At Last Love After Quarantine

This sixth decade of my life has been challenging, to say the least. A surprise layoff, and then another, forced my catapult into unknown creativity. I had never painted in any medium, much less on canvas.

We Missed You

Acrylic on Canvas 48″x36″

This sixth decade of my life has been challenging, to say the least. A surprise layoff, and then another, forced my catapult into unknown creativity. I had never painted in any medium, much less on canvas.

Coneflower

Acrylic on Canvas 36″ x 36″

In transitioning from a traditional 9-to-5 job, I look forward to emerging as a more productive fine artist! Using vivid colors and bold textures, I create paintings that comment on the world’s complexities and rhythms from the perspective of a 1950s-born African American woman.

Amazing Grace

Acrylic on Canvas 24″ x 36”

In transitioning from a traditional 9-to-5 job, I look forward to emerging as a more productive fine artist! Using vivid colors and bold textures, I create paintings that comment on the world’s complexities and rhythms from the perspective of a 1950s-born African American woman.

Eutopia

Oil on Canvas 28″H22″W 2“D

I am a painter because art grants me the ability to stop for a second and take in my surroundings. While doing so I hope to engage the admirer as well. Hopefully my search for beauty in forms can be translated to the eyes of the viewer in such a way as to validate my emotions and theirs.

Destiny

Oil on Canvas 20“x24“

I am a painter because art grants me the ability to stop for a second and take in my surroundings. While doing so I hope to engage the admirer as well. Hopefully my search for beauty in forms can be translated to the eyes of the viewer in such a way as to validate my emotions and theirs.

Fractured Existence

Oil on Canvas 36”x24”

I am in the second phase of a second career. At first I was just exploring how to develop my talent, but now I am challenging myself to grow as a serious artist. Both of my paintings reflect COVID times.

Emergence

Oil on Canvas 24”x36”

I am in the second phase of a second career. At first I was just exploring how to develop my talent, but now I am challenging myself to grow as a serious artist. Both of my paintings reflect COVID times.

Taj Mahal

Ink 9×12

After retiring about eight years ago I took my first art class at Hannan Center under Jim Puntigam.

She Wait

Ink 9×12

After retiring about eight years ago I took my first art class at Hannan Center under Jim Puntigam.

Snow in Trees

Acrylic on Canvas 12″x12″

When I retired I resumed a long interrupted practice of painting. As my life experiences have expanded, my inspiration to express imagery has also grown. It is a great joy to me that I continue to emerge as a visual artist.

Resistance

Acrylic on Canvas 10″x20”

When I retired I resumed a long interrupted practice of painting. As my life experiences have expanded, my inspiration to express imagery has also grown. It is a great joy to me that I continue to emerge as a visual artist.

Social Distancing

Acrylic on Canvas 11”x14”

I have enjoyed and practiced drawing, painting and sculpture from my youth, but I have begun to practice my art full-time only over the last four years. With every painting I feel and see the change or growth.

Boyhood Friends

Acrylic on Canvas 30”x11”

I have enjoyed and practiced drawing, painting and sculpture from my youth, but I have begun to practice my art full-time only over the last four years. With every painting I feel and see the change or growth.

What a Little Rain Can Do

Mixed Media 23″X33”

When I was 8 years old I won a children’s Play-Doh competition. This started me on a try-anything arty path, sewing my own clothes, doing needlepoint, embroidery and papier-mâché, and painting furniture.

A Fishy Fiesta

Mixed Media 18″X20″

When I was 8 years old I won a children’s Play-Doh competition. This started me on a try-anything arty path, sewing my own clothes, doing needlepoint, embroidery and papier-mâché, and painting furniture. When I moved into mixed media, I knew I had found my passion.

Where’s the Exit?

Acrylic and Gel Pen Board 24”x19”

I’m truly an emerging artist. Just three years ago, my husband Paul encouraged me to venture into the world of art. I resisted because I had no formal or informal art training or schooling— stick figures were the extent of my artistic talent.

Belonging

Acrylic and Gel Pen on Board 24”x19”

I’m truly an emerging artist. Just three years ago, my husband Paul encouraged me to venture into the world of art. I resisted because I had no formal or informal art training or schooling— stick figures were the extent of my artistic talent.

Elegant Lady

Clay 15”x8”

I began my career over 35 years ago. I have loved making art and attending art shows for many years. My work is created by hand, building and glazing each ceramic tile to give it an effect that is very organic.

