John Berry
I bought my first camera in 1978, and have been photographing off and on ever since. My focus in recent years has been a mix of shooting high school sports and portraits, mostly high school seniors. Most of this work is done digitally, although I mix in some analog work for personal work (I started with film and still love the look and how it slows down the photographic process).
A May 2018 wetplate workshop at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond opened up a new world for me. And the extra time given me during the current pandemic (and complete shutdown of sports and portraits for several months) allowed me time to go deeper into the process, and was a godsend for me in what otherwise could have been a very stressful time. Wetplate led to other “handmade” processes, including Cyanotype and Van Dyke Brown printing.
Self portrait.
Pat Brodowski
Painting, for me, is most eventful when I’m submerged into the scents, sounds, and abundance of nature. Plein-air painting, my translation and journal of the experience of being outdoors, is how I can touch the vibrancy and energy of the natural world and make it visible to others.
Ramey Campbell
I am a traditional landscape painter living in Gordonsville, Virginia. My subjects are found on nearby farms, rivers, ponds and streams mainly in Central Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, as well as the coastal regions of Virginia and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Plein air painters from late 19th century France and early 20th century American painters have greatly influenced by own vision, such as William Chase, Willard Metcalf, Robinson, Rose and many others.
Most of my work is oil on canvas, and occasionally pastel. My method is first to wander the country side to search for a suitable subject at which time I will explore many compositional possibilities. Many times I continue with a series of paintings altering it by time of the day, by season or by atmosphere conditions.
In my art I paint with the changing seasons, and I attempt to capture a feeling so that the viewer can experience a similar sense of place, time and atmosphere conditions. My goal in my landscapes is to reproduce a pleasing artistic image from direct observation of nature.
Shannon Carter
I am thrilled to be among such an extraordinary community of artists, and welcomed with warmth and encouragement. Each member’s unique talent enriches our circle, inspiring me to explore talent that I left behind more than 20 years ago. Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and grow alongside such remarkable individuals.
Ellen Copeland
Almost 30 years after receiving my studio art degree and my retirement from a career in teaching elementary school, I am finally allowing myself time to explore my craft fully. I am rediscovering the thrill of creating dynamic abstract paintings that capture the eye with color and spatial play. I find that the fluid and forgiving nature of oil paint on a large scale canvas helps make my “in the moment” compositions unique. I enjoy getting lost in time and space as part of my painting process. It is this interplay that creates the cherished surprises and ever present joy I find in my work.
My husband and I feel very fortunate to have landed is such a beautiful place here at the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains to enjoy our retirement. I also feel very lucky for my recent affiliation with the Firnew Farm Artists Circle. In this group, I have found the perfect nurturing mix of helpful and kind people who sincerely view art as a powerful and purposeful part of life.
Trish Crowe
My first love was line, and then color happened! I worked as an illustrator and graphic designer all my professional life. I live in the Piedmont of Virginia, and it is a feast for my artist’s soul. I now work only in watercolor.
Born in England, I went to art school in New York City, and lived in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and London until I moved to Firnew Farm. I founded the Firnew Farm Artists’ Circle eighteen years ago, and my Artist Statement would not be complete without acknowledging the great debt I owe to the collaboration and inspiration of working with such talented artists and friends and celebrating together the beauty of this magical place.
Lea Doise
The expansive beauty of nature inspires me every day. I am fascinated by the ever-changing light, colors, and atmosphere in the environment. I find inspiration from being in nature and have recently developed a passion for plein air painting. Plein air painting relaxes me and reminds me to take pleasure in the small things and notice the beautiful details that are often overlooked in life.
I am a native of central Virginia and currently reside in Keswick, Virginia. I started painting with my grandmother as a child and have continued to paint on and off throughout my life in several different mediums. Currently, I work primarily in oil and focus mostly on landscape painting.
V-Anne Evans
Having come to the formal discipline of landscape painting later in life, it has been a joyful journey to understand the sublimity of place, and transmit those unique qualities to canvas. Learning to convey an emotional response to the pastoral, secluded or soulful view, is an ongoing devotion and practice of responding to an ever deepening contemplation of these places, with growing truth and clarity beneath the surface elements of color, light and space.
The artists and teachers who have most influenced my painting include Ron Boehmer, Nancy Bass, Rick Weaver, Frank Hobbs, Edgar Payne, John Carlson, William Langston Lathrop, Richard Schmid, George Inness, Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissaro, and many others.
