Front Porch ArtistsLocal Artists at An Occasion

As an artist and a life long Nature and animal lover, I feel a deep sense of purpose creating work that reflects the beauty of animals, particularly our companion animals, and the joy and unconditional love they provide.
My greatest pleasure is focusing on images of these beloved creatures with whimsy and humor, placing them in colorful and patterned backgrounds, as well as incorporating golden halos or accents.
One of my goals is to represent the beauty of animals not only on a physical level but also on a spiritual one as well. Reminding us we are all connected as part of God’s creation.

Annette Thompson, owner of Annie’s Artful Adventures, began working with Encaustic wax in 2015 and quickly found both inspiration and community through the local art world. Since then her creative practice has expanded to include acrylics, oils, ink, and mixed media. Color is often the starting point and driving force behind Annette‘s work. Drawn to richly pigmented hues, she uses color to establish mood, energy, and direction. The fluid nature of Encaustic wax allows her work to evolve organically through heat, texture, layering and movement, creating a balance between intention and discovery. Her subjects range from funky florals and atmospheric seascapes to mountain landscapes inspired by her Colorado roots. Annette continues to explore new materials and techniques, embracing the unexpected as part of the creative process. Her work reflects an ongoing dialogue between structure and fluidity, control and chance, resulting in vibrant pieces meant to bring enjoyment to others.

Barbara Oakes is a contemporary impressionist painter whose work is inspired by the landscapes, people, and quiet moments of everyday life. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for nature, rural communities, and the beauty found in ordinary places. Working primarily in oils, she creates expressive paintings of landscapes, animals, and figurative subjects that emphasize atmosphere, light, and emotion over precise detail.

Barbara is especially drawn to the changing seasons, weather, and the interplay of color and light. Her palette often reflects the calming blues and greens of the natural world, inviting viewers to pause and experience a sense of peace and familiarity. Through loose brushwork and rich color, she seeks to capture not only what she sees but also the feelings and memories a scene evokes. Her goal is to create artwork that encourages reflection, celebrates the beauty of the everyday, and reminds us of our enduring connection to the places we call home.

Bob Carlson has been painting scenes of Williamsburg and the surrounding area for the past 20 years. His paintings have been included in national and regional juried and invitational exhibitions, as well as commercial galleries, art centers, and museums throughout Virginia, Maryland, DC, and Delaware for over 50 years. He has work in the permanent collections of the Cities of Hampton and Alexandria, the National Institutes of Health, in the lobby of Sentara Regional Medical Center Williamsburg, and many other public and private collections.

Bob’s series of paintings often share common motifs that he explores and expands upon, pursuing some for decades. A key element in most of these series is the exploration of the effects of light and shadow, particularly as sunlight plays upon and through water or other reflective and transparent surfaces. He is likewise interested in recreating a shared experience of our time and culture with viewers.

Bob Leek is a lifelong arts advocate and local potter whose work has been exhibited widely in shows and galleries. Bob’s pottery reflects his love of nature and his intent to bring beauty and functionality into people’s daily lives. His pottery pieces were created using brown stoneware clay thrown on the pottery wheel, altered, glazed, and kiln-fired at his home studio in Williamsburg.

My love of art began during childhood and has continued for well over 40 years. I find inspiration in the everyday moments that surround me — the expressions, personalities, and connections that make life special. I especially enjoy painting animals and children, capturing the spirit and emotion that make each subject unique. Working in oils and acrylics, I love exploring new techniques and styles that help bring my subjects to life. For me, painting is a lifelong journey of curiosity, learning, and finding beauty in the world.

