Autumn Leaves Artists
Below read about each of the artists that entered artwork into the Autumn Leaves Show and watch the video interviews in which they speak on what inspired their submitted pieces to the exhibit. MAKE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL OF THE ARTIST'S VIDEO'S AND BIOS. THANK YOU!
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ARTISTS IN SHOW:
Amber Bailey Laurence Walden Bronwen Chandler Midge Scelzo Marlene Scheer Selahmon Jones Corey Moortgat |
Lynn Wehrmann Leslie Kruzicki Denice Sawyer-Johnson Douglas W. Johnson Mary Atwood Earl Coggins Harriet Wilson |
Kristen Leckband Stephanie Welchans Valentina Nedelchiva Cyndy Reynolds Sunnie Malesky Ed Malesky Maria Valdez Dugger |
Ronald Episcopo William Garcia Leila Griffith Lisa Lofton Janice Rippon Vanessa Withun |
Artist Corey Moortgat
Corey Moortgat is an acrylic artist from Jacksonville, Florida. She’s explored a variety of media throughout her life—paint, pencil, collage, photography—just to name a few. She graduated college with a BFA in Painting in 1994, then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Art Therapy in 1996.
She’s worked as an art therapist, an art teacher, a custom framer, an art store manager, and currently manages a paint and sip studio while teaching acrylic painting classes.
In her spare time, she’s taught mixed media classes, written articles for magazines, and even owned her own artistic rubber stamp line for a bit! In 2007, she published a book called The Art of Personal Imagery about using personal and meaningful imagery in your artwork. Corey has two amazing pieces in the Autumn Leaves Show: "Alice" and "Bethany"
She’s worked as an art therapist, an art teacher, a custom framer, an art store manager, and currently manages a paint and sip studio while teaching acrylic painting classes.
In her spare time, she’s taught mixed media classes, written articles for magazines, and even owned her own artistic rubber stamp line for a bit! In 2007, she published a book called The Art of Personal Imagery about using personal and meaningful imagery in your artwork. Corey has two amazing pieces in the Autumn Leaves Show: "Alice" and "Bethany"
Artist Laurence Walden
Laurence Walden AKA “Blinky” is a native of Chicago, he now resides in Jacksonville Florida. He is a self-taught visual artist as well as an accomplished Jazz Vocalist, Playwright and historian. Laurence, an honorable discharged United States Air Force Veteran, served as a Technical Illustrator and was the featured vocalist with the air force jazz band during the Viet Nam era. While in the force, he created costumes and album cover for Issac Hayes, The Bar Kays and Jimi Hendrix. He has received many honors for his art worldwide.
One of Walden’s visual art rendering specialties is creating decorative masks out of fine dining silverware and other found objects in addition to rendering abstract paintings, mixed media collages, murals and portraits. He also designs and creates wearable art accessories to include clutch purses, steampunk hats, T-Shirt designs and jewelry.
Laurence believes that great art is the result of a collaboration between GOD and the artist, “Our Father Who ART In Heaven”.
His piece in Autumn Leaves is titled "Raking Leaves".
One of Walden’s visual art rendering specialties is creating decorative masks out of fine dining silverware and other found objects in addition to rendering abstract paintings, mixed media collages, murals and portraits. He also designs and creates wearable art accessories to include clutch purses, steampunk hats, T-Shirt designs and jewelry.
Laurence believes that great art is the result of a collaboration between GOD and the artist, “Our Father Who ART In Heaven”.
His piece in Autumn Leaves is titled "Raking Leaves".
Artist Denice Sawyer-Johnson
Denise is a new artist and a member of TAC, who enjoys painting faces using pencil sketches, acrylic and mixed media to create. Denise has exhibited in Maryland and has participated in juried shows. She has sold works to art enthusiasts from DC, Maryland, Boston, Miami, Savannah and Jacksonville.
Her piece in this show is "Fall Attire".
Her piece in this show is "Fall Attire".
Artist Mary Atwood
Author and fine art photographer Mary Atwood is a long-time resident of the Florida’s First Coast area whose deep appreciation of its natural beauty, rich history and diverse culture is often reflected in her work.
As the daughter of a World War II military photographer, Mary grew up with a camera in hand. Her earliest memories of taking photographs are of using a Kodak Brownie when she was six years old. From there, her experiences involved learning to use a wide variety of camera equipment from Polaroid to Hasselblad, and just about everything in between.
