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Drawing and painting have been a part of my life since childhood. I remember drawing as young as five. I drew mostly from my imagination and observations. My mother, a graduate of the Cleveland Art Institute, encouraged me to enter a national art contest sponsored by Kellogg. At age nine, my color pencil drawing took second place.

Both the artistic and the analytic shape my life. Left and right brain hold equal sway. My degree in math gave me a comfortable career in Capital Project Management, working for Harvard University and the University of Texas. Building projects were primarily scientific research facilities and restorations of historic structures.

I have always enjoyed visits to art museums. Viewing the masterpieces emboldens my efforts. In 2007, I joined a group of artists painting en plein air in Italy. The trip was a turning point and I soon retired to begin a career as a professional artist.

Life drawing and design were the only art courses I took in college. Beginning in 2008 daily painting, workshops, museum visits and art books helped me climb a steep learning curve. In 2011, I completed a month-long portrait workshop at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, under the tutelage of Maureen Hyde. In 2013, Scottsdale Artist’s School awarded me a scholarship and attended a portrait workshop by Romel de la Torre. Later that year, I attended a portrait workshop under the instruction of Michael Shane Neal.

In 2016, the American Society of Marine Artists honored me with Signature membership status. In February of 2020, The Art Renewal Center included my artwork in the Art Renewal Center’s Living Artists Gallery and honored me with the title ARC Associate Living Master™ (A.R.C.A.L.M.) And in 2024 I was accepted as a member of the prestigious Salmagundi Club of New York City. And in 2025 the American Artists Professional League bestowed Elected Member status.

Painting is capturing a moment in time. A moment offered by the Creator and painted by me.

  • Associate Living Master of the Art Renewal Center
  • Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists
  • Member of the Salmagundi Club
  • Elected Member of the American Artists’ Professional League
  • Member of the Portrait Society of America
  • Member of the American Impressionist Society
  • Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
  • Member of the Arts Council of Moore County, NC
  • Member of The Fine Arts League of Cary, NC
  • Member of IAA/USA National Chapter
  • 2025 Finalist -Teravana Water Show – “Sometime Sensational”
  • 2025 Semi-finalist – Art Renewal Center 18th National Exhibit -“Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2025 Fine Arts League of Cary – “Crossing Cherokee”
  • 2025 First Prize – Gallery 4% Sea and Land Show – “Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2025 Show at Arts Council of More County – twenty paintings
  • 2024 Arts Council of Moore County Fall into Autumn Exhibit – “West Fork of the Pigeon River” & “Study 1 – Hay Rolls drying in Carthage”
  • 2024 41st Schaefer International Exhibit – “Whaling Tender–Mystic”
  • 2024 NOAPS Spring Online Show – “Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2024 AIS 4th Annual Online Show – “Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2024 Butler Institute 88th Mid-year National Exhibit – “Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2024 Marblehead Arts Association Variations Exhibit – “Kennebunkport at Dusk”
  • 2023 Centerpiece Gallery Spring Exposition, Raleigh, NC – six paintings
  • 2023 American Society of Marine Artist 19th National Exhibit – “Barche de pesca Portofino”
  • 2022 First Place – Fine Arts League of Cary 27th Annual National Juried – “Reaching for Safe Harbor”
  • 2022 Raleigh Fine Arts Society Fine Arts Exhibit – “News Alert”
  • 2022 Maryland Fine Arts Strokes of Genius – “Spring in Giethoorn”
  • 2022 Butler Institute of American Art 86th National Midyear – “Hitchhikers”
  • 2022 American Impressionist Society Online Exhibition – “Amalfi in Moonlight”
  • 2021 Honorable Mention – Arts Council of Moore County 41st Fine Arts Festival – “Early to Rise”
  • 2021 NOAPS Fall International On-Line Exhibition – “Tall Ships”
  • 2021 OPA Eastern Regional Exhibit – “Tall Ships”
  • 2020 Honorable Mention – Kroger Center 1593 Project – “Taking a Break”
  • 2020 Oil Painters of America Virtual Salon – “Taking a Break”
  • 2020 National Oil and Acrylic Painting Society’s Best of America Small Painting Exhibition – “Miss Kathy”
  • 2020 American Society of Marine Artists 18th National Exhibition – “Barche a remi -Isola di Capri”
  • 2018 American Impressionist Society 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition – “Barche a remi -Isola di Capri “
  • 2016 17th National Exhibit of the American Society of Marine Artists – “Children’s Beach”
  • 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
  • 2015 Indoor Juried Art Exhibit Piccolo Spoleto- City Gallery, Charleston, SC – “Bohicket Dock”
  • 2015 Honorable Mention for the Body of Work – Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
  • 2013 October Solo Show – Atrium Art Gallery, Charleston, SC
  • 2013 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
  • 2013 Second Prize – Magnolia Plantation National Competition – “The Pasture – Magnolia Plantation”
  • 2012 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
  • 2012 Honorable Mention – Portrait Society of America, Members Only, Landscape Category – “Winter Wait”
  • 2011 Honorable Mention for the Body of Work – Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
  • 2011 Honorable Mention – Charleston Artist Guild Member Show – “First Fountain”
  • 2010 Honorable Mention – First Federal People’s Choice — “Reflection”
  • 2010 Honorable Mention – Charleston Artist Guild Signature Show – “Ray of Rosebank Farms”
  • 2009 Honorable Mention – Community of I’On Artists Spring Show – “Lady May’s Gift”
  • 2009 First Prize – Magnolia Plantation Local Competition – “Lady May’s Gift”

Dear Alana,
Just returned from a short business trip and was greeted by your beautiful painting. I love the way you finished it with the addition of the people. What a splendid memory of Ravello… and of you!!
Many thanks again for sharing your talent and enthusiasm for a lovely town we will always remember!
Sincerely,
Karen S

Dear Alana,
I love the portrait and appreciate you keeping us posted on your progress.  You have an amazing gift!
Ann W

Alana,
Just had to send this note.
I knew when I commissioned my portrait that I would not be disappointed with
the results.  I had seen some of your work and was sure it was you that I wanted
to do my portrait.  When I saw the finished painting, I truly was stunned.  You absolutely
far exceeded my expectations.
Thank you for an excellent piece,
Mike J

Alana!!!! This new piece “Sunrise through the pines” is just breathtaking!  I know Brad would just love this!
Angela R

As an artist, Alana Knuff so wonderfully captures the mood of the subjects she chooses to paint. She puts me there…I want to know the people of her portraits,  I want to sit in the midst of her landscapes and I want to hear the crash of her waves and smell the salt of her seas. She is truly talented with any medium she chooses.
Amy F

Alana,
Wow. Captures her true beauty as a mom. This is just wonderful. The likeness is strikingly accurate. It’s truly beautiful. Thanks so much. I loved it also.
Mark B

Alana,
Your work is stunning!  I wish I was a boater, experienced Portofino, and had more walls!!!  But I  do cherish your painting of a sunset behind the longleaf pines adorning my dining room.
Char W

Alana
Especially love West Fork of the Pigeon River!  You are a wonderful painter!
Rhett