Moving Forward
Marlene Siff was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. She was an art honors student at the High School of Music & Art (now LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts located near Lincoln Center). She earned a B.A. in Fine Arts from Hunter College where she studied with Richard Lippold, William Baziotes, Raymond Parker, and William Rubin. Ms. Siff was also elected to Kappa Pi, the Honorary Arts Society.
Marlene describes herself as being born with a paintbrush in hand! Her past includes teaching elementary school after graduation and then creating bed linen and kitchen collections for J.P. Stevens. After finding commercial success, Ms. Siff also designed kitchen and dining room collections for JCPenney. Tennis, cooking, going to the theatre, and race-walking at the beach also play an important part in her life.
Marlene Siff’s work has been exhibited in museums, galleries, and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad, including the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Katonah Museum of Art, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Mattatuck Museum, the Attleboro Arts Museum, Columbia/Barnard University, the University of Texas, the Walsh Art Gallery at Fairfield University, Eastern Kentucky University and The Capitol building in Washington D.C.
Ms. Siff’s work is also in the permanent collections of the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury CT, the Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport CT, B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum in Washington D.C., and in the Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center at Cornell University. Her work can also be found in many private collections, including the collection of Ronnie Heyman, MoMA’s board of trustees President.
Since 2015, Marlene Siff has been juried into 153 competitions throughout the United States and has won 67 awards. She works in her home-based studio in Westport, CT.
Every day, we are confronted with the fragmentation of our non-linear lives, trying as in a puzzle to make the pieces fit together and make sense of it all.
In a world that can feel full of complexity and chaos, I am passionate about creating art that communicates a sense of harmony, balance, order, and spirituality.
My paintings works on paper, and sculptures depict imagery of personal and global events and psychological issues. They are a reflection of the world we live in, expressed through geometric shapes, color, light, space, texture, edges, and movement, each interplaying with one another and engaging the viewer to participate. The love I have for my family, gardens, ballet, theatre, and music have also always found their way into my work.
Every painting begins with a conceptual vision and ultimately seeks to convey a narrative. The multi-dimensionality and layered nature of my work aims to penetrate the illusions of reality, reaching the mystery and essence of the soul.
Murmur Of Aspens
Robert Meyers-Lussier is a multifaceted artist whose creative expression spans photography, writing, and gastronomy. His artistry reflects a deep appreciation for both the grand and the minute details of life, shaped by extensive travel and diverse experiences. As a published author of ‘Crystallized Remnants,’ a book of poetry, and ‘This Is Delicious! What Is It?’, a cookbook, Robert’s work transcends mediums to explore beauty in all its forms. His photography, a blend of macro and micro perspectives, captures moments that are both ephemeral and eternal, inviting viewers to see the world through his unique lens
My artistry is born of spontaneity, a voyage through the open-air tapestry of life that cuts a swath across the continuum of time and space as I navigate the course of my existence.
As an author, writer, and photographer, I hold both minute and monumental moments in high regard. Encased within the temporal sphere, I am drawn to the symphony of colors and patterns, the dance of joy and sorrow, and the ebb and flow of nature’s life cycle. The changing seasons hold a pivotal role in my work. My perceptual lens has been honed and polished by the crucible of Minnesota’s severe weather that marked my childhood, coupled with an early immersion in the sublime aesthetics of Japan. I am perpetually on a quest for that breathtaking snapshot, the one that seizes a moment or a place in time, compelling me to etch it indelibly into the canvas of our collective memory
Muse In The Spring 1
For many years, I have pursued a successful career in digital animation and fine arts, as a digital artist, professor, animator, and director/producer of animation films and commercial products. My work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.
My interest in animation as an art form began during my final year as an undergraduate Fine Arts major at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There I was influenced by the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky. His compositions and theory provided the inspiration to incorporate movement and color in my paintings. Upon graduation, I was accepted into the graduate program in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts. It was there that I met animation pioneer, Professor Jules Engel. Under his mentorship, I was encouraged to look outside commercial animation and explore other forms of art (dance, fine art, sculpture), which I then incorporated into filmmaking and the digital arts.
Currently, I am an Artist in Residence in the Los Angeles Arts District.
The painting shows my investigations of the feminine figure and the space she occupies. Combining observation and imagination brings this painting to life. The design of negative space as it relates to the muse is of particular importance. Each element defines one another and their union creates the composition. The colors and shapes are played against each other as a reflection of this design and psychological relationship. The piece is also a mixture of my mixed media combined in a digital platform.
Mushrooms Anyone?
Gary Clark, a self-taught artist from Orlando, Florida, has dedicated his life to art. He works across a variety of styles and subjects, with a portfolio that spans from realistic to abstract. Influenced by masters like Georges Braque, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Picasso, Bernard Buffet, Alberto Giacometti, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell, his work is a testament to his belief in the power of art to elicit emotion and delight in those who view it.
Personal Background
Gary Clark, a retired entrepreneur in the specialty food sector, was born in Orlando, Florida, USA. He completed his education at local schools, culminating in 1956 at Edgewater High School. In 1960, he earned a Business Administration degree from The Citadel, a military college situated in Charleston, South Carolina.
