MEET THE ARTISTS OF PLEIN AIR WEST READING 2022
For 4-1/2 days in June, outstanding artists from six states will be capturing the multi-faceted character of Berks County on canvas.
Lissa Abrams
Baltimore, MD
Avid plein air painter and student of Paul Moscatt, Professor Emeritus at the Maryland College of Art since 2011.
www.lissaabramsart.com
www.Gallery322.com
Bruno Baran
Nottingham, MD
Frequent participant in plein air competitions. MAPAPA member since 2008, elected Chairman of the Board in 2015. Represented by Highlandtown, Crystal Moll and other galleries in the Baltimore area.
www.brunobaranfinearts.com
Karen Burnette Garner
Robesonia, PA
A native of Georgia, Karen now makes her home in Pennsylvania. An established creative in the South, with over 1,500 works of art in private and public collections worldwide. Member of Art Plus Gallery as well as several national art organizations.
www.karenburnettegarner.com
www.facebook.com/Karen-Burnette-Garner-Fine-Art
www.Instagram.comkarengarnerartist
Melissa Carroll
Lancaster, PA
2021 Artist in Residence at the North Museum of Nature and Science, with works showing in the museum’s STEAM Gallery through December and featured at their annual “Under the Stars” gala. Member of Marietta Art Alive! and co-founder of River Towns Plein Air.
www.MelissaCarrollArtist.com
Mateus Costa
Cheltenham, Pa. 19012
Avid plein air painter who enjoys the challenges of changing light, nature and painting in urban areas. Since 2018 Mateus has earned 8 awards in plein air competitions in PA, MD, VA and NC.
mateuscostafineart.com
Huchen Courouleau
Ridley Park, PA
Regularly juried plein air painter, including 2021 Hudson River Plein Air and Escalanta Art festivals, and 2022 Suffolk Plein Air festival.
www. huchencourouleau.com\
Instagram: @ huchencourouleau
Ann Crostic
Baltimore, MD 21236
Frequent participant in plein air competitions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, represented by Les Poisson Gallery and the Artists’ Emporium in Baltimore.
https://www.anncrostic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ann.crostic
Jay Dombach
Lancaster, PA
Experiencing art for 50 years, plein air painting for 12 years. “Comradery and legacy motivate me.”
www.jaydombach.com
David Finnell
Charlottesville, VA
Enjoying the challenge, fun, and camaraderie of plein air events, David has been in several since 2015, the most recent being the Harford Plein Air Festival (Maryland) in 2020 and 2021 River Towns Plein Air. Winner of Best West Reading award at Plein Air West Reading 2021.
www.DavidFinnellArt.com
Heidi Fuchs
Highland Park, NJ
An avid plein air painter and nature lover, Heidi paints outside a few times a week for fun. This is her first plein air event. www.instagram.com/hfuchsartagain
Marjorie Haley
Hackettstown, NJ
Marjorie and her mobile studio–a 30’ RV–find plein air competitions and inspiring subjects throughout North America.
Cheryl A Hart
Pottstown, PA
An avid plein air painter since 2016, Cheryl has exhibited in plein air events including PABV, River Townes, GNAL, Greenbank Mills, LandArt, and West Reading.
www.apeaceofhart.com
www.instagram.com/apeaceofhart
www.facebook.com/apeaceofhart
Marita Hines
Marietta, PA
Full time artist since 2015, frequent participant in plein air events, a first place winner in 2019 Plein Air West Reading. Co-founder of Marietta Art Alive! and River Townes Plein Air. www.maritahines.com/
facebook.com/maritahinesartist
instagram.com/maritahinesart/
Fred Jackson
King Of Prussia, PA
Fred’s intuitive, improvisational approach has earned him a place in juried competitions including 2022 Plein Air Easton Annapolis Plein Air. First Prize for "Best State Park Painting" in Hudson Valley Plein Air 2021.
www.fredjackson.net
Instagram: @fredjackson_painting
Charlene Jobe
Reading, PA
Well-known Berks County artist and frequent exhibitor in art events and galleries in Florida as well as the mid-Atlantic region. Member of the Berks Art Alliance.
www.charlenejobe.com
Zoungy Kligge
Reading PA
Zoungy creates realist and imaginative works in pencil, pen, watercolor, gouache, and acrylic; instructs at GoggleWorks in Reading, PA; and has won James Gurney's plein air challenge several times.