Mary’s fine art photography is included in numerous public, private, and corporate collections in the both the United States and France. She was the recipient of the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s prestigious Art Ventures grant in 2011, has done commissioned work for MOCA Jacksonville, and was invited by the Sister Cities organization of Nantes, France to exhibit her First Coast Reflections project as part of the inaugural celebration for la Maison des Etates-Unis (The American House) during the summer of 2013.
Mary’s work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and public art venues, with over twenty solo shows. To date, her photographs have won more than fifty awards in local, regional and national juried exhibitions.
Mary's work in Autumn Leaves is "Fall Freeze", "Remains", and "Life Cycle".
As the daughter of a World War II military photographer, Mary grew up with a camera in hand. Her earliest memories of taking photographs are of using a Kodak Brownie when she was six years old. From there, her experiences involved learning to use a wide variety of camera equipment from Polaroid to Hasselblad, and just about everything in between.
Mary’s fine art photography is included in numerous public, private, and corporate collections in the both the United States and France. She was the recipient of the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s prestigious Art Ventures grant in 2011, has done commissioned work for MOCA Jacksonville, and was invited by the Sister Cities organization of Nantes, France to exhibit her First Coast Reflections project as part of the inaugural celebration for la Maison des Etates-Unis (The American House) during the summer of 2013.
Mary’s work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and public art venues, with over twenty solo shows. To date, her photographs have won more than fifty awards in local, regional and national juried exhibitions.
Mary's work in Autumn Leaves is "Fall Freeze", "Remains", and "Life Cycle".
Artist Harriet Wilson
After raising a large family and retiring from the Miami-Dade School System Harriet joined the Miami Art League. She continued taking lessons when she could find them and worked in oils. Her work has been displayed in Karen Ledbetter Galleries and later International Galleries in Oakland Park, FL.
Harriet moved to Jacksonville in 2014 and joined the Jacksonville Art League. She is currently taking acrylic and watercolor classes and paints anything that inspires her which takes in a wide range of subjects.
Harriet recently painted an oil study of the Masters, which was given to the Father of her Church. He based a sermon around that painting after she started attending last year. Several of her paintings are shown in the Fellowship Hall after services, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 5201 Atlantic Boulevard.
Harriet moved to Jacksonville in 2014 and joined the Jacksonville Art League. She is currently taking acrylic and watercolor classes and paints anything that inspires her which takes in a wide range of subjects.
Harriet recently painted an oil study of the Masters, which was given to the Father of her Church. He based a sermon around that painting after she started attending last year. Several of her paintings are shown in the Fellowship Hall after services, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 5201 Atlantic Boulevard.
Artist Valentina Nedelcheva
Valentina was born and brought up in Bulgaria. She studied in Kiev´s University of cultural Arts. In 2008 she has finished the unique Bulgarian school of untraditional art with well known Stefka Baldjieva.
There are different techniques in finger painting. All her work is done by her fingers with no brushes used, directly on the canvas without preliminary sketches or compositions on subconscious level.
Valentina expresses her inner world the harmony of colors, including them as elements of universal harmony. Created on the level of subconscious, these paintings radiate energy which flows into every one who sees them.
For Valentina painting is a purification, love and joy.
There are different techniques in finger painting. All her work is done by her fingers with no brushes used, directly on the canvas without preliminary sketches or compositions on subconscious level.
Valentina expresses her inner world the harmony of colors, including them as elements of universal harmony. Created on the level of subconscious, these paintings radiate energy which flows into every one who sees them.
For Valentina painting is a purification, love and joy.
Artist Cyndy Reynolds
Cyndy Ira Reynolds, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, developed her love of pottery during the long winters in Wisconsin where she managed a hotel for Marriott. Upon retiring in 2017, she and her husband moved back to Jacksonville where she, with the support and assistance from her father, established her own pottery studio in the family’s former car shop and began her new venture, Cirama Pottery and More.
Based on her love of gardening and achieving Master Gardener status in both Wisconsin and Florida, her work has been nature-inspired and driven by intriguing textures and shapes. Cyndy doesn’t just admire leaves on the neighborhood trees, but takes samples and turns those leaves into planters, bowls, platters and trays.
An enthusiast of both wheel and slab creation, Cyndy has successfully marketed her functional and garden whimsical work at art and garden events. She uses primarily mid-range clays and glazes and is at work most days in her shop amid the leftover tools from the shop’s history of creating national championship racing cars.
