Florida-based artist Linda Hall makes fantastical, mixed-media sculptures and highly embellished masks that reflect the fragility and anxiety of our modern world. The artist: Born into a military family who moved frequently around Europe, Hall eventually landed in Fort Walton Beach, FL, where she went to high school. After some travel herself, Hall earned a…
Vicki Essig is known for her detailed and Zen-like handwoven mixed-media art. But in a recent, atypical work, the North Carolina artist used her own home-grown silkworms to make a dress, which sold to a collector. The artist: Born in Denver, the artist grew up in Colorado. She lived in Europe for four years before…
NOLA-based artist Mary Singleton calls her color-happy paintings “botanical abstractions.” The artist: Born in Baton Rouge, Singleton started painting as a child, disappearing into her art for hours. After taking a bohemian approach to college and life in her early 20s, she graduated with a BFA from Louisiana State University. She moved to New Orleans…
In North Carolina, Christine Kosiba creates expressive and textured wildlife sculptures that show a curiosity about how we connect with the natural world around us. The artist: Born at Fort Rucker, AL, Kosiba grew up in many places since her father was an Army officer. She earned a master’s degree in special education at University of…
Alex Lockwood makes colorful, abstract sculptures using repurposed or recycled material. For the Nashville artist, the materials come first – well before what he plans to create. The artist: Born in Seattle in 1974, Lockwood graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in English and History with the intention of becoming a journalist. After…
With her hand-built ceramic sculptures, Georgia’s Jenifer Thoem can take a wall from wanting to wow. The artist: The Georgia native grew up on a farm in Rome, GA, where her desire to create and build things began and was encouraged by her parents. At Georgia Southern University, she discovered clay and earned a BFA…
Nearly 20 years ago, Baltimore jewelry designer Rebecca Myers traveled to Costa Rica. The beauty she saw there changed the direction of her work. The artist: Born in Philadelphia, Myers grew up on the West end of Allentown and Philadelphia PA. She attended the Baum School of Art at an early age and later graduated…
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…
Mississippi’s Deana Goldsmith is known for her playful pastel drawings. Her colorful still-life works reflect a love of books, thrift-store finds and nature. The artist: Born and raised on the Oklahoma side of the Red River (aka Texhoma) Goldsmith discovered at an early age she had a knack for doodling. After raising four children and…
Lin Babb doesn’t use a pattern for his heirloom-quality cutting boards. The self-taught Louisiana craftsman lets the wood dictate the size and shape of each stand-apart piece. The artist: Born in Lecompte, Babb grew up in Alexandria and graduated from LSU. He received a master’s degree at Northwestern State University. Afterward, he taught physical education…