The Nest
I have had a love of art my whole life. That love mixed with my passion for animals and travel has really shaped my life. I grew up in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in History from California State University at Northridge. Although I had a history degree I still pursued my art. Impelled to travel to places that were off the beaten path my art became more personal and I embraced it with enthusiasm. From the Amazon to Bhutan I found inspiration that I had to paint. Coupled with my commitment to volunteer. (specifically Elephant Nature Park in Thailand), I encountered unexpected new inspiration that I just wanted to explore with art.
It must be my personality because I love detailed work whether it is my silks or watercolors. I always go back to drawing and it is my first love.
I see the vibrancy of the world around me and feel the need to sketch, paint, or draw it. Whether it’s pen and ink, watercolors, or silk painting I’m always looking for new, fresh ideas to create.
The Newborn
Liming has acquired a wide range of knowledge and artistry in fine arts. She was a Theatre Design professor in her earlier professional career. After a decade of teaching and designing for theaters, She devoted herself to the studio arts. Since she received an MFA in Studio Painting from New York Art Academy in 2010, she started teaching studio arts and creating her painting artwork. In 2021, two of her paintings won the 2nd place (tie) in the Impressionism – Human category of the American Art Awards, as well In 2019, her painting won the 2nd place in the Impressionism – Human category of the American Art Awards. In 2013, She was invited to China with ten of her oil paintings and joined The Seven Women Artists Exhibition at Today Art Museum in Beijing. Her paintings had further been showcased in solo exhibitions and collected by institutions such as the China National Fine Art Museum. Her works had exhibited at the United Nations World Conference on Women, the U.S. Institute of Theater Technology Convention, and at some universities in Illinois, and were selected for showcasing in galleries in New York City.
I have a keen love for figure paintings and landscapes using brushes and oftentimes a palette knife to make expressive strokes come alive in the painting. The richness of oil paint is what drew me to use it as my primary medium. As well as the painting process – the discernment of shadow, light, color, expression, and dynamism that one can produce in painting – that I love and enjoy so much to make it a lifelong passion and career. Most of my works are based on what I see and what I feel from real-life situations, scenarios, or environments. Life to me is full of colors, passions, beauty, and possibilities. I like to capture something that touched my heart and images that have made such an indelible impression in my mind that I return to them again and again. And when I create paintings, I seek to visually elevate those feelings to essentially the visual equivalent of music, of a poem in colored form. Art to me is a process of elevating or completing my spiritual sensitivity, whereby I can make sensations that flow together with my painting technique to create a work of art. I am constantly polishing my painting skill to make this possible.
Creating art allows me to pay attention to the details in life, and allows me to enjoy the richness of nature and the people around me. Art has always made me feel a passion, an appreciation, and a sense of compassion and happiness toward life. In creating art, my life is made more joyful and meaningful.
The Night Gave Her Strength
Born in New York City, Jennifer Sugarman was exposed to art at an early age, taking her first art class at MOMA at age four, where she was able to view many exciting works of art that have influenced her throughout her artistic career. She went on to receive her MFA from The University of Mississippi and her BA from Northwestern University.
Jennifer’s early paintings were acrylic canvases so large she had to climb a ladder to work on them. Convenience later drew her to watercolor and the creation of increasingly smaller paintings. Over time she realized she truly loved painting smaller. While large canvases command attention partly due to overwhelming size, jewel-like small works, no less significant or meaningful, quietly ask to be contemplated.
Her application of the watercolor medium is decidedly non-traditional, using a process she has created over years of working with the medium; her saturated colors create an aesthetic that is unexpected and often not recognized by the viewer as watercolor. Jennifer’s work has been accepted in juried competitions nationally and internationally and is held in many private collections.
My work centers on spaces from my imagination that reflect reality but don’t represent it, much like a dream. While the scale of my watercolors, and therefore interaction with them, is small and personal, my approach to painting both small and large works is similar. Surface tension, brushstroke, and layers of color are equally important no matter the size of the work. I want you to participate when you look at my art – enter the image and place yourself in the space. While my early paintings were primarily figurative, for the most part, figures have disappeared from my work. However, a sense of the figure’s presence remains – you are that presence.
The Nightclub Singer
The beauty of nature surrounding Los Angeles was the impetus for her entrance into the field of photography. Joanne began vigorously studying photography and other art arenas to hone her skills as a visual artist. In 2000, she graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Master of Fine Art (MFA). She is now a full-time artist.
In addition to color and black and white film, Joanne shoots digitally employs the techniques of infrared imaging, and enjoys creating 3D anaglyphs to be viewed with red/blue lenses. As an extension of photography, she has branched out to do videos and has a YouTube Channel, THE VIDEO ART OF JOANNE CHASE-MATTILLO. Along with nature, Joanne frequently photographs female and male subjects in fun-themed studio shoots.
