Drink Together
Subodh Maheshwari was born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, North India, where she learned folk art and classical music. She passionately believes: “In the threshold of my life, my present is the window to the past and a key to the future”. She acquired her degrees and studied art at Agra University, California State University, Fullerton, and the University of California, Irvine. Subodh has won numerous awards, including the regional Fellowship Award at UCI in 1986, the Bharat Gaurav Award in India in 2015, and the 60 Masters Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She is also registered in Marquis “Who’s Who in America”, the standard in biographical information. Her paintings have also won awards in a variety of categories, including landscape, open, all women, nature, elements, seasons, and abstract.
Subodh is a diversified artist who enjoys telling stories through her artwork, whether it is through landscape, flowers, or abstract art. Her art is a fusion of Eastern symbolism and Western composition, influenced by 16th and 17th-century Rajasthani and Mughal art, and accented by poetry, passages, and phrases in Hindi, Sanskrit, and English. She admires Georgia O’Keeffe for her floral influence and Frida Kahlo for her courage. Whether it is the serene beauty of nature, her spirituality, or the current political climate, she finds inspiration. Having a life shared between India and America, she sees the beautiful similarities, like love, which transcends all borders. Highly individual in her style, her works are described as emotional, mysterious, personal, spiritual, and humorous.
This mysterious and atmospheric painting reveals a forest scene that blurs the line between nature and spirit. Subtle human faces, some smiling and others solemn, are delicately embedded in the vertical forms of tree trunks, suggesting a quiet fusion of humanity with the natural world. Muted tones of green, grey, and soft blush flow like mist through the layered textures, giving the impression of a forest alive with memory and unseen watchers. The figures seem to emerge and vanish at once, evoking themes of presence, ancestry, and the silent sentience of nature.
Dripping
Born & raised in Mexico. I reside and work in Miami. My background in architecture has sharpened my sense of design and detail.
I create abstract art using various mediums, such as canvas, acrylic paint, pencil, spray paint, ultraviolet dust, and a torch. I find beauty in the subtle and mundane. My artworks reflect the emotions I experience while making them – joy, chaos, anger, or lightheartedness. “Creativity is food for my soul” I hope to inspire people to see the beauty in detail they never thought about.
Droplet Painting #12
Lars Westby was born in Bellefonte Pennsylvania. He earned a BA in Art History and a BFA in Ceramics from Penn State University and an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After receiving his MFA he worked on boats and on restoring older historic homes in Maryland and Pennsylvania for a number of years before moving to Baltimore, MD to work as a full time Artist. During this time he worked primarily in creating large ceramic sculptures often done in multiples. These works had a biomorphic/industrial feel related to his travels and previous work in restoring houses. Conceptually they talked about work itself and the relationship of the hand in creating. After having an inspiration/epiphany of sorts he began creating a series of abstract acrylic paintings. One series involves creating a high relief surface of points of paint akin to stalactites. The other series is created by dripping thousands of droplets of paint on a canvas. He currently teaches at Anne Arundel Community College and has taught at numerous other schools in the Maryland area. Westby has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally and has received numerous national awards. He has received three Maryland State Individual Artist Awards in 2005, 2007 and 2012 and was a Baker Artist Award Finalist in 2023, 2022 and 2019. He was a former resident artist at Baltimore Clayworks and was a guest artist at Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan, in 2007. He lives in the Annapolis/Eastern Shore area where he works as a multidisciplinary studio Artist in Ceramics and Paintings.
