JOHANNA WRAY WWW.ART4U.INFO
"Spotlight" by Johanna Wray
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CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VIVIANA PUELLO www.vivianapuello.com Email: viviana@arttourinternational.com COO/GRAPHIC DIRECTOR ALAN GRIMANDI www.alangrimandi.com Email: alan.grimandi@arttourinternational.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Mileidy Meléndez Sánchez Email: graphics@arttourinternational.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS: Tiarra Tompkins, Paul Simpson, Selas Smith WEB DESIGN: Humberto Jose Orozco SOCIAL MEDIA: Romy Singh EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Julie Buena CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Email: admin@arttourinternational.com Tel: 1 800 807-1167 ADVERTISING: To place an Ad contact: info@arttourinternational.com MARKETING: www.mediakit.art
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PODCAST “The Winner’s Journey” www.vivianapuello.com/podcast New Episodes each Friday ArtTour International TV Show https://www.arttourinternational.com/atim-tv-show/ Tune in on Thursdays at 5:30 PM EST In New York, Tune in to MNN-HD Ch. 1993 in Manhattan (TWC/ SPECTRUM). Outside of New York watch the live streaming of our show at MNN.ORG FOUNDATIONS: CREATE 4 PEACE www.create4peace.org ARTISTS FOR A GREEN PLANET www.artistsforagreenplanet.org GET FEATURED! If you’re an artist looking for a platform to expose your art, share your message and expand your network, contact info@arttourinternational.com for to find out how to get featured in our magazine.
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A Message from our Editor-in-Chief
Dear reader, In this special issue, we bring you inspiration from some of the best artists working today. We are presenting this selection of artists along with our ATIMI’s Collectors Choice Award to recognize their accomplishments and their commitment to their careers. Discover all of them inside! Working on this issue was exciting! During the first two months, I traveled to Colombia, South America, my homeland, where we’re establishing a second branch of ArtTour International. I worked with our new team on what was their first experience in helping us to create an issue of our magazine. Then we came back home and finished this issue in New York. What a great adventure! As I write this letter, we’re only a few days away from our ATIM’s Collectors Choice Award Ceremony, which we will host in the studios of the Manhattan Neighborhood Network in Manhattan on Thursday, July 22 at 2 pm. The ceremony will be broadcast live on twelve channels. Not nervous? Who are we kidding? If you missed our presentation, you still have a chance to watch the ceremony. Stay tuned to the ArtTour International TV Show because we will air the edited show on August 15th so that everyone who missed it can watch it. During the creative process for this publication, we worked hand in hand with over forty artists on the artworks, aesthetics, and ideas for their articles and pages. It was a fulfilling experience getting to know their hearts and dreams. This is the third issue of the eleventh year of ArtTour International. Our award-winning publication has reached over two million readers in more than 204 countries. This year, we are dedicating our summer issue to spreading peace awareness, hoping that our broad exposure will promote arts and culture and spread the message of these artists to raise peace awareness worldwide. Don’t miss our digital issue, available on iTunes, Kindle, and Magzter, and now on PressReader. Click on the QR codes and enjoy our audio and video productions. We go beyond the artworks and share with you where the inspiration was born. Join us as we take you on a voyage through the beautiful world of art.
Viviana Puello CEO/Founder ArtTour International Publications Inc.
Armen Sarvazyan Page 23 Barbara Tyler Ahlfield Page 68 Carla Kleekamp Page 28 Cher Anderson Page 51 Dr Raman K Attri Page 73 Evelyn Adams Page 75 Francesco Ruspoli Page 25 Henrik Saar Page 29 Howard Harris Page 27 Jason Bryant Page 57
INDEX
Abhishek Tuiwala Page 64
“An Interview with Johanna Wray”
page 12
Ric Conn
page 18
Jim Fitzpatrick Page 38 Jani Jan J. Page 41 Janice Alamanou Page 28 Jeong-Ah Zhang Page 39 Ren Jianhui Page 32 Jing Zhao Page 59 John Nieman Page 26 Kari Veastad Page 58 Kay Griffith Page 72 Kimberly Berg Page 53 Kwong Tim Jackson Lee Page 25 Laurence Lher Page 62
Anne D. Grandin
Philip Noyed
page 20
page 42
Monika Bendner
Jean Jacques Porret
page 44
page 46
David J. Fleshman
Luiz G. Todeschi
Lawrence R. Armstrong Page 50 Lize Kruger Page 33 Maribel Matthews Page 65 Marty Jones Page 63 Mary Morgan Page 69 Patricia Spoon Page 32 Paul Hartel Page 40 Paul Smith Page 39 Pia Buxbom Page 24 Ren Jianhui Page 32 Sherry Farsad Page 57 Shifra Levyathan Page 56 Skye Elizabeth James Page 74 Suzie Seerey-Lester Page 22 Tom Ashbourne Page 31 Varda Breger Page 30 Wendy Yeo Page 50 Wendy Cohen Page 55 Yolanta Desjardins Page 52
page 66
page 70
page 60 Luiz Guilherme Todeschi
David J. Fleshman
Meet the Top 10 World’s Most Influential Art Collectors page 34 Philip Noyed Monica Bendner
Can Collecting Art Save the World? page 08 Ric Conn
Jean Jacques Porret
Anne D. Grandin
Big Breath Wellness page 54
Johanna Wray
SUMMER 2021
Grow your Art Collection without Breaking the Bank
Can Collecting Art Save The World? By Viviana Puello
T
he contribution of art to ancient and contemporary civilizations is evident. Through time, art has served many functions, from documenting history and world events to the creative expression of ideologies and scientific discoveries, such as medicine. A picture is worth a thousand words, and ancient civilizations knew this. From cave dwellers to the sophisticated Egyptian scribes and advanced Mayans, people from many cultures worldwide have used art to immortalize their legacy and enlighten future generations. Artists have been invaluable to society from the very beginning of times, contributing to human
evolution in many ways, from prehistoric cave paintings, masterful frescos, scientific drawings, architectural designs, and engineering plans. Throughout history, artists have had many different roles, but their primary purpose has always been to create art that reflects their surroundings and the world they see with their eyes, hearts, and minds. The artist’s role in society has expanded through time. Nowadays, they are change-makers whose messages can transform minds and opinions and influence the masses.
“Bushman Cave Paintings In Cederberg”
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Art and The Global Economy Art is a profitable industry. Not only does it satisfy the human need for self-expression, but it also creates employment for many around the globe. Research shows that art has a huge presence across economic sectors, from leisure, hospitality, entertainment, and recreation to design, manufacturing, and professional and business services. Artists have contributed to the creative economy, sustaining jobs and stimulating economic growth by devoting themselves to their craft. Benefits Of Creating Art The benefits of art go beyond the continuously growing art industry, as it positively impacts individuals, nations, and local and global communities. Art has the power to raise awareness and instill values. In addition, it’s an essential tool for cultural exchange because music, literature, poetry, video, photography, painting, and other media expose people to different cultures and different times in history. Art is also good for the health of the body and mind. The influence of sound and imagery on the human psyche is the subject of much research. Both are used in many hospitals and clinics to help patients relax and to ease pain and anxiety. Many healing techniques use the qualities of music and images as nonverbal media for communication.
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“Sigiriya Murals Of Fifth Century” SUMMER 2021 | 9
“Berlins Old National Gallery”
Art In The New Era As the world moves on, artists are opening the doors of the new era. They have a sensibility to see, feel, and envision what this new world will look like. They know what we need to do to enter it and what steps we must take to open the doors once and for all. Art creators show us, with their works and even their creative process, what our world needs. Photographers are capturing images calling for world peace; painters are creating surrealistic depictions of a new world; activists are advocating for justice and equality through their art; sculptors are working with recycling materials to support Mother Earth. These are all the voices of a universal consciousness guiding us to the new world we all hope for. Do Artists Need Collectors? In the past, people in positions of power, like kings and queens, paid all types of visual artists to adorn their cities, castles, churches, and other essential buildings. For painters and sculptors, their patrons guaranteed their financial security. During the Italian Renaissance, the wealthy housed artists in their estates, funding some for many years.
“Florence”
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Patronage offered artists notability and recognition. Some artists worked exclusively for their patrons, while others were commissioned as their work gained fame. Nowadays, artists find themselves in a different world, and many rely on collectors to support their work. Therefore, the role of patrons and collectors is vital for their careers to advance. The artist creates; the collector expands. Collectors recognize what artists bring to local and international communities. Their investment helps artists continue their work, build their reputation, and allow them to evolve and create even more value. As the artist's role continues to grow and develop, thereís is a need for a more extensive network of people who understand the importance of supporting the arts. Artists use all human experience, heartbreak, pain, loss, joy, and bliss to create something new that has the power to change the world. An artwork can become an instrument of healing while connecting people to a new understanding of acceptance and personal responsibility. And that is the purpose of bringing art into reality. For every artist creating art to help us bring forth a better world, there needs to be a community of patrons who are taking a stand to help expand their message and to support their work. When confronted with this reality, one can only wish to support the artists, change-makers, beauty-exposers, justice-advocates, and visionaries creating art. Yes, I believe that collecting art might save the world! What do you think? Take a stand today and choose your favorite artist in this issue. Email us at admin@arttourinternational.com and let us know how you would like to get involved and support their art.
“Moai Closeup”
JOHANNA WRAY WWW.ART4U.INFO @Wrayart
art_4_u@hotmail.com
An Interview with Artist Johanna Wray By Tiarra Tompkins
Y
ou can follow your dreams of creating one-of-a-kind works of art and still bring the act of creation to others without giving up one or the other. Yet, despite the simplicity in this statement, many artists struggle to find their exact place in the world. Should they remain the "starving artist" or pursue other works in tandem with creating? Some of the most successful artists have found their place in the in-between. One such artist, Johanna Wray, has built an incredible and successful career as an artist and teacher, bringing her unique eye and style to the world for decades. ATIM Founder Viviana Puello had the chance to sit down and get the full story from Wray in an incredible interview. “SnapChat” #1 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Acrylic and Oil on Canvas, 12”x12”
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“Hope; A Portrait of Ericka” Mixed Media on Canvas, 24”x20”
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist? “I have always considered myself an artist; even as a young child, I was good at it. My High School Art classes truly brought out the creativity in me. I went to a brand new, large high school, and they offered two full-year art courses for every grade. The instruction was excellent, and when I was ready to enter the University of Calgary's BFA program, I already had a good base knowledge. I graduated with an Education Degree in Art because I knew that not too many people could make a living from selling their art, especially in the early years. The idea of being a "starving artist" did not appeal to me. I felt at home in the art classroom and practiced drawing and painting portraits and figures with my students, which I still love to do today. My big ‘AHA’ moment was in the '70s when I was studying art abroad in Florence, Italy. I was at the Uffizi Gallery standing in front of Botticelli's ‘Birth of Venus’ in total awe and thought I would like to be able to paint like that someday! Fifty years later, I feel I have achieved this goal with my recent ‘Summertime’. Even the angle of the heads is uncanny!” “Spotlight” Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”
Can you describe your work for us?
“For me, I work in Series, so that keeps me interested in a variety of things. Some artists "sell out" by painting the same landscapes repeatedly because they are selling to a particular market, and they find success in providing continuity. I am more interested in discovering new things and challenges, creating unique works instead of copies. I have created over 250 paintings, many of which are landscapes. They have also sold out well because of the market in
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Western Canada. A few years ago, I decided to change markets and work with portraits. My focus has been the Selfie-Portrait Series, which has current social relevance. Portraits are my first love and always will be. I love the landscape of the face. The mountain of the nose, the cool oasis of the eyes. Discovering flesh tones and changes throughout... so many possibilities. An infinite number! I find the veins at the back of the hand very difficult to do! I also enjoy the "connection" with the model as I am painting them. Most of my models are former art students, friends, and family. Some of my paintings are surrealistic, such as ‘Pretty Boy’and ‘Spotlight’.”
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When looking back, what paintings emerge from your works that most relate to your life story?. “For sure, the painting of my mother. It was my first oil portrait, completed in 2016. She was 91 and legally blind. She had such kind eyes. I was so fortunate to have such a loving, gentle, kind, and intelligent mother. She was an excellent role model and never complained. When she first "saw" the painting hanging in my living room, she cried. She was so touched that I would take the time to paint her portrait. I should probably paint my dad someday; he had very leathery, wrinkled skin. That would be an interesting challenge.”
