About the Artist
My work begins with the challenge of seeing the world with fresh eyes and responding to its beauty in the moment. When painting outdoors, shifting light can quickly alter a scene, so I strive to capture my first impressions with speed and accuracy, focusing on the relationships of color and atmosphere.
Rather than a literal rendering, I seek to suggest just enough for the subject to emerge, leaving space for the viewer’s imagination. Up close, the surface reveals vibrant brushwork; at a distance, these strokes resolve into a cohesive image. For me, this transformation is the essence of painting—a collaboration between artist, artwork, and viewer.
These studies later inform larger works in the studio. While I sometimes reference photographs, I avoid relying on them too heavily, as excess detail can weaken the vitality of my initial vision. Memory also plays a crucial role, allowing me to recall the mood and emotional resonance I aim to express.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2026
Bronze Medal in the Master Signature Category
Oil Painters of America National Salon Show
Judge of Awards of the June BoldBrush
International Art Contest
Judge of Awards at the 10th Annual
American Impressionist Society
Small Works Showcase
Led a Plein Air Painting Workshop at the
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase
2024
Selected for Signature Membership in
Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA)
2023
Award of Excellence - Master Division
American Impressionist Society
Small Works Exhibition
Judge of Awards for the March 2023 BoldBrush Competition
2022
Award of Excellence - Master Division
American Impressionist Society National Exhibition
Second Place Award - American Impressionist Society
Wet Wall - Plein Air Competition
Feature Article in
Art of the West Magazine
Finalist - August BoldBrush On-line Competition
2021
Master Status AISM - American Impressionist Society
2020
Winner of the BoldBrush Award
Fine Art Studio Online Top Award, May,2020
2018
Master Status OPAM Honored by Oil Painters of America
2017
Awards Judge at Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition
Panelist on Group Discussion at American Impressionist Society Show
2016
Second Place Award American Impressionist Society National Show
Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland WA.
Artists Choice Award American Impressionist Society National Show
Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland WA.
Demonstrator/Lecturer Plein Air Convention– Tucson, AZ.
Honorable Mention Oil Painters of America National Show Paint -out
2015
Honorable Mention Oil Painters of America National Show Paint-out
Finalist - Plein Air Salon - Dec./Jan. On-line Juried Show
Best of Show Award Signature Division
Oil Painters of America Fall On-line Showcase
Demonstrator/Lecturer Plein Air Convention - Main Stage, Monterey CA.
2014
Finalist Raymar 6th Annual Fine Art Competition
2013
Finalist Raymar 7th Annual Fine Art Competition - April
Best of Show Plein Air Sunset Painting - Oil Painters of America Salon
Crooked Tree Art Center
Best of Show for Animal Painting Award- Oil Painters of America Salon
Crooked Tree Art Center
2012
William J. Schultz Founder’s Award of Excellence - American Impressionist Society
Finalist Raymar 6th Annual Fine Art Competition - November, September,
August, July, June and April
2011
Finalist Raymar 5th Annual Fine Art Competition
Best of Show Landscape - Icons of the West Show
Judges Honorable Mention Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery
2010, 2009
Jurors Top 50 Award Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery
2008
Best of Show Gold Medal National Award of Excellence
Oil Painters of America National Show
2007, 2005
Best of Show for Signature Member Oil Painters of America
Central Regional Show – Southwind Gallery, Topeka, KS.
HONORS
Howard has also been awarded the Best Landscape medal at the "Icons of the West" show at the Dana Gallery in Missoula Montana. He and his wife and their studio in Bozeman Montana have been featured in numerous art magazine articles including the June/July 2015 issue of Plein Air Magazine. Art of the West Magazine and American Artist Studio Edition.Howard has painted, taught and exhibited extensively in numerous states in the U.S. as well as Mexico, France, Italy, England, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and China. Friedland's work is featured in many private and corporate collections around the world including museums in China.
Howard was invited to join renown Chinese American artist Zhiwei Tu and several prominent American and Chinese master painters to paint and exhibit large plein air paintings created in China in 2011 and 2014.
In 2019 Howard was invited again to paint in China. This time with a different group of Chinese American and American artists to paint and exhibit in China. The group consisted of 10 plein air painters including Jason Situ, Mian Situ, Calvin Liang, Scott Burdick, Ken Cadwallader, Lin Zheng, Alfred Tse, Jay Hiangyuan, Eric Fei Guan and myself.
He has a teaching DVD, “Painting the Landscape Loosely but Accurately” released this year from Bella Muse Productions, and a brand new teaching video "Painting Waterfalls in Oil" produced by Streamline's "PaintTube" Productions. To purchase these videos please click the links on the titles!
A list of awards and accolades can be provided by email: [email protected]
