Issue 3 Writer Spotlight | Mark Blackburn
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Mark!
MB: I'm an ex-shoe seller and occasional politician - I've stood for the UK Parliament twice! I'd like to prove that not all politicians are self-seeking. Who knows, I may even stand for office again one day. Whatever way it works out, as we writers know - the pen is always mightier than the sword.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
MB: More comes from my heart and less from my head.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
MB: I write in the afternoons in my special place having got all the 'worky stuff' out of the way in the morning.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
MB: I would like to bring my full-length work of creative non-fiction, Final Approach: My Book of Airports, to the reading public - it's about so much more than airports!
Find and support Mark here:
IG: @mdhblackburn
Mark describing the genesis of his collection of Covid-centered non-fiction writing, Coronaviral. Read more in Issue 3.
If my work was a meal it would be: A good hearty three course dinner - appetising little starter, quite a meaty main dish and then something at the end to leave a sweet taste.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Antoine Saint-Exupery. A superb writer who wrote serious stuff about life and planes and an amazing children's book - a legacy I aspire to!
If I didn’t write, I would: I used to be the singer in a punk rock band! I'd love to go back to that place and express my thoughts now in riotous song!
My hope for those reading my work: With this work in particular, I hope they can identify with some of the challenges in facing the pandemic that I write about. Maybe they might be able to find some encouragement from that; it would be wonderful if they did.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Ariana Tavares
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Ariana!
AT: Hi, I’m Ariana Tavares, a Brazilian artist based in Brooklyn, NY. I moved to NYC five years ago, and I rediscovered myself as an artist when I had just graduated from Architecture School in Brazil. After doing some soul searching and self-development courses, I realized art has always been my passion. So I started to take art lessons, and after a couple of years of developing my artistic voice, then began to sell my work.
In my spare time, I love to read books related to art, business, manifestation, and personal development. I also enjoy taking care of my plants, going on a walk with my dogs and husband, cycling when it’s warm, and skiing in the winter.
I often make time to visit botanical gardens and parks, which is where I gather most of the inspiration for my work. In addition to that, I try to visit as many art shows and openings as I can to expand my perspective of what art is.
People might not know I am Pisces, left-handed, and chocolate is my favorite food.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
AT: Since I started taking art classes back in 2015 and then making art, I could say that I am now more disciplined with my creative practice, and more aware of what inspires me. I value my time in the studio and do my best to take care of myself. It became clear to me that my energy level and health have a direct effect on the quality of my work.
And also, I value and respect my work more nowadays, because it can make a positive impact on people's lives and homes.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
AT: My studio is in a spare bedroom in the apartment I live in with my husband and our dogs in Brooklyn, NY. Usually, I come to the studio to make art on weekdays, and once I am there, there is a ritual to get things started. I turn on the desk lamp, the cinema box, and the speaker. Sometimes I also light up a candle. Depending on my mood, I listen to Brazilian music, especially songs by Jorge Ben Jor, or instrumental music if I need to focus on something.
After that, I take the brushes, paints, palette and all the other supplies I would need to work with that day.
I also set up a tripod and my phone to document my creative process, which I use to record videos and take photos. Usually, I do some admin work in the morning, and in the afternoon, I paint for two or more hours, depending on the schedule.
Another part of my creative process is gathering inspiration and experimenting with new ideas, mediums, and surfaces. I make sure to include that in my routine, and as I mentioned, I usually go to parks and botanical parks on weekends.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
AT: I have so many dreams for my creative career. But, if I were to pick one, I would say that it is to inspire the younger generation of artists to create no matter the circumstances and the background one might have. And, that it is safe to follow their dreams, regardless of what others might say.
Artists have the power to change the world and impact so many lives, and that can not be wasted.
Find and support Ariana here:
IG: @arianact
(Daffodil At Dawn, 9" x 12," gouache on paper, ©Ariana Tavares)
If my work was a meal it would be: Imagine having lunch in a new restaurant, and instead of looking at the menu to decide what you are going to eat, you take your plate and walk to a buffet - a food bar with lots of delicious options available. You take a quick look and decide: you are going to put on your plate only food that brings you joy. You focus only on what you like.
You notice the different textures, colors, details, smells, and flavors of what is on your plate. When you are eating it, you feel good. That is the feeling I would like people to feel when in contact with my work.
I would love to be able to share my work with: I would love to share my work with Tarsila do Amaral, a Brazilian artist, if she were alive. Her work inspires me deeply, the colors, the subjects, and her famous quote: “I want to be the painter of my country.”
Besides that, she also lived abroad, so she would understand what it is to be an immigrant artist living in a foreign country and being proud of her origins.
If I didn’t paint, I would: I am the kind of artist who loves experimenting with different mediums. With that said, I would love to explore sculpture. During Architecture school, I had to make models to explain and test an idea. So I believe it would be good to bring that 3D knowledge into my artistic practice.
My hope for those viewing my work: My intention is that people feel a sense of joy and calmness when in contact with my art. I hope it makes them feel uplifted in any way.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Meg Koning
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Meg!
