Ruth Andrews-Vreeland

Ruth began drawing at an early age and painting in oils at the age of ten, at her childhood home in Fresno, California. She has won numerous fine art and design awards throughout her life and was highly influenced by the west coast artists of Carmel, CA as a teen, taking instruction from some of them in oils and watercolor. An art major in college, Ruth had a lengthy successful career as a graphic designer in her adopted state of New Mexico where she has lived for 38 years. She has painted since childhood, concentrating on oils for many years, but almost completely transitioning over to watercolor, finding it to be an exciting, fast medium in which to work. She is now a frequent top-award winner and Signature Member of the NM Watercolor Society and a Signature Member of the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. Her work can be found in collections throughout the United States.

Carolyn Berry

Carolyn Berry has been passionate about teaching art for over 25 years. As a public school teacher, she has been named Outstanding Kansas Educator of the Year and has taught workshops for the Kansas City Art Institute Continuing Education, the Nelson Atkins Museum, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and various other art centers around the country. Working primarily with collage, photography and encaustic wax, her encaustic mixed media work can be seen in the recent North Light Book publications, Incite3 and Incite 4. She maintains a studio and exhibits in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Carolyn's work can be found in collections throughout the United States.

Nancy Goetz

Nancy received her MFA in painting and drawing at the University of New Mexico in 1990.  She has taught painting and drawing at all levels from young beginners to advanced graduate students in university and college programs, community centers and privately.  She was the director of the Painting Department at Colby College in Maine and was on the Board of Trustees for the Colby Art Museum. She both attended and was Dean of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.  Her paintings portray intimate, internal environments of abstract forms that reference the natural world. 

Nancy Catherwood Magnusson

Nancy Magnusson a.k.a. “NC” worked as a ceramic ar9st and teacher in Massachusetts for the bulk of her career, making unique one of a kind pottery, both hand built and thrown on the wheel. Discovering the subtle beauty of wood fired ash and soda pottery, most of her work reflects the serendipitous effects of fire on functional ware. She built a two chamber anagama and soda kiln next to her barn studio. Her firings became a community event, attracting potter friends and friendly observers to the multiple day event. Her career as a studio potter included teacher and mentor to kids and adults, studio manager, workshop organizer, and ceramic arts project manager. Relocating to Albuquerque 6 years ago, she has reinvented herself as an abstract painter, showing from time to time in local venues.

Peggy Nichols was born and raised in Southern California. She received a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute with continuing education at the University of Southern California –Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art. She has studied with contemporary figurative masters, such as Juliette Aristides, Rob Liberace, Steve Huston and Stephen Early. She has taught figurative painting & drawing, portrait painting, intermediate & advanced painting at Saddleback College / Emeritus Institute, in Mission Viejo, CA. Her works have been exhibited through out the US. She is a recipient of the Ludwig Vogelstein Grant and the Vermont Art Center Residency Program. She has been a member of the California Art Club, the West Coast Pastel Society, Women Painters West and the American Society of Oil Painters, to name a few. She is the creator of Studio C Gallery. The gallery is located within the historic Santa Fe Art Colony, in downtown Los Angeles. Studio C Gallery focused primarily on the work of contemporary women artists. Studio C Gallery produced annual exhibition benefit fund-raisers to bring awareness and support for several non-profit organizations, such as L.A. Waterkeeper, Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Sanctuary and Tree People. Ms. Nichols is a new resident of Albuquerque.  She is looking forward to her creative journey ahead, in this resplendent state of New Mexico.

Michael Ottersen

Michael Ottersen was born in Massapequa, Long Island in 1956 and spent most of his youth in Norwalk, Connecticut. He attended Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and spent three semesters studying in Rome in Tyler's overseas program. He later moved to New York City where he lived and worked for twelve years in magazine production and design, for publications such as Artforum, Art News, and Metropolis, while maintaining a studio and art career and beginning an exhibition history. In 1992 Michael moved to New Mexico where he worked in book design and illustration while still pursuing a fine art career. Later relocating to Seattle, Washington, Michael began teaching at various schools and colleges in the Pacific Northwest for the next nineteen years which included the Gage Academy of Art, Pratt Fine Art Center, the Northwest College of Art and Design and Kirkland Art Center. Recently returning to New Mexico, he continues to teach classes at The New Mexico Art League. His work is represented in Seattle at Season Gallery.

