Best in Show (Traditional)
Lori Mills
Best in Show
(Digital & Photography)
William Nourse
Best in Show
(3 Dimensional)
Amelia Johannsen
2nd Place (Traditional)
Jackson Lee
I was born in and raised in Hong Kong. This is my home with all my family, friends and memories, which are deeply relevant and integral to my identity. To reciprocate the love, care and support that this community has provided for me, I would like to preserve the legacy of Hong Kong to show its vital spirit through my paintings.
I worked with acrylic paint when I was in college. After graduation from my Design & Illustration course in 1984, I went into the advertising field and didn’t pick up a paintbrush for over 30 years! However, I began to focus on my artistic career and started oil painting last year.
With my wife’s encouragement, I painted a series of “Hong Kong in a Better Light” paintings and within 18 months, I was traveling and exhibiting the series. My hope is that people can see the positive reflection of Hong Kong through my paintings.
My preferred style of painting is realism and I was inspired by two artists. The first is Hajime Sorayama, a famous Japanese illustrator who painted the hyperrealistic and provocative “Robot Girl” series. The second is Ken Danby, a Canadian painter who portrayed everyday life in realistic manner.
It is my wife, Jackie who motivated me to paint again and always supports me in whatever circumstances. Though having no formal training in art, Jackie has an innate aesthetic eye and sense. With her artistic vision and impeccable attention to detail, she has become my adviser and consultant for my work.
For more information about Jackson’s work please visit his website.
2nd Place
(Digital & Photography)
Rochelle Berman
The artist was born in Brooklyn, NY and currently lives in Miami, Florida. She spent her youth studying the visual arts,including classes in life drawing and painting in NYC as a teen. She always loved to draw, paint and write poetry , but it was in college that she actually discovered her greatest passion of all was with photography. Classically trained in photography, she started her studies with black and white film photography at Arizona State University, She was employed as a portrait photographer while still in college. Later, she learned to utilize creative film techniques using double exposure, solarization, photo- montage and other darkroom effects. Rochelle assisted her professors in the History of Photography classes, and she was inspired by studying such diverse Masters of Photography from the past and present such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Man Ray, Abbott, Brassaii, Julia Margaret Cameron just to name a few. Some modern favorites include (Portrait) Phillips Halsman, Annie Leibovitz, Barbara Morgan, Arnold Newman, (Experimental photography ) Bill Brandt, Andre Kertesz,Sandy Skoglund (Travel/ Documentary ) Steve McCurry and Jim Zuckerman.
Rochelle has exhibited and sold her artwork locally and internationally. She enjoys creating certain “Dreamscape” type effects through creatively envisioning the final result and then employing the Digital Darkroom techniques. Rochelle especially enjoys creating experimental portraits, nature studies and travel related Images. Well-traveled, Rochelle Berman attempts to capture the immense beauty of our world as seen throughout many countries, people and landscapes. She likes to capture the special moments and underlying essence of a scene. Totally in love with Color and Pattern , her artworks are electrically vibrant, simple and direct in composition and emotionally rich. Some of her favorite artists include (impressionist) Matisse, Monet, Cassatt. (Surrealist ) Dali and Magritte, (Expressionistic decorative/symbolist ) Klimt and Chagall.
Artist Statement
“My intention is to capture and create images that show the beauty and magic of our world! I hope to inspire and share the happiness that I feel when in the presence of nature and her wonders. Also, I am intrigued by our unique human ability to communicate and express in such diverse ways, It is my hope to touch hearts and inspire minds through my Art/Photography. As a spiritual truth seeker, my art helps me to break through traditional thinking to discover new ideas and feelings. The greatest joy lies in sharing the present moment’s magic with others and exploring dreams and intuition as tools for spiritual growth. I love to create “dreamscapes” where I start with the inherent beauty in nature, places and people and take a creative leap from there.”
To see more of Rochelle’s work, please visit her website.
2nd Place
(3 Dimensional)
Jacki Cohen
Fused glass artist Jacki Cohen is fascinated by bold color, vibrant design, and the fiery beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Largely self taught, Cohen finds inspiration everywhere. From the vivid natural scenery surrounding her North Scottsdale studio, to a clever wardrobe ensemble, to a stacked pesto Caprese salad, Cohen’s unique eye for color and design fuels her to re-envision ordinary objects into extraordinary expressions of fused glass artwork.
Having worked in fused glass design for over a decade, Cohen has a knack for creating both functional and decorative pieces for homes, work spaces, and one-of-a-kind gifts. A juried artist, Cohen is consistently participating in some of the most prestigious juried exhibits and shows in the Southwest.
