J.C., (Joanne Cestaro Turner), paints in the style of traditional realism, softly bordering on impressionism. Primarily, a 'plein~air' painter in oils, she has been inspired by the rich history and incredible beauty of the Delaware Valley. Although formally educated at Syracuse University School of Fine Arts, she was schooled in the classical style of the old masters at Ridgewood Art Institute in New Jersey. Her still life works transcend to the colorful, yet tonal balance between light and shadow. She has also received advanced training in portraiture, at the Reilly League of Artists, as well as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In her most recent discipline, Chinese watercolor on rice paper, she sensitively captures the delicate flowers of the season. Her work is in collections across the country and also in Paris, France. "I seek to create the essence of a scene, that will beckon the viewer 'into the painting', but, most of all, to convey the joy of capturing those fleeting moments in nature, that happen in sunlight and shadow".

Art is communication. As a painter I have chosen watercolor as my visible means of expressing personal values and feelings about what I observe in nature. The beauty and design of God’s creation, its seasons and time of day are portrayed only after the images pass through my ‘heart of hearts’, and onto the watercolor paper. In capturing a moment in time I try to show the viewer more than just surface expressions. Some of my favorite subjects to paint are in the National Parks. The brilliant colors and breathtaking scenes have been a constant source of inspiration since I was one of the top one hundred artists in the “Arts for the Parks” competitions in 1989, 1993, 1998, and 2000. In 2002, my work was chosen as the Regional Winner for National Park subjects East of the Mississippi.

I grew up in Chalfont and have lived in Lahaska for the past 25 years. I taught at Buckingham Elementary in the Central Bucks School District for thirty-three years and retired in 2006 to be able to spend more time devoted to my passion for painting. I started painting in 1999.  I am basically self-taught, having had no formal training, and I find that the more I paint, the more I discover about what I can do. I work in oils and acrylics. Much of my work is inspired by where I live. As I am driving around this area, doing day-to-day things, I see pictures just waiting to be painted.  Prints of my work are available here.

I grew up in Pittsburgh loving drawing and painting.  I took Saturday morning art lessons through grade school and high school at Carnegie Museum and Carnegie Mellon University.  I graduated from Pitt with a major in English and a minor in art.  I then got secondary teaching certification in English at the University of Delaware.  As we moved for my husband’s education and jobs, we had three children and I earned certifications in early childhood education and as a reading specialist.  We moved to Bucks County in 1980 and I worked as a teacher for Head Start, Gloria Day Preschool and the Centennial School District.  I belong to the Doylestown Art League and am a member of The Upstairs Gallery.  My favorite subject is the backyard birds that frequent our feeder, but I am always trying something new.

Aurelia moved to Bucks County in 1990 when transferred by her employer, the American Bank Note Co., a maximum security printing firm, she worked as the company’s archivist and product manager for over twenty years. Retired since 1997, she spends her leisure time doing the things she loves most, painting and listening to music. Her greatest challenge is to capture on canvas, the beauty she sees in Bucks County and its surrounding areas. Aurelia is a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and New Hope Arts. Aurelia has exhibited her paintings in many juried shows in Bucks County and Montgomery County. Her work hangs in private collections throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Her painting of Pearl S. Buck’s Home hangs in the Pearl S. Buck Museum at the University in Nanjing, China. Aurelia is presently president of the Delaware Valley Music Club.  www.delvalmusicclub.org

Born in Afghanistan to an American mother and a French father, I spent most of my childhood between France with my grandparents and Tunisia with my parents. These early travels gave me an appreciation for different cultures and art forms. During my travels in Asia, I went frequently to Japan where I discovered Gyotaku, the ancient custom of rubbing rice paper or fabric on a fish coated with ink. It is believed that Japanese fishermen who wanted to keep a memento of their most memorable catch invented Gyotaku in the 1800’s. Gyotaku eventually evolved into a sophisticated art form. I was impressed by exhibitions I attended in Kyoto and Tokyo, and decided I would some day try my hand at Gyotaku that became a significant portion of my portfolio. After 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry and various companies, I decided to dedicate my time to art. I paint mostly in oils, but also in pastels, charcoal, and generally travel with my watercolor box and my camera. I enjoy painting a variety of subjects, ranging from still life to portrait as well as Gyotaku.

Maggie Leiby was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Maggie works in oils, watercolor, pastel, and egg tempera.  An award winning artist, she is a member of Oil Painters of America, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, The Rockport Art Association, French Creek Art Colony, and Doylestown Art League.  Leiby's work has been displayed in various venues throughout Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, as well as in New England.  Her paintings are in collections throughout the United States and Europe.  "The beauty of the landscape has always stirred my soul.  In my paintings I try to capture the Spiritual force emanating from the land.  Like the Impressionists, I am fascinated with light and atmospheric conditions which I believe help to create a sense of mood and place."  www.maggieleiby.com

After a very long career in Corporate America ended in 2001, I finally had time to pursue some of my interests. Art was a priority. Divine providence directed me to Miriam Warfield, my first art instructor.  Because of her encouragement, instruction and inspiration, art has become my passion. Presently, I am also taking lessons from Dot Bunn, an award winning Bucks County artist. While I started out painting in watercolors, oils soon became my medium of choice. Living here in beautiful Bucks County provides unending vistas and inspiration for my painting as the seasons change. I have participated in many juried art shows and am presently a member of the Doylestown Art League.

I have been painting most of my life, early on with acrylics and in 2010, I started painting with watercolors. It remains the medium of my choice, although I occasionally work with oils.  I am a moderator with WCW (watercolor workshop on facebook….a closed group with over 3400 members nationwide), which has been a driving force in my learning with watercolors.  I have also taken classes at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, and at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, Pa.  I have had a few publications, in “Living Artist of Today part 2” and Art and Beyond Magazine. Associate member of the American Watercolor  Society and Associate member of the Philadelphia Watercolor and member of  Doylestown Art League, New Hope Arts Center, Bucks County Audubon and Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators.    thomaszimmerman.com