Paint To Me
I am a first-generation Ecuadorian American artist, born and raised with a passion for creativity. From a young age, I was drawn to the vibrant world of graffiti, a love that not only shaped my artistic vision but also led me to win multiple competitions, including mural contests. In high school, I was honored to be voted “Most Artistic,” an acknowledgment that fueled my desire to pursue art in all its forms.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, I developed a strong foundation in design and structure, which seamlessly blends into my work as both an artist and a third-generation stone mason. I am the owner of Art in Stone Masonry and Design, a company that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind stone works, combining my architectural skills with my family’s craftsmanship traditions.
Painting has always been an integral part of my life. While I’ve explored various styles, my current focus is abstract painting, where I express emotion and energy through color, texture, and form. My art is a reflection of my journey, influenced by my cultural roots, my experiences in the world of
As an avid traveler, my work is deeply influenced by new experiences, unfamiliar landscapes, and fleeting encounters. I am drawn to abstract faces—sometimes inspired by people I meet along the way, but more often, reflections of myself. Each piece becomes a visual diary, capturing emotions, moments, and memories that words cannot fully express.
My process is intuitive and unrestrained. I begin by emptying my mind, allowing color to lead the way. The shades and tones I choose are often those that stood out to me during my travels—vivid hues from a bustling city, muted earth tones from a quiet desert, or the unexpected contrast of light and shadow. Using brushes, spray paint, or scraping techniques, I layer and distort until a face emerges, raw and undefined, yet deeply familiar.
I believe my best work comes when I stop thinking and simply let it flow. In that space of pure instinct, I find truth—not just in the faces I create, but in the connection between movement, memory, and emotion.
Paintbrush In Water
Sylvia Bandyke, Royal Oak, MI, USA, is largely a self-taught photographer, having taken studio and art history classes in college. She began her art career by displaying photo collages in ArtPrize, an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, MI, from 2014 to 2018. Subsequently, she has been juried into more than 100 group exhibitions in 24 states and accepted into numerous online international exhibitions. An awarded artist, she keeps an eye open for interesting views of a subject while looking for hidden beauty every day. Most recently, she was a caregiver to her elderly mother and was able to create some memorable, unique art as a result of this experience.
I prefer using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is even more compelling because of the embedded story. Having been a playwright and technical writer, I am accustomed to delivering content with a message. So now, as a visual communicator, I continue to provide meaning via the structure of the collage format, wherein the four photos confirm, augment, or even contradict each other if warranted. I enjoy offering the richness that the multiplicity of images provides, along with the impact gained through thoughtful positioning of them. Ultimately, I intend to have my work act as a doorway to the viewer’s own mental and emotional framework regarding the collection of images, perhaps finding their own very personal meaning in them.
Painted Cubes
For 3 decades, Peter Hriso has worked as an artist and animator in various positions. He is a Professor of Digital Animation and coordinates the MA in Art and Design program at Kennesaw State University. He imparts his knowledge and expertise to students by teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in animation and motion design.
Peter Hriso has been a dedicated artist and animator for more than three decades, holding various positions in the field. He currently serves as a Professor of Digital Animation at Kennesaw State University, where he also coordinates the MA in Art and Design program. Through his teaching of animation and motion design courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Peter shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise with his students.
My work investigates repetition, modularity, and rhythm within digital space, exploring how simple geometric forms can accumulate into complex architectural landscapes. Using 3D animation software, I construct layered systems of blocks and tiles that balance order with subtle irregularities. The interplay of opaque, translucent, and textured surfaces creates shifting patterns of light and depth, transforming static structures into dynamic visual experiences.
These compositions—ranging from stacked translucent panels to painted cubes and soft, fabric-like blocks—highlight the tension between rigidity and softness, as well as uniformity and variation. Each piece becomes a meditation on structure and fragility, evoking both digital precision and tactile materiality. By abstracting architectural and industrial references into playful, modular forms, I invite viewers to reflect on how repetition and variation shape the environments we inhabit, both in reality and in imagination.
Pancakes
Ronaldo Byrd was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is a Contemporary Hip “Pop” Artist who began painting at the tender age of 3. As an early teen, Byrd was accepted to and attended Art Instruction School, which boasts graduate, Charles Schulz. He graduated and received a Diploma in Art from Art Instruction School at age 16. While enrolled in the course, Byrd was also attending The High School of Art and Design in New York City, before moving to Burlington, New Jersey. Byrd then was accepted to and attended Burlington County Institute of Technology, where he majored in and received a Diploma in the field of Advertising Art and Design. Byrd is mostly a self-taught Artist who has developed his own style of art and his own characters, which he puts in phenomenal scenes. He has shown his work in several galleries, including a solo show at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Byrd and his artwork have also been featured in several newspapers and magazines. One of which includes, The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has also been a feature story on CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Byrd’s message to the world through his artwork is one of love and acceptance. His hope is to convey this as boldly and as beautifully as he can.
