Nessa’s association with the PAPJC was serendipitous. Nearing retirement after having taught art for thirty three years at the senior high school level, and wishing to find companions who would also share in her enjoyment of the local scenery in her long hoped for “ample time to finally devote to painting out-of-doors”, she learned of a fledgling group of plein air painters and joined it. This was the PAPJC, and in this group she immediately found support and encouragement from wonderful artist companions. Although she had pursued private studio classes and was able to do vacation painting while working full time, she was now able to devote far more time to learning and steadily practicing plein air painting.

Frequently painting on location, whether in coastal New Jersey, Maine, the Berkshires, or other favorite spots has helped her become much more aware of the nuances of her surroundings, much more excited about all aspects of her painting, and has helped her to grow as an artist. Most of her work is created in watercolor or pastel. Nessa sums up her feelings about her artwork in the following statement: “Finding the special moments and moods of everyday places and trying to capture their essence in my work is my challenge and delight. Sharing them through my paintings is my pleasure.”

Nessa is Vice President for Membership and Logistics for the PAPJC and is its former Webmaster.

Education:
In childhood, Nessa was fortunate to love and study both art and music. After high school, she elected to pursue visual arts studies at Kent State University, Ohio where she earned her B.F.A. In addition to the traditional study of design, drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history, much of her undergraduate work also focused on textile and fiber arts. Having also discovered the world of theatre design, she went on to receive her M.A. (with an emphasis in costume design) in theatre at Montclair State College (now University), N.J. While working full time as an art teacher, she continued her academic studies with additional coursework in education, computers, and the fine arts.

Grateful for the early encouragement of her grammar and high school art teachers, Lois Eben and Douglas McIlvain, Nessa was fortunate to later pursue her painting studies in private classes and workshops with many wonderful artists. Those who have influenced and helped her the most include Tony Ventura, Roberta Carter Clark, Frank Csulak, Lee Boynton, Stan Sperlak, and Richard McKinley.

Galleries:
Guild of Creative Art, Shrewbury, NJ

Awards:
2007 Holmdel Arts and Music Festival- Plein Air Competition - First Place
2005 Guild of Creative Art Annual Juried Show - Third Place
2005 Allenhurst Plein Air Paint Event – Honorable Mention

Associations:
Guild of Creative Art, Exhibiting Member
New Jersey Pastel Painters Society
Pine Shores Art Association
Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Coast

Paint Outs:
2007-2009 Two Rivers Garden Tours – On Site Painter
2007 Holmdel – Festival of the Arts Bayonet Farm First Annual - Plein Air Event
2005 Garden Tour and Allenhurst Plein Air Event - On Site Painter
2005 Shrewsbury Town Day- Paint Event - On Site Painter

Collections:
Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center- Permanent      Collection
Brogan and Brogan , P.C.