MK: I am a family photographer and also work for a company called Mber Creative doing PR/Marketing that brings home the bacon. When I don't have a camera or laptop in my hand I am usually on Airbnb looking up stays I'll never commit to or exploring outside with my littles and scribbling down poems for my next book.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
MK: The first year I photographed for Bones of Us it was strictly couples. Today I photograph partners and individuals for these sessions. I think the metaphors of rawness, vulnerability, and imperfect but pure love can be seen throughout the work, no matter who the subject might be. And in each frame I see a little of myself; the work has become a contemporary look at self-portraiture for me.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
MK: I usually dive into my clients' stories and formulate a session based on some symbolism/metaphors that reflect those personal narratives. The sessions can range from one to two hours and there's a lot of hiking, walking, talking, and getting to have this wonderful, full experience. Once we complete the session I usually find some late-night times to edit for a couple of hours, and then much later I narrow down a few images to use in my book.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
MK: I hope to plant small seeds in the hearts and minds of my clients and viewers of the work, so that long after I have put down the camera and pen, these seeds might still be finding fertile soil in the next generation's creative experiences.
Find and support Meg here:
IG: @bonesofus
(Grecia, 25" x 40," silk satin fabric print, ©Meg Koning)
If my work was a meal it would be: Something new, unique, and probably a little heavy! Something you wouldn't indulge in often but something you craved without even knowing you craved it.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Georgia O'Keeffe, and honestly I probably would chicken out and just want to sit with her and let her tell me what she sees when she looked out the window from Ghost Ranch onto the dusty lands of New Mexico. Her personal story and professional work give me so much inspiration as to a woman who created not from a place of ego but a place of need.
If I didn’t work with photography, I would: I would love to write and would probably turn to writing as my outlet. However, I would love to learn how to paint too, and try my hand at that. Photography is so realistic at times that I would much prefer painting what I see in my heart instead, but I have yet to find the skills for that!
My hope for those viewing my work: I wanted to be validated in my own personal relationship, and I had hoped that I might help portray relationships with self and others in this series of work. I felt that there was little that was being put out there in the way of real intimacy and hard-working couples; if you saw a couple in a photo it was most likely the two of them running on the beach or sitting on kitchen counters in their underwear. The relationship seen in these photos did little to reflect me and my own struggles, and frankly none of it I identified with. This is why I hope that Bones of Us is a way to be represented for individuals and partners; that we all see a bit of ourselves and the ones we love in these photographs.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Sofya Mirvis
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Sofya!
SM: I tend to think of myself as working in two careers. Although I would love to make art full time, I also love my career of being a nonprofit director. I get to give back to the people who are in need, designing and providing vital programming and services to them. I use a lot of creativity in my job and am slowly working towards my two passions becoming one in the future.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
SM: I stumbled a lot to really “find my style,” even through grad school. Realizing that this wasn’t getting me anywhere, my motto in recent years has been “Make what you want to see in the world.” By following this, my work has become much more intuitive, and I stopped placing such emphasis on style. I now truly enjoy the process because I attune myself with my intuition beforehand. Because of this, there is less perfectionism, worry, and roadblocks - I’m free to just create!
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
SM: I love this question! I have a coffee cup that says “studio time is my happy place.” I grab my cup, get some matcha, and go in the studio anytime I can make it there! It may be morning, evening, weekend, holiday, you name it. I definitely dance around to music while painting as well - good thing no one can see that!
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
SM: If I could make a lasting contribution to the history of women artists, to continue telling our collective story inclusive of all people, and to shine a light on our environment in the process, I will have accomplished my goal. The other accolades are nice, but the achievement of art touching lives is priceless.
Find and support Sofya here:
IG: @sofyaspace
(In the Grass, 8" x 10," collage and acrylic on panel, ©Sofya Mirvis)
If my work was a meal it would be: I am completely inspired by the show “Chef’s Table,” where meals are art. I strive for my art to be like these meals: raw, refined, calm, daring. Lots of tastes, feelings and emotions in one piece.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Marilyn Minter - I’ve always been such a fan of her work! Also Wangechi Mutu - love, love her work as well.
If I were ever to work in another media, I would choose: I am always curious about other media. I always wanted to try out encaustic, as well as media that are further away from my practice such as ceramics or glass.
My hope for those viewing my work: I truly hope that people see the joy, passion and movement that I feel when making the work. Knowing that this work will live in homes and public spaces, I hope it will inspire creativity when someone walks by a piece. If they choose to stand and stare, there is a lot for them to see and meditate on. I hope they stir up some emotion but leave the viewer with a calm feeling at the end.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Chloe McEldowney
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Chloe!
CM: I've previously worked in galleries, museums, artist residencies, and as a K-8 art teacher. But I now paint full-time from my home studio - and I love it! In my spare time I enjoy running, baking, collecting plants, and going on hiking adventures. Being outdoors and observing color in nature inspires my work.
I grew up on a farm with a large, crazy family (I'm the second oldest of twelve kids). I now live in Wilmington, DE with my husband, dog, two cats, and newborn son Oslo.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
CM: Earlier in my career I felt more beholden to an externally imposed idea of what good art was supposed to be. As I've progressed I've felt less tied to such an ideal, and have felt liberated to make art that brought me joy--art that was whimsical, colorful, feminine--secure in the knowledge that other people would take joy in those things as well.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
CM: There's not really a single standard, especially since the birth of our first son a few months ago. Since then I've been learning to kind of switch myself on and off, and work effectively in shorter blocks of time. I still do most of my work during the day, starting around 8 or 9 am, working in the blocks of time motherhood allows. Sometimes there's music, or podcasts, sometimes just the cooing and kicking of the boy to listen to.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
CM: Making my husband a stay-at-home dad.