Zoungy Kligge (@zoungyart) • Instagram photos and videos
Jane Knighton
Glenwood, Maryland
Jane is a Maryland oil painter and lifelong artist who finds adventures and endless possibilities; presented by the artistic process, the people she meets, and the images she creates. She exhibits in galleries and participates in plein air events across the Maryland and Virginia regions, winning many awards and honors.
www.janeknightonart.com
Instagram: @jane_knighton
Melanie Landrith
Media, PA
Award winner at Whitemarsh Plein Air (first place in 2019), Wayne Art and Willingford Art Center, and juried into plein air competitions in Easton MD, Annapolis, West Reading, Hudson River Valley and Falls Church.
www.melanielandrithart.com/
Katie Langford
Glens Falls, NY
An oil painter and sculptor, with a passion for illustration and nature. Particularly fond of plein air painting, and practicing it all around the Adirondacks in New York.
www.klangillustration.com
Laura Martinez-Bianco
Marlboro, NY
Recent plein air awards earned by this well-traveled pastel artist include “Best Landscape” 2021 Artists on Location, Knoxville TN; and 3rd place, Quick Draw, 2021 Sedona Plein Air Festival
www.laurambianco.com IG Laura.m.bianco14
Denise McDaniel
Columbus, NJ
Avid painter who divides her time between her easel and working as a museum docent at the Princeton University Art Museum, where she serves as Events Coordinator and a member of the Gala Committee.
www.denisemcdanel.art
Debra Moffitt
Williamsport, PA
Frequent participant in regional plein air events including Paint It! Ellicott City and the Harford County Plein Air Festival. Recently moved to central Pennsylvania.
Frances Parzanese
Reading, PA
Well-known around Berks as a watercolorist and instructor, studio ar/st at GoggleWorks, member of Art Plus Gallery. Past par/cipant in Plein Air West Reading. Member of Berks Art Alliance.
www.artplusgallerypa.com/fran-parzanese. www.facebook.com/frances.parzanese
Lynda Pyka
Oxford, CT
A stage/TV costumer for 25 years with a Tony nomination, in 2016 Lynda made nature and plein air painting her new stage, showing at Palm Beach Plein Air, Lake Tahoe Plein Air, Adirondack Plein Air, Publisher’s Invitational Adirondack, and Publisher’s Invitation Fall Color Week. In 2021 she earned an Honorable Mention at Plein Air West Reading,
www.lyndapykaartist.com
Instagram: lpykafineart
FB: Lynda Pyka
Helen Reinhold-Gordon
Reinholds, PA
Oil and acrylic artist, and frequent instructor at plein air and private studio lessons at Yocum Institute for Arts Education. Member of Art Plus Gallery, Berks Art Alliance and Studio B Art Gallery.
HelenReinhold.com
Facebook: Helen Reinhold Fine Art
Instagram: helenreinholdart
Keith Rentschler
Reading, PA
Well traveled oil painter who has brought scenes for the Pacific Northwest to Iceland to canvas. Second Place Winner at Plein Air West Reading 2021. Member of Art Plus Gallery.
www.artplusgallerypa.com/keith-rentschler
Julie Riker
Camp Hill, PA
Professional artist with a passion for interesting compositions and light/shadow patterns, juror of River Townes Plein Air in 2021. Julie’s work has been frequently published in Plein Air and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine.
www.julieriker.com
Marilyn Rose
West Caldwell, NJ
Award-winning artists whose juicy, fresh watercolors have garnered awards in plein air events in Wayne, Pennsylvania and Annapolis, MD,.and are in public and private collections across the country.
