Summer Delights - The Artists
Below read about each of the artists that entered artwork into the Summer Delights Show:
Artist Sunil Ancha
Sunil Ancha is an award-winning photographer. He is passionate about giving back to the community, savoring the bond, trust, and friendship with people who intend to make a positive difference. He balances precious time with his family, work, and a growing history of community involvement.
Artist Abby Howard Murphy
Abby received her B.A. from the School of International Service at The American University with a minor in Environmental Studies, specializing in marine biology and the law of the sea, interning for the International Institute for Environment and Development, creating an illustrated guide of Turks and Caicos dune plants; and painting scenery for theater productions.
Primarily self-taught, her perspective and creative side continued to intersect during a diverse professional career addressing hazardous waste at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; consulting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Everglades restoration; launching the University of North Florida Environmental Center; educating youth and adults on the St. Johns River with SJRWMD; and assisting the North Florida Land Trust preserve special places for generations. When a banking executive, she applied her craft to themed customer and associate events and murals for non-profits as her paintings began winning regional awards.
Abby Howard Murphy - About the Artist
Primarily self-taught, her perspective and creative side continued to intersect during a diverse professional career addressing hazardous waste at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; consulting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Everglades restoration; launching the University of North Florida Environmental Center; educating youth and adults on the St. Johns River with SJRWMD; and assisting the North Florida Land Trust preserve special places for generations. When a banking executive, she applied her craft to themed customer and associate events and murals for non-profits as her paintings began winning regional awards.
Abby Howard Murphy - About the Artist
Artist Amber Lee
Amber Lee is an abstract artist who employs a wide range of dynamic and expressive styles.
Whether working in acrylics, assemblage, or mixed media, they bring a unique perspective that invites viewers to engage with the visual language of abstraction on an emotional and intellectual level.
Their work is marked by a keen sense of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in art.
Although they are primarily self-taught, Amber explored many of their current concepts while earning their A.F.A in 2011. They are currently progressing toward a B.F.A in Digital Media and working full-time as a visual artist. They enjoy spending time supporting the local art community by attending events and volunteering in gallery spaces.
Amber Lee is an abstract artist who employs a wide range of dynamic and expressive styles.
Whether working in acrylics, assemblage, or mixed media, they bring a unique perspective that invites viewers to engage with the visual language of abstraction on an emotional and intellectual level.
Their work is marked by a keen sense of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in art.
Although they are primarily self-taught, Amber explored many of their current concepts while earning their A.F.A in 2011. They are currently progressing toward a B.F.A in Digital Media and working full-time as a visual artist. They enjoy spending time supporting the local art community by attending events and volunteering in gallery spaces.
Whether working in acrylics, assemblage, or mixed media, they bring a unique perspective that invites viewers to engage with the visual language of abstraction on an emotional and intellectual level.
Their work is marked by a keen sense of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in art.
Although they are primarily self-taught, Amber explored many of their current concepts while earning their A.F.A in 2011. They are currently progressing toward a B.F.A in Digital Media and working full-time as a visual artist. They enjoy spending time supporting the local art community by attending events and volunteering in gallery spaces.
Amber Lee is an abstract artist who employs a wide range of dynamic and expressive styles.
Whether working in acrylics, assemblage, or mixed media, they bring a unique perspective that invites viewers to engage with the visual language of abstraction on an emotional and intellectual level.
Their work is marked by a keen sense of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in art.
Although they are primarily self-taught, Amber explored many of their current concepts while earning their A.F.A in 2011. They are currently progressing toward a B.F.A in Digital Media and working full-time as a visual artist. They enjoy spending time supporting the local art community by attending events and volunteering in gallery spaces.
Artist Leila Griffith
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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.
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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.
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 Dorothy Langley
I am a retired attorney, an average golfer, a dance fitness addict, and a painter. I am originally from the Northeast (just ask me to say, “Park the car in Harvard yard!), but I have lived in the Midwest, Southwest, and the Southeast. Happily married for over 35 years to my best friend, Bryan O’Neill, my life mission is to find joy and pass it on. Hopefully some of that good stuff is visible in my paintings!
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.