“I’ve worked in many art media,” explains Cohen. “But fused glass is what ignites my spirit. Once glass reaches a heat of 1500 degrees, it becomes soft and pliable. By carefully cutting and layering sheets of glass you are given limitless possibilities.”
She’s been featured in Phoenix Magazine 2019, Artsy Shark 2019, Voyage Phoenix, Arizona Jewish Life, Phoenix Jewish News and North Scottsdale Lifestyle magazines, has won numerous awards in juried shows around the state, and was the winner of Best of Jewish Phoenix Arts and Culture in May, 2018.
Jacki accepts commissions and welcomes visitors into her studio by appointment. Visit her 11 piece permanent installation at Congregation Beth Israel in Phoenix, AZ or view her online gallery at www.jackicohenglassartdesigns.com.
3rd Place (Traditional)
Diane Larson
I am a sailor and artist. I have sailed thousands of miles in many oceans. Painting is a journey just like sailing long distances to foreign countries sometimes days and days spent in the middle of an ocean or just relaxing on a beach.
I paint the stories of my life at sea. Come along with me in my journey.
To see more of Diane’s work please visit her website.
3rd Place
(Digital & Photography)
Elena Chukhlebova
I am Professional Photographer and Certified Interior Decorator (C.I.D.). My specialization is Photo in Interior – Personalized Photo Home Décor and Home Accents. Now I am working on my stills for to exhibit and be published. Based in California.
To see more of Elena’s work, please visit her website.
3rd Place
(3-Dimensional)
Shenan Howard
I am an artist and I am a teacher. I am no more of one or less than another. These two facets of my life flow seamlessly together. The success of this requires constant balance and discipline.
I am a ceramicist first. My love and need to participate in the medium is inspired for my deep love and understanding of the natural world. The working of clay connects the artist with thousands of years of human experience; across time and space. Clay is what helped make us human. Clay is what connects us to the earth.
In addition to ceramics I am a landscape painter and a floral illustrator; always striving to capture the natural beauty of the moment.
I find my inspiration in the two places I call home, Long Island and Queens, with their vast beaches, roaming meadows, lush forests, and marshy inlets. It is in these marshy inlets were I find and dig the clay I used for this series of works titled “From Which we Come From”. The clay was then laboriously processed and painted with sentimental scenes and landscapes from these locations.
Art is what makes us human, and is what connects people to one another. Whether you are looking at a two-thousand year old relic from the Aztec Empire or a Monet Hay Stack, creating you own art, or teaching a child to create themselves; you are participating in an ever changing and evolving tradition that makes the world a better and more beautiful place.
To learn more about Shenan’s work, please email her at shenanhoward@gmail.com
4th Place (Traditional)
Susan Allen
Susan Allen is an accomplished musician with a Bachelor’s Degree in French Horn Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music. She was a member of the Canton and Youngstown Symphonies and was Principal Horn of the Suburban Symphony Orchestra of Beachwood, Ohio, for twenty-seven years. Ms. Allen retired from music in 2012 to actively pursue her interests in the studio arts. She has studied drawing, watercolor, and oil painting with many artists in the Cleveland area, including John Carlson, Dino Massaroni, and John A. Sargent, III. She is passionate about capturing in oil the many beautiful and varied landscapes that she photographs while traveling. Ms. Allen lives in Bratenahl, Ohio, with her husband, Tom, and their Golden Retriever, Piper.
Mission
“For over 45 years I was a classical musician, working within the parameters of a very controlled artistic environment. Now as an oil painter, I am free to explore and experience a boundless vista of opportunities. I see myself moving away from the studied approach to a more interpretive and expressive style of painting.”
To see more of Susan’s work, please visit her website.
4th Place
(Digital & Photography)
Petra Bernstein
Petra has a BFA from Salisbury University with a concentration in Paintingand a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Regensburg, Germany.
Born and raised in the German countryside, Petra learned to appreciate nature at an early age. Nature inspires her to create something that is unique and free from boundaries. She uses both photography and painting to interpret what she finds in nature.
Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Petra Bernstein is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. She gets inspired by the rhythmic reflections and the fluid movements of the water surface. The shapes and the density of the water plants offer endless possibilities for artistic interpretations. She pays attention to the ever changing light and weather conditions and the impact it has on the elements. Through her art, Petra intends to capture harmony of all living creatures within their environment.
Petra does not limit herself to a certain kind of painting style or subject matter. Her artwork ranges from close-up photographs and paintings of flora and fauna to abstract interpretations of the mystery of nature.
To see more of Petra’s work, please visit her website.
5th Place (Traditional)
Linda Steele
Linda K. Steele is a contemporary painter and sculptor from the small northeastern town of Leetonia, Ohio, where she was born, raised, and continues to live, love, paint and create; surrounded by family, friends, and nothing short of a herd of Yorkshire terriers.
Her artistic abilities were evident at the early age as she designed her own paper dolls. Linda, the oldest of three girls, vividly recalls the first year in which she did not receive her own doll for Christmas. As devastated as she was, upon reflection, she believes that perhaps it was a sign of her life’s journey that was yet to be revealed.
Upon graduating from high school, she completed the commercial art program at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh; and married her high school sweetheart. Becoming a mom of three, she joined a local ceramic class for a bit of a “me time” break where she became inspired to make her own daughter a porcelain doll…for Christmas, of course! From that moment forward, this self-taught sculptor began creating collectible dolls from scratch, propelling her into a thirty-five year career in professional doll artistry. As a fine porcelain original doll artist, Linda earned the prestigious reputation as an “A-list” doll designer; receiving numerous local, national and international awards for her creativity and artistry.
In 2017, Linda’s career took an unexpected, yet exciting new path. She discovered the mystery, magic and creative freedom of fluid acrylic painting. Using various acrylic pouring techniques, she then utilizes her keen eye and fine detail painting skills to enhance the pour through the addition of a variety of animals, birds, butterflies, landscapes, children and much more. At times, it is the paint, the pour, which speaks to her, telling her what enhancements to bring to life; and yet at other times, Linda believes it is heavenly intervention revealing its wonder through her and onto the canvas. Regardless of the source of inspiration, Linda’s mantra, “I paint for my own enjoyment” bursts to life from her heart onto the canvas.
Just as she has earned accolades from the international doll community, this new creative endeavor has not gone unnoticed. She once again has been receiving recognition from the Fine Arts Community for her new genre of creative expression.
To see more of Linda’s work, please visit her website.
5th Place
(Digital & Photography)
Laurence Levine
Laurence Levine has been a photographer for nearly 40 years. He has photographed in many areas of the world, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, North Africa, Panama, the Caribbean Islands, and the United States. His photographs have appeared in many publications.
In the United States he has photographed areas such as the Salton Sea and Death Valley in California; Albuquerque, New Mexico, Austin, Texas and all of the missions of San Antonio as well as rural parts of South Texas; New Haven, Connecticut; New York City; the Smoky Mountains around Asheville, North Carolina; and the Everglades and urban areas around his current home state of Florida.
He specializes in media assignments, landscapes, wildlife, and portraits.
Laurence Levine was born in Westbrook, Connecticut. As a child he lived in a resort hotel owned by his maternal grandparents and also lived with his uncle and aunt in their resort hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was in those places where he learned the art of cooking, and he is still an avid home chef. His father, who owned an antiques business, taught him an appreciation for and an expertise in fine art. An uncle and his Grandfather introduced him to photography and as a result he found his love of photography and never stopped taking photos.
In the 1960’s, Laurence learned photography with a Nikkormat, a single lens reflex camera. Dark room skills followed and after he acquired 2 Leica cameras, he photographed professional football games. He sold most of his work after he came to the attention of some publications (including Sports Illustrated) and local newspapers.
In order to improve his skills, he attended Leica and Nikon schools and workshops in addition to the Paier Art College, and McFatter College, majoring in commercial photography. His college experience was at Yale University. Today he shoots with Nikon equipment and is a member of the prestigious Nikon Professional Service.
Since becoming a full time professional in 2012, Larry Levine has won numerous awards including Best of Show at the Broward Art Guild, 2015, and second place overall in the national Portrait Competition of the Photographic Society of America, preliminary judging, 2015. His photographs have been on display at the Broward Art Guild, Art Serve, Barry University Museum and Coral Gables Art Museum and a display at the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City . In March 2019, of 150 entries, he won Best of Show at the Professional Photographers Guild of Florida. That win qualifies for entry into the International Professional Photographers of America competition held later in the year..
About his passion for photography, he says, “I love to share the places of the world I have visited and the amazing life stories that I have witnessed through my camera lens. Photography has made me realize the wonders and beauty all around. Few people really ‘see’ the everyday but extraordinary adventures unfolding before us. I hope my photos tell ‘the story’ of the images. “
To see more of Laurence’s work, please visit his website.