Meet Our Artists!

Through my clay sculptures, I aim to share joy, wonder, and a sense of connection with those who experience my work. It is my hope that each piece resonates with viewers, sparking their imagination and inviting them to appreciate the beauty and depth of this timeless art form.

Tim begin painting in 1968, after changing his major from biology to art, and explaining why to his parents. lol He loves metaphysical and surrealistic art forms and uses all kinds of mediums to create his paintings. For him, this is an amazing way to create and express himself.

Mary Russell began painting 10 years ago once she retired and moved to Winding River. She loves working with water colors and oils. Her desire to paint was motivated by her interest in capturing the beauty of this beautiful coastal area.

I moved to Southport in 2014 from the Chicago area. I fell in love with the vibrant Art Community here! I enjoy the constant inspiration for painting marshes, water, birds and wildlife here. I paint in oil, water color and pastel.

I am a self taught artist who retired from banking to follow my passion for art. I enjoy painting with acrylics and watercolor, while exploring various mediums to add texture and depth. I love the vibrant colors of acrylics that add boldness and whimsy, while watercolor allows for a softer, gentler feel. In addition to painting and teaching art, I enjoy the coastal lifestyle.

Paul began drawing early in life with his Mom who enjoyed pastels for “quiet time”. He is a Minnesota native who enjoyed the outdoors during all seasons and many of his early works were of waterfowl, upland game, big game and hunting dogs.
After he and his wife Juli relocated to North Carolina in 2012 for his job, and more recently to the Wilmington area, Paul has taken inspiration from the mountains, ocean, beaches and marinas. His paintings reflect the beauty and diversity of our coastal region.

I believe being creative is a wide band of energy that can lead a human to express an unseen vision. Your art should be your truth, no matter what that is for you. I love the process of creating my art. I see something in the world, capture it in that moment, and then bring it back to life in my studio. My goal is to relay that moment back to the viewer with my unique perspective and an emphasis on patterns.
You can find my art on multiple sites.
https://painted-by-hand-ilm.square.site
https://jeanne-rietzke.pixels.com
https://paintedbyhandilm.etsy.com

Christie Jacks began painting as a child and has been painting and taking classes/workshops for years. She loves to paint marsh scenes, birds and botanicals using water-based oils. She moved to the coastal area 15 years ago and has been a member of Franklin Square Gallery for over 13 years.

Bill Sundberg worked in advertising and the sign industry for over 40 years. He began painting in oils after college and was mostly a self-taught artist. Bill retired and moved with his wife, Carol, to Oak Island in 2016, and he started using acrylics. He enjoys painting vehicles, pets, people and structures.

Allison is a self-taught artist and loves to create using acrylics, watercolor and glass mosaics. Most of her work is a mix of these, but she’s always looking for new ways to express herself through art. Originally from Pennsylvania, Allison relocated to Calabash in 2020, where she finds inspiration in this coastal area. It is reflected in much of her art.

I started painting 50 years ago. I was surrounded with oil paintings and from an early age gravitated to landscapes because of my love of nature. I like the constant stimulation and the challenges of it. I try to capture nature so that somebody else can see it the way I do

I had my first pottery experience in high school and continued to love it. I came back to pottery when my daughter was in college and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the medium. There are so many endless possibilities. I just love it!

I fell in love with the clay medium in college, studying for my Art Education degree. I taught K-12 for 26 years and promised myself I’d devote my retirement years to creating with clay.
I enjoy drawing and painting too… but give me a lump of clay and I’m in my happy place!

Ashley Roberson, a native of South Carolina, is a multimedia artist who paints under the pseudonym Amelia. Her artwork is distinguished by its vibrant colors and whimsical, playful aesthetic. With her colorful creations, she strives to bring joy and happiness to those who experience her work. Art holds the power to inspire and uplift her, and she feels privileged to share her unique vision with the world.

My art design is influenced by nature’s colors and a combination of styles by my favorite impressionist painters. My favorite part of the day is taking long nature walks, where I snap endless photos of color combinations of plants, animals, and the sky - this is where a lot of my artistic inspiration comes from.

