Artists
Meet our gallery artists

Ellen Schwarzbek​

Ellen has recently returned to making art seriously, creating work that is informed by many years of art historical study and work in museums.  She loves the magic of art materials, working mostly with acrylic paints, colored and graphite pencils, and various fiber techniques.  A major interest is exploring the line between realistic and abstract images.​

Meredith Janssen​

Clay James
Meredith studied art at Newcomb College of Tulane University and George Washington University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree . Predominantly a watercolor artist, Meredith also works in oils, pastels, and graphic art printmaking. Photography and copper and silver jewelry design are included in her interests as well. She concentrates mostly in realistic landscapes and still-life paintings, although she also occasionally moves to figure painting. Originally from New Jersey, Meredith currently lives and paints in Hickory.​
cow that I am "retired" and would like to become more involved with Full Circle Arts.  I have always enjoyed the events and shows presented by the organization.  I could not think of a better place to "hang out".
I have always enjoyed the association with all the other wonderful artists.  Talking and commiserating with other artists has always been a delight.  
I have an MFA from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, and more than 30 years of experience in painting and design.
I work primarily in acrylics and watercolor.  A majority of my work is abstract, concentrating mostly on the formal aspects of painting.  It varies in size.

Richard Sinclair

One of the founding members of Full Circle Arts in 2000, Richard Sinclair has long been well-known in the area for his sculptures assembled from reused pieces of metal and found other materials.
One never knows what unusual creatures will emerge from Richard’s Shop in the woods.
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L. ​Michelle Bitler

Ernest Sills

​Ernest “Ernie” Sills is the recently retired president and managing partner of CBSA Architects in Hickory, North Carolina and has more than 51 years of experience with all facets of architecture and planning. Ernie started painting as a young person, which he continued through college. (By chance, Ernie was in the same art class in high school as Tommy Stine and Joe Lafone). He continued painting for a short while after graduation from NC State University and two years in the Army, but kids and demands of work finally got in his way.

About eight years ago he promised his wife, Cindy, that he could re-create a painting they had seen of Santorini while visiting there. The picture now hangs in their living
room and Ernie has renewed his love of painting. He has exhibited in several Downtown Hickory Art Crawls and tells us he has even sold a painting or two.