|
OUR TALENTED ARTISTS
Artist Vicki Vitale
with Semper Fi
Vicki Vitale, a resident of New Bern, North Carolina has won
numerous awards for her oil paintings at local, national, and
international shows. A member of Craven Arts Council, TRAA,
Miniature Art Society of Florida and Associate member of The
Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C.
Having studied Classical Realism with Joan Horn and John Yerger from
Buffalo, N.Y. has given Vicki focus on miniatures in recent years.
As Peter Waddell says "A miniature is more than a small painting. It
offers an opportunity for artists to display virtuoso skill and
create in fact a whole world for the viewer to mastery of materials
by these artists".
Having had to work much larger than my normal 4x5 or smaller, has
been quite a challenge to say the least.
From the Flag Bearer which took 101 hrs, to Bearer of Rights around
70+ to Semper Fi. I was able to do miniature verbiage with “
Bearer of Rights “ and its display of the Bill of Rights. Semper
Fi gave me an opportunity to work miniature with all the buttons,
awards and metals. You can see that my work on the 3 bears has been
patriotism .....I’m proud of that.
|
Working with the steering committee
for the last two years to make “Bear Town Bears” a huge success,
has truly been a wonderful experience.
|
|
 |
Artist Glenna Davis
with the Tooth Beary in process.
I love the act of
painting and listen to music as I work which makes me lose myself in
the moment and let the paint flow. Before I even start a painting,
I come up with an idea for the subject matter and decide on the
colors to use. For the bear project, after the design had been
approved by the sponsor and BTB committee, the work began.
Creativity takes place during the painting process because decisions
have to be made in every part of the 3-D form. I painted
three bears. My first one was “Tooth Beary,” The second
bear that I was asked to do was the “Money Bear,” and the third bear
was the “Mamma Bear,” It was truly a great pleasure to
be involved with this project and the commitment made me feel
attached to each bear. |
|
Artist Sandy Bruno
with
River Ben
I specialize in
bold, vibrant watercolor paintings often depicting reflective scenes
of Eastern North Carolina, European architecture and the play of
light and shadow on glass. My
husband and I moved to New Bern in 2001 after having lived in
Berlin, Germany for three years. While there, we traveled
throughout Europe and visited many galleries and museums. In
Berlin, I studied painting at the Technical University and led art
tours throughout the city.
I have
a BA degree in Art History with a dual minor in English and Studio
Art from St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford, CT. My artwork has
been showcased at Art & Materials and was Featured as Artist of the
Month at the New Bern Library. I am on the Board of Directors of
the Craven Arts Council & Gallery and the Twin Rivers Artists’
Association and a member of the North Carolina Watercolor Society
and Coastal Women’s Forum. I have studied under Miles Batt, Tony
Couch, Skip Lawrence and Jeff Jakub. Many private art patrons in
CT, NY, PA, Berlin, Germany and New Bern collect my paintings. |
 |
|
|
Artist Lisa Connell
with
H J MacDonald
Middle School
Students
l went to Lasell College and got an
Assoc. Degree in Fine Arts Degree and at Maine College of Art got a B.F.A.
in Photography.
After several jobs including raising 2 children, I started subbing and realized teaching art
was the best job.
While subbing I went back to college and got my teaching degree in
K-12
Art from E.C.U.
I have been the art educator at H.J. Mac Donald middle school ever
since.
All of my 1st semester art students submitted bear designs for the Craven
County A.B.C. board. 8th grade student, Bailey Jordans
design
was chosen that represented a taxi that says" Drink Responsibly, Don't
Drink and Drive". Once the bear was
delivered to our school, the students began sanding it and gessoing
it. After this
Bailey's mother came in to school to help draw the design on the
bear
with the students, The students first painted all the yellow and gray
and
black tires. Then we added the decal checker board and painted the
lettering and added the details. |
I am a primarily
self-taught artist, working in pastel, charcoal, and oil
(I
specialize in portraiture). I received
specific training in figure drawing
and portraiture from Washington
DC area artist Perry Carsley. I wanted my bears
to have distinctive, life-like faces, with personality. Bernie, the
Hometown Bear, was fun to paint as the stylized bear could take on
the form of a vintage steamer trunk with travel stickers. Mitchell
Bear has been designed to model a turn of the century general store
merchant, in keeping with the charm and vintage appeal of its
sponsor store.
|
Artist Amy Davis
with Hometown Bernie
 |
|
 |
Artist Cheryl Ashe
with the
Har-Bear Town
Racquet Cub
I
have studied art at various levels for much of my life. Although I
have sold
some of my work and did some commissions, art has always been a
hobby
for me. I had never displayed my work or joined an art society
until joining the
Twin River Art Society within the last two years.
