About Alana

Photograph of the artist Alana M Kuff

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 which I used to attend 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.)

 

“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 Portrait Society of America
  • Member of the Oil Painters 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

2023 Centerpiece Gallery Spring Exposition, Raleigh, NC – six paintings
2023 American Society of Marine Artist 19th National Exhibit – “Barche de pesca Portofino”
2022 Fine Arts League of Cary 27th Annual National Juried – “Reaching for Safe Harbor” – First Place
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 Arts Council of Moore County 41st Fine Arts Festival – “Early to Rise” – Honorable Mention
2021 NOAPS Fall International On-Line Exhibition – “Tall Ships”
2021 OPA Eastern Regional Exhibit – “Tall Ships”
2021 41st Fine Arts Festival, Arts Council of Moore County – “Early to Rise”- Honorable Mention
2020 Kroger Center 1593 Project – “Taking a Break” – Honorable Mention
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, Nantucket”
2016 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
2015 Indoor Juried Art Exhibit Piccolo Spoleto- City Gallery, Charleston, SC – “Bohicket Dock”
2015 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit – Honorable Mention for the Body of Work
2013 October Solo Show – Atrium Art Gallery, Charleston, SC
2013 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
2013 Magnolia Plantation National Competition – “The Pasture – Magnolia Plantation” – Second Prize
2012 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit
2012 Portrait Society of America, Members Only, Landscape Category – “Winter Wait” – Honorable Mention
2011 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Outdoor Art Exhibit – Honorable Mention for the Body of Work
2011 Charleston Artist Guild Member Show – “First Fountain” – Honorable Mention
2010 First Federal People’s Choice — “Reflection” – Honorable Mention
2010 Charleston Artist Guild Signature Show – “Ray of Rosebank Farms” – Honorable Mention
2009 Community of I’On Artists Spring Show – “Lady May’s Gift” – Honorable Mention
2009 Magnolia Plantation Local Competition – “Lady May’s Gift” – First Prize