Michaelin Otis, a native Californian, began her art career with pencil, charcoal and acrylics. Watercolor became her medium of choice in 1978, when she moved to Minnesota. Painting and teaching watercolor became her full-time career in 1986. In 1991, she co-founded Avalon Arts, her gallery and teaching studio. Michaelin regularly participates in juried art shows and has won numerous awards. She is a signature member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society, Northern Plains Watercolor Society and the Taos National Society of Watercolor.

She is an associate member of the Midwest Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Minnesota Watercolor Society, Arizona Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society and the Northstar Watercolor Society. Michaelin is the author of Watercolor for the Fun of It: Painting People, published by North Light Books, and contributing author of Drawing and Painting People the Essentiol Guide. She has had several articles published in national magazines, including Watercolor 2001 Spring Issue, “Garden of Inspiration,” as well as an article on opening a gallery in the July 2001 issue of The Artist’s Magazine. She was featured in Watercolor Magic in October 2002 in “Artists to Watch.” She is also featured in Searching for the Artist Within by Karlyn Holman, and Splash 9.

Michaelin has illustrated three children's books. She teaches workshops and demonstrates at Trade Shows for H K Holbien Co.Michaelin teaches workshops around the world, including a yearly workshop in Yucatan, Mexico. She has done two CD covers for gospel singer Tom Tipton and one for Beverly Dorsey.

Her work can be seen at Avalon Arts Gallery and Uptown Images, both in White Bear Lake, MN, Richeson School of Art and Gallery, Kimberly, WI. and Manos Gallery, Tubac, AZ.

The artistic background of Deborah Voyda Rogers spans the last twenty five years. Watercolor and pastel are Deborah's specialty, animals are her favorite inspiration. She is an award winning artist and co-owner of Avalon Arts Gallery since 2003. Deborah teaches watercolor, pastel and drawing.

Being an avid horsewoman, Deborah has participated successfully in both American and Minnesota Paint Horse Association shows. Beyond that success she also has the experience of the western cowgirl. Roping cattle, team penning or herding horses over high desert plateau are all part of her involvement with horses. Those experiences are what bring expression, spirit and enthusiasm to her vibrant paintings. "Paint what you know and your subject matter will appeal to the emotions of the viewer." With that philosophy, Deborah's hope is to offer her viewer the spirit, passion and enthusiasm that she has for horses. Deborah's wish is to create a relaxed camaraderie with the viewer. Like all good story tellers who paint she has a keen eye for detail and the wit to know what to omit, making her paintings a unique blend of realism and abstraction.

Deborah has won numerous awards for her paintings, including "Best of Show" 2004 for the Stillwater, Minnesota Art Crawl. Deborah had an exhibit at the S.P.A.S. Gallery in St. Petersburg, Russia June, 2005. She has been invited to do a solo show at the Lomonosov Library as well as teach a workshop for the Childrens Art School in St. Petersburg. Her paintings can be seen at Avalon Arts Gallery,Uptown Images, both in White Bear Lake, MN , Richeson Art School and Gallery, Kimberly, WI and Manos Gallery, Tubac, AZ. Deborah's work is in collections in the United States, Great Britain and Russia.

Memberships include: Degas Pastel Society, Artreach Alliance, Tubac Center for the Arts and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.