Shadowcat

Shadowcat

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am an illustrative artist that works in the media of pencil, ink, and watercolor. My work is inspired by my experiences in nature as a wildlife biologist, the pangender personalities of my cats, and my healing journey through a lifetime of trauma. My work is intended to capture my "emotional landscape" where the natural features and creatures intuitively emerge from the page as deep psychological and spiritual symbolism. The seemingly cute and approachable characters and vibrant colors contrast sharply with the depth of their traumatic, and sometimes dark, meaning. My work could be perceived as illustrations from a children's book whose story crosses a threshold between dream and nightmare. My work has allowed me to process my survivor journey with animals that embody acceptance in a world where the rainbow path leads you with hope.

ARTIST GALLERY

Diane Kent

Diane Kent

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Name

My Waterworks Artists group exhibition titled Realism to Abstraction and Abstraction to Realism was the origin of my focus of changing to nonrepresentational. I first pursued an abstracted composition with paper collage and watercolor mediums. This led to what I now pursue — the painting of broad geometric shapes. The smooth application of acrylic paint is fitting for the broad geometric shapes in my compositions.

For the creation of my geometrical art, I use an approach that I personally developed. It involves reworking drawings from completed paintings. I rearrange, enlarge and reduce the shapes into a totally new design and then trace the new onto wrapped canvas. New ideas about expanding this method continue.

By nature, I am a creative person, whether it be in the kitchen, at the table producing beaded jewelry or in the art studio. The challenge of generating the next piece is what inspires me to continue painting a distinct and recognizable work of art. My goal is to have the viewer’s eye drawn into the painting, captivated by the unique composition of shape, color and movement. I want the art audience to be anxious to move onto view the next one hanging on the wall, and to find the one that enamors them the most.

ARTIST GALLERY

Lynette Anderson

Lynette Anderson

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I recently moved from the northern suburbs of Illinois. I have been fascinated with art since early childhood. Upon graduating high school, I pursued a degree in Art Education working with ages K-12.

Later, I resumed schooling and completed a BA in elementary education, and later a Masters in Reading.

I stopped doing art seriously while raising my 2 kids, but later decided I needed to do something about that, and I began painting in watercolor, and then oils. I fell in love with oil, and continue to work on my style and techniques.

My passion for art, music, writing, and photography keep my imagination and well being going. I can’t imagine life without them.

I hope to continue growing in all aspects of my passions, making them my career.

ARTIST GALLERY

Linda Fried

Linda Fried

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I started painting in October 2021. I have no art education or experience, except for dabbling in crafts and doing some DIY decorating projects around the house over the years. I was never encouraged or nurtured in the arts, neither in art history, art appreciation nor art practice. My brother Jerry made a career as a professional artist and he is really excellent. Growing up, all of the art energy, education and encouragement in our home went to him. Jerry and his wife, and my husband and I spent a week in Yosemite in September 2021, and the awesome beauty there inspired me. I suggested to Jerry that I'd like to paint the mountains, and he said, "Go ahead. Give it a try." With his encouragement, I bought a set of watercolors, a couple of brushes and a pad of paper, starting my watercolor journey.

I pursued watercolors and practiced diligently for over a year, until after I moved to Buckeye from California in 2022. That's when I was introduced to acrylics in a painting class I took, and I've painted almost exclusively acrylics since then. Acrylics are so forgiving!

I truly love painting mountains and trees because they are so textural and varied. I also like desertscapes with cacti, which are new to me in Arizona.

ARTIST GALLERY

Diane Palley

Diane Palley

ABOUT THE ARTIST

An Artistic soul all her life, Diane began a serious career as an artist in college. She has grown artistically throughout her entire (-OMG- Very Long) life starting with block printing, discovering and innovating batik, falling in love with watercolor – and experiencing success with pastels, acrylics, oils and hand building in clay.