Find and support Chloe here:
IG: @chloemceldowney
(Like Gold Dust, 18" x 24," oil on panel, ©Chloe McEldowney)
If my work was a meal it would be: It's a bit of an odd metaphor, but I suppose we're not talking about a greasy spoon, and we're not talking about a fancy multi-michelin star affair either. It's food that appreciates nuance and presentation, but also knows that the fat and salt is what makes the food taste good.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Elton John. Elton is a longtime artistic hero of mine, and brings eccentric color and camp to his work while still retaining his emotional expression and authenticity, which is something I aspire to in my own work. I also find him generally delightful and would love to spend time with him.
If I weren’t a visual artist, I would: Channel my creativity into gardening. I love collecting and studying plants. It's something I wish I had more time for and thoroughly enjoy.
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope that people find connection - whatever that means to them.
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Chelsea Long
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Chelsea!
CL: My practice primarily includes gouache and oil paintings of figurative, landscape and still life imagery. I live and work in Pennsylvania and take a lot of inspiration from my surroundings. I use images that I’ve taken of greenery and the woodland landscape and digitally collage them together to use as reference material.
I’m drawn to things that seem delicate; people and aspects of nature both fit that category in my mind. I’ve started including fawns in some of my more recent paintings. They’re not hard to come by and I get excited to see one every time. They’re beautiful and graceful, but awkward at the same time. They have this very delicate appearance, with their unstable legs, but can manage to make it through a harsh winter. The contrast that can be found in nature between a delicate appearance and resilience is alluring to me.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
CL: Figurative, intimate, meticulous
C+B: Describe your ideal collaboration.
CL: The most collaborative stage in my process is when I’m working with models. I work from photographs, often multiple images combined, for each painting. I’m no photographer, but I’m able to get the visual information I need to reference for paintings. It’s rare that I use a photo that I haven’t taken myself. It feels something like recording someone else’s experience and I lose interest.
I bring various props to the sessions; different chairs, fabrics, and I build floral crowns with fresh flowers ahead of time for them to wear. During the session I discuss my ideas about the paintings with the models so they can interpret them through their poses. I come with a few ideas for poses I want to see, but they bring their ideas and others just come from trying things in the moment. It’s a part of the process that I really enjoy and I look forward to sorting through the photos afterwards to start planning out the paintings in more detail.
C+B: Describe your ideal creative retreat.
CL: Since I’ve been including floral elements and landscapes, I’d really like to do some plein air painting. I might make studies of color pallets and patterns from observation since they never seem to translate as well in photographs. It would be nice to have a chunk of time to only focus on that and see what develops from it.
Find and support Chelsea here:
IG: @c._long
(Claire de Lune, oil on board, 36”x48”
©Chelsea Long)
Long-term goals for creating: There are so many projects and paintings in my mind. I always have more ideas than time, so I often feel like I’m struggling to keep up with myself. Generally, I’d like to continue elaborating on the visual themes I’ve been working with in a new body of work, broaden my audience, and make my practice more sustainable.
For the next body of work I’m planning, I’m looking forward to creating more complex compositions and including multiple figures. I spent time learning more about digital tools during quarantine and want to use them to combine and collage my reference imagery in new ways. I also started working with gouache and want to further explore what I can do with the medium.
Ideal creative retreat: Since I’ve been including floral elements and landscapes, I’d really like to do some plein air painting. I might make studies of color pallets and patterns from observation since they never seem to translate as well in photographs. It would be nice to have a chunk of time to only focus on that and see what develops from it.
Currently inspired by: Agostino Arrivabene @agostinoarrivabene, Justin Mortimer @justinmortimerartist, Vincent Desiderio @vincent_desiderio, Christian Rex van Minnen @van_minnen, Stephen Bauman @stephenbaumanartwork, Colleen Barry @colleenbarryart, Natalia Fabia @nataliafabia, Hollis Dunlap @hollisdunlap, Florian Eymann @florianeymann, Linsey Levendall @linsey_levendall, Cian McLoughlin @cianmcloughlinartist, Pascal Vilcollet @pascalvilcollet, @paul_cristina, Daniel Segrove @dsegrove, Maria Kreyn @mariakreyn, Felipe Alonso @___felipealonso___
Chelsea Long
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Rachel Le Roux
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Rachel!
RLR: I’d like to believe I’m an artist through and through but I’m an interior architect by trade who is slowly veering towards the path of being a full time artist. I’m a mama to a thirteen and nine year old and am a fur mama too! The ocean is my favourite and the solution to all my problems 😅. I’m a closet singer and performer and all in all the biggest extroverted introvert too.
The one thing people don’t know about me is that if I didn’t choose to be an artist or in the interior world, I would be in theatre - either on stage or building the set.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
RLR: Feminine, fluid, free
C+B: Which creator(s) (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
RLR: Hmmm. Difficult question. I admire a lot of creators/artists at the moment who help me strive to be a better person and most especially, a better artist. Each creator that I follow builds up the passion within me so it is truly is hard to pinpoint the exact person who fuels the fire in my inspiration.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
RLR: To find the freedom to embrace the creativity that my heart and soul needs. To be one hundred percent fulfilled with my art that is constantly evolving. And then, to be able to inspire others with passion.
Find and support Rachel here:
IG: @rlerouxart
(I Got You, Darling. You Can Now Be Free, pencil and oil on canvas, 48”x42”
©Rachel Le Roux)
Ideal collaboration: Would love to collaborate with an artist who can push me through to another level past my comfort zone.
Ideal creative retreat: Somewhere by the ocean 🌊
Currently inspired by: Shane Levenson @slevenson, Crystal Latimer @crystallatimer, Cj Hendry @cjhendry, and gosh - so many more!!
