★★★ Hiding ★★★
Roberta Rousos has lived 2 lives in her 59 years; as a wife, mother, and community volunteer; and as an artist (and mom). After her husband’s death, she returned to CSU Sacramento earning a BA and MA Degree in Studio Art.
Rousos’ work can be traced to her graduate studies when she added fiber to steel integrating both her metal shop teacher father and her homemaker mother. Her work focuses on seemingly opposing materials.
Rousos’ exhibition sphere now includes galleries in her home state of California, Michigan, New Mexico, Washington, Illinois, New York, Colorado, and Oregon.
She considers herself blessed to be able to be an artist. She firmly believes that we all choose daily what life we are willing to live and our priorities. Rousos chooses to live on the line between the physical reality of this world and the spiritual realm. She decides to appreciate the beauty around her and encourages others to do the same. Life is good if you allow it to be.
I am a mixed media artist: found objects, fiber, and oil painting. Returning to college following the passing of my husband allowed me to discover new paths in creative expression. Earning my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees showed me how strong I could be and where my life’s passion lies.
When coping with life’s traumas, we are often told to take baby steps or to live one day at a time. This is good advice, but not just for when we are suffering. We each have years behind us and hopefully years ahead, but we can only live today. Today is what we can truly see in detail; this moment is what we can affect; now is when we can live. Take a step today.
I come from a long line of artisans and crafters. As a creature of opposites, I constantly struggle to integrate chaos with logic, gravity with freedom, and reality with dreams. My work continually evolves because of my desire and choice to live a life of purpose.
★★★ Hope ★★★
Irina Howard is a New York-based artist whose work explores the complexity of human life experiences. She is internationally recognized for rigorously composed and sublimely musing paintings and sculptures. Her innovative style is inspired by organic forms and textures bridging reality and imagination, giving a physical form to a conceptual idea, and revealing the visible within the invisible.
Howard was born and grew up in Ukraine. As a child, she encountered traumatic events that influenced her to interact with the world through her drawings. Her youth Howard spent in the elite cultural group committed to arts and literature, where she established her lifelong passion for the arts. By lifting the burden off her shoulders, she emerged with the personal belief that the artist has no right to contribute any more pain to a world full of struggle and despair, which kept her in artistic silence for several years. Moving to the United States, exploring different careers, and then heading into a midlife crisis significantly changed her perspectives and led to a creative awakening. Her real-life experiences of grief and hope found reflection in her current series of works. Howard studied fine arts and graduated with honors from the City University of New York and Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.
Irina Howard is a recipient of several awards. Her recent recognitions: “Oscar of Visual Arts” as Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art in 2022 by Art Tour International Magazine. Her work has been widely published in magazines like Aesthetica, the Art & Culture Magazine, Art Ideal Contemporary Aesthetics Magazine, and art books worldwide, including Important World Artists by Worldwide Artbooks. Her most recent exhibitions are at Art San Diego in California, and Hamptons Fine Art Fair in New York, USA. Her work highlights multiple private collections internationally.
“Patterns of Life” is a black-and-white collection of paintings and sculptures communicating life experiences and human values. The choices we make in life shape our identity and motivate our future behavior. By illustrating both positive and negative outcomes, I encourage the viewer to believe in themselves, be their best, and look for a positive change.
I draw inspiration from organic texture and compose my themes by giving physical form to a conceptual idea, bridging reality and imagination in the form of artistic beauty and revitalizing energy. My fascination with forms and textures takes me on a journey to reveal and interpret their meaning, unique purpose, and beauty in connection to human experiences. The creative use of symbols illustrates visual metaphors and offers insight into an idea or a concept from a different perspective.
My processes combine research, thoughtful, conscious decisions, and spontaneous, intuitive solutions while creating compositions. I realized that abstract style is my best form of artistic expression. It opens doors for curiosity, imagination, interpretation, and the flow of inner emotions. The development stage is very exciting. Lines – help me to create feelings; shapes and forms – to reflect emotions, thoughts, and perception; texture – to reveal experiences; color tones – to add contrast and reinforce the message through design and composition.
My favorite elements are circles and curved lines. I found them simple but, at the same time, very compelling. The circle is a line that never stops, represents “completeness,” and gives a sense of protection, friendship, femineity, community, and perfection. It naturally communicates positive emotions and builds a strong visual identity. In my work, circles often symbolize hope.
My body of work expresses personal experiences, thoughts, spirituality, feelings, and philosophy in life. I always strive to inspire hope and encourage positivity.
