Artist Bios - ArtWorks DeLand

Jason Parodi

Gallery Manager / Artist Member

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Jason has called Florida home since 1994, finding his artistic sanctuary in the vibrant community of DeLand. A dedicated painter and sculptor, he finds joy in the process of bringing his creations to life, infusing each piece with his unique perspective and passion.

His creative journey is fueled by a diverse array of influences, ranging from the timeless elegance of Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Da Vinci to the whimsical imagination of Salvador Dalí and contemporary artist Todd Schorr. Each artist inspires Jason in their own way, encouraging him to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of his medium.

Jason’s artwork is a reflection of his deep connection to both the natural world and the realm of imagination. Through his paintings and sculptures, he invites viewers to explore a world where reality and fantasy intertwine, evoking a sense of wonder and nostalgia.

As Jason’s artistic journey unfolds, his personal life also takes new turns. Recently, his daughter embarked on her own adventure, venturing off to college to pursue her dreams. With this new chapter opening in his family life, Jason finds himself drawn even more deeply into the pursuit of his art. With the newfound focus on his craft, he dives headfirst into his studio, eager to explore new ideas and techniques. Each brushstroke and sculpting gesture becomes a form of self-discovery, a journey of exploration into the depths of his creativity. As he delves deeper into his art, Jason finds solace and inspiration, forging a path that is uniquely his own.

In early 2024, Jason took a bold step forward by founding ArtWorks DeLand—a hub of creativity and collaboration. Here, he works alongside a talented team of artists, fostering a supportive environment where creativity can flourish and community can thrive. Together, they celebrate the power of art to unite and inspire.

Karen Tweedie
Gallery Manager / Artist Member

A native of California, Karen now spends her time in her studio in DeLand, Florida. While working as a teacher of the deaf, Karen launched her jewelry business in the 1980s with a collection that featured American Sign Language hands signing “love” and “friendship”. Working full time as a designer and goldsmith for the past 20 years, Karen’s work incorporates precious metals and gemstones, and non-traditional materials as well.
Recently, Karen joined forces with a group of dynamic and forward thinking artists and opened a co-operative gallery in her town, ArtWorks DeLand. Consisting of the work of 30 local artists, she is one of the gallery managers and her work is available in the gallery. It is located at 111 W. Indiana Avenue in the oldest commercial building in DeLand’s historic downtown.
Unlike many jewelry designers, Karen is a metalsmith who forges each of her pieces herself from design through to the final polish and stone setting. “I am fascinated by ancient architecture and jewelry and those shapes become woven into my own designs and link me to centuries of metalworking traditions.” The spiral shape occurs often in her pieces. This ancient symbol of eternity has been evident in jewelry for thousands of years but has a contemporary feeling still today.
Karen uses pearls in many of her jewelry collections. Pearls are selected by hand for their color, shape, and luminescence. Holding the degree of Pearls Graduate from GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, Karen creates pearl jewelry for any occasion.

