Imaginary Friend Days Of The Plague
Born overseas, Jean-Paul Aboudib moved to the United States with his parents at the age of eight due to economic and political strife in his home country. Upon his arrival, he realized that this new world would ignite his creativity for years to come. After graduating high school, he received a scholarship to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and painting and drawing. He later turned his attention to the figure when he pursued his MFA from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. It was here that his subject matter became inundated with expression and psychological motifs that would challenge the viewer into a space where they could explore his subjects in earnest and with Fidelity. He has completed a multitude of commissions and Has exhibited his work in various galleries throughout the United States, including the Alfred Berkowitz Gallery at the University of Michigan, the Cranbrook Art Museum, the Lost Laguna Gallery, the Scare of Club, the Northville art house, and the Cherry Hill village art gallery just to name a few. His work has won numerous awards in competitive exhibitions including best of shows and merits as well as honorable mentions. He currently resides and works out of his Studio in Canton Michigan.
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a gravitational attraction to the human figure. Its seductive curvature and expressive sensibilities have been one of the oldest forms of communication between human beings. My work examines the interplay between what the figure conceals and reveals. I am influenced by such artists as Francoise Neely, Victor Wang, Jason Sean Alexander, and Janice Seville just to name a few. Through the falling of light fragments upon the flesh and the haunting sense of melancholy, I hope to bring the viewer to a closer connection with my subjects.
Imperfectly Blush
J. Vadala is an abstract artist working in acrylic and mixed media. Her practice centers on constructing tactical, layered surfaces where density, interruption, and contrast create a strong physical presence. Through dynamic mark-making and deliberate interventions, she exposes vulnerability, builds compositions that emphasize structural tension, dimensional depth, and material integrity.
Primarily self-directed, Vadala developed her visual language through sustained studio discipline and experimentation. Her approach reflects a commitment to compositional clarity and material investigation, balancing instinct with restraint. Gestures remain visible; revisions are not concealed. Each surface holds evidence of decision, resistance, and refinement.
A pivotal life event in 2017 marked a profound turning point in her journey toward survival and self-reclamation. Her work is shaped by lived experience, states of pressure, endurance, and recalibration. Rather than illustrating these conditions directly, her paintings embody abstraction grounded in psychological depth, without reliance on representation.
Music is inseparable from her process, shaping rhythm, density, and emotional atmosphere. Variations in temp influence movement, guiding her gestures between chaos and calm, instinct and reflection.
Based in Pennsylvania, Vadala remains active in her studio, continuing to evolve both artistically and personally. She has developed a passion for exploring what may never be fully understood – translating the unknown into a story through music, canvas, and paint.
She has also begun expanding efforts to support others in their growth. Through J. Vadala Unrefined, she shares works from her collection and occasionally offers limited reproductions, making her art accessible to a broader audience. Her work has been featured in juried exhibitions and recognized across multiple venues. Notable achievements include ‘Growing Birch’, selected for the Botanicals Exhibit at Light Space and Time; ‘Wonderland’, awarded Second Place in Abstract 2026 by the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania; and ‘Adapt’, selected for the juried exhibition Melancholy 2026, by Gallerium’s Art Exhibition.
Though self-taught, Vadala’s work reflects a journey forged through adversity. Her paintings consistently embody a reclaimed approach to life – unfiltered, unbound, and free.
My work is rooted in disruption – moments that fracture perception and redefine identity. In 2017, a single moment altered the course of my life, challenging my sense of ability, independence, and self. That moment became both my deepest fear and the course of my creative force.
My work emerges directly from lived experiences – from the moments that test capacity and demand transformation. Painting is not an escape; it is confrontation. It is a language for what cannot easily be understood: tension, uncertainty, endurance, and resolve. Through abstraction, I translate internal states into texture and spatial movement. Emotion becomes material.
I explore the space where vulnerability and strength coexist – where breaking and becoming unfold simultaneously. Resilience is not linear or refined; it is uneven, layered, and charged with contradiction. Disorder presses against structure, and the resulting tension is not resolved, but sustained.
