Meet the Artists
Cathy Berse
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Ninety-nine percent of my oil paintings are done on site, “alla Prima”. I feel that allows me to capture the light that caught my eye as well as the true colors of nature. I love what I do and it is my goal to pass that love along in my work. If a viewer can step into the scene I have just painted and get as much pleasure from it as I did painting it, I consider it a successful painting.
Cathy Berse is a long time resident of Florida. Cathy attended the University of Wisconsin, University of Tennessee and Milwaukee Area Technical College. In years past she has worked as a graphic designer, teacher and muralist. Cathy’s murals ranged from small to the largest at 4, 800 sq. feet. Cathy taught art for Daytona Beach Community College, Artists’ Workshop, Inc. and Atlantic Center for the Arts. She is now an avid Plein Air Artist and her work can be found in private homes as well as public places including The White House, New Smyrna Beach’s City Hall, the Historical Museum and AdventHealth.
Kathleen Denis
Palm Beach Shores, Florida
Depicting joy through my paintings is of great importance. I’m always intrigued by the way light affects colors and values of an object and long to enhance it on my canvas. As I develop studies of my scene, I transform realism into creativeness. Having grown up in South Florida, island life has greatly influenced my paintings, with brightly painted buildings, colorful landscapes and turquoise waters, including the locals who live there. Whether the subject matter is a timeworn cottage, a day at the beach or a sun-drenched garden I invite the viewer in, to imagine being there enjoying the scene I captured.
Kathleen Denis is known for capturing sun-drenched light in her contemporary-impressionistic style paintings, whether painting scenes of island life, timeworn cottages, inviting gardens or adorable doggies. Presently living in Palm Beach Shores, she was born in Miami, grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, and spent much time in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, which greatly influenced her use of subject matter and colorful style.
Kathleen’s love of art began with lessons at the age of four, and graduated from University of Miami, with a BFA degree in Graphic Design, while continuing to passionately study, paint en plein air and studio, teach, and win awards.
Her art is licensed by leading manufacturers worldwide and found on numerous home décor and gift products, found at stores such as HomeGoods and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Her original paintings are acquired in galleries, exhibits, plein air events and on her website.
Charles Dickinson
St. Augustine, Florida
The landscape offers endless inspiration. With its colors, shifting shadows, and luminous skies I feel a warm connection to nature that I try to capture in my paintings. I always hope that viewers of my work will feel that connection too.
Charles Dickinson’s paintings have a life and energy that illuminate his work. His brushstrokes are purposeful and painterly. He feels fortunate to have been a plein air artist since he first discovered painting on location in 1978.
For many years Charles considered the outdoors his studio and studied the art of creating works alla prima (in one sitting) as well as returning to a chosen scene over several days or weeks to complete a more complex work. For the most part his work was a solitary endeavor but over the last two decades Charles has been fortunate to participate in invitational and juried plein air painting events. He is inspired by the challenges of painting new landscapes with limited time and the opportunity to paint alongside his peers. He also enjoys the opportunity to bring awareness and contribute what he can to the environmental and cultural cause that these events often benefit.
Charles is an award-winning artist who is collected internationally. He says he is challenged and inspired to create quality and lasting beauty in his work that reflects his love of nature and his love of exploring art and nature.
Dana Enders
Ft. Myers, Florida
As a plein air painter, I am drawn to subjects that are either revealed or concealed in beautiful, dramatic lighting. Going beyond rendering the scene before me, painting on location allows all of my senses to play an active role in experiencing a scene’s light, color, and atmosphere. My intention when plein air painting is to simplify the shapes and details, painting only what I feel are the essential elements needed to convey the essence of the scene. This is where my passion for painting in plein air ignites. Summarizing the experience allows the person viewing the painting to complete the picture in their mind, bringing forth detail and life to the scene, as if they were actually there!
