SALLY DE COURCY 

Jared Orlin, Lucky Cats - The Streak - Through my travels and having lived for a period in Taipei, I’ve long been inspired by the ‘lucky cat’ or maneki-neko. It’s not an everyday object in Western culture but it is universally known (and not always understood). Depending on which arm is waving/beckoning, the lucky cat is said to either bring customers or money. For my design, I’ve removed the paws but added a ‘streak’ that synchs them up, making them as one. Or, separate but connected. The inspiration here is a comfort and safety in knowing things fit together and go on, perhaps indefinitely. This is the thinking behind most of my photography and digital art under my brand, iHeart Pop Art.

HEATHER LOWE

WENDY ALBER 

SINCLAIR WATKINS 

Ben Hendy, Self Portrait - Self Portrait is a concertina bound artist’s book consisting of hand-burnished linocut prints on 25gsm Mulberry paper. The imagery depicts sections of the human body on a magnified scale, closely examining the textures of skin and patterns created by hair. Small dots and dashes form most of the mark making, conveying a sense of subtle tonal variation. Each fold of the book is perforated, offering the viewer an opportunity to create their own larger image, or self-portrait, by pulling the book apart and rearranging the pages. Artist’s books offer a tactile experience which framed prints on a gallery wall cannot, providing the viewer an opportunity to pick up, look through, and interact with. 

Catarina Diaz, Reverie - I consider my art a way to celebrate life. Reverie depicts a retro fashion image superimposed with flowers and wild animals. The strategic placement of the flowers imitating the details of the dress enhance the visual aesthetic. The snow leopard on the lower right serves as a symbol of inner instincts and intuition, and the flamingo taking flight speaks to the balance, beauty, and grace of both the figure and composition. The work embodies the meaning of the title, daydreaming and losing yourself to one’s thoughts. The whites, light pinks, and darker purple hues enhance the dreamlike characteristics of the composition. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of soft and bright colours creates an idyllic scene.

Benny Warsh, Outspoken - Outspoken is a reminder of those creative giants of the past whose visions broke through the status quo of their time. The inherent delicate nature of the violin and butterfly unite creating a familiar formation with an imprint of sheet music from the great composer Bela Bartok. Bartok refused to preform in Germany and fled Hungary during World War II. Dated newspaper articles featuring the achievements of Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Rene Magritte break through the clouds presenting organic colours above. The link between butterflies and growth can be cliché but when viewing this piece distance any contemplation away from the individual. Imagine all of the colour in the world that appeared from just an idea.

Özlem Sorlu Thompson, Mallorca - Özlem Sorlu Thompson paints colourful, abstract and dreamlike works in what was Mondrian’s studio in Belsize Park, London. She has exhibited in Manhattan, Soho, Barcelona, Madrid. In 2021 she appears in Capsules Book, ‘Leaders in Contemporary Art’, and Art Folio ‘World’s Most Exciting Artists’. Awards in Hong Kong, Texas, Tokyo. Collectors include Anita Dobson, Brian May, Maria Friedman among many others.

Jenny Jiyoung Han, Individuals Life underneath The Avoca Apple Tree - Human being has developed themselves in a unique form of self-location under the subjectivity in the present society. The solid self-construction under the dominant cultures leads the whole planet, effected our daily lives deeply. We all know the concrete image of rules and regulations are doom to demolish by the new forms of concepts or notions from the next generations. The purpose of human existence should be from discovering the most authentic and genuine living statements we haven’t seen yet.

Kaylyn Murphy, Black Swallowtail Butterflies - My paintings are made from my curiosity and sense of wonder in nature. I am an artist based in Rhode Island, US, and only work in traditional oil paint on Belgian linen using canvases I have built myself. Influenced by the impressionists, I incorporate areas of loose thick brush strokes while using a natural color palette. I paint my surroundings using my local landscapes and people as a subject matter to better understand daily life and the mystery that comes with it.

Josh Hyman, A Place of Reflection - This is a digital environment piece that is set within a fictional, supernatural world of my creation. This location is designed to present the idea of peace and tranquillity within the magical setting whilst surrounded by mountains, with the two moons looking down from above within the mystical night sky. I created this world to allow my mind to run free and create a limitless world of imagination. 

Clarisse Bautista, View of 25 Years - This is a watercolor artwork showing a kitchen view of Rolla in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from the 5th floor. Baxi is a sketcher friend who had lived in Dubai and in the same apartment for 25 years and now has migrated to the United States. I took a photo during his despedida party and surprised him with this artwork. He immediately recognized that it was his kitchen view the moment he saw the artwork. As an artist, I like capturing what is happening in front my eyes at that very moment as change is constant.

Nishtha Pathak, ROOTS - A lot has changed in COVID - and has hit these construction workers hard. They have been staying away from home, with stricter protocols to avoid infections and yet, what hasn’t changed is their contribution to Singapore. No matter the heat or rain, they diligently build stronger foundations for the country. For a flourishing Singapore - the counstruction workers are the true roots.Crafted in Modern interpretation of Madhubani - an ancient Indian art form that embodies the key natural art principles across early cultures. Mixed Media, Ink on paper with handcrafted dip nibs. Every stroke is permanent, and different strokes help define the depth of subjects.

Kathleen Rhee, Pink Beach Day - Translating the landscape as both memory and feeling, artist Kathleen Rhee has a strong connection and love for nature that shines through in her artistic practice. ‘Pink Beach Day’ is a large abstract expressionist work celebrating the Australian landscape, translating the reflection of the gold and pink sunsets against the sand, white wash surf and flowing water forms. Thick rich painterly marks and textures sit along opposed seamlessly smooth paint revealing an electric energy but yet peaceful and calm.  This work is heavily layered in brilliant colours of Australian sienna, ash pink, blush, pastel pink, unbleached titanium and white. This is diptych work that hangs 244cm wide and is 183cm high.

