Studio Artists

Mary Pauly holds a BA in Education, an MA in Journalism, and an Associate of Arts in Oil Painting from the Greenville County Museum School of Art, where she completed a painting thesis in 1988. A lifelong painter, her experiences include freelance commercial art, teaching, travel, and seven years painting in Japan. Notable highlights include studying with Dr. Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain; being juried into the SC Arts Commission Annual Exhibition by New York Times art critic William Zimmer; and writing interview articles for ArtScene Upstate Magazine, published by the Metropolitan Arts Council in the 1990s.

Will Crooks, a Midwest native, is a photographer with a background in accounting and a deep interest in Comparative Philosophy. Inspired by Scott Schuman’s The Sartorialist, he began his photography journey capturing street portraits in Greenville, SC, producing over 2,000 portraits for his blog WAC Avenue. This led to his role as visual director and photographer for Community Journals. Now, he focuses on themes of otherness in the South while working on editorial assignments for The New York Times, British GQ, and The Washington Post. Known for his meticulous approach to lighting and cinematic portraiture, Will continues to explore the intersection of storytelling and style in his work.

Michael Lechlitner grew up on a family farm in Northern Indiana, surrounded by a small, safe, rural world. College in the 1970s exposed him to the civil rights movement, Vietnam War veterans, and corporate greed, prompting a deep shift in his worldview. In response, he dedicated the 1980s and 1990s to mentoring and providing housing for young adults. In his 50s, while doing carpentry for an art studio, he was encouraged to take an art class despite past doubts due to partial color blindness. What began as a hobby evolved into a passion, expanding from ink and watercolor to acrylics and metalwork. Today, Michael’s art reflects his commitment to peace and justice, each piece telling a unique story.

Dawn Hayden has always been drawn to creativity, from childhood doodling to a lifelong appreciation of beauty and color. Labeled a daydreamer in school, her artistic instincts never faded. As she built a home and family, she found joy in decorating, blending fine pieces with thrifted finds. Her admiration for art eventually led her to study at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts after her youngest child entered high school. Still a dreamer, she finds inspiration in the world around her, often getting lost in the beauty of a sunset. Through her art, Dawn hopes to share a sense of joy and bring a touch of happiness to others.

Mary Whiteman (Finn), born and raised in Atlanta, GA, specializes in abstract acrylic paintings with mixed mediums such as charcoal and oil pastels. She’s inspired by artists that take risks, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Salvador Dali, and Kehinde Wiley. She obtained an A.A. in Studio Art, and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Education, Psychology, and Sociology. Currently, Mary is pursuing her M.A. in Art Education at the University of Florida, to intersect her passion for the arts with her love for education.

Orlando Corona is a Greenville, SC-based artist specializing in painting and printmaking. Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, he moved to the U.S. at age 10, navigating a new world that later shaped his artistic voice. He discovered his passion for art in high school, where he found mentorship in printmaking, launching his journey as a professional artist. Drawing inspiration from his experience as a first-generation Mexican immigrant, Orlando’s work explores personal narratives while challenging cultural stereotypes. His art serves as a means of storytelling and empowerment, aiming to inspire others and contribute meaningfully to his community and beyond. Despite his relatively recent start, he has quickly established himself as a rising talent in the Upstate art scene.

Eli Warren is a fine art photographer in Greenville, South Carolina. His work, created in both digital and analog formats, ranges from studio and environmental portraits to personal projects focusing on the internal struggle, often reflected in thoughtful and sometimes darker imagery. Commercial and editorial accolades include an American Advertising Federation award for the 15th anniversary cover of atHome Magazine, a purchase award by the Pick- ens County Museum and multiple juried shows including the SEC4P exhibition ‘The Intimate Portrait.’ This book was funded, in part, by an award grant from The Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC).

