings this weekend with Harris Harvey Gallery at the 2025 Seattle Art Fair. This Seattle gallery is known for championing contemporary work by West Coast artists, and I’m happy to be exhibiting alongside a group of remarkable painters from their roster.

The fair takes place at the Lumen Field Event Center, where over 80 galleries will be featured, including programming from SAM, public talks, installations, and more. Harris Harvey Gallery will be at Booth B11, and their space includes artwork by Fred Holcomb, Terry Furchgott, Gary Faigin, Eduardo Fausti, Linda Jo Nazarenus, Hiroshi Sato, Thomas Wood, John Lysak—and myself.

If you’re planning a visit, I’ll be there Saturday morning (July 19) and would love to say hello.

Event Details

Seattle Art Fair 2025
Lumen Field Event Center
800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Booth B11 – Harris Harvey Gallery

Public Hours:
Friday, July 18: 11am–7pm
Saturday, July 19: 11am–7pm
Sunday, July 20: 11am–6pm

Fair programming includes artist talks, curated installations, and gallery booths from around the world. It’s a great opportunity to experience a broad range of contemporary artwork—whether you’re an artist, avid collector or simply curious about art. For more information about the fair, go to the Seattle Art Fair website.

I hope to see you there!

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Winston Wins an Honorable Mention in Artists Magazine’s Best in Show | Pets Competition

by In News and Events, Pet Portrait, Publications Tagged , , , , ,

I’m honored to share that my portrait of Winston received an Honorable Mention in Artists Magazine’s 4th Annual Best in Show | Pets art competition. The painting was inspired by Winston’s close relationship with his owner—a dear friend known for his animal sculptures and patterned plywood furniture. Winston is not just a subject but a true studio companion, so incorporating elements of a piece from Michael’s workshop made it all the more personal.

The work was selected by juror Emma Colbert, who offered this thoughtful commentary:

“I love when a background sets the scene and the lighting in a pet portrait. Winston’s surroundings are perfect, and the care taken in capturing his character is noticeable. Tonally, this is a little masterpiece using light and shade to create a whole world for Winston in that beautiful round format.”
— Emma Colbert, Juror

The winning pieces—including Winston—are featured in the September/October 2025 issue of Artists Magazine and are now available to view online.

See all winners here:
It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs »

🐾 See the Top Dogs (including Winston) here:
Top Dog Winners »

Dog pet portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan
Winston, 5 x 5″, oil on aluminum

Thank you to Artists Magazine and juror Emma Colbert for recognizing Winston. I’m delighted to have this portrait included alongside so many heartfelt and beautifully rendered works.

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Winston & Sloop: A Pair of Pet Portraits

by In Commission, News and Events, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , ,

These two portraits—of Winston the dog and Sloop the cat—were painted for my longtime friend Michael Alm, a sculptor and furniture maker whose distinctive patterned plywood designs often appear in his work. Michael’s eye for materials and love for his pets made this pair especially meaningful to paint.

Capturing Winston

Winston, a black-and-white mixed breed dog, is shown seated in front of one of Michael’s plywood cabinets. I knew from the start that I wanted to include the signature texture and angles of the furniture in this piece. The lighting is direct, casting sharp reflections on the concrete floor and giving the portrait a grounded, contemporary atmosphere.

Because of the highly detailed nature of my painting process, it’s essential that the composition is finalized before I pick up a brush. In the original reference photo, a dark cushion intersected Winston’s head—visually distracting and not ideal for framing his face. I digitally repositioned the furniture so that his head was cradled by a clean section of patterned plywood. The cabinet’s perspective and Winston’s gaze naturally lead your eye to the left, but a carefully placed handle at the edge of the painting subtly redirects your attention, bringing you back into the portrait.

