Katerina Mertikas was born in Tripoli, Greece in 1957 and is now a permanent resident of Ontario, Canada. Her highly stylized art leaves one with a smile which is much like Katerina's optimistic, happy character. Her husband and two daughters are the inspiration behind many of her paintings. She paints childhood's fleeting and precious moments, hoping that in each painting someone may recognize themselves in the past or perhaps see their children enjoying their day. A truly naïve painter, Katerina creates spontaneously and freely out of the urgings of her heart. Katerina, a self-taught artist, alludes to the world around her by projecting her own ideas and visions rather than simply copying the surroundings, and in doing so gives us a marvelous view of our own world. Katerina classifies her own work as naïve expressionism – she is trying to convey to the world a message of love, peace, innocence and friendship. Katerina explains: “I love vivid colours. I love the feeling that painting creates within me – especially when depicting children in all their joys and excitement. I try to capture the special, happy moments in our daily lives on every canvas on which I paint.” The vitality and joy of Katerina Mertikas and her genius as a colourist has won her the admiration of art collectors across Canada and beyond. Her involvement with Unicef over the years has led to this Greek-Canadian artist to mingle with the likes of the late Princess Diana, Nana Mouskouri, Julio Iglesias and Roger Moore, all of whom are Unicef’s

Debra Martin is a self-taught Canaidan artist whose paintings have been featured in the Kelowna Art Gallery, and several art shows. Debra Martin has taken several art workshops to enhance her artistic views. Debra Martin has traveled to many destinations in Europe and Asia and has been inspired and awed by the Fine Arts in these regions. Debra Martin’s landscape paintings are characterized by soft floating clouds and majestic trees. Debra Martin creates landscapes and still life paintings. Her still life paintings are very influenced by patterns and bold colors of fabrics. Martin resides in the Okanagan Valley with her family.

Jan Richmond was born in Edson, Alberta raised in Edson and Prince Rupert, BC. Jan Richmond completed an Elementary Education degree at the University of Victoria. After retiring, Jan had the time to explore her artistic yearnings. Exhibitions: Sculpture Symposium Show - Vernon 2003 - Art Walk - Winfield - 2003 - Tutt Art Galleries - Kelowna - November 2006, November 2007 & December 2008

"As a young boy, I developed a keen interest in drawing, and as a young man began teaching myself how to paint in oils. In 2001, I was fortunate to have a piece selected by the AIM FOR THE ARTS International Competition in Vancouver, BC. There were 1,340 entries from around the world and of these, 209 were chosen. My entry was amoung the 40 paintings sold at that show." Mr. Richmond has been featured in a number of magazines, one being the front cover of the Contry Register in 2002. He is also featured in the biennial Guide of Canadian Artists since 2002. Bob's work is very detailed with great care given to composition, balance of color and form. He paints a variety of subjects, but most of his work is directed toward painting still life.

Linda Susan Priest was born in Vancouver, BC. From her very young years, Susan has drawn and painted. Susan took extensive art training during her high school years and graduated with a two year Commercial Art Diploma. Susan continued her learning process througout her adult life, including studying potrait and life drawing under the direction of Heather Spiers of Ottawa. Susan has directed all her energy into developing her skills with soft pastels and has become an accomplished pastel artist in her own right.