Rising

At 65, after decades of not creating art, Lisa Joy Newcomb reinvented herself as an artist.

Ms Newcomb has been honored with one best-of-show, four first-place awards in photography, a second-place award in abstract photography, and a third-place award. She has had three one-woman shows. One through Artel Gallery, one through the University of Delaware, and now one through HMVC Gallery, New York. Her work has been seen from coast to coast, including several times through the HMVC Gallery in New York and the Las LaGuna Gallery in California. Pictorem, based out of Montreal, Canada, has Lisa as a featured artist. Ms. Newcomb’s work has been seen in public arenas including New York’s Times Square electronic billboards, Montgomery International Airport, the Regions Bank Corporate Gallery in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sanger Theater in Pensacola, Florida, and the Hilton Hotel Pensacola Beach, Florida. Two books have also been presented to Lisa Joy Newcomb. They are: “Nobis II, 2023” and ”Emerald Coast Review, 2023”.

The photographs she creates are abstractions in fluidity, rich in joy and filled with color, pattern, curiosity, and a gentle message. The dance of light that for most of her life she sought in the ocean, she is now looking for in the melding of glass and fabric, with occasional surprise elements. Lisa’s work is usually printed on aluminum using high-definition ChromaLuxe sublimation.

Ms Newcomb’s highest degree is a master’s in social work. Professionally, she worked as a social worker and as a realtor. She was raised in the Mid-Atlantic, experienced her young adulthood in New England and the Midwest, and for the last 28 years, the Deep South has been home with her husband. It was in the Deep South that she raised an interesting, dynamic, kind-hearted daughter. Lisa was a docent sequentially at the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Art for over 17 years. She is currently a national member of Pen Women.

Ms Newcomb’s uplifting work can be seen on her website at Pictorem. You may order there to your specifications.

I create photos as peaceful, playful, healing stimuli while I make observations of humanity and the environment. Drawing upon different objects, I explore melding them into a unified whole. Part of my process is setting up compositions, in the form of an assemblage, visually weaving together beautiful glass, flowing fabric, with vibrant colors and patterns into integrated fluid formations, seeking to reshape light, pattern, and color into a visual oasis. I then tightly crop and photograph. My intent is to transcend and transform objects into images that visually excite while calming the soul, often with a gentle message.

A lifelong passion for art and artists influenced my work. I nod to Miriam Schapiro, a leader in the Pattern and Decoration Movement. Having lived much of my life by the shore, I have always loved the play of light in watery reflections. I am drawn to artists who capture light. Sand Stephen Rolfe Powell’s glass delights me. Mark Rothko believed in the visceral effect of color. He wanted people to have an experience within his pictures. I seek to have my work viscerally effect the viewer.

CromaLuxe high definition images printed on aluminum are my preferred substrate. The reflective surface enhances and enriches the dynamics of the glass used in my imagery. Images can be ordered in small jewel-like prints or large dynamic pieces.

Rita

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.

Ritu-Samhara (Medley Of Seasons)

Nupur Nishith is a USA-based, award-winning artist inspired by Mithila or Madhubani paintings. Roots in Darbhanga-Madhubani, like any Maithil girl, Nupur inherited Mithila Art from her Mother, Dr Mridula Prakash, the first PhD in History of Mithila Painting. She did an MBA and pursued a career in Marketing and Banking with Bank of Baroda. Relocated to the US when her husband was transferred to the New York office in 2011. She rediscovered her art and developed her unique and distinct style in the contemporary art world with a traditional art form, using varied themes and tools. Works on various surfaces ranging from Paper, Canvas, Glass, Clay, Ceramic, Wood, Aluminum, Murals on walls, ceilings, and floors, and installations to Digital tools and software. Her painting Dheeya was awarded by a jury from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), NY. Her art has featured in United Nations, Consulate General Of India, NY, Disney family house, Dr Harvey Manes, Nassau County Museum of Art, NY, Asian Art Museum, SFO, CA, Gracie Mansion, New York Mayor Residence, CBS Sunday Morning News, ABC7 News, News12 NY, Huffington Post, Daily California, Indian National Award winning movie Mithila Makhaan among others. With more than 60 exhibitions in the US, she has 8 Solo exhibitions and around 6 Curatorial ventures. Art Ambassador to share dias as a Speaker for Art and Culture of Bihar with Hon. Consulate General of India, NY, and Emmy Nominated Host to some of the internationally acclaimed people, International Mithila Mahila Summit, Nupur is a great advocate of Mithila Art and Culture globally. Nupur actively supports other Artists as one of the leaders in various art organizations, including former Vice President, Pro Arts, the leading art group in New Jersey. She is the founder of Creative Mithila, which intends to promote Mithila Art globally.

I practice art inspired by Mithila or Madhubani folk art from India. I paint on canvas, paper, cloth, wood, ceramic, terracotta, glass, aluminum, along with murals on walls, ceilings, floors, and 3D installations. Even digital paintings for an even wider reach. I have evolved a unique style of art with an amalgamation of traditional motifs of ancient folk art with modern contemporary themes and tools with global appeal.

Mithila Artform is famous for the details in the paintings in a flat two-dimensional perspective with no shading or overlapping. Taking it to the next level, I draw inspiration for my art from my experience and surroundings. I visualize objects and situations in perspective to create the symbolic motifs and designs that make my art unique and distinct. Mithila paintings use natural and bright colors with symbolic distinct features, which I never hesitate to experiment with while conserving the essence of the art form. While a set of my paintings is inspired by the colors in the artform, mostly primary colors, the other set is mostly black and white or subtle use of a few colors in line work, also inspired by the artform. Paints range from various contemporary commercial paints to natural vegetable paints used with brush or dip nibs. I like to work mostly freehand without using any stencils or pattern tools on my projects.

I have learned through observation and everyday experiments. During research and production, new areas of interest arise and lead to the next body of work. So, every piece that I create has a story to tell based on the research and its process of development

Roll 1,2,3

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.

Roma Tomatoes

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.

Rose And Sage

Freedom is a universal need that resonates deeply with all of us. It encompasses the freedom of speech, the liberty to embrace our true selves, and the empowerment to create from our innermost being.

Ori Gjyli’s, abstract art is born from this longing for liberty. In 2020, amidst a period of isolation, Ori found solace and liberation in the creation of her abstract pieces. With an MFA in Graphics Arts, she made the transition from traditional, precision-based art to a more soul-stirring form of expression.

Driven by a longing to experience the freedom and the euphoria that nature evokes, surrounded by a myriad of colors, her expressive canvases, composed of layers of acrylic paint, portray a personal journey of imagination, embodying creativity and passion. Each stroke and hue encapsulates her boundless creativity and unwavering passion, offering a glimpse into her inner world.

Currently living in Austin, Texas, and having lived, studied, and traveled in four different countries, Ori Gjyli believes that these cultural experiences have enriched her perspective, fostering a deep appreciation for authenticity and the innate beauty that pervades the world around us.

I have always drawn inspiration from the dynamic visual forces of nature and my surroundings. My artwork reflects the beauty and romance of the world around me, capturing my inner emotions, memories, and history. Whether it is a poem, a song, a heartwarming story, or a breathtaking view, I infuse each with vibrant colors and brushstrokes drawn from my memories and imagination. I strive to convey the physical and emotional beauty of the world through my art. My goal is to create evocative abstract paintings that explore the potential of color and form to evoke sensations of energy, emotion, and authenticity.

Round + Round Bear Tree

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.

Royal Couple

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.

Ruby Cabbage

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.