Meet the Artists

Meet the Artists

Kayla BattlesKayla Battles, Painting

I enjoy painting because I am able to express my emotions through my paintings. I enjoy using canvases of various dimensions, but I also use different surfaces such as cardboard, wood, and drywall. I like to paint using acrylic and water paint. I find myself using brushes for most of my paintings but I can improvise depending on the situation and the materials available. I enjoy using canvases of various dimensions for my work. However, I have also worked on different surfaces such as cardboard, wood, and drywall. As far as paint goes, I like to paint using acrylic and water paint. I find myself using brushes for most of my paintings but I can improvise depending on the situation and the materials available.

Kayla is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Logan HellerLogan Heller, Woodwork
LAH Woodworking

In the fall of 2018, based out of my garage, I began to experiment with small wood projects. Since then I have begun to create more and more pieces, discovering what I enjoy and what I don’t. Now, I’m bringing my items to festivals and shows and by doing so, expanding my range from friends and family to a world full of potential customers. My art pieces are all handmade and are made from disassembled pallets that are cut and rebuilt into beautiful wood art pieces. These pieces are made almost completely from wood, along with glue and/or nails.

Logan is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Taj HendrixTaj Hendrix, Digital and Paper art
Sabotaj Art

I love art. She’s the love of my life and she’s never let me down. In my darkest times she’s been there to raise me up and make me smile again. I’m a starter graphic designer from Goshen. I’ve always had a taste for art, and when I found out I could make art for people and see my work in the world, I was very excited to pursue this career path.

Taj is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Magdalena Bridger-UlloaMagdalena Bridger-Ulloa, Pen and ink, pencil , digital

I am in sixth grade at Goshen Middle School, and I have been drawing as long as I can remember. I’m inspired by the world of anime, video games, and nature. I like creating characters based on mythical creatures and fantasy. I mostly work with pen and ink, pencil sketches, and some digital art creation.

Magdalena is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Abbey KramerAbbey Kramer, Painting

I have wanted to travel to Africa since I was nine years old. I have also always loved art, animals and music. Proceeds from my sales will go towards my trip to Africa. I almost always draw or paint portraits of iconic people from the past. I do pencil drawings of both actors and musicians. Right now I’m into making blind contour drawings of rock stars. I then outline them and paint them in with watercolors. I then laminate them and sell them as magnets or necklaces.

Abbey is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Emma HelmuthEmma Helmuth, Digital art

I’ve always had a passion for art and writing, especially drawing fantasy characters of my own creation. For several years, I’ve been building a story world and characters that I hope to publish one day as a graphic novel. I work mainly with digital art and am looking forward to continuing my art education and building on my digital skills. My inspiration comes from several animators on YouTube and fantasy books.

Emma is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Olliver KozlowskiOlliver Kozlowski, Painting

I paint because I find that individual people and the human experience is something that is so varied and complex. We come in all bodies and we go through all changes. I want to document that experience as best that I can through color and feeling.

Olliver is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Hannah ToeppHannah Toepp, Photography, Drawing, Painting, Fly Tying, Knotting, Jewelry Making

Each one of my pieces is valuable to me not because of the finished piece but of the story and experience behind it. Through my art, I try to express humans’ natural roots and how everything is intertwined in this world. I never want to forget my connection with nature and animals. I dabble with every medium from pastels to acrylic paint. I enjoy the way that each tool and material feels different in my hand as I create. I have found that being connected with my natural talents is just as important as to be connected with nature. In my photography, I enjoy exploring black and white as well as color and developing new techniques and skills to create a truly unique image. My hope is that after viewing my art, people will take a bit of the story with them, share it with others, and add to their own stories.

Hannah is part of the Up and Coming Artists showcase – artists ages 12 to 19 who have shown excellence in their art form and are interested in learning and growing in their craft.


Lindsey MongeLindsey Monge, Henna Body Art
Henna and Coffee

Henna (also known as mehndi) is the multicultural temporary body art technique which is sweeping the Western Hemisphere. A traditional celebratory affair, henna has been essential to cultures for hundreds of years. I use all natural handmade henna paste, which I mix myself. Often I bring cold brew coffee as refreshments for customers to enjoy during their henna sessions.


