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:
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Rawan Ita-Diaz
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Rawan!
RID: I am a Chaldean artist based in Detroit, MI but I was born in Iraq. My family and I were fortunate enough to come to The United Sates as refugees. We fled when I was just a toddler and went from country to country until we were granted asylum and settled in the Metro Detroit area.
Living from one new place to the next has sparked this desire I have to travel across the world. Traveling refreshes me. Seeing new sights, walking across various lands, and experiencing different cultures inspires me as an artist and as a human. When I need to refocus and find my creativity, I know it’s time to explore. Sometimes, that may mean going out into nature and painting en plein air or simply walking along a beautiful path surrounded by animals. Those walks are precious to me in many ways.
In 2017, I was in a horrific accident that changed my life. The simple things in life, like walking, became extremely painful and difficult for me to do. I walked with a limp for years, relied on walking sticks, and use a wheelchair from time to time. I felt weak and humiliated. Most of all, I missed that time I had to myself during my daily walks. Now, I appreciate my legs more than ever for taking me as far as they can. With each trek, I think back on each day of progress I’ve made since. Walking is not only a milestone for me physically, but it’s my mind’s way of thinking through the madness. When I become unproductive and tense, I know it’s time to prepare my legs and my mind for those strides.
I wear many hats as an artist, architectural designer, and co-founder of a nonprofit called The Art Spread. My creative energy can be used up quickly. When it’s time to step away from the canvas and computer, I explore the world – any little part of it - so that I can come back to my role as painter and creative director with a fresh mindset.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
RID: My long-term goals for creating are to stay true to my origin, the reason I began painting in the first place. I want to use my artwork to continue raising awareness and insight into a messy mind such as mine. The more I share about my physical and mental challenges, the more I’ve been able to connect with people. It’s a goal I never thought I’d have but it’s turning out to be an incredible experience.
C+B: Tell us something exciting about your life or creative life!
RID: In Spring of 2021, my business partner and I publicly launched our nonprofit! The Art Spread (@the.art.spread) is an organization that supports artists with mental, physical, and societal challenges. We feature artists who are ready to share their story to help spread awareness. The message of inclusion brought so many opportunities for us to connect with people. During our free monthly events, we invite professional, artists, and people who experience life in diverse ways to speak. The Art Spread’s growth has already exceeded my expectations! Artists that I’ve fan-girled over for years have given their time to speak at our events and show support! Our next goal is to host two exhibitions per year called Summer Spread and Winter Spread. During the exhibitions, our Featured Artists can showcase and sell their work and network with a large audience. We also plan to curate Empathic Exhibitions. This would include a variety of installations and displays that cater to people with diverse abilities so that a more inclusive art experience can be shared. We’ve just begun our adventure and I am so excited for what’s to come!
Bloom, 9” x 12,” alcohol ink
(Original artwork ©Rawan Ita-Diaz)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat is simple. A space in nature, maybe a balcony or patio that is surrounded by lush landscape and vibrant flowers hanging overhead. Ideally, I could wake up from a place of rest nearby, grab a cup of tea and walk into the sunlit area with a watercolor palette and velvety cotton paper waiting for me to play with.
Currently inspired by: My favorite emerging artists include women like Gray (@grxylxw), Minju (@sincerelyminju), and Maryam (@medadi). They are artists associated with The Art Spread (@the.art.spread) who boldly express their passion and message through art. Gray’s work is exciting and vibrant at first glance. When you look deeper into the layers, you uncover an intense level of vulnerability that exudes out of her pieces. Minju’s paintings are delicate and sophisticated. Her abstract pieces are filled with soft movement and light that lead your eyes to rest and engage in specific moments. Maryam makes collages that are fun, feminine, and layered with flowers. They speak to the me as a woman and celebrate natural beauty.
Experienced artists, Kat Popova (@katerinaspopova) and Emma Lindstrom (@lindstrom.emma) have inspired me since the beginning of my art journey! Kat’s many creative endeavors encourage me to follow my various passions and not limit myself as an artist. Emma is the first artist I came across that encouraged me to create fluid artwork. I struggled with fine motor skills like using a paint brush so, I thought that meant I couldn’t paint. When I saw Emma splash buckets of paint around, I realized that I should explore the pouring technique. It changed my life and allowed me to create art without boundaries!