Instinct governs my process. I resist formulas and allow each work to evolve through response rather than control. Interruptions across the surface function as evidence of experience rather than embellishment. What feels fractured remains visible. What feels unstable carries weight. Layering and surface disruption become metaphors for integration – not erasing damage but absorbing it into form.
Music plays a critical role in shaping the emotional atmosphere of my studio. Sound establishes rhythm and intensity before the first mark is made. It heightens sensation and allows feelings to lead. Shifts in temp and tone influence movement and pacing across the canvas.
For me, influence is not aesthetic lineage but accumulation, the imprint of lived moments that reshape perspective. The canvas becomes a site of reclamation. Emotion – embedded, not softened. Disruption – illuminated, not concealed. Each composition carries endurance and the structure of survival.
My work mirrors life’s complexity and invites viewers to encounter their own thresholds within it. Creation transforms internal rupture into material force. What once threatened to break me now defines me. Unfiltered, unbound, free – this is me.
Impossible Is Possible
Katrina is a Professional Artist specializing in Acrylic Paintings with more than 25 years of experience and she Illustrated several children’s books as well.
Katrina comes from an artist family of several generations and to become an artist was pretty easy for her as colors, brushes, and canvases followed her all the way around since early childhood.
She’s been participating in exhibitions since sweet sixteen and won several awards, the most important was the opportunity to spend some time in Vienna City, Austria where she discovered F. Hundertwasser’s art which really inspired her. Other inspiring names in art for Katrina are Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Gustav Klimt, and Pablo Picasso.
For the last twenty years, she’s been living in Leeds City, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The beautiful scenery of Yorkshire widens her creativity, here is some kind of mix of different natures, like Italy, France, Spain, and Latvia all in one.
In my paintings, I devote much attention to the play of colors, lines, and plot. I convey my vision of the world with colors and images, but the plot plays a special role. The paintings were created mainly during my travels. I try to perceive the world not only in my native Latvia but also in other countries. Each painting has its own story. It tells about the scenic mountains of Tuscany and the magic cathedrals of Italy. Perhaps, there are stories about Britain’s magical gardens or a cat that brings warmth and peace to home. A woman waiting for the love of her lifetime…
I wish to spread beauty in the world and bring happiness to people through my paintings. I wish everyone looking at my paintings will feel the love I can give. Who knows, any person can share this love with others…
Impressions
Pepponi Art has developed an exciting and vibrant form of art that has been taking the world by storm. Combining African and Asian influences with harmonious shapes and vibrant hues, Pepponi Art creates stunning abstract and figurative pieces. Bright, glowing colors are a trademark of Pepponi Art, making it a truly unique experience that is sure to leave an impression.
Pepponi Art has been a passionate traveler, exploring different cultures and immersing herself in foreign environments. This experience and her unique vision and talent have come together to create vibrant acrylic paintings that combine abstract and figurative forms with African and Asian influences.
Pepponi Art’s work is characterized by its harmonious forms, vibrant hues, and sensuality. She uses bright glowing colors to bring her art to life, creating visually pleasing and emotionally engaging pieces. The influence of her travels is evident in the depth of color and intricate detail she adds to each piece. Her artwork is a beautiful reflection of her journey and passion for exploring new places and cultures.
Her pieces feature harmonious shapes, curves, and lines, focusing on bold color and texture. Her paintings use contrasting elements to create an eye-catching, dynamic effect. By playing with light, shadow, and perspective, she is able to create an intriguing visual for her audience. Pepponi Art’s goal is to bring together abstract and figurative forms in a way that conveys emotion and story to the viewer. Through her work, she demonstrates her ability to transform these forms into beautiful works of art that speak to the heart.
