Meet Our Artists!

Susan Barnard is a self taught painter whose art radiates warmth, humor, and an abiding love for the natural world. Drawing inspiration from her affection for animals and the gentle poetry of daily life, she transforms familiar subjects into expressive celebrations of joy and connection. Susan’s journey as an artist has been one of exploration and discovery, guided by intuition and a desire to capture life’s small, yet profound moments.

Beth Paquin is a native of western New York, she has made her home in Leland, where she discovered her passion for clay six years ago. Trained in hand‑building and sculpting, Beth creates work that bridges the abstract and the traditional. Her pieces are crafted with the intention of evoking emotion—pottery designed to resonate deeply and touch the soul.

After a 40-year military & civilian career in Information Technology, I decided it was time to give the “right” side of my brain some fun. Several years ago, my wife started working in pottery, in which she has been very successful. We built a studio in the house with a kiln, and I finally decided to give it a try. After a few lessons, I have fallen in love with my artistic side and have “acquired” many of my wife’s tools! I tend to lean towards more masculine, whimsical, and military hand-built pieces.

Originally from Virginia, I am a hand-building clay artist and painter who has called Southport home for over a decade. My work is a celebration of life and creating it brings me great joy. I hope it brings a smile to your face as well.

After a successful career in marketing and advertising, I made a transformative decision nine years ago to relocate to Southport, a picturesque coastal town that would spark a new creative journey. Drawn by the serene beauty of the shoreline and the calming influence of the ocean, I found inspiration in the natural world, leading to a deep passion for clay artistry.

During my career as an interior designer, I did a lot of freelance work but never considered myself a real artist. When I retired and moved to the coast, I got involved with pottery and I am really enjoying it. It’s very inspirational being around a lot of artists in an area full of creativity. I love how people help each other here. The community. I think that’s the best part of it.

I’ve always been surrounded by water which ignites my passion for recreating the different scenes of coastal waterways. I also enjoy painting my visions of the ever changing landscapes and nature of North Carolina. I work in oils, acrylics, and poured acrylics with glass.

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.

As a mostly self-taught artist, Tim has been painting since 1968. His focus is varied and ranges from non-objective, abstract, and representational to metaphysical subjects. His background is in machining, and steel fabrication. He is a licensed lab optics technician and a licensed skilled trades inspector and quality control technician. Tim holds a degree in painting and graphics from the University of Northern Colorado.

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.

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 Fanelli is both a multi-media Artist and a working RN originally from PA. In her pursuit of spreading brightness and joy, she uses acrylics, watercolors, mixed media and glass in her coastal themed art. An avid animal lover, she is the President of the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas and an active member in many other art associations including AAS.

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.

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

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.

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"?

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My medium is Acrylic on canvas, and my paintings are inspired by the beauty of the wildlife here in Southport, North Carolina. I retired after 40 years in the field of Graphic Design and as President of APF Graphics, Inc. in New York. My paintings aren't limited to wildlife, as I enjoy painting other subjects as well, and they may be viewed on Fine Art America and Saatchi Art websites listed here:
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/anthony-fotia
https://www.saatchiart.com/apfotia

"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.

Rich O’Donnell is an acrylic painter of seascapes, landscapes, urban scenes and has a
particular focus on local scenes in Southport, NC. He paints scenes that capture the
viewer’s eye and depict the beauty of coastal living. In 2025 Rich published a book of
his paintings titled Scenes of Southport and Beyond. Rich is an active member of the
Associated Artists of Southport (and a member of their Board of Directors) as well as
the Wilmington Art Association, the American Society of Marine Artists and the
Brunswick Arts Council.

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.

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.

Caroline has studied and made art all her life. Following lengthy careers teaching studio art and art history, and then practicing law, she resumed her focus on painting upon moving to coastal North Carolina in 2018. Fascinated by its vast, low country skies and ever-changing light and color, she uses acrylic paint and soft pastels to create images that are specific in time, space, and especially, light.

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.

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. 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 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.

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 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.