Gay Pride and Lady Justice

Acrylic on Canvas 30”x40”

I have been an emerging artist all my life. At 7 I began to crochet, then turned to quilting, oil pastels, tile work, macramé and floral design. My desire to paint arose in 5th Grade when I visited the DIA and saw the works of Van Gogh.

Rainbow Lava

Acrylic Paint Pour 20“x16″

This year’s entries build on one of the techniques, “The Art of Acrylic Paint Pouring,” that I was trying to perfect when I entered last year’s Emerge’ Art Festival. For a while I gave up on acrylic pour painting, as I found better success with alcohol inks.

Moon Stone Jewels

Acrylic Paint Pour 14″x12″

This year’s entries build on one of the techniques, “The Art of Acrylic Paint Pouring,” that I was trying to perfect when I entered last year’s Emerge’ Art Festival. For a while I gave up on acrylic pour painting, as I found better success with alcohol inks.

Blues Chanteuse

Photography 16”x20”

I have loved listening to music for as long as I can remember. The music was aural only—radio and records—until my 60s, when I began attending live performances, mostly of Blues music, beginning in small bars at first, then at concerts and festivals.

Long Tall Guitar Man

Photography 14”x11”

I have loved listening to music for as long as I can remember. The music was aural only—radio and records—until my 60s, when I began attending live performances, mostly of Blues music, beginning in small bars at first, then at concerts and festivals.

Moody Blue

Oil on Canvas 22.75”x18.125”

I’ve spent a career in advertising, doing layouts and designing sets for TV commercials. In 1996, a computer was rolled into my office and my drawing board days were over. I improved my computer skills, learning Indesign and Photoshop; but I really missed drawing.

How Bout Them Apples

Oil on Canvas 24”x20”

I’ve spent a career in advertising, doing layouts and designing sets for TV commercials. In 1996, a computer was rolled into my office and my drawing board days were over. I improved my computer skills, learning Indesign and Photoshop; but I really missed drawing.

West African Inspired Village Bag

Authentic African Fabrics Enhanced with Domestic Fabrics 23″x33″

I have been creating wearable art (jewelry and textiles) for over 45 years. This was my first piece of non-wearable art. I created it to honor my life with my husband Rod after he left this life last year.

Walk with Me

Fiber Appliqué, Embroidery, Fabric Dye, Paint and Beading 27″x24″

I have been creating wearable art (jewelry and textiles) for over 45 years. This was my first piece of non-wearable art. I created it to honor my life with my husband Rod after he left this life last year.

Property Relations

Pochoir with Hand Embellishments 48″x71“

All art is political. Social justice themes have always been important in my practice as an artist and engaged citizen.
Long before BLM, my work has been about historic precedents and the spiritual transformation necessary for sustainable change.

Polly Don’t Like That Cracker

Pochoir 2.5″x6″ (unframed)

All art is political. Social justice themes have always been important in my practice as an artist and engaged citizen.
Long before BLM, my work has been about historic precedents and the spiritual transformation necessary for sustainable change.

Silver and Gold

Mix Media 24”x30”

I am 67 years old. At the end of the 2019-20 school year I retired from 45 years as an art educator. I have a great love and passion for art. I dedicate my life to living creatively.

Date with the Rain

Mix Media 25”x25”

I am 67 years old. At the end of the 2019-20 school year I retired from 45 years as an art educator. I have a great love and passion for art. I dedicate my life to living creatively.

Mother and Child

Mixed Media 16”x20”

I have been doing art since I was a little kid but never seriously until I turned 70. It is my busting-out time. My art takes something from nothing and makes something.

All That Hat

Mixed Media 16”x20”

I have been doing art since I was a little kid but never seriously until I turned 70. It is my busting-out time. My art takes something from nothing and makes something.

Gele

Ink and Pencil 11”x14”

Working with ink block lets me explore new areas of medium and imagination. The pandemic brings out thought processes that confront the positive and negative feelings of being black and locked down.

Tiny Dancer

Acrylic 12”x12”

I’m primarily self-taught, but most recently I’ve been taking painting classes at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA). This led to displays at the PCCA, the Rochester Hills City Hall, and the Northville Art Center .

