Baltimore County Artists Directory
Andrei Trach
Andrei Trach was born in Staten Island, New York. He received his B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1995. In 1996 he had a seventy five-piece Solo Exhibition at the University of Baltimore Law School. In 1999 he exhibited at the Benjamin Banneker Museum in “Ellicott City, Catonsville, Oella Arts.” In 1999 he received First Prize in “The Laurel Art Guild’s Spring Show at Quiet Waters.” Trach’s work was published in Seafood Business Magazine in 1999. In 2003 his work was featured in “Artworks This Week” on Maryland Public Television.
In 2004 he had a retrospective solo exhibition at Mill River Gallery in Ellicott City, MD. His large-scale sculpture “Vainglorious Bluebird,” is on permanent display at Centennial Park in Hyattsville, MD. His latest solo exhibit, “Primal Ambition” was at the Montpelier Art Center in Laurel, MD in 2015. He recently was awarded Honorable Mention in “Art Howard County” at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City, MD in 2017. He is currently exhibiting in the 31st National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition at Gormley Gallery in Baltimore, MD. He recently was the drawing juror for the Beacon Newspapers “Celebration of the Arts 2020 Exhibit”.
In 2004 he had a retrospective solo exhibition at Mill River Gallery in Ellicott City, MD. His large-scale sculpture “Vainglorious Bluebird,” is on permanent display at Centennial Park in Hyattsville, MD. His latest solo exhibit, “Primal Ambition” was at the Montpelier Art Center in Laurel, MD in 2015. He recently was awarded Honorable Mention in “Art Howard County” at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City, MD in 2017. He is currently exhibiting in the 31st National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition at Gormley Gallery in Baltimore, MD. He recently was the drawing juror for the Beacon Newspapers “Celebration of the Arts 2020 Exhibit”.
Christine Brennan Schmidt
Christine Brennan Schmidt has been behind the lens for decades. Her artwork stems from a love of nature. Her florals capture the remarkable detail and colors found in plant life (and more recently, birds) . Her other nature photography is about evoking the sense of peace and beauty that she experiences in nature. Her 2020 floral work is featured in a calendar - Out of Solitude. She is working through all the bird photos and will be offering art and cards featuring eagles, herons, and other wild birds.
Shelokum Lake - in the Tongas National Wilderness in Alaska. Available as a 20x24" canvas, in the Serenity notecad collection and various sized prints and notecards.
Shelokum Lake - in the Tongas National Wilderness in Alaska. Available as a 20x24" canvas, in the Serenity notecad collection and various sized prints and notecards.
Christine O'Leary-Rockey
Once upon a time, art and human experience were naturally, integrally entwined. Many of our oldest societies recognized beauty as a powerful- even divine- quality of our environment, and embraced that beauty by bestowing it upon our tools and upon ourselves. Call it ‘an aesthetic’ if you wish, but know: Once upon a time, beauty and form converged…that to consciously participate in that beauty was a gift bestown upon us as children of the Gods…
Above all else, I am a philosopher and a poet- and as such I create with shape, color and time, using words as a medium to give form to an idea or experience a shape. In this, I am more like an artist than a writer: literature uses time as a medium; we poets use time more like a tool, but to be an artist is to be able to incorporate space into time- call it an aesthetic, if you will.
My art is an outgrowth of my poetry- and my poetry is a drive towards wisdom and a search for the great truths of the world in which we live.
Above all else, I am a philosopher and a poet- and as such I create with shape, color and time, using words as a medium to give form to an idea or experience a shape. In this, I am more like an artist than a writer: literature uses time as a medium; we poets use time more like a tool, but to be an artist is to be able to incorporate space into time- call it an aesthetic, if you will.
My art is an outgrowth of my poetry- and my poetry is a drive towards wisdom and a search for the great truths of the world in which we live.
Christopher Whitehead
Traditionally, I have self identified as a painter and illustrator. For years I have focused on fabric, and found/alternative media. Now, I mostly create portraits from recycled materials. Drawing, cutting and scraping into the layers of the material allows me a value range that is more found and less predicted. Recycled decollage portraits can be found at InfinityPondStudios's shop on Etsy https://etsy.me/38obxnH
Cynthia Barkley
I am a creative and the owner of Creations by Cynthia Desktop Publishing. I love to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind items, with a focus on Black culture and diversity. I believe representation matters, and so am intentional about expressing the African-American experience in a positive way. My work combines inspirational and uplifting themes, with unique imagery to create a wide array of products. I utilize digital technology and manual craftsmanship, to create designs/products from various mediums.
Diana Marta
A visual artist, Diana Marta, is a college art instructor. One of her watercolors is in the Forbes Collection, New York, NY, and her watercolors have been featured on Maryland Public Television's "Artworks".
Marta exhibits oils, watercolors, drawings, installation, and computer images. Color is often the basis of her search for the expressive and metaphorical qualities of her subjects.
Marta exhibits oils, watercolors, drawings, installation, and computer images. Color is often the basis of her search for the expressive and metaphorical qualities of her subjects.
Donna Dillman-Butler
Donna has had the opportunity to study with the elite artists of different mediums, melding together the ideas and lessons learned into her unique multi media work.Her latest works revolve around cutting and honors the triangle in media of all sorts.The versatility of her work is evident in small sculpture, jewelry and painting. Donna's 3 dimensional work is whimsical, spooky creatures of lore, and eerie, (I just did a plaque doctor).Across the multimedia there is always a constant. Whether it be color or shapes, representative, abstract, or just plain fun. She works with whatever elements are at hand.Her art is wearable, visual and usable, whether it be a pillow, wall hanging or pen, Use it, look at it, or wear it. Donna lives with her husband a very spoiled dog, 3 cats and a mouse in Ellicott City and participates weekly in video chats with other artists.
Elizabeth Burin
Elizabeth Burin is an independent artist working in Baltimore. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Switzerland, she worked as a museum curator and medieval art historian before turning to studio art. She holds a Certificate of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art and is a Signature Artist member of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Watercolor Societies. Elizabeth exhibits frequently in the mid-Atlantic area and online, and she has received many awards for her work.
Elizabeth Burin’s artistic inspiration derives from her travels and above all from nature’s infinite variety of forms. She values the expressive power of color and often revisits a subject to enhance a coloristic effect. She particularly favors the fluid and luminous medium of watercolor, for layers of transparent pigment provide the key to the brilliance she seeks. More of her work and further information may be viewed at ElizabethBurin.com.
Elizabeth Burin’s artistic inspiration derives from her travels and above all from nature’s infinite variety of forms. She values the expressive power of color and often revisits a subject to enhance a coloristic effect. She particularly favors the fluid and luminous medium of watercolor, for layers of transparent pigment provide the key to the brilliance she seeks. More of her work and further information may be viewed at ElizabethBurin.com.
Elizabeth Eckley
Dyenamic Ties- Hand dyed wearable art. Created by Elizabeth Eckley, Baltimore artist & educator.
Gail Holliday
Please refer to my website: www.gailholliday.com to read