Categories
artwork

23-art

Issue #23 ~ Spring 2026
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: “Holding the Light by Siying (Rella) Wang

Close-up of white magnolia flowers on branches with a soft focus on a house in the background.

I’m Siying (Rella) Wang, a high school photographer from Connecticut. Through my photography, I explore a question that feels more urgent than ever: After all our inventions and interruptions, can we still coexist with nature?

With my camera, I seek to capture the quiet moments we often overlook: The subtle patterns, the pauses, the evidence of harmony that still exists between human presence and the natural world. My work suggests that technology itself is not what distances us from nature; rather, it is how we choose to use it. When wielded with care, the camera becomes a tool for reawakening our attention and deepening our connection to the earth.

Nature, in my eyes, is the original artist. I hope to encourage a slowing down, a return to observation, curiosity, and wonder. Through my images, I invite others to feel the web of interdependence that binds all life, to notice the recurring patterns that speak of quiet intelligence, and to consider the gift economy of ecosystems where nothing exists in isolation and everything is part of a greater exchange.

Through this way of seeing, we not only capture images, but we are also captured by them. We remember how to belong.

Cynthia Yatchman

A split image featuring two contrasting artistic styles: the left side showcases a monochrome floral painting with bold brush strokes, while the right side displays an abstract watercolor with vibrant colors and fluid patterns.
SpruceDiptych April 2025

Cynthia Yatchman is a Seattle-based artist. A former ceramicist, she received her B.F.A. in painting (UW). She switched from 3D to 2D and has remained there ever since. She works primarily on paintings and prints. Her art is housed in numerous public and private collections. She has exhibited on both coasts, extensively in the Northwest, including shows at Seattle University, SPU, Shoreline Community College, the Tacoma and Seattle Convention Centers, and the Pacific Science Center. She is a member of the Seattle Print Art Association, COCA, Women Painters of Washington, and Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists.

Abstract art featuring a split design with a green and maroon textured side on the left and a white textured side on the right.
Bagachiele April 2025

Antonio Garcia III

A monochromatic painting of a woman's face in profile, featuring dark tones with lighter accents. The woman is depicted with a veil, and the background has a textured, abstract design.
The End Does Not End You

Shaped by limited access to creative outlets, my work is of resilience and transformation. Painting on discarded, broken sheets of plywood I’d find in alleys, construction sites, or on the side of the road. I explore themes of overcoming doubt and embracing uncertainty to find good in each other. Through my art, I hope to inspire others in a meaningful way and believe in the power of art to change lives and communities.

Antonio Garcia III, based in Las Vegas, is interested in what survives when things fall apart. Shaped by early efforts to access creative opportunities. Today, Antonio is in group exhibitions across Los Angeles,
including galleries: Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts, Emerging Gallery, and The Los Angeles Makery. He believes in the power of art to inspire, change lives, and communities.

David Capps

A detailed sketch of a tree with intricate branches and roots, set against a light background.
Where have the Fey Folk Gone

David Capps is a writer and philosophy professor based in New Haven, CT. His chapbooks include Poems from the First Voyage (The Nasiona Press 2019), A Non-Grecian Non-Urn (Yavanika Press 2019), Colossi (Kelsay Books 2020), Wheatfield with Reaper (Akinoga Press 2024), and the philosophical experiment, On the Great Duration of Life (Schism Neuronics 2023). For his chapbook A Pythos Jar he was a 2024 writer in residence at Sacramento State University. 

Tendai Rinos Mwanaka

Abstract painting featuring a blend of dark colors, splashes of vibrant reds, blues, and yellows, and a textured, layered effect.
after arguing about multiply to replenish earth a biblical concept with my cousin
An abstract painting featuring a blend of vibrant colors, including reds, blues, and earthy tones, with intricate white patterns resembling foliage or coral.
trees, shrubs, and leaves

Ayush Pradhan

An astronaut floating in space near a colorful octopus-like creature with multiple tentacles, set against a starry background featuring planets and celestial shapes.
The Aquatic Astronaut

Ayush Pradhan is an artist and photographer who loves creating bizarre, interesting, and vividly drawn art that explores visual storytelling through color, texture, and emotion.

Other images appearing alongside the pieces:

Categories
artwork

22-art

Issue #22 ~ Winter 2026
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Impressions of Waking Cranes” by Kim McNealy Sosin (Best of the Net Nominee)

Silhouettes of Sandhill Cranes taking off at sunrise over a river, with vibrant orange and warm hues in the sky.

Kim McNealy Sosin rediscovered her love of photography and poetry after retiring from teaching university economics. She has published poetry, flash fiction, and photographs in journals and anthologies, including Sandcutters, Failed Haiku, Beyond Words, and Voices from the Plains, and also has photographs in journals, including Rattle, Raw Art Review, and The Ekphrastic Review. Her photographs have been nominated for “best of the net,” and several have been selected for covers of journal issues and books. In 2025, she published a poetry memoir chapbook and, with a co-author, a chapbook of poetry and images of France. Her website is kimsosin.com

“In March, I drive to central Nebraska for one of the world’s most amazing migrations: the Sandhill Cranes, over half a million of them, pass through a river length of about 80 miles. This photo was taken one coral morning when the sunrise created silhouettes of the cranes dancing and taking off.”


“Neverending” by Maia Brown-Jackson

An urban corridor filled with colorful graffiti on concrete pillars and walls, showcasing a vibrant street art atmosphere.

Maia Brown-Jackson is a Pushcart-nominated, award-winning writer whose second poetry collection, Gifted (Nymeria Publishing, 2026), is now available wherever books are sold. In her spare time, she volunteers with a Yazidi NGO, accidentally starts studying quantum physics because several hours ago she looked up the qualities of neutrinos for a poem, and wastes time with the world’s sweetest, clumsiest cat.


“Kunik” by Hiokit Lao (Cover Art, Issue #17), Best of the Net Nominee




A “Kunik,” also called an Eskimo kiss, nose kiss, or nose rub, is the act of pressing one’s nose against another. In various Indigenous cultures, it is usually interpreted as a form of greeting and affection. 

This piece showcases two Inuit women sharing a ‘Kunik’, symbolizing profound love and strength. Like mountains, they stand resilient, their nurturing spirits akin to the enduring peaks—steadfast, forgiving, and strong, embracing unwavering love and fortitude.

My name is Hiokit Lao. I am a 29-year-old self-taught artist based in NYC. I aim to create art that ignites conversations and celebrates life, encouraging viewers to explore different narratives within the artwork. Each piece is a homage to cultural diversity, intertwining social narratives and my artistic vision. Through surreal, abstract, and vibrant elements, I aim to create meaningful art that instills hope and positivity.


“Natural Hue” by Sarah Kohrs (Cover Art, Issue #19)

Close-up of an old, rusty green gate with peeling paint, set against a blurred background of trees and sunlight.




In “Natural Hue,” taken in Oregon, that moment settles like a lambda point, portraying humanity’s interactions with nature. Old farming equipment piles up next to the edge of a forest, whose trees are razed for humanity’s needs.
Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” When we pause and savor the image, the emotional draw-up can impact real-world change. That’s what I hope for my art.

Sarah E N Kohrs is an award-winning poet, potter, and fine arts photographer who contributes to The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. SENK has over 90 photographs published in literary journals worldwide, including 45th Parallel, Beyond Words, CALYX, Camas, Culinary Origami, GROUND, Months to Years, Lavender Bones, Litro, Nassau Review, Paper Dragon, Peatsmoke, Progenitor, The Sun, Quibble, Voices de la Luna, Word’s Faire, and more. Sarah has a BA from The College of Wooster and a Virginia teaching license endorsed in Latin and Visual Arts. SENK lives in Va, on land she humbly recognizes belonged to the Manahoac. She works to kindle hope amidst asperity.  https://senkohrs.com.


“Zephyr” by Mary Amato (Cover Art, Issue #20)

Abstract artistic representation of swirling water patterns in shades of blue and teal, with flowing lines resembling fluid movement.




Mary Amato is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and musician. She creates work to explore meaning and to honor the transcendent, and her art and writing has appeared in many publications. She teaches both online and at the Montclair Art Museum, specializing in helping people to identify and overcome inner obstacles and to use meditation practices as artists. www.maryamato.com

Artwork accompanying the Pieces in this issue…
Other images appearing alongside the pieces:

Categories
artwork

21-art

Issue #21 ~ Autumn 2025
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Early Rising” by Amuri Morris

A vibrant sunset landscape featuring silhouetted trees against a glowing orange and yellow sky, with reflections in the water below.

My name is Amuri Morris and I’m an artist based in Richmond, Va. I recently graduated from painting/ printmaking and business at Virginia Commonwealth University such as a VMFA Fellowship. Throughout the years I have acquired several artistic accolades. I aim to promote diversity in art canon, specifically focusing on the black experience and bringing an ethereal sense to ordinary subjects. You can find my work at http://www.murisart.com or on instagram under @miss.mur.arti and @miss.muri

Also by Amuri Morris, Still Life With Sunflowers:

A still life painting of sunflowers in a rustic vase, with a dark background enhancing the vibrant colors of the flowers and their green leaves.

Harry Bauld:

Abstract painting featuring a blend of teal, purple, and hints of orange, depicting a dreamy forest landscape.
Dawn

Artist Statement: Gauguin famously (supposedly!) said, “If you see a tree as red, paint it red!” A native New Englander — poet, painter, and translator — who is a longtime New York resident (recently in the Bronx), I have been trying to see the red trees. My work plays along the border between an impressionist naturalism and the temptations of abstraction fed by influences as seemingly different as late Monet, Albert Pinkham Ryder and Mark Rothko. I try to hew to the dictum of another New York-to-Vermont painter, Wolf Kahn, who said a painting should have “contrast, drama, and austerity.” Goals to aspire to.

“Harvest” by J.C. Henderson

An abstract painting featuring a mix of vibrant colors and dynamic shapes, characterized by bold brush strokes and an expressive composition.

J.C. Henderson is an artist as well as a poet. Her inspiration for art resonates with her poetic impulses. Images of her paintings, some of which as cover art, have been featured in literary and art magazines in the US, as well as in England, such as The Emerson Review, Blue Mesa Review, CALYX, Ignatian, and Indelible of London Arts-Based Research Center.

Also by J.C. Henderson…

Abstract artwork titled 'Early Rising' featuring vibrant colors and fluid brush strokes, primarily in shades of pink, blue, and black.
Dance
Abstract painting featuring a vibrant mix of colors with floral elements, showcasing a dynamic interplay of shapes and textures.
New Friends
Abstract painting featuring bold brush strokes in shades of yellow, black, and earthy tones, conveying a dynamic and expressive feel.
Hoarder

Crystal Angeles:

A close-up photograph of the moon, showcasing its craters and surface details against a dark background.

My name is Crystal Angeles. Immigrant. Psychology student. Mother of four children. I enjoy photography as a way of expression. I speak thought my images what my mind and heart can’t put into words.

Fabio Sassi:

Abstract artwork featuring drips of paint in shades of blue, purple, and white on a dark background.
Dripping Cloud

Fabio Sassi is a visual artist living in Bologna, Italy. He makes photos and acrylics and using what is hidden, discarded or considered to have no worth by the mainstream. His work can be viewed at https://fabiosassi.foliohd.com

Other images appearing in this issue…

Categories
artwork

20-art

Issue #20 ~ Summer 2025
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Zephyr” by Mary Amato

Abstract artwork titled 'Zephyr' featuring swirling blue tones and flowing shapes that suggest movement and fluidity.
Zephyr by Mary Amato



Mary Amato is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and musician. She creates work to explore meaning and to honor the transcendent, and her art and writing has appeared in many publications. She teaches both online and at the Montclair Art Museum, specializing in helping people to identify and overcome inner obstacles and to use meditation practices as artists. www.maryamato.com

More by Mary Amato…

Abstract artwork featuring colorful, stylized shapes on a dark background, evoking a sense of depth and texture.
Family of Origin by Mary Amato

Abstract artwork titled 'Zephyr' featuring various shades of purple, with textured and layered brushstrokes that create a sense of movement and depth.
Displacement by Mary Amato

Roger Camp:

Close-up of a vibrant, sculptural flower with intricate layers and delicate pink petals, showcasing its unique texture and organic shapes.
Pink Bromeliad Seal Beach

Artist Statement: I am interested in the little thing,some object or scene that might offer some insight into the place I am photographing, perhaps offering an epiphany.

Roger Camp is the author of three photography books including the award winning Butterflies in Flight, Thames & Hudson, 2002. His documentary photography has been awarded the prestigious Leica Medal of Excellence. His work has appeared in numerous journals including The New England Review, American Chordata and the New York Quarterly. He is represented by the Robin Rice Gallery, NY.

Milena Makani:

An abstract artwork primarily featuring fluid shades of teal and blue, with swirling patterns and a central white line creating a sense of movement and depth.
Ylva



Milena Makani, born in 1984 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a German contemporary artist based in London, UK. Makani’s deeply psychological paintings depict inner landscapes characterized by layered textures, fluid forms and gradients. Employing acrylics, watercolours and inks on mineral stone sheets, she blends control and spontaneity through the interplay of organic process and manipulation. Makani lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a source of constant pain. Her works channel the mindfulness, gratitude and energy of her lived experience, as she investigates themes of resilience, serenity, isolation, joy, stoicism and fragility. The German artist has exhibited her work in the UK, Bulgaria and Iceland and her paintings are featured internationally in various private
collections. Instagram:  
www.instagram.com/milena.makani 

Website & catalog of available works:  www.milenamakani.com 

More by Milena Makani

An abstract painting with swirling colors of pink, blue, yellow, and white, creating a fluid and vibrant composition.
Mirethia
Abstract artwork titled 'Zephyr' featuring vibrant colors including pink, orange, yellow, and blue, blending together in fluid shapes that reflect a sense of movement and harmony.
Mira

Ferris Jones:

A colorful illustration of a sailing ship with multiple masts, set against a vibrant yellow and blue background, suggesting a nautical theme.



Ferris E Jones is an award-winning, internationally published poet, author, artist, and screenwriter living in Manchester Connecticut. He has published 13 collections of poetry. His art can be seen in Gulf Stream magazine, and his poetry has appeared in both print and online magazines including as the featured poet for Creative Talents Unleashed. Ferris has twice received honorable mention awards from the Writer’s Digest annual screenwriting contest.

Nataliia Burmaka:

A vibrant abstract artwork featuring organic shapes and patterns in shades of blue, purple, and earthy tones, with intricate details and circles reminiscent of botanical elements.
Future in the Past #7


Nataliia Burmaka (Ukraine/Finland) is a poet and artist. Her works have been shown in exhibitions in Finland and Ukraine and published in magazines such as Welter, Phoebe, Rednoisecollective, Arboreal, 805 lit, Full House Literary, etc. She compares creating visual art to writing a poem, except that she uses images instead of words. Her favorite art mediums are coffee and acrylic.

In her series “Future in the Past” she explores the concepts of alternative histories and possible climate change. This series invites the viewer to explore a world without dry land, where towering vertical lines symbolize alternative growth and evolution, and unusual shapes serve to illustrate how water could shape different forms of life.

Britnie Walston:

A vibrant seascape painting depicting a beach at sunset, featuring waves crashing on the shore, rocks on the sand, and a colorful sky filled with clouds and birds.
Evening on the Beach

While nature inspires me, I find ways to also incorporate it with other subject matters that personally influence my work such as racial and social injustice. Though my diverse range of work requires different creative processes and mediums, they are influenced by the same subject matter: freedom. Some of my processes are experimental, as I use unconventional tools and mixtures of silicone and acrylic paint to achieve a variety of different results.

Abstract artwork featuring a vibrant blend of reds, oranges, and yellows, with overlapping leaf shapes and textured surfaces, evoking a sense of nature and warmth.
Season of Change

Photography:

Close-up of a person holding a wooden violin by a body of water, with soft bokeh in the background creating a serene atmosphere.
Sebastian Mark
A narrow alleyway in a colorful Italian village, featuring buildings with pink and orange walls and laundry hanging on lines between them under a clear blue sky.
Maud Bocquillod
A masked wrestler poses in a wrestling ring, captured in black and white against a backdrop of blurred spectators and sunlight filtering through trees.
Joe Hernandez
Close-up view of home plate on a baseball diamond, surrounded by red dirt and white chalk lines.
Mark Duffel

Categories
artwork

19-art

Issue #19 ~ Spring 2025
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Natural Hue” by Sarah Kohrs

“Natural Hue” by Sarah Kohrs


In “Natural Hue,” taken in Oregon, that moment settles like a lambda point, portraying humanity’s interactions with nature. Old farming equipment piles up next to the edge of a forest, whose trees are razed for humanity’s needs.
Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” When we pause and savor the image, the emotional draw-up can impact real-world change. That’s what I hope for my art.

My artist name is SENK, which stands for Sarah Elizabeth Nichols Kohrs. I create in pottery, poetry, and photography. As a state licensed homeschooling mother, who has a propensity for hiking in the Shenandoah Valley, Va, with her kids, I have found photography the most versatile when adventuring. There are so many eureka moments I want to remember—ones that inspire me—and I’m grateful for the chance to share them with you, too.
senkohrs.com

Kim McNealy Sosin:

Impressions of Waking Cranes

Kim McNealy Sosin rediscovered her love of photography and poetry after retiring from teaching university economics. She has published poetry, flash fiction and photographs in journals and anthologies including Sandcutters, Failed Haiku, Beyond Words, and Voices from the Plains, and also photographs in journals including Rattle, Raw Art Review, and The Ekphrastic Review. Her photographs were selected for the cover for several journal issues and books.

“In March, I drive to central Nebraska for one of the world’s most amazing migrations: the Sandhill Cranes, over half-million of them, pass through a river length of about 80 miles. This photo was taken one coral morning when the sunrise created silhouettes of the cranes dancing and taking off.”

Ellen June Wright:

Watercolor #636-2


Ellen June Wright’s work revolves around the power of color and the emotions and memories they evoke. She is inspired by the works of Stanley Whitney, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Frank Bowling, Howardena Pindell, Jamaican Artist Cecil Cooper and others. Her art appears in LETTERS, NOVUS Literary Journal and others. Her work was included in the 2024 Newark Arts Festival and featured at the HACPAC in NJ. To see more visit:  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/8-ellen-wright

More by Ellen June Wright…

Watercolor #2417
Watercolor #2000

Watercolor #2413
Watercolor #0519

Sholanke Boluwatife Emmanuel:




Sholanke Boluwatife Emmanuel is a realist artist renowned for his extraordinary attention to detail and captivating visual narratives. A watercolourist and a pencil artist. Born and raised in Ogun state Nigeria, Sholanke developed a passion for art from an early age, inspired by the rich cultural heritage of his community.

As a realist artist, Sholanke’s work is characterized by its meticulous detail, photorealistic quality, and thought-provoking themes. His artistic style is deeply rooted in his African heritage.

Ferris Jones:




Ferris E Jones is an award-winning, internationally published poet, artist, and screenwriter living in Manchester Connecticut. His work has appeared in both print and online magazines including as the featured poet for Creative Talents Unleashed. Other magazines include: Dreich, Glo Mag, Piker Press, Se La Vie Writers Journal, Write on Magazine, Outlaw Poetry, Degenerate Literature 17, Tuck Magazine, The Literary Hatchet, Warriors with Wings, In Between Hangovers, and more. He is the recipient of two grants from the Nevada Arts Council and the Editor/Publisher of Nevada Poets 2009. Ferris has twice received honorable mention awards from the Writer’s Digest annual screenwriting contest. He is also the Author / Editor of nine poetry collections. You can learn more about Ferris E. Jones by visiting www.inquisitionpoetry.com where each month he features the work of other poets. The goal of this site is to spread the word of poetry throughout the world.

Photography:

Photo by Pieter Janaldo
Photo by Albert Stoynov
Photo by Raymond Kotewicz




Photo by Erin Song
Photo by Mostafa Meraji
Photo by Juan Burgos
Photo by Luke Chesser

Categories
artwork

18-art

Issue #18 ~ Winter 2025
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Forever Again” by Gabrielle Miller

“Forever Again” by Gabrielle Miller




Gabrielle Miller is a Virginia-based painter and fiber artist. She earned her BFA in Studio Art and the David Diller Outstanding Student in Studio Art Award from James Madison University in 2024. Her practice centers on self-portraiture, symbols of desire, and intimate views of female identity. Using oil paint and hand-stitched embroidery, Miller explores themes of self-image and sexuality to create vulnerable, dream-like compositions. Her work has been exhibited at Second Street Gallery, Hanbury Design Studio, and ArtWorks Gallery. In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, Underbelly, at James Madison University. Miller has been awarded residencies at McGuffey Art Center and Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild.

More by Gabrielle Miller

“Forever Again Detail 2” by Gabrielle Miller




Kathleen Frank:

“Evening Bryce Canyon” by Kathleen Frank




Santa Fe artist Kathleen Frank travels throughout the Southwest/West, seeking inspiration for landscape paintings. Using vibrant hues, she captures light, pattern and a glint of logic in complex terrains. 

Exhibitions include International Art Museum of America; Museum of Western Art; St. George Museum of Art; Northwest Montana History Museum; UNM Valencia; MonDak Heritage Center| Art & History Museum; WaterWorks Museum; Sahara West Gallery; La Posada de Santa Fe; and Jane Hamilton Fine Art. Press includes LandEscape Art Review, MVIBE, Art Reveal, Magazine 43 and Southwest Art. Art in Embassies/U.S. State Department selected her work for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Cynthia Yatchman:

“Iceland Ice Circles 2” by Cynthia Yatchman




Artist Statement: In my paintings, I primarily use acrylic paint, latex paints, inks, papers and charcoal. My images contain many diverse layers of meaning, from the universal to the specific and personal. Many of my works are abstract. I am frequently interested in pattern and/or creating a rich sensual surface by making layer upon layer of marks. There is often an unseen history within these layers as images are obscured and revealed.

My Prints are frequently made with SafetyKut, a softer type of linoleum, I often print on unconventional surfaces, like plaster and wall paper.

More by Cynthia Yatchman

“Mississippi” by Cynthia Yatchman

John Widdowson:

“Gloom Madness Beauty” by John Widdowson




Artist Statement: My art basis is on abstract expressionism, depth of visual texture and structure. Most based on traditional media and techniques, such as canvas, acrylic and mixed media. TikTok: ghetto.gallery

Matthew Fertel :

“Hanging On For Dear Life” by Matthew Fertel


Matthew Fertel is an abstract photographer who seeks out beauty in the mundane. Passing by the same locations over days, months and years allows him to photograph his subjects under different lighting and weather conditions, and to observe the changes in these objects as the environment interacts with them over time. Small details get framed in ways that draw attention away from the actual object and focus on the shapes, textures, and colors, transforming them into landscapes, figures, and faces. His goal is to use these out-of-context images to create compositions that encourage an implied narrative that is easily influenced by the viewer and is open to multiple interpretations. More of Matthew’s work can be seen on his website and Instagram.





 

Devdatta Padekar:

Symphonic Notes I and II



Devdatta Padekar studied at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 1999, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Portraiture in 2001. On both occasions, he stood first with distinction. He later won the British Chevening Scholarship and earned a Master of Art in Drawing in 2005 from Camberwell College of Arts in London. A full-time painter, Padekar gets his greatest inspiration from nature and his paintings highlight its beauty and sensitivity.



 

Jules Ostara:

“Batik Branches” by Jules Ostara

Jules Ostara is an eclectic artist and writer who greets a blank canvas as both playground and temple. She’s created two inspirational card decks and a book called Born to Bloom Bright that features an encouraging poem with paintings by many artists from all over the world. Jules also hosts creative courses and homeschooled her twin boys from K-12. She’s lived in the Florida Keys and the Appalachian Mountains. Visit her at instagram.com/julesostara or ThriveTrue.com



 

紫月 李, Li Ziyue:

“图片10” by 紫月 李, Li Ziyue

“图片10” by 紫月 李, Li Ziyue

Li Ziyue graduated from Zhejiang University of Media and Communication in 2020. Since 2012, she has studied feng shui and modern abstract art, and created the original style of “AI mixed painting,” to create the ultimate irregular combination in painting, the phenomenon of breaking through reality, as well as the sense of fragmentation and painting details.



 

Muhammad Ashraf :

Untitled  | Muhammad Ashraf
Untitled  | Muhammad Ashraf


Muhammad Ashraf lives and works in Lahore, Pakistan. He is currently the Chairperson and Associate Professor of the Department of Art and Design at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus. More information is available on his website: https://studioashraf.pk/ 





 

Ann-Marie Brown:

Plum Branch by Ann-Marie Brown

Artist Statement: My family has planted a forest garden in coastal B.C. The trees grow hazelnuts, walnuts, cherries, apples, pears, figs, plums, apricots, and sea buckthorn.  There are blueberry, raspberry, gogi and gooseberry along with grapes, and wildflowers on a lawn of clover. Climate change has been a challenge with freak weather and unseasonal temperatures–the drought last summer and the floods this one. I’ve been painting the fruits that do grow.  Portraits of apples and plums, with as much attention paid to their individuality as I pay to my figure works.   

Painting in a garden in a time of shifting ecologies is a celebration of resilience shadowed by knowledge.  When Dutch painters in the 17th century painted fruit, they were in contemplation of the transience of human life, firm in the conviction that the eternal seasons would continue to unfold even as the eyes looking at the painting would turn to dust.   

Barbara Sarvis:

“Fire Ring II”  oil on canvas by Barbara Sarvis

Artist Statement: In the winter of 2020, Covid19 re-introduced me to several unfinished paintings hanging in my studio. For many weeks I stared at the images on the canvas while listening to the daily news. Feelings of rage, sadness and powerlessness overpowered me regarding immigration, systemic racism, climate change, equal rights and a woman’s right to choose. The paintings could no longer exist as a portrait, landscape or floral, but instead became visual stories that I had to tell as a catharsis for change. 

Michael Kunzinger:

Somewhere in the Night by Michael Kunzinger

Michael Kunzinger is a photographer from Tidewater Virginia, drawing inspiration from the waters of his home region as well as travels further afield. His work examines art as created by nature, and the intersection of what is abstract and what is real. He has been featured in numerous solo shows, publications, and exhibitions.



 

Categories
artwork

17-art

Issue #17 ~ Autumn 2024
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Kunik” by Hiokit Lao

“Kunik” by Hiokit Lao




A “Kunik,” also called an Eskimo kiss, nose kiss, or nose rub, is the act of pressing one’s nose against another. In various Indigenous cultures, it is usually interpreted as a form of greeting and affection. 

This piece showcases two Inuit women sharing a ‘Kunik’, symbolizing profound love and strength. Like mountains, they stand resilient, their nurturing spirits akin to the enduring peaks—steadfast, forgiving, and strong, embracing unwavering love and fortitude.

My name is Hiokit Lao. I am a 29-year-old self-taught artist based in NYC. I aim to create art that ignites conversations and celebrates life, encouraging viewers to explore different narratives within the artwork. Each piece is a homage to cultural diversity, intertwining social narratives and my artistic vision. Through surreal, abstract, and vibrant elements, I aim to create meaningful art that instills hope and positivity.

Cynthia Yatchman:

“Iceland Ice Circles 2” by Cynthia Yatchman




Artist Statement: In my paintings, I primarily use acrylic paint, latex paints, inks, papers and charcoal. My images contain many diverse layers of meaning, from the universal to the specific and personal. Many of my works are abstract. I am frequently interested in pattern and/or creating a rich sensual surface by making layer upon layer of marks. There is often an unseen history within these layers as images are obscured and revealed.

My Prints are frequently made with SafetyKut, a softer type of linoleum, I often print on unconventional surfaces, like plaster and wall paper.

More by Cynthia Yatchman

“Snake” by Cynthia Yatchman

“Rio Grande” by Cynthia Yatchman

“Mississippi” by Cynthia Yatchman

Audrey Larson:

“Moontime” by Audrey Larson

Audrey Larson is a queer writer and visual artist who is far more interested in asking questions than in finding answers. They prefer to create imperfectly, to call tradition into question, and to texture their work with layers of words and images to make something that defies easy categorization. They draw strong inspiration from their physical surroundings and community in Bellingham, Washington, and are known for their love of cold beaches, public libraries, and old bicycles. Their work has been published by Cyclista Zine, carte blanche magazine, and Pile Press. Audrey can be found on Instagram @_audreylarson

“Glass” by Audrey Larson

Karissa Ho:

“Like Wax” by Karissa Ho




Karissa Ho is a writer and artist from Los Angeles. Her poems and paintings have appeared or are forthcoming in JMWW, Red Ogre Review, Radar Poetry, and Flash Frog. She studies English literature and economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and she is a very fast walker.

More by Karissa Ho

“Heat Wave” by Karissa Ho

“Water” by Karissa Ho

John Widdowson:

“Gloom Madness Beauty” by John Widdowson




Artist Statement: My art basis is on abstract expressionism, depth of visual texture and structure. Most based on traditional media and techniques, such as canvas, acrylic and mixed media. TikTok: ghetto.gallery

Rovaida Saleh:

“Lest We Forget” by Rovaida Saleh




Artist Statement: From Montreal to Northern Virginia, my lifelong passion for art has been fueled by masters like Rousseau, Cézanne, and O’Keeffe. In my studio, acrylics become my voice, each stroke a balance of intuition and intention. My paintings blend reality and imagination, inviting viewers into a dialogue with the canvas, capturing existence one stroke at a time. Join me in exploring the boundless expressions of emotion through art. www.roviart.com

More by Rovaida Saleh

“La floraison de lesprit The Unfurling of the Inner Self” by Rovaida Saleh

“Madonna Lily” by Rovaida Saleh

Britnie Walston:

“Season of Change” by Britnie Walston




Britnie graduated from Goucher College with a bachelors in studio art. Inspired by nature; she depicts the absence of human presence, liberation (“set free”), and freedom (“being free”) through light and vibrant colors. Capturing the beauty of nature, Britnie blends boundaries between reality and abstraction, creating a unique dreamscape atmosphere. Experimental processes such as combining abstract painting with digital manipulation are utilized. Her work’s featured in magazines such as Denver Quarterly, Chestnut Review, and others.

Lizzie Falvey:

Untitled by Lizzie Falvey




Lizzie Falvey, a New England native and graduate of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, is a professor and artist whose acrylic monoprints are characterized by bold colors, angular lines, and frenetic compositions. She is interested in bringing the attention of the viewer to the present so that they can engage with their own disquietude.

Photo by Jean Wimmerlin:

Photo by Bharathi Kannan:

Categories
artwork

16-art

Issue #16 ~ Summer 2024
Artwork

COVER IMAGE: 
“Haley and Celeste” by Cameron Shipley

“Haley and Celeste” by Cameron Shipley




“In my studio practice you will find mostly portraits and figurative paintings. I explore emotional reactions to color while playing with a surreal pallet. I have always been fascinated by the way art has told the history of our world for millenniums, proving existence and ways of life throughout time. My body of work is a micro version of that; a proof of my life and the others that have existed around me. I paint modern-day humans while studying traditional oil painting techniques and styles.”

You can find more of Cameron’s work on her website and  Instagram.

“Hanging On For Dear Life” by Matthew Fertel


Matthew Fertel is an abstract photographer who seeks out beauty in the mundane. Passing by the same locations over days, months and years allows him to photograph his subjects under different lighting and weather conditions, and to observe the changes in these objects as the environment interacts with them over time. Small details get framed in ways that draw attention away from the actual object and focus on the shapes, textures, and colors, transforming them into landscapes, figures, and faces. His goal is to use these out-of-context images to create compositions that encourage an implied narrative that is easily influenced by the viewer and is open to multiple interpretations. More of Matthew’s work can be seen on his website and Instagram.





 

“Timeless Grief” by Olude Peter Sunday


Olude Peter Sunday is a Writer, an Artist and Poet from Ogun State, Nigeria. His work is featured in Hayden’s Ferry Review, The Prose Poem, Non Binary Review, Lighthouse Magazine, Shallow Tales Review, Paper Lantern, Typehouse lit mag, Blue Marble, Flash Frog,  Last Girls Club, Native Skin literary magazine and others. When he isn’t writing, he is painting in the Corner of his room or permutating Rubik’s cube. He tweets @peterolude.





 

“San Diego” by Emily Rankin
“Influence” by Emily Rankin
“Patch” by Emily Rankin


“San Diego” “Influence” and “Patch” by Emily Rankin

“These pieces, from the series Verstehen, seek to capture the ways in which synesthesia works in the mind. They were created in front of a live audience with incorporated sound and electronics. Emily Rankin attended university in Texas, where she received a BFA in 2011. Her body of work deals with intuitive messages of dreaming and subconscious exploration, and has appeared in publications such as Gasher, Metonym, Alien Magazine, and Rattle. She’s currently based in New Mexico.”





 

“Dawn Awakening” by Sharon Reeber

Sharon Reeber

“My practice moves between painting, printmaking, and mixed media sculpture. I am interested in circles as organizing principle, metaphor, and visual structure, which has led me to study the use of this form in spiritual art of many cultures, including mandalas. This work is from the Cosmic/Meditations series which explores the metaphor of outer space conveying inner space through images suggesting skies and galaxies, and hinting at the flexible perception experienced in meditative states. Nature imagery, especially birds and plants, commonly appear in my work, arranged to express an ideal harmony. I am also intrigued by implying temporal progression in a static image by juxtaposing haziness with solidity, letting the wind blow through the clouds of thought and feeling.”

Sharon Reeber is an artist, poet, and educator living near Kansas City, Missouri. She teaches at Kansas City Art Institute. More information is available at her website: sharonreeber.com





 

Untitled  | Muhammad Ashraf
Untitled  | Muhammad Ashraf
Untitled  | Muhammad Ashraf


Muhammad Ashraf

“MALLEABILITY is a thematic extension of the subjects that cultivate my creative practice: sublime and melancholy. The subject of this project about two flowers “Sumbal – red flower” a tree that matches its name in beauty, and “Amaltas – yellow flower”, which is also called “umeed ka phool”: flower of hope. Lahore, the city of gardens, appears mind-blowing at the time of bloom of these trees and the project attempts to articulate awe and admiration for this bloom. I have nostalgic relation with Lahore’s landscape painting. My initial training in art – drawing – ensued with Khalid Iqbal, who is a Pakistani maestro of landscape painting and painted Lahore’s landscape throughout his life.I paint mundane objects and the happenings in everyday life, from the pleasure that natural beauty yields to an effrontery of socio-political systems.”

Muhammad Ashraf lives and works in Lahore, Pakistan. He is currently the Chairperson and Associate Professor of the Department of Art and Design at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus. More information is available on his website: https://studioashraf.pk/ 





 

An Extractive by Beth Horton
Photo by James Peacock on Unsplash

Categories
artwork

15-art

Issue #15 ~ Spring 2024
Artwork

COVER IMAGE:  “Depths of the River” by Tona Pearce Myers

“Depths of the River” is an acrylic painting on canvas that is 20 inches x 16 inches. In the summertime there are beautiful colors in the depths of the Russian River in Northern California where I have my studio.



 



Tona Pearce Myers is a fiber artist, painter, and author of two books including The Soul of Creativity. She likes experimenting with light, fluidity, and texture. Her artwork has appeared at The Healdsburg Center for the Arts in Healdsburg Ca, Main Street Arts in Clifton Springs Small Things exhibit, New York, and at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts upcomingIlluminating Perspectives exhibition.

 

More work by Tona:

Midnight Beach

“The Rigging” by Michael Kunzinger

Michael Kunzinger is a photographer from Tidewater Virginia, drawing inspiration from the waters of his home region as well as travels further afield. His work examines art as created by nature, and the intersection of what is abstract and what is real. He has been featured in numerous solo shows, publications, and exhibitions.



 

The Rigging

“I look for images in reflections on the water’s surface. Although the dreamlike designs are reminiscent of abstract paintings, they are entirely real, created by a combination on the angle of light, water texture, and other natural factors. No oils or digital touch-ups are used; the process begins and ends with the art created around us by nature. If the viewer sees the image on its own, it is non-representational, but when viewed in light of how it was made it becomes documentary, challenging the divide between what is real and what is abstract; the difference lies in how we see.”



 

More by Michael Kunzinger:

Marble

Somewhere in the Night

“Symphonic Notes I and II” by Devdatta Padekar

Devdatta Padekar studied at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 1999, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Portraiture in 2001. On both occasions, he stood first with distinction. He later won the British Chevening Scholarship and earned a Master of Art in Drawing in 2005 from Camberwell College of Arts in London. A full-time painter, Padekar gets his greatest inspiration from nature and his paintings highlight its beauty and sensitivity.



 

Symphonic Notes I and II

“Batik Branches” by Jules Ostara

Jules Ostara is an eclectic artist and writer who greets a blank canvas as both playground and temple. She’s created two inspirational card decks and a book called Born to Bloom Bright that features an encouraging poem with paintings by many artists from all over the world. Jules also hosts creative courses and homeschooled her twin boys from K-12. She’s lived in the Florida Keys and the Appalachian Mountains. Visit her at instagram.com/julesostara or ThriveTrue.com



 

Batik Branches

I work with many materials and styles. These paintings were created during my online course called Inktastic Art Adventures (https://thrivetrue.com/product/inktastic/). The projects are all infused with reverence, wonder, and good vibes while playing and experimenting with various inks. Though I lost touch with the artist within for too long, I’ve since learned to embrace the beauty of imperfections and trust the process. I love encouraging others to do the same in art and in life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesostara/  

Website: https://thrivetrue.com





 

More from Jules Ostara:

From the Forest Floor

“Pandoras Box” Oil on Canvas by Maria Christou

Maria is a multidisciplinary artist from Cyprus, working across oil painting, drawing, printmaking, video-art, art performances, sound manipulation, analogue photography, and experimental darkroom processes. Each medium shares the same theme, and explores the same ideas, yet differs in execution. There is a performative element to the production of her art that is consistent across media. Each process she employs is as much a performance as it is a practice undertaken in a studio or workshop. She is interested in the ritualistic process that the production of art elicits. She participated in group exhibitions in Greater Manchester and Cyprus. 



