November & December 2024
Featured Artists
BUY ART 757-425-6671
Maggie kerrigan
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I consider altered books to be a method of eliciting a further message from the printed page, augmenting the initial narrative created by the author. Adding an artistic twist to the physical form of the book allows me to merge my own impressions and message with that of the author. This provides the viewer with an added dimension to consider regarding the original literary work.
Each book is a puzzle to solve. I often do commissions to create unique artworks. Maggie Lina Kerrigan |
dick rawls
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Dick Rawls, a dedicated and passionate oil painter, calls the vibrant city of Virginia Beach his home. His studio, nestled within the creative confines of the Artists Gallery within VBAC, serves as his sanctuary where he continually hones his craft.
Rawls’ artistic journey is deeply rooted in his admiration for the impressionists. He believes in learning from the masters, often copying their paintings to understand their techniques and perspectives. This practice has not only enriched his knowledge but also allowed him to incorporate these time-honored techniques into his own unique style. Rawls is a firm believer in the power of consistency. Visitors to the Artists Gallery will often find him at his easel, immersed in his work. His commitment to his craft is evident in his regular painting routine, which he maintains with unwavering discipline. His artwork, a blend of learned techniques and personal flair, reflects his journey as an artist. Each stroke on the canvas is a testament to his dedication and love for impressionism. Rawls’ work not only contributes to the local art scene but also continues the rich tradition of impressionist painting. In conclusion, Dick Rawls is more than just an oil painter; he is a student of art, an impressionist at heart, and a steadfast contributor to the vibrant art scene in Virginia Beach. |
andi Helfant-Frye
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The images in my work evolve. I begin a painting with emotion and creation of a palette of color that reflects my mood. Through my intense use of color, I feel as though I am working through my “pandemic emotions”. I consider myself a color field/abstract landscape painter, though some of my greatest influences are JMW Turner and Monet. My paintings emerge through my process. I work with oil paint and mix in cold wax as medium because it allows me to work non-objectively more easily. I then use reductive methods to uncover the history I have created in the many layers I have painted. With scratching and drawing into the surface and the use of Asemic writing (a form of writing having no specific content), I am able to make images that allow the viewer to read into the painting what they feel rather than force meaning so we become partners in the finished piece. I want the viewer to have their own emotional experience. In this way I am able to satisfy both viewer and myself whose meaning may not be the same. andihelfantfrye.com [email protected] 757-434-3876
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Jennifer Mclaughlin
30 years ago, when I began to paint seriously, my world was quite different than it is today. I spent the earlier years exploring different media, traveling to study different art, religions and spiritual practices of other cultures. As I grew older, my art evolved and with each new media I learned, It expanded my vision and enabled my voice as an artist to be clearer. Six years ago, my life significantly changed through illness; which greatly affected my mobility and made my world much, much smaller than it had ever been before. The things I loved most in the world were no longer accessible to me. Being in nature, traveling, gardening, riding my horse, even going to the beach, and many more parts of my life, were just suddenly taken away. I was held hostage in a body that was just not working with me anymore. At the time it also limited my ability to paint, which was one of the most difficult pieces of myself to lose. I was completely unsure if I would be able to do any of these things again. Losing my Art, even temporarily, was very difficult. It had always helped me process the world around me.
Artist suffering with limitations is not a new thing. Many artists have suffered with disability and illness that has forced them to be more creative in approaching and furthering their craft. A photo of Matisse in bed making his famous cutouts, or Frida Kahlo come to mind. They have been my inspiration and often my sole companions. Following their lead, I found new ways to approach my art. This is seen mostly through my collage work, which has allowed me to work on smaller pieces if I am less mobile. By approaching my work in this new way, it allowed me to complete an entire story, in smaller sections at a time, often from bed; be it in my home or in the hospital. Learning to use my art to recreate my world, now became a tool for daily survival.
Although my mobility has improved, it made me realize more than ever, how much of our world is created through our own vision; not only of what is, but what should be.
My art is an open invitation for you to join me in this space. A space of love, inclusion, and conversation.
Artist suffering with limitations is not a new thing. Many artists have suffered with disability and illness that has forced them to be more creative in approaching and furthering their craft. A photo of Matisse in bed making his famous cutouts, or Frida Kahlo come to mind. They have been my inspiration and often my sole companions. Following their lead, I found new ways to approach my art. This is seen mostly through my collage work, which has allowed me to work on smaller pieces if I am less mobile. By approaching my work in this new way, it allowed me to complete an entire story, in smaller sections at a time, often from bed; be it in my home or in the hospital. Learning to use my art to recreate my world, now became a tool for daily survival.
