Exhibition: Breaking the Rules

Nickname: Anna Dezső

Country: Hungary

Statement: Kijelentem, hogy a fénykép a tulajdonomat képezi.

Bio: Dezső Ilona Anna (1961.11.24.) Élesden született, a Királyhágó lábánál található kis-városban. Jelenleg Nagyrábén, a Sárrét egyik községében él családjával együtt. Már kora gyermekkorától szerette az irodalmat. Későbben a festészet irányába sodorta kíváncsisága. Az 1980-as évek közepétől a Magyar Honvédségnél, az 1990-es évektől a rendőrségnél szolgált nyomozóként. 16 kötetes író. 18 önálló és több közös kiállítást tudhat maga mögött. Illusztrált könyveket, készített könyvborítókhoz tervezeteket. "...Irodalmi művei a mai magyar irodalmi élet része. Festészete kifinomult, magas szintű, ábrázolásmódjában a jelenkort örökíti meg, mely örök érvényű. A kultúra megismertetésének, terjesztésének elkötelezettje. Sokrétű kulturális, közösségi, kortárs segítői tevékenységet végez Nagyrábén, határon innen és határon túl. Országos, valamint határon túli irodalmi és képzőművészeti köröknek tagja, vezetője. Törekszik arra, hogy a település lakosságának kulturális érdeklődését felkeltse és maradandó értéket teremtsen. Lendületes személyisége és sokrétű tevékenysége aktívan hat Nagyrábé közösségi életére. Írásai, festményei fennmaradnak az utókor számára. Mindezért a Nagyrábéi Kossuth Lajos Művelődési Ház és Könyvtár kezdeményezésére, a Nagyrábéi Értéktár Bizottság a 2018.09.17./2. számú határozatával nyilvántartásba vette, a "helyi értékeink" közé..." (Részlet, Ráczné Fekete Ilona, a Nagyrábéi Kossuth Lajos Művelődési Ház és Könyvtár igazgatója által írt méltatásból.) https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dezs%C5%91_Ilona_Anna http://www.dezsoili.com

Nickname: Cosmina Marcela Oltean

Country: Romania

Statement: For some of us, art is everything, the highest feeling... I believe in creative freedom. What I see all around is that the world is mainly based on norms and rigidity. I believe that only art can free the spirit and our creativity. I'm not interested in the faithful copying of what I see, but the idea behind it, the concept, the symbolism and the metaphor of a thing.

Bio: I am an Art history graduate from Romania, very passionate about art, culture and writing about it. I am an art writer, data modeator & art consultant for a while now. In the last ten years I have had the pleasure of working with several cultural and art institutions, such as virtual art schools, museums and cultural publications. I illustrated several volumes of poems and children's books and organized several personal art exhibitions.

Nickname: Zaplaflora

Country: United States

Statement: "Being able to feel what is invisible, and being able to create it, that´s Art"; that is the way the German painter Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) defined Art. And I pride myself on perceiving what is invisible to others, and on "creating" it in my pictorial works. My paintings are the artistic expression of my purest creation and imagination. I don't reproduce images from books, magazines or catalogues. My designs and pictorial compositions are the most authentic and free expression of my feelings, emotions and instincts. Painting ignites my emotions, triggers my instincts and gives free rein to my imagination, to create an exclusive Art, with a very personal and easily identifying style. I don't follow rules or specific painting schools. You might assume that I “break” the rules all the time. My work is the result of praxis, of permanent innovation and of my most empirical experience. I am encouraged by one of the best-known quotes from one of the greatest artists of all time, Pablo Picasso: "Learn the rules like a professional, so you can break them like an artist." I am not saying that I am a professional at all…I am just someone who loves to create Art, that studies a lot by his own, and that tries to improve himself everyday as an artist. Every single day I wake up with a creative project in mind, and with a strong willingness to transform it into Art. Common traits of my works are spontaneity, freshness, spirituality, mysticism and magic. However, you could find in my paintings the influence of Salvador Dalí for instance, René Magritte and Pablo Picasso, as well as of the Cuban artists Manuel Mendive, Wifredo Lam, René Portocarrero and Amelia Peláez. You might “feel” their legacy in my artworks, but I have definitely achieved a persolalized style in my artistic career of more than 50 years. My sources of inspiration? Common threads that keep my works interconnected? Nature is the greatest artist in my paintings. Natural beauties, Nature´s fertile abundance and generosity, that interactive relationship between Men and Nature, its flora and fauna…Man's permanent search for a psychological and emotional balance in Life, and the indispensable ecological balance in the Earth. When painting, I establish a spiritual connection with Nature, my main source of inspiration. My artistic name, Zaplaflora, tells you about the essential role Nature and its flora play in my Art. You will find in my Artworks a rainfall of Nature colors and shapes in “perfect” harmony, but contrasting one with each other at the same time, together with the use of classic symbols. With your eyes on them, you will have the impression that those static images transmute into vibrant displays of perpetual motion; as if they, surprisingly, will come out from the canvas to stay by your side, with the magic power of inspiring, thought-provoking, healing wounded souls, and making you forget the grays of urban cities. Painting gives me many reasons to feel myself fully and spiritually rewarded in life. What am I looking for with my paintings? What do I propose and what are my final motivations? My paintings are my key means of communication with the world. Above all, I want the public to enjoy the freedom of colors and shapes; the fresh use of classic symbols and other more innovative ones. And I want to communicate with that audience, to inspire them feelings, emotions; to unlock their instincts; to have an impact on their senses and on their consciousness; to convey concepts and life perceptions. In short, I want the viewers to feel the intensity of life while enjoying my Art.

