Poppies
Jacqueline Fichtler, born in 1972, is an accomplished artist whose journey in the realm of fine arts reflects a commitment to continuous learning and artistic exploration. Over the years, she dedicated herself to the pursuit of realism in painting, undertaking studies at the Academy of Fine Art Germany in Bad Homburg from 2020 to 2023. Her artistic pursuits extend beyond formal education, as evidenced by her participation in workshops such as Plein Air Painting in 2021 and Portrait Painting in Oil in 2022.
Since 2023, Jacqueline has been an active member of both the Art Life School and the New Masters Academy, further enriching her artistic perspective. Notably, she attended a workshop on Allaprima Portrait Painting in the same year, led by the esteemed Patrick Byrnes. Jacqueline’s works have been showcased in prominent exhibitions, including SUPERMART in Nuremberg and Burg Stettenfels in 2023. Her artistic prowess has also earned her recognition, with a semi-finalist status in the prestigious 12th Annual PleinAir® Salon Annual Competition in April 2023 and a notable win as the “Best Beginner” in the monthly PleinAir Salon Art Competition in April 2022.
Jacqueline Fichtler’s art is characterized by its realism, impressionistic qualities, and a profound connection to nature. Her dedication to honing her craft and exploring diverse artistic avenues underscores her passion for creating meaningful and evocative works of art.
My love in art dates back to my childhood, but I didn’t start formal training as an artist until 2020. I paint realistically and with an emphasis on reality. My work has a lot to do with the beauty I find in the world, in nature, and in the people around me. The interaction of light and shadow especially fascinates me. Throughout my work, I attempt to convey this. I want to get better at what I do every day. The amazing things in our surroundings are what I wish to paint. I am primarily influenced by Russian Impressionists like Ilya Yefimowitsch Repin, or by the Old Masters, like Jan Vermeer, John Singer Sargent, and William Adolphe Bouguereau. Her work and the style it exudes intrigue me.
Poppies
Karen was raised in Chicago, Illinois, and was involved in the arts from a very young age. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the Performing Arts Center, Barat College of DePaul University. Karen was fortunate enough to work with such theatre companies as Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Theatre, and Phoenix Theatre to name a few. She studied painting and art history throughout her years in school, in addition to studying architecture and interior design when she moved to Los Angeles, California at UCLA. Karen has been an artist for over ten years. Her background in theatre has influenced her immensely as an artist. Many pieces of her artwork have been on exhibit in Los Angeles, New York City, San Jose, and Huntington Beach.
Karen was featured in DESTIG Magazine as one of their top emerging artists for 2019, the Los Angeles Art Association 2019 Volume 2 Catalog, and Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art’s 2022 Collectors’ Art Book, Volume 1. She is a Founder Member of ArtChilli Gallery UK and a member of the Los Angeles Art Association. Karen’s artwork was featured in the September, October, and November 2021 issue of House & Garden Magazine UK, she was the recipient of the 2020 Artist of the Future Award by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine and the 2021 recipient of the Award of Artistic Excellence for her Painting, Dancer in Motion, by Circle Foundation for the Arts. She also wrote and produced her video performance art piece, The Unseen Artist which is a self-exploration of herself as an artist. She is the director of the online series, Shakespeare’s Pawn which has won numerous awards. Karen resides in Los Angeles with her husband actor Ammar Daraiseh.
I like capturing the beauty and essence of a moment in time or an idea I have that I want to explore on canvas. The content of my artwork ranges from landscapes, abstract art, portraits, and figures. I paint quite deliberately, engaging both traditional and innovative techniques; creating a custom palate for each painting with one dominant color that takes precedence throughout the piece.
My background in the performing arts has shaped my creativity as an artist throughout my life. I share this quality with Marc Chagall whom I relate to the most as the performing arts were a significant source of his inspiration throughout his artistic career. With each painting, I learn something new about myself; each work motivates me as an artist and brings me great joy. My talent is always a work in progress. I never settle, which pushes me to explore even further.
Poppy Explosion
My name is Barbara Page I live in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Originally, I am from a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin. I started by drawing the markings on our cows, beginning my artistic journey. I attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. At 30 years old I was in an auto accident. The accident left me with traumatic brain and spinal injuries. I love to draw and paint realistic art with the mediums of watercolor, pen, and ink. My inspiration is the artwork of Alphonse Mucha; with my focus on nature, florals, and human figures. Because of my injuries, I visualize things differently. My injuries resulted in clouded thinking and hand tremors. Unsteady hands made it difficult to do fine details. Today my artwork is influenced by the traumas and blessings I endured.
At a young age, I was so intrigued that I could draw what I saw and share my art with others. Throughout my life, I have used my imagination to have it be my outlet – my therapy – and my passion. As an artist, I love to see and create artwork that evokes emotion and different perceptions of what my piece says to the viewer. I love to use color to evoke emotion and black-and-white pointillism to get high contrast in my artwork of the female/floral portrayal.
Poppy’s Flowers
Jacquie was introduced to art at a young age and found herself doodling more in school than anything else. Although she went on to achieve an executive career in Human Resources to support her family, art has always been a driving force and a happy place throughout her life. Artists and people who love art are her people. When she became a mother, it became even more important for her to push more toward her true passions. Since then, she dedicated more focused time to learning and sharing her gifts in the arts. Currently, she has a beautiful studio where she lives in San Diego with her family and her fluffy animals. She recently fulfilled her lifetime goal of writing and illustrating my first children’s book. She has been featured in many art shows and galleries, as well as taught students from all walks of life. Her art is featured on her websites, Instagram, shops, and stores.
She is looking forward to traveling to France this year to study and learn.
My Mission
To bring more color, joy, and sparkle to the world! JMD focuses on positivity and hope. We believe in dreaming big! We are curly, swirly, and playful.
My Vision
JMD wants to ignite joy and happiness with our art, products,
and education. Our creations are filled with hope, whimsy, and colors to make you smile and bring warmth to your heart. We are here to also remind you that ANYTHING is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard. Our goal is to create products and spaces for creating, learning, and connecting.
My Values
We believe in positive energy and kindness
We value integrity and character greatly
We focus on the good things in life
We believe that love and connection can change the world
Jacquelyn Mary Designs
Portal
A NYC-based Nepali artist, Ashesh Maharjan (b. 1988) explores relationships between traditional art and contemporary themes to create unique pieces.
His most recognizable work consists of a series of multi-colored linocut prints inspired by experiences and art in New York City. These prints are in the style of the traditional Japanese woodblock printmakers and Buddhist art from Nepal. In this way, he not only merges Eastern themes with Western subject matter but also bridges the past with the present.
In 2014 he received his Bachelor’s degree in Art from Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Since moving to New York in 2017 he has taken part in various group exhibitions such as “Works on Paper” at CoreArt Space, Colorado, “Juried Show” at Prince Street Gallery, and “Ephemeral Threads” at GalleryMC, New York.
I am interested in the interplay between opposites such as figure versus abstraction, contemporary versus ancient, and Eastern versus Western. My recent work consists of a series of multi-colored linocut prints reminiscent of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. However, the theme of this body of work is a contemporary take on the Buddhist philosophy of Yin and yang.
Portal
I was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania, and from an early age, I had a passion for learning and exploration nurtured by a supportive family. I developed a love for academics, athletics, and the arts. I graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, while being a member of the Penn State Women’s Varsity Swim Team. At Penn State, I took classes not only in mathematics and science but also in business, theater, and the arts. Since graduation, I have worked for various chemical and pharmaceutical companies throughout my corporate career, enabling me to travel the world and experience the diverse cultures of our globe. I ultimately settled in southern California, where I have been married for 25 years and have two daughters. I have been a photographer and painter since 2015, beginning my journey with landscape photography, acrylic painting, and mixed media artwork.
Our life’s journey is unfolding ahead, and I invite you to explore, wonder, and anticipate. I am a California-based acrylic abstract painter and mixed media artist focusing on exploring the journey through life. I’ve always been creative, and I began my career in corporate commercial roles, solving problems in the chemical industry. I am compelled to paint because it allows me to create something from within myself. My broad life experiences coalesce in my artwork, with expressive energy and expansive marks that stretch beyond the canvas. Like other abstract artists, my artwork is a layered expression. Unique to me, my artwork is a personal metaphor that hints at my story. Through colors, textures, and contrasts, I demonstrate how my journey has not been a straight line.
True to my life, my artwork is filled with strong contrasts. Bold lines and dynamic movements are juxtaposed with quieter, more reflective spaces. I blend earth tones with lush greens and tranquil blue hues, capturing the essence of my home in California. My story is woven into each piece. Every mark suggests a larger story, inviting optimism to new experiences and opportunities.
Portland Cherry Blossoms
Colleen Martinelli is a Portland, Oregon-based artist and photographer who is deeply passionate about her art practice. As a lifelong lover of art, she has been creating and taking art lessons from an early age. Her first preferred practices were drawing, painting, and sculpture. These remain part of her art practice today. But, at the age of nine with a disposable Kodak camera in hand, she discovered her fascination with photography. After getting her first digital camera that same year, she has been taking photographs on both digital and film ever since.
Colleen graduated from Portland State University in June 2022 after completing her undergraduate degree there. She majored in art practice and double minored in theatre and business. She is enjoying life post-undergraduate and is looking at graduate school in the near future.
My artwork has developed over the years of my practice. My work has taken various forms and mediums. When starting photography at a young age, I found enjoyment in photographing nature that my home in the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I also enjoyed photographing land and cityscapes. Doing this greatly broadened my view of the world. Shortly after, I started photographing the people around me and I found an immense love for portrait photography. Since 2017, I have been photographing portraits professionally through my own business. But, I have never forgotten my roots of photographing the unposed sights and beauty around me, particularly on my travels throughout the world. Furthermore, starting in 2021, I had my first gallery exhibition where I was able to display and sell my photographs and artwork. Since I have had the joy of continuing to do so at other local locations and shows. I look forward to furthering my career in photography and fine art as well as developing my craft.
Portrait Of A Weathered Angelic Statue
Lael Salaets has been drawing since early childhood.
He enlisted in the US Marines and was stationed at Okinawa, Japan. There, he studied Eastern philosophy, art, and culture. Wabi-sabi, the idea that nothing is perfect, finished, or permanent, influenced much of his pencil work.
After his deployment to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, drawing became a meditative process to cope with PTSD. He studied fine art and design at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College, where he received a scholarship and an AAS in graphic design.
He resides in Eugene and is a member of the Maude Kerns Art Center and the Oregon Society of Artists, based in Portland.
My primary medium is graphite and colored pencil. Much of my work is inspired by wabi-sabi, a philosophy that nothing is perfect, finished, or permanent. Thus, the experience of drawing is a focused, meditative process – to observe and capture subjects at a particular moment of interest.
Through the use of subtle layers, color depth, and a broad range of values, the composition emerges. I seek to achieve balance, the proportional relationship of abstract shapes into positive and negative space.
The sweep of pencil marks and how they flow together develops a strong framework, resulting in imagery that evokes a sense of calm and appreciation for the present and the unfinished imperfection of reality.
Portrait Of A Wildflower Golden Poppy
Fabienne (Fab) Sowa – Dobkowski is a California-based, self-taught photographer with a Ph.D. in Art History. Her work showcases the ambivalent relationship between humankind and nature through an intersection of fine art and documentary photography.
Born and raised in Belgium, Fab has lived in Spain, France, England, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Colorado, and Texas. She moved to the Bay Area in 2000 and pursued her doctorate degree in Art History at l’Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) remotely while raising her children. During her time at ULB, she worked under the direction of the renowned art historian and director of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium Dr. Michel Draguet. She now has an academic career as an art historian with Southern New Hampshire University and resides in the Sierra Nevada Foothills with her husband and their fur babies where she nurtures her artistic endeavors.
Combining the skills and knowledge gained through her academic pursuits and the trials and tribulations of motherhood, Fab found her passion in photography. With sensibilities deeply rooted in the traditions of the fine arts, her photography reverses the anthropocentric perspective of the art genres to portray the transient and illustrate the interconnectivity of humanity and nature.
Her work has won multiple awards and has been exposed in juried exhibitions and group art shows since 2020. Her photographs are currently in private collections in Europe and the United States.
Using photography as a primary form of artistic expression, I discovered a passion for nature photography and illuminating the hidden world for the viewer. I organize my pictures into thoughtful documented series to promote environmental awareness through aesthetic perceptions and interpretations of the hierarchy of genres.
My series “Portrait of a Wildflower”, conceptualized in 2022, aims at emulating bust portraits. The leading inspiration of the compositions draws from the Flemish Primitives painters who embraced static compositions, apparent naturalism combined with subtle symbolism. The oval shape framing the subjects and the black wooden frame is part of the composition. The carefully curated selection of the wildflowers and their photographic capture in the field can present unforeseen challenges. Nonetheless, the Series is growing one wildflower at a time.
My distinct post-processing techniques are used to preserve the authenticity of the subject and scene. This artistic journey seeks to arouse the senses while highlighting the compelling stories that take place in the ordinary world. Each process is inspired by the subject itself and what will best portray its fundamental essence.