Courage Cards Celebrates its 50th anniversary this holiday season
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Courage Cards, part of nonprofit
Minneapolis-based Courage Center, announces its new 2008 Courage Cards fine
art holiday greeting card collection. This season, Courage Cards is
celebrating its 50th anniversary as a holiday card company!
We are proud to announce our 2008 Courage Cards artists:
Bonnie Bahr-Schneider, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. -- Nature's Peace, an
original watercolor.
Bahr-Schneider was inspired to create this painting as she watched
different birds at her feeders "come together and work it out." She says,
"Peace is always a theme for me, but in an unsettled world, I feel the need
for peace even more strongly." Bahr-Schneider is a special education aide who
works with children with disabilities. "I get great satisfaction from knowing
my art will help others."
Shirley Bell, Jamestown, R.I. -- Dressed For The Holidays, an original
watercolor.
Bell has been painting in watercolor for more than 25 years. She is
continuously inspired by her natural surroundings on Conanicut Island in
Narragansett Bay. In 2006, Bell launched her own company called Shirley Bell
Designs. She enjoys being a busy artist and keeping up with the growing demand
for her art, giclees and gift items. Her originals can be seen in galleries
and gift shops throughout the country.
Jeanne Bonine, Scottsdale, Ariz. -- Holiday Blossoms, an original
watercolor.
Bonine is a self-taught artist known for her soft and lush,
larger-than-life floral paintings. "In my quest as an artist, I have immersed
myself in the painting of nature. In its beauty flows the eternal heartbeat of
natural law and order ... of reason and passion ... of harmony and love.
Embracing this awareness, my watercolors strive to heighten the viewer's
desire for beauty and enhance their sense of peace." Bonine's watercolor
images can be found in galleries and collections around the world.
Wendy Brockman, Edina, Minn. -- Botanical Wishes, an original watercolor.
Brockman is a self-taught watercolor artist who has been widely exhibited
throughout the United States and England. She attributes her development as a
detailed observer to a childhood spent in the rural Midwest. Brockman has
created an impressive and extensive portfolio of work, which explores her
interest in both art and science. She has received numerous awards and her
paintings are in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
and The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.
Carolyn Cardle, Edina, Minn. -- At Christmas, an original watercolor and
pencil.
Cardle has always loved to paint, taking a brush and paints with her
wherever she goes. Her artistic inspiration comes from her passion to "portray
the real meaning of the first Christmas, that glorious, hope-filled event when
God sent a Savior for the world." Carolyn has seven grandchildren who she
loves to weave into her illustrations hoping to capture the innocence of
children and create something that brings joy to others.
Nancy Carney, Minneapolis, Minn. -- Chicago Dazzle, an original mixed
media.
Carney graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a degree in Art
Education and taught elementary school art. She also worked as a freelance
artist and did design illustration and advertising. Today, Carney enjoys pen
and ink illustrations of houses, wood-cut prints and watercolor painting. "I
draw upon my imagination, dreams and life experiences for inspiration. The
artistic journey is an ever-changing, expanding and creative adventure."
Vicky Enright, Andover, Mass. -- Ribboned Ornaments, an original pen and
ink.
Enright has worked as a graphic designer, calligrapher, wallpaper
designer, greeting card artist and children's book illustrator. Whether it is
a logo, a children's book or a greeting card, Enright tries to cause the
viewer to pause and look for a moment longer and to see some beauty. "I like
to communicate joy, fun and laughter or at least to provoke a smile."
Andrew Evansen of Vermillion, Minn. -- Night Lights, Minneapolis, an
original watercolor.
Evansen began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s and is largely
self-taught. "I strive for a convincing portrayal of a landscape with an
impressionistic touch. There's just something about city lights that draws me.
Minneapolis has a gorgeous skyline -- throw in the snow and it's magical."
Evansen recently won an international competition for his artwork and he has a
featured article in American Artist's Watercolor magazine.
Lisa Fertig, Arden Hills, Minn. -- Rejoice, an original watercolor.
