Best of Show
Artist spreads wings with
Inspired by what she was seeing on Pinterest, Jane Parish started her career as an artist in 2016 painting whimsical designs on furniture. Within a few years, she had taken on the hobby full-time and had evolved her craft into painting pictures for family Christmas gifts.
“In addition to being relaxing, painting and drawing for me is a good self-esteem builder since I have always lacked in that area. Viewing the finished product is rewarding but still very hard for me to grasp the accomplishment,” said Jane.
Jane isn’t particular about what she paints. The only criteria she has is that it’s “doable.”
“I’m not one to attempt something I know is out of my league because that would result in frustration, thus defeating my purpose for the work,” added Jane.
When her daughter asked her to paint a butterfly for her guest room, Jane rose to the challenge. While it wasn’t something she had painted before, she was drawn to the project due to her love of nature and the colorful beauty of butterflies.
“I enjoy the detail and the colors in things associated with my Cherokee heritage,” said Jane.
It’s only fitting that she named the piece “Kămămă,” which is Cherokee for “butterfly.” The acrylic painting depicts a section of a Swallowtail and is the Art is Ageless® Best of Show – Amateur winner for the 2025 Art is Ageless Calendar.
“My reaction to winning Best of Show was disbelief at first. I had to read the letter twice before I was convinced!” shared Jane.
Competing in Art is Ageless isn’t new to Jane. Neither is drawing inspiration from her heritage. She first entered the competition when she turned 65 and has entered every year since – one of her past entries was a pencil drawing of an Indian Chief. She’s now 71.
Jane entered the local Art is Ageless competition at Parsons Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, Kansas.
“I appreciate PMMA® for offering Art is Ageless. They appreciate value of allowing seniors to share their variety of talent within the community in hopes to inspire others to rebirth a hidden talent they may have,” said Jane.
Best of Show AMATEUR
Jane likes to keep herself busy dabbling in a variety of hobbies so that she never gets bored. When she’s not drawing or painting, she enjoys playing the piano, sewing, crafting and creating mixed media pieces with vintage jewelry. Jane is married with two children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
PROFESSIONAL
Light and beauty become a winning combination for ‘Peonies – Sunlit Luminescence”
Naomi Ullum’s career has not only been personally fulfilling, it’s also impacted countless others during her more than three decades as an artist.
“My art career has been an answered prayer since I asked the Lord for an opportunity to do something I would enjoy and would please Him over 35 years ago,” said Naomi. “I struggled with not knowing how to depict what ideas came to my mind and a friend recommended a local painting teacher who taught specific layering skills, brush dexterity and multiloading techniques. This firm foundation helped me grasp the basics while increasing my successful attempts at paint craft projects and beautiful florals.”
Naomi holds a C.D.A (Certified Decorative Artist) and the M.D.A. floral portion of the Master Decorative Artist through the Society of Decorative Painters. She served as Professor of Art for 12 years at Central Christian College and currently teaches weekly painting classes at Splinters & Rust in Hutchinson and Northwest Christian Church in Wichita.
“A few years back I began exhibiting art professionally, entering Art is Ageless® for the first time. It really encourages me to see other artists’ work and the joy it brings to all our lives,” said Naomi.
Her piece, “Peonies – Sunlit Luminescence,” won the Best of Show – Professional category in the 2024 Art is Ageless competition. Inspiration for the winning entry came from a photo of peonies that she used as a teaching example. She entered the local competition through Wichita Presbyterian Manor in Wichita, Kansas.
“I prayed for wisdom and understanding of the beauty of God’s flowers and began to apply the logical principles of light to this photo with a bit of exaggeration and artistic license in heat-set oil media. After sharing it with several of my classes, the water-based students asked if I could repeat it for them in acrylic. This took much more time, and I continued to learn more about the light and its properties of reflection and illumination,” said Naomi.
Naomi’s technique and attention to detail paid off. The oil version of the piece won first place in the professional art division at the
2023 Kansas State Fair. The acrylic version of the piece is a featured piece in the 2025 Art is Ageless® calendar.
“I am delighted and so grateful for the acrylic version of ‘Peonies -Sunlit Luminescence’ to have placed first in the professional category at Art is Ageless where it can be shared with others!” said Naomi.
Jane Parish, 70 - Parsons, Kan. | Kămămă | Painting, 30 x 24 inches
Naomi Ullum, 67 - Wichita, Kan. | Peonies-Sunlit Luminescence Painting, 20 x 20 inches
Jane Parish
Naomi Ullum
Larry Gross, 77 Kirkwood, Mo.
