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Wendy Aldwyn says "Sometimes students will say that their or another’s art work is “terrible.” Poverty, war, hunger, violence is terrible. Art is not terrible. Art, no matter at what skill level, is a wonderful thing. It’s a way of ordering your existing world, or taking time out to explore a new, imagined world.

"Subject to chronic creative compulsions, I’m always experimenting with new ways of doing things. With a degree in Fine Art from University of Houston (having had the some of the same teachers as Julian

 Schnabel), I’ve forged a living in computer graphic design, but have always kept a hand in fine art, painting, dancing, performance art, music, drawing and doodling. I enjoy inventing my own stories and animating them in Adobe Photoshop CC and Character Animator CC. 

"Within the last couple years, I’ve earned the appellation, “Teaching Artist,” which I’m enjoying exploring. My animations and tutorials can be found on on my own YouTube channel, and you can learn more about me and my work on my website. Personal recommendations can be found on my LinkedIn profile. Pet pics, new projects and doodles are featured on my Instagram page. 

"I’m hard at work developing a diverse and entertaining but practical array of art workshops."

 Ruth Ananda is fine artist working in acrylics on canvas. She makes semi-abstract textured  paintings that feature birds.  

Ruth grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. Upon earning a degree in Studio Art at UVA in Charlottesville;  she worked in graphics, then at advertising agencies in New York City.  

After Ruth returned to NC she opened a boutique pet care business, and her property was  certified by the Audubon Society as a Bird Friendly Habitat. She was juried into the Orange  County Artists Guild, and participates in their annual Open Studio Art Tour.

Ruth Ananda finds inspiration from sights and sounds just outside her window: the wondrous  world of birds 

See some of Ruth's work here.

Ashley Armstrong  (AMA Art) is a new artist from Raleigh, NC. 

She started believing in her talent over a decade ago in her high school art class. Since then and without any additional training or education in art, she has painted and drawn portraits for families and friends close to her, as well as, original works for her portfolio.  

This continued pursuit has developed her skill and confidence with mediums like acrylic, crayons, colored pencils, and much more.  

"I approach my art like a science experiment, full of curiosity, especially when using a new medium. And like any experiment, I learn what works and what doesn’t. "

Here to view some of Ashlely's art 

 Kevin Flynn Bell is an artist and Illustrator originally born in Durham NC. He currently resides in Hillsborough, NC along with his wife Tracy and their 3 Horses, Bella, Morning Star and Epiphany “Piffy.”

Kevin started drawing at the age of 5 and has not stopped since. He paints and draws any subject matter, but loves children-themed art, fantasy art and horses of course. 

Kevin attended Hillside School and North Carolina Central University where he honed his skills as an artist and was an Art Ed/Graphic Arts Major. NCCU is where he became interested in painting.

 “ My imagination is huge! My art is just a window into my little world, Hope you enjoy the view! "

Here to see some of Kevin's art

"I began painting in earnest upon my retirement five years ago. After a 30 year career as an earth scientist, many of my paintings feature Mother Earth in one way or another. I am inspired by the beauty of nature, and I often try to represent abstract compositions observed in nature.

"But it seems that most of all, I paint from the heart. I paint about things that move me, or trouble me, or bring me joy.  

"I hope you enjoy what you see!"

Here to see Tonya's art

Lisa's paintings tend toward landscape, nature, back roads and the rapidly-vanishing remnants of farm life, mostly in watercolor, but she is not adverse to trying new techniques and materials.
 

"For years I'd drive along back roads looking for scenes to photograph. I'd spot a possible image and think, "This would really be more interesting if it were painted in watercolor." I tucked that thought away for several years, and finally took my first watercolor class in early 2020. Then came Covid, and in-person classes were not available, so I turned to the internet and watched video after video and became enthralled.
 

Lisa lives in Durham, NC with her husband Mike and has lived in NC for 30 non-consecutive years. She has a BFA in photography and graphic design from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Ten years later she earned a BS in marketing from UNC-G. She embraces a right-brain/left-brain philosophy.

Here to see examples of Lisa's work. 

"Painting lets me tell a story and share what I see in life and my imagination. 

"I’ve enjoyed and appreciated art since my childhood but have only been actively creating these past few years. 

"I'm inspired by the seascapes of my hometown in Keelung, Taiwan, memorable landscapes from my travels, and largely, the woods and flowers of North Carolina, my home these past 23 years. 

"I enjoy using bold and bright colors to share energy in my paintings and often the colors reflect the joy I feel creating the art. 

"I sincerely hope my paintings spark interest and light and happiness to others. "

Here to view some of Kathy's paintings.

"I am a photographer, an abstract acrylic artist, and a collage/mixed media artist. My preference is behind the lens, but I appreciate working within the latter-mentioned mediums as well. My photography typically features still-life and nature, while my other concepts run through a range of subject matter. 

"Art is a glimpse into the soul. Creativity is how I express what I may not be able to audibly voice. It is what I most enjoy, and it is my hope that you enjoy what I present to you."

                                                                                                                                        - Courtney Clements

Here to see some of Courtney's artwork

Michi Doan is an illustrator originally from Southern California, currently living in North Carolina, who loves to draw trees and be in her dreamer world. 

She enjoys drawing magic, fantasy, and her own twist to capture the beauty of life. Michi likes to draw and tell stories visually, and explore the unknown in the art. She has a strong passion for visual development and background painting. 

