BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Aki Kano – President

Aki Kano is a representational watercolor portrait artist who received her B.F.A from the University of Michigan, as well as a degree in Fashion Design from FIT in NYC. After working as a fashion and handbag designer for over 15 years, she discovered her passion for watercolor painting in 2014. She has won numerous awards, and has been accepted into prestigious juried shows, museums, and galleries. Arlyne Berzak – Vice President

Arlyne Berzak has a BA in English and Fine Art from William Paterson University and taught art and English in the Saddle Brook School system. She works in oil on canvas or wood as well as 3D mixed media. She is a signature member and Vice President of the AAPL and has been a board member for over 4 years. In addition, she has been a docent at the Montclair Museum for the past 5 years.

Gary Eckhart – Director

Gary is Professor Emeritus from the State University of New York College at Fredonia, where he served as head of the theatre production/design program for 24 years. An award-winning watercolor artist (sometimes oil painter) and signature member of numerous watercolor societies, including the prestigious Whiskey Painters of America, he resides in Warren, Vermont where he maintains a studio and is co-owner of Moosewalk Studios and Gallery. He has served as curator for the Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition since its founding.

Julia Bright – Director

After an MBA and career in consumer products marketing for over 20 years Julia Bright achieved her dream of becoming a professional full time artist painting representational still lifes, landscapes and seascapes. She has received numerous awards and has been accepted into prestigious national and international museum and gallery shows. Julia shows her work at galleries in Boulder, Colorado, Taos, New Mexico, and Paris, France. Lee Gobbi – Director

Originally from the UK, Lee graduated with a BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of the Illustrators Workshop in Connecticut. Lee has won numerous awards in Branding, Illustration and Painting. He has taught painting, drawing, and has lectured on the arts globally. Lee is currently a traditional portrait artist - working in oil and pastel.

Alex Tibar – Administrative Manager Jeanette Herron – Treasurer

International plein air and studio artist Jeanette Herron has lived both in Italy and the US. Now permanently living in northwest Florida, Jeanette is both a practicing CPA and a professional artist and workshop instructor. She is the treasurer for the AAPL. Fran Wood – Recording Secretary

Fran is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts. She lives in northwest New Jersey. Her realistic/impressionistic oil and watercolor paintings (largely figurative) share the common theme of strong light and shadow.

Jodie Kain – Director

Jodie Kain is a nationally recognized contemporary realist artist working exclusively in pastels. Over many years Jodie extensively studied classical atelier methods of drawing, as well as modern expressionism in New York City, Pennsylvania, London, and Boston. Who would’ve guessed her 20-year career in software was actually preparation to be AAPL’s Director for online initiatives and social media? Barry Shiff – Director

Barry’s subject matter is the nostalgia of historic New Jersey, and New York. He brings back memories of the good-old- days including traditional paintings of old railroad stations, towns, boardwalks, and amusement parks. In his paintings he captures life as it was in the early 20th century. Barry uses traditional materials such as watercolor and oil.

PRESIDENT EMERITUS Sheldon Marks Peter Rossi Larry Mallory Konrad Hansalik