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Cindy Ruskin
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Cindy!
CR: I failed handwriting in elementary school because I pressed so hard that I made holes in the paper. And I couldn't draw no matter how hard I tried. As a young teen, I was sent to a special after-school program for people with clinical motor skill disorder (dyspraxia). Part of my creativity comes from having to find ways around my profound lack of coordination and rhythm. Mostly, I read a lot growing up. Animation was my first true love and making hand-drawn animated films forced me to draw. The first time I saw my quirky little character come alive and skateboard across the screen, I was smitten. I still love hand-drawn animation but now work primarily in oils and mixed-media. I think of myself as an activist and an artist, though those two parts of my life are often separate. My activism has led to many life-changing experiences that have affected me deeply. When I was in college, I co-founded the Harvard-Radcliffe Southern Africa Solidarity Committee that spearheaded the anti-apartheid divestiture movement on college campuses. While living in San Francisco, I wrote the first book about the AIDS Quilt, "The Quilt: Stories from the Names Project," which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I also co-wrote the Academy-Award-winning HBO documentary, COMMON THREADS: Stories from the Quilt. When I moved to New York City I worked on several art projects with the low-income children in my neighborhood, including 20 years as a teaching artist at Avenues for Justice, an alternative to prison program for teenagers who have committed crimes. It's been difficult for me to reconcile these two parts of my life. Because of Covid, I unexpectedly found myself isolated and no longer able to participate in community activities. So I focused on painting exclusively, more than any other time in my life. My work has benefited from this time of total immersion and reflection. Every day, I wake up excited to create and to explore new worlds through my art.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you and informs your work?
CR: "And to the Forest I go to lose my mind and find my Soul."
-- naturalist John Muir
When I paint, time stops and for hours I'm able hold onto that moment between the past and the future. I find stillness and peace in this prolonged present. By surrendering to the mystery of not knowing what's coming next and by letting go of the limitations of my body and the real world, I can go anywhere.
Its Right of Dew, 4x4, oil
Original artwork ©Cindy Ruskin
Cindy Ruskin
Ideal creative retreat: Pre-Covid, I dreamed about a remote retreat in the Swiss Alps or on a faraway Island. But now after 18 months of isolation, I fantasize about a fellowship at a university -- a place where there's lots of conversation about books, the arts, history and philosophy with scholars and artists from around the world. I'd use the stimulus to take my art in new, unexpected directions.
Currently inspired by: Ebony Patterson #ebonypatterson, Cecily Brown, Kerry James Walker, Kara Walker, Hiba Schahbaz @hiba_schahbaz , Amy Cutler @cutler_amy,
Hernan Bas @hernanbas, Titus Kaphar,
Genieve Figgis #genevievefiggis,
Sanya Kantarovsky #sanyakantarovsky,
Karin Miller @karin.miller.visualart
Valery Hegarty #valeryhegarty,
Tara Donovan, JeeYoung Lee,
Caroline Leaf's animation,
Kendal Murray , Lubaina Himid,
Marcel Dzama, Paula Rego @paularegostudio,
Beth Katleman @bethkatleman,
Jenny Brown @jennybrownart
Allison E. Moyers @thepoetpaints
Heather Martindale @hmartindale_art
Asma Kazi @a5mak,
Joyce Seymore
I've listed living artists only but I have to mention my favorites Florine Stettheimer and Charlotte Solomon.
Issue 1 Writer Spotlight | S Stephanie
C+B: Tell us about yourself!
SS: I am an adjunct instructor of creative writing, composition and literature. I also work at a local hardware store. In my time off I read, write, walk, and think. My cats join me for most of these activities, and they give me lots of advice.
C+B: What is something exciting that you’re looking forward to?
SS: I love to go on "art dates". Take myself to museums, theaters, etc that inspire me. I have a trip to London planned for next year! The Globe and many other inspiring places will so inspire me!
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you or informs your work?
SS: "The world is everything that is the case." and all that follows that first line in the Tractatus by Wittgenstein. When I write, I feel I am writing with that book at my back. I love participating in his ideas of Sense and Nonsense. I have come to believe that creative writing is really "showing" what it is to be human, painting our experience of being human with language.
