“River Paradise” By Irene Sukle

"This piece is symbolic of the river I have canoed and loved. It is dedicated to preserving our natural habitat and keeping our waters clean for all life and generations."

Irene Sukle is an artist gaining international stature. She has won numerous awards in painting and sculpture and is represented by several galleries including The Artist Review Today in Galleria, Atmosphere in Tremont, The Art Gallery in Willoughby and Wobblefoot.com. She has done large public works for the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s Guitar Mania (4 of them), InfiniTree Geauga at the West Woods, and Horse of a Different Color in Akron.

She has taught Art at West Geauga High School for 39 years and enjoys the energy and creativity of the students as well as the way teaching pushes her to remain artistically fresh and creative. For views of student work from 2000-2006 go to www.  westgeauga.k12.oh.us/ highschool then to teacher pages and click on Ms. Sukle.

“The Many Aspects of Nature” By Julie Anne Murrell & Naomi Fortis

Naomi Fortis and Julie Anne Murrell are both students at Kent State University. Naomi Fortis is an International Communications major and Julie Anne Murrell is a Fashion Merchandising major.

By Laura First

"I decided to use a coral reef as my design, keeping in mind that a rain barrel is used to collect water and wanting to use plenty of bright colors, which can be found in ocean plant life and tropical fish."

Laura First is recently retired. She has a wonderful husband and four children, two of which still live at home. Laura took art lessons in oil painting in 1986 and 1987. She recently resumed art classes again at the Artful Dragon in Burton, Ohio where she has been exploring the use of acrylic paints, pastels, scratch art, and pencil. Laura is currently painting a mural of her garden in the foyer of her home.

By Lisa Zupon's 3rd grade art class at Maple Elementary

“Touching Nature”  By Shirley Scharf

'The sun and its symbolism of life has always intrigued me. Therefore, I painted a large sun “touching” nature (the grass, flowers, and butterflies) to depict that the sun is one of the main life sources for all of nature. Sun also has the ability to lift people’s spirits and make everyday better. So, gaze at the sun, lift your spirits, and enjoy every natural beauty!"

When it was time for Shirley to choose a college and a career path, art and art related jobs were at the top of her priority list. She entered Kent State University as a Photojournalism major but recently changed her major to Business Marketing to give her a wider career range. Shirley was eager participate in the Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign because she liked the idea of being able to use her artistic ability to help the environment.

“The Hum of Summer”  By Megan Hering

"Often times we only see what is in front of us. We do not take the time to look up into the skies or down into the waters and explore what else is there. My exploration led me to the inspiration for this piece, which was the fluttering and flickering hummingbird."

Megan Hering is 22 years old and currently a senior Art Education major at Kent State University. Her art experience has led her to teach a Saturday art school class, a special needs class at Happy Day School in Portage County, and an art class at the Geauga-Portage County Juvenile Detention Center. She is patiently awaiting her student teaching placement and will continue to take more studio classes throughout the summer.

“Oddys’sea’”  By Mary Samide—Geauga County Commissioner

"Oddys”sea” was chosen as a theme for my water barrel project for several reasons. The first one being the background of the water barrel was blue and, by choosing an underwater theme, I only needed to paint the contrasting item. These items included the coral, fishes, clouds in the water, bubbles, and the sunlight fusing through the water. The underwater oddys”sea” is full of color and excitement for the viewer.

The second reason for the theme was simply the view I see each day from my screen saver on my computer. What better way to share the colors and screens of my day then to paint them upon the water barrel. Surely, this became my oddys'sea'."

By Ellen Deely's 3rd graders at Hambden Elementary

By Ellen De3ly's 3rd graders at Hambden Elementary

“Spring Showers”  By Lisa M. George

Growing up with an avid gardener/ landscaper, we were continually reminded of the importance of ‘watering the flowers.’ For my rain barrel I wanted to convey the rewards reaped by watering the flowers—whether by your own hand or nature."

Lisa George is a native of Geauga County, who developed a passion for the arts at a young age. In 2004 she received a Bachelors of Fine Art in Photography from Ohio University along with a Classical Civilizations minor and Italian Cultural Studies certificate. She has shown extensively around Ohio art venues and was part of her first New York show in 2004.