"Modern Mona" Oil on Canvas, 12”x12”
What advice would you give to a young artist following your footsteps? “Don't quit your day job! This was sage advice from one of my university Professors. Art supplies are costly, and you want to keep your practice going without sacrificing your human needs to eat and have a roof over your head. Teaching was a fantastic job, and it led to me starting my own small business in my home studio. My husband is also very supportive financially. Many of my students have become graphic artists, architects, industrial designers, book illustrators, and fine artists. I have mentored many students during my 30 years of teaching, and it brings me joy to know that art continues to be made through some impact that I have made beyond my works.” How do you think your work fits within the society in our present times? “I believe my work to be very original and current for the times. I work with the younger generation, so they tend to keep me ‘current’!” What does your work aim to say?
“Summertime” #9 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Oil on Canvas, 12” x 12”
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“Keep dreaming! I like to create an "atmosphere" in my paintings to draw the viewer in and let them stay and contemplate for a while”.
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Who are your biggest influences? “I love the atmospheric and contemplative work of Alex Colville (Canadian), Edward Hopper (American), and Andrew Wyeth (American). Curators have likened my work to theirs. So that is a great compliment. These men painted their environment, just as I do”. Tell us about your creative process. “It's slow and well thought out. I don't like rushing anything! I like to take things slow and contemplate things. I usually work on at least six paintings at a time. With oils, you need to let them dry a week between layers. I also intersperse with acrylics (especially for large paintings) and watercolors. The nice thing about working on several at a time is you never get bored or too frustrated. Instead, you move onto the next one. There will also be times where you will have six paintings ready all at once, which is handy”! What visual references do you draw upon on your work? “Oh my gosh! Everything stimulates me! My photographs, other peoples' photographs, magazines, the way "Justeaff" #2 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Oil on Canvas, 12"x12"
the light hits things, and shadows are cast. In my mind, I'm always seeing things as a painting. You should see the size of my reference file! I'll never run out of ideas! A busy city like New York drives me crazy (in a nice kind of way), and being out on the ocean alone in my kayak or my studio are the most comforting experiences for me”. Upcoming projects? “I have four works stored in Paris for the past year. The shows there shut down because of Covid. I believe some are opening this month. My work will be exhibited at Monteoliveto Gallery (Paris, Nice, Naples). ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’ are currently in the Saltspring Art Prize, a Canadian national competition. My work is often showing in the Federation Gallery in Vancouver, CAN”. ‘Summertime’ will be in the catalog, ’50 Artists To Invest In’, Rome, Italy, curated by Salvatore Russo and his ‘Art International Contemporary Magazine’ this summer. And your magazine, of course.
"Girl With A Pearl Earring" #6 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Oil on Canvas, 12"x12"
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With her brilliant works as an artist and devotion to teaching, Wray has been changing the world for more than 40 years. The depth of her work shows a master of her craft, one that brings the viewer into a world created from every moment in life and nature that has impacted Wray's world. Her legacy is powerful. One of sharing art in the classroom and the gallery helps each new generation see what can be built when learning and creativity are given their full space to grow. When asked what advice she would offer to viewers and artists alike, she said, "Don't put off until tomorrow, the things you can get done today.' I don't know who said this, but I think it is sage advice."
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"Hide" #7 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Oil on Canvas, 12" x 12"
During high school, Wray received excellent art instruction. She continued her art training at the University of Calgary, receiving her education degree in Fine Arts. Her natural skill and academic education can be seen in her work that has gained international attention in exhibitions in New York and Paris that have raised her profile to a global level. Currently, Wray is working on a "Selfie-portrait Series," a series consisting of twelve works sized 12 inches (30 cm) square. "I am inspired by "selfies" taken by students on my Instagram feed. For the first time in art history, the models are taking pictures of themselves en masse, creating a new genre in art." Wray's work can be found in private collections and public spaces across Canada, in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
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2021
RECOGNITIONS
For some, art comes as naturally as breathing. For Master artist Johanna Wray, art flowed naturally from a young age. Growing up in a European household, much of her youth was focused on the importance of art and music as part of daily life. She practiced piano diligently but began to focus on art in her teenage years, which came naturally.
This year has been one that has seen incredible growth for Wray. More than half a dozen recognitions, including ‘The Ambassador of Art” from Catalogue, Rhome, Italy. Multiple articles published in Arttour International Magazine and named one of the 50 Artists to invest in and The Collectors Choice award from ATIM. With this much momentum, Wray is an artist that will be making global waves for decades to come!
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1994 - 2016
2017 The global scene was waiting for Wray and her work to make an impact. Receiving the EAC Travel Grant, she was New York-bound for her first international show.
2018 - 2020
SUCCESS
After extensive education and training, Wray launched her first gallery exhibition at the Edmonton Gallery and received “Curator’s Choice”. It was just the beginning of her presence as a staple artist for many galleries all over Canada with many “solo” exhibitions.
Now, a global master with almost 30 years of success under her belt, Wray’s “Fashion Series” art series gains the international attention of Paris, London, Luxemburg, and Switzerland. In 2019, Wray was recognized as one of the “Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art” by Art Tour International Magazine, New York.
"Love Me" #8 in the Selfie-Portrait Series, Oil on Canvas, 12"x12”
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RIC CONN WWW.RICCONN.COM By Viviana Puello
R
ic Conn is recognized as a leading voice in speaking up about inequality and social issues women often face. In 2020 his message has crossed the globe, and he has been featured on ArtTour International Magazine and Toscana Cultura in Italy for his visual dialog for female empowerment as well as numerous media outlets in USA.
Conn presents a thought-provoking visual narrative with bold textures, masterful use of light, and symbolic imagery. He explores the opposition between reality and perception. His fascination and motivation are amped by realties that appear invisible in our everyday lives, cutting into
“Emancipation” Oil On Canvas, 40”x30”
the core of his subjects’ hearts and exposing hidden emotion. Layers of female forms are captured in each of his paintings, focusing on the essence of women’s courage and beauty.” Conn’s dedication to speaking out against inequality and social issues women often face is evident not only in his work but in his platform. He displays a clear opposition between reality and perception, utilizing a relatively conventional technique while painting, employing acrylics, inks, oil, gouaches, and charcoal to bring the various depictions to life. Conn often incorporates symbolically designed animal motifs throughout each canvas while still using muted and soft palates, allowing the audience to focus on the main subject. With his focus on Equality and empowerment, Ric Conn creates works that reach across language barriers to reveal the psychological connection between our world and the world that he portrays. In his work, the female silhouette is an expression of women’s soul and limitless emotions. All the while, revealing the meanings of the existence of our universal connection as humankind.
“No More Eggshells” Oil On Canvas, 40”x30”
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Ric Conn’s artworks are endowed with shadows, light, contrast, and depths. He uses these aspects to portray his ideas and achieve different layers of creativity. He can tap into various points of view and expressions of sexuality, with a welcoming invitation to eliminate stereotypes on what a “woman” must embody to be accepted by society. With a lengthy career and a well-deserved line of awards, Conn makes his mark in the community.
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“Wolf Whistle” Oil On Canvas, 36”x24”
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SUMMER 2021 | 19
ANNE D. GRANDIN WWW.GRANDINART.COM
By Tiarra Tompkins
Y
ou don't have to look far to find things on earth or in space that bring inspiration to even those claiming to lack creativity. Our planet and all its creatures bring new worlds to our imaginations and create works of art inspired by the very nature that surrounds us. Master artist, Anne Grandin, is well known for capturing things seen and unseen and bringing them to life on the canvas. The worlds she creates in her masterful compositions spark our own imaginations to create new worlds and narratives for every work she creates. Grandin uses color in ways that truly capture the essence of what is being imagined—utilizing organic shapes to connect earth, sky, land, and sea. Her work emphasizes the relationship of all life forms to one another. While others may struggle to capture it, Grandin executes nature's rhythms and movements flawlessly.
“Coming Home” Oil on Canvas, 16”x12”
“In Space, We Are Alone” Acrylic, Spray Paint, 36”x72”
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Yet, within her work, you can see that life is never still, constantly changing. Her use of earth tones presents the viewer with a reflection of nature's landscape. Within each scape, you can see the influence of the Circle of Life found in Native American culture.
“Fall On Keith Farm” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
“Cliffs at Gay Head” Oil on Canvas, 40”x40”
Within her own journey, the artist's work speaks to us with a spiritual element. Each piece grabs the viewer's senses and opens the mind to see beyond the imagery at hand. By looking at her work, the audience is transported to otherwordly realities. Where will each piece take you? Perhaps space or another giant landmass on our planet. No matter what, we know the journey and the destination will be amid each of our imaginations. There is no doubting that the art world is excited about what comes next for Anne Grandin.
“Arches” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
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“Grandin Monument Valley” Acrylic, 40”x40”
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SUZIE SEEREY-LESTER WWW.SEEREY-LESTER.COM
“Shadows of the Past Petroglyphs” “While teaching a class in Dubois, Wy, we sat up on a cliff, so we could see the surrounding lakes and hills. After the class one of my friends took me to the bottom of the cliff to see these amazing petroglyphs covering the walls. They were beautiful, so I started thinking how I could create a unique painting using the petroglyphs. I love the light on this cat, and hopefully you will discover the petroglyphs as you look further at the painting. As always I have hidden our initials (J + S) somewhere in the painting”. - Suzie Seerey-Lester
“Shadows of the Past - Petroglyphs” Acrylic on Panel, 16”x20”
“Light Pool” Acrylic on Belgium Linen, 24”x48”
“Light Pool” “The American White Pelican is one of my favorite subjects. They are the second largest bird in North American and they migrate every year from Canada to warmer waters in the south. They are one of a very few bird species that hunt in groups. They will form a line, and push fish into shallow water, where they all can feed. White birds fascinate me because I can get so many colors into
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their beautiful white feathers. In this case, I wanted to highlight just two of the group, with the rest of the birds in the shadow of the mangroves. Again with the beautiful blue waters of Florida. In this, and all of my paintings I have hidden my husband’s and my initials, (J+S) somewhere in the piece. See if you can find them”. - Suzie Seerey-Lester
ARMEN SARVAZYAN
WWW.ARMENSARVAZYAN.NET
“The Elements of Art” By Tiarra Tompkins
W
hy do we need art? Is it the freedom to create life and bring expression to the lifeless? Is it simply the ability to share one’s imagination with the world? Perhaps this question has too many answers. Artists are a gift, and their ability to share the unimaginable is what draws us to their work. For master artist and scientist Armen Sarvazyan, all the earth’s elements are his paintbrush.
Through his passion for both art and science, Armen seeks to understand and honor nature. Armen’s goal as an artist is to share with the world nature’s beauty and perfection. He creates from the very elements of nature to draw attention to what may seem basic and ordinary. Armen’s portrait work focuses on expression and the human form. Pushing past traditional mediums, Armen takes wood in its raw and natural state and carves each likeness, bringing softness, flow, and personality to each piece. Freedom of expression is found in removing boundaries. Armen pushes the limits of expression, giving us all an opportunity to experience his unique voice. His courage to see beyond simplicity into the complex experience of creation enables the viewer to share in that world. In each art piece and exhibition, Armen hopes his work inaudibly shares his beliefs and ideas so that the message reaches someone through their heart rather than their mind.
“Van Gogh” Wood Sculpture
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Russian poet Boris Pasternak, recepient of Nobel Prize in Literature 1958
As a scientist, Armen has received numerous prestigious awards for his research work. In the world of art, whether stone, wood, concrete or mixed media, Armen’s work creates a natural exhibition bringing together his passion into stunning visual reality. No matter the elements used, whether art or science, we know that master artist and scientist Armen Sarvazyan will be at the forefront of bringing new discoveries for both worlds that open our eyes and engage our hearts.
“Marie-Therese” Wood Sculpture (from the series Muses of Picasso)
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PIA BUXBOM WWW.BUXBOMSART.COM
“Activism In The Arts” By Teres Esquinas
P
ia Buxbom is a multi-disciplinary artist from Denmark who creates large-scale oil paintings and mixed media sculptures. Her works reflect her life experience and explore socio-economic issues, environmental preservation, and gender equality. As a world traveler, Pia Buxbom is often influenced by the different cultures she discovers in her journeys around the world.
