I am a visual artist from Sugar Creek, Missouri. A majority of my work explores spatial relationships and the flexibility of mediums using simple, creative elements. I aim to display the the process of my creative unfolding and color relationships within my paintings. A few mediums of choice are: acrylic paint, oil paint on canvas, charcoal, aerosol paint, ink, marker, upcycled frames and scrap wood. I have been pursuing painting and creating in a studious manner since 2011. Art for me is an exploration in the intangible. A matter of adding and subtracting in order to move further. Planned disorganization and somber poetic chaos. I am driven by the embrace of intuition and chance. Art connects me with spirituality and helps in grounding. Art allows me to present the most beautiful parts of myself. I employ my painting and creating into live performances. Giving viewers an opportunity to witness the energy and form behind the paintings they see. I often work in layers. A lot of my art ranges from surreal expressionistic to abstract. Art is truly a life blood for me. eyemeek.com Instagram: @eyemeek Facebook: Artwork by Isaac Meek

Steven Dragan is an artist based in Kansas City. His paintings capture people and places through an architect’s lens. Rooted in his training as an architect, his paintings are about searching for the details that make each place meaningful, and capturing those details with precise perspective and loose watercolor. Steven Dragan Art Studio and Gallery www.sdragan.art

As a true visionary artist, conceptual design and experimentation are the roots of my artistic style. I design every project with a unique purpose; routine process, and ambition for the next big idea.

BIOGRAPHY Esther Boyd, a contemporary artist, living in Kansas City. She was born and raised in a small farming community on the high plains of western Kansas. Her upbringing, rooted deep within a world caught between the 1890s and 1970s, went on to shape not only Boyd's unique perspective of the world. Esther takes flowers as much of her subject matter, emphasizing color and brushwork. From an early age, Esther gravitated towards the arts, encouraged greatly by her mother who is also an artist. Esther saw art as both a mental exercise and a form of escapism. The artistic connection in the Boyd family extends to her great aunt, Tecla, a self- taught artist who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. Esther studied art at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Later, she pursued a BFA in Textile Design and a Masters in Architecture and Culture from the University of Kansas. She has taken several workshops with accomplished artists such as Jerry Brown, Philomene Bennett, Carol Marine and Lisa Daria Kennedy.

Be who you are in your life's journey, not who "they" think you are... I spent the first half of my life around the Detroit area and the current half is being spent in the Kansas City area. I have fallen in love with Kansas City andplan to spend the rest of my life here. A lot of my artwork showcases some of the iconic landmarks around Kansas City. I am the type of artist who loves to create big, bright, bold conversation pieces. My goal in art is to share my vision with the world. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums, but I do a lot of stenciling, airbrushing and spray paint...customizing things is my favorite. I am very versatile with what I can do, that’s what keeps things interesting...anywhere from a neo-traditional street art style to more detailed portrait work. With our world today so hectic, crazy, busy and bullyish...I use bright contrasting colors with lines and patterns in an attempt to capture the attention of someone racing by; encouraging them to slow down, even if it’s just for a second. If I can touch just one person with one of my works, then my artwork was a success. I am always learning and am forever a student. I feel that the minute you stop learning is the minute you stop growing and improving...not just in your craft, but also in your life.

ARTIST STATEMENT Art is about exploration. The work that I create is about constantly exploring new materials, new physical locations and new methods. It is also about exploring myself and how I interact and relate to those materials, locations and methods that I love discovering. I work in silk, metal and canvas and each piece offers a rich landscape of textures, colors and contrasts to consider. Whether it’s the technical restraint of working with titanium or the demand to push the boundaries on traditional canvas, I love a good problem to solve. Ultimately, that’s what I hope my art can accomplish--solving a problem one step at a time with an interesting and compelling solution. Larissa offers two series of work, one in fibers and the other in traditional painting.

MOMOMAAS

Method Of Manipulation Of Materials Arriving At a Solution

This is my acronym for my art process. While creating intuitively, I began a dance with chance, and then I am challenged to manipulate the material into my original vision. The solution is arrive at after a multitude of decisions that ultimately answer the "problem" of how to recreate the beauty of nature and suspend it.

BIOGRAPHY Linda's professional background includes teaching at University of Kansas and Johnson County Community College, as well as directing the non-profit arts programs - Arts at reStart for Youth and Adults. The programs received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and Missouri Arts Council. Throughout her long career, Linda's studio practice remained active. Her artwork includes architectural historic landmarks, as well as residential homes. They are illustrated in pencil, pen & ink, watercolor and mixed media. Two-dimensional maps, perspectives and vignettes are integrated into her drawings to illustrate multi-viewpoints and multi-reactions when viewing buildings and surrounding landscape. She is interested in the historic-background of structures, which is incorporated into many of her drawings. Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/LindaBlahaKemnitzer Educational background:

• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan M.A. Environmental Design, Urban Planning with Honors
• Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland B.F.A. Interior Design and Photography
• University Of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Interior Design

• University of Kansas' Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award
• Hallmark Enrichment Funds
• Michigan State University Honor Society of Omicron Nu
• ASID American Society of Interior Designers National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• Burlington House - Interior Design Award
• Eggers & Higgins Architects, NYC Cooperative Education Internship

BIOGRAPHY Devin Edwards is an artist from the Eastside of Kansas City, MO. He went to Paseo School of the Arts and graduated in 2016. He moved on to study at the Kansas City Arts Institute for two years before embarking on the journey of starting his art career, and creating a key cartoon character in his work, named “The Crusader”. This character is a kid that takes on the likeness of Batman and bravely goes out into the world, taking challenges by the proverbial bull-horns- all with a deeply-rooted purpose of helping his community. The reason why he dresses up like Batman is to basically throw dirt on the idea that you have to be rich or have super powers to make a difference in this world. Social: www.instagram.com/halfmoonstudioz ARTIST STATEMENT My art balances complimentary colors using acrylic on canvas and in a murals, acrylic on wall, to invoke the viewer's emotions aiding the purpose and the message I want to convey. The art depicts the thoughts as well as the dreams for the future and that of the world. My dream to be great and help the community motivates me and gets me ready to take on challenging moments.

BIOGRAPHY AJ Edwards is a local acrylic artist. Her art style tends to be realism to abstract realism and ranges from canvas paintings and murals to building structures for Art That Blows. Her murals are in Wal-Mart, Encompass Medical, and 2A Marketing. She participates in the Now Showing with ArtsKC, showcasing her paintings in local businesses. She was a winner of the first Kansas City Garmin Marathon poster competition, facilitated by ArtsKC and in partnership with the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation.

BIOGRAPHY Desiree grew up on an eighty-acre piece of land outside of Ottawa, Kansas. In 2005 she graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Sculpture and a minor in Art History. Shortly thereafter she moved to the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, and began to pursue art making full time. Along the way she has produced bodies of work made from salvaged materials, metal, paint, vinyl, ink, paper, and ceramics. www.80acresart.com, @eightyacresart

J Art Pro is born out of Jason Wilcox's creative mind, and influenced by a collaboration of painting, graphic design, video production, Fashion and music. Jason's artistic vision developed from an early age and advanced through education at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. Jason is an artist from Kansas City, MO. He was the commissioned Artist and “ghost painter” for Vivian Banks (Aunt Viv), played by Cassandra Freeman on seasons one and two on the esteemed show Bel-Air, streaming on Peacock. Jason has shown his artwork at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, in an exhibit titled: Testimony: African American Artists Collective. Jason's art has been featured in magazines, films, multiple local news channels, and an Adidas Commercial (A tribute to Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes MVP). Jason has also incorporated his art into runway fashion shows such as Coalesce -The Art of Couture, UnBridal and Kansas City Fashion Week. Past gallery exhibitions include: Charlotte Street Capsule, Leedy-Voulkos Arts Center, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, Kansas City Art Institute KCAI Gallery, Jones Gallery, Johnson County Museum, American Jazz Museum, Spiva Center for the Arts, ArtsKC and more. Jason was the 2023 Kansas City People’s Choice Awards Finalist for Best Visual Artist. Artistic Mission: to entice the viewer to escape reality and live an alternate life within the painting.

