Beakless Hummingbirds 1

Sylvia Bandyke, Royal Oak, MI, USA, is largely a self-taught photographer, having taken studio and art history classes in college. She began her art career by displaying photo collages in ArtPrize, an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, MI, from 2014 to 2018. Subsequently, she has been juried into more than 100 group exhibitions in 24 states and accepted into numerous online international exhibitions. An award-winning artist, she keeps an eye open for interesting views of a subject while looking for hidden beauty every day. Most recently, she was a caregiver to her elderly mother and was able to create some memorable, unique art as a result of this experience.

I prefer using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is even more compelling because of the embedded story. Having been a playwright and technical writer, I am accustomed to delivering content with a message. So now, as a visual communicator, I continue to provide meaning via the structure of the collage format, wherein the four photos confirm, augment, or even contradict each other if warranted. I enjoy offering the richness that the multiplicity of images provides, along with the impact gained through their thoughtful positioning. Ultimately, I intend to have my work act as a doorway to the viewer’s own mental and emotional framework regarding the collection of images, perhaps finding their own very personal meaning in them.

Beakless Hummingbirds 9

Bear In Lupine

Barbara Gasdaglis, a native Ohioan, is currently based in New Orleans, LA. Exhibitions in 2026: two in “Call of the Wild,” San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center (SFVACC); one in “Wild,” Photo Artfolio, awarded second place and $350; two in “Animals in Art Exhibition,” Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine; three in “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” Gallery by the Lake; three in “Flowing and Flying: A Juried National Exhibit of Waterscapes and Waterbirds,” d’Art Center; one in “Portraits: Human and Animal,” Modern Visual Arts Gallery; 2025: two in “On the Street,” Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts; two in “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” Gallery by the Lake, one awarded second place in open and $100; one in “Flowing and Flying: A Juried National Exhibit of Waterscapes and Waterbirds,” d’Art Center; two in “Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!” and one in “In the Abstract,” SFVACC; one in “Shadowscapes,” Artfolio; one in “Deja Vu: Double Exposure,” New Orleans Photo Alliance.

I find nature fascinating and challenging to photograph. I enjoy watching wildlife behaviors and hope to capture special moments to share with others. I want viewers to increase their knowledge and appreciation of the creatures of the earth and become invested in preserving them.

Beast It

Nigerian-American therapist and visual artist, Kemi Yemi-Ese, resides in Austin, Texas. Following a near-tragic car accident in 2006, Kemi became paralyzed at the cervical level of her spinal cord and used a wheelchair for mobility. After graduating from Baylor University and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Kemi is focused on growing in her dual careers as an artist and therapist. Her art reflects the struggles and triumphs that living with a disability entails through relatable imagery. Her artwork and therapeutic approaches often challenge representations of mobility, gender, beauty, race, and divinity. The challenges she faces compel her to also be an advocate and she has taken many opportunities to advocate for her rights and those of others with disabilities. Kemi’s current work is heavily inspired by her Nigerian heritage blending dynamic and contemplative portraits with cultural exploration.

It is the human condition to explore, to seek excellence, and to create. When you acknowledge the presence of the infinite within you, you then become drawn to the things that reflect and echo those boundless circumstances. Being an artist with a physical disability has taught me much about inner strength and has given me a deeper insight into limitations. Every living thing has limits whether they are physical, mental, or emotional. In my experience, these limitations are not as indomitable as they appear, and I seek to test the strength of my own limitations through my art. The emotions and stories that I paint are inspired by resiliency. I encourage the viewer to reflect on their own experiences while engaging with my art pieces.

Beautiful You Are

Sonja Soller, born 1976 in Munich, Germany, has been working as a freelance artist since 2010. After studying design and art, the artist specialized in abstract and figurative acrylic mixing techniques. Emotionality and depth, usually expressed in many layers on top of each other, give your paintings their very own expression. The artist expresses both the highs and the lows of human existence in her very own way, always in search of the deeper meaning, of the big picture.