Janine Crum, Looking Up - When the storms of life roll in, artist Janine Crum, has learned to look up and through the rolling clouds toward the streams of light just beyond the bubbling backdrop. This bold skyscape is a reflection on the movement in our troubles -- like the storms of the sky that are always in motion, so are our own hardships also in motion, which we will notice if we simply look for the light. 

Nathalie FERRERES aka Okaasan, A pocket full of stars - I wanted to share with this painting one of my secret tips to overcome any difficult time. We tend to look at the sky when we wonder, when we suffer, as to look for an answer to the question “Why?”, or simply because we love the soothing feeling of a night sky. It leads you to think, and especially to dream. I believe we need dreams, which are reflections of hope, to stay strong. I picked some golden stars, mixed them with my favourite colours, and hid them in a pocket in my head. They’re always here to remind me that beauty is everywhere, and keep me going. It’s up to you to pick them too!

Shinako Manji, Winter rain - I think “ART” is a creation of an artist’s soul. I make various kinds of subjects or objects, such as abstract, landscape, figurative and still life paintings, using any mediums. Some people might ask me what type of art I want to create, but they are all the same to me. I put my heart into all my works; objects and materials are just the tools I utilize to express myself.

Some artworks evoke, talk to and connect with you. It is then that you perceive what is behind the piece and feel the artist’s soul. I hope I will meet and create as many of these kinds of art in my life.

Marion Gunesch, Cozy moments - “Cozy Moments” was created in several layers of acrylics and pastels on paper. Curved and partly transparent lines overlay these layers and give the artwork a very special and cozy character. The fact that art can expresses my feelings in such a way is a mystery for me every day and should be celebrated.

Mónica Casanegra, MEMORIES - This landscape painting was inspired by memories from hikes and observations, not just visually, but also the sense of smell and touch, from places I have been, before this global pandemic. With this in mind, “Memories” examines nature as a visual sensation that permeated my senses, creating emotions that were felt while observing the scenes. The effect of light conveys the cycle and rhythms of nature, which is without beginning or end and is changing constantly. Witnessing such effortless natural beauty is what inspired this painting. 

Thabet Kareem Al-Ghussain, Bla-Bla-Bla - Thabet Kareem Al-Ghussain is one of the youngest students of PlayArt_UAE studio based in Dubai, however, one of the most talented kids. His work is called “Bla-Bla-Bla” and here he depicted as he sees adults these days “talking and acting really silly”. It is truly incredible how 5,5 years boy without any real-life experience feels through the modern world. This picture is not produced as a part of school task, or art lesson, it is created in his free time among many other amazing works. We hope that this piece of art will make adults think of life values. The work submitted by Aygul Kuptsova, the founder of PlayArt_UAE studio, Dubai, on behalf of Thabet Kareem Al-Ghussain’s parents.

Quentin TRUTTI, PAB - It is a tribute to an old man and more generally for our ancestors and their legacy. The graphic shape of the shirt highlights the brushstroke of the face and gives to the character more authority. The gaze direction reflects the kindness of the old man. It seems that he wants to say a last word....

Lena Silva, ANIMA MEA - Such beauty and elegance, demeanour of character.

Without much of an effort, marking its self-presence.

One walks through the vacant surroundings.

Leave a trace of its scents and flawless of movement! 

Thus, Oh my Soul, where do I stand.

Detached, rivers apart, venturing, testing, seeking to connect.

Seek that bridge, the anchor that will hold my being. Catch me, Oh my Soul. 

Heike Blakley, Future Reflections - I wanted to convey the spiritual process of a shattering ego and rebirth. I chose the colors to represent the deep emotion, wisdom, tranquility, strength and resilience that comes with spiritual growth. Feelings (water) then dries as it leaves reflections of a broken past that’s no longer needed. A “death,” (dead fish) of who we once were is all that’s left to review and soon to decay going back into the universe. Self reflection and metamorphosis is the basic theme in most of my art, I prefer using aliens as a representation of the alienated feelings we as humans experience and I feel it lessens the chance of color/race/gender bias in order to convey messages more easily.

Alicia Olejniczak, Chiromancy - Doubts and questions about future are apparent in everyone’s life. Though there is more to ask than to answer many of us are constantly seeking something that would give us some insight and perspective on what will happen. Chiromancy is an ancient art of reading from palms. The lines on palms are supposed to give us some indication about our life, character and future. This painting is more of a symbolic take on the topic of the fate. The use of contrasting colours emphasises the enigmatic atmosphere and symbolism. The statue like portrait of a woman is almost as if she was eternally seized in her contemplation. But is it possible to foresee the future through the prism of the intuition? 

Messiah Brown, Screaming Madness (HAHHH!!!) - The message behind what I do is “Love is Art.” I create the beauty of what I see, feel, and think. Beauty does not come in one note as it has a harmony like a song that we as humans tend to overlook, such as our words we use. My artwork is like a poetic melody that one sees and feels with their eyes. I have gained better knowledge of my surroundings by indulging into the beauty that surrounds me, such as love, rage, sensuality, and divine feminine energy. I amplified my work by adding spirituality to open a world of revelations. Magic lives in the love of my artwork, and I create as I speak.

Rayden Lawrence, Rio 2016: Unranked - Rio 2016: Unranked is a series of 306 paintings of athletes who competed in the 2016 Summer Games. One athlete was randomly selected from each event via a random number generator. I spent 30 to 40 minutes on each portrait, avoiding giving extra attention or special treatment. This series removes the competition and creates an unbiased representation of a selection of participants. In doing this we see a passionate and hard-working group of individuals who are seen as a whole, not a ranked system of bodies separated by race and sport.

Dean Imperial, Medusa at Rest - All I have ever REALLY wanted to do is paint.  I am a writer by profession.  This past year — for all of its agony — afforded me the opportunity to begin. 

What started as an experiment on cardboard became a four week project — then one painting came after another.  I have since sold several prints.  The best feeling. 