Cyndy's piece in Autumn Leaves is "Leaf Pile".
Based on her love of gardening and achieving Master Gardener status in both Wisconsin and Florida, her work has been nature-inspired and driven by intriguing textures and shapes. Cyndy doesn’t just admire leaves on the neighborhood trees, but takes samples and turns those leaves into planters, bowls, platters and trays.
An enthusiast of both wheel and slab creation, Cyndy has successfully marketed her functional and garden whimsical work at art and garden events. She uses primarily mid-range clays and glazes and is at work most days in her shop amid the leftover tools from the shop’s history of creating national championship racing cars.
Cyndy's piece in Autumn Leaves is "Leaf Pile".
Artist Ed Malesky
Ed is a Board Member of TAC and the Immediate Past President.
Ed has always been interested in woodworking and developed his skills to focus on woodturning as art.
He feels that creating his art always starts with a beautiful form. Turning wood into these forms is a truly tactile and very enjoyable experience, complicated by the fact that wood is an organic material that moves and distorts as it dries or contains hidden defects. Sometimes he can use these features and sometimes he needs to plan ahead to get the form he wants.
A beautiful form can be enough, especially when he has used a spectacular piece of wood. However, his real goal is to draw an emotional response from the viewer, so often this initial form is just the canvas for his work. He loves adding color and texture to his pieces using dyes, paints, pyrography and other processes that allows the viewer to see something beyond just a piece of wood.
Ed has always been interested in woodworking and developed his skills to focus on woodturning as art.
He feels that creating his art always starts with a beautiful form. Turning wood into these forms is a truly tactile and very enjoyable experience, complicated by the fact that wood is an organic material that moves and distorts as it dries or contains hidden defects. Sometimes he can use these features and sometimes he needs to plan ahead to get the form he wants.
A beautiful form can be enough, especially when he has used a spectacular piece of wood. However, his real goal is to draw an emotional response from the viewer, so often this initial form is just the canvas for his work. He loves adding color and texture to his pieces using dyes, paints, pyrography and other processes that allows the viewer to see something beyond just a piece of wood.
The love of color and shapes has also led him into the world of digital images. Ed is amazed at the way a computer can generate beautiful images starting with some simple forms. There is a lot an artist needs to add however, since there are thousands of variables to apply to these simple forms to create a beautiful image. Once all the parameters are set, the computer begins the arduous task of rendering the image, which in many cases takes more than a day. Form and color, texture and complexity are his tools, whether in wood or on paper.
Ed Malesky has "Leafy" in this show.
Ed Malesky has "Leafy" in this show.
Artist Ronald Episcopo
Ron Episcopo is well know in the Jacksonville Art Community for his art and participation with a number of art groups. He has been created and his creations star in many shows and have garnered many awards. Although he is not a member of the Art Center, we are happy he chooses to participate in many of our shows.
Here are a few words from Ron, "Although I never went to art school, I constantly had the urge to create. Corporate America didn't take my creativity away, new relationships didn't take it away - and I was learning not to take creativity away from myself. In 2005, I began to study basic photography, I took art classes, I engaged the art communities where I lived - and I fell in love with something other than my husband. After over 48 years of art suppression, I decided it was time to define myself. I decided it was time to art. I've been creating my pieces ever since and have sold numerous small projects and 10 large, mixed media pieces. My art, to my delight, continues to win awards at shows and exhibits. I am proud of what my art has accomplished and I am so excited to push it further, I have 48 years of art to make up for and I am ready to move forward. I am defining myself, I am an artist.
Here are a few words from Ron, "Although I never went to art school, I constantly had the urge to create. Corporate America didn't take my creativity away, new relationships didn't take it away - and I was learning not to take creativity away from myself. In 2005, I began to study basic photography, I took art classes, I engaged the art communities where I lived - and I fell in love with something other than my husband. After over 48 years of art suppression, I decided it was time to define myself. I decided it was time to art. I've been creating my pieces ever since and have sold numerous small projects and 10 large, mixed media pieces. My art, to my delight, continues to win awards at shows and exhibits. I am proud of what my art has accomplished and I am so excited to push it further, I have 48 years of art to make up for and I am ready to move forward. I am defining myself, I am an artist.
