NUE ARTS Charleston

2024 NUE ARTS EDITION

CHARLESTON

Spring

“BEAUTY IS PAIN” BUT IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE

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Cover Artist: John McManus

As told to us by John McManus: I was a self-taught photographer for about 40 years. My work ranged from representational photographs early on and gradually moving to semi-abstract minimalism. I decided to try my hand at oil painting in April of 2022. Working with oils, again self-taught, I began

with representational paintings of landscapes and seascapes. My direction recently has gone more towards semi-abstract and full abstract paintings. I feel working this way frees up my imagination to explore the process of painting from composition to color to technique. My hope is to grow as an artist.

Tianova

The artist Tatiana Sukhanova who goes by “Tianova” grew up in Kazakhstan. Tianova followed her artistic passions and first earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and then a Master’s of Fine Arts. Wanting to experience the world of fashion, she moved to New York in 1999. Tianova emerged herself working in the fashion industry while she enjoyed creating her art.

In 2022, Tianova suffered a severe injury resulting in a concussion, amnesia, and broken dominant arm. This changed everything. This was a reboot. All past ideas and training on how to paint were broken and had to be re-

Transporting the Viewer

constructed. She was forced to switch arms for painting and realism was increasingly difficult. This was a beginning. Like a cracked egg, she emerged with a different style based on her core.

Tianova relocated to Savannah in 2023 to pursue her distinctive style of art in painting. She enjoys painting cityscapes, landscapes, still life, and abstract art in her unique view of the world. Savannah has a strong local art community. The city with its historic charm has proven to be the ideal location for having her studio and gallery. Just going to her place in City Market inspires her with the histori-

between Realism and Dreamscape

cal architecture, relaxed cultural atmosphere, and abundance of music. Tianova embodies this beautiful southern city in her work, but there is something more that she adds. Tianova has synesthesia.

Tianova’s art captures the intimacy of solitude and silence. She transports the viewer to a place between realism and a magical dreamscape. The view from a distance draws attention to experience the strong emotional mesmerizing moment in time. Without being clearly defined, the dreamlike atmosphere allows one to delve into a comfortable experience. Blank spaces allow one to fill in the

scene with their thoughts and emotions. A peaceful trance or relived memory, the paintings offer a nostalgic journey.

Tianova’s art helps us reflect on the past and explore our future. Interpretation often changes as does one’s mood, the sign of good art.

Tianova has a unique style of spatial realism. Cityscapes are depicted within the same plane and realistic framework. The effect is three-dimensional and dynamic due to the expressive nature of painting. Tianova captures a mesmerizing moment of solitude and silence. The use of negative space allows interpretation of one’s state of mind

at that moment. Painting musicians directly reflects her synesthesia. Music is a constant companion for her creativity, especially classical music, any instrument. Tianova’s mission is for the viewer to be illusively lured, regardless of the emotion, into a world of escapism and dreams.

Recently music and musicians have become a new favorite theme for her art. Painting the music she hears is easily expressed in the freer abstract medium. Her synesthesia was set free. No longer shackled to attempting to paint with normal hues, Tianova emerged from her shell painting the colors she hears. Monochromatic hues and auras dominate her artistic evolution. Songs, musicians and their instruments, and cityscapes take on dreamy qualities.

Tianova’s primary tools for painting is oil on canvas using palette knives. She adds gold or silver leaf to create a unique mirror for the viewer to ponder. This medium is conducive to constructing rich textures. It also allows more spontaneity to quickly capture the artist’s imagination and feeling. Painting a song needs to be captured in the moment.

Lately, Tianova is exploring issues that affect our culture and her love for music. Pushing boundaries and having fun with experimentation opens new doors for her artwork with

musicians and their instruments painted in a figurative abstract style. Listening to the music, Tianova visualizes, forms, shapes, and colors that reflect on the story of the song. While most observers would be surprised by Tianova’s view of people and places, she feels just the opposite. All her life she has seen a specific color in a name. The hues of a song. The aura surrounding people and the change in color with that person’s mood. Sensing feelings and seeing distinctive dominant colors has always been the norm for Tianova. Occasionally, she sees the normal spectrum of colors for the world around her, other times it’s like a black and white movie or just a monochromatic mood. No longer struggling to find society’s color palette, Tianova shows us the world through her eyes.