Sonja Soller’s artistic expressiveness flows onto the canvas with an irrepressible audacity, ready to catalyze the mind on a whole of great impact. The artist has concentrated on acrylic mixing techniques and always experimenting with new techniques like her “Acroil”-technique, until she reaches a remarkable level of mastery, and is distinguishable from her first glance. Last year she exhibited in New York (with the composer Margin Alexander), Helsinki/ Finnland AVA galleries and in the Cable factory, Vioventi Art, Herrsching/ Germany, the holy Art galleries in London/ England and Athen/ Greece, MADS gallery, Barcelona

Through my art, I want to inspire viewers to explore one’s own feelings and to allow oneself to express them and feel them! I want to create an atmosphere that shows how valuable every single emotion is. My art is a journey to inner self-discovery and to strengthen identity. The artist believes art can have a transformative power and can help us to understand ourselves better and our emotions to express and feel. I want to give an impetus so that we evolve as individuals and as a society, away from the thoughts of getting a grip on our feelings with material things and to the full strength and luminosity of each of us!

My art is an expression of my innermost feelings and a way to explore the complexity of the human condition. My works create a space in which people can express their individuality To feel strength, which at the same time also includes weakness.

Beauty

Since 1980 live U.S. Had and participated in art exhibitions in Hungary, Romania, California, and Colorado.

I try to incorporate meaning into my paintings. In “Beauty,” for example, the bird of paradise is, in my opinion, the more beautiful flower, so painting just the flower without a background is just a very quick alla-prima representation.

Beauty Embracing Begonia

Joanne Chase-Mattillo was born in the beautiful Midwestern University town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. While the natural surroundings of her childhood were inspiring, 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 Arts (MFA). She is now a full-time artist.

In addition to color and black and white film, Joanne shoots digitally and 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 at themed studio shoots. She often uses the photograph of models combined with images of her nature photography to create unique photo montages.

Joanne has exhibited throughout California, nationally, in Korea, France, England, Switzerland, Scotland, Greece, Spain, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Holland, Taiwan, Brazil, Dubai, and Italy.

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 a goal I seek to achieve in my photography. While enjoying the technology of the present and how it 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 the 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.

Beauty Of Autumn

Born as a fraternal twin in 1983 in Vienna, Austria. Growing up in a large, exposed property surrounded by nature with many pets, therefore very close to nature and animal-loving. Practice figure skating from the age of 5 until high school. Studied nutritional science at the University of Vienna, and worked as a quality assurance representative for a Viennese food company until my first maternity leave. During her time as a mother of two children, she became more involved with photography.

I have been photographing nature for about 10 years. Since my husband gave me a DSLR camera 3 years ago, I have enjoyed being outside much more and enjoy using my macro lens. Discovering motifs (which are everywhere!), the silence of nature, and taking photographs are like meditation. I love discovering the beauties in nature and would like to show them in my pictures. Nature offers a great range of colors, shapes, lighting moods, etc.

I love it when the sunlight shines through flowers and leaves, the fascinating light at sunrise and sunset, and the changes in nature over the seasons. Every season offers so many incredible motifs and with my macro lens, I see things that you wouldn’t or couldn’t see otherwise.

My heart soars when I’m out in nature with my camera. I love working with my pictures by making different collages and even calendars.

Beauty Patience

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I had no clear sense of what Art was until a 6th-grade teacher introduced a class called “Artes Plasticas” to us.

The teacher created a flower vase, shading its base—a simple detail that captivated me and sparked my interest in art. Over time, this fascination deepened, and I rediscovered my passion by sketching during work meetings, much to the amusement of my colleagues. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, my youngest son came home from College, he was studying Graphic Artist, and he brought arts supplies. One day I found myself bored in the house so I decided to pick up my son’s art supplies and started to paint as I started mixing colors and moving the brush from side to side I noticed that SPARK-that had been hiding inside of me since I was a child, this grab all my emotions bringing back at that moment when I was introduced to art. That inspiration that was sleeping inside of me has now developed an affinity for vibrant colors and the joy they evoke. Art became a world of expression for me—a space where I dance with my brush, blending colors that speak to my soul. Today, I create with the hope that future generations will feel the same emotions that fuel my work. Art has not only become my passion but has also helped me find my identity, allowing me to connect and communicate with others in a powerful way.

My love for humanity, colors, and empathy for emotions has led me to rediscover my passion for art. My affinity for vibrant colors and their ability to evoke joy, happiness, and excitement in others, and how others see and perceive art has become my reference point. Through the inspiration and dedication of a 6th-grade teacher, I found my personal artistic direction. Art has become a new world for me, and I’ve discovered my medium in which I can dance with my brush and stroke each color onto a canvas. Creating art has become fulfilling, and I want future generations to see and feel what I do when I create. My love for art has allowed me to discover my identity and has become my passion. Through art, I am able to express my emotions and connect with others.