Artist Lisa Lofton
Lisa has been a resident of Jacksonville Florida for over 35 years. She is a member of The Jacksonville Artists Guild, The Art League of Jacksonville, and the Murray Hill Art Center. She has a true love of all art that is POP! She has a very real interest in Jacksonville history and Architecture which is the inspiration for many of her original acrylics and prints. She recently displayed her work at an Artists Guild event which commemorated Jacksonville where she was honored to receive the Jurors award. She has also shown and sold work at The Riverside Avondale Home Tour Art House and Preview Auction. Her work has also been displayed at "The Vault at 1930" in San Marco, Jacksonville. Lisa Is committed to paint all of Jacksonville one canvas at a time!
Artist William Garcia
William Garcia is a TAC Member and also one of our studio artists. William works in oils to create very thought provoking abstract pieces. He has participated in may of the exhibition shows and earned awards for his work.
William has one piece in the Purple Rain Show; "Autumn Balance".
William has one piece in the Purple Rain Show; "Autumn Balance".
Artist Marlene Scheer
Marlene Scheer was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In 2009, Marlene and her husband Stuart moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida to share in the wonderful life her children were experiencing living at the beach, and to paint the natural beauty of Northern Florida. Marlene’s love of painting, and art in general, began in her childhood, taking classes and experimenting with cubism, expressionism, abstraction and collage. Her work has developed into a representational expression using color as her essential element to express her artistic visions.
In New York, Marlene studied at the Art Students League of NY along with with many important teachers to help hone her skills and techniques. Regular visits to MOMA, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART and N.Y. galleries offered an art education that was extremely important to her development. Her painting technique is one that continues to change since experimentation plays an important role in her work. and continues to do so based on what she sees and feels at the moment. Her passion for color and experimentation takes her work into her own very unique style.
Florida with its beautiful marshes, waterways, beaches and river fronts have presented her with new and exciting muses, using color in her own personal way. She expresses “My canvas comes directly from my heart and imagination.”
Marlene is a member of the Ponte Vedra Beach Cultural Center, Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts, Jacksonville Art Guild (JAG), St. Augustine Art Assoc.
Her work has been on exhibit at the Jaxport Gallery, Wells Fargo Gallery, Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, Wilson Theatre For The Arts, Advanced Furniture Solutions in Jacksonville and featured in their photo shoot, Archway Gallery- 25 paintings, Reddi-Art, First Street Gallery, South Kitchen, Players by the Sea Theater, along with a one woman show at The Alhambra Dinner Theatre. 35 paintings were shown twice at the JCA. Marlene was also one of the artists featured in Imagination Squared at the MOCA. Marlene has shown her work at the Femart Gallery Shows. Marlene shared first prize in a contest sponsored by the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to paint the façade of their building. She was one of three nominees for the Beaches Celebration ‘Emerging ‘Artist of the Year 2020”. Marlene also won Judges Choice at the JAG Cummer 2019 and June 2020 Museum of Science and History.
You may reach Marlene about her work at her email [email protected]
In New York, Marlene studied at the Art Students League of NY along with with many important teachers to help hone her skills and techniques. Regular visits to MOMA, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART and N.Y. galleries offered an art education that was extremely important to her development. Her painting technique is one that continues to change since experimentation plays an important role in her work. and continues to do so based on what she sees and feels at the moment. Her passion for color and experimentation takes her work into her own very unique style.
Florida with its beautiful marshes, waterways, beaches and river fronts have presented her with new and exciting muses, using color in her own personal way. She expresses “My canvas comes directly from my heart and imagination.”
Marlene is a member of the Ponte Vedra Beach Cultural Center, Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts, Jacksonville Art Guild (JAG), St. Augustine Art Assoc.
Her work has been on exhibit at the Jaxport Gallery, Wells Fargo Gallery, Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, Wilson Theatre For The Arts, Advanced Furniture Solutions in Jacksonville and featured in their photo shoot, Archway Gallery- 25 paintings, Reddi-Art, First Street Gallery, South Kitchen, Players by the Sea Theater, along with a one woman show at The Alhambra Dinner Theatre. 35 paintings were shown twice at the JCA. Marlene was also one of the artists featured in Imagination Squared at the MOCA. Marlene has shown her work at the Femart Gallery Shows. Marlene shared first prize in a contest sponsored by the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to paint the façade of their building. She was one of three nominees for the Beaches Celebration ‘Emerging ‘Artist of the Year 2020”. Marlene also won Judges Choice at the JAG Cummer 2019 and June 2020 Museum of Science and History.