Fertig works in watercolor, acrylics and oils and paints in two distinct
styles, abstract and representational. "Whether the inspiration comes from
within or without, the destination remains the same. My art affirms my belief
in the oneness of body, mind and the world in which we live." Lisa's artwork
is held in numerous private collections, businesses and corporations and is
shown in galleries throughout Minnesota.
Susan Fink, St. Louis Park, Minn. -- Blue Frost, an original watercolor.
Always a lover of the outdoors, Fink expresses her appreciation of nature
through her watercolor painting. She says, "Painting keeps me focused on the
beauty of the seasons and nature. Watercolor painting reminds me that there
are things you can't control and sometimes it's the surprises that give the
most pleasure." This painting captures the enjoyment of cross-country skiing
through the pine trees with fresh falling snow.
Katherine Renee Huggins, Enid, OK -- Time Honored Tradition, an original
colored pencil.
Huggins has been a Courage Card artist for more than 20 years. In addition
to her artistic endeavors, she is also a Public Fire and Life Safety Educator.
Huggins, along with her service dog, Willow, teach firefighters rescue
procedures. The training of service dogs has become a real passion in her
life. "My disabilities don't define me. I define myself by my abilities.
Through my art, I hope to instill the concept that one can achieve goals in
spite of obstacles."
Lavona Keskey, Plymouth, Minn. -- Birch Grove and Winter Fun, Minneapolis,
original watercolors.
Keskey's interest in art began as a child with encouragement from her
mother, and later evolved into her profession. As an award-winning cake
decorator, Keskey is best known for her portraits and scenes on cakes using
airbrush painting and elaborate frosting techniques. Her many artistic
interests include figure sculpture, watercolor and oil painting.
Patricia King, Waukegan, Ill. -- Four Seasons and Nature's Offerings,
original watercolors.
King first began painting as a child. She took many art classes in college
and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with a minor in Art from
Northern Illinois University. Today, she enjoys teaching art to young students
while also participating in summer art shows in the Chicago area. For King,
painting is a connection with nature. "It is my joy to express the beauty in
our world!" Her paintings hang in many private, nonprofit and corporate
collections in the United States, Ireland and Australia.
Maria Langell, Albany, N.Y. -- Peace Among Nations, an original paper
collage.
Langell was born in Budapest, Hungary. Her love of art began at a very
early age. She always dreamed of becoming a professional artist and that dream
came true in the United States. Langell studied illustration in New York and
made her career in fashion illustration as a layout artist for newspaper
advertising. Today, she is a free-lance artist and enjoys the freedom of
creating images that have a contemporary look. Langell likes expressing her
feelings with art: "I want to express the hope that the holidays bring joy
and peace to all!"
Amy Larson, Park Rapids, Minn. -- Quiet Holiday, an original watercolor.
Larson received her Bachelor's Degree in Art Education from Illinois State
University. She moved to the Twin Cities where she and her husband raised four
children. During that time, she taught art in the metro area and also showed
her work at many art fairs and galleries. Today, Larson continues to paint
her watercolors of the beautiful landscapes and city scenes of the Upper
Midwest.
Kairong Liu, Eagan, Minn. -- Frosted View, Minneapolis, an original
acrylic.
Liu was born in China and came to the United States when he was 23. He
received a Master's of Fine Arts Degree from the University of South Dakota.
Since then, his art has been exhibited in many shows and collections
throughout the Midwest. He says: "Beauty can be found in the most unexpected
places. My paintings are my feelings and appreciation of what I see. I like to
paint things that are very ordinary but beautiful in an artistic way."
Pam Peltier, Detroit, Maine -- Northern Lights Magic, an original gouache.
Peltier has been a freelance illustrator with children's books and
greeting cards for more than 30 years. She enjoys creating art of all kinds
including masks, jewelry, and fine art. When not creating, Peltier also enjoys
dancing, hiking and especially spending time with her grandchildren. She says:
"Creating art is like music to my ears and makes my heart sing!"
Thomas Rebek, Boston, Mass. -- Reflections, Time Square and Moonlight
Skaters, Chicago, original watercolors.
