The Surfer
Brigitte started taking photographs at a young age, inspired by her grandfather. In her twenties, she travelled the globe and discovered her passion for landscape and street photography, be it colour or BnW. Today, she is also experimenting with abstract approaches.
Her photography has been exhibited physically and virtually at galleries, fairs in the UK, the US, the EU, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, and more. It has been published in international art magazines and has received awards, among which are a first prize at HMVC gallery, NY, a second place at DecagonGallery, NY, a bronze award at Pispa,2 nominations at reFocusAwards, and a gold winner at the London Photography Awards.
Creating is a drive, photography is my path. My way to express my vision, my emotions, my thoughts, my ever-fleeting feelings. My favoured approaches are landscape, street, and abstract photography, be it colour or BnW. My aim is to represent Life as it is, in any form, anywhere in nature, in cities as seen through my eyes. When going for a shoot, I am in an almost meditative state, which allows me to be calm and alert to any changes in light, in movement, or otherwise. My photography is spontaneous, candid, unpredictable, as Life can be.
When my eyes, my heart, and soul are at one, aligned, I might come up with a story. A story to be shared with the viewer.
The Three Wishes
Orlando Basulto Abreu is a humanist sculptor of Cuban origin born in 1968 and currently residing in Quebec, Canada. His sculptures in ceramic, porcelain, and bronze present an exquisite modeling where the natural and the surreal intertwine harmoniously, offering a multidimensional manneristic perspective.
There is a deep feeling of piety in his work, conveying themes of tolerance and respect for diversity, mainly through the journey of his ‘homano’ or ‘human’ character, a hand that walks, builds, caresses, assists, and supports.
After obtaining two degrees in visual arts in Cuba: in 1986 from the Regional Cultural Directorate of Las Tunas, and in 1991 from the Center for Higher Education in the same province, Orlando pursued his training by specializing in Art-Therapy at the Institute “Instruir” in Paris, France. For him, art has always served as a therapy, a means of escape, and an opportunity to recreate a world that was missing in his childhood. Orlando began his career as an art teacher before moving into interior design and later becoming a professional sculptor and ceramist. His studio and gallery, La Maison Basulto, are still in operation in Camagüey (Cuba). Finally, he moved to Canada, where he opened his OBA workshop in Rawdon, Quebec. In 2020, he launched an art therapy project for the elderly named ‘Les doigts d’or’.
His work is represented in Canada and internationally by the associations, so he is a part. He is a member of the Canadian Society of Artists (SAC) in Toronto, the Institute of Figurative Art (IAF) in Quebec, the Mondial Art Academia (MAA) in France, and the Association of Artisans and Artists (ACAA) of Havana, Cuba. Moreover, he is the first Cuban to join the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Orlando has participated in fourteen solo exhibitions and more than seventy collective exhibitions, symposiums, and events. He received numerous international awards, including the Award for Artistic Expression presented by the Canadian Society of Artists in 2025; the Creative Innovation Award awarded by the Canadian Society of Artists in 2024; the Silver Diamond Art Medal of the Francesco Gonzaga Diocesan Museum in Mantua (Italy) in 2024; the Contemporary Art Award awarded by PitturiAmo and the Captaloona Art Gallery in Madrid, Spain, in 2023; the Recognition of Artistic Merit from the Pinacoteca du Musée du Luxembourg in 2022; the Cuban Association of Writers and Artists Award in Camagüey (2015); and the Excellence Award from the Museum of Fine Arts of Mont-St-Hilaire in Quebec, Canada (2013).
The artistic discourse of Cuban Canadian sculptor Orlando Basulto is deeply rooted in humanist values and features striking lyrical expressiveness. His works emotionally project the major ethical dilemmas of contemporary society, including discrimination and equality, migration and diversity, sexuality and sensuality, and the themes of life and death. Basulto primarily works with clay and bronze, employing techniques involving porcelain and cast bronze, while using natural pigments and recycled materials as essential elements of his art. He believes that “man is the measure of all things,” which is why his artistic discourse is anthropocentric. For this reason, his work often focuses on carefully modelling the human body, drawing inspiration from classical and mannerist traditions. A significant aspect of his art is the worship of the hand, which symbolizes giving and receiving, caressing and supporting, helping and protecting. This concept represents the essence of his work, which he refers to as the ‘homain’. Derived from ‘homo’ and ‘main’ (the French word for ‘hand’), the homain serves as the sublimation of the artist’s alter ego. From his homosexual orientation, Basulto creates a world where the primary values of humanity are the capacity to contribute, tolerate, support, and create. However, his work should not be categorized as ‘gay art,’ as it transcends the specific issues of this subject. Instead, Basulto promotes profound humanistic values from his unique perspective, emphasizing that our differences unite us and advocating for a better world through respect and inclusion.
