Tomkiel also artfully enhances the wood and leather. "I've found a way to color both. On leather, it's my secret. On wood, it's an oil wash," she said.
Tomkiel, a member of the Levittown Artists Association, said she draws inspiration from well-known artists and from a few of her art teachers. Her art has earned her many ribbons. She also sells her work through Country Sampler Magazine.
Tomkiel's first show took place at the artists association, where she captured second prize for her art on leather. She has taught school crafts and painting on fabrics for 15 years at area adult education classes.
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The Pennsbury Falconettes, composed of 12 area youths, recently won the Middle Atlantic Association Synchronized Swimming Championship and the Pennsylvania State Championship.
Betty Hess, for 23 years coach of the private Bucks County team, which holds its meets in pools within the Pennsbury School District, said, "We set high goals. We train to win and we did win."
The team members are: Angela Cortsen, 15, of Levittown; Janna Dignam, 16, of Levittown; Kimberley Ellis, 16, of Morrisville; Erica Entenman, 13, of Fairless Hills; Heather Forester, 14, of Fairless Hills; Dorian Haldeman, 17, of Levittown; Joanna Mannon, 16, of Levittown; Tina Pogeler, 14, of Yardley; Jessica Rassler, 16, of Yardley; Jennifer Reiser, 13, of Falls Township; Staci Thompson, 16, of Morrisville, and Leigh Anne Van Dalen, 14, of Fairless Hills.
"Grounding," a display of recent artwork by Robert Beck, 42, of Bristol Borough, is on exhibit at Temple University's Student Faculty Center, 3340 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, through May 30.
The display focuses on people and their relationship to the Earth. The artist's work in general ranges from depictions of native Americans to those of rural and urban landscapes, but he is best known for his distinctive portraits.
Beck's work also was exhibited recently at the Michener Art Museum, Doylestown Borough. In 1992 he received the Frances Bergman Award for excellence in representational art, awarded by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
An artist's reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 14 in the exhibit area on the first floor.
Elizabeth Klatzkin of Yardley was honored last Thursday for 30 years of volunteer service to Bucks County's libraries.
Klatzkin was instrumental in encouraging the creation of the Yardley Makefield Library, which opened about two years ago. She is on the board of the Bucks County Free Library Center, and chairs its advisory committee.
