Victor Leger: 

Victor is an accomplished oil painter, whose work is ethereal. Inspired by the “emotional pull of vibrant pinks, oranges and violet in the gnarly bark of maple trees at sunrise”, Victor used layers of visceral oil paint to enrobe each crevice and ridge found in nature with rich color and dimension! With his eagle eye and exceptional talent, Victor not only replicates his subjects, but enhances them with stunning realism. 

When asked about his pull to the great outdoors, Victor replied, “The luminous moments in nature that can inspire the big ideas of the absolute daily necessity of beauty in our lives”. Step into this artist's most recent work below or visit his website for more. 

Merrill French: 

Merrill French uses her gift to evocatively capture the “sheer energy of new life” in her surroundings. Merrill's landscapes are something you experience, not just see. Using oils, a very small brush, and portrait-grade canvas, Merrill transports you into her paintings. In her most recent work below, you can taste the dewy air, smell the rain-soaked road, and feel the sun as it peeks through the shadows. 

Merrill’s expertise in both art and biology inspires her unique style and attention to detail. In her own words, “Plants are so overlooked. We now know that they communicate chemically (didn't know that back in the '60s). What's not to love? However, art was always my true love”. You can explore the overlooked worlds of this multifaceted artist on her website. 

Image to the Left: "Fog Lifting" by Merril French

Gail O’Connor: 

Gail O’Connor finds her inspiration in Provincetown, hiking on the trails, walking on the beach, out to the lighthouses, or down by the fishing pier. She is fascinated by old fishing boats, dune shacks and lighthouses, well-loved cars, and the wild beauty of the Cape Cod seashore. This has led her to produce a collection of vibrant, playful, and artfully nostalgic paintings that perfectly capture the whimsy and intrigue of time as it alters our surroundings. 

When asked about her creative process, Gail recounts, “I take photos on my walks and bring them back to my studio to work from. I find that taking time to mix colors and getting my palette right before I begin painting is really important. I paint mostly with a palette knife. The best paintings happen when I just let go and not try to be too fussy.” Go on a walk with Gail by exploring her collection of works at https://stillriverstudioartgallery.weebly.com/gail-oconnor.html. 

Image to the Right: "Side by Side" by Gail O'Connor

Mary Beth Sasso: 

Mary Beth Sasso has an uncanny ability to capture the character of her subjects, from the laughing eyes of a child to the serene beauty of the Nepaug Reservoir, to the bold poppy in her most recent composition! The artist finds inspiration in the spring and summer seasons, not only for their physical beauty but for their positive effect on her well-being. She relays, “Being outdoors, particularly hiking or near water, has a magical effect on me, leaving me feeling content and at ease. This sense of happiness and relaxation inspires me to be more creative, generous, and resilient in my everyday life”. Her connection with nature is evident in the way she profoundly transfers this “magical effect” to those who view her paintings. 

Always on the hunt for fresh perspectives, Mary Beth loves “experimenting with different angles to create one-of-a-kind and captivating compositions”. Like the sky’s ever-changing display of clouds that she loves to watch unfold on the drive to her studio, this artist is always busy, working on several projects simultaneously to maintain a fresh perspective and energized focus. Explore her website for more enchanting works.

Roger McKee: 

Roger is accomplished in numerous modalities and forms of media, from woodworking to drawing and painting, to printmaking, and assemblage pieces! His experience pushes him to try new things, and as a result, he has amassed an impressive collection of works as diverse as his skill set. 

Roger spent a great deal of time cycling, rock climbing, skiing, and canoeing when he was a boy. It was then he discovered his love for the great outdoors. As an adult, Roger is inspired by the “beauty, variety, and persistence of nature”. When capturing his subjects, he focuses on 1) The play of light over the forms in nature 2) Found textures and patterns in the rocks and surfaces and 3) The larger forms of the landscape's topography. His approach leads him to create mesmerizing movement and texture, which is evident in his most recent assemblage pieces. Now that his teaching year is over, Roger is excited to focus on his art. See more from this master teacher and artist on his website.

Image to the Right: "Garden" by Roger McKee

Lori Barker: 

Lori Barker is a Reiki master and a mixed-media artist, who taps into the spirituality of the world around her to create dazzling, other-worldly creations. Her work is like peeling back the veil of nature to reveal a hidden world filled with rich colors, shifting shapes, and untold stories. 

