Armen Knox, Photographer and Musician

 Armen Knox uses distortion to infuse static images with movement and emotion. 

Currently a resident of Philadelphia, Armen grew up in North Carolina and periodically visits the area.

Here to see some of Armen's art

David Knox  started taking pictures at a young age. His first camera was a 620 roll film camera. He graduated from Antonelli’s School of Photography with an Associate’s degree. 

David lives in Cedar Grove where he grows the water lilies and other flowers that appear in many of his photographs.

"I like anything that my mind decides is photogenic – most often mechanical things, nature, and occasionally people."

Stop by the Gallery to meet David and talk butterflies, trains and travel, and, of course, photography from dark room to digital.

Here to view some of David's art.

David Xavier Knox graduated with a degree in photography from Earlham College. Even before going to Earlham to study photography Xavier always enjoyed taking pictures and capturing the often overlooked beauties of our planet. 

After graduating, Xavier took over Yesterday and Today frameshop. Photography unfortunately was put on the back burner. 

"Although it is hard to find the creative energy after work, one thing that doesn’t rest is the world's beauty which is always around us."

Here to see some of David Xavier's photography.

l Raymond LaMantia produces oils on canvas, working in a hyper-realistic style with tendencies toward surrealism. He is a frequent contributor to the Gallery's monthly themed shows.

"Appealing to the Sight

Stirring to the Soul

These are my Goals

What more does Art Hold"

Here to see examples of Ray's paintings.

Rebecca Lemell is an illustrator from Asheville, NC. Growing up in the mountains instilled a scientific curiosity in her and the subjects of her paintings often reflect this. 

Her use of animal and plant life is an exploration of her interest in the natural world as well as a symbolic tool to depict themes such a death and re-growth, otherness, and the cyclical nature of life. 

Her primary medium is watercolor and colored pencil, but Rebecca also sculpts and works digitally. 

Here to see some of Rebecca's work.

Joseph Mareka's passion is inspired by Native American culture  and the natural world.  

"I enjoy enjoy using natural materials in my art work. I collect raw items from forests, soil, rocks, minerals, ocean and rivers for parts of my projects.  Other items I grow in a garden."

Stop by the Gallery to see joseph's Native-American-style flutes, dreamcatchers and jewelry fashioned from quahog clam shells, and carvings.

Here to see examples of Joseph's work.

A mostly self taught  artist, Jennifer Niemiroski has loved to create art ever since she was a child.

She has done commissions for various clients, illustrated for a children's magazine, and taught art  classes to children at a local elementary school.

In the last 15 years or so, her focus has been painting landscapes and florals, and the occasional pet portrait. 

She enjoys including lots of bright colors and flow in her pieces, and aims to capture the energy and flow of a moment in time. 

Her hikes on local trails, visits to Carolina beaches and mountains, all give plenty of ideas for painting. Nature never disappoints for inspiration!

She has fallen in love with acrylic and watercolor painting.  She loves that this media is quick-drying, expressive, low odor, and water based. 

In short, painting and creating has been a way for Jennifer to express her thoughts and feelings and to share a bit of joy and peace with others.

You can see some examples of Jennifer's work here.

Michael Pohlman (POH) is a multi Media and Subject artist who moved to Hillsborough, NC with his wife, Irene, in 2019.  He has large series of paintings in oil, acrylics and collage which include "Universe Before Time," "America's Game," "Patterns of the Land," and most recently "NC Roots Music."

His Art training started in a well organize Beloit, WI, Public School System. It continued at Bradley University, Peoria, IL where he was a scholarship Baseball Player and earned a BS Degree in Physical Education, U.S. History and Art..  He also holds a MS Degree in Physical Education from Northern Illinois University and a Masters in Administration from Governors State, IL. Additional Art History and Design studies were added at Calumet College, IN and Prairie State College, IL.

On graduating from Bradley, he taught all three of his Majors until settling on Physical Education and finished his teaching career as the Co-ordinator of Physical Education at Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, IL.   He became the Varsity Baseball Coach at Bloom Twp. H.S. which lead to positions at Lewis University, Prairie State College, Marian Catholic High School and the Director of Team Chicago, a Education Through Baseball Organization which traveled to Europe to play and teach baseball while staying with European families and visiting historical and social significant sights. 

On retiring from teaching, Michael was selected to be a Resident Artist at the Union Street Gallery in Chicago for 10 years before moving to Fort Myers, FL. His wife, Irene, became Department Chair and taught A.P. Spanish at Bishop Verot Catholic High School.  Michael took the position of Pitching Coach at BVCHS while opening a new 'Gulf Breeze Studio.'  He became a Resident Artist at ‘ACT Gallery’ and ‘DASS Gallery’ while in Fort Myers for 14 years.  

It is a pleasure to be able to show my creations to you on the walls of ‘Margaret Lane Gallery’ in Hillsborough, NC.

POH's Series;

"Before Time" is a series of paintings interpreting the creation of the world and the universe around it. Six shapes of nature (the circle, hexagon, spiral, meander, helix, and branching), actual objects from nature, found objects, and printed material with oils and acrylics are mixed as if they existed before the moment the earth was created. The shapes and materials are intermingled to create a fluid time, space, and matter continuum to portrait this flow towards the universe we now know.

"America's Game" My interest in portraying sports with oils, acrylics and watercolors and collage comes from my many years of as a player and coach. I look for interesting situations of action or famous players to paint. These paintings tend to lean towards a Folk Art presentation to add character to the depiction of the subject at hand.  Over the years, I have painted many oil commissions for people who wish a painting of their favorite player or team.