She brings with her an unparalleled skill as a Watercolor Instructor with her UNIQUE TEACHING METHOD. Diane has the ability to connect with diverse students and is committed to elevating the classes so that they are engaging and rewarding. She fosters a supportive and inspiring environment that is enjoyable to all skill levels – even the “I’m not artistic,” “I can’t draw a straight line” beginners. Her lessons give class painters some tried and true techniques, and each additional lesson brings more techniques, so eventually even new painters build enough methods to approach any subject they desire. Seasoned painters experience growth.

Along the way (if she remembers to enter a piece) her work has been awarded in Newport Beach, Studio City, Los Angeles and Del Mar, CA. Her works are held in the permanent collections of Home Savings and Loan, Price Waterhouse and Bank of America. Her work is also held by many Private Collectors around the world.

Over two decades ago, Diane was so fortunate to be chosen to teach on Cruise Ships and see so much of the world. Inspiration is everywhere! She continues to explore different media and techniques, and each project ramps up her enthusiasm. Her hope is that her art reflects her ongoing creativity, happy spirit and wish to spread joy.

ARTIST GALLERY

Eulavon Mallouf

Eulavon Mallouf

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I love the way a piece looks after the grout is cleared off ~ that is when it all comes together. The more texture the better!

For tesserae I use stained glass, tiles, polymer clay, pottery, buttons, costume jewelry, beads and dishes. I love to experiment with different materials.

The supply of items to use is endless. Over the past few years I have enjoyed making my own tiles with collage paper (which I create) by attaching it to clear glass pieces. I call this Collage / Mosaic

For substrates I use various items. I enjoy using wood shapes, some of which I cut myself, recycled construction materials, shoes, bowls, go-board or anything that will be sturdy enough to hold the materials I am using.

Ultimately I love creating something that will bring a smile.

Eulavon Mallouf
Lumamosaics
(559) 786-8126

ARTIST GALLERY

Lynne Rogers

Lynne Rogers

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I started participating in fine art shows at about 10 years old and continued through school and beyond until I switched over to craft festivals in my late 20s. After 40+ years in crafts, I have recently switched back to my fine art in a big way. Throughout the years, I’ve worked in many mediums such as pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylics, pen and ink, ceramics, weaving, jewelry, personalized wood signs and children’s items. Whew!!! I know I’m probably forgetting some things because I’ve tried most mediums at one time or another.

My work is quite often considered a little (or maybe a lot) quirky. Perhaps even a little kooky and hopefully fun or thought provoking.

ARTIST GALLERY

Michael Schwerd

Michael Schwerd

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Michael Schwerd is a digital photographer living in Peoria, who enjoys a variety of subject matter including landscape and candid photos. Photography has been his passion since early adulthood, and he has enjoyed membership of several local photography clubs over the past several years.

Michael also plans to further explore his pottery skills in the near future after completing a home art studio. Joining GFA will be an inspiration for him and he has also recently completed the Beginners Pottery class offered at GFA.

Michael has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona, with an emphasis in Graphic Design.

ARTIST GALLERY

Diane Schwerd

Diane Schwerd

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Diane has had a passion for art since childhood and in addition to many art classes, she attended Moore Institute of Art in Philadelphia after high school. Her studies included textile design, drawing and etching and lithography.

Her work career positions mainly focused on the printing industry and graphic design, working for several major corporations, such as Honeywell and Xerox Corporation, producing a vast amount of print materials, logos, publications, magazines and corporate communications.

Recently retired, she is working on returning to her fine art skills and looking for inspiration and community from other artists, while finding the creativity and joy in art that was put to the side during her work career.

Favorite mediums include pencil drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, gelli printing and wood carving.

ARTIST GALLERY

Lynn Blair, "Art as Therapy"

Lynn Blair, "Art as Therapy"

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am Lynn Blair, a retired registered nurse and professional health care executive living in Scottsdale, Arizona. I am a lover of all types of art, especially mixed-media with an emphasis on: fibers, paper, found objects, vintage buttons and lace, metal, yarn, recycled items, beads and ephemera.