Melinda Cummings
Board Chair / Artist Member

As an artist originally from DeLand, Florida, my creative journey is deeply rooted in my local heritage and the vibrant ambience of my hometown. Growing up surrounded by the rich tapestry of DeLand’s history, I’ve developed an intrinsic connection to its character and charm. It is within this backdrop that my passion for transforming found objects into wearable art thrives.
My artistic expression finds its muse in the array of treasures I unearth during my wanderings through DeLand’s streets and markets. From the Wednesday Flea and Farmer’s Market to local yard and estate sales, I eagerly seek out vintage items and forgotten relics that whisper stories of the past. These discarded fragments become the raw materials for my craft, each holding a unique history waiting to be reborn.
At the heart of my creations lies the art of repurposing. I love the challenge of breathing new life into seemingly obsolete objects, salvaging their beauty and restoring their significance. Broken rosaries, antique watches, and old costume jewelry find new purpose in my hands, as do squashed bottle caps and oxidized industrial hardware I find in streets, parking lots, and sidewalks. Yet, it is the allure of old keys that holds a special place in my heart, symbolizing the potential for unlocking hidden treasures within the mundane.
In my jewelry, the positioning of old and new side by side harmonizes naturally. Alongside the weathered patina of salvaged materials, I incorporate elements of elegance and luxury. Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, and semi-precious gemstones mingle with industrial relics, creating a captivating contrast that speaks to the duality of beauty and imperfection.
Each of my pieces of wearable art has a name and a story. Sometimes the story is based upon famous literature such as poetry by e.e. cummings and Maya Angelou, or stories by Poe and Bradbury. Often I write my own story in the form of a fairy tale or allegory with a particular necklace as a centerpiece. Stories are important because it is through stories that we connect with one another, with ourselves, and with our world.
For me, the act of creation is a transformative journey—a process where the ordinary is transposed into the extraordinary. With each piece, I strive to evoke a sense of delight and wonder for the overlooked treasures of the past. In this age of disposable culture, I find it fulfilling to craft enduring works of art that celebrate the inherent value of every object, no matter its age or condition.
Through my jewelry, I invite others to join me on this voyage of rediscovery—to witness the beauty that emerges when we dare to see beyond the surface and embrace the magic of transformation. In honoring my hometown heritage, I pay homage to the resilience of the human spirit and the timeless allure of reinvention.

Michelle — Michele Beaujardin

Born in France to an American mother and French father, I spent most of my childhood in Tangiers, Morocco, where my grandmother had taken me after my parent’s divorce.
I never had a formal art education per se apart from a year spent studying with a wonderful woman artist who painted portraits of very important people in oil and also the most exquisite white flowers in watercolors. I was 10 at the time but her teaching meant a lot to me and I was extremely focused on what I was doing under her guidance. However, it was only for one year so it can hardly be called a formal art education especially when one is only 10 years old. So, I can say that I am basically self taught.
When I returned to France, all I wanted to do was to study at the “Beaux Arts” in Paris. I dreamed of being a student there with other young people who were all going to be famous artists, no doubt! I had a very idealized view of all of this, some kind of fantasy I suppose which came crashing down when I realized that they were not accepting anyone under the age of 18…I was 16 then and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t simply take the exam…Furthermore, I would have to go and attend another school first before even being allowed to apply. So, I went to have a look at the end of the year student exhibition of this particular school and …to put it kindly, it was not great…So, that did it…
I then decided to become an actress and thanks God, there is no age limit for that!
So, this is what I did for 11 years, working mostly on stage but doing numerous things on television, screen , I even had a record (as they called this kind of things in the sixties…)
I loved the stage and even though I am perfectly content working with a brush, I have to admit that I miss it sometimes.
Then my father died…I was 27 years old ,no family in France so I took a suitcase and left to be closer to my mother.
I did not know anybody in the acting business here and I had to make a living .This is where my ability with a brush came in handy…I am a reasonably good actress so I managed to bluff my way into getting hired as a fashion illustrator. Needless to say the art director very quickly realized I did not know the first thing about drawing a fashion figure… but I am a quick learner and 6 months later I started to be assigned the large newspaper pages published coast to coast…Apart from fashion illustration ,I did a lot of graphic work: corporate identity, magazine design etc…and finally everything came full circle when I started painting in oil again.
I can paint in almost any style you can think of. Probably because of the actress in me, I looked at this art career as different “roles” and sold lots of paintings done under several pseudonyms, “artists” I had created. This was very interesting and certainly not boring, but it was also not very smart because I now look like a newcomer when in fact, I have been painting for over 30 years…

