In Houston, self-taught ceramicist Jodi Walsh specializes in “oritatami nendo,” the art of folding clay. The artist: Born in Toronto, Ontario, Walsh left Canada in 1967. Since then, she has lived and traveled to more than 25 countries, including Bangladesh, Africa, Taiwan and England. In 1980, she moved to the United States and now lives…
In her striking and sculptural jewelry designs, Baltimore native Shana Kroiz blends metalsmithing and experimental enamel techniques. The artist: A Baltimore native, Kroiz started creating art in high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts. She later earned a BFA from Parsons School of Design and an MFA from Towson University, where she studied jewelry.…
Georgia artist Paula Reynaldi turns a humble material into something extraordinary: masking tape sculptures. The artist: Reynaldi was born and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she studied music and art. Then worked as a cellist and a music teacher. In 2021, she moved to the United States, first to Iowa City, where she…
South Carolina ceramic artist Maria White strives to create work that enhances a space and is useful in daily ritual. The artist: Born in Las Vegas, White grew up in Summerville, SC, in a creative household. While both parents painted, her father was a graphic designer and her mother also designed and made clothing. White discovered clay…
East Texas native Jeffie Brewer likes to say he makes sunshine out of paint and steel. His big and bright sculptures prove it. The artist: Brewer grew up in Palestine, a small, rural town in East Texas, where his parents owned a junkyard, a dangerous and often magical place for an only child. Brewer earned an…
Using traditional glass blowing techniques, Thor and Jennifer Bueno of North Carolina create unique wall compositions with glass pieces that resemble river stones and soap bubbles. The artists: Thor and Jennifer Bueno Thor: Grew up surfing in Southern California and started blowing glass in 1979. He studied with the late Italo Scanga at University of…
Virginia’s Kiki Slaughter pours, scrapes and layers paint on canvas to create her bold, richly textured abstract works. The artist: The Virginia native grew up in Charlottesville with a love of art. She earned art degrees from the University of Virginia (UVA) and Sotheby’s Institute in London. In 2005, after college, she started painting professionally.…
Elegant design and details that make a difference are hallmarks of the porcelain pieces made by Elizabeth Borowsky in South Carolina. The artist: Borowsky grew up in Acton, MA, and graduated from Clemson University in 2000 with a fine arts degree and an emphasis on sculpture. In 2012, when her youngest of five children turned…
Virginia’s Jomo Tariku designs modern African-inspired furniture that some have called Afrofuturist. The company: Jomo Furniture, based in Springfield, VA, started in 2017. The artist/maker: Born in Nairobi, Kenya, to Ethiopian parents, Tariku grew up in Ethiopia. As a young boy, he was drawn to art, souvenirs and furniture pieces his father collected while traveling. During…
Sean Donlon glittering art looks familiar. Yet there is something odd — or — off about it. And that’s fine with the Virginia glass blower, who uses flame working to make his modern and misshapen teapot creations. The artist: Born in Springfield, VA, Donlon grew up with a mother who was a fiber artist and…