2024 Floyd Plein Air Biennial Artists
Adam Houston
Adam Houston is an artist based in Watkinsville, GA, specializing in American Impressionism. Drawing inspiration from the Southern landscape, he primarily works with oils, creating both studio and Plein Air pieces. Since getting his first set of paints in 1993, Adam has been dedicated to capturing the natural beauty around him.
With a BFA in art from the University of Georgia, Adam's formal training provided a solid foundation for his artistic expression. He further honed his skills by studying with renowned artists such as Barbara Jaenicke, David Boyd, Richard Oversmith, and Claudia Rilling. Transitioning from a successful 25-year career in graphic design to full-time painting in 2024, Adam brings a unique perspective to his art, influenced by his diverse professional background.
Adam's work is deeply inspired by 19th-century Impressionist masters such as Childe Hassam, Theodore Robinson, and Willard Metcalf. He aims to channel their spirit, creating pieces that capture the transcendent qualities of the landscape and establish a deep connection between the viewer and the natural world.
As an associate member of the American Impressionist Society and the Oil Painters of America, Adam is an active participant in the art community and frequently attends Plein Air events across the Southeast.
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Alex Eisenzopf
A serial sketcher growing up, Alex Eisenzopf got his first formal instruction at a local community college, eventually transferring to Pratt Institute in New York City. The atmosphere there was vibrant and competitive with a serious, international student body.
But the money quickly ran out. He got a full ride at Vassar, concentrating on philosophy and fine art. The studio art program there was much less competitive but Vassar’s Art History department and art collection were first-rate. He learned much about painting composition, if not how to apply paint to canvas.
Eisenzopf spent most of the years since college working in commercial art and illustration and traveled extensively in Asia and Europe overseeing product design and development for major corporate clients. Now a full time artist, Eisenzopf has spent the last few years renewing his drawing skills, further developing his pastel and oil technique and attending plein air events. He lives with his wife and dogs in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
Alison Hatter
Alison Wimmer Hatter was born and raised in Floyd County in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, and as a child enjoyed drawing and painting. As a young adult she became inspired by the illustrations from the books she cherished. Attracted to symbolist art and storytelling, she decided to pursue a career in illustration. After completing a multi-disciplinary program from 1994-1998, she graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in Illustration and Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University. A co-recipient of the Mallory Callan Scholarship in 1997, she also was awarded Outstanding Senior in Illustration Student Award in 1998. While at VCU she had student work published in Richmond Magazine and The Crescent Review. During her career she has illustrated children’s books, exhibited her personal works in local galleries, and completed various commissions in traditional fine art, illustration, and graphic design. Within the last decade she has also pursued en plein air painting, and she participated in the 2019 Floyd Plein Air Biennial. Alison won the Quick Draw Non-Competition Award during the 2022 Floyd Plein Air Biennial. In 2023 Alison and her husband, Sean Hatter, held two joint shows, first at Roanoke College’s Smoyer Gallery and second at The Paine Gallery in Bluefield, West Virginia. She also had three pieces juried into the 2023 New River Biennial Show. While homeschooling her younger two sons, Alison continues painting, fulfilling commissions, and teaching art locally.
Arlene Daniel
I’ve been painting for over 30 years. I work primarily in oils, pastel and charcoal, but I’ve begun to explore gouache. I paint in plein air and from photo reference. I’m drawn to golden hour paintings, and I love trying to capturing the light affect in a paintingt. I’ve studied with many nationally known artists to improve my painting ability. Some of my mentors have been Scott Burdick and Susan Lyons, Kenn Backhaus, Kim English and Dawn Whitlaw. My studio is in Winston Salem NC, where my husband Russell and I reside. I have work included in various shows including Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist society, National Oil and Acrylic Painters society, Nc Pastel Society, Appalachian Pastel society and have participated in my region and national plein air events. My work is in many cooperate and private collections across the United States and abroad..
As an artist I work hard to develop paintings that speak to me and to others about the beauty that surrounds us. What inspires me is the play of light in a scene. Capturing that drama makes me eager to translate it into a painting to change the ordinary to extraordinary. My subject matter encompasses landscapes and figures and portraits. Once I began taking a few art classes locally I have never stopped. I have acquired a lifelong love for art and painting. I am always trying to challenge myself and work diligently in order to become a more masterful painter. As our skills grow, our standard of excellence grows with them, so our lifetime quest for excellence continues.
