Nellie Grey Eckert challenges traditional notions of embroidery by recontextualizing cross-stitch in her fiber-based artwork. As an AQ Volume 5 artist, she explores the overlooked history of feminine craft, transforming found textiles into evocative visual poetry. Through meticulous erasure techniques, Eckert highlights the intersection of gender, domesticity, and artistic recognition, elevating embroidery from “girlish handicraft” to fine art. Read her full interview to learn more about her practice and inspirations.

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.

Haejin Yoo, a self-taught artist from Sydney, brings her surreal expressionist style to Issue 50 and AQ Volume 5, showcasing her Woman in the Bath series. Known for integrating mixed media and vibrant imagery, Yoo’s work delves into themes of identity, introspection, and emotional vulnerability. Discover how her journey—from scientific studies to full-time artistry—shapes her compelling narrative.

Featured in Create! Magazine AQ Volume 5, Francesca Reina is an underwater photographer whose breathtaking images reveal the hidden magic of Mexico’s cenotes. Through her work, she not only showcases the surreal beauty of these freshwater sinkholes but also advocates for their preservation. Dive into her creative journey, where exploration, art, and environmental consciousness come together in a mesmerizing visual narrative.

Kelda Van Patten’s art plays with the boundaries between the artificial and the natural world, using layered techniques like collage and re-photography to create disorienting yet captivating visual spaces. In her latest interview, Van Patten reflects on her artistic journey, her process, and the influences that shape her practice. Get an inside look at her work and how she examines kitsch in her exploration of modern realities.

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.

San Francisco-based artist Debra Cook Shapiro masterfully blends expressive brushstrokes and intricate collages to explore the emotions at the heart of social interactions. Her paintings celebrate both exuberance and quiet reflection, drawing inspiration from lush gardens, Mediterranean beaches, and intimate gatherings. Shapiro’s work invites viewers to experience the nuanced emotions of fleeting moments, as seen through the eyes of peripheral figures at these celebrations. Explore the joy, nostalgia, and complexity of human connections in her latest works.

Betsy Wild’s sculptural works transform animals into powerful emotional conduits, weaving narratives of connection, memory, and human experience. Drawing from a background in illustration and product design, her clay sculptures embody the delicate balance of relationships through expressive compositions and intricate storytelling. Discover how her work invites viewers to reflect on their own narratives in this feature on Create! Magazine.

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.

Discover the breathtaking surreal works of Sarah Renzi Sanders, a contemporary artist whose paintings express the interconnectedness of the earth, femininity, and rebirth. Inspired by her meditations in nature, Renzi uses luminous colors and organic textures to create landscapes that evoke a sense of balance and life. Explore her artistic journey and the meaningful themes that drive her work, from motherhood to the sacredness of the natural world.

Megan Elizabeth's abstract paintings invite viewers to experience nature’s beauty through dynamic layers of color and texture. Her work, inspired by the play of light and shadow on natural elements, has been showcased internationally and is collected by private and corporate collectors. Megan's artistic process, deeply rooted in the power of fleeting moments, explores the delicate balance between feminine energy and the natural world. Read more about how her paintings capture the essence of movement and light.

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.

Once told she was "ungifted" in art, Shirley Wong’s creative journey took an unexpected turn after a decade-long career in corporate writing. Her latest work, Twisting Words, transforms discarded paper into sculptural landscapes that explore the fragile nature of language, media consumption, and personal transformation. Through meticulously twisted fragments of newspapers, magazines, and journals, Wong invites viewers to reconsider how we interpret and assign meaning in a chaotic world. Read more about her artistic process and inspiration in our latest blog.

Paige Roberts is a digital illustrator whose work blends fairytales, folklore, and nature into captivating, dreamlike compositions. Drawing inspiration from literary icons like J.R.R. Tolkien and Jane Austen, as well as classic Disney animation, her art invites viewers into enchanting worlds filled with nostalgia and wonder. With collaborations including Anthropologie’s 2019 holiday line and a custom gift for Stevie Nicks in 2023, Paige continues to weave magic through her illustrations. Explore her artistic journey and creative vision in this exclusive feature.

Kate Rasmussen, also known as CP KATE, elevates everyday objects with a touch of irony and humor in her sculptural collages. From food molds to historical references, her work combines whimsical pop culture with classical imagery, resulting in a contemporary take on the past. Discover how Kate’s distinctive approach brings levity and creative tension to the art world.

Amy Spassov’s art, honed over three decades of self-directed exploration, reflects her profound connection to nature. Working with layers of paint and collage, she embarks on a journey of discovery with every piece she creates. Read about her process, the peace she finds in her studio, and how her work has resonated with collectors and art lovers worldwide.

Danielle Biglin’s journey to becoming an artist is one of inspiration and determination. At 40, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream and hasn’t looked back since. Known for her nostalgic oil and acrylic paintings, Danielle’s work captures the essence of cherished family moments—think card games, cocktails, and birthday parties, all infused with a retro 80s charm. Now a full-time artist living in Richmond, Virginia, Danielle’s story and art continue to connect with audiences across generations.

Discover the bold and thought-provoking art of Kate Hassett, a Chicago-based fiber and photo artist studying at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kate uses self-portraiture and digital techniques to address personal discomforts surrounding sex and societal sexualization. Her works often incorporate humor as a way to process these complex themes, resulting in visually striking and deeply personal creations. Explore her journey of transforming vulnerability into art that resonates with both wit and introspection.