Maria Cottrell, Maria always loved art since childhood and did a lot of arts and crafts. As an adult, she started working as an elementary school teacher, but later changed her career graphic arts. However, It wasn't till "mid-life crisis" that the urge to paint spurred her on her way to painting. Through the Warren Society of Arts she found a group of artists and began lessons in drawing and watercolor. Life events prevented her from following artistic pursuits for a time, but after retirement the art world opened up again. She began taking workshops in person and online Watercolor was her primary medium, but soon after finding an old set of pastels, pastel became her medium of choice. Through inspiring artists and teachers she continues taking workshops both online and in person. The wonders of light and nature are her inspiration.
A member of Pickle Street School Studio, Great Lakes Pastel Society and Holland Friends of Art.
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 of; Great Lakes Pastel Society, Plein Air Painters of West Michigan, Allegan Area Arts Council, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland Friends of Art, Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective, 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!"