Joanne has exhibited throughout California, nationally, in Korea, France and England, Switzerland, Scotland, Greece, Spain, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Holland, Brazil, Dubai, and Italy. Her work has also been selected for Lunar Codex, a very special project partnered with SpaceX to deliver the images of art in a time capsule to be permanently affixed to the surface of the moon, selected by Era Contemporary Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of “Legends Of The Moon”.
As a photographer, I am constantly in search of iconic imagery. The craftsmanship and perfection of classic Hollywood cinema have always been an inspiration and goal I seek to achieve in my photography. While enjoying the technology of the present and how that has enhanced photography, I am very drawn to recreate photographs that reference the best of the past. It is my intent that the viewer of the images I create will be taken out of the everyday present to a magical place where at any time they would dream of going. Whether photographing people or nature, I strive to honor the best and beauty of all that I have an opportunity to capture with my camera.
Summer days are the dream moments of the year that are looked forward to in dreary seasons. The beach, pool, lakes, and oceans draw all to embrace the sun and beat the heat. When we think of summer, we embrace all that the warmth of the sun brings.
The Noodle Doodle
Originally born in Lorain, Ohio, I moved to the Phoenix area during my high school years, and since then have graduated from the University of Arizona under the Bachelor of Arts program as a Studio Art major.
As an Arizonan artist, I have found my calling in works primarily in micron pen & ink, whether through simple line work, rendering through hatch and cross-hatching, and more recently, stippling. My work frequently contains heavy and layered lines in order to add more weight to the work. The main focus typically portrays some human emotion or mental states in a direct or indirect manner, but often I deviate to simpler themes and tones. Often, within my work is some symbolism, alluding to the deeper meanings of life that are beneath the surface of us all.
My work always includes some sort of research, whether studying anatomy, how to properly portray human emotions through imagery or color, or simply working through drafts and my methodology to find a proper final product I am proud of. I wish for my art to not only intrigue the gaze of the viewer, but also allow one to connect on some level with not only the work, but to me as well, and to think about the deeper meanings of life, and deeper within themselves.
The Noodle Doodle is a 24x18in micron pen & ink work on Strathmore series 400 paper. The work consists of only three colors, black, white, and red, with an abundance of negative space. The rendering of the subject is overly simplistic, with truly only the left third of the workspace constraining subject matter.
This work is meant to ease the viewer from day to day. Our lives are often fast-paced and hard-pressed to work, to make money, to do as much as possible with not enough energy or time. The Noodle Doodle is meant to take a step back, to just enjoy life, even for a moment. Often, when one eats spaghetti, do we slurp it, and the sauce gets everywhere, and in many contexts with others, it can bring about laughter and positive energy.
In my own life, my plate is often full, which we all ask for. Many of us have so many dreams and desires, with a great deal of work and a lot to put on our plates in order to reach them, but why not enjoy a dish in the meantime?
The Ocean Floor
Vivian Cavalieri is a self-taught conceptual artist. Raised primarily in Manhattan, she spent her childhood summers in Venice, where her father had been raised. Her sense of style and her palette reflect those summers.
Loving art, Cavalieri majored in art history while at Harvard University. Concluding that she lacked artistic talent because she was unable to paint or draw well, she decided to attend the New York University School of Law. Cavalieri spent the next 20 years representing nonprofits, including art museums and universities, with firms in New York and Washington, DC. The effect of so many years spent imposing order on chaos is reflected in her highly structured art.
Cavalieri spent the next ten years designing ornate multi-strand necklaces. Instinctively, her designs mirrored the opulent and ebullient Venetian style. She worked with an eclectic mix of beads — amber, abalone, shell, semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, and in memory of her father, at least one Murano glass bead in each necklace.
More recently, Cavalieri began reflecting on the random acts of birth and circumstances that had surfaced during her life. She sought to give meaning to the necklaces she had designed merely as objects of beauty and began using segments in symbolic miniature scenes that highlight societal issues.
She crafts them in her studio overlooking her family oyster farm in Chincoteague, a remote island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Within one year, Cavalieri’s works have appeared in over 30 juried exhibitions. A documentary about one such exhibit — WOVEN France 2023 — is currently being edited by French filmmaker Lara Laigneau. The trailer can be seen at https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx72N5TtpyI/)
The goal of my art is to spark a conversation, either about human tendencies, such as attributing human characteristics to animals, or about complex social issues such as immigration.
Since my works are intimate in scale, I need viewers to approach before any conversation can begin. To draw them in, I design an attractive scene even when a topic may be disturbing. As viewers approach, they enter the scene, museum glass erasing any barrier caused by glare. The glass is set in a deep, custom frame that curves outward, embracing the viewer. At this point, a private conversation can begin.
I highlight issues rather than advocate a specific response. My art then serves as a reminder of an issue without alienating viewers. Much of my art is highly symbolic. Even when the overall meaning of a scene is clear, the significance of having chosen a particular item may not be, so I offer detailed explanations.