BIOGRAPHY Born in Takoma Park, Maryland,  Taj has made art since he was a boy. He moved to Kansas City in 1999 to attend KCAI and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Illustration & Graphic Design in 2003. During his time at KCAI he attended the Illustration Academy in Richmond, Virginia, in 2002 and 2003, where he was able to learn from internationally renowned artists. After an accident that injured his dominant hand in the summer of 2016, Taj left his life of working as a graphic designer and illustrator to pursue a new way to tell his stories with artwork. Driven by a focus on technique, Taj has pushed to learn new ways of drawing that he can approach ambidextrously. At the start of 2018 he began #DrawEveryDay – a way to force himself to take time each day to make one work on paper. Following the injury Taj began experiencing chronic pain, which inevitably influenced his work in his empathy series. 2020 brought the Coldstream Tales and with it a chance to work with incredible creators on a whole new world filled with adventure! Artists are here to create art for the world, and Taj spends most days in his studio discovering new ways to make art that continue to fill him with excitement. @zombietaj

STATEMENT My landscape paintings question classifications of what is considered natural or unnatural in our surroundings. My subjects are often discovered along bodies of water and other travel routes where forces of nature and human manipulation are accentuated. Industrial engineering and organic forces commingle in these places, often one dominant over the other, speaking of humanity’s complex relationship with nature. These ongoing attempts to define, control or otherwise set aside these forces are both omnipresent and inextricably linked to us through our mutual efforts to encroach. BIOGRAPHY John Davis Carroll is a painter and new media artist. He was born in Natick, Massachusetts. He studied at Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he received his B.F.A in Painting in 1987 and at Parsons School of Design in NYC where he received a M.F.A. in Painting in 1990. The majority of his professors and mentors came from the School of Hans Hofmann. These artists included Larry Rivers, Leland Bell, Nell Blaine, Paul Resika, David Loeffler Smith and Robert DeNiro Sr. Carroll has lived in Kansas City since 1993. He has been an adjunct professor for over 15 years at UMKC M.F.A. in Theatre Design where he teaches Life Drawing and at JCCC where he teaches Drawing and Painting. He has also taught at Avila University, Park University, UMKC Fine Arts Department and KCAI. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Lieberman Teaching Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty JCCC, Honorable Mention for a 360 degree spherical photograph, hosted by Ricoh and CNN, a Studio Residency hosted by Urban Culture Project / Kansas City, Missouri – Charlotte Street Fund, Best of Show “32nd Small Works” (international) for a new media piece juried by Daniel Ferris of the Stephen Haller Gallery Washington Square Galleries NYU in NYC and Best of Show for a painting at the “Art at the Center Juried Exhibition” (national) Overland Park, Kansas; juror Dr. Patricia McDonnell director of the Urlich Museum Wichita Kansas. John Davis Carroll has had numerous solo shows and invitational shows locally, nationally, Germany, Taiwan and China. His work is owned by numerous private collections and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, Kansas.

As an artist grounded in the vibrant tapestry of Nature and Street Photography, I, find my creative compass within the intricate interplay of the world around me. Based in the dynamic city of Liberty, Missouri, I draw inspiration from the ever-evolving landscapes and the diverse narratives that the streets whisper to those who pause to listen. My work is a testament to the extraordinary in the ordinary, an exploration of moments that often go unnoticed but hold within them a universe of stories and emotions. Through my lens, I strive to capture the unique and different facets of life, infusing each image with a profound sense of love and an unwavering belief in the inspirational power of our surroundings. Through my artistic journey, I aspire to evoke a dialogue between the observer and the observed, fostering a space where love for the world and its myriad of expressions can flourish. It is my hope that each photograph serves as a bridge, connecting us to the profound beauty that lies in every corner of our shared existence.

What I make, what I create, is important to me because of why I make it. For longer than I care to admit, I have denied myself the respect and dignity of recognizing what I wanted to give and communicate through my art: love, hope and beauty. Instead, I would toss and turn between making what was popular or what would sell, or what others would recommend me to make. I had refused to give myself permission to examine what makes me come alive in the creative process and was living a halfhearted creative life unawares. It was during manufacturing pieces for an upcoming show that I stumbled onto mediums that would ignite my artist voice. Mediums representing color, diverse palettes, texture, brilliance and radiance that I had been denying myself access to because I had stunted the communication between my heart and my work caused me to come alive. Believe it or not this magnificent shift has only been so recent. My heart speaks to my art. My hope is that my art speaks to you. And I am excited you are with me on this renaissance journey.

"My thoughts were hard to express so I started making photographs and found that a picture tells my story.  As a youngster my family traveled the back roads of the United States and Mexico.  This led me to create some beautiful and contemplative images. Fast forward 20 years and I am now working to digitally merge pictures to record my dreams and thoughts.  Now fantasy can become my reality." Anna Dorrance is a freelance photographer and attended the professional photography program of the Atlanta based Southeastern Center for the Arts (SCA).  A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Anna is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.  She has studied with Neil Chaput de Saintonge, who studied with Ansel Adams.  Anna is married with one son and lives in Leawood.

STATEMENT I am a female visual artist who evolves around things happening around and deconstructs that into my inspiration to create work that sparks a conversation. I am able to bring the uniqueness of a subject to life using my multimedia disciplinary skills.  Art gives me immense joy to recreate what I see and experience around me through colors. Through my art I want to express the feeling and emotions where words fail. I predominantly like portraying women empowerment, nature and wildlife through art in abstraction form. I strongly believe in biodiversity and that each creature is valuable be it small or big. Hence, you will find many of my solo shows combined with wildlife. My creative process can be categorized into four steps: Inspiration, preparation, creating and reflecting. I extract inspiration from life, nature, events in news or anything that connects to me and talks to me. With the subject in my mind I then move onto preparation to develop sketches and drawings. At this stage, I reflect on questions like What should my style be? and Should it be abstract or should it be refined and detailed?  These questions help in determining my colors, values, texture, pattern and composition. The rough sketch is then transferred to larger canvases or panels. I call this stage the ugly stage. In my style of painting I usually keep the focal point detailed, leaving the rest all abstract .This focal point is the dominant and strongest with the greatest visual highlights. Once the painting is finished or near the stage of completion I leave it for some days to reflect and rework if need be till it evolves to what I visualized. BIOGRAPHY Smitha George is a self-taught artist with a love for wildlife and nature. Majority of her childhood was spent traveling which helped her understand different cultures. After majoring in finance and having worked in the field of finance for many years, she decided to take a break when she moved to the USA. This gave her an opportunity to dive deep into the world of art. For her, painting is a different language and an expression of ideas. All the artwork is inspired by the day-to-day things she sees around her, be it the current political, social issues or simple things from nature. In her work, the subject matter determines the materials and forms the art. In 2017, Smitha began painting professionally, since then there has been no looking back. Her first group show was in 2017 and from then on she has had many solo and group exhibitions in and around Kansas City. She also had the privilege to jury on many art shows and be on panel discussion. She also enjoys working on many commissioned works. Smitha now works from her home studio.

Just as we must live in both a “real” world and in the world of our minds and imaginations, my work interlaces what I see and what I imagine. I strive to find the link between reality and my inner being. My mission is to create daring, dynamic, and vivid visual experiences that inspire ideas about the world people see around them. Building a visual tapestry by collecting a texture, a shape, a color, or a particularly nice line is a powerful tool in my art making. The constant transformations that occur over the course of creating inspire me to observe the extraordinary in the ordinary. The use of encaustic wax and mixed media in my art practice allows me to explore layers of translucency that becomes part of the tapestry of what I reveal or conceal. When I enter my studio, I entwine what I have captured, glimpsed, or noticed from the corner of my eye. The evolutionary path I travel with each image is a unique perplexity. The revelations that are unveiled surprise and delight.

STATEMENT When I paint, I usually have a single thought that influences a new piece.  I sketch out very little on the canvas, instead, I spend the bulk of the preparation looking for a playful harmony to express my “idea”,  by experimenting with color combinations and the addition of different mediums. I especially like things that are soft and fluid, with bright bursts of color.  Many of my paintings are done with fluid acrylic and oil which creates pieces with very few boundaries, yet the impression of something more specific and defined needles its way into the picture. Art has always had a soft spot in my heart.  It can take you away, make you curious, and enchant you. BIOGRAPHY Stacy Smith was born in the Midwest in 1972 and has lived most of her life in the Kansas City area.  She first developed a love for creating art in High School, and enjoyed successes with her early paintings in watercolor and acrylic.  She carried that passion into college where she studied Art at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.  In the years after college her career took a few turns, but she always kept finding her way back to painting.

