KAT BERTRAND
INK ON PAPER
My main creative inspirations are dreams and nightmares, nature, and impactful moments in time. With a focus on black and white ink work, I lean towards portraiture and the human form. I also create one-shot comics to process emotions, situations, and often just to document my appreciation for the little things in life. I tend to jump into any new medium that sparks my interest, and hope to try it all one day!
ABIGAIL BRUMETT
PAINTING
I am your modern-day hippie with a rock and roll soul who loves/collects vinyl. I am a traditional artist who loves all media and I like to consider myself to be a mixed media artist. I am currently working as an independent artist, or as an “Artpreneur”, completing personalized gifts and specialty made pieces including portraits & etc. I am currently working on launching my own website to set a foundation for orders, art sales, and to create a gallery-like space to display my work. I wish to put my degree towards this small business in hopes of turning it into something much larger!
JESSICA CARPENTER
GRAPHITE ON PAPER
Jessica Carpenter is a local resident and describes herself as “a newbie graphite artist” who “loves to create and be creative.” She is currently focusing her attention on hyper realism and photo realistic drawings. Her subjects vary from portraits to still life to pop art, and it will be exciting to see what else she turns her artistic attentions to in the future.
PAT CRAFT
OIL, ACRYLIC, AND MIXED MEDIA
Pat started painting in 2010 as a project for her and her sister. At the first stroke, she was hooked. Going forward with little talent, but a burning desire, she took classes and workshops. Now she works in acrylics, watercolor and oils; but she has found a special niche in mixed media collage. Her first entry into Texas and Neighbors five state competition, earned her a second place for her “Madonna and Child.” She prefers oranges, reds and yellows for much of her works because they are engaging and have a unique story to tell. Pat believes that we connect to a piece of art because it speaks to our own personal journey. It connects to a story that we want to hear again and again.
DEBBIE LAVERGNE
CERAMICS & SCRATCHBOARD
Debbie was born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma. After completing an Associate of Arts degree at Northern Oklahoma College, she moved to Lake Charles in 1973. She has also completed several degree programs at McNeese State University. Debbie taught art in the Calcasieu Parish School System for more than 40 years. Debbie and her husband Mark Lavergne attend St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and she is a member of the Louisiana Art Educators Association and the National Art Educators Association. Debbie is also a member of Gallery by the Lake, the Pelican Coast Parrotheads, the Calcasieu Boat Club, and a Charter member and past Board member of the Krewe des Pirates.
LERIN FREYOU
PAINTING & MIXED MEDIA
Website: https://www.lerinfreyouartwork.com
Native to Southwest Louisiana, Lerin Freyou says she was always an “art kid.” Freyou’s style runs the gambit from traditional acrylic painting to “wearable” abstract pieces. She also likes to challenge herself in multiple media. She draws inspiration from her kids’ creative freedom as well as Nature’s treasures. She has written and Illustrated a children’s book titled Flying Peas, a book about how five tiny peas got to be real life super food.
BRITTANY MANUEL
Website: www.brittanymanuelart.com
Email: Brittanymanuelart@gmail.com
LANDSCAPE IN PENCIL, INK, & PAINT
I am Brittany Manuel and a native of Louisiana. I specialize in landscapes and historical sites with the use of acrylics, and/or ink and pencil color. My art journey is 23 years old. Over the past five years, I have volunteered and worked in the Conservation Sector. I serve our natural habitat by participating and volunteering with my home nature and prairie organizations. “Pootsie Dootsie” is what my German grandmother would call me. She would smile when she called it out. I am offering a smile with my art.
LINDA RITCHIE
DIGITAL ART
Linda’s love of art through video and photography surfaced almost thirty years ago. It was a way of capturing special moments to share with others. That, as she admits, was her only artistic talent. But in 2007 her dearest friend, Ramona Quirk introduced her to digital oil painting. Linda enjoys having total control over color, light and shadows. allowing her to bring out the emotional and expressive qualities of the image. When the painting is complete, she transfers the image to fine artist canvas using UV archival pigments to become a painting to be cherished for generations to come.
DAN PLUMMER
PHOTOGRAPHY
Website: www.danplummerimages.com
Email: danplum@aol.com
Dan Plummer is a Lake Charles, LA resident and amateur photographer. His main subjects are landscapes, wildlife, and night scenes, many of which are familiar to residents of Southwest Louisiana. Drawing from his background as a scientist, he experiments with long exposures, night photography, stereo images and alternative photo processes. With these techniques he creates images with unique interpretations of space, movement, and our environment.
JUDY NEWMAN
WATERCOLOR & ACRYLIC
Judy Melott Newman was born and educated in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She received her BA in Art and later certification to teach art at McNeese State University; teaching at T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School for 25 years before retiring. She has continued her art interests in California, at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston School, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Lake Charles, and southern France. Judy has been enjoying watercolor with Sue Zimmerman at the Gallery by the Lake, printmaking at McNeese and painting at the Moss Bluff Senior Center. Travel in the Southeastern USA, Lake Charles, and Western Europe have increased her visions and experiences.
CHRISTY STIPELCOVICH
PEN, PENCIL, & PAINT ON CANVAS
Website: www.stipelcovich.art
Christy is a downtown Lake Charles resident but was born and raised in Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish. She relocated following the effects of Hurricane Katrina on her home and town. With a law degree and after several years in investigative and regulatory roles in the casino industry, she has now returned to a focus on creating art. She is looking forward to exploring various mediums and techniques as a way of letting go of control and technical details and letting creativity steer the way. She is excited to become a part of a growing and thriving art community in SWLA.
B.LEE "BUDDY" WHITE
Website: www.bleewhite.com
Email: bleewhiteart@gmail.com
MULTIPLE MEDIA 2D & 3D
My name is Buddy White and I've been "making art" most of my life. Now that I am older and free of the normal constraints of making a living and providing for a growing family, I find that art has become my occupation. My creations vary from representational to abstract and from two dimensional to three dimensional. My materials are whatever seems right at the time. If you're looking for an artist that uses a certain motif or motifs in their work and offers variations on those motifs, that's not me.
PATSY ZWAHLEN
OIL, ACRYLIC, & MIXED MEDIA
Email: patz66@bellsouth.net
Patsy Zwahlen expresses her creativity using vibrant colors and a semi-impressionistic style. Encouraged by an aunt at an early age, she has drawn and painted for many years. The urge to create has led her into careers in commercial art, floral arranging and landscape design. “My studio is a mass of color and light; brushes, tubes and jars of paint, pencils and pastels make their way to paper and canvas.” As a self-taught artist, Patsy has put many mediums to work, allowing her talents to explore the world of art.