Bio: My name is Jesús Torres Alfonso. My artistic name is Zaplaflora. I was born in Cuba in 1960. Since I was a child, I developed my vocation to create art, inspired by the beauty of Caribbean nature. Nature is still my main source of inspiration today, establishing a spiritual and surreal connection with it when I create art. In 1984, I graduated as an engineer in Cuba, and since then, I pride myself of using my professional knowledge of engineering in my fascinating world of artistic creation. In 1997, I emigrated to the United States, and since then I have lived and worked as an artist in Miami. In my works, you can feel the legacy of Pablo Picasso, René Magritte, and Manuel Mendive, among other greats of international painting, but I am proud to have reached a stage in my artistic career where my most unique and personalized style prevails, where I give free rein to spontaneity, freshness in designs and shapes, very attractive color contrasts, the thoughtful use of light and shadow spots, and the creation of images from different perspectives that appear to be in motion. My art has captured the interest of the press in Miami, the most important being two extensive reports by El Nuevo Herald in 1998 and 2022. Verónica Egui Brito, journalist of El Nuevo Herald, wrote in November 2022: “Since arriving in Miami more than 25 years ago, Zaplaflora has evolved as an artist, with surrealist paintings of nature that are thought-provoking, spiritually…His works, mainly focused on painting with acrylic and metallic acrylic, are thought-provoking, and are both, expressive and sensual. Its bright colors and ornate patterns evoke emotions, while viewers are encouraged to decipher symbols and shapes”. I have participated in countless international art exhibitions, both physical and virtual, including those sponsored by People and Paintings Gallery in New York; MundoArti in Spain; Aries, Galería de Arte in Venezuela; Art Ikonte in Mexico; and Ecira International Platform in Argentina. Among the physical ones, my participation in exhibitions sponsored by the Hialeah City Council is particularly noteworthy. Special mention deserves my participation from October. 15th 2022 to February 5th 2023 in the 2022 Florida Biennial sponsored by “Art and Culture Center” in Hollywood. My original painting “Pollination in the Garden of Love” (2022) was exposed, after a curated selection process, among more than 1000 submitted paintings by more than 300 artists from all the state of Florida. Ylva Rouse, curator of Contemporary Art Museum (MOCA) in Jacksonville, Florida, and member of the Jury in the 2022 Florida Biennial, asked about Zaplaflora´s Art by the journal “El Nuevo Herald” in November 2022, explained: “I had the pleasure of selecting Zaplaflora's work for its colorful and enigmatic canvases, which are framed in Magical Realism, as a way to bring us closer to understanding our connection to nature and its inherent mysterious and ultimately existential quality…Zaplaflora's work is one of the ways in which today's artists attempt to express the need to redefine our relationship with nature, drawing a parallel with the internal components of life”. I have had two virtual solo exhibitions: the most recent, "Zaplaflora´s Art: Reflections of an Artist", at People and Paintings Gallery in July 2024, where I exposed 20 paintings spanning a large part of my artistic career to the present day; the first, in 3D format, "Zaplaflora: With Ecological Flavor", with the Spanish gallery MundoArti from March to July 2022, where I presented a sample of 24 paintings. I have received important international art awards. Mentioning them all would make this brief biography too long. However, I would like to specifically mention, among the most recent ones, the Best Artist Award 2025 in March 2025 from the Indonesian Colors Shade Art International Community; Honor Mention in the international exhibition "Art Heroes" by Art Ikonte in Mexico in February 2025; the Popular Vote Awards at the People and Paintings Gallery Juried Exhibitions in September and October 2024; and the Curator´s Award at the People and Paintings Gallery Juried Exhibition “Dream and Reality” in March 2024. It is worth highlighting my work as Curator for the 34th New York People and Paintings Gallery Virtual International Juried Exhibition in March 2025. The Gallery wrote the following review about my curatorial work: "It was a great pleasure working with you. We are delighted to learn that you are not only a talented artist but also a skilled curator." My works are currently on display in several physical art galleries in Miami and several other international virtual ones. Many of my paintings are also now part of private collections in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. A French Art collector, who purchased two of my paintings in 2022, sent me a letter: “Jesús, I have just received these two magnificent paintings that you have lovingly dedicated to our precious nature. It´s with emotions and heart filled with joy that I can contemplate these masterpieces that are of breathtaking beauty. You have imbued yourself with such details, beautiful reliefs, colors and symbols; these paintings are full of magic and love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these sumptuous gifts”. Self-Employed Artist Artist, 1997 – to present Education: Mechanical Engineer. Havana City University. July 1984

