In her abstract, color-interactive work, Mary Zio occasionally suggests a subject. But more frequently, the North Carolina artist wants her paintings to be open to the viewer’s interpretation. Artist: Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, Zio said there was never a time that she wasn’t exploring or making art. She graduated from SUNY Purchase in…
Maurice Evans is known for the African-inspired “Waterbearer” series and his dynamic mixed-media works celebrating jazz music and its innovators. But, in a new series, the Atlanta artist offers something different. Abstract portraitures – with deeper color palettes and added texture – that are about more than what appears at first glance. Artist: Born in…
Over the last few years, Georgia’s Jason Matherly has found himself thinking of his colorfully shaped paintings as “brooches for walls.” Artist: Born in Danville, VA, Matherly grew up in Gastonia, NC, near Charlotte. He graduated with a BA in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned a master’s degree in…
For Julia Roland, the face is the focal point of her bold, attention-getting paintings. The face, the Savannah painter believes, is the window to the essence of the soul. Artist: The Georgia native was born and grew up in Savannah, going to art shows and galleries with her mom. Roland attended Garrison: School of Visual…
In her bright and graphic depictions of people in their everyday places and spaces, Charleston painter Kate Hooray Osmond celebrates community, connection and optimism. Artist: Osmond was born in Washington, DC, and grew up outside the city. She studied art at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and earned an MFA from Maryland Institute College…
In an ongoing series of oil paintings, Kevin Palme portrays stacks of ice cubes in hyperrealist detail. Through his work, the Asheville artist continues to explore the idea of fragility and impermanence in an increasingly chaotic and frenetic world. Artist: Born in Morristown, NJ, Palme grew up in Long Valley, NJ. He attended Wake Forest…
Atlanta multimedia artist Grace Kisa uses familiar and unconventional materials inspired by the Kenyan tradition of creating art with found objects. Artist: Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Kisa spent her early childhood there before moving with her family by virtue of her father’s job as a senior economist to Addis Ababa Ethiopia and later McLean, VA.…
Molly McGuire (aka Magwire) has happy memories of the traveling carnival that came to her hometown as a child. Now, the Louisiana painter documents those special times and people in her art: circus-style banners. Artist: Born and grew up in Ontario, Canada. Her parents exposed her to art, but the only formal training they would…
In her multi-media art and installations, Elyse Defoor explores a variety of contemporary themes. In one popular series, the Atlanta artist uses women’s swimsuits as a symbol for our culture’s obsession with outward appearances. In another, Defoor photographs knives and bullet shells to reflect our fascination with objects that can both protect and destroy. No…
Over her 30-plus years as a mixed media artist in Virginia, Frankie Slaughter has challenged herself to create art in various mediums. From intensely colorful paintings and porcelain panels to oversized sculptures and hand-sewn textiles. Artist: Born in Lynchburg, VA, Slaughter grew up with artistic parents. Her mom practiced modern dance and later taught art…