My interest in using my hands to create lovely objects started when I was very young. In order to keep me busy my grandmother used to give me a coffee can of buttons and a shoe string telling me to "string the buttons on the shoe string". This made me realize how you could take a variety of different items and turn them into something else to admire, wear, or gift to someone. The rest is history.

Now, I am a member involved with several artist groups and communities. I look forward to teaching classes in local community centers and at my personal studio located on the corner of Shea Blvd and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd in Scottsdale.

I love combining many different types of items and mediums to create unique art and fiber journals.

I use fabric, thread, yarn, metal, buttons and beads to create jewelry.

I enjoy how things "feel" when you touch them, so texture and movement is an important component to my creations.

My artistic inspiration comes to me from: the Earth, color, shapes, traveling, forms, depth, nature, different cultures, memories, a vision, how my soul feels about something, imagination, inner feelings, other artists, and the area where I live.

I have an ETSY Shop where you can find a small sample of my work, or send me a message in my Shop requesting a custom order or a special one of a kind item created just for you: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lynnmariblair

Related to art inspiration, Auguste Rodin said, "The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live."

My hope is my creations move people, have them feel love, create inspiration, feel hope, tremble with excitement and make them feel alive.

ARTIST GALLERY

Susie Smith

Susie Smith

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I was born in Des Moines Iowa in 1950. I have been married 52 years. My husband is JD and he recently retired from FEMA. I also retired from owning my own business. We have one daughter named Lisa. We lived in Southern California for 50 years and moved to Surprise Arizona a little over a year ago. In creating my designs I love using all sorts of pots, vases, silk flowers and plants, wood, bark, rope, twine, artificial succulents, greenery along with branches of many different sizes and shapes. I started this business 5 months ago and have already sold many pieces. No two of my designs are ever alike.

ARTIST GALLERY

Karen Hoeft

Karen Hoeft

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I was a graphic designer in my professional life. My husband and I lived on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. I started creating jewelry during the later part of my design career. A popular pastime on the North Shore is hunting for beach glass and agates. I created a line of jewelry called “Tumbled”. I polished glass and paired the glass with pounded silver. The line of jewelry was my way of hurrying mother nature along so it could be used in jewelry. It did very well.

My husband and I have both retired and live full time in Surprise AZ. I thought that living in the Southwest, it only seemed fitting to design and embellish the ever so popular cowboy and rancher hats. I have fallen in love with creating these hats. It seems I never run out of ideas and styles. I use fabric, paint, feathers, studs, rhinestones, leather, old broaches, worry dolls, and also burn in designs. All the hats are designed and created by me with love.

I am very excited to join as a member of the Ground Floor Artists. I hope you find your “Hattitude” and choose one of my hats.

Karen Hoeft

Prickly Pear

ARTIST GALLERY

Marilyn Jacobi Bealafeld

Marilyn Jacobi Bealafeld

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My artistic journey is an ongoing progression, incorporating my art education fundamentals with exploration of color and light in my paintings.

My paintings are impressionistic in a defined style. My style is a simplification of complex subjects. Some are created from my imagination and some from photos that I take while hiking. My choice of colors expresses the effect of light and shadows on the rocks and mountains. My paintings have a traditional composition presented in a unique contemporary way.

Although my paintings are inspired by the Sedona landscape, where I live, it is my hope that each will evoke a viewers' memory of a hike or sunset that they have experienced anywhere.

I received a BFA degree in Printmaking from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. I enjoyed a twenty-year career as an account executive with an offset lithographer in Ann Arbor, MI. My concentration was fine art books and exhibition catalogs.

Mbealafeld@yahoo.com

Solo show September/October 2024 at Yavapai College, Sedona campus.

ARTIST GALLERY

Cyndi Hamilton

Cyndi Hamilton 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I have a background in interior design and I'm passionate about pottery. 