Nickname: Aiko_Cascio

Country: United States

Nickname: Széna

Country: Hungary

Statement: Brake the rules gently...

Bio: I'm a graffiti artist from Budapest, Hungary. My first oil paint artwork (feat Shane54) started immediately an unbelievable career in the Hungarian contemporary artist world.

Nickname: Zsami

Country: Hungary

Statement: the submitted picture was taken because of a finding after a lung cancer screening. A suspicious shadow was visible on the CT findings. When I got it, I felt like my body was floating in deep, dark green water, but it hadn't sunk yet. In the picture, the water surrounds the body incorrectly. A body does not float in water like that. I wanted to express that I am still on the surface of the water.

Bio: There's not much about me. I have been writing a newspaper for forty years. Sometimes a book. Forty years ago, I was preparing for the fine arts. My mother said artists are starving. Choose some regular occupation for yourself. I chose. Then I wrote for forty years. It was good, I loved it. Maybe I still want it today, but I won’t let you go anymore. I had to choose something else. So I chose my adolescent love. Paint.

Nickname: Aleksandra Ciążyńska

Country: Poland

Statement: Art is my great passion which I try to develop every day. A passion that is extremely interesting and addictive, because thanks to it I am constantly learning something new. Yes, art is an eternal learning that allows you to pay attention to things that are imperceptible to others. Discover the beauty of the world around us, the uniqueness of forms, colors and shapes that accompany us imperceptibly every day. It allows you to discover yourself, look into the recesses of the soul and constantly finds new faces. The ability to paint pictures is a gift that needs to be cared for every day. I am glad that I can share this gift with the world.

Bio: I was born in 1987 in Poland, I am a graduate of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Warsaw, and a passionate painter. I have loved to paint since I was a child. For many years I participated in classes conducted by prof Pawel Lewandowski-Palle, where I trained my workshop. It was there that I fell in love with art even more, especially painting. There, I took part in various competitions and was successful. I won, among others, the first place in the national competition for children and youth, entitled "Man and his work" and the Golden Palette (main prize) in the international competition in Macedonia. I have also received many awards. And so my adventure with art continues to this day. My paintings have been at exhibitions, among others, in Vienna, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, New York, Ajdovščina (Slovenia). For me, art is one of the forms of communicating with people, communicating without words. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics, you can express yourself in a non-verbal way on important topics, convey your thoughts or the way you perceive the world. Thanks to it, we have the opportunity to describe the reality around us in our own way. Everything that is important to us. My paintings cover various topics, from full realism to abstraction. I love to play with colors and textures. My paintings are as diverse as the world is.