Faith Hudgens is a self-taught painter and mixed media artist from Greenville, SC, whose work spans public and body art. She sees art as a gateway to untold stories, illuminating the past, present, and future. Bold, vibrant, and deeply spiritual, her work blends fantasy with meaning, empowering the unheard and inspiring change. Passionate about community, Faith collaborates with organizations like Miracle Hill Ministries and Upstate Pride, using art as a tool for healing and unity. Her mission is to foster positivity, connection, and transformation through creativity, ensuring her work serves as both an expression and a force for meaningful change.

Kathleen is a commissioned portrait artist with over 30 years of experience, drawing from a background in oil painting and medical illustration. A graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Art, she studied both medical illustration and portrait painting, tracing her artistic lineage back to masters like Robert Henri, Zorn, Sorolla, and Sargent. Her work is distinguished by a painterly approach in oils and rich detail in colored pencil and mixed media. Kathleen began her career as a medical illustrator for a leading Cleveland research hospital before transitioning fully to portraiture. She now dedicates herself to both painting and teaching, offering private lessons, workshops, and classes through art leagues, museums, and college programs.

Christine Swann is an award-winning pastel artist specializing in portraiture for over 28 years. A former graphic designer, she began painting her children before transitioning to working with models, creating “personality portraits” that capture depth and emotion. Her work has received numerous accolades, including the Prix de Pastel at the IAPS Master Circle Exhibitions (2015, 2020) and recognition in Artists Magazine and the Portrait Society of America. Featured in exhibitions worldwide, she has been highlighted as an Artist to Watch by Southwest Art Magazine and included in Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100 competition nine times. An Eminent Member of the IAPS Master Circle and a PSA Signature Member, Christine teaches "The Power of Pastel" workshops nationwide.

Tania Ro, born in Mexico and raised between Mexico and the U.S., blends two rich cultures into her artistic vision. Though she initially pursued a career in manufacturing, after a decade, she followed her passion for art. Influenced by both American and European traditions, as well as the vibrant, expressive nature of Mexican art, her work reflects beauty, diversity, and human emotion. Using bold colors and a modern approach, she seeks to capture fleeting moments and make them timeless. Tania creates to share her perspective, emotions, and dreams—once believing art was not an option for her, she now paints the very dreams she once thought impossible.

Hans-Peter Bolz always had the desire to become an Artist, even at an early age growing up in post-war Germany. His first-grade teacher recognized his talent and encouraged him to keep painting. Hans-Peter’s formal training consists of a course in commercial art, illustration and design with famous Art school International, Inc. He also attended several workshops in portrait, landscapes, and plein air with some of the best painters in the Carolinas. Hans-Peter prefers to paint in oil. With this medium, you are able “to push the paint around” when working wet on wet.

A South Carolina native, Craig Ragsdale fell in love with art under the leadership of great instructors at Christ Church Episcopal. He went on to study advertising and graphic design at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and studied art and art history abroad at Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence, Italy.

Diarmuid Kelly, originally from Ireland, moved to the U.S. in 2007 after earning national recognition for his bovine and equine paintings through the Irish Shows Association. His Best in Show award in 2001, presented by Dr. Michael D. Higgins, marked his transition to a professional art career. Holding an Honors Diploma in Industrial Design, he shifted from CAD-driven design to a more painterly approach. Kelly quickly became active in South Carolina’s art scene, debuting with a successful solo show at the Spartanburg Art Museum. Now a sought-after instructor and juror, his work, inspired by Irish heritage, craftsmanship, and historic Southern cities, blends contemporary realism with classical influences from Vermeer, Caravaggio, and Norman Rockwell.

Meghan Verret was born and raised in a small town in Louisiana. She is a proud alumna of McNeese State University, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology. Halfway through graduate school, Meghan had her only child who was diagnosed with Lissencephaly. As his needs grew, she devoted more time to his care, precipitating a need to leave graduate school and eventually the workforce. Meghan and her husband moved to South Carolina with their son, where she was inspired by the active art scene of Greenville to practice a talent she had left behind in high school. Being an artist is both therapeutic and a valuable work opportunity that allows her the time she needs for her family.