Vibrant hues are my trademark. My paintings feature a wide range of vibrant colors, from bold and bright to softer, more muted pastels. These colors create an atmosphere of energy and vibrancy, often with strong African and Asian influences. The bright hues of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue blend together to create an eye-catching piece of art that stands out. The contrast between the different colors can give a painting depth and meaning, helping to bring out the intricate details of the artwork. In addition, the bright colors help bring the artwork to life and offer a unique perspective on the subject matter being portrayed.
My art pieces are heavily influenced by both African and Asian influences. The shapes, colors, and figures used in the artworks evoke both cultures. With an abstract and figurative form, these influences can be seen in the harmonious forms and the vibrant hues used in each piece. It is also evident in how the subjects in the artworks relate to one another, with a subtle yet powerful sensuality tying them together.
My use of both African and Asian influences gives my artwork a distinct look that stands out from other art forms. Her pieces capture the beauty of both continents and celebrate their many differences. From the bold lines and textures to the bright colors and harmony of forms, my artwork offers a unique blend of these two cultures with much to offer.
Imprisoned Flying Queen
Kang-Yi Lin is a full-time airline pilot, a retired semiconductor engineer with a Physics background but a flying soul, who enjoys photography and is a weekend warrior in his spare time. His photography interests are primarily in artificial/architectural geometry, which he frequently combines with contrasting elements to create more interesting images. His portfolio includes surrealism, travel, and aviation aerial photography.
This image depicts the shift in mindset from pandemic to post-pandemic, from quarantine to quasi-freedom. The year 2022 is one of loss but growth, of flying but not flying high. Where is the future with endless wars, a police state that has locked down the entire country, energy shortages ahead of a cold winter, catastrophic storms with rising sea levels, international threats, and cryptocurrency corruption?
Impulse
I am a full-time artist living in New York. I have been steadily developing my skills with canvas work and mural painting. I have been successfully navigating through my local art community and networking with galleries and businesses. I’ve had gallery shows in the Hudson Valley region as well as New York City. I’ve created a partnership with multiple businesses to create logos and murals for their retail space. I have developed my skills with spray and acrylic paint. I have a range of artistic abilities from drawing/illustration, mural painting, graffiti art, and fine art/prints.
My work is the culmination of all my life experiences. All the good and the bad. The relationships and the consequences. The beauty and love. My art is a way for others to peek into my thoughts. My goal is to evoke the same level of intense emotions from those that see it. To spark memories and expose them to all the little details dwelling within their minds that connect us all. My work is influenced by my past, my life has changed dramatically since I began my artistic journey. I’ve dealt with addiction, heartbreak, and loss and I channel those experiences onto canvas and walls. Painting allows me to acquire a sense of clarity and gives me a safe, meditative space to reflect. Throughout my life, I have struggled to find myself and hold onto the beautiful details that make me who I am. I have a place to express this journey I’ve gone through, by painting and creating art. My work reflects the way I see the world, and my thoughts on my particular experience of the world.
In Come The Flowers
Sylvia Bandyke, Royal Oak, MI, USA, is largely a self-taught photographer, having taken studio and art history classes in college. She began her art career by displaying photo collages in ArtPrize, an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, MI, from 2014 to 2018. Subsequently, she has been juried into more than 100 group exhibitions in 24 states and accepted into numerous online international exhibitions. An awarded artist, she keeps an eye open for interesting views of a subject while looking for hidden beauty every day. Most recently, she was a caregiver to her elderly mother and was able to create some memorable, unique art as a result of this experience.
I prefer using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is even more compelling because of the embedded story. Having been a playwright and technical writer, I am accustomed to delivering content with a message. So now, as a visual communicator, I continue to provide meaning via the structure of the collage format, wherein the four photos confirm, augment, or even contradict each other if warranted. I enjoy offering the richness that the multiplicity of images provides, along with the impact gained through thoughtful positioning of them. Ultimately, I intend to have my work act as a doorway to the viewer’s own mental and emotional framework regarding the collection of images, perhaps finding their own very personal meaning in them.