You may reach Marlene about her work at her email [email protected]
Artist Amber Bailey
Artist Bronwen Chandler |
My name is Bronwen Chandler - An artist local to North Florida, I specialize in Fine Art. My goal is to draw you into a painting, feel my passion about the subject and help you to experience the scene more deeply! I work mailny in oils, and enjoy watercolors and acrylics as well.
This site includes my portfolio of original art - my focus is in painting subjects, particularly around the beaches, wetlands, marshes, and also mountain scenery, mainly in the Fall season, with dramatic trees in vibrant colors. As a freelance artist I am always looking to be part of a new and exciting project, or do commission work to create a scene from your favorite photo/memory.
This site includes my portfolio of original art - my focus is in painting subjects, particularly around the beaches, wetlands, marshes, and also mountain scenery, mainly in the Fall season, with dramatic trees in vibrant colors. As a freelance artist I am always looking to be part of a new and exciting project, or do commission work to create a scene from your favorite photo/memory.
Artist Midge Scelzo
My career had been primarily focused in the financial world as a bank executive and as a CFO. However, my passion has always been art. Between family and career that passion for creating art was put on hold for years. Now that I returned to my passion, my hobbies of travel and cooking have influenced my work. My husband and I enjoy the rustic, simple beauty in the cities and countryside. The smell of fresh breads at open air markets, sipping fine wine on a terrace, walking cobblestone streets, light filled scenery with natural wildlife, all these sights, sounds and aromas inspire me. I paint in what I call “Stylism” to create stylistic impressions of my senses. I use quick strokes, simplifying the subject with representational expressionism using color as my essential element. I hope my work is intriguing enough to invoke curiosity to come and look closer and see the detail of the work, experience the colors and light filtering throughout. As one travels through my paintings, I would like them to feel the excitement I felt as I created each area of the work to become the composition.
Works have been exhibited in juried shows with Jacksonville Coalition for Visual Arts, (JCVA), Jacksonville Artists Guild, (JAG), FemArt Gallery and the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach winning several prizes including “Best in Show”. Solo shows have been at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach and a 3 Woman Show at Players by the Sea. Group exhibits have been at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach Library, Wells Fargo Gallery, South Kitchen, Trends Gallery, The Players Community Center, Jewish Community Alliance Center, Players by the Sea, JAXPORT, Wilson Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Museum of Science and History (MOSH) and The Sky Mall at Jacksonville International Airport. Two paintings are part of a permanent installation at Baptist Beaches Medical Center. Select pieces are currently on exhibit and for sale at Village Arts Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Works have been exhibited in juried shows with Jacksonville Coalition for Visual Arts, (JCVA), Jacksonville Artists Guild, (JAG), FemArt Gallery and the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach winning several prizes including “Best in Show”. Solo shows have been at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach and a 3 Woman Show at Players by the Sea. Group exhibits have been at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach Library, Wells Fargo Gallery, South Kitchen, Trends Gallery, The Players Community Center, Jewish Community Alliance Center, Players by the Sea, JAXPORT, Wilson Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Museum of Science and History (MOSH) and The Sky Mall at Jacksonville International Airport. Two paintings are part of a permanent installation at Baptist Beaches Medical Center. Select pieces are currently on exhibit and for sale at Village Arts Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Artist Selahmon Jones
I've always been drawn to the unconventional ways of art
Selah Jones the 33 year old up & coming Abstract Cosmic creator from Fernandina beach, Florida.
Selahmon's Fundamental art skills were developed at a very young age while being homeschooled at Rastafarian cultural Arts, where her interest were peaked throughout her Rastafarian education she went on to garner a deep and lasting respect for cultural arts gaining a more hands on approach of the craft.
I began to spend most of my life touring the country for many years selling and sharing my products.
Her initial focus as a painter was on abstract and figurative work, that focus shifted gradually to include the surrounding environment of her traveling lifestyle she started Focusing on cultural scenes working in oils, and mixed media.
My work is a very diverse collection of Abstract Cosmic creations'
Selahmon was born and raised a Rastafarian until the age of 19, when she departed largely from the rasta way of life to begin her rebirth. I moved to Jacksonville in 2011 where I feel as if my creativity found me. The timing had to be right
Selah Jones the 33 year old up & coming Abstract Cosmic creator from Fernandina beach, Florida.
Selahmon's Fundamental art skills were developed at a very young age while being homeschooled at Rastafarian cultural Arts, where her interest were peaked throughout her Rastafarian education she went on to garner a deep and lasting respect for cultural arts gaining a more hands on approach of the craft.
