In AQ Volume 4, abstract painter Stephanie Rado Taormina opens up about her artistic journey and the self-work that inspires her vibrant, emotionally charged paintings. With a focus on presence and the magic of life, Rado Taormina’s works capture raw emotion and powerful human connection. Through her exploration of new techniques and her commitment to staying open and curious, she continues to create art that resonates deeply with audiences.

Franco-Lebanese-American artist Kelly Halabi invites us to witness the profound layers of history, violence, and memory through her striking sculptures. From rock-like forms to bombed building fragments, Halabi’s work speaks to the scars of both personal and collective trauma. With a bold mix of materials and a raw exploration of color and texture, her art transforms destruction into enduring beauty. Read more about how Halabi's creations evoke both a deep past and the complexities of the present.

Discover the bold figurative work of Joanna Pilarczyk, a contemporary painter whose vibrant portraits explore the complexities of relationships, diversity, and self-awareness. Through her captivating use of neon acrylics and oils, Pilarczyk captures intimate moments of rest and reflection, celebrating both individuality and connection. Featured in prestigious galleries worldwide, her work invites contemplation on themes of womanhood, heritage, and acceptance.

Hannah West’s art invites reflection on the simple yet profound moments found in daily life. With her delicate colored pencil drawings, she transforms ordinary scenes into contemplative works that evoke comfort and tranquility. Learn more about her process and how her art celebrates the beauty in the mundane.

For over two decades, Rob Croxford has captivated audiences with his acrylic paintings, blending pop culture references, nostalgia, and a touch of humor. His recent “Sign Language” series reinvents vintage neon signs featuring iconic film quotes, creating a fresh take on familiar imagery. Learn more about Rob's artistic journey and how humor plays an essential role in his work.

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.

In her work, Jada McAliley captures intimate moments that explore her relationships with family and herself, all through the lens of her Black identity. Using mediums like graphite, oil paint, and B&W film, she creates deeply personal narratives that invite the viewer into the complexity of family traditions and self-reflection. From her high school experiences to her future studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Jada's art is a journey of growth and self-expression.

Carolanna Parlato's art invites viewers into a world where nature, memory, and abstraction intertwine. Her process begins with organic paint pours and evolves through digital manipulation and hand-painted details, resulting in vibrant, emotionally resonant works. Known for her bold colors and biomorphic shapes, Parlato’s paintings blur the lines between humanity and nature while reflecting themes of identity and connection. Learn more about her journey and artistic philosophy in our latest blog post.

Alberto Alonso creates poignant acrylic paintings that delve into themes of grief, abandonment, and the impermanence of life. Drawing inspiration from family photographs and his surroundings in Puerto Rico and Florida, his work captures moments frozen in time. Currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Central Florida, Alberto shares personal yet relatable encounters through his art. Learn more about his journey and process in this feature.

Sara Hoque captures the majesty and mystery of the natural world in her bold, abstract landscapes. Using acrylic paint, spray paint, and collage, her work explores the complex emotion of ‘awe’ and invites viewers to reconnect with nature’s grandeur. With influences from childhood memories and the concept of the sublime, Sara’s pieces transcend the ordinary to evoke a sense of wonder. Read more about her inspirations and artistic process in this feature.

Jason Van Pelt creates captivating acrylic paintings that focus on the essence of his subjects, from portraits to everyday objects. His use of minimalist forms and limited color palettes brings out the beauty in simplicity, offering a fresh perspective on nostalgia and human experience. Discover more about his artistic journey and process in this feature.

Artist Ariel Davis crafts emotionally resonant narrative realist paintings. With over 50 exhibitions, public murals at Globe Life Field, and a portrait gifted to Paul McCartney, her bold use of color and subtle symbolism have earned her recognition, including Fort Worth Magazine’s Best Artist. Explore her journey and artistic process.

Beau Bernier Frank’s work is a reflection of daily life, seeking solitude and simplicity while exploring the balance between bold, vibrant marks and gentle gradients. Inspired by the Central Coast of California, the New England coastline, and travels across Europe, their art captures the connection between figures and vast natural landscapes. Dive into their creative process and see how storytelling and nature intertwine.

Kathleen Burns, an AQ Volume IV artist, brings humanity back into fashion illustration with her vibrant gouache paintings and mid-century influences. Drawing from her background in anthropology and fashion design, Kathleen's work captures colorful scenes of everyday life, blending traditional and digital techniques to create a unique artistic voice. Explore her creative journey and vision in this exclusive interview.

Explore the captivating world of Lauren E. Cassidy, an AQ Volume IV artist whose interdisciplinary practice merges the realms of music and visual art. Through her unique method of translating auditory frequencies into vibrant colors and compositions, Cassidy crafts works that inspire curiosity and reimagine the boundaries of creative expression.

Duwenavue Sante Johnson, an artist whose work intertwines hand embroidery and painting, reflects on cultural heritage, personal transformation, and community resilience. Featured in AQ Volume 4, her unique pieces explore the strength found in reconstruction and the beauty of fragmented stories. Through her delicate yet powerful approach to textiles and mixed media, Johnson's art invites viewers to engage with the transformative power of art, history, and identity.

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.

Rowan Bathurst, featured in AQ Volume 4, creates intimate and powerful portraits that explore themes of feminism, sisterhood, and the ancient human connection to the earth. Her work, often inspired by her close friends and archaeological relics like Venus figurines, radiates warmth and vulnerability. Bathurst’s paintings celebrate the profound nature of womanhood while offering new perspectives on identity and strength.

Edit Cservenka, an emerging talent in contemporary painting, uses her mastery of acrylic and oil paints to create dynamic, human-like figures that challenge the boundaries of abstraction. Featured in AQ Volume 4, her work delves into themes of intimacy, self-discovery, and the interplay between the human body and its environment. Explore Cservenka's unique approach to painting as she blends fragmented forms with vibrant colors to evoke a deeper emotional and physical connection with the viewer.

In AQ Volume 4, we explore the artistry of Marci Erspamer, a self-taught visionary painter based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Erspamer's work, particularly her series on flowers and nests, captures the beauty and process of life, emphasizing the connection between repetition, transformation, and personal growth. Through her unique medium and reflective approach, Marci shares how art can serve as both a practice and a path to clarity.