Tianova: tianovafineart.com @tianova__art

Genevieve Redding

Painting Beauty and Pain

Genevieve Redding is a contemporary realist painter based in Charleston. Themes in her work include the juxtaposition of beauty and pain, and melancholy, or the happiness of being sad. Mediums include oil paint, watercolor, and charcoal, through which she explores the transformative effects of light and color, as well as, the abstraction of figurative subjects. Through her work Genevieve combines contemporary with traditional painting techniques. Genevieve’s artwork has been exhibited at the Opera Gallery in New York and in a solo exhibition at gallerinanyc. Her work has been featured in China’s Huihuatang art magazine in 2022 and in Milan’s Neoque magazine, Fall 2020. Genevieve is a graduate of The Savannah College of Art & Design.

Artist Portfolio Elaine Schloss

At 81, Schloss is still learning, evolving, and loving the creative process

Elaine Schloss: (top row, left) In The Stillness of Thought, acrylic on paper, 18 x 24”; (top row, right) Nude on a Yellow Throw, acrylic on paper, 18 x 24”; (above left) The Red Gloves, acrylic on paper, 18 x 24” (above center) Cradling Dreams, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20”, (above right) Contemplation, pastel on vellum with turpenoid wash, 18 x 24”

Elaine Schloss’ work has been represented at The Manhattan Art and Antique Center in NY, the Franklin Antique Center in Nyack, NY, and the Helen Hayes Theater benefit auction in Nyack, NY. She had one-woman shows at The Turning Point restaurant in Piermont, NY; the Nyack Art Walk at Café Barcel; the Valley Cottage Library and Nyack Library; and her work is in many private collections.

In 2022, she was selected as one of 9 artists out of 1800 applicants to win the Kessler Hotels’ “The Next Originals” title, awarding her representation in the hotel’s 6 “Grand Bohemian Galleries”.

Here Elaine Schloss describes her artistic approach:

I have been an artist all of my life. I am also an actor/singer and musical theater writer, which is why, perhaps, I love the drama of color and line. Sometimes, I work

Elaine Schloss: (top left) Male Nude against a Red Wall, acryllic on paper, 18 x 24" [at Kessler Grand Bohemian Gallery]; (bottom left) I’m Listening, No Judgement, acryllic on paper,18 x 24”; (above) The Yellow Hat, acryllic on canvas,18 x 24” [sold at Kessler Grand Bohemian Gallery]

(above) The Red Gloves 2, acryllic on paper,18 x 24”; (top right) Conversation, acryllic on paper,18 x 24”; (bottom right) The Color of Thought, acrylic on canvas,16 x 20”

Elaine Schloss’ work can be found at: grandbohemiangallery.com IG: @hazelhazeltwo_elaine_schloss elaineschloss.com

in realistic, sometimes in semiabstract forms; but it has always been about the face and the figure, the emotion and the form—and color. No matter how abstract, I always work from life. Like the audience at a play I immerse myself in the emotion of the model

and the pose. The result, on paper or canvas, is my giddy applause. Throughout the pandemic, in the absence of live models, I have had to paint botanicals. I even think these flowers, when I’m painting them, feel me.

I am 81 years of age, and excited to say I am still learning, evolving, and loving the creative process.

Mystic Megan Leger Painting through Life’s Shifts

As a lifelong painter, my artistic journey began in Quebec, Canada, when my gran and my mum taught me how to paint. I was born and raised in Canada and went to the College of Charleston where I graduated with a studio art degree, accompanied by a minor in French. Over the past decade, my creative endeavors have expanded far beyond the canvas. In her early twenties, she became a part of an art collective known as “Living Color” in Charleston, painting all over the town for concerts and festivals and hosting events. My work has been displayed at The College of Charleston and among many shops and music venues around town whether it be as a large-scale visionary canvas piece or a captivating mural. I enjoy painting large pieces because I like how when we look at art that is as big or bigger than us, we can feel more encompassed by it and more connected to it. Specializing in acrylics, my palette mirrors the vibrant hues of my experiences as a world traveler both within and without.