Three Sisters Painting, 12 x 16 inches
Sharon Wyckoff, 78 Fort Scott, Kan. Delicate Creams Quilting, 68 x 67.5 inches
Margie Reed, 84 Salina, Kan.
Ribbons All Around Fiber Arts, ladies size small
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Margie Reed, 84 Salina, Kan. Ribbons All Around Fiber Arts, ladies size small
Margie is an avid seamstress, quilter and knitter who loves to create works of art for her family and friends. This sweater was made with love to share.
World
Judith Otey, 83 Olathe, Kan.
Color My
Quilting, 70 x 70 inches
Sandra McIntosh, 82 Farmington, Mo.
Bonnie Cat Painting, 10 x 13 inches
Dennis Chadwick, 78 Topeka, Kan.
Yábluko Drawing, 12 x 14 inches
Dennis Chadwick, 78 Topeka, Kan.
Yábluko Drawing, 12 x 14 inches
Agnes Maples, 87 Rolla, Mo.
Agnes Maples, 87 Rolla, Mo.
Artist Metalwork
10 x 16 inches
Joyce Pierson, 71 Farmington, Mo.
Silk Mosaic Jacket Fiber Arts, 22 x 26 inches
Larry Matson, 69 Emporia, Kan.
Lidded Jar for Cowboy Cookies
8 x 8.25 x 6.75 inches
Naomi Ullum, 67 Wichita, Kan. Peonies - Sunlit
Jane Parish, 70 Parsons, Kan.
Karen Johnson, 66 Arkansas City, Kan. Happy Spring Mixed
7.5 x 9.5 inches
Karen Johnson, 66
“My sewing experience began as a child in 4-H. Over the years, I sewed my own clothes, designed my studio, owned an upholstery shop, and after retirement, I found quilting.”
Linda Smith, 78 Farmington, Mo. Petals of Grace Photography, 8 x 10 inches
Dena VanNostrand, 68 Arkansas City, Kan. Fairy Land Painting, 11 x 14 inches
Vernis Flottman, 84 Lawrence, Kan. Colorful Strips Quilting, 47 x 67 inches
Vernis Flottman, 84 Lawrence, Kan. Colorful Strips Quilting 47 x 67 inches
Tony Fornelli, 82 Fort Scott, Kan. Bass, Bluegill, Crappie Painting, 16 x 10.5 x .5 inches
Colleen Williams, 73 Farmington, Mo.
Hamburger I Drawing, 8 x 10 inches
Patt Sharpe, 75 Wichita, Kan.
Cactus Drawing, 27 x 24 inches
Patt Sharpe, 75 Wichita, Kan.
Cactus Drawing, 27 x 24 inches
Reta Caldwell, 81 Lawrence, Kan.
Something Fishy Drawing, 11 x 14 inches
Marsha Cobb, 76 Salina, Kan. Fashions Through the Decades Quilting, 45.5 x 52.5 inches
Susan Wyman, 80 Newton, Kan. Graced and Freed Quilting, 61.5 x 72 inches
Reta Caldwell, 81 Lawrence, Kan.
Something Fishy Drawing, 11 x 14 inches
“Growing
Linda Kobs, 82 Dodge City, Kan. Prairie King Painting, 18 x 36 inches
Vera Jane Davis, 82 Wichita, Kan. Sunset on the Farm Painting, 36 x 12 inches
Nancy Pontius, 67 Emporia, Kan.
Flint Hills Reverie Drawing, 11 x 14 inches
Nancy Pontius, 67 Emporia, Kan.
Flint Hills Reverie Drawing, 11 x 14 inches
Marie Robinson, 80 Salina, Kan.
is a Bowl of Cherries Painting, 12 x 14 inches
Sara Davina Taylor-Hinds, 77 Olathe, Kan. Ode to Iris Needlework, 10 x 10 inches
Rick Sadler, 71 Fort Scott, Kan.
Ruby Slippers Sculpture/3D, 3.25 x
Rick Sadler, 71 Fort Scott, Kan.
Ruby Slippers Sculpture/3D
x 3 x 3.5 inches
Reta Caldwell, 81 Lawrence, Kan. School is Out Drawing, 11 x 14 inches
Walter Keener, 69 Parsons, Kan.
Reminiscent Music Mixed Media/Crafts 14 x 28 inches
Mary Goering, 84 Newton, Kan. Into the Woods Painting, 16 x 20 inches
Mary Goering, 84 Newton, Kan.
Into the Woods Painting, 16 x 20 inches
Charles Moore, 76 Topeka, Kan.
Darlene Bradford, 83 Clay Center, Kan.