Tess Blum
Board Member / Artist Member

Tess Blum has been creating art in one form or another her entire life. Originally from Philadelphia, Tess studied Textile Design at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and fine art drawing and painting at Muhlenberg College. After successful careers in both textile design and teaching college art classes for ten years, Tess is focusing on her own original art style, including painting, mosaics, and stained glass. Offering a wide range of artistic media and techniques, Tess shows her art here in Florida at Butterfield Garage Art Gallery in Saint Augustine and ArtWorks DeLand.
Her artwork combines precise planning with the surprise results made possible by letting the materials guide the way. In mosaics, the glass is often cut to very defined shapes, but sometimes it is the “found” piece that guides the art to completion. The play of reflection vs. dullness and texture vs. sheen in each piece of glass helps to create the perfect medium for exploring the natural beauty of her surroundings in Florida. Sometimes referred to as “paintings made of glass,” these works often fool the observer into thinking the piece is a painting from a distance, only to discover intricately cut, tiny pieces of glass make up the detail in the work.
Tess is now offering classes in mosaics, stained glass, and various painting methods in her beautiful downtown Deland studio. To learn more about Tess, her artwork, and classes, follow her on Instagram @tessblumart or check her website at www.tessblumart.com.

Judi Bradford

Artist Member

Judi Bradford is an award-winning artist with decades of experience. She has participated in museums, galleries, exhibitions and festivals along the eastern seaboard and taught drawing and painting at all the museums in Key West, where she lived for 40 some years. She creates acrylic and watercolor paintings, multi-media drawings, fiber art, and menu and book illustrations. She now lives in the beautiful subtropical forest and natural springs area of central Florida with her husband and two lively cats.

With an arts undergraduate degree and graduate work at East Carolina University, she also learned from many independent courses and workshops in experimental photographic techniques, visual arts, fiber surface treatments.

Judi has participated in numerous exhibits and festivals, including the ACAC Lincoln Center festival, Piccolo Spoleto, the Studios of Key West and more. She was a partner in three galleries in Key West, illustrated several books and was a studio artist at The Studios of Key West for 5 years.

Judi has been involved in numerous solo and group juried exhibitions over the years, acquiring awards, grants and honors. Notably she received the inaugural Jack Baron Memorial Award and Honorarium in 2005. She won a juried artist residency at Hickory Knob Resort State Park in SC.

Her lively and playful inks and watercolors and colorful acrylics emerge from observations of the natural world and people around her.

Tom Burns
Artist Member

Tom’s “canvas” is a walking cane and his “paintbrush” is his imagination. His work is characterized by the use of familiar objects applied to the common walking cane creating a functional and amusing art form.
With a background in tools and materials, he is able to uniquely assemble often discarded items into fun and entertaining walking canes. Each cane is made with no set plan or design. It develops in the assembly process.
Tom has lived in DeLand for the past nine years after migrating from the Midwest. His passion for walking canes began four years ago when he needed one himself. Since then, his canes have been in local art shows and galleries.
His canes are sometimes used as presentation awards or retirement gifts, as well as home decor. Other times they have been made to suit someone’s personal interests.
His work has helped make using a cane stylish again.

Jeanna Carley

Artist Member

Jeanna is a native Tennessean. Her appreciation and love for art has been consistently present in her life. For Jeanna, art is play, which likely stems from time spent repeatedly sorting her 62- count box of Crayola Crayons (with built-in sharpener) for hours on end as a child. She believes there is joy in playing with color while creating art and gratitude is often the motivator behind her pieces.

Jeanna studied Interior Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Years later, she relocated to Chicago where she worked in various design areas and became involved in theatre. She enjoyed all aspects including performing, directing, and set design. Jeanna is also a writer and photographer. She illustrates children’s books. She has published one historical fiction novel and two children’s books to date.

Jeanna and her husband moved to Deland in 2005, relocating their aviation business to Deland Airport. Jeanna continued her theatre experiences and was involved with many of the local theatres in Volusia County. In 2015, she wrote, produced, and directed a successful comedy stage production based on her experiences with the aviation community. It was performed at the historic Athens Theatre in Deland.

In 2018, Jeanna ended her time in theatre to become a full-time artist. She has participated in numerous juried art shows across the state. She gravitates toward mixed media but works with several other mediums, including watercolor, oil, and paper collage. She uses scribble art to keep her imagination fresh and generate new ideas for art. Her passion for repurposing often shows up in her work, which is a unique and tricky balance of abstract and whimsical. If her work makes you smile, then Jeanna will smile as well.