This is a recent series of Paintings I have been working on after having created Ceramic Sculptures for many years. After having an epiphany of inspiration I took the initiative to create a series of highly textured paintings in acrylic. One series are the high relief painting and the other series are the droplet paintings. The first series of paintings have a high relief of “frozen drips” that protrude from the surface of the painting like a blizzard of stalactites. The effect is a highly textured vibrantly colored surface that speaks of paint as the painting. They have what I call a three dimensional pixelated/pointillistic surface. Within this realm I have been working on two distinct themes. One is the “Geomorphology Series” which refers in an abstract manner to horizon/landscape and the painted surface itself. The other series are the “Abstracted Series” which are mostly abstracted with little reference to realism in their visual imagery. The paint becomes the visual image itself. The second series are the Droplet Paintings. These paintings are spawned during the process of creating the first series. Thousands of droplets of paint are dripped onto a canvas to create a highly colored abstract effervescent surface. I like to think of these works as eluding to elements of Impressionism, Pointillism, Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, and an element of Pop Art in their sensibility. While alluding to historical elements I have sought out a completely new approach to the medium and what painting can be in a contemporary manner. With my background in sculpture I think in terms of three dimension and the material object. In this sense I think of paint as existing in a three dimensional space as a material element. I’m constructing an image and a surface. The object becomes the image and the image becomes the object.
Drowned In Sound
Laura’s works can often be found at Up Front Exhibition Space in New York, Artery Gallery in Milford, PA, White Space Gallery in Hackettstown, NJ, and Gamut Art Gallery in the Pocono Mountains. She is a member of the Pocono Arts Council, Wayne County Arts Alliance, is a working member of The Artery Gallery in Milford, PA, and a previous member of Go Collaborative, a non-profit that brings artistic life to Stroudsburg, PA,
Laura’s art welcomes the overactive imagination; the invitation to glimpse our surroundings with exaggerated color and curiosity, and to see the world through the eyes of someone who can’t get enough of it.
Laura interprets the world around her with mysticism, fascination, and as if just a tiny bit of that acid trip never really ended. Friends have called her “all the colors in a Crayola box” and “beautifully macabre”, and her art “colorful”, ‘bold’ and “eclectic”.
Much of her creative side is fueled by running around in the woods, seeking deathly stories in the desert, spending time in cities and small towns around the world, being inspired by rebellious and magnificent people and constantly exploring the edges.
Laura aims to bring out the inner sparkles of light in velvety souls and inspire introspection and contemplation alongside playfulness, romanticism, and fortitude.
Before becoming a full-time artist in 2024, Laura was (and still dabbles in) tech for 25 years, 18 of which were in Silicon Valley. She’s received a variety of art instruction via advertising design studies, graphic design studies, and select courses from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.
She works primarily with oil and acrylic paint and dabbles in a variety of mediums and techniques.
Curious, by both definitions.
Dual Harmony
Bhaswati is an artist who expresses her feelings and emotions through the glow or light in her paintings which she observes in the realistic world. Bhaswati originates from a place where the love of nature is in-built into every person. Her father was a sculptor. Bhaswati was influenced by the warmth of glowing light surrounded by a cool dark background. Her paintings represent a spiritual balance of light versus dark and its interdependencies. She believes that every soul is a light that grounds everyone by illuminating the path of knowledge and righteousness. Light or glow always provides positive energy, happiness, and hope despite being surrounded by the darkness of the universe.
Bhaswati took an intensive art mastery program studying old master skills and techniques at Milan Art Institute, AZ, USA, and possesses a strong sense of creating figurative artistry and forward-thinking that is consistently displayed across all art pieces. All her artwork is based on light/glow and has a strong chiaroscuro style with a definite storyline/message to believe in yourself.
Bhaswati has built her expertise on mixed media oil which gives her the artistic freedom to experiment with her paintings. She used an inner layer of collage and texture to bring a mystery to the atmosphere, another layer of acrylic paint to create the foundation of the painting, and a final layer of oil to bring the balance between the brightness of glowing light and the darkness of the surroundings.
Gallery Exhibitions/ Art Fairs in 2023
Greater New Braunfels Arts Council, TX, Oct20-22, 2023
HMVC Gallery, Influence, Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2023
GILPIN County Arts Association, CO, 76th Annual Juried Show, June 10 – Aug 19, 2023
The Joe Center for the Arts, FL, Out of This World, April 8 – April 28, 2023
EPIC Gallery 2960, TX, Solo Exhibition, Mar 6 – Mar 24, 2023
As an artist, I express my feelings and emotions through my paintings to make people rise, smile, and shine with knowledge. I believe every soul is a light that grounds everyone by illuminating the path of knowledge and righteousness. All my artwork is based on light/glow and has a strong chiaroscuro style.
