Mesoma Hammida Onyeagba’s vibrant work bridges painting and textiles, transforming salvaged fabrics into powerful visual narratives. Influenced by her Nigerian heritage and collaborative practices, Onyeagba honors identity, nostalgia, and community through rich textures and immersive storytelling. In this interview, she shares insights into her creative process, inspirations, and her ongoing exploration of representation and joy.

Inspired by global myths and personal dives, Jo Gamel’s still life paintings reimagine ocean relics as symbols of the feminine psyche—tempestuous, sacred, and enduring. Her practice blends traditional oil techniques with spiritual storytelling, inviting viewers into spaces of wonder, memory, and transformation.

Eduardo Sarmiento’s multidisciplinary practice invites viewers into a deep exploration of human emotion and our connection to the environment around us. From his beginnings in Cuba to his current work in Atlanta, Sarmiento’s art merges poetry, surreal imagery, and bold experimentation. His sketches serve as honest reflections of feeling, making his work both intimate and universally resonant.

Dallas-based painter Michael Reeder is known for his bold use of color, layered symbolism, and a process-driven approach that balances humor, identity, and existential reflection. With roots in graffiti, graphic design, and fine art, Reeder’s work invites viewers into a world where meaning is fluid and the unexpected is essential. In this interview, he reflects on creative chaos, chasing inspiration, and staying true to the work while navigating the business of art.

West Virginia–based artist Heather Rios creates richly layered mixed media works that celebrate handmade traditions and emotional memory. Using embroidery passed down from her grandmother, paint piped like frosting, and antique plates, Rios explores the value of joy, nostalgia, and what it means to be human in an age of automation.

In Create! Magazine Issue 51, multidisciplinary artist Suzanna Scott presents sculptural works that seduce and challenge. Using discarded objects and skin-like textures, Scott’s rage-stitched multiples question how we assign value to bodies and rights in a politically polarized world.

In the "Land and Longing" exhibition, Isabel Bonilla presents a thought-provoking collection that repurposes fast-fashion denim into tactile, ocean-inspired landscapes. Through her upcycled art, Bonilla addresses the environmental costs of clothing production and the urgent need for sustainability. By transforming discarded material into powerful visual statements, her work invites viewers to reflect on our relationship with nature and the impact of our consumer choices.

Through layered textiles, collage, and photography, artist Chloe Wilwerding reflects on the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Her work, which reassembles fragments of digital and environmental imagery into vibrant new wholes, is featured in Create! Magazine’s Land and Longing exhibition. Wilwerding’s art invites viewers to reconsider how we perceive and impact the landscapes we inhabit.

In her latest work featured in the "Land and Longing" virtual exhibition, Kimberlea Bass weaves together themes of nostalgia, family, and memory. Using a combination of photography, found objects, and stitching, Bass transforms discarded materials into poignant pieces that evoke a deep sense of reflection. Read on to discover how her unique approach reimagines the fragments of personal histories and explores the emotional weight of memory.

Featured in Create! Magazine’s Land and Longing virtual exhibition, Kara Taylor’s richly layered works explore psychological depth, impermanence, and symbolism. Blending oil, photomontage, encaustic, and assemblage, Taylor channels personal and universal cycles of holding on and letting go—revealing an emotional landscape shaped by memory, nature, and shifting identities.

Lisa Wright’s multimedia practice is rooted in resistance, reinvention, and the power of unexpected materials. Raised in Littleton, Colorado, Wright first felt the urgency of storytelling during the Columbine shooting—an experience that continues to inform her politically charged work. From tampons to birthday candles, her unconventional materials speak volumes, disrupting expectations and inviting viewers to reconsider what art can say and how it says it. Through sculpture, photography, printmaking, and collage, Wright crafts striking visual commentaries that provoke thought, spark dialogue, and challenge the dominant narrative.

Reno-based artist Beck Baumann transforms sequins and recycled materials into whimsical sculptures rooted in childhood memories and creative freedom. Her work reimagines discarded objects as vessels of beauty and wonder, radiating color, joy, and unexpected charm.

Painter Lindsay Mueller transforms her encounters with nature into sculptural works that blend material, memory, and emotion. With surfaces built from plaster and paint, her landscapes reference parks, roadsides, and the layered history of shared spaces. Now featured in Create! Magazine’s Land and Longing virtual exhibition, Mueller’s work asks: how real is this space—and where does it rupture?

Richmond-based artist Elizabeth Coffey brings together oil painting, domestic textiles, and stenciled text to explore the complexities of female identity. Her work, deeply influenced by a background in graphic design and early experiences with sewing, challenges the divide between fine art and craft. In this powerful artist statement, Coffey shares how lace curtains, typography, and portraiture become layered symbols of the seen and unseen.

Discover the work of Kestin Cornwall, a Toronto-based artist whose art examines the complexities of race, beauty, and society. With a blend of classical techniques and modern digital art, Cornwall challenges societal norms and explores the impact of culture, media, and entertainment on public perception.

Sofia Saleh's art delves deep into the traces left behind by human presence, capturing the forgotten remnants that speak volumes about our identity and experiences. Through her innovative use of discarded gum, Saleh connects personal loss, collective memory, and global humanitarian issues. Her work invites viewers to reflect on the fragility of life and the lasting impact of even the smallest actions. Explore her journey from personal grief to a powerful social commentary in our latest feature.

Sena Shah, a former health and social care leader turned full-time artist, uses felt fabric and reflective materials to create dynamic abstract art that evolves as you move. With a unique lenticular effect, his work invites viewers to interact and find positive emotions in the transformation of each piece. From sell-out shows at major art fairs to unique, limited-edition series, Sena’s art encourages a new way of experiencing visual art.

Philadelphia-based artist Brian Jerome transforms personal experiences into powerful abstract works that explore memory, trauma, and resilience. Through painting and mixed media, he creates diaristic compositions that serve as both personal therapy and a broader invitation for discussion. His work, exhibited internationally, challenges viewers to engage with the complexities of human emotion and vulnerability.

Alena Ahrens' art delves into the complex interplay of identity, emotion, and memory. Through abstract assemblages and prints, her work explores the transformative power of conflict and change, inviting viewers to find beauty in fleeting moments. Ahrens’ unique approach to materials and texture offers a personal interpretation of emotional evolution, bringing performance art’s influence into her layered visual compositions.

Charles Clary’s meticulously hand-cut paper artwork fuse typography, Southern charm, and intricate layering to create dynamic works that explore the power of language. His series Text-I-Monials transforms common expressions into visually striking, multi-dimensional compositions. Represented by Paradigm Gallery + Studio and R02 Gallery, Clary’s work has been exhibited internationally and featured in WIRED, Hi-Fructose, Create! Magazine, and more. Read our interview with Clary in Issue 49 to learn more about his process and inspiration.