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Beth-Ann Wilson
https://www.bethannwilson.com/
Beth-Ann Wilson (American, b. Copiague, NY 1983, lives and works in Baltimore, MD) is an award-winning artist, gallery owner, creative entrepreneur, educator, and community organizer. Her art focuses on expressive painted portraits suffused with colorful abstractions as well as energetic landscapes and cityscapes painted both in the studio and en plein air. Scenes depicted are inspired by the places she has traveled to and explored both near and far.
Owning and operating Night Owl Gallery, a brick-and-mortar artist-run exhibition space in Baltimore, MD, has allowed her to work on projects that bring together the community, foster creativity, and nurture artists from underserved demographics. Now in its 7th year, Night Owl Gallery has evolved into a dynamic exhibition and gathering space for creatives and art enthusiasts. Having recently expanded to a 4000 square foot space in the heart of central Baltimore with the addition of artist studio spaces to their offerings, Night Owl Gallery continues to support the stability and growth of artists working in the Baltimore/DC metro area.
Wilson also teaches Creative Entrepreneurship at Maryland Institute College of Art.
When not working, Wilson enjoys outdoor adventures (particularly hiking and backpacking), vegan cooking, listening to audiobooks, an early afternoon IPA in a dive bar, and spending time with her husband and 2 stinky dogs.
Coakley Brown
Coakley Brown’s passion for art emerged during early childhood. She recalls in her earliest art
memory, literally questioning the lines and experimenting in the space outside them. She found
joy in copious paint application (and sometimes pasta) at Art Festivals in PA, and refuge in her
school art program when her family moved to VA in the mid-1970s. Though never straying from her artistic pursuits, love of learning and nature led her to a first
career as a science teacher. Drawing upon this perspective, she explores, both through formal
training and experimentation, the relationship between observation and her own artistic vision.
Inspired by nature and stories that connect us to nature, her work is imaginative with a bold playfulness. Deeper than that, however, her motivation comes from a gratefulness for the gift of life, a trueness to self, and a sense of wonder regarding the interaction of light within our natural world.
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David Finnell
David enjoys the challenge and camaraderie of plein air events. In 2023 David participated in plein air events in Augusta MO, Cumberland MD, Harford County MD, Tappahannock VA, and Lexington VA. In addition, he taught a plein air workshop in Rockbridge County, sponsored by Nelson Gallery, Lexington, VA. David grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. He taught English at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and, after retiring from the military, taught high school English in both Fairfax County, VA, and Frederick County, VA. David retired from teaching six years ago and now paints full time. He and his family live in Charlottesville, VA.
David Peacock
David Peacock lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin with his wife, dog and several cats. The natural areas and small towns of the upper Great Lakes region provide the inspiration for much of his work. He received an MFA in Painting from The University of Texas at Austin and has a BFA in Painting and a BS in Geology both from Florida State University in Tallahassee. His work has been exhibited nationally and won numerous awards. He is represented in many private and corporate collections across the country and currently a member of The American Impressionist Society, Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and Wisconsin Visual Artist.
Elbert Shubert
Born in Kansas in 1963, growing up in Jacksonville, I’ve drawn and sketched since I can remember. I took up painting 20 years ago with a goal of being a portrait painter, but only seriously the last 4 years in plein air. I love painting anything from life.
Elizabeth Rhoades
Elizabeth Rhoades (b. 1955) is an American Impressionist landscape painter. Her work is characterized by vibrant color and sensitivity to the natural forms and light in the landscape. Her keen observation and thorough knowledge of the landscape is evident in her award-winning paintings. There is an emotional quality to her work that brings peace and tranquility to the viewer, while at the same time having a distinct vitality through her use of color. Her preference is in painting nature, undisturbed by human intervention. Elizabeth began her painting career in 1973 as a watercolorist. At age 17 she took classes at Paier College of Art, and studied under the famed Leo Stoutsenburger. She spent many years painting the Connecticut landscape en plein air with watercolors. In 2001 she switched to pastels, and her work garnered much recognition in national pastel societies across the country. At the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020 she took up oils. A lifetime of plein air painting has provided her with a foundation to accurately depict the elements of the landscape. Elizabeth is a Signature Member of Pastel Society of America, Connecticut Pastel Society, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Degas Pastel Society, and an Elected Artist in the Rockport Art Association, Lyme Art Association, North Shore Arts Association, Academic Artists, American Artists Professional League, and Audubon Artists. She is a juried Artist Member in the Salmagundi Club in New York, the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, Oil Painters of America, and the American Impressionist Society. Elizabeth was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut. She taught public school elementary art for 35 years in various Connecticut towns until her retirement in 2014. In 2018 she moved permanently to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where her love of the water and rural landscape provides her unlimited inspiration.