 

Pandora’s Box

“图片10” by 紫月 李, Li Ziyue

Li Ziyue graduated from Zhejiang University of Media and Communication in 2020. Since 2012, she has studied feng shui and modern abstract art, and created the original style of “AI mixed painting,” to create the ultimate irregular combination in painting, the phenomenon of breaking through reality, as well as the sense of fragmentation and painting details.



 

图片10

Photo by Makenzie Cooper on Unsplash

Photo by John Bakator on Unsplash

Photo by Malte Schmidt on Unsplash

Photo by Evgenii Pliusnin on Unsplash

Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash

Categories
artwork

14-art

Issue #14 ~ Winter 2024
Artwork

FOCUS

COVER IMAGE:  “FOCUS” by K.A. Wesly

“The exit seems far away, yet it’s close. You don’t know where the path starts, yet it seems simple. You try to follow a path there, but there’s a lot of dead ends. Part of the path seems to end at the exit, but the start of it is hidden. This is how trying to focus often is with ADHD.”

 

Within the Oak

“Within the Oak” by Kate (Junehyo) Choi
Cover ~ Issue #5, 2023 Best of the Net Finalist

Scarred Beauty

“Scarred Beauty” by Gerburg Garmann

Cover ~ Issue #10, Best of the Net Nominee

“Painting is yet another foreign language for me and allows for aesthetic expression in form of color, shape, thought, and passion. It is a language, which can be shared by many, verbally and non-verbally. Because paintings (just as other forms of art) provide symbolic as well as real meeting grounds of the spiritual and our day-to-day experiences, they solicit our reaction no matter whether our engagement with the actual piece of art ends up in affection or dislike, in affirmation or disapproval. In the end, all artwork manifests a story.”

Braided Platte

“Braided Platte” by Kim Sosin
Cover ~ Issue #7,023 Best of the Net Nominee

Kim McNealy Sosin
is Emerita Professor of Economics at the University of Nebraska Omaha and in retirement enjoys creating and publishing photography, poetry, and flash fiction. One morning she was on a rural bridge in Nebraska over a braid of the Platte River, when this sky materialized.

“The impressionist treatment the image was given echoes how that morning felt.”

Inheritance
And Yet

“Inheritance” and “And Yet” by Ann-Marie Brown

“Painting in a garden in a time of shifting ecologies is a celebration of resilience shadowed by knowledge. When Dutch painters in the 17th century painted fruit, they were in contemplation of the transience of human life, firm in the conviction that the seasons would continue to unfold even as the eyes looking at the painting would turn to dust. To paint fruit now is to think about the ephemeral nature of all things.”

Among Sparks and Scions (Night)

“Among Sparks and Scions (Night)” by Aaron Lelito

Aaron Lelito is a visual artist and writer from Buffalo, NY. His images have been published as cover art in Red Rock Review, Peatsmoke Journal, and The Scriblerus. His poetry chapbook, The Half Turn, was published in 2023, and his work has also appeared in Barzakh Magazine, Novus Literary Arts Journal, SPECTRA Poets, The Primer, and Santa Fe Review. He is editor in chief of the art & literature website Wild Roof Journal. Instagram: @aaronlelito

Fish Tail

“Fish Tail” by Leslie Brown

Leslie Brown lives in the Washington DC area. She has a MFA in Creative Writing from American University. Her published work includes: short videos, short stories, and creative non-fiction, and digital design. Her digital work has been accepted for publication in Closed Eye Open, Zoetic Press, and NBR: World Tour. Her work has also appeared in Phoebe Literary Journal, Beyond Words, and  Burrdowning Press

She is enjoys the freedom in the way that digitized editing of photographs prompts the imagination and creativity.

“Fish Tail” is my imaging of the Deepwater oil leak flame chasing a fish.

Chartreuse Woods
Baby Breath

“Chartreuse Woods” and “Baby Breath” by Vian Borchert

Vian Borchert is an established artist. Borchert exhibits in museums and key galleries in major cities and their artwork has been on display in Times Square on Broadway, United Nations, and The National Liberty Museum. “Notable Alumni” from Corcoran George Washington University, Borchert’s work is in world marketplaces “1stDibs” and “Artsy”. http://www.vianborchert.com.

Ocean of Stillness
Where Two Infinites Meet

“Ocean of Stillness” and “Where Two Infinites Meet” by Shrishti Tassin

Best of the Net Nominee

Shrishti Tassin is an artist based in India. Her body of works includes abstract landscapes, installation art and murals. She feels compelled to capture emotions evoked by nature’s inherent numinous quality, juxtaposing the beauty of a physical landscape to the hidden embers and expanse of our consciousness; her works explore nature as simultaneously containing an instant and the infinite.

Like Sand Through An Hourglass

“Like Sand Through An Hourglass” by Yuchen Shi

Yuchen Shi is an artist based in Singapore from the United World College of South East Asia. Inspired by collage art, her work mainly revolves around metropolitan lifestyles and the way they contribute to the construction of one’s identity. Although oil is her primary medium, she also experiments with installationand video art to present her thoughts regarding the rapid development of our world.

Unnamed by Malia Nahinu

Issue #8 Cover

Malia Nahinu is a Los Angeles, CA artist who loves to create art as a form of healing and has been published worldwide.

East Side Gallery, Berlin

“East Side Gallery, Berlin” by Jeremiah Gilbert

Jeremiah Gilbert is a college professor and award-winning photographer and travel writer based out of Southern California. His travels have taken him to nearly a hundred countries and territories spread across six continents. His photography has been published internationally and has been exhibited worldwide. He is also the author of the collections Can’t Get Here from There: Fifty Tales of Travel and From Tibet to Egypt: Early Travels After a Late Start. He can be found on Instagram @jg_travels.