Joan Dominus (also known as Joan Zawadzki)
Board Member / Artist Member

I am a retired nurse by profession, but I have always been an artist in my heart. I have been showing my art for the past 30 years. At that time, I came upon a mixed media which I have continued to develop using photography, print transfer, and watercolor. I enjoy photographing nature on a hike, scenes I see on a walk in the city, or along adventures of travel. I take those images and then, using several steps, print them onto watercolor paper. I then reinterpret the images using watercolor pencil. Sometimes the images are collected in a collage. I particularly enjoy working in mandalas which are created to express something I wish to share.
I also work in collage as well as fine art photography.

Patti Downey — Patricia Downey
Board Member / Artist Member

I am Patricia Downey and I live in Deltona, FL. I spend so much time in DeLand these days that I’m beginning to feel as if I live in both towns. I have been an artist since kindergarten.
I became an Art teacher to make a living. I enjoyed teaching elementary school, middle school and Vocational and Technical High School. There were many wonderful experiences throughout 27 years of teaching, including Teacher of the Year.
I snuck away from education long enough to work for a t-shirt company where I learned about air brush work, image production for lithographic reproduction, and had great fun. I painted some billboards for politicians, too. And even some signs for merchants in Cape May and Wildwood, NJ.
I studied many kinds of art after college, including Advertising Art, Oil Painting, Stained Glass making, computer technology, and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Finally, in my retirement, I get to experience painting as an artform. This includes art shows, part ownership and participation in this Gallery, art clubs and art travels. Plein air painting is something I see on the horizon as well. I am blessed and happy to do these things.
I like painting most. I use acrylic paints which I have so much of. I have also worked in watercolor, pastel, and recently in mixable water soluble oil paint, which is a newer form of oil paint.
My biggest challenge is what to paint. So I base my choices on what I see in nature that I find especially picturesque. Then I photograph what I see and if the photo looks as good as I perceived it to be, I paint it. I also take suggestions. I hope you can connect to my work.

Regina Dunn
Artist Member

I started my artistic journey by making traditional small quilts using commercial fabrics. Soon after that, I discovered art quilts. Art quilts are fabric artworks made for hanging on a wall. I ventured more into the art world by attending workshops, joining art groups, and trying many techniques over the years as I developed a personal style. I found successes being accepted into juried national venues including SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) exhibits. I have also exhibited in juried shows in my home state of Florida.
   In 2015, I was accepted into Jane Dunnewold’s Art Cloth Mastery Class, a two-and-a-half-year program in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that I learned which techniques to retire and which to keep. My latest works, multi-media constructions, are made from fabrics I create using hand dyeing, printing methods, and other types of surface design. My personal repertoire includes hand stitch.
   I’ve been involved in local projects such as getting one of my works reproduced on vinyl and wrapped around a large utility box near the main intersection in my town of DeLand in 2017. I worked on a collaboration at Stetson University to help print three large panels of silk for a multimedia exhibit on the campus in 2018.
   My style of work also includes the use of symbolism. For example, an image of a decaying leaf represents both a sign of deteriorating and a sign of progression towards something more positive. Not only do I feel a connection to the Earth, but I also want to be able to express how humans relate to change, look to the past, while also looking towards the future.
I am a juried member of SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), and a member of Museum of Art DeLand. I served as a Rep for the region of Florida in SAQA, I served as a planning committee and taught several classes to a local art group, Arts Etc. I have published articles both locally and internationally. I continue to advance my craft by studying surface design techniques that I favor and developing them further each year.

Adele Gerbracht
Artist Member

Cement artist, Mixed media artist, Textile artist, Photographer, Vintage collector, Wife and mom. Lover of animals, flowers and trees, music and dance, a kayak trip in the springs, hanging with family and friends, and a good laugh.
Organic textures & repurposing inspires me to create art pieces from jewelry to wall art, from sculpture to home & garden décor using cement, mixed media, textiles and vintage items.