I grew up in a very artistic family, especially my grandmother, and started painting as a young child. I started painting full-time when I retired 12 years ago. Painting is in my DNA. If I'm not painting, I'm crafting. It makes me feel closer to my grandmother. It's just who I am.

In retiring to the North Carolina coast in 2015, I found myself surrounded by tremendous artesian talent. My inspiration comes from these artists/mentors who helped me take the leap to paint, develop my skill and encourage me to push boundaries. I work with oil color and enjoy painting wildlife and pets!

Billie is a life-long artist inspired by mother nature and astronomy. She's a mixed media artist specializing in ceramics and stained glass. Please visit my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/calypsochamber to see art pieces available for sale.

Through the years my favorite painting subjects have been landscapes, animals, and active people. I portray these in, oil, watercolors, and sometimes pastel chalk and other mediums.
The earlier style of realism has evolved into semi- impressionistic in recent years.

"There's not enough time for art! I love painting subjects that evoke nostalgia, or reflect surroundings, and love experimenting with different media and styles."

Marian strives for capturing three dimensional qualities on a flat canvas, emphasizing light and shadows to capture a realistic still life. She uses a bold palette and stages her compositions with everyday objects.

"I've been mentally painting all my life, but only on canvas for a few years. I'm all over the place; oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, with no real favorites. My nails have paint under them and my shirts have paint swipes. I'm a mess, but whoo-ee what fun!"

I am a hand builder. I love working in clay. It allows me to be creative and gives me peace.

PJ is a mixed media artist who enjoys painting, ceramics, metal and glass sculpture. He exhibits his ceramic creations at the Franklin Square Gallery.

Robert J. Harris is a landscape/seascape artist who works with oils on stretched canvas. His work is known to have a "Dreamscape" style inspired by the natural beauty found in our surroundings. This includes pastoral scenes, lakes, hills, mountains, and coastal regions.

Creating a piece of art comes from the heart. I love to see the reaction when a person looks at my art. How did she do that?
It is exciting when I sell a piece knowing that chose my art to enjoy.

My clay work is inspired by natural forms. I enjoy pushing the medium until it evolves into a pleasing shape. Texture and color are used to enhance and compliment the shapes.

Always having fun….beach cottages, Santa’s, witches and whatever makes you smile.
Paintings, prints and greeting cards available.

I'm a former graphic artist and worked in advertising. Art has always been a part of my life. My art work is ever changing; experimenting & challenging myself in all mediums and styles.

"Work and education as an architect n Montgomery County, MD, trained me in design. For the past 16 years, I've lived in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. I love painting largescale abstracts in oil and acrylics."

My goal as an artist is to bring to others the ability to be free of the "what is it" and to a place that shouts "oh my, aren't those colors and movement fascinating"; to intriguing "I wonder how she does that"?

I work in porcelain or white stoneware - usually doing sgraffito. I love the feeling of carving pottery and even though it takes many hours, I find it to be very meditative. I make pots people use - mugs, plates, vases, and bowls. I’ve always enjoyed pottery and now I enjoy making it because it is wildly different from anything I did in my corporate life.

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Transforming clay and glass into art, watching the metamorphosis of my medium from a slab of clay or a piece of glass, transform into something new and unique to me brings a smile to my face and a deep satisfaction to my soul.

Paintings by Tony are acrylic on canvas, and inspired by the beauty of the beaches and the wildlife here in Southport, North Carolina. Tony retired after 40 years in the field of Graphic Design in New York where he also painted landscapes of snow capped mountains and pine trees by shimmering lakes.

"I like clay because it guides you what to do with it. So much clay, so little time!"

Linda's bold use of colors and fearless textures give life to her subjects. “I love color and just going with a roller and brush and creating something,” Drye explains.

Caroline is a coastal North Carolina artist. From her home in St James, she draws inspiration from the regional wildlife and the ocean.

I am a transplant to these southern shores. I love the nature and casual life here and that is what I paint.

I used to paint traditional work. Then I took a workshop in abstract and that was that.

My artwork is colorful and whimsical. I want to make you smile when you see one of my paintings.