The Tipping Point
SF is known as one of the industry’s foremost designers of innovative award-winning outdoor gear. He is also a master Japanese aesthetic pruner and garden builder. See the article for more information: https://www.offgridweb.com/gear/staying-sharp-spencer-frazer-of-sog-knives/
Born and raised in Los Angeles he moved to Seattle in 1989 to be closer to the outdoors. Exploring the wilds of Alaska and Canada, he became passionate about the environment.
Spencer’s work is collected regionally and has been shown internationally winning top awards. He was the artist in residence at Artsfund, one of the leading art organizations in the Northwest. His work has been seen by millions on national news features that include CBS This Morning, Washington Post, CNN International, Fox News, etc. as well as numerous online media.
Since ancient times man has used art to tell stories. My work follows this tradition with a commentary on global climate change. Often using wildlife to create a point of view, the paintings depict the results of the human impact upon nature. They have us question what is and what will be.
Embedded with a unique visual language of intricate and subliminal patterns, the work bridges the literal and the imaginative. It is informed by NW indigenous art as well as other cultures. In my process, many of the images are comprised and assembled from smaller bits of information. One of the underlying principles of the work is to create pieces where ‘The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. In this regard, the paintings transform from up close or viewed from afar. The details dictate assembly. Often in the background, I use images as descriptive language to be deciphered and interpreted. I’m fascinated by how the mind visually searches to recognize the familiar.
The Transylvania Effect
KP DEVLIN (b. 1971, US), currently living and working in Marlboro, NY.
Gallery Exhibitions:
• East Village Art View Gallery. Group Exhibition. New York, NY. December 8, 2018 – January 12, 2019.
• NYA Art Center. “Tribeca Days” Group Exhibition. New York, NY. June 6 – 27, 2019.
• RiverWinds Gallery. Solo Exhibition. Beacon, NY. January 11-31, 2020.
• Nuçi’s Space. Solo Exhibition. Athens, GA. April 2021 – February 2022.
• Ellesdie Chapel. “Earth Awakening” Group Exhibition. Wappingers Falls, NY. April 24-25, 2021.
• Schweinfurth Art Center. “Made in New York” Group Exhibition. Auburn, NY. June 12 – August 7, 2021.
• Howland Cultural Center. “RiverWinds” Group Exhibition. Beacon, NY. July 3-August 1, 2021.
• Verum Ultimum Gallery. “Liminal” Group Exhibition. Portland, OR. July 1 – August 12, 2021.
• Women’s Work Art. Group Exhibition. Poughkeepsie, NY. August 6-29, 2021.
• Queen City 15 Gallery. Group Exhibition. Poughkeepsie, NY. September 3-26, 2021.
• Marin Society of Artists. “Fresh Art 2021” Group Exhibition. San Rafael, CA. October 29 – December 31, 2021.
• Jones Gallery. Group Exhibition. Kansas City, MO. November 3-25, 2021.
• Arts Benicia Art Center. “Pure Paint” Group Exhibition. Benicia, CA. November 13 – December 19, 2021.
• Bannerman Gallery. Solo Exhibition “The Transylvania Effect.” Beacon, NY. April 9 – May 29, 2022.
• Knaus Gallery. Solo Exhibition “Monsters, Monarchs & Mystics.” Highland, NY. June 4-26, 2022.
• Live 4 Art Gallery. Group Exhibition “A Pawling Art Show.” Pawling, NY. August 6-28, 2022.
• BAU Gallery. Group Exhibition “Ignite.” Beacon, NY. August 13 – September 4, 2022.
• Live 4 Art Gallery. Group Exhibition. Pawling, NY. October 1-29, 2022.
• Gallery 40. Exhibition. Poughkeepsie, NY. October 1-30, 2022.
Memberships and Affiliations:
• New York Artists Equity Association, November 2019 – November 2020.
Collections:
Private collections in New York NY, Syracuse NY, Washington DC, Philadelphia PA, Atlanta GA, Athens GA, Asheville NC, Portland OR, and San Francisco, CA.
Ever since I was a young boy, I have experienced vivid, outlandish dreams. Recurring themes and characters from these dreams have evolved into my own personal mythology. Landscapes and creatures I would visit and interact with on a nightly basis eventually found their way into my waking hours via the pencils and paper my schoolteachers provided me.
Supplementing the influence of my dreams (and likely influencing the dreams as well) were the books my mother gave me to read. Illustrated stories and poetry by Maurice Sendak, Richard Scarry, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry were favorites and injected humor and whimsy into the stories and scenarios I would create. My father, a man of science, taught me about astronomy and paleontology. This instilled in me a deep sense of wonder about the history of our planet, as well as the cosmos beyond. As I got older, I discovered the artwork of Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, and Salvador Dali, the films of David Lynch, and the stop-motion wizardry of Ray Harryhausen, which all were hugely influential as well.
Today my dreams continue to inspire my artwork. And much like when I was a child, I will let the images spill out initially without engaging in a heavy thought process. But as a painting develops, my main focus becomes finding the perfect balance of humor and horror and presenting the images as though they were stills from a movie. Or a dream.
The Traveler
My name is Matthew Aceves, I am based in Los Angeles, California currently studying Illustration & Design at ArtCenter College of Design. In my free time, I do metal engraving and murals done with aerosol cans. The work I produce is influenced by my childhood and the things that have shaped me. Traditional art has always fascinated me since I was a child, from Gustave Dore’s ‘Vale of Tears’ to William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s ‘Pieta’. I am an emerging artist with no artistic background, I was self-taught up until the age of 18. My passion for art inspires me to learn more and improve my artistic skills every day.
My subject matter is figurative and animal portraiture, I take inspiration from Bible verses, childhood songs, and a variety of sources such as literature, psychology, and nature as inspiration, and I create works that encourage dialogue and contemplation. By expressing these inner reflections through various artistic mediums, I strive to create visual narratives that resonate with the viewer’s own stories and perspectives.
The Two Sides Of The Truth: Pushing Boundaries Of Identity
Born in Austria, fine art photographer Monika Chabicovsky was raised in a family with an international perspective, intellectually engaged throughout her childhood with global cultures ranging from Japan, and Russia to the United
States. Focused and precise, as a young athlete Monika was a member of the Austrian international gymnastics team, qualifying for the World Championship. She went on to earn two master’s degrees and a PhD in the history of
science and cancer biology. More recently, she attended an education for photography by the prestigious Magnum Photos & Spéos in Paris, France.
As a photographic artist, Monika is a seeker whose work blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality. Now based in Vienna, Paris, and a small village in Switzerland, her image-making is a thoughtful union of what she sees
and finds in the world “out there” married with the conceptual storytelling and exploratory ideas that drive her inner life. Many of her images are 3D as she investigates a layered, handmade dimensionality that pushes the boundaries of the flat photographic surface and offers yet another level of engagement for the viewer.
Monika frequently conjures a mental, miniature novel about someone she sees in the street, ultimately creating ephemeral moments of a self-invented story. Her work tends towards the mysterious, the porous, and the bittersweet,
whether it is through the honest, ongoing non-judgmental collaboration with her mentally unwell sister or through her layered, cerebral exploration of identity and the masks she wears, using herself as a vehicle for this
universal theme.
The Two Sides of the Truth is a collection of conceptual self-portraits that delve into the complicated realms of identity, consciousness, and our perpetual struggle within. In this ongoing project, I explore the dichotomy between reason and emotion, science and creativity. I am considering the multiple realities and midpoints that define my own psyche while urging the audience to peel back their own masks and reflect on their own complicated truths.
The enigmatic and dreamlike aesthetics woven into the series invite the audience to confront their innermost selves with a challenging touch of both honesty and humor. The images beckon the viewers to contemplate the question: Who am I, truly?
The Two Sides of the Truth is not just a personal journey; it resonates with broader themes in the realms of art and photography. In my work, I’m always attracted to the undisclosed, the hidden, and the unspoken that lie beneath the surface and what that means on a broader level. This project challenges traditional boundaries in portraiture, blurring the line between fiction and “truth,” whatever that may be — acknowledging that these opposing points are frequently a moving line for all of us.
The Universe Cries For Your Memory
Zoe Elizabeth Blackman is a 24-year-old surrealist from New Jersey, USA. She creates everything from sculptures, paintings, and drawings to express a sense of storytelling through objects and markings.
Zoe’s work is a means of catharsis that touches on the subjects of childhood trauma, mental illness, alcoholism, ideations of love, and the family dynamic. Her sculptures question the concepts of functionality; which is the true umbrella idea of all her topics. Within painting, she sees color as a coping mechanism to process overwhelming emotions that erupt inside oneself. Zoe’s goal as an artist is connection; the viewer who finds solace within her creations is her truest purpose.
As a 24-year-old artist, I focus on surrealism, aiming to explore functionality intersecting with human emotion. Studying at Pratt and RISD has shaped my pursuit. My goal? To deeply connect with viewers through emotionally rich work reflecting human complexity. Exploring functionality and emotions, I aspire to create resonant pieces, sparking new perspectives. My self-portrait paintings serve as a release for painful experiences, yet painting myself nude evokes a constant battle—I embrace the human form as my muse while resisting its sexualization. It’s challenging to clarify to some that my art isn’t for a sexual gaze. I question painting myself nude: why not portray others? The fear of being perceived this way troubles me. Yet, it’s my artistic choice, a form of expression. Past relationships brought shame about my art, but now, I embrace courage. My art embodies who I am, and what I cherish creating. I won’t let negative opinions hinder me. Ultimately, I’m just an artist.
The View From Del Mar
I was born in Poughkeepsie, NY. I began my adult art journey at The Beverly Hills Adult Education Center, where I studied figure sculpting. From there, I moved on to The Brentwood Art Center in Santa Monica. Then, The Jayne Behman’s Art Center. My watercolors were mostly inspired by high-fashion photographs of celebrities and models. This is where my love of bold, bright, joyous colors was born. I moved to NYC for 4 years and studied at The 92nd Street Y. I then studied glass mosaic art. There, I created a unique style in just my first piece. I added a relief-style dimension to my mosaics, which is rarely seen in the medium. I switched from glass to paper art. The Paper art is done either in 2 dimensions or 3. Some of the works are raised off the surface and are then box-framed. I have been awarded ribbons for my work at The Off Track Gallery in Encinitas and the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League in Carlsbad Village. My work has also been featured at The Escondido Arts Partnership, Art on 30th Street, The Visions Museum of Textile Art at Liberty Station, HMVC Gallery in NYC, KBM Gallery in LA, Art Scene West in San Diego, and The Dragon and Butterfly Gallery in LA. My works have appeared at the San Diego County Fair Fine Arts Show. In addition to my love of creating for myself, I teach many crafting and art classes. They include: Holiday Craft projects, Paper Collage Classes, Gourd Painting, Handbag Design, Hand Painted Glass, Stenciling, Paper Flower Classes, Stained glass on glass design, Decoupage on glass and paper mache, and Acrylic and Decoupage classes.
Joshua Levin
La Jolla, CA
I have always had an interest and joy in creating. I went full in later in life starting with figure sculpture. I enjoyed the process of working in three dimensions. There was much frustration with the firing process. I decided to join a coop studio where all kinds of mediums were available. To my surprise, watercolor became my next passion. I became most comfortable with color blocking and segmental approaches where one section dried before proceeding to the next. I then went full force into stained glass mosaics. Often using a relief style to give dimension and depth to my pieces. When the pandemic hit I was unable to go to the glass studio so I transitioned into paper collage, mosaic and paper/fiber art. All during this time I was also teaching various paper and collage classes at senior residences, along with crafting projects. I moved on to acrylic and mixed media. Using acrylic and my interests in collage and paper/fiber work by mixing them together in decoupage form. I expanded my crafting skills and now teach a dozen crafting and art classes thru-out the year at various locations and exhibit my work in multiple galleries in San Diego, Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage and Encinitas.
Now I work in paper/fiber, acrylic, and decoupage and acrylic on canvas. I love creating and teaching, and sharing creativity.
The View From Here
Marlow Shami’s artwork is rooted within the forest surrounding her childhood home. As a photographer, digital artist, and writer, her creative output begins in collaboration with Nature. Her studio is located in Goshen, CT.
Like words used to build a story, sensory attractions create Shami’s experience as an artist. She listens, waits, trusts, and leaps; over and over again. This process happens within her studio and outdoors in the fields and forests. The art-making process involves tiny, rich steps that need attention and care as she translates her collaboration into artwork.
Marlow Shami’s artwork exhibits nationally, including at The Hammond Museum, North Salem, NY, The Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY, Barret Arts Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, Manhattan Arts International, NY, Verum Ultimum Gallery, OR. and can be found in private collections.
As a photographer, digital artist, and writer, Marlow Shami’s creative output begins in collaboration with Nature.
Nature is always awake and in motion. Most of us living in a mass technological society are unaware of the non-human life around us. Plants and animals integral to the homeostasis of our planet are largely ignored or simply understood from a utilitarian perspective. At the same time, As We Sleep and The View From Here address this separation and the beauty of remembering and behaving as a part of nature rather than being separate and different.
Communicating with Nature (within and all around us) via the senses informs her work on multiple levels. The senses are a thread-like intelligence attracting the artist’s attention in the art-making process and are everywhere. She follows their pull, collaborating to reveal something fresh, evoking interest and possibly insight. Smells, colors, sounds, and emotions elicited while working are all infused with this energy.