American born painter, Celeste Simon Ryder, studied in New York City with Ted Seth Jacobs, who opened her mind to a new world. “Light is the subject matter of painting,” he said “and our teacher.” Her pursuit, then and now, is the light, a conduit for beautiful painting and never-ending wonder. Oil on panel is her preferred medium and her current focus is portrait and still life. Celeste teaches at The Ryder Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Trained also in Orthodox Christian iconography, she has painted icons for homes and churches.

http://www.theryderstudio.com/general-information/gallery/celeste-ryder/