S Stephanie
Ideal creative retreat: I like silence. Anywhere that is silent is a retreat for me.
Currently inspired by: I love Patti Smith. I also think highly of Jericho Brown. One of my favorite poets is Carlos Drummond de Andrade (Brazil). I rarely do Instagram.
Find and support S Stephanie here:
Web: sstephanie.com
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Tina Rawson
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Tina!
TR: I love to make art. I love to teach. I am a traveler, I enjoy speaking Swedish and following my families adventures abroad. I know (almost) everything about Vikings and I am inspired by beautiful colors, nature, my mother's weaving, and special places that move my memories.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
TR: To create a body of work that is meaningful to myself and others. To connect with people through my art, and to tap into my inner creative child as well as help others to do so.
C+B: What is something exciting that you’re looking forward to in your creative life?
TR: I would like to create an artist retreat for emerging artists, like me!
Tina Rawson
Nubble Lighthouse, 10" x 8," acrylic on crackle substrate
(Original artwork ©Tina Rawson)
Ideal creative retreat: Mexico, margaritas, interesting chats with other artists, time to explore and learn new skills
Currently inspired by: Kezz Brett , Jess Franks , Rebecca Klementovich and many many others!
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Jessica Ashburn
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Jess!
JA: During the day I am a Senior Art Director working on national pet food brands aka I get to stare at cute dogs and cats all day! I mostly spend my nights and some of my weekends painting, probably starting one too many paintings at a time actually since my brain seems to work best when I can switch between multiple ideas.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you or informs your work?
JA: I love Rupi Kaur and I saw this quote the other day that really resonated with me. “ It’s not about how many people like your work/your art is about if your heart likes your work/if your soul likes your work/it’s about how honest you are with yourself/and you must never trade honesty for relatability.” I think we’re all guilty of this at times but I definitely fall into the trap of thinking the world could do without my art and be totally fine before I remember that I couldn’t do without my art and be totally fine.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
JA: I want to be able to create more. Each month, each year, more. Life in general is hectic and stressful and everyone has their “stuff,” I know I do. So I’ve been trying not to put so much pressure on myself with specific numbers or unrealistic expectations. My goal is just more, and whatever more that feel right for me this week and next. I do have a long term goal of painting full time and a short term goal of getting my shop finished for print sales!
Soak, 11” x 16,” oil
Original artwork ©Jessica Ashburn
Ideal creative retreat: A cabin in the woods with an entirely glass wall facing a lake or river.
Currently inspired by: @Agnesgrochulska, @chloemceldowney, @Katie.Richards, @daniellecoenen, @bakpakdurden, @adriennemeschelle, @Amber.cowan, @jessfranksart & @joeyunlee
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Cameron White
C+B: Tell us about yourself!
CW: When having time away from painting in the studio, I very much enjoy walking with my family and little dog. Over the past year or so and during lock down in the UK, we have really been able to get to know our local area well. Living in the north of the UK, I'm constantly impressed by the landscape as there are hills and mountains nearby; however, I'm constantly drawn to places where I can see an expanse of horizon. I love watching 80's films and listening to 80's music too.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you or informs your work and why?
CW: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." A quote by Pablo Picasso. So true; we need to continue to tap into that place within ourselves where we are still childlike in our excitement and joy for everything. Picasso was one of the first artists I learnt about in school and I still love seeing how he used colour, shape and form in his work.
C+B: What other creative outlets do you enjoy?
CW: When out and about, I always carry my phone and take numerous photos which I use as inspiration later on. I greatly enjoyed doing a photography A-Level years ago using an old Pentax camera and produced my own negatives and prints. This is something I'd like to try again someday. I'd also love to try ceramics and producing pottery having been greatly inspired by the amazing Grayson Perry on his TV program 'Grayson's Art Club.'
Midsummer Grey, 4.72" x 6.88" (12 cm x 17.5 cm), acrylic and inktense on canvas | Original Artwork ©Cameron White
Ideal creative retreat: A cottage in the middle of the countryside with a great selection of music and food!
Currently inspired by:
Laura Marks; @jlauramarks
Kurt Meer; @kurtmeer
Aiden Milligan; @aiden_milligan
Alys Kuu: @alys_kuu
Ben Walker; @benwalkerpainter
There are many others...
