Michael Goettee

After years of work as a graphic designer and magazine art director, I've chosen to seek full-time fine art pursuits. Although I've been in galleries off and on since the 80's, I've never had the time to devote myself to my first love, Painting. Now I've asked her to marry me.

A lover of the American Southwest I've been drawn to the imagery of the landscape and the varied cultures for most of my work, but still step out of that when a whim calls for me to create something else. When choosing to portray the beautiful western skies and landscapes, I take a more serious tone, almost feeling that the call to paint that is almost sacred. But other subjects allow me to enjoy my humorous take on the wild west.

Amanda Carder

“Still in the early stages of painting full time, I find myself looking at life with increasing wonder as I grow as an artist. I am surrounded by a world of beautiful moments; my desire is to express the simple details that make those moments exceptional.”

Amanda Carder was born in 1963 in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Austell before settling in Cartersville. She has always had a fascination with drawing. As a child, she could not sit still without pencil and paper in hand, sketching whatever she saw.

Very active in the art world throughout high school, Carder won several awards including a place in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in art. This resulted in her attending Valdosta State University for an intense six-week art education program.

She attended college at the Atlanta Portfolio Center where she studied art direction, graphic design, photography and illustration. After graduation, she joined the advertising firm of McDonald and Little in Atlanta, serving as Art Director, working with clients such as Coca-Cola, Simmons Beautyrest and Wachovia Bank. After leaving McDonald and Little, she founded Image Impact, a full service-advertising agency specializing in print advertising and brand development.

While still working in advertising, Carder considers herself fortunate to have studied watercolor landscape under Frank Broadhurst. Making the decision to be a full time painter and switching to oils, she has continued seeking instruction, studying with David Leffel, Bill Davidson and Peggy Everett as well as several local instructors. Carder continues her art education by participating in workshops, studying books and videos, and visiting museums and galleries. Any opportunity to learn is never overlooked.

Currently represented by several Galleries, Carder also shows her work in regional fine art shows, winning awards ranging from 2nd Place to Best of Show. For three years, Carder served as a planner and facilitator for Festival 34º84º, a juried fine arts festival in Cartersville. She has also served as vice president of her local art guild and volunteers for art projects with area youth.

Carder’s style is realism with an appreciation of impressionism. She has a fascination with light, reflection and movement, and whether she paints a landscape, a still life or a portrait, it’s always an intriguing journey in which she hopes to include the viewer.
Website
http://amandacarder.com

Meisha Card

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Meisha Card has worked
to advocate the needs & rights of a number of families & children in both
South Carolina and Georgia through her participation in several research
studies & service in the areas of public education and human service.
Meisha currently resides in Atlanta, Ga where she serves as Founding
Director of Threshing Floor Academy, Inc, a children’s art, music &
literacy organization located in downtown Atlanta’s Historic Castleberry
Hill Arts District. The organization’s motto is “finding purpose in the
arts” and was birthed out of her desire to help enhance the curriculum of
public schools & child development centers serving children from low-
income households in addtion to starting a school of her own. Threshing
Floor Academy currently offers private & small group art & music classes
to children out of a children's art gallery in addition to offering an Arts in
Schools program that uses local artists & musicians to provide quality &
innovative arts programming to children attending schools & child
development centers serving a large number of children from low-income
households. The organization also offers schools quality creative writing
workshops led by local & award winning children's book authors, as part
of their Authors in Schools Program. This program recently hosted award
winning Author, Patricia McKissack & Illustrator, Cozbi Cabrera at several Meisha Card
schools in Atlanta, providing students an opportunity to participate in creative writing workshops, illustration seminars, book signings, & questions & answer sessions with one of America’s most respected children’s
book authors.

The children’s art gallery is also the site of monthly art shows featuring work created by child Arts in Schools participants as well as their instructors. The gallery also exhibits artwork by established artists & offers
field trips onsite where students can view artwork and dialog with artists as part of an interactive educational experience.