Jennifer Young
Jennifer is a longtime Virginia resident currently living in Ashland. She creates vibrant paintings in oil, pastel and gouache, focusing primarily on the landscape. Young received her formal training in painting and art history, graduating cum laude at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. During college and after graduation, her focus was largely centered on exploring art through the human figure. As an art history major, Young traveled to Europe where she was particularly drawn to the painters of the early Renaissance. She loved the drama and theatricality of those paintings and sought to incorporate a similar kind of emotional impact into her own work. Early in her career, Jennifer’s expressive, figurative paintings garnered gallery and museum shows in United States, including venues such as the Hofstra Museum and Purdue University. With a painting career that has spanned over 20 years, Young’s professional resume has accrued numerous exhibitions in the United States. Her work has been collected internationally by both private and corporate collectors, including Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, VCU Health, Sheltering Arms Hospital, and Frances Mayes’ Tuscan Sun Wines. In addition to exhibiting her work in art galleries, Jennifer enjoys participating in plein air festivals and competitions, as well as homelife with her husband, daughter, and two rat terriers.
Jim Rehak
Plein air painting as a practice for generating finished artwork originated with the Impressionists in the 19th century. Jim Rehak’s painting has been influenced by the impressionists and the artists working in that tradition since that time. Working outdoors, directly from nature, has allowed Jim to capture landscapes observed in natural light. Rehak selects his subjects by searching for patterns of light and contrasting color shapes. “The strength of a painting is often fueled by direct observation. By communicating a powerful sense of light I attempt to evoke experiences of the landscape.”
Jim’s interest in art started with comic book illustration at an early age. It was while studying for his BFA at Maryland Institute of Art that his interest in oil painting emerged. At that time his summers were spent sketching portraits and caricatures on the Ocean City, MD boardwalk...honing his drawing skills. The urgency necessary for quick sketches was also necessary for his plein air paintings when constantly adjusting to changing light. Jim has continued sketching caricatures as a source of income and as an opportunity for drawing practice. He also spent many years as art director for a sign company...which once upon a time depended on facility with brushes and paint. Plein air painting was always part of the mix. Jim steadily participates in paint outs and plein air competitions as well as being represented by various fine art galleries. Jim is a member of the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Rehoboth Art League and Art League of Ocean City.
John Eiseman
John has been painting since he was a teenager. John attended the Kansas City Art Institute and the Maryland Institute College of Art – graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1981. John’s paintings have won numerous awards and have been accepted into many exhibitions regionally and nationally. Just since 2021, John's awards include: “Best Water”-Shadows on the Teche, La, Harford Maryland Plein Air Festival “Best of Show” 2023 and 2022 Artists’ Choice and “Spirit of Maryland” award, “Best in Show” at Adkins Nature Center in 2022, “Best in Show” at the Coastal Virginia Plein Air Festival in 2021, “Artist Choice” at the St. George Island Plein Air Festival in 2021, Best “River” painting in 2021 and best “Nocturne” award in 2022 at the Gloucester Arts Festival, 2nd place at the New Bern Plein Air Festival for 2021, 2022, “Best of New Bern” in 2023, “Spirit of the Adirondacks” award at the 2021 Adirondack Plein Air Festival. John’s work has recently been accepted into the national juried exhibitions of the Oil Painters of America (OPA), American Impressionist Society (AIS) and the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society (NOAPS). Recently, in the June 2022 Plein Air Salon Magazine - John was awarded the "best Plein Air Landscape". He is a member of the prestigious, historic Washington Society of Landscape Painters. John also writes narratives of his plein air adventures and has been published in Plein Air Magazine. John is currently represented by the Les Poisson Gallery in Chestertown, Maryland
Katie Dobson-Cundiff
Dobson-Cundiff’s work is very diverse and includes wildlife, figure, portrait, and still life, but it is her colorful and boldly painted landscape and floral paintings that have won her national and international attention. Completed alla prima and primarily en plein air, her paintings expertly convey a sense of place, light, and atmosphere. Recognized as one of the Southeast’s finest impressionist landscape painters, Dobson-Cundiff is
past president and current board member of the prestigious Plein Air Painters of the Southeast. She has won numerous awards including two Silver Medals in 2023 in the Annual and Eastern Regional Juried Exhibitions for Oil Painters of America. Dobson-Cundiff maintains signature membership in Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists. She is also a member of Salmagundi Club, NYC, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), and California Art Club. Having served as a faculty member of her alumnus, Ringling College of Art and Design from 2010 – 2023, she now offers workshops and open studio sessions in her Sarasota, FL studio.