This painting, ‘Medusa at Rest’ is years worth of pent-up desire.

Rebeca Sileman, Native Roots; A historic journey. year, 2020 - My name is Rebeca Lopes Salomão Cruz, but my stage name is Rebeca Sileman and that’s how everyone knows me. In this EDITION I present: Native Roots, A Historical Journey. My Art comes from within my soul, the traces are my identity, I try to spend as much life as possible inside the paintings. I don’t want them to be just paintings. I want everyone to feel something special by seeing them, in a unique and individual way. Every collection is developed through stories and feelings. I try to work on the color chart beforehand and pay close attention to the details that will be part of the collection, which is ultimately limited and completely manual.

Clarisse Bautista, The Creek - This watercolor artwork shows the view of Dubai Creek from the 11th floor. The Creek is one of the main tourist spots in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The old souk (marketplace) is also known as the Old Dubai and is the main trade area which opens to the creek surrounded by colorful spices, textiles, gold and many more. Trading and transportation in the Creek is still kept alive until now. With the fast phased development in Dubai, it is justifiable to capture what has remained from the old days. Painting this took me approximately 22 hours because of its minute details from up top.

Clara Lemos, Second Chance - Without a formal artistic education, I go about my creative process as I try to go about life itself – a continuous series of trials and errors and some accidents until something that feels right arises in front of me. “Second chance” is the perfect example of countless do-overs with some frustrating moments in between. But in the end, I always realize that there could not be a faster way to get there. All the underlying mistakes build the final piece with the complexity that makes it unique.

Marion Gunesch, Agitation - I painted this work in a very agitated state. The title ‘agitation’ describes it just perfectly. Bold lines and rough brushstrokes emerged with great creative urge. A china paper collage should intensify the expressiveness of the artwork with its strong contrasts. For me, “Celebration of Arts” means celebrating such moments of creation because they mean incredible happiness.

Nico Hensel, Shredded and renewd Poster from a former exhibition poster, Niki de Saint Phalle, Kunstmuseum Heidenheim 2005 / 2006 - Art for me is transforming waste or old materials into a new aesthetic. As I am a graphic designer, ruled by grids, i like the aesthetic of lines.

Alejandro Borges,  - My work explores how notions of contemporary “liquid” culture, can be represented by incorporating the un-conscious projections of reality. Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of Liquid Modernity describes contemporary society as defined by the characteristics of liquids and identifies a generational shift from “Solid Modernity” [the time of our grandparents] to “Liquid Modernity,” in which our definition of community as nation, culture, or civilization is dissolving earlier social patterns. Hybrids and Projections series are based on the notion of cross-relationships between Architecture, Art, Psychology and Biology.  

Alejandro Borges,  - My work explores how notions of contemporary “liquid” culture, can be represented by incorporating the un-conscious projections of reality. Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of Liquid Modernity describes contemporary society as defined by the characteristics of liquids and identifies a generational shift from “Solid Modernity” [the time of our grandparents] to “Liquid Modernity,” in which our definition of community as nation, culture, or civilization is dissolving earlier social patterns. Hybrids and Projections series are based on the notion of cross-relationships between Architecture, Art, Psychology and Biology.  

Alejandro Borges,  - My work explores how notions of contemporary “liquid” culture, can be represented by incorporating the un-conscious projections of reality. Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of Liquid Modernity describes contemporary society as defined by the characteristics of liquids and identifies a generational shift from “Solid Modernity” [the time of our grandparents] to “Liquid Modernity,” in which our definition of community as nation, culture, or civilization is dissolving earlier social patterns. Hybrids and Projections series are based on the notion of cross-relationships between Architecture, Art, Psychology and Biology.  

Alejandro Borges,  - My work explores how notions of contemporary “liquid” culture, can be represented by incorporating the un-conscious projections of reality. Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of Liquid Modernity describes contemporary society as defined by the characteristics of liquids and identifies a generational shift from “Solid Modernity” [the time of our grandparents] to “Liquid Modernity,” in which our definition of community as nation, culture, or civilization is dissolving earlier social patterns. Hybrids and Projections series are based on the notion of cross-relationships between Architecture, Art, Psychology and Biology.  

Biagio Mastroianni, This is the world - the admiration of false myth and folk tale - This is the world in our present time: leading by greed, avidity, horniness, glamour, fighting spirit and adoration of false myth and folk’s tale. The figurative expressive grimaces with anger, rage, disbelief, scepticism, admiration and hate, characterized by hard, fixed gaze and it accompanies combative gesture. Orange and red are the dominant colours. This highly pessimistic interpretation of our present time of a big city, stressing the alienation of man as he plunges headlong towards self-destruction. The transformation of the city from an apocalyptic vision in to a more optimistic perspective: well-being and pleasure find expression in smiling, serenity and tranquillity. 

Michelle Lubin, Waiting for the End - Created during the height of the pandemic, “Waiting for the End” encapsulates my feelings of depletion and confusion, with an attempt to balance the beauty in uncertainty. In a loss for words, inspired by Linkin Park’s song of the same name, this piece and the artworks created within this same series, serve as a reminder of how music inspires art, art inspires music and simply just how essential art is towards our healing.

Catarina Diaz, So pop - I consider my art a way to celebrate life. So Pop illustrates a young woman wearing white sunglasses applying lipstick. The strategically placed beta fish, one as a fascinator and the other as a shoulder applique, reference fierceness and boldness. Bold reds and blues juxtaposed with stark whites allude to the vibrant palette of Pop Art. The image is a visual representation of high fashion and popular culture. Furthermore, the collage references commercial items and recognizable advertisement imagery.

Ella Jackson, You Me and the Sea - Inspired everyday by the women around me, my works commemorate the close relationships of females and the idea of sisterhood. Through the restrictions in travel that came with the pandemic, seeing friends and family became limited, forcing us to communicate through a screen. The subjects in my works emit a sense of togetherness as well as nostalgia of the past but also hope for the future. I am also interested in our connection more broadly, about being women and the importance of having a close-knit group of females. I ultimately intend for my subjects to portray a sense of freedom and togetherness, as a form of escapism from current circumstances. 

