PHOTOGRAPHER

Link to current artwork in gallery

Adam Hawley, a local of Topsail, has dedicated a significant portion of his life to honing his skills in the field of photography. With a career spanning since 2001, he has been employed at Unique Media & Design, a company specialized in real estate photography and virtual tours. Throughout his professional journey, he has had the opportunity to capture the essence of countless properties in various distinctive locations both within our state and around the globe. In addition to his professional commitments, Adam is fervently drawn to the concept of capturing moments, attempting to suspend time through his meticulous photography. His area of expertise lies in photographing coastal landscapes and utilizing long exposure techniques to encapsulate the passing of time for the appreciation of all. Adam firmly believes in the brevity of life, advocating the ethos of working hard and embracing leisure with equal gusto, without taking anything for granted along the way. His guiding principle can be best described by the famous adage that states, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." When not holding a camera, he can be found enjoying the company of his loved ones and friends, partaking in activities such as fishing, kitesurfing, boating, and any other water-oriented endeavors.

PHOTOGRAPHER

With southern roots and humble beginnings, Melissa Luther's romance with photography blossomed at the age of 12. Pink Instamatic 35mm camera in hand she began her life's pictorial journey on horseback, capturing the awe inspiring landscapes of Yellowstone Park. Documenting moments of time in nature, cityscapes and even underwater, Melissa honed her skills through study, diligence and practice. Her degree in Graphic Design & Digital Media catapulted her into the world of post production where she quickly learned the value of photo editing knowledge. With an eye for detail and a desire to push her talents to their limits she experiments with drone, water and still photography to explore and capture the breathtaking world around her. Melissa's work has been featured in multiple publications and social media platforms, but her true joy comes from specializing in fashion, nature and architectural photography. She hopes to use her images to raise awareness for environmental concerns that threaten the natural beauty surrounding us and to hopefully spark conversations that help us to better protect and preserve our oceans and coastlines. Melissa sums up her photography career thus far, simply with one sentence...

"The passionate pursuit and lifelong study of light, captured in a single frame."

ARTIST

As an artist, I am influenced by the beauty of the movement of watercolor paint and the spontaneity achieved with the mixture of water and its unexpected meanderings across the paper.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but lived in the tropical beauty of South Florida for over 40 years, and am currently residing in Surf City, North Carolina. I am Inspired by bold colors of tropical landscapes, oceans, waves, coastal beauty, birds, and our beloved pets. I seek to portray a laid-back attitude and a loose and free technique in my paintings. I started painting in watercolors in 2011, attended workshops and classes, and still learning the endless techniques available with this medium.

My goal with painting is to capture the beauty, or the emotion of the subject, in hopes to let the viewer take themselves away for a minute…

ARTIST

Award Winning Artist and Children’s Book Author

Originally from Charleston, SC, Jeanne McIntosh Rietzke holds a BA in Fine Art from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. She spent her

formative years painting with E de May Smith, a prominent watercolor artist. Jeanne developed her colorful, coastal, and marine-themed

painting style in college. In her 30+ years as an artist, Jeanne’s paintings have sold nationally and internationally. She has won numerous awards,

been accepted into dozens of juried shows, and featured in national and international publications. Preferring the fluidity of watercolor paints,

Jeanne’s works are easily recognizable by her creative use of watermarks, intense colors, and unique perspectives. Jeanne has also been known

to paint in mixed water media including acrylic paint and inks. You will also see landscapes, abstracts, and waterscapes in her portfolio.

February 24, 2022, her first children’s books were published. Jeanne has written and illustrated a series entitled Caroline, The Painted Turtle.

Both books were awarded first place in The BookFest Awards Fall 2022 in children’s fiction for Diversity and Multicultural and Social Themes.

Jeanne now makes her home in Wilmington, NC, with her husband Jacques and their six cats.

ARTIST

Dave Mercer is a self taught mixed media artist. He is motivated by his coastal roots and ocean passion. Dave’s work spans a multitude of mediums focusing on dimensional and emotive color pallets with expressive realism blended to a playful illustrative style. Drawing inspiration from his youth and incorporating tech and creative solutions, Dave’s work evokes a welcoming nostalgia and refreshingly self aware goofiness. You will find many local businesses have utilized Dave’s talent by incorporating his art into their logos and branding. Be sure to check out “the Surf city Mural” located under the water tower to see one of Dave’s largest masterpieces!

PHOTOGRAPHER

My name is Wilton Wescott and I am a photographer that lives in Surf City NC. I am originally from Manteo on Roanoke Island which is on the Outer Banks of NC. I shoot mostly real estate but never miss a chance to photograph landscapes, wildlife and surfers both from the ground and from a drone. Capturing what everyone sees, the way I see, is what photography is all about for me

ARTIST

Diana Vincent is a self-taught painter inspired by the beauty around her, depicting wildlife, local sea & landscapes, the faces & places from her many travels, and her longtime love of horses. With no formal art education or training, Diana is motivated by the simple joy of creating art to share in her local community. Less than 10 years into painting, her signature detailed style has been recognized through juried shows, international competitions, local publications and awards. Diana’s love for wildlife and her proximity to the ocean continually inspire her to depict sea animals in her paintings helping to magnify awareness for the fragile state of these magnificent creatures. In addition to the very detailed work Diana is known for, she also creates large fluid-art pieces, meaning no brushes are used. These pieces have hung in local galleries and are sought after for commissions. Her work often combines the magic of fluid-art in the form of a background, with detailed marine life painted on top, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind creations.

ARTIST

Native North Carolinian, Pamela Burke, has called Topsail Beach home since 1998. After winning numerous awards as an art quilter, creating acrylic art is now her focus. She loves to learn and incorporate new techniques into her art. Pam and her husband, John, have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. When not creating in Studio #3, she enjoys traveling, cycling and Pickleball.

Artisit

Hello! My name is Lauren. I am proud to be born and raised in Sneads Ferry, where I spent my childhood surrounded by the beautiful coastal landscapes of Surf City and Topsail. My passion for the sea and my hometown inspires my artistic journey, which I express through vibrant watercolor and acrylic paintings. As the daughter of a oth generation commercial fisherman, I find myself drawn to the beauty of trawlers. I specialize in capturing the essence of our region's landmarks, intricate natural habitats, and diverse marine life. Each piece aims to evoke the beauty and serenity of coastal living. With 30 years of experience in creating art, l operate from my studio in Jacksonville. Here, I offer art lessons and workshops, sharing my knowledge and passion with aspiring artists of all ages. I genuinely hope that my artwork resonates with you and transports you back to simpler, more peaceful times. If so, mission accomplished!

Feel free to connect with me on my social media platforms and my website to follow and stay updated on upcoming classes and exhibitions.