Peonies-Sunlit Luminescence by Naomi Ullum, Wichita Presbyterian Manor
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 (what’s a CDA??). 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.