Although my mobility has improved, it made me realize more than ever, how much of our world is created through our own vision; not only of what is, but what should be.
My art is an open invitation for you to join me in this space. A space of love, inclusion, and conversation.
elizabeth waitekus
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Elizabeth works in oil as well as acrylic. She is most noted for her paintings of Angels and
Symbolic Realms of the Spiritual. Elizabeth feels that there is nothing in this world that is mundane or unholy if it is seen with the "inner eye." Elizabeth believes that the healing aspects of being surrounded with "the Beautiful, the True, the Good," whether from Nature or our own inner nature inspires her to keep growing and creating. For Elizabeth, Angels are our Constant Companions of Protection and Love. She also provides "Soul Symbol" paintings on commission. |
Michele barnes
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The natural world has fascinated me from an early age. I studied Biology in College, focusing on ecology and conservation. Further studies in Fine Art have reflected that interest. I initially thought I would be a botanical illustrator, however after being introduced to various artists and artworks, I adopted a more expressive style. My artwork is a reflection of my passion for the environment with all its power, beauty and grace. Humans and nature are so intertwined; they impact each other significantly. Color is a strong component of my art. The vibrant palette makes the work more dynamic and exciting.
I continually explore the environment and the force it has on the flora and fauna of the world. Hiking and photographing aid in researching images to find a truthful visual expression. |
jean peacock
Jean Peacock is primarily an oil painter. She’s an award-winning artist who has participated in juried solo and invitational group exhibitions throughout the region and Southeastern Virginia.
Claudia Croneberger
about
I’ve always been passionate about art. Since I could hold a crayon, I’ve been drawing. My mom told me that in 3rd grade, my teacher complained because I turned my math numbers into little animals and pictures. My mom didn’t mind as long as I got the answers right.
Creating art is essential for my well-being. I enjoy many forms of artistic expression, like oil painting, mosaics, fabric, sculpture, music, and gardening. I see beauty in nature, people, and animals. I love watching sunlight through trees and the sea’s powerful movement. There’s music and emotion in these things. I believe everything has a light, and we’re all connected through it.
In 2013, my husband wanted to show me the world. I had never been out of the USA, except for one trip to Canada. I was nervous but agreed. It changed me in ways I can’t describe. We moved to Naples, Italy, for three years and visited many countries like Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and England. Living in a different country changes your life.
In Italy, I studied oil painting and ceramics with two Italian masters. Back in Virginia, I became a resident artist at The Artist’s Gallery. After a few years, we moved to Germany. There, I joined a quilters guild and made quilts and fabric dolls for Kinderdorf and our village rescue squad. I also volunteered in a local theater’s costume department and played the flute in our village orchestra. Missing the sea, we returned to Italy. I exhibited my paintings with Italian artists at Rione Terre in Pozzuoli. I fell in love with mosaics, especially the idea that something beautiful can come from broken things.
I think about what I want to “say” with my art. Sometimes I create playful scenes to make people smile, and sometimes I go deeper. I get inspiration from my photos, memories, and imagination. A recurring theme in my art is that we are all powerful beings. Anything we imagine can become reality, and our thoughts and words create our life. I believe we all have an “inner light”; by sharing it, we can be united in love and joy. My art often shows a mix of turmoil and calmness. Living in Italy, we experienced earthquakes daily, teaching me to live in the moment and choose joy. We can’t control external events, but we can control our emotions and reactions. These experiences influence my art.
Sometimes I meticulously plan my designs; other times, I let them flow. I create tiles and low relief sculptures from clay for mosaics. I play with ceramic pieces until they click. My creative process is intuitive and meditative. I look to the source (I call it God) for inspiration and let the art flow through me. Sometimes, I just paint a pretty picture.
Creating art is essential for my well-being. I enjoy many forms of artistic expression, like oil painting, mosaics, fabric, sculpture, music, and gardening. I see beauty in nature, people, and animals. I love watching sunlight through trees and the sea’s powerful movement. There’s music and emotion in these things. I believe everything has a light, and we’re all connected through it.
In 2013, my husband wanted to show me the world. I had never been out of the USA, except for one trip to Canada. I was nervous but agreed. It changed me in ways I can’t describe. We moved to Naples, Italy, for three years and visited many countries like Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and England. Living in a different country changes your life.
In Italy, I studied oil painting and ceramics with two Italian masters. Back in Virginia, I became a resident artist at The Artist’s Gallery. After a few years, we moved to Germany. There, I joined a quilters guild and made quilts and fabric dolls for Kinderdorf and our village rescue squad. I also volunteered in a local theater’s costume department and played the flute in our village orchestra. Missing the sea, we returned to Italy. I exhibited my paintings with Italian artists at Rione Terre in Pozzuoli. I fell in love with mosaics, especially the idea that something beautiful can come from broken things.