Coulter Prehm

Coulter Prehm ( b.1984) is an observational painter/draftsman (works from life) residing in Santa Fe, NM. Colt studied art with many of the top, contemporary painters of the day though the bulk of his study took place with Tony Ryder who is a dear friend, teacher and mentor. His work has been displayed at galleries across the US and has been featured in numerous publications in the United States, Europe and Canada. Colt is an engaging instructor and has taught drawing and painting workshops as well as conducted demos at public universities and other institutions.  In addition to painting and teaching, Colt has been widely recognized and published for his work in tattooing. See RenaissanceLifeNow.com for art resources or CoulterPrehm.com for more information and portfolios.

John Reger

John was born in Illinois in 1960, and worked for more than 20 years as an illustrator. John attended classes in Chicago; at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, The Vitruvian Fine Art Studio, and in 2007, enrolled at Studio Escalier; a private art school and international arts colony in Argenton-Chateau, France, where he completed his initial classical training with instructors Timothy Stotz and N. Michelle Tully, and met their instructor Ted Seth Jacobs. While at Studio Escalier, John learned that Anthony Ryder had also been Mr. Jacob’s student, and had a classical drawing and painting atelier in USA.  John subsequently applied for and was accepted at The Ryder Studio School in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2008. John continues to perfect his technique, form, and color, and in 2012, was honored to be chosen as the Teaching Assistant at the Ryder Studio School, and remains on the faculty there. John teaches workshops in Texas, California, and Oklahoma. He lives with his wife in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mita Saldana

A Chicago native, Mita Saldana received her BA from Columbia College Chicago where she developed her jewelry making skills as a silversmith. After many years of working with the rigid and hard materials of her craft she discovered the softness and give of paper and everything changed. Returning to Columbia College’s brand new Book and Paper department she continued her education in the book arts. Mita moved to New Mexico and opened Against the Grain Center for Bookbinding. For over 23 years she has been repairing and restoring used and rare books, creating small editions, and teaching people how to make books, boxes and the related arts. In the past she has taught regularly at The Hispanic Cultural Center, Santa Fe Community College, The Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque Academy, and private studios and numerous retail locations across the state. Her work has been exhibited in both Illinois and New Mexico and she is one of the founding members of Libros: New Mexico Book Arts Guild. 

2021 Visiting Faculty 

Esther Marie Caponigro

A native of Long Island, Esther Marie actively exhibits in many art related gallery shows, auctions and events both nationally and internationally. She works for clients in New York City and across the country. She has also showed her work globally, including in South Korea. She was awarded a fellowship and hand selected for a renowned art residency at The Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York as well as a full scholarship to the Vermont Studio Center.  She also participated in a Rotary International Exchange for a month where she learned about the local culture.  Besides being immersed into the culture they were introduced to native artists, viewed their art and created several different art pieces using local traditional art techniques.  Esther Marie's paintings are in several private as well as permanent collections.  She concentrates on Plein Aire and abstract painting. She continues exhibiting at numerous art galleries in the Northeast of the United States.  Esther Marie was named “Best in Show” at the Northport Plein Aire event.  In perhaps her best achievement yet, she was chosen to be in the exclusive Heckscher Museum of Art Long Island Biennial.

Douglas Fryer

Douglas Fryer (American, b.1963) is regarded for his richly textured, subtly abstracted landscapes, still lifes and figures.  He believes that “Art is in the process and result of organizing elements for the purpose of stimulating the senses, emotions and thoughts of both the creator and the viewer of the work. Works of art are evidence of the artist’s effort to experience and comprehend the world and to observe particular nuances in visual, conceptual and spiritual information.” Using a variety of tools, techniques and media, he creates poetic works that inspire contemplation and reflection.  Douglas Fryer was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois as well as in California. He received a BFA (1988) and MFA (1995) from Brigham Young University, principally studying with Bruce Hixon Smith. Interested in work that explores the interplay between the physical and metaphysical, Fryer has been influenced by artists such as Soren Emil Carlsen, John Twachtman, George Inness, Edgar Degas, Fred Cuming, V. Douglas Snow, among many others. Fryer has taught at BYU, University of Hartford, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Snow College. His work is held in numerous private and public collections. He is represented by Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Altamira Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona and Jackson Hole, Wyoming,  and Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St. George, Utah.  Fryer currently lives with his family in Spring City, Utah.