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Kesra Hoffman
Kesra Hoffman, a native of Middletown, Maryland, has been painting landscapes of her home and travels since 1996. Growing up in an area rich with farmland and forests cultivated within her a passion of the natural world. As a child, traveling worldwide with her parents instilled a desire to share her excitement for the beauty around her. Her phone is filled to the brim with photo inspiration for future paintings! Kesra’s medium of choice is gouache, a water-based versatile highly pigmented paint, for pieces in varying styles, on white or black paper. She also enjoys using acrylic paints, for wall murals or works on gessoed board. Charcoal drawings and pen/watercolor sketches also fill her sketchbooks. Kesra grew up on a wooded farm on South Mountain, in Maryland, where her studio continues to be. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art in 1994 from Principia College in Illinois, and as a post-graduate, painted and studied art in Europe for two months with other Principia art majors. After touring with cast E’95 of Up With People, she returned to Middletown to paint landscapes. Kesra is a part of NOMA gallery, a co-op gallery with 20 amazing local artists located in downtown Frederick, MD. She also participates in the yearly Valley Craft Network Studio Tour, which is always the last weekend in April as well as the weekend before Thanksgiving. She’s incredibly grateful for the sense of community and friendships that have come from these two artist groups; they inspire her daily to be a better artist and a better human. Kesra is a full time artist, painting landscapes and wall murals, binding books, and teaching classes, workshops, and private art lessons. As often as possible Kesra travels worldwide taking art trips and painting workshops, and participating in plein air events to keep her passion fresh, and incorporates these experiences into her artistic expression.
Kim Hall
Virginia native Kim Hall grew up surrounded by art, having a painter for a mother, it was a natural path to follow. Her art career has taken on many forms, starting with graphic design after college then furniture making and decorative painting, all the while circling back to her true passion of painting. A few years back she discovered with the urging of some painting buddies, the joy of painting outdoors and she hasn’t looked back. With this new found focus she quickly found success in the rapidly growing plein air movement. Kim has traveled the country participating in numerous juried plein air events and racking up more than a few awards along the way.
Whether she’s participating in an organized event or out painting on her own, her favorite thing is to find a side road that looks promising and quickly get lost looking for that next painting spot. Kim received a BA in Fine Art from George Mason University and continued her studies at The Corcoran School of Art. Her work is in public and private collections throughout the country.
Kim’s work is currently represented by these Virginia galleries: Cabell Gallery in Lexington, Allure Art Center in White Stone, and Crossroads Art Center in Richmond.
Lauren Waterworth
Lauren Waterworth was born in Boone, North Carolina in 1979. She has a variety of degrees from a variety of institutions, but the one that is relevant to her Artist Bio is a minor in Studio Art, received from Appalachian State University in 2001. Lauren has been creating art for as long as she can remember. Although it is not her day job, she decided to make painting a priority in her “down time” about seven years ago. Around that same time, she discovered plein air painting and was hooked. Lauren is active in the Watauga County Arts Council, High Country Plein Air Painters group. She has participated in numerous plein air events in northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia, including earning 2nd place at Plein Air Abingdon in 2019. Lauren lives in Boone with her husband Alex, daughter Viviane, and dog Turtle.
Lee Halstead
Lee Christmas Halstead has lived in Charlottesville, VA for most of her life. She is mainly a self-taught painter and endeavors as a lifelong learner. She enjoyed teaching art before becoming a full-time painter. During the past decade she has focused her attention on Plein Air painting. Lee loves to fully understand the subject of her painting through an immersive experience engaging all the senses. Lee uses a limited palette of three primary colors in warms and cools, an earth tone, black and white. This simplification contributes to the harmony and unity Lee seeks in her paintings. Color shapes are abstracted in order to eliminate information. The immediacy of Plein Air can be seen in the painter’s response to capturing the series of moments that come together to create a painting. Lee enjoys the presence that overcomes when translating from observed image to
the marks on the canvas. When she is not painting Lee can be found, in her garden, playing with grandchildren, reading, sauntering, swimming, sailing and studying art.