A visual artist in her own right, Meisha desires to write and illustrate children’s books some day. This desire
stemmed from an early encounter with the late internationally acclaimed author, artist, & illustrator, Tom
Feelings. After having an opportunity to visit his home studio and display artwork at a Sunday School Book
Signing & Tea in his honor, she was inspired by Feeling’s passion for his work & his ability to capture the
beauty & strength of the children & adults pictured in his drawings.

“Artists, like educators, are cultivators of the heart & mind,
possessing the ability to plant and nurture seeds of inspiration, affirmation,
perseverance & conviction that will reap a harvest of purpose,
triumph & destiny fulfilled in the minds and hearts of individuals
young & old. It is my prayer that my work does just that.” -Meisha Card
Website
http://www.threshingflooracademy.org

Jose Pena

1. EDUCATION:

City College
New York, NY
Masters in Art Education (1994- 1996)

Parson School of Design
New York, NY
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration (1990-1992)

Altos de Chavon School of Design (Affiliated to Parson)
A.A.S. (1984-1986)
Fine Arts and illustration
Workshop by Antonio Lopez (1986)

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Art Instructor at Ditmas IS 62 School (October 1993 to 2005)
Art Instructor ar Beaver Ridge Elementary (August 2005 to present date)
Faux finished for Jonathan Bressler (Demagio Residency in Manhattan)
Furniture for Lerner’s store (1991-92)
Dark Room, Photography Department, Parsons School of Design 1991
Art Instructor in Dominican Republic (1986-1989) at the following places:

• Pontific University of Our Catholic Mother
• Altos de Chavon
• Dominican American Cultural Center
• Laie Fashion Design School

EXHIBITS:

Five solo shows in prestigious galleries and Art Museums in Dominican Republic; Museo Altos de Chavon, La Romana 1987
Centro de la Cultura, Santiago 1988
Casa de Arte, Santiago 1988
Escuela de disenos Laie, Santiago 1989
Club AMAPROSAN, Santiago 1989

In USA have exhibited at;
Senior show Parson School of Design, NY 1992
Friends of public school at Sothebys, Manhattan, 1996
NYCATA shows: Soho and Lincoln Center, NY, NY 1997
Casa de la Cultura Dominicana, NY NY 2003
Casa Tamboril, NY NY 2004
Winter Garden of Columbia Prebysterian Hospital, NY NY 2004
Lorimer Studio, Bklyn, NY 2003
Yonkers Public Library, Yonkers, NY 2003
AAC's Gallery, Atlanta Georgia 2008

Member of the Atlanta Artists center and the African Americans for the art (both in Atlanta Georgia)

Bob McGill

Bob McGill is a native Californian who has lived in Tennessee since 1980. He makes his home high on a bluff overlooking the Cumberland River, just a few miles from downtown Nashville.

Bob always enjoyed drawing and painting as a child, but because a high school art teacher discouraged him in the late 60s, he abandoned art. It was not until 1995 after much encouragement from family and friends that he started painting again.

The most common tool used to create his paintings is a common safety razor. He uses brushes sparingly, and more frequently than not, it is the wooden handle end that leaves its mark on his works. The majority of his pieces are displayed in frames that are as much a piece of the artwork as the painting itself. Usually, the frames are hand painted to complement the painting they are displaying.

Numerous pieces of Bob’s works have been requested by local and national agencies for presentation in fund raising events, including the American Cancer Society, The W. O. Smith School, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, The American Heart Association, Kings Daughters Day Home, and the American Parkinson Disease Association. Several of his works have been used in television commercials. He has attended numerous regional outsider art shows, including the annual Finster Fest held in Summerville, Georgia.

The reason Bob paints is simple: “ When I wake up in the morning I like to look around and see things that make me smile. In today’s world there is so much stress. People are rushing here and there, never taking the time to stop and really look at things. Many people seem to be so busy that they forget to enjoy life. I paint with bright, bold, happy colors that I hope make people stop and take notice. There is nothing more satisfying then having someone stop, look at one of my paintings, and break out in a big smile. That is what life is all about...being happy.”