Deborah Scott ,an award-winning Watermedia artist, received her first award in oils at the Hampton Bay Days Juried Art Show in 1986, but she had to give up oils due to an illness. “I wasn’t able to hold my brush, but I feel that it was a blessing which led me to watercolors. I love the freedom and the unpredictable happenings watercolors produce bringing beauty, excitement, and emotion into my paintings.”
Her most notable successes are attaining Signature Membership of the Virginia Watercolor Society , the Award of Excellence for “Fireworks Over Ft. Monroe,” and also Best of Show for “Struttin Her Stuff” at the WCAC Regional Juried Art Show.
Deborah’s painting, “The Journey” hangs at the Artis Center at Radford University in honor of fellow Alumnae Nancy E. Artis and Pat Artis.
She is a member of : The Hampton Art League, Peninsula Watermedia Society, Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, Rappahanock Art League and the Dare County Arts Council.
Deborah supports her communities in many ways, especially the Haiti twinning program at her parish and the Outer Banks Community Foundation, and divides her time at home in Va., and her home at the Outer Banks where she’s inspired by the serenity and beauty of coastal living.
Her paintings can be viewed and purchased at The Dare County Arts Council Gallery, Manteo, NC , the Artsy Octopus gift shop. MP15.5 Nags Head, NC, Shaka’s and Vickie B’s Restaurants and local, regional and state art shows.
“I hope you’ll find your special painting that speaks to you.”

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Art is a human creation, the joy in imperfection. The ability to convey an emotion, to capture a place, share a connection. My particular practice receives inspiration from illustration;The use of a singular dark line to build out an image.The shapes of silhouettes, the gradient sky,Blocking in shadows, crisscrossing lines.Leaving the negative, embracing the missing;Curating moments within finite fields.There is a beauty to old works, and the knowledge that comes with the passing of time that the artist did the best they could; that maybe they were not seeking to capture things perfectly, but to capture the impression that was made upon them. That is what I strive to do: to experience a moment of natural, numinous beauty that so overwhelms it compels me to make my joyfully imperfect attempt at recapturing it.

As a professional award-winning artist for 30 years, the creativity and instinctive mark making of painting have always brought me challenge and enjoyment.

In “ Painting the Power of Flowers”, I want to lure you with the call to linger. To linger with a smile, a memory, a yearning to live with the works in their home, or in a public venue suitable for others to also relish.

With these specific paintings, artistic license and mastery of color draw me away from reality or specificity into imaginative blossoms, ribbons, movement – maybe even a touch of romance. Here’s to your feeling the energy in this work as well!

Visit my work at The Downtown Gallery, Williamsburg, The Quirk Hotel, Richmond, Combine Art Collective, Walla Walla, WA or online at diannawoolley.com

No formal art education, but, had the privilege of studying with some very wonderful and well respected artists who influenced me for many years. Having travelled many times to all parts of Mexico, I fell deeply in love with the extraordinary artistry of the Mayan people. I have tried to humbly connect with the Spirit of the Mayan artists/scribes from 3,000 years ago in trying to reproduce the texture of the images in the environment which their art continues to represent. Along side my Mayan inspired work, I enjoy creating imaginative images of people and allow myself to play freely with different ideas and expressions. I will be on a forever journey of creative self-discovery, for that is who I am, thought I did not always believe it. Now, I do.

While my art is mostly representational, I use color to express how I perceive
the world.
Even in times when there seems to be a lot of darkness, there is beauty to be found in nature’s creations and some man made creations as well.
I find beauty to be most intriguing in “imperfections” but also in the boldness of a child’s artistic expression.
To regain this childlike artistic freedom of expression would be my greatest achievement as an artist.

I grew up In (West)Berlin, Germany, lived in the Central Valley of California for almost 40 years and have enjoyed life in beautiful Williamsburg, VA since 2024. I live here with my husband, two dogs, a small flock of chickens and two parakeets. Besides creating Art I enjoy walks in the woods, frequent visits with my grandchildren and their parents, singing and slow Yoga

Gulay Berryman is an internationally acclaimed realist painter whose work reflects exceptional technical mastery, historical insight, and a lifelong dedication to representational art. She received her formal training at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Versailles, the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, and the École du Louvre in Paris. Her paintings have been exhibited internationally, including in France, Italy, Iceland, Senegal, Oman, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States. She represented the United States at the 1992 International Exhibition for Human Rights in Senegal and was commissioned to create portrait works for the Sultanate of Oman’s Royal Family. Berryman is a member of the Art Renewal Center, Salmagundi Club, International Guild of Realism, American Artists Professional League, and Associate Member of Oil Painters of America. Her work continues to be celebrated for its refined craftsmanship and enduring emotional resonance.