Amore e Onore

Intersections

Mixed Media Collage 8”x10 .5”

I am a creative artist working with mixed media collage. I am working to be seen by more of the public than my current circle. This year I am expanding to new color choices and mark making, and including new types of water media in my work.

Captured in Place

Pretty Yellow Bow

Graphite and Colored Pencil 14”x17”

I fell in love with drawing as a child, but did not pursue art as a career. After 32 years of teaching English, I am now rekindling the love I had for art and the euphoria of turning a blank paper into a beautiful composition with strokes of my pencils.

Harpist Princess Mae

Graphite 18”x24”

I fell in love with drawing as a child, but did not pursue art as a career. After 32 years of teaching English, I am now rekindling the love I had for art and the euphoria of turning a blank paper into a beautiful composition with strokes of my pencils.

The Genius of Thelonius

Acrylic on Canvas 48”x36”

I’m an interdisciplinary artist, merging music and improvisational visual art on the stage, a presentation that blends both disciplines, singing and painting. I paint sounds that I hear. Music from both past and current jazz musicians translates into color and texture.

The Prophecy Of Miles

Acrylic on Canvas 20”x20”

I’m an interdisciplinary artist, merging music and improvisational visual art on the stage, a presentation that blends both disciplines, singing and painting. I paint sounds that I hear. Music from both past and current jazz musicians translates into color and texture.

Contemplation Two

Acrylic on Board 12”x12”

After self-quarantining for three months I went back to the studio and found that my head had changed, my direction had changed, and my work was totally different. The complexity of our times and the questionable future are my theme.

Contemplation One

Acrylic on Board 12”x12”

After self-quarantining for three months I went back to the studio and found that my head had changed, my direction had changed, and my work was totally different. The complexity of our times and the questionable future are my theme.

Social Fabric 1

Photographic Monoprint 24”x20”

I am emerging in that I have only lately combined my technical facility as a photographer and graphic designer to create digital art compositions and commit each one to objective value as a single impression.

Descent 3

Photographic Monoprint 24”x20”

I am emerging in that I have only lately combined my technical facility as a photographer and graphic designer to create digital art compositions and commit each one to objective value as a single impression. My body of work since last year’s Festival is the result of an entirely new way of seeing the ordinary, realized through new processes.

Budapest Man

Photo 18“x24”

I am primarily a photographer concentrating on a wide variety of subject matter. Having lived and worked in many places and countries, I have a broad range of subject matter. With these submissions I have undertaken a different view.

Blue Jester

Photo 18″x24″

I am primarily a photographer concentrating on a wide variety of subject matter. Having lived and worked in many places and countries, I have a broad range of subject matter. With these submissions I have undertaken a different view.

Naked Truth

Acrylic Pour 18“x24”

I consider myself an emerging artist because I am new to the art world. I am humbled even to consider myself an artist; but I truly believe that anyone has the chance to create art so interesting to others that it will gain them notice and a place where their work can be enjoyed publicly.

Ladybird

Acrylic Pour 16“x20”

I consider myself an emerging artist because I am new to the art world. I am humbled even to consider myself an artist; but I truly believe that anyone has the chance to create art so interesting to others that it will gain them notice and a place where their work can be enjoyed publicly.

COVID Weary

Oil on Canvas 30″x40”

I am looking for a more subtle portrayal of the relevant issues of the day rather than more graphic images.

Family Reunion Dinner Dance

Oil on Canvas 20”x16”

I am an emerging artist after neglecting my love for drawing and painting for several years since college. About 5 years ago I started back into art, looking to make it my new career.

Blue Swings

Oil on Hardboard 14”x16″

I am an emerging artist after neglecting my love for drawing and painting for several years since college. About 5 years ago I started back into art, looking to make it my new career. Knowing that art is a very competitive field I tried to define my niche by using different surfaces for my painting and drawing.

The Eye of Horus

Mixed Media 18“x24”

I began painting seriously in the summer of 2018 after being encouraged by members of the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club. I have since explored in acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil and drawing. There is nothing so constant as change and I love evolving.

The Egyptian Queen

Mixed Media 18“x24”

I began painting seriously in the summer of 2018 after being encouraged by members of the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club. I have since explored in acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil and drawing. There is nothing so constant as change and I love evolving.

Shealian

Acrylic on Wood with Paper 48”x30”

When I retired, I felt as though I were emerging from a creative hibernation. I now had the time and energy to express myself artistically. I am still learning, experimenting and doing. I stoke my creative fire continuously by creating visual art, acting and writing.