One other artist who provided great inspiration to Bob was Walter Bunn Gray. During his life, Bunn provided guidance to many beginning artists, including Bob. Bunn liked to say that he couldn’t teach anybody anything about art, but he could provide guidance and direction to someone who had the determination and didn‘t know where to take it. Bunn provided Bob the direction he needed.

Bob is represented by The Arts Company and Midtown Gallery in Nashville.

HaiBinYan

Haibin (English name: Anna) graduated from The China Art College in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, majoring in oil painting and jewelry designing. She is a member of Hangzhou Artist Association. Her artworks have won many renowned awards and are collected by collectors all over the world. Her artworks are also exhibited in many highly regarded art gallery both in China and overseas. She has years of teaching experience both in English and Chinese.

Anybody can learn from Haibin, a well regarded Chinese artist!

If you have a kid who has just started to learn painting, she will teach him/her hand by hand; or you can come and learn together with your kid. You are free to bring your own photos and Haibin will show you how to make a painting of it step by step.

She teaches different means of artistic expression including traditional Chinese painting, water color painting, oil painting, sketching, propylene painting.

Please come and enroll in spring classes if you are interested!


Phone: 404-717-6218
Personal page: www.artyan88.com
Address: 2524 Thompson RD NE, Atlanta GA, 30319

Who are your favorite artists?

15th century to the present, and any artistic notion that embracess creativity, intelligence, concept, and a desire to share beauty with the world

Biography

Multimedia artist, architect, film producer, and writer.
Please see my art website.
http://www.artswami.com
University of Arizona 1989
Shows from N.Y, to S.F. for the last 20 years.
Other Websites:
http://www.squidoo.com/artswami
http://www.youtube.com/drossart2

Website

http://www.artswami.com

Marga was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, now residing in Atlanta, Ga

Marga was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has a French and Italian background in her family and a Brazilian heart.

Marga started painting and drawing very early in her life. Always in love with Art, at the age of 6, she already knew that she wanted to be a painter.

She began to paint with oils when she was 15 and at 17 she started her formal artist education.

She is graduated from the College of Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina with 7 years of studies in Paintings and Sculptures.

She was a cofounder of "Capitulo 7" [translation :chapter 7], a group of artists that held several exhibits and programs in Buenos Aires

Her multicultural life exposed to a mix of cultures living in Argentina with an European background, and her travels and love to Brasil, France, Italy, and Spain have a strong influence on her paintings. Marga also has a degree in yoga which has a strong influence on her work.

Her paintings are a mix of Magic realism with metaphysics and ironic images. Almost always figurative, the human image and nature are always present in her art.

 

Artist's Statement

The interaction between dreams and reality

The way they mix and transform one to another...

Past, present and Future, and the "incomprehensible" time, almost a dream for itself.

The human desire of knowing the mystery of Life. And the

water...always the water... beginning and end of everything...

All these things have been inspiring my work for many years...

And after all of the above, the simple pleasure of mixing colors and

navigating the small, and, at the same time, deep world of a painting...

Cecil Bernard

Cecil Bernard is the most passionate and exciting abstract artists in the contemporary art world. His work is contained in some of the most prestigious art collections around the globe while his reputation as the "Artist to the Stars" (Dallas Morning News, September 1990) grows daily.

Bernard was born in Austin, Texas, and started drawing at the age of six. He moved to Dallas when he was ten years old, living there until adulthood. He started selling art while in high school and later while attending Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.

Bernard, whose work often depicts musicians and athletes, began to attract the attention of numerous celebrities in the 1970's and today notable athletes, entertainers and serious art collectors worldwide proudly showcase his work in their homes and places of business. Bernard's work has been exhibited in fine art galleries throughout the southeastern United States and overseas and has been featured in numerous art shows.

