lori larusso

In her bright, graphic and playfully ironic works, Kentucky painter Lori Larusso explores the cycle of consumption and waste in our consumer-driven world. Artist: Born in the little town of Massillon, in Ohio’s Rust Belt. Larusso lived there until she went to college. At the University of Cincinnati, she graduated with a BFA from the college…

keith holt

Keith Holt spent 17 years running a gymnastics center in Maryland before he turned to art. The experience in the gym strongly influenced his wood forms and sculptures. Artist: Grew up close to where he lives now in Forest Hill, MD. In school, Holt took art classes every year and had a teacher who took an…

jennifer diaz

Atlanta ceramist Jennifer Diaz strives to make sculptural work that echoes nature, not imitates it. Artist: Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Diaz graduated with a BA in literature and psychology from University of California at San Diego.  While she has no formal art training, Diaz has taken various art classes over the years…

alice kresse

Maryland’s Alice Kresse brings her foundation in printmaking and enthusiasm for non-traditional materials to her modern, fun-to-wear jewelry designs. Artist:  Born in Cleveland, OH, Kresse grew up in Ann Arbor, MI. She graduated from Ohio University with a BFA in printmaking and painting. For many years, Kresse worked as an art director, graphic designer and…

shelton cochran

Georgia’s Shelton Cochran calls himself a modern folk artist, blending traditional folk art subject matter and materials with modern technology. Artist: An Army brat, Cochran was born in Wiesbaden, Germany and spent the majority of his formative years on American Army bases overseas and in the United States. While earning a degree in business management, Cochran…

jill melyssa

Historical architecture, industrialism and haute couture influence the bold jewelry designs of North Carolina metalsmith Jill Melyssa. Artist: Born in Bogota, Colombia, Melyssa was raised in New York. She earned a BA from the University of Albany and an MBA from Empire State University. After college, she worked in various managerial positions in New York…

mary zio

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…

peggi nadeau

Florida ceramic artist Peggi Nadeau explores movement and surface texture in her sculptural work. Artist: Nadeau grew up in Lancaster, PA where she was born. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in graphic design and went to work as a graphic designer in 1997. In 2012, she moved to Mount Dora, FL.…

michael reese

Fascinated by the historical significance of cyanotypes, Atlanta artist Michael Reese employs the blueprint as a metaphor within his work, weaving layers of meaning and symbolism into each piece. Artist: Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Reese moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College. After two years, he enrolled in Atlanta College of Art…

evan stoler

From a distance, the unique art of Evan Stoler comes together to form intricate textures and patterns. But look closer. The materials the Atlanta artist uses to create his work might surprise you. Artist: Stoler grew up in Omaha, NE, and first found an interest in art in a high school ceramics class. At Denison University…