Norwegian Pyramids

Babler’s work has been juried into: Maryland Federation of Art Winter Exhibit 2026; Anderson 2025-26 Winter Exhibition; Woman Made Gallery – Chicago; 38th September Competition – Juried Exhibit at Alexandria Museum of Art; “After Dark 2025”, “Fall Juried Exhibit 2025”, and “Reflecting 2025”– Maryland Federation of Art; 38th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition; “In the City” exhibit juror Christina Gomez (Art Institute Chicago); North American Print Biennial juror Elizabeth M. Rudy (Associate Curator of Prints Harvard Art Museums, Boston); Dubuque Museum of Art Biennial juror Pamela Hugdahl (Executive Director, Rochester Art Center); Rockford Art Museum Biennial Juried Exhibit of Contemporary Artists; Andrew James Wulf (Albany Museum of Art); Gary Freeburg (Professor/Director of Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art at James Madison University); Amanda C. Burdan (Associate Curator – Brandywine River Museum of Art); Christiane Paul (Curator of New Media Arts at the Whitney Museum of American Art); Felice Frankel (Science photographer/research scientist); Malcolm Daniel (Curator of Photographs – Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC); Kenneth Baker (Art Critic, San Francisco Chronicle); William Lieberman, Director of Zolla/Lieberman Gallery – Chicago; Annette Carlozzi (Sr. Curator at Blanton Museum of Art); Dr. Jefferson Harrison (Chief Curator Chrysler Museum of Art); Charlotta Kotik (Curator of Contemporary Art Brooklyn Museum of Art); David Houston (Chief Curator –Ogden Museum of Southern Art); Dr. Russell Panczenko (Museum of Art, Madison Wisconsin); Siri Engberg (Walker Art Center); Stephen Phillips (Phillips Collection – Washington DC); Sam Gilliam; and Ed Paschke.

She is a Ragdale Residency Fellow, a juried member of the Illinois Arts Council’s Arts-In-Education Roster, and has exhibited at Northwestern University, Concordia University, Rockford Art Museum, and the Alexandria Museum of Art. She was a fine art consultant and advisor for Grumbacher/Prismacolor, along with developing a program for Blick. Her artwork is in corporate, university, and private art collections.

Wandering the world, whether through a traveler’s footsteps or imagination, is a passport for learning. One expands their knowledge and understanding when they travel. Traveling is a journey that captures the spirit, cultures, and traditions of our world family. It brings us closer together, and we need to embrace the similarities while respecting and admiring the differences. My submission focuses on the sights and sounds of our world — visualizing a connection with one another through architecture, color, and motion.

Not Today Fucker

Maciek “Magic” Peter Kozlowski, is an international artist of Polish origin now residing for over 55 years in Canada. He is renowned for his exceptional talent in evoking joy through his diverse artistic expressions. As a recipient of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious U.K. Artist of the Year in 2017, Maciek’s artistic endeavors span a wide array of styles – from captivating abstracts to vibrant florals, serene landscapes, and expressive portraits.

His artistry does not confine itself to a single medium; instead, Maciek embraces a multitude of techniques including oil paint, acrylics, digital mediums, assembly, sculpture, and large-scale installations. His innovative approach and relentless pursuit of new forms of expression have led to the creation of unique collections of original pieces and limited edition prints, each inviting viewers to embark on a delightful journey of artistic discovery.

Exhibitions and Awards

Artist of the Year in the U.K. at ArtistsInfo.co.uk, 2017
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, 2016
Ottawa New Art Festival, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
Ottawa Art Expo, 2014
Toronto Art Expo, the largest show in Canada, 2009
Red Trillium Studio Tour, West Carleton, 2009-2019
Nepean Fine Arts League Show (Judge’s 1st place best of show award, and 1st place multimedia, 2016)
West End Studio Tour (WEST), 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
8 Awards of Excellence including 4 Canadian National awards for multimedia communications applications
Solo exhibition of Assembly pieces, Origin Trade, Ottawa
“Surveillance” exhibition, In the Air Guild, Ottawa, 2019, 2020

Artistic expression has always been in my life. After a career as an engineer in energy and later in telecommunications, I have always worked in research and development, it is then no surprise that my full-time art career, now in its second decade, follows the desire to research and build new things. Now they are art objects, original, and capturing my emotional state at the time.