Nickname: Krisztina Lőrincz

Country: Hungary

Bio: I was born in Budapest, Hungary. I studied several instruments and graduated from the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest. I did theology and mental health, I played in orchestras for a long time, and in the meantime, I persistently drew and copied the works of great masters. Since the autumn of 2016 I have been going to the Zsilip Art School, where I found a great art teacher in the person of Kálmán Gasztonyi. In his courses I could learn the basics of acrylic and oil painting, and since then I can continuously develop and learn alongside him. There is no subject that has not been painted, but what inspires us to create again and again is the knowledge that each person is unique and special. Each artist can display their unique and unrepeatable being, their feelings, thus giving themselves and others a gift. DÍJAK / AWARDS: 2024. 10. - Golden Duck Gallery, Abstract Award különdíj 2024. 02. Golden Duck Gallery &Art Space, Budapest, "Art Deco" international exhibition, special 'Colours' award 2023. 11. - New York-i székhelyű People&Paintings Gallery kurátor-díj 2023. 10. - Golden Duck Gallery&Art Space, Budapest, 'No limits international exhibition', III. helyezett 2023. 05. – New York-i székhelyű People&paintings Gallery közönségdíj 2023. 04. – New York-i székhelyű People&Paintings Gallery Galéria-díj 2022 - SYA Művészeti Egyesület által kiírt pályázaton I. helyezett 2021. 11. - New York-i székhelyű People&Paintings Gallery Galéria-díj 2021. 04. - New York-i székhelyű People&Paintings Gallery Galéria-díj 2021 - Jancsó Art Gallery, Budapest, "Moho" sapiens képzőművészeti pályázat, szakmai KÜLÖNDÍJ 2019 - Zsilip Art Center II. helyezett ART FAIR: 2022 – Windsor Art Fair (UK) 2021 – Sussex Art Fair (UK) SZERVEZETI TAGSÁG / MEMBERSHIPS: 2023-tól People&Paintings Gallery - Artist of The House 2023-tól T'ARS Keresztény Képzőművészeti Műhely tagság 2023-tól MűvészTerem tagság 2022-től Fine Arts Capital Művészeti Egyesület 2022-től Belvárosi Művészeti Egyesület 2022-től Magyar Mecénás Program /MANK PARTNEREK / PARTNERS: David Art Gallery – Hungary Hungarian European Artist - UK KIÁLLÍTÁSOK / EXHIBITIONS : Egyéni kiállítások / Solo exhibitons 2022 – D39 Kultúrtér, Budapest Csoportos kiállítások / Group exhibitonst 2025. 01. - 'Annual Open Show, Artlab - People & Painting Gallery, USA 2024. 12. - 'Dimenziók' Agria Park Galéria, Eger 2024. 11. - 'ChristmART' Golden Duck Gallery, Austria 2024. 11. - '100 festmény 100 gondolat' FAC, Dávid Galéria, Budapest 2024. 10. 'No Limits', Golden Duck Gallery, Budapest 2024. 08. - Ecsetünk kedvese Nagyrábé', Nagyrábé 2024. 08. - 'Semmi sem állandó, csak a változás maga', Budapest Art Gallery Group, Budapest, Aranytíz Galéria 2024. 06. - People & Paintings Gallery at the Barron Art Center, USA NJ 2024. 06. - "Art Bias II" Golden Duck Gallery and Art Space, Budapest 2024. 04. - "Katalógus kiállítás", ArtsCap, Fine Arts Capital Művészeti Egyesület, Budapest 2024. 04. - "Irodalom a festészetben", Titok Galéria, Budapest 2024. 02. - "Lélekképek" t'ARS Keresztény Képzőművészeti Műhely, Veszprém, Agóra Kulturális Központ 2024. 02. - "Art Deco" Golden Duck Gallery and Art Space, Budapest 2023. 12. - Alkotók Kispestért - Jótékonysági festményvásár és kiállítás, Budapest 2023. 11. - Adventi kiállítás és vásár MűvészTerem , Szarvaskút 2023. - MűvészTerem - csoportos kiállítás, Budapest 2023. 10. - No limits international exhibition, Budapest, Golden Duck Gallery&Art Space 2023. 10. - Belvárosi Művészeti Egyesület, képzőművészeti kiállítás 2023 – The 1st Catalogue, Golden Duck Gallery &Art Space, Budapest 2023. 03. – Húsvét, Titok Galéria, Budapest 2023 – Karnevál, Belvárosi Művészeti Egyesület/ D39 Kultúrtér, Budapest 2023 – Art for Peace, Budapest, David Art Gallery/ Golden Duck Gallery & Art Space 2022 – BeGinnings, Budapest, David Art Gallery/ Golden Duck Gallery & Art Space 2022 – Artquake-10 international group exhibition, Nigde Art Gallery in Cappadocia (TR) 2022 – Talent XIV. pályázat résztvevőivel csoportos kiállítás, Budapest 2022. 01-12. – Belvárosi Művészeti Egyesület szervezésében több csoportos kiállítás, Budapest 2022. 01-12. - Titok Galéria, több csoportos kiállításon való részvétel, Budapest 2021 – Mr. Sale Café, Budapest 2021 – "Moho"sapiens képzőművészeti pályázat, Jancsó Art Galéria, K11 Művészeti és Kulturális Központ 2021 – Gasztonyi Kálmánnal közös kiállítás, Titok Galéria, Budapest 2021 – Talent XIII. pályázat résztvevőivel csoportos kiállítás, Budapest 2019 – Jancsó Art Galéria, "Derült égből (Mennyi a 30?)" képzőművészeti pályázat Budapest 2019 – Fauna és flora, Zsilip Art Center/ Zuglói Civilház, Budapest http://www.krisztinalorincz.hu/

Nickname: Anna Dezső

Country: Hungary

Statement: Kijelentem, hogy a fénykép a tulajdonomat képezi.

