Upholding Tradition

Top Oil Painters of America artists gather in Indianapolis for the annual Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition

A few short days after wrapping up its Western Regional Exhibition in Dallas, Oil Painters of America OPA) launches its eastern equivalent in the flourishing art center of Indianapolis, Indiana. Held at James R. Ross Fine Art October 6 through October 28, the Eastern Regional Exhibition is open to all OPA members living in the Eastern parts of the U.S. and Canada. Upholding the same rigorous standards of its Western counterpart, only 100 artists are selected from an estimated 1,000 submissions to participate in the exhibition.

Associate OPA member John Buxton’s juried work is a tribute to a dear friend. He and his family have been models for my paintings many times over,” says Buxton. We traveled to events together, discussed historical truths and myths and became brothers of the 18"* century reenactment] genre. He passed away recently, too soon and, shortly after, his beloved dog followed him. I have painted him here as a reenactor with his companion—not as the early Native American warrior I have so often painted...1 miss him and other friends that have left our genre lately.”