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Tina Blanck

Visual

I have always liked creating artwork on a large scale. The process of taking a small object and doing it BIG and BOLD is so much fun to me and for my clients. What inspires me the most is color in nature and the beauty that can be found in everyday simple objects. Color makes me happy! I have a unique painting technique that I call “MOSAIC PAINTING”. I use drywall mud to give texture to my board and after painting the base color, I sketch my design in charcoal. I mix my paint and with sponges in various simple shapes-circles & squares-I apply my paint. I LOVE the idea of taking small motifs and paint them large with bold vibrant color! I enjoy letting the vivid colors and simple shapes transform the total painting into an interesting, textural piece of art that truly does resemble a mosaic. Sometimes it takes another glance to see that the creation is simply paint. I LOVE the energy that color can bring!

Nedra Bonds

Visual

NedRa Bonds is a quilter, educator, and activist, born and raised in the Quindaro neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. Bonds has created more than 100 quilts that explore issues dealing with human rights, social justice, race, health and well-being, women, politics, and the environment. She is most well-known for her Quindaro Quilt, a 4’x6’ quilt detailing the important history of the historic Quindaro neighborhood and its role as part of the National Underground Railroad System of Historic Trails. Her quilts have been displayed in various traveling art shows and locally at the Jazz Museum, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Park University, and the Spencer Museum of Art.

Esther Boyd

Visual

Esther Boyd, a native of Oakley, Kansas, is a Kansas City-based painter and illustrator. Boyd uses simple, strong brushwork to build compositions of overlapping colors. Her work also depicts inanimate objects in pastel colors and with transparent effects. Boyd’s influences include artists such as John Singer Sargent and Claude Monet, as well as Asian culture, surface design and textiles. In August, Boyd was one of three artists to earn an honorable mention for her work “Sunlight Peaches” at the National Small Oil Painting Exhibition at Mark Arts (formerly the Wichita Center for the Arts) in Wichita, Kansas. She studied fine and studio arts at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degrees in textile design from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. She also holds a master’s in architecture, with a focus on built form and culture, from KU.

Lorrie Boydston

Visual

Lorrie Boydston is a native Kansas City/Midwest Artist exploring the conceptual nature of suburban life with paintings, abstract and mixed media works. Her diverse body of work evokes references to ideas of environment, architecture, spirituality, diversity, consumerism, domesticity and time. Recent abstract grid works alude to the underlying structure and redundancies of suburban architecture. Boydston received her M.A. in painting from UMKC in 2006 and has a B.S.Ed in art K-12 from MSU. Her work has been featured in publications, group and solo shows as well as private commissions. She is an active member of the Kansas City Arts community participating in ArtsKC “Now Showing” Corporate Arts Program and serves as a veteran member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition. Boydston works as an art educator and maintains an active studio practice in Kansas City, MO. Commissions and collaborations welcomed.

Madeline Brice

Visual

Kansas City, Missouri based queer visual artist Madeline Brice seeks to visually represent the fluidity of experiences and relationships through the lens of a visual perception disorder. She primarily works with oils on metallized mylar and aluminum, creating an experiential and experimental interaction with her work. Madeline Brice graduated with honors from Missouri State University in 2015 with a BFA in Painting and received a BA in Art History in May of 2018. While in Springfield she worked with a number of arts institutions including the Springfield Art Museum, and Springfield Regional Arts Council, and served on the board of Springfield Creatives. She relocated to Kansas City in 2019 and has held positions with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 21C Museum and Hotels, and now is the acting Director of Weinberger Fine Art, a contemporary gallery in the Crossroads Arts District. She has been a practicing studio artist for over ten years having been published and selected for many solo, juried, and group exhibitions regionally and nationally. Her work is a part of many private collections across the US, and, in 2021, she was featured as one of Sotheby’s Institute’s emerging artists in their world renowned Made In Bed Magazine.