Toby Hall

M. Tobias Hall (b. 1981) lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Tobias has an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art (Class of 2017), and received his BA magna cum laude in Fine Arts (with a focus on Animation) from Arizona State University.He has taught drawing and painting as a visiting instructor and assistant instructor at Studio Escalier (Paris & Argenton Chateau, France), at the Ryder Studio School (Santa Fe, NM), and online with Studio Incamminati and the Teaching Studios of Art. www.mtobiashall.com

Stacy Innerst

Stacy Innerst is a painter, children’s book artist, illustrator and educator. His books have received a host of starred reviews and have been honored with the 2020 Sydney Taylor Book Award (for The Book Rescuer), the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), the SCBWI Golden Kite for Picture Book Illustration (The Music in George’s Head) as well as several Gold Medals from the Parents’ Choice Awards. His first book for children, M is for Music (HMH) by Kathleen Krull was named an SLJ Best Book of 2003 and Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea (HMH) with author Tony Johnston was named a best book of 2011 by Publishers Weekly.  Ruth Bader Ginsberg, written by Jonah Winter (Abrams) was named an ALA Notable Book and was included on the ILA Teachers Choice Reading List. Since 2003 his illustrations have regularly been selected for the Original Art show at the Society of Illustrators. His upcoming releases include Lincoln Clears a Path by Peggy Thomas, Boyds Mills & Kane, 2021: Jack Knight’s Brave Flight by Jill Esbaum, Boyds Mills & Kane, 2021 and The Sweetest Scoop: Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Dreams by Lisa Robinson, Abrams, 2021.Originally from Los Angeles, Stacy was raised in New Mexico and now makes his home and studio in Pittsburgh.

Marjorie Leggitt

Marjorie Leggitt is an award-winning science illustrator based in Boulder, Colorado. Specializing in illustration for professional botanical journals, reference publications and museum exhibits, she also creates art for commercial clients. A self-taught artist, Marjorie began her career dissecting and illustrating Australian land snails at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History but soon returned to her passion - drawing plants. While illustrating the first of several botanical field guides, she was contracted by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to develop visual reconstructions of ancient plant life for the Prehistoric Journey permanent exhibit. Today, Marjorie is a lead artist for the Flora of North America and Flora of Oklahoma. Marjorie has taught botanical illustration courses through the Denver Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration since 1990.

Maria Lilly 

Maria Lilly studied at Pratt Institute, Montclaire State University and the NJ Art Students League. Her work has exhibited in New York and New Mexico and can be found in collections throughout the United States. She works from her studio where she creates relief prints on a press that her husband built for her.

“I am a graphic fine artist/printmaker, art restorer, and framer living and creating in New Mexico. Many of my prints reflect New Mexico scenery. I love doing landscapes and things of nature. Birds, plant life, animals, weather and humans inspire me. My prints start with a drawing. The drawings are taken from my sketchbook, imagination, memory, or my own photography. Many times, all three are involved. After drawing the image on the block, the light areas are carved out. The relief surface is covered with ink and put through a cylinder press or printed by hand with a spoon or doorknob. The printed paper is carefully removed and put aside to dry.” 

Lynn McLain

Lynn McLain received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architecture from Texas Tech University. He has been painting and teaching watercolor professionally since 1978. He continues to paint and sell his art, as well as, teach workshops in New Mexico and other parts of the country. In his teaching, Lynn strives to impart skills to each student so that they might better understand his painting process and techniques and become more confident in their own use of the watercolor medium. He is a Signature Member/Dolphin Fellow in the American Watercolor Society, and a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society. He is also the founding member of the Wet Brush Critique Group in Albuquerque, NM. His work has received numerous awards, and has been exhibited nationally as well as internationally. His work has also been published in several books and magazines.

Dylan Scott Pierce

Dylan Scott Pierce (born 1986 in Marietta, Ga)is an internationally recognized artist and teacher, Dylan’s art has taken him around the globe with numerous exhibitions and workshops.Dylan’s oeuvre depicting the people of Africa is inspired by his visits to Swaziland, Botswana, and South Africa. Experiencing the extraordinary beauty of Africa and its astonishing variety of wildlife has been something Dylan dreamed of as a boy; yet meeting the people of Africa deeply affected him. The beauty of God’s varied wonders continues to inspire him – as he paints the beauty and breadth of wildlife and people with an ability to “capture the soul.”Dylan's paintings have been featured in International Artist, Watercolor, Wildlife Art, The Art of Watercolor, and numerous other publications.