“Communication Can Be Difficult To Master” Acrylic On Canvas, 31.5”x23.6”
The artist finds inspiration in ordinary people of everyday life, which she immortalizes in her works. Her three-dimensional compositions depict symbols and geometric shapes in organic tones and textures like bronze and copper. Pia Buxbom is also an activist who focuses on bringing to light socio-economic issues and using her art to voice her message, as seen in her paintings. With the use of vibrant colors, well-defined lines, and forms, her masterful compositions open a dialog to matters that cripple our global community. An artist to keep your eyes on, Pia Buxbom has received over twelve international awards has been represented in several art books and magazines. In addition, she has exhibited her works in many countries.
“Learning From Mistakes is theKey to Success” Steel, PLA, Copper and Felt 7.87”x3.94”x3.94” “Special Price For You” Oil On Canvas, 37.4”x13.7”
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KWONG TIM
JACKSON LEE WWW.JACKSONLEE-ART.COM
“I
n my spare time, I would paint, and what began as a creative outlet eventually developed into my style. The idea “Hong Kong in a Better Light” has been in my head for quite some time; Hong Kong is slowly disappearing; many old buildings have been demolished to make room for the modern skyscraper -- for the sake of progress.
“Forever Guardian” Oil, 43”x31”
If I can capture all these images, I thought this would live on forever for others to appreciate, enjoy, and defend”!
“Firm And Secure” Oil, 48”x36”
FRANCESCO RUSPOLI WWW.FRANCESCORUSPOLIART.COM
F
rancesco Ruspoli’s work reflects the relational space and its shifting possibilities within the contemporary world in which we all dwell. It explores the dynamic frontier between abstraction and figuration, keeping alive the infinite possibilities of being human in an age intent upon limiting them.
“Striving For Peace” 36”x48”
Using a strikingly vibrant palette, each painting presents a harmonious dance of color where subtle gradation and dramatic contrast express nuances of emotion and sensuous physicality. Thus, the eternal human dance of reaching out and holding back is movingly enacted - with the viewer included. It offers a timely reminder of our shared embodied life with its hopes and dreams, pain and loss, and the poignancy of yearning. “Promises” 36”x48”
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“You are Never Too Old” Watercolor, 28”x20”
JOHN NIEMAN WWW.JOHNNIEMAN.COM
A
fter several decades as an international creative director for Ad Agencies, John Nieman decided to reinvent his life and devote it to art. His first forays were pastels and watercolor paintings. He was quickly invited to many shows in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Canada, Paris, Italy, Ireland, Thailand –including more than a dozen solo art shows. Lately, he has progressed to more elaborate installations. He likes to create art that has an immediate impact and a residual mental tickle—either through words or subject matter.
“Cowboys” Watercolor, 28”x20” “The Sixties” Watercolor, 28”X31”
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HOWARD HARRIS WWW.HHARRISPHOTO.COM
“Evolving with The Times” By Tiarra Tompkins
T
echnology has become a part of many of our lives in ways that permeate all that we do. As we advance and change, so does art and how the world views it. Likewise, each new technology introduced makes way for contemporary artists to shift and change. This creates new processes that compound on those we have been building with for centuries. Innovation in art gives us another level of creativity to explore, and Award-winning master photographer and artist Howard Harris is that innovator. “Cheetah” Sublimation Print With Acrylic Overlay, 36”x20”
These advances in creative license incorporate fresh and visually stunning creations like “Cheetah” and “Atlas.” These bright hyper-dimensional images entice the imagination and bring the air of artistic possibility into places we never dreamed we would go. “My goal is to combine technology and aesthetics in a way that expands the viewer’s experience of photographic art.” The intensity and creativity of Harris’ innovative work are evident, as is his skill in photography and graphic design. Artistic expression thrives on the freedom to work without rules and constraints. Howard Harris is changing the world of art, and it is truly a next-level experience. “San Juan Mountains” Sublimation Print With Acrylic Overlay, 48”x27”
You may have learned in school the different ways that film and digital photography have come through each generation as it has grown and changed. Harris has taken the triedand-true methods in photography and expanded them to give us a new world to view. Harris’s multi-dimensional photographic art is a patented process. From a photograph printed on aluminum to layered abstract image on acrylic with a superimposed subtle grid, Harris can create images that bring a sense of dimensionality and fluidity to a static piece. Your experience changes based on the lighting and your angle of viewing, creating a unique and individual experience. “Atlas” Sublimation Print, 30”x36”
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S
pirituality and art run hand in hand. From Buddha statues to the angels in the Sistine Chapel, creating art and experiencing it can give way to deeply moving and spiritual experiences. Many artists revel in this connection and use WWW.COASTALPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK their artwork to connect the viewer both physically and mentally. Master artist and photographer Janice Alamanou’s artwork exudes emotion and connection. Having “Spiritual Connections” pioneered the process of imbuing her By Tiarra Tompkins photography with precious metals, she enhances the depth and meaning of each work.
JANICE
ALAMANOU
From the subtle colors to the stark contrast of the metals, she accomplishes this soul-stirring style by using her own unique blends of images to create magnetic art pieces that pull the viewer into a more profound artistic experience. From Alamanou’s landscapes, street, and portraiture to her compounded work titled ‘Soul Elements’–each new creation tells a new story, one that, when experienced, will open your eyes in brilliant new ways. Alamanou’s art shapes the beauty around us and the hardships that we face, and it will remain a powerful legacy for centuries to come.
“Autumn” Fine Art Photography, 31.5”x21”
“Summer” Fine Art Photography, 31.5”x21”
CARLA KLEEKLAMP WWW.CARLAKLEEKAMP.NL
“M
y works consist mainly of etchings, collages, water paintings, and drawings. Most of the themes in my work are focused on the continuous suppression and exhaustion of nature by human beings and their technique.”
“Document Humain” Etching Aquarelle, 8.7”x19.7”
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“Real and Artificial Intelligence” Nijimi ( old Japanese technique) Drawing
“Integration” Etching/Aquarelle, 15.7”x15.7”
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HENRIK SAAR WWW.HENRIKSAAR.DK
“I Am What I Do, And I Do What I Am.” The rose “The rose with its thorns is my trademark. It’s loaded with passion and suffering, beauty and pain just like my life, just like my art.” Who creates who? “There are times where the painting creates itself! Without having the slightest idea - what I just painted yesterday happens today! My painting is my guideline, though not even I understand the direction myself. That’s why me and my art are two sides of the same coin and become what we become through an internal dialogue between me and my painting.”
My primary mission in art: “To make my art be a picture of the time I’m a part of. That each of my artwork as a two-edged sword cuts a piece of myself and the world that made me. My artistic roots were set in a kind of dark soil of intense suffering, anxiety, freedom, and spirituality already the first years of my artistic career. This resulted in a book, published in 2004 with the title: “Passionate suffering.” Read some of the poems in English by following the link: ‘Poems’.” https://www.henriksaar.dk/index. asp?loadContent=396596
“Grateful After All, OMG” Oil On Canvas 27,5”x23,6”
“Law of Attraction” Oil On Canvas, 39.3”x31.5”
“The Fire-Cart” Oil on Canvas, 39.3”x31.5”
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“Don’t Kill The World” Oil On Canvas, 39.3”x31.5”
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VARDA BREGER WWW.VBREGER.COM Artist and Poet
“Injustice, and The Quest for Peace”
“I
n my paintings, one can find wildlife in danger of extinction, Africa, and all its problems. Migrating birds are an inspiration and metaphor for peace without borders. A New painful subject is the murder of women by their spouses or a member of the family (Award - Musa exhibition 2020 in Rome). I use mixed media techniques, transparent and opaque, mainly on paper. Streams of spontaneous running paint cages a blurred deer, rudely trod upon by my sole. An elephant with a broken task appears out of chaos. An abused nude body of a woman, head covered with a fig tree leaf, and a knife and fork beside her. Migrating birds are an inspiration for me, for peace without borders. “ Wandering birds north to south and back. Season after season millions of miles no fuel, no flag, no religion and no borders. A fraternity of feathers caressing our planet.
“Victim” Mixed Media On Paper, 39.4”x27.6”
“Fairy Tales” Mixed Media On Paper, 27.6”x39.4”
“#METOO” Mixed Media On Paper, 35.4”x27.6”
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TOM ASHBOURNE WWW.TOMASHBOURNE.COM
“A
fter a successful career as a corporate executive, I joined the artistic community as a stone sculptor, my favorite art form, and found my passion and myself in the world of fine art. My sculptures are an extension of my artistic experiences. As an art lover and collector, my interests are eclectic, exploring colors, shapes, and textures. As a sculptor, I primarily work with stone, interacting with it to reveal the essence and vision of its true self. Interpreting and viewing a sculpture is a personal emotional experience unique to each person. My pieces are contemporary and abstract, inviting you to experience them within your own context and personal interpretation of their meaning. Like me, they don’t have many sharp edges; rather curves, positive and negative space, and conversation between the different sides of the stone. My creativity is born from the wonderful art I’ve enjoyed during my life, a fertile imagination, and a deep appreciation of form, texture, and color. My technical expertise was developed through training and mentorship by renowned artists and my cherished collection of sculptural pieces, collected throughout my years as a patron. Together, these experiences have allowed me to develop my artistic eye and sense of balance and color. Sculpting is a solitary but rewarding art form. Each day brings new ideas, experiences, and successes. My technical range and artistic abilities continually evolve as I mature as an artist, with each new piece lending me the confidence to continue to build my substantial portfolio”. - Tom Ashbourne SSC SCA OSA
“Jurrasic” South African Wonderstone, billiard ball, granite base 11″ high * 11″ wide * 7″ deep
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“Passion” Alabaster, marble base, 15″ high * 4″ wide * 4″ deep
“Magic” Pearl Soapstone, granite base 16.5”x11.5″x6.5″
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REN JIANHUI
includes modernity and primitivism. And by his unique methods of processing the paint, he has mastered the optimum way to treat background and foreground separately on the canvas while producing a perfectly complementary effect.
WWW.RENJIANHUI.COM
B
orn in Chengdu, China, Mr. Ren Jianhui graduated from the Art Academy of Qing Hua University, and his teacher was the art master Mr. Wu Guanzhong. Selected as one of the “ATIM Top 60 Masters” of International Contemporary Arts in 2013 by the USA, Canada, and Italy, he became the first Southeast Asian artist to get this nomination. A former teacher at the National University of Singapore, he is the president of the Artists Society of Singapore (2002 till present) and a member of the China Artists Association. After exploring different styles and various media in his artistic career for over two decades, he settled with his current expressive method. Ren shows new-found energy in modern oil painting through semi-realism, which
“Soul Truths 2”, Oil Painting, 43.3”x33.4”
“Soul Truths” Oil Painting, 43.3”x33.4”
PATRICIA SPOON SPOONPATRICIA2@GMAIL.COM
“Elementals” Oil on Canvas, 11”x14”
“Elemental” Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”
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“I am from Virginia, USA. I started Art to express my creative thoughts. My subject consists of colors, movement, and self-expression.My creative style is unique. My technique is complex and very time-consuming. I use Oil and Acrylic mediums. My style began with an evolution for self individualism. I developed this style with favoritism of colors and self-expression. I started this style with a favoritism of colors and self expression”.
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LIZE KRÜGER WWW.LIZEKRUGERFINEART.COM
“Journeys To The Inner World” By Viviana Puello
F
rom mixed media paintings, digital collages, and threedimensional compositions, the art of master artist Lize Krüger feeds the imagination and opens a window through which we can see the unseen. She approaches each artwork with a childlike curiosity and a passionate need to create an experience that will remain in the viewer's psyche. Her works are thought-provoking and charged with emotion.
Building layer upon layer, she allows space for accidental elements to appear and create an experience that stirs the soul and impresses a message. It is a journey of surprise and excitement that the artist enjoys immensely, and that starts with her own journey to the inner world. Through her multi-layered collages, she focuses on the imaginative journey. "I am always eager to see how one image can evolve into another one. The empowered feeling of being liberated to work without restraint is invigorating." Combining images and digital elements seamlessly, Krüger develops each piece in great detail, finding freedom in her creative process with the possibility that comes with each new superimposed image. Effortlessly, she builds an arena for the imagination to tell its own story from her composition. Lize Krüger offers us a moment in time to dream, feel, and remember not only the power in art but the power within each of us. It is then up to us to master it.