Mark DanielsMark Daniels, Acrylic Paintings & Live Caricatures
Mark Daniels Arts

Mark celebrates native flora and fauna as he paints in his studio in the Irwin Arts Center along East Lincoln Avenue in Goshen. My focus theme is joy, and I communicate that through dancing birds and blooming flowers. I love breaking down an identifiable subject into intense acrylic colors coupled with straight lines and angular shapes. Conveying movement and excitement, the goal of my work is to inspire positivity.


Goshen Painters GuildGoshen Painters’ Guild, Painting
Goshen Painters’ Guild

The Guild consists of artists doing drawing, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, oils and mixed media. We offer each other lots of encouragement and friendly critiques as well as suggestions for improvement. Together as a Guild, we enjoy several workshops and classes each year; we also host art shows, competitions, and other opportunities to show artwork.


Photographers GuildGoshen Photographers Guild, Photography
The Photographers Guild

Founded in 1999, The Photographers Guild is a group of like-minded photography professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts sharing the goal of learning, inspiring, and broadening the art of photography. The group gathers at least once a month (on the third Wednesday of each month), participates in various outings as a group and in community events, and also provides workshops and classes for members and those in the community with an interest in photography.


Jim LotharyJim Lothary, Sculpture
Hawksglen Carvings

My carvings are realistic portraits of songbirds, shorebirds, turtles, fish and other critters common to Michiana. The proceeds of the sale of my carvings go to Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warrior Project helps veterans and service members who suffered a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001. I use sustainable basswood from Wisconsin and Minnesota for his carvings, and the bases are made from driftwood and burls harvested from his wood lot.


James MillerJames Miller, Metalwork
Dead President Coin Rings

I’m a Navy Veteran that finds handcrafting coin and silverware into art and jewelry. I enjoy making that special item/items for clients. I also enjoy helping local organizations with my jewelry to raise money for different events. I take coins and hand form them into different types of art or jewelry. I heat of coins and form them to bells, rings, bracelets, art like motorcycles and more. I put a powder coat finish to pull out details. To pull out details after powder coating it each item is hand sanded.


Steve ToeppSteve Toepp, Photography
Media Arts by Steve Toepp

I opened my studio in 1985 and although I’m primarily focused on commercial multimedia production, I’ve always had a passion for fine art photography and documentary photography. My method is to work in series format, exploring a topic for between one month to multiple decades. Urban Landscape is one of his many subjects and treatment of the subject is dependent on the feel that I receive after spending time in the location. My most popular body of work, “Urban Decay, Gary Indiana” was shot from 2007 to 2014 and features vibrant images infused into aluminum substrate. I’ve received numerous awards and exhibited in several gallery art shows over the past 3 decades. I have a BA in Photography from Columbia College, Chicago and lives in Granger, IN.


Amy ChupAmy Chup, Ceramics
Mud Made Designs

Born and raised in Goshen, Amy practices ceramics in her studio just outside of town. With a Bachelor’s degree from Anderson University, she uses her training to portray her love of the outdoors. Both wheel-thrown work and hand built items combine as she continues her passion of “playing in the mud.”
Combination of hand building, slab work, and thrown pieces; wearable pieces integrate metal, hemp, and leather.


Ricc HavensRicc Havens, Woodwork
Ricc’s Designs

Each piece is crafted using my wood lathe, with hand-held tools used to cut and shape each piece. Due to my vision issues, what I make on the lathe takes longer than the work of other sighted woodturners. Most of my work originates from salvaged wood which might otherwise be destined for the local landfill or used as firewood. Any exotics used are legally and responsibly sourced!


Elyse AllenElyse Allen, Paper
Elyse Allen Studio

With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, I focus on creative and traditional processes to make unique objects – both utilitarian and purely artistic – one at a time by hand. I make durable hardcover blank books, stationery products, and jewelry, and feature my handmade decorative marbled papers in each item I make, books and jewelry alike. Each item is made with archival quality materials, and my jewelry uses nickel-free fixings or leather for people with sensitive skin. Marbling is the ancient technique of making prints on paper by floating pigments onto the surface of thickened water. The colors are manipulated into patterns, and when paper is floated across the water’s surface it makes a monoprint of the pigments in their aqueous, vibrant patterns. I pair ancient techniques and patterns with modern and experimental materials, methods, and colors. I explore color and form through manipulating the designs by drawing with a wooden stylus or using natural forces such as air and vibration. This aqueous surface design produces patterns similar to marble stone, waves, feathers, or abstract images evoking a visual affinity with nature. I use my marbled papers in each item I make, books and jewelry alike. To make the books, I cut down all the paper to size and hand sew each one using a variety of binding methods. My stationary is made using my marbled papers and/or handmade paper that I make from a combination of recycled paper scraps and natural fibers.