I like to paint usually bright colors, subjects that have meaning, subjects that make me happy and a variety of styles. Abstract, representational, stylic and realistic are my choices to paint on any given day.

Capturing nature’s beauty in pastels and oil.

I found my love of oil painting at an early age and realized I had a passion for it. Realism dominates the style of my work and I take pleasure in painting the many scenes of this beautiful area that is Coastal Carollina.

I love colors and my palette is very colorful. I love to paint directly without much drawing. I believe that often the best paintings are the ones that happen spontaneously.

Color and whimsy converge in my work. Through watercolor, pen & ink and sometimes acrylic, I create art that will brighten any wall or room.

My point of view is creating functional pottery with an emphasis on an artistic viewpoint.  I strive to create pieces that are both attractive, unique, and which serve a purpose.

After 30 years of experience in managing R&D and a lifelong interest in the visual arts, Bob is dedicated to continuous learning and personal growth.

I love the way the clay feels in my hands and how it can be transformed into something decorative and useful. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and ideas to create unique pieces that are both functional and beautiful in their simplicity.

Look at that yellow. What a beautiful pink. Can you believe that shade of blue?
Carol Kidd has always loved the play of color and the way it can create a mood, express a feeling.

Becky Steele is an abstract artist/illustrator. Using bold, vibrant colors, Steele enjoys creating figurative abstracts with fun and energetic personalities and a few delightful surprises.

Tyler paints primarily  Watermedia/Mixed Media collages on paper or canvas.  She also works in oils, primarily painting coastal landscapes, that to her are of never ending interest.

I am an acrylic painter of seascapes, landscapes, urban scenes, some historic scenes, and other beautiful things I see.  My aim is to create an image that catches the eye of the viewer and draws them in.

Ann is an impressionist, abstract painter who loves to paint in her studio. Her paintings are mostly landscapes, flowers, beaches and animals. She loves nature.

A landscape painter who splits his time between Winding River, NC and Cape Cod MA.  Commissions accepted of your favorite scene.

I have been painting mainly in watercolor for nearly 40 years. I enjoy life and try to help others see the good in this world. Originals, Prints, Lessons and Commissions.

I taught ceramics for 20+ yrs in MA. After moving here, I learned about sculpting and love it.  I paint and make jewelry but clay is my passion!

Acrylic, watercolor, pastel or oil, I paint ‘local’ art! Southport/Oak Island scenes, homes, marshes, motorcycles, boats, birds, flowers and architecture of the area is what I love to paint. *Originals, prints and notecards are always available. Available for commissions.

I've found the quiet, slow rhythm of low country life, near pinewoods, water, sand and marsh, where sky, wind, flowers, wildlife and weather present a universe of magnificent things to see, draw, paint and love.

I am attempting, experiencing, challenging myself to reach out and experiment with a new medium or a more challenging subject matter continuously. I love the diversity of expression available through art.

“Even after many years of painting, I find that watercolors are often a humbling endeavor; and yet it is often the happy accident that creates a magical piece of art.

I was trained in painting detailed realism, but now I enjoy exploring abstracts and impressionistic watercolors that begin in my reality and evolve into something more uniquely expressive of my world.”

I think of myself as a potter but there's a long way to go still. My ideal is a pure share, functional, usable and beautiful. How to get there? That's what keeps us working.

Swaim-Mills works in a series and is currently back in her original love of Abstract, Distorted, Cubical, and faces.

I find joy in working across different mediums such as oil, watercolor, and pen, blending realism and abstraction into my creations. Nature serves as a prominent muse with my paintings often portraying an air of mystery and whimsy.

Allie describes a successful creation as one which engages the viewer to find personal meaning in response to her work, given their unique life story and experiences.  

I am very fortunate to have studied with Alma Gallanos Stevenson at the Stevenson Academy of Traditional Painting. The founder, Harold Stevenson, was a protégé and friend of Norman Rockwell. I am most proud to be an artist for the U.S. Coast Guard.

I have always loved pottery. It's such an ancient art form. So functional. I love functional.

I still get excited painting the waterfront, marshlands, and birds that inhabit it.  I am very grateful when patrons enjoy seeing the world through my paintings.