The Water's Edge Artists

Mary Rypel Anderson

Self-described outdoor addict and painter, Mary loves to roam the woods and fields with her pastels at hand.  Her award winning work has appeared around the state, nationally and in print. She enjoys giving back through teaching and eagerly wants to promote the next generation of pastel plein air painters. Contact: 920-826-7264; www.maryrypelanderson.com.

Phyllis Brillowski

A life-long interest in art lead Phyllis to pick up a brush 20 years ago after her daughter shared her own creations. Hooked since, she has taken classes and workshops locally and on both coasts, finding new joy and excitement – a new world of color appreciation and creativity, painting both plein air and in studio from her own photographs.  Contact: 920-980-3858; phyllisjoe6@yahoo.com.

Bonnita Budysz

Radiant color, lush luminosity, and the bravura brushstrokes of the Russian Impressionist tradition are hallmarks of Bonnita’s  joyfully vibrant style. Her highly acclaimed, internationally awarded paintings are widely exhibited and sought after by collectors, galleries, and museums alike, including the Cultural Galleries in Petropavlosvsk, Russia and the Pasadena Museum of California Art. She shares her love of art through demonstrations, lectures, and by leading popular workshops here and abroad.  Contact: 920-323-0681; excelventures@charter.net; www.bonnitabudysz.com.

Pam Clausen

Inspired by observing life and light, Pam Clausen is a full time artist who resides with her family in Kewaunee. She practices representational oil painting and aspires from the Masters. Her favorite pastime is to walk along the shore of Lake Michigan. Preservation and appreciation of natural resources play a vital role in the mission of being a Water’s Edge Artist. Contact the artist at 920-255-2463 or pmclausen@charter.net.

Paul Goderstad

Turning the scenic outcasts into beauty is the motivation that drives Paul’s artwork.  He creates colorful and bold renditions from otherwise overlooked and forgotten places and subjects.  Around the corner or behind the shed is where Paul finds subject matter, believing that a good design can yield pleasure for the viewer in unexpected ways. Contact:  920-499-9814; goderstad@att.net.

Karen Lee DeNoto

Karen Lee is a native New Englander who has made Door County, Wisconsin her home. She spent 20 plus years in the graphic arts field working with museums, publishers, and graphic artists and now uses oils and pastels to fill her canvases and supports with energy, spirit, boldness, and motion. Maritime locations are her favorite subject.    Contact her at (920)559-3278, karenlee.denoto@gmail.com.

Evie Grasse

Eve discovered as a young child her ability to create art in all media. She chose to paint plein air watercolor 17 years ago with mentor James Michael. She has taken workshops with Ratindra Das, Bridget Austin and others. Traditional transparent works have become her passion due to the serenity it brings to her life and others. Contact: 920-458-0093; etgras@charter.net www.virtualartgalleryofsheboygan.com.

David Kapszukiewicz

Nature is my inspiration. Through my art, I attempt to create images that demonstrate my feelings about Nature and our delicate balance with her. I have studied at the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art, work on commissioned projects and plein air paint. My work has been shown at the Secura Art Show (2009 Honorable Mention), Barnsite Gallery (Kewaunee), The Appleton Art Center, and numerous individual art shows. I also presented a one-man show at the Wild Apple Gallery (Menasha) in 2010. View my work at www. kapsfineart.com or at 920-213-0090. David can be contacted at dave@kapsfineart.com.

Keary Kautzer

Keary’s paintings are his visual record of where he has been and what he has seen. He began painting plein air watercolor in an American Impressionistic style over seven years ago. His work has been juried in numerous shows.  Keary was a featured artist at the 2010 Door County Plein Air Festival.  His work is exhibited at Two Fish Gallery in Elkhart Lake. Contact: keary.kautzer@gmail.com; www.kearykautzer.com.

Mara Pionek

Mara's art combines the subtle beauty of classical realism and the fresh exciting brushstrokes and colors of the Russian Impressionists.  She graduated in 2010 from The Kewaunee Academy of Fine Arts under the tutelage of director Craig Blietz and others who expanded her artistic expression. She seriously began painting 10 years ago, finding a mentor in Bonnita Budysz who shared with Mara her love of color and light. Mara currently resides in Green Bay with her horse and canine companions. Contact: marap@earthlink.com.

Maggie Putin

A Midwest artist, Maggie has been painting the Great Lakes country for many years, first in watercolor and now in oil. Her fine art education began at Wayne State University, after which she pursued a career in interior design, where she could use her talents and love of color.  Maggie's work has been exhibited at Northern Michigan University, Suomi College, The Neville Museum and the Rahr-West Art Museum. Contact Maggie at (920) 265-6120, maggieputinart@sbcglobal.net.

Michael Reif

Michael’s paintings are Impressionistic realism where expressive brushwork and color resonate, expressing feelings and emotions in a visual dialogue with the subject. Color and light, mood and design, are his main elements along with an abstraction of shapes that hold the work together. Contact:  920-739-5107; mdreif@sbcglobal.net ; www.michaelreif.com.

Russell Schwindt

A retired orthodontist, Russell is a founding member of the Water's Edge Artists. Although his interest in art has been life long, working in oils, pastels and oil pastels is more recent. Russell’s progress has been markedly accelerated by his mentors including Bonnita Budysz, Diane Rath, Doug Dawson, Ken Auster and others. His works have won awards in all three mediums. Contact: esox1@milwpc.com.

Madonna Siles

In the mid-90s, Madonna left her marketing/communications job in Chicago and moved to Sedona, AZ where she learned pastel painting from nationally renowned plein-air artist Susan Faust. Returning to the Midwest, she headed straight for her life-long love – Door County. Though Madonna loves painting the colors and contrasts of the area’s land and waterscapes, the energy of the Door Peninsula intrigues her the most. For over a decade she has endeavored to capture and communicate it through her books and oil pastels. Contact: madonnasiles@yahoo.com ; www.DoorSurprise.com.

Betsy Bultman Spry

Sharing the joy and beauty of the outdoors is top priority for Betsy; she is frequently seen kayaking, hiking, and enjoying sunsets in her native Wisconsin. Betsy received her art training at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, and has studied with such acclaimed artists as Nita Engle, Michael Kazar, Bill Jurhre, Bonnita Budsyz, Bill Pervetti and Jan Schoenke.  Contact her at (414)861-7871, spry838@aol.com.

Phyllis Verhyen

Phyllis Verhyen honed her artistic skills with her graduation from the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Arts. Her unique vitality of brushwork and use of vibrant colors have earned her many awards in a variety of exhibitions. Commissioned portraits include the mayor of Plymouth, Wisconsin, as well as some of our honored soldiers, and a doctor at Fort Hood, Texas. She can be contacted at: (920) 532-6612, dpverhyen@sbcglobal.net.

Rob Wasmund

Rob has been practicing the art of seeing (vs. looking) for 50-plus years. Masters of Impressionism, such as Monet and Van Gogh, continue to inspire his work and way of going. Painting and drawing outdoors for the past six years provides a focused format for Rob’s simple pursuit of truth in nature.  Contact:  920-336-0822; mwasmund1@yahoo.com.

Jeffry Young

‘I make art because it’s FUN!’ From Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Grant Wood created most of his famous work, Jeff considers himself a Regionalist. Since 2004, painting part-time along with full-time professional and family life, he has painted with Bonnita Budysz, Tina Demler, Marc Hanson, Bonnie Paruch, Mary Ulm-Mayhew, Diane Rath, Cynthia Tumpach, and Jo Watson. His artwork has won several awards and is held in private collections. Contact: 920-455-0332; Jeffryy@Prevea.com.