VanDillen currently has two bodies of work available to exhibit. The first is a collection of cosmic paintings, predominantly colorful and ethereal in nature. Each painting is based on real imagery sent back from the Hubble Space Telescope and others. However, some paintings are abstracted by the artist to represent concepts like gravitational lensing. VanDillen grew up watching rocket launches on Florida’s Space Coast, so space exploration has always held a special place in her heart. The second body of work is a series of musically inspired paintings. These are created using only black and white paint, and many incorporate the wood they are painted on as a part of the image. She has also created a large hand-built and hand-painted guitar sculpture that is available as a part of this series. As someone who loves to play guitar, VanDillen thoroughly enjoys painting her favorite musicians and their instruments. Each painting is created listening to that particular artist’s music, with the hopes of capturing their essence as much as possible. She then carefully chooses a title based on a song that comes to mind when she looks at the completed painting. In order to create the exact sizes and shapes she requires, VanDillen hand-crafts each cradled wooden panel for her artwork. With her cosmic series, the wood grain intentionally adds depth and texture to many of the paintings if one looks closely through the layers. With her musician series, the exposed wood grain becomes a backdrop for many pieces, and a splash of color in others. She continues to play with the interaction between the painting and the wood background in her newer works. Tanya VanDillen was born and raised in Satellite Beach, FL and received a BFA in Studio Art from Chapman University in Orange, CA. Currently, VanDillen resides in the Kansas City area. www.tanyavandillen.com, @tanyavandillen

ARTIST STATEMENT I am fascinated by the way in which abstraction and geometric forms allow a person to define a painting from their own point of view. Watching the connection happen between the viewer and the painting is an exciting thing to observe. My inspiration for my paintings comes from my love of design, architecture, color, cultural connections, and my worldwide travels. My compositions are based on the square, straight lines that intersect, and at times organic forms that create spatial environments. I focus on the elements of geometry, harmony, and movement. My creative process is representative of the way I create my life, layering on meaning as I learn and grow. www.michelereneesherlock.com @michelereneesherlock  

Sharon Rodriguez an award-winning Photojournalist likes to tell stories with her Fine Art Photographs.  She told stories of the Johnson County Homeless from 2015 to 2020.  Recovering from the Pandemic she wants to tell her story.

A native Kansan, creative thinker, and mindful practitioner; my art is an expression of foundational strengths and inner calm. What I call… Intuitive Weaving. Intuition guides my work. Using recycled materials, bits of yarn, clothing, discarded fibers; contemplating its original purpose, pondering its past, envisioning its future. As I weave, there surfaces a balance between the art and the artist, a therapeutic process of the weaving simply becoming; with its imperfections and impermanence. Meditative weaving provides intentional contemplation. My objective in using humble resources: restore beauty and dignity to broken, forgotten things.

I am a Kansas City based artist whose paintings have been exhibited in cities across the United States.  My work is in numerous corporate and private collections.  The abstract paintings I create are unique because the work is based on real life phenomena.  My current series is titled ‘Boundary Lines’.  The paintings draw upon state counties and Bureau of Land Management land designations for the abstract visual language they possess.  I use the discreet shapes in maps and state atlases as a sort of scaffolding within which to explore painting.   In the Western states the BLM uses a pixel like system to designate federal lands and each square mile of land becomes a square on the map. It is a way for authorities to order the natural world.  What interests me is that unconsciously, the BLM has created clusters of shapes that appear to indicate figures, Lego land cities, and native American designs.

Digging and sampling from a variety of sources, Christopher Vaughan Frye, a native Kansas City artist and educator, creates paintings by mixing pop images with street art techniques. Christopher Vaughan Frye was born and raised in the Kansas City Metropolitan where he continues to create and teach art. Frye received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Painting from the University of Kansas in 1998 and his Masters of Arts in Education from Avila University in 2005. He exhibits his artwork regularly, taught visual art for 14 years in the Hickman Mills School District and now teaches at Pioneer Ridge Middle School in Gardner, and designs and constructs sets for Blue Valley West HS Theatre Department and Stageworx Theatre Summer Camp. Combing the streets and library stacks, digging and sampling from an ever-expanding cache’ of imagery, I create paintings appropriated from a variety of sources: time worn comic books, sailor tattoos, Saturday morning cartoons, classic pin-up girls, skateboarding sub-culture, antique signs, surf rock, roots reggae, and electric blues. Taken from the streets to the studio, my paintings combine the expressionism of graffiti with references from popular culture. Using photos from fashion magazines to obtain facial features, I create stylized portraits, the faces decorated with bright, saturated colors. Starting with bold, expressive brush strokes, I fill the void with slashes of bright colors, stenciled polka dots, and scrubbed over swatches of vibrant and overlapped pigment, which creates a patchwork of passion and energy. My aim is to create collision of vintage pop references which merge with an underpainting of gestural abstraction, reflecting the fast grimy pace of contemporary urban life. It’s this contrasting of techniques from the bold outlined facial expressions mixing with the spontaneous scribbles in the background that I enjoy in creating these paintings.

Artist Statement In March of 2020, my panic buying was at the paint store. When I ran out of canvases, I dug into a stack of paper that had long lived under my studio futon. I cut the large sheets into shapes and painted until they were thick as leather. Discarded boards, also laying about the studio, were jig-sawed to resemble the paper works. I painted these surfaces for months on end. Distinct, figure-inspired forms appeared, sitting comfortably around and on top of each other. Color and texture attempted a congenial relationship. With a new, motivating body of work to occupy me, the cancellation of planned projects and exhibitions seemed more like opportunity than loss. As one curator wrote (about this work) “there is joy and exuberance even in isolation...we can be resourceful and creative if we use what we have at hand.” I vacillated between titles “Changing Bodies” and “Bodies Change” as a nod to the inevitable, a less dire look at what we can not control. These days, as before, any surface in the studio is fair game to become a newly “found” object on which to paint. Paintings once considered to be resolved are now repurposed along with motifs I have been exploring on and off for years. Merged together, I recognize a subtext which supports and expands the origin of these works: unplanned, unhurried and without pre-determined destination. I am mining my own art history to observe the impact of time on ideas and ability. The quality of my painted line and available resources influence both composition and color sensibility - again, I am using what is in reach first and embracing the result. My most satisfying compositions are ones that appear finished after a solid day’s work, not counting the many layers of painting underneath. In recovering from the fear, anger and discouraging apathy of the last three years, I am committed to reversing the effects of social isolation through art. The capricious protocol that sidelined so many can be undone by turning the studio experience outward. My current work de-emphasizes the single art object in pursuit of an immersive environment. It is a gradual process that will consume its interior boundaries and eventually move outside of the studio walls. This is meant to be a theatrical place-holder, inspired by my ghostly identity somewhere between nascent and ancient, a gentrified renter in search of home. When one doesn’t own anything, floor, ceiling and sky are all surfaces to draw in for the levity of adornment. http://www.lauranugent.com @laura_nugent_

Sarah Taylor was raised in western Nebraska. She was introduced to art at a young age through school teachers. She often would create things on her family’s living room floor. She has worked over a decade in the nonprofit sector. She uses collage as a way to express herself. She took professional art classes in undergrad, where she learned acrylic painting, photography and graphic design. Today, she focuses almost completely on collage. She finds inspiration through travel, maps, nature and the Kansas City area. She also likes to pair newer color images with old black and white images.

Artist Statement In the middle of projects with unlikely odds for financial gain, a cartoon idea might pop up - I ignore its taunts (I’ll show you unlikely odds!) and go where it leads. Education: BFA, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, OH Experience:

• Hallmark Artist, 28 years
• Freelance Artist: New York Times; Happy Bottoms' Butt Sketch Artist; Travel Channel's Dead Files sketch artist
• Art teacher, Kansas City Art Institute
• Tutor for learners with dyslexia, LexiAbility
• Direct Service Provider for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at l’Arche Heartland in Overland Park, KS

• Rx for a Pandemic, KCUR Studio
• Longhairs at Valorem Reply
• Parisi Cafe at Union Station
• 1111 Main

• Buck O'Neil: Right on Time
• Shades of Greatness, an ongoing educational outreach of the NLBM, exhibited at Louisville Slugger Museum (KY)
• Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
• Two of my works are now part of the NLBM permanent collection.