I am a Contemporary Hip “Pop” Artist who just happens to be on the Autistic Spectrum. My artwork focuses on the fact that everyone is beautiful regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. The bold colors I use represent the way I see the world. There is beauty in everything I see and I believe that everyone has something to offer to the world in their own special and unique way. Thus, I have been deemed “The Artist of Happiness” because of the joy that my artwork brings to countless people. My art and I represent differences and my hope and goal is for the entire world to be able to see beauty and acceptance through my eyes—-the eyes of an artist.
Panghat II
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.
Paradise
Kylo-Patrick Hart is an award-winning photographer and chair of the Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas, USA). He received his formal training in digital media arts while a student at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, with additional instruction provided by offerings of the Maine Media Workshops and Santa Fe Workshops. His photographs have been exhibited in numerous cities throughout the United States and in several countries abroad.
Photography has been my passion since early childhood. My motivation is to discover and capture the beauty, even when it is not always readily self-evident, that surrounds us continuously in all areas of our everyday lives. I believe the finest images are those that are serious yet playful, aesthetically appealing yet a bit quirky. As both an artist and an admirer, my favorite photographs tend to be ones whose contents speak loudly for themselves — even when it is not immediately clear exactly what they are saying.
Paris Blooms
In my work, I explore the transformative power of abstraction; how color, texture, and form can combine to create something far greater than their individual parts. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, watching my mother paint. She taught me to paint what you know, and how you see and feel it. I add texture that pops off the canvas and tricks the eyes into feeling the bumpy tree trunk. I use my palette knife to paint just as much as my brushes. Unless I’m working on a commission, I rarely know what the end of my painting is going to look like. Experimentation is the most gratifying part of the painting process. Each painting begins with a variety of underpainting techniques, including alcohol ink, mixed media paper, texture, and sometimes oil pastels. After the underpainting sets, I finish my story with oils for a rich finishing layer of depth. The layers of texture invite viewers to see beyond the flat surface of a landscape or portrait. The gold woven into my paintings is a reminder of the beauty and magic found in unexpected places. My inspiration is driven by the colors of nature and the emotions of gratitude. I’d like to think each piece I create will give some warmth and brightness to whoever stands in front of it.
When we face adversity, whether it be loss, failure, or emotional upheaval, we are forced to confront vulnerabilities and weaknesses. It’s in this confrontation that healing and growth occur. Last year was a difficult year personally for me, as I lost my mother to cancer, and I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Through my treatment, I felt so overwhelmed by a range of emotions that eventually inspired my artwork. My current collection symbolizes the unique process of overcoming emotional trauma and evolving into a more resilient, gracious, and powerful version of oneself. Each piece is a visual and sensory narrative of my personal experience, a reflection of both the struggle and the eventual emergence of strength and clarity, or even a simple moment of gratitude for the earth’s gifts we receive. The works share not the grief and despair, but the rebirth and awakening of a new beginning by including imagery that inspires and connects with the viewers. My hope is to encourage, connect, console, and give hope to others who may need comfort in the notion that we are resilient creatures. Collaboratively, the collection of artwork is bright, expansive, full of vibrant colors, fluid lines, and forms that are whole or mended. Lavish underpaintings of mixed media and layers of emotion reflecting my personal evolution and a universal invitation to the audience to see the potential for resilience and hope in their own lives, no matter how difficult their journey may seem. “The Journey of Resilience” is a message of hope, gratitude, and perseverance to anyone sharing the same difficult path in life.
Passage
Wallace Brown earned her MFA in Studio Art from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) and a BFA in drawing and painting from CVAD at the University of North Texas (Denton, TX). Selected venues exhibiting her work include The Dallas Contemporary, UTD Haggerty Gallery, Hawn Gallery, The Dallas Art Fair, The 500X Gallery, Mighty Fine Arts Gallery, Studio 832, Axis Gallery, and Texas State University.
Abstract art from the early 20th century in Western Europe provides the springboard for her idiosyncratic paintings on canvas, paper, and wall. Theo Van Doesburg, associated with De Stijl from 1917 to 1931, along with the artist educators of the Bauhaus School from 1919 to 1933, are stalwart influences on her work. Research material to support her current inquiry comes directly from Joseph Albers’ Interaction of Color, 1963, Yale University.
Originally from Dallas, Wallace Brown lives and works in Austin, Texas.
Color has multiple infinities. Color has behavior. To speak in terms of hue over-simplifies our comprehensive understanding regarding the orchestration of light reflection and refraction within constantly changing environments. I begin a painting with an idea about the simultaneous contrast of color as described by Joseph Albers in the book Interaction of Color. Repetition of the hand-painted brushstroke is a meditative process that allows me to create form using color and shape alone. I read abstract art as one would read a book. The visual elements act as language without words.
Passage Through Crimson Lights
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.