Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

Summer Colors, now in its 10th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol and Jill and Dupree Scovell, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 26, at Scottish Rite Hospital. Additional information and tickets can be found at scottishritehospital.org/summercolors

CAROLINE QUISENBERRY

Constantly in need of a “creative outlet”, I would often find new project and hobbies to test drive. The day I was introduced to jewelry, jewelry design, and a paintbrush was the day I realized I could put my biggest passions of creative design, the arts, and crafting into a tangible product to give back to the world. 

My personal relationship with design has evolved into a love and passion I incorporate into every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally. Throughout my professional life, I have broadened my creative abilities through even planning, jewelry designs, painting, branding, business development, client relations, and marketing. Alongside my professional life, I have grown my design skills through my jewelry and painting business, CLQ Designs. 

CLQ Designs offers custom jewelry design, jewelry redesign, and abstract acrylic paintings, while catering to the client’s style, need and budget! CLQ Designs offers the best of both worlds – unique handcrafted jewelry and art sure to make you and your home the statement piece at your next event and a price point that won’t send you running for the hills! I want my clients to be able to call me on a random Tuesday and ask if I can design them something new because they need to “spoil” themselves. 

Since childhood, my creativity and passion for design has fueled my drive to explore new experiences, learn new skill sets, and cultivate meaningful relationships. For me, the most exciting and rewarding part of CLQ Designs is knowing that I am not limited to what I can learn, design and create. I love getting together with my clients to get our creative wheels turning together in order to design their one of a kind piece from CLQ Designs. I love the challenge of design and thrive off creativity (I can’t get enough of it!). 

CHRISTI MERIL

Christi Meril has been creating mixed media art filled with simple and connectable images since 2006. She has devoted herself as an artist to create images that speak to the eye and heart of the beholder. Her artwork is filled with modern yet timeless pieces full of life, self-reflection and love.

Over the years, her work has appeared in ArtHouse Dallas, The Thrift Studio, Dallas, The Dallas Flea, The Jewish Art Fest of Dallas, Arts and Tarts, open shows at the 500X Gallery and sold locally. She is also found in personal collections from California to New York and abroad. Christi resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband, two daughters, two standard poodles and English bulldog.

JOANNE “JOJO” HERDA

Rocket scientist turned self-taught abstract artist utilizing a blend of the analytical mind and artistic passion to create harmonious balance of color on canvas with compassion and diligence. Artwork is created for the individual collector, clients of leading interior design and non-profit organizations. JoJo was honored to be named a Fashion Group Internal of Dallas 2016 Rising Star Nominee in Art. 
 
JoJo’s artwork inspiration is drawn from life experiences, 80’s flare, and the color found in everyday objects. 
 

MEGAN ADAMS BROOKS

Inspired by patterns and textures in the natural world, Megan Adams Brooks creates abstract paintings on silk that reflect the beauty found throughout nature. Brooks began painting interior scapes on canvas early in her career. It was through depicting the fabrics and patterns in a room that she discovered her fascination with fabrics, which led her to designing custom textiles. From there, Brooks found her true passion for the silk medium. Painting on silk, similar to watercolor, provides many opportunities for unexpected challenges and happy accidents. The process is time-sensitive, multi-layered and endlessly inventive. Brooks’ unique method of self-expression fulfills her unending obsession to create. 

Brooks’ work has been exhibited at Art Basel in Miami and McKinney Avenue Contemporary (The MAC) at 3120 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX. Her work hangs in public and private collections, nationally and internationally. Brooks holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in painting and drawing from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s of Fine Art degree from the University of North Texas. She lives and works in Dallas, TX.

LORI CUSICK

In 2002, Lori decided to follow her life’s passion and recommitted herself to painting. At this time, she first engaged in plein air painting. “The challenges presented by painting nature while being part of that nature have taught me a tremendous amount about studying light and manipulating paint.” The one constant through her paintings: her energetic spontaneous brushstroke, applying paint with a confident contemporary approach.

Lori resides in Dallas, a long way from the mountains of New York where she was born and raised. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Over the following years, Lori successfully pursued a career as a commercial artist designing for advertising agencies and running her own design studio. She is currently Design Director for the award-winning Private Clubsmagazine. You see the influence of her commercial career in her exciting compositions … silhouettes of the world.
 
Lori’s inspired by nature and the ever changing light.

 

CHARLSIE DOAN

I am a self-taught landscape artist, primarily using oils and sometimes watercolors.
Inspiration: My inspirations are the colors of the sky. My grandparents live on a farm in rural New Mexico, and I love being there because the sky is so wide and huge that it is possible to see everything, the stars, the clouds, the sunrises, and the sunsets. I especially love the vibrant oranges and reds of sunset, and these are the colors that you can see most in my paintings.

