Connected
Tracey Chaykin is an award-winning colored pencil artist, writer, conservationist, and philanthropist who strives to make a difference in the world with art, actions, and articles bringing awareness to the conservation of our planet. Tracey’s work evokes emotion and inspires others to take action and help save the planet.
Tracey has had the honor of working with many organizations and initiatives to spread the message with her realistic and detailed drawings. Organizations such as ArtTour International Magazine, IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group, ABUN – Artists and Biologists Unite for Nature, and Artist for a Green Planet, to name a few working to create a more sustainable future.
Chaykin’s award-winning art has been gaining attention around the world. Awards include The ArtTour International Magazine’s (ATIM) Top 60 Masters award for 2022, 2023, and 2024, Emerald Artya Award, Collector’s Choice Award, and First Place in Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) DC210’s Explorations in Colored Pencil IX.
Tracey’s artwork has been featured on the Broadway Plaza, Nasdaq, and “I Love NY” billboards in Times Square, New York, and the Amazon Best-Seller book ATIM’s Top 60 Masters. Additional publications showcasing Chaykin’s work include Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector, and International Artist Magazine.
Each piece of Colored Pencil art is an opportunity to make an impact in the world with a mission to bring awareness to the conservation of our planet and all that exists on it. I create realistic and detailed drawings to inspire others to take action and help save the planet. I strive to make a difference, evoke emotion, and inspire the smallest of changes, through art, articles, and actions so that everyone can participate in helping our planet, and all that exists on it, flourish and thrive.
In our day and age with the increasing effects of Climate Change on environments around the world, I am committed to using my art to promote conservation and have the honor of working with many organizations and initiatives to spread the message. Organizations such as ArtTour International Magazine, an online magazine that showcases contemporary visual artists and their artwork, the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group to create awareness of otter conservation through her art, ABUN – Artists and Biologists Unite for Nature, a group of scientists and artists who are devoted to creating positive change for nature conservation, and Artist for a Green Planet, a platform that connects and celebrates artists who are working to create a more sustainable future. All of these collaborations have helped my work reach a wider audience and spread my message of conservation even further.
Connected
Andrew Chalfen is a visual artist and musician living and working in Philadelphia. He has been featured at two solo shows in 2023 thus far. His work has appeared at many exhibits nationally and in and around Philadelphia, PA, such as at the Abington Art Center, The Hoyt Center, the Delaware Contemporary, the Arts Council of Princeton, Viridium Gallery, and many Philadelphia locations via his art collective Inliquid. His work has appeared on book jackets and rock album covers. He is the recipient of several awards and is the winner of the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Mid-Atlantic Regional for 2018 and his piece “Vibration Lands” was displayed at SCOPE Miami during the Art Basel/Art Miami fair.
I am a visual artist living and working in Philadelphia. I work mainly in acrylics but have been increasingly incorporating mixed media and three-dimensional elements into my pieces. I am fascinated by patterns, and how they ripple, radiate, refract, bloom, interact, and cluster. My works allude to aerial views, cartography, architectural renderings, musical notation, urban-like densities, and other natural and man-made patterns, which often spill out over edges, suggesting unseen continuations.
My process mirrors that of my songwriting and music arranging, involving the repetition of a small selection of formal elements, subtle variation, the timbre of the color palate, rhythm, and randomization strategies. The viewer may not know what to focus on first, becoming overwhelmed and subsequently absorbed in the details, an experience reminiscent of mediation or a divine/psychedelic journey.
More recent abstract geometric pieces, including painted sculptures, explore themes of nostalgia, anxiety, climate change, play, and allusions to impenetrable data, all reflective of, and perhaps counter to, accelerating physical, social, and psychic instability in the world.
Connection
Born and raised in Baltimore, My passion for Photography started when I was in high school but I took it more seriously in college when I enroll in a digital photography class it open my eyes to photography even more, and haven’t looked back since. I purchase my first camera during that time period and later started using my iPod as another camera source to take pictures just because it’s easy, convenient, and with the increase of technology with camera usage. There are no limitations to being creative.
