Lydia Pépin is a Canadian oil painter and portraitist. She has exhibited at galleries and events across Ontario, and has paintings in private collections across the world.  Her oil painting depicts views of the everyday life, with a focus on natural light, warm colours and strong composition.

Pépin’s portrait paintings demonstrate her gift at capturing both visual appearance and the unique personality of her subjects, bringing them to life on canvas. Her painting process is personal and engaged; she prefers to meet her subjects in person and lets their personalities inform her painting.  Her portraits include the painting of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, on permanent display at City Hall, as well as members of the military, such as Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan

“Photography has always been very personal to me. I use it not just to document but also to explore the world around me and record those experiences to share with others. Interests shape my unique perspective as diverse as geology, drag racing, and steampunk. I don’t limit my photography to specific genres or styles. Instead, I let each experience speak to me in its own way. Topics I have covered extensively in the past include farm life, abstracts, musical performance and motorsports.  Photography is way of feeling with my eyes and my mind. Whether it's capturing a moment in time or creating a new one, the medium allows me to share that vision - and the feelings they evoke - with others.”

“I never stop learning, experiencing, or doing – both in my life and with my photography. No matter how nice a finished image might be, there’s always the opportunity to create something even better.  Learn new techniques. Experiment. Push yourself. Grow. And never settle for “good enough”.”

Stephanie Holznecht is originally from England.  She immigrated here with her family at the age of 19.  Stephanie began drawing at the age of 5 and by 12 years of age she could copy a photograph or drawing exactly. Stephanie continued to improve her artistic abilities through high school in England and into college in America, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and fine art.

“For ten years I worked as a graphic designer and finally an art director. During this time I continued to draw and paint in the style of realism. I left the life of being an art director to raise a family, all the while perfecting my craft.  After my sons had left home and gone on to college, I began taking workshops on abstract art, just to broaden my artist horizons. I fell in love with the freedom abstract art released inside of me, allowing me to pour my emotions onto the canvas and leave behind something intimately personal. I have not looked back since. I continue to try new techniques and still take abstract painting workshops to broaden my knowledge and improve my abilities as an abstract artist.  On request I will still do realistic artwork, and of my own volition I enjoy painting the odd sunset, seen from the backyard overlooking the water at my home in northern Wisconsin.”

After retiring from over 40 years in the scientific and management fields, Marcia became interested in exploring her creative side. During the subsequent years, Marcia began to write short stories, experimented with writing poetry, and learned the possibilities involved in drawing and painting. She rapidly discovered that no single material or set of techniques satisfied her completely, so she continues to explore several possibilities. Marcia’s goal in all her work is to convey, to the viewer, her reactions to the world and everything it contains.

“I became a photographer at the age of 12, when, after saving for several years, I purchased my first camera - a Kodak 35mm SLR. Since then, every vacation, drive or flower was captured. My biggest problem was lack of funds to purchase enough film. As an engineering manager, I helped develop the CCD's that were the precursor to today's cameras. Finally, I could experiment and take as many pictures as I wanted - and no, I never throw out any of them, no matter how bad.”

Maria Bertolone, is an artist from Blackpool, United Kingdom.  She loves Landscape painting which is her main genre.  Bringing a scene to life by creating the mood and atmosphere, thus drawing the viewer in so that they feel part of the scene, gives her a real sense of achievement.  She is a realist and endeavors to convey that quality as much as possible in all her pieces.  This brings certain challenges, such as constructing the composition then playing around with tonal values adding these things together just like fitting a jigsaw puzzle, and adding all the details, essentially the time of day, where a shadow might fall or sunlight dappling a winding path.  Her philosophy is to capture all these aspects.

“Art is my passion and always will be, ever since an early age I was always drawing and painting, winning many school competitions for the best painting. To this day, I've no idea how many drawing books and rubbers, pencils etc. I managed to get through. I work mainly from my vast collection of personal photos that I have taken over the many years when I've been on vacation.  I always have my camera at hand as it is my friend, and if I come across a certain scene or area of interest I like I take a photo.  Then when I'm at home, in my studio, I start working on it. I will always paint and produce art for as long as I possibly can.”

Born and raised in Kingston, Massachusetts, James started a passion for art at an early age with drawing and painting. James ended up in San Diego, California for a few years painting houses, mixing paint, and helping with interior color designs. He ended back in Massachusetts in a small town called Westborough continuing construction and interior color design. From there he landed a job at the Art and Frame Emporium, under the owner Ed Turner, learning how to frame artwork, reigniting his passion for art and realizing he had an eye for photography. With having the great pleasure of helping other artists getting their career started by helping to host art shows for them and selling their work. After six years at the Art and Frame Emporium he took over management and saw a prime opportunity to express his self through his own photography. He mainly focuses on landscapes, enhancing the colors, HDR, or black and white, and he has dabbled in model photography.

Listen in as host Sharon Hawkshawe shares tips and advice, for artist, who want to grow their business.  This is the ninth episode in the series.

Listen as Published Author and Selling Artist Sharon Hawkshawe, gives tips and ideas for how artist should run their business.

Listen to artist and published author Sharon Hawkshawe and she gives tips and advice on how artists can grow their business

Nicholas Teetelli has been an amateur photographer for more than 40 years and lives in New Jersey. He primarily uses Leica cameras and lenses, which for him, have delivered superior results. Nicholas processes his images using Adobe Light Room to bring out and emphasize elements in his photographs that "called" to him when taking the photograph.  His subject matter "speaks" to him, catching his eye in a particular way, the light play, composition... so when it all comes together he knows at that moment he has his shot.

“There is much beauty to behold in this world, moments that the eye captures, the wonders it sees... moments that should be committed to perpetual memory, but sadly only to become fragments of a faded recollection, or more often, simply forgotten. I draw inspiration to record these timeless and special moments, to capture them in my mind's eye, and through my lens, transforming each image so that I can share them with others in hope they too may see what I see and find equal enjoyment.”