Fran Di Giacomo

Artist, Author, Speaker

1970 was a pivotal year for Fran Di Giacomo; she found two passions – her husband and her art.  She pursued her passion for art by studying with living masters, including Paul Leveille, David Leffel, and a unique opportunity at Scottsdale Artist School with Howard Terpning. 

Striving to establish her career in oil painting, Fran Di Giacomo found herself most excited by the methods and concepts of the Dutch masters.  “I focused on seeking out living masters to study with.  Perfecting the drama of light, shadow, and mystery has been a constant theme.  Fad and fashion will ebb and flow, but classical realism is endless and enduring.”  Her paintings are represented by galleries in several states, and are in demand for their lush colors and dramatic lighting.

Today her portraits are renowned, and her still life paintings are in great demand for their lush colors and dramatic lighting.  Her portraits include private collectors, precious children, sports figures such as Dallas Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith and Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, and dignitaries such as Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger and President George W.Bush.  

She has been published in books, magazines, and newspapers, as well as Who’s Who in American Art and Who’s Who of American Women, and The Best of Portrait Painting.   In today’s fast-paced world, our senses are constantly assaulted. When you behold a Di Giacomo painting, you return to the world of quiet elegance.   

Fran is represented by Southwest Gallery in Dallas, and Gallerie Amsterdam in Carmel. She is a member of Associated Creative Artists and Oil Painters of America.  

Michelle Elwazir

The interplay of natural and man-made geometric forms and textures is a unifying theme in Michelle Elwazir’s photographic work. She has always been amazed and surprised by the beauty of nature.  The subjects of artistic observation, interpretation, and discipline surrounded her from an early age.  Her fascination with color and texture as well as the urge to fix her observations artistically was informed by her childhood surrounded by the art and sculpture of her artist parents (her mother is a sculptor of exotic pottery and her father is a watercolorist and sculptor).  

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education development. Her projects have included commercial fashion and product photography, portraiture, and abstract art photography.  She has taught photography related workshops at the Dallas Center for Photography.   

Meagan Johnson

Lil’ d Dog Works is operated by Meagan Johnson in Denton, TX. Meagan has been teaching art in Dallas for 6 years and is the Artist in Residence at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Meagan’s private business began as a pet portrait artist doing commissions for close friends. Since then she has completed works that span a large variety of subject matter working with acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, and inks. Meagan’s style incorporates vibrant colors, expressive lines, and fun compositions to create unique works of art with the client in mind.

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part I

Summer Colors, now in its 10th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol and Jill and Dupree Scovell, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 26, at Scottish Rite Hospital. Additional information and tickets can be found at scottishritehospital.org/summercolors

Christina Mitchella

Dallas native, Christina Mitchella, is an accomplished and award-winning artist specializing in impressionistic drawings and abstract oil paintings. Her life-long zeal for the arts transitioned from passion to career. After graduating with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, Christina began actively showing her works in galleries, competing in art shows, auctions and completing commissioned pieces for her growing base of followers and supporters.

Christina’s art is remarkably inspired and contemplative, spanning many different artistic mediums. Whether she is creating a portrait, painting in still life, or transforming a canvas with abstract expressionism, her impeccable attention to detail and vibrant use of color breathes life into every stroke and sketch.

It is Christina’s hope that her works will emit joy, stir inspiration and spread enthusiasm for the arts in all who view them. Her works can be viewed in galleries throughout Texas, and she is currently available for commissioned work.

ERIKA KRIVDA

 

 

I believe that there is no one “thing” that inspires me. My inspiration comes from an accumulation of three things: my past, present, and future. Coming from a family of artists, I have been painting and creating since I was a child. I’ve watched my artwork evolve over the years and I love finding new ways to create. Painting is my way of understanding myself and everything around me.

Lydia Abigail

Lydia Abigail has been heavily involved in the art industry for nearly 7 years. She has participated art shows with the North East Art Association, Texas Woman’s University, the 101 Gallery, and many local shops. Lydia loves to connect with other artists and has completed many art shows, pop-up galleries, or craft markets with other artists in her area. Not only does Lydia show her work locally, but she also has completed live art drawings for coffee shop events and lead therapeutic art workshops. She has completed commissioned jobs with work in oil paint, pencil, charcoal, ink, and chalk. Lydia has been trained in oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, woodwork, and clay and is always continuing her study of these mediums. Lydia Abigail is currently involved in many local creative organizations which give her inspiration and encouragement!

Lydia Abigail is inspired by this magnificently beautiful world around her. Many of her works of art are based off of or are impressions of nature. Natural sources and images are often incorporated into each of her pieces, whether by pictures, scientific studies, or the simple observation of earthly-details. Overall, she finds the outdoors to be her main source of inspiration for her creative journey.