I have this beauty obsession and it’s by design. I am an artist who is a follower of Jesus and a lover of His Word. I create with Holy Spirit and trust Him to release healing of heart, mind, and body, and reveal light, truth and revelation of His beauty through my art (Psalm 19). Each painting comes with an individual prophetic word, Scripture or prayer to encourage your heart into the love of Jesus. My prayer is that you hear the whispers of God through my art. He speaks to us in so many ways! I’m also compelled to create beauty when I behold the beauty all around that my Creator made, each facet a new expression of the beauty of God. I take in the simple joys and blessings here in this moment. When my soul is bursting with light I can’t help but try to capture a fraction of it on canvas, if only to hold onto it a little bit longer and remember the goodness of God and the glorious wonder of who He is. I have a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and minor degrees in art history and psychology as well as a master’s degree in Art Therapy and I’m a life long student in God’s word. He is my greatest source of inspiration. I pray that my work speaks to your soul. When you find your piece don’t hesitate to get it for your wall to be a visual reminder of a truth you need to hear, over and over again.

Creativity is the heartbeat of my artistic journey, driving me to explore a wide array of subjects and media. While many know me for my photographic portrayals of Kansas City's vibrant landscapes, my passion extends far beyond the confines of a single city or medium. Inspired by the interplay of light and shadow, the textures of nature, and the depth of human emotion, I delve into various forms of expression—from photography and painting to mixed media and digital art. My work is an invitation to see the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder. Each piece aims to capture not just a moment in time, but the essence of the subject, whether it's a bustling urban scene, a serene natural landscape, or an abstract concept brought to life through color and form. By pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and embracing new creative challenges, I strive to connect with viewers on a profound level. Through this diverse exploration, I hope to inspire others to find beauty in the unexpected and to appreciate the myriad ways art can touch our lives. Creativity isn't just what I do—it's who I am, and it's a journey I'm excited to continue sharing with the world.

Douglas Clark is a Kansas City based artist. Abstract Expressionism has always been a movement  that has spoken to him, and the work of artists like Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, and Gerhard Richter continue to inspire and inform his work. Painting for him is a creative act of improvisation as each project evolves and develops its own identity as it emerges.  Whether it is through thin stains of paint merging and seeking shape, splashes and drizzles of paint on the canvas eliciting their own story, impressions of light and dimension in simple rectangles and the horizon line, or scraped paint evoking patina, emerging depth, and shifting color, the canvas becomes what it will. Douglas has no formal training in art and has grown as an artist through countless hours of trial and error in the studio developing his art practice.  He has 22 large canvasses on permanent display at the Kansas City Convention Center/Bartle Hall. He has won Awards for his work at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri as well as having an image selected for the Professional Photographers of America's Loan Collection book. His work may be viewed, and he may be reached at www.dclark.com.

ARTIST STATEMENT Photography is a picture-perfect metaphor for life. It’s already too late to capture from my past. By focusing on the present in being observant, by admiring the people and world around me, I convey a sliver of its beauty when the time is right. A photographer’s life requires living fully in the present. My mission is to share the beauty of light, color, and unique perspectives whether it’s a familiar scene from the city, a billowing thunderhead, or from my work shoes in commercial aviation through my camera lens. I share what captures not only my attention but what I find extraordinary in this seemingly ordinary world we live in.  

Beginning with acrylic color, I build my surfaces using traditional and nontraditional tools such as joint knives, rubber blades and pallet knives. Layering paint and selectively removing areas of it from the canvas creates both depth and dynamic color relationships. These abstractions are meant to evoke both organized systems and chaotic circumstances of nature. Over many years, I have learned to let process and materials lead me in painting. A new artwork begins and ends with each addition and removal of medium from the canvas or panel. Many iterations later reveals the final image. It’s a fun and rewarding experience. As both viewer and maker, I embrace the surprising result.

Taking from my immediate surroundings, I create representations of the land spaces I inhabit. I explore the space where humans and nature interact, where built and natural environments collide to create a negotiated interspace of the urban environment. Through painting, photography, textiles, and drawing, I represent the land and my exploration of it. I am motivated by my own human-nature and the impulse to represent, recreate, capture, and cultivate natural things. My work delves into the tactility of land and reveals a yearning for an engagement with the physical. Through multiple mediums, processes, framing and reframing, I move closer to identifying a contemporary ideology of landscape representations while defining my personal relationship to the landscapes I encounter. BIO Madeline Marak is from Shreveport, Louisiana. She received her Masters of Fine Art from the Sam Fox School of Art and Design at Washington University in St. Louis and her Bachelors of Fine Art from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has exhibited at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in St. Louis, Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis, Meadows Museum of Art in Shreveport, Louisiana, Des Lee Gallery in St. Louis, UNO Gallery in New Orleans, Carol Gallery in New Orleans, and more. She has been an artist in residence at Mildred Lane in Beach Lake, PA, Forest Park Forever Artist Residence in St. Louis, MO, Casa Na Ilha Art Residence in Ilhabela, Brazil, Burren College of Art Residency + Programme in Co. Claire, Ireland, and Shreveport Regional Arts Council Summer Artist Residency. Aside from her art practice, Marak has been dedicated to serving her community by teaching for the Noel Methodist Community Art Program, Bossier Parish Community College, serving as Executive Director of the Marshall Regional Arts Council, and Executive Director of the North Louisiana Arts Council. She has recently moved to Kansas City to join the vibrant arts community and continue as a practicing artist. 

My Midwest suburban upbringing has given me a unique perspective within this American subculture that provides a wide range of topics to explore including environment, architecture, conformity, spirituality, ideas of home, cultural diversity and time. Scenes of children at play, water, and everyday suburban life provide a way for me to capture little redeeming moments in an otherwise mundane environment. I am drawn to the simplistic, formal architectural elements and the facades that shield us from the underlying stories. More recent works have expanded to include abstract grid works that allude to the redundancies of the suburban architecture, as well as the imposed, underlying structure and conformity of the daily life within this culture. Utilizing found objects in many of my mixed media works, I am able to bring a concrete, physical connection to the immediate environment. My book cover series utilizes discarded books with abstract references to windows and doors. Behind each door is a story, and the windows see all…looking out and looking within.

Barker creates abstracted paintings that reference geographic locations but distilled into the elementals of the landscape. Inspired by the Kansas Flint Hills, these pieces serve as a conduit for exploration and contemplation, and invite viewers to embark on their own journey of discovery. Encaustic, with its translucent layers and textures, allows her to capture fleeting moments in a timeless setting. She finds great satisfaction in using the ancient, organic, medium of beeswax to convey a sense of wild and remote spaces. Each piece emerges from a place of reverence for these solitary and isolated landscapes and the desire for reconnection to that profound and mysterious world. 

I am inspired by the landscape, urban scenes, and people in my part of the world. During my career as a graphic designer I made art to communicate the point of view needed by clients. Now retired from my career I respond to the beauty around me in my oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings. From time to time I am blessed to travel and then I also paint what I see and feel in the destinations I visit. BIO Tina is a visual artist with a record of commercial art successes as a graphic designer in firms and agencies in New York City and Kansas City. Industry employment included Hallmark Cards and Victorian Trading Co. where she created award-winning designs recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Holding a master’s degree in Design from Pratt Institute in New York, Tina taught the graphic design curriculum from foundations to portfolio as full-time college professor. Now retired from industry Tina is a fine art painter.

Jennifer Roberts is a self-taught watercolor artist who has been painting since 2018. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed watercolor since she is a control freak in her daily life, and watercolor has a mind of its own. Jennifer enjoys creating her artwork via unusual methods: she largely avoids the traditional brush in favor of using a variety of metal palette knives and stamping techniques. She has been known to use even more unusual methods such as using water glasses and fallen leaves. Much of her work is abstract in nature due to letting the pigment move and flow however it wants, is typically completed in 1-2 layers, and features vibrant colors and simple compositions. Jennifer’s work has been featured on Doodlewash.com, and is included in private collections in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas, Illinois, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To view her current work, visit https://www.lateblooming.art or find her on Instagram: @late_blooming_art.

As an immigrant Filipino artist, my work is a testament to the journey of resilience, adaptation, and identity. Drawing inspiration from both my Filipino heritage and my experiences of cultural intersection, I use bold colors, textures, and symbolism to convey narratives of community, strength, and belonging.  Through my art, I aim to create a dialogue between the past and present, connecting viewers to ancestral roots while inviting them to reflect on their own cultural journeys. The vibrant palette and layered textures mirror the complexity of identity—how we carry pieces of our history, yet transform them in new environments. My hope is for this work to resonate with others on a deeply personal level, whether as a fellow immigrant, a lover of culture, or someone seeking connection. By sharing my story through art, I aspire to foster understanding and appreciation across cultures, reminding us all of the beauty in diversity and the strength in shared stories.