In 2017, I moved to Oregon where I started “Leger Lessons”, my own small business teaching the community how to paint while they enjoy a beverage either in the artsiest part of downtown Eugene or in the beautiful countryside. I wanted to offer people the opportunity to feel comfortable painting in any environment and give people an opportunity to support and enjoy my favorite local spots. It was a truly special time in my life and it was such a fulfilling way to encourage others to share some of their artistic magic with everyone. While I was in the Pacific Northwest, I acquired yoga teacher certifications for Kundalini Yoga from Yoga West, Eugene, and my perinatal YTT and doula training from Awakened Spirit Yoga and DONA International. I am back in the South East and currently enrolled in my Ayurvedic Practitioner Program at the Yoga Veda Institute. I am grateful for not only being “the artist”, I am also the yoga instructor who enjoys herbal medicine, living a holistic life and supporting others in living in tune with themselves through Ayurveda.

My paintings serve as a mirror to my emotional-psychological-physiological journey. They are the physical representation of me working through a life shift. My mind is very visual and my favorite way to process, is through art. The depth of the attachment to my thought determines how detailed the vision will be and how much the symbols will expand to transform the subject. I really enjoy letting the painting paint itself in my mind. I will observe the evolution of the idea for days or weeks in my mind, mentally altering the piece as much as I wish before I feel a big push to finally put it on the canvas.

There is truly a beautiful relationship that develops between me and my artwork. My original vision always develops and transforms as the creation grows from conception to reality. It’s actually my favorite part and as my career has grown, I enjoy painting for shorter periods of time, then sitting back and letting the piece talk to me more. The thought that originally starts off as an attachment, slowly teaches me to let go from the outcome, painting reminds me to detach, accept and release.

Mystic Megan Leger meganjleger.com @mjlegerart

Elizabeth Harris Painting Meets Sculpture

My work combines painting and sculpture. It is process oriented and uses nontraditional techniques to achieve a rugged elegance.

I show the history of a piece - cutting, burning, tearing, drilling, and stabbing the surface. I apply layers then partly remove them, continually building up and tearing down, discovering the shape as I build it. Each step is an intuitive reaction to the last.

Many materials are used: wax, plaster, wood, canvas, paper, graphite, and oil. My goal is to reveal the hand of the maker and the patina of time.

Elizabeth Harris is largely self-taught in the arts. A physician by training, Dr. Harris received her MD from the Boston University School of Medicine, with residencies at Boston City Hospital and Faulkner Hospital, preceded by her pre-med studies at Harvard University. Dr. Harris also holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University. Her work has been the subject of numerous solo and group exhibitions, and is held in several international collections. She is a recipient of the Berkshire Taconic Foundation’s A.R.T. Fund. Raised in Arkansas and Massachusetts, the daughter of artist Lucette Darby White (1931-2014),

Avery Rowan Inspired by the South

Avery Rowan naturally finds inspiration within the vibrant culture of the South and the cities of which she has lived. Shortly after graduating from the Lamar Dodd School of art at the University of Georgia, Avery moved from New Orleans to New York City where she is currently based.

Avery explores a variety of subjects and styles, ranging from serene coastlines to the organized chaos of New Orleans. She often works utilizing various techniques and mediums, including painting, drawing, and mixed media.

Ultimately, she sees her art as a way of celebrating the beauty, simplicity, and complexity of life, and of sharing that experience with others. Avery’s hope is to create art that offers a sense of enjoyment alongside connecting and moving people in unexpected ways.

Avery Rowan: averyrowanart.com @averyrowanart

Lauchlan Davis Sailboats on the Edge of Abstraction

Lauchlan Davis grew up in Tennessee with a lifelong love of color and story. Her innate tendency toward focused observation and quiet boldness in following her creative intuition led her to pursue her art from an early age with a self-assured dedication. Lauchlan studied Art History and English at the University of Virginia. She began working as a professional artist at age 22 by creating three-hundred oil paintings in five years. Selling her artwork through custom commissions and outdoor art festivals gave her the momentum to pursue painting fulltime. After spending several years in Charleston, SC, she recently returned to her hometown of Chattanooga. Primarily self-taught, Lauchlan utilizes her art-historical education and a diligent creative practice to improve her craft. Lauchlan prioritizes experimentation and oscillates between multiple painterly styles in order to develop her own artistic voice. She also understands the importance of slow, sustainable growth in developing both her small business and artistic skill. Below, she tells us a little about her process and recent sailboat series.

