Lauren E. Peters’ work delves into the performance and construction of identity through the lens of self-portraiture. Drawing from both historical and personal influences, her art explores gender, the notion of “costumes” as armor, and the complex navigation of self-definition. In this feature, we explore how Peters combines vibrant colors and rich symbolism to challenge traditional narratives and invite a new visual language that exists beyond societal binaries. Explore her journey and upcoming work in the issue 51 of Create! Magazine.

Chicago-based painter Sally Blair creates large-scale oil paintings that explore the intersection of the micro and macro. Her intricate, brightly colored compositions are rooted in themes of geometry, science, and the sublime. With a background shaped by the landscapes of New Mexico and West Texas, Blair brings a unique perspective to contemporary abstraction, evoking the grandeur of unseen worlds.

Chester-based fine artist Maria Natalie brings fresh energy to classical portraiture through her Unfinished Finished series—vivid oil paintings that capture women in bold, incomplete states. Balancing traditional techniques with striking contemporary color palettes, her work draws attention to both subject and process, offering a modern take on timeless composition.

Canadian painter Nicki Ault creates luminous, heartfelt landscapes that express her deep connection to the natural world and her own emotional experience of it. Ault, whose work is featured in the exhibition Land and Longing, shares how discovering her identity as a Highly Sensitive Person and Empath helped her understand the profound love and belonging she finds in nature—and how this understanding fuels her practice. Through rich, light-filled brushwork, she crafts visual love letters to the boreal forests, prairie skies, and northern lakes of Saskatchewan.

Tracy Kerdman is a Las Vegas-based painter whose work explores femininity, the body, and the symbolic weight of still life. Merging vintage influences with contemporary insight, her detailed oil paintings capture quiet moments rich with emotional depth and narrative possibility. Featured in New American Paintings and a recipient of the 2018 Spring Hopper Prize, Kerdman continues to refine a style that is both evocative and precise.

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.

Chang Wan Jin’s hyperrealistic portraits are a breathtaking study in detail, capturing the complexity of human skin and emotion. Trained at the Art Students League of New York, Jin’s work is inspired by the precision of realism and a passion for portraying life-like depth. In this interview, he discusses his journey from Korea to New York, the challenges of hyperrealism, and how his craft continues to evolve.

In her Dopamine series, Nicolette Spear masterfully merges the digital and human realms, highlighting the influence of technology on our daily lives. Through her incorporation of familiar app icons, Spear’s paintings explore the complex relationship we have with our devices, offering a playful yet poignant commentary on digital addiction. Her work challenges us to consider the emotional impact of technology, all while urging reflection on our evolving connection with the digital world.

Alexandra Telgmann’s work invites viewers to reconnect with the tranquility and power of water. Her paintings explore the fluid interaction between the human body, marine life, and light, revealing hidden underwater worlds. Using 24-carat gold leaf to enhance the shimmer of water’s surface, she creates immersive works that encourage moments of reflection and appreciation for marine conservation. Experience the serenity and movement of her ocean-inspired art.

Nicole Williford’s representational paintings invite viewers into a world where family stories are transformed into visual myths. Inspired by archival photos and shaped by her own imagination. Nicole’s work blends personal and found photographs with oral history and imagination, creating surreal, layered paintings that explore the myth-making of family life.

Marisa Macklin, a contemporary figurative painter featured in AQ Volume 5, brings her diverse background in musical theater and fine art to create vibrant, evocative works. Her latest series, Fashion, Fruit, and Fowl, merges the energy of fashion and farm life, offering a fresh perspective on modern portraiture. Dive into Macklin's journey from city streets to rural life and explore how her evolving environment shapes her art.

Francesca Woolson, a talented painter from Western New York, brings a unique perspective to surrealist portraiture, combining oil paint with elements of memory and emotion. Her work explores the intersections of domination, isolation, and the subconscious, influenced by personal experiences and non-visual art forms like poetry. As a junior at Maine College of Art and Design, Francesca is already making waves with her award-winning pieces and ambitious exploration of human figures and memory. Learn more about her evolving artistic voice in this in-depth interview.

Bree Gilliam's figurative oil paintings give voice to marginalized people and explore the social issues impacting society today. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Gilliam's work—often inspired by personal experiences and the fight for social justice—examines injustice through a deeply emotional and expressive lens. Learn about her journey from high school inspiration to creating art that sparks important conversations.

Natasza Mirak, known for her deep exploration of identity and the societal roles imposed on individuals, is featured in AQ Volume 5. Her work combines classical techniques with modern media to examine the dualities within human experience—confusion and certainty, shame and boldness. Mirak's approach invites viewers into a world where the complex relationship between roles and intimate needs is visually realized through powerful portraiture.

In AQ Volume 5, Jessie Xu, a portrait artist and recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts, showcases her ability to merge traditional oil painting techniques with a profound sensitivity to color and detail. Drawing on her experiences across cultures, Jessie’s work highlights her remarkable skill in capturing the spirit of her subjects, emphasizing the eyes as windows to their essence. Explore her journey from childhood artist to accomplished painter, and see how her evolving artistic style continues to captivate and inspire.

Kathryn D’Elia's vibrant and thoughtful oil paintings critically examine the pressures of modern American life, using familiar objects and cinematic settings to delve into themes of fear, humor, and wonder. Featured in AQ Volume 5, D’Elia combines post-impressionism, surrealism, and a playful approach to challenge perceptions of reality and self. Explore how her work invites viewers to question societal norms while reflecting on personal identity and contemporary struggles.

Through intricate layers of oil and mixed media, AQ Volume 5 artist Lïlï Dauphinee explores themes of neurodivergence, isolation, and unity. Her signature tic-tac marks embody the unseen bonds that connect us all, challenging the perception of separateness. Based in Belize, Dauphinee’s practice is shaped by her environment and personal journey, offering a profound perspective on our place within the greater whole. Read her full interview to learn more about her inspirations, challenges, and artistic rituals.

Crystal Villegas, a self-taught oil painter from Chicago, brings surrealism to life through her exploration of dreams, nature, and the complexities of human emotions. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Villegas’ debut collection, The Nature of Need, delves into themes of self-care, identity, and the profound connection between biology and psychology. Discover how her work continues the tradition of fine art storytelling in a contemporary way.

Jonathon Downing’s portraits blur the lines between fantasy and reality, using digital montage and oil painting to create complex characters that embody the emotional journey of basketball fans and the athletes they idolize. His work delves into themes of identity, success, and the dichotomy between internal emotions and external image. Read more to explore how Downing’s innovative approach creates an alternate universe where the athletes and fans are transformed into surreal, multifaceted beings.

Jennifer Peart's landscape paintings transcend the ordinary by blending natural elements with mid-century architecture and visionary science fiction. Based in Sacramento, California, Peart's works explore forgotten futures and abandoned possibilities, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity's connection with the planet. Her use of color, texture, and spatial inversions creates immersive portals to alternative realities, offering a hopeful vision for the future.