Roy Reinerd

March/ April 2024

February 2024

Thierry serves on the Artsbridge board and it’s always a pleasure having his creative contributions. Thierry is an active member whom you may have had the opportunity to meet at Artsbridge socials and heard about his passion for painting portraits and Gyotaku art printing, a tradition that began with fishermen in Japan over 200 years ago as a way for fishermen to keep a record of the fish they caught.

“I joined the Board of Artsbridge simply because the former President asked me to do so, and because I thought it was important to give back to an organization which has allowed me to meet many fellow artists in the region.

I have since greatly enjoyed that “mission”. Other members of the board in their diversity of backgrounds are great people unselfishly dedicated to preserving the organization.

After a difficult moment during the pandemic, Artsbridge is back to flourish. I am proud to be part of the board and to (even so modestly) contribute to the group.”

January, 2024

April is new to the board and has been transitioning into her new role as Co-Chair of Exhibitions with Vice- President and Co-chair, Laura Nicholson. As with each new member who joins the board, new energy and momentum has been contributed by April and we welcome her enthusiasm. This is an ideal time to introduce April’s artwork and learn more about her passions, design and background as an artist and member of Artsbridge.

April grew up in Newtown Bucks County, raised her children in Glenside, Montgomery County, and now lives in Wrightstown, PA. As a Bucks County artist, her current creative passion is en plein air painting in New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s surrounding areas. She has been able to combine two passions, travel and painting, which has allowed her to paint in picturesque locations. April has frequented locations such as Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands and Cuba to name a few. A serendipitous meeting with Bob Barish at a Ellarslie opening reception, and where their pieces were being exhibited, created an invitation to paint with the River Rats. April has been thrilled to attend with this lovely, unique and talented group.

“My over forty year professional career in the Broking and Consulting Industry, currently as SVP Global Compliance Officer for Marsh McClennan (trades as MMC) provides opportunities for managing team of people, developing integrated global monitoring and compliance programs and has included world travel. Of course technology/”computer” skills including Microsoft Professional Office as well as other computer applications is a normal part of my day to day work. As with most of us, the pandemic forced us to work differently and from that came a new and better way of doing what we do. My global responsibilities are now 100% virtual (whilst I loved the travel it’s better for personal reasons) This affords me the ability to give back to my community while I continue my career. What better way to engage with the art community in and around the surrounding region than contributing my time and energies to your organization. I’m a current member of the following Art Groups; Artists of Yardley (AOY), New Hope Arts, Phillips Mill Community Association (PMCA) and A & amp; C of Bucks County and PPA (Philadelphia Pastel Society. I regularly contribute to member shows. My work has been in PMCA and Ellerslie juried exhibitions and I’ve won several awards in Plein Air Competitions. My latest piece “In Perpetuity” took 1st Prize at the AOY en plein aire competition “Paint Our Town”, 2023 past spring. I’ve had several solo shows in area regional galleries.

As a 63 year-old living is Bucks County the opportunities to be creative and participate in community events is a highlight in my life. This is my opportunity to use my professional and artistic talents to contribute to the arts and culture of our area. My globally diverse insights, team building, technology advancements initiatives and passion for art will allow me to support the success of your organization.”

December Featured Artist

Kyle Wille

Kyle Wille serves as Secretary and Membership Coordinator for Artsbridge.

I was fortunate enough to hear from Gary Fournier in 2021 to learn more about Artsbridge and was thrilled to become a member of this board. There have been many opportunities for me to work in areas that allow me creative outlets; as an art curator, program planner, elementary school teacher, co-founder and director of Creative Connections P.S. in Hopewell, NJ, Artist Outreach & Program Coordinator at HV Arts Council, and as a freelance artist for over 30 years. Constantly busy with my family and jumping into community event planning and creating art in my own spare time is an ongoing endeavor for me. I love getting to know creative and passionate people, having opportunities to bring them together with other like minded people or enthusiasts and sharing their work the greater area. With degrees in Elementary Education and Art, I was a school teacher for over 10 years and continue to create paintings and murals for clients , and plan programs for large art and entertainment events. In the past several years I have curated and marketed shows for Ficus Bon Vivant in Princeton, hosted documentary and interview films about talented artists from PA and NJ, and more recently, curated the Princeton YWCA’s Beyond Pink Art Show in support for the BCRC in 2022 and 2023.

The paintings, sketches and photographs I create come from moments in time, often sentimental. My Mom’s enthusiasm for life was contagious and has been instilled in me, for which I am so grateful. My continuous hope is to live each moment to the fullest, be a constant learner and appreciate new experiences through travel, time spent with family, and bringing people together to share and tell our stories. What a gift creativity can provide for anyone who truly seeks their passion.