“Are The Birds Still Singing In Heaven” 2021, Digital Collage, 19.6”x39.3”
“Prime Victim I” 2021, Mixed Media, 60”x85”
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“I’ll Meet You In Other Realms I” 2021, Digital Collage, 60”x85”
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“Meet The Top Ten World’s Most Influential Art Collectors” By Paul Sympson
N
o list of the world’s most influential art collectors can be definitive, as potential metrics range from aesthetic impact and monetary value to the sheer quantity of collected works. However, there are certainly a number of collectors who have continued to distinguish themselves. Among them, we have gathered ten who have had a continued and consequential effect on the global art scene. David Geffen Perhaps most famous for his business endeavors in the music and movie industries, this American business magnate has a long and rich history of philanthropy to the arts and private art collection. In 2015, he donated 100 million dollars to the Lincoln Center. In the next two years, he pledged 100 million dollars to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and 150 million dollars to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In June 2021, his donation of 150 million dollars allowed for the Yale School of Drama to transition to a tuition-free program. According to longtime director of Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Paul Shimmel, “piece for piece, work for work, there’s no collection that has a better representation of postwar American art than David Geffen’s.” Among the artists in Geffen’s private collection, which some estimate to be the most extensive private art collection at a value of at least 2.3 billion dollars, are Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollack. One of Geffen’s more noteworthy recent additions, acquired in February 2020, is David Hockney’s “The Splash,” for which he paid 30 million dollars at auction. François Pinault French businessman, founder of luxury and fashion group Kering, and the family investment firm Artémis bought his first major work, “Cour de ferme” by Paul Sérusier, in 1980. After focusing on collecting works by 20th-century masters Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso, Pinault turned his attention to contemporary pioneers such as Bruce Nauman, Robert Ryman, and Jeff Koons. In the early 2000s, Pinault announced his plans to open a museum to exhibit his renowned collection in Paris. Still, a series of administrative and legal obstacles forced him to abandon the project in 2005. After that, beginning in 2006, the Pinault Collection was exhibiFrançois Pinault Photo: S. Plaine / CC-BY-SA-4.0
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ted in Venice at Palazzo Grassi SpA. The subsequently acquired Punta della Dogana was restored by legendary Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The two then teamed up, as announced in 2016, to transform the Bourse de Commerce in the heart of Paris into a new museum that would serve as the permanent home of the Pinault Collection. After a delay due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 7,000-square-meter museum opened in May 2021 to much critical and public acclaim. In addition, the collection regularly appears in off-site exhibitions around the globe, including in Moscow, Stockholm, and Seoul. Poju and Anita Zabludowicz Philanthropist Anita and her husband, Finnish-born British billionaire businessman Poju, have been a fixture in the contemporary art world since the 1990s when they began to amass the 500-artist, 5,000-piece collection. Collectively known as the Zabludowicz Collection, the works are primarily exhibited in three international locations: 176 Gallery in north London, 1500 Broadway at Times Square in New York City, and Sarvisalo Island in Finland. In addition, the collection not only organizes residencies and exhibitions but also collaborates with other institutions on loans and exhibitions. Beyond their eponymous collection, the couple engages in a wide range of activities to support the arts. Anita’s work as a philanthropist and patron earned her the Order of the British Empire in 2015. Poju has served as Council Member of Tate Modern International since 2015, Co-Chairman of British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel, and Founding Patron of Camden Arts Centre. The couple’s ardent advocacy for the arts is embodied by their 28-year-old second child, Tiffany. She continues to carve out her own unique niche as a collector and curator with an extraordinary passion for championing modern women artists. Charles Saatchi Iraqi-British entrepreneur, co-founder of the acclaimed advertising firms Saatchi & Saatchi and then M&C Saatchi, Charles Saatchi first entered the art scene in 1969 at the age of twenty-six. In February 1985, he opened to the public the Saatchi Gallery, which housed pieces from his private collection—including works by Julian Schnabel, Andy Warhol, and Donald Judd. After this period of focus on American Minimalists, Saatchi went on to support Young British Artists such as Damien Hirst and Marc Quinn. At this time, he became arguably the most influential global promoter of art in the world with successes such as the touring exhibition “Sensation.” In addition to these efforts, Saatchi has been a consistent philanthropist. In 1998, he donated 130 works to Christie’s auction to provide scholarships to four London art schools. The following year saw a donation of approximately 100 works to the British public, while, in 2010, he donated the Saatchi Gallery and more than 200 pieces to the same public. He has recently turned his attention to the emerging world of digital art and NFTs (nonfungible tokens) with artists such as Philip Colbert. Philip Niarchos Greek billionaire and eldest son to the shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos, Philip inherited his father’s fortune and the vast majority of his father’s art collection. The latter is a treasure trove of impressionist and modern art, believed to be the most extensive private collection of Vincent van Gogh’s work, including “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,” and filled with some of the world’s most recognizable paintings, including the legendary Picasso “Yo, Picasso.” Though Niarchos is notoriously hesitant to disclose existing holdings and new acquisitions, the richness and diversity of his collection are hinted at by some of his own purchases that have been made public. These include the auction acquisitions of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “1982 Self Portrait,” Andy Warhol’s “Red Marilyn” in 1994, and “Green Burning Car I” in 2007. Philip is further suspected of being the anonymous buyer of Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” in 1998. In addition to continuing the creation of what may be the world’s largest private art collection, Niarchos serves on the Board of Trustees at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and as an International Council Member of the Tate Gallery in London.
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This corner of a cabinet of curiosities, painted by Frans II Francken in 1636, reveals the range of connoisseurship a Baroque-era virtuoso might evin
The Princes of Lichtenstein Over the course of more than 400 years, the family has treasured and collected art, amassing one of the world’s most important and extensive private collections—the Princely Collections. It contains 1,600 prominent European artworks from the 14th to the 19th century. Containing masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Hals, and Van Dyck, among countless others, the breadth and depth of the Collections make it almost impossible to fathom. But, perhaps, its connections to the work of Peter Paul Rubens can suffice, the first of which the family bought in 1643. Later, it added his cycle of eight canvases, The Decius Mus Cycle, the only cycle of its kind currently in private hands. Among the other Ruben masterpieces are “Clara Serena” and “The Assumption of the John Adam II of Liechtenstein - Photo: GuentherZ/CC BY-SA 3.0 Virgin.” When the family tradition of the public exhibition was broken by the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, which forced the collections underground for safety, there they would remain until 2004, when reigning prince H.S.H Hans-Adam II led the effort to renovate one of their Viennese palaces into a public gallery. His efforts have further ensured the continued refinement and expansion of the Princely Collections, securing its prominence in the present and opening it up to future possibilities. Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova A Russian-Israeli businessman perhaps most famous as the owner of the football club Chelsea F.C., Abramovich entered the international art scene in 20052006, with his sponsorship of Russian photography at the Somerset House in London and with his auction purchases of Lucian Freud’s “Benefits Supervisor Sleeping and Francis Bacon’s “Triptych.” During this time, he also began his relationship with Zhukova, the co-founder of the fashion label Kova & T. The couple married in secret in 2008, the same year revealing the joint venture Garage Center for Contemporary Culture (now, Garage Museum of Contemporary Art). Permanently installed in Gorky Park, after a stint at the renovated Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage, the nonprofit organization committed itself to advancing Roman Abramovich - Photo by Marina Lystseva - https://m.vk.com/album447796709_0?rev=1&contemporary art through research, from=profile&z=photo447796709_456239017%2Faleducation, events, and exhibitions both bum447796709_0%2Frev/ on-site and off. The couple continued adding to their collection, perhaps most notably with about 40 works by Ilya Kabakov. Though the couple split in 2017, they have continued their prominence in the international art scene both jointly and individually. Abramovich most recently made news with his $120-million-dollar acquisition of Edward Munch’s “Incognito” in May 2020, while Zhukova continues to serve as the editor-in-chief of GARAGE magazine and as a board member for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Shed.
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A painting c. 1651 by David Teniers the Younger depicting part of the famous collection formed by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria while he was Governor of the Spanish Netherlands from 1647 to 1656.
Bernard Arnault French businessman and current chairman and chief executive of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Arnault is an avid collector of modern art both on an individual basis and through LVMH. His collection numbers in the thousands and includes heralded works by such artists as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Yves Klein, Damien Hirst, and Andy Warhol. Perhaps even more impressive is Arnault’s patronage through LVMH Young Fashion Designer and Fondation Luis Vuitton. The latter is a cultural center and 126,000 square-foot museum designed by Frank Gehry and opened in October 2014. This architectural wonder, whose defining mark is twelve glass “sails” that provide the building’s signature curving shape, houses a permanent collection derived from Arnault’s perBernard Arnault - Photo By Jérémy Barande / Ecole polytechnique Université Paris-Saclay, CC BY-SA 2.0, sonal collection and that of LVMH—inhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cucluding works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, rid=57236367 Jeff Koons, Ellsworth Kelly, and Olafur Eliasson. Since that time, the museum has hosted a variety of blockbuster exhibitions, including one in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York that attracted more than 750,000 visitors and an unprecedented (and perhaps impossible to reproduce) retrospective of Basquiat that included 120 works. Arnault’s work extends around the globe through events and exhibitions and “espaces” in Venice and Tokyo. Eli and Edyth Broad This luminary couple of the art world met as teenagers and married in 1954, before moving from Detroit to Los Angeles in 1963. There, Eli initially focused on business, while Edythe pursued her passion for the arts, acquiring works by Southern California artists and expanding her network of dealers and artists to New York. The couple united in their passion for collection, acquiring notable works by Picasso and Matisse before focusing on postwar and contemporary art. They eventually amassed a collection of more than 2,000 works—600 in their personal collection and 1,500 in the Broad Art Foundation, which they founded in 1984. As part of their mission to make art more accessible, they spearheaded the construction and opening of the Eli and Edyth Broad Art Museum in November 2012 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. In addition to these efforts, the Broads have contributed generously to both the Los Angeles Opera and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Along the way, the Broads also served on the board of the Future Generation Art Prize and received the American Federation of the Arts Cultural Leadership award. In the wake of Eli’s death in April 2021, Edyth carries forward their legacy of philanthropy and passion for art. Adrian Cheng Hong Kong businessman and founder of the K11 brand, Cheng, has spearheaded the concept of a new marriage between commerce and art with the opening of his first museum mall in 2009. In his mission, as he says, to “democratize [art] and create a habit for Chinese millennials to go and appreciate beauty and culture and understand it,” Cheng has opened further malls in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenyang—with plans to complete 29 such projects by 2024. In addition to this fusion of art and everyday life, the K11 Art Foundation has worked since 2010 to bridge between Chinese artists and the world of international art. In fulfilling its educational and philanthropic aims, the foundation has acquired a comprehensive collection of contemporary art, sponsored and mounted various exhibitions worldwide, and established a residency program in Wuhan. Cheng’s determination to connect artistic passions and cultivate new cultures has won him a slew of international recognition and arts positions, including board director of the National Museum of China Foundation, Trustee of Royal Academy of Arts, and Member of International Circle of Centre Pompidou.
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JIM FITZPATRICK WWW.JIM-FITZPATRICK.PIXELS.COM
“A Masterful Portrait Of Humanity” By Tiarra Tompkins
J
im Fitzpatrick’s vibrant imagery speaks not only of the emotions evoked but also to the superior talent of the Master artist and photographer. His mixed media artworks of pastel and photograph composite blend two art forms in complete harmony. Fitzpatrick leads the viewer’s eye with exquisite detail.
Through his mastery of many different styles of artwork like painting, drawing, abstract, and photography, Jim Fitzpatrick brings together healing and hope in every piece he creates. Instead of focusing solely on one medium, he bridges the gap to reach audiences of all tastes. We need his reminder that each of us is human, and that “Portrait of a Filipina With Courage Come What May” Pastels and Photography Digitally Combined
humanity brings us closer together in the shared experiences of life much more than the differences media, politics, and prejudice seek to divide us with. Fitzpatrick’s work continues to make an impact and bring hope to an international audience. He has been selected by ArtTour International Magazine as one of their Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art seven years in a row, one of their Artists of the Decade, and one of the 2020 recipients of the ARTYA Award.