Lena Silva, FARFALLA - How often do we go beyond our abilities forgetting whom we are.

We shelter ourselves in a cocoon denying our authenticity.

It is comforting but for a while period until it all gets tight and restricted. 

The Soul awakes desiring to spread its wings. 

How often do we dress ourselves for others preferences. 

How often we hide our self-beauty.

Let the mask fall and be whom you owe to be. Emerge out of that cocoon and let yourself – FLY. 

Kristin Ducharme, She’s Perfect - I created ‘She’s Perfect’ at the end of a very important chapter in my life.  In the aftermath, I experienced much grief and loss, and feelings of isolation and anxiety. At some point in the journey, I began to see tiny green shoots poking through the soil ahead of me. Life’s menu started offering new choices; of acceptance and forgiveness, solitude and centeredness, creativity and connection. This portrait was one of the first born pieces of this period of growth. She is a reminder of the beauty in decay, the surprise of rebirth, and the important practice of holding space for gratefulness in where we may find ourselves in present day.  Her marks and scars, sag and exhaustion, serve as imprints of a beautiful, brave, and curious life...

Lorna Bent, Dolor - The painting depicts female vulnerability, fear and the embracing of a period of great change. The nudity is also a sign of exposure and moving into uncharted territory. The date shows the date of the artist’s mother, from where these feelings evolved, and the comfort of expressing and dealing with grief through creativity and art. The subject is pushing ahead through the barrier of grief, breaking down the walls as she deals with the grieving process. The ivy symbolizes life connections and feelings, and the fact that memories are intertwined with life and will always remain strong, and the hope that spring will soon come again.

Carmen Angela Yandoc, Somatotype - “Somatotype” is a satirical commentary on body stereotyping comparing women’s shapes to  apples and pears. Current social media platforms have taken body shaming to a new level with  countless fat-shaming memes and fat-phobic posts which leave lasting consequences. Although males  aren’t exempt, criticism on shape and size is more prevalent in females. Ripe with humor, this visual  rendering of fruit metaphors is a protest thrown at the ridiculous passing of moral judgments based  entirely on superficial attributes. Adopting what Arthur Koestler said in his 1964 book The Act of  Creation, this piece intends “to make us suddenly discover the absurdity of the familiar and the  familiarity of the absurd”. 

Penelope Burnett, The ‘Charmer’ Bracelet  - This piece was handmade as part of my final degree project ‘Behind Closed Doors’ which is to raise awareness of domestic violence and coercive control. It is inspired by the traditional charm bracelet and a real life story about alcohol related violence and control. The Charmer Bracelet is full of ‘sorry charms’ bought as apology gifts by the perpetrator to ‘win over’ the victim and to put on a false front for the out side world to see. 1 sorry 2 sorry 3 sorry 4... Hidden bruises behind the apology gifts.

Fake facades. Never ending meaningless apologies. Nothing changes, the cycle continues. Hand made beer bottle tops and chain. Silver, Enamel, Formed.

Antinea Boletsi, a ghost story - What about ghosts? I don’t know why but often at night especially, I feel haunted. I feel this presence in my space, like it’s always watching me, very discreetly, but I feel it. I have never really seen it though, except for hypnagogic hallucinations that I have experienced sometimes... So having watched the movie “a ghost story”, I was inspired to depict this special feeling as an image of a classic ghost underneath a sheet. Many don’t believe in ghosts, others have seen them, some are scared of them and don’t even want to think about it; I think there is definitely another extraordinary dimension to the world, a hidden one we cannot see unless we allow ourselves to dive into the fantastic unknown.

Caroline McPherson, The Grass Isn’t Greener On the Other Side - This is an emotive piece based on animal exportation and exploitation. Seen from an  animals perspective, and set from within a lorry, the outside world is viewed only through a small air vent. Faintly in the distance you can see hills and fields, the only life that the animal desires.

Samuel Keysell, Swan On Unicycle - Swan On Unicycle’ is a selected painting from the book ‘The Swan Circus’ by Samuel Keysell. It’s a book of paintings and a short story about swans being captured by a circus and made to perform. The book is available for free, via direct message (@samuelkeysell) on Instagram. Samuel Keysell also works as a musician under the name ‘Febueder’. His paintings have been shown at Boomer Gallery and his animation work featured on Clash Music.

AIMEDAPHI SOHKHLET, FEROCITY - This is a textured acrylic painting that is 42 x 59.4cm in size. I have named it FEROCITY as I want every person to witness and experience their own strength on looking at the tiger in the painting. FEROCITY is a painting that has been created to bring forth every persons inner power and true self with no fear of anything. I have created this piece of art to allow people to bask in the greatness of their own strength. 

The Peacock and The Printmaker Heather Moore, Elegant Peacock - Stunning, intensely coloured plumage adorn this original print of a glorious peacock. Peacocks have become somewhat of a renewed obsession of mine in recent years - they’re just so beautiful. As a child, I’d visit the animals at Walton Gardens and spend ages watching the peacocks showing off their feathers. These memories have stuck with me all of these years and so seeing peacocks always brings back the nostalgic feelings. Made up of three blocks, the feather repeat pattern was first printed using a mask to leave the space for the green plumage and main body of the peacock. The piece is printed in oil based inks chosen for their intense colour.

Trisha Dullu, Meet me where wild things grow - I have always been fascinated by the polarity of light and dark and competing opposite forces. I instantly feel drawn to any such dichotomy. It is intriguing to realise that I more often than not always have an emotional response to such surroundings and ideas. This piece is a representational outcome of this duplexity. It shows the contrast between black and white and between movement and stillness. I have worked on this painting in many layers, watering down between layers to create lucidity. The contrast & competing nature of Red & Gold adds drama and interest to the whole piece.