Fred Trease’s education has been as a biologist and a sociologist. The majority of his career has been spent in the practice of environmental public health. Whether he was making double exposures with a Brownie as a boy, photographing chromosomes and cells in college or documenting environmental conditions as an adult professional, photography has always been a part of his life. He says that he has come to understand the world through the lens of a camera. In 2006 he began exploring the medium as an artistic outlet. In 2013 he began using a tablet to make digital drawings based on his science background. This daily practice is an exploration of everything from the subatomic and microscopic to the sociological and cosmological. New ways to look at familiar things. Essentially that’s what his work is about. Using the camera and other digital devices in different ways to shift the paradigm of daily life. His work has been shown in a variety of local, regional and national exhibitions and is in numerous collections in the US . 

Jean Hutchison is a nature and landscape photographer based in Eastern Kansas.  Her love of photography began when she was given a camera by her grandmother at the age of seven.  Although she has had no formal training, she has spent countless hours shooting with members of local photography clubs, watching YouTube videos and learning through trial and error. Jean has developed a love of the Flint Hills and rural America in general and loves to experience nature, take the road less traveled, and see what treasures are waiting to be captured.   Her framed photographs have a distinct, painterly quality which sets them apart from other photographic prints.  They are unique with their textured surface which gives them a sense of depth and richness that helps to draw the viewer into the scene. While her career keeps her very busy throughout the year, she finds much joy in the process of taking pictures and sharing her captures at art fairs and festivals around the Midwest.  Jean has works on display and available for purchase at the First Art Gallery of Olathe throughout the year.

My art is a personal diary of color, form and texture that gives insight to the world as I see and reflect it. I have been gifted with the ability to translate energy and feeling into art that radiates back to the viewer. My work is guided by intuition and emotion, so the color and content of each piece feels as unique as the day on which it was created. The immediacy, freshness and complexity of abstract acrylic and watercolor has always spoken to me. I paint in an Abstract Expressionist style. For me this means nothing but the color palette is planned beforehand, and paintings develop in a spontaneous and physical way. I strive for my work to radiate energy that draws viewers in. One collector says, “I don’t know where Lynette’s art is taking me, but I love going along for the visual ride.” In my acrylic work I start by introducing texture to the canvas with modeling paste and gesso being brushed, dripped, pasted and thrown onto the surface. I read and interpret the developing canvas before bringing in appropriate swaths of color and scrubbing the pigments to reveal rich textures. This process of adding and removing continues as more color, shape and lines emerge, creating multiple layers and depth. My watercolor is an evolution of my acrylic style. There is a fresh immediacy in this work due to the quick drying nature of watercolor. My watercolors have intense color with bold marks that reside on the surface of bright white papers. They are UV varnished to hang with or without glass. I have had the good fortune to travel extensively across the globe, giving me the opportunity of capturing photographic vignettes and feeding my imagination for future expressions on canvas. My work is informed by my design background yet inspired by the beauty I have seen in my travels, the love expressed in my family, and the world from all vantage points.

No disrespect to those who write well about the arts, but “Artists’ Statements” are B.S. (belief systems?) As Thelonious Monk is quoted as saying “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” Writing about art runs the risk of telling you what you should see and feel. What the work means is up to you. The work stands on its own. I’m grateful if you take the time to stand with it. Seeing slowly. That said, I am required by many to provide a written statement: The “subject matter” of recent work has been abstractions based on nature, accident and awe. Nature and science offers inspiration with images of cellular, biological and astronomical research. Ideas come from various spiritual practice spanning time and custom. The connections from the subatomic, botanic, stellar… - from the shapes, motions, disintegrations and regenerations, and the light which illuminates those entanglements. Recent works begin as digital paintings done with various programs and platforms. The motif is a play on still life painting which I’ve been calling “entangled life” paintings. Credit book by Merlin Sheldrake. The works are printed using archival inks on metallic paper then mounted in custom metal frames. Another round or two of applications include powders, glitters, paint, seeds, blossoms, insects, etc, embedded in epoxy resin. Currently there are three separate series within the untitled, entangled-life works: “mind the gap,” “open heart,” and “seeds and stars” David studied fine art at the Kansas City Art Institute and at UMKC’s programs in computer graphics, performance art, electronic media, and computer programming. He worked as a trial graphics consultant producing demonstrative evidence for clients nation-wide for over 30 years. dangotti@

Christopher Leitch lives and works near Kansas City. His works have been widely exhibited at: the CICA Museum in South Korea; the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; the University of Wyoming Museum of Art; the Boston Society for Arts and Crafts; Jan Weiner Gallery; and many others. His 100-piece ‘dreaming about mom’ was shown in True Stories at the Nerman Museum with essay by Michaël Amy. His large biological painting ‘before’ toured nationally in Men of the Cloth, curated by poet Stephen Beal (catalogue).  Leitch’s work has been published in Art in America, New Art Examiner, Fashion Theory, American Craft, Drawing from Life by Jennifer New and Ley Lines by H. L. Hix. He has written art criticism for ArtPapers Atlanta, New Art Examiner and Ceramics: Art and Perception. Leitch served as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at Kansas City Art Institute and as Director of the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall. He has taught and lectured frequently, and has presented to the American Alliance of Museums and the Canadian Museums Association. He earned an MA from Goddard College in Vermont and his BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. 

Anita is a nationally recognized visual artist based in Kansas City. She received her BA in Art from Kansas State University and MA in African American Studies from the University of Kansas. Her portraits are known for their ability to evoke emotion and her unique hatching technique. She specializes in traditional drawing, digital art and oil painting. Her work celebrates Blackness through: Black culture, fashion, history, and sisterhood. Her work has been published in American Art Collector and by The New York Times. 

Wendy is an award winning photographer from Lenexa, Kansas. Her design degree included photography, but she didn’t start entering gallery shows until she purchased her first “real” camera in 2015. Since then she has exhibited in group and solo shows all over Kansas City, including RG Endres Gallery, Lenexa City Hall, Powell Gardens, Buttonwood Art Space, Jones Gallery, Vanessa Lacy Gallery, George Owens Nature Park, Cliff’s Taphouse, Revocup Lenexa and 409 Gallery. Wendy was invited to be an event photographer for Powell Gardens in 2019 to assist in rebuilding their photo library. She was also a volunteer event photographer for the city of Lenexa for many years. Her work can be seen on magazine covers, various printed materials and social media. Wendy has photographed for Shriner Magazine, VooDoo Lounge and the City of Riverside. Her past experience includes mentoring photojournalism students from several area high schools. 

Maggie Stubbs is an artist located in Overland Park, Kansas. She has been painting since 2005. She has participated in solo exhibitions at First Friday in Kansas City, Final Fridays in Lawrence, and several art festivals. Maggie has been displaying art with Arts KC since 2013. Maggie paints customized art for people and businesses. Maggie likes to paint custom collages of hundreds of little things/places that are meaningful to people and turning them into landscapes or maps. Maggie has an MBA from the University of Kansas and works for Driscoll’s.

Observational drawing is at the root of all my work. As I draw, I’m fully exploring the formal arrangements of line and shape. Most recently, the little tangles of discarded wire, string and other detritus that I’ve found have caught my attention. During the drawing process, the work pushes beyond the initial exploration and moves into metaphor. These apparent snags and snarls become a meditative labyrinth as I follow my way through them. Following the chaotic knots become a way to move through time, life experiences and memory. 

Polly Alice McCann is a Kansas City artist and author with her B.A in studio art. Her art of oil on pieced upholstery speaks to the daily work of mending, accepting improvisation and the beauty of imperfection. Her artwork has been published in US newspapers and magazines like Rattle Magazine. She has shown her work internationally from Santa Monica to the Netherlands; collected by buyers on four continents. A long time Kansas City poet, she writes and illustrates picture books. With her M.F.A. in writing, she is a professor, book designer, curator, and creative catalyst, she says her favorite thing is to tell stories.

My work deals with the themes of the subjectivity of man's relation to his environment and the fearful temptation of wanting to see one's dreams embodied in reality. I focus on a utilization of a combination of digital mediums and traditional painting and drawing and installations. My methods include using tools such as a digital photography, digital imaging software, and traditional mediums to reproduce images taken from concurrent life and manipulate them into greater more fantastical narratives.