"Patterns of the Land" Patterns of the Land is based on the principles of Adolf Gottlieb, Georges Braque, Hans Hofmann, Mark Rothko, and Howard Hodgkin plus my own trials and tribulations in art. Using Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Symbols, Quilt Patterns, and views of the countryside, I envision integrating these real patterns to abstract canvases. It is my hope to have these canvas' be a catalyst for new thinking about the land. This was a City of Fort Myers Art and Culture 2013 Grant Project that I continue to develop.

"Landscapes" and "North Carolina Roots Music" are two new areas I have been exploring since moving to my new 'Back Alley Studio.' in Hillsborough. 

It is now a pleasure to be able to show my creations to you on the walls of  ‘Margaret Lane Gallery’ in 2023.

Here to see examples of POH's work.

Ryan Rakouskas is a senior at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, NC.

“Toward the end of 2021 I learned how to weld and quickly became obsessed with metalwork. 

"Soon after, I got my own welding machine and started playing with making small figurines out of scrap metal I found around my yard. From there I started salvaging larger pieces of metal and progressively increased the size and complexity of my pieces.

"Since then I sold my work at the Raleigh Flea Market. I sold over 100 pieces within 10 months. I aim to continue to challenge myself by making recognizable, natural looking creatures out of recycled objects.”

Note from the Gallery, since Ryan wrote his comments, he has shown – and sold – work through Margaret Lane Gallery, joined the Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG), and participated in several group shows as well as OCAG’s studio tour. He expects to graduate from Cedar Ridge High School in spring of 2025.
 

Here to see examples of Ryan's work. 

Jacqueline Rimmler is a self-taught artist who has lived in the Durham area since 1987 and recently moved out to her farm in Cedar Grove. There, she is kept company by her husband, 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 3 horses, who provide plenty of inspiration.

Starting early on with oils and acrylics, Jackie has become a multi-media artist interested in incorporating recycled materials, including metal,acrylic collage,  wood, and fabric, into her pieces.

In addition to showing her work at the gallery, Jackie enjoys the opportunity to teach various workshops at the Gallery.

"I like to see the art in everything around me and enjoy using everyday objects in unusual ways. I want art to be fun, and for people to feel motivated to try something new."

Here to view some of Jackie's work.

Hillsborough resident Lynn Schmoock, works in a wide range of mediums and styles, from pen-and-ink to watercolor and mixed media. She has pursued formal training, including being an art student at the University of Wisconsin and the University of NC, as well as participating in various art classes and workshops. She holds an AA degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from Alamance Community College and a Certificate of Botanical Illustration from the NC Botanical Gardens.

"Creating Art is quality time with me where I can discover more about myself in ways I could not imagine, and learn to appreciate and partake in this miraculous gift of life within and around. I also very much enjoy the process of learning from others and in turn sharing what I have learned."

Here to see some of Lynn's art.

Ron, who recently moved to Hillsborough,  graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Visual Design.

"I have always loved to draw from my earliest memories. I retired in December of 2017 and have finally been able to devote my energy full time to pursuing my passion for painting and drawing. 

"I enjoy experimenting with a variety of mediums and have recently developed a love of oil pastels but watercolor has always been my favorite. My subject matter varies from animals and nature to landscapes. I love realism and tend to use color and composition in order to draw the viewer into the work. 

"My favorite artist is Andrew Wyeth."

Here to see some of Ron's art

Sam Williams is a frequent participant in the Gallery’s themed shows, and also maintains a rotating presence of paintings and carvings. 

“I come from a family of tool users. There is a millwright back in there, architects, engineers, educators. I remember watching my dad show me the finer points of using a jack plane or a lathe. Our brand of woodworker is ready to take on a wide range of project using whatever tools are required.

“I would classify my early art background as ‘doodle school,’ and have thought of things as a pen-and-ink guy does. My woodworking ranged through the years through a succession of houses, furniture, stage sets, woodcarvings, and wood sculpture. When I moved here from New Mexico, my personal palette changed from the tan, brown, ochre and orange of the Sonora Desert to our pervasive greens. 

“We live in what remains of the primeval Appalachian forest, and while I miss my jagged New Mexico mountains, I do love the Oaks and Hickories of the outdoor cathedral here. Whenever possible, I prefer to be outdoors. I take inspiration from the things I see on my outings with my Weimaraner, Beady. I appreciate old things that exhibit their character through rust, rot, and adversity.

“For wood sculpture, I search for the shapes that are hidden down in the wood. One recent project started as a 400-pound Oak stump that I dug out of the ground near my house. After removing the clay, stone, dirt, and rotted wood, it is 18-pounds. It has also communicated to me that its name is ‘The Cathedral.’

“For acrylics, my wife suggested I try them to gain appreciation of the different palette here, and to play with different colors.”

Sam frequently attends our opening receptions. Stop by to chat about a range of topics from bluegrass and old cars, to travel and history – and a host of subjects in between!

Here to see some of Sam's paintings and woodcarvings.

Saul Zimet is a local writer and artist who was unschooled as a child and graduated magna cum laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2018. He writes essays and creates art that explores unsettled problems of philosophy, history, and economics. If you perceive an inordinate sardine presence in his work, that says more about you than it says about him. 

Here to see some of Saul's artwork.