Pascie, The Fool - A work for all rascals. A thank you for reminding people of the absurdity of the human game. Many artists being utter rascals. 

Lexie Sipmann, Untitled - In life we have layers of ourselves that we want to uncover to find out who we really are. That is the peeling back, the history and the newness of discovery. Creating new parts and emerging the old layers that create who we are.

Rosanna Ciliberti, Title-Mirroring - A closer look into our reflection will reveal all our flaws and imperfections, but it will also bring out the beauty of our soul. Struggling with low self esteem and not considering to be worthy, is a modern society problem. Mirroring depicts the ideology that each human being has a true self, to love, protect and take care of, moving away from the illusion created by modern society and technology.

Kristianna Gasparjan, Selflove - As a newly immigrated individual, I am finding transnational confidence while holding onto selflove with purpose. The abstract painting combines adventure, romance, joy and SWANA ancestral remembrance while grounding on certainty even through new adjustments. Capturing the self-loving fragments in my past, present and optimistic future. Some parts stand out alone, but I perceive life through layers and context in which effects are intervened. 

Annie Gendreau, Insomnia - Sleepless night. Head spinning. Emotions overflow. This artwork mirrors the state of mind caused by this painful stage of trying to sleep, when everything seems to be turning against us. The longing for the strength to let go of fears and anxiety. The blue tones evoke hopeful thoughts that peek through the fog of worry. Celebration of art, this magazine title means a lot to me. I am finally committing to my artist career this year. More than ever, we need to celebrate and embrace every small victory and stay open to the world.

Wallace Woo, PINE ROOT - Root grow slowly little by little, Stay strong for long year an years. just to courage people don’t give up even you still not yet see the results, but be strong at the fundamental. Wallace Woo from Hong Kong and live in the world famous fashion capital - PARIS for 11 years, He had fashion makeup artist background, the fashion industry has given him a many different opportunities overs the years, the best part is that his job has opened many doors for him, Unconsciously, it helped him open another gate as a Pouring visuals artist. Life is a journey, it brought him many new experiences, especially on a spiritual level. He also had a vipassana meditation training when he were teenage, that impacted also bring to his creation.

Cid Roberts, Ballet - When I think about ballet, my mind always goes immediately to the years of work, hours and hours at the barre, endless repetition fine tuning every single detail, through injuries and exhaustion, day after day. It’s not for pussies. Then to take all of that work, all the layers of  technique and strength and stamina, and let it glide you across a stage as light and soft as a cloud, like it’s the most effortless and natural thing you’ve ever seen, is just glorious. Part of what makes it so special, to me, is knowing how much the dancer dedicated and prepared to facilitate such a work of beauty. It’s humbling and it invokes a feeling of heaven and it’s masterfully artistic design. 

Antonia Monson, Still Life with Grapes (Waterbased oil on canvas 2019) - My paintings are rooted in the image of the still life, exploring colour and harmony in the relationship between motifs. My inspiration comes largely from the light and atmosphere of rural Italy and France, and the rich limestone valleys of the Cotswolds where I live. I work with loose painterly brushstrokes and sometimes my fingers to keep the painting soft and fluid. I aim to evoke mood with colour. I trained in the 1980s at Bath Academy of Art under Jackie Harding. My influences especially include colourists Matisse, Bonnard, Balthus and the early Italian painters.

Scott Allen Roberts, Serendipity on the Horizon - One of a new group of paintings developed in the new consciousness of 2021, my newest work ‘Serendipity on the Horizon’ explores the post pandemic reality of hope, new opportunities rife for the taking and in tandem, a fragility to our way of life that we must not take for granted. The painting is currently exhibited at Ric Michel Fine Art in South Hampton New York in the exhibit entitled ‘Reality...and then some’ running through the summer of 2021.

Carol Foulger, Good Times - It depicts the build up to Christmas and the hustle and bustle and excitement that being in London at this time of year creates. I wanted to encapsulate the good times so many of us have experienced in our glorious capital city and the hope that we will once again be experiencing those good times very soon. This painting is in contrast to my previous artwork “Lockdown London”, which I was lucky enough to have featured in issue 15!

Mieke Douglas, ‘LOST SOCIETY  |  LOOKING IN’ - Peering into dark, empty spaces. On the outside, looking in. Camera pressed up to smeared, steamy glass. Glimpses of shiny Christmas decorations; cleaning products and hand sanitisers; abandoned drinks and occasional humour. Grasping at fragments. Struggling businesses forced to close yet again this holiday season to halt the pandemic, left deserted. Silent. Dark. Looking in as an observer, no longer a participant. Imagining the fun and the life and the noise. Visceral pleasures are tempting but still dangerous, out of reach. Our lives from before, ever more distant. The allure is becoming irresistible. Evocative and otherworldly. Unimaginable. Fading. Photographing to try to remember.

Mieke Douglas, ‘LOST SOCIETY  |  LOOKING IN’ - Peering into dark, empty spaces. On the outside, looking in. Camera pressed up to smeared, steamy glass. Glimpses of shiny Christmas decorations; cleaning products and hand sanitisers; abandoned drinks and occasional humour. Grasping at fragments. Struggling businesses forced to close yet again this holiday season to halt the pandemic, left deserted. Silent. Dark. Looking in as an observer, no longer a participant. Imagining the fun and the life and the noise. Visceral pleasures are tempting but still dangerous, out of reach. Our lives from before, ever more distant. The allure is becoming irresistible. Evocative and otherworldly. Unimaginable. Fading. Photographing to try to remember.

