Sheila Bergman
Plein air painting is a good excuse to find a pleasant place to sit and observe.
Pete Border
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Ritamarie Balcerzak
“Accept-dance” is this years’ submitted image from a milkweed series I completed using various inks . The word play in my title is a part of my artistic expression. I look forward to spending more artistic summertime at Port Wing . My Instagram work is posted@ceeceezak.
Linda Brandt
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Jane Bruner
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Patricia Canelake
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Gretchen Burke
Local pastel artist from Ashland, WI who enjoys painting from life to capture moments of beauty in nature and travel.
Kathleen D’Angelo
My relationship with the natural world has always been an integral part of my life. It entertains my senses daily and it has been a refuge for me during the most difficult of times. Nature provides an endless source of inspiration for my creative process. Light, the absence of light, and texture holds a fascination for me. Patterns are created, sometimes in poetic symmetry and other times in chaotic abandonment. I work with acrylic or watercolor, either painting in my studio or most preferably en plein air. I lean toward realism, but always ready to experiment beyond my comfort zone. Although I live in Southwestern Wisconsin in what is known as The Driftless area, I travel throughout the Great Lakes geographic region, with Lake Superior being my favorite destination. I am also drawn to the Mississippi River Valley and the numerous Northwoods lakes and ecosystems. My own floral and vegetable gardens and the agricultural scenes that surround my home are always present for inspiration when I’m not traveling.
Allison Eklund
Allison F. Eklund is an attorney and artist living in Roseville, Minnesota. Her paintings are inspired by wilderness expeditions by horseback and travels with other plein air painters. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 1990 with double majors in art and art history and has continued exploring art ever since. She paints primarily in oil and enjoys experimenting with other media. She volunteers as Events Director of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and is the organizer of its marquis event, Plein Air Grand Marais.
John DeHaven
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Mike Enz
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Pam Enz
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Robert Haddow
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Iley Guenther
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Joni Guenther
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Linda Hildebrant
Drawing and painting often seemed easier and more joyous and playful when I was very young and over time became less about fun and more about results. I grew up loving to draw, paint and read and like many others, started by drawing what I observed and what I liked. And I still draw and paint what I observe based on what I see around me, choosing subject matter from what instinctively resonates. However, I’ve learned to recognize that often the art is in the process as well as the final work. There is excitement, anxiety, fear, bravado and joy in making each decision, big and small, conscious and unconscious until a piece is complete.
Jon Hove
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Neil Johnston
When I move from my familiar studio space into the outdoors to paint, I am challenged by the vastness of the space, the naturalness of the light, the smells, colors, and the textures of the visual space. Getting out of the studio forces me to recalibrate – to move from an internal way of seeing to an outward form of seeking. This transition is profound for me and on many levels, fuels my painting and is full of surprises and challenges. When we look, we feel. Taking time, sitting, breathing, smelling, looking, and observing these spaces and places, is a powerful exercise to help one identify where one truly is. I enjoy returning to Port Wing to explore, re-charge, learn, and to celebrate the invigorating challenge of painting the landscape. I am a visual and musical artist, and my studio is in Shoreview, MN.
Elizabeth Lexau
https://www.elizabethlexauartist.com
Elizabeth Lexau is a nature-inspired artist based in Northern Wisconsin on the south shore of Lake Superior. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, she is drawn to the dramatically changing moods of the lake, the Apostle Islands and the surrounding Northwoods. She works primarily in pastels.
Karen Martin
I have been painting off and on (mostly off) since I was in elementary school. Oil paint is my medium of choice. Landscape is my preferred subject. Seems like water, rocks, trees, sky, and the play of light draw me to their constant beauty and ever-changing characteristics. The oil painting process reveals both inspiring, pleasing surprises and disappointments alike—depending on the day! Painting in Port Wing is a highlight of my painting experience.
Clare McDonough
Clare describes her style as “Realistic, abstract, and expressive”, freely shifting between each or connecting it all cohesively in one piece. Though she paints mostly in the studio, on beautiful days, you may find her outside. She is currently working on her mosaic landscape series and painting in Port Wing is a great place to get inspired.
Joanne Meierhofer
I love to paint and draw from life and plein air is both challenging and alot of fun. I work in pastels which can be a hassle to frame but is the perfect medium because it’s so immediate. 2025 marks the 12th year I’ve participated
Rachel Melis
Rachel Melis’ work gives visual form to metaphors from literature, her family, the environment, and environmental movements. She focuses on print, public art, plein air, and book projects to reach audiences of varied backgrounds and ages. She teaches printmaking, book arts, biological illustration, and graphic design at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota. Rachel gained her MFA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her BA at Grinnell College, and her love of Lake Superior growing up on its South Shore (her parents’ Port Wing home is pictured here).
Melissa Mercado
Priscilla Olson
I like wondering – not so much knowing – about the subject. It is curiosity that compels me to choose my themes. My paintings represent the feeling of anticipation and mystery that the subject evokes in me. I enjoy viewing art that poses open questions. My goal is to create work that invites the viewer to imagine.
Andrea Pokrzywinski
Andrea Pokrzywinski lives near Grand View, Wisconsin, in the heart of the Chequamegon National Forest. A lifelong nature enthusiast, she finds inspiration in the outdoors, capturing its beauty through photography, nature journaling, and painting. With over 30 years of experience as a science educator, Andrea enjoys weaving art into her teaching, using creative expression to deepen connections with the natural world. Whether in the classroom or her artistic practice, she sees art as a way to reflect, unwind, and celebrate the wonders of nature.