J’aime Mon Cafe Noir

Acrylic on Wood with Paper 48”x30”

When I retired, I felt as though I were emerging from a creative hibernation. I now had the time and energy to express myself artistically. I am still learning, experimenting and doing.

Inter Vivos

Mixed Media 48”x36”

At 68 years of age, with no formal art education or training, I am venturing into a community of amazements. Before now I could not imagine the satisfaction of expressing my views through pencil and paint.

Capsulate

Mixed Media 30”x23”

At 68 years of age, with no formal art education or training, I am venturing into a community of amazements. Before now I could not imagine the satisfaction of expressing my views through pencil and paint. My submissions seek to reflect both personal change and the changes in the art world.

Community Spread The Elephant in the Room

Acrylic 24”x36”

I consider myself an emerging artist because, at this age, I’ve decided to share my paintings with the world. My submission fits this year’s theme perfectly because it represents the heart of our nation—the communities and how we as a people have the power to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.

Whirlwind

Acrylic 24”x18”

I feel that I’m an emerging artist, because I have been searching for ways to express my feeling about today’s situation. I’m frustrated. Thousands have died simply because too many people don’t seem to understand the importance of following mandated, scientifically proven rules.

Natural Spacing

Acrylic 22.5”x28”

I feel that I’m an emerging artist, because I have been searching for ways to express my feeling about today’s situation. I’m frustrated. Thousands have died simply because too many people don’t seem to understand the importance of following mandated, scientifically proven rules.

Come Dance with Me

Leather 18”x22”

I am starting over in the field of art, learning new techniques, creating my own techniques by using my creative mind.

Brothers

Paper 30”x24”

I am starting over in the field of art, learning new techniques, creating my own techniques by using my creative mind.

Paper Doll

Graphite, Pencil, and Conti Crayon on Board 10”x10”

I am emerging into the art world from that place of voluntary obscurity in which one attends to the obligations of raising and supporting a family. Although I was unable to devote as much of my time as I would have liked, I continued to engage in making art.

Disco Morphic Dancers #2

Acrylic on Paper 11.5”x7.5”

I am emerging into the art world from that place of voluntary obscurity in which one attends to the obligations of raising and supporting a family. Although I was unable to devote as much of my time as I would have liked, I continued to engage in making art.

Ruben

Metal 9“x9“x23“

Because I deal with life and the everyday environment, I try to represent topics like the Coronavirus, George Floyd, and today’s civil unrest in my art.

Civil Unrest

Oil 35”x40”

Because I deal with life and the everyday environment, I try to represent topics like the Coronavirus, George Floyd, and today’s civil unrest in my art.

Lost in a Daydream

Acrylic 16”x40”

I consider myself an emerging artist because, although I’ve been an artist for many years, I’ve been exhibiting for only two years. My art fits this year’s theme because the new normal, during this pandemic is inside-the-house, wishing to be outside.

Hope

Acrylic 36”x48”

I consider myself an emerging artist because, although I’ve been an artist for many years, I’ve been exhibiting for only two years. My art fits this year’s theme because the new normal, during this pandemic is inside-the-house, wishing to be outside.

Women at the Well of Creation

aCRYLIC Fusion aRTs 48”x36”

The visual aRTs adapt and change periodically so that new aRT may be born. Though I have worked in acrylic polymers, as aRT, for the last fifty years I have searched and found an innovative aCRYLIC Fusion aRTs medium that reflects such a change in the visual aRTs.

Queen Tye of the 18th Dynasty

aCRYLIC Fusion aRTs 48”x40”

The visual aRTs adapt and change periodically so that new aRT may be born. Though I have worked in acrylic polymers, as aRT, for the last fifty years I have searched and found an innovative aCRYLIC Fusion aRTs medium that reflects such a change in the visual aRTs.

In the Eyes of God

Oil 71.5”x48”

I am a painter. I consider myself “old school.” I feel that, if it cannot achieved by paint, then it’s crafts. I feel that I am an emerging artist because I have health challenges and have relocated quite a bit.

In a Moment Honey

Oil 71.5”X46.5”

I am a painter. I consider myself “old school.” I feel that, if it cannot achieved by paint, then it’s crafts. I feel that I am an emerging artist because I have health challenges and have relocated quite a bit.