Dana Enders is an avid, award-winning plein air pastel artist who enjoys competing in shows and competitions up and down the east coast. In 2021, Dana relocated with her family to Fort Myers, Florida from Atlanta. She is a member of the Southwest Florida Pastel Society and is an active board member of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association and coordinator of the association’s plein air program. This weekly plein air painting group meets year round in Fort Myers and the surrounding islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
Originally from Maryland, Dana received her BFA degree in graphic design from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993 and was a freelance graphic designer for many years. Her father, a retired art teacher, is a plein artist in the Northeast. Dana mentored under him for several summers and the two now enjoy competing in plein air competitions together! Originally an acrylic plein air painter, Dana has transitioned to mainly painting in soft pastels and has fallen in love with the medium.
Dana is represented by Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral, Florida.
Elisabeth Ferber
Mt. Dora, Florida
My artwork can best be described as “classical representational”. I do not seek to change what is, but to paint it and present it as I perceived it at the time. I strive to create a painting that shows the beauty and character of wildlife and/or landscapes.
Although I do paint a little of everything, wildlife and their landscapes are my favorite. My landscapes are painted from life whenever possible and the wildlife is studied and photographed by myself. My goal is to capture scenes in the hope that others will see and appreciate the land that we have today.
Elisabeth Ferber was born in Belleville, Illinois but spent most of her adult life in Central Florida. Born of artistic parents and having spent much of her childhood in Europe, Elisabeth was exposed to a very classical art background which in turn influenced her current style.
Elisabeth is a member of Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Florida and Central Florida Plein Air Artists.
Martha Ferguson
St. Augustine, Florida
My inspiration comes from the familiar subjects that surround me. I love to paint the scenes of old gritty towns, capturing the nostalgic feel of the area and local characters that walk the quaint streets. I am fortunate to share my vision through art while documenting precious moments in time.
Martha Ferguson is a national, award winning artist from St Augustine, FL. Painting primarily in oil, she considers herself a contemporary impressionist and avid plein air painter. After college, Martha started her professional art career at the Jersey shore where she lived for 30 years. Moving to St Augustine in 2014, she joined local plein air groups that met regularly. Quickly learning the benefits of painting on location, she spends many days painting in the open air and participates in several distinguished invitational paint outs and juried shows. Martha was recently chosen by St Johns County and the city of St Augustine to accompany them to Aviles, Spain as a plein air artist in August of this year for the 100th anniversary of the “Sister Cities” relationship.
John Guernsey
Marietta, Georgia
My main painting education and inspiration has been based around Plein Air Painting. It’s key to my experience in developing composition , form, and expression. I paint mostly in oils, but often use acrylic and gouache mediums as well. My goal is to create and relate a story or subtle emotion to the viewer by a thoughtful use of composition and color harmony.
Originally from southern California, John Guernsey moved to Georgia in 1993 and began a full time art career in 2006. Developing his drawing skills in college courses and workshop study, he now concentrates primarily on landscape painting. Most of his work is ‘en plein air’, although he is increasing the output of larger studio paintings. Mr. Guernsey maintains a busy schedule of workshops and regularly participates in nationally ranked plein air festivals. Some of his recent plein air awards are: Best of Show/ Olmsted (GA) 2019, Best of Show/Cashiers (NC) 2022, Best Architecture – Plein Air Smokies, 2022.
Jeanette Herron
Niceville, Florida
In an era where life pulls and drives us for more and more, art allows us a meditated pause – an image that lets us remember and stay ever connected to what we love.
Jeanette was born into a family of professional artists and honed her art skills under the expertise of her mother and grandfather. Through those influences and through years of intense daily discipline, Jeanette developed her voice as an artist. Jeanette lived and studied in Italy where she was an invited and awarded participant in numerous plein air competitions, including the extempores “Tema Cima da Conegliana,” and “Nel Borgo di Valvasone,” as well as painting at the bi-annual Castelli Apertiat Castello di Strassoldo. Jeanette returned to the United States in early 2020, and now lives permanently on Florida’s Emerald Coast. She is represented by Kyo Gallery in Washington DC, Riverside Gallery in Apalachicola, Florida, and Dauphin Island Gallery, Dauphin Island, Alabama. In addition, she is a regular exhibitor and teacher at Artful Things in her hometown of Niceville, Florida.
