About the Artist:

Connie Landis is an oil painter who brings her passion for gesture, color, and emotion to life through her art. After raising her four children in the Chicagoland area, Connie relocated to Petoskey, Michigan, a place she has cherished since childhood. Her family home on Lake Charlevoix, where her mother, renowned landscape artist Martha Landis, lived for over 40 years, has always been a source of inspiration. Her parents instilled in her a deep appreciation for the arts, antiques, and the natural beauty of Northern Michigan, shaping her path as an artist.

Connie specializes in painting interiors, still life, and the female figure. She focuses on the essence of her subjects, believing that the heart and soul reside at the core of the body. Through her work, she aims to capture emotion in small but impactful details—body gestures, the fall of light, or the drape of clothing. Her creative process often starts with a feeling or a title that guides her compositions, always with the objective of sparking joy. For Connie, art doesn’t need to be profound or complicated; it’s about creating a connection. When viewers find a personal resonance in her paintings, it fulfills her artistic purpose.

Her style, best described as contemporary impressionism, is characterized by loose, energetic brushstrokes that convey motion and vitality. This approach reflects a philosophy her mother instilled: confidence in one’s brushwork translates to confidence in the art itself. Connie’s process begins with a rough sketch before moving quickly into expressive, lush layers of oil paint. Her work is driven by an appreciation for beauty found in attitudes, poise, and quiet elegance rather than traditional notions of perfection.

Although she did not pursue a formal art degree, Connie’s artistic voice has emerged through a combination of high school and college art classes, along with workshops led by some of her favorite artists. She believes that developing a personal style is one of the greatest challenges for an artist, requiring a blend of observation, self-awareness, and integrity. For Connie, finding her own rhythm and artistic voice is a continual journey of growth and discovery, always guided by her passion for creating art that connects and inspires.

Her artwork can be found at Mettlers American Mercantile, Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls, Crooked Tree Arts Center, or on her website at www.connieartanddesigns.com.

Connie Landis on her Dart for Art 2025 Featured Artwork, Unbridled Spirit

The inspiration for this painting struck me with remarkable intensity after encountering the equine photography of local artist, Stephanie Cope. Her ability to capture the raw beauty and profound emotion of her subjects moved me deeply, igniting an irresistible urge to translate those feelings into paint.

Collaborating with Stephanie became a journey of connecting artistic threads—bridging relationships between horse and rider, horse and trainer, nature and human, and finally, photography to painting. Each of these elements interweaves, one enveloping and enhancing the next, creating a tapestry of shared artistry.

Through this painting, my hope is that viewers feel the profound connection between humans, nature, and animals. I aim to evoke sensations of freedom and exhilaration: the wind in your hair, the rhythm of hooves pounding against the sand and water, the sun's gentle warmth, and the cool surprise of a splashing wave.

My mother always sought to give viewers a ‘mini-vacation’ through her landscapes. Following in her legacy, I invite you to embark on this ride along the shores of Lake Superior and savor the escape it offers.

Image: Connie Landis, Unbridled Spirit, 2025, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in. (detail)