“A Time and Purpose Under Heaven” Photography Digitally Altered
“Rice Fields in Bulacan” Photography Digitally Altered
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PAUL SMITH WWW.PAULSMITHARTIST.NET
P
aul Smith is widely regarded as one of the most popular British artists specializing in painting boxing and sporting action scenes. As a result, Paul’s boxing art is highly sought after and commissioned worldwide. Paul’s artistic flair began studying at Sutton College of Art and Design for a Diploma in Art and Graphic Design and then studying at the University of Central England for a degree in Engineering Product Design and a Master of Arts MA.
“Rocky Marciano v Roland LaStarza Rematch” Gouache Painting
Paul brings a distinctive artistic style, using Gouache as his chosen medium. He captures in his paintings the boxer’s movement, raw intensity, and atmosphere of the fight. His subtle brushstrokes and lightly layering strive to bring attention to detail, realism, and an accurate depiction. His works capture the intensity and energy of both boxers and the atmospheric representation of the boxing arena and crowds surrounding the ring. “Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder Rematch”, Gouache Painting
JEONG-AH ZHANG
WWW.JEONGAHZHANG.COM
“The Ambiguity of Life and Death” By Tiarra Tompkins
E
xpressing the unspeakable beauty of life and death has been at the core of many artworks since the beginning of time. Sharing both the emotional highs and lows of life and the mystery and uncertainty around death. Jeong-Ah Zhang, Master Artist, Photographer, and Painter, bridges the gap in our imaginations and opens our eyes to the ambiguous world of life and death.
“Transparent Time Scale” Mixed Media On Canvas 2021, 37”x22”
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Jeong-Ah Zhang captures the mystery and beauty of these experiences through color, shape, and form while opening our eyes to a world of peculiar oddities we had yet to experience. Her surrealist paintings push us to the edge of our own underss ourselves and the world for more meaning than surface deep. Works like "Transparent Time Scale" and "Things" connect us to a world that exists just outside of our consciousness.
Her piece, The Spirit of the Fragrance, gives a stiff pause followed by an inquisitive, childlike curiosity. A deeply rooted bare tree stands imposing and edges its way out of the canvas as two floating spirit forms float in and out of sight. Zhang spellbindingly captures rested hands and a stillness and peace with the precision and grace of a true master artist. She unlocks the door to our inner questions and feelings, giving way to a myriad of emotions and responses with each stroke of her brush.
“The Spirit Of The Fragrance” Acrylic On Canvas 2021, 21”x29”
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PAUL HARTEL WWW.HARTELART.COM
“Celebrating the Inner Child” By YaRo
W
ith a masterful use of color, line, and form, American artist Paul Hartel creates works to celebrate the spirit of the “Inner Child.” His vibrant compositions are full of movement and blended reflections. His style reflects figurative, abstract, and neo-expressionism highly influenced by DeKooning, Mitchel, Kline, Twombly, and Wool. He employs layers and contrasts in his paintings using oils, acrylics, oil pastels, and charcoal. With a background in Psychology and Medicine, Paul Hartel intersects the relationship between people and places. He creates depth by layering and blending blocks of color, allowing each figure to explore proportion while using inspiration from his creative role models to develop his own unique style. Hartel’s “Happy Gardener” explores human emotions in a colorful, multilayer composition. The interplay of surface and layered imagery becomes an exciting provocation that urges the viewer’s eye to travel across the canvas to discover new details each time. Harte’s work is both structured and free-flowing. His creative process is a compulsory exploration with genuine courage and curiosity. Learning and unlearning the life experience is a valued narrative he uses to follow his inspiration into the sparks of color that make the human journey a cherished memory.
“Sarah’s Mafia” Mixed Media On Canvas, 40”x40”
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“Girl In The City” Oil And Oil Pastels On Canvas, 20”x16”
His knowledge and relationship to Psychology are mirrored in his ability to play with lines and whimsy as a guide through the mind. Hartel is an international artist and has exhibited in New York City, Los Angeles, West Virginia, Waterford, Sligo, and Dublin, with works currently in residence at Green Gallery, Dublin, Ireland.
“Happy Gardener” Mixed Media On Canvas, 40”x40”
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JANI JAN J.
WWW.JANIJANJ.COM
By Paul Simpson
A
ustrian sculptor, painter, and graduate art therapist, Jani Jan J. is known as a vanguard of experiential, mythological, and immersive through abstract expressionism.
His geometric crafting creates mixed media paintings with a larger-than-life presence. His recent series focusing on 'Transformation in Motion' stands out with stark backgrounds in dark tones, metaphorically representing and giving effect on the appearance of infinite space. The whimsical series portrays space as a transitional factor. Simultaneously, geometric shapes set the tone in flat-surfaced layers, that in turn, allows abstract figurative subjects to move through the illusion of depth in each canvas. Jan J. bridges “Twist And Child” 11.8”x15.7”-Copper, Mixed Media On Canvas, 2021
“Dance With The Firebird” Mixed Media On Paper, 1993-16.9”x206.6”
symbolic motifs from scientific and spiritual concepts; the final result is thought-provoking and inviting. Jan J. seeks to inspire a sense of wonder, expansion, and self-discovery. He prefers to leave interpretation up to the individual while intriguing his audience with carefully chosen allegories in many of his backgrounds, adding abstract figures that stretch across the canvas in lively motions. Jan J. creates a rich and diverse world with references to the subconscious and the vibrancy of the human imagination while making successful use of compositional skills to promote his expression. “Ramse´s Dog” Iron Painting, Mixed Media On Wood, 234.2”x16.5”x1.5”, 2017
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PHILIP NOYED WWW.PHILIPNOYED.COM
“Molton Color Globe” Neo Art Space Virtual Reality Light Experience, 10’x10’
P
hilip Noyed is a luminary multi-media and VR artist. He uses light, color, and sound to create immersive, transformational art experiences. His art represents the quintessential contemporary art movement using innovative technologies that are changing the way art is experienced today.
Color and light, and sound are all harmonic frequencies that affect people both emotionally and physiologically. Philip uses these ideas to create healing art that is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. The RAINBOW PYRAMID light experience goes through the seven colors of the Rainbow/Chakras while music plays that corresponds to each of the frequencies of the chakras–from the base of red to the apex of the purple crown chakra. Thus, the sacred geometric dynamics of the pyramid, combined with color and sound, help elevate the viewer’s frequencies while bringing a sense of joy, peace, and being attuned. NEO ART SPACE is a wow-inspiring immersive Virtual Reality (VR) art experience. Traveling through space and time, you emerge in a new universe as an explorer of planets, stars, galaxies, and dazzling moving colorful light art. You explore over thirty experiences orchestrated with ethereal music to help you move from everyday 3D experience to a transcendent 5D consciousness. You can create your own experience via teleporting wherever you want to go on pathways through glowing light caves, into planets, through vibrantly
“Rainbow Pyramid at Sedona” LED Light Experience, 12’x12’x12’
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“Radiant Wisteria” Neo Art Space Virtual Reality Light Experience, 20’x20’x30’
“Rainbow Sparkles Walkway” Neo Art Space Virtual Reality Light Experience, 20’x10’x50’
alive forests, inside zinging energy fields, or out into space observatory to see an eclipse. The array of experience and the levels you can go are as boundless as the universe you are in. You can even create your very own interactive geometric art.
Sharing the experience with others only amplifies its effect. You can meet family and friends inside and experience the sense of awe and wonder in the Neo Art Space VR together, making unforgettable memories that are as unique as the environment you are in.
“Aurora Space View”, Neo Art Space Virtual Reality Light Experience
Philip and his team are actively developing the Neo Art Space VR experience for a release in a few months. You can follow the progress and enjoy magical images, animated graphics, and videos at: @neo_art_space
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NeoArtSpace.com
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MONIKA BENDNER WWW.MONIKABENDNER.COM
By Viviana Puello
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hrough a digital overlay and collage process, award-winning master artist Monika Bendner creates multilayered, surrealistic experiences through a combination of photographic prints and mixed media. Her compositions which are printed on a variety of materials, create a narrative that evokes emotions and multiple responses from her viewers.
“Hi What There” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung on Canvas
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“Harlekins Auftritt” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung On Canvas
Monika's use of abstract lines and shapes conveys movement in their dimensionality, and her bold, rich, textured application of color emanates meaning through their saturation. Visually connecting disparate elements and creating a visually stunning image is the hallmark feature of Bendner's work throughout her metamorphosis. Her collections of impressive, starkly captivating imagery continue to be thought-provoking and stimulate audiences around the world.
“Hi Dear Audience” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung On Canvas
"I love colors and the 'non - colors.' Now I thought to portray it in a series of pictures. That's how I see nature. The beauty there is in the abundance of colors, but also the beauty in the melancholy of the "non - colors." This is how my pictures were created, designed in abstract forms. Now everyone can decide for themselves what they like better." - Monika Bender
“Harlekin Vorstellung” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung On Canvas
“Vivi Kleiderpuppe” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung On Canvas
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“Harlequin” Drawing, Silhoutte, Phtography, PC Bearbeitung On Canvas
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JEAN JACQUES PORRET WWW.JJPORRET.COM
jj@jjporret.com
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riginally from Switzerland, award -winning artist, sculptor, and engineer Jean-Jacques Porret was exposed to art from the day he was born to a family of art and antique collectors. Being surrounded by beautiful antiquities, statues, and artwork planted the seed of art early on in his life, and he began carving wood when he was just six years old. He specialized in creating magnificent works with the lost wax technique of casting Bronze. As an artist, Porret is continuously evolving, and his work and style have changed over the years. From sharper to a softer expression of molten metal. Porret muses, “If my approach seems figurative, I do not aim for a reproduction of the human form: what interests me is to transmit an abstract feeling or an idea rather than an image of reality. I use recognizable forms to arouse emotion, to give birth to sensations. I consider myself, in fact, an impressionist.” This vision drives his work, and each sculpture imbues depth and intensity.
"Comcubine" Bronze Sculpture, 22.5" Height
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“Opulence” Bronze Sculpture, 19” Height
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2021 When viewing one of Jean Jacques Porret’s sculptures, the human form seems to leap out at the viewer. Jean-Jacques describes this movement as “rhythm in space.” Likewise, Porret said of his artistic method and vision, “I work without any preconceived idea…(I) continue instinctively, with one shape leading to the next, until the figure is simply rhythm in space”. Where it all started: Born into a family of art and antique collectors in Switzerland, art was in Porret’s blood from the moment he was born. As soon as his hands were able, he began carving wood at the age of 6. That propelled him forward, finished his engineering degree, and traveled to Chicago, traveling to the United States to begin his journey as an engineer and Artist.
"Harmonious" Bronze Sculpture, 8"x11"x15"
1979 Honing his technique and growing his bronze collection, Porret began to showcase his work. His first opportunity to be featured was a group exhibition in the Peter Miller Gallery in Chicago, IL.
1985 As Porret’s name and work gained notoriety, so did his exposure. Benjamin Beattie Gallery jumped on the opportunity to be the first to give Porret a solo exhibition to showcase his incredible bronze sculptors created by “The Lost Wax Process.” “Lost wax is a slow multi-step process that has endured only because of the results…knowing that my bronze sculptures will outlive me provides a comforting whiff of immortality. I believe everyone wants to leave something behind.” Jean Jacques Porret
1985 - 2018
"Rocambolesque" Bronze Sculpture, 22.5" Height
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Over the next 33 years, Porret’s work would be featured in over 46 gallery shows, both solo and group exhibitions. Not only was his work being seen all over the world, but he also received many awards and recognition, including RMG Artist of the Year in 2016!
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"Compromise" Bronze Sculpture, 8"x18"x12"
HIS WORK
2019 - 2020 Jean-Jacques Porret's bronzes can be seen in numerous collections throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States. With many of his pieces now on permanent display in galleries and showrooms, Porret continues to create. Being recognized in 2019 as #4 of Important World Artists to Follow. He was also named one of the Top 10 Contemporary Artists to follow for 2019 and 2020, also receiving the Artist of the Decade from Arttour International Magazine in 2020.