My husband, Carl and I have been raising our four children together which is the highlight of my life. I feel so fortunate to have a passion for constantly creating art through painting, photographing, gardening, designing and taking in scenery and absorbing moments while exploring the outdoors, all which will soon take me into being an empty nest parent with comfort. While I have studied art for years, I feel like I am constantly learning new techniques. Loosening my paint brush to evolve into a style of my own is a constant struggle but I hope to find time to practice daily soon. It is with great admiration and appreciation that I continue to learn from each and every creative person I get to know.

Featured Artist

November 2023

Artsbridge is fortunate to have Jean on the board as our Treasurer, who took on this role in 2023. As an artist, her soft pastel colors, earthy brown tones and gentle style exhibits sceneries that derive inspiration from the places she has lived, such as Nantucket Island, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and central New Jersey. You will find close ups of animals and images of people playing on a beach which any thalassophile or beach lover would appreciate. Her peaceful landscapes include farms nestled in hillsides and lake houses resting peacefully near the water’s edge . Zoom in and you’ll notice that Jean’s brush strokes dance across her canvas to define shadows, light and reflections.

This November, enjoy a showcase representing a few of our favorite paintings created by Jean.

Artist of the Month

Louise Max

October, 2023

Q & A

What does Artsbridge mean to you?

I joined Artsbridge a few years ago as a new member when I moved back to the area after living in Vermont for 20 years. I was looking for an opportunity to meet other artists in the area. I like attending artist talks, coffee socials, and participating in exhibits.

I have enjoyed attending the meetings that feature artists and their work, meeting other artists, and participating in members’ art exhibits. It’s inspiring to see other artists’ pieces.

How did you get involved with Artsbridge?

I volunteered to become a Board Member of Artsbridge, and have joined other very dedicated and talented Board Members. We are in the process of building an active organization, offering more opportunities in the form of workshops, meetings, classes, and exhibits. Artsbridge is always looking for additional volunteers to help us in our mission.

Artist Bio

I have always been interested in art since I was a small child. It was always so exciting to use tempera paint and brushes in grade school! I did not have the opportunity to attend art school until I was married and had two children. So, I opted to pursue a degree in design and illustration. I ran my own graphic design studio for ten years and also worked as national art director for a floral ribbon company. After that, I did freelance illustrations produced as greeting cards, garden and home decor. I also illustrated four published books, two of which were a collaboration with famed science fiction writer Ray Bradbury (who was just fantastic!)

These days I am focusing on creating art that is personally fulfilling. Mixed media and sculpture are my focus now, although I have always enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and materials.

Artistic statement

I really enjoy creating art that conveys a sense of mystery and is thought-provoking.

I’m inspired by nature, mythology, magic, unusual juxtapositions, and viewpoints. My art is anchored more by my ideas, dreams, and imagination than by the physical world. With a stash of odd found materials, I like creating mixed media pieces. Recently, I have made a few mixed-media sculptures, which can be challenging and engaging.

I feel very blessed to be able to share my artistic viewpoints and engage with other artists and I appreciate the stimulation of our wonderful local art community.

Sue Ann Rainey

Featured Artist

September 2023

Bob Barish

August 2023

Artist, Artsbridge board member & River Rats Chairman for Artsbridge

Artist Statement

“I have always been interested in art, with my earliest recollections watching and participating with the Jon Gnagy TV show, “Learn to Draw”, in the mid-1950’s. That early interest has had a profound influence on my life. Upon graduation from The University of The Arts, Philadelphia, PA, and a corporate career as Art and Design Director for the Pharmaceutical Industry I remain a committed artist.

I am now a full-time oil painter specializing in plein-air scenes of the Delaware Valley and the rich history of the area. Plein air painting offers me an immersion into the sights, sounds, and feelings of the subject. My primary goal is to convey the immediacy of ‘being there’ with a glimpse of an instant image experiencing what I have seen and portraying in paint.

As a board member of Artsbridge, I have also served as Chairman of the River Rats Plein Air Painting Group (An Artsbridge group) for the past 16 years scheduling weekly paint-outs at various locations in the Delaware Valley river towns and surrounding countryside. “

Featured Artist ~ July 2023

Laura Nicholson

Laura Nicholson wears many hats for Artsbridge; Vice President , Curator for annual member’s art exhibit the past five years, Member of Artsbridge- River Rats. If you are a member of Artsbridge then you have probably seen or talked to Laura. She’s involved in many facets of this organization and her watercolors reflect her love for nature and may give you insight to the education and career she has had in the field of science.