Patty Kennedy Hudson
Opening one’s eyes to see the simple beauty in nature and everyday objects, provides inspiration. Ever-changing light and color in the landscape around me are constant sources of amazement.
Since early childhood, painting on ANY surface has been my passion, and continues today. Earning a BFA in Painting, Printmaking, and Ceramics provided me exposure to different mediums for creativity. Shortly after college, starting a family became my focus. Once my sons started school, I became certified in K-12 Art Education which allowed me to work with children of all ages as well as developmentally challenged adults. Seeing anyone, regardless of abilities, take pride in their creation, was most rewarding. Currently, working with a variety of mediums, depending on my surroundings, provides opportunities to expand and explore my artistic interest.
As a newcomer to the area, becoming associated with Firnew Farm Artists Circle has rekindled my creative spirit. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of likeminded artists.
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Patty’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Michael Meredith
“My artwork delves into the relationship between humans and the natural world, capturing the essence of the spaces where we interact. Drawing inspiration from time spent in the wilderness, conservation projects, and family hikes, my paintings encapsulate unique moments within special places. Working in small scale, my paintings employ a layering technique informed by my background in printmaking. Each layer adds depth, while the active line work mirrors the intricacies of etching. With a fondness for public lands, my choice of subjects reflects the beauty and significance of these spaces. My art aims to celebrate and share the natural world in a succinct and evocative manner.”
Linda Miller
I am an original C’ville girl born in 1956 and raised in Albemarle County at Foothill Farm. I ventured to Tucson, Arizona to obtain my Art Education degree K-12 and then returned to the farm to continue teaching until 2011.
From the beginning, my teenage years, I was drawn to watercolors. Art college was great in the sense that I to explore all types of media and yet I am still a watercolorist at heart. The minute I pick up my paint brush I am at total peace with myself. In my youth I listened to music as I painted now I listen to National Public Radio.
Recently I have felt some new energy in wanting to venture out and try acrylics especially for landscape painting. When I paint I get excited and I want to start a new composition without finishing what I am working on. Therefore, I have about ninety half finished watercolor paintings. My goal is to finish all of them before I dabble in acrylics or start a new watercolor.
I am so inspired by the Firnew group. I look forward to growing as an artist with this group.
John Perry
My vision is to express the mystery of divine power latent in natural and man made forms, allowing the observer to discover their own meaning. My paintings and videos reveal the existence of light—goodness, joy and hope—as well as acknowledging the reality of darkness—sorrow, pain and hopelessness. I enjoy showing how light dispels darkness.
Jon’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Cheryl Ragland
My objective as a jewelry designer is to create wearable art that is unique, comfortable, durable, and reflects basic principles of design. I prefer to work with metals, particularly silver and copper, with frequent use of gemstones and other quality embellishments, such as crystals and pearls. Occasionally, I use beading. I take my cues from current fashion trends and endeavor to create jewelry that will complement and enhance someone’s overall appearance.
I have had a life-long affinity for all things artistic; over the years I have gravitated toward many hand crafts, such as embroidery, crocheting, knitting and quilting. After completing my under-graduate and post-graduate degrees, I took numerous drawing and painting courses at Towson State University in Baltimore. Then, for many years a career in business and raising two children took precedence. In my retirement I began to collect vintage jewelry, which began my love affair with jewelry as a form of artistic expression. Over the past 12 years I have taken many local classes, learning techniques such as beading, wire work, metal work and precious metal clay.
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Cheryl’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Chee Ricketts
Grounded for many years in a style of traditional realism, today my paintings navigate between reality and interpreted vision. My approach is varied – both spontaneous and controlled – where quick brushwork and manipulated light are countered by passages of precise rendering. Watercolors and acrylics are the media by which I convey my enchantment with the beautiful world we inhabit. It is my goal to express my feelings—to interpret, rather than record; to inspire, rather than simply remind. Evoking the essence of the familiar, I seek to transport the viewer to a heightened appreciation of ephemeral moments in time.
Janice Rosenberg
A lover of mystery, I may paint a deserted building, a looming storm, or vultures gathering in the moonlight. Sometimes I think the subject chooses me rather than the other way around. At heart I am a story teller and some stories can only be told with paint and brush.