Katheryn Hammer-Witty
Artist Member

Katheryn Hammer-Witty is a retired educator who worked with exceptional students in the public school system, as well as, taught at the University of Central Florida and Nova University. She spent her formative years between the mountains in West Virginia and the sunny beaches of Florida. Katheryn has always had a love of travel and quest for adventure. In retirement world travel has afforded her the opportunity to merge her artistic talent with her view of the world. This appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of nature, foreign places, and culture has greatly influenced her passion for painting. Through observation, workshops, classes and working with Noreen Coup & Sally Sisler Cummings, she has developed an enthusiasm for Impressionism in oil with a palette knife. Her world travels have provided the story to be revealed.
*My passion for art offers me the “lens” by which I observe a scene in light, shadow, and color. Painting provides the medium to create beyond the apparent.”*

Tamela Koshiol
Artist Member

I am an abstract impressionistic artist and a designer. For me, creating art is an intimate process. I paint to find peace. I create to discover who I am and what I can accomplish. I want to always be learning! Every piece I paint or room I design is a reflection of what I love. It is what brings joy and happiness to my soul.
Working in acrylic and watercolor, my surroundings and landscapes are my biggest influences. I am passionate about color and family – everything for me is very connective. Colors and places are all memories for me.
Born and raised in Florida, I graduated from FSU in Interior Design. Now working primarily as an artist, I find great joy in painting artwork to fill a home for family to gather in, to laugh in, to love in, to cry in…my art has a sense of quietude that evokes stillness.

Maritza Longtin
Artist Member

For the artist, one of the most frightening or insecure moments is facing a blank canvas! As you face that canvas, hopefully, your mind has already formulated an image, a message, or a feeling you want to convey by way of your brush. For your own pleasure, and if all goes well, for your viewer as well.
Before I start to paint, I consider some important factors that will guide me. The overall design and the color palette, which includes the contrasts of light and dark – necessary to provide depth and interest. I believe my life had such a design that was woven into my early life without any understanding by my young mind. I was born in Cuba, an incredibly lush and beautiful island in the Caribbean. Many beautiful images from those early years are still in my mind today, still influencing my paintings in many ways. Those early years were filled with joy and happiness shared with my mother and father and sister. Perfection!
The passion for creating within an artist is a drive that is always there. Ideas come from many sources. I often spend days in my little studio because I “have to paint!” Many of my earlier paintings were oils but in the last few years I prefer to use acrylics. I discovered how much I enjoyed creating high intensity textures using different tools such as trowels and pallet knives along with my brushes. Color, and lots of it is something I must have!

Kim Martinez

Artist Member

If there is one thing that describes the persona of Kim Martinez, it is her desire to create. Instilled from an early age of drawing cartoons from the inside of matchbook covers; then graduating to pastels- Kim has dabbled in some form of creativity ever since she can remember. Her passion to find creativity in almost every aspect of her life has led to a diverse background. You name it, she’s probably dabbled in it.

Her professional background encompasses several creative aspects- from Las Vegas show production costumer and stagehand, muralist/decorative artist, stained glass artesian, Life Casting sculptor, crafts instructor with children, adults, and special needs individuals. This mostly self-taught artist has worked in a variety of mediums, but her true love is hand-building/sculpting with polymer clay.

Her clay work focuses mainly on the fun, whimsical side; with bright colors, patterns, unique totems, nature themes, mixed media, and anything fun that inspires her.

Kim has been involved in various art organizations with the likes of CIVA, Asheville River Arts District, Gathering of Artisans, A3L Art League and Gallery, Lakeland Farmers Market and community arts projects- in addition to hosting art retreat events through EDEN in the Mountains. She served as interim VP for A3L Art League in Old Fort, North Carolina.

Her most recent artistic endeavors are hosting her own Facebook clay group and being a member of Artworks Deland co-op gallery, where she sells her work and teaches fun clay projects.