Quilting, 49 x 15 inches; 49 x 14 inches
Jim Carney, 78 Rolla, Mo. Charcuterie Sculpture/3-D, 10 x 18 inches
Darlene Bradford, 83 Clay Center, Kan.
Connie Rhodes, 74 Newton, Kan. Head’n Home Painting, 16 x 20 inches framed
Bill Black, 71 Farmington, Mo.
Square Dance: RED Quilting, 86 x 86 inches
Sharon Nelson, 81 Olathe, Kan.
9 x 12 inches
Bill Black, 71 Farmington, Mo.
Square Dance: RED Quilting, 86 x 86 inches
Bill is a retired university professor and professional theatre costume designer who now lives in Farmington. When not working in the theatre, Bill spends his free time painting and quilting.
Hanukkah Ends
Honorable Mention
Diane Hootman, 88 Kirkwood, Mo.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Fiber Arts, 50.5 x 58.5 inches
Martha Kaelble, 90 Kirkwood, Mo.
Sunrise Behind a Mobile Photography, 8 x 10 inches
Betty Mueller, 76 Kirkwood, Mo. Family Tree Quilting, 84 x 94 inches
Mary Davis, 79 Olathe, Kan.
Auroras Borealis Fiber Arts, 39 x 36 inches
Nora “Polly” Houting, 76 Clay Center, Kan.
Princess Hyacinth Needlework, 18.5 inches tall
Steve Davis, 83 Olathe, Kan.
Sunrise at Aberdeen Village Lake Photography, 8 x 10 inches
Lila Armstrong, 87 Arkansas City, Kan.
Crochet Lap Afghan Fiber Arts, 48 x 60 inches
Jo Henderson, 82 Olathe, Kan. Two in One Needlework, 16.5 x 16 inches
Karen Wiley, 81 Emporia, Kan.
Patchwork Pitcher Mixed Media/Crafts, 4 inches tall
David Mayo, Sr., 85 Farmington, Mo.
Cottonwood Village Sculpture/3-D, 48 x 36 inches
Joan Hampton, 88 Farmington, Mo.
Knit Doll Clothes Fiber Arts, 14.75 x 11.75 inches
Paul Johnston, 91 Emporia, Kan. Trumpet Flowers Painting, 16 x 20 inches
Carolyn Perry, 93 Emporia, Kan.
Heart Baby Quilt Quilting, 45 x 30.5 inches
Joan Butts, 89 Emporia, Kan. Evening Star Quilting, 80 x 94 inches
Nora “Polly” Houting, 76 Clay Center, Kan.
Maynard G. Krebs Needlework, 19 inches tall
Honorable Mention
Roger
Sadie Says “Hi!” Photography, 8
23rd
Helen
Gertrude Mixed Media/Crafts 24 x 19.25 inches
ViAnn
Lawrence,
Fox at Sunrise Mixed Media/Crafts 4 x 28 inches
Card Table Mixed Media/Crafts, 36 x 36 inches
Lady
Mixed Media/Crafts
Ruth Bahr, 96 Fort Scott, Kan.
Blooming Beauties Drawing, 9 x 5.5 inches
Bailey, 68 Fort Scott, Kan.
x 10 inches
Nuzum, 86 Fort Scott, Kan.
Abel, 72
Kan.
Gerald “Bud” Sholders, 93 Newton, Kan.
Gene Eshleman, 77 Newton, Kan.
Psalm Sculpture/3-D, 24 x 12 x 5 inches
Lois Kay Vail, 81 Parsons, Kan. Hibiscus Painting, 16 x 20 inches
Peggy Shrewsbury, 87 Topeka, Kan.
Our Hope Quilting, 57 x 50.5 inches
Peggy Turner, 87 Topeka, Kan.
Broomstick Lace Needlework, 52 x 78 inches
Liz Hicks, 79 Wichita, Kan.
Determination Afghan Fiber Arts, 64 x 64 inches
Patricia Morse, 80 Topeka, Kan. Trio of Petites
Sculpture/3-D .625 x 1.06 inches, .563 x 1.25 inches, .875 x 1.5 inches
Rev. Don Schroeder, 88 Salina, Kan.
Lillian
2.75 x 2.75 x 2.75 inches
Carol Jessop, 87 Rolla, Mo. Springtime Needlework, 11 x 14 inches
Providing quality senior services guided
KANSAS
Colorado
Kirkwood Rolla
MISSOURI
Judith Otey, 83 Olathe, Kan.
Color My World
Quilting 70 x 70 inches
“My mother taught me how to sew as a child and by late elementary/early high school I was making my own garments. I loved sewing. It was not until 1996 when I took my first quilt class that I was hooked on quilting!“