I think about what I want to “say” with my art. Sometimes I create playful scenes to make people smile, and sometimes I go deeper. I get inspiration from my photos, memories, and imagination. A recurring theme in my art is that we are all powerful beings. Anything we imagine can become reality, and our thoughts and words create our life. I believe we all have an “inner light”; by sharing it, we can be united in love and joy. My art often shows a mix of turmoil and calmness. Living in Italy, we experienced earthquakes daily, teaching me to live in the moment and choose joy. We can’t control external events, but we can control our emotions and reactions. These experiences influence my art.
Sometimes I meticulously plan my designs; other times, I let them flow. I create tiles and low relief sculptures from clay for mosaics. I play with ceramic pieces until they click. My creative process is intuitive and meditative. I look to the source (I call it God) for inspiration and let the art flow through me. Sometimes, I just paint a pretty picture.
Pat graffeo
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Born and raised in New York City, I was fortunate to be immersed in a vibrant arts culture from an early age. This access to the arts shaped my formative years and led me to a rewarding career as an art teacher in a K-8 setting, where I shared my passion for creativity and self-expression with young minds. After leaving the classroom, I shifted focus to explore personal artistic interests, delving into textiles, pottery, and quilting, and expanding my practice into both small and large-scale works.
The source of my inspiration is difficult to pin down, as it draws from a broad range of influences, but I often find myself inspired by nature, culture, texture, and an underlying sense of whimsy. If I could host a dinner party with some of my favorite artists, I would invite figures like Richard Diebenkorn, Alberto Giacometti, Johannes Vermeer, and contemporary potter Lisa Clague, who I was fortunate enough to meet and acquire a sculpture from her studio in Asheville, NC. |
Persephone ellis
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Hey there! I'm Persephone (yes, that's really my name), a designer and artist soaking up the creative vibes in Hampton, VA. I honed my craft at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I dived headfirst into the captivating world of geometric abstraction. My art? Well, some say it's like a burst of joy with a sprinkle of euphoria. You'll find pieces of my creative soul in private collections sprinkled across the eastern seaboard and Puerto Rico, adding a touch of color and spirit to diverse spaces. Rooted in my Jamaican heritage, my inspiration dances with bountiful, bold colors and lively geometric motifs. It's more than just art; it's a celebration of life and the vibrant energy that surrounds us.
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kelly riggs
Sapphire Ceramics - Kelly Riggs
My clay journey began twenty-five years ago with an Introduction to Ceramics class. That first class turned into more than I can count, learning from Richmond’s best ceramic artists.
I split my time between Virginia Beach and Richmond where my home studio is located. It is a pleasure to walk into my studio, coffee mug in hand, to check on the previous day’s work. Daily walks in nature inform the pieces I make.
My work is simple in form and includes carving, handmade stamps and found texture. A piece focuses on its future use, letting what it contains shine through.
My pots aren’t complete until they contain something: fresh flowers, acorns or shells collected from a nature walk or brimming with fresh fruit. I believe functional ceramics connect the maker to user, in real time and place. I am passionate about making pots people choose to use everyday.
For the past 10 years, I have shown my work through GrowRVA’s farmer’s markets. I show my work each year at The Gallery Show in Richmond and am an exhibiting artist with The Artist’s Gallery.
Previous shows include: Arts Around The Lake, Arts in the Park, Art on the Avenue, Invitationals to Pop ups and three solo shows at St. Mathias Episcopal Church
My clay journey began twenty-five years ago with an Introduction to Ceramics class. That first class turned into more than I can count, learning from Richmond’s best ceramic artists.
I split my time between Virginia Beach and Richmond where my home studio is located. It is a pleasure to walk into my studio, coffee mug in hand, to check on the previous day’s work. Daily walks in nature inform the pieces I make.
My work is simple in form and includes carving, handmade stamps and found texture. A piece focuses on its future use, letting what it contains shine through.
My pots aren’t complete until they contain something: fresh flowers, acorns or shells collected from a nature walk or brimming with fresh fruit. I believe functional ceramics connect the maker to user, in real time and place. I am passionate about making pots people choose to use everyday.
For the past 10 years, I have shown my work through GrowRVA’s farmer’s markets. I show my work each year at The Gallery Show in Richmond and am an exhibiting artist with The Artist’s Gallery.
Previous shows include: Arts Around The Lake, Arts in the Park, Art on the Avenue, Invitationals to Pop ups and three solo shows at St. Mathias Episcopal Church