Rachel Le Roux
Issue 2 Writer Spotlight | Amanda Knight
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Amanda!
AK: My name is Amanda and I'm a Merrimack Valley native. Growing up in this area has provided me with many opportunities both personally and creatively. I feel like I have the best of both worlds as for as location. I'm close enough to a few of my favorite cities which satisfies my curiosity for culture, history and the arts and on the other hand, I'm just as close to the ocean, mountains, and lakes to satisfy my need to connect with the natural world.
Currently I work in the finance industry in addition to pursuing my creative passions. I also enjoy being actively involved in the community in a variety different ways.
In my spare time I enjoy connecting with people at my favorite local coffee shops, hiking, zip lining, kayaking, forest bathing, reading, playing and watching sports, enjoying live music, photography, painting, and modeling. I absolutely love learning and appreciate people who can teach me something new! I love getting up early and watching the sunrise from my favorite spots in Newburyport! There's something so invigorating and at the same time calming about being up that early. It's a great time for me to reflect and be a little introspective as well as an opportunity to write and explore my interest in photography.
I haven't always considered myself a creative person. Even though creativity is something we all possess, I never really felt connected to that side of myself. It wasn't until I started modeling nine years ago that I began to recognize that part of me and it just progressed from there as I learned to embrace it. I realized I could help others through my experiences and use creative outlets to do that. Combined with my love of the arts, especially the local art community, it seems like the rest has just flowed organically. Although I don't currently live in Newburyport, it's definitely a place I've felt very connected to in many ways, for the past decade. I'm very grateful for the amazing art community in the city and how it continues to inspire and encourage me in so may ways.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
AK: Authentic. Vulnerable. Evocative.
Find and support Amanda here:
IG: @a_k_inspired
Amanda Knight
Ideal collaboration: My ideal collaboration would be to work with another artist(s) and combine my writing with their pieces to create a meaningful body of work in hopes of connecting multiple genres.
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would definitely take place in nature. Morning nature walks followed by meditative forest bathing would set the tone for the day. Time for reading, writing, painting, and any other creative outlets would be very important as well; opportunities to really reflect and hone in on your craft. Building in time to relax with fellow creatives and enjoy conversations and really connect, taking in all the inspiration and creative energy while hammocking in the trees! Being able to gain that sense of community through activities and experiences is so valuable to me. For me that's where life happens, in those little moments and it's where a lot of my inspiration comes from. Daily tai chi to respect and strengthen the flow of energy throughout the body and connect mentally, emotionally and physically would be incorporated. I think regardless of the actual itinerary, being in nature, showing up authentically and allowing creativity and inspiration to flow organically would be amazing!
Long-term goals for creating: I have an abundance of long term goals for my journey! As a writer, I have a couple of book concepts in the works and I'm eager to learn everything I can about that process. I'm very passionate about the arts and the local art community here in the Greater Newburyport area and looking forward to becoming more involved in other capacities.
I do enjoy a variety of creative outlets and I'm excited to keep exploring and experimenting with different mediums along the way. Connecting with other creatives and sharing my passions in such a way that I can positively impact those around me and make a difference in the lives of others is the ultimate long term goal I hope to achieve. Whether that's through writing, modeling, photography, painting or anything else.
Currently inspired by: K.J. Miles @inkedfinearts, Jay Coy @jaycoyphoto, Heather Karp Art & Design @heatherkarpart, Tina Rawson @tina.rawson.art, Ina Z. @knottycanvas, Dan Fionte @fionte.art, Phoebe Delaney @phoebe.delaney
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Clara Peeters
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Clara!
CP: My name is Clara Peeters, and currently I work as a freelance art collection manager and art handler in Kalamazoo, MI. At any given time I have no less than 10 art projects I am working on, so there is always something to do. My free time is spent working here and there on various projects, which include latch hook, embroidery, painting, drawing, crochet, printmaking, stained glass, and soft sculpture. I also like baking, snuggling with my cat, listening to music, being outside, and making lists. I am inspired by existence in general, nature, emotion, light, language, moments that have no language, and my ancestors, all of which were talented makers/artists in their own right. My home is filled with their art, and it pushes me to carry on with my work.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
CP: Illustrative, Equivocal, Atavistic
C+B: Which creator(s) (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
CP: This is a very hard question, I admire many artists, both past and present. It's difficult to pick just one. I admire the drawings and sculptures of Ruth Asawa, the perfect touch of Agnes Martin, Kiki Smith's ruthless depiction of the human form, Dwayne Lowder's hard lines and handmade canvases, Paul Klee's ability to simplify the complicated, and the audaciously multifaceted nature of Marcel Duchamp. I am drawn to these artists because their work has touched me and changed the way I think about art and the world in general. My work is all the better for it. I am drawn to their character, their attitude, their execution, and to the unapologetic pursuit of their authentic practice.
Find and support Clara here:
IG: @peeters.art
(Views From Your Dead Body, Peruse the Rock Garden,
mixed media on paper, 5.5"x6.25" ©Clara Peeters)
Long-term goal(s) for creating: Most of my long term goals revolve around having my own dedicated studio space. Right now my studio is comprised of several stations around the apartment that I share with my boyfriend, who himself is a talented musician, artist, and maker. I have so many projects I want to start and so many ideas I want to get out of my head, I just do not have the physical space to do so! I would love to quit my day jobs and make art full time, but that's what all artists say, haha! I guess at the end of the day my goal is to make whatever I want to, and to get to know my self better through my artistic practice.