Colombian-American artist Working and living in Virginia

British-born and now proudly calling Williamsburg home for five years. While I enjoy working across a variety of media, l specialize in collage using recycled Christmas and greeting cards. Each card is carefully shredded and sorted by color before being meticulously arranged into vibrant compositions. I’m especially drawn to cards with glitter, metallic finishes, and rich textures that bring each piece to life. Working from my paintings and photographs, I transform familiar scenes into unique mosaics. I also accept commissioned pieces, incorporating treasured Christmas photo cards, handwritten messages, and other meaningful keepsakes into personalized artwork. Many people generously pass along their old cards, giving them a new purpose through art. I also offer greeting cards and prints of my original work. The timeless beauty and history of Colonial Williamsburg provide an endless source of inspiration for my creative journey.

Janet specializes in watercolor miniatures. Based in Williamsburg, Virginia, her original artwork is inspired by her surroundings. Her favorite subjects to paint are scenes in and around Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. She also enjoys painting landscapes and florals.Janet is a member of the Williamsburg Artists Group (WAG). Her work has been displayed at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, the Downtown Gallery at Ryan Eure Designs, the Williamsburg Players Community Theater, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and at various local businesses.

Strong women are the center of my work. Each woman has an attitude that conceals what they are thinking. If you take time to study her eye, she might reveal her secrets. My artsy women only need one eye to see the truth, a long neck to look over things, and strong broad shoulders for the load of life.
I also paint strong women in the garden. The garden represents the unknown, making us question whether we belong. Instead of doubting, it’s much easier to say with a giggle, “ I’m too tall for the garden,” and walk away with a smile.
My paintings inspire others to remember staying positive will always keep your spirits high. We can do this together because we are sisters in strength!
JLyn Henderson is originally from California and now resides in Virginia. Her paintings are on view at the Red Fish Gallery in Irvington. VA.

I graduated from UVA in 1993 with a BA in Studio Art, with High Distinction. I started a decorative painting business in 1995, working throughout the Williamsburg and Tidewater regions. Designing custom murals and faux finishes for my clients was a great joy for two decades. My work was also featured in several home shows throughout the years. I now work on a much smaller scale – acrylic on canvas. My work is largely inspired by nature. While I have painted everything from still life to portraits, I am mostly drawn to landscapes. I have a special affinity for the ocean, and it’sever shifting mood. It always has a calming effect on my soul. I love to play with the nuances of color and light in my pieces. Whether it’s a stunning sunset or the rhythmicmovement of the ocean, I aim to evoke a sense of serenity and wonder through my work. With each brushstroke, I hope to create a sense of peace and appreciation for the naturalbeauty that surrounds us. My art is also a therapeutic and spiritual outlet for me to express myself.

I was born in Dallas, Texas and away had a love for art. I have studied at the Des Moines Art Institute, American Academy of Art in Chicago, and many other works shops throughout the years. I was teaching art in Chicago at a private school for 10 years and moved to Williamsburg in 1997. I started my own art studio and started teaching art for 27 years. I loved teaching and learned from my students. I have a love of the impressionist paintings, the way they capture the depth and space with color and sun light. I enjoy all mediums and styles of art. I have worked in Oil, Acrylic, Pastel, and watercolor and Ink. I am always trying different ways of creating and always learning. Kay Krapfl

Kelly, a Massachusetts native and Boston commercial art graduate, brings thirty years of creative design experience to Chesapeake, Virginia. She combines her background with a passion for rock hounding to create ‘Art Ore Decor,’ specializing in nature-inspired scenes on agates, petrified wood, tiles, and gesso boards. Using a fine-liner brush with satin acrylic and oil, she achieves a photo-realistic finish that reflects her love for the natural world. She frames her gesso board paintings in a unique shadow box style. Kelly is a member of the Williamsburg Artist Group and the Tidewater Gem and Mineral Society of Virginia.

Kimi Vlahakis, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, now resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband, Nick. She is a self-taught artist, and most of her early work was done in oils on canvas. She is now principally focused on Byzantine iconography, using the traditional egg tempera medium, 24 caret gold on special prepared wood surfaces. Kimi has reached the state of such a meritorious proficiency that she has achieved certification (often recognized for those interested in teaching) from “Writing the Light” Program from Master Iconographer George Kordis of Athens, Greece. This program is internationally recognized and has significantly increased the visibility of Kimi’s icons. Her work appears in art galleries, churches, academic institutions and many private collections. Kimi felt a need to help preserve the stories and traditions of the church to spread Christ’s word through her talent guided by the Holy Spirit.