"Insolite" Bronze Sculpture, 20" Height
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WENDY YEO WWW.WENDYYEO.COM
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ong Kong-born artist Wendy Yeo graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art University College London. She has won numerous prizes and Travelling Scholarships. Her exhibitions in-
“Gold Fish Pond at Sunset” Acrylic on Canvas, 19.6”x23.6”
clude Solo Shows in U.K, New York, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kuwait, and International group shows in Italy, Austria, and Germany. Her works can be found in the public collection of Ashmolean Museum Oxford, Wolfson College Oxford, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Yu Kyung Museum South Korea, University College London Museum, Hong Kong University Museum. Her work is also to be found in many Private Collections worldwide.
“Autumn Waterfall” Acrylic on Canvas, 41”x32”
“My work combines Chinese brushwork and space with Western individuality of expression. At the moment, I am involved with portraying movement and cycles in Nature, for example, the four seasons, sunrise and sunset, waterfalls and waves”.
LAWRENCE R. ARMSTRONG
WWW.LRAART.COM
Armstrong's paintings and sculptures represent the ongoing tension that exists between opposing forces. The opposing forces one finds within the themes of emotion, intellect, and paradigms such
as chaos and order, solid and void, simplicity and complexity, shapes, among many others, fascinated by the natural and built environment and the forces in space and time.
“Spectrous 1.5” Acrylic On Board, 18”x24”
“Spectrous 2.3” Acrylic On Board, 54”x54”
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awrence Armstrong is an award-winning American Artist and Architect who explores the concept of layers, how they can interact and intersect to create harmony and beauty. He gets inspiration from flashes of light that appear to him spontaneously triggered by sensory influences.
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CHER ANDERSON WWW.CHERSCREATIONS.COM
“Passion For Wildlife Conservation” by Viviana Puello
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aster artist, photographer, and conservationist Cher Anderson's work explores nature and wildlife themes focused on helping our planet's conservation.
Anderson's work is rich in detail and the illusion of movement, often capturing wild animals and showcasing their majestic poses and powers. She makes use of imagery to convey their effect on the human experience. Her intimate relationship with these creatures is seen through her use of light and color. She pays close attention to the details and characteristics that enhance the depiction of her subjects. For over 40 years, Anderson has sought to educate and practice her craft, always aiming to take her work to the next level. Anderson's hyper-realistic wildlife paintings will force you to take a second look to find a detail you would expect only from a photograph. Her “Fire in the Sky” Acrylic On Canvas, 36”x48”
“Touch” Acrylic on Canvas, 35”x18” - Reference Photo by Necip Perver
brushwork depicts natural life in its purest form, not only in how it is expected but by truly giving detail to the incredible creation of each animal represented in her work. That artistic passion for wildlife has led to efforts in conservation that have created a global impact. Anderson and her husband have created a home for small and big animals alike. True to her wildlife conservation and rehabilitation spirit, Anderson donates most of the proceeds from her art sales to conservation efforts. With a heart like this, we know big things, both artistic and world-changing, will be coming from Anderson as long as she has breath and a brush. “Phoebe’s Fire” Acrylics on Gesso Board, 24”x15”
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“Red Delight” Oil on Canvas, 24”x30”
color coordination and intricate details make this portrait artist a curious storyteller revealing discovery in each stroke. Her landscapes flourish with shades of green and flat skies that convey the arrival to a treasured destination painted in backgrounds resting on horizon lines, with each color and natural element coming together as if whisked away into one blow by the wind.
“Surprises in My Garden” Oil on Canvas, 18”x37”
YOLANTA DESJARDINS
Desjardins has works in the permanent collection of the National Library of Australia, St Patrick's College Strathfield, and Balmain Sinfonia, among others- having Graduated from St Scholastica's College, Glebe and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts under Auseklis Ozols New Orleans, Louisiana, and portraiture with Yve Close in Sydney Australia. With a passion for gifting others a moment of their reflection, Desjardins uses her skill to bring harmony into the lives of her audience.
WWW.YOLANTA.CO By YaRo
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ustralian painter Yolanta Desjardins employs precision and a compositional style with inviting warm color hues in still life's, landscapes, and portraits. Her paintings of personal figures and intimate moments explore youth, family bonds, and seasonal beauty through nature. Desjardins' work is modest and profound, as she adds a light air and a sense of intimacy in warm lighting and soft brushstrokes. A gift for capturing the joyful honesty in the eyes of her human subjects, with a keen sense for layers and color that evoke each person's emotion and unique personality. Beyond the elegance of Desjardins compositions, she captures objects hinting towards the history of each person and setting observing her subject's relationship to the background using light as the compass for that which connects the two. Proper “Homage to Grandmothers” Oil on canvas, 18”x18”
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KIMBERLY BERG WWW.ISISRISING.NET
“Awaken My Beloved 03”, Pastel, 30”x19”
“Awaken My Beloved 02” Pastel, 30”x19”
“Awaken My Beloved 01” Pastel, 30”x19”
“Awaken My Beloved”
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he figure holding a ram’s horn in these paintings is the reproduction of a carving of a Paleolithic Goddess at the opening to the Laussel cave in southern France. It was carved as early as 26,000 BC. No matter how represented, the Goddess was honored and worshipped for thousands of years in Paleolithic and
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Neolithic times. Later the observance of a male God was established. He condemned women from nearly the first day of creation, according to the Biblical account. Whether the Biblical account is taken seriously or not, many men still condemn women as weak and subject to a preponderance of human faults., My art is an attempt to set the record straight... As a history major, I find the well-documented historical record of women’s spirituality by Layne Redmond WHEN THE DRUMMERS. WERE WO-
MEN largely ignored today. If humanity once worshipped a female Goddess, I feel that women and men are ill-served today. Why must a women’s spirituality that once flourished for tens of thousands of years in Paleolithic and Neolithic times no longer have any credibility?.. By combining the poetic word with the art image, I have created a compelling expression that addresses the dark chasm of contemporary feminine spirituality. AWAKEN MY BELOVED is an attempt to restore women’s ancient spiritual soul.
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ew York-based occult shop Big Breath Wellness is a go-to top choice for practitioners in the U.S. for its selection of old and new witchcraft-related items and organic herbal wellness products. Known for its focus on mental health through intricate blends of ritual incense and wild-harvested herbs, this is not your typical occult shop. Created by Yadira Roman and Tierney Carey, the brand's mission is to bridge effective practices between Science and Spirituality that aid with severe mental health conditions. They are helping their clients overcome internal challenges while empowering them to embrace their Spiritual Gifts for a healthier quality of life. The two partners have been lifelong friends and express their passion for humanitarian issues such as women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and advocating for racial justice.
Illustration by Stephanie Weitekamp
Big Breath Wellness offers multicultural exposure to traditional practices, and their handmade jewelry, skincare, and hair care reflect their cultural pride.
Tierney Carey
Yadira Roman
www.bigbreath-wellness.com
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WENDY COHEN WWW.WENDYCOHEN.NET.AU
wendycohen123
“Harmonious and Symbolic Expressions” By YaRo
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ased in Sydney, Australia, Wendy Cohen is an abstract expressionist artist whose mixed-media collections exhibit analogous and complementary colors to create energy and geometric contrast with a sense of harmony and balance. In her colorfully diverse work, Cohen is a curious painter who takes the viewer in the direction she wants us to go through sweeping brushstrokes that at times can appear to spring out of the canvas and into life. Primarily working with acrylic, acrylic ink, linen, boards, and paper, her discovery of color and shapes expresses much by juxtaposing textures and spatial elements. Through layering colors, Cohen evokes and explores human emotions and their response to life transitions and the natural influence of nature through the process. Cohen is often found submerged into her creative process in a continuous relationship to the exploration of light through color. Her recent work “Dancing In Circles” presents a harmonious composition of shapes and lines that dance in warm hues of “Dancing in Circles”
yellow, orange, and red. Her geometric shapes create a continued joyful narrative behind this balanced and symbolic expression. Cohen’s abstractions are unpredictable and intriguing, with a playful and continued evolution in her approach to style and technique. Cohen continues to be found sharing her recent collections Internationally, not just making a mark in her career but serving as a reminder to continue transforming through art and developing new perspectives of the world.
“Pots of Fragrant Potpourri”
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“Olive Grove”
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SHIFRA LEVYATHAN WWW.SHIFRALEV.COM
“A World of Possibilities” By Viviana Puello
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sraeli contemporary photographer Shifra Levyathan’s work, portrays complex layers of our life experience and current world reality through her symbolic urban photography. Inspired by the architectural structures she sees in her travels around the world and fleeting moments of city life, Shifra creates surrealistic otherworldly imagery by blending realistic photography with
digital alterations. Levyathan captures people’s diversity and colorful personalities, old and frail buildings, and the grandeur and sophistica-
“Looking Out” Fine Art Photography
“The Black Lake” Fine Art Photography
tion of modern architecture. Her underlying message is the impact we have in the world we live in and the possibilities of a better future if we raise our consciousness to take care of our planet and learn to live in peace. The atmosphere of her photos reflects the mood; the more colorful ones depict happy and lighter moments, while the monochromatic prints depict sad and darker scenes. The computer-aided alterations add a twist to the composition and are an essential element of her unique style. The result is a digital painting that recounts a story. One that has already been told with words but now speaks loud through her photos. Predominantly an urban photographer, most of Shifra’s works focus on views of city life, people’s behavior in public spaces and references our contemporary way of life. Her unfettered imagination when altering her photographs, an uncanny eye for beautiful and animated scenery and scenarios are what set her apart from the average photographer.
“Lemons -Homage to Rene Magritte” Manipulated Photograph , 16”x12"
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Shifra’s brilliant photographic work continues to win over many art enthusiasts worldwide and has earned her numerous awards.
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SHERRY FARSAD WWW.SHERRYFARSAD.COM
“A Contemplative Dialogue” By YaRo
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here is an ethereal sensuality to Persian Australian multi-media artist Sherry Farsad’s luscious and dynamic figurative work. Choosing oils, acrylics, and graphite, her push and pull between expressionism and realism is exhibited in large, soft strokes and contrasting hues to create vivid movement
in her work. The nature of her strokes and spatial elements yields emotional responses in her audience. The carefully applied brushstrokes and bold colors emphasize the heightened emotionality of each piece. Sherry paints with skill and intention to evoke a curious and contemplative dialogue from her audience. She expresses the sacred complexities of human emotion. The vibrant colors and soft curvature of the central figures in her work form a sense of harmony, tranquility, and transformation in contrast to the subtle and richly spaced backgrounds. The result is multi-dimensional works that project a radiant glow.
“Who Am I” Oils, 33”x33”
Pulling inspiration from her internal battles, Sherry lit a fire in her career in choosing to pursue her passion as a full-time artist during the lockdown period of Covid-19. Creating time to be intimate with her desires, she surrendered her voice onto her canvas, and the result is a diverse collection of inspiring visuals and highly skilled applications.
“Journey to Self” Oils, 30”x24”
JASON BRYANT WWW.BRYANTPAINTINGS.COM
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photo, a fingerprint, a signature, and DNA are all methods we use to identify a person, but they are just a means to match a name or face to an individual, not to describe who they are or to translate their identity. For as long as I have been using portraiture as the main focus of my paintings, it
“Knowing this Will Be the Last Time” Oil on Canvas
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is not the identity or recognizable face I use to describe my portraits but a blueprint of how I approach portraiture. So many levels go into what makes a person’s portrait. It’s a fabric of many layers intertwined with a person’s favorite foods, music, and movies. I have used all of these concepts in building my portraits. Stemming from my lifelong love of the cinema, many of the subjects of my paintings are actors and actresses. However, I am not commenting on a celebrity or the star system, but I use the celebrity as a hook to bring the viewer in. Likewise, my work has never focused on the face to describe or examine a portrait. Instead, by cropping or hiding certain features of the face, I add more mystery to the portrait, bringing us to question who we are and what’s beneath the surface. In my recent series of paintings, I have incorporated my love of skateboarding to explore themes of portraiture. With vibrant visceral iconic skateboard graphics coming from behind or bursting
“Here’s Looking at You” Oil on Canvas
through the elegant black and white images of various actors and actresses, I’ve merged two of the most important parts of my life, skateboarding, and art. I use the traditional format of the portrait to simultaneously comment on identity and create portraits that mean so much more than just the individual being painted. With most of my paintings, the figure is the focal point, but when all of the elements of the painting come into play, the work really explores the identity of others, not the subject being painted. There is so much to be learned from a person’s portrait, information that goes well beyond the face.