Ideal collaboration: I am very interested in the concept of time as a collaborator. I'm thinking about The Large Glass by Marcel Duchamp, where the glass panels were left to collect dust, which Duchamp then glued to the surface. One could argue this was time working on the piece. I would love to create some paintings, and then leave them in the forest to grow moss and collect leaves. I love the weathered look, the "I am thousands of years old" look, I would like to collaborate with the rain, the sun, rocks, lichen, the tiny feet of a centipede, and sprouting seeds.
Currently inspired by: This is but a small fraction of the creators I love and respect, I enjoy following you all, and look forward to what you make next!! @youluckygirl @natmeade @yellowbrickstudio @anne.minich @cablegriffithstudio @goblinsandgardens @faris.alshafar @nestinghabitsart @amirrormoo @perpetual.bel @vinhpear
I would, of course, be completely remiss if I did not include some musical creators in this list, of whose work I listen to often and am inspired by: @wojtektheband @lochy_smoki @thereisbeautyindirt @harveywaters666 @rezzzn @deathbois @russiancircles @nothingnewmi @pistolgangboy @xbox_church
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | LeeAnn Love
C+B: Tell us about yourself, LeeAnn!
LL: In addition to being a visual artist, I am an art therapist, a small business owner, and an art educator. I love spending my spare time hiking, kayaking, gardening, camping, and building campfires. When inside, I love to write, in addition to making art, and do yoga. One of my most favorite past times is making and eating gluten free foodie food with people I love. Something that people may not know about me is that I LOVE wearing costumes! I would dress up once a month in a costume if I could. Waiting for the perfect party for me to be the Corona Lisa.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
LL: Colorful, expressive, naturalistic
C+B: What is your long term goal for creating?
LL: My long-term goal for artmaking primarily includes continuing to find an integration of my abstract expressionist painting style and merging it with my more naturalistic, representational style. I am beginning to incorporate selling and showing of my artwork more into my small business model – and I love this shift in my work identity! I love leading collaborative mural projects, and I plan to continue exploring ways that I can bridge groups of people who are generally not connected through mural making, I also really hope to be a National Park Artist in Resident one day. This is a bucket list dream of mine.
Find and support LeeAnn here:
(Washington Waterfall Sketch, mixed media, 8”x10” ©LeeAnn Love)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat is somewhere in the Pacific Northwest or New England, where the ocean meets the forest. I would love a balance between solitude in the beauty of nature, time exploring my creative process, and working alongside other artists to be inspired by their unique process and work.
Ideal collaboration: It would be fun to collaborate with a photographer, who is creating a shoot at a shared location. This way I can see his/her/their viewpoint, while I create a series of paintings at the same location. Also, there could be some off-site painting in response to his/her/their finished and edited photographs in order to create an overall show. It would be a deep collaboration, including discussing and processing, so it would likely need to be a friend of mine, or at bare minimum someone willing to move deeply into a shared process.
Currently inspired by: Amanda Hawkins @mandahawkstudio, Claire Sherman @claire.g.sherman, Paige Lindsey Design @paigelindseydesign, Richard Claremont @richard_claremont, Morgan Dyer @morganrdyer, Eva Kalien @evakalien
LeeAnn Love
Issue 2 Writer Spotlight | Denisse Zamora
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Denisse!
DZ: Since moving out of my home state of California six months ago, I’ve thought a lot about my life experiences and what people may perceive or not know about me. It’s been bittersweet not being among old friends (new acquaintances don’t have a past version of myself to reference) but mostly amazing to reflect on the chapters of my life and look forward to possibilities of the future. Sometimes I wish I carried around an FAQ sheet about myself (kidding), but getting to know people and people getting to know me takes time, and I have to be patient.
Most will probably first notice that I have a quiet demeanor. I am also introverted, and in a society that favors extroversion, I’ve had to work against being overlooked. My voice may not be the first to project itself, but my wheels are turning, and I promise I have something meaningful to contribute. I wish people knew that I probably know more than they assume. I’m also goofy.
With creative art, I can be a blend of introversion and extroversion. The act of being creative reminds me to appreciate both extroverted and introverted communication styles. I love art as a communication form, a way of storytelling, and I find the cultural diversity in our stories inspiring. We can tap into all the parts of ourselves with art.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
DZ: yearnful observing curious
C+B: Which creator (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
DZ: A year or two ago, I was gifted the book: Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine, and reading it was an experience like none I had ever had. It was an immersive artistic experience. I admire her examination of society and how she presents it through mixed mediums. She inspires conversation and critical thinking. I appreciate her work.
Find and support Denisse here:
Denisse Zamora
Ideal collaboration: My ideal collaboration would be working with a photographer or a visual artist. I have an idea in mind, and it has to do with performance artists and a collection of stories. It’s still brewing.
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would have a variety of creative art workshops and classes I wish I could have taken or given more attention as a kid, such as dance, painting, and photography. There would be no pressure to perform or “make something.” There would be an emphasis on creative exploration, collaboration, and developing connections that might nurture future opportunities and ideas. Animals have a therapeutic effect and inspire a sense of wonderment in me, so I imagine animals would also be around to spend time with and help care for as a pick-me-up. There would be opportunities to spend time in nature and creative company.
Long-term goals for creating: Keep going. That is my overall long-term goal for creating. Some of my goals specific to writing are to practice more consistently (establishing a writing routine) and continue exploring poetry and songwriting. Music is my first creative love, and it is on my bucket list to write and record a song of my own.
