Artists

Mike Sherman’s watercolor art reflects a broad range of topics from architecture and landscapes to the African American diaspora and military history. He is influenced by many artists to include Henry O. Tanner, John Singer Sargent and Paul Goodnight. His impressionistic work is rooted in history, commemoration, motion, and color. Mike’s work, “Tea in Tanzania”, was selected for several exhibitions to include the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s Black Creativity exhibit, the nation’s premier display of African American art, and the James Wise Gallery at Norfolk State University (NSU), “Black Prometheus: The Legacy of Jacob Lawrence and Global Modernist Art of the mid-twentieth Century.” Mike’s work, ”Big Sister, Little Brother” was recently displayed in the NSU “Crowns of Glory” exhibition. His work "Night Mission” was featured in the Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery (EWCG) 2023 National Drawing Competition at Fayetteville State University. Mike earned the Public Choice Award for his painting “Maasai Runner” during the Diversia 30th - UN Calendar and exhibition in December 2022. The same painting was also selected for exhibition in the Rhode Island Watercolor Society (RIWS) 2023 National Water media Show and the Center for Contemporary Arts 7th Annual National Juried Art Competition & Exhibition (CCAN) in Abilene, Texas. Mike has been involved with art, architecture and urban design for over 35 years. He is an alumnus of both Hampton University’s undergraduate and MIT’s graduate architecture and urban planning programs, respectively. Mike is also a retired US Army officer and combat veteran. He currently works full time with the federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving the urban design and site locations of congressionally authorized commemorative works, such as the National Martin Luther King and World War II Memorials and National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, DC. Mike is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects, the National and Virginia Watercolor Societies, the Portrait Society of America and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc

I am a Veteran and many other things (Veteran+). I have lived in many places from Alaska to NYC and NOLA. I always come back to California. I just returned from two years in the PI and miss the people, and my partner Pabs, very much. Mostly, I write on Quora, a question/answer site or Facebook . I hope to get back into photography again. Cemeteries hold a special draw for me. I hear others share that interest and look forward to seeing their work.

In August of 2015 after spending 23 years in Denver, CO Robert Maestas and his wife Patricia relocated back to their home state of New Mexico. Mr. Maestas was raised in Espanola, NM and Mrs. Maestas is from Mesilla, NM. Mr. Maestas is a veteran of the US Armed Forces and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS America for three years in the early seventies. Mr. Maestas is a self- taught Digital / AI Artist / Photographer and has been creating art in one form or another since he was a child. Mr. Maestas was a member of the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC) Gallery in Denver, CO for many years and is overjoyed to bring his style of art back to his home state of New Mexico. Mr. Maestas states “my art is not traditional by any means. It is created from dreams, emotions, mental imagery and life’s trials and tribulations that I have experienced during my short time on this earth.” Some of Mr. Maestas’ past accomplishments include being selected as the People’s Choice winner in a national art competition entitled “Art with a Story.” You can view and read the winning entry under his “BLOG” Section on his website. Mr. Maestas was also one of the 5,201 official entrants from around the world that submitted a concept to Lower Manhattan Develop Corporations (LMDC) World Trade Center Memorial Competition for the design and creation of the 09/11/01 Ground Zero Memorial in New York City. Mr. Maestas design was never given proper credit by (LMDC) for his submission "Centerpiece for the Memorial" yet it is displayed at the 09/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Read the full story located under the “BLOG” Section on his website. Huge strides in technology have paved the way for a whole new art form. In the conventional form, creativity manifests itself through the paint and the brush while today, in this age of technological revolution, it also happens with the use of a tablet, mouse, artist’s software and other tools. Each era has seen the evolution of a new art form and now we are experiencing digital art. Creativity knows no bounds and there could not be a better way of expressing it than through digital art, the art of the millennium. The creative mind is the same, the means are just different. Mr. Maestas states “I am simply an artist that uses a blank screen instead of the more traditional blank canvas to create original art. Let us leave it at that and enjoy the art for what it is and not by whatever manner it was created with.”

I began like most with drawing and decided that I needed to try something new. One way of expression is making miniature scenes out of polymer clay attempting to bring a story to the piece. From here, I branched out to challenge myself, as well as the viewer, in interpretation of a narrative.

Born and raised in Columbia City, Indiana, Natalee Wright creates from a small art studio on her family farm, where creativity and nature intertwine. Art has always been an integral part of her life—from selling finger paintings under the tree in her front yard to her current explorations at Artful Transformations, where she continues to promote growth, healing, and creativity through her work.\nInfluenced by artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Salvador Dalí, and Edvard Munch, Natalee’s work is as eclectic as her inspirations. She enjoys working in multiple mediums and believes each piece should unfold naturally, without constraint. Her art has been featured in juried group and solo exhibitions, publications, and even a showcase in Times Square.\nIn addition to her creative practice, Natalee is a board-certified life coach, disabled veteran, and adjunct psychology professor, combining her backgrounds in social work, behavioral health, and education to serve others through both art and compassion.

Retirement and learning new things.

From a young age, Kena discovered her innate calling to create. A versatile artist, she exhibits mastery in charcoal, graphite, acrylics, oils, and digital art. Pursuing a BFA at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP (Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning) program, she seamlessly transitioned from 2D to 3D art, showcasing her proficiency in welding and woodworking to create mesmerizing sculptures. Kena's artistic expression spans from the familiar to the beautifully bizarre, culminating in a distinctive and captivating portfolio.

Art, for me, has always been one of those wasted talents. But recently I’ve plunged more into my drawing as an outlet for my mental health. \nAs far as photography, I became interested in it several years ago after my diagnosis with cancer. My focus is nature and love dabbling with macro photography.