Bio: Dezső Ilona Anna (1961.11.24.) Élesden született, a Királyhágó lábánál található kis-városban. Jelenleg Nagyrábén, a Sárrét egyik községében él családjával együtt. Már kora gyermekkorától szerette az irodalmat. Későbben a festészet irányába sodorta kíváncsisága. Az 1980-as évek közepétől a Magyar Honvédségnél, az 1990-es évektől a rendőrségnél szolgált nyomozóként. 16 kötetes író. 18 önálló és több közös kiállítást tudhat maga mögött. Illusztrált könyveket, készített könyvborítókhoz tervezeteket. "...Irodalmi művei a mai magyar irodalmi élet része. Festészete kifinomult, magas szintű, ábrázolásmódjában a jelenkort örökíti meg, mely örök érvényű. A kultúra megismertetésének, terjesztésének elkötelezettje. Sokrétű kulturális, közösségi, kortárs segítői tevékenységet végez Nagyrábén, határon innen és határon túl. Országos, valamint határon túli irodalmi és képzőművészeti köröknek tagja, vezetője. Törekszik arra, hogy a település lakosságának kulturális érdeklődését felkeltse és maradandó értéket teremtsen. Lendületes személyisége és sokrétű tevékenysége aktívan hat Nagyrábé közösségi életére. Írásai, festményei fennmaradnak az utókor számára. Mindezért a Nagyrábéi Kossuth Lajos Művelődési Ház és Könyvtár kezdeményezésére, a Nagyrábéi Értéktár Bizottság a 2018.09.17./2. számú határozatával nyilvántartásba vette, a "helyi értékeink" közé..." (Részlet, Ráczné Fekete Ilona, a Nagyrábéi Kossuth Lajos Művelődési Ház és Könyvtár igazgatója által írt méltatásból.) https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dezs%C5%91_Ilona_Anna http://www.dezsoili.com

Nickname: Melissa

Country: United States

Statement: My work was born out of my love of old postcards, maps and vintage ephemera. I take all these elements to tell a visual story.

Bio: I have been creating mixed media collage work since 1995. I have had the privilege of working on such project as Staples Center. I created a 24' mural. Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel (over 300 pieces), Kaiser Hospitals, Toyota Motor Sales (various locations), Roosevelt Hotel, Amgen Pharmaceuticals, Boston Children's Hospital, Merv Griffin, Michael McDonald, and many many more.

Nickname: Geanina M. Zaharia

Country: United States

Statement: I’m an artist inspired by beauty and natural details in art. I like to use human face in my drawing, with its shadows, different gray tones and expression. I enjoy the harmony of pencil on paper and all the textures and forms that are created.

Bio: My name is Geanina and I’m a professional artist and exhibition curator with a degree in graphic art and animation .I love creativity, imagination, colors, peace and beauty in art. Over the years I have specialized in various art techniques such as illustrations, portraits, art compositions and animation for my art degree. At this point in my career, I’m focusing on realistic portrait drawing in graphite pencil. As curator, I strive to promote all talented artists of all ages and styles to bring beauty to the world.

Nickname: JUAN FRANCISCO

Country: Spain

Statement: My artworks are impregnated with colors and emotions that tell the daily life of some magical places, the noise of cars, a simple look. They are full of atmosphere, life and feeling that express part of my feelings and also criticize the society .

