katarina tifft

Katarina Tifft’s sculptural work is a contemporary take on traditional seashell crafts. Company/studio: Katarina Tifft Art, which started in 2022, is based in Gainesville, FL. The artist, who started working with shells in 2020 during the pandemic, has a dedicated home studio. Artist: Born in Slovakia (the former Czechoslovakia) she grew up in the countryside…

matt lively

Virginia native Matt Lively is a sculptor, painter and muralist whose love of movies, invented themes and unconventional materials influence his work. Artist: Born in Richmond, and graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University. After college, he lived in Louisville and Atlanta before moving back to Richmond. Company/studio: Matt Lively, based in Richmond, VA,…

melissa sims

Atlanta-based artist Melissa Sims is known for her fun, pop-art paintings that look like glossy photographs. Artist: The Georgia native was born and grew up in Conyers, GA. After taking a photography class in high school, she wanted to learn more. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in photography and a…

keavy murphree

After starting a career in industrial design, Keavy Murphree migrated back to her first love: ceramics. The Nashville artist now makes decorative and functional clay works that are equal parts minimal and modern. Artist: Born in Chicago and raised north of the city, Murphree moved to Cape Coral, FL, halfway through high school. She headed back…

roger halligan

Influenced by Neolithic stone forms, South Carolina artist Roger Halligan uses a variety of materials to create his freestanding and wall mounted sculptures. Artist: Born in Troy, NY, Halligan grew up in the Hudson River Valley.  He received a BA in economics from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, and after graduation began taking art courses…

kent ambler

On his 12-acre property in South Carolina, Kent Ambler finds endless inspiration for his nature-based woodcuts. Artist: Born in northwest Indiana about 25 miles outside of Chicago. As a kid, Ambler moved around a lot (seven times between first and twelfth grade), mostly in northwest Indiana. At Ball State University (IN), he was introduced to printmaking…

jenny henley

Feeling nostalgic for your old Game Boy, JVC-M90 boombox or 1984 Mac computer? Jenny Henley can help. The Atlanta-based mixed-media artist combines photography, painting and imagery from popular American culture to create her unique works. Artist: Henley grew up in Jacksonville, FL, in a family supportive of the arts. At her high school for the…

alice colin

Charleston-based painter Alice Colin aims to express emotions and thoughts through colors and patterns.  Artist: Born and raised in Bordeaux, France, Colin left in her early 20’s to study, live and work in several other cities/countries, including Rome, London, Barcelona and New Delhi. Along the way, she earned a master’s degree in psychology and another…

demond matsuo

New Orleans collage artist Demond Matsuo explores the mythic heroes and symbols of many cultures in his mixed-media works. Artist: Matsuo was born in Morgan City, LA, and grew up in nearby Patterson, reading, playing video games and training in the martial arts. At Louisiana State University (LSU), Matsuo started in political science but wanted to…

jan burleson

Tennessee artist Jan Burleson says the making of collages plays a double role as a meditative practice and as a study for her jazzy and vibrant paintings.  Artist: Burleson spent her early life in Johnson City, nestled near the hills of Upper East Tennessee. Long before completing her BFA in painting and drawing at the…