Scott Hiestand
Ormond Beach, Florida
Scott, a resident of Ormond Beach, Florida, is an avid plein air painter and creator of various bird and fish sculptures made from wire and various finishes.
Upon obtaining his art degree in Philadelphia, Scott was recruited by Hallmark Cards. He later worked for some 35 years as a graphic artist for various newspapers, including 15 years at the St. Petersburg Times, where he illustrated the outdoors pages.
Scott’s work has been recognized throughout the United States. He is a State of Indiana upland game bird stamp contest winner; was selected for the Paint America National Gallery Tour; and designed the Florida Bass Fish automobile license plate. Scott’s works are in many private and corporate collections.
Catherine Hillis
Locust Grove, Virginia
I can’t imagine a day not painting. I consider it an honor to interpret the landscape around us and I hope that, through my art, I can record scenes for future generations.
Catherine Hillis defines herself as an artist, teacher, writer, and juror. Working primarily in watercolors, the artist loves the transparency and immediacy of the fluid mark. She finds herself drawn to scenes that are often forgotten and seeks out the intrinsic beauty in the most neglected of places. Trained in theatre and painting, the artist merges these disciplines in her fine art paintings with a narrative that is uniquely her own. She travels extensively to paint in national juried plein air events and invitationals and to teach workshops. Her work is found in corporate and private collections around the world.
Hillis has won hundreds of awards in national and international competitions. She’s earned signature membership in eight national arts organizations as well as the Laguna Plein Air Painters and the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. A regular contributor to the American Watercolor Weekly Newsletter, her work has been featured in Watercolor Magazine, American Watercolor Weekly, Fine Art Connoisseur, PleinAir Magazine, the Washington Post and the Splash series.
Hillis maintains a home studio in Locust Grove, VA and at Sophia Street Studios in Fredericksburg, VA.
Stewart Jones
Sanford, Florida
There are so many ways to portray art with watercolor. When I paint recognizable subjects, I feel that they should resemble the real thing, but they do not need to be an exact reproduction. Painting my subject in watercolor should enhance its beauty and show the endless variations of watercolor techniques I have applied to the paper. The most important thing I have learned is to have my own uniqueness of vision.
Stewart Jones began drawing at an early age. In his high school years he enjoyed art classes and mechanical drawing, then went on to attend Ferris State University in Michigan where he graduated with a degree in graphic arts. He took additional courses at college to strengthen his skills at painting in both oil and acrylic. After college, Jones elected to take a painting class in watercolor and thus began a rewarding career as a watercolor artist.
Stewart creates plein air paintings on a frequent basis. His love for vast open landscapes is the inspiration for many of his paintings. “I feel it is important to paint scenes of nature so that I can share that moment in time with others,” says Jones. He realizes our world is quickly changing and he takes opportunities to paint architecture and landscapes that he knows may not be here for our future generations to enjoy.
He has participated in plein air events throughout Florida and in many outdoor Art Festivals. His work is currently in the private collections of patrons and companies around the world. When not painting outdoors on location, he teaches and works out of his studio at Gallery on First in historic Sanford, Florida.
Preston King
Homerville, Georgia
My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret what my visual senses experience and express them in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to both the viewer and me. Through the years, I have come to understand that this is an ongoing dynamic process, with my artistic sensitivities continually morphing, with little cognitive effort. Each painting is an extension of my past and a glimpse into my future. If a viewer stops for just a moment to view and reflect on a work I have created, then I have succeeded.