Bio: Born in Madrid (Spain) in February 1976, residing in Damiel (Cuidad Real) in the heart of La Mancha, Gómez-Cambronero is a civil engineer. From the moment he could hold a paint brush he showed great talent as an artist. His being raised in a family oriented environment gave birth to the uniqueness of his paintings with singular nuances that make his work recognizable. Today he has emerged as a great projection artist with his own personal stamp. His artwork shows meticulous use of space, accenting theperspectives, creating movement, immersion of light and enveloped in shadows. Above all, his work shows profound and emotional depths, able to connect with the deep level of emotion created for his audience. Juan Francisco responds to the axiom that is pictorial realism. Nevertheless, he doesn’t object to merging that style with figurative expressionism, unstoppable and pulled from his artistic personality. That is the foundation of his uniqueness in which his craft impacts his ability to generate questions in the observer. That initial stage varies by a mature and technically excellent evolution of his work. Today there is no challenge that he backs down from. In fact, he doesn’t wait, he looks for them. He’s not intimidated to handle anything from the Manchego traditions to the most untouched urban settings; from the celebrations to the retreat; from the chaotic to the serene. His art is dynamic; like the rain that drops on the pavement, from the hustle and bustle of the city but it shows a stillness and serenity. It resonates like a child unaffected by life; like a prayer echoing from a mosque, a lost and silent street. Gómez-Cambronero accomplishes what artists strive for. He has a way of communicating, he opens up, captures and achieves it. His gift shows a profound form and a rebellious personality. It is reactionary and combines both of his cerebral hemispheres. The result is of great visual impact and dynamic art form. It is here the maturity of his artistic vision that has captivated audiences, winning him several awards both nationally and internationally. He has participated in many art expositions, illustrated books and has accentuated urban spaces with realistic cut sculptures made of iron and copper bars.

Nickname: Lesya Shulga

Country: Ukraine

Statement: I am interested in your project because I have some art works on this theme.

Bio: Was born in Kyiv. Graduated Kyiv National University. I am not a professional artist. I'm self-taught. A widow. Have two children.

Nickname: Aleksandra Ciążyńska

Country: Poland

Statement: Art is my great passion which I try to develop every day. A passion that is extremely interesting and addictive, because thanks to it I am constantly learning something new. Yes, art is an eternal learning that allows you to pay attention to things that are imperceptible to others. Discover the beauty of the world around us, the uniqueness of forms, colors and shapes that accompany us imperceptibly every day. It allows you to discover yourself, look into the recesses of the soul and constantly finds new faces. The ability to paint pictures is a gift that needs to be cared for every day. I am glad that I can share this gift with the world.

Bio: I was born in 1987 in Poland, I am a graduate of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Warsaw, and a passionate painter. I have loved to paint since I was a child. For many years I participated in classes conducted by prof Pawel Lewandowski-Palle, where I trained my workshop. It was there that I fell in love with art even more, especially painting. There, I took part in various competitions and was successful. I won, among others, the first place in the national competition for children and youth, entitled "Man and his work" and the Golden Palette (main prize) in the international competition in Macedonia. I have also received many awards. And so my adventure with art continues to this day. My paintings have been at exhibitions, among others, in Vienna, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, New York, Ajdovščina (Slovenia). For me, art is one of the forms of communicating with people, communicating without words. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics, you can express yourself in a non-verbal way on important topics, convey your thoughts or the way you perceive the world. Thanks to it, we have the opportunity to describe the reality around us in our own way. Everything that is important to us. My paintings cover various topics, from full realism to abstraction. I love to play with colors and textures. My paintings are as diverse as the world is.

Nickname: Kselma Randvald

Country: Bulgaria

Statement: Make a capture of a moment that will never happen again! My works display and show the beauty of nature - green lawns, seascapes, vibrant bouquets. Warmth of soul and a pleasant feeling of joy from writing a new story.

Bio: Kselma Randvald was born in a small town in the centre of Estonia. Since childhood, she was surrounded by the northern nature of the Baltic, which awakened her imagination and aroused the desire to create; and so she wanted to preserve her childhood impressions of the magical nature around her which was bright and uplifting. She was attracted to painting as a way to express herself. Studying at an art school laid the foundation for drawing skills which later helped her in her art as well as her profession as an artist decorator at a college in Jõhvi. She has spent a lot of time travelling throughout Europe in order to find her own way. Three years of living in Ireland, learning english at the same time as studying signage and advertising at a local university opened up new design skills for Kselma. The artist not only mastered the english language, but spent a lot of her time capturing the admirable cultural landmarks and architecture of Ireland on camera. Later she decided to capture that period of her life in a cycle of paintings, encompassing the emotions and feelings that she experienced at the time. The influence of the Irish way of life manifested itself in the coulour palette as well as the plot of her paintings. The endless green fields, flocks of sheep, old castles and houses just like the ones in “The Lord of the Rings”- these associations will forever remain in her mind. The search for herself creatively continued in Italy, where the artist painted unforgettable landscapes of Umbria. Continuing the study of graphic design within the community of artists, gaining new knowledge in the concept of art. She practiced a lot in graphics; drawing with charcoal, sanguine and pencil, because that is what helps one to focus on perfecting their drawing and trains the eye. The Italian way of life possessed similarities to the elvish one, if we were to draw parallels with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien once more. After travelling across Europe, she returned to her homeland which is when the creative pseudonym - Kselma Randvald came to be. Randvald’s main influences come from impressionism and of course her favourite artists are Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Alfred Sisley. Van Gogh was fascinated by his brushstroke techniques and the same techniques can be seen in some of Kselma’s paintings. Monet has an aerial perspective, the artist believes that Siley has the most harmonious and airy landscapes and therefore Kselma strives for achieving a similar fresh colour scheme in her impressionist works. Currently living in Nessebar, Bulgaria she creates various series of impressionist oil paintings - flowers, landscapes, the female figure. Combining delicate shades of blue, green, and yellow in her art. You can find the works of Kselma Randvald in private collections in Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, and England.

