I paint because I enjoy the challenge of recreating what I see onto a two dimensional surface. I believe that I have been gifted with the ability to render objects and images in a realistic manner and that I have a responsibility to use this gift.

My intent in composing an image is not only to tell a story but also to let the objects tell their own story. Objects have their own place in our lives and can take on a life of their own. They undergo use and wear as they age and naturally take on character, making them interesting to look at.

Still life is the mode of painting in which I primarily work. Because I consider myself a realist, still life is an ideal genre for me. I enjoy combining old, man-made objects with objects from nature; the comparison of the two is appealing. I paint from life but also use photographs as aids to capture the correct light or, in the case of painting flowers or other ‘live’ objects, to capture the objects before they change.

My creative process has been shaped by a number of people: contemporary painters like the Noordelijke Realisten movement and painters from the past such as

Chardin and the 17th-century Dutch masters. Although aspects of their paintings can be seen in my work, I am striving for a unique look. On the one hand, I paint from life and want the image to be objective, but I also want to present another dimension or reality beyond what one first sees. For example, the scratches in a wooden table or the worn pages of a letter or book are things that tell a story. I use the elements of light and reflection, important parts of my paintings, to help focus the eye and to aid in telling this story, but I want the viewer to look beyond the objects themselves and contemplate deeper.

My method of painting starts with making several drawings to decide on the composition. I then make a fine-line drawing on a masonite panel. Next I do an underpainting of the image- sometimes with the basic colors of the images and sometimes in gray-scale. After the underpainting is dry, I start applying layers of color, which is the main body of the painting. Beyond this I will work on enhancing shadows and highlights of the images by applying further glazes of paint. My painting technique could best be explained as applying paint with thicker, coarser brushes in the secondary areas of the painting while paying attention to the primary areas by using finer brushes and a delicate touch.

To see more of Jonathan’s work please visit his website.

Jeremiah Gilbert is an award-winning photographer and avid traveler based out of Southern California. He likes to travel light and shoot handheld. His travels have taken him to over eighty countries spread across five continents. His photography has been published internationally, in both digital and print publications, and has been exhibited worldwide. His hope is to inspire those who see his work to look more carefully at the world around them in order to discover beauty in unusual and unexpected places. He can be found on Instagram @jg_travels

To see more of Jeremiah’s work, please visit his website.

Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years she lived in many places including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark, 4 dogs and 2 cats.

By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal and ink over the years, until, she picked up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, water color and gouache.

Although self taught, her dedication and talent has seen her work juried into 98 International exhibits, as well as exhibits in numerous non juried shows. She has won 72 awards for her work at the International Juried Exhibits. Included in these awards, the first recipient of a major Canadian National Award, The Mary Pratt Crystal Award of Excellence at the 2014 SCA Open Juried Exhibition, The SCA 1st place award of distinction twice respectively, 2016, and 2017 at The Canada’s 150 show. The Gold Medal recipient for Figurative Painting in The Mondial Art Academia’s International 2018 Competition. The Aviation Week & Space Technology Award Best of the Best, and the ASAA Award of Distinction for the best painting in the ASAA International Space & Technology Exhibit & Competition, consecutively for 2 years. She has had 14 solo exhibits. Cher is also an avid fused glass artist, and a certified teacher of piano and guitar. Her painting “The Bubble” had the honour of being part of the Masterworks from The International Guild of Realism Tour. She Was Elected to the American Society of Aviation Artists as an artist member in 1996, and eventually Was elected as a Foreign Affiliate Artist Fellow, one of only two Canadians receive this honour. Her work has graced the covers of 3 books, 14 magazines, and has-been featured in over 50 international publications. Cher’s works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.

Cher’s artistic style can be described as Realism with a hint of Abstract in her

To see more of Cher’s work, please visit her website.

Shelley Benjamin, a resident of southeast Florida, is an award winning digital artist.

She received a BS in Textile Design from Cornell University. After a career as a textile designer and weaver, she became interested in mixed media, and ultimately, photography.

Ms. Benjamin’s experimentation and involvement with digital photography began after she purchased her first DSLR camera. During the learning process, she joined an international group of digital artists. With the advanced training she was able to develop her skills, which has allowed her to transform her images to reflect her vision. The inspiration from the group opened up the possibilities of taking photos into a new realm.

She is motivated by the art she sees in museums and galleries. From the time she was young she has always been an avid museum visitor. Her background in weaving exposed her to the art of fine crafts and the masters in those fields.

Shelley uses her photos as the foundation for a digital painterly approach, utilizing modern technology to enhance and transform the original image. Drawing upon her textile design background, she imparts a tactile feeling to her work.

She is challenged and inspired by color, reflections, light, the changing seasons, nature and architectural elements. Shelley is always searching for the extraordinary visual imagery in very ordinary environments.