Currently inspired by: @adastra_stories, Feminist Book Club @feministbookclubbox, Bowties & Books @bowtiesandbooks, Mel Gill @Bookrecsbymel
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Erica Jackson
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Erica!
EJ: In my spare time I like to read mysteries and crime thrillers. My favorite authors combine intriguing characters (both the main characters and the criminals) with a complex setting that feels like you are stepping into the book’s world and are trying to solve the crime or mystery as well.
Besides reading I also enjoy embroidery and other crafts. I grew up in a very creative family, and was introduced to various forms of arts and crafts as I grew up, so it isn’t surprising to me that as an adult I enjoy taking a break from painting once in a while to embroider something or do some crafts that can decorate my home. I’m currently working on an embroidery I designed of my previous cat who passed away as well as my current cat with floral motifs, and I intend on framing and hanging it in my house when I'm done. In the crafting realm I’m working on some small clay ornaments, which is a new craft form for me, but one I’m finding fun to try out.
As far as what inspires me goes, I am inspired by artists like John Singer Sargent, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Manet, Cezanne and Andrew Wyeth. There are a number of contemporary artists who I follow and am inspired by their visions, but personally I find myself drawn to those classic artists from art history who focused on people, nature and the towns and cities they lived in. Portraits of people who look like they have stories to tell and paintings of towns with people living their lives really draw me in because you’re getting to see the world from the perspective of the artist and see what their daily lives may be like. I also enjoy seeing the artist’s personal touch on what they literally see. For example, Gustav Klimt painted a lot of portraits of people, and although they were clearly made to satisfy a patron, they were never simple portraits. They combined the likeness of the sitter with his own personal style and the motifs that made his art unique and special. In the case of the Dutch artists like Vermeer and Rembrandt I am inspired by their ability to paint such amazing portraits that have such an attention to detail, but I am also inspired by the attention to the sitter’s surroundings, whether it’s a room in a house or a city street. From the light to the details the artist chooses to include, each painting has its own mood and feeling. When I visit an art museum with these artist’s paintings in them I love taking my time looking at them and absorbing the feelings I get from them and the mastery I see.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
EJ: Quiet, Calm, Introspective
C+B: What is your long term goal for creating?
EJ: My long term goal for my painting is to be self-employed and have my art be my sole career. I currently have a full time day job in an office and have to fit painting in after work and on the weekends. My goal is to be able to transition from working at a separate job to being my own boss and being able to focus full time on my art.
Find and support Erica here:
(Waiting for the Bus, acrylic on paper, 12.5625”x11.5” ©Erica Jackson)
Ideal creative retreat: I think my ideal creative retreat would be to either a cabin in a secluded wooded area or a house near a secluded beach. In either location I could enjoy the surrounding nature while being able to focus on my art without interruptions.
Ideal collaboration: I have mostly been focusing on getting my work into exhibitions, but other than my work being featured in a gallery or museum I think my ideal collaboration would be with a person or organization that shared my common ideals, whether it involved my dedication to a sustainable life creating as little negative impact on the environment as possible, or my interest in depicting the landscape around me. I could see myself working with a local organization to create a painting that featured an inspiring person or location with the goal of bringing visibility and knowledge to that person or place to the local community.
Currently inspired by: Robin F. Williams @robinfrancescawilliams, Jocelyn Hobbie @jocelynhobbie, Dina Brodsky @dinabrodsky, Eliza Ivanova @eleeza, Miru Brugmann @mirubrugmann, Jenny Saville @jenny_saville_art, Tillie Walden @tilliewalden, Katarzyna E. Sosonowska @kesosnowska, Olga Esther @olgaesther.pinturas, Jenna Gribbon @jennagribbon, Yuting Huang @yutinguhaha, Seth Armstrong @armstrongseth
Erica Jackson
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Laura Cannon
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Laura!
LC: I grew up painting since I was a young child, but my focus in art school was actually printmaking. I ran a digital press straight out of school (not sure how that happened!), then worked as screen printer, and now I currently work remote part-time for a printing company based in South FL. I’ve been cutting down my hours the last year to focus more on my painting career though which feels amazing. My ideal day other than a day in the studio is to spend time in nature with my husband and our German Shepherd!
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
LC: Organic, Contemporary, Earthy
C+B: Which creator (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
LC: Brandi Hofer! The large scale of some of her works, all the artist hats she wears (murals, apparel, podcasts, etc.), and the fact that she is doing all of this while involving her boys in her process is so inspiring. She is definitely an artist I aspire to be like.
Find and support Laura here:
IG: @lauracannonart
(Journey to Milford Sound, watercolor, ink, and gesso on canvas, 40”x50” ©Laura Cannon)
Ideal creative retreat: I would love to be locked away in a studio in Iceland! Morning walks for inspiration and afternoons and evenings filled with painting landscapes.
Long-term goals for creating: I would love to continue painting what inspires me the most, my travels. I would like to build my art community as well, wether that is through more online and in person art groups, galleries, workshops, etc.
Currently inspired by: Jon Godly @conradjongodly, Kareena Zerefos @kareenazerefos, Claire Wilson @smudge_studiobk
Laura Cannon
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Sharon Wensel
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Sharon!
SW: I currently work as an office assistant. I'm excited to say starting in January I will be a full time artist. I love spending time with my dog, Gizmo, walking local trails. I like hanging out with friends and family, sharing a meal with them. I am always inspired by the natural beauty of landscape and the way it changes according to the time of day and time of year.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
SW: romantic colorful peaceful
C+B: Which creator (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
SW: I have always loved Alice Neel. Not only was she an amazing painter but I admire her for living her life the way she wanted. She was unapologetic, as we all should be. I am drawn to her work through her use of color. Bold and brave. Her portraits, definitely the gaze of her subjects.