Lori goes on daily walks to puzzle out life’s many questions and gain inspiration for her work. She tells us, “The chirping birds and the rustling of woodland animals are the backgrounds for my meditative walk to the center and back. It's always inspiring to discover new growth and flowers along the way. By clearing out the fallen twigs on the path, I find myself becoming more grounded and ready for the day”. 

The artist masterfully harnesses natural light and various techniques such as metal engraving and overlays to enhance the beauty of her subjects and craft perfectly balanced compositions. Explore Lori’s “visions in mixed media” on her website. 

Patty McIver: 

Patty’s love of nature, and specifically spring, is inspired by her upbringing in Goshen and the surrounding Northwest Hills and avid love for gardening. She shares, “This will be the third Summer since I replaced my 35-year-old vegetable garden with a wildflower garden (including a few milkweed plants to entice the Monarch Butterflies). I’m looking forward to taking photos and plein air painting of the flowers, bees, butterflies, and birds from now until October”. 

This artist turns the scenic beauty around her into dreamy pastel paintings and stunning photographs. Looking at her work is like taking a breath of fresh air. It immediately lifts your spirits and creates a sense of calm. Patty’s artistic process often begins with a photograph, followed by a loose watercolor or pastel (brushed with alcohol) underpainting. Finally, she finishes by using Nupastels sticks and soft pastels. 

Dying to find the subjects of Patty’s paintings? She shares her top three places to visit and take in the beauty of nature this time of year: 

1. Laurel Ridge, 66 Wigwam Road, Litchfield, CT (Late April - Daffodil Fields)
2. Cricket Hill Garden, 670 Walnut Hill Road, Thomaston, CT (Late May-Early June - Peonies)
3. White Flower Farm, 167 Litchfield Road (Route 63), Morris, CT (June - Roses & Display Gardens)

You can see more of Patty’s work on Ten 2 One Artists or connect with her on Facebook. 

Heather Neilson: 

Heather loves to explore the human connection to the natural world, the natural cycles and seasons of life, and the invisible footprints of history across the ground we walk on. She shares, “I feel most grounded and creatively alive when I spend time amongst plants, trees, rocks, and the landscape. It helps me slow down, to see, to notice. This is a much-needed antidote to life's daily challenges and it grounds me. From this place, my creative voice is the most vibrant and alive”. 

In her work as an abstract artist, she masterfully manipulates colors and shapes to capture the feeling of a moment in time and place. Her compositions immediately evoke a sense of connection - inspiring others too, to slow down, see, and notice. Take in a healthy dose of Heather’s antidote to life’s daily challenges by grounding yourself in her beautiful work. 

Image to the left: "Covered Bridge" by Heather Neilson

Henk Jonker: 

Henk is amazing by nature’s adaptability, despite the ever-changing and often challenging conditions placed upon it. Henk too shares this adaptability. A completely self-taught artist, he is accomplished in oil, acrylic, and watercolors! 

The compelling, emotional nature of his works sets this artist apart. When capturing a subject from one of his many hikes, Henk reveals that he focuses solely on his feelings at the moment. “I look to capture the emotion of nature, and our interaction with it”, Henk says, “Quite often it is more from a negative, or regretful viewpoint, where humanity for a variety of reasons has endangered nature, perhaps to a point of no return.” His passion for nature is evident in the deep hues, raw textures, and bold brush strokes of his compositions. Henk’s work challenges us to coexist more respectfully with the natural world. To view his complete collection, visit https://www.henkjonkerart.com/collections/189374. 

Image to the Right: "The Last Spring Poisoned" by Henk Jonker

Lori Robeau: 

Lori finds inspiration and rejuvenation in the natural world. She shares, “Every time I spend time in nature my mind, body, and spirit are nourished in mysterious ways, and I become more connected to the divine spark of life within all things”. Lori’s art is rooted in and grows from this connection. Focusing on bold colors and contrasting textures, Lori creates striking compositions and installations that embody “life's lush bursting nature, and how it weaves together into a larger, interconnected web”. Her ability to highlight the distinction between the natural and manmade world and at the same time explore their symbiosis is truly amazing. 

Lori continues experimenting and developing her style in encaustic painting, her medium of choice. “I enjoy using encaustic because it is so versatile", she explains. “It can be built up, carved, etched, layered in color and texture, stamped, incised, and then painted further. I am inspired by the unlimited potential and ethereal quality of the medium”. You can see Lori’s diverse and stunning collection on her website. 

Image to the Left: "Things Become Themselves" by Lori Robeau