Lee’s paintings can be found at McGuffey Art Center and Cville Arts in Charlottesville, VA and at Annie Gould Gallery, Gordonsville, VA. Her work can be viewed on her website leehalstead.com and on Instagram
#leechristmashalsteadart.
Leo Stafsnes
I grew up in a remote part of Northern California known by many names, my favorite of which is the Lost Coast. That phrase encapsulates something about the allure and mystery of the wilderness I grew up around. Whether it was backpacking in the alps, snowboarding on Mt Shasta, or hanging out at the beach, much of my youth was defined by the wilderness. By the time I reached high school I had discovered the world of oil painting and had found some mentors in the local arts scene. I studied with some very kind and talented painters around that time- Stock Schlueter and Jim McVicker, among many others. Under their initial guidance, Plein Air quickly became a focus for me early on. I've always had a pretty intense imagination, and have forayed into multiple mediums and genres, but to this day, the surprises around the next bend of a new road are my biggest inspiration. For a while I put a pause on painting to pursue a degree in experimental animation at the California Institute of the Arts. I spent three semesters there and made a number of short films, but one day, on a backed up LA freeway I decided I needed a change of scenery. I transferred to the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2019. I’ve been living and working in Baltimore ever since. I’ve come to have as deep an appreciation for the landscape of the mid Atlantic and Appalachian’s as I do for the West. My painting practice continues to evolve, but there is something unified about the subject matter- which is a combination of recognizable scenery as well as the most obscure locations around us.
Lynne Polley
Born in Ohio, and raised in Connecticut, award winning artist Lynne Polley called Florida home for over thirty years. A lifetime connection with the Gulf Coast brought a 2023 move to Fairhope, Alabama. Lynne has been painting since childhood. Always looking for those uncharted places, she explored the area surrounding her Connecticut home. Drawn to the fields and woods, thus began her early connection to the landscape. After attending a liberal arts college in Connecticut, she received an A.S. Degree in Advertising Design in Florida. Lynne embraced a career as a graphic designer and illustrator winning a First Place Addy Award for Illustration in 1983. Always on a serious pursuit of painting in oils, Lynne took the path of self directed study, exploring plein air painting while producing larger works in her Orlando studio. Her work has been rewarded with acceptance into juried national exhibits by Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, and show awards of various placing. Now painting full-time, and drawn to the beauty one can only find outdoors, she continues to respond to nature and has studied with some of the nations best contemporary plein air artists.
Lyudmila Tomova
Lyudmila Tomova Clark is a globally acclaimed, award-winning artist celebrated for her distinctive impressionist style. Residing in both Cary, NC, and Almond, WI, she passionately captures figures, portraits, and plein air scenes in both oil and watercolor mediums. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, her artistic journey flourished upon her immigration to the US in 1990, where she thrived as a full-time painter, editorial illustrator, and designer in the dynamic landscape of New York City. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, Lyudmila's work has earned recognition in prestigious plein air events such as Easton, Bluff Strokes, Glaciers, Suffolk, and New Bern, among others. Her art seamlessly blends abstract and realistic elements, weaving together mood and movement. Lyudmila holds a BFA degree in Illustration with highest honors from the Sofia Academy of Fine Arts in Bulgaria and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, showcasing her adept navigation of Classical realism and impressionism. Beyond her studio, Lyudmila generously imparts her passion by conducting workshops on watercolor, oil, acrylic, and drawing throughout North Carolina. As a distinguished Signature member of the Watercolor Societies of NC (silver signature member), Georgia, Southern, and the Southwestern Watercolor Society, her influence extends far beyond her canvas. Playfully reflecting on her early plein air initiation at the age of 13 in the Special School of Fine Arts in Bulgaria, she fondly embraces her approach, which she whimsically dubs "create-destroy-create" – a rhythmic dance mirrored in her gestures on canvas. The year 2023 marked a remarkable chapter, with Lyudmila earning an impressive 22 awards in various national and international exhibitions, 9 of which were first place, underscoring her enduring excellence and unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving language of creativity.
