Turtle House

Yue Zeng is a Chinese-American self-taught artist, mother, and wife, who has been living in the United States since 2008 and currently resides in Woodbury, Minnesota. Zeng’s artistic practice focuses on oil painting, with her subjects mainly being mythical creatures and imaginary landscapes. With a style between impressionism and fantasy, she explores the vividness of their spirit in saturated colors and organic forms. Zeng’s interest in the arts started in elementary school, sparking her desire to create later in life. In her twenties, she obtained her Master in Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. In 2017 due to physical complications, Zeng had to leave the chemistry industry. Transformed by the experience, she decided to revisit her art practice and make it her career regardless of the obstacles she would face. Since then, Zeng has flourished in her artistic expression, finding her true passion in oil painting. Although Zeng explores other painting mediums such as gouache, pastel, and digital, oil and canvas feel the most natural. This medium allows her to relax and be free with the changeability of the material and exploration of color within the subjects she paints.

My paintings are an outlet to express the imagination I have inside my head that I can not put into words. After trying many mediums, I always find myself coming back to paint and brushes. In my current artistic practice, I use oil paint and mainly create portraits of mythical creatures and animals transfixed in the shifting colors of seascapes and landscapes. There is a natural spirit and magic to these creatures and their energy draws me in. Choosing to paint these creatures as real living wildlife rather than abstractions, I use bold and vivid colors to express the imagination intertwined with reality, finding magic between the seams. Using a saturated color palette, I create bold and striking imagery, contrast between foreground and background, subject and landscape, and light and darkness. Weaving their bodies and the surface of the landscape into each other through organic forms and flowing brush strokes, I find beauty, strength, and innocence in these creatures that reflect my inner world.

Tuscan Grapes

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.

Twin Dutch Irises

Steve Walag has been a photographer for nearly 50 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Religious Studies from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and a BFA in Photography from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He has enjoyed a varied career as a photojournalist, public relations photographer, freelance architectural shooter, photo instructor, and campus photographer at Inland area schools (UCR and Riverside City College). All the while, Steve has pursued his artistic path on the side, beginning decades ago with a strong affinity for the black and white photography of the West Coast “straight” photo school. It is only since 2015 that his attraction to Japanese art led him to formulate the style shown here.

Although Steve’s images may resemble paintings, they are in fact digital photographs printed on textured paper. They were inspired by traditional Japanese paintings in the centuries-old Rinpa tradition. Rinpa artists favored simple, natural subjects – flowers, trees, birds, and landscapes – set against a plain or minimized background. Steve’s fascination with Japanese art led him to emulate those works using digital imaging, lighting, software, and printing techniques.

Twirly Armdance At The Electronic Lightshow

Anna Mathai is a multidisciplinary artist based in San Francisco with a practice spanning from mixed media and painting to sculpture, decorative residential wall installations, and writing. She creates sculptural and textured works that use color, light, texture, and shadow to tell her story, and frequently works with plaster, textile, and metal. Her goal is to create things that hold some strange magic. It’s why she likes to experiment with and create new methods (like her “canvas kintsugi” and hardened silk origami). She makes works that interact with their viewers and the light around them, reflecting, shifting colors, and jumping off of the wall to mingle art and enjoyment, to transcend viewing into experiencing. She feels that the aesthetics (and a touch of whimsy) are paramount. However, on the “series level,” her work often references deeper themes from her life, such as rebellion, feminism, “otherness”, and the immigrant experience. Her work, however, is not overtly political. In her mind, her art generally reflects on boundaries, both real and imagined and blurs them.

Mathai was born in the UK to Indian parents but spent most of her childhood in the rural Deep South. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Rice University after graduating from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and Arts, then went to medical school, and eventually law school, later practicing as an entertainment lawyer. Since pursuing her art professionally, her work has been featured in international art magazines and exhibited nationwide. In her other time, she writes lyrics and screenplays, enjoys nature with her Australian Shepherd, and Cowboy, and tests jokes on friends and family.