Originally from Wisconsin, Rebek earned his BFA from the Milwaukee
Institute of Art and Design and his MFA from the University of Illinois. After
teaching art and design at Cornell University, he moved to Boston. Rebek
portrays his love for city life in his warm watercolors. "My works reflect the
human celebratory events of the city. I hope to convey each scene with a sense
of allure, charm and fascination."
Deborah Ronglein, Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Festive Greens, Crystal Blue and
Winter's Blanket, St Paul, original watercolors.
Ronglein is a professional artist who paints in several styles from
realism to abstraction. "Painting is a spiritual experience where a
partnership is created between an inspiration from within and classical design
and composition." Her paintings reflect themes of Minnesota's landscapes and
nature's beauty and express qualities of serenity, balance and beauty.
Kay Smith, Big Spring, Texas -- December Hideaway, an original drawing.
Smith is a nationally recognized and award-winning artist who has more
than 370 original works in private and corporate collections. Brilliant use of
pure color is a hallmark of her loose painterly style. She also teaches art
classes and conducts workshops in her own studio, Brushstrokes, as well as
across the Permian Basin and Great Plains.
Hal Sutherland, Bothell, Wash. -- The Sunshine Committee, an original
acrylic.
Sutherland followed his childhood dream and became an artist. He has
enjoyed a successful career in animation and received many awards for his
work. Hal enjoys being an artist because "an artist gets to participate in
things you may not have dreamed of doing. It is a wonderful sensation to paint
a bit of sunlight into the shadows of someone's dream."
Diana Thomas, Columbia, Penn. -- Pinecone Greetings, an original drawing.
Thomas developed her artistic talents through the encouragement of her
father. She attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and has been involved
with art ever since. She enjoys art because, "painting and drawing give me a
way to capture a moment or an idea to share with others. It is a good outlet
to express my love of fine detail." She especially loves to teach drawing and
loves the moment when someone new to art realizes that they can do it! Besides
art, Thomas keeps busy with her family's activities, gardening, and volunteer
work.
DiAnne Tracy, Loudonville, N.Y. -- Silver Stream, an original watercolor.
"Art is my life and my passion. Painting gives me a tremendous sense of
freedom and lets me escape into it. The creative process brings me so much joy
and enhances my life," says Tracy. An award-winning artist, Tracy has been
painting with watercolor for nearly 15 years. Her artwork, Silver Stream
captures winter's beauty at its best -- a peaceful woods where there is a
quiet hush and one can hear the sound of snowflakes falling.
Persis Clayton Weirs, Penobscot Bay, Maine -- Christmas Village, an
original oil.
Growing up on an island off the Maine coast, Weirs developed her artistic
skills through close observation of animals and wildlife that surrounded her
home. At 23, she began to paint horses and pet portraits. In the early '80s
she turned to wildlife art and began exhibiting in art shows and galleries
across the country. As an artist, she hopes to share her respect of wildlife
and the environment. "If my paintings can pass on just a fraction of the
pleasure I find in nature, then I have succeeded."
Every year Courage Cards conducts a nationwide art search to find artwork
for its' annual holiday card collection. If you are interested in submitting
artwork, a copy of the Courage Cards Art Search guidelines may be downloaded
from the Courage Cards website. The deadline for our 2009 art search is
October 31, 2008. For more information on the Courage Cards Art Search, please
e-mail artsearch@courage.org or call 763-520-0211.
To view the full 2008 Courage Cards Collection, or purchase Courage Cards
visit http://www.couragecards.org. All proceeds from the sale of Courage
Cards benefit Courage Center.
About Courage Center
Courage Center is a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that
advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and
independence. At Courage Center, we specialize in treating brain injury,
spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced
since birth. Founded in 1928, Minneapolis-based Courage Center offers
advanced technologies and innovation provided in part through the efforts of
thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information visit
CourageCenter.org.
Laura Brooks, Courage Cards, 763-520-0211
SOURCE Courage Center
Laura Brooks of Courage Cards, +1-763-520-0211