They say art imitates life, I have a great eye for capturing my surroundings, and my photos imitate my surroundings. What I capture at the moment, I bring it to life. The photos I capture are symbolic and metaphorical because they represent the essence of life,
Most of what I capture is objects and things because they are just as important as people are when it comes to photographing subjects. There are no limitations on what I don’t capture. It’s not about where you create your art, it’s about the art you create. Create What Can Be Manifest”.
Connection 17
Born and raised in Baltimore, Derrick’s passion for Photography started when he was in high school but he took it more seriously in college when he enrolled in a digital photography class it opened his eyes to photography even more, and he hasn’t looked back since. He purchased his first camera during that time period and later started using his iPod as another camera source to take pictures just because it’s easy, convenient, and with the increase of technology with camera usage. There are no limitations to being creative.
They say art imitates life, I have a great eye for capturing my surroundings, and my photos imitate my surroundings. What I capture at the moment, I bring it to life. The photos I capture are symbolic and metaphorical because they represent the essence of life.
Most of what I capture is objects and things because they are just as important as people are when it comes to photographing subjects. There are no limitations on what I don’t capture. It’s not about where you create your art, it’s about the art you create. Create What Can Be Manifest.
Connection Floral 5
My name is Natasha Kanevski. I am a Belarus-born-and-raised Israeli artist based in Austin, Texas. I work in that sweet spot between painting and sculpture. Contrasting textures and colors are my visual language to express my ideas and feelings.
Most of my artworks are vibrant; however, recently, I started to work monochromatically to allow attention to concentrate on texture and composition.
My artworks were exhibited in 27 Art Shows (California and Texas), including Solo and Duo Exhibits; last year, I participated in the Austin Studio Tour.
In addition, I am running successful 5-star shops on Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook, selling on Saatchi Art, and working with interior designers.
As a result, my art is kept in private collections worldwide.
Our reality is beyond our knowledge to a greater extent; it has a complex structure. Nevertheless, we all look at life quite polarly; we select specific objects and significant phenomena from our surroundings. Sometimes we do that intentionally, or we cannot do otherwise. We all have a vital need to focus on what, like a crutch, helps us move to the moment here and now, closing our eyes to our life situation. As a result, the reality is distorted, simplified to two sentences, looks clumsy, somewhat rough, and very approximate.
This selectivity of attention, which inevitably distorts our complicated reality, sticking out and wildly exaggerating specific details, is my work’s theme and idea.
Contrasting textures and colors represent my visual language to express my ideas and feelings. I work in that sweet spot between painting and sculpture. Most of my sculptured artworks are vibrant; however, recently, I started to work monochromatically to allow attention to concentrate on texture and composition.
I complete works in large rough strokes and incorporate massive coarse sculptured elements. Just as we do not have to be 100% perfect, smooth, or precisely fitted, the artwork does not have to be done with the most delicate invisible strokes. Rough texture, on the contrary, only emphasizes tenderness, making it even more tangible. Our roughness, wrinkles, irregularities, and cracks only emphasize our humanity, revealing our essence, delicacy, purity, and completeness, the fact that we are infinitely beautiful in our fragility and mortality. We are simple, imperfect, and impermanent.
Console
Elizabeth Gorcey is a widely recognized oil painter, celebrated for her unique artistic vision.
As a child, in the absence of a babysitter, she would accompany her mother to art classes. This seemingly simple act laid the foundations of her lifelong passion for painting as she learned and absorbed art techniques and principles at a very tender age. Her early exposure to the artistic process and her immediate environment’s creative energy played a pivotal role in shaping the artist she would become.
Gorcey’s work was showcased at the New Jersey State Museum when she was ten years old. Her dedication to oil painting is characterized by its vibrant use of color, emotional depth, and the ability to capture the viewer’s imagination. Her paintings offer windows into the soul and human emotion.
