OUR MEMBERS
ARTIST
Jay Anderson
MEDIA
Acrylics, Photography, Pottery
ABOUT JAY
Jay Anderson transforms risk-charged journeys—from Arabia to the Himalayas—into focused images of time, working in line-driven cartooning, narrative illustration, expressive painting, documentary photography and more.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Denise Benedik
MEDIA
Glasswork
ABOUT DENISE
Denise Benedik crafts whimsical, nature-inspired stained glass and pine needle art, often honoring beloved pets. From her “Hobbit House” studio, she creates pieces that bring joy and meaning.
ARTIST
Brandy Blackstone
MEDIA
Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media
ABOUT BRANDY
Brandy is a mixed-media artist creating realistic-abstract works inspired by nature and daily life, working in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and mixed media to explore form, movement, and light.
ARTIST
Cindy Martin-Brennan
MEDIA
Encaustic, Mixed Media, Photography
ABOUT CINDY
Cindy combines painting, drawing, and photography, transforming photographs into colorful mixed media works that highlight her creative expression.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Elizabeth Bygler
MEDIA
Oil
ABOUT ELIZABETH
Elizabeth paints in oil, blending vibrant color and playful imagination to celebrate the wonder and joy found in everyday life.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Pamela Callen
MEDIA
Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor
ABOUT PAMELA
Pamela’s paintings reflect the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, rural landscapes, and her travels, highlighting light, color, and nature’s restorative qualities.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Gail Chenevey
MEDIA
Watercolor, Ink, Sculpture
ABOUT GAIL
Gail is a watercolor and mixed-media artist whose inquisitive nature led her from a career in mechanical engineering to a passion for creating art. She works in watercolor, alcohol ink, and whimsical steampunk-inspired 3-D sculptures, blending curiosity, craftsmanship, and imagination into every piece.
ARTIST
Jeannine Finnacom
MEDIA
Watercolor
ABOUT JEANNINE
Jeannine approaches watercolor as a journey of exploration, letting curiosity guide each brushstroke. Her paintings often evolve from playful experimentation to unexpected beauty, revealing lessons along the way.
ARTIST
Theresa Ford
MEDIA
Watercolor
ABOUT THERESA
Theresa is an author, programmer, and artist whose work challenges expectations—from stark black-and-white watercolors to genre-blending novels and an unexpected multiplayer 3D spaceship bridge game.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Barbara Hak
MEDIA
Pottery
ABOUT BARBARA
Barbara creates handcrafted pottery—mugs, platters, decorative plates, and other one-of-a-kind ceramics—formed by hand and wheel and finished with layered glazes. Each small-batch piece balances tactile form and thoughtful function for daily use or display.
ARTIST
Hana Horstkamp
MEDIA
Oil, Drawing
ABOUT HANA
Hana specializes in realistic portrait drawings, capturing the depth, detail, and emotion of her subjects with remarkable precision and sensitivity.
ARTIST
Deborah Coffin Kennedy
MEDIA
Oil, Watercolor, Ceramics, Woodcuts and more
ABOUT DEBORAH
Deborah creates expressive artwork inspired by her diverse background in painting, printmaking, and illustration, blending classical training with a lifelong passion for exploring form, color, and creative expression
ARTIST
Susan Jones Knight
MEDIA
Oil
ABOUT SUSAN
Susan Jones Knight creates vivid, expressive oil paintings that capture the beauty and emotion of everyday moments. Her work blends luminous color, lively brushwork, and a touch of whimsy to invite viewers into scenes filled with warmth and wonder.
ARTIST
Pat McGrath
MEDIA
Watercolor
ABOUT PAT
Pat McGrath is a watercolor artist celebrated for her vivid landscapes. Through bold color and expressive brushwork, she captures the essence of the natural world, inviting viewers to experience its beauty and spirit in a fresh, dynamic way.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Donna O'Connor
MEDIA
Oil, Acrylic
ABOUT DONNA
Donna specializes in oil and acrylic paintings that are rich in vivid color. Inspired by old-world styles and techniques, she brings timeless beauty to her work, from delicate flowers to heartfelt portraits of her beloved pets.
ARTIST
Diane Preus
MEDIA
Acrylic, Mixed Media, Watercolor
ABOUT DIANE
Diane Preus creates expressive acrylic, mixed-media, and watercolor artworks that blend layered texture and luminous color to capture the beauty, mood, and movement of everyday moments.
ARTIST
Dick Preston
MEDIA
Woodworking
ABOUT DICK
Dick Preston is a skilled woodworker who creates elegant boxes and sculptural forms with clean design and precise joinery. As president of the Color & Light Society of Southern Maryland, he champions craftsmanship and creativity in the local art community.
ARTIST
Mary Ida Rolape
MEDIA
Fused Glass, Mosaic Sculptures
ABOUT MARY IDA
Mary Ida Rolape creates artwork inspired by the beauty of So. Maryland. Her current work with fused glass and mosaic sculptures captures subjects such as graceful great blue herons, colorful songbirds, and landscapes that reflect the region’s natural charm and rural heritage.
WEBSITE
ARTIST
Jill Smithson
MEDIA
Pastel, Oil, Watercolor
ABOUT JILL
Jill creates with pencil, pen, pastel, and pigment, drawing inspiration from nature, color, and the guidance of fellow artists. Her work invites viewers to share in the joy and connection behind each piece.
IN LOVING TRIBUTE
In Memory of Anne Preston
The Color & Light Society remembers with deep admiration and gratitude the life and artistry of Anne Preston, a gifted watercolorist and cherished member of our community.
Anne’s work radiated with vibrancy and life, reflecting her remarkable talent and her unique way of seeing the world. Her paintings were not only a celebration of color and form, but also an invitation to experience joy and beauty through her eyes.
Beyond her artistry, Anne was a generous teacher and mentor. Through the Leonardtown Virtual Artist Program, she shared her knowledge and passion with others, inspiring both emerging and seasoned artists to explore, grow, and find their own creative voices.
Anne mastered her craft and, just as importantly, uplifted those around her by sharing it. Her presence in our society enriched us all, and her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched—with her art, her guidance, and her spirit.
We honor Anne with gratitude and love, and we will carry her light forward in our art and in our hearts.
In Memory of Polly Lange
The Color & Light Society celebrates the artistry and dedication of Polly Lange, a gifted oil painter whose passion for learning and growth continues to inspire us all.
Polly devoted herself to the study and mastery of oil painting, continually stretching her skills across a range of styles—from traditional oil techniques and still life to her more recent explorations in abstraction. Her curiosity and commitment to her craft brought fresh energy and perspective to everything she created.
Her generosity as an artist extended beyond her own work. Through the Leonardtown Virtual Artist Programming, Polly taught two engaging oil classes that left a lasting impression on her students. Her enthusiasm, guidance, and willingness to share her knowledge uplifted those around her and encouraged others to grow in their own creative journeys.
Polly’s legacy is not only in the beauty of her art, but also in the inspiration she sparked in fellow artists and students alike. She remains a shining example of artistic dedication, exploration, and generosity of spirit.
