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.

From stained glass restoration to set design in Hollywood, Tara Aarons has forged a unique path as an artist. Her oil paintings, shaped by historical craftsmanship and her love of fantasy and sci-fi, are a testament to her dedication to traditional techniques and deep understanding of light and shadow. Explore how Tara's artistic journey, rooted in New York's rich culture and refined through her Los Angeles experiences, continues to inspire her work today.

Sikara Sokel, a contemporary painter from Harpers Ferry, WV, brings traditional portraiture to life through extreme contrasts of color and light. Her approach captures emotional depth through dynamic setups and vibrant color schemes, often collaborating with close friends as her models. Read more about Sikara’s artistic process and her upcoming projects in our latest feature.

Abra Johnson’s oil paintings transport viewers into moments of nostalgia, capturing the essence of food, spirits, vintage items, and Americana. With a keen eye for realism and a love for reflective and transparent surfaces, her work strikes a balance between photorealism and expressive brushwork. Whether on canvas or her signature custom-cut wood panels, Abra’s art invites us to rediscover the beauty in everyday objects.

Nancy Lamb, an accomplished sculptor and painter based in Fort Worth, Texas, has captivated audiences with her vivid "Social Spaces" series and public art installations, including terrazzo designs at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. With a career spanning decades, her work has graced renowned institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art and featured in Harper's Magazine and New American Painting. Explore the artistic world of Nancy Lamb and the stories she tells through her exceptional creations.

Claire Milner, a British artist based in North Yorkshire, blends classical literature, mythology, and environmental activism in her work. With over two decades of experience, Milner’s art explores climate change, mass extinction, and endangered species, offering a contemporary and personal twist on traditional art history. Her work has garnered global attention, with exhibitions in prestigious locations and collaborations with major environmental organizations

Giovina Brauer, an artist based in British Columbia, immerses herself in nature and the beauty of life through her evocative oil paintings. Drawing on themes of life, death, and the afterlife, her work invites viewers into a world of fantasy and reality. In her remote Canim Lake studio, Brauer finds tranquility in daily walks with her dog, Emma, where magical moments fuel her creative process. Explore how she merges storytelling, dreams, and cultural influences to create timeless art that resonates with the viewer on a deep, emotional level.

Leah Marie Andrews crafts atmospheric paintings that pull viewers into their own stories. Inspired by her surroundings in the Pacific Northwest and her love for hiking, Leah’s work invites you to explore vivid, intimate landscapes where every brushstroke tells a tale. Discover how her art serves as a portal for emotional exploration and reflection.

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.