Gorcey has extensive experience in the cinematic field as an actress, writer, director, and producer. As a collaborative venture, Elizabeth and her daughter wrote the award-winning children’s book series, Liv on Life.
I am fascinated with the ‘human condition’ that we are all a part of. As a child, I was very sensitive and empathic. I would feel things very deeply and imagine I knew how those around me felt. My sensitive and creative mind literally felt the weight of humanity– My mind would ‘see’ all these highs, lows, and triumphs overlapping and bleeding into my own personal experiences. At that age, I didn’t know how to process what I was feeling, but as an adult, I worked through what I saw on my canvas. I paint because I must.
When I look around and see what’s happening in the world, it makes my heart break for humanity and it propels me to paint. I feel the pain, sorrow, and discontent of so many souls. I hope that people who view my paintings recognize a piece of their own humanity and know they are being seen.
Constellation
“L’essence de la couleur et de l’imaginaire – The essence of colors and imagination “
Patrick Joosten: A Self-Taught Virtuoso of Abstract Artistry
Patrick Joosten is a French Paris-born abstract painter celebrated for his distinctive style and creative freedom. As a self-taught artist, he has embraced an unconventional path, allowing him to explore and experiment without the constraints of formal artistic training. His work is deeply personal, reflecting his passion for creativity and his desire to evoke emotional responses from viewers.
Patrick Joosten emerges as a compelling figure in the world of contemporary abstract art, embodying the essence of creativity, freedom, and emotional depth. His journey as a self-taught artist from Paris underscores the power of independent exploration and the ability to transcend traditional artistic boundaries. Here’s a deeper look into his artistic identity and impact
Artistic Style and Inspirations Joosten’s abstract art is characterized by:
– Freedom and Experimentation: His autodidactic approach enables him to break away from traditional artistic conventions, resulting in innovative and unique compositions.
– Emotional Depth: His works aim to resonate with viewers on an emotional level, encouraging contemplation and reflection.
Diverse Inspirations from:
– The human body, particularly its natural curves and forms.
– Nature, with its vibrant colors and dynamic patterns.
– Experimental abstract art, which broadens his creative horizons.
Recent Achievements and Awards
Joosten’s talent has been widely acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards, including:
– Artist of the Year 2024 Masterful Minds Award issue by Circle Foundation for the Arts – February 2025
– Artavita Finalist Award Artist of the Year 2024 – January 2025
– Winner Award Future of Art –Contemporary Art Curator – September 2024
– Winner of Future of Art Global Masterpiece Award by Contemporary Art Curator – July 2024
– Winner of Future of Art Global Masterpiece Award by Contemporary Art Curator – July 2024
– Circle Foundation for the Arts Masterful Mind Award- June 2024
– TERAVARNA award to Patrick Joosten finalist of the 10th Open 2024 International Juried Competition June 2024
– 6th International Prize Leonardo DA VINCI, Patrick Joosten awarded by Salvatore & Francesco RUSSO – April 2024
These awards highlight Joosten’s growing influence and the high regard in which his work is held within the contemporary art community.
These accolades highlight his growing influence and the respect he commands within the global art community.
Philosophy and Creative Process
Joosten’s artistic philosophy revolves around:
– Unbridled Creativity: He values the freedom to explore and innovate, unencumbered by rigid rules or expectations.
– Emotional Connection: His goal is to create visually striking works that evoke deep emotions and provoke thought.
– Continuous Exploration: Joosten’s work is a testament to his curiosity and willingness to push the boundaries of abstract art.
Legacy and Impact
As a self-taught artist, Patrick Joosten represents the power of independent creativity and the ability to forge a unique artistic identity. His success demonstrates that formal training is not a prerequisite for achieving recognition and acclaim in the art world. Joosten’s work continues to inspire both art enthusiasts and fellow artists, solidifying his place as a significant figure in contemporary abstract art.
