Meet Our Studio Artists

Barbara Ainsley began studying at the Artists League after retiring from banking in 2012. She has worked in oils, watercolors, alcohol ink and charcoal and is always open to try a new medium. In 2021 she found colored pencils. The art of colored pencil marries her love of realistic art and her quest to find subjects that will draw the viewer in for a closer look. With beauty and joy all around us the subjects for her art are limitless. Every painting begins with the question, “what can I do to put a smile on the viewer’s face?” Barbara’s award-winning work is on display at the Artists League of the Sandhills and Midland Bistro and is in private collections throughout the US. You may find her in studio #2.

Nancy Allen has tried it all. Since joining the Artists League she has worked with water color, gouache, alcohol ink, scratch board, pastels, and pencils. Currently, her favorites are oil and acrylics. She enjoys landscapes and portraits. She looks forward to seeing you and discussing the work of the League. Nancy’s artwork may be found in Studio #31, in the middle of the Studio spaces.

Liz Apodaca began painting as a six-year-old in El, Paso, Texas, mentored by her grandfather. Her medium of choice is acrylic. Its adaptability allows her to create an array of movements, textures and depth in her art. “My goal is to invoke a feeling, then a connection between the viewer and my work – so much that they become one. I create to illustrate a moment in time, the story of that particular reality through my own eyes and heart. Not painting what I see would leave me a selfish woman. Liz is in Studio #3

Deane Billings has been a member of the Artists League since 1999, after moving to Pinehurst from Marblehead, Mass. Her watercolor paintings reflect her love of gardens, flowers, and the New England coast. Deane also has a fascination with animals and paints portraits capturing their personalities and wonderful expressions. Deane may be found in Studio #1

Linda Bruening, an accomplished oil painter, works with landscape and still life subjects with a focus on portraying unique perspectives, subjects, or angles. Her contemporary painting approach includes the use of glazes, drips, splashes, palette knives, rollers and brushes. Linda also teaches oil painting classes and leads the group critique sessions at the League . Linda’s artwork may be found in Studio #5.

Studio #21

Studio #28

My name is Pam Clark. I am a North Carolina transplant from South Texas. I hold multiple degrees in marine biology, environmental science, and theater. I renewed my interest in painting when I retired. I experiment in all media but especially enjoy watercolors. I joined the Artists League in 2017 and you may find me and my artwork in Studio #17.

My husband and I moved to Pinehurst full time in October 2023, after two years of “wintering” here from Hershey, PA and becoming empty nesters. I was thrilled to find such a thriving group of artists! My favorite part has been the encouragement of members quick to share stories, resources, challenges, and tips. 

In high school and college, I took all the art classes that I could find. I’ve enjoyed watercolor and acrylic, and have taken classes at the Artists League in both. I also look forward to exploring other mediums. My professional background is in business, advertising, and sales. I grew up in South Dakota, and plan to paint scenes from the beautiful Black Hills and the golden prairielands. 

Studio #22

Ashleigh is most enthusiastic when she is painting outdoors. She enjoys sketching while on travels near and far. She has participated in several plein air painting competitions in recent years. She also loves house portrait commissions. Ashleigh also teaches art to kids, and has two small children of her own. Her work can be viewed in studio #20.

 Studio #30

Bonnie Dougherty loves to paint landscapes and animals, especially dogs, and country scenes in oils. She loves other mediums such as pastels and pen and ink sketches.  With little art background however, she has learned primarily by experimenting in all mediums.She and her husband, Bob, are retired Naval Officers, and he is a devoted supporter of her passion to paint.  The many classes at the Artist League have been helpful in honing her skills. 

Her efforts go to support the League, Life Care Pregnancy Center in Carthage, and animal rescue organizations.

She welcomes you to visit her in her new Studio: #14.                                                                                                                                          

Gene has been involved in the art world for over 4 decades as an agent for one of the more prominent equine artists in America. Even though he dabbled in oil painting over the years, he never pursued it as a passion until 2018, when he moved to the Southern Pines area with his wife, horses and dogs. Gene admires the great animal artists of the 18th and 19th century and looks to them for inspiration. Stop by his Studio #10 and view his work, or ask about commissioning your own painting.

Janet Garber, a veterinarian, spent her career in biomedical research before moving to the Sandhills in 2001. Semi-retirement offered time to rekindle her interest in art. A member of the Artists League since 2005, Jan began painting animals in watercolor. She has since explored other media, including oil, pastel, and colored pencil. Animals and landscapes are her primary subjects. Jan and her artwork may be found in Studio #23

After retiring from the Coast Guard in 2007, Lynn took an assortment of art classes, and was especially drawn to block printing, enjoying the flatness of the images and strong use of color and lines. After joining the Artists League in 2014 she expanded into oils and some watercolor. Her work still incorporates flatness, bold color and strong use of lines in each medium. Her work can also be found in Liquidamber Gallery and Gifts in Pittsboro, NC. This artist occupies studio #8.