Shalini Bharadwaj, The Pale Blue Door - I find old doors very interesting subjects to paint. For me doors symbolise hope, opportunity, protection, new possibilities and mystery. As an artist I find the intriguing duality of what lies beyond or what lies within fascinating. For me, capturing the character and personality of an old weather-beaten door is similar to portraiture. Every scar, scrape, groove and ornament provide endless opportunity for visual story telling. I work from photographs I have taken on my travels as well as collected from other sources over the years. I use a mix of acrylic paint, liquid charcoal, graphite pencil and high pigment inks to create textural layering in my paintings. 

Petra Schott, Garden of longings I - An empty chair somewhere in the middle of nowhere. In the background a garden is visible, perhaps with human beings moving there. Together with the title we understand the painting is more about inner visions than outer reality. The strong oil colours underline an intense imagination and longing for something not available for the time being.

Gali Naveh-Stern, Family - Family portrays strong images of a man and a woman with what may seem to be  blurred images of their children. It reflects a mixture of contrasting feelings and  forces. 

The strong composition of colors, in which red prevails in contrast with black, the  face impressions and unnatural and somewhat twisted body gestures convey a  mysterious note implying there may be more to be told. 

Giulia Carini, Peaceful Energy - In these last years, during my travels in Asia, I realized I was very attracted to Buddhism and its philosophical principles. One of the symbols of Buddhist religion is the Lotus flower whose meaning is related to purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. Also in meditation and Yoga the Seven Chakras or Wheel of Light are depicted in the form of a lotus which absorb and transmit universal energy in and out of the body. In my watercolour “Peaceful Energy”, I imagine a flow of energy moving between the flowers and the girl. This silent force embraces them with an aura of balance and tranquillity.

Artist Alenka Vrhovnik Tezak in art Art Vivianne, Secret Garden in Moonlight - The same perception of grace and elegance is perceivable in “Secret Garden in Moonlight” where two rabbits and full moon give the mysterious tone and lead the viewers to Alice in the Wonderland inherent with the artist’s aim of a free interpretation and imagination of the subject, immersed in her thoughts, as the Romantic souls are. 

Cecilia “Cicci” Grensner, Silence - Cecilia “Cicci” Grensner paint always from her heart and soul. She start paint with acryl colors 2014 on an artclass on Hönö where she lives. Often paint nature in her own way. She like to test and try herself for new result on the canvas or wood she mostly paint on. Cecilia had her first exibision on Hönö, Konstvågen 2015. Only a year after she started paint. She has been seen there every year since last year because of corona. She had her first solo exibision Galleri Studio Animar, Stockholm november 2019. 

Shelby K Cook, Old Growth - This piece is exploring my own love of forests and an aspect of the relationship between humans and nature. A fading self-portrait blends in with the trunk of an old tree, showing my personal connection with trees as well as acting as a metaphor for the human race as a whole, showing that we are a part of nature, despite the often contentious relationship that humans have with the environment. 

Darren Hall, Bluebells and Sunrise - Long summer shadows and bluebells, brilliant sunset skies, and pathway

through it all. This painting captures all the beauty of a wood scene with Summer Flowers in bloom. The impressionistic layers capture the movement and utter beauty of the scene. ‘Bluebells and Sunrise’ is an original acrylic painting, created on deep-depth canvas 100cmx100cm. The painting was created in Darren’s Open Impressionism style, with a background of brush strokes then thick, layered detail using knives and a very limited palette.

Justin Garcia, Una Sinfonía - For a period of time I had left dust collecting on sketchbooks and time to misrepresent the inspiration to my own professional career. I had left the practice of most art when I was teenager to pursue a career, to find stability, and to break free of what would normally be considered American poverty. While I did pull my way out in some ways, the love to create was always there, always present in my heart. In meeting new friends and sharing my thoughts, it was no longer a thought to try it, but to simply commit to a calling, to rekindle a long lost passion and spark a new sense of wonder. This piece in particular is a summary of that and more to come.

Janine Crum, Strength For Us All - Is a reflection on the development of character that occurs through perseverance and hardship. It takes a look at how looking back often means the beauty of a challenge takes your breath away -- Like a passing storm overhead that feels all encompassing, and light finally breaks through. It’s in that moment you realize the strength you possess wouldn’t have been developed and exercised if not for the circumstances at hand dragging you through, and the promise of hope lightning the way. 

Vian Borchert, Spectrum - This painting titled “Spectrum” was done during quarantine and COVID-19 times. The painting depicts a take on an abstracted sunset with all its hues and tones. The painting is symbolic and metaphoric of a changing and challenging time where an escape to art seems to bring back much needed peace.

Pedro Silvestre, Love in the Hearth, Bring Us Strenght 1 - Acrylic in canvas and china ink, this artwork show how the feeling of love can improve us to be more better more humble and be everyday more strong. Love is who bring to our day the happiness ,the sadness ,the madness etc... love is the only one who awake every our good and bad feelings, thats why i made this painting to show how the word love is so beautifull. 

“I paint what i see in my other world showing in my all paintings to this world”

Mayu Shiomi, KA·GA·YA·KE - This work is a portrait of “PUNKUMA” (PUNK + KUMA = PUNKUMA; “KUMA” literally means “bear” in Japanese)- the teddy bear I created with the power of punk rock, one of the greatest countercultures to express a spectacular space full of sparkles. The title “KA·GA·YA·KE” means “shine” in Japanese, it is also a metaphor with the meaning of burning your soul and burning out. The more you want such a glittering star, the farther it feels while in fact, we all have the heart to experience its beauty when we look up. With such an attitude, we can always see arts in our daily life. Congratulations to our ordinary days! 

Maria Lopes, Celebration - Oil/cold wax on canvas, 70x70cm. “Art also reveals the roar which lies on the other side of silence” (Makoto Fujimura) This piece represents 2 celebrations: a turning point has an emergent artist and the celebration of life, the good and bad parts. To be a self-taught artist requires some courage, determination and to be able to recognize and “kill” our limiting beliefs. It’s a lonely path that makes us get out of our comfort zone constantly. In this painting I describe life as an iceberg, little can we see on the surface and so much going on under... emotions, feelings. Celebrations stay on the surface and are the roar of silence. Art is the vehicle of silence. Celebrate Art!!