★★★ I See You ★★★
As an artist, I have chosen abstraction as my expressive language, pouring my creative energy into acrylic and mixed media works. My process is a constant evolution, fueled by an insatiable curiosity for all things textural, sculptural, and organic. Drawing and composition remain lifelong companions, informing my exploration of where art and science converge – a beautiful intersection I’m driven to understand.
Having called New England home for most of my artistic journey, the local landscapes and historical contexts have left an indelible mark on my work. At my core, I’m fascinated by the human spirit’s longing for authenticity and what transpires when that authenticity eludes us. While immersed in the act of creation, I often find myself pondering our spiritual kinships as a species.
Art has been my constant companion from the earliest days, though my path was dramatically reshaped when I suffered a traumatic brain injury as a young mother. The long road to recovery required relearning the most fundamental skills – speaking, writing, walking – while simultaneously caring for my two young children. This arduous period necessarily put my professional art practice on indefinite hold for decades. Yet now, having regained my full faculties, I view this experience as a profound “gift” that has enriched my perspective on the world and the human condition.
With a BA in Visual Arts and Art History, complemented by an advanced degree in Art Education, my passion for creative expression has taken me across the globe. From the ancient wonders of Greece and Italy to the artistic meccas of France, I’ve immersed myself in studying art’s vast histories and philosophies. My work has garnered attention in print and television spheres, with critics lauding my abstract ocean-colored paintings as a pioneering new movement.
“Maguire’s swirling, undulating canvases envelop the viewer in a hypnotic aquatic realm, ” praised one critic”. Layer upon layer of blues, greens, and earthy terracottas intermingle, evoking the ever-shifting mysteries of the deep sea. Her mastery of texture and her bold, gestural brushwork create works that are simultaneously serene and tempestuous, tranquil and turbulent.”
Through my art, I strive to capture the essence of the natural world while exploring the depths of the human psyche. It is a lifelong endeavor, one that continually reveals new insights into the wonders that surround us.
I am an abstract painter based in Kittery, Maine. My work explores themes of authenticity, spirituality, and humanity’s connection to nature through expressive brushwork and an intuitive painting process. By abstracting elements from the New England landscape that inspire me, I aim to create works that are emotionally resonant and evoke a sense of the sublime.
My process is very organic and in the moment. I build up layers of paint, scraping some areas away while allowing others to remain, creating a dynamic surface with depth and movement. Paint is allowed to drip, flow, and merge in unplanned ways. This spontaneous method taps into my subconscious and unlocks personal symbology from my own psyche and emotions.
Ultimately, my goal is to communicate universal truths about the human condition and our spiritual relationship to the natural world. My paintings serve as a gateway for viewers to access their own introspection and find their own personal meaning within abstract forms and gestures.
★★★ In The Middle Of Beginning ★★★
Maries Joseph is a California‑based self‑taught artist whose passion for painting has been reignited following a professional journey in medicine. Inspired by “the unrivalled beauty, perfection, and aesthetics of the Divine Creator,” her work bridges abstract expressionism and nature‑inspired themes.
Today, Maries offers a diverse collection of original artworks in acrylic and oil, as well as premium canvas prints—each designed to bring hope, energy, and spaciousness into daily life. Her pieces range from immersive abstracts like Whispers of the Deep and Celestial Awakening to dynamic nature compositions such as The Kingfisher and Black Horse.
Maries believes art should not just be observed—it should be felt. It’s an experience that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect. Her work is perfect for collectors or anyone searching to transform a room with color, emotion, and divine resonance.
Art, for me, is a language of the soul—a way to express the emotions, energies, and divine beauty that often transcend words. My work draws inspiration from the natural world, the cosmos, and the quiet spiritual rhythms of life. Through vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and intuitive mark-making, I aim to create abstract compositions that evoke feeling, reflection, and connection.
As a self-taught artist and a former physician, I bring to my practice a deep sensitivity to the human experience—its fragility, resilience, and mystery. Each painting is a journey of discovery, guided by a reverence for light, movement, and the sacred interplay between chaos and harmony.
I believe art has the power to transform spaces and stir the heart. Whether it hangs in a home, gallery, or office, I hope my work brings a sense of clarity, warmth, and inspiration—an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
★★★ Inspiring Muses ★★★
Toti Cuesta is an award-winning watercolor artist who creates stunning portraits inspired by nature. Through her work, she hopes to bring awareness to the importance of environmental conservation and share the beauty and peace she finds in the natural world. With her profound love for mother nature, Toti Cuesta’s pieces are a must-see for anyone looking to connect with the environment.
After years of working in the international arena as a lawyer, she decided to pursue her great passion – art – and live a meaningful life. Art has always had a healing power for Toti, and she trained as an Art Therapist to help others heal with art.