Susana Bruhn

Community-Based Art; Literary; Visual

Susana Bruhn has shown in several Greater Kansas City Area galleries – from downtown, the Crossroads Art District, and Overland Park plus she had a piece featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a Masters in Education from Iowa State University. Having worked for the Kansas City Art Institute and Hallmark, Susana is currently Executive Director of GUILDit, an organization that provides business programs for artists. She has also done educational programming for the last 20 years in colleges and the community. Topics she has taught vary from creativity, personal development, clinical evaluations, to technology. Her current artwork spans across four series: ‘Ukraine Outreach’ are prints of pencil drawings, ‘Waves of Color: Colorized Landscapes’ and ‘Abstract Affirmations’ both are acrylics on canvas, plus ‘Grounded: Cell Commentary’ uses recycled phone parts on wood. Her previous series include political commentary on China, pastel figure drawings and shape play using crayon. Portfolio: http://www.susanab.net

Eliza Bullock

Visual

I am a self-taught artist based in Lawrence, KS. My work, inspired by the ceaseless tension between calm and chaos, utilizes techniques of monotype printmaking, painting, drawing, collage, assemblage and photography. I am living within the tension between the vast skies and prairies of my Midwestern home and the densely layered, richly textured dichotomy of my native New York. It is from within this place that my artwork emerges. After initially studying photography, I ultimately received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Ohio University. My career as a graphic designer and art director began in San Francisco and led me back to New York by way of Italy before settling in Kansas. While working and living in San Francisco I discovered, out of a need to put hand to paper, monotype printmaking. I fell in love with the process and began to hone my skills through small workshops in the US and abroad. My move to Kansas afforded me the opportunity to more fully explore my creative imperative. As a result of my continued explorations and the ceaseless support from my community, I have since had the great honor of having my work shown in galleries across the nation and collected worldwide. I have had my work selected for juried exhibitions and am currently represented by Strecker Nelson West Gallery in Manhattan, KS. I am humbled to have served on the board of directors of The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas since 2013. I now split my professional time between graphic design and fine art while balancing the overwhelming joy and challenge of raising two pre-adolescent boys.

Olga Burwell

Visual

I consider myself a mixed media artist, but majority of my art is created with a brush as main working tool. By nature I’m a non-complacent person who seeks thrill in experimenting with a variety of mediums. My satisfaction comes from the process of creating and not so much from the final result of my work. The adventure of making art and the process to satisfy the hunger threw me into an education career. Interacting with young artists and absorbing their fresh outlook on art, inspires me to push my personal limits. As a college student, I chose a career in mathematics, which I thought was practical; but soon after, my passion for art took over once again and destiny persuaded me to enroll in a painting class. At the end of my four-year college experience, I walked away with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design. I refer to my years following college as my “rediscovery time”. A wise person once told me, “You have to bloom no matter where you are planted.” So , my blooming began. I followed my heart and realized that sharing my passion was the best thing that I could accomplish. My new adventure took me to earn a Master’s degree in Education and inspire young learners to create good art. Changing lives sounds so cliché, but the truth of the matter is that my hope is to ignite a spark of creativity, at least for a few of my students. My earliest memory of art school started in fourth grade and my passion and love of art has continued as a lifelong affair. Return on energy and new outlook from students spills in to my personal artwork. I find myself simply playing and discovering new ways to use common mediums. This particular body of work was created using 90% of acrylic. My work tends to be developed in layers consisting of drawing with pastel or charcoal, gouache or watercolors for transparency layer and at a closer inspection you can detect ascents of texture created with tissue paper and modeling paste. Not having restraints allow me to have autonomy in my work.

Joe Bussell

Visual

Statement In the process of making 2-D or 3-D art, I add what makes sense and subtract what doesn’t. That is a process that can take years or realized in a day. What I add or what I keep represents my history, dreams, memories, and personal aesthetic. I want the finished piece to finish the psychological loop and tell a complete story. Biography Joe has maintained a professional contemporary art practice for over 40 years. In that time, he received a BFA in painting at Kansas University and an MFA in Painting and Ceramics at Washington University in Saint Louis. Joe exhibits widely in the US and Europe. Currently, his indoor/outdoor studio is in Kansas City, Kansas. The development of Joe’s visual language took on new heights while living in London, Boston, Los Angeles and various cities in the Midwest. Most vividly, he worked in an AIDS hospice for five years. The experiences at the hospice are forever seared into his always expanding queer abstract language.

John Carroll

Visual

My paintings are from life and studio, a camera and sketchbook can begin the process of painting. I show each year in Kansas City’s Art Westport, Brush Creek Art Walk, and other Quick Paint events. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art, Painting from Southwest Missouri State University, Dec. 1976.