Mark Burrell, ‘The Path Not Taken’ - April 2021 - Acrylic, enamel and fabric on canvas and board. 61cm x 61cm x 3cm. This piece was one of a series that explored the theme of mortality in these difficult times. The path seems clear however, the edges are blurred and it would be easy to stray from the path. - out of the light and into the dark. The fabric pieces are islands of solidity but show the background seeping through, they could be bandages. The red circle has connections to blood but that was not the primary intention. The circle is a symbol of ‘self’, and places me into the painting. It is also fluid and moving and adds a dynamism to the picture plane. Maybe your path takes you from light to darkness, or darkness into light - maybe that is the way of it.

Marion Gunesch, Great expectations - “Great expectations” is dedicated to my personal entry into art. Last year art came into my life like a bang, and its importance has risen to something tremendous. The movements in the artwork and the glowing background illustrate the solemn character of this new joy with the hope that it will find an even bigger place in my life.

Ella Jackson, Skinny Dip - Inspired everyday by the women around me, my works commemorate the close relationships of females and the idea of sisterhood. Through the restrictions in travel that came with the pandemic, seeing friends and family became limited, forcing us to communicate through a screen. The subjects in my works emit a sense of togetherness as well as nostalgia of the past but also hope for the future. I am also interested in our connection more broadly, about being women and the importance of having a close-knit group of females. I ultimately intend for my subjects to portray a sense of freedom and togetherness, as a form of escapism from current circumstances. 

Cid Roberts, Broadway Dark - The pandemic hit the theatre community worldwide particularly hard. During the earlier months of quarantine I would walk through the Theatre District here in New York, and it had such a somber and eerie feeling. All the Broadway theaters dark and quiet, so much stillness where there is usually none. I was struck by the glow of the lights on fire escapes, alleyways, occasionally a window to a costume workshop or dressing room with a light on revealing a scene frozen however it was the day they sent everyone home.  All these warm lights like embers glowing in what felt like an abandoned city. It was a haunting scene.

Andrew Rowe, Isolation Corona Table To Make Time Pass - This was made at the start of the coronavirus lockdown. I found myself with protracted amounts of time to consider my surroundings and started to explore their potential to create artworks in various media that I ordinarily would not have considered. I was unable to venture outside and to pass the time I created physical collage pieces using items immediately to hand and the first item I used was an old pasting table. I used found objects, images, acrylic paint and varnish and chose them primarily for their aesthetic qualities and only started to appreciate their ideas and context when the piece was finished and I gave myself time to further contemplate the piece as a whole. 

Andrew Rowe, Isolation Corona Table To Make Time Pass - This was made at the start of the coronavirus lockdown. I found myself with protracted amounts of time to consider my surroundings and started to explore their potential to create artworks in various media that I ordinarily would not have considered. I was unable to venture outside and to pass the time I created physical collage pieces using items immediately to hand and the first item I used was an old pasting table. I used found objects, images, acrylic paint and varnish and chose them primarily for their aesthetic qualities and only started to appreciate their ideas and context when the piece was finished and I gave myself time to further contemplate the piece as a whole. 

Artist Alenka Vrhovnik Tezak in art Art Vivianne, Secret Garden - “Secret Garden” shows the artist’s ability in conferring to the painting a real and physical essence, as if the viewer could catch the flowers that lie on the canvas. Although red roses are the symbol of love and passion par excellence, Art Vivianne has given to them a different meaning blending the red of the petals with the pink of the background and conferring, in this way, a softer perception. The flowers themselves seem to be fragile with their thin stems and deciduous petals scattered through the canvas by an imaginary breeze. 

Shelby K Cook, Battery Point Light - Painted en plein air in Crescent City, CA, this piece is an attempt to capture the nostalgia I feel viewing the scene as I remember the frequent stops made here on road trips from Washington to California with my father when I was younger. I always loved the way the tide blocks the lighthouse from access, stranding anyone on the island, even as electricity still spans the gap and connects the seemingly lone lighthouse with civilization.

Alejandra Morales, Saturday night inside out - Grayson Perry once said in an interview that when he was starting out, like most young artists, he was obsessed with himself. This rang true, as I used to make more self portraits when I was trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to say as an artist. As I grow older, I am learning that there are other ways in which one can convey intimacy. Recently, I have been portraying the nuanced surroundings of my everyday life: in this case, my dirty laundry. I think the ways in which you make your living space yours can say a lot about who you are and how you live your life. 

Lola Marín, Relicarios - Mi preocupación e interés creativo se centra en la memoria como hilo conductor, partiendo de lo autobiográfico hacia la colectividad, abordando temas como la fragilidad, la soledad y el olvido. El paso del tiempo y su huella... La identidad. El ser humano y sus peripecias.

My creative interest focuses on memory starting from the autobiographical towards the community, addressing themes such as fragility, loneliness and forgetfulness. The passage of time and its mark ... Identity. The human being and his contretemps.

Biagio Mastroianni, The Mentor- chess player in a big city - What is your next move? To achieve step by step little successes in your life with the right knowledge, behavior, mental setups, communication and the right tools as well, a Mentor helps you with his  feedbacks to learn new skills and improve your attitudes. He also helps you to consolidate your  discipline with situation advice topics, even when you not feel motivated. Their role will facilitate your  thinking to clarify your short-term goals and longer-term aspirations. The metaphor of a very high  skilled chess player with all his source of wisdom, teaching and support is observing on specific  actions his learners.

Madeeha Hussain, Palestine ٧٣ (73)  - Palestine is not trending on Twitter and Instagram anymore, we are not talking about it with the same energy. The issue must be broken down to universal values that we all believe in. Palestine was more than a piece of land it was highly advanced with it’s culture, art, architecture, education and business. Generation’s lived there with their own dreams, hope and future. Now it’s nothing but just a war zone. The geographical map of Palestine has been entirely erased on Google and other maps. It is extremely crucial that we learn, understand, share, the pain, essence, aesthetic, and the historical beauty of Palestine with the World. We may not live in Palestine, but Palestine lives in us.

