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ESTERO ART LEAGUE – ARTIST’S PROFILES/SIGN-UP INFORMATION
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
OPEN PAINT: continues in the Estero Community Center as usual all year. Monday 9:00 to 12:00. For
our new members, Open Paint means just that, come with your own project and do your own thing as
you enjoy the fellowship of other members.
Classes will only be held if there are a sufficient number of students to confirm each class. Please give
serious consideration to signing up and please sign up early. The reason we ask this is because we
need 5 signed up paid students two weeks ahead of the class start date. The artist is advised two weeks
ahead of class that their class is a “go”, and it is at this time that the Art League is committed to a
contract with the Artist. You may still sign-up for a class after the two week commitment date provided
there is space available, usually there is a maximum of 15 students per class, however each teacher has
the option to limit their class at their discretion. If you can, please pay for classes when you sign-up. At
the latest, please pay for class on the Monday prior to class, and not on the Monday of class.
SIGN-UP FOR ALL CLASSES: May be done at Open Paint, on Monday mornings at the Estero
Community Center or send a cheque to Raquel Ubarri, Treasurer EAL, P.O. Box 864, Estero, Fl 33928.
On the check be sure to indicate which class you want to take. Please keep your receipt and bring it to
class. Please also be aware that if you attend one day of any class there are no refunds, unless by
application to the Board of Directors for consideration of extenuating circumstances.
Non-Members: Non-members are welcome to participate in our classes. In addition to the regular fee an
up-charge of $15 is added to each class.
ESTERO ART LEAGUE - ARTIST PROFILES
Shirley Blake: is a native of Illinois but has lived and worked in Minnesota since 1968 and spends part of
her year in Florida. She has a B.A. from the University of Iowa with graduate work at the Northern Illinois
University and the University of Minnesota. Shirley began in watercolor in the early 80’s. By studying
with local and national artists as well as her personal growth, her painting style has evolved into the use
of many different media with both realistic and abstract subjects. She has done private tutoring and
group teaching in mixed media, acrylic, collage, and watercolor since 1987. Her painting style conveys to
the viewer her concept via the selective use of design elements, color and composition. Shirley has
shown her paintings and received awards at many different exhibitions. Her work is represented in
private collections and several different galleries in Minnesota and Florida.
Jeanni Burgwald: is a native of the lake country of northern Minnesota and a longtime artist whose
paintings are inspired by nature, the changing seasons and the beauty to be found in changes of the
landscape. Using traditional techniques, she attempts to capture the mood and activity of the seasons in
her oil paintings. The play of light and shadows, the reflections of trees and objects on water, the
movement of water, as well as the beautiful colors and textures found in nature are what appeals to her
most, and are expressed expertly in her painting. Jeanni teaches both in Florida in the winter and at her
studio/gallery in northern Minnesota during the summer months. Jeanni’s paintings have been shown in
galleries and exhibitions in Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Lee Butera: After working as a fine artist for several years, lee began her jewelry design career in
2008. She had been collecting sea glass from various beaches over the years and found “wrapping” the
surf-tumbled pieces with sterling silver and gold-filled wires enabled her to create one-of-a-kind pendants
and earrings. Lee sells her work at shows and most recently at the Promenade Shops. She teaches in
her home studio and at various communities throughout the area.
Suzanne Mikulka: Suzanne has been teaching acrylic painting for over 25 years She has a BS degree
in Elementary Education from West Chester University in PA. She opened a folk art studio and gift store
in Connecticut which she operated for the next 10 years. At that point she decided that she would rather
be a full time teacher and opened a home studio where she taught 9 weekly sessions and seminars on
the weekends. It was a busy schedule, but she totally loved it. When she and her husband moved to
Florida in 2004 she left b ehind 100 weekly students. She has remaind an active teacher here in
Florida. Suzanne has served as President of the decorative Artist of Sout West Florida in 2007 – 2008.
In addition she teacher a weekly program at Pelican Preserve in Ft. Myers. She feels in her heart if she
can make someone’s life better through painting then she and her students both win.
Sue Pink: grew up and attended school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Sue attended Nova University and
received a BS in Education and furthered her education with a MS degree in Gifted and Computer
Education. After a career in teaching she pursued her interest in art by taking workshops and classes
with local and national teachers. As a result of these workshops, Sue’s interest in abstract art grew.
Working in the abstract manner has allowed her to emotionally tie her work to the viewer. Sue is a
signature member of the National Watercolor Society as well as a member of several state and local
watercolor and artist’s organizations.
Sue begins each work with spontaneity and immediate content, and then incorporates reflections from
past experiences and acquaintances. Color and texture are major factors in her work, along with a muted
pallet. Her materials include both watercolor and acrylic paint on 100% cotton rag paper.
Judy Ladd: graduated from Notre Dame University with an MFA in art. She also
received an elementary and secondary administrative degree from Indiana
University.
She opened a coop gallery in Mishawaka, IN for thirteen years in which she featured local artists. She
taught high school art for nineteen years and later became an assistant principal in a high school in
Mishawaka, IN. Judy taught art education classes at St Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN for 10 years.
She taught a variety of art classes and served on the board of the South Bend Art Center representing
the faculty. She is currently teaching adult painting in Florida and exhibiting in many fine art shows in
that area.
She shows her porcelain jewelry in many juried fine art shows featuring her hand drawn beads
incorporated in each piece. Her watercolors are featured in galleries and private collections throughout
the United States.
