Sailing Upon the St Johns - The Artists
Below read about each of the artists that entered artwork into the Sailing Upon the St Johns Show:
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.
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.
Artist Lisa Lofton
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I am a 2-D artist using acrylic on canvas as my primary medium. I do like to create mixed media pieces as well, combining ink, charcoal, and acrylic. My images are illustrative and vibrant. With a background in architecture and drafting I have a fondness for old buildings and functional objects with history, with a story. I search for subject matter with an open mind and feel that no apparatus, scene, or person cannot be depicted in a way that will result in a reconnection to it. What is considered often mundane and ordinary has a functional history and beauty.
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Born in the 60’s, many of my Florida pieces reflect memories of objects and places that have brought me a sense of happiness and peace.
For me, painting is like reading a well-loved book, a vehicle for escapism when needed, and always a path to understanding myself and my surroundings. There is more than an intrinsic value in things, their relationship with a person gives them a new identity that is often sentimental and priceless. I hope to revive fond memories for each viewer with my current series. Welcome to Florida and a Sunshine State of Mind!
For me, painting is like reading a well-loved book, a vehicle for escapism when needed, and always a path to understanding myself and my surroundings. There is more than an intrinsic value in things, their relationship with a person gives them a new identity that is often sentimental and priceless. I hope to revive fond memories for each viewer with my current series. Welcome to Florida and a Sunshine State of Mind!
Artist Bronwen Chandler
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Bronwen Chandler
Bronwen Chandler is a native of New Zealand and grew up in Christchurch, a city in view of the magnificently scenic Southern Alps. Bronwen’s style of painting is Representational. She mainly works in oils, sometimes watercolors. She likes to use both brush and palette knife. Her subjects are inspired by local scenery and by seasonal changes. From the start, Bronwen’s work has focused on capturing the beauty in nature. Her first love is landscape/seascape painting – “I want the composition to be solid, and the viewer to be drawn into the work and to be able to strongly relate to it. When that happens, it feels like a success.” |
Her primary media are oils, and watercolors: she strongly believes that her passion and feelings contribute. Her goal is to capture the light and atmosphere of a scene. She finds the process exciting as the steps build toward a finished piece using a variety of brushwork with touches of knife work and sometimes the use of glazes to intensify areas of her work.
Annelies Dykgraaf was born in Nigeria where she lived for 18 years. She has a BFA from Calvin College and studied in France through the Cleveland Institute of Art. Annelies moved from Michigan to Florida in 2001.
In 2008, Annelies was awarded an Art Ventures grant from the Community Foundation in Jacksonville. She is a founding member of Jacksonville Cultural Development Corporation (2004)(f/k/a JCAAA) and The Art Center Cooperative Inc. (2005). She served on the Board of the Beaches Fine Arts Series for 12 years and is currently the President of the Jacksonville Artists Guild.
Her art is mainly in relief work; carving into a block of wood or linoleum depicting people, symbols, textile patterns and motifs of West African culture/myths.
In 2008, Annelies was awarded an Art Ventures grant from the Community Foundation in Jacksonville. She is a founding member of Jacksonville Cultural Development Corporation (2004)(f/k/a JCAAA) and The Art Center Cooperative Inc. (2005). She served on the Board of the Beaches Fine Arts Series for 12 years and is currently the President of the Jacksonville Artists Guild.
Her art is mainly in relief work; carving into a block of wood or linoleum depicting people, symbols, textile patterns and motifs of West African culture/myths.
Artist Douglas Mealing
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Without the ability to actualize an idea or concept art would not exist. My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret the ideas that I have about myself and the world I live in. Each piece that I create is simultaneously an extension from the past, where I’ve come from and what I’ve learned, as well as a preview of the future, where I’m going. Many of the traditional artistic methods can be seen throughout my work, color theory, composition, unity brush strokes, and abstraction are just a few to name. I am an illustrator and visual design artist who primarily deals in the abstraction of form. Oil and acrylic paint are used for a vast majority of my pieces as they were by first loves with oil being the first and acrylic being the second. As I continue to grow so do my artistic capabilities and I use my traditional methods to enhance my surreal depictions of humanity. If a view stops for just a moment to view and reflect upon a piece that I have created, then it is within my belief that I have succeeded in my work.
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Douglas Mealing is located in the Jacksonville, Florida area. Art has been a creative outlet for Douglas since the age of five and has continued to make his visions come to life. “Through the visual lens of my camera, I can share and explore the beauties of the world that lies before me and preserve them for years to come. Working with this new medium has opened a new door to help further enhance my illustrative capabilities.”
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.
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.
Artist Andriyesh Bukov
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Through my work, I would like to convey kindness and positive emotions.
I was born in Chisinau, Moldova. I graduated from the Academy of Arts, Lviv, Ukraine. I live in Jacksonville, FL since 1994. I worked as a designer in the theater of musical comedy, an illustrator in a publishing house in Chisinau, and an artist in folk crafts. Some of my works are in private collections in the USA, Germany, England, Italy and Moldova. I paint realistic and abstract images in oils and acrylics. Many of my works reflect my native Moldovan culture.others are inspired by my love of poetry: |
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"and off, off and away.