I was born in India and immigrated to the US in 1977 where I have taught and practiced cardiology for over four decades. My wife and I moved to Kansas City In 1987 and raised our three sons in our home in Prairie Village. I am a self-taught figurative artist, and work mainly in pastels and oils. My mother was an accomplished artist, and painting was an integral part of my childhood. Art remains a passion and I enjoy exploring its varied visual boundaries. I have little knowledge of what lies ahead, but the journey remains a source of great excitement. My paintings are a pictorial diary of this evolution. Working with the many talented artists in our community is an added bonus. Other interests of mine include traveling, reading, and playing a mediocre game of tennis. I also struggle with Spanish lessons, and work diligently on broadening my appreciation of good Scotch whisky. I am a member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition, Inter Urban ArtHouse, and the MidAmerica Pastel Society. The (admittedly meager) revenues from my art sales go to local charities.

Sarah Berger Art is a comrade to me. It has helped define my life since memory serves. Life, time and change happens - art has remained a constant. Dabbling in various disciplines, I’ve landed on painting, mostly oils; exploring landscapes, nature and creation as my gesture of peace to the viewer. I majored at the University of Kansas in Illustration, a beautiful expression, but not for me. It was my junior year when I headed off to England. I was exposed to the great painters in Europe that I had seen only in books. While there I also encountered my spiritual side which connected well with art. I knew at that point that I needed to paint what I see, what reality presents - it felt like the symmetry of things. I moved to Kansas City and studied with Stanley Lewis, Michael Walling and Wilbur Niewald at Kansas City Art Institute, a pivotal point in my development. I was introduced to plein air painting, which I love; solace, study and observation through painting - the challenge of creating three dimensional space on canvas. It’s never quite adequate. While at KCAI I was introduced to art instruction with children at the Ford Center. I have taught at a variety of schools ever since, always learning something new. Children seem to inspire a fresh view of things. After KCAI I was an art instructor at a variety of places such as the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA and the Fillmore Arts Center in Washington, DC. Returning to KC I taught lower and upper school art at Whitefield Academy while raising my seven children with my husband. I have recently moved my studio to the Livestock Exchange Building though much of my time is spent painting outdoors. My work has appeared in solo and group shows in the Kansas City area. sarahbergerart.com sarahberger1958@gmail.com

When I was a kid, my mother taught me and my sisters to respect and honor our stewardship of animals, domestic and wild. Whether it's spotting & observing wildlife in the Rocky Mountains or snuggling with a purring cat on a lazy afternoon, I find my life's memories center around my experiences with animals. The most accessible animals are the ones we cherish and live with in our homes. Capturing a pet's beloved likeness is my way of honoring my mother, the animals I love, and sharing joy while bridging the pet-parent and the Art communities. From my home studio in Kansas City, I use my talents to elevate pets in every work of art. I not only paint and draw animals for my own joy, but I also hand-craft pet portraits by commission for happy households all over the United States. The collection you see on exhibit here is a sample of my own ideas of what it means to celebrate pets on canvas. These unique images have led to archival prints and fun products I offer at Kansas City art fairs in the Summer and Fall. When not working on my small business, I serve as a volunteer member on the Board of Directors for the Waldo-based non-profit Another Chance Cat Rescue. And I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and our rescue dog Razzle B. Dazzle.

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to three things: music, art, and building things. None of these interests ever stepped forward as the “one to rule them all,” so I have spent my adult life pursuing all three. While I am formally trained in music and 2D art, my main career is being an architect. It’s been over three decades since I was a student in the art studios and music practice rooms of UMKC, but after a ten-plus year hiatus from art, in 2012, I decided to pick it up again. While in the past, I worked with watercolor, oils, and pen, my recent efforts have primarily been in Prisma Color pencil. I thoroughly enjoy creating abstract surreal images. Many of my pieces are inspired by music (both sonically and lyrically.) It’s been said that writers should “write what you know.” Similarly, I find it fascinating to “draw what I hear” and I am excited to see where the ongoing journey leads.  

I was born and raised in Prairie Village, Kansas. Daughter to a free-lance illustrator and an elementary art teacher, I was immersed in art from a young age. Creating was always in my blood, but little did I know that completing my first oil painting at the age of 8 years old would mark the beginning of my lifelong passion and career as an oil painter. In 2002, I graduated from Shawnee Mission East as an inductee in the National Art Honor Society. I continued to develop my craft through higher education. A semester studying at Hellenic International School of the Arts in Paros, Greece greatly influenced both me and my artwork. In 2006, I received my BFA from the University of Kansas with a major in oil painting and a minor in art history. I am a current member of the Kansas City Artist Coalition. I’m active in the NowShowing program through ArtsKC. I have gallery representation at Leawood Fine Art. I exhibit locally and nationally. I donate artwork annually to local charities, including Children’s Place, CASA, SMSD, Heartstrings, and Austie Strong to name a few. As the years pass, my technique continues to evolve. The subject matter varies. I experiment with different approaches. But a couple things remain constant: I only work in oil and the overarching theme of my work is always about finding magic in the ordinary. I’m now married with two darling sons, who are the greatest masterpieces of my life. My happy places are in my studio or outside in the sun. When I’m not in my studio, I am enjoying all the boy mom things: watching their sports games, camping, hiking, dirt biking, & adventuring. I am incredibly grateful for this beautiful life of mine.

My work explores the intersection of nature and personal experience, using heavy textures to evoke a tactile, sensory connection. Influenced by artist residencies in Hungary, Italy, and Bali, and inspired by my work with visually impaired children, I developed a signature style that invites reflection through vibrant, layered compositions. I am passionate about creating accessible art, from public installations to community murals, aiming to foster connection and dialogue. Each piece reflects my intention to merge personal healing with universal themes of nature and human resilience. 

John, a Kansas City based internationally acclaimed and exhibited pop culture and sports artist, brings a unique and refined vision to the intersection of art, sports, culture, and community. Known for his dynamic, multifaceted approach, John seamlessly blends illustration, digital artistry, and abstract painting into visually stunning, creatively distinct works. With a career rooted in both creativity and community service, John thrives at the confluence of human connection and artistic innovation, drawing inspiration from the mixed media mastery of Robert Rauschenberg and the bold sports expressionism of LeRoy Neiman. His art fuses kinetic energy, vibrant colors, dynamic textures, and intricate patterns, creating compositions that pulse with life, passion, and visual impact. “When I’m at my best, I want my audience to participate in the creative process with me,” John says. “If I can introduce something that sparks a deeper change—whether through a fresh idea, a new approach to my craft, or a moment of inspiring beauty—then I’ve done my job.”  

I’m beyond blessed to combine my two loves: utilizing artistic gifts and helping create social change! I design Alcohol Ink artwork, apparel, and jewelry, others buy those products, and then I use the proceeds to bless local organizations fighting sex trafficking. RPOR (Relentless Pursuit Outreach & Recovery) and ReHope are two such organizations. Faithfull by Design focuses on educating & raising awareness of this insidious epidemic, and I host Art & Awareness events such as film screenings, painting education, book studies, & gatherings with local survivors.

Waiting to get this from Jill

My art is a vibrant celebration of my Mexican cultural heritage. Through a unique fusion of cubism and surrealism, I explore Mexico's rich traditions and colorful spirit. I use textured materials such as plaster and acrylics to create works that invite visual and tactile engagement, evoking the textures and sensations of my homeland. Each piece is a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation. My work seeks to build cultural bridges, offering a window into the beauty and complexity of Mexican identity in a global context.

Holly grew up in Nebraska, where she earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Art Education. She was an art director at Hallmark Cards for twelve years, and has taught art in numerous settings, including the University of Nebraska-Kearney and the Kansas City Art Institute. Holly’s favorite style is a form of pointillism using acrylics. She counts Seurat and Van Gogh as major influences. While active in both objective and non-objective work, color is always a central focus. Through her artwork, she loves to reflect the amazing array of colors, shapes, and relationships that surround us. 

"I’ve always seen creating art as a positive outlet for relieving anxiety and frustration; creating gives me freedom." Local artist Vince Marrone has been creating inspiring pieces of artwork in the Kansas City area for decades and shows no signs of slowing down.  Offering a broad selection of different types of mediums such as stone, paint, metal and found objects to create unconventional pieces of art that are full of movement and color.  Vince’s artwork is sure to provoke conversation as well as being a great focal point for home, office or place of business.  Vince has taught himself an array of different techniques and vales fine craftmanship.  Whether you are a collector of his works or looking to add life to a blank space, we are confident that you will enjoy his creations for years to come.   

Mark Freeman is a contemporary artist based in Overland Park, KS, known for his expressive abstract compositions and bold use of color. Mark discovered a passion for art early in life, inspired by the vibrant energy he sensed in the world, in nature and in his surroundings.