Bernard's acrylic abstracts, pastel paintings and ink sketches exhibit great power. "Passion, color, texture, spontaneity, and balance are the core of my acrylic abstract paintings and contemporary jazz and music pieces," says Bernard. "Inspired by the struggle, humor and spirituality in the balance of life, I paint - usually without a brush." Bernard's unique method of painting - often using his hands, cardboard or rags - has become one of his trademarks. "I pour the paint, I throw it, I drop it and I spray it," he says. "Colors have value in every painting, and color itself is spiritual, if arranged in a manner that speaks to the soul and stirs the passion of the beholder. Every painting tells a story. No matter how simple, no matter how complex."

Website

http://www.cecilbernardart.com

Atlanta Georgia Artist Corey Barksdale Mural Painting

http://www.coreybarksdale.com

As a painter, Corey Barksdale explores the artistic landscape inspired by the music of jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. The result is a stunning collection of paintings that celebrate the jazz experience.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 5, 2005 -- As a painter, Corey Barksdale’s work is continually inspired by jazz. “It frees me to do what I feel when I’m painting,” Barksdale says. When he’s in the studio creating, he often listens to jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The result is a stunning collection of more than 30 paintings that celebrate the jazz experience. 

“Coltrane is at the top of my list when it comes to jazz musicians,” says Barksdale. A Coltrane recording he particularly enjoys is Africa. “Coltrane is improvisational in the piece, but he has structure in his sound. I like the freedom that he has when he’s playing Africa. It’s rhythmic and free.”

Barksdale admires Miles Davis with equal measure for his rawness. “Davis was into experimenting and trying different things with his sound. He was a catalyst for other musicians and he was a pioneer in his time, all without commercializing the music.”

So what is it about jazz that inspires Barksdale’s creativity as a painter? “I love the improvisation of jazz musicians from the ‘50s and ‘60s. There was a lot of experimentation going on. In much the same way, I want to create something totally new with my paintings each time - to be different in the way I portray certain subjects.” 

Barksdale clearly appreciates traditional jazz artists - the Jazz Crusaders and Sonny Rollins included - but he also gets a certain amount of inspiration from legendary contemporaries like Joe Sample and David Sanborn. 

Of all his paintings, his personal favorite is one he’s entitled Jazz Reflections. “The painting is of six guys playing various horn instruments, a bass and piano. It’s one of my favorites because it gives off the vibe of what it’s like being in a jazz club,” explains Barksdale, an Atlanta College of Art graduate. Many of Barksdale’s oil paintings are an infusion of vivid colors tinged with earth tones. His choice colors, a sky blue and a rich orange - almost like Georgia clay with a hint of brown - are used with bold strokes throughout his collection.

“Ultimately, I want individuals to feel what I felt at the time I produced a piece. And whatever the scene happens to be in a painting, I want them to look beyond that and find other things in the painting they can relate to. It’s my attempt to connect on a more personal level.”

To learn more about Corey Barksdale visit www.coreybarksdale.com.

About Corey Barksdale
Barksdale (www.coreybarksdale.com) earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Atlanta College of Art in 1994. During this period he was heavily influenced by the abstract expressionists and admired such mainstream artists as Jasper Johns, Clifford Still, William deKooning. The African-American masters Aaron Douglas, John Biggers, Romere Bearden, and William Tolliver instilled in him an appreciation of African-American artistic heritage. Barksdale’s fine art subject matter ranges from human figures to non-objective abstracts. In recent years, he has concentrated his talents on themes that portray the love and strength that exists within the African-American community. His paintings grace the covers of books, magazines, CD covers, and posters. Among his convictions, is to give back to his community through art education.

Creative Fine Arts. Atlanta, GA

http://www.coreybarksdale.com/

Allison Shockley

Encaustic Paintings: This Body of encaustic work draws it's inspiration from natural forms, the microcosm, and chaos theory. In the natural world, as well as in our lives, there is delicate balance between chaos and order. What at first appears to be random or chaotic is often a part of a larger repeating pattern or structure. Although this may elude our immediate consciousness, our eye is so used to pattern recognition in the world around us, that I believe we percieve what we see as somehow right when the perfect balance chaos and order is achieved. As I build up the layers of my paintings there is a continual push and pull between chaos and order. A painting is resolved when there are unpredictable and unique areas to keep the eye interested within a structured, harmonious whole.