Preston King, an award-winning artist, was born in Clinch County, Georgia. He began studying painting at age 13, starting in pastels, and then received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University. Later, he returned to school to earn his Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree, also from Valdosta State University. “I am one of the most fortunate people I know. Being able to pursue both a career as a healthcare professional and an artist, is a luxury not afforded all. The combination of both created in me a sense of balance.”.
Having retired from healthcare as a Healthcare Compliance Officer, Preston now devotes full time to working exclusively in pastels, with the majority of his efforts devoted to “en plein air” painting.
Chris Kling
Stuart, Florida
Being an artist is not just my career. It is an integral part of who I am and is something that I am compelled to do. I work in oil primarily in a traditional manner but with a contemporary flair through color, composition, value, and application of paint. Color sings to me and I try to use its harmony to evoke an emotional connection with others. I love to paint plein air which helps my studio work retain an authenticity that only comes from direct observation from life. Painting, to me, is reaching out to find the common emotional connection between all of us.
Chris Kling has worked as a professional artist since earning her BFA in 1979 and has received numerous awards, honors, and commissions for her landscapes and portraiture throughout the US and with the Portrait Society of America. For years she has been exhibiting in national and international juried shows and her popular paintings are widely collected. Chris works in oil primarily in a contemporary impressionistic manner through color, composition, value, and bold brushstrokes. She also has enjoyed participating as an invited artist in many Plein Air Events and Competitions. Chris has been honored to be an Invited Artist for the last seven years in the New Smyrna Paint Out and was thrilled to be the Cover Artist for the New Smyrna Beach Paint Out 2022. Chris is represented by Palm City Art & Frame, Doris Clements Interiors in Stuart, and the Lost Art Gallery and Sea Spirits Gallery in St. Augustine
Barbara Ortiz
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
My love of the outdoors and plein air painting are perfect partners. In my paintings, I am trying to capture the essence and spirit of the landscape and at times individual subjects. Plein air painting allows for the direct observation of color, light and movement. When I am painting in plein air, I am involving all five senses. I can see the glowing light and soft shadows. My skin is feeling the warm breeze as I smell the fresh flowers. The paintbrush or pastel stick is gliding across the canvas and I can hear the birds chattering. I am fully engaged and could not be happier. This is the difference between plein air painting and painting in the studio.
I am fortunate to live in Florida where the atmospheric conditions create gorgeous light. We have exquisite beaches, turquoise springs and dense, rich forests. Hopefully my work will inspire their protection and preservation.
I took life drawing classes in the North Jersey Art Center while in high school. In college I studied fine art at Monmouth College and Fairleigh Dickenson University. In 1984, I moved to Cancun, Mexico where I resided until 1994. During that time, I owned and operated an interior decorating business. Upon returning to the United States, my husband and I along with our two children, settled in Florida.
Once my children were in high school I resumed studying oil painting and pastel. Pursuing plein air painting was a natural progression. I participate in juried and invitational events as well as competitions in both oils and pastels and have won a number of awards in both mediums.
Joe Palmerio
Sarasota, Florida
Mr. Palmerio has been a resident of Sarasota for 32 years. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pa. and the Barnes Foundation, Lower Merion, Pa. He studied Sculpture at the Frudakis Academy and metal sculpture at Tyler School of Art, Temple University. He starred in the short art film A Lot in Common, which was in the Sarasota Film Festival in 2011. He taught painting in community arts centers in Philadelphia and Colorado and spent seven years teaching physically challenged adults in Philadelphia.
He is in numerous private collections throughout the country. He was the Everglades Artist in Residence in 2003 and interviewed on National Public Radio, Arts Edition, with Amy Tardiff. The Sarasota Herald Tribune wrote a comprehensive article on him in the Sunday edition of September 28, 2003. He was voted in the top 100 Paint America show in the Coutts Museum in Kansas in 2010. Mr. Palmerio was the artist in residence for the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Sept. of 2011. He has completed numerous corporate murals.
He presently exhibits with Art Avenue Gallery in Sarasota and Arts on Douglas in New Smyrna Beach.
