These Women Paint! is a group of women that reside in rural southwestern Michigan. We artists come together on a weekly basis to paint, critique and challenge each other with new ideas and painting information. We enjoy each other's company and dedication to the arts. Our on-line gallery displays original fine art at fair market value; it includes landscapes, florals, wildlife and abstracts in a variety of mediums.
Our members are Sara Haveman, Maria Cottrell, Holly Willson and Jude Hardin.
Sara Haveman has been making art since childhood. Nothing gave her greater joy than holding a brush loaded with tempura paint! After graduating from Western MI University with a B.S. in art education, 30 years were spent as an high school art teacher and after that several more working in summers art camps hoping to instill a appreciation of the arts in youth. Now all that is behind her and personal art is the central focus. Sara has had extended studies in workshops of many fine artists whom she admires. Art affiliations include: Pickle Street School Studio, Allegan Area Arts Council, Great Lakes Pastel Society, Plein Air Painters of West Michigan, Holland Friends of Art. Sara has received Best of Show, honorable mentions and work has been displayed in hospitals, restaurants, libraries and the Fair. It is in held in public and private collections.
Maria Cottrell, Wonderful Pastel artist whose information is coming soon
Holly Willson is an Artist in Holland Michigan. Art was Holly's thing even in grade school. She has worked as an Artist her entire career. First as a graphic artist, package designer, and then business owner. She paints landscapes, flowers and fish. Her mediums are watercolor, pastel. She has been painting watercolor batiks on rice paper. Similar to fabric batiks, wax is used as a resist to block out areas that will remain untouched. She paints as her home studio and wood shop on 6.5 wooded acres bordered by Halfway creek. Her goal now is to paint expressively and often. Sharing a beautiful painting with others is the best thing about painting.Talking to other artists about their art is the next best thing.
Member Great Lakes Pastel Society, Plein Air Painters of West Michigan, Allegan Area Arts Council, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland Friends of Art, Pickle Street Studio School Painters, Saugatuck Douglas Art Club. Windmill Gardens Plein Air award winner. Gallery Uptown guest Artist in 2024.
As a kid, Jude Hardin's pockets were full of rocks, ragged bits of bark, colorful flower petals and feathers--nature's finest tidbits for all kinds of creative projects! Now, her focus is on painting nature's essence. Countless hours of self- and professional-instruction continues to feed her passion to express God's glory and beauty with oils, pastels and watercolors. Jude participates in juried shows and has received several awards, encouraging her to continue exploring new techniques and subjects. She teaches with Johannes Vloothuis on Artists Network workshop most Saturday afternoons. A member of Allegan Area Arts Council, Artists Network/Johannes Vloothuis Online Workshops, Holland Area Arts Council, Oil Painters of America, Pickle Street School Studio and Plein Air Artists of West Michigan. "Art brings me joy; my goal is to share that joy with you!"