Painting three bears was a wonderfully
rewarding experience for me. I must admit to having some anxiety at
first, because of the unusual task, but in the end, I found that
working with the sponsors, others artists, and the public to be
exhilarating.
|
|
Artist Ed
Macomber
I am native of New Jersey, born in Long Island, NY. Married living
in Trent Woods. A starving artist I show
my art at Art of the Wild and maintain a studio at my house. I am
a member of TRAA, Watercolor Society of
North Carolina.
I found the Bear project challenging, consuming, and rewarding to
my creative spirit. I had wonderful
contact with the firm that adopted the bear and hope that they
have many years of enjoyment from its presence.
|
Beary Healthy Bear and
its artist, Tessie Ann Adams |
Artist Nada Behr
with the
Brier Bear
Brier Bear
was sponsored by the golf
and tennis community of
Greenbrier.
My last name just happens to be Behr so it was a natural for me to
be the artist who painted this giant bear. It created lots of
fun for me and the community painting "Brier Behr"... oops, I mean
Brier Bear. I have a background in art education
and it was a privilege to contribute to the 300th celebration of New
Bern. |
|
 |
Artists Jettie Pelletier & Marilyn Smith
with the T. Woodsy Bear
I love to dabble in art, and have
some things in my home that I have done. I took several art
classes in years past but haven't done much lately. I have only
sold one of my paintings. Painting "Woodsy" has stirred up my
creative juices and I hope to do more in the future. Working
with an accomplished artist, Marilyn Smith, was a true blessing
for me.
I can speak for myself in saying
that painting the bear was a lot of fun, beginning to end. From
coming up with the idea of the World's most famous slalom water
skier on the East Coast,notably Trent Woods, to the final brush
stroke. I will admit we did have trouble letting our new buddy
bear go, we kept thinking of things we could add to keep him a
bit longer. I would like to thank the committee for
allowing me the pleasure and honor of painting the Trent Woods
bear and I would also like to thank Marilyn for agreeing to help
me. It has been a great experience.
|
|
Artist
Lillian Knoetgen with the Bubble Garden Bear
Teaching others to paint at CCC and
privately is a great job. The only work that comes close to it
is being part of this great effort to memorialize the 300th
anniversary of the town of New Bern, NC. As an artist I am very
proud to be part of it. Overwhelmed by the sizes of the
actual bears the challenge was met with excitement and awe of the
actual object. It is a far cry from a canvas no matter the size.
Researching the actual coloring of N.C. bears was my first task.
Then on to applying the designs and the actual painting The Bubble
Garden Bear for Ward and Smith PA took approx 109 hrs of work,
Bernie the Fisher Bear for Dr. K. Klein East Carolina Dermatology
122 hrs. and I stood on a ladder to do his head and muzzle.
For Bubble Garden Bear laying on the floor to paint all of his
tummy was hardest. Aside from that I can only say I am
grateful to the Bear Town Bear Organization for the opportunity to
be part of this wonderful project. Their dedication to the
original idea and the work involved to make it happen should not
be overlooked.
|
 |
|
 |
Artist Donna Slade
My passion for art has taken her
from a 30-year award-winning career in commercial art,
advertising, design and illustration to recently becoming a full
time painter. Donna has earned local and national recognition,
winning many fine art awards in solo and group
exhibitions. Donna's work has
been published in The Best of American
Pastel Artists &
Artisans, Volume 1 and The Best of Colored Pencil.
My
realistic colored pencil, pastel and acrylic
paintings are imagined, planned and executed in a
representational, realistic style. The paintings are not a
photographic moment in time but represent a unique artistic
interpretation through observation.
Throughout my career I had little experience in painting 3D
objects. This was a new experience and challenge for me but one
that I really enjoyed. My initial sketch was still key in the
process and something that I followed very closely. I learned a
great deal and very pleased that I had this opportunity. |
|
Artist Dee Mayer
Having been an art teacher for a number of years, I am comfortable
with many different media. Oil, tempera, acrylic, watercolor,
collage, printmaking and the use of dyed fabric have all been used
in former work. My current work explores the use of ‘mixed media’.
I often work in ‘series’, using similar or related colors and
compositions for my pieces, Much of my work is abstract or
impressionistic and frequently inspired from nature. The images are
intended to project ‘moods’ or ‘feelings’ as I incorporate reality
without actually imitating it.
Creative efforts
for me are always an expression of positive rather than negative
feelings or emotions. There has always been a great satisfaction for
me in the order and arrangement of objects in my environment as well
as in my art. I also sense a strong interdependence between man as
‘creator’ and nature. My art is always an attempt to convey this
relationship. |
|
|
|
Artist John Hanley
John relocated from Connecticut to, NC in 2007, after spending the
better part of a 26-year career at United Technologies
involved in graphics, print and television advertising, and
directing photography. John is a graduate of the
Silvermine College of Art and the University of Hartford Art
School. He credits his academic training for providing an
invaluable base, but “it was the guidance of painter Beth Ellis,
along with years spent working in partnership with
Connecticut-based designer and fellow painter Ted Bertz that
expanded my understanding of design and color.”