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KARI VEASTAD
WWW.KARIVEASTAD.COM
“Expressions of Inner and Outer Worlds” By Viviana Puello
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aster artist Kari Veastad has perfected the medium for the tumultuous inner churnings of the heart and mind through her dramatic and telling artworks. Her award-winning compositions focus on abstract expressionism, reflecting ideas concerning nature, spirituality, and the human psyche complexities. Veastad creates to share with the world an infinite palette of colors, textures, and emotions. Steadfast in sharing her passion, she brings vision and substance to the interaction between body, soul, and spirit within each work of art she brings to life. Veastad exposes the beauty in the broken, the haunting, and even the healing that comes not only with creating art but by immersing yourself in the experience of art.
“Dilemma” Acrylic On Canvas, 50”x70”
She draws inspiration in the beauty, movement, and interaction between body, soul, and spirit. Her works are expressions of inner and outer landscapes and the mystery of life. An impressive expression of this concept is her painting titled Dilemma. Brilliant colors pop off the canvas as you are drawn to joyful yellows, mellow blues, and emphatic reds. Within the chaos, shapes emerge, drawing you into a sea of shapeless souls, all searching, and perhaps demanding a space to call their own. With each brushstroke, Veastad creates a place so vivid the emotions pour palpably off the canvas giving voice to our own feelings and emotions effortlessly.
“The Moment” Acrylic On Canvas, 60”x80”
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JING ZHAO
WWW.JINGZHAOART.COM
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enjoy creating portraits or figures and landscapes in which I can find a certain beauty in a unique characteristic or moods either from my daily life or a photo I took. I try to hold onto a child-like curiosity and use the artistic well-trained eye to see the beauty of our everyday life. Oil is my preferred medium. My works use the line, shape, value, color, texture, and edges of all these technical elements to create a poetic interpretation of my inner voice. These basic concepts provide the fundamental structure for my visual goal of the paintings. When I see the subject, I try to interpret it and communicate my unique vision. It is not my goal to merely depict the scene as I see it. Instead, I use my artistic eye to express my inner response towards what I see—depicting my emotion and mood from personal life experience and inner spiritual world.
“Blue Dancer” Oil on Canvas, 24”x20”
Therefore, my visual vocabulary has to do with what I initially see in the subject to create my mental image of the result of the painting.
“Frolicking in the Shallow” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
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“Mom’s Helper” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
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“Grow Your Art Collection without Breaking the Bank” Paul Simpson
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hether you are looking to start or expand your personal art collection, you have many fantastic opportunities along the spectrum between one-of-a-kind Sotheby pieces and mass-produced Ikea prints. In order to take advantage, you have to be willing to expand your possibilities of place, medium, and payment. Check out the following ways you can own beloved artworks that fit your budget while allowing you to support your local creative scene and community artists. Investigate familiar places. Some top-of-mind destinations for novice and experienced collectors alike are art galleries and art studios. These spaces are also often synonymous with full-price original works that can seem intimidating. However, this kind of misconception ignores the fact that both galleries and studios conduct seasonal and end-of-year sales and have permanent sections in which original works are offered at a discount. So, the next time you visit one of these spaces— whether it’s your first or your fiftieth trip—make sure to fully discover all the possibilities to add to the beauty of your collection.
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Get off the beaten path. In addition to the traditional mainstays discussed above, several lesser-known venues for finding the next crown jewel in your collection. While they may appear the same as for-profit galleries from the outside, non-profit galleries run in a very distinct manner on the inside. These differences can help you to support special causes, as well as to take advantage of greater price flexibility. Generally composed of a handful to dozens of artists, artist cooperatives offer the chance to support local artists who are motivated to sell their own work and their peers. Art fairs are yet another excellent place for art lovers. While many charge an admission price, it is more often than not offset by the deals available on their grounds. For the best deals, you may want to start negotiating at the end of the day, particularly towards the end of the fair, when sellers tend to become more flexible. Mix up mediums. No matter the art you love—whether painting, photography, or sculpture—you can always find unique pieces for your collection by considering different forms. For example, if you love a painting that you can’t quite afford, you
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may be able to enjoy its beauty as a limited-edition print or photograph. Or you may be able to purchase the autographed palette that the artist used to create the painting. Similarly, while that original sculpture may not fit your budget, you may be able to enjoy a limited-edition replica or even an autographed 3D-printed version. Win with wearables. In recent times, artists are increasingly taking advantage of online platforms and other opportunities that allow them to translate their creations into wearable art. From hats, scarves, and shirts to skirts, handbags, and jewelry—you have an almost unlimited spectrum of creations to choose from. You can also discover limited-edition and autographed items, in addition to custom, one-of-a-kind opportunities to commission your own wearable art. Make money arrangements. You may have the distinct pleasure of falling immediately in love with a work, mixed immediately thereafter with the pain of its seeming unattainability. In this case, do not despair. Instead, make sure to inquire about the possibility of installment plans, like galleries, co-ops, and individual artists are often much more flexible than commonly believed. In addition, specialized art lending firms (and even apps) offer another potential avenue for financing. Just make sure to look around for all of these possibilities before selecting the right option, as they vary widely in terms and conditions.
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LAURENCE LHER WWW.LAURENCE-LHER.COM
“Aquatic” Acrylic, 19.7”x25.6”
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aurence LHER was born in Occitanie (France). Her interest in art began at an early age when she designed and made collages. After extensive University studies, she worked freelance in the field of Human Relations and Real Estate. She participated in a Fine Arts Workshop, creating portraits influenced by Expressionism. Later, Laurence LHER evolved towards an Abstract painting style, close to Colorfield Painting and Minimal Art. Currently, she produces purified forms that reflect a desire for objectivity. Her artworks have been shown in several International Exhibitions.
“Aurore” Acrylic, 19.7”x25.6”
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MARTY JONES WWW.MJARTS.COM
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’ve worked as a freelance illustrator for over 40 years with clients worldwide and exhibited my artwork in several national and international shows and one-man exhibitions. I have two illustrations in the permanent collection of the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas. I don't remember a time that I didn't draw; I began drawing 'seriously' in High School and intended to become a Technical Illustrator. Lack of planning led me to a degree in Architecture instead of an education in art. Distractions, such as 'lack of work' led me to an eight-year career in construction and a career with the City of Portland as a Building Plans Examiner, from which I 'retired' with a medical layoff in 1998.
“Face of a Leopard”
But the dream never died... I've been a freelance commercial artist and designer for over 30 years, initially working on commission until 1998. During my college years, I exhibited my art in several non-juried shows but found little time for illustration until 1988, when a ruptured appendix and a brush with death caused me to re-evaluate my goals and priorities. I realized that life wasn't as predictable as it appeared, and God has given me the talent to be used to benefit others. My body of work is fairly eclectic. However, all of my illustrations are realistically styled. My preferred media is digital painting. I've illustrated seven children's books and two books for adults and created numerous illustrations for various clients, including Scholastic Inc. and the Yellowstone Park Foundation.
I work extensively with digital manipulation and photo enhancement; I also work with small-scale video production. In 2015 I added digital publishing to my business, publishing four titles in the first year. My work tends toward encouragement or presentation of life as I would like it to be rather than a presentation of either a moral or philosophical message. I believe that most people neglect to enjoy life's small moments, which often contain the greatest meanings. If there is a 'message' to be found in my work, it is primarily present in my art, and I have had the experience of presenting it to the viewer”.
“Jurassic World Competition” “Malka Illustration3”
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ABHISHEK TUIWALA WWW.ABHISHEKTUIWALA.COM
“Three-Dimensional Connections” By YaRo
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or the New York-based artist Abhishek Tuiwala creating mesmerizing layered multi-media work with exquisite and precise technique is a channel where he can metaphorically connect multicultural, generational, and intimate human experiences into one expression. Having received his M.F.A. (Sculpture) from Pratt Institution, Brooklyn, New York, Tuiwala is known for his narrative dimensions. His style is derived from the intersection of installation art, sculpting, and drawing. His works reflect on his experiences immigrating to the U.S. from India and allowing his art to be as bold as his life choices.
“The Golden Identity” Wood, Brass rods, Slack of Papers, 15”x11”x8.5”
a passionate artist transitioning from the first 25 years of his life in India to a culture shock and adjustment in the U.S. Tuiwala’s installation “The Path” exhibits a conceptual approach, using wooden planks to represent each conscious step in his life across borders, both socially and economically. The wood is layered and positioned in different hues and directions, visibly challenging when viewed symbolically. Exhibiting “The Shield,” made up of 624 soap bars, was
of importance for Tuiwala to discuss how an item so often overlooked as a vital piece of our lives turned out to be one of the most sought out products during the spread of covid-19. Raised to honor the ‘little things in life, Tuiwala has a knowledgeable connection to the materials in this exhibit through his upbringing. With an impressive background in his education and experience, he pushes forward to pave his own path as a creatively fueled mind.
“Pawn” Brass, Stainless Steel, 13”x8”x4”
His most recent works, such as “The Shield” and “The Path,” display a large scale and elegant play form positioning accessible materials as a symbolic invitation into his life. One glance at his work and one will step into socio-economic conversations from the perspective of
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“Self Portrait 3.0” Bronze, Marble, 11”x8”x8”
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MARIBEL MATTHEWS WWW.MARIBELMATTHEWS.COM By Viviana Puello
"Hope of a New Dawn" Acrylics on Card, 11"x16"
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aria Isabel Matthews explores with her art a wide range of techniques and styles. Employing mixed media with oil and acrylics, she layers each color with seamless transitions, resembling the natural environment.
She captures the romanticism encompassing abstraction to impressionism and landscapes to urban views through soft textures and warm color palettes. Sharp details add depth to her figurative works, revealing emotion and personality through each gaze and movement in her subjects.
"Days & Nights of Suns & Stars" Acrylics on Card, 11"x16"
as a metaphorical symbol of the strength and natural will possessed by such wonders. She has been a prominent figure in Gibraltar's local art scene for many years, driven by a passion for painting and inspired by the beauty of nature, the magnificent architecture it encompasses, and humanity's versatility. "Perhaps one day it will dawn on mankind that squandering our resources is not the answer and instead work in harmony with nature appreciating the beauty and grandeur of our world by caring for it as it should." - Maribel Matthews
Matthews's brushstrokes add a smooth rhythm and vitality to the painting. It is as if they give us a glimpse into her mind and the movement of her thoughts and feelings. Vivid monochromatic images focus on small and individual marks in the context of vastness. Her work balances traditional and representational art; and romanticizes the chosen settings, people, and culture. Her ability to connect with natural beauty has driven her efforts to speak about environmental issues. Thematically, Matthews champions environmental conservation and highlights the detrimental effects of global warming. Her abstract works depict the impending danger facing the earth, highlighting the forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts; while using her subjects “Brilliant Night” Acrylics on Card, 11”x16”
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DAVID JOSEPH FLESHMAN WWW.DFORIGINALDESIGNSLLC.COM
“A Pathway of Lights” Digital Photography, 20”x16” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
“A New Visual Language” By Viviana Puello
D
avid Fleshman is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates colorful abstract and figurative works employing painting and digital design. His works are inspired by master artists like Paul Cezanne and Wayne Thiebaudmaster and graphic designer Alan Fletcher.
Fleshman successfully merges traditional and technical practices to develop a unique, cohesive style. He prefers the use of oils on canvas and digital photography for his two-dimensional works and aluminum casting and mixed media for his sculptures.
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“Owl Sitting on Metal Box” Aluminum Casting & Welding, 8”x5”x5” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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His paintings explore the notion of connection and his relationship with his surroundings. Animals, landscapes, cityscapes, and inanimate objects take center stage in his lively canvases showcasing a realistic style like "Creamer & Bottles" and "Cakes."
“Cakes”, Oil on Stretched Canvas, 18”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/ Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
When working on digital media, he uses a DSLR Canon camera to capture his images and then manipulates the photographs until obtaining the desired result to produce mesmerizing digital imagery. His digital paintings showcase an abstract style that explores the notion of energy and light, like in "A Pathway of Lights." His prolific talent also excels with his creative sculptures, where he focuses on showcasing animals like in "Owl Sitting on Metal Box" and "Alligator on Wooden Base." Committed to giving his best, David Fleshman skillfully translates complex emotions into a vibrant, dynamic, visual language. As his own emotions get entrenched in his creative process, his style develops and continues offering new views of the world we see.
