Nancy Sakrison

I am a Michigan artist and have been interested in art all my life. Having worked previously in pastels, oils, and acrylics, once I began watercolors, in 2016, it became my medium of choice. Classes, workshops, and practice only enhanced my love for this medium. As I travel Michigan and other places, I am constantly on the lookout for subject material that interests me, along with a strong source of light and shadow. I love the beautiful transparency and flow of color that can be achieved with watercolor and have found that this medium often has a mind of its own, that with a little encouragement, can turn into something quite unique.  I have an interior design degree from Michigan State and later went back to receive a teaching degree. I taught elementary education for over 30 years and began devoting more time to art after retiring. My husband and I live in Jenison, Mi, and enjoy spending time with our two sons and their families. Boating on Lake Michigan and traveling around our beautiful state, along with other parts of the country, is a continual inspiration for my art.

Tom Saltsman

Tom is an artist now living in Grand Haven, previously from Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Clinton, Fountain Hills, AZ and Salt Lake City, UT. He currently paints in acrylic and is also an accomplished woodworker. Although his background is not formally in the arts, he has always been engaged in the creative process and the fabrication of sculpture, furniture and more recently, paintings. Tom’s education includes psychology, economics, computer science and project management. None of which has beans to do with the creative pursuits with which he is now engaged. When painting or woodworking, Tom seeks to create pieces that evoke a sense of harmony, familiarity and sometimes maybe just a touch of discord. His paintings are primarily inspired by natural landscapes or semi-representational works derived from randomized patterns.

Mary Ann Dunn

Colors, pattern and the play of light have always intrigued me, especially around the Great Lakes and Michigan's many inland lakes. As a child and young adult, art meant visits to summer art fairs and an occasional museum. Not until I was well into adulthood did I begin to create visual art. The genesis for my painting came after my mother began watercolor painting at age 89. She told me I would find it relaxing. I resisted. After she died in 2008 and left behind a set of student grade watercolors and a tiny palette, I finally took her advice.  I enrolled in a watercolor class at our local arts council; I liked it enough to take a second - then a third.  Whenever possible, I continue to take classes and workshops with local and national painters. I love to see a story come alive, be it on traditional watercolor paper, Yupo or with batik. I earned a BA in English and Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University (talk about cognitive dissonance!).  My professional career included years as an educator, education consultant and management trainer. After decades living in the Southwest US, I returned to my native Michigan in 1997.  My husband and I live not far from the dunes, beaches and waters of Lake Michigan.

Amy Peterson

I am a former art teacher and now work with high school students in an educational support classroom. I was introduced to soft pastel painting while taking a class at Ox-Bow School of Art. Although I’ve worked with oil, watercolor and acrylic paints, I am currently using soft pastels. Summertime allows me to do soft pastel paintings on locations throughout West Michigan. I would prefer to work on location rather than working from photographs. Looking at shapes, patterns and textures within nature are endlessly fascinating. The complexity and energy of living things are inspiring.

Conni Schaftenaar

Conni Schaftenaar started painting in watercolors several years ago, originally to do a promotional calendar for her marketing business to give to clients. For her 2023 submission to the Art Trust, she has brought a painting of a “Peaceful Lake for Kayaking” and a macro of an Apple Blossom from a photo she took on her farm. Both are watercolor paintings. She is a juried member of the Rivertown Artists' Guild. She was selected Artist of the Year for the group for 2019. She had a painting in the Tulip Time Top 20 poster competition for 2023, which was sold during the Tulip Time public exhibit and voting period. She also was a Top 20 artist in 2020. She has had pieces juried into Festival of the Arts Exhibition in Grand Rapids for the past several years, including one piece juried in for the 2022 Exhibition. She had an entry in ArtPrize 2022, as well. She and her husband have a farm near Zeeland where they raise Percheron draft horses, and naturally-raised meats – chicken, turkey, and Berkshire pork.

Andrea Rich

Andrea Rich is a self-taught, nature inspired West Michigan artist known for her bright and bold artwork. She has a passion for painting, working mostly with oils on canvas along. Bright colors, blended brush strokes, and rich texture are typical characteristics of her impressionist style work. She’s constantly inspired by Michigan’s beautiful coastline & woodlands. Her hope is to bring joy through her work and inspire others to follow their dreams. When she isn’t painting, this wife and mother enjoys hanging out with her family and their two pit bulls. She also loves summer, gardening, and going to the beach! To find more of her art and see what she’s currently working on, follow @artbyandredrich on Facebook or @inkedimpressionist on Instagram. 

Diann Reicherts-Lemmen

Diann Reicherts-Lemmen is an active member of the Grand Valley Artists Club of Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Oil Painters of America.  Her paintings and drawings have won numerous awards in area shows around the Great Lakes area of the United States of America. For 16 years she studied as a commercial artist and furniture decorator and now enjoys her work as a full-time artist.  She recently built a new studio addition to her home with large windows for light for her painting work. Throughout the years, Diann Reicherts-Lemmen has continued to hone her skills, taking workshops and classes with local and international artists including Larry Blovitis, Joe Fretingus and Joan Bonette.  She served apprenticeship at the studio of Kenneth Freed who taught her traditional oil painting and developed the technique she now employs in her studio. Her work has been published in a number of art publications and she was a recent finalist in the International Artist Magazine #77 Floral and Gardens Competition.

Patricia Dee

Patricia is a longtime resident of Grand Haven Michigan. She loves painting with Pastels and has been teaching art since 2009. Her love of place has caused her to capture glimpses of the surrounding area and presenting them with emotion and sensitivity. Whether it be an intimate interior, a luscious landscape, seascape, or the attitude of figures. She expresses them all with passion and skill. Her paintings are held in personal and commercial collections near and far. Patricia believes in growing her art and continues to work and studywith nationally known artists. Patricia hopes you enjoy her art as much as she enjoys painting them.

Barbara Carlson (Art Trust Juror 2023)

Carlson is the Director of Armory 2 Art Studio in Grand Haven which showcases original art and offers a wide variety of art classes to all ages and experience levels. She is the studio’s principal instructor, giving instruction to children and adults in many mediums each month. She was a previous Director and Board Member for Grand Haven ArtWalk. Carlson works in many mediums, pen & ink, watercolor, pastel, collage, acrylics, oil and wax, and mosaic. She is always finding new processes and products to experiment with and incorporate into her art. Carlson is a member of Lakeland Artists, Lakeshore Visual Arts, and Great Lakes Pastel Society. She participates in many regional art shows and has won many awards for her work. She curates several shows each year and has had the honor of jurying shows. Carlson studied at Kendall School of Design after high school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing from Baker College. She continues learning and developing her art through workshops and lots of practice.