I can now express my emotions in artistic explorations bound by established styles and curated into distinguished collections. As a child I had the opportunity to see the diversity of the world’s best art in the world’s best museums in person, an education that I hated at the time, but that now serves me very well.

I do not paint from life directly, nor do I imagine a painting and fill it in. My process is deeply rooted in my emotional engagement at the time. It could be the beauty of a spring melt at our lake in Quebec, Canada, or a visceral response to political and social justice events. These are then reflected in my medium of choice. I try to let the art emerge despite me. The best results are achieved when I can, almost meditation-like, get out of the way and let the art flow. These beginnings are then transformed, by way of collage, sampling, and assembly into finished pieces that reflect the emotion through color and, composition. The same process works for landscapes, abstracts, portraits, and florals.

My mediums of choice are oil paints, acrylics, collages, digital assembly, found objects assembly, sculpture, and large-scale exploration. I keep a digital sketchbook of explorations and ideas with now over 70,000 images. There is more exploration to do and the current state of the world can use more joy. Hopefully, my work can deliver some much-needed Joy.

Nubble Lighthouse

When I was studying architecture, photography was a tool I used in the creation of projects and to enhance the presentation of the final product. I incorporated the camera lens as a part of the design development process looking at elements of design such as form, space, geometry, light, texture, and color. Over time, as I improved my knowledge of creative design, I also increased my interest in photography learning that the elements were the same. In recent years I have further evolved into taking my conventional images and integrating them into composites, digital paintings, and abstract designs. Photography is a constant journey. It has also allowed me to broaden my horizons into earthborn street imagery and the opportunity to develop another of my interests which includes film noir. I look forward to continuing the journey.

“I look at every photo opportunity as if it were a design with architectural, structural, and artistic integrity, regardless of the subject matter.”

The study of design has allowed me to expand my horizons to all avenues of photography. Just as I had photographed the composites of my designs, my work is now focused on looking for the components of a creative design or story in every photograph I take. To me, composing a photo is similar to designing a building. I like to see how the visual building blocks in the elements of design can be combined into a unique whole.

Nurture Self Love

Christina Cowan is a full-time artist in Connecticut, as well as a licensed social worker. She has transitioned away from social work into a professional oil painter, taking with her a new love and appreciation for the simple and positive aspects of life, which is reflected in her art through emotions and themes. She grew up surrounded by art, as both her mom and aunt were artists and shared an art studio together. Christina is currently a student with the Milan Art Institute in their Mastery Program, where her art has grown immensely and she has truly found her voice and unique artistic style. Notably, she has been accepted into multiple juried shows at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, Hygienic Art Gallery, Essex Art Association Gallery, and Spectrum Gallery; through Arts to Hearts Project she has been published in their 101 Art Books: Floral Edition, 101 Art Books: Animal Edition, Arts to Hearts Project book – Colors, Arts to Hearts Project book – Art and Women, Arts to Hearts Project book – The Emerging Artist’s Handbook: Insights from 100 Emerging Women Worldwide, as well as their magazine and virtual art exhibit on the theme of colors; is a member of Women in Arts Network; and has had her own solo gallery showing at the Clinton Art Gallery where she is now the Gallery Manager.

Creating art feels like I am being the most authentic and true version of myself. I feel as though I was born to make art, look at art, be art. My artistic voice focuses on the beauty of women, empowering them through the use of poetry and glamorous colors, texture, and fashion. My creative process starts with focusing on a general emotion for a series of paintings, such as self-love, using your voice, empowerment, love, growth, etc. I will start out with sketching and then collaging with scrapbook papers, fabrics, quotes, and a variety of pastes to add depth and a storyline to the painting. Then I will use spray paint and paint markers, going into transparent oils to do washes and glazes. Finally, a few layers of opaque oils and a touch of cold wax mixed with oil finish off the paintings. Art makes life beautiful, and I love that I can share that with the world and make people feel joy, awe, happiness, and empowerment just by looking at my art.

NY’s Lighthouses

About the Artists
Semine Hazar is an award-winning lighthouse artist who creates oil paintings, particularly of seascapes and lighthouses of the world, often with themes of the environment. She has exhibited her work internationally, including for a year last year at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, which added her work to their permanent collection. Her art, inspired by her experiences witnessing melting ice in Argentina, was exhibited at the United Nations on the inaugural World Glaciers Day on March 22nd earlier this year.