Toti strives to create pieces that connect the viewer to the subtle worlds of the universe. Through her art, she invites her viewers to partake in a magical and transforming experience by combining several planes of reality. Her pieces seem connected to an infinite flow of energy. Toti Cuesta’s work is a tribute to the beauty and power of nature, and it is a reminder of the deep connection between us and the world we inhabit.
Toti Cuesta has created a remarkable portfolio of beautiful watercolor portrait art that reflects her deep love and admiration for nature. Her work has earned her recognition and international awards, as well as exhibitions in places such as New York, Venice, and Zurich. Her art has also been featured in several international books and magazines, including ArtTour International magazine’s TOP 60 Masters list.
Toti’s pieces are not only captivating to look at but also serve to bring awareness to the importance of environmental conservation. Through her vibrant and dynamic portraits, Toti can show the peace and beauty found in nature if we take the time to appreciate it.
As a surreal portrait artist, I use watercolor to create paintings that merge symbols and vibrant colors, inviting you into a new world filled with light and life. Through these elements, I communicate universal stories that resonate within your subconscious, connecting you with the divine and the eternal. My art offers an alternative view of the world that inspires you to explore more profound levels of consciousness and rediscover human divinity.
The female figure, central in my works, symbolizes life, maternity, creativity, resilience, and love. She represents Mother Earth, embodying love and respect for everything around us, including nature and the urban environment, which deserve our care to create a more loving and just world.
My colors convey energy and emotion, utilizing a mix of cool and warm tones to symbolize the connection between heaven and earth. They evoke emotions and reflect the human experience. The eyes symbolize our window to the world and the ability to perceive truths beyond the visible.
Through my series of paintings on “urban art,” I seek to share inspirational phrases that invite reflection and connect us with our true essence, reminding us of the immense potential we all carry within.
Through my art, I aim to capture the beauty of the universe and the human experience, prompting reflection on our interaction with the environment and the importance of preserving the natural and cultural beauty surrounding us.
★★★ Just Venting ★★★
Susan Bagrationoff is a professional surrealist whose body of work focuses on mythology and mysterious creatures. Faeries and folklore are the subjects of her creations using the beauty of nature within the Pacific Northwest for realistic reference. She creates her works with copious amounts of modeling paste, multiple layers of acrylic paint in brilliant hues, and metallic mediums to give a magickal ‘vibe’ from her creations.
Susan graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002 from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. In 2013, Susan started her own art education studio, Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons, which relocated to Kent, WA in 2016. Susan is a member of ARTrails, which is an annual art show that takes place in Centralia, Washington in late September. Since 2023, Susan has displayed works in various exhibitions at Gallery B612 and The Fishbowl in Seattle. In 2024, some of Susan’s works were published in ArtistTalk and Novum Artis magazines. She also exhibits her art through online organizations such as HMVC Gallery New York, Biafarin, and Arteom Gallery.
In a world of so much chaos, an escape into the realm of faeries brings peace and glamour into our dimension. Faeries always hold my fascination when I encounter them within our realm. I utilize the magic within my artistic soul to summon these creatures so that anyone can experience their charm and be inspired to believe in what they cannot see.
My work is conjured onto canvas using copious amounts of modeling paste and acrylic paints with multiple layers of various brushstrokes and the use of palette knife techniques. Brilliant colors and metallic hues are used to enable the faeries to emphasize their `vibe`, inspiring the viewer to discover the essence of these beings. The texture of their skin, hair, and backgrounds are vital to conveying the elemental qualities of each fae. I am perpetually discovering new ways to bring my faeries to life so they can gaze upon us humans as we admire their portraits.
This piece, “Just Venting”, sums up the release of various stressors that have been brought to the world’s attention over the past year.
★★★ Khiva Kids At Window ★★★
Karen Safer is an international, award-winning photographic artist and poet with a musical bent. A Los Angeles native, born to creative, scholarly-minded parents who encouraged her world travel (230+ countries/territories visited).
Early on, she was greatly influenced by movies, music, books, and plays, and as a student of art and history, inspired by ancients to moderns – Assyria to Cindy Sherman. She has a bachelor’s/master’s degree in Art from UCLA and California State University. She is a member of the Los Angeles Art Association, IAA-USA, Women United, Praxis Gallery, LACMA, MOCA, IAA-USA, in Who’s Who of Professional Women, ArtTour Magazine (NY), AATOLAU interview, Artist Talk Magazine (UK), Lens Magazine, etc. She was given a camera and crayons at 3 and exposed to/inspired by California motifs: light, trees, the ocean, music, and vernacular architecture that defined/influenced her left-handed aesthetic. She began taking pictures of family and friends, progressing from painting to developing black-and-white photos in college. She was fortunate to begin a life of travel as a teen that shaped her love of the exotic paired with an eye for the formal, accidental, and unusual while subliminally seeking the “beautiful” that jiggles the lens/frame of my eye.
