If I Were Beautiful
Mr. Diephouse is a primarily self-taught photographer who migrated from film to digital photography about fifteen years ago. After retiring from a professional management career, he has more actively explored the technical and creative sides of this media. Most recently he has also begun exploring digital collages as a means of expression.
Most often John is drawn back to images created while wandering through the back roads and small towns of the upper Midwest. These images of architecture, commerce, and social life often reflect a mixture of nostalgia and a changing set of forces that shape life in the heartlands.
Mr. Diephouse has exhibited widely and has earned recognition in local, regional, and national exhibitions. His photographs are also included in several corporate and private collections.
I am attracted to a wide variety of subjects ranging from natural landscapes, botanicals, and wildlife to images that provide either abstract expression or social commentary. I am interested in sharing images that evoke a story of some kind. Images may be simply documentary, reflect a sense of time and place, or resonate on a more abstract level of color, shape, or form. Others provoke an indefinable question that does not readily yield answers without further study and reflection
If My Mother Could See Me Now
An emerging artist, Newcomb’s macro photographs using largely glasses and fabrics create fluid abstractions, rich with colors, patterns, and joy.
Lisa, a Masters in Social Work, worked for 25 years. Subsequently, for 18 years, she was an art museum docent.
Newcomb’s been honored with two first-place awards, a one-woman show through the University of Delaware, and a variety of shows nationally.
I create photos as peaceful, playful, healing environments by drawing upon different objects and melding them into fluid abstractions. I am searching for compositions, colors, and patterns to have a visceral effect by weaving together beautiful glass, flowing fabrics, and lovely objects through a macro perspective.
Having lived much of my life by the shore, I’ve always loved the play of light, pattern, and color on the water. My work is influenced by my lifelong passion for art and artists. In my work, I nod to feminist artist Miriam Schapiro a leader in the Pattern and Decoration Movement, and Georgia O’Keeffe who often painted with a fluid macro point of view.
If You Can
Painter/Papermaker. Began career from 1976 to 1991. During the dormant years, from 1991 to 2021 I still painted but did not exhibit. Tumultuous times but healing times. During the isolation of COVID, I began to paint again and found a genuine newness and expression in my work
Received BFA and MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology. My thesis was “Kviatkev, the Understanding of Abstraction.”
My work is a simple example of raw emotions at times. I want the user to have their own insight into my work and not for me to dictate. The feeling is theirs. As a survivor of rape and incest, for years my art was personal and silent. Covid gave me a new voice and the current struggle for women’s rights made it louder.
I have been drawing since age 4. My background is BFA and an MFA in painting with minors in ceramics, design, and printmaking. Drawn to shapes, colors, and planes. A black box is a black box, but draw a jagged red line and it becomes an emotion. The color and shapes speak for me.
If You Hate Me?
Born in Medellin, Colombia, I live and work in France for 18 years. Studied Journalism, and carried on with Cinema and Visual Arts. From 2004 to 2007, short documentaries and short movies were inspired by experimental technics.
My work flies from photography to performance/installation. Image drives to development of stories on the thin line between fictional and real. Fascinated by Nature, led by Amerindian cosmogony, I plunge the audience into an oneiric quest upon individual experience facing all the other kinds of life.
Ignacio^
Nancy Rindone-Doughney is a career public educator who has nurtured a long-held inner desire to join the art world. Twenty years ago, Nancy ventured into the realm of stained glass, finding a creative outlet for her artistic aspirations. This exploration naturally progressed to mosaics, where she discovered a passion for capturing realism through her work.
Nancy has mastered a specific technique for creating mosaics that depict realistic images, particularly inspired by animals such as the bald eagle and large cats. Her latest creations showcase her meticulous craftsmanship. These mosaics are composed of thousands of tiny glass shards, expertly cut and nipped into pieces measuring just millimeters. The resulting artworks are striking images that appear almost drawn or painted, showcasing Nancy’s skill and dedication to her craft.
Despite being relatively new to the art world, Nancy’s work has already been featured in over 20 online and in-person exhibits, garnering attention and acclaim for her unique approach to mosaic art.
The concept of “painting with glass” has captivated me ever since my instructor first introduced the idea. This phrase sparked a fascination in me with creating artworks that invite viewers to question and explore the medium. My artistic journey is deeply inspired by majestic animals like the bald eagle, lions, and other large cats, whose powerful presence and beauty I strive to capture in my mosaics.
