Artist's Statements/Biographies
SUSAN LEGGETT: Growing up with an artist mother, Susan was drawn to the creative process as a child, but pursued a practical business career, winding up in real estate investment and development. Only after retiring did she start to explore the world of art, first studying art history and art at Cleveland State University and subsequently earning a Masters degree in Art History and Museum Studies from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
She jumped into oil painting in an intensive summer workshop offered by the Cleveland Institute of Art. Hooked on the process of painting, she has taken many classes with various artists in Northeast Ohio. She is the illustrator of Mischievous Mimi Explores Seabrook Island, a children’s book released July, 2014. The Lowcountry of South Carolina is now her home and many of her paintings reflect historic Charleston and natural surroundings. Her styles range from whimsical and folksy to semi-realism. Regardless of the medium, color is a predominant feature.
ROBERT LEFEVRE: Bob has always had a true love for the water always living or vacationing near the ocean. At the age of 18 he took a painting lesson from a retired sea captain on Cape Cod, Mass. where he painted a large clipper ship. It was at this time that his love for, and desire to paint marine art started. Bob retired at the age of 55 to pursue his true passion...painting! He immediately enrolled in the Art Academy of Cincinnati taking life drawing classes for over 8 years while at the same time teaching art to a talented group of young teenagers.
He continues to hold weekly oil painting classes at his home on Seabrook Island and regularly offers drawing and oil painting demonstrations through the Seabrook Island Artists Guild. He exhibits at the Seabrook Lake House.
To see many more of Bob's work go to his on-line gallery at: www.lefevrepaintings.com.
DONNA LEFEVRE: Several years ago Donna was taught the craft of glass beading on flatware serving pieces. Since then she has taken this fun hobby to new levels by using only the highest grade stainless steal flatware, sourcing new, exciting and colorful glass beads of all sizes and shape and adding small pewter thematic characters to many pieces. In addition, she sources, from around the world, ceramic serving pieces with colorful and thematic elements that she marries with her beaded flatware. Her newest additions are beautiful straw baskets surrounded along the top with oyster shells and various decorative shell pieces.
CYNTHIA REDDERSEN: Cynthia had a full time job as Communications Manager with several organizations including a Consumer Law Association in DC and a Software Developer in Reston VA. After retiring from that she has gone back to an early love of creating art, whether it’s a seashell encrusted box, a framed photograph of a live oak, or a watercolor.Cynthia started painting with watercolors, and then took up oils. She draws her inspiration from the nature she sees around her, especially here at Seabrook Island. She has participated in several art classes and demonstrations. And is also a member of the Fairfax Art League in Fairfax VA, where she has exhibited at shows.
LAUREN SMITH-NAGEL: Lauren had a full time career in the behavioral health field. In 2013 she returned to her childhood interest, art. Her initial exploration was with encaustic painting, but now, most of her work is oil and cold wax. She is drawn to expressive, abstract landscape painting and the use of color. Although her main home is in Greenville, SC, her home on Seabrook Island and it's beautiful surroundings, has inspired much of her work. The low country's marshes, estuaries, ocean and beaches are a main part of inspiration. It is this love for nature that inspires her to create. She has taken many art classes and workshops over the last few years exploring different mediums, techniques and materials.
PAT VAN DE GRAAF: Pat usually does etchings as her primary medium but loves to do watercolors also. She went to The Art Student's League in NYC, Syracuse University and University of Bridgeport, Conn. receiving a BFA in Printmaking with a minor in Art History. Her work can be found in the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery on East Bay St. in Charleston.
ROBERT BAVIER: Rob has spent a lifetime on the water, sailing, racing and cruising. Son of a America's Cup Skipper, his paintings draw from that rich heritage and intimate knowledge of the sea and boats.
PATRICK J. CONNELLY
Patrick Connelly was raised in northern New Jersey, graduated from Bucknell and Northeastern Universities, and lived in the Boston area before moving to South Carolina in 2010. He has been married for 46 years and is the proud father of two sons and grandfather of five grandchildren. In 2018 Connelly retired from his 41- year career as a professional civil engineer and chief operating officer of an engineering consulting firm.
Connelly began painting upon his retirement after being encouraged to so by a talented artist. He never looked back and continues to enjoy the process of visual observation, mixing paints to create colors, and applying paint to canvas to express the beauty and variety of God’s creation.