For this joint artwork titled “NY’s Lighthouses,” Semine has painted the Little Red Lighthouse, which represents the power of community engagement in protecting historical structures and highlights the ongoing need for environmental awareness and responsible stewardship of our natural resources, especially the vital Hudson River ecosystem.

Barbara Todd is a photographer and digital artist, and also a Founder and Vice President of Artists’ Collective of Hyde Park (ACHP) (blog entries), Board member of Arts Mid-Hudson, and the Program Coordinator of Sustainable Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley. With fairly eclectic aesthetic interests, Barbara specializes in landscapes and abstractions, creating work that has been called “painterly” and is often noted for its unusual light. Reflections often figure into her work, including reflections off the Hudson River.

Barbara has extensively exhibited in solo art shows at Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, the Poughkeepsie Open Studios, Hyde Park Free Library Annex, the Hudson Valley News Network offices at the Dutchess County Airport, Artists’ Collective of Hyde Park, Queens Botanical Garden Climate Art Festival, the Poughkeepsie Common Council Chambers, NY State Assembly Member Didi Barrett’s office. She has also exhibited in group shows, some juried, at Barrett Art Center, WomensWork.Art, Mid-Hudson Heritage Center in Poughkeepsie, Tivoli Artists Gallery, Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY, the Howland Center in Beacon, and Art in the Loft in Millbrook, among many others.

This artwork celebrates Lighthouses of New York (The Esopus Meadows and the Little Red Lighthouses), which are recognized landmarks with symbolic and aesthetic qualities, including distinct architectural characteristics located in picturesque settings. These lighthouses are now lovingly preserved and open to the public, evoking feelings of hope, guidance, resilience, and revival. Their depiction in Semine’s painting and Barbara’s photography captures New York’s coastal landscapes and maritime history, as once these lighthouses played a crucial role in the region’s environmental and naval history, guiding ships and enabling trade and transportation. The artwork highlights important aspects of the region’s past and its adaptation to technological advances with a strong connection to the Hudson River School, America’s first art movement, which celebrated the beauty of New York and its surrounding landscapes.

For this artwork titled “NY’s Lighthouses,” Barbara presents the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse with a stunning sky reflection at a moment when the Hudson is still. Barbara enjoys how reflections add drama and dimensionality to her work as she explores and finds new beauty and directions in the light and shadow of the Hudson Valley, which she adores.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience shooting the lighthouses of the Hudson, both as a photographic challenge and a thrilling opportunity to bask in the beauty of the river and its wonders. For many years as a commuter to Manhattan, I rode the Hudson line, and the view never failed to fascinate me in any kind of weather. It has been such a joy to explore places I had only whizzed by on a train until now. Through my work, I hope to share the engagement of my senses with these historic and beautiful places.

My photography and my aesthetic sense have been deeply influenced by growing up in the Hudson River Valley, with its characteristic amber light captured by the Hudson River School artists in the mid-nineteenth century – and now impacted by the increasing particulate matter and weather effects associated with pollution and climate change. I have always felt that the river restores my inner peace and balance, and the lighthouses symbolize hope in these times. As the river rises, ”we shall see how they fare,” explained Barbara Todd.

NY’s Roses

Ilhan Sayin is a Turkish award-winning oil artist who has exhibited his botanical work worldwide in museums, United Nations conferences, and art galleries.

His “Flowers of Hope” series features floral paintings aimed at promoting environmental awareness and hope, depicting native flowers from New York. His work, such as paintings of the NY’s Rose, is described as a testament to resilience and cultural significance.

This year, his work is part of the America at 250 exhibition at Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, which has been endorsed by Freedom 250, a national initiative launched by President Donald Trump to lead the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026. It is a public-private partnership aimed at honoring U.S. history, fostering patriotism, and highlighting innovation.

“NY’s Roses” painting, as part of my Flowers of Hope series, serves as an artistic celebration of New York State’s biodiversity and resilience, highlighting several native rose species, including the Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana), Carolina/Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina), and Swamp Rose.

The pink roses of New York are a beautiful subject for art, embodying both the natural beauty and the resilience of the state. The rose was chosen as the state flower of New York by school children in 1890, was officially declared in 1955, and was officially designated as the national flower and floral emblem of the United States on November 20, 1986, by President Ronald Reagan, following Congressional approval. It was chosen for its symbolism of love and beauty, its prevalence in American gardens and history, and its existence in all 50 states.

