Daybreak
Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years, she lived in many places, including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark and pets.
By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal, and ink over the years, picking up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, watercolor, and gouache, and her passion for hyperrealism.
Although self-taught, her dedication and talent have seen her work juried into 1067 International exhibits. She has won 1622 awards for her work in the International Juried Exhibits.
Her work has graced the covers of 3 books, 45 magazines, including The Best Of Acrylic Fall 2021, cover of the May 2022 Arabella Magazine, #20 Hyperrealism Magazine with “Girls Girls Girls”, & #21 with “The Young Cowboy”, Artists & Illustrators March 2024 Artistonish 2024 July edition, Observica Elite 2024, Art Closeup Magazine#26 Jan. 2025, The back cover of Novum Artis #007, 2025, Hyperrealism Special Edition “The Amazing World of Cher Pruys” , The Cover of Sfumato 2026 Fall Reawakening Group Show Magazine, & The cover of Louvre Unbound Volume 5. She has been featured in over 1000 International publications. Cher’s works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.
“To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you, the viewer …. That is the ultimate in self-expression.”
Every day moments really capture my attention. Ones that trigger memories or evoke a strong emotional reaction on my part quickly become my next obsession. By observing these often-fleeting moments, I notice that my views on life, especially in terms of time and how little of it we as individuals each have, and how one’s own perspective overall can be narrow, thus I use them to spur growth in myself with a desire to enhance the human experience.
I truly feel that my artworks are the most rewarding and fulfilling way for me to communicate my inner thoughts and feelings with those around me.
Daydream Believer
Vince Quevedo is an esteemed designer and artist widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to fashion design, wearable art, art quilts, and innovative teaching methodologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing and Textiles, a Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development, and a Master of Fine Arts in textiles/fiber from esteemed institutions. With 35 years of experience, Quevedo has garnered acclaim as a finalist and winner in the American Quilter’s Association’s design competition for twenty years. His designs have graced the renowned Bernina Fashion Show, and he holds four patents in functional and aesthetic design. Furthermore, he is the proprietor of Vinci Design Studios, which provides complimentary equipment, fashion education, and consulting services to various organizations. Professor Quevedo’s exceptional expertise and numerous achievements distinguish him in his field.
My artistic expression is intricately woven into human experiences, reflective practice, and experiential learning through creation. I utilize quilting, handcrafting, and photography to scrutinize diverse facets of contemporary culture and society meticulously. Positioned within the arts and culture domain, it honors human imagination as manifested through art. Design thinking is fundamental to my methodology as I transform personal insights and concepts into tangible embodiments. Additionally, I innovatively harness digital technology to bring my ideas to life and craft a distinctive and captivating perspective for viewers to engage with.
Dear Jane
I was educated to be a scientist with a Ph.D in Physics, but after finishing post-doctoral work at Los Alamos, New Mexico, I took a position in the research department of a Multi-National Oil company where I did fundamental research to image the interior of the earth. It was here that I learned the fundamentals of signal processing that I now use for photography. I spent a career with this company performing both research and operational oil exploration. It was a great opportunity to travel and see the world.
I live in a world of visual pollution, but I know worlds of Physical and Spiritual beauty exist. I am constantly on the lookout for small enclaves of beauty, but they keep getting harder to find. So I try looking in different ways. I try looking at different types of light … soft light, strong light, light disturbed by strong weather, and the invisible light of infrared light. I try looking at complexity from new perspectives and nature the way other creatures see it.
I can find beauty in symmetry, and asymmetry. and chaos. I find beauty in nature as well as architecture. I find beauty in life and in the day-to-day struggle to survive. I find beauty in simplicity and in complexity. Beauty is everywhere if you look the right way.
Death Becomes Him
Heini Mika is a Finnish artist living and working in New York City. Heini holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Worcester (UK) and she also has a degree in Fine Art and Visual Communications from Finland’s prestigious Pekka Halonen Academy of Art. Heini’s paintings have received global recognition, being showcased on four continents in prominent locations such as NYC, Paris, the UK, the UAE, and Indonesia. Her artworks have been featured in many notable publications, including the British Vogue, and several of her pieces are cherished within private collections.
Heini’s ultra-contemporary paintings serve the viewer with a palette of vibrant colors and dynamic shapes while she gives you her unique perspective on women, fairytales, and history. They have been an important source of inspiration for Heini throughout her career as an artist and this can be observed in her rich and intriguing original artworks.
Since forever women have been the subject of great art, but rarely were we allowed to create great art. As a female artist living in the 21st Century, I find great inspiration in the female icons of the past. Famous women from Marie Antoinette to Miley Cyrus, have served as profound sources of inspiration for me, due to their distinctive styles and unique spirits. In my art practice, I explore the contrast between the public portrayal of the women I admire and their true selves. My aim is to discover how the images of these influential women, given by pop culture, impact and shape my own artistic impressions of them. Just like the women I paint, I am an unconventional woman in the eyes of my society and with my art practice I want to invite viewers to look past the glittering images and see the depth and complexity of the women I paint, myself included.