Steve has painted throughout his adult life, and began devoting full-time to his art in 1997. He is primarily self taught, and has studied with landscape artists Scott Christensen, and Jay Moore, and renowned figurative artist Morgan Weistling.   He has had paintings juried selected in the “arts for the parks“ National competition in Jackson, Wyoming.  He also was featured on the cover of the Georgia Pharmacy Journal.

Kephira Davis, a Greenville, SC native, has always been drawn to art, spending her childhood sketching and drawing inspiration from family connections. Her work explores personal history and the impact of time on relationships. In 2023, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lander University with a concentration in 2D studio. Passionate about art history, curatorial practices, and teaching, she strives to enrich lives through creativity. Kephira is a Visual Arts instructor for Greenville County Schools' ARMES program and a studio artist at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts. Through her work, she continues to explore family narratives while fostering artistic engagement within her community.

SuZanne is an artist working under Joy in Sunsets and Flowers, located at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts. Originally from Arkansas, she founded Flowers Pressed Forever, Inc., the first U.S. business to offer floral preservation through pressing, framing, and freeze-drying. Over the years, she preserved thousands of floral designs, including for notable clients. After living in St. Simons Island, GA, and Amelia Island, FL, she now enjoys retirement in Greenville, SC. SuZanne continues to find joy in painting and drawing flowers and sunsets, along with creating select floral preservations for special occasions. Her work reflects a lifelong passion for capturing nature’s beauty in both art and preservation.

Darius Ollison’s passion for photography began in college, where he spent hours admiring images on Flickr before picking up a camera. Frustrated by his phone’s limitations in capturing the stunning sunsets of his small college town, he invested in a DSLR, quickly becoming obsessed with improving his craft. After three years of experimenting, he shifted his focus to portrait photography, drawing inspiration from photographers like Stefan Beutler and Andre Josselin. For Darius, the true magic of portraiture lies in the deep connection between photographer and model—those rare moments when creativity flows seamlessly, capturing raw, honest expressions. Through his work, he seeks to reveal glimpses of the soul, making each session an intimate and meaningful experience.

Savannah (Savvy) Ralph, a Greenville, SC native, is an expressive figurative artist working in acrylic, oil, ink, charcoal, watercolor, and digital media. Their illustrative style blends symbolism and surrealism to explore complex ideas, with a strong focus on representation and equity. Ralph is committed to portraying underrepresented groups in art and media while also addressing mental health stigma through personal narratives. A lifelong artist, they studied at the Fine Arts Center and Greenville Technical College. Beyond creating, Ralph shares their passion as an art instructor and freelance artist. For them, art is more than a profession—it is both a deeply personal and transformative process they intend to pursue for a lifetime.

Louisa, a lifelong South Carolinian, discovered her passion for art as a child at the Greenville County Museum of Art, then located in the Gassaway Mansion. She honed her skills through portrait lessons with Bob Bruns but later shifted her focus to Economics in college. After 12 years in Marketing and Information Systems, she pursued a Master of Social Work, leading to a career in counseling. However, her love for art never faded. Returning to the Greenville County Museum of Art, she studied with Carrie Burns Brown, refining her style and confidence. A GCCA studio artist since its inception, Louisa has exhibited in numerous juried shows and continues to balance her work as a social worker with her passion for creating art.

Kym Easter, based in Travelers Rest, SC, draws inspiration from the natural beauty and wildlife around her. Originally from a large farm in West Virginia, she studied Engineering Design at West Virginia Tech University and earned a teaching degree from West Virginia State, always incorporating art into her studies. Her artistic career began early, with show wins and sales in high school. After moving to South Carolina, she exhibited in nationally juried art fairs, earning multiple Best of Show awards. Passionate about fostering a strong arts community, Kym co-founded the TR Town Art Crawl, served on the Travelers Rest Artists Alliance board, and helped establish WR Fine Art Gallery. She now co-owns Wild Hare Gallery + Studios in Travelers Rest.