John Davis Carroll

Multi-Disciplinary; Visual

John Davis Carroll is a painter and new media artist. He was born in Natick, Massachusetts. He studied at Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he received his B.F.A in Painting in 1987 and at Parsons School of Design in NYC where he received a M.F.A. in Painting in 1990. The majority of his professors and mentors came from the School of Hans Hofmann. These artists included Larry Rivers, Leland Bell, Nell Blaine, Paul Resika, David Loeffler Smith and Robert DeNiro Sr. Carroll has lived in Kansas City since 1993. He has been an adjunct professor for over 15 years at UMKC M.F.A. in Theatre Design where he teaches Life Drawing and at JCCC where he teaches Drawing and Painting. He has also taught at Avila University, Park University, UMKC Fine Arts Department and KCAI. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Lieberman Teaching Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty JCCC, Honorable Mention for a 360 degree spherical photograph, hosted by Ricoh and CNN, a Studio Residency hosted by Urban Culture Project / Kansas City, Missouri – Charlotte Street Fund, Best of Show “32nd Small Works” (international) for a new media piece juried by Daniel Ferris of the Stephen Haller Gallery Washington Square Galleries NYU in NYC and Best of Show for a painting at the “Art at the Center Juried Exhibition” (national) Overland Park, Kansas; juror Dr. Patricia McDonnell director of the Urlich Museum Wichita Kansas. John Davis Carroll has had numerous solo shows and invitational shows locally, nationally, Germany, Taiwan and China. His work is owned by numerous private collections and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, Kansas.

Katie Carruthers

Visual

Katie Carruthers is a Mid-West based artist living and working in Kansas City, Mo. She works primarily in painting, but finds her work transcending into drawing and installation. Her work is informed foremost by nature, color and design sensibilities as she combines both realistic imagery and abstract backgrounds to create energetic environments pushing tensions and harmonies alike. “While working within various styles, I seek to understand thoughts on authenticity and it’s presence in both art and in life. I’ve become very interested in the actual vs. perceived realness or authenticity presented in various components of our lives; our food, bodies, relationships, the media, propaganda, and within that interest, how to then to find the truest understanding of that information.” The culmination is a colorful body of work with natural images thriving within abstract environments. In installation, Katie employs natural elements working in comparison with manufactured counterparts to further investigate the story of authenticity. Katie received a B.F.A from The University of Central Missouri in 2004, as well as her M.S.E. in 2010. She has also studied studio art at the Kansas City Art Institute. Katie has taught painting, drawing and art history at the high school and college levels for nine years, but is currently enjoying time away from education to be with her four young children and employ a renewed focus in the studio.

Katie Carruthers

Visual

Corey Cassaw

Visual

Robert Castillo

KCAC Member; Music; Visual

Robert Castillo is a KC native who returned home in the fall of 2016. After attending North Kansas City High School he moved to Illinois, where he attended North Central College, receiving a B.A. in Jazz Studies. It was during these college years when Robert began nourishing an interest in visual art. A week after graduating, Robert moved to Oregon. After two months subletting in Portland he accepted a position with AmeriCorps as the Fossil Elementary School music teacher in Fossil, OR (pop. 473). The small town life afforded Robert time to explore various creative outlets and partake in online math and science courses. The music for The Sextet’s debut album was written during this time. “In a Natural State” was listed among the Top 10 Albums of 2016, according to KMHD Portland Jazz Radio. Robert began to incorporate color into his sketching throughout this period. Robert moved back to Kansas City in the fall of 2016. Since then The Sextet has recorded a second album, with plans to release a third in the Fall of 2019. Robert is on the committee for the Latino Arts Festival and Arts as Mentorship. Art showings and musical performances can be found at www.robertcastillo.art.

Artist KC / Christianne Bohannon

Visual

After 20 years of teaching Art to middle schoolers, I chose to pursue professional art full time in 2017. Working from home in South Kansas City, I lovingly handcraft custom acrylic paintings of pets. I have a great respect of animals and enjoy capturing them on canvas. In addition to working by commission, I exhibit my work in various retail settings and art fairs in the KC Metro. Although commissions and retail sales are my focus, I’m always open to new opportunities and collaborations. When not running my small biz, I serve on the Board of Directors for my local non-profit cat shelter, Another Chance Cat Rescue. Otherwise I’m often outdoors or traveling with my husband and our rescue dog Razzle B. Dazzle.