Ultimately, my work serves as a reflection and exploration of this complex dynamic. While my intention is to showcase the vibrant and visually captivating image that pop culture has crafted around the women I idolize, I also remain very conscious of the underlying darkness that hides beneath the surface of their seemingly lighthearted images.
As a Finn, I grew up on satire, dark humor, and happy endings and that is well reflected in my work. At first glance, my cartoonish mixed media paintings may depict my subject’s pop culture image perfectly, which is usually colorful, ditzy, and lacking in substance, but I am actually satirizing our perceptions of my female heroines. We are all guilty of prioritizing a person’s image over the narrative. But whether the viewer understands this duality or not, I still want them to have a good time when viewing my artwork.
I choose to work with acrylics, rhinestones, and glitters because their vibrant hues and plastic textures are well suited for creating eye-catching artworks that are unique to me, and perfect for the subject matter.
Debonair Lightness Of Being
Growing up in the colorful city of San Francisco and studying art in historic Florence, Italy gave me a wide range of artistic abilities. Experience as a graphic, portrait, and mural artist has helped me find true expression in the contemporary art world.
I start every painting with a handmade alder wood frame stretched with organic cotton canvas. After the gesso, I apply a water-based layer, giving the painting texture. Layers of gold, silver, and copper leaf are then followed by French-milled, museum-quality oil paint and resin. This unique layering technique gives my paintings a luminous quality ranging from peaceful and ethereal to vibrant and lively.
Currently based in Edwards, my creativity mirrors an internal landscape of emotion inspired by Colorado’s dramatic, wide-open spaces. I paint with the skill and aesthetic sensitivity acquired from experience and fearless exploration of endless possibilities.
Internally ignited, shapes and forms have a dynamic presence and colors reflect a hypersensitive spectrum. Incandescence, luminosity, and radiance inspire me. From this internal perspective of meditative contemplation, light creates a path to follow, regardless of recognizable content. A new paradigm is offered by a shift in perspective. The unknown becomes beautiful and alive with potential.
Deep Dive Dahlias
I started making art as a teenager then abandoned it for 50 years before taking art classes again in my 70s. Born in Badnauheim, Germany; raised in Kansas City; schooled at the University of So California and University of Iowa Graduate Writers Workshop; career as a strategic planning consultant to nonprofit arts organizations and independent filmmakers. Author of a number of poetry chapbooks, and two books on fundraising. Currently retired growing tomatoes and making art in Napa, CA. My work has been shown internationally in venues including the Museum of Modern Art/NYC, Webster University, New Langon Arts, and others.
My work as a poet and visual artist is imbued with the qualities of Surprise, Joy, Serendipity, and Thoughtfulness. Especially drawn to themes of nature. Influences include Abstract Expressionists, the Black Mt School of Poets, and Surrealists. I like to work in a number of media, including drawing with graphite and painting with watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. And I often employ mixed media techniques with collage. Favorite quote: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty, – that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” –John Keats
Deep Forest Reds
Gayle Faulkner, with over 35 years of artistic exploration and creativity, stands as a seasoned watercolor, acrylic, and mural artist. Her journey has been marked by constant exploration, a playful engagement with diverse media, and an unwavering commitment to growth in the world of art.
Her academic journey, rooted in a BA in Sociology from William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri, initially led her to work with children, integrating art into their day-to-day experiences. Gayle’s passion for art eventually pulled her into a more immersive pursuit. She delved into Art and Design courses at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, unlocking her artistic soul. The willingness to ”put herself out there” coupled with years of hard work and a penchant for thinking outside the box, allowed her to undergo a major growth period.
Finally, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 quarantine became a catalyst for Gayle’s artistic metamorphosis, leading her to focus on acrylic paintings on canvas. Engaging in online courses and dedicating countless hours in the studio, has led Gayle to newfound success in her career as an artist.
In her current artistic chapter, Gayle has embraced the multi-dimensional world of layered acrylic painting. These layered landscape paintings pulsate with depth, intricate patterns, and whimsical interpretations, inviting viewers to step into a space that offers a sanctuary from life’s pressures. Her aspiration is clear — to guide everyone towards a place, be it a memory or a dream, where they can meander, savor the fragrance of flowers, feel the gentle breeze, lean against a tree, and simply breathe.
Gayle’s works have graced numerous exhibitions, gallery shows, and juried art festivals, earning accolades and finding homes in corporate and private collections across the globe.