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Janice’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Sara Schneidman
My work comes out of my early and continued exposure to many cultures, my love of color, texture, and pattern, and my search for essence and universality. I believe that just as archetypical characters and themes resonate for us regardless of our heritage, abstract shapes and colors effect us in a similar way. My paintings are my attempts at creating a visual dance from these elements and to convey movement, energy, and beauty. I am inspired by people who are motivated by the human impulse to create beauty as a physical manifestation of their spirit – as an expression of their being – and by the works they create that reflect authenticity.
There is a great power in artistic expression, as we have seen through the ages. As an artist, I feel compelled to attempt to create images that move people in a positive way – toward the light and out of the darkness.
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Sara’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Cecilia Schultz
I always painted mountains as a child (still have some). Fast forward about 40 years. The journey between the big city sky lines and experiences in the urban area, to mountains and pure nature, and the area between the mountains and the skyscrapers and the asphalt. It’s that “in between area” that I’m exploring. It is my interpretation of my life and the map of life.
Ida Simmons
A seeker of vistas and lover of the outdoors, I work exclusively en plein air: outdoors, in front of the scene, in the moment. I sometimes have to carry my 25 lbs of equipment up trails, over rocks and down gullies to get the best view of an outdoor scene. The temperature can be 40 degrees or 95. It can be so windy that my easel blows over, and, in most of my paintings, you’ll find bugs and dirt embedded in the paint.
Outdoors, I must work fast to paint the light and shadows as they exist in the moment. I can work no more than two hours on a painting because the light changes. If the painting is not finished, I go back at the same time the next day (as weather permits). For some large paintings, I’ve returned to the scene five or six times.
“Point out beauty when you can,” advised Mr. Rogers. I hope my paintings capture a small spot of beauty you might have missed.
Ida’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
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Gail Trimmer-Unterman
Growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia, Gail began painting at the age of eight. She quickly expanded on her creativity and attended classes at the Holden School of Art in Ivy, Virginia. Later, while living in New York City, Gail attended classes at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design. Her focus includes the shapes, lighting, and shadows that nature offers, as well as nature’s beautiful imperfections. She has painted produce and scenery ranging from the forest and farms of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, to the monasteries of Italy.
Gail’s creativity can be seen in everything from professional decorating, theatrical set design and painting. She decorated the sets of the daytime Emmy Award Winning television show “Good Morning America” for the Christmas holidays during the 1980s. Her art work has been displayed at the Moran Gallery, Firnew Farm Gallery, and Baker Gallery at Woodbury Forest in Virginia. She has also participated in numerous art shows including the Lime Valley Mill Thanksgiving Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Gail now resides in Virginia.
Gail’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Tina Wade
I am a representational artist working predominantly in oil and charcoal. I use art as an alternative way to experience and connect with the world. My goal as an artist is to expand my ability to see and appreciate beauty and portray that through my art.
“The goal of life is rapture. Art is the way we experience it. Art is the transforming experience.” ~ Joseph Campbell
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Tina’s portrait courtesy of John Berry.
Patricia Williams
Watercolor is among the most intimate forms of art. The written word is usually edited, both by the writer and others. Most musical compositions arefiltered through the performance of musicians other than the composer. An actor dons the shell of a character to present the words of the playwright. Even other painters, as my friends who prefer oil or acrylic frequently tell me, have the option of going over and over a work until it suits.
But watercolor, the image on the paper comes straight from the artist’s mind and heart.
These paintings from my recent Glimpses series peek inside the daily life of a woman suffering from impending biddy-dom. Places I inhabit, places where I work, places I have visited. Objects I like to look at. There is no great message here. The paintings are simply scenes from an everyday life. Mine. This is art as autobiography.
I like to paint. This is what I have painted lately, from my mind and from my heart.
Claudia Wisdom-Good
Canadian girl living in the Virginia Piedmonts since 1993, Claudia shares her time between the tranquility of Madison County and traveling the world.
Inspired by culture, landscape, nature, color and composition in real life, Claudia paints abstractly in oil with cold wax, using her travel and international galleries and retreats as the prominent inspiration in her compositions and education. Also a true lover of photography, her photos lend a huge part in the development of her paintings. Her goal is to one day host a show with her photography and her paintings of the same spot in the world. Stay tuned on that one.
A member of Firnew Farm Artistsʼ Circle since 2009. Claudia has led painting, art and culture, food and wine trips to her Italian Jewels, and Scottish Highlands with many of our artists through her company Jetset Wisdom. Now developing new locations including Slovenia, Iceland, Bulgaria and the Netherlands, always enjoying the journey seeing art in its many forms.