Past Visiting Faculty

Kerry Dunn

Born in 1976, Kerry Dunn began drawing at the early age of five when sitting on his fathers' lap he watched his Dad doodle a sketch. In 1999 he graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design with a major in illustration. Dunn later moved to New York City to attend the famed Art Students League of NY in search of a teacher. During his time there he met Nelson Shanks, an internationally renowned portrait painter. Later that year he was invited by Mr. Shanks to move to Philadelphia to be a part of the new painting school that Shanks was opening. Studio Incamminati, a school of traditional drawing and painting methods. Mr. Dunn now lives and works in Philadelphia and teaches at Studio Incamminati as part of the core faculty and travels the county teaching his own workshops. Many of Mr. Dunn's current works are available at Haynes Gallery.

Sterling Edwards

Sterling began teaching his style of painting in 1993. His workshops are attended by hundreds of people annually in the U.S. and Canada. In 2001 he was featured artist in Watercolor Magic Magazine. In 2007 he was awarded signature member status in the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor and designed a signature set of brushes and a watecolor palette that are marketed internationally. In 2010 he was awarded signature membership status in the esteemed Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is the author of the North Light book, "Creating Luminous Watercolor Landscapes: A Four Step Process," and is a contributing artist in numerous other publications. His paintings are in private collections throughout the    world. 

Frank Eber

Frank grew up in Europe and was mentored by Italian master painter Renato Casaro in 1994 and 95. In the ’80s and ’90s Frank worked as a professional illustrator for video cover sleeves and as a portrait artist by commission. He strives to create timeless art in both oil and watermedia and works in a direct, loose style influenced by the Old World Masters. His love of travel has given him prime opportunities to paint: he lived for three years in the south of France, and has painted on location in many countries around the world. He is also an accomplished Portrait painter. Frank is an award-winning watercolor artist and Signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS), the National Watercolor Society (NWS) and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA). He is a juried Artist member of the prestigious California Art Club.

Dawn Emerson

Dawn is an inspiring and generous teacher who is passionate about encouraging each person to find their own unique way of using the pastel medium to express themselves. She creates a culture of sharing and joyful exploration in each workshop that encourages each person to take risks, to constructively self-critique their work, and to identify meaningful themes to pursue in their art. Dawn is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, a respected art judge and juror, author of Pastel Innovations, and has made 6 instructional videos. Her work is known for its powerful energy and expressive way of combining realism with abstraction.

Albert Handell

Albert Handell was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1937. He began formal studies of drawing and anatomy at sixteen. In 1954, he enrolled at the Art Students League of New York City to study drawing and anatomy with the late Louis Priscilla and the late Robert Ward Johnson, and later studied with Frank Mason. From 1961 to 1965, Albert lived and traveled in Europe. In Paris, he painted independently in his own studio, working from the model at L'Ecole de la Grande Chaumiere and at the Louvre, copying old masters. Since 1961, he has had over thirty one-man shows and has received over seventy prizes and awards. He now exhibits with the Ventana Fine Art Gallery in Santa Fe, where since 1987, he has had annual one-man shows. He lives and paints in Santa Fe, and teaches nationally and internationally. www.alberthandell.com 

Jan Denton

Jan Denton is an award-winning botanical watercolor painter. She has received a number of commissions for her work, and is an active member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Jan has a BA in Fine Arts from California State University, and a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the Corcoran College of Art + Design and the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. In 2006 she co-produced “Botanical Treasures of Lewis & Clark,” an exhibit of original works displayed at the Corcoran Gallery. Shortly after moving to Santa Fe from DC in 2007, Jan began teaching classes on “Painting in the Style of O’Keeffe” for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Her many private collectors include Jamie and Phyllis Wyeth. Her work can be viewed online at www.jandenton.com. 

Teresa Oaxaca

Teresa Oaxaca is an American born artist based currently in Washington D.C. She is a full time painter whose works can be seen in collections and galleries throughout the US and internationally. Her talent has been recognized and rewarded by museums and institutions such as the American Museum of the Cowboy, The former Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Art Renewal Center, The Elisabeth Greenshields Foundation, the Posey Foundation, and The Portrait Society of America and the Museu Europeu D’Art Modern in Barcelona. Her training includes a four-year diploma at the Angel Academy of Art (Florence Italy, Graduate studies at the Florence Academy, an Apprenticeship with Odd Nerdrum in Norway, and studies at the Art League of Alexandria VA where she trained with Robert Liberace, Paul Lucchesi, and took many other courses. Currently she teaches workshops around the United States and in Europe.