Conclusion
Patrick Joosten’s art is more than just visual it’s an emotional and intellectual experience. His ability to blend freedom, experimentation, and emotional depth makes him a standout figure in the art world. As he continues to explore and innovate, Joosten’s work will undoubtedly inspire future generations, solidifying his role as a virtuoso of abstract artistry.
Influences: Richter, Rothko, Picasso, Klimt, Basquiat, Modigliani, Monet, Van Gogh, Lempika.
Patrick Joosten is a French abstract painter known for his unique artistic style and highly creative approach.
Patrick Joosten’s works are often described as energetic, and full of movement, with a strong emphasis on color with bold and dynamic forms. He uses various techniques to create textured and layered compositions.
His works have been exhibited in galleries, and many personal and collective exhibitions across France and Europe. He has won numerous artistic awards for his contribution to the field of abstract art internationally.
Patrick Joosten is a respected figure in the world of abstract art, and his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences in France and around the world.
Constellation Of Scars Culture Of Impunity
Karen Troyer: Weaving Narratives of Resilience
Karen Troyer is a textile artist whose work speaks to the complexities of our world. For over a decade, she has transformed fabrics, threads, and found objects into powerful narratives reflecting the beauty and struggles of the human experience.
Driven by a deep empathy, Karen’s art grapples with the tragedies and challenges we face collectively. She incorporates found materials, each with its own story, to symbolize the remnants and wreckage left behind. Through her meticulous weaving and stitching, she rebuilds and reimagines, offering a sense of solace and a call to action.
Karen’s early works explored themes of loss and displacement. She might utilize weathered cloth, symbolizing the fragility of life, interwoven with vibrant threads, representing the enduring strength of the human spirit. As her practice matured, her focus shifted to environmental issues. Discarded plastics, a poignant reminder of our consumerist culture, might be woven alongside organic materials, highlighting the delicate balance between human progress and the natural world.
Karen’s artistry extends beyond the physical creation. She actively seeks collaboration, inviting viewers to engage with her pieces and contemplate the narratives they weave. By incorporating interactive elements or holding workshops, she fosters dialogue and encourages viewers to become co-creators in building a more hopeful future.
Karen Troyer’s work is a testament to the transformative power of art. She takes the fractured pieces of our world and weaves them into tapestries of resilience, reminding us of our capacity to heal, rebuild, and create a more just and sustainable world.
For the past ten years, textiles and found objects have been my language, a way to weave together the threads of concern for the future we’re building for our children and theirs. My art isn’t just about creating; it’s about sparking awareness and igniting a sense of responsibility in those who encounter it.
Through these fiber narratives, I challenge us to confront the realities we often push aside. Each stitch, each textured layer, represents a piece of a world we have a chance to reshape. My hope is that my work doesn’t simply hang on a wall, but sparks conversations, and ignites a fire in the viewer’s belly, a fire that compels them to take action.
We are the architects of the future our children will inherit. It’s time to use the tools at our disposal, be it art, activism, or simply a shift in perspective, to ensure that the future is vibrant, sustainable, and just. This is the driving force behind my work, the reason I spend countless hours transforming textiles and everyday objects into potent calls to action.
This is my legacy, the thread I weave into the vast tapestry of our world.
Contagion 2
Kenneth Wilan is based in Berkeley, California. He has worked in New England, San Fransisco, Basel Switzerland, and New York City. His formal education includes Kala Art Institute, Berkeley, California; Hunter College, New York City; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; and the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. Wilan works in ink, acrylic, oil, digital and mixed media.
The beginning of a painting is deeply corporeal and in the moment. It answers a need in me; the feel of the brush against a surface, the mark of movement, the expansion into lines, texture, shapes, and color, and the communication of a thought or idea from inside to out. It is an emergent process. At an early point, the idea appears, it reveals itself; the subject, a feeling, an image. I then work to develop it and coax it fully into existence.