She has taught drawing and watercolor at the Bonita Art Center, Cape Coral Art Center and currently
teaching for the Estero Art League. She is in the beginning stages of writing and illustrating a children’s
book.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
OPEN PAINT: continues in the Estero Community Center as usual all year. Monday 9:00 to 12:00. For
our new members, Open Paint means just that, come with your own project and do your own thing as
you enjoy the fellowship of other members.
Classes will only be held if there are a sufficient number of students to confirm each class. Please give
serious consideration to signing up and please sign up early. The reason we ask this is because we
need 5 signed up paid students two weeks ahead of the class start date. The artist is advised two weeks
ahead of class that their class is a “go”, and it is at this time that the Art League is committed to a
contract with the Artist. You may still sign-up for a class after the two week commitment date provided
there is space available, usually there is a maximum of 15 students per class, however each teacher has
the option to limit their class at their discretion. If you can, please pay for classes when you sign-up. At
the latest, please pay for class on the Monday prior to class, and not on the Monday of class.
SIGN-UP FOR ALL CLASSES: May be done at Open Paint, on Monday mornings at the Estero
Community Center or send a cheque to Raquel Ubarri, Treasurer EAL, P.O. Box 864, Estero, Fl 33928.
On the check be sure to indicate which class you want to take. Please keep your receipt and bring it to
class. Please also be aware that if you attend one day of any class there are no refunds, unless by
application to the Board of Directors for consideration of extenuating circumstances.
Non-Members: Non-members are welcome to participate in our classes. In addition to the regular fee an
up-charge of $15 is added to each class.
ESTERO ART LEAGUE - ARTIST PROFILES
Shirley Blake: is a native of Illinois but has lived and worked in Minnesota since 1968 and spends part of
her year in Florida. She has a B.A. from the University of Iowa with graduate work at the Northern Illinois
University and the University of Minnesota. Shirley began in watercolor in the early 80’s. By studying
with local and national artists as well as her personal growth, her painting style has evolved into the use
of many different media with both realistic and abstract subjects. She has done private tutoring and
group teaching in mixed media, acrylic, collage, and watercolor since 1987. Her painting style conveys to
the viewer her concept via the selective use of design elements, color and composition. Shirley has
shown her paintings and received awards at many different exhibitions. Her work is represented in
private collections and several different galleries in Minnesota and Florida.
Jeanni Burgwald: is a native of the lake country of northern Minnesota and a longtime artist whose
paintings are inspired by nature, the changing seasons and the beauty to be found in changes of the
landscape. Using traditional techniques, she attempts to capture the mood and activity of the seasons in
her oil paintings. The play of light and shadows, the reflections of trees and objects on water, the
movement of water, as well as the beautiful colors and textures found in nature are what appeals to her
most, and are expressed expertly in her painting. Jeanni teaches both in Florida in the winter and at her
studio/gallery in northern Minnesota during the summer months. Jeanni’s paintings have been shown in
galleries and exhibitions in Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Lee Butera: After working as a fine artist for several years, lee began her jewelry design career in
2008. She had been collecting sea glass from various beaches over the years and found “wrapping” the
surf-tumbled pieces with sterling silver and gold-filled wires enabled her to create one-of-a-kind pendants
and earrings. Lee sells her work at shows and most recently at the Promenade Shops. She teaches in
her home studio and at various communities throughout the area.
Suzanne Mikulka: Suzanne has been teaching acrylic painting for over 25 years She has a BS degree
in Elementary Education from West Chester University in PA. She opened a folk art studio and gift store
in Connecticut which she operated for the next 10 years. At that point she decided that she would rather
be a full time teacher and opened a home studio where she taught 9 weekly sessions and seminars on
the weekends. It was a busy schedule, but she totally loved it. When she and her husband moved to
Florida in 2004 she left b ehind 100 weekly students. She has remaind an active teacher here in
Florida. Suzanne has served as President of the decorative Artist of Sout West Florida in 2007 – 2008.
In addition she teacher a weekly program at Pelican Preserve in Ft. Myers. She feels in her heart if she
can make someone’s life better through painting then she and her students both win.
Sue Pink: grew up and attended school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Sue attended Nova University and
received a BS in Education and furthered her education with a MS degree in Gifted and Computer
Education. After a career in teaching she pursued her interest in art by taking workshops and classes
with local and national teachers. As a result of these workshops, Sue’s interest in abstract art grew.
Working in the abstract manner has allowed her to emotionally tie her work to the viewer. Sue is a
signature member of the National Watercolor Society as well as a member of several state and local
watercolor and artist’s organizations.
Sue begins each work with spontaneity and immediate content, and then incorporates reflections from
past experiences and acquaintances. Color and texture are major factors in her work, along with a muted
pallet. Her materials include both watercolor and acrylic paint on 100% cotton rag paper.
Judy Ladd: graduated from Notre Dame University with an MFA in art. She also
received an elementary and secondary administrative degree from Indiana
University.
She opened a coop gallery in Mishawaka, IN for thirteen years in which she featured local artists. She
taught high school art for nineteen years and later became an assistant principal in a high school in
Mishawaka, IN. Judy taught art education classes at St Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN for 10 years.
She taught a variety of art classes and served on the board of the South Bend Art Center representing
the faculty. She is currently teaching adult painting in Florida and exhibiting in many fine art shows in
that area.
She shows her porcelain jewelry in many juried fine art shows featuring her hand drawn beads
incorporated in each piece. Her watercolors are featured in galleries and private collections throughout
the United States.
She has taught drawing and watercolor at the Bonita Art Center, Cape Coral Art Center and currently
teaching for the Estero Art League. She is in the beginning stages of writing and illustrating a children’s
book.