Dog pet portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

A Portrait of Sloop

Sloop, Michael’s ginger cat, was painted lounging on a sofa, one of his favorite spots. I included one of his toys in the foreground and modified the background to echo the teal green of his eyes, a decision that emphasized his vibrant coloring. Unlike Winston’s more structured setting, Sloop’s portrait is softer and more intimate—matching his feline charm.

orange Cat portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

Honored Recognition

The portrait of Winston received an Honorable Mention in The Artist Network’s 4th Annual Best of Show | Pets Art Competition. It will be featured alongside other winners in the September/October 2025 issue of Artists Magazine and on ArtistsNetwork.com.

More About Michael Alm

Michael’s work as a sculptor and woodworker is both thoughtful and meticulous. You can explore his creations on his website almfab.com or follow his build videos and creative projects on his YouTube channel, which has over 600,000 subscribers.

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Recent Still Life: Exhibition in Seattle

by In Exhibition, News and Events Tagged , , , , ,

I’m thrilled to share that I will have paintings on view at Harris Harvey Gallery from September 5 – 28, 2024. I’ve been working on getting ready for the show for a while and it’s wonderful to finally see it come together. Please go the gallery website to see what is still available.

Artist Statement about the Paintings on View

I paint objects of intimate familiarity—fruits and florals from my garden, objects handled in my time as a mount maker for Seattle Art Museum—in compositions inspired by the Dutch Golden Age. Much as the Dutch masters would compose seasonal impossibilities, I bring together inspirations separated by time, space and tradition. My work is a reach for a childhood of birds’ nests and frogs, a longing to grasp that wonderment yet reconcile with isolation and loss. It is a meditation on the comings and goings of life, the closeness and distance to kin of all kinds.

Western Tiger Swallowtail and Parrot Tulip botanical still life painting by Rebecca Luncan
Western Tiger Swallowtail and Parrot Tulip, oil on copper, 5.5 x 4.5″
Broken Tulip and Bee, oil on copper, 6.5 x 5.5 in
Asian Pears and Peaches on Lacquer Tray, oil on copper, 20 x 24 in
fruit still life oil painting on copper by Rebecca Luncan
Plums and Swallowtails, oil on copper, 16 x 20 in
still life oil painting on aluminum of Figs and Cheese, Robin, flower and celadon dragon vase by Rebecca Luncan
Figs and Cheese with Celadon Dragon Vase, oil on aluminum, 10 x 8 in
Four Tulips and a Yellow Rose, oil on aluminum, 14 x 11 in
Mum, Butterfly and the Spider, oil on aluminum, 17 x 12 in
Spider mum oil painting with snail and bee by Rebecca Luncan
Spider Mum, Bee and Snail, oil on aluminum, 17 x 12 in
Blackberries and the Indigo Bunting, oil on copper, 12 x 12 in
Yellow Tulip and Monarch Butterfly, oil painting on aluminum, by Rebecca Luncan
Yellow Tulip and Monarch Butterfly, oil on aluminum, 7 x 6 in
Fiji Papilio swallowtail butterfly oil painting
Fiji Papilio Swallowtail, oil on copper, 4.5 x 5.5 in
Rebecca Luncan with family in painting studio
The artist in the studio with her two sons
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Group Exhibition in Portland, OR – “Untamed Splendor”

by In News and Events, still life Tagged , , ,

A group exhibition celebrating 10 years of Antler Gallery

Antler Gallery in Portland, OR is celebrating their tenth anniversary with a huge group show “Untamed Splendor”. The show opens tonight, January 27th at 5pm. I’m so happy to be a part of celebrating the gallery and hope for their continued success.

My painting, “My Grandfather’s Poppies” will be in the show along with works by 60+ internationally renowned artists. oil on aluminum, 12” x 16”

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Harris Harvey Gallery Group Show

by In News and Events

5 / 37
An Anniversary Show

October 7 – 30, 2021

Celebrating their 5th year as Harris Harvey Gallery and 37 years since the gallery’s founding, the gallery is hosting a new exhibit. This group show features a selection of artist that the gallery represents and I’ll have one painting in the show. The exhibition highlights a long-standing commitment to artists of the Pacific Northwest and West Coast, as well as reflecting the diversity of technique and creative vision that has been vital to the gallery’s history.