Lynne BlakeLynne Blake, Metalwork
The Tall Iris

My passion for making jewelry evolved out of my love for shade gardening. The talent I discovered for creating gardens by grouping plants by texture, color, and size transitioned naturally into jewelry making since the essential elements remain the same. As I began to explore the art of jewelry making, I quickly discovered a passion for wire working. The variety of textures, the vibrant colors, and the evolving techniques make wire a challenge and an inspiration, ensuring that no two pieces are alike. Metals of choice are copper, brass, nickle silver with some sterling silver work. All hand cut metals and piping. Techniques used are metal folding torch fired enamels and patina work.


Aubrey HittleAubrey Hittle, Multi-media
AndAubreyWas Studio

I am a mixed-media artist from South Bend, Indiana. I paint, collage, design, and do fiber arts. I have been surrounded by artists my entire life. My fondest memory is sitting at my grandma’s kitchen table drawing and crafting with her, and also peeking into my uncle’s garage to catch a glimpse of him painting. I always have a strong desire to learn new techniques and mediums. I also teach painting, collage, and weaving at the South Bend Museum of Art. I am always looking for ways to marry my work. I add weaving to paintings collages, and photographs I’ve taken. I use my photography to color illustrations and logos I’ve designed. I turn my digital collages into paintings. I mix fibers in my macrame pieces and dreamcatchers. I love to take vintage things or traditional techniques and give them a new twist.


Tereasa CoxTereasa Cox, Painting
Aunt T’s Art

Abstract florals have become my passion, and the more color, the better. I use acrylic paints on anything – canvas, wood, metal, or found objects – to make my abstract florals. Being a self-taught artist is intimidating, to say the least, and I’m looking forward to joining all talented artists participating in Arts on the Millrace! Aunt T’s Art uses acrylic paints on anything, canvas, wood, metal or found objects to make Abstract Florals that hopefully put a smile on your face! A portion of each painting sold with a small hidden Purple Heart, a donation is made to Alzheimer’s Awareness!


Cindy JacksonCindy Jackson, Photography
Images by C. Jackson

I have always enjoyed the beauty that God has blessed us with. Photographing nature to capture and enjoy the beauty year round has been something I have done since I was a young child. The chance to share this beauty with others is something I was encouraged to do by friends that had an opportunity to see the images.


Mary SzymczakMary Szymczak, Glass

I never thought I was very creative until I was involved with stained glass. I love the sparkle, feel/texture and the challenge of the glass. I retired from a ‘normal job’ a few years ago and have been able to devote more time to the job I love – Stained Glass by Mary. I love creating new and different things. I work on all media of stained glass, copper foil, lead and zinc. Copper foil is my choice. I like the gentle lines and the versatility of it. 3 Dimensional projects are my favorite. No two are alike, and they can be viewed from any direction. Giving you not 1 piece of art but 3 or more just by turning it. I strive to create individual, unique pieces of art that will become family treasures.


Gina BonewitzGina Bonewitz, Ceramics
Gina B Ceramics

Working with clay has always been my happy place. I love throwing on the wheel and tinkering away at surface designs. I like to celebrate the versatility of ceramics. I love making something sturdy, like ceramics, feel more delicate. I use Stoneware to create functional ceramics pieces with mixed glazes. All of my pieces are wheel thrown and then altered. I work mostly with doubled walled vessels that have a pierced outer layer.


Glen StoeckingerGlen Stoeckinger, Photography
Allen G Photography

The love of nature also started at a young age while traveling with my family. Hours spent exploring the woods and combing the beaches of the Great Lakes developed my appreciation for all of God’s wonders. A longing to see new things and revisit the places I saw as a child are now being passed down to my family as they discover all the beauty there is to behold. I am a Landscape and Nature photographer. I mostly use a Nikon d90 and various Nikon lenses. Most of my editing is done in Lightroom and a little in Photoshop. I have my printing done through Adorama under my supervision.


Kerry LambKerry Lamb, Glass

I started fusing glass November 2016 when I was offered an old Duncan DK820 ceramic kiln. All my work is created by cutting colorful sheets of glass, layering, and stacking them together to create an exciting design. My pieces are then fired in a kiln to 1,500 degrees. Once cooled, most pieces are then ‘cold-worked’ to perfect my design, then placed back in the kiln for a ‘fire polish’ and sometimes a third firing. Once all that is finished, I (hopefully) have created a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable glass art.


Paulo JuarezPaulo Juarez, Photography
Paulo Juarez Photography

My work seeks to explore the concepts of truth, beauty and goodness, and points viewers to the deep things of life. Additionally, I operate a local studio specializing in creative portrait photography. I have worked with several modeling agencies, as well as apparel brands within the U.S. and abroad. My photographs are typically printed on deep matte paper inside a thick, white mat; or on aluminum sheet within a white wooden frame.


Todd HelmuthTodd Helmuth, Woodwork
Helmuth Wood Design

Using reclaimed wood when possible, especially lumber from an old poultry building on my New Paris property, I look at each project and each piece of wood as potential for perfection. I use a combination of classic and modern woodworking techniques as I engage in environmentally sustainable practices. Todd uses only quality hardwoods & reclaimed lumber for his custom furniture and cabinet projects. He uses classic and modern woodworking techniques in all of his projects, large and small.


Caitlin LanctotCaitlin Lanctot, Metalwork
SheDreamsInColors

I’m a jewelry maker who creates metalwork and enamel jewelry using sterling silver, copper, and brass. Love of color and texture, as well as references to nature, are reflected in my work. I work and sometimes teach from the Goshen Jewelers Guild, as well as my home studio. I use basic fabrication techniques (piercing, chasing, soldering, stone setting) as well as enameling techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. I work primarily in Sterling Silver, copper, and brass; incorporating stones, enamel, and leather.


Barbe AstaBarbe Asta, Ceramics

I lose track of time when I begin working, often texturing large slabs of clay before even thinking of how I’m going to cut it apart. Glazes are chosen to best show off the texture, one piece at a time. Each piece is one of a kind, both in texture and color. I find textures everywhere I go, in leaves from my garden, heirloom laces from my grandmother, patterns I’ve carved in tiles or burned into wood, even from the liquor store (mint julep muddlers).


Bill AdamsBill Adams, Painting

I use fluid acrylic paint using different variations of the “paint pouring” method creating abstract art on various substrates such as canvas, wood, vinyl L.P. records as well as some small tables. I also create useful items such as coasters using alcohol inks on ceramic tile and I use resin to coat some of my work as well as create pieces using tinted resin on a variety of surfaces. Certain pieces are embellished with acrylic paint applied by brush to create added interest to a piece if I feel it would enhance the painting.


Mark Eash-HershbergerMark & Lauren Eash Hershberger, Woodwork
Laser Fox Studio

From Jewelry to home decor, we laser cut wood and acrylic to create beautiful pieces. We design all of our artwork, but also take custom projects for people who are looking for something unique and personalized, either to gift or keep in their home. We design our creations on the computer, and then use our laser cutter to engrave and cut into wood or acrylic material.


Irina GladunIrina Gladun, Ceramics
instagram.com/irinavasilyevna

My pots are informed by feminism, folk art, and classical architecture. The folk art and feminine aspects of my work allow it to be playful and joyful and I like to think about coloring meals and rooms in homes with the work I produce. It is important to me that my forms are clearly feminine while evoking dignity and solidity to challenge the association of the feminine with the inconsequential, weak, and fragile. Femininity is implied in my forms with subjective waist and hip sections and variations on this idea. My tall forms are paired with feminine curves in order to challenge the tradition of associating vertical forms with the phallic. A sense of gravitas and stateliness is achieved by pursuing sharp angles and ornamentation reminiscent of classical architecture, intentionally juxtaposing femininity and nobility. Drawing on folk floral patterns stems from my Ukrainian roots and is a challenge to the discreditation of women’s folk art by the art world for decades, if not centuries. I use mostly high fire white stoneware and some earthenware and porcelain. Most of my work is gas fired but some is wood fired. I make everything on the wheel. I decorate my work with carvings and by painting on underglaze along with cone 10 glazes.


Joanna WinterJoanna Winter, Painting

It’s always a humbling experience when I’m able to bring smiles to those who love & enjoy my work. I enjoy painting large & small canvases & mini-art of nature. I especially enjoy paintings trees, flowers, birds, sunrises & sunsets, Stars & then Cosmos in Acrylic on canvas, board, stone or wood.


Stephen OyerStephen Oyer, Photography
So Photographic, LLC

I particularly enjoy photographing the many unique styles of architecture in Goshen, and I especially love capturing the vibrancy of bright lights and brilliant colors juxtaposed against the somber darkness of night. I use digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take landscape and architectural photos in a variety of lighting conditions. I often shoot photos early in the morning, late in the evening, or at night in order to capture brilliant lights and rich colors against the dark backdrop of night. Doing this allows me to take photos of normal, everyday scenes that are familiar, yet curiously different, and it gives the viewer a reason to stop and really look at something that they may have seen a hundred times before, but never really appreciated.


Jacob HostetlerJacob Hostetler, Ceramics
Jacob Hostetler Ceramics

My work was created as a response to the process of firing work in a wood kiln. Wood kilns use a lot of wood for fuel, and can take as long as 3-5 days to reach peak temperatures. At these hottest temperatures, wood ash begins to melt and fuse with ceramic material. After firing a number of kilns myself, I felt compelled to find a way to preserve the nature of the wood to be burned before it became a fuel source. The resulting work gives the lost wood new life and purpose as a series of functional forms that memorialize the sacrificed material. Each piece starts off with a rolled-out slab base cut and draped into a slump mold. This base is scored and slipped around the edges, a process used in ceramics to securely join two slabs. The slab I mount on the base plate is altered by pressing wood grain textures into the exterior surface. I will sometimes mount multiple slabs to one base, depending on the size the form requires (ie serving dishes or large bowls). Additional details are added before the work is fired in a wood kiln. The wood used to press the surface of this work is burned in the wood kiln, becoming wood ash that will melt at the hottest temperatures and become glass that will stick to the work in the kiln. In this way, I capture the nature of the wood in two ways, the first from before the firing, and the second from its transformation through the firing process.


Allysan HenningAllysan Henning, Homemade fabric baskets
Simply Stitched

I enjoy crafting in my spare time. It is a way for me to express my creative side. I love how each basket is different and unique in its own way. When I’m not crafting I enjoy spending time outside with my husband and our Goldendoodle, Zeke.


Josh CooperJosh Cooper, Painting

Hello, My name is Josh Cooper. I am an artist who has a hard time sticking to one form of art. I live here in Goshen. I mainly do abstract painting but also work in wood cutouts and woodburning. I also love to do murals. I am on the Goshen Arts Council, part of the Goshen Painters Guild, and work closely with Goshen Rocks. I use a wide variety of materials including spray paint, acrylics, paintmarkers, house paint, stains, and wood burner.


Kathy StrangKathy Strang, Ceramics

A little whimsical with a touch of nature, no two pieces are the same. Whether I’m handbuilding or wheel throwing pottery takes me to a place of peace and happiness. My name is Kathy and I’ve been working with clay for 10 yrs. and am self-taught.


Sunday MahajaSunday Mahaja, Sculpture
Mahaja Arts

As an artist, I enjoy exploring every aspect of art. My artwork reflects African culture and lifestyle. I work primarily with found metals and upcycled materials, and for the most part, my work holds beauty alongside humor and functionality.


 Lauren MoralesLauren Morales, Metalwork
Moon+Flower

Moonstone is a master healer for women – it brings soothing, healing calm energy and helps regain back your power and inner balance. I have always loved wearing minimal jewelry and wanted to make magical adornments that were versatile. Cold connections and metal-smithing are techniques I use to make my jewelry. I design, hand-cut metal, polish, and cure. The metals that I use are Nugold-bronze, sterling silver, and 14k gold fill. I use various stones-moonstone, amethyst, turquoise, and topaz.


Viki GraberViki Graber, Folk Art, Basketry and Metalwork
Confluence of Willows

I am a fourth generation willow basket weaver learning from my father when I was 12 years old. Basketry in my family was traditionally utilitarian, and I also continue to learn and create baskets of different patterns and weaving styles. I also create useful items from mostly reclaimed copper pipe and wire. The baskets I weave are made from willow shoots I grow myself. In addition to learning traditional basketry from my father, I’ve taken many classes from teachers all over the world. Soldering copper pipe and wire is a skill I’ve developed over the last 30 years.


Anna MonaghanAnna Monaghan, Painting, hand stamped jewelry and accessories
Shoveltrick Studio

I create paintings using a variety of media, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, and pastel. Often the subject matter of the piece guides my decisions about what media to choose. I also sell prints, and items printed with my artwork. I also create hand stamped jewelry and accessories made from copper and pewter, small leather accessories, and handmade home and garden accessories and decor often using repurposed items like old silverware or excess construction materials, or other beautiful and earthy components such as cement or mosaic.


Kaci DienerKaci Diener, Jewelry

In the last several years I have focused mostly on jewelry making. I have been having so much fun experimenting with different materials. My favorites so far are wood and vintage tin. My husband is a woodworker so I use his scraps to create larger statement pieces. I also have been enjoying combining the wood and metal together. Working with my hands is extremely therapeutic for me. I put a lot of time into each set of earrings. I start with a paper template of come sort, cut the shape out with a saw or tin snips depending on the material, sand or file it down, and then seal it with a finish.


Caitlyn O'NealCaitlyn O’Neal, Ceramics

I have a passion for art including ceramics and painting. I work to develop a unique texture with my medium, creating a ‘drip’ effect. No piece is too big nor small and I enjoy the variety of painting portraits and abstract art.


Hawks Artists CommunityHawks Artists Community, Ceramics, fiber art, paintings, and more
hawksgoshen.com

We are a collective of artists who are passionate about promoting art within the community of Goshen. There are many different types of art here at the hawks that will be displayed from oil paintings, acrylic, ceramics and multimedia.


Kerri BashKerri Bash, Painting
Magpie Dreams

I draw from fairy tales, folk tales, and mythology to construct fanciful images, sometimes for children and sometimes for social commentary. I am trained in illustration and traditional fine art, using both watercolor and oil paint to create my images. I approach all my work with a background of anatomy and life study, which allows even fantasy animals to seem real. I sometimes use color, shape, and imagery in symbolic ways and often my social art contains non-real creatures to stand in for real animals or things, such as the Surrender series where the unicorn represents the natural world and the maiden represents the human influence. I have lived in the country all my life and am surrounded by animals and plants, constant subjects in my work.


Sadie MisiukSadie Misiuk, Ceramics
Sadie Misiuk Ceramics

Being a potter is a wonderful thing! I love making pots that are used every day by people. I want a person to love the piece just as much as I love to create the piece! I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2014 with a Bachelors of Applied Arts degree. I moved to Goshen shortly after graduation, which has been an amazing move. Goshen has such a supportive art scene!


Naila SuleimanNaila Suleiman, Multi-media
Naila Arts

I grew up on a small island in Tanzania where being a kid you could dream of being an artist but it will stay that way, a dream that can never come true. I have always admired art but never got a chance to explore. I am a self-taught artist, a wife and a mother of two. I was fortunate to be surrounded by nature my whole life and most of my pieces I get inspiration from it. I love being creative, it makes me happy, excited, discover myself and open my imagination, not to mention the peace and calmness. My pieces are individually made and one of a kind. It gives me joy to share my creations with others.


Irish CortezIrish Cortez, Painting

I am a 17-year-old Latina student who fell in love with art and painting. I wanted unique clothes and so I started painting my shoes. I painted the wave of Kanagawa on one and a rose from a Mexican board game ( Lotería) on the other. It didn’t match but I love them anyway. I then continued painting shoes for my friends and family. I am inspired by my culture to paint things that will make my family proud and inspire other young Latino kids. Although I am inspired by artist like Frida Khalo I enjoy exploring other types of styles. I paint pop culture things on my canvases, like memes or funny jokes to get the attention of teenagers like me. Although I am still learning, I love sharing my art with others and painting on their shoes or clothes for them.


Marlon MartinezMarlon Martinez, Painting

Bold and Colorful. I have always been influenced by things that capture a reaction. I love things that are in the alternate cultures like horror and main pop media. I really try to portray that and make fun pieces of art.