I began to spend most of my life touring the country for many years selling and sharing my products.
Her initial focus as a painter was on abstract and figurative work, that focus shifted gradually to include the surrounding environment of her traveling lifestyle she started Focusing on cultural scenes working in oils, and mixed media.
My work is a very diverse collection of Abstract Cosmic creations'
Selahmon was born and raised a Rastafarian until the age of 19, when she departed largely from the rasta way of life to begin her rebirth. I moved to Jacksonville in 2011 where I feel as if my creativity found me. The timing had to be right
Artist Lynn Wehrmann
“As an artist, I am fascinated with rich color and the infusion of light, which has a distinct impact on my paintings. My goal is to create visually inspiring subjects using light and its varied patterns”.
“My work has been inspired by the surroundings of my childhood and home state, Florida. I call the images I focus on “forgotten Florida”… old architecture, unique gardens and remote beaches and waterways. In addition, the techniques I have utilized have been shaped by studies which have taken me across the United States and internationally to France and Italy. Instructors and mentors have included such notables as Morgan Samuel Price, Alice Williams, Jean Chambers, Connie Winters, Jim Draper, Leonard Wren, Robert Johnson, Chang Quiang, Mary Garrish and most recently Dreama Tolle Perry.
As I continue my artistic journey, my style continues to evolve into what I describe at this time as relaxed post impressionistic.”
“My work has been inspired by the surroundings of my childhood and home state, Florida. I call the images I focus on “forgotten Florida”… old architecture, unique gardens and remote beaches and waterways. In addition, the techniques I have utilized have been shaped by studies which have taken me across the United States and internationally to France and Italy. Instructors and mentors have included such notables as Morgan Samuel Price, Alice Williams, Jean Chambers, Connie Winters, Jim Draper, Leonard Wren, Robert Johnson, Chang Quiang, Mary Garrish and most recently Dreama Tolle Perry.
As I continue my artistic journey, my style continues to evolve into what I describe at this time as relaxed post impressionistic.”
Artist Leslie Kruzicki
Artist Douglas W. Johnson
Doug Johnson has been painting for over 45 years, using his talents to describe in oils and acrylics his travels, careers, and passions for nature, medicine, technology, and aviation.
Born at the West Point Military Academy, Doug traveled the world as an “Air Force brat” during his youth. After receiving his B.S from Virginia Tech and M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia, he studied Internal Medicine in San Antonio, followed by Radiation Oncology at Stanford. After several years as an active duty U.S. Air Force cancer specialist, flight surgeon, and hospital administrator, Dr. Johnson continued his civilian practice in Florida and Georgia.
Creativity lies at the heart of what drives Dr. Johnson: “My world revolves around thinking in three or four dimensions, whether it involves creating complex treatments to target cancer, winging safely through the skies as a pilot, or to laying down feelings and memories on canvas.”
Although largely self-taught, Doug has studied under artists Paul Ladnier, Greg Barnes, Ken Dewaard, George Van Hook, and Bill Farnsworth. He is a member of the St. Augustine and North Georgia Art Associations, Jacksonville Artist Guild, Jacksonville Coalition for Visual Arts, and the First Coast Plein Air Painters association.
Born at the West Point Military Academy, Doug traveled the world as an “Air Force brat” during his youth. After receiving his B.S from Virginia Tech and M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia, he studied Internal Medicine in San Antonio, followed by Radiation Oncology at Stanford. After several years as an active duty U.S. Air Force cancer specialist, flight surgeon, and hospital administrator, Dr. Johnson continued his civilian practice in Florida and Georgia.
Creativity lies at the heart of what drives Dr. Johnson: “My world revolves around thinking in three or four dimensions, whether it involves creating complex treatments to target cancer, winging safely through the skies as a pilot, or to laying down feelings and memories on canvas.”
Although largely self-taught, Doug has studied under artists Paul Ladnier, Greg Barnes, Ken Dewaard, George Van Hook, and Bill Farnsworth. He is a member of the St. Augustine and North Georgia Art Associations, Jacksonville Artist Guild, Jacksonville Coalition for Visual Arts, and the First Coast Plein Air Painters association.