Photography. Parallel World: This body of work was inspired by D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson's "On Growth and Form," an interdisciplinary masterpiece which applies mathematics and physics to the study of the form and stucture of living things. Upon reading the chapter "The Forms of cells" I was in awe of the fact that in perfect conditions a drop of ink falling through water will produce a form analagous to a jellyfish, an organism that is created and formed in water. Using Gouache, a tank of water, and a camera, I set out to capture the forms that are created as pigment falls through water. Through experimentation with various methods of introducing pigment into the water, I created the semblance of a jellyfish, of gray matter in the brain, of flowers and eel-like creatures that moved, changed, and eventually dissipated. Craving more complexity in the final images, I began to consider each photograph as a building block, much like the initial cell of an organism. Using photoshop I juxtaposed or replicated the "bulding blocks" creating more complex forms, which, through symmetry, brought new life to the images. The resulting body of work recalls an incredibly real but imaginary parallel universe where the distinction between environment, inanimate object, and living organism are blurred.

DAVID CHARLES MENDOZA

Who are your favorite artists?

from Giotto, El Greco, Tintoretto, Michaelangelo, Caraviggio, Manet, Van Gogh, Whistler,Sargent, Man Ray, Braque, Picasso, Moreau, klimnt, Matisse, Mogdigliani, Klee, Dix, Miro, Bacon, Rodin.Moore, Basquiat,...and on...and on...

Biography

Curator, Director, Agent, Designer and Artist. My entire life has been graced with the experience of living a creative and artful existense...I will have to edit this info with incisive exhibition and professional history.

Jorge Arcos

Born in 1969, in Mexico City. He intruded in the art in a lyrical and incidental way
when he was a little boy, in the year of 1974, working with drawings. As a young
boy he received direct artistic influence from his father who was a Landscaping
painter at that time. Jorge regarded art as a part of himself during his childhood and adolescence. Later on he perfected his technique by taking drawing classes, painting, history of the art, human body drawing, art object, engraving, mixed media and abstraction. He decides to pursue a career in “Drawing and Illustration” in Mexico City and later on he move to Atlanta, Georgia where he focuses on Abstract Art. In each new work, Jorge looks out from within as he explores issues of outer and inner development. Currently his work is focused on his never-ending obsession with abstract painting.

“I am an artist because I was born to be one. I couldn’t live if I wasn’t one. I am alive because I paint. It feeds my soul. My motive to paint is to live and to express every moment of my life and the simple fact of being alive”.

Margaret Kokotow

Margaret Kokotow creates washi ningyo, a traditional style of Japanese paper doll called "Komako". Her dolls are based on characters and styles from the Edo period of Japan (1603 - 1867). At that time, Japan was virtually isolated from the rest of the world and political and military power was in the hands of the Shoguns.

Each doll is made of washi paper. The paper is made from the inner bark of Mulberry, Mitsumata and Gampi trees. The rich colos are dyed in and the patterns are printed on with woodblock or silk-screened.

Each of Margaret's dolls is a unique artistic creation.

Margaret acquired her doll-making skills from a Jaspanese artisan who studied the style and craftsmanship of the original creator, Komako Ishigaki.

CARMEN LUNA

 " Siento que mi vida empieza a tener un profundo sentido, cuando puedo expresarme a través del arte. Me siento completa dentro de mí...el tiempo empieza a tener una dimensión maravillosa...se me despiertan todas las luces de mis emociones y busco...busco...¿que..? Pues algo así, como el GESTO DEL ALMA de cada ser ,paisaje o cosa...Estoy en constante búsqueda...
Hace cierto tiempo, que además de la pintura, me apasiona el arte digital. 
Me gusta crear y me gusta,compartir el arte y los sentimientos que produce una obra,con otras personas..o la mayoría de los artistas."