She is featured in magazines, catalogs, and books and exhibited internationally in over 80+ galleries/museums with over 370+ exhibitions from London, Rome, Berlin, Glasgow, Budapest, Athens, Prague, Paris, Barcelona, Florence, Venice, Sao Paulo, from California to New York, winning 360+ First and other awards – most recently: Black & White SPIDER Awards nominee, 21st Julia Margaret Cameron Awards in Abstract and in Architecture categories, Botticelli International Prize in Florence, LA Art Show 2024, 17th Annual Color Awards and soon in Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, Art Expos in Basel and Armenian Modern Art Museum in Yerevan.
“A photographer has the whole world big or small to capture.” – kjs
Influences: I am a student of art, architecture, history, literature, film, and music. I have been heavily influenced by so many sources but here I’ve chosen to highlight art and photography influences from Hopper to Cartier-Bresson and from Atget to Cindy Sherman. So many influences on life from cities to nature to music and art. I love color and all its vibrance while I venerate black and white. I embrace all the many influences that have touched my art and my life deeply.
★★★ Kiss Me Hard ★★★
Wendee Yudis is a Serigraph Mixed Media Artist whose paintings and prints have been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries in NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia since the mid-1990s. Solo exhibitions include Ceres Gallery in NYC, Black Moth Gallery in Phila, and Gallery 1633 in Chicago. A selection of group exhibitions includes The Albright/Knox Museum in NY, Manhattan Graphics Center in NYC, Philadelphia Art Alliance in PA, James Oliver Gallery in Phila, PA, University of Pennsylvania: Penn Medicine in PA, CFEVA in PA, InLiquid in PA, DaVinci Art Alliance in PA, and The Trenton Museum in NJ. Select work was in a national juried competition in the Phoenix Gallery in NYC by Thelma Golden, then curator of The Whitney Museum of American Art.
Wendee Yudis received an MFA in Printmaking and Painting from Pratt Institute and a BFA in Printmaking and Photography from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also studied archaeology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and photography at Richmond College in London.
In addition to being a visual artist, Wendee works as a Graphic Designer and Art Director. Since the mid-1990s she has worked in agencies and non-profits in NYC and Philadelphia.
My art turns the definition of femininity on its head.
It examines and questions women’s roles in the world as dictated by social constructs: the ones imposed upon us – obedient child, wife, and daughter – and the ones we step into voluntarily – boss, lover, and vixen.
I use humor to explore the depths of these ideas. Womanhood cannot and should not be confined to one definition. Why do we have to be vixens or victims? Can we be both? My work explores the paradox of the powerful vs. the powerless in a manner that is both playful and sexual. The women in my work become icons who reoccur in different contexts and combinations. In this way, my work is layered with meaning. I look at the words we use to define masculinity and femininity and play with typography and context. For example, why is a bossy man synonymous with executive leadership while a bossy woman is a bitch? My bold and graphic treatment of words amplifies my ideas and by questioning the many facets of women, I embrace the freedom and power within every woman.
My primary medium is a combination of photo-silkscreen and painting. Silkscreen allows me to juxtapose and overlap a variety of images to create nuance and explore new definitions of old ideas. I use the actual silkscreen as if it’s a paintbrush, so each piece is an original. The beauty of the silkscreen process is that it allows me to experiment with translucency, opacity, layering, and pattern to explore relationships seen and unseen.
★★★ Lee ★★★
Adriana Azevedo was born in 1970 in Natal, Brazil. During the Covid pandemic lockdown, she’s unleashed her artistic passion and embraced it. As an immigrant artist based in Florida, her unique Brazilian perspective and cultural background inspire her creative expression.
She worked as an architect in Brazil for 2 decades before moving to the United States. She is proud and honored to contribute to the vibrant and diverse artistic community in the Orlando area.
I find my deepest inspiration in the fascinating worlds of Cubism and Surrealism. These influential movements have ignited my creative spirit, guiding me to explore the intricate interplay between reality and imagination on canvas.
My work is a reflection of the multifaceted nature of existence. Through the lens of Cubism, I deconstruct the ordinary, breaking down conventional forms into a tapestry of geometric shapes and angles. This allows me to unveil new dimensions within the familiar, encouraging viewers to contemplate the essence of what they see.