Jennifer Bock-Nelson was born in Chicago (1978) but spent most of her early years in Zeeland, Michigan.  She earned her BA in art at Houghton College, located in western New York, and graduated with her MFA from Northern Illinois University in 2004.  She presently resides in Quincy, Illinois with her husband and two sons.       Her work is exhibited nationally.  She was selected to participate in artist residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Ox-Bow, and Ragdale.  Recently she was awarded a professional development grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Cinda Sue Dowlives, paints, and teaches on a small island in northern Washington State (l San Juan Island).  She has been doing Pastel Painting for 23 years. She does traditional subject matter with a contemporary twist.  She calls it “Contemporary Traditionalism”.  She also paints en plein air.