Ms. Benjamin states that her goal is to share the beauty around her and impart the uplifting feelings to the viewer that are the source of her inspiration.

Shelley Benjamin’s work has been exhibited in local and international competitions and in online galleries as well as being featured in national digital photo and print magazines.

To see more of Shelley’s work, please visit her Instagram.

BIO:

Dustin Davis was born in Ashland, Wisconsin on November 21, 1945. He received his B.S. degree from Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin in 1968. He received his M.F.A. degree in Art and Design specializing in 3-D Design from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1971. Dustin started teaching on the undergraduate in 1972 and is currently a full Professor at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. He has exhibited in many International and National exhibitions. His work has been reviewed in the Baltimore Sun and displayed online the Light Space & Time, Fusion, and Fine Arts America Online Art Galleries.

Artist Statement:

In my current series of metal sculptures, most of the works are not planned out from their beginning to their conclusion; rather they develop as each piece of the sculpture is welded to the next piece. This intuitive way of working suits my creative approach and allows me to quickly change direction without looking forced or contrived. For the most part, I use scrap metal because of sustainability and the bends and twists in the metal created by the recycling process. Most of the works are finished with high gloss enamel paint, while others with an industrial look are allowed to rust and then sealed with a matt finish.

To learn more about Dustin and his work, please email him directly.

Colleen grew up in Lancaster County, PA. Between an Amish and a Mennonite Farm. Being in such a rural area made the Family Sunday Drive all the more exciting. May be why she is fascinated with Roadside Attractions. But you will not find extensive landscapes, she crops her pieces to show just what is important. She thinks this may come from being the third child and having to sit in the middle of the back seat, can’t see everything form back there.

To see more of Colleen’s work, please visit her website.

After retirement from a successful career in the ICT world, August quickly discovered his immense passion for artistic photography, digital art and low key & grunge photography. Therefore, it was no surprise when he joined the various training programmes of the “father of digital art”, the famous Sebastian Michaels based in Asheville (USA) who has influenced the artwork of August to a large extent. August also graduated at the New York Institute of Photography with distinction, specializing in Intense Portrait Photography.

August almost got molded in a record time, becoming a master in low key studio work, grunge photo art as well as full blast digital art and artistic photography. He was selected as one of Photoshop Artistry’s international Top-500 which is called “Kaizen” and this group of top digital artists produce the most magical works of art. His work has been published in over 40 international publications all over the globe. He was featured artist in a number of publications, like edition 50 of the famous magazine, Living The Photo Artistic Life when he was the featured artist.

During his artistic journey, August participated (and is still participating) in various group exhibitions and he has received numerous honorary mentions and international prizes for his work. He was invited by Eikon Culture Visual Reflections, being the only South African between artists of over 70 countries to participate in three international exhibitions in Italy. You will recognise his name as Auguste Naude on their page. During 2017 to 2020, August has been exhibiting at the Heaven Art Gallery which was based in Arizona as well as the Orenda Gallery which was in Nevada. August is consistently exhibiting at the Blank Wall Gallery, in Athens, the More Art Please gallery in Romania as well as various online exhibitions like Fusion Art Gallery and Light, Space & Time Gallery. His work is on display and is accessible internationally.

Photography and the creation of art is not a job for August. It is rather living an artistic life which he is extremely passionate about.

To see more of August’s work, please visit his website.

BIOGRAPHY

Jim grew up in southern California. He graduated from Long Beach State College, Long Beach, California, in 1967 with a BA in art. Through the 70’s Jim continued to paint. During that time he started cutting cabochon stones. A cabochon has a flat back an a domed top. Most often, agates and jaspers are cabochon cuts. With a large collection of cabochons, it was time, for Jim, to learn how to make jewelry. With the help from other jewelers, the learning experience began. In the early 80’s Jim took a number of classes at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. For 30 years Jim worked in the jewelry trade. Part of the process of creating custom jewelry included carving wax models to be cast by the lost wax casting process. The creation of wax models for jewelry and bronze sculpture are much the same. The transition, for Jim, was seem less. As a lapidary artist, Jim’s bronze pieces show case his stones.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have two bodies of work. In my earlier work, the Primordial Recollections series, I used animal bones as the foundation for my bronze pieces. As bones have a sculptural quality on their own, I gave them a new identity. Not just bones. While these pieces are highly modified, they offer an opportunity to show case stones that I have cut. My current focus is on bowls and vases. Most often, a vase has one hole and is the same on all sides. Expanding on that concept, I am making vases that have two sides. Each side has a different look. Some of my vases have multiple holes. Typically my vases are about two inches thick, front to back. If you tire of looking at one side, you can turn it around. Two different looks in one vase.

To learn more about Jim and his work, please visit his website.