Paula Nemeth Hawkins, a native of Jackson, MS, currently lives and paints in Bradenton, FL. In the 1960's and 70's she studied a wide variety of art mediums under Eileen Spell. The 80's found her adapting her skills into the area of photographic art, providing retouching and enhancement services for local and nationwide photographers.

The doors of Hawkins Studio opened in 1991, offering three diverse areas of art. They include restoration of old photographs, all phases of print enhancement for the public and professional photographers, and her own signature line of fine oil portraiture, reflecting her style of classic realism. Currently, dozens of her oil portraits are in homes throughout the Southeast.

The subjects of her work vary widely; a retiring Chief Justice of the 12th Judicial Circuit, the children of an NBA basketball player, the wife of a nationally syndicated radio talk show host (Glenn Beck), a flight attendant lost in the 911 tragedy, and many beautiful children.

She holds the highest levels of achievement from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Florida Professional Photographers, earning the degree of Master Artist, Certified, and Florida Degree of Artistic Excellence (FDEA). Other notable awards include the Fuji Masterpiece Award, Artist of the Year-Florida, Best of Show, Top Ten Awards-Florida, Artist of the Year (national affiliate), and many first place honors. Many of her competition pieces have been chosen for the coveted Traveling Loan Collection (PPA) and her work has been featured in several publications.

Paula has lectured and instructed in workshops for PPA and Florida Photographic artists over the past few years. She has also shown bodies of work in many public and private exhibits.

"Painting portraits is a satisfying way of providing something of beauty and a life-long investment for families who know that portraiture is not expensive...its priceless!"