Find and support Sharon here:
(Green Ribbon Trail, oil on canvas 36”x48” ©Sharon Wensel)
Long-term goals for creating: I would like to do a series of portraits of women who are my age and older. I have not figured it all out yet. It is definitely something I have been thinking about for a while.
Currently inspired by: Katerina Popova @katerinaspopova, Brandi Hofer @brandihoferstudios, Charlie Meyers @charliejmeyers, Prudence Flint @prudenceflint, John Fenerov @johnfenerov
Sharon Wensel
Issue 2 Writer Spotlight | Mark Blackburn
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Mark!
MB: I'm semi-retired now but most of my working life I spent selling sneakers - first to runners and then to the fashionista! Nowadays I live on the edge of a historic country estate where I walk the dog and write about nature and the world around me. I've swapped politics for writing, but in the past I've stood for UK Parliament - twice!
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
MB: bordering on obsessive
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
MB: Just to create a body of work that I feel does me justice
C+B: Which creator (present day or in the past) do you most admire and why? What draws you to their work?
MB: Carson McCullers - no one writes better about the human condition.
C+B: Describe your ideal collaboration.
MB: I already have it - with Alice Jowitt, who illustrates my children's books and some of my other work!
C+B: Describe your ideal creative retreat.
MB: A turret room in an old house with a sea view!
Currently inspired by: Mia Farlane @miafarlane.writer, Alan McCormick
Find and support Mark here:
IG: @mdhblackburn
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Lydia Martin
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Lydia!
LM: Recently, I became a Professor Emeritus at Suffolk University, Boston. For 30 years, I taught in the Art & Design department and had retired in the spring of 2020. So these days if I am not painting, drawing or printmaking in my studio, I garden. For the past several springs/summers, I had a vegetable garden, an herb garden and 25 rose bushes to tend to. Eventually, I hope to incorporate more botanical imagery from my garden into my paintings. From seed to mature plant, I find it fascinating to watch trees, flowers, vegetables and even weeds grow. Then to harvest vegetables from my garden, is such a treat to share with family, friends, neighbors and models who come to pose for me.
Then, I must mention, that I enjoy observing all the incredible wildlife that passes through our yard, from squirrels to Cottontail rabbits to raccoons, skunks, ground hogs and mice. Also, all the beautiful birds that come to visit: Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mockingbirds, Sparrows, Minor Birds, Gold Finches, Herons and Sea Gulls, as we live near a beach. Which is another wonderful past time my husband and I enjoy doing- walking to the beach and collecting shells.
From sea to city, I am inspired by visiting nearby Boston and simply take in the town with all the people, shops, plazas and parks.
I also like to practice guitar and listen to music- classical, rock, blues, country, movie scores and old world traditional music. I listen to music all day into the evening while in studio or cooking/ baking in the kitchen. When models pose for me or I am setting up a still-life, I play music in my studio to build up my momentum to get me into that creative, imaginative ‘other’ world.
All these everyday experiences inspire me.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
LM: sincere, observational, heartfelt
C+B: Describe your ideal creative retreat.
LM: A studio filled with all the essential art supplies, props and storage located within a suburb near a major city on the East or West coast of America. Where I can still hear birds sing, see the grass grow, have tea/ coffee with my models, catch up with neighbors. Yet, be able to travel into town and be among people and feel the hustle bustle of the city.
Find and support Lydia here:
(Lilac, oil on Belgian linen, 24”x18” ©Lydia Martin)
Ideal collaboration: To work with the amazing Spanish Contemporary Realist painters and collaborate on a large-scale figurative painting.
Currently inspired by: Guillermo Muñoz Vera @munozverapintor, Anne-Christine Roda @annechristineroda, Daniel Sprick @sprickdaniel, Arina Gordienko @arina_gordienko_art, Antonio López García, Odd Nerdrum, Irena Roman @irenaroman, David Kassan @davidkassan,Gregory Mortenson @gregorymortenson, Joaquin Morales Molero, @joaquin_morales_molero, Jordan Sokol @jordan.sokol
Lydia Martin
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Fleur Thesmar
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Fleur!
FT: I used to be an electrical and communication engineer, but worked mostly as a lobbyist in high tech, before my arrival in the USA. It was the first time that I travelled during a long period with an iPhone, and I became so disappointed by the treason of technology! It really didn’t transmit the beauty of American landscape and the intricacies of its cities. In France, the landscapes and the cities are modeled for a nice perspective, and most photographies are successful. It is not the case in the USA where many pictures have to focus on details, famous monuments or iconic views, but actually fail to represent the immensity of some places. That’s how I began to really paint and focus my work on perspective, or « reversed perspective ».
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
FT: Reverse perspective!
C+B: Which creator(s) do you most admire and why?
FT: I am interested in traditional arts, such as icons and illuminations, where sometimes the author is anonymous. I think that they had some secrets that are now forgotten and have been replaced by techniques related to photography. I’ve read the amazing book of David Hockney « Secret knowledge », which changed my relationship to ancient painting. Because I’m mostly painting on paper, I am more and more attracted to artists who draw, such as Julie Mehretu or Nicolas Party.
Find and support Fleur here:
IG: @fleurtdefrance
(Plenty, watercolor ©Fleur Thesmar)
Ideal collaboration: I’d love to collaborate with textile creators or house decor. I have a weaving practice and I think there is a reason for art to belong to the home, inside or outside. While paper work sometimes need to be framed, I also enjoy the pleasure of hanging or displaying woven items.