During his early adult years, Gary, alongside his wife Laura, dedicated himself to nurturing a family and advancing a prosperous sales career, all while indulging in his love for painting when time allowed. Driven by the ambition to lead his own business, Gary embarked on several entrepreneurial endeavors. These initiatives ultimately led to the establishment of a successful specialty food manufacturing firm, which they branded as Lysander’s. They poured endless hours into their test kitchen, crafting new products from their own original recipes. After dedicating twenty-two years to their enterprise, they parted with their Sanford, Florida-based company in 2001. The business stood as a testament to a family-run operation, characterized by enduring dedication and deep-rooted connections with family members and staff alike.
Gary has three adult children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He shares his life with his partner, Judy Miner, who is an artist as well. Together, Gary and Judy have nurtured a shared passion for painting for nearly two decades.
My paintings are totally emotional in foundation. I paint what I feel and what moves me at any given time. By that, I mean I feel the work in progress, its color, its lines, its shapes, its pleasure to the eye — balanced spontaneity. Purely emotional, my abstracts, for example, should not be looked upon to mean something; rather, they should appeal to the eye or emotion.
Music Series No 22
Artist Rev. Nancy Rouse: Survived the struggles of being born hearing-impaired by creating a window to her world through her artistry. Nancy’s art is a visual interpretation of how she perceives sound. Her daily challenges were exacerbated during COVID-19 having to spend months in solitude. She could not effectively communicate because masks made reading lips impossible. Nancy has learned to persevere and use her impairment to show us the world as she sees and hears it.
In my 3-D Music series. I recreated static that I heard as I struggled to pull the messages forward to try and comprehend the abstraction. I wanted to convey to my viewers visually what it was to experience sounds as a deaf artist to interpret layers for vibrations in an altered juxtaposition.
Music Series No 26
Rev. Nancy Rouse has journeyed through the challenges of being born hearing-impaired, transforming adversity into a backdrop that mirrors her unique perception of sound and silence. Her art serves as a portal into her world, translating auditory experiences into captivating visual narratives. Amidst the solitude of the pandemic, Nancy’s daily hurdles were magnified, hindered by masks that obscured her ability to communicate effectively. Nevertheless, she persevered, harnessing her impairment as a lens to illuminate the intricate beauty of her surroundings.
Through her art, Nancy employs textures to expand upon her methods of sensory interpretation, revealing her profound interaction with the world. Her educational background boasts a Fine Arts Degree from Brooklyn CUNY College, where she earned the esteemed Presidential Award and the prestigious Morris Dorsky Artist Award.
Nancy’s achievements include notable publications such as the World Wide Art Magazine “Music Series 1-20,” and recognition from esteemed institutions like the Circle Foundation with “Mastermind” Awards. Her contributions extend to international publications, including “Never Broken Volumes 1- 4,” highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.
With an extensive exhibition history spanning venues like the Spirit del Art Gallery Chelsea and the Disabled Artist Network Ireland Dublin Solo show, Nancy’s work continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Her media appearances, including guest spots on TV shows like “Linda Lynn This Could Be You” and “Joan’s Healing Within,” further attest to her growing influence and reach.
Nancy Rouse’s artistic journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and unwavering passion. Her work transcends barriers, offering a profound glimpse into the beauty of the human experience.
Rev. Nancy R. Rouse’s exceptional artistic journey is marked by numerous accolades, exhibitions, and publications, showcasing her talent and dedication to the craft. With a distinguished educational background and an impressive array of accomplishments, Nancy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide with her innovative artistry as she gives her connection to art. Allowing the world a visual perception of how she perceives sound.
Must Lightning Strike
At 65, after decades of not creating art, Lisa Joy Newcomb reinvented herself as an artist.
Ms Newcomb has been honored with one best of show, five first-place awards in photography, a second-place award in abstract photography award and a third-place award. She has had three one-woman shows. One through HMVC Gallery New York, one through Artel Gallery in Pensacola, FL, and one through the University of Delaware. Her work has been seen from coast to coast, including several times through the HMVC Gallery in New York and the Las LaGuna Gallery in California. Pictorem, based out of Montreal, Canada, has Lisa as a featured artist. Ms. Newcomb’s work has been seen in public arenas including New York’s Times Square electronic billboards, Montgomery International Airport, the Regions Bank Corporate Gallery in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sanger Theater in Pensacola, Florida, and the Hilton Pensacola Beach, Florida. Three books have also been presented to Ms. Newcomb. They are: “Nobis II, 2023”, and the “Emerald Coast Review,” 2023, and 2025. “Emerald Coast Review 2025” uses Ms Newcomb’s photograph as its cover image.
The photographs she creates are abstractions in fluidity, rich in joy and filled with color, pattern, curiosity, and a gentle message. The dance of light that for most of her life she sought in the ocean, she is now looking for in the melding of glass and fabric with occasional surprise elements. Lisa’s work is usually printed on aluminum.