Studio #15

Pam Griner has been a member of the Artists League since the Army moved her and her husband from Georgia to Moore County in 2011. She is the office manager (and only employee!) of the League and says that working where she is surrounded by such talent has been inspiring and life changing. Pam has always been creative and enjoys working with different media but is most passionate about the brilliant colors of alcohol ink. She teaches classes in alcohol ink, encaustic wax and sometimes cake decorating. She may be found in the League office and Studio #34

Courtney Herndon has a passion for painting landscapes. She paints in oils and with more emotion and feeling than technical structure. Whether the countryside, gardens, or water, she shares her love of the land with an impressionistic style. A past president of the Artists League, Courtney has displayed in many solo and group exhibits. She is always happy to talk with collectors and others who enjoy art or painting. Courtney creates in Studio #4

Artist Laureen Kirk likes varied subject matter including still life, figures and the beauty found in nature. She paints the things around her and is constantly looking for subjects of interest that combine her strong sense of color, light and value contrast. Kirk works in drawing and painting with oil, acrylic and watercolor. Laureen may be found in Studio #7

Leigh Lassiter joined the Artists League in 2018 after retiring early from a career in the fashion and home textiles industries, in order to more fully pursue her passion for art. She paints in both oils and pastels, and strives to convey the effects of light in an impressionistic manner in both emotive landscapes and still life images. Her love of nature, gardening and animals is reflected in her artwork. Leigh is a former Board President of theArtists League and serves on the education committee. Leigh creates in Studio #6

Janis Loehr grew up and lived most of her life in Rochester NY. In 2017 she and her husband retired to Pinehurst NC. As her husband plays golf Janis plays with art supplies and ideas. They both enjoy traveling and Janis often attends classes and retreats to learn new art techniques. Janis is an abstract artist who uses several techniques to create art. She works in acrylic and collage. To make dimensional pieces she uses such things as plaster, aluminum foil, plastic sheets and altered papers (red rosin, cardboard, etc.). She also creates with encaustic wax, which is beeswax, binder and pigment. Janis is in studio # 19.

Meredith Markfield spent thirty years teaching middle school English on Long Island. She later retired to Florida where she developed an interest in painting. She moved to Pinehurst in 2017. It was here that she developed her passion for fluid acrylic pouring. She is a board member of The Artists League of the Sandhills, where she is the New Member Committee chair and teaches occasional classes in Fluid Acrylic Pouring. Meredith occupies Studio #16.

Mary O’Malley has been painting at the Artists League for 24 years. Her studio displays some of her oil landscapes of scenes from Wisconsin and North Carolina, but her favorite subjects are animals and people. A selection of her oil paintings as well as some pastels can be found in studio #25

Kathy Petz joined the Artists League shortly after relocating to North Carolina from Michigan. She works primarily with oil and pastel, although she enjoys working with other mediums as well. Kathy loves nature and enjoys painting animals and landscape scenes. She has done several commissioned pieces (ask about commissioning something for you or a loved one!) and has works in private collections in several U.S. states. Kathy is also a member of the Arts Council of Moore County. Kathy may be found in studio #9.

KC Sorvari paints primarily in watercolor, creatring non-representational works. “…on some level the artist is listening to the painting or following the painting’s instructions about what to do next.” – Ann Temkin, MOMA chief curator of Painting and Sculpture. KC is listening in Studio #12.

 Studio #33

Heather Vandersloot has painted in Alkyd paint for the last 18 years. Her use of bold color and abstract shapes are her style! She enjoys painting North Carolina barns that tell a story of yesteryear but also likes painting flowers and landscapes. She occupies Studio #11

 Studio #26

Deborah Whitley moved here from Kentucky and started taking classes at the Artists League in 2006.  She works in alcohol inks, oils (with cold wax medium) and mixed media.  She retired two years ago to focus on her art.  She enjoys learning new techniques and the opportunities to be around other artists.  Deborah’s artwork can be found in Studio #29.

Emma Wilson started paiinting lessons with a professional artist in the Phillippines in 1974. She has been an Artists League member since 2007, serving on the Board and many committees. Born in Beaufort, NC she graduated from UNCG. Many of her paintings are influenced by coastal and mountain scenes and other areas across NC. Working primarily in oils, some scratchboard and also alcohol ink, her focus is mostly traditional and impressionistic landscapes,  as well as animals and architecture. Emma accepts commissions. She works in Studio #27

Beth Ybarra is an award-winning acrylic painter whose love of art and design began in childhood. The everyday things and places that often go unseen are the subjects of her paintings. It amazes her that, through the use of her 5-8 color palette, value and light, the subjects become beautiful and memorable. Her love of art and design led her to earn degrees in graphic design and interior design. After careers in both, she chose to paint with renewed interest. Beth lives in Pinehurst with her husband and son. Her studio at the Artists League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen is Studio #18