I create oil paintings that celebrate community, wilderness, embodiment, and whimsy. By painting, I follow my passions and curiosities. At the evolving intersection of abstraction, impressionism, and folk art, my artwork reinterprets traditional painting styles through our contemporary local context. Loose vibrant brushwork keeps the eye on that bright silky edge between representation and abstraction. My artwork aims to maintain both a quiet whimsy and a playful seriousness. One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned as an artist is to trust the process. The finished artwork isn’t formed in my head before I paint it on the canvas, but I’ve determined what path I’ll follow. Perhaps some glimmer of an idea sparks the first step, but then you are following that idea to its destination without quite knowing where you’ll end up. Each brushstroke is a decision that leads us to the next one, and the magic of the painting is responding honestly to the artwork as it evolves. The challenge of painting is staying in the present moment, refusing to take shortcuts, and embracing the uncertainty. So much of learning to paint has also taught me about living a life…Currently, my paintings focus on the nature of community – the dynamic relationships between different personas and how these interactions tell a story. I combine elements from several painting styles to make something entirely

new. I use the tilted perspectives and puzzle of shapes in Abstraction to create dynamic compositions. Then I employ the bright tones and thickly textured brushwork of Impressionism to create movement within the forms. Lastly, I strive for the quirky imperfections of Folk Art to let each painting tell a story. This intersection of styles result in a wild combination of distinct characters set within our contemporary local moment celebrating togetherness, difference, and whimsicality.

I love painting on the edge of abstraction. The sailboats are painted just beyond logical definition, but the motifs are clear enough to evoke both nostalgia and dynamism. The boats become characters in the story of the painting, each interacting within the collection of forms with a distinct whimsy. I want the painting to first be color, shape, line, emotion, and then suddenly the viewer feels the composition transform into a harbor of boats on a windy afternoon. The sailboats are a symbol of adventure, the careful dance between wind and water, and a bold independence.

Haley Muno Infusing Canvases with Emotions and Experiences

Haley Muno is an American abstract artist from Chicago, Illinois. She utilizes a variety of media in her paintings to create unique textures, shapes, and bold colors. Creating abstract art is a fulfilling and energizing process that recaptures that playful, child-like fascination with the world. Below, she describes her approach.

I’ve always had a lot of creative energy, and I started painting more seriously in college when my mom was sick with cancer and I used it as a way to relieve stress. I guess you can say it was therapeutic. My mom encouraged me to keep painting and pursue it as more than just a hobby!

As an abstract artist rooted in the lively city of Chicago, Illinois, I embark on a voyage through texture, shape, and color, infusing my canvases with a tapestry of emotions and experiences. My artistic journey began as a form of solace during challenging times, transforming my creative energy into a therapeutic outlet.

For me, creating art is akin to rediscovering the world through the eyes of a child, with each element and color capturing the essence of playful wonder. Inspiration surrounds me, whether it be in the patterns of fashion, the textures of nature, or the ambiance of my travels.

My artwork is a reflection of the beauty I find in every day, translated onto canvas with boldness and vitality.

At the core of my creations lies a profound emotional depth, influenced by my connections to love, friendship, and the human experience. Through my art, I seek to evoke a range of feelings that resonate on a visceral level with viewers.

While I draw inspiration from the pioneering works of artists such as Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, and Pablo Picasso, my art is a testament to my unique journey and perspective. Over nearly a decade of sharing my work with the public, I've encountered misconceptions about abstract art, challenging notions of its perceived ease or beauty. Yet, I embrace the subjectivity of art, recognizing that diversity in artistic taste is to be celebrated.

In my ongoing artistic exploration, I invite viewers to immerse themselves in the boundless realm of creativity. Through my work, I strive to remind others that art is not just a reflection of the world, but a transformative lens through which we perceive it anew.

I find physical inspiration for my work everywhere: in fashion, interior design, nature, and traveling. And from feelings, including those evoked by love, friendship, and all experiences good or bad. I’ve also been inspired by some of the great pioneers, like Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and William de Kooning.