My artwork is mixed media oil which uses an inner layer of collage and texture to bring a mystery to the atmosphere, another layer of acrylic paint to create the foundation of the painting, and a final layer of oil to bring the balance between the brightness of glowing light and darkness of the surrounding. My paintings bring a different angle of figurative painting with a message to the world.
Dulcet
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, usually 5-6 lines to sketch the composition, and then fully immerse myself in the act of creating. Throughout the process, music is my closest companion, its volume soaring to a level that exceeded what I would have allowed my own children to play it at. 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.
Dunedin Sunset
Julie Mantis is an artist creating art that celebrates the beauty of everyday life. Born in New York City, she then traveled extensively as the daughter of a naval officer. Julie’s paintings have been exhibited in Laguna Beach, CA galleries and virtual exhibitions internationally. Julie studied visual arts at New York University and was a graphic artist in the pre-digital era. Recently relocated from the Los Angeles area or Orlando, she continues creating original artwork in mixed media and oils.
My paintings are stories of life and travel. Nature, glimpses of landscapes, glimpses of memory, and countries visited, allow me to immortalize my fondest moments, each painting tells a story. My paintings share the opportunity to be amazed by the little things life and nature have to offer.
Dunes Cycle
Painter – Doctor of Fine Arts. Diploma at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk in the atelier of Professor Kazimierz Ostrowski. Works mainly with painting, searching for an appropriate formula for his fascination with landscape. Participant of many group exhibitions in the country, including: the International Pastel Biennale in Nowy Sącz 2011, 2018/19 Grand Prix, and abroad, among others: in Denmark, England, France, Japan, Italy, Spain, the United States… and several individual exhibitions in Poland.
In 1986, as a scholarship holder of the Italian government, he served an internship at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. He worked at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk for over a decade, currently with the University of Gdańsk, where he runs art workshops. Winner of several prizes, distinctions, and creative scholarships obtained through competitions including: in Katowice, Warsaw, at Expo in Chianciano 2016, in Nowy Sącz – Grand Prix 2018/19, at the International Biennale of Pastels in Oviedo distinction – finalist, several prizes awarded by the Italian foundation Fondazione Effetto Arte in 2023/24 and distinction at Sprung 9, ARTHOUSE. NYC March – big screen in the New York space, in September 2025, he received the El Greco Fine Arts Award granted by the curators of ICM Gestora Cultural.
The artist’s work has been presented in the national bimonthly art magazine Sztuka,
in the magazine Artysta i Sztuka, the monthly Art-Eon, in the Viennese art magazine Art Market Observer, in the prestigious Contemporary Art Blog – AATONAU, and also in the publications of the Association of Polish Pastellists. His Works are in museums: in the District Museum in Nowy Sącz, Musee du Pastel in France, company collections: PGS in Sopot, in the Art Collection of Royal Talens in the Netherlands (Apeldoorn), and also in private collections both at home and abroad.
Wojciech Zaniewski is an artist who remains faithful to landscape in his work. However, he is constantly looking for new forms of expression, especially in formal and colour solutions. The artist’s works emanate impressions of pure artistic work, with rational compositional rules. As the artist himself admits, the formal solutions and skills that are of paramount value to him align with the principles of formal aestheticism.
Dungi Fu II
Gretchen Beck served as Chair of the Art Department, Professor of Art, Curator, and on the faculty at Concordia University, Irvine, CA, for eleven years. Currently, she is a professional artist.
For the images I produce as an artist, I have conducted research in Niger, West Africa, where I lived for three years. My art involves an exploration of the Nigerien landscape, the Djarma and Fulani cultures, and the art forms they create. This abstract work portrays ritual and tradition in Nigerian culture.
To create my imagery, I work from a variety of references. Relationships among color, shape, and texture come together to form a fluid and grid-like compositions. Color dominates the images and dictates the media employed to produce them. Drawing, painting, mixed media, and collage are the focus of my artistic repertoire.