Currently inspired by: Nicolas Party @nicolasparty, Mary Tooley Parker @m.tooley.parker, Mary Herbert @maryanneherb, Song Xing @songxingart, Margot Gran @margotgran, David Boyd @drydenboydartist, Liu Xiaodong @liuxiaodongstudio
Fleur Thesmar
Issue 2 Artist Spotlight | Denise Serna
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Denise!
DS: I have been a teacher for nearly twenty years and always with literacy and language acquisition at the core of my work. I taught for ten years in the United States and then made a big move across the world to the Middle East and have been teaching overseas for the past nine years. I love the opportunity to have direct experience of cultures vastly different than my own and have traveled extensively to deeply fill my creative well with the people, foods, landscapes, textiles and of course art, in cities around the globe.
C+B: Describe your work in three words.
DS: Bold, Rugged and Spiritual.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
DS: My long-term goals for creating are that it becomes my sole pursuit. My husband and I have plans of opening a retreat center/art haven in Sri Lanka that would include our various interests such as meditation, yoga, permaculture, hiking, photography and art in a way that those who stay and visit with us would find the creative nourishment they need to return to that which patiently stirs within their own hearts. I hope to work in that space, cultivating our dreams into reality and creating art and process that can be shared with the world in and outside Sri Lanka.
Find and support Denise here:
IG: @dmssabine_art
(Original artwork ©Denise Serna)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would be held in a place that sits at an elevation, in relative isolation with cooler temperatures that make wandering through the nearby environs pleasant and invigorating. I would like for it to offer opportunities for community with other creatives, simple but hearty fare, as well as sufficient space and time for solitude and reflection.
Currently inspired by: Jo Bertini @jobertini, Reneesha @rnwulf, Isabell Seidel @isabell.seidel, Michelle Fletcher Atelier @michellefletcheratelier, Maria Fraaije @fraaijeboel
Denise Serna
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Jessica Fraser
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Jessica!
JF: Hi! I am Jessica Fraser, painter and creator of Baby Jess Art. Currently, I am also a manager at a French Bistro but striving to do art full time by the end of the year. One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is cooking. I love reading cookbooks and food based magazines to get inspiration and create fun new meals! I am a terrible baker. I also love to read, travel, listen to music, go the Denver Botanical Gardens, watch movies and hang out with my family and friends. I am very inspired by the sky, particularly at sunset or late night, the moon, nature, vibrant colors and light. Something people may not know about me is sometimes I cry when I paint.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you or informs your work?
JF: "For my part I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream." This is a quote from Vincent Van Gogh and his words I relate to immensely. I too can feel uncertain about life and what it all means but the sky and stars give me a sense of something bigger than me and they truly make me dream. I strive to capture this in my work and it gives me great comfort to recreate and hold on to this feeling during my artistic process and in the final piece. I have always admired Van Gogh, especially his writings. I read a book with his letters to his brother when I was younger and his words have stuck with me. I admired that he always kept painting, even though he did not sell much and the way he captured the world in his work with his dreamy and expressive strokes.
C+B: What other creative outlets do you enjoy or want to try?
JF: A creative outlet I want to try and currently looking into is some sort of sculpture. I am interested in learning clay and experimenting with making hanging/mobile type pieces.
Saw-Whet and The Desert Moon, 8” x 8,” acrylic on canvas
(Original artwork ©Jessica Fraser - Baby Jess Art)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would be in some place immersed in nature and away from many people. A place where there are very dark skies to truly see the stars. I would love to spend more time in the desert such as in New Mexico or go across the world and explore the country sides of Japan. Where ever the retreat is located, I would love to learn the history, the art, and the techniques that originated from those parts of the world.
Currently inspired by: Annie Stegg Gerard @anniestegg, Ekaterina Popova @katerinaspopova, Vanessa Stockard @vanessastockard, Alexis Savopoulos @meadowandfawn, Ashley Longshore @ashleylongshoreart
Jessica Fraser of Baby Jess Art
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Karen Rohlin
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Karen!
KR: I am a Graphic Artist who has also taught art in a K-8 Charter school. This past year has actually afforded me time to really paint, create and grow my watercolor practice. I love that I can see the growth and also that I am looking for new ways to use the paints. In my spare time I enjoy gardening and hiking. In my yard I intentionally create spaces and gardens that I can photograph and paint. Being in nature is what consistently inspires me. I want to paint it and share that with everyone!
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
KR: My long term goals are to create larger paintings in watercolor and to have my own show.
C+B: What is something exciting that you’re looking forward to?
KR: I am looking forward to even more exploration in watercolors on the larger scale. It is calling me. I am working on plans for a studio and I am so excited about that!
C+B: What other creative outlets do you enjoy or want to try?
KR: I am also getting back to sewing and pattern making, I am going to pursue ceramics too.
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would be in a nature where you can create inside and outside. It would have a plethora of different art mediums and creatives who are able to teach and guide us. Also included would be hikes, yoga and really good food. Maybe even a food creativity component.
Currently inspired by: Ekaterina Popova. A'driene Nieves, Tawny Chatmon, Katie Whipple, Georgia O'Keefe, Henri Magritte, Agnes Martin, MC Esher.
Bee and Hollyhock, 5” x 8,” watercolor
Original artwork ©Karen Rohlin
Karen Rohlin
Find and support Karen here: