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.

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.