April 2024
Featured Artists
BUY ART 757-425-6671
kerri caldwell
New Jessica c. folck
Jessica is a Virginia Beach artist and metalsmith. She was raised in a small town in Georgia where her father is a printmaker. In 2002 she graduated with a BFA in Metalwork and Jewelry making from UGA. Her metalwork is greatly influenced by two dimensional prints and natural discoveries (insects, bones and feathers) of her childhood. She combines traditional techniques like repousse and chasing with untraditional found objects to create detailed pieces of wearable art.
Her materials include sterling silver, recycled gold, copper and found objects.
Her materials include sterling silver, recycled gold, copper and found objects.
fred freeman
I am a retired professor of Psychology who taught at Old Dominion University for 37 years. Several years prior to retiring I became interested in learning about clay sculpture. Over the years I have taken a variety of workshops and ceramic classes which have included classes at the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia with ceramic artists Lesley Hildreth and Dede Schmidt, and with ceramic artist Barbara Kobylinska, who teaches classes in her studio.
I have had pieces in the local Ceramic Designers Association (CDA) shows at Blue Skies Gallery, at the Courthouse Gallery in Portsmouth, and at numerous Tidewater Art Alliance shows and Hampton Art League shows. I also had pieces in the d’Art Center MidAtlantic Exhibition and another piece in the “Wild Things” 2009 show at Annemarie Gardens Gallery in Solomons, Maryland. I have won awards of merit at the Hampton Art League Members show, at the Artist Gallery “Fantastic Forgeries” show, at the CDA show at d’Art Center, at the Tidewater Art Alliance Miniature show, and Honorable Mention at the Virginia Artists Show at the Charles Taylor Art Center in Hampton. I also had a piece in the Chrysler Museum “Time” show and was one of the participants in The Artist Gallery “High Fructose” show at MOCA. In 2019 I received the Best in Show award at the Prime Plus art show in Norfolk.
The material used for all my pieces is most typically earthenware clay on which I apply either underglazes, oxide stains, or a cold finish such as acrylic paint. The pieces are first bisque fired, after which the surface finish is applied and the piece is refired, with the exception of when a cold finish is applied.
I have had pieces in the local Ceramic Designers Association (CDA) shows at Blue Skies Gallery, at the Courthouse Gallery in Portsmouth, and at numerous Tidewater Art Alliance shows and Hampton Art League shows. I also had pieces in the d’Art Center MidAtlantic Exhibition and another piece in the “Wild Things” 2009 show at Annemarie Gardens Gallery in Solomons, Maryland. I have won awards of merit at the Hampton Art League Members show, at the Artist Gallery “Fantastic Forgeries” show, at the CDA show at d’Art Center, at the Tidewater Art Alliance Miniature show, and Honorable Mention at the Virginia Artists Show at the Charles Taylor Art Center in Hampton. I also had a piece in the Chrysler Museum “Time” show and was one of the participants in The Artist Gallery “High Fructose” show at MOCA. In 2019 I received the Best in Show award at the Prime Plus art show in Norfolk.
The material used for all my pieces is most typically earthenware clay on which I apply either underglazes, oxide stains, or a cold finish such as acrylic paint. The pieces are first bisque fired, after which the surface finish is applied and the piece is refired, with the exception of when a cold finish is applied.
kathy staicer
My inspiration to create art comes from the world around me. I see, think or dream of a visual idea and I have the urge to put it to paper. I breathe in the inspiration and experience it including the light, colors and shapes and then I express it in the form of a painting. It’s a way of sharing my emotions, my sensuality and my innermost thoughts visually through my art.
Being an artist has given my life joy, peace, excitement and just plain old fun. I hope that you enjoy my paintings at least half as much as I have enjoyed creating them.
Being an artist has given my life joy, peace, excitement and just plain old fun. I hope that you enjoy my paintings at least half as much as I have enjoyed creating them.
susan werby
I am a Photographic Artist- what does that mean? I begin with my original photograph, adding parts of my other images to the original. I create a story for you, with the resulting art often looking like a painting. Evocative feelings run throughout my creations. My wish is that you will view my art and allow your own story to surface. Details can be seen in everything that surrounds us. I am inspired by a complete range of textures from lovely curls of rust to sunshine twinkling off of water. My goal is to show you a world that often goes unnoticed. I want to awaken your inner curiosity, helping you to feel emotions perhaps never felt before. So look around with open eyes and maybe a new point of view.
Heavenly Dreamers
Photographic Art on Canvas ~ 20 x 30 $225 C.A# 15101 Limited Edition 01/10 |
The Ballerina
Arms outstretched With grace she stands Reaching for the one Whose strength she craves Fingers daintily relaxed Like a ballerina Twirling on toes Keeping rhythm to melodious sounds Heard in the breaths of whispering breezes Love’s adieu to a day’s bright sun As darkness falls and sleep arrives -Susan Werby |
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Susan Werby Artist Q & A
Tell us a little bit about your background and how long you have been creating art?
With a background in the medical field, my love of the microscope transferred so easily to the camera. My eye for details behind the microscope, and later the camera, kept me searching for subjects that often go unseen. I have documented what surrounds me for so many years with my photography. And now I have found a way to merge my love of photography with my love of art. I became the serious artist that I am now about 10 years ago. Photographic Art translates so well onto all Mediums, including textiles with my designer clothing line.
What (or who) inspires you?