Artist Earl Coggins
Earl Coggins Bio
I have had an appreciation for art in most forms since my earliest memories. Coloring books were my favorite thing to do as a young child. Later in life, the urge to create art was always there, but without the courage to pursue it. Life’s brevity has a way of dispensing courage where courage is in short supply. I squeezed out of my psyche enough courage to attend a few art classes. I then purchased nearly a dozen books on painting. One of those books turned out to be a pivotal lesson for me. Acrylic Painting Mediums & Methods: A Contemporary Guide to Materials, Techniques, and Applications by Rheni Tauchid had me hooked on texture.
I started painting and soon found myself using acrylic texture mediums as a way to accentuate my abstract art. It felt good. Tauchid's book and my infatuation with mazes led to the creation of Dadalus Dreamed, my interpretation of The Labyrinth, a maze built by the master builder Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. The Labyrinth was a prison for the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull beast.
A half-day class discussing and practicing the use of pallet knives as an alternative to brushes as a way to create art, along with my favorite color, blue, led to the creation of Cobalt Blues.
Inspired by Monet, Van Gogh, Pollock, and my favorite contemporary abstract artists, Gerhard Richter and Rheni Tauchid, I waded out into the deep end of my dreams. That was January of 2019. I was half past my 62nd birthday. I hope I get the opportunity to paint for a long while.
I hope everyone who reads this will take a peek at my artwork and also consider wading into the deep end of their own dreams, whatever they might be.
I have had an appreciation for art in most forms since my earliest memories. Coloring books were my favorite thing to do as a young child. Later in life, the urge to create art was always there, but without the courage to pursue it. Life’s brevity has a way of dispensing courage where courage is in short supply. I squeezed out of my psyche enough courage to attend a few art classes. I then purchased nearly a dozen books on painting. One of those books turned out to be a pivotal lesson for me. Acrylic Painting Mediums & Methods: A Contemporary Guide to Materials, Techniques, and Applications by Rheni Tauchid had me hooked on texture.
I started painting and soon found myself using acrylic texture mediums as a way to accentuate my abstract art. It felt good. Tauchid's book and my infatuation with mazes led to the creation of Dadalus Dreamed, my interpretation of The Labyrinth, a maze built by the master builder Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. The Labyrinth was a prison for the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull beast.
A half-day class discussing and practicing the use of pallet knives as an alternative to brushes as a way to create art, along with my favorite color, blue, led to the creation of Cobalt Blues.
Inspired by Monet, Van Gogh, Pollock, and my favorite contemporary abstract artists, Gerhard Richter and Rheni Tauchid, I waded out into the deep end of my dreams. That was January of 2019. I was half past my 62nd birthday. I hope I get the opportunity to paint for a long while.
I hope everyone who reads this will take a peek at my artwork and also consider wading into the deep end of their own dreams, whatever they might be.
Artist Kristen Leckband
Artist Stephanie Welchans
Artist Sunnie Malesky
Artist Maria Valdez Dugger
Artist Leila Griffith
Leila Griffith was raised in Georgia by a well known Golden Isles artist mother, she studied painting most of her young life and ultimately pursued a visual arts degree at Georgia State University. After college, fate had a different plan for her and she embarked on a career in catalog merchandising, which she enjoyed for over 35 years. She traveled the globe exploring wholesale trade shows, artists’ studios, rural warehouses, antiques markets and arts museums and markets to source and develop the most appropriate products for the discriminating direct mail audience.
She designed, merchandised, and managed the gallery shop at The Bascom, a Visual Arts Center, in Highlands, NC, for five years, but she rarely picked up a brush or pencil until four years ago. When recovering from several serious health issues, and the need to lighten her mood, family and friends encouraged her to rediscover her inner creative voice – and she has found her new passion.
Her work now mostly reflects her love of flora, fauna and nature and her world travels - whether detailing memories of Paris flower shops, farmers’ markets in Chile, wood storks by a neighborhood stream, canine companions, parks outside of London or small Italian villages, she is inspired by color and all things living.
She designed, merchandised, and managed the gallery shop at The Bascom, a Visual Arts Center, in Highlands, NC, for five years, but she rarely picked up a brush or pencil until four years ago. When recovering from several serious health issues, and the need to lighten her mood, family and friends encouraged her to rediscover her inner creative voice – and she has found her new passion.
Her work now mostly reflects her love of flora, fauna and nature and her world travels - whether detailing memories of Paris flower shops, farmers’ markets in Chile, wood storks by a neighborhood stream, canine companions, parks outside of London or small Italian villages, she is inspired by color and all things living.