It's a sad day. The full moon Up in the sky. Disturbing everyone but not me... I'm being exposed at the moment. The passions of the subconscious mind. Why tell me to, Is God about this? |
Turn the pages of existence!
Floating in the subconscious mind Other countries and times. Along the Moon Strip Off to the road, What's going to happen, and where? And a big distance, and afar I'll hit the road..." |
Artist Deborah Lightfield
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Art reflects the artist’s surroundings, beliefs, and experiences. The more I paint, meet people, visit galleries, and study art history, the more I enjoy this journey of exploration. My artistic intention is for my art to interpret these subjects while using a variety of expressive, interesting, and bold colors and textures. I enjoy the challenges of making unifying compositions, working with different styles or experimenting with different mediums. Art is a multilayered experience with many perspectives.
Personally, I want to live and create while seeing similarities and embracing differences. The visual experience of music, nature and positive energy have always been important parts of my creative process. Hopefully, my visual interpretations will relate to the viewer with the joy I had in creating each piece of artwork. |
Artist James Haltiwanger
James Haltiwanger is an artist from Jacksonville Florida who loves creative expression. He enjoys the great outdoors, and marvels at the natural beauty of life, especially when the flowers are blooming.
Artist Robyn Freedman
After graduating from the Maryland Institute, College of Art, my career began in advertising and design. This was a time when we did everything by hand. That background has continued to be a part of my daily life.
My goal has been to find a way to bring what I see, to be full of life on the page and include energy and movement in my work. I find inspiration from shapes, colors, directions of lines, patterns, and growth in nature.
My goal has been to find a way to bring what I see, to be full of life on the page and include energy and movement in my work. I find inspiration from shapes, colors, directions of lines, patterns, and growth in nature.
Artist Peggy Harrell Jennings
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Peggy Harrell Jennings is a visual artist/writer from Jacksonville, Florida who works primarily in oils and acrylics. She has taught art in Clay and Duval County public and private schools, the Jacksonville Art Museum (now MOCA), MOSH and numerous other venues and exhibited locally with JAG and Orange Park Art Guild. She has been an exhibiting member of Jacksonville Watercolor Society, Jacksonville Weaver’s Guild, Crown Craftsmen and National Art Education Association.
Harrell Jennings has been creating art and writing since childhood. She earned degrees in English and minors in Psychology, Philosophy (University of West Georgia) as well as a minor in art from Reinhardt College and completed her degrees in Fine Art and Applied Art at University of Southwestern Louisiana. |
She continued with post graduate studies in fine art, art history and art education at University of North Florida.
Besides teaching visual art, classical ballet and Language Arts to all grades and ages from pre-k through adults, she has worked in advertising, is a costume, set and prop designer for theater productions and ballets and choreographs for The Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company. She illustrates her published children’s books as well including the latest – Ginny’s Journey – written in rhyming couplets. The book pairs educational information about Jacksonville’s historic districts with humor as a giant guinea pig navigates her way to MOSH, the Cummer Gallery and other well known sites.
Harrell Jennings’ artwork is varied in that there is no specific theme, although birds became an obsession for a while. She is currently exploring visual interpretations of this disturbing time in history with drawings, paintings, collage, and the printed word.
Besides teaching visual art, classical ballet and Language Arts to all grades and ages from pre-k through adults, she has worked in advertising, is a costume, set and prop designer for theater productions and ballets and choreographs for The Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company. She illustrates her published children’s books as well including the latest – Ginny’s Journey – written in rhyming couplets. The book pairs educational information about Jacksonville’s historic districts with humor as a giant guinea pig navigates her way to MOSH, the Cummer Gallery and other well known sites.
Harrell Jennings’ artwork is varied in that there is no specific theme, although birds became an obsession for a while. She is currently exploring visual interpretations of this disturbing time in history with drawings, paintings, collage, and the printed word.
Artist William Garcia
William Garcia is a talented studio artist. He is a member of the Art Center Cooperative, Inc in Jacksonville. His works at the Art Center are brooding and thought-provoking oils on canvas. Please come back to William’s page to see his newest works as they are completed.
He also takes appointments on his Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/William-Garcia-Ruiz-109804737022055/
He also takes appointments on his Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/William-Garcia-Ruiz-109804737022055/
Artist Kathyrn Miller
Pat Setser
Patricia (Pat) Setser was born in Ohio. At an early age she traded her dolls for art papers. Soon after she won a scholarship to the Dayton Art Institute for a year of study. Pat has done commissioned work, wall graphics and sculptures. Her illustration for Exceptional Children’s Week was used for placemats by OH McDonald’s restaurants. She has illustrated book covers, done book illustrations and paintings. One of Pat’s cover designs was used by a national magazine. Of late, much of her work has been mixed media. She is a member of JAG (Jacksonville Artists Guild). TAC (The Art Center Cooperative) and the Jacksonville Branch of the NLAPW (The National League of American Pen Women, Inc.) Pat an award-winning artist strives to connect with artists and promote their gifts. She sees beauty in people and nature. Sharing a glimpse of her view gives her joy.