"My goal is to bring joy to people while expanding my ability in storytelling. "

We also look forward to Michi teaching digital painting workshops at the Gallery!

Here to see some of Michi's art.

Debi L. Drew is a visual artist and art educator.  She considers her artistic talent God given.  She received BA degrees in Psychology and Visual Communications.  Both her MA and PhD are in Art Education.  

In 2015, I embarked on the most meaningful art project of my life. Little did I know it would soon define the true calling of my art practice. "Fruit of the Spirit" began my journey towards sharing the Word of God in my artwork. My personal world had changed dramatically and I eventually came to the end of myself, but my faith sustained me. The Lord daily renewed my strength and His grace and love carried me through, as I read His Word. I embrace my new calling to share God's Word through my art and pray it reaches souls for Him."

Debi teaches art workshops for the Gallery.

Ari Ferro is originally from Salt Lake City. “I had an interesting career transition in the early 1990s, when I switched from biochemical research at the University of Utah to running a small company called Phytokinetics in Logan Utah. We commercialized phytoremediation, a process using plants to clean-up environmental contaminants”. He moved to Raleigh in 2005 with his wife and son, continuing his environmental work with a large engineering firm.

Ari paints landscapes in oil. “Although I painted for many years, it wasn’t until my retirement about 10 years ago that I have been able to focus on my painting”. His training in art has consisted of various workshops.  

“I aim to capture the tranquility of nature and invite viewers to slow down and connect with the beauty of light and shadow. My inspiration for these oil paintings comes from places I’ve visited across the country, most recently a wilderness area in Wyoming”. 

Here to view some of Ari’s work.

Chrystal Hardt is a visual artist with many years of experience painting and exploring the world through visual media.   She has been exhibiting her work since her first solo show in Hillsborough in 1991 and continues to show regularly throughout the Triangle.
 

Her paintings hang in intimate spaces in collectors homes and in public spaces as well. One of the latest undertakings is the creation of a mural for the Kirby Cultural Arts Center entitled, "Dancing on the Roof", which depicts people of many backgrounds dancing as one in the circle dance of life.

 "My paintings are about energy and emotion and movement. They have many inspirations. Most are figurative in nature showing our interconnectedness to all things.
 

"I strive to have my paintings work on an abstract level by focusing on color relationships, interesting shapes, good contrast between light and dark, and a balance between emotion and mystery."

Here to see some of Chrystal's paintings.

Katherine Jennings is an award-winning contemporary realist oil painter. She recently relocated from the NY Metro area and now lives in Chapel Hill with her husband.

"Finding that the world can be transformed by the ephemeral beauty of light, my challenge is to capture that fleeting moment in my paintings. I am fascinated by diverse subjects ranging  from an abandoned sugar plantation in Nevis to the rocky coastline of a remote Maine island. I work both en  plein air and in my private studio from earlier sketches. 

"Often returning to the same subject, I find each rendition reflects a particular moment. History informs the present and echoes of the past are forever evident. Whether it be a striking barn in the Hamptons reduced to a skeletal frame upon a further visit or the haunting hoodoos on the cliffs of Montauk suddenly erased due to erosion and climate change, these moments I capture are just that, merely fleeting moments.  

"But by carefully observing the effects of time and environment on my subjects, my paintings aim to record this change and preserve a moment in time. By doing so, my hope is that the viewer will have indisputable evidence of what was and what will be. 

"Throughout my career, I have been committed to the arts. A former intellectual property lawyer in New York City, I am involved in numerous art advocacy organizations. I recently worked in the childhood home of Edward Hopper as the Capital Campaign Director in Development (Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center). Having been given the unique opportunity to work in the very place Hopper developed as an artist gave me rare insight into his interest in light and his early influences while growing up in Nyack. 

"I am a Juried Member and a Former Director on the Board of the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and am also certified as an Art Law Mediator with NYC Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. I  currently work with Streamline Publishing on Fine Art  Connoisseur and Plein Air Magazines as a contributing writer and in Sales/Marketing. An award-winning artist, my work has been exhibited at the National Arts Club and Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme, CT and the Upstream Gallery in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, among other galleries."

Here to see examples of Katherine's work.

Jeannette A.C. Johnson grew up in Greensboro NC, where she spent her childhood reading anything she could get her hands on. When she wasn’t reading, she was drawing pictures of the stories she read. 

Her early art career focused on drawing scenes from tv shows for her friends and the first drawing she received payment for was of the Old Well on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill. She would eventually decide to attend UNC, where she studied Art and Art History and decided to make her home in Chapel Hill. 

Ms Johnson is a member of the Orange County Artists Guild, Durham Arts Guild and the North Carolina Writers Network.

She has exhibited work in Orange, Durham and Chatham counties and participates in the Orange County Artists Guild’s annual Open Studio Tour.

In addition to her painting practice, Ms Johnson is an avid photographer and recently began experimenting with ways of incorporating photography with her painting.

Here to see examples of Jeannette's work.

Carly Joy has resided within the triangle area for over a decade. Growing up in Oriental, North Carolina, Carly took to photography quickly, both digital and film.

“I never intended to do mixed media, it came to me one night about four years ago.

“Since then I have created over 50 pieces, all focusing heartbreak, love, self reflection, personal traumas, and personal growth. 

“If you ever feel alone, look within yourself for company. It will speak back in beautiful ways. Do not let your creative light fade, there’s always an outlet if you allow yourself to see it.” 

Here to see some of Carly Joy's collages