“Wine Glass & Flowers”, Oil on Canvas, 16”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/ Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
" I am a graphic designer and an artist; I put in my best-detailed craftsmanship and the time needed to complete each project." - David Fleshman
“Alligator on Wooden Base” Aluminum Casting & Mix Material, 8.5”x3.5”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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BARBARA TYLER AHLFIELD WWW.BARBARATYLERAHLFIELD.COM
Barbara Tyler Ahlfield has received several honors, including the NORMA award for lingerie advertising and cosmetic advertising, the Seklemian award for reflective color advertising, and the Federated Dept. Store advertising award. In 2014 she was named one of the top 50 new international artists by Art Business News magazine 2014. In 2019 Ahlfield was featured as "Artist Of The Year" in ArtTour International Magazine, and she has received the ATIM Top 60 Masters Award.
“Pink Prowl” Oil On Canvas, 60x48”
“Indulging Fashion Expressions” By Viviana Puello
I
She has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Weekly, Daily Herald, and U.S. News, among many other media outlets. “I am a representational portrait artist. I specialize in conveying elegance and idealism. My intention is to evoke calm and serenity in the viewer.” - Barbara Tyler Ahlfield
nfluenced by a successful career in the fashion industry, American artist Barbara Tyler Ahlfield creates dramatic, emotionally charged portraits that are whimsical and refined. Her works present a world of glamour in a style that combines her love for fashion and painting, blending classical, realistic figurative techniques with a modern fashion-inspired impressionist influence. Ahlfield explores colors, textures and captures the tactile qualities of velvet, the rich luster of satin, the feel of taffeta, and the nostalgic, crispy texture of vintage lace, taking the viewer on an indulging journey of romantic fantasy. During Ahfltield's thriving career as a Fashion Illustrator, she worked for some top U.S. department stores, including Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and Hutzler's. Her most recent series of fashion illustrations feature in the Summer 2021 product line of her brand Sisumoi, a company she established with her daughter Alexandra Ahlfield. Sisumoi is an online retailer of inspirational accessories designed to uplift and bring beauty with lifestyle products.
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MARY MORGAN WWW.MARYEMORGAN.COM
“Hope Lives” Oil and Oil Marker/Pastel on Canvas, 48”x48”
“Second Mountain” Oil on Shaped Canvas Mounted on Canvas, 40”x48”x7”
y expressionistic artwork is about the joy of living through color and abstract form. I share my life's journey to inspire others to find their voice and vision.
flect nature and are purposefully chosen, and at other times it may depend simply on the available colors in my studio.
"M
My abstract expressionist artwork is a reflection of my soul. The idea of expression is a reflection of life experiences' a combination of inner and outer world influences. The work is often a spontaneous response to my environment, nature, and experiences from my life past and present. I have a unique relationship with color; it is my mantra. Sometimes the colors re-
The variety of paintings are watercolor, acrylic, oil, and mixed mediums. I often use collage, photo transfer, and gold leaf for emphasis in the mixed medium paintings. I always desire that the viewer is engaged and experiences a new response from viewing my work. I hope to continue to express meaningful content through the creative process that has a universal impact and appeal.” - Mary E. Morgan
“Pilgrimage” Oil and Oil Marker on Raw Canvas, 78”x48”
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LUIZ GUILHERME TODESCHI WWW.LGTFOTOGRAFIA.COM.BR
“Abortion Of Soul” By Viviana Puello
“T
he work is an abstract photographic metaphysical narrative where we use the liquid medium as an interface for the capture and the sunlight for the composition of the same and was realized in a moment of trance and pure inspiration. Abortion of the Soul confides to humans the existence of something greater that doesn't require explanation. That our capacity for understanding this reality can expand as we are open to new ideas. And yet, it is still limited. As an artist, I believe that every action we generate in the world impacts the universe and vice versa. I encourage the viewers to think of the photographs as independent units and with an integrated meaning through a reading of the whole. So we present this narrative. In the treatment of the images,
“Soul Resists” Fine Art Photography
we try to give the shades of blue and violet alluding to the spiritual plane, to the divine. The photos themselves show some movement in the same sequence as they were performing in front of my camera. Abortion of the Soul confirms that there is no "soul death" but a process of energy transformation. The Soul does not end. It trans“The Medium Ether” Fine Art Photography
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forms. Sublime. Energy in motion. Abortion of the Soul talks about the power of intention”. - Luiz Gulherme Todeschi Luiz Guilherme Todeschi is a visionary, ecological and humanitarian activist, writer, poet, photographer, and video producer from Brazil whose works explore metaphysical themes. Founder of the Save Eco Space Movement, Luiz combines artistic creation with his message of world peace. Self-proclaimed as a "Peace Photographer," Todeschi's work invites the audience to expand their consciousness and discover a higher level of awareness for the betterment of the whole. In his work "Abortion of Soul," Luiz Guilherme Todeschi explores the concept of energy transformation and the soul's journey through life experience and higher levels of existence. “The return Of Soul” Fine Art Photography
“Killing the soul” Fine Art Photography
Inspired by his love for the planet and humanity, Todeschi's aims to provoke the viewer to focus on actions and intentions that can help us "transition from a civilization of consumption and self- destruction to a civilization of peace through culture, love and the remembrance that each of us is a part of Divine Creation." For this global visionary, his photography and video creations serve as a form of expression that contribute to his higher purpose and promote the expansion of human consciousness, the connection with the biosphere, and the rescue of natural cycles.
“Energy in Motion” Fine Art Photography
“The Soul” Fine Art Photography
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KAY GRIFFITH
WWW.KAYGRIFFITHART.COM
@kaygriffithart
“Point of Impact” Oil on Canvas, 36”x48”
K
ay Griffith abstracts have made their way to the top echelons of the art world. Not only are they the focal works in many prominent collections, she has also received the distinction of being juried into the London Art Biennale in 2017, 2019, and again in 2021. Griffith is knowledgeable and comfortable with color, and when a palette knife is placed in her hands, the results are sophisticated, unique and masterful. Viewers use a wide range of descriptions to describe their encounters - tantalizing, beautiful, soft, peaceful, bold and dramatic, powerful, mysterious, and consistently ‘emotionally evocative’. “Clutching To Life” Oil on Canvas
In 2015 an international jury assembled by Art Tour International Magazine awarded Griffith’s Abstract U-312 “THE TIMELESS IMAGE” award. In 2016 Kay Griffith was awarded one of the TOP 15 MASTERS OF CONTEMPORARY ART. by an international jury
“Abstract U-399” (London Art Biennale 2021) Oil on Canvas, 40”x30”
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As the art world continues to examine and highlight women’s influence, Griffith’s notable works have attracted much attention and continued to define some of the most important collections.
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Dr RAMAN K ATTRI WWW.RAMANKATTRI.COM
“F
ascinated by the multitude of expressions on female faces, I attempt to depict that vibrant aura on the paper. I believe the charm on female faces brings unimaginable happiness, transformations, dreams, desires, and hopes into the lives of the people they surround and touch. Each female face in our life leaves an unforgettable memoir behind it. Some memorable faces I met down the memory lane left profound impressions on me. I have attempted to tell a visual memoir of those faces through my portraits. When I was young, I could not afford professional art material. So, I drew portraits using everyday things like ordinary white papers, cheap pencils, and stationeries like ball pens. I wanted to create realistic expressions with fewer pencil strokes and colors. I observe the features, expressions, and uniqueness of faces intently. Then, I decide on the tone of color. I use monotone shades to convey timeless beauty. I use duo shades of colors if a face has one or two really compelling and distinctive features. I use three color shades to draw the faces which glow and communicate a lot through the combination of lips, eyes, and cheeks. I often draw multi-color portraits of faces that captivate me with mesmerizing expressions, like daydreaming, cheerfulness, sadness, smiles, happiness, etc. I typically use the plain canvas surface to create the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead by drawing light strokes, shadows, and contours.
“Neptune Girl” Art Paper, 11”x17”
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“When Dreams Become Reality” Art Paper, 11”x17”
As much as we want to cherish, there comes the time in our overly chaotic life when the memories of our precious friendships and relationships begin to fade away. Through my portraits, I attempt to show people that it is possible to bring the artist hidden inside them to life; it is possible to draw inspiration from their everyday happenings, and it is possible to use everyday things to express their memories and impressions. I hope to inspire people to see that it is not just about creating a great ‘masterpiece’; it’s more about recreating emotions.” - Dr Raman K Attri
“The Dreamy Eyes” Art Paper, 11”x13”
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SKYE ELIZABETH JAMES @SKYEELIZABETHDESIGN
“A
s an artist, I've attempt to make my mess my message!! Art, for me, is a means to create a dialog and promote awareness about issues close to my heart drawn from my compassion towards others and personal experience with mental health and domestic violence. Art practice has been a place of personal healing and gives me a voice and purpose. I address themes that my audience can relate to. This is evident in my series "The Lonely Chairs." I've worked on this series for the last three years while raising my 3-year-old son on my journey through single parenthood. Each chair was found abandoned and created into something beautiful. Beauty in the broken is a sense of recreating oneself.
popular imagery that boast bright color themes. My brushstrokes, use of line and form reflect the influence of impressionism.
My works reflect a well-thought-out practice of abstract imagery consistent with a contemporary approach to impressionism. I'm fascinated by concepts that push the boundaries, bold and complementary color schemes, and depths. My somewhat misplaced use of color conveys a sense of nonconformity, my mismatching nature is very intentional, and I'm mindful of creating beauty in my unconventional approach.
I'm blessed to live on the coast of Australia. My backyard is the lake and the beautiful bushland. This inspires my subject matter. My work leaves space for my audience to interpret their thoughts and feelings and encourages viewers to journey with me through my creations. Light at the end of the tunnel faces amidst the branches put my audience in a connected energy between artists and viewers. This is one of my greatest joys with art practice.
Influenced by Freda Kahlo and the great impressionists Renoir and Degas, my works reflect the influences of Khalid confronting yet
I hope you enjoy my body of work, and I'll see you on the ART side of the moon”. - Skye Elizabeth
“Jadie” Acrylic on Canvas, 36.4”x 24.4”
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“Erin” (Detail), Acrylic on Canvas
“Love Remember” Acrylic on Canvas, 24”x36”
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EVELYN ADAMS WWW.EVELYNADAMSART.COM
Having been born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, Evelyn Adams is in touch with her African culture despite moving to the United States several years ago. As a proud Ghanaian-American, she embraces the two cultures in her artwork and uses both as an inspiration for her masterpieces. The artist explores diverse themes, styles, and media in expressing herself. “My work centers around textiles and traditional Ghanaian clothing, in which it explored the country’s rich culture and identity,” she says. Moreover, she also uses oil and acrylic paint to demonstrate Africa American figures. She has also incorporated new beads, fishing net, textiles, and garments to bring her artwork to a different level with the characters on the canvas. Her passion for art began at a young age. As a little girl, Evelyn Adams loved to draw everything that caught her attention. In college, her instructors in ceramics class saw her potential and urged her to pursue her journey in the art arena. Since then, she has not stopped expressing herself in different artistic ways. For this rising canvas diva, art is a language on its own without any boun-
“The Goddess Of Crown Wrap” Acrylic And Fabric On Canvas, 30”x40”
daries or limitations; every individual can interpret this language in their way. Indeed, art is an invisible thread that connects people from different parts of the world.
“When The Melanin Blooms” Acrylic And Fabric On Canvas, 36”x36”
“The Woman In Purple Gele” Acrylic And Fabric On Canvas, 30”x48”
B
orn and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and now living in New York, Evelyn Adams uses her artistry to bring African culture to life in the United States. Through her unique art pieces, the rising artist brings Ghana’s rich culture and identity to the other side of the world. Evelyn Adams, also known as Yinka, is a rising artist based in Queens, New York. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Long Island University Post, School of Visual and Performing Art, where she graduated as Summa Cum Laude. She also obtained associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Science and Fine Arts from Nassau Community College and graduated with honors as a Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude. For most of her life, she has lived in two very different cultures, which has molded her into the woman and artist she is today.
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