MarilynRoseArt.com
www.facebook.com/marilynroseart
www.instagram.com/marilynroseart
Russell Slocum
Wyomissing, PA
Co-director of Art Plus Gallery, co-founder of Plein Air West Reading. Recent awards include Best in Show in Scenes of the Schuylkill 2019 and 4th Place in River Towns Plein Air 2021. Also shows in Visual Expansion Gallery in West Chester.
www.russellslocum.com
www.facebook.com/RussellSlocum
www.instagram.com/russ_slocum_art
Elaine Soltis
Reading, PA
Studio artist at the Goggle Works Center for the Arts, enthusiastic about returning to Plein Air West Reading; “I love every minute of this inspiring freedom to…just paint!”
elainesoltis.com
Instagram: elainesoltisart
FB: elainesoltisart
David Swartz
Mohnton, PA
Watercolor artist David Swartz finds inspiration by supporting local artists as a member of Art Plus Gallery. David works in behavioral health services, and has been enjoying the West Reading community for 1.5 years.
Instagram- david_swartz.art
Donna Unger
Reading, PA
Versatile painters with proficiencies in watercolors, oils, acrylics, alcohol inks and mixed media. First place winner in the inaugural Plein Air West Reading in 2016. Member of Art Plus Gallery and the Berks Art Alliance.
www.artplugallerypa.com/donna-unger
FB: www.facebook.com/donnaunger
Karen Weber
Saint Lawrence, PA
Director of Art Plus Gallery 2016-2019, co-founder of Plein Air West Reading. Also represented by Exhibit B in Souderon, Godfrey’s Welcome to Dogdom in Mohnton, The Framery in Lancaster, The Square Pear in Kennett Square and Visual Expansion in West Chester.
www.karenweberfineart.com
www.facebook.com/KarenWeberFineArt
www.instagram.com/karenweber.fineart/
http://karenweberartist.blogspot.com/
For 4-1/2 days in June, outstanding artists from six states will be capturing the multi-faceted character of Berks County on canvas.
Lissa Abrams
Baltimore, MD
Avid plein air painter and student of Paul Moscatt, Professor Emeritus at the Maryland College of Art since 2011.
www.lissaabramsart.com
www.Gallery322.com
Bruno Baran
Nottingham, MD
Frequent participant in plein air competitions. MAPAPA member since 2008, elected Chairman of the Board in 2015. Represented by Highlandtown, Crystal Moll and other galleries in the Baltimore area.
www.brunobaranfinearts.com
Karen Burnette Garner
Robesonia, PA
A native of Georgia, Karen now makes her home in Pennsylvania. An established creative in the South, with over 1,500 works of art in private and public collections worldwide. Member of Art Plus Gallery as well as several national art organizations.
www.karenburnettegarner.com
www.facebook.com/Karen-Burnette-Garner-Fine-Art
www.Instagram.comkarengarnerartist
Melissa Carroll
Lancaster, PA
2021 Artist in Residence at the North Museum of Nature and Science, with works showing in the museum’s STEAM Gallery through December and featured at their annual “Under the Stars” gala. Member of Marietta Art Alive! and co-founder of River Towns Plein Air.
www.MelissaCarrollArtist.com
Mateus Costa
Cheltenham, Pa. 19012
Avid plein air painter who enjoys the challenges of changing light, nature and painting in urban areas. Since 2018 Mateus has earned 8 awards in plein air competitions in PA, MD, VA and NC.
mateuscostafineart.com
Huchen Courouleau
Ridley Park, PA
Regularly juried plein air painter, including 2021 Hudson River Plein Air and Escalanta Art festivals, and 2022 Suffolk Plein Air festival.
www. huchencourouleau.com\
Instagram: @ huchencourouleau
Ann Crostic
Baltimore, MD 21236
Frequent participant in plein air competitions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, represented by Les Poisson Gallery and the Artists’ Emporium in Baltimore.