At a very early age I enjoyed drawing. I went to school in NY at the HSofAND and PRATT. Concentrated in fashion illustration and design working in watercolor. Trained in Avionics and continued with MBA and life without much time for artistic expression. After losing all early works I began rebuilding my portfolio.

I'm a former Army Aviator who eventually transitioned to the financial services as an investment advisor. I have drawn ever since I could hold a pencil as a small child, but am self taught. Currently retired and spend most days drawing using graphite pencils, ink, colored inks and pencils. Subject matters range from portraits, architectural renderings and landscapes. I also collaborate with my wife who is an excellent water color artist whereby I will ink a subject matter and she will complete in color.

Native New Yorker, artist father and l LOVE JAH.

I am a professional artist living in Tennessee next to the Tennessee River. My paintings are mostly taken from where I live. To learn more about me, please visit my website or look me up on Facebook or Instagram.

Laurel Cyrene is a U.S. Army Veteran and the mother of five that has been creating Art for over forty years. She majored in Art Illustration but later graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. degree in Education and a minor in Art In 1989. She taught Art in the public school districts in Texas. She has taught adults and children private lessons and classes. She has won numerous awards for her Paintings, prints, and drawings. She uses different media’s and enjoys depicting animals, landscapes and people. Member of San Antonio Art League, River Art Group, Friendship Art Club, Gaga and San Antonio Artist Collective. WWW.laurelcyreneart.com *Members Art Show River Art Gallery 2024 *Distinguished Veteran Artist Dougherty Art Center Oct-Dec 2024 *Friendship Art Club Best of Show 1st and 2nd place 2024/1st place & 2nd Place 2023/Best of Show 2022 *Veterans Artist Nationals 2021/2022/2023/2024 *Showing The Bee Hive Bee Cave Texas Distinguished Veteran Artist Oct 2021-March 2022/ *Showed San Antonio Art League Members Gallery and with GaGa group show 2022 *Showing at the Nave Art Museum in Victoria TX on Nov 21 through Jan with GAGA Group Show. 2022 *Honoring Women Show with GAGA Group show at OLLU in San Antonio now to Optometrist School San Antonio 2022 *First Place Oil and Acrylic Painting Hondo Art Fair 2019/Peoples Choice Hondo Art Fairl 2019 and 2018/First Place Acrylic Painting Hondo Art Fair 2018 *Second Place Dry media 2018 Website : https://www.laurelcyreneart.com/ https://www.friendshipartclub.org https://store.gallerysa.com/product-category/artist/laurel-cyrene/?woof_parse_query=1 https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/2-laurel-cyrene

Dana Garrett was given his first camera at the age of seven after watching his dad

I was in the end of the cold war and desert storm and desert shield.I was a HTFN in the navy aboard the USS WORDEN cg-18.I was a welder,fitter and fabracator for 35 years.I am a welding artist also.Im also a author of 20 some odd ebooks and have a kindle store under my name.I also hold now close to 7 patents and 20 some odd copyrights moslty for games i created.my ebooks can be purchased at my kindle store on amazon under my name..I was also one of the subjects in the cia experiment when they gassed the primary schools in america back in the 1970s!!!the fbi has been following me for decades because of it.though alls good now !!!!

After serving with Delta Project, MAC-V,1966-68, Viet Nam. Mountains, mornings and evenings were inspirational for images on canvas and Creating Visionary Art -for paintings please visit my website: I serve as an Art Therapist for PTSD, the tool for healing is in Expression. jnesbittandassociates.com or email me directly at: nez3605@gmail.com

Central Florida artist John Guiseppi is an award winning, self-taught colored pencil artist and photographer. John’s speciality is photographing scenes that are considered outside the norm, and familiar. That could be portraits, wildlife, nature, landscapes, urban scenes, or classic automotive, machinery or industrial subjects.

Whitney is a studio commission artist. He started drawing and painting around the age of 3 and has studied art ever since. Whitney majored in art in college and has won many local and international art competitions. His unique style is studied in art school. He has been featured in several art galleries and shows. Whitney is involved in the community and had been featured in the local news 5 times. His art is displayed in local businesses, and he has many collectors, patrons, and admirers. Whitney became a professional artist in 2020 and has since sold over $40,000 dollars worth of art as a business owner. Whitney is also a successful Actor and Author.

Aaron Burks was born in Long Beach, CA in 1978. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1995, serving in USS PELELIU until 2001. He was stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA until 2003. In 2004 he joined the California National Guard as an Infantryman, deploying to Egypt for a year. Upon returning, he rejoined the U.S. Navy serving in USS MCCAMPBELL, forward deployed to the 7th fleet until 2009 when he transferred to the U.S. Army as an infantryman, deploying to Mosul, Iraq. He retired in 2011 due to injuries sustained in Iraq. Aaron attended college at theUniversity of Tennessee and earned his BFA in 2015. He has provided artwork for the U.S. Navy, and countless ships for the past decade. He is currently working on a personal project to honor Pearl Harbor survivors with two portraits of every survivor he can meet and interview.

Marine Infantry veteran, No formal training or schooling in art. I had some art classes in high school which was a few moons ago. And now just dabble with the pencil when I feel the urge to. I have done a few pets for some folks. Open for commissions and hopefully will have some art available for sell in the gallery soon. Working on getting social media and such put together. You can find my personal page on Facebook and you can just send me a pm if your interested. All my work is in pencil and on textured watercolor paper.

My passion has always been to produce and advance my artistic craft, notwithstanding life’s triumphs and failures. I consider myself to be self-taught through a variety of mediums using acrylic and oil paint, to create layered textures that express the use of color. My style is imaginative and abstract often stimulating a sense of surprise and wonderment. I will always remain humble and continue to develop my craft and focus on lifelong learning. My hope is for my art is to elicit thought, generate emotion, and build long-lasting relationships that keeps the viewer asking for more.