ALLYSON HALL

Allyson Hall happily tabled her career as a journalist for the adventures of motherhood almost nine years ago. Four babies later, the youngest finally on board the “potty train,” she finally figured out what she wanted to be when she grew up. Allyson followed the pull to turn her creativity into a professional pursuit that excited her every day. It started with photography. She loves capturing the unexpected moment, the unposed expression on faces. Her Nikon is like a fifth child — it goes everywhere with her.

About face silhouettes is an extension of Allyson’s passion for photography, a new use for the thousands of .jpgs that were building up in her photo library. She was looking for a fresh medium to capture the images of her children and remembered the great black and white silhouettes of Allyson as a kid.

By first photographing her subjects’ profiles, she has a fixed moment from which she can trace a detailed silhouette. Allyson takes her time, putting great care into precisely cutting the slope of a nose, the pout of the lips or the curl in the hair. This is what sets an “about face” original apart from many other silhouettes. The greatest compliment she has received comes from clients who say they can fill in the rest of the silhouetted face’s features with their mind’s eye. 

Allyson uses sturdy colored cardstock to give her silhouettes a modern vibe and to provide her clients another opportunity to express their individuality. So that’s what Allyson is about. She hopes that her work adds a splash of color to your walls and makes you smile. 

 

Jenn Thatcher

 

Jenn Thatcher has always has a love for color and design. After moving to Texas from Chicago 10 years ago, she was working for a Wall Street firm with a demanding travel schedule and long hours. Being a wife and mother of three, with two of the children being Scottish rite patients, she finally decided to leave her corporate career to pursue painting full time. Jenn believes that creating art is a gift from God, and a blank canvas is a metaphor for life. It can be anything you want it to be. And if you don’t like the direction it’s going, it’s never too late to start over or change direction.

It’s so important to remember that everyone and everything can be beautiful at some point in time, it’s all a matter of how you look at it. Jenn’s work is featured in stores through the US and works directly with designers and clients in the Dallas area. Some of her work can be viewed on Instagram @Jenn_Thatcher_Art or on her website at www.jennthatcher.com.

 

Helen Doty​

 

Helen was born and raised in Manchester, England. As a teenager she lived with my parents in Singapore for 4 years, before moving with them to Chicago IL.  Helen was working as a computer programmer when she met her husband. After marrying her American, we moved down to Texas, where they have lived happily for over 10 years. The two are now raising our two daughters here in Frisco, Texas. Helen has only been painting for a year. Purely for just the pleasure of creating at first. Then as gifts for friends and family. She is excited to have just sold her first commissioned piece!

Helens art is inspired and gets ideas by chatting with the person that is looking to add something to a space or room, with photos, or a certain color palette. To View more of Helen Doty’s paintings, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HelenDotyArt/

Anita Felix

Anita is renowned for her interpretations of ballerinas, churches, barns and of course, angels.
Her current surroundings in east Texas inspire her modern paintings of quaint historic barns and churches.
After living by the ocean for many years, you can see the influence of water in many of her contemporary pieces.

Mione Plant

Mixing things that don’t formally go together can be a great trick in design and fashion, and most certainly in life. I love the things about myself that are incongruous, at odds with each other, not a natural combo.

My parents come from the East (Middle East and Eastern Europe), yet I was raised in the heart of West Texas. I’m an engineer by training, but am real cozy with my right brain. I’ve biked from Texas to Alaska, but am feminine and delicate. I’m a mom to a two year old vibrant son, but act like a kid delighting in spontaneous moments of joy. I love deep personal connections with my friends and family, but re-energize alone with a piping hot cup of tea. I’m a perfectionist, but take pleasure in synchronous missteps. I’m serious about my work, but playful with my creations.
I’m inspired by flashes of beauty in my environment, bringing life to the small things, as well as the big ideas. I work with multiple forms of expression including abstract art and illustrative work.

My abstract artwork is inspired by contemplative moments and a desire for deep meaning and connection, while I apply freedom of brushstroke and allow a sense of flow in the direction taken.

In contrast, my illustrative artwork is inspired by a child-like sense of wonder, and created with visions of bringing a smile or even laughter to viewers of all ages. This work entails finely detailed imagery, developed over the course of many weeks.

Leida A. Bartmess

Constantly pushing the edge, LeidaB presses in her work for discovery and celebration. Her compositions are fluid, with color and dimension setting the pace for a unique painting every time with a new journey. Viewing a LeidaB painting is a rich experience that drips with color and emotion. Her passionate works are alive with movement, boldly created with brushes and a palette knife. She loves working with acrylics, heavy mediums, resin and found objects, dramatically transferring her vision to the canvas and ultimately on to the viewer.

 

My inspirations comes from JD Miller and my mentor is Cynthia Chartier.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.