She jumped into oil painting in an intensive summer workshop offered by the Cleveland Institute of Art. Hooked on the process of painting, she has taken many classes with various artists in Northeast Ohio. She is the illustrator of Mischievous Mimi Explores Seabrook Island, a children’s book released July, 2014. The Lowcountry of South Carolina is now her home and many of her paintings reflect historic Charleston and natural surroundings. Her styles range from whimsical and folksy to semi-realism. Regardless of the medium, color is a predominant feature.
ROBERT LEFEVRE: Bob has always had a true love for the water always living or vacationing near the ocean. At the age of 18 he took a painting lesson from a retired sea captain on Cape Cod, Mass. where he painted a large clipper ship. It was at this time that his love for, and desire to paint marine art started. Bob retired at the age of 55 to pursue his true passion...painting! He immediately enrolled in the Art Academy of Cincinnati taking life drawing classes for over 8 years while at the same time teaching art to a talented group of young teenagers.
He continues to hold weekly oil painting classes at his home on Seabrook Island and regularly offers drawing and oil painting demonstrations through the Seabrook Island Artists Guild. He exhibits at the Seabrook Lake House.
To see many more of Bob's work go to his on-line gallery at: www.lefevrepaintings.com.
DONNA LEFEVRE: Several years ago Donna was taught the craft of glass beading on flatware serving pieces. Since then she has taken this fun hobby to new levels by using only the highest grade stainless steal flatware, sourcing new, exciting and colorful glass beads of all sizes and shape and adding small pewter thematic characters to many pieces. In addition, she sources, from around the world, ceramic serving pieces with colorful and thematic elements that she marries with her beaded flatware. Her newest additions are beautiful straw baskets surrounded along the top with oyster shells and various decorative shell pieces.
CYNTHIA REDDERSEN: Cynthia had a full time job as Communications Manager with several organizations including a Consumer Law Association in DC and a Software Developer in Reston VA. After retiring from that she has gone back to an early love of creating art, whether it’s a seashell encrusted box, a framed photograph of a live oak, or a watercolor.Cynthia started painting with watercolors, and then took up oils. She draws her inspiration from the nature she sees around her, especially here at Seabrook Island. She has participated in several art classes and demonstrations. And is also a member of the Fairfax Art League in Fairfax VA, where she has exhibited at shows.
LAUREN SMITH-NAGEL: Lauren had a full time career in the behavioral health field. In 2013 she returned to her childhood interest, art. Her initial exploration was with encaustic painting, but now, most of her work is oil and cold wax. She is drawn to expressive, abstract landscape painting and the use of color. Although her main home is in Greenville, SC, her home on Seabrook Island and it's beautiful surroundings, has inspired much of her work. The low country's marshes, estuaries, ocean and beaches are a main part of inspiration. It is this love for nature that inspires her to create. She has taken many art classes and workshops over the last few years exploring different mediums, techniques and materials.
PAT VAN DE GRAAF: Pat usually does etchings as her primary medium but loves to do watercolors also. She went to The Art Student's League in NYC, Syracuse University and University of Bridgeport, Conn. receiving a BFA in Printmaking with a minor in Art History. Her work can be found in the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery on East Bay St. in Charleston.
ROBERT BAVIER: Rob has spent a lifetime on the water, sailing, racing and cruising. Son of a America's Cup Skipper, his paintings draw from that rich heritage and intimate knowledge of the sea and boats.
Patti Ratcliffe | Ratcliffe Art
Patti's colorful canvases reflect her passion for design and mark-making. Starting at an early age, her love of art provided the curiosity and confidence a to continue making art later in life. Combining painting with her interest in travel, she enjoys searching for the perfect plein air location to capture striking color and playful light wherever it may be. Continual learning, growing and improving brings pure joy. Teaching others and small group/private studio lessons also brightens her journey.
Before becoming a full-time painter, she was a graphic designer who ran a successful independent studio for more than 30 years.
She is a member of AIS, the American Impressionist Society, Inc.
PATRICK J. CONNELLY
Patrick Connelly was raised in northern New Jersey, graduated from Bucknell and Northeastern Universities, and lived in the Boston area before moving to South Carolina in 2010. He has been married for 46 years and is the proud father of two sons and grandfather of five grandchildren. In 2018 Connelly retired from his 41- year career as a professional civil engineer and chief operating officer of an engineering consulting firm.
Connelly began painting upon his retirement after being encouraged to so by a talented artist. He never looked back and continues to enjoy the process of visual observation, mixing paints to create colors, and applying paint to canvas to express the beauty and variety of God’s creation.