Paula Nemeth Hawkins, a native of Jackson, MS, is the owner of Hawkins Studio in Bradenton, on Florida's west coast. Her art background consists of watercolor and oil works after her studies under accomplished artist, Eileen Spell. After moving to Florida, she adapted her art talents to photographic art, providing enhancement and retouching services for photographers nationwide.
Hawkins Studio was opened in 1991, offering restoration of old photographs , digital and 'by hand' print enhancements to the public and professional photographers, and her own signature line of fine oil portraiture, reflecting a mix of classic realism and impressionism. Currently, dozens of her portraits are in homes throughout the country.
She holds the highest levels of achievement from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Florida Professional Photographers (FPP). She was the first Florida artist to earn the national degree of Master Artist, Certified. In the same year, she earned the Florida Degree of Artistic Excellence (FDAE). Other notable awards include the Fuji Masterpiece Award, Artist of the Year, Best of Show, several Top Ten Awards, Artist of the Year (national affiliate), and being a part of the national Traveling Loan Collection several times. She has lectured and instructed in workshops for PPA and FPP artists. She has also shown bodies of work in many public and private exhibits and her work has been featured in several publications.
Her belief is ...."Portrait painting is an exciting way of providing something of beauty and a life-long investment for families who know that portraiture is not expensive.....it's priceless!"