The illuminated paintings of Sharon Griffes Tarr express a strong sense of immediacy through her preoccupation with light. Her subject matter concentrates on land and waterscapes relating to the Great Lakes region of the USA especially in her native state of Michigan. "I am intrigued and inspired by environments where land and shallow water meet. This theme provides me with a rich and abundant source of ever changing textures, colors, and shapes." A versatile artist, Sharon's studio and plein air work concentrates on her favorite media, oils and pastel. 

Sharon's studies included the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois. She is the founder and a Master Member of the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association. Memberships also include Oil Painters of America and the Great Lakes Pastel Society.

http://www.sgtfineart.com

"Your paintings make me feel so peaceful," is a remark that Tommy Thompson hears from many viewers of his work. Today he feels blessed to do what he enjoys the most--painting.  This pleasure follows 30+ years of work as an illustrator.  His experience in traditional landscape painting has been enhanced through study with Ken Auster, Kenn Backhaus, Roger Dale Brown, John Budicin, Scott Christensen, Paula Frizbe, Ned Mueller, Michael Shane Neal, Jason Saunders, and Dawn Whitelaw.  Travels to Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wyoming, as well as Europe, have afforded the artist a wide array of subject matter with which to apply his talents.

Thompson will participate in Kevin Macpherson's "En Plein Air Masters Chateau des Arts Mentor Series," scheduled for Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in August/September 2007.  "My ultimate goal is to lift the spirit of the viewer," he says.

http://www.tommythompsonart.com

At the edge of darkness, in full-blown sunlight, ordinary landscapes reveal their magic nature to me. 

My studio is hidden in the woods near Montrose, in northeastern Pennsylvania. I have lived the majority of my sixty years in Susquehanna County and while I am four generations removed from the farm, agriculture seems to stream through my veins. My paintings share a unifying theme
of cultivation: the farmed and gardened lands of my immediate surroundings. My plein air pastels show the commonplace in a new light: closely observed and saturated in color.

My paintings have been widely collected for almost thirty years, won numerous awards and enriched the lives of many.

http://www.rodricatilley.com

Diane is best known for her oil paintings which are painted primarily with a palette knife in an alla prima method.  As both a studio and plein air painter, she enjoys painting the landscape, flowers and animals, with a passion for color .

Diane's award winning work has been included in major juried exhibitions from New York to California, and Florence, Italy.  She has received awards from International Artists magazine, Artists Magazine, Tucson Plein Air Painter's Society, and her work has been included in How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint the Landscape ,  How Did You Paint That?, 100 ways to Paint Flowers & Gardens, and The Best of Watercolor, and articles in Artist's Magazine, American Art Collector, and International Artist's magazine.

http://www.dianevannoord.com

Mary Jane Volkmann paints in oils, acrylics and watercolors the enchanting landscapes and people of her home and travels.  Reared in Cleveland, Ohio, she lived 28 years in Africa where she accepted commissions as varied as postage stamp and coin designs, portraits of a King, murals, illustrations, and a book of 30 of her paintings.  She co-founded a regional arts center in Namibia and has given lessons, painting demonstrations, lectures and workshops in Africa and the USA. Her paintings have been displayed at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, private galleries and international shows and are owned by collectors, corporations and a private museum.  Mary Jane is a signature member of Plein Air Florida, member of International Plein Air Painters and Group of Eight.

http://www.maryjanevolkmann.com

Born in 1957 in Chicago, I have been drawn to art as far back as I can remember. A dedicated landscape painter, I find my inspiration while painting on location. Capturing the nuances of color and light, as well as the beauty of nature are my main goals. I also enjoy painting still lifes out doors. The play of natural light across the motif adds another dimention to the painting process which I find exciting. It is this play of light that attracts me to a subject, whatever the motif.

Inspired by French Impressionism, and later by California Impressionism, art is a vital part of my life. As an artist, my goal is to continue to learn and grow, always with an eye towards a higher level of excellence and deeper understanding. The knowledge that there will always be room for growth is a constant incentive which spurs me on.

http://www.janetwarrick.com/

http://www.westpennart.com/ralph_welsh.htm

Ellen spent her childhood growing up on a farm in southern Illinois, observing nature and color. After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a commercial art degree, she began a long and award-winning career as a television art director in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tampa, Florida and New Haven, Connecticut.

“Painting is a never-ending learning process that challenges me every time I pick up a brush. I approach every blank canvas with fear and excitement.”

She has continued her studies with Ray Roberts and Joe Paquet, as well as many other very talented painters. As an award-winning painter, Ellen has participated in numerous group shows. She recently participated in the 2006 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition in Richmond, Virginia.

http://www.ellenwhitedesign.com

Keith has been a sailor and an artist since childhood.  After nine generations in the Carolinas, he was raised in a half dozen states from the east coast to west and back again.  As an adult, he's lived, worked and painted in Charlotte NC and Charleston SC and now paints from his home studio in McLean VA or his beach studio in Surfside Beach SC.  Painting in oils and acrylic from an early age, truly self-taught, Keith captures not only the scene, but the serenity experienced when viewing the ocean, a beach, tranquil landscapes or simply an exotic tropical flower.  Having traveled extensively - to more than 50 countries - he's never short of material, but finds time to handle commissions from those inspired by similar material.  

http://www.keithwilkieart.com

Susan Williamson is a watercolor and pastel artist from Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. She has studied in several programs including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Temple University, and with Jim McFarlane. She is a signature member of the Philadelphia Water Color Society and served on their Board of Directors from 2004-2006.

She draws inspiration from her passion for the vanishing landscape and the belief that all animals are sentient beings. Her watercolor paintings are easily recognizable with surfaces prepared with gesso or on kimdura for texture. Her pastel landscapes are painted on site in the traditional plein air method, capturing a moment of light and feeling of a particular place.

http://www.susanwilliamsonfineart.com

Marilyn Witt is a native "Hoosier" from Indiana and grew up on a farm in the middle of the beauty of nature and the "art of the land". 

Her paintings are often of the natural beauty of the mid west's agricultural countryside, lakes, rivers, lay of the land, and wildlife. Working in pastel, oil, and watercolor, she also paints figurative, street scenes, gardens, and other subjects inspired by travels to the southwest, the east coast, and Europe. Her style is mostly impressionistic with color and light being of most importance.

"I may be found painting en plein air where my emotions have sent me, in my own back yard, or home in my studio. My goal is to paint the beauty of the world around us and give the viewer a heightened awareness of the familiar. The greatest compliment is when someone sees my painting and says, I feel this place". 

Marilyn has won awards in local and regional juried shows and her work can be found in collections throught the USA.

http://www.marilynwitt.com