I am a fine art photographer using a Nikon digital camera. I concentrate on nature, especially plants, although I am also likely to make pictures of humans or their creations, be they buildings or trash on the sidewalk.  I am a huge fan of the photographic idiom. I’ll never forget being gobsmacked in college by the incredible photographs of Emmet Gowin, nor my sense of awe when I first saw the works of Walker Evans, Diane Arbus and Sally Mann.  I am an unashamed devotee of the “retinal” approach to visual art. While images may have a political or social meaning, in the end they must work on their own terms as objects of either beauty or fascination. I am in agreement with this 2018 quote from Peter Schjeldahl, art critic at The New Yorker magazine: “Why do political partisans ever place faith in fine art, which has proved incorrigibly hedonistic for, to date, thousands of years?” Except for 12 years on the East Coast, I have lived my life in the Midwest, a region whose sere beauty and generous skies inspire me. I have worked as a journalist and a high school teacher as well as a photographer. 

Natosha Keefer considers herself an inspirational traveling artist. Working sans shoes and occasionally accompanied by music, she enters a visual dialogue with her canvas as her brush dances across it. The addition of burlap, denim, sand and other materials gives added multimedia dimension to each unique work of art.  She is equally comfortable creating for a live group, 1 on 1 or alone in her studio.  Natosha believes her art to be not only a reflection of her authentic self but that it is in part a product of the creative synergy which results from her interaction with those sharing her experience. The music to which she works is often from recorded tracks, but sometimes she creates in collaboration with local talented musicians in the Kansas City Area. This unique artist’s work and style has been featured on MTV Made ‘It Girl’, ‘Live Art Attack’(Kansas City’s Channel 41) and more. She has delighted audiences creating her art at the Plaza Art Fair, numerous charity events such as the Medical Missions Art Gala, the Epilepsy Foundation, numerous New Age Oneness fairs across the United States and more. Natosha’s art background extends far beyond painting. She is also an accomplished instructional-level dancer, denim specialist, visual merchandiser and more. Natosha says her background in music, dance and retail in addition to her extensive travel as a child in a “lovely military family” all contribute to her joyous and energetic artistic performances and their finished products. She has been called a dancing colorist while others have referred to her as ‘The Painted Denim Lady”.  The names by which she’s known are secondary to the joy and energy Natosha radiates as she creates her art. Both are obvious and infectious.  Audience members often become as enthused and involved in the process as Natosha is as she creates each original piece.   Natosha has continued to expand and explore her artistic expression.   Recent inspirations include the power and serenity of water, the beauty of the great outdoors, the strength and solitude of lighthouses and the bright, vibrant and bold colors of the world around us. Natosha of course wants people and the community to enjoy her performances and the resulting art works but she also hopes to inspire others to “JUST GO FOR IT!” in their own lives. To this end, she offers one on one sessions to help people find their own creative expression and inspiration. Natosha is delighted to accept individual commissions for unique creations tailored for owners’ homes or offices with the aim of enriching their lives as art has enriched hers!

My artistic journey is a testament to capturing genuine, real-life moments I have experienced, from encounters with people to the beauty of places witnessed. I attempt to craft artworks that serve as windows into my inner world, each medium brings my experiences and emotions to life. Through my art, I invite you to join me in this introspective exploration, inviting you to connect with the authenticity and depth of the moments I have translated into visual stories. Daniel Lopez Herrerias is a Kansas-City based, self-taught oil painter, published poet and photographer. His oil painting style is influenced by Impressionism, Baroquism and his Mexican Heritage. This allows him to specialize in realism, portraiture and an ongoing study of light.

Joha Bisone was born in Menomonee Falls, WI in 1981. She grew up in the woods, having nature and wildlife her main entertainment. Moving to Milwaukee for high school, she excelled being surrounded by other creatives. Near the end of senior year in High School Joha was chosen to participate in the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts competition in Miami, FL. From there she decided to pursue an art career and completed her BFA in Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute in 2003. Since then she has participated in numerous exhibits, group shows, collaborations, art/craft shows, and recently published in a book. Joha’s main medium is acrylic ink and watercolor, enjoying the fluidness and unpredictability of the paint. She creates organic landscapes, infusing patterns from nature among many other inspirations that then transform into its own world. Joha lives and works in Kansas City, MO.

Pablo Díaz Carballo is an international painter who works in contemporary art research projects. His painting gave rise to a Conceptual Art proposal that became a Cultural Work of Art, complementary and parallel to his painting. A Cultural Work of Art arises from Conceptual Art, for example, an idea that develops in space and time through fine art, natural sciences, and social sciences, and interacts with people through different media, strategies, and methodologies handled by the artist.  

For me satisfaction of making art comes from the process and not so much from the final result. At first glance, some would categorize my work as painting and use of the brush as a main working tool. Being a non-complacent person who seeks thrill in experimenting with a variety of mediums, upon closer inspection you can detect layers consisting of line work with pastel, charcoal, conte stick and even texture created with tissue paper or modeling paste.

Joleen Goff resides in Kansas City. She taught art at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, intermittently, from 1981-2020; and at the University of Central Missouri teaching Fiber and Design as an adjunct art instructor for sixteen years. She was employed by Hallmark Cards as a Creative Product Designer for four years. Joleen Goff’s mixed-media artwork conveys a strong connection to the elements of color, texture, and pattern. She combines these elements through printmaking, painting, and collage with the intention of creating a layered, visual narrative that expresses a specific idea or simply a history of the processes involved.

My paintings are from life and studio, a camera and sketchbook can begin the process of painting. I show each year in Kansas City’s Art Westport, Brush Creek Art Walk, and other Quick Paint events. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art, Painting from Southwest Missouri State University, Dec. 1976.

Photography is a passion for me. Although not interested in portrait photography, I get a great deal of fulfillment working to capture that perfect landscape scene. My goal is for viewers to share in the same enjoyment, and satisfaction I receive and portray in my photographs. Capturing that perfect landscape image has taken me across the U.S. and Canada on many wonderful backpacking, canoeing, and family adventures. My images may be seen at the Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival, De Soto Sunflower Artfest, Arts KC Now Showing Program, and Buttonwood Art Gallery.

I was taught that an artist only needs to use red, yellow, blue, and white to create. A background in printing embedded that belief even deeper. I breakdown my paintings into the layers of color you would see if you were color separating a color photograph. I believe that the depth that is achieved through this technique lends a unique look to my paintings. I use this method of layering paint whether I am working on abstract paintings or figurative paintings based on vintage photos. I enjoy both the playfulness of abstract work and the intense focus of painting people. I have two series of works.  Please request either abstracts or representational images.  I am always happy to provide more images of either series upon request.  

In my art practice, I describe my creations as Textural Acrylics. This term represents the exciting experience of observing paint flow from the palette knife, forming captivating textures and colors. Each stroke channels emotion and every canvas captures a moment of creative inspiration. My process is spontaneous - I start with a loose outline, usually 5-6 lines to sketch the composition, and then fully immerse myself in the act of creating. Throughout the process, music is my closest companion, its volume soaring to a level that exceeded what I would have allowed my own children to play it at. I dance to the rhythm, losing myself in the beats, and, on occasion, even letting out a song. My painting process is a multi-sensory experience, an immersive journey into the fusion of sound and color, where each note becomes a brushstroke and every stroke on the canvas is a dance of creation. I often liken my paintings to cherished children—it's a relationship that involves nurturing, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and weathering the challenges of creative adolescence with boundless love and patience. With each brushstroke, I invest love, patience, and understanding, allowing the artwork to evolve organically. The end result is akin to witnessing a child mature into a beautiful, fully-formed adult —a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression. When the viewer engages with my work, I want them to do more than observe; I want them to partake in the sensory journey. Inhale the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers, listen to the subtle rustle of leaves, lean against the painted tree, and simply breathe. My paintings are meant to cease to be a static image—they become portals, immersive experiences where anyone is welcome to wander, explore, and connect with the essence of my artistic vision. Through my Textural Acrylics, I aim to create a sanctuary where the boundaries between creator and audience blur, and the shared experience becomes a celebration of art and life.

In the process of making 2-D or 3-D art I add what makes sense and subtract what doesn’t. That is a process that can take years or realized in a day. What I add or what I keep represents my history, dreams, memories, and personal aesthetic. I want the finished piece to translate the psychological loop and tell a complete story. I have maintained my professional contemporary art practice for over 40 years. In that time, I received my BFA in painting at Kansas University, my MFA’s in Painting and Ceramics at Washington University in Saint Louis. I exhibit widely in the US and Europe. Currently, my indoor/outdoor studio is in Kansas City, Kansas. The development of my visual language took on new heights while living in London, Boston, Los Angeles and various cities in the Midwest. Most vividly, I worked in an AIDS hospice for five years. The experiences at the hospice are forever seared into my always expanding queer abstract language. 

