John Swofford shares his personal journey as an oil painter, specializing in landscapes, portraits, and clothed figures. From overcoming the challenges of schizophrenia to creating over three hundred paintings, Swofford’s art is driven by his belief in a collective unconscious and the transformative power of love and respect. His works are an exploration of not only the external world but also the internal energy that connects us all.

British contemporary artist Tristan Reid’s figurative paintings are an exploration of light, dark, and the emotional climate of human experience. Working in oil on wood panel and canvas, Reid’s art is deeply influenced by literature, history, and the fluctuating relationship between mankind and nature. In his own words, "WILDING 1 is a painting that hints at mankind's tenuous connection with nature. Our love for it and our fluctuating indifference to preserving it.

Spenser Bower’s oil paintings offer a kaleidoscopic view of queer joy and nostalgia, capturing moments from Chicago’s Hollywood Beach, Boystown nightclubs, and Palm Springs poolsides. Inspired by artists like David Hockney and Jenny Morgan, Bower’s work immortalizes fleeting moments of vibrant youth, transforming them into enduring vignettes that transcend time. Learn more about his artistic process and inspiration in this in-depth feature.

Award-winning artist Jess Quinn, featured in AQ Volume IV, brings nature's most delicate elements to life through her larger-than-life botanical oil paintings. Her work magnifies the intricate details of flowers and plants, offering a fresh perspective on the natural world and encouraging viewers to slow down and appreciate the simple, yet extraordinary beauty surrounding them. Discover how Quinn's dedication to capturing the elegance of everyday botanicals has transformed her art into a powerful reminder of nature's unseen wonders.

Anne Wölk, an AQ Volume IV artist based in Berlin, captivates viewers with her imaginative starry landscapes and cosmic themes. Combining techniques of the old masters with modern digital aesthetics, her work bridges Romanticism and Photorealism to reimagine traditional landscape painting. With international exhibitions and awards, Wölk’s visionary art invites us to explore the limitless possibilities of the universe.

Jong-un Choi, featured in AQ Volume 4, explores the complex interplay of color and perception in her latest series Dialogue with Light. With a foundation in traditional Korean painting and a focus on emotional resonance, Choi’s work invites viewers to engage with a deeper understanding of the visible world. Her innovative approach combines both her cultural heritage and contemporary explorations, offering a unique perspective on the connections between space, light, and emotion.

Manon Blet, a French painter based in Biarritz, uses oil paint to explore mystical memories, emotions, and the complexities of her sensitive soul. Her work, inspired by her childhood love for manga and graphic arts, invites viewers to reflect on their own reality through intimate and nostalgic compositions. Blet’s art encourages silent contemplation, blending humor, introspection, and personal reflection.

Flo Giovanni Pacini, featured in AQ Volume 4, is a figurative oil painter whose work explores the delicate balance between tradition, memory, and the natural world. Based in New York City, her art seeks to uncover the unseen forces that shape existence, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty and interconnectedness of life. Pacini's work challenges conventional boundaries, offering a profound reflection on the magic and mysticism embedded in nature and human experience.

Discover the evocative oil paintings of Meghna Sharma, a talented portrait artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through her detailed and emotional portraits, Meghna explores universal themes like love, longing, and connection, creating intimate stories that invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences. With work displayed in both local and international exhibitions, Meghna continues to capture the quiet beauty of everyday life, infusing her subjects with depth and emotion. Read more about her process, influences, and the personal stories behind her powerful artwork.

In his latest body of work, Paul Tambellini masterfully captures the interplay of light and shadow, creating dynamic landscapes that reflect the constant motion of the world around us. Influenced by artists like Hopper and Diebenkorn, Tambellini’s oil paintings explore the emotional resonance of color while portraying the awe and isolation felt when observing vast landscapes and architectural environments. Discover more about Tambellini’s process and the inspiration behind his expressive works in Issue 46 of Create! Magazine.