My inspiration comes from what surrounds me in my everyday life. The beauty of nature, a smile from a child, the excitement of a stormy sky… I tell people to just look around and there it is. I am inspired by almost anything and everything. Listen and you shall hear. Look and you shall see.
How did you find the medium that best worked for you?
What was that process of discovery like?
My medium is my camera and lens and my Photographic Art can be printed onto Fine Art paper, infused into Aluminum, put onto canvas or wood, and even put within acrylic. I decided for this show to have all my art only on acrylic. The acrylic creates such depth and easily draws the viewer into each piece. Finding that people enter my art and tell me their stories is the best achievement I could hope for... Discovering that my art reaches people like that is my greatest discovery.
What were some of your early influences to pursue the arts?
Did you always want to be an artist when you were a child?
As a child in elementary school, my art was often more mature and thoughtful and perhaps misunderstood by my educators. For that reason, I was drawn away from art by science and chose to go in that direction. I knew that I could still create outside of my work environment and did just that. When I retired from the medical world, I immersed myself in photography. My desire to create art from my photography grew until the two meshed into one.
Outside of your art—what feeds your imagination and brings you joy?
Writing poetry allows me further create stories that comes to life through my words. I often "time travel" as I write, usually moving from the present to the past. My hope is that the reader will go with me to a place that is newly discovered, gaining entrance via my words and taking the time to slowly look around.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how long you have been creating art?
With a background in the medical field, my love of the microscope transferred so easily to the camera. My eye for details behind the microscope, and later the camera, kept me searching for subjects that often go unseen. I have documented what surrounds me for so many years with my photography. And now I have found a way to merge my love of photography with my love of art. I became the serious artist that I am now about 10 years ago. Photographic Art translates so well onto all Mediums, including textiles with my designer clothing line.
What (or who) inspires you?
My inspiration comes from what surrounds me in my everyday life. The beauty of nature, a smile from a child, the excitement of a stormy sky… I tell people to just look around and there it is. I am inspired by almost anything and everything. Listen and you shall hear. Look and you shall see.
How did you find the medium that best worked for you?
What was that process of discovery like?
My medium is my camera and lens and my Photographic Art can be printed onto Fine Art paper, infused into Aluminum, put onto canvas or wood, and even put within acrylic. I decided for this show to have all my art only on acrylic. The acrylic creates such depth and easily draws the viewer into each piece. Finding that people enter my art and tell me their stories is the best achievement I could hope for... Discovering that my art reaches people like that is my greatest discovery.
What were some of your early influences to pursue the arts?
Did you always want to be an artist when you were a child?
As a child in elementary school, my art was often more mature and thoughtful and perhaps misunderstood by my educators. For that reason, I was drawn away from art by science and chose to go in that direction. I knew that I could still create outside of my work environment and did just that. When I retired from the medical world, I immersed myself in photography. My desire to create art from my photography grew until the two meshed into one.
Outside of your art—what feeds your imagination and brings you joy?
Writing poetry allows me further create stories that comes to life through my words. I often "time travel" as I write, usually moving from the present to the past. My hope is that the reader will go with me to a place that is newly discovered, gaining entrance via my words and taking the time to slowly look around.
cONTINUE
What creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet?
I have recently imagined myself using my printed photographic art and using it with oil paints or acrylics to create more of the textures that I love so much. For me, rusted metal, peeling paint or even decaying plant life excite me with the possibilities of new colors and abstract designs.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever created?
One of my favorite Photographic Art pieces is titled "Crab Abstract". I photographed a basket of live crabs that just came off a crab boat and they were bubbling and piled on top of one another. I transformed them into a close up of just crabs in bright shades of turquoise and orange hues. This one makes people smile and I love to see that my art makes people happy.
What are you trying to communicate with your art?
My art can offer different things to different people. My hope is that what they see or read will tap into their emotions, touching some long-forgotten memories. With those memories, the viewers can now create their own stories of what once was or what they dream of for the future. Just as in nature, my art and words might help someone to create something new-a symbiotic relationship, per se.
What advice would you give to people looking to explore becoming an artist?
The act of being an artist is allowing oneself to tap into the creative side of who you are. Feeling emotions, being excited with shadows and light, searching in places that were once unseen-using all of those varied aspects to explore new alleyways that others, not only yourself, may enjoy viewing is to be an artist. Be not afraid but try something new. Peel back the layers to find your artist within
I have recently imagined myself using my printed photographic art and using it with oil paints or acrylics to create more of the textures that I love so much. For me, rusted metal, peeling paint or even decaying plant life excite me with the possibilities of new colors and abstract designs.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever created?
One of my favorite Photographic Art pieces is titled "Crab Abstract". I photographed a basket of live crabs that just came off a crab boat and they were bubbling and piled on top of one another. I transformed them into a close up of just crabs in bright shades of turquoise and orange hues. This one makes people smile and I love to see that my art makes people happy.
What are you trying to communicate with your art?
My art can offer different things to different people. My hope is that what they see or read will tap into their emotions, touching some long-forgotten memories. With those memories, the viewers can now create their own stories of what once was or what they dream of for the future. Just as in nature, my art and words might help someone to create something new-a symbiotic relationship, per se.
What advice would you give to people looking to explore becoming an artist?
The act of being an artist is allowing oneself to tap into the creative side of who you are. Feeling emotions, being excited with shadows and light, searching in places that were once unseen-using all of those varied aspects to explore new alleyways that others, not only yourself, may enjoy viewing is to be an artist. Be not afraid but try something new. Peel back the layers to find your artist within