Geraldine Leahy, Mutation - Currently, I am looking at the effects of coastal erosion in my locality. My approach involves using debris, such as plastic, in layered processes that reflect changes in the environment. Mutation began as a monoprint of plastic strands found on the  beach. I explore the incongruity of this manmade material which can create quite beautiful images in monoprinted form, yet is deadly to marine life. In Mutation, the plastic, which  originally created an attractive composition on the canvas board, has changed into something  more sinister with the addition of layers of paint and gouache. Areas of paint have been washed away, which references erosive activity.  

Louise Hynes, Asleep - Asleep is a painting using acrylics on a recycled canvas. 45cms high x 65cms wide, framed. It shows a girl ( my daughter) sleeping on the grass along our Kent cliffside on a hot day, her face getting very pink, her mug of tea left to one side. In the blue sky there are condensation trails from aircraft crisscrossing the sky, or are they chemtrails polluting our world ? We decide what we believe about this controversial subject. Either way, her sleep makes her oblivious to all around her. Bliss.

Sanna Stabell, Broken Brains in Candyland - This painting is a take on the playful mindset I was in at the time of creation. I would love to be able to give a long write up of what I was thinking and meaning to do with this piece, but like all my work I just disappear in the canvas and what comes out comes out. Hope you enjoy :)

Matt Noir, Conversation Piece No.19 - My paintings explore the symbolic power of the object, how they are bestowed with meaning, evoke memory and develop narrative. I am particularly interested in devices of communication and the connections that are derived through the viewer’s relationship to them; as well as the objects having their own relationships. All of this strengthens the dialogue between the objects and the onlooker to create a conversation. I have revisited my paintings to see how they have taken on new meanings in light of events of the times. Not only are ‘we’ re-emerging and re-examining things anew, so too is art being re-seen in a different context.

Jess de Zilva, One of those days - Jess de Zilva paints psychological allegories. Her work ‘One of those days’ is inspired by Valentine de Boulogne’s ‘Last Supper’ and was originally going to portray ‘the morning after’ the party. As the pandemic hit and work with models wasn’t possible, she took on the roles of all the protagonists herself. The result being the painting having turned inwards, asking how we handle being relentlessly faced with our own selves. It speaks of a breakdown of social norms, of behaviour otherwise not laid bare and thresholds being lowered. Many facets of our personality come out to play; the good, the bad and the ugly. One of those days is one of the many indistinguishable days stuck in four walls with our selves.

Julia Chuquis, A New World - I believe in our ability to alter our energy to manifest a better world. In this piece the three spheres represent matter, life and mind. The colours I used are coral, to represent the energy that flows through everything, and blue to bring about the connection with nature and our rich source of water on earth. Painting abstract art that expresses emotions, adversities and experiences that humanity endures or celebrates is something that deeply nourishes my soul. I title my artwork to reflect what inspired me when creating each painting. I hope that my artwork invokes the viewer’s individual emotions and induces further exploration and personal interpretation.

Matthew Mark, Radiance in Manchester Square - I painted this piece of an actual real location in my city. It consists of being a new strip mall for new businesses in shopping and retail to emerge. Ever since the pandemic it has been a difficult time to open a new business or to keep one going. The economic fallout has been hit hard to many. I would hate to see this type of location become empty like a ghost town. The architecture of this building is very modern and European giving it a feel as though your actually over in England. I hope during the post pandemic period that this location blossoms, excels and remains to stay in that community for many years to come. 

Rachel Henriksen, Hidden in Plain Sight - The original concept for this installation formed as I was thinking about how my experiences and background shape the way I see and perceive everything around me, despite my best efforts to pretend that all my opinions are unbiased and judgements completely rational. Empathy is a common concept threaded throughout my work as I yearn to understand and empathize with different people and groups, and the first step is acknowledging the veil that is inevitably covering my eyes. This is me visualizing that first step in order to see those things that are hidden in plain sight.

Soo Kim, Pink River - Imagining a fairyland of botanical gardens with a pink river running through, this piece was created by blending pinks, oranges, and yellow alcohol inks with a blow pump. My Story: My father was a workaholic and growing up in this family, I was subconsciously trained to become one too. To support my family, I’ve studied graphic design and became an art director working for Revlon fragrances in the heart of NYC. However, I’ve always craved an outlet, to ‘let go’ of all my fears and anxiety. I stumbled across alcohol inks and it has healed me and my viewers since. I believe it’s a form of therapy for myself and others.

Bryan Borong Hsuan, Watching the Evening News - My parents keeping an eye glued to the broadcast.  Naturally, they are disturbed by stories that wreak havoc on the world. Crisis after global crisis, digested into manageable stories with pretty faces. No wonder, my father is filled with a look of evening prayer, while my mother, wears an expression of dedicated consternation. Yes, in the throes of current events, W.B. Yeats poem A Second Coming echoes and reverberates with powerful meaning: “The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned; / The Best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” In spite of what comes, naturally, young or old, we want to stay informed...

Alice Gur-Arie, Rebirth - This year Pantone selected two colours to reflect our extraordinary times. Ultimate Grey thematically references the isolation of lockdown, while yellow, Illuminating, represents hope. Inspired by the pandemic, Rebirth is a new work from the Portuguese landscape series, The King’s Lodging. The glowing yellow light communicates optimism for the future, while the distant, textured, grey sky symbolizes the darkness of loss, loneliness, isolation and grief. This artwork combines photography and painting. Treating my photograph as the canvas, I repainted the picture by hand digitally in layers to achieve washes, enlarging the image to paint pixel by pixel where detail required. One-of-a-kind giclee print.