Artistic Statement

Nature fascinates and inspires me. Watching a beautiful sunset, or frogs in a backyard pond, are equally enjoyable. After retiring from a career in geology, and with my two children now grown, I’ve found more time for art. Plein air painting was a natural choice. For the past decade, I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and artistic challenges of painting outdoors with the Artsbridge River Rats. Largely self-taught, I continue to experiment with different artistic media and techniques.

In my landscape paintings, I choose locations that are familiar to me. My goal is to capture the essence of a scene and evoke a “sense of place” and intimacy in the observer. In deciding what to paint, I’m drawn to shapes and textures rather than color. Lately I have been using a combination of oil pastel and watercolor. I typically complete my work in one or two sessions, and am pleased if the result looks loose and spontaneous.

In contrast to my landscape paintings, I enjoy doing detailed pencil drawings of natural objects. I collect rocks, shells, feathers, fossils, dead bugs, owl pellets and more…so I am never short of subject matter.

After several decades of computer work, I prefer to limit my time on the computer and social media.

Featured Artist ~ June 2023

Gary David Fournier

What do you know about the start of Artsbridge and what does it mean to you?

I know it was originally started by Ty Hodanish. (Ty served as president of Artsbridge for a number of years and was an award winning artist, teacher and mentor, and known for plein air painting. Ty started his career in public service and then had art studios in Sergeantsville and later Stockton, NJ. He was heralded as one Bucks County’s 10 most interesting people by a local magazine. ) I’d seen some of his work on line and realized the Delaware River art scene was where I could learn from some very talented artists.

What inspires or motivates you to create and paint?

I’m inspired by the color, scenes, creatures sounds and smells of nature. Waves crashing, a stream gurgling through rocks, the smell of flowers and pine trees all grab my senses and send me to my studio.

Do you have a first moment that made you realize you had a talent and interest in art?

My first moment was in my senior year in high school. We had an art show and the librarian loved my piece “Worlds Fair” (collage of exhibits at the fair) Our school band played at the open ending ceremony in 1964 in Flushing, New York. She bought it; my first exhibit and first sale!

What influences have you had in your artistic career?

I’ve been influenced by many famous artists, primarily Claude Monet. Impressionism is my favorite form but I love all forms. My style is a mix of Impressionism and Realism. I’m also much influenced by family and friends as well of course, other artists who continue to express interest in my work; a good motivator!

Featured Artist ~ May 2023

April Silverman

I’ve had the opportunity to meet April at a few of our Artsbridge events this past year including, the winter holiday gathering and the winter social at Union Coffee. Her smile drew me in to learn more about her. April’s enthusiasm for life and painting was apparent from the first time we met.

“I paint everyday, especially sea- and landscapes. Rocks, water, grasses, and trees are my favorite subjects. When I choose a subject, I am already emotionally involved. Painting only makes me more so. I want my viewers to feel they can walk into the painting and join me there.“

Robert Sussna

Featured Artist~ April 2023

“I paint to express my visual and emotional reactions to what I see. I want to communicate to others my pleasure in seeing the world around me, its lights and darks, colors, and forms, and I want to continue the work that I started 40 years ago in straight black and white photography to show how I feel about what I see, making it more understandable and expressive to myself and others.”

Robert Sussna has earned many titles, including Architect, Painter, Photographer, Planner, & Interior Designer. You may also know him as “Robb”, a prolific artist who you may spot painting with watercolors en plein air along the Delaware River or nearby towns, parks, or farms with other Artsbridge- River Rats members. Robert’s watercolor paintings and photographs demonstrate his clear understanding of scale, proportion, and balance from his earned degree and practice in Architecture and Interior Design.

At a recent Artsbridge social, I saw that Robert had a sketchbook with him, and I couldn’t resist asking if I could see his latest sketches. As I turned each page, the sketches showed curved and straight lines that led into a story of people’s daily lives. The watercolors applied showed transparent, pale, yet rich colors that portray beauty found both in nature and manmade structures. I lost track of where I was for a moment as I stepped into his town street sketches, and saw people conversing, sitting in contemplation, or walking together among many shadows from buildings and willowy branches along the streets. Robert shares in his own profile, “ I am still moved and inspired by things that continue to catch my eye, more so after all these years, as I ride in the car, walk, fly, and move through the natural and city space. I still see forms, light falling across surfaces, usually at a diagonal, deep shadows, and textures, only now I am most excited by their colors. Often, I see simple, classical forms, circles, rectangles, and triangles in mundane objects around me. “

March 2023 - Nancy Lloyd has traveled around the world, calling many locations “home”, including 12 years spent internationally in England, the Philippines and Hong Kong. She moved to her current home in Solebury, PA in 2007. Nancy has been painting in oils since 1993 and enjoys all types of subject matter. She also works in encaustics, collagraphs, monoprints and collages.