In my art practice, I describe my creations as Textural Acrylics. This term represents the exciting experience of observing paint flow from the palette knife, forming captivating textures and colors. Each stroke channels emotion and every canvas captures a moment of creative inspiration.
My process is spontaneous – I start with a loose outline, sketch the composition, and then fully immerse myself in the act of creating. Throughout the process, music is my closest companion, its volume soaring. I dance to the rhythm, losing myself in the beats, and, on occasion, even letting out a song. My painting process is a multisensory experience, an immersive journey into the fusion of sound and color, where each note becomes a brushstroke and every stroke on the canvas is a dance of creation. I often liken my paintings to cherished children—it’s a relationship that involves nurturing, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and weathering the challenges of creative adolescence with boundless love and patience. With each brushstroke, I invest love, patience, and understanding, allowing the artwork to evolve organically. The end result is akin to witnessing a child mature into a beautiful, fully-formed adult—a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression.
When the viewer engages with my work, I want them to do more than observe; I want them to partake in the sensory journey. Inhale the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers, listen to the subtle rustle of leaves, lean against the painted tree, and simply breathe. My paintings are meant to cease to be static images—they become portals, immersive experiences where anyone is welcome to wander, explore, and connect with the essence of my artistic vision. Through my Textural Acrylics, I aim to create a sanctuary where the boundaries between creator and audience blur, and the shared experience becomes a celebration of art and life.
Deep Into The Soul
Skyler Solondz is a nonbinary transgender feminine painter best known for shadows and light in the work Pour out of Your Soul. Skyler’s art has been shown nationally in several exhibits, including the Las Laguna Art Gallery, Hermosa Art Gallery, and The Holy Art Gallery. Skyler is working on finishing up their bachelor’s in art and their bachelor’s in science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Under the famous artist Stefan Bauman, Skyler is taught the techniques of the Old Master. Each stroke represents the harsh dysphoria Skyler feels, not being in the right body for who they identify as. Art directly impacts my finding myself and being the person I am today.
Skyler is a thirty-six-year-old non-binary painter. Skyler made their first piece, Foamed by the Sea, at age seven. While painting this piece, they realized they were different, and its creation was instrumental in them coming out as non-binary. Skyler paints in acrylic and watercolors, sketches in pencil, and designs in clay. Their heart is always at the beach because it is where their true self is at peace.
Skyler’s grandmother, Bernice, created eccentric landscapes and abstract paintings and greatly influenced them as an artist. Grandmother Bern, as Skyler called her, would sit in front of them and paint. She would talk about Van Gogh, Picasso, and other impressionists and teach Skyler one stroke at a time to be themselves and paint with their heart and soul. Skyler took that teaching to heart and has continued their art practice, remaining faithful to the philosophy taught by Grandma Bern.
In Skyler’s words, “She taught me that each stroke shows my true, authentic self.” These stroke patterns in Skyler’s paintings reveal that they use art in two very divergent ways: to deal with internal conflict and to reveal and express their emotions. Skyler believes that their difficulty in fitting in with societal norms has caused a sense of dejection, and art provides a respite in their day-to-day life. The unique stroke patterns are a part of every sui generis piece that Skyler creates to this day.
Deep Level
Arlet Gomez is a Cuban artist based in South Florida, renowned for her vibrant and eclectic paintings that fuse impressionism and neo-expressionism. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting in 2009, Gomez’s artistic style is characterized by dynamic color palettes, striking light contrasts, textured variations, and layered compositions. Internationally represented by esteemed galleries, including Steidel Contemporary Gallery, HMVC Gallery New York, The Box Gallery, and Artsy, her artworks have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions across over 10 countries. Gomez’s talent has been recognized globally, earning notable awards such as the Masterful Mind Award at the 6th International CFA Artist of the Year 2024, the TRAHC 36th Juried Exhibition’s 2nd Place, HMVC Gallery New York’s 2023 1st Prize, ArtiGras Fine Art Festival’s 2023 Award in Painting, and The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 recognition. Additional accolades include the 2021 Palm Beach County Art in Public Places “Outside the Box” Prize, 2011 International Prize for Painting ISOLE in Italy, and 2008 First Prize Contemporary Art from Portugal’s Exteril Foundation.
My work is a celebration of gratitude, joy, and the beauty that surrounds us. I am constantly exploring ways to depict everyday life through colors and lines, finding beauty in ordinary scenes and freezing stories that define our identity. Childhood memories and nature inspire my art, which is painted in an impressionistic style with vibrant colors, light contrast, texture variations, and layers. I also incorporate Braille texts to engage other senses in the act of appreciation. My art captures moments in natural environments, such as the sky, ocean, and nature, reflecting the unfiltered human experience. Through my work, I aim to share the essence of self-discovery and invite viewers to join me on this vibrant journey of celebration.