Peg Sheridan
Artist Peg Sheridan lives in Staunton, Virginia. She has 40 years of experience in painting watercolors. She enjoys sharing her experience, and has been teaching art classes for 30 years. With a degree in Wildlife Biology, Peg has a special interest in painting landscapes and wildlife. She enjoys painting outdoors, or “en plein air”.
Peg is a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and the Virginia Watercolor Society, and is active in several other arts organizations. She has won several awards for her paintings, including “Best Watercolor” in Plein Air Magazine’s August 2021 salon competition. Three of her paintings were also in the top 100 of Watercolour Magazine’s competition “Watercolor Sketches Done on Location”, Issue #50. In 2021, Peg was awarded the Louisa Arts Center Award of Artistic Merit. Peg is known for her loose, colorful watercolors. “My paintings are a way for me to share my love of the outdoors, and my appreciation for the beauty around us. Many of them are painted outside. They also share my love of the medium of watercolor, with its transparency, ability to flow across the paper, and the wonderful surprises that happen. I usually start with a small sketch. I plan my colors, often using a limited palette of three to five colors. I often wet my watercolor paper, and quickly put in washes of color. When that dries, I start adding details, lights, and darks. When the light, colors, and atmosphere of the day are captured, I stop. I hope that my work inspires you to get out and explore the beauty of our region.”
Mary Veiga
My work begins by seeking enlightenment through nature. Themes of inspiration with inner peace and belonging are intentional expressions throughout my work. Using atmosphere and light by tapping into all of the senses I aim to share this feeling and presence with my viewers. Growing up in beautiful Maryland farmland, Mary naturally drew inspiration from her surroundings. Spending time riding her horse through the striking abundance of the landscape instilled in her a strong sense of attachment and belonging. This inspired her to share her experience through artistic expression. Demonstrating a natural ability and interest from an early age her work began drawing many awards and recognition. Mary went on to formal training at The Maryland Institute and College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. Her fine arts education continued with acclaimed landscape artists David Buckley Good, and John Brandon Sills. Influenced by her favorite artists including Edward Hopper, John Constable, George Innes and J.M.W. Turner she looks to evoke a mood and emotion through a sense of place. In 1995, Mary began her art business as a professional artist and master craftsman painting murals, Trompe l’oeil, and faux finishes for residential and commercial clients throughout the Baltimore Washington area. Her extensive practice and training with both dimensionality of color and texture enriches the experience of her landscape paintings as she specialized in large landscape murals. Her work has won many awards and been featured in Western Art Collector Magazine, Maryland Farm and Harvest on MPTV, The Talbot Spy, Attraction Magazine, Voyage Baltimore Magazine, Good Housekeeping Magazine, Chesapeake Home and Living, The Tidewater Times, HGTV and many more. While Mary works full-time painting in plein air as well as studio paintings including commissions and portraits she also participates in many juried shows and Plein air competitions. Mary lives in Baltimore with her husband, Jeff, and two boys—Noah and Callaway. They spend weekends and summers at their Tilghman Island home and is a juried member of The Working Artists Forum and member of Mid Atlantic Painters Association, American Impressionist Society.
Please visit www.maryveigastudio.com FB/IG @maryveigastudio
Matt Gentry
Matt Gentry is a Blacksburg native and member of the Blacksburg Regional Art Association, Virginia Master Naturalists New River Valley Chapter, as well as the NRV Bird Club and Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club.
In 2015 he completed a three decade long section hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, during which he carried a 6x9 inch sketch book with removable pages earning the the trail name “Sharpie”.
He has been a photojournalist in Virginia for more than 40 years, twenty years of that time with The Roanoke Times. Matt has a passion for the visual arts and plein air painting, mostly with watercolor and pastel
“The thing I like most about making art outdoors is the feeling of time slowing down and experiencing a deeper connection with the landscape and its inhabitants. Often, birds and mammals will appear while quietly observing and creating. My artistic goal is not to render exactly what I see, but to be inspired by what I see."
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Orit Reuben
Award-winning artist and master pastelist Orit Reuben is an impressionist pastel painter. Born in Israel to a family of artists, Orit is greatly influenced by her late grandfather, who was also a painter. As a child, she painted at her mother's side, who still paints. Orit loves to paint outdoors where she can truly experience her surroundings. Orit is an active member of various painting groups. She teaches workshops and participates in plein air events, drawing inspiration from the landscapes she encounters where she lives and on her travels.