I began painting during a postpartum season of motherhood, when creating became a way to process and quiet my thoughts. What started as a simple act of putting paint to canvas has grown into a deep love for storytelling through art. Oftentimes, my kids join in, contributing to the first layers of underpainting—adding even more meaning to each piece.

Inspired by coastal surroundings and everyday moments, my work is rooted in the simple things that bring me joy.

Over time, I’ve learned that motherhood isn’t perfect or polished. It’s colorful, messy, layered with grace, and still incredibly beautiful. My hope is that each painting invites you to slow down, notice the beauty in the ordinary, and remember that even in the suffering, God is faithful in every season.

Whether inspired by the coast, family traditions, or the quiet rhythms of everyday life, every piece tells a story—and I hope you’ll find a bit of your own story reflected in it.

Michael D. Jones is a Williamsburg-based artist who has been painting for over ten years. When he first started painting, people found his work to be whimsical, magical, with bold uses of color, so he made it his mission to provide art that uplifts people, inspires them, and brings joy, happiness, and just a bit of magic. To fulfill that mission, he created Magic Bear Art. He works mainly in acrylics on canvas, taking his inspiration from things he sees every day. Michael hopes that through his artwork you find happiness, joy, and inspiration for your own life. Michael currently works as the Art Center Manager for the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center in Williamsburg, VA. His work has been featured in the September 2022 edition of Williamsburg’s Next Door Neighbor magazine, Artistonish magazine, and The Asset Times. He is a member of the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, the Williamsburg Artists Group – WAG, and the Williamsburg Arts Council. His paintings have been juried into shows at the Virginia Beach Art Center, the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, Bay School Community Art Center, RAL Art Center, the Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, and the “Color Theory: The Richmond Queer Art Experience” at ArtWorks RVA.

Marc Chabrier is the founder of REL – Ridiculously Enjoy Life, a movement built on the belief that life isn’t something to simply get through—it’s something to fully experience. Through bold colors, expressive textures, uplifting words, and playful imagery, his artwork encourages people to pause, smile, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Each piece is designed to spark emotion, shift perspective, and remind viewers that joy can be found in ordinary moments. More than creating paintings, Marc creates conversations—inviting people to choose gratitude, embrace possibility, and live with intention.

His mission is simple: inspire others to stop waiting for someday and start Ridiculously Enjoying Life today.

Most of my paintings are inspired by nature — places that have left a lasting impression on me and deeply touched my soul. I believe that freedom and creativity are inseparable. In moments of silence, when I let go of accumulated knowledge and expectations, inspiration comes naturally, allowing something new and authentic to emerge.

My journey in the arts really began in Ventura County, California where I used to paint in the corner of our garage. I started showing and selling my work resulting in the city purchasing a piece to promote their Mission. I now have a space of my own to paint in and have had the privilege of showing my work at art festivals and various other places that support the arts. I work primarily in acrylics and love to experiment with different techniques and styles. The end result is always to spark some kind of emotion and seeing that on a patron’s face is what it’s all about.

Artist Michelle Barka creates her works from her farmhouse studio in rural Lanexa. Va. Her love for medieval manuscripts and renaissance period influences her direction on a painting, drawing or mixed media. Surrealism still life is a favorite of the artist, and enjoys the creative process that entails. Experimentation and high quality mediums are a mainstay of her creative process.

I’ve enjoyed experimenting with imagery and color for as long as I can remember. Originally trained as film editor, I now paint full time using oils as my primary medium and exploring the possibilities of watercolor and mixed media. I enjoy the solitude of my studio as well as painting with other artists in a group setting where we share ideas and techniques. My work is inspired by the natural beauty and people I discover where I live and while traveling. When painting, I find myself in a timeless zone where memories and dreams influence my work. Each painting becomes a journey, changing over time until it combines imagery and emotion in a way that seems true to me. My paintings can be found in regional galleries and in private collections in the Northeast, California and the UK. Find out more at www.SchaufflerArt.com.