ARTIST GALLERY

Ivonne Reid-Borland

Ivonne Reid-Borland

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ivonne Reid-Borland

My love for Fine Arts and vibrant colors started at a very young age.

Pursuing art was put on the back burner to raise my family and work to make ends meet.

I work primarily with watercolors because of their color strength, transparency and beautiful results. A lifelong student of various painting mediums, substrates and techniques. I enjoy painting and the creative process.

I moved to Arizona after retiring from a successful career in Finance in Washington, DC.  Arizona provides that amazing nature feel with stunning deserts, colorful flowers, red rocks and amazing cacti. I paint from my collection of photographs. I'm blessed to have visited Canada, Europe, Africa, Central and South America; and have travelled extensively in the United States.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Aspen University. To pay for my undergraduate degree I worked as a student artist and created art posters, calendars and various art announcements. 

In every moment, I find a reason to thank God for the gift of life, family, friends and art. 

I am a member of the Westbrook Village Fine Arts Association, and the Ground Floor Artists in Surprise, Arizona. Love being in a creative space to share ideas and create with other wonderful artists. 

ARTIST GALLERY

Vicki De Werth

Vicki De Werth

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Name

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

I always loved art and making things. I had planned to become an architect and design long lasting structures, but God had a different plan for me so my legacy will be my family rather than tall buildings. I do believe God made us all to be creative. Although we may not all paint like Thomas Kinkaid or photograph like Ansel Adams,  we are all creative in our own ways and should have fun while we do it.

After I retired as a Legal Administrator, I became fascinated with painting on pottery. I learned and ultimately worked at The Mad Platter, a small studio in Surprise, AZ until it closed in 2018. In 2019, an unexpected opportunity came up and I soon became the owner of my own studio, Art on Fire in Peoria, AZ.  We offered not only paint-your-own-pottery but clay wheels, sculpting, canvas art, paint pours, Bible Journaling and many other types of creative art.

I have since retired from studio ownership but still serve on the Executive Board for Contemporary Ceramics Studio Association [CCSA] and keep in touch with other studio owners around the country. I enjoy traveling, reading, movies, gardening and, of course, spending time with my beloved husband, Fred, and my family.

ARTIST GALLERY

Angel Tolentino

Angel Tolentino

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Angel Tolentino

Angel Tolentino is a Native Peruvian Leather & Jewelry Artist and musician. Outside of composing his own music he also works with metals, wood and does lapidary. He also accepts custom projects. All items are handmade by Angel and when he needs to sew he uses a Singer machine from the early 1900s. It is his passion to create beautiful unique pieces.

ARTIST GALLERY

Lynda Abare

LYNDA ABARE

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Linda Abare

My heart says “yes” to techniques involving color, patterns, textures, and intricate details and they all fascinate me. I have to learn more, do more. Once I master a technique I incorporate it into my portfolio and move on.

Pewter has called my name for the last two decades and I have been primarily a Repujado Artist and teacher, but I am still curious, still learning. Most recently I have rediscovered weaving, bookbinding, calligraphy, and Kumihimo. What could be better than creating artwork to be handled, perused, and enjoyed? Beautiful AND functional.

ARTIST GALLERY

Dennis Sullivan

Dennis Sullivan

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Dennis Sullivan

I am an artist who works in acrylics, oils, and pastels. I enjoy painting Southwest life, landscapes, still life, and abstracts, many of which are drawn from my imagination. As with many artists, I strive to develop new techniques and skills that will let me express my art in new ways. I studied art at Mesa Community College and ASU. I have attended numerousclasses and workshops with both international and national instructors.

I have been involved with several art groups here in Arizona and in Southern California. In addition to being a Ground Floor Artist member, I am also a member at WHAM Art Center where I have a studio. My work has been shown and awarded in art shows and galleries both here in Arizona and Southern California. 

ARTIST GALLERY