Toledo Street

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.

Too Much To Dream

Born and raised in the tough Italian neighborhood of Ducktown, Atlantic City, NJ, John Calabrese currently resides in Denton, Texas with his wife Margaret. He received his BA in Art from Catholic University, Washington, D. C., MFA in painting from Pratt Institute and his PhD in Comparative Arts from Ohio University.
He is Professor Emeritus of art at Texas Woman’s University where he taught art history, aesthetics, history of film noir, the art of Alfred Hitchcock, and was in charge of the studies abroad art history program which he initiated in 1994. He has published articles on Paul Klee, J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” and “The Trouble with Harry.”

He has painted the boxer Joe Frazier and drawn portraits of Frank Sinatra and Mickey Mantle. He had coffee with Joe DiMaggio and is a lifelong Yankees fan.
His work has been exhibited in numerous national juried exhibits among which are: “Wanderlust” Art Fluent Online Gallery, MA; “Intergalactic Open” Shock Boxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA; 14th Annual Contemporary International Drawing Discourse, Univ. of NC, Ashville; 28th Arts North International, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN; and the upcoming CAL International, Conroe Art League, Conroe, TX and another “Wanderlust” Webster Arts Gallery, Webster Groves, MO.

Delicate nuance of value and texture become tools in conveying powerful dramatic statements about earthly beings who are not afraid to wonder, think, dream, and take that one step beyond.

The inhabitants of the cosmic atmosphere appear at odds with their surroundings, (many of which are actually specifically named astronomical objects). This is the result when the merely earthly confronts its unavoidable connection to the awe, mystery, and majesty of the heavens.

However, when fragile earthly beauty confronts sublime heavenly beauty, the earthly is reverently and silently humbled.

I would like to dedicate this exhibit to the memory of my dear friends Chris, Desi, and Franco.

I greatly appreciate HMVC Gallery New York for this opportunity to showcase my drawings.

Treasure Under The Sea

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 of 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 Mogul 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.

Tree Of Life 2.0

I’m a paper artist deeply inspired by nature, culture, and personal connections. Using the ancient art form of quilling, I transform strips of paper into intricate, vibrant compositions that tell meaningful stories. Originally from India and now based in the U.S., I blend traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, often collaborating with illustrators to add depth and emotion to my work. Each piece is a reflection of my journey—rich in color, texture, and intention. From wall art to fine jewelry, I create with the hope that every design evokes joy, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. My work has been part of gallery exhibits, art shows, and cherished as personalized gifts that celebrate love and identity. Whether it’s a Tree of Life, a mandala, or a custom initial, my art is a quiet offering of beauty in a fast-paced world. I believe in the power of handmade and in making art that connects people deeply.

In a world teeming with patterns, where chaos and structure intermingle, my dual passion as an engineer and artist is ignited. Fascinated by the harmony that emerges from shapes and colors, I found my medium of expression in the ancient art of quilling. Through Paper Sweetly, born in 2016, I embarked on a creative journey that began with paper jewelry and expanded to encompass a diverse range of art forms, from earrings and necklaces to wall art and sculptures.

Within the confines of my San Jose home studio, I immerse myself in the process of translating my perceptions, moods, and glimpses of inspiration into tangible creations. With each sketch, color selection, and delicate curling of paper, I witness the transformation of intangible ideas into exquisite reality. The entire journey, from inception to completion, fills me with an overwhelming sense of joy and relief from stress.

Tree Of Life Hope

Lynn Sposito was born and raised on Long Island, NY. Spending summer vacations in the upstate region of NY, Lynn found a deep connectedness to nature and her spirituality. It was then that her desire to share that love through art was born. Beneath the canopies of evergreens or sitting in the middle of the lake in the Adirondack Mountains, she painted and penned poetry. As a young mother reading picture books to her children, Lynn was inspired to create her bold technique of Painted Mâché, using hand-painted tissue paper for her unique creations.

Lynn is now located in Central Florida, USA. Her unique style of art has earned her recognition worldwide, receiving Awards of Merit for her art. She has been featured in several spotlight interviews such as Orlando Voyager Magazine and The Healing Power of Art and Artists. Lynn has showcased her artwork worldwide and her piece “Against the Odds” resides in the permanent collection in a private Museum in Athens, Greece.

Channeling energies inherent to life itself, I wish to ignite connections within my viewers through my art. I’m inspired by qualities illustrators engage within the pages of children’s books, captivated with movement & energy evoked through cuts of paper. Inspired, I experimented with the paper’s fragmentations. Through a collage process, art emerges reminiscent of stained glass & mosaics. Using tissue paper & different media, what I call “Painted Mâché” is born. Examining the natural world that binds us together, as the figurative dissolves into abstractions, I distance myself from reality, pushing towards the surreal. I unearth the intangible journeys we embark on, exploring symbolism & visual metaphors, unveiling the dichotomies of existence – love/ pain, night/day, life/death. Tapping into these terrestrial & spiritual energies, as boundless as the universe itself, I evoke emotions that resonate with viewers as individuals, a collective, & humans sharing this planet we call home.

Tree Of Life Unity

Tree Soul

Trio Of Specimens

Jared Konopitski is an artist living and working in Sacramento, California. Jared works in many mediums; however, he primarily works with acrylic paintings. Jared has worked with many clients such as Art O Mat, Turning Art, Wide Open Walls, and more. In addition, Jared has curated numerous gallery shows and corporate art seminars. In his spare time, he enjoys facilitating art workshops with a focus on early art education. His work has been exhibited at galleries, festivals, and museums across the US and internationally, including:

The Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.
The Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
The Mutter Museum, Philadelphia, PA.
Stranger Factory, Algodones, New Mexico
Giant Robot, Los Angeles, CA
Baton Rouge Gallery, Surreal Salon, Louisiana

Jared has had his work seen in:

Adbusters Magazine(2023)
Juxtapoz.com (2018)
PBS Art Showcase television show (2015 – 2017)
The New Yorker (2014)
Color Ink Book (2013)
Papercut Magazine (2013)
Arcana’s Steampunk Originals (2013)
Heavy Metal Magazine (2012)
Catapult Magazine (2012), DisColouring Book (2012)
Penumbra eZine (2012)
And Wow! Cool! Psycho Nurse Calendar (2011)

Awards:
KVIE Art Auction Curator Award – 2019

I am inspired by all things beautifully weird, such as monsters, the bugs living under the rocks, creatures in jars, ghosts, all the nooks and crannies of nature. But I am also inspired by comics, cartoons, noise music and neon anything. So I try to paint the way these things make me feel. Sometimes it comes out fun, sometimes scary, sometimes cute, and sometimes ugly. But I love it all. I prefer painting with acrylics on wood. And after the acrylics are laid down, I love to go over everything with black Ink. The black ink brings out the detail and gives the whole painting a better sense of flow.