For me, the process of placing each shard of glass with exacting precision is both a challenge and a joy. It’s through this careful arrangement that I bring these creatures to life, aiming to evoke a sense of wonder in those who view my work. The interplay of light and color in glass adds a unique dimension to my art, creating pieces that can be truly breathtaking. My goal is to share this wonder, revealing the incredible potential of glass to transform into lifelike and inspiring images.
Ignite
Susan Bagrationoff is a professional surrealist whose body of work focuses on mythology and mysterious creatures. Faeries and folklore are the subjects of her creations, using the beauty of nature within the Pacific Northwest for realistic reference. She creates her works with copious amounts of modeling paste, multiple layers of acrylic paint in brilliant hues, and metallic mediums to give a magickal ‘vibe’ from her creations.
Susan graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002 from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. In 2013, Susan started her own art education studio, Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons, which relocated to Kent, WA, in 2016. She has participated in various Washington art events, including exhibiting her artwork at Third Thursday Art Night, Kent Cornucopia Days, and ARTrails Studio Tour in Centralia. Susan often displays her works in various exhibitions at TAG Gallery in Los Angeles, California, and in small galleries in Washington. Susan has had artwork published in World Art Guide 2025 and ArtistTalk Magazine. She also exhibits her art through online organizations such as HMVC Gallery New York, Circle Foundation, and Arteom Gallery.
The constant use of technology often dwindles our imaginations. Modern society causes us to spiral into chaos with the mainstream way of life, ignoring the voice of nature. Our environment is in mourning because many have forgotten the old ways of the world. It is time to inspire the world to listen to the Earth once again to reignite our souls and minds.
The realm of the fae is calling! Faeries bring peace and glamour into our dimension. I utilize magic within my artistic soul to summon these creatures so that anyone can experience their charm and be inspired to rediscover nature.
My work is conjured onto canvas using copious amounts of modeling paste and acrylic paint with multiple layers of various application techniques. Bold colors, metallic hues, and intense textures are used to emphasize the vibe of my subjects, inspiring the viewer to experience the essence of these beings. I am perpetually discovering new ways to bring my faeries to life so they can rebuild our imaginations.
Illuminate The Night
Lale Gerger’s life and artistry are a testament to resilience and passion for expression. Born in Colorado, and immersed in Turkey’s culture until she was twelve. Her adolescence spanned the U.S., England, Kuwait, and Mexico, culminating in a return to the U.S. and later, Turkey at 24. These experiences broadened her global perspective and shaped her artistic outlook.
During her middle school years in America, Gerger’s struggle with language and cultural assimilation led her to discover her passion for the arts. A theatre class became her sanctuary, highlighting the power of artistic expression in fostering connection and understanding. She pursued a degree in Theatre from UCLA and later earned her Master’s degree from the University of Florida, exploring the nexus of art, health, and business.
Gerger’s professional life took a practical turn as she embarked on a career in HR, driven by her responsibilities as the first single woman to adopt in Turkey, a five-year legal battle that saw two laws change. Simultaneously, she worked as an actress and director. Her mother’s battle with cancer and the economic impact of COVID-19 led her to find solace in art again. After multiple layoffs during the pandemic, she shifted to painting full-time.
Now in Florida, Gerger is a celebrated contemporary abstract painter. Her vibrant works capture universal and oceanic essences. Through her “Shine Your Light” series, she encourages finding your own light and shining it for others, which she describes as her golden thread.
Gerger has earned numerous accolades, including the Award of Excellence from the Gainesville Fine Arts Association in 2022 and 2023. She participates in fine art festivals across Florida and Georgia and regularly exhibits at various galleries. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Lale remains committed to creating meaningful connections and fostering positivity through her art.
As an artist based in Gainesville, Florida, I aim to combine artistry, empathy, and resilience in my creative journey. From my theatre background to navigating personal challenges, art has been my compass. Through mediums like acrylics and pen and ink, I explore life’s complexities, inviting viewers to embrace resilience and share their light.
My journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in navigating life’s challenges and discovering purpose amid adversity. Driven by a deep passion for the arts, I received my theatre degree at UCLA and then went to Turkey, where I reconnected with my cultural roots while working both as an actress for the State Theatre and as a faculty member at a conservatory.
However, a pivotal moment in my personal life reshaped my path. Through a five-year legal battle, I fought for the right to adopt as a single woman in Turkey, ultimately changing laws and welcoming my son into my life.