Find and support Cameron here:
Issue 1 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'm not a full time creative. I actually just recently reentered the world of finance. I had left after twelve years to pursue other professional opportunities. I've had a variety of different jobs over the years from food service and retail to marketing and photography services. I also enjoy being actively involved in the community in a variety different ways. All of these experiences have had major impacts on who I am as a person and how I approach life and art. 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.
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! 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!
Find and support Amanda here:
IG: @a_k_inspired
Amanda Knight
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
AK: Being relatively newer to the creative community, I feel like 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 I'm very excited about the prospect of collaborating with a variety of artists for one of these projects! Having my work featured in a local art gallery would be a huge honor and something I'm currently working towards achieving. 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.
C+B: What other creative outlets do you currently enjoy or want to try?
AK: I've recently started experimenting with watercolors in addition to acrylic which has been a fun challenge to day the least. An experience I'm really looking forward to creatively is pottery. I've had an undeniable urge to create with my hands recently. Feeling the clay and having something so tangible and so malleable is very appealing to me. On a deeper level, it's representation of the fact that throughout my life I can be constantly changing and reshaping and evolving myself along the way. Working with a medium that allows for that is just one of the many reasons pottery is so appealing to me. I cannot wait to get in the studio this fall to start!
Currently inspired by: There are so many creators that inspire me for a variety of reasons! A few of them are @kblackheartpoetry, @thelaineydayblog, @maevepoetry, @grimdrops, @brad.neaton.writes, @luniakmonika, and @wakeupwithwillie.
Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Robin Wessman
C+B: Tell us about yourself!
RW: I am a full-time artist painting landscapes, people and still lifes in oils. Inspiration comes from the community where I live, which is the outer region of Cape Cod. The area is comprised of dunes and beaches in the National Seashore and several small waterfront communities including Provincetown which is the oldest artists community in the US. My paintings are realistic and combine technical craftsmanship with emotion and imagination. As a realist painter, I paint a variety of subjects that I find interesting and also have the potential for a shared experience with viewers.
C+B: What’s one quote that inspires you or informs your work?
RW: “Practice what you know and it will help you to make clear what you do not know.”― Rembrandt
Rembrandt is an excellent example of what it means to have a good work ethic. It is important to show up every day and do your work, even on days when you are not feeling inspired to pick up a brush, do it anyway. Creative breakthroughs show up after hours, days, weeks, months, years and sometimes a lifetime of mastering your craft. Being creative requires the constant routine of using what you know daily to master it, then learning what more is needed to make your work even better. It’s a constant learning process that never ends.
Ideal creative retreat: This one I actually have a very fitting quote. “My idea of heaven, is to wake up, have a good breakfast, and spend the rest of the day drawing.” Peter Falk. That’s a pretty good description of how I would want my ideal creative retreat to be structured. To build on that, I would like to spend at least a month in a foreign country where I would have a studio with 15-20 other experienced artists from different backgrounds. It would be at a time when the weather is warm and sunny, that would allow for outdoor trips to paint plein air. In the studio we would get to paint whatever we want and meet up at a set time each day to discuss our work. Maybe there would be a couple days each week where we would have a model pose and the entire group would paint together. Evenings would be spent socializing with the other artists around a dinner table.
Currently inspired by: Daniel Sprick (@sprickdaniel)– Current figurative and still life artist painting in the realist tradition. • Joseph McGurl (@josephmcgurl)- Current landscape and seascape artist painting in the realist tradition.
Contemplating Roses, 9” x 12,” oils
Original Artwork ©Robin Wessman
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating, Robin?
RW: Long term goals include continuing to improve my skills as an artist and creating paintings that impact people in a positive way. It is so important to keep learning and growing as an artist. Whether it’s technique, style, materials, subject matter, or even what you want to communicate in your paintings as a visual artist. That includes keeping an open mind, experimenting and putting into practice what I’ve learned. I would also like to get back to teaching and helping others develop their creative skills. There are so many things an individual can learn that will help them become a skilled artist. The sooner someone can learn the necessary skills to paint with confidence, the sooner they will be able to create paintings that fulfill their desire to express themselves effectively.
Robin Wessman