Sunrise Over The Okavango Delta
Jim Slavik has been a creative spirit from an early age, exploring drawing, charcoal, acrylics, and mixed media throughout childhood to high school. Though his artistic pursuits took a back seat to a successful career in finance, he never lost his connection to the visual arts. Upon retiring and relocating to Colorado, Jim rekindled his artistic passion after enrolling in a soft pastel class in early 2023. This experience marked the beginning of his “next act” — a renewed and evolving journey as a visual artist.
Jim’s work spans a range of mediums and subjects, reflecting a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. Since re-entering the art world, he has been honored to exhibit in numerous juried shows and contribute original pieces to charitable fundraisers. Through his practice, he founded Do Good Art, a mission-driven endeavor through which he donates 100% of his art sale profits to charities close to his heart, particularly those addressing cancer and Colorado-based causes. With each piece, he aims to inspire beauty while contributing to a more compassionate and equitable world.
So join him in Doing Good (through) Art.
My art is grounded in a simple yet powerful mission: to Do Good through Art. Every piece I create is both a celebration of natural beauty and a commitment to giving back—100% of the net proceeds from my work are donated to charitable causes.
Inspired by my travels—whether hiking the mountains of my home in Colorado, exploring National Parks, or venturing abroad—I seek to capture the quiet majesty of the landscapes that move me. My work often explores the interplay of light and shadow, the drama of skies at sunset, and the serenity of water in its many forms. From sweeping vistas to intimate glimpses of birds, animals, and wildflowers, each piece invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.
Soft pastels are my primary medium, chosen for their richness and immediacy, though I also work in watercolor and colored pencil to suit the spirit of each subject. My diverse collections reflect both a deep reverence for the outdoors and a belief in art as a force for positive change.
So join me in Doing Good (through) Art.
Sunrise Swell
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 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 Laguna Beach 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 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.
Sunset At Sea
Carol Schmauder was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, where she currently lives with her husband, Glenn. Like most artists, she showed interest in art at an early age and has experimented with several media over her lifetime.
She is a graphic designer that entered the world of fine art in 1988 after taking watercolor classes from Stan Miller and MaryAnn Figgins. She began using acrylics for most of her work in 2017. Her professional life has led to participation in over a hundred exhibitions; both solo and in groups. She has paintings in collections nationwide and has won numerous awards.
Because she “doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up”, Carol experiments with different styles of art. She has experienced great success with her Shattered Reality series and is best known for this fun style of starting with a traditional subject and creating sections of warm and cool colors playing off of each other. Dark and light sections also add life to these paintings. She enjoys painting in different forms of abstract art as well as traditional forms. She has no desire to quit exploring different
techniques and art forms.
Carol enjoys painting themes that are happy in nature. Even though she has experienced many very rocky patches in life she has no desire to incorporate feelings of angst into her work.
My life has been full of many rocky patches, and through diligent attention to the problems, I have overcome many obstacles. My go-to activities during these times are both creating art and writing. These creative outlets allow my mind to expand, and solutions to problems seem to be released from within.
I enjoy the beauty of nature and the study of color and design in sweeping landscapes. I am blessed to live in an area of the country where there is no limit to the subjects I can paint, whether realistically or in abstract form.
I love the calm painting brings to my soul. Life’s problems seem to evaporate when I have a paintbrush in my hand and soothing music on the stereo. If my paintings bring happiness to others, then I have accomplished my goal.
Sunset Call
I’m a multidisciplinary designer specializing in Visual and Jewelry Design. I love to combine thoughtful, research-driven ideas and impactful visuals to create well-crafted experiences.
I have recently graduated from the MFA Communications Design program at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. I spent two years in the program to deepen my understanding of visual communication design, polish my design skills, and expand my practice into jewelry design.
My strength lies in my flexibility to collaborate as a team member in a culturally diverse environment. I am also willing to take risks, adapt, and evolve for future challenges.
My interests in other creative fields, such as fashion, films, and the k-pop industry, inspire my design philosophy. Outside of work, I enjoy experimenting with new materials and making them live on the human body. You can also find me in front of the torch machine soldering big metal pieces together.
Drawing inspiration from my own experiences and cultural influences, my art is an expression of my innermost thoughts and emotions. Whether it is a painting, sculpture, or installation, each piece is a reflection of my ongoing exploration of the world around me.
I am constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in art. My work is not only a reflection of my own personal journey, but also a contribution to the wider artistic discourse. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to think critically about the world we live in and to imagine new possibilities for the future.
Sunset Over The Divide
Jim Slavik is a visual artist whose work is defined by the profound synergy between creativity and philanthropy. While he cultivated his early passion for drawing, charcoal, and acrylics throughout his youth, a successful career in finance defined his professional life.
Upon retiring and relocating to Colorado, Slavik formally began his “next act.” He reignited his artistic journey by enrolling in a soft pastel class in early 2023, channeling his energy into capturing the transient light and majesty of his new home.
Since then, his work has been accepted into numerous juried shows and featured in charitable fundraisers. This artistic commitment is formalized through Do Good Art, a mission-driven practice where he donates 100% of the net proceeds from every piece sold. His charity focuses include cancer research and causes dedicated to the Colorado community.
Through his pastels and other mediums, Slavik aims to inspire beauty while contributing to a more compassionate and equitable world.
My art is a direct reflection of my two-part mission: to celebrate the natural world and to Do Good Through Art.
Drawing inspiration from solitary travels—whether hiking the mountains of Colorado or exploring remote National Parks—I seek to capture the profound stillness and transient light of the landscapes that move me. I focus intensely on the interplay of light and shadow, using soft pastels to translate the drama of skies, the serenity of water, and the intimate details of wildlife and wildflowers. Each finished piece is an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the quiet beauty of the outdoors.
Soft pastels are my primary medium, valued for their immediate, tactile richness and unique ability to layer luminous color. I also utilize watercolor and colored pencil, selecting the medium that best captures the distinct character and spirit of each subject.
This deep reverence for nature extends beyond the canvas: my work is driven by the commitment to Do Good Through Art. One hundred percent of the profits from my art are donated to charitable causes, ensuring that every piece sold is both a celebration of natural beauty and a direct force for positive environmental and social change.
My work is an ongoing attempt to make beauty and generosity inseparable.
Sunset Sonata
Anita Rachel is a self-taught artist. Inspired by her passion for travel and her love of clouds, Anita Rachel brings to life the colors, moods, and transitions of nature, reflecting the broader seasons of human existence. However, her journey into art was far from conventional. Growing up in a culture where art was undervalued, she discovered her creative voice during one of the most challenging periods of her life: the end of a 17-year marriage. It was then that art became her solace, allowing her to channel her pain into beauty. Each brushstroke became a testament to her God-given talent, a force that refused to be suppressed.
A cancer survivor who endured a five-year battle, Anita found art to be her anchor through depression and loneliness. Now a single mother balancing a full-time job, she views her creative process as a blessing and a mission. Through meticulous layering and attention to detail, she creates works that radiate hope and inspire resilience.
Her mission is to provide comfort and encouragement to those struggling with mental health. With her vibrant palette and heartfelt prayers for kindness, she aims to create spaces of healing and inspiration. Her art serves as a beacon of light, celebrating the triumphs of the human spirit and the beauty of simply being.
Anita is an award-winning oil painter from New Jersey, celebrated for her ability to capture the beauty of life’s seasons and the ever-changing majesty of nature. A two-time People’s Choice Winner at the Rockland Arts Festival (2021 and 2022) and recipient of the prestigious ACOR Art Award in 2024, her work resonates deeply with audiences, drawing them into vibrant worlds filled with emotion and meaning.
Explore Anita Rachel’s masterpieces and join her in finding strength, peace, and a reflection of your own journey within her vibrant works at https://www.anitarachelart.com/
I am an oil painting fine art artist from New Jersey. My passion for traveling has blessed me with the opportunity to admire nature and become a Nephophile (A person who loves clouds). I paint in seasons, depicting the various seasons of life.
Art was looked down upon in the culture I grew up in. As I was on the brink of breaking down my marriage of 17 years, art stood out predominantly, suppressing the pain of it all. The God-given talent could not be suppressed. I would forget the world around me and be immersed in the colors I mixed.
My mission is to provide comfort to those who struggle with mental health. I hope my art creates a space with vibrant colors and inspiration. My prayer is that kindness spreads through my art and through creating art.
I’m a cancer survivor, and after fighting cancer for 5 years, I’m grateful for the second chance I have. Cancer made me depressed and lonely, but art gave me life. Being a single mom and working a full-time job, art is a huge blessing. The details in my work are accomplished with great patience over several days and with several layers of oil paint.
With each brush stroke, I weave tales of triumph and the beauty of being. My art, a beacon of hope, celebrates the resilience within us all. Explore my masterpieces and find your own reflection in my journey.
“To get lost in art and to stay in a state of artful bliss, is a huge blessing” – Anita Rachel
Sunsets With My Best Friend
Based in Hawaii, Natasha is an amateur photographer and photography enthusiast. She has spent much of her life living on various islands such as Guam and Okinawa, in addition to Hawaii. Her inspirations are inevitably driven by the island lifestyle, culture, music, and scenery.
Natasha’s work is primarily motivated by her love for music. She strives to showcase the passions, defiance, and sentiments of various artists across Hawaii, as well as throughout America. Natasha also has an immense passion for black and white photography, where she believes the color truly tells a photograph’s story in between the monochrome lines.
My photography journey is a visual exploration of the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Through my lens, I seek to capture the essence and spirit of the natural world, as well as the human experience in all its complexity and diversity.
Each photograph tells a story, whether it’s the story of a fleeting moment in time, the story of a place or person, or the story of a universal theme that resonates with all of us. I aim to capture the emotions and feelings that are often invisible to the naked eye and to bring them to life through my work.
My hope is that these photographs will inspire and move you and that they will encourage you to see the world with fresh eyes and an open heart. Thank you for taking the time to view my work, and I hope you enjoy it.
Sunshine Of Your Love
Terry Brown is a fifth-generation Californian who grew up in the Bay Area but now lives in Southern California. She attended UCSB with a major in art history. That is where her love of art began, but it would be a very long time before she discovered her love of her own art ‘making’.
Instead, she spent the next 40 years as a CPA and retired in March 2020. She immediately started taking drawing and painting classes at SMC Emeritus, which has given her a whole new sense of freedom, allowing her to explore her creativity. Terry loves the inspiration she receives from her classmates and is truly amazed and encouraged by their responses to her work.
This is the very change she was looking for when she retired and now sees a whole new future twinkling before her.
I’ve always had a creative side, but the actual exploration of my expression of my creativity started with art classes in the fall of 2020.
My first attempt was with alcohol ink, and it was love at first sight. The color! The movement! I was hooked. Subsequently, I’ve been taking drawing and painting classes and love not only learning about the different mediums, but almost more importantly, learning something about myself. I am most happy when I see something I’ve created that expresses my love of color and line and who I am deep down inside. Somehow, I just know that there is a connection with spirit.
As an artist, I definitely lean towards the abstract, but this journey has just begun. I am open to wherever it leads me and all possibilities!
Sunspot
M.E. Leaver is a talented artist whose main focus is painting and mixed media. Her work ranges from oil to India inks, watercolors to acrylic, spanning contemporary to abstract styles. Based in Davidson, North Carolina, M.E. creates art that aims to bring joy to those who experience it. Explore the beauty that emerges from the chaos of life that has motivated her creative process.
• DAVIDSON, NORTH CAROLINA •
Finding joy in the challenges of life is what drives my creative energy. Escaping from the reality of my own life, and while seeking peace, was where it started. My painting is about color and feelings. My intent is to provide a positive emotional source for people who view my work. I embrace living in the moment and dive right in. My work is heavily influenced by my travels, color, and the chaos in life. I am particularly drawn to bright colors and bold patterns, which are often reflected in my pieces. Joy and escape are big parts of each piece I create.