Robin Popp
Trenton, Florida
As humans, we are made of earth. I love exploring this connection with nature. Working en plein air, I have the opportunity to be immersed in the sounds and sights of the environment, and I try to capture those details for the viewer.
Oil paint is chosen for its luminosity as well as for the enduring, earthly elements that compose the paint itself. The more I paint, the more it draws me in to discovery. This is the joy I want to express in my work.
A native of Florida, Robin attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, and received a certificate as a cabinetmaker from Ptec in Clearwater, FL. She started plein air painting in early 2000 and has been at it ever since. She and her husband run a small working farm in north central Florida, and much of the surrounding rural area has ended up on canvas. Robin has two studios on her farm where she does both painting and woodworking. She also loves teaching and travels throughout the southeast with her workshops.
Patrick Rausch
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
I have been painting and drawing most of my life and continue to get a thrill every time I paint. In addition, I get a great deal of satisfaction sharing with others what others have shared with me. Painting and drawing are very teachable and in time, creativity will follow and flow.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Patrick grew up with tropical and ocean surroundings. Numerous visits since childhood to the Florida Keys and years of diving and sailing along with having a home in the Ocala National Forest for a number of years has had a strong and lasting influence on the subjects Patrick chooses to paint.
From beautiful cloud formations at sunset, to a quaint cottage in the Keys, to tranquil back country landscapes, to soothing seascapes, he finds and captures a feeling that relates to the beauty around us.
Patrick has been sharing and teaching others to paint for over 10 years and currently teaches classes at The Artists’ Workshop in New Smyrna Beach.
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Craig Reynolds
Gadsden, Alabama
Coming from a family of artists, I have been associated with painting and the art business for many years. My dad was a well-known water colorist in our area and taught me how to draw and paint at an early age. As years went by and his health declined I would take him on long countryside drives where we would stop and paint or take photos of the old barns and landscapes that he loved so much.
Craig Reynolds, driven by a youthful reverence for nature, discovered a profound appreciation for the outdoors, aged farms, and history-laden harbors. Craig’s technique, rooted in painting from life, breathes atmosphere into his work, creating dynamic scenes that embody the essence of each location. His belief in capturing the scene’s DNA is realized through on-location painting, a process that imparts a timeless quality to his art, echoing the well-worn scars and narratives of the landscapes he passionately portrays.
Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Craig honed his artistic skills under his father’s guidance, mastering the craft of drawing and painting. Balancing a career in the steel industry, he pursued art part-time until his 2005 retirement marked the inception of his full-time art business. While crediting his father and college professor, Reynolds largely became self-taught, immersing himself in the works of masters like the Wyeths, Sargent, and Gruppe. His lifelong journey of learning reflects a passion for art, blending traditional techniques with personal evolution, resulting in a unique and inspired body of work that showcases his diverse influences and artistic growth.
Tom Sadler
Orlando, Florida
Observing nature with the intention of creating a painting sparks a keener awareness and appreciation of the inherent beauty in all that we see. Many times it is the sense of light that interests me the most and can become the dominant subject of my painting. The color and atmosphere also play a role as they vie for attention and interpretation. To successfully communicate I feel that the painting should in some sense “come to life” in my mind’s eye and then hopefully for the viewer.
Since moving to Orlando in 1983, Tom Sadler has dedicated his efforts toward capturing the light, color, and mood of the Central Florida landscape. The intense light, combined with the natural beauty of the many lakes, rivers and parks of the area provide a never-ending source of inspiration. His paintings come to life as a celebration of this beauty found in nature, sometimes exuberant, at other times more subtle.
Tom received his BFA at Auburn University. Sadler’s education included the study of oil painting with instructor Jack Dempsey at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which Tom considers of utmost value. He also attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. Since that time he has studied the work of a variety of artists, each having different influences on his work. Sadler feels a pressing desire and necessity to paint each day. He feels that the door is just opening to the world of revealing all that is possible for him through his artwork.
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