https://www.anncrostic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ann.crostic
Jay Dombach
Lancaster, PA
Experiencing art for 50 years, plein air painting for 12 years. “Comradery and legacy motivate me.”
www.jaydombach.com
David Finnell
Charlottesville, VA
Enjoying the challenge, fun, and camaraderie of plein air events, David has been in several since 2015, the most recent being the Harford Plein Air Festival (Maryland) in 2020 and 2021 River Towns Plein Air. Winner of Best West Reading award at Plein Air West Reading 2021.
www.DavidFinnellArt.com
Heidi Fuchs
Highland Park, NJ
An avid plein air painter and nature lover, Heidi paints outside a few times a week for fun. This is her first plein air event. www.instagram.com/hfuchsartagain
Marjorie Haley
Hackettstown, NJ
Marjorie and her mobile studio–a 30’ RV–find plein air competitions and inspiring subjects throughout North America.
Cheryl A Hart
Pottstown, PA
An avid plein air painter since 2016, Cheryl has exhibited in plein air events including PABV, River Townes, GNAL, Greenbank Mills, LandArt, and West Reading.
www.apeaceofhart.com
www.instagram.com/apeaceofhart
www.facebook.com/apeaceofhart
Marita Hines
Marietta, PA
Full time artist since 2015, frequent participant in plein air events, a first place winner in 2019 Plein Air West Reading. Co-founder of Marietta Art Alive! and River Townes Plein Air. www.maritahines.com/
facebook.com/maritahinesartist
instagram.com/maritahinesart/
Fred Jackson
King Of Prussia, PA
Fred’s intuitive, improvisational approach has earned him a place in juried competitions including 2022 Plein Air Easton Annapolis Plein Air. First Prize for "Best State Park Painting" in Hudson Valley Plein Air 2021.
www.fredjackson.net
Instagram: @fredjackson_painting
Charlene Jobe
Reading, PA
Well-known Berks County artist and frequent exhibitor in art events and galleries in Florida as well as the mid-Atlantic region. Member of the Berks Art Alliance.
www.charlenejobe.com
Zoungy Kligge
Reading PA
Zoungy creates realist and imaginative works in pencil, pen, watercolor, gouache, and acrylic; instructs at GoggleWorks in Reading, PA; and has won James Gurney's plein air challenge several times.
Zoungy Kligge (@zoungyart) • Instagram photos and videos
Jane Knighton
Glenwood, Maryland
Jane is a Maryland oil painter and lifelong artist who finds adventures and endless possibilities; presented by the artistic process, the people she meets, and the images she creates. She exhibits in galleries and participates in plein air events across the Maryland and Virginia regions, winning many awards and honors.
www.janeknightonart.com
Instagram: @jane_knighton
Melanie Landrith
Media, PA
Award winner at Whitemarsh Plein Air (first place in 2019), Wayne Art and Willingford Art Center, and juried into plein air competitions in Easton MD, Annapolis, West Reading, Hudson River Valley and Falls Church.
www.melanielandrithart.com/
Katie Langford
Glens Falls, NY
An oil painter and sculptor, with a passion for illustration and nature. Particularly fond of plein air painting, and practicing it all around the Adirondacks in New York.
www.klangillustration.com
Laura Martinez-Bianco
Marlboro, NY
Recent plein air awards earned by this well-traveled pastel artist include “Best Landscape” 2021 Artists on Location, Knoxville TN; and 3rd place, Quick Draw, 2021 Sedona Plein Air Festival
www.laurambianco.com IG Laura.m.bianco14
Denise McDaniel
Columbus, NJ
Avid painter who divides her time between her easel and working as a museum docent at the Princeton University Art Museum, where she serves as Events Coordinator and a member of the Gala Committee.
www.denisemcdanel.art
Debra Moffitt
Williamsport, PA
Frequent participant in regional plein air events including Paint It! Ellicott City and the Harford County Plein Air Festival. Recently moved to central Pennsylvania.
Frances Parzanese
Reading, PA
Well-known around Berks as a watercolorist and instructor, studio ar/st at GoggleWorks, member of Art Plus Gallery. Past par/cipant in Plein Air West Reading. Member of Berks Art Alliance.
www.artplusgallerypa.com/fran-parzanese. www.facebook.com/frances.parzanese
Lynda Pyka
Oxford, CT
A stage/TV costumer for 25 years with a Tony nomination, in 2016 Lynda made nature and plein air painting her new stage, showing at Palm Beach Plein Air, Lake Tahoe Plein Air, Adirondack Plein Air, Publisher’s Invitational Adirondack, and Publisher’s Invitation Fall Color Week. In 2021 she earned an Honorable Mention at Plein Air West Reading,
www.lyndapykaartist.com
Instagram: lpykafineart
FB: Lynda Pyka
Helen Reinhold-Gordon
Reinholds, PA
Oil and acrylic artist, and frequent instructor at plein air and private studio lessons at Yocum Institute for Arts Education. Member of Art Plus Gallery, Berks Art Alliance and Studio B Art Gallery.
HelenReinhold.com
Facebook: Helen Reinhold Fine Art
Instagram: helenreinholdart
Keith Rentschler
Reading, PA
Well traveled oil painter who has brought scenes for the Pacific Northwest to Iceland to canvas. Second Place Winner at Plein Air West Reading 2021. Member of Art Plus Gallery.
www.artplusgallerypa.com/keith-rentschler
Julie Riker
Camp Hill, PA
Professional artist with a passion for interesting compositions and light/shadow patterns, juror of River Townes Plein Air in 2021. Julie’s work has been frequently published in Plein Air and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine.
www.julieriker.com
Marilyn Rose
West Caldwell, NJ
Award-winning artists whose juicy, fresh watercolors have garnered awards in plein air events in Wayne, Pennsylvania and Annapolis, MD,.and are in public and private collections across the country.
MarilynRoseArt.com
www.facebook.com/marilynroseart
www.instagram.com/marilynroseart
Russell Slocum
Wyomissing, PA
Co-director of Art Plus Gallery, co-founder of Plein Air West Reading. Recent awards include Best in Show in Scenes of the Schuylkill 2019 and 4th Place in River Towns Plein Air 2021. Also shows in Visual Expansion Gallery in West Chester.
www.russellslocum.com
www.facebook.com/RussellSlocum
www.instagram.com/russ_slocum_art
Elaine Soltis
Reading, PA
Studio artist at the Goggle Works Center for the Arts, enthusiastic about returning to Plein Air West Reading; “I love every minute of this inspiring freedom to…just paint!”
elainesoltis.com
Instagram: elainesoltisart
FB: elainesoltisart
David Swartz
Mohnton, PA
Watercolor artist David Swartz finds inspiration by supporting local artists as a member of Art Plus Gallery. David works in behavioral health services, and has been enjoying the West Reading community for 1.5 years.
Instagram- david_swartz.art
Donna Unger
Reading, PA
Versatile painters with proficiencies in watercolors, oils, acrylics, alcohol inks and mixed media. First place winner in the inaugural Plein Air West Reading in 2016. Member of Art Plus Gallery and the Berks Art Alliance.
www.artplugallerypa.com/donna-unger
FB: www.facebook.com/donnaunger
Karen Weber
Saint Lawrence, PA
Director of Art Plus Gallery 2016-2019, co-founder of Plein Air West Reading. Also represented by Exhibit B in Souderon, Godfrey’s Welcome to Dogdom in Mohnton, The Framery in Lancaster, The Square Pear in Kennett Square and Visual Expansion in West Chester.
www.karenweberfineart.com
www.facebook.com/KarenWeberFineArt
www.instagram.com/karenweber.fineart/
http://karenweberartist.blogspot.com/