Mixed media allows me to create scenes with an eccentric mix of materials. I previously worked with mixed media when designing opulent, multistrand necklaces purely as objects of beauty. I now imbue segments of those necklaces with meaning by incorporating them into my assemblages. At times, segments serve a conceptual function — representing a glass ceiling or the border between fantasy and reality. Other times, they are purely decorative, incorporated simply to attract a viewer’s eye.
To complement the quality of the necklace components, I incorporate fine dollhouse miniatures and richly textured fabrics. I complete the scene with items ranging from mirrors to realistic animal models to found objects.
Creating the assemblages frequently involves multiple techniques, including sewing, woodworking, Photoshop, and painting. The learning curve shifting from stringing beads to assembling scenes was very steep.
The Ocean Of Flowers
Weifen Qiu got a BA degree in Administrative Affairs from Zhejiang Broadcasting and TV University.
Since 2012, she has studied in Ningbo Pastel Painting Class, Hang Ming Shi Pastel Painting Training Class, and the Academic Seminar for Excellent Works Online Exhibition.
She is a member of the “Chinese Pastel Network “ and the “Spain Pastel Association “. In February 2022, one of her pastel paintings “Wild Geese Descending on The Sandbank” won the Talent Award in a Juried International Landscape Painting In September 2022. She was invited to join the Taiwan China Pastel Paintings Exhibition in 2022.
I have loved painting since I was a child. I didn’t learn to paint due to poor conditions at that time. But as a child, when I saw a painting I liked, I would simply copy it. After 2000, I had my own family and started a business, and my children had grown up, so I had time to learn Chinese painting. One day, I sent my niece to a pastel studio and saw the colorful paintings on the wall. I fell in love with those paintings at first sight. Then I became the only adult student in the studio. With the encouragement of my pastel teacher, I framed the first painting and hung it at home. Later, almost every picture was a work, framed and hung on the wall of the staircase at home. In 2013, I accidentally saw the calligraphy and painting channel interviewing “Hang Ming Shi” on TV. I immediately signed up for the “Hang Ming Shi Pastel Painting Training Class” and started painting with the pastels. I was completely immersed in the pastel painting. “The Ocean of Flowers” is a typical beautiful scenery in Qinghai, China. I am deeply attached to the painting. It’s my childhood dream and the most important part of my life. For the rest of my life, I would use my pastels to present the infinite beauty of nature.
The Only Way Out Is Through
Lezlie Lambeth was born in Raleigh, NC in 1965. She attended the University of North Carolina, receiving a BA in both Political Science and Women’s Studies. In 1988, Lezlie visited Alaska, and like so many, ended up calling it home. For the next thirty-plus years, she has worked as a general contractor, teacher, gallery owner, and professional artist. Her art education is the result of many workshops and classes, years of trial and error, and a passion for experimentation. She has found by frequently trying new mediums and techniques, her art continues to evolve.
Whether representational or abstract, funky or more reserved, Lezlie’s paintings immediately draw the viewer in with vibrant colors, bold marks, and interesting textures. Lately, however, her work has grown to explore deeper themes of healing, recovery, and spirituality.
A recent empty-nester, she now divides her time between Alaska and Hawai’i, where there is no shortage of beauty and inspiration. Lezlie has been represented by Half Moon Creek Gallery, and her work is currently in juried shows and private collections. She is also the co-owner of Purple Mango Studio. When not in the studio, she can be found by the nearest salt water, enjoying life with her fellow artist and partner, Christian, and their dog, Tucker.
Vivid. Bold. Striking. These are ideals I strive for when creating my paintings. I love working with values, hues, and compositions that invite the eye to travel around each piece. While acrylic paint is my primary medium, I love adding “surprise” elements that contain a meaningful message, add dimension, or simply make the painting pop.
In addition to a strong focus on color, these recent pieces lean into the elements and symbols of recovery and renewal. Spirals and ladders (steps) evoke the path I am currently on from darkness into the light.
The Optimist
Jayson Maulé is an actor and artist based out of Arroyo Grande, CA. He attended Portland State University’s Graphic Design Program and is a recent grad of PCPA’s Professional Actor Training Program (Pacific Conservatory Theater).
Abstract expressionist artist Jayson Maulé creates engaging works of art that combine contemporary innovation with unedited emotional expression, exposing an inward process of self-discovery.
His works are tactile and encourage closer examination, revealing a myriad of sentiments via each mark on the canvas. The distinction between representation and sensation blurs in Jayson’s art, which explores abstraction, figurative, poetic musings, and angst.
He finds inspiration in the works of contemporary artists as well as timeless influences. His keen use of color gives each piece life and depth. They are raw and honest, telling the story of the several stages of his creative development.
Through his artwork, Jayson captures the ever-evolving currents of life and celebrates the essence of events. With every work, his creative story expands as he pursues new creative avenues.