People often ask where I get the inspiration to name a piece and truly, it’s random. I draw from a myriad of inspirations–songs, experiences, inside jokes, and people. Each title is a reflection of personal significance, adding depth to the artwork. I draw from a myriad of inspirations—songs, experiences, inside jokes, and people. Each title is a reflection of personal significance, adding depth to the artwork. It’s an intuitive process, capturing the essence of the piece authen-

tically. Ultimately, it’s about letting the artwork speak and finding the perfect title that resonates.

As I continue to evolve as an artist, I am excited to see how my work impacts both my personal art journey and the broader art community. With each new piece, I am constantly pushing the boundaries of my creativity, eager to explore new techniques and themes. Through my ongoing exploration, I hope to inspire others to embrace the transformative power of art and to find beauty in the abstract.

I'm so thankful for everything my art journey has taught me and the experiences it’s brought! From painting a mural at Recess in Chicago, to solo shows, and being featured in prominent magazines. Ultimately the truest reward lies in the hearts touched by my work—knowing that my art resonates deeply with others fuels my passion like nothing else!

Photos: Erika Roth @erikarothphotography

Eternal Bouquets

The work of Rachel Berkowitz brings attention to the innate human desire to be close to natural elements within everyday life. Inspired by her travels across US National Parks, her recent abstract reflects moments worthy of congratulating, acting as vessels to exchange pure love and admiration,while emphasizing the need for conservative and preservation. Her previous work has been exhibited at events around the world.

I painted “Eternal Bouquets” as a collection of abstract, expressionistic artwork that comments on a constant yearning for acceptance. I am exploring the true meaning behind receiving a floral bouquet. The paintings act as instruments of recognition, allowing the audience to accept themselves in this congratulatory era, honoring a moment to celebrate the joy of simply being.

I feel strongly that we are living in a self-critical age. I see so much talent, so many goals reached, so much amazing work that goes unnoticed and more importantly, unappreciated. I am also speaking from personal experience. I am immensely selfcritical in the secluded privacy of my mind. We hide behind social media and pretend we are outwardly confident to those we encounter in our everyday life, but deep down, nobody's perfect. We all have flaws, we all see the worst of ourselves, and we cannot control everything that we are faced with. While we live in a digital world of meaningless likes and congratulations, what we often forget to do is recognize ourselves for all the ways in which we overcome life’s hurdles everyday.

We can control our mind: through positive thinking, manifestation, and uplifting others with our words and actions. Only when we fully love ourselves, can we even attempt to love someone else. Remember, you are worthy of flowers. Accept the praise. Embrace self-love.

Drawing inspiration from the 17th-century Dutch tradition of floral still lifes as well as the spiritual art of Hilma Af Klimt, “Eternal Bouquets” respond to a common sensitivity for the worthiness of praise. The paintings mark the significance of time and create a sense of occasion through a profusion of neon petals, abstract leaves, and natural forms. The formal qualities of the work responds to the urge for recognition and acceptance by offering an intentional visual gift. The formal attributes correspond to the book “Thought Forms”, by Annie Besant (1901), where color theory and shaperepresentation are categorized in a spiritual manner. Using this text to guide me on my own practice, I painted forms

The Art of Rachel Berkowitz

and colors using a variety of techniques, adding my own experimentation with paint as a medium. Every curve is placed in an inviting manner, every color choice and placement onto the canvas has a purposeful quality in its physical existence.

Flowers invite natural beauty into a room. The paintings act as vessels of warmth and love. I believe that the act of giving flowers is overly romanticized, with connotations of gender roles. I think anyone, male or female, should present

flowers to one another, regardless of their relationship status or gender. If someone deserves recognition, tell them. You may think of congratulating someone as a throwaway compliment, but words of encouragement and small meaningful gifts often carry profound power.

The paintings also hint at life's impermanence. A close

(above) “Congratulations Love”, (top right) “Ember Storm”, (bottom right) “Gamble “

this page: “Wishful Thinking”; on the opposite page: (top) “Wind, Breath, Air”; (bottom left) Rachel Berkowitz with her art; (bottom right) “Infinite Love Language”

viewing of the paintings requires taking a long pause. Though the canvases seem decorative at first glance, by slowing down and concentrating on the composition, the viewer is reminded of the generosity of nature and the importance of showing gratitude to others and ourselves.