Ms Newcomb’s highest degree is a master’s in social work. Professionally, she worked as a social worker and as a realtor. She was raised in the Mid Atlantic, experienced her young adulthood in New England and the Midwest, and for the last 30 years, the Deep South has been home with her husband. It was in the Deep South that she raised an interesting, dynamic, kind-hearted daughter. Lisa was a docent at the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Art for over 17 years. She is currently a national member of Pen Women.
Ms Newcomb’s uplifting work can be seen on her website at Pictorem. You may order it there to your specifications.
I create photos as peaceful, playful, healing stimuli while I make observations of humanity and the environment. Drawing upon different objects, I explore melding them into a unified whole. Part of my process is setting up compositions, in the form of an assemblage, visually weaving together beautiful glass, flowing fabric, with vibrant colors and patterns into integrated fluid formations seeking to reshape light, pattern, and color into a visual oasis. I then tightly crop and photograph. My intent is to transcend and transform objects into images that visually excite while calming the soul, often with a gentle message.
A lifelong passion for art and artists influenced my work. I nod to Miriam Schapiro, a leader in the Pattern and Decoration Movement. Having lived much of my life by the shore, I have always loved the play of light in watery reflections. I am drawn to artists who capture light; Stephen Rolfe Powell’s glass delights me. Mark Rothko believed in the visceral effect of color. He wanted people to have an experience within his pictures. I seek to have my work viscerally affect the viewer.
CromaLuxe high definition images printed on aluminum are my preferred substrate. The reflective surface enhances and enriches the dynamics of the glass used in my imagery. Images can be ordered in small jewel-like prints or large dynamic pieces.
Mutuus Consensus (By Mutual Consent)
Gerard Huber was born October 2, 1949, in Waterloo, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking, in 1971. Following completion of undergraduate studies, Huber studied Figure Drawing and Contemporary Theology at the University of Notre Dame, in 1971, and participated in the Blossom-Kent Art Program at Kent State University, in 1973. Huber earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing from Cranbrook Academy of Art, in 1975, studying with George Ortman.
In 1994 Huber received a Mid-America Arts Alliance/National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Painting. He has been a Resident Fellow at The Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont (2008); twice at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Lynchburg, Virginia (1987, 1988); and once at the Cummington Community of Art, Cummington, Massachusetts (1988). Huber was a Visiting Artist/Visiting Scholar at the American Academy in Rome, Italy, in 2013 and 2015.
Huber’s airbrushed acrylic paintings have been exhibited in more than 60 exhibitions including the Joslyn Museum of Art, Omaha, Nebraska; the Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY; Parsons School of Design, New York, NY; Salmagundi Club, New York, NY; the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; and many others.
Commerce, Texas (formerly East Texas State University) Huber retired After forty-seven years of teaching in the Department of Art at Texas A&M University, in 2022.
In Christianized Western civilization, depictions of naked male flesh have been so closely associated with evil that the only way a nude male body could be tolerated as if it was being abused, punished, or mutilated – a sort of sadomasochistic expiation of unconscious guilt about merely having a body, whereas depictions of female nudity are culturally acceptable according to John Berger’s “Ways of Seeing” because they provide opportunities for “acceptable” male possession whether in fact or desire.
My goal is to challenge contempt for the fully nude male figure, which is thought to be, at best, embarrassing and, at worst, indecent. My exploration involves placing homoerotic male nudes in intimate domestic locations, which engage the viewer either as voyeur or partner. The work is meant to challenge the viewer to examine their values and prejudices vis-a-vis intimacy and the nude male. My intent is to invite the viewer to confront their own beliefs and values about the naked body and to resolve for themselves the question of good and evil regarding nudity in general, and male nudity in particular, as well as provide a peacefully sensual way of drawing the viewer into a space that challenges heteronormative assumptions of male competition, and which demonstrates that same-sex relationships are wholesome, healthy and life-affirming.
My Awakening
Lisa Murray is a Phoenix, Arizona-based artist who enjoys utilizing paint markers, sometimes in conjunction with colored pencils, to produce unusual, basic, and cartoon-like drawings of diverse subjects. Originally from California, she spent a few semesters at California College of the Arts, supplementing her education from primary school art classes, to improve her affinity for drawing.
This drawing represents me at the lowest point in my life. On July 2, 2012, I overdosed on heroin alone in a shed meant to be a dumpster behind a restaurant in my hometown of California. I survived but was left sick, disoriented, and destitute. Looking back, this was a watershed moment in my life that shaped who I am today and the next 12 years. I spent the following five years on and off the streets, using drugs and sleeping beneath bridges, in bushes, or behind neighborhood buildings. I didn’t want to live and regularly prayed to God to take me home. Since then, I’ve come a long way. After years of attempting to get sober and learning about myself and the world, as well as rebuilding and mending ties with my family and putting in some effort, I can now say that I am satisfied with who I have become. I am 36 years old and have my own apartment, three cats, a job, and a car to get to it. I am now a working and contributing member of society, and my situation is improving by the day. The entire event taught me to be grateful for every person and experience in my life, to appreciate what I have, and most importantly, to be humble and capable of love. For these reasons, I am thankful for that time in my life and I also forgive myself for the decisions I made at the time.