Ryan Priebe
Ryan Priebe is a dedicated artist and educator with over 25 years of teaching experience, inspiring countless students through his passion for art. He holds a Studio Art degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an Art Teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, blending his academic background with a profound personal commitment to creativity. Based in Wisconsin, Ryan has showcased his artwork in numerous exhibitions across the state, each piece reflecting his unique perspective and deep appreciation for the world around him. His work often explores themes of family, community, and the intricate beauty of everyday life, informed by his journey as a father of three daughters, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. This experience has enriched his artistic expression, enabling him to capture moments of joy, resilience, and the profound connections that shape our lives. As a teacher, Ryan is passionate about fostering creativity in his students. He creates an inclusive and nurturing environment where young artists can explore their imaginations and develop their skills. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of personal expression and the belief that everyone has their own unique artistic voice. Ryan’s commitment to both his family and his art is at the core of his practice. Through his work, he aims to inspire others to recognize the beauty in diversity and the transformative power of creativity. Whether in the classroom or the gallery, Ryan Priebe continues to make a lasting impact, one brushstroke at a time.
Erin Renier
Erin Renier is a fine art watercolor artist based in Duluth, MN. Specializing in both studio and plein air painting, Erin strives to capture the beauty of the natural world with a particular focus on the vibrant hues of sunrises, sunsets, and florals. Known for starting her day as early as 4:30 am to capture the first light of dawn, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Erin’s work is a celebration of nature’s palette. She infuses each piece with the bold colors and dynamic compositions that define her style. Erin’s watercolors create a vivid and immersive experience making each piece a testament of her love of the outdoors.
Mary Reynolds
Lydia Steiner
While my primary focus is in the realm of digital art, I am at home in traditional media. I love working in a variety of mediums, whether its oil, watercolor, or even just pen and pencil, each one brings skills and challenges that feel rewarding to learn and understand. Gouache in particular has become a recent favorite of mine, with its unique qualities, familiarity of watercolor and ties to animation history.
Joseph Smigiel
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Lynn Steiner
https://lynnsteiner-artist.com
I would describe myself as an Artist who still has a corporate day-hustle. Relocating to this area from Marinette County, Wisconsin, I was drawn here by my love of wilderness. I spend much of my free time hiking and painting both the North and South shore of Lake Superior. I am primarily an Oil Painter. My journey over the years is to use the most environmentally safe materials I can find. I use no petroleum-based solvents, mediums, or plastic paint (acrylic/latex). Often incorporated into my paintings are pigments made from locally sourced materials that have been ground and mulled into oil paints.
Wes Sweetland
Wes has always done creative activities—martial arts, music, metal welding, jewelry making and more. When his grandfather left behind a set of oil paints and canvases after his passing, he decided he should try to paint. With encouragement from his partner Cici, plus inspiration from Bob Ross, Wes started oil painting for the first time summer of 2023. He and Cici go out to the parks and lakes around the Twin Cities on the weekends, set up their chairs and canvases and enjoy the process of painting together outdoors.
Robert Tarrell
Artist’s bio info coming soon
Laurice Wade
Enjoying the views. Enjoying the challenges. Love the connections.
Amy Wilson
“What I enjoy about art is its way of showing one a deeper way of looking, seeing and thinking. To concentrate on a form of nature is a meditation that brings us closer to a contentment and appreciation of our wonderful world.” Amy Wilson. Amy Wilson has studied art since her youth at the progressive Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts. Amy studied next at the Boston Museum of fine arts school following up with an Associate of Arts degree from Bemidji State University. She continued formal studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and, after a brief sabbatical of homesteading in the western corner of Virginia, finished her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with honors at the University of Wisconsin in Superior. Amy has worked in the contracting field and as a Solar Electric Technician most recently wrangling vegetables and seed saving as chief homesteader at SunFarm south of Port Wing Wisconsin. Amidst homestead duties she has found time to pursue painting with oils as well as watercolors and occasional wood block printing. She continues to draw in her proverbial sketchbooks and chronicle travels in illustrated travel journals as well as participating in a new collaboration of watercolorists in her region.
Cici Woolf
Cici started drawing and painting when she was a kid. She continues to paint in her free time, and enjoys doing water color illustrations and oil painting outdoors. She and Wes go out to parks and lakes around the Twin Cities on the weekends, set up their chairs and canvases and enjoy the process of painting together outdoors. At present a software engineer, she hopes to retire as a painter someday.
Stephen Wysocki
Stephen Wysocki loves to paint and is always painting. Even when he doesn’t have a brush in his hand; he can’t get, away from it – it’s that simple. Stephen studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design for one semester in 1990. He finished his Studio Arts degree with an emphasis in Painting and a minor in Graphic Design in 1996 at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Wysocki’s mission is to show beauty in the ordinary, to allow the viewer to experience an image they see every day in a new way. He gravitates from ordinary structures to dramatic landscapes. He is always trying to tell a story in his work through brilliant color and muted shadows. He enjoys painting in his studio as much as Plein Air painting Stephen believes that one compliments the other.
We thank 