Douglas Mealing
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. I am an illustrator and visual design artist who primarily deals in the abstraction of form. Oil and acrylic paint are used for a vase majority of my pieces, as they were my 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 viewer 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.
The work created for my senior thesis explores the topic of what it’s like to live through the “human experience” as it pertains to me as an artist and a fellow African American. The creation of these characters is an extension of not only myself but those who have inspired me throughout my lifetime and continue to do so. Personification was a visual device used to help bring my concept to life while also aiding in the breakdown of each individualized trait. Empathy can be shared as you view the work as it pertains to not just a person of color, but the human race and experience as a whole and you’d be naïve to think otherwise.
The work created for my senior thesis explores the topic of what it’s like to live through the “human experience” as it pertains to me as an artist and a fellow African American. The creation of these characters is an extension of not only myself but those who have inspired me throughout my lifetime and continue to do so. Personification was a visual device used to help bring my concept to life while also aiding in the breakdown of each individualized trait. Empathy can be shared as you view the work as it pertains to not just a person of color, but the human race and experience as a whole and you’d be naïve to think otherwise.
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 Eric Rakov
Eric Rakov always enjoyed drawing and had a natural inclination towards visual arts at an early age. Art classes were always his favorite in school and early validation came in the form of a scholastic award in high school as well as AP credit. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology and earned a BFA in Graphic Design and an AA in Illustration. After graduation he got swept into the Internet frenzy of the late 90’s and joined a tech startup designing websites, which eventually led to a successful career in IT project management. In 2014, Eric met his wife Nikki (an art teacher and artist), the creative side of him was re-awakened.
Eric works in traditional media such as acrylics and oils, and recently more into collage using cut magazines primarily. He applies the media in what he calls a painterly style, building colors in layers, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. Constructing a collage is “also kind of like working a jigsaw puzzle or building with Legos, where there’s a lot of searching for the right piece”. For Eric, the most enjoyable part of the process is being in the thick of the work itself, fully transfixed and losing track of time while in the act of creating a piece. The most difficult part? Knowing when to stop.
Website:
https://sites.google.com/view/rakovfinearts/erics-art
Instagram: @rakovfinearts
Eric works in traditional media such as acrylics and oils, and recently more into collage using cut magazines primarily. He applies the media in what he calls a painterly style, building colors in layers, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. Constructing a collage is “also kind of like working a jigsaw puzzle or building with Legos, where there’s a lot of searching for the right piece”. For Eric, the most enjoyable part of the process is being in the thick of the work itself, fully transfixed and losing track of time while in the act of creating a piece. The most difficult part? Knowing when to stop.
Website:
https://sites.google.com/view/rakovfinearts/erics-art
Instagram: @rakovfinearts
Artist Nikki Rakov
My paintings celebrate mysteries and stories that echo ancient tales interpreted through my imagination. Resurrecting myths, folktales, and ghost stories, my paintings feature figures and animals situated in landscapes that evoke sacred spaces intuitively composed to reflect personal visions and dreams. My landscapes are symbolic of magical places that exist in between the worlds. It is in these mystical places where we encounter our shadow self and reconnect to the spiritual.
Artist Cookie Davis
COOKIE DAVIS is a native of Jacksonville and has been involved in the art community since the early 1970s both as an exhibiting artist and as a volunteer chairperson and board member of a number of cultural organizations and events. Ms. Davis’ sculptures and paintings are stories without words. She says of her work, “Over the years I have filled many sketch books with ideas and themes for sculptures. Beginning in early 2016, I began to translate some of these ideas into paintings...Story People on Canvas.”
Cookie has work in permanent collections both nationally and internationally and is proud to have been the first recipient in 2014 of the Robert Arleigh White Award for Art Advocacy presented by the Cultural Council of Jacksonville
Cookie has work in permanent collections both nationally and internationally and is proud to have been the first recipient in 2014 of the Robert Arleigh White Award for Art Advocacy presented by the Cultural Council of Jacksonville
Artist Gary Trbovich
From beach houses to iconic motels, Gary’s approach uses a spontaneous brush and the vivid colors found throughout the First Coast beach communities. “I draw my inspiration from daily walks on the beach, and also by just living in the beaches community. Many of my paintings are of area buildings, some existing, some no longer standing. I love to stir the memories of residents and former residents with depictions of the places they grew up, especially of those residents who have moved to other parts of the country.
