Laura Barton received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA in 1984. She continues to expand upon her education by taking classes at the Main Line Art Center, the Community Art Center and the Chester County Art Association. She has worked for several advertising/design studios and now operates her own graphic design business, Barton Design, Inc. However, her passion remains in painting. Her oil landscapes, cityscapes, interiors & still lives have been on display in numerous galleries, both locally and regionally. Working primarily on location - in plain air - she usually limits her canvas size to 12" x 16". However, she has recently begun doing larger works in the studio. Ms. Barton's paintings range from impressionist to abstract impressionist in style, and capture color and light in its many manifestations. Laura Barton is a first year art of caring artist!

Tracy Cantlin, who was born and raised in West Chester, went to West Chester University where she received her BFA in art with a minor in art history. She went on to receive her teaching certification at Millersville University and now teaches within the West Chester Area School District. In addition, she also teaches at the Chester County Art Association. She partook in the CCAA's 75th anniversary celebration by painting a planter of her own and also assisted students paint a planter at a local middle school. She currently has work at Simple Pleasures Gallery in West Chester. TRACY IS A FIRST YEAR ART OF CARING ARTIST!

Thomas Del Porte is immersed in a world that is increasingly fascinating and exciting. Standing on the shoulders of giants, Del Porte’s work reflects his passionate interest in painting in the Western European Tradition. A thread can be followed from Del Porte’s paintings to his mentor Edward L. Loper Sr. to Cezanne and the Byzantines. At first glance, Del Porte’s work seems to be representational of the everyday or perhaps it has a faint familiarity to a classical ideal, but that is only the beginning of the visual journey. His distortion of realism releases in us an exploration of color and texture. He does not paint objects; he paints line, light, color and space. Currently he is interested in exploring paint quality. His paintings have a jewel like sparkle. He wants you to feel the paint in your mind so strongly that you are almost compelled to touch the fragile peaks of thick paint. The rewards of his work open themselves only to those willing to truly look. Del Porte has studied at the Barnes Foundation and is a student of several Wilmington masters. He is on the adjunct faculty of the Delaware College of Art and Design and is the President of the DCCA studio artist group. Del Porte’s work can be found in private collections in the United States and Europe. He is an active participant in the gallery scene in New York City, Pennsylvania and Wilmington. His studio is located in Wilmington, Delaware at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. TOM IS A FIRST YEAR ART OF CARING ARTIST!

"Color Me or Leave me Be" © is the title of Kathy’s imaginative 2007 Art of Caring piece. The purchasers will be free to customize the bench with the colors of their choice – or simply “leave it be.” Raised in southern New Jersey, Kathy was never at a loss for scenery to paint. Salt marshes, old buildings, fishing boats and historical sites were among her favorite subjects. In 1986 Kathy began scuba diving and now concentrates on aquatic subjects for her latest watercolor series. This self taught artist has developed skills that have received many rewards and much recognition. Kathy's paintings and prints can be found in New York, Texas, the Virgin Islands, Australia and the east coast from Maine to the Florida Keys. Her respect for the marine environment and its inhabitants is often apparent in her paintings and lifestyle. KATHY IS A 3-TIME ART OF CARING ARTIST!

Susan Gordon Davis, "Super", is a lover of nature and wildlife. She magnifies the beauty she sees in nature and animals. A self-taught painter, she is always discovering new ways to share what texture and color can do. Super has exhibited in local galleries in the mid-Atlantic area and plans to paint more local wildlife and landscapes to suit the market desire. The Marchwood Shopping Center Goodwill store in Exton, Pennsylvania has several murals painted by Super for their expansion in 2000. Super's favorite subject matter is pets who have passed on, because in paintings she can capture their beauty forever. Super is a third year art of caring artist!

Matiko Mamaladze was born in 1964 in Tbilisi, Georgia. She grew up in an artistic family surrounded by paintings created by her mother and grandfather. They were a source of inspiration to Matiko and encouraged her to study art. She works in oil, ink, and pastel. "Different things inspire me", says Matiko. "people, nature, mood or simple every day events. My work is figurative and centers on people that I find unique and interesting. I try to express their internal nature using colors and emotional line avoiding a simple copy, mood is of primary importance." Matiko studied at the Nikoladze Art School and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. MATIKO IS A 2-TIME ART OF CARING ARTIST!

Parnaos Surabischwilli was born in 1965 in Tbilisi, Georgia. After finishing High School, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi, graduating in 1988 with a Master’s Degree. He was greatly influenced by his father’s art as well as the Italian renaissance, Dali and American paintings. He was a member of the Artist’s Union in the U.S.S.R., participating in many exhibitions and several personal shows in Georgia, Russia, Germany and the U.S. Parna has invented a totally new kind of artist’s palette, called Parna Palette, which is now available through Jerry’s Catalog (Jerry’s Artarama) and ASW. His oil paintings hang in many private collections. PARNA IS A FIRST YEAR ART OF CARING ARTIST!

Don Shoffner grew up in Chester County, PA anchored by three centuries of family tradition, amid the old buildings, barns, and bridges that fill his works. His challenge is to try and capture their utility, texture and integrity before they disappear from our landscape. Working in watercolor and India ink, his works depict fall and winter scenes in their subdued hues. His seascapes reflect the peaceful nature and warmth of the Massachusetts Southshore and bring a certain balance. After graduating from West Chester University, he studied textile design at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, gaining new appreciation for texture and composition. For the past 25 years, Don has been a participant in numerous group shows and associations both in Pennsylvania and New England. He was commissioned to paint the 2005 holiday card for the ARC of Chester County. Working with the Redesign Group, Don has completed production of a toile fabric incorporating seven scenes of the historic Quaker community at Buck Hill Falls. Don Shoffner is a fourth year art of caring artist!

Betsy Elliott Zukin is a graduate of the University of the Arts and received her M.F.A from Tyler School of Art. Betsy received both the Faculty and Renzetti Awards while attending the University of the Arts and was granted the Russell Conwell Fellowship by Tyler School of Art. Her work is featured in Visions by Dr. Steven C. Schachter. Betsy has shown her work in multi-media events with visual art, music and performance at the Prince Music Theater, Philadelphia, and has performed and displayed her work at the Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia. Her work has been in shows throughout the country. Betsy was taught to sew, and embroider when she was 5 years old by her great aunt. Teaching art to children has always been a passion. Betsy is a 2-time Art of Caring Artist! Scott Zukin has a BFA in crafts from the Philadelphia College of Art now the University of the Arts. He is trained in traditional cabinetmaking, metal working and sculpture. Scott's woodshop, Zukin Woodworking Inc. was in Philadelphia from 1986 through 1999. His career in woodworking began with refinishing furniture at 13 yrs old. His pieces are an integration of traditional furniture and sculpture. He has shown his art work in the Philadelphia area and New York. Collaborating efforts with Betsy began with performance art in Philadelphia. The act of producing art with someone is a challenge of trust, letting go of preconceived ideas and some non-verbal communication. You will primarily see Scott on the streets of West Chester using his talents with historic renovations at Zukin Realty Inc. On an occasional weekend you may find him dusty and smiling in his woodshop. This is their first collaboration for The Art of Caring!

Nancy Thompson has taught and painted in Chester County for over 30 years. She studied at Moore College of Art, Beaver College, and Penn State University. Her Yellow Ribbon design sold nationally through QVC to benefit the Red Cross during the Persian Gulf War. Nancy’s paintings include many historical sites with a human touch. She participated in the 2004 Harrisburg “Cow Parade” by painting a fiberglass cow to commemorate the work of historical muralist Violet Oakley. Nancy Thompson is a five year art of caring artist!