SUSAN WALLACE BARNES

Susan Barnes' art has been inspired by her life and travels throughout the world. She has traveled extensively, and has also lived in places as diverse as Maui and Nantucket Island. She currently resides in Carmel, California. In 1998, Sue published "Ma Petite Amie," a delightful paper doll book written in both English and French. In 1993, her artwork was published by Belvedere Calendar. Since 2000, Lifeguard Press has featured her work. Susan is now represented by White Caps Press in Carmel, California: (susanwallacebarnesart.com or whitecapspress.com).

Susan's love of the sea is reflected in both her art and in her life. She supports OCEANCARE (oceancare.org) and Maui Whale Foundations (whaletrust.org), and also csiwhalesalive.org. These organizations are devoted to the protection of cetacean populations and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.

JANE CATHER

Jane Cather has been working as a dollmaker under the "Made by Night" logo since 1981.  Her dolls, as well as the animals and other images she creates have appeared in a variety of books, and each carries its own message or legend. Jane's work has appeared in "Country Home", "Country Living", "Collector's Showcase", "American Country Classics", and "The Doll by Contemporary Artists." As well, her work has been exhibited by the Museum of American Folk Art of the Doll, and is routinely shown on both the East and West coasts. Jane and her husband live in Everson, Washington.

"Women have given messages to me all of my life. My hope is to be a woman "path artist" and pass on these messages in a warm, creative, and interesting way. My work is my part of the ongoing dialogue."

--Jane Cather
www.janecather.com

CHRISTINE BECKWITH CLARK

Christine has been doing all types of needlework since her grandmother taught her how to embroider at the age of 7. This early experience led her into all types of needlework, which eventually grew into a fascination with art of all kinds. After securing an advanced degree in interior design, Christine began painting custom design for a needlepoint shop in the Northwest. She was the master painter for Cooper Oaks Design from it's inception in 1996 until 2009. Christine's first interest lies in the use of color, and she is further inspired by the world of nature, old textiles, and architecture. Years ago, she became enamored by the striking colors and simplicity of Amish quilt designs, and she has been an avid quilter ever since. Her quilts and custom designed Christmas stockings have been featured in "Better Homes and Gardens" and "Traditional Homes" magazines. Christine currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband.

SUSAN VERBLE GANTNER

Susan Verble Gantner has been painting and drawing since she was a young girl. In the fourth grade, in fact, she won a blue ribbon at the county fair for her murals of Mexico. Susan's design have appeared on note cards, calendars and date books, wrapping paper and prints. She has also illustrated seven children's books, four of which are very popular in England. Inspired by the Impressionists, she loves to experiment with color and continues to illustrate children's books. Susan is a native Californian and resides in San Francisco.   

JANET JOHNSON

Janet comes from an extensive background in hand-spinning and fiber-dyeing, and she has long enjoyed knitting and weaving on a floor loom.  In 1992, while watching her daughter compete at a horse show, she was intrigued by the imposing display of needlepoint belts--a cherished tradition in the equestrian world.  Soon she was designing and stitching needlepoint for her daughter and her friends. Janet designs directly on canvas, sketching her originals in pencil before adding color. Painting, she believes, is a natural extension of her early childhood love of coloring books, and she now values painting and stitching as peaceful meditations. Janet lives with her husband and two corgis in Kaua'i Hawaii.

KS DESIGNS

Designs by the owners and staff of Cooper Oaks Design.

MELISSA MCLEOD

As a young girl, Melissa spent hours absorbed in her coloring books, and she eventually became fascinated by the play of color in her everyday life. As a self-taught artist, her personalized style and technique has gradually evolved over the years into what she terms "Sophisticated Naive". Her work features brilliant color, unusual design, and a richness of detail--all created to celebrate life's simple pleasures and bring joy to the hearts of all collectors. Melissa's style has been shaped by her extensive world travel. Since 1989, Melissa and her family have resided in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

LINDA RAGNO

Linda Ragno's hand painted designs began at her kitchen table under the name "La Bette Rouge".  Her French Country designs are inspired by her French ancestry, travels to France and her passion for French things. After many years, her efforts have evolved into a collection of whimsical provincial designs featuring the delicate patterns and bright sun-washed colors of the south of France.  Over time, her popularity as a collectible artist has grown, and now Linda's greatest joy is striving to find new and different ways to express her ideas. Linda lives with her husband in Tahoe City, CA.

SAYINGS

Sayings by the owners and staff of Cooper Oaks Design.

ACRYLIC ACCESSORIES

Includes a variety of boxes, trays, frames, key chains, tissue boxes, magnets, notepad holders, paperweights, kimono stands and fan holders, trivits, napkin and towel holders, ice bucket, pallettes, and a display cabinet with adjustable shelves, as well as other miscellaneous pieces.