This painting highlights how roses represent a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” in terms of their delicate appearance paired with their extreme resilience.

NYBG PaperWhite

The facts are simple: I went to Skidmore. I studied both art and photography. I graduated with honors. I won awards as an advertising art director/designer in NYC. When my children were small, it was as if no single medium of art could contain me. As my three little ones grew and experimented, I grew and experimented, too. Children’s book illustrator, mural painter, custom stationary designer, freelance graphic artist, magazine artist/illustrator— my creative titles were as varied as the roles I played at home. Now that my children are grown, I am returning to my roots but still testing my wings, experimenting with manipulated photography as fine art. And wow, am I loving the journey.

I am a photography-based artist that significantly manipulates my original images to create mandalas. My mandala series comprises a variety of photographic subjects from floral bouquets to children’s toys to tools in a workshop, woven and repeated into a mandala or circle. Found in every culture and faith, a mandala is structured around a unifying center and represents both wholeness and the universe. I weave elements of my photographic travels into this timeless shape.
My work has been shown in galleries in New Jersey, on LBI as well as in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.

O Fortuna

Dan Simoneau was born and raised in Lewiston, Maine, where he began formal art classes at 11 and 13 joined the Androscoggin Valley Art Association as its youngest member ever. By the time Dan was a sophomore in high school, he was exhibiting, winning awards, and selling his paintings at local summer art festivals. In 1980, Dan began studies at the University of Southern Maine. There, he was influenced by artists such as Caravaggio, Chuck Close, Richard Estes, and Philip Pearlstein. Of these artists, the influence of Caravaggio, Close, and Pearlstein is still evident. Dan graduated in 1984 with high honors and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. His majors were painting, pottery, and printmaking; his minor was art history.

Dan has continued exhibiting his work nationally and internationally, winning many awards. His paintings have also been published in many national and international publications. His work is also in several museum collections. He is currently a Signature Master in the International Society of Acrylic Painters and a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society, the International Society of Experimental Artists, the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic, and the National Watercolor Society. He is also a Fellow of the American Artist Professional League. In 2022, Dan became an Elected Member of the Allied Artists of America. Dan is also a life member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is also a member of the International Guild of Realism. He is also identified as an Art Renewal Center Living Artist. The Art Renewal Center promotes traditional methods of realist painting worldwide. He has also been recognized for his achievements by being listed in Marquis Who’s Who in American Art since 2005 and was awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

In my exploration of male figurative art, I immerse myself in the interplay of light and shadow to capture the essence of human connection. Through my work, I aim to evoke a visceral response that transcends the physical form and delves into the emotional and psychological depths of the subjects.

Light and shadow serve as my primary tools of expression, casting nuanced layers of meaning upon the male form. The interplay between illumination and obscurity not only highlights the physicality of the models but also invites contemplation on the complexities of masculinity and vulnerability. Each stroke of light reveals contours and textures, while shadows hint at hidden depths and uncertainties, creating a visual dialogue that speaks to the intricacies of the male experience.

Central to my artistic process is the relationship with my models. Beyond mere subjects, they become collaborators in the creation of narratives that explore themes of intimacy, identity, and human connection. Through trust and mutual understanding, we embark on a journey of exploration, where the vulnerability of the model meets the sensitivity of the artist, resulting in compositions that resonate with authenticity and empathy.

In capturing the male form, I seek to challenge conventional notions of masculinity and beauty, offering a space for introspection and dialogue. By embracing vulnerability and celebrating the human experience in all its facets, my art becomes a testament to the power of connection and the universal quest for meaning and understanding. Through light, shadow, and the shared humanity of the models, I invite viewers to engage in a profound exploration of self and others, transcending boundaries and fostering empathy in a world that often feels divided.

Oakland Art Murmur

I currently reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been taking photographs for many years throughout the world, transitioning from 35mm film to digital; from developing film and black and white prints in a darkroom to using photo editing software to edit digital images on a computer. While a lot has certainly changed with technology, the basics of art and composition live on.

My goal in photography is to capture the beauty of a moment. While photography might be viewed simply as the capture of light and time, for me there is so much more in the creative challenge. I try to bring different perspectives to my photography and not be bound by preconceived ideas of place, time, object, or person. I try to always focus on the positive. My camera and editing allow me to expand my creativity and capture the beauty I see at the moment.