On walks, Cheryl Mackey Smith takes time to notice the seemingly endless patterns and random occurrences in nature. The North Carolina ceramics artist then transforms them into elegantly textured wall art. The artist: Born in Schenectady, Smith grew up in Scotia, NY, with parents who encouraged her interest in art. At age 17, she moved with…
Atlanta artist Jeffrey Wilcox Paclipan transforms recycled puzzle pieces and paper into abstract sculpture and wall art — works that draw you in for a closer look. The artist: Born in Balibago, Philippines, Paclipan grew up in an Air Force family who relocated extensively throughout his young adult life. He earned an AA degree in commercial…
In her porcelain and gold leaf vessels, Florida native Deneece Harrell draws on the Japanese art of kintsugi. The artist: Born and raised in Lakeland, FL, Harrell earned a design degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Florida. Over her 35-year career, she has worked in corporate and residential interior design and taught…
In her polished and playful jewelry work, Florida’s Samantha Freeman strives to push the boundaries of design, materials and technique. The artist: Born in England, Freeman moved with her parents to Ohio at age nine. In high school art classes, she started making jewelry and small sculptures. She earned a BFA from Parsons School of…
Doug Powell’s art first caught the attention of Ripley’s “Believe It or Not.” Now the Florida-based artist is widely known for using upcycled computer keys to create his large, contemporary mosaics. The artist: Born in Ashland, KY, Powell grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1991, he…
Self-taught Florida artist Paul Tamanian is well known for his sophisticated and innovative, large-scale paintings and sculpture. The studio: Paul Tamanian Studio is based in Tallahassee, FL. Though he has a detached studio, Tamanian works outside on his physically challenging art, battling yellow flies, sweat and pop-up showers. The artist: Born in upstate New York,…
Using local woods, North Carolina’s Steve Miller carves, burns and carefully applies layers of nuanced colors to create his highly textured hollow vessels and sculptures. The artist: Born in Miami, Miller graduated from Florida International University and served 33 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department before retiring in 2007. In the beginning: Miller started woodturning…
Science and art come together in Carol Prusa’s large-scale silver point works. The artist: Growing up on Chicago’s south side, Prusa was drawn to the unknown. She studied chemistry at the University of Illinois and earned a B.S. in biocommunication arts and later received a MFA in painting and drawing from Drake University (1985). Prusa is…
From rural barns to water towers, Florida’s Robert Farrell creates sculptural and tabletop objects that elicit an emotional response from the viewer: A memory. A longing. A subtle sadness, or a sense of comfort. The artist: Born in Fort Atkinson, WI, Farrell grew up in Venice, FL, where his mother taught school. He earned undergraduate degrees…
Some might say Luis Gonzalez has a plum job. The contemporary Miami artist transforms salvaged hardwoods into oversized sculptures of colorful fruits and vegetables The artist: Gonzalez learned to turn wood when he was 14 years old in his native country, Bogota, Colombia. In 1992, he came to Miami to finish high school and later…