Artists: Kathryn Altus, Carole Barrer, Joel Brock, Mark Butler, John Cole, Peter de Lory, Charles Emerson, Gary Faigin, Terry Furchgott, Christopher Harris, Richard Hutter, Hart James, Ed Kamuda, Karen Kosoglad, Gregg Laananen, Kent Lovelace, Rebecca Luncan, John Lysak, John McCormick, Richard Morhous, Linda Jo Nazarenus, Royal Nebeker, Kim Osgood, Noelle Phares, Hiroshi Sato, Robert Schlegel, Christine Sharp, Lois Silver, David W. Simpson, Lisa Snow Lady, Wendy Thon, Emily Wood, and Thomas Wood

White Rabbit contemporary realism oil painting on aluminum by Rebecca Luncan in octagonal frame
A Silent Gathering, Oil on Aluminum, 6″ x 4″
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Three Person Exhibition at Harris Harvey Gallery

by In News and Events

July 1 – August 14, 2021

New Paintings

Terry Furchgott
Rebecca Luncan
Noelle Phares

“In the months of July and August, Harris Harvey Gallery is pleased to present new paintings by Terry Furchgott, Rebecca Luncan and Noelle Phares.”

Miniatures have a special magic to them, but it’s been quite the luxury to dedicate some of my studio time to larger paintings. If you’re in the Seattle area and you’ve never seen my work in person, please stop by! The work is always so different in person than on the screen. You miss the subtle textures and any ares of transparency (where I’ve used glazing techniques) are completely flattened out in the photograph.

Bowl of Oranges and Monarch Butterflies realist still life painting by Rebecca Luncan
“Bowl of Oranges and Monarch Butterflies”, oil on aluminum, 20″ x 24″

The largest painting I’ll have in the show is the one pictured above of different citrus fruits in a porcelain bowl with monarch butterflies. I’ve been studying Dutch still life paintings for several years and I’m experimenting with different tricks that I’ve discovered. 

One is the distortion of the bowls. Did you notice? I was struck by how perfectly the different artists of the 17th century would render perspective in the tables and the rendering of the fruits, insects and flowers are nothing short of astounding. The bowls, though beautifully painted, are surprisingly at odds with natural perspective. It’s not accidental or an oversight in the artist skill, however it is done with purpose. The distortions show details of the bowls to their best advantage and bring the priceless and treasured pieces to the forefront of the compositions. 

My bowl for this piece follows that technique. I choose a bowl that was very deep with beautiful brush work but the rim of the bowl was not as beautifully painted. Instead of using that rim design, I choose one of my favorites from the Seattle Art Museum collection. If I had used natural perspective for this one, even through the bowl was quite deep, the rim would interfere with the beautiful design along the side of the bowl and you wouldn’t see it in it’s entirety. It’s pretty fascinating to see how natural it looks in the completed painting. 

Other works in the exhibition…

still life oil painting on copper of iris and bee by Rebecca Luncan
Iris and the Bee, oil on copper, 5 x 5 in.
three daffodils with bee still life painting, oil on copper by Rebecca Luncan
Three Daffodils, oil on copper, 5 x 5 in.
Blueberries in Porcelain Bowl, oil on aluminum, 14 x 11 in. 
Parrot Tulip, oil on copper, 5 x 5 in
Figs in Jiajing Porcelain, oil on copper, 5 x 5 in.
Strawberries and songbirds, still life oil painting by Rebecca Luncan
 Strawberries and Songbirds, oil on aluminum, 16 x 20 in.
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Finalist in Portrait Society of America Competition

by In Commission, News and Events, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , ,

In 2018, the Portrait Society of America added a new category to its annual Members Only competition: “Animals as Subject”. Since then I’ve entered every year and have been incredibly fortunate to have my work selected either as one of the winners, or as a finalist (top twenty). 

My painting of Harrison was selected as a finalists in this years competition. Thanks so much to the Jurors for selecting my work and thank you to the Portrait Society of America for their dedication to furthering the traditions of fine art portraiture. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists in the competition!