Douglas Clark

Visual

Douglas Clark is a Kansas City artist and teacher who uses a variety of mediums for his creative endeavors. In 1999, he was the Newcomer of the Year for the Kansas Professional Photographers Association. He also awarded Best Portrait of a Woman, and he had an image selected for the 1999 loan collection of the Professional Photographers of America. In 2012, Mr. Clark won second place for his photograph entitled “Mather Point” at the 2014 Albrecht-Kemper Members Exhibit. As a painter, Mr. Clark won an Honorable Mention for his work “Red, Purple, Blue” at the 2013 Albrecht-Kemper Members Exhibit. In 2016, The Kansas City Convention Center selected 22 of Mr. Clark’s paintings for a permanent Exhibition. As a teacher, Mr. Clark teaches reading to special needs children at Olathe South High School. He was the 2014-15 Olathe School District Reading Teacher of the Year and was a national finalist for the 2014-15 Scholastic Read 180 Teacher of the Year. During the 2015-16 school year, he was a co-winner of the “Advocate for All” award which goes yearly to the teacher who has gone beyond the call of duty to serve students.

Cilicia Clarkson

Visual

I am a local artist, who moved to KC when I was 18. I have been painting for 10 years and a part of that ArtsKC program for the past five. I love that Kansas City is so involved with the arts and has so many amazing programs for artist of all range. I am proud to call Kansas City my home.

Jeanine Cobler

Visual

“My goal is not to recreate images that can be seen in our world, but to create new and unexpected images. I use geometric and organic forms, layers of color and texture to create abstract works that draw the viewer into a new experience.”

Merik Coltrain

Visual

Merik Coltrain (b. 1981 USA) July 14-September 22, 2017 “Transitional Winter” River Market Regional Exhibit Invitational Kansas City, MO July 3-September 31, 2017 ArtsKC Now Showing- Meers Advertising Agency Kansas City, MO October 4-December 15, 2017 ArtsKC Now Showing-Kauffman Foundation Kansas City, MO August 4-September 15, 2017 “Context II” Juror Award Winner Foundry Art Centre St Charles, MO August 25-September 25, 2017 Solo Show, Eagles Rest Lawrence, KS Blank Art Space’s 2017 Color Art Contest, Honorable Mention September 8-10, 2017 Art Westport, Kansas City, MO October 6-8, 2017 Summit Art Festival, Lee’s Summit, MO Private Collection, Overland Park, KS Private Collection, Kansas City, MO Private Collection, Lake Tahoe, CA

Dan Compton

Visual

I started with the Now Showing program back in 2008. Many of my completed and framed pieces are from 2008 to 2016. Those are currently available to exhibit, in 18×24 and 16×20 framed sizes. In 2015 I started shooting mostly film and have a rather large collection of cameras, 35mm and Medium Format. I have yet to aggressively get many printed and framed for inclusion in exhibit ready status. Ongoing process. Most all of my images were taken in MO, KS or AZ. I was a wedding photographer from 2009 to 2019. 125+ weddings or events. I have worked with 100+ agency models in either STL, KC or PHX/Tucson. I also have a photo studio in home/garage for collaboration. Working on getting more images posted here. The single image so far is not yet ready for exhibit. More to follow. Thanks.

Kevin Cozad

Visual

Kevin Cozad is an American photographer based in the Midwest. Cozad produces fine art mixed media images generally depicting the rural landscape, in particular the Heartland of the United States. Cozad is an experienced photographer who focuses on craft and technique in commercial and fine art photography.

Peter Crane

Visual

I grew up in New Jersey with ready access to what I consider conflicting landscapes: The big city’s hustle and bustle alongside picturesque seashore views, and a densely wooded countryside. I now live in Kansas with its big sky and endless fields that provide wonderful landscape views. It has been in these contrasting surroundings that I have developed a great love and awareness of ambient natural beauty. Exploring a wide range of subject matter with a strong focus on landscapes and flora, I aim to reflect my love of natural beauty through a blend of expressionism and impressionism with an abstract twist. I refer to my work as eclectic contemporary landscapes, using texture and color to lead the eye into my paintings, inviting viewers to explore the unfolding story. The subject matter is simple, capturing that very moment before it changes from lighting, weather, or a passing wind. I use a variety of “tools” and brushes in my painting, to apply paint to canvas. It’s fun that way!

Karen Cusumano Miller

Visual

Art is a strong force … a passion that drives me to create. As an artist I become excited by thoughts, emotions and ideas. Shapes, sounds, color, people, music and events flash through my mind and instantly become the object of my attention. My studio … the blank canvases, my old beat-up easel, the jars of brushes, tubes of paints and found objects add to my excitement and seem to become an extension of my hands. When I begin to create the adrenaline rush drives me forward. Things complex, simple, funny, deep and unknown often surface. Then somehow during this creative process, the artwork seems to come into existence on its own.Art is my life’s work, my purpose. It is an intense addiction that awakens my senses and allows me to rise above the norm … to remove all else from my life … and to hopefully communicate with the viewer.

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