Sheron Smith is a dedicated, multi-talented, self-taught, full-time artist focusing on cityscapes and abstract painting.  Sheron was born in La Rachelle, France.   She grew up in San Francisco, CA.  All her life, she has been a creator of art. Sheron is now a long-time Kansas City resident.  Sheron has an MS in education and some art coursework.  Sheron creates art daily out of her home studio. She is a prolific creator of abstract painting.   Her submissions were included twice in Kansas City’s Parade of Hearts.  She has been a Now Showing Artist since 2014. Sheron’s work is displayed in many Kansas City businesses and homes.  Prints are available at Made in KC, Best of KC (Crown Center), and the American Jazz Museum.   Sheron Smith uses acrylic paint, adding texture with quality acrylic mediums.  Her abstracts may include media such as glass, sand, pumice, or other sustainable materials.   Color plays an important part in her compositions. Serious consideration is given to each palette she uses.  The works are executed on canvas or a wood cradle. Sheron has 3 different series of works.  KC Cityscapes, KC Jazz District and Abstracts.  There are examples of each.

Susan enjoys a variety of two-dimensional mediums such as acrylic painting, pyrography and drawing. Her work revolves around inspiration from the greatest artist of all: Mother Nature. By weaving nature into her art, she finds escape through the daily hustle. Her imagery comes from a desire to feel free from structure and the weight of the world. The calmness of the ocean shore, the weightlessness of a butterfly’s flutter, or the feeling of time standing still under a canopy of trees can be found throughout her work. Her images also evoke memories and times throughout her life when she has felt freedom from reality.  

Art is a form of communication – a universal, visual language that transcends communication barriers. For me, it has always been a vehicle for creative problem-solving. By making the intangible tangible, art has purpose. Color is an important element in my work — it is subjective and influences its surroundings while adapting and changing itself to be a part of the whole. I constantly try and work the whole canvas, using color within colors to form a cohesive bond between the shadows and the highlights. I start with rough blocks of dark and light color, slowly refining but never losing a raw type of energy and movement. Broad thick brushstrokes, similar to an impressionistic approach, give way to implied detail while capturing the energy and emotion of the moment. Originally from St. Louis, I came to Kansas City as a student at the Kansas City Art Institute, where I completed my BFA in Illustration/Design in the spring of ’95. Currently I work as a designer both online and in print, and as adjunct faculty at the Kansas City Art Institute in both the Illustration Department and the Continuing Education Certification Program Studies.

Patterns, colors, and shapes are deeply connected to my personal history, environment, and inner thoughts. My process for creating mixed media paintings involves mixing colors, cutting shapes, and overlapping patterns. Through the layering and mixing of these elements, I find an inner calm and a sense of connection to the world. The patterns and repetition in my work represent a historical structure and offer insight into the interlocking balance of life. I often view my artwork as a colorful kaleidoscope reminiscent of the one I adored as a child. After receiving a painting degree from KCAI and gaining experience at Hallmark  Cards, I co-founded a handmade paper company called Shizen Design with my husband. Our company designs and sells screen print papers from India, which I incorporate into my mixed media paintings. The fusion of these unique surface patterns and the cultural influences of India has resulted in designs that blend my personal history and cultural experiences, resulting in a truly international and distinctive vision in my artwork. My artwork is characterized by a blend of surface patterns and personal experiences, represents geometric structure, and provides insight into life's interlocking balance. Shelly has showcased her work in various galleries, including notable displays such as the Art-in-the-Loop and Parade of Hearts programs, The Smalter Gallery, Kansas City Artist Coalition, Hotel Indigo, Deines Cultural Center, Bunker Art Center Gallery, Habitat Gallery, Interurban Arthouse, and Plug Gallery.

The elusive and unpredictable nature of watercolor makes it both a challenge and a delight for me.  With watercolor, I am able to capture the essence of my subject.  I seek out both lost and found edges, intentionally balancing controlled definition to help you see with blurred edges to let you enter.  In this way, I invite the viewer to join me... to bring something of yourself to the work, to touch the paper with your experience, your memories, your story. I'm a painter, but I begin each piece by drawing.  Using pencil or ink, I learn to "see" each subject before painting.  Once I have an understanding of the subject, I am set free to paint with spontaneity and joy!

As a nature photographer I love documenting and exploring the shapes, colors, and textures the Earth reflects. One day I discovered abstract painting let me explore those same shapes and colors, while also giving me the freedom to make changes. I learned even the smallest change held great power. If I didn’t like something about the piece I was working on, I could just make a change. Or many changes. Change creates growth, risk, progress, and beauty. Each new project has its way of reminding me that if something isn’t what I want it to be, I have the power to change it. We all possess this power. Paintings are very similar to people. Shapes, colors, textures, thoughts, messages, and emotions layered together to express beauty. Some pieces may be hidden while others rest at the surface, but all have a chance to be acknowledged, depending on the viewer. Painting allows me to access a meditative state, where messages direct my next movement. Love, joy, and compassion are almost always present and those emotions are sealed into the surface of each piece.  My ultimate wish is to share joy with the world. I am available for commissioned works. When creating a specific artwork for individuals and their space, my goal is for the finished piece to beam joy and gratitude out to each viewer upon every glance.

I often feel overwhelmed with the degree of connectedness that exists in our modern world, and need time to react to what I experience. I believe I want what we all want: peace, harmonious existence, hope. We’re not too far gone that we can’t get those feelings back, but it will take work. Work of writers and artists to show the uninvested the path we’re on. What happens to one of us affects all of us. My thoughts are always both nostalgic and a little bit horrified at the direction we’re heading. Is this normal? I don’t know how.

 My life as an artist began in a little river town named Argentine, Kansas, a town filled with Santa Fe railroaders and modest bungalows. My seed of art was birthed in my little bedroom when I was grounded after breaking one of Mom’s house rules — I was in there often.  However, I relished my time in solitude. I could daydream, imagine how pretty dandelions would be in rainbow colors and wonder how many four-leaf clovers were lurking in the back yard waiting to be plucked. In lieu of a sketchbook, I would use my diary pages to draw scenes of my backyard: steel garbage cans against our whitewashed fence, Dad’s tomato garden, the rusty push-lawn mower and the apple tree I would climb. With each bite into an apple’s red flesh, I would notice every color. No one told me art could be my life.  “What is it?” I am often asked about my abstract art.  “It’s what you want it to be.” I answer.  I want the viewer to be involved and use his or her own wonderment and insights for what it might be.  I believe in the power of the flow, the zone, and the unconsciousness for creation. It could be another dimension or another universe to which we travel. Whatever it is, it is a great power for me. You never know when it will “hit” but when it does — you know. This “flow” releases my brain’s unspoken illusions and releases my reality onto the canvas, using colors, forms, images, light and emotion.  I paint with acrylics and watercolor using brushes, fingers, rags and about anything else I can get my hands on. I feel the process is just as important as the art. Working on large canvases enables me to be less inhibited and freer with my strokes and allows me to become the “Alpha Dog” that is in command of the canvas. Like a child, I love mixing bold primary colors and seeing bursts of kaleidoscope pigments break free to morph into extraordinary colors.  Art is my adventure of life. . . 

Andrea Cira, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, is a skilled Paper Artist based in Kansas City. Her expertise lies in crafting intricate compositions using cut-paper techniques, occasionally incorporating 3D paper modeling.  Despite initially pursuing a career in graphic design, Andrea has transformed into a self-taught  artist over the past three years.

Influenced by her Mexican upbringing, where vibrant colors and traditional crafts play a significant role, Andrea places immense value on the meticulous craftsmanship evident in each of her handcrafted pieces. This cultural background strongly shapes her creative process, emphasizing a deep commitment to detail and thoughtfulness in every creation.

Focusing primarily on paper as her chosen medium, Andrea skillfully designs pieces that reflect both her cultural heritage and native language, Spanish. She embraces the challenge of merging patience and precision, finding the ultimate result to be a deeply rewarding aspect of her artistic journey.

Andrea’s artistic skills have led her to undertake commissioned work for notable clients, including Starbucks Mexico and the LA Times. Notably, one of her pieces received recognition as part of the A18 Design Awards from AIGA KC.