His paintings, primarily oils “en plein air,” depict everyday
scenes in a visually graphic style using a limited but dynamic
palette. Recently he has been re-exploring pastels and found that
the medium adapted easily to his oil painting style. He is
an active member of the Pamlico County Plein Air Painters and
exhibits at the New Bern Artworks & Company Gallery and The Craven
Arts Council & Gallery in the Bank of the Arts. Recently John
participated in the Bear Town Bear project, designing and painting
“Sailor Bear” and “Captain Black Bear’d.” |
|
Artist
Whitney Wallace
I was born and raised in Asheville, NC and attended college at
Queens University of Charlotte. After completing my undergraduate
degree in biology and psychology I went on to Wake Forest
University to complete my master's degree in Counselor Education.
Since then, I have worked in various family services and education
settings. My family lived in Miami, FL for 7 years and, while
there, I taught at a Waldorf school. The curriculum of this
school focused heavily on the arts and teaching in this
environment helped me to discover my artistic side.
My husband of 10 years, my 7-year old son and I moved to New Bern
in June of 2008. Being a part of Bear Town Bears has given me
a fantastic way to become more involved in the wonderful arts
community here in New Bern.
It's been quite a challenge and such a joy to have the privilege
to work on 3 of the bears. When not working on a bear I enjoy
being outdoors, reading, sewing and creating artist trading
cards. I currently work as an instructor with
the Military Academic Skills Program (MASP) on board MCAS Cherry
Point. |
|
|
|
Artist Jane Needham
Born in Western Massachusetts, I was influenced early in my
art education by Leo Blake, a noted New England land and
seascape artist and Post Magazine illustrator. At ten years
old I won an art contest and my parents channeled my winnings
into oil painting lessons with Blake. In college I took as
many art courses as possible. Work and family plus a
two-year stint as a Powder Puff Painter consumed my life but I
always knew I would pick up that smaller paintbrush, again.
After settling into life in New Bern, NC my fingers started to
itch, signaling. "It is time to get back into
painting-pictures, not walls." Classes at Craven
Community College with its excellent teachers and some local
art awards have encouraged me. Continuing classes with Jeffrey
Jakubs, a member of "Who’s Who In American Art’ stretched my
watercolor abilities. Today, somewhat influenced by
Impressionism, I paint mostly architectural, landscape and
florals in watercolor and acrylics.This project has been a
total joy from the cooperation of committee members, fellow
artists, sponsors and the general public. The crowning
pleasure of the whole project was watching my four year old
Grandchild, Sophia join hands with three year old Emerson
Wiggins, who helped paint Champion Bear and run down the
streets of New Bear following the bear paws. It made it all
worthwhile. |
Artist Betty Knapp
Betty Knapp specializes in botanical watercolors. She has both a
B.A. in Fine Art and an M.A. in Art Therapy from Montclair State
University in New Jersey, and she is also a Registered Art
Therapist. Early in her career, she worked with young people with
psychological problems severe enough to require their
hospitalization at a special adolescent unit at a psychiatric
hospital. Later she served as Director of Therapeutic Services.
Since retiring, she has returned to pursuing her own work. She
works primarily in watercolor and prefers to paint en plain air
with plants growing in their natural environment. She has also
recently returned to painting sea life focusing on the fish and
crustaceans in local waters.
|
 |
 |
Artist Donna Woodruff
with Bearon DeBroker
I am originally from Brunswick, Ga., where my mom
was an artist. I started "The Accidental Artist", a paint your
own pottery store in 1998 and sold it in 2005. The studio is
still operating today on Craven St. I live in Trent Woods with
my husband David and we have 4 daughters and 8 grandchildren. I
also do pet portraits called "Paw Art". I was honored to
paint two bears: Bearon De Broker (Super Agent) and Bearon
deWilber (Forestry Bear). |
|
Artist Kim Smith
and Colonial Bearman
Kim has had an interest in arts and crafts all her life. She
has participated in art shows, teaching arts and craft classes,
and has sold some of her own paintings. She has studied
with local and nationally known artists. She enjoys working
with watercolors primarily with her second choose being
colleges. Kim says each painting beings a new challenge and
vibrant colors seem to find their way in all her work. She has
been juried into several art shows.
Kim has served on
the Board of Directors of the Twin Rivers Artists Association
for ten years. In 2003, she was appointed to the Board of
Directors of the Watercolors Society of North Carolina where she
served seven years. She enjoys organizing workshops and art
shows, and has acted as a committee chairperson for many special
art projects.
In 2010 she joined the Craven County Arts Council Board of
Directors. |
 |
 |
Artist Ann Gray
with Barrister Bear
I worked in many different media during my high school and
college years. Original pottery, rug hooking and oil
paintings were my favorite areas. Career and family put a
hold on my art endeavors. Now retired, I am once again
enjoying painting. I am working in acrylics and creating a
portfolio.
I had so much fun working on my 'Barrister Bear'. I had no
idea how difficult working in 3 dimension would be until the
6ft beast stood before me! It was so easy on paper! It was
quite a learning experience that myself and my fellow artists
in the 'den' managed to work out together.
|
Artist GeeVee Meyer
with Bear'ly Legal
Bear
Born in the Philippines, I have drawn and painted since
childhood. Have moved several times to experience painting
exposures of diverse backgrounds from Japanese Matsuda-sensei to
African American, Jon Onye Lockard, to French artist, David
Gista, to mention a few. Have been commissioned for painting
murals, pets, figures and landscapes. Mixed media, acrylics,
soft pastels, charcoal and pencil. Wanting to help in the
community of New Bern, I found myself painting three fire
hydrants for the 300th year celebration. A friendly
Vicki Vitale found me painting a fire hydrant one sunny although
freezing day and invited me to paint a bear.
The Stubbs and Perdue group wanted their bear, Bear'ly Legal
Bear, to be Mr. Trawick Stubbs himself, a renowned New
Bern lawyer. I was able to capture Mr. Stubbs’ wit and sense of
humor as well as his decades of experience in law well shown in
the items that he uses everyday.
Bear D’ Olde Towne carries elements of the Colonial Period, a
stately figure who explores, finds and wishes to settle in Olde
Towne. He carries the Revolutionary flag and the 1898 Bern
flag, a gift from the residents of Bern, Switzerland then. He
has the current New Bern crest on his chest, holds in his hand
the NC state flower (the dogwood), stands over the NC pine
cone/acorn, and has two state birds (the cardinal) playfully
flying behind him. The 13 street names of Olde Towne are
printed in 18th century script. |
|
 |
Artist Barbara Hesketh
with Bearing Caring,
MD Bear
Altogether I painted three bears. The first one "Beary
Caring, MD" was a total learning experience. I learned a lot
from this bear and we had a few conversations about it, yes you
do start talking to them. The second bear which was "Harbie" was
the most labor intensive and I am very glad he wasn't my first
bear. "Harbie" has more of my artistic sense than the other two.
"Bearon De Graffenreid was my crowning glory. I felt he was my
best effort and I am quite proud of him (not to say the others
aren't wonderful too).
I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to paint
these bears. It is a worthwhile project and a positive addition
to the celebration of New Bern's 300th Anniversary. All the
artists did a great job and thanks to our leaders Vickie Vitale
and Barb Lubson. Without them it wouldn't have happened.
|
|
Artist
Molly Knazek
with
Bearon de Colours
Working on the Colours Bear was great fun because the Bear
committee that organized the effort for Carolina Colours helped
me sand, gesso, paint and plan the design. Many of the women
had never done artwork and were delighted with their results.
The development had an annual dinner and invited me and my
husband, Richard. They coordinated a showing of my
paintings and the whole evening was great fun. "Bearon" is
in front of the clubhouse and greets everyone who enters.
"Dr. Paw" for Dr. Hand (get it?) was one of the last 6 bears.
We got the design and approval at the last minute.
I worked with Bill Hand to make sure everything he wanted was on
the Bear. Since he is a dentist, he had to show some teeth and
nothing but a smile would do! I layered a lot of gesso and
liqutex over the mouth area until it was smooth enough to paint
those choppers! I think he brings a smile to everyone who sees
him. Needless to say, Dr. Hand is happy too. Thanks to all
the committee, especially Vicki and Barbara for their extra
effort to make this whole project a great success! |
|
 |
Artist Nada Behr
with Brier
Bear
I received a B.A. degree in Art
Education from Adelphi University and attended New York
University. Watercolor is
my favorite medium. It is fresh, spontaneous and a
constant surprise. Among my many awards, I was juried into
the N.C. Eastern Watercolor Society and in 2008 and 2009, I was
juried into the prestigious Watercolor Society of N.C.
My paintings have been exhibited in galleries, Craven Arts
Council, travel agencies, banks, restaurants and many private
collections. Art is discovery, art is energy, color is
happiness.White painting Brier Bear, he
gradually became my Teddy Bear. He gave me comfort and joy
and we grew together. I painted him with great care and he
soon became real and alive to me. He wanted to show all
the activities available in the community of Greenbrier.
Brier Bear was a rewarding experience. There he stands at
John Reed Plaza in all his glory. |
top |
