2021 Jurors
Kathy Beekman
Kathy Beekman, a master finger painter whose soft pastel artwork emerges from the West and Midwest countrysides, lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where her home and studio are perched at 8,600 feet. “The vastness of the natural landscape here inspires my work. My paintings reflect how I think and feel about my environment.”
She grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a small city surrounded by the farming communities that continuously inspire her subject matter: the barns, clouds, open spaces and streams that conjure up idealized versions of the landscapes she experienced as a child. Her style has developed to include mountains and vast landscapes inspired, again, from where she now lives and the places she visits. This style has a simplified graphic quality with a quiet reflective mood characteristic of all of Beekman’s paintings.
Her passion for the arts extends beyond her canvas. She is a highly sought-after art career coach for artists who want to “rise above the rest”, an instructor in pastel painting to adults, and owner/designer of Beekman Press which consists of two card lines. She has also authored the books Prosper, A Success Book for Artists and Motivational Quotes, A Reflection Book for Artists.
Presently, Kathy is developing a program called THRIVE which combines Wellness + Creativity into each of her workshops and retreats. She believes Wellness + Creativity make a happier and healthier you. THRIVE will arm everyone with wellness tools to better scale up their creative world.
Michelline Berkey
My career as a jeweler has evolved over the years, starting with an early interest in beadwork and collecting ethnic beads. From there I pursued a degree in Metalsmithing and Jewelry at California State University, Long Beach. At present, I am exploring surface embellishment and textures on metal using combinations of sterling silver, 14k gold, 18k gold and copper as well as cast elements, gemstones and fresh-water pearls. Some of the processes I use are, roller-printing, fusing, reticulation, fold-forming, casting and forging. In addition, much of my work in sterling silver is oxidized to enhance the textures in the metal and complement the gemstones. My fascination with beads has come full circle and I am now using many of these texturing and forming methods to make my own bead