I create sculptural and textured works that use color, light, texture, and shadow to tell my story, and frequently work with plaster, textile, and metal. I want to create things that hold some sort of strange magic. It’s why I like to experiment with new methods and create works that interact with their viewers and the light around them, jumping out of the canvas to mingle art and enjoyment, to transcend viewing into experiencing. I feel that the aesthetic (and a touch of whimsy) is paramount, though on the “series level,” my works sometimes reference deeper themes from my life, including those of rebellion, feminism, and the immigrant experience. My work is not overtly political, and it would be unlike me to have one meaning for any single work—in fact, the exploration of dualities and the blurring of them is conceptually central to most of my art. Even in my poetic writing, I find beauty in the multiplicity and ambiguity of meaning. So, I prefer to avoid prescribing meaning to each work and let the viewer interact with it themselves, adding to the art with their own interpretation. It’s a sort of acceptance of all meanings: each one is true as it applies to you—I call it my “quantum art” philosophy. All that being said, in my mind, my work generally reflects on boundaries, both real and imagined, and blurs them.

Twisted Rose

Joanne M. Meurer is the creative director and founder of ReInvent Strategies, Inc., a boutique marketing and branding firm located in NYC. She brings over two decades of corporate branding and strategic marketing expertise to New York City’s entrepreneurial landscape. As Creative Director, she ensures businesses authentically represent themselves in print and online, fostering their unique identity.

Joanne’s impact extends beyond marketing; her Acrylic Mixed Media works have been displayed at several galleries across NYC and Brooklyn, solidifying her presence in the artistic community.

Joanne’s commitment to the arts is evident through her involvement with BWAC and “Art on The Terrace,” which demonstrate her dedication to fostering artistic expression. Currently represented by NYC Arts Empire, her artwork has been displayed on the NASDAQ Billboard in Times Square, Big Screen Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, and several KIOSK throughout NYC, further underscoring her significance in both the marketing and art spheres.

I am Joanne Meurer, an artist who thrives on the interplay of mood, music, and materiality. My creative journey is a fusion of passion and precision, where the rhythms of rock and jazz-funk electrify my canvas, igniting a symphony of color and texture.

As a graphic designer by trade, my work is defined by meticulous detail and deliberate composition. Yet, beneath the surface lies a wild spontaneity—an untamed energy that pulses with the complex cadences of electric guitar solos and soulful jazz melodies.
Music is my muse, infusing each piece with an ethereal vitality that transcends the ordinary.

Whether inspired by the pulsating beats of global events or the intimate whispers of my innermost thoughts, my art reflects the world as seen through the lens of my consciousness.

Exploring beyond the confines of traditional art, I embrace the challenge of sculpting three-dimensional forms that mirror the depth of my personality and aspirations. Like a master craftsman, I mold form and substance into expressions of dimensionality, inviting viewers to journey beyond the surface and uncover the hidden layers beneath.

When you encounter my work, what may initially appear as a distant tableau soon reveals itself as a vibrant tapestry of complexity and nuance. With each brushstroke and every note, I invite you to delve deeper into the kaleidoscope of my soul—a realm where light and shadow dance in harmony, where chaos and order merge to form a symphony of expression.

In every moment, in every creation, I rediscover myself—a seeker, a storyteller, a dreamer of boundless possibilities. Through my art, I invite you to join me on this timeless voyage of discovery, where the journey is as infinite as the creative spirit itself.

Two Pink Roses

U – Pick Strawberry Day

Karen Romani is a watercolor artist living in the Midwest. She’s originally from New York, but decided to go to St. Louis for college and decided to stay. She married after college and has 3 wonderful grown children and 5 grandchildren. Her art journey started after retiring from a career as a Physical Therapist. Always creative and looking for something fun to do, she came across a watercolor class. From that moment, she was hooked. Her career in art has allowed her to meet a wonderful group of people and taken her to places she only dreamed of going to in the past. Karen joined several art guilds, became a Signature Member of several Societies around the country, and has entered and won awards in some of the country’s most prestigious societies.

As a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, Karen has attended the annual conference, enabling her to take classes with some of the best botanical artists around the world.