In Concert
Wendy Liz is a versatile artist who loves to paint. She was inspired by her sister, who was an artist and had her own gallery in Nashville, TN. Wendy resides in Sarasota, FL. She enjoys painting realism, abstracts, and other types of art; however, she is especially fond of painting fun and expressive animals, which she calls Krazy Kolorful Kreatures.
Wendy studied art at the Ringling College of Art and Design. She also studied painting with Lois Carson at Suncoast Technical College (formerly Sarasota County Technical Institute), and later with Sarasota artist and teacher, Bill Jerdon. She began working in acrylic but soon developed a love for oil, which became her favorite medium.
Wendy has painted various commissioned works that are exhibited in homes around the country. She welcomes commissions, which have included realistic portraits as well as large abstracts that cover entire walls. Her original art is available; however, giclees and prints are also available as a more affordable option. Giclees are fine art prints on canvas, and prints are fine art prints on high-quality paper—both using the latest technology printing techniques.
Wendy’s creative ideas for art are based on her experiences with the people and places she encounters throughout her life including children, grandchildren, family, and friends, as well as destinations and new adventures.
When I began painting, I looked at the world in a different context. I studied faces, children, animals, trees, grass, flowers, and even water differently than I once did. Being able to communicate on canvas, as I do, is a wonderful creative outlet. There are so many beautiful things around me in everyday life to portray to the world as I see them. Whether it’s a portrait, realism, animals, or an abstract, I strive to express my feelings, energy, and emotions.
In Flight
Andrea Hellman, Ed.D., is an associate professor of English at Missouri State University. She holds a doctorate in Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies from Boston University. She is best known for her publications in TESOL and directs a National Professional Development grant project called Show Me Multiliteracy.
Andrea is a prolific fine artist, who maintains an online gallery of her works. She is a member of the Fresh Gallery in Springfield, Missouri. Her preferred medium is digital painting although she has worked in oil painting, watercolor, etching, collage, mixed media, and photography. Accolades for Andrea’s art in 2023 include two Gold, a Silver, and two Bronze Awards from the J. Mane Gallery, two Artist-of-the-Month Awards and five Bronze Awards from the Camelback Gallery, a Second Place Award and an Honorable Mention from the Ten Moir Gallery, a Bronze Award from the Global Painting Conclave, two Talent Prize Awards and an Honorable Mention from Teravarna, an Artistic Excellence Award and two Honorable Mentions from Fusion Art, two Special Merit Awards and several Special Recognitions from the Light Space Time Gallery, a Best-in-Show Award and a Crystal Award from the Gallery Ring, two Laurel Awards from Gallery 4%, an Honorable Mention from the Art Show International Gallery and the Art Room Contemporary Online Gallery. Her art was published in the Passengers Journal, the Beyond Words Literary Magazine, New Note Poetry, and she was a featured artist in Hayden Ferry’s Review Issue 72, Spring/Summer, 2023. (https://www.andreahellman.com/).
Andrea’s current art projects are about play and exploration. She lives in a vibrant arts community; her works reflect the relationship of art forms, theater, poetry, dance, and music. She occupies herself with “what if” questions to generate creative imagery visualizing her musings and sensations in the present.
My current art projects are primarily influenced by my passion for play and exploration. I experiment with color schemes, curious shapes, light patterns, varied lines, dynamic compositions, my collection of digital materials, and texture brushes. I occupy myself with “what if” questions to generate creative imagery: What if I captured the flight patterns of my backyard birds? What if I condensed the colors of my favorite Florida beach into a single image? What if I could recreate the feeling of silk through colors? What if I merged different poses of a figure into a single image? What shapes and patterns would result from layering objects in various blend modes? Another main influence comes from observing other artists at work and visiting art museums wherever I travel. I focus on the finer details of underpaintings, blending, brush strokes, paint mediums, and varnishes. I photograph textures and patterns that inspire me to try something new in my work. I usually have the best time when I am left behind in a museum to roam in circles around the art.