Returning to the United States, I delved into nonprofit work and later ventured into Human Resources to provide stability for my child. During a personal tragedy with my mother’s cancer diagnosis and the onset of the pandemic, I rediscovered solace in art.
Spanning a diverse range of mediums and techniques, with a focus on acrylics through abstract art, my artwork reflects a unique perspective on life’s complexities. Art has always been my solace and my form of expression, helping me navigate through life’s trials. I am continually inspired by the resilience of the human spirit, the profound beauty of the cosmos, and the strength of inspirational women. My technique combines meticulous attention to detail with spontaneous expression, making my art unique in its genuine reflection of life’s dualities—light and dark, struggle and triumph.
Illumination
Gayle is a Textural Acrylic Artist using palette knives in conjunction with acrylic paint, gels, and modeling paste. She becomes very immersed in the creative process and has a “conversation” with the painting in order to create a place that speaks to her and the viewer. Her paintings are full of colorful textures and invite the viewer to walk into the landscape to discover a memory or a new favorite place. She wants everyone to stroll about, smell the flowers, watch the sunset or sunrise, lean against a tree, and just breathe.
Gayle is currently represented by Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in New York, Artifact New York, and Jones Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri, and is on the Circle Arts Web Site. Her work has been published in numerous magazines including Art in America, Observica, Exhibitzone, Spotlight, and Artistonish. In May of 2023, Gayle is published as an Icon artist by Art Tour International and was selected as a Top 60 Master. She has also been included in the book Current Masters 6.
Paintings by Gayle are included in corporate and private collections around the world.
I have termed my paintings Textural Acrylics and I get very excited as I watch the paint come off the palette knife in a variety of textures and combinations of color. Every painting is full of emotion and in-the-moment creativity. I start with an idea and a very loose drawing, usually 5-6 lines of composition, and then become immersed in the process. I have always said that a painting is like a child that you nurture, have conversations with, and work through the teenage angst with love and patience and what emerges is a beautiful adult. When I paint, I put on the music (louder than I would have let my children play it), dance to the beat, and even sing, which is a terrible sound. I want my joy to come across to the viewer and I want them to share the beautiful place that I have created. All are invited to enter the painting, smell the flowers, listen to the rustle of the leaves, lean against a tree, and just breathe.
Im Just A Country Boy From Connecticut
Preston’s artworks have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the greater New York Metropolitan and Tri-State areas and his works are also in private and corporate collections across the country. His works have received awards including those from The National Arts Club in New York City, the Cooperstown Art Association, and The Art Students League of NY, where he studied for a number of years.
His artwork is represented in New York City by The Prince Street Gallery, and in Chicago, Illinois by the McCormick Gallery.
He has had solo exhibitions at The Prince Street Gallery in NYC, Westfield State University, Krasdale Foods Corporate Headquarters, The Jasper Rand Museum, Fairleigh Dickenson University, and Faust-Harrison, NYC.
He is a frequent speaker and lecturer on the arts and expanding individual creativity. His talks and lectures include those at Penn State University, Westfield State University, Southern Utah University, The University of Connecticut, Wilbraham Monson Academy, the Dutch Treat Club at The National Arts Club, the New York Public Library, the Newark Museum, and The Jasper Rand Museum.
Prior to creating works in the visual arts, Preston worked as a musician-composer, performer, and conductor. He holds a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale University School of Music. Trombly was a Fellow in Composition and Conducting at the Tanglewood-Berkshire Music Center, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a resident fellow at the MacDowell Colony, along with receiving commission grants from The NEA and the NY State Council on the Arts among others.
Classical music devotees know Preston as the long-time host of Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s nationally broadcast “Symphony Hall” channel 76.
In life, we often move between times of wild exuberance and moments of restraint. My recent work combines and distills those experiences into an abstract painting by contrasting bold gestural swaths of paint with elements of calligraphy scratched and drawn into the wet pigment against restrained simpler geometric shapes.
This larger painting is part of a larger set of variations on a theme of sweeping black marks, calligraphic gestures, and restrained rectangles. The piece uses only black for the wide sweeping swaths of paint and red for the restrained elements (in this case, rectangles). Occasionally roles are reversed: the red areas burst forth and the black areas are more restrained.
The piece, “I’m Just a Country Boy from Connecticut”. When aspects of life get convoluted, complicated, or messy I have been known to sometimes say to my wife “This is all a bit much right now. Remember, I’m just a country boy from Connecticut.” She doesn’t believe me for a minute (except for the Connecticut part).