Nickname: Kara

Country: United States

Statement: Creative people notice things. Details. Things big and small. Everything is striking and interesting. There is something to be gained by really seeing things; even if they are awful, ugly or confusing. Pain, pleasure and every emotion in between is a gift. They provide perspective, understanding, and compassion. I paint all sorts places. I listen to what a particular place has to say and try to understand what it’s saying, what makes its heart beat. I paint the soul of places. I want people to look at my painting and see something they didn’t notice before. I draw places I find interesting with ink, then add watercolor. I draw lines that are there and some that are made up. Sometimes I use colors that are present in a location; and sometimes, I add different colors to explain what the soul of a particular place might look like. I choose color that brings life to static things. I paint essence. I hope people walk away from my art having seen something essential they may have not noticed before. “HEY, this is ______ (insert location), its saying something, isn’t it exquisite?” -me www.karadraws.com

Bio: Some of us breath art. We could no more stop creating than we could stop breathing. I am one of those people. I long to draw and paint. If I cannot express myself artistically I begin to feel an ache in my heart that pulls and nags until I once again find myself with a pen or brush in hand. I have always loved painting in drawing, studied it in college, have worked as a professional artist, graphic designer and illustrator all of my young and "grown up" years.

Nickname: Miss Margaret

Country: United States

Statement: I am an artist, but am also a Literature teacher and literary critic. I teach literature at The New School and at NYU and publish academic articles as Margaret Boe Birns, but I show as an artist under the name Meg Boe Birns. I have always though I had a Literature Self and an Art Self, and the slight difference in name expresses that. My Art Self works with paint, canvas, papier-mâché, clay, wood, metal and found objects to create pieces that do not subsume the materials within the content, but instead make the materials part of the subject matter. Whether abstract or figurative, my work will often integrate tactility into a design, but it is not the product of a conscious or intellectual plan; I believe I work within an intuitive context, as though the imagery springs directly from unconscious in the manner of automatic writing. This belief speaks to the three intuitive female artists for whom I feel a special affinity--Leonora Carrington, Veronica Ryan Yayoi Kusama, and especially the fiber artist Judith Scott.

Bio: Meg Boe Birns is an artist, teacher and writer living and working in the East Village. She has studied privately with Lenora Shargo from the Maryland Institute of Art, Henry Pearson from The New School and Pennsylvania Academy of Art, and has been a student in a number of art classes at The New School. She has exhibited her work in a variety of venues in and around New York City—in the East Village: Small Works at the Washington Square East Gallery TNC Gallery, Ridge Street Gallery, Tompkins Square Gallery, Gallery on Second. Elsewhere: Lynn Prince Gallery, Art for Healing Gallery, Governors Island Nolan House Gallery, La Galeria at Boricua College, Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center, Rockland Center for the Arts, Viva Gallery, Amrita House Gallery, Sea Cliff Gallery. Her drawings have been published in the Art Times, Collages and Bricolages, The Creative Woman and on the cover of the premiere issue of I, The First Person. She has been given awards by the Rockland Center for the Arts and the National Art League.

Nickname: Cheryl Ann

Country: United States

Statement: My artwork draws inspiration from my passions, including - nature, travel, adventures, and history. When exploring materials, methods, and ideas, my choices are influenced by the subject and the feeling, experience, or impression I hope to convey. The process itself guides me, resulting in a finished piece of art. Exploring, and frequently combining techniques and media that employ textures, light, and color is fundamental to my work. Although the media and subject matter vary, I strive to create art that interprets, and shares, personal perspectives of a culture, place, or moment. I am deeply committed to creating a meaningful connection with others through my art.

Bio: My name is Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester. From an early age, I thought of myself as an artist and one who “played” with different media. I have continued to play and explore, frequently combining techniques and media employing textures, light, and color - often drawing inspiration from my other passions - nature, travels, adventures, and history. My choices of materials, methods, and ideas are influenced by the subject, the feeling that I hope to convey, (as well as ideas swirling in my head). The process guides me to a finished piece of art expressing an interpretation and sharing the experience. Although my art is often described as eclectic, there are reoccurring themes. As an architectural historian, I truly appreciate old buildings and look for particularly interesting architectural details and textures, or street scenes that are unique to a place or culture, often capturing them with watercolor. My plein air pieces are, also, most often watercolors. I tend to lean toward macro photography, particularly in my nature-themed photographs to capture often overlooked details. For me, handmade papers, dyes and encaustic, lends themselves to exploring historical cultural styles and intimate stories. Portraits are frequently created in graphite or watercolor. But these are not rules, only tendences! No matter the media or subject, I strive to create art that interprets and shares personal perspectives of a culture, place, or moment in time – often capturing a feeling of serenity, perhaps, quiet joy or beauty. I have a deep commitment to creating a meaningful connection with others through my art. My diverse artistic journey has allowed me to learn, grow, collaborate, and share. After attending Eastern Michigan University and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (and, later, a Master of Science Degree), I’ve held several art-related positions – graphic designer, gallery manager, art instructor, muralist, set designer, architectural historian - I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Argus Museum and the proprietor of Cheryl’s Creative Custom Art & Framing. As a member of several art-related organizations, I’ve had many opportunities to share my art and have been honored to have received numerous awards for my paintings and photographs and have exhibited throughout the Midwest, and, occasionally, beyond. I was grateful to have been awarded a 2021-2022 Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs grant to further my creative career. Participating in art workshops and my work as an instructor for the School for the Arts has helped me to continue to learn and grow as an artist and share my knowledge. I invite you to follow me on Instagram at: cheryl.chidester and visit: www.cheryl-chidester- artist.com. Check out Inspirecreationsart - Cheryl's Creative Custom Art & Framing on Facebook and my Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/InspireCreationsArt . I can also be contacted at: cabchidester@gmail.com and at: 517-304-6552. Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester Michigan Watercolor Society, Traveling Exhibitions Chair Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors The Guild of Artists & Artisans Brighton Art Guild, Curator of Art in the Alley program Three Cities Art Club Crooked Tree Art Center Community for Artist Exhibits Detroit Institute of Arts Architectural Historian Consultant, Michigan Historical Society of Michigan

Nickname: Monacuba

Country: Russia

Statement: A game of Beads, snatching the aesthetic side from the dynamic processes of the totality of life, both physical and spiritual.

Bio: Elena was born in Moscow into a family of well-known journalists who went to exhibitions and vernissages every week with friends, artists and art historians and took them with them from a very tender age, probably this influenced the choice of a future profession, although not immediately. After school, she entered the Moscow Technical University and only then, on the unexpected advice of familiar artists (although some did not advise her to study, believing that she had already developed her own style, and learning could damage her individuality), she entered the art and graphic faculty of the Moscow Pedagogical Institute. . At that time, it was the only university where it was possible to study drawing and fine arts, so higher education had already been received. In her third year, she became a member of the UNESCO City Graphics Committee and took part in exhibitions in Moscow and Siberia. At the same time, private galleries and halls began to appear, where it was possible not only to exhibit, but also to sell her works, her works were exhibited and sold in many galleries and auction houses in Moscow, acquired in private collections of America, Kazakhstan and Norway. At the moment, Elena is a member of the Professional Union of Artists, is an original professional artist with a recognizable style and an independent view of what is happening in Art and the world.

Nickname: Geanina M. Zaharia

Country: United States

Statement: I’m an artist inspired by beauty and natural details in art. I like to use human face in my drawing, with its shadows, different gray tones and expression. I enjoy the harmony of pencil on paper and all the textures and forms that are created.

Bio: My name is Geanina and I’m a professional artist and exhibition curator with a degree in graphic art and animation .I love creativity, imagination, colors, peace and beauty in art. Over the years I have specialized in various art techniques such as illustrations, portraits, art compositions and animation for my art degree. At this point in my career, I’m focusing on realistic portrait drawing in graphite pencil. As curator, I strive to promote all talented artists of all ages and styles to bring beauty to the world.