Oksana Cheng | Inner Space Art StudioOksana Cheng is a Williamsburg-based artist creating original textured and mixed-media artwork inspired by the ocean, movement, and the calming beauty of coastal landscapes.Her work combines texture, natural colors, and organic forms to create pieces that bring a relaxed coastal feeling into homes and commercial spaces. In addition to original artwork and smaller handmade pieces, Oksana also creates custom murals for residential and commercial spaces, with projects available locally and by travel.Through Inner Space Art Studio, she is continuing to grow her work through local exhibitions, commissions, murals, and community events.Instagram: @oksanachengWebsite: innerspaceartstudio.com

Art in one form or another has been a passion, pastime, career, and love throughout my life, from my earliest memories to the present day. Whether through drawing, painting, dancing, photography, singing, performing, or graphic design, art, in its many forms, has been and continues to be how I understand and navigate the world.

Pat Gamby was born in 1956. She lived with her husband, Steve, on their dairy farm that they had once operated for 31 years in Ohio. Retiring from farming in 2021 had brought them to Williamsburg to be near their daughter’s family.Pat started drawing at 4 years old and encouraged by teachers amazed at her skill, began painting as a teenager. Even when she was still in high school and without any formal training, she was doing artwork on commission. She really began to take her art seriously when she and her husband Steve were struggling to make a go of farming and she discovered that her paintings would sell almost readily as the milk their dairy farm was producing. Countless scenes of rural life flowed from her brush. She loves working in egg tempera, a difficult medium, but the eggs had been handy coming from her own hen house.

Sharon Parker has been working professionally as an artist and art teacher since 1988.   Her education at William and Mary in Studio Fine Art and Education, along with workshops by well-known artists, have been a valuable foundation for her art career. Her teaching career of over 20 years at Williamsburg Christian Academy included beloved students from preschool through high school, and she instituted their first Advanced Placement Studio Art Program. Sharon taught adults, teens, and children for 15 years at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center and helped run an Open Studio there for figure drawing for many years.
In 2010, with nine other women artists, Sharon had the privilege of starting and maintaining New Town Art Gallery, a beautiful venue that promoted many creative experiences. New Town Art Gallery closed in 2016, and a new chapter in Sharon’s art journey began. 
Sharon is currently a member of Williamsburg Artists Group. Her work can be seen at The Downtown Gallery and various other venues in Williamsburg, as well as in regional shows and exhibits in Hampton Roads and Richmond. She is also a member-artist at Dare County Arts in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

I go beyond the click…
While my process begins with the camera, I don’t see the image as finished.
I work at recreating mood and a felt experience, not just a description of the scene. Each image is treated the way memory treats the experience. Edges soften, colors shift toward what we felt rather than what a sensor recorded. Small details recede so the emotional center of the moment can come forward.
That in-between space — the overlap between documentary and painterly — is where my work lives, and where many viewers tell me they recognize their own memories of similar places and times.

Tina R. Tyson is an artist whose creative journey expanded after retiring from an extensive legal career spanning Big Law, leading universities, and academic medical centers. Now devoted to painting, Tina works primarily in acrylics, utilizing layered color, light, and transparent washes to evoke atmosphere and depth. Her art is deeply influenced by the landscapes and landmarks of Colonial Williamsburg and the architecture of the William & Mary campus. Through her work, Tina aims to capture moments in time: the way sunlight filters through trees, the quiet presence of historic architecture, and a sense of nostalgia. Her work seeks to evoke memory, reflection, and a shared sense of belonging.

Artist’s StatementW.R. van ElburgThe everyday world provides countless opportunities for artistic expression; the mundane becomes art when seen through the compound lenses of the camera and the photographer’s eye. My work attempts to draw the viewer in; to enable them to create their own narrative regarding the image, as opposed to force-feeding them my own vision; allowing a story to unfold in real time, instead of simply as a captured moment of the past.By often breaking the ‘Rules’ of composition; changing perspective and playing with eye contact during the initial shoot, and later experimenting with background, color and light during editing and digital enhancement, an image emerges which is at the same time both “real” and “unreal”. To my mind, it is this frisson which makes the images compelling. W.R. van Elburg – 2026