Natalia Andreeva
The artistic talents of Natalia Andreeva stem from the hand of a woman born and bred on the harsh yet beautiful landscapes of Siberia, in Novosibirsk, Russia; but emerging from that chilly land comes a delicate sensitivity for both watercolors and traditional oils that stems from a warm heart and a fertile mind. Andreeva's studies in traditional art forms have led her pursuit of mastery over portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings. In each work, her concentration on form and composition are reminiscent of realist works, while her daring use of color and simulated light show a deep love of modern techniques. The combination of traditional genres with skill in a variety of techniques allows Andreeva an endless playground to develop her ideas. Educated at the prestigious Novosibirsk State Pedagogical Institute, she received a superb education in art and art history and found unrivaled studio experience, which she continued with her education in Moscow. Her work continues to evolve, and her reputation precedes her as her art receives new praise across the United States. Natalia holds Signature Membership Status in the American Impressionist Society and and she is president of the Tallahassee Watercolor Society.
Pat Brodowski
Pat Brodowski paints primarily plein air to articulate fleeting moments of beauty and to capture the energy and vitality of the natural world. Formerly the vegetable gardener at Monticello, her work stems from a deep knowledge of gardening,18th-and 19th-century life, and a love of life outdoors. Her cabin home in Stanardsville, Va., lies deep in the woods within view of the Blue Ridge. She is a member of the Firnew Farm Artists Circle, American Impressionist Society, and Oil Painters of America. Instagram:
Rose Kennedy
Growing up in rural southeastern North Carolina, Rose Kennedy was surrounded by beauty from the
mountains to the coast, instilling a heartfelt tie to earth and nature that inspire her still. Drawing and
painting were her favorite pastimes, so continuing artistic ventures into adulthood was a given. Rose
previously worked as a product/graphic designer for a home decor manufacturer. She also worked for
eighteen years with an art publisher/licensing agency creating water color/mixed media paintings in the
juvenile genre.
Rose now enjoys creating original oil paintings in the studio and outdoors. Her style is painterly, with
visible brushstrokes and harmonious hues that convey a sense of warmth and serenity. Detail is implied
rather than described, allowing the viewer opportunity to linger and engage with the painting on a
personal level. The camaraderie and dedicated painting time of plein air events afford her much pleasure,
as does teaching others the joy of art.
Rose works from a home studio and also at Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville, NC. Rose’s work has been
juried into numerous exhibits and competitions, winning awards along the way. Rose’s work is held in
private and corporate collections, and is featured in the publication Painting North Carolina, A Visual
Journey.
Scott Maynard
Sean Hatter
Steve Hessler
Steve Hessler paints representational landscapes in traditional oils. Much of his work is painted “plein air”, although he also paints from photographs in his studio. “As a self-taught artist, what appeals to me about outdoor painting is the opportunity to create quick, uncomplicated images of places about which I have strong feelings”. Such places include the Carrboro Mill Village in North Carolina where he lived before moving to Floyd in 2021, and the Atlantic coast, especially Core Sound and the Chesapeake Bay with their abundance of working boats. He hopes that his paintings will increase our appreciation for traditional ways of life and encourage the preservation of historic dwellings and vessels.
Attendance at workshops led by such well-known American artists as Tim Bell, John Poon, and Larry Moore has sharpened Hessler's eye and emboldened him to simply stop and paint when an image grabs him by the throat. "This is always how it is... you'll be walking or driving along and a scene will catch your eye... sometimes it is only a glimpse... but it will be right compositionally and tonally."
Steve Hessler's work has been exhibited in galleries in Chapel Hill, Durham, Wilmington, Burlington, Greensboro, Carrboro, Raleigh, and Morehead City, North Carolina and in Wilmington, Delaware, New York City and Old Lyme, Connecticut. He is a past member of the American Society of Marine Artists and the Salmagundi Club.
Tarryl Gabel
Vicky Zhou
Vicky Zhou holds a Master of Architecture degree and is an award-winning watercolorist and Plein Air painter. With a career spanning 30 years as an architect in the Washington metropolitan area, Vicky has now redirected her focus and energy towards her true passion.
The choice of watercolor suggests Vicky's inclination towards a more spontaneous and organic approach. This medium allows her to capture the essence of her subjects with a unique and lively touch. The vibrancy in Vicky’s paintings reflects a passion for expressing the energy and life within her subjects. Each stroke and color choice contributes to the overall liveliness of her art, making it stand out and leave a lasting impression.
