My Background

I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio where I also attended college. In 2003 I moved to beautiful Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I raised my family with my husband Craig. This year we moved to Middle Tennessee to build a farmhouse and studio in the rolling hills of historic Bell Buckle. I am very nostalgic and love the stories of places and people, as well as being surrounded by nature. That is evident in my work, as well as an exploration of color and composition. My experiences have included teaching art at public and private schools as well as in my own neighborhood studio and gallery. I have worked professionally as a graphic designer and illustrator for over 30 years!. I also love to learn and create with handcrafts. I am definitely a creator and am happiest when I am making something!

EDUCATION:

The University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP), BAAE, 1985-1989

Studies in Graphic Design Foundations, Drawing Concentration, Painting, Relief and Lithography Printmaking, Ceramics, Weaving and Tapestry in Fiber Arts, Photography, Metalwork in Jewelry, Sculpture, Silkscreen and video. Art History, Aesthetics and Education Theory. Ohio Certification: K-12.

Student teaching at the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Cincinnati, Ohio, grades 6-12 and Mariemont Elementary School, Cincinnati, Ohio, grades K-5.

Worked at Reporter Typographics during college, where I learned to do layout paste-up, stat camera work, typesetting and proof-reading.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1985. Honors Classes in Life Drawing.

The Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 2007. Oil Painting/Still Life.

Private Lessons with:

Claudia Rilling, 2020-2022. Oils/Landscape, Still Life, Florals and Composition of the Masters

Riley Doyle, 2022. Oils/Atmospheric Landscape.

Richard Scott, 2020, 2022. Watercolor, Pencil/Still Life, Landscape Architecture

Dean Fisher, 2022. Oils/Still Life

Nicolas Uribe, 2022. Oils/Color, Portraiture

Tom Root, 2022. Oils/Portraiture

Ed Praybe, 2022. Oils/Still Life, Composition

Continuing Education in Digital Art and Design, Lettering, Calligraphy

WORK:

Commissioned Portraits and Landscapes, 1989 - present. In pencil, oil and watercolor. Homes, Universities, Churches, Family and Pets.

Freelance Illustration and Design, 1989 - present. Architectural Illustration, Medical Illustration, Website and Branding Design, Book cover design, CD design, Brochure and Advertising design and illustration, children's book illustration, etc.

My published children’s book The Big Life of Bryan can be found on Blurb.com.

Private Instructor in drawing and painting, 2001- present.

Owner, Exhibitor, and Instructor at Hatch Studio & Gallery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 2009. 

Art Teacher, grades 4th through 6th at the Montessori Academy of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 2000.

Designer and Illustrator for Christian publisher Destiny Image Publishers, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1996.

Technical Artist/Illustrator at BSB/Leff & Squicciarini Advertising and Public Relations, Columbus, Ohio, 1992-94.

Art Teacher, grades 6th through 8th at White Oak Middle School, Northwest School District, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1989-91.

MENTIONS:

CanvasRebel, "Meet Bethany Hissong", November 7, 2022  (click here)