Artist Jeanette Dennis
Artist Kathy Morris
I am a lifetime resident of the Jacksonville and surrounding areas. I currently live in Green Cove Springs. I first started painting over 40 years ago and like many others was greatly inspired by Bob Ross. I was always amazed at the beautiful paintings he could create in just 30 minutes.
He inspired me to pick up a bush and give it a try. I followed as many of his tutorials as I could and eventually enrolled in a community oil painting class. There I learned new skills and my painting began to improve, but then life happened. I had 2 daughters and open oil paints, and thinners just didn’t work with two small kids running around. So, I put the paints away and told myself one day I would get back to it. As life went on, I was never able to find the time. But I told myself more times that I can count, “once I retire, I’m going to start painting again” …. Well, here I am more than 35 years later living that dream! When I started back, I naturally started with oils as it was all I knew. I watched some YouTube tutorials and attended some in-person workshops and classes. I also enrolled in a fantastic online pet portrait course where I learned not only how to paint pets but so many new techniques that I use today in all types of paintings! I have now been focusing on using acrylics for no other reason than the clean-up is much easier. I have yet to find “my thing” and instead, paint a very wide range of subject matter. I paint land and seascapes, animals, buildings, florals…. I just haven’t decided yet what I like best. Varity is the spice of life!
He inspired me to pick up a bush and give it a try. I followed as many of his tutorials as I could and eventually enrolled in a community oil painting class. There I learned new skills and my painting began to improve, but then life happened. I had 2 daughters and open oil paints, and thinners just didn’t work with two small kids running around. So, I put the paints away and told myself one day I would get back to it. As life went on, I was never able to find the time. But I told myself more times that I can count, “once I retire, I’m going to start painting again” …. Well, here I am more than 35 years later living that dream! When I started back, I naturally started with oils as it was all I knew. I watched some YouTube tutorials and attended some in-person workshops and classes. I also enrolled in a fantastic online pet portrait course where I learned not only how to paint pets but so many new techniques that I use today in all types of paintings! I have now been focusing on using acrylics for no other reason than the clean-up is much easier. I have yet to find “my thing” and instead, paint a very wide range of subject matter. I paint land and seascapes, animals, buildings, florals…. I just haven’t decided yet what I like best. Varity is the spice of life!
Artist Martha Lever
My art journey started with calligraphy classes and for the next 20 years I concentrated on learning this wonderful and quite difficult art. I studied with many world renown calligraphy instructors and have displayed my calligraphy and lettering in several galleries and museums throughout the years. Calligraphy is an art form so to create beautiful layouts with lettering it was important that I learn how to create backgrounds with different mediums. This led me to an interest in watercolors and acrylics and I fell in love with combining lettering with colorful painted backgrounds. This in turn lead me to learning to paint other things, sometimes with lettering and sometimes not.
I mostly paint in pastels and oils now but I will always love watercolor, acrylics and lettering and will always continue to create works of art with these. I also love making art journals which are always for sale!
I am also a teacher and have 12 successful online classes with are ongoing.
I mostly paint in pastels and oils now but I will always love watercolor, acrylics and lettering and will always continue to create works of art with these. I also love making art journals which are always for sale!
I am also a teacher and have 12 successful online classes with are ongoing.
Lynn Syrcle
Lynn Syrcle is a fine art photographer who focuses on natural surroundings. She is a Floridian at heart, even though she spent most of her life traveling with the Military.
She has been inspired over the years by her father who is also an avid nature photographer, and who has shared his passion with her throughout the years.
When Lynn is not out capturing these timeless natural treasures, she is teaching and leading youth to explore their interests in the world of art.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nauticaloceanphotography
She has been inspired over the years by her father who is also an avid nature photographer, and who has shared his passion with her throughout the years.
When Lynn is not out capturing these timeless natural treasures, she is teaching and leading youth to explore their interests in the world of art.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nauticaloceanphotography
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.