Karen is presently teaching and sharing her art with galleries in St. Louis and around the country. Karen couldn’t think of a better way to spend her retirement years, which includes spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Botanical art has been my focus for several years, working in watercolor and encaustic wax. I’ve dedicated my energy to education and practice of all forms of flora, mostly representational work. The more detailed, the better. My work is vivid, with a focus on intense colors, especially lights and darks. Vegetables, especially cabbage, have caught my attention. These ornamental cabbages have a variety of colors and interesting forms. These paintings are so fun to paint.

Umbrella Stroll By The Eiffel Tower

Raffi Bashlian’s photography beautifully weaves together themes of resilience and the complexity of human experiences. With a rich cultural background from cities like San Francisco, London, New York, and now Paris, Raffi infuses his art with a global perspective. His dual roles as a clinician and researcher lend depth to his visual narratives, allowing him to capture emotional nuances with scientific precision. The stark contrasts he observed during Lebanon’s civil war—where destruction meets renewal—serve as a powerful backdrop for his storytelling.

Through his lens, Raffi reveals the hidden beauty in everyday life, encouraging viewers to appreciate both the simplicity and intricacies of existence. Each image he captures symbolizes survival and transformation, inspiring hope and resilience in those who engage with his work. His art transcends traditional photography, creating an immersive tapestry of cultural narratives that foster connection and reflection, celebrating the essence of life and the extraordinary stories within ordinary moments.

Raffi’s award-winning portfolio spans diverse genres, ignited by a transformative safari experience in Africa in 2013. From the majesty of wildlife to urban architecture and vibrant street scenes, his keen eye captures unique moments that tell compelling stories. His understanding of composition, timing, and gesture reveals a passion for symmetry and balance, whether in striking black and white or vibrant colors. For Raffi, photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about seeing the world through a fresh lens and expressing his artistic voice. Each photograph reflects his commitment to uncovering the beauty and complexity of everyday life, inviting us to discover hidden treasures in the most unexpected places.

In the “Where Worlds Meet” exhibition, my photographic series explores the dynamic interplay of urban landscapes and the ethereal realms of imagination. I have always been very curious about our wonderful world and what it visually offers. What fascinates me about photography is the ability to start a narrative, while leaving it open for interpretation by the viewer. My work ranges from abstract compositions to simple and straightforward images. When I witness a scene, I strive to visualize it as I experience it, seeking the perfect angle and patiently waiting for the ideal moment and lighting to capture it. This process can be spontaneous or require hours of dedication. Photography not only feeds my imagination but also excites my mind. It takes me to beautiful places, both physically and spiritually. I find it to be a therapeutic and fulfilling art form. I hope you enjoy my work and find your own stories within it.

Through these works, I aim to build bridges across perceived divides, inspiring audiences to embrace the multifaceted nature of connectivity and coexistence. My artistic vision seeks to celebrate the beauty and complexity that emerges when different worlds, identities, and elements meet, intertwine, and coexist within the realm of artistic expression.

Uncharted

Jody Nelson is a Palm Desert, California-based mixed media artist whose layered, luminous paintings have been featured in juried exhibitions and both group and solo shows, with original work available through Saatchi Art and held in private collections across the United States and Canada. Drawn to expressive color, richly built-up surfaces, and the emotional resonance of still moments, her paintings transform the quiet textures of everyday life into bold, joyful works. Working in acrylic, pastel, and collage, Nelson builds each painting through layers of torn paper and mark-making, creating surfaces that carry their own history before the figure arrives. Each piece balances energy with calm — an ongoing invitation to pause, to notice, and to find beauty in the ordinary.

I paint women in the quiet moments — not the moments the world sees, but the ones that happen in between. The exhale after the effort. The stillness that arrives when we finally stop moving long enough to feel something.
My work is built in layers — torn paper, acrylic, pastel, and mark-making — each surface carrying its own history before the figure arrives. The women I paint are never performing. They are resting, remembering, belonging to themselves and to each other. Emotion, for me, lives in the body before it reaches the face. In shoulders that relax. In feet sinking into warm sand. In a chin lifted toward the sun.