Jennifer Huang (HFYJ), a high school senior from Southern California, blends her experiences as a Chinese immigrant with her exploration of socially relevant issues in her art. Using traditional oil painting techniques, she addresses themes like Asian stereotypes, the role of women in Chinese society, and the resilience of revolutionary forces. Discover how Jennifer uses vibrant colors and symbolic imagery to provoke reflection and inspire change in her work, featured in Issue 46 of Create! Magazine.

Brennan Harris, a Southern California artist, draws inspiration from the philosophies and aesthetics of Classical Greece and Rome to create meticulously crafted paintings that bridge the ancient and the modern. Combining the stoic elegance of marble sculptures with invigorating colors and abstract forms, Harris celebrates timeless beauty through a contemporary lens. Discover how his journey with dyslexia and commitment to fitness have shaped his artistic practice and influenced his unique approach to painting.

Emily Parsons is a Brooklyn-based artist blending her background in art direction with a passion for capturing the beauty in ordinary moments. Her work explores themes of modernity, time, and place through glowing lighting, thoughtful expressions, and impressionist brushstrokes. Parsons invites viewers to find art in the world around them, from sunsets to subtle textures, celebrating the charm hidden in everyday life.

From the bustling streets of New York to the architectural details found in Taipei, Francine Hsu Davis’s work explores the complexities of memory, place, and identity. Through her rich layers of oil paint, Davis recreates the urban landscapes she encounters, using color and texture to evoke a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. Read more about how her cultural roots and personal experiences shape her artistic process in Issue 46 of Create! Magazine.

Misha René Gundersen, a Nashville-based artist, merges surrealism, cubism, and expressionism to create emotionally evocative paintings and ceramics. Featured in AQ Volume 4, her work explores the intimate connections between the surreal and the mundane, influenced by a cowboy upbringing and vivid nightmares. Gundersen's practice challenges the boundaries of reality and abstraction, offering a raw and personal look at life through her bold, expressive style.

Explore the powerful and intimate paintings of Melanie Farrenkopf, a German artist whose vibrant oil works examine the intersections of personal space and contemporary issues. Known for her bathroom series, Farrenkopf invites viewers to confront themes of vulnerability, self-expression, and societal reflection, all framed within the glow of evocative lighting. Learn more about her creative process, inspirations, and the unique approach that makes her work both polarizing and captivating.

Faustine Badrichani's artwork explores the delicate intersection of intimacy and universality through powerful portrayals of the female body. Her paintings, sculptures, and works on paper offer a unique glimpse into feminine energy, focusing on empowerment, vulnerability, and personal sensations. Badrichani's approach transcends traditional representations, aiming to connect deeply with the viewer through the universal experience of womanhood. Visit her profile to learn more about her creative journey and the evolving themes in her practice.

In AQ Volume 4, we dive into the work of Victoria Veedell, an artist whose captivating landscapes explore the emotional depth of nature. Through her innovative use of light and color, Veedell invites viewers to experience the transient beauty of the natural world, encouraging moments of mindfulness and introspection. With works inspired by her walks through San Francisco and artist residencies around the globe, her paintings reveal a profound connection between humanity and the environment.

Olivia Cohen, an artist blending realism with an expressive technique, brings life to ordinary moments through her vibrant oil paintings. Her recent work explores the delicate relationship between nature, color, and emotion, often depicting flowers in a symbiotic connection between art and the natural world. In our latest blog, discover how Cohen navigates the balance between personal expression and commercial success, offering a glimpse into her creative process and inspiration. Read more to understand how her work invites viewers into a space of introspection and visual joy.

Joe Hedges is a multidisciplinary artist whose work investigates the tension between digital and tactile experiences in contemporary life. By blending traditional oil painting with digital screens, tablets, and unexpected materials, Hedges creates compelling pieces that provoke curiosity and contemplation. His practice challenges viewers to reflect on how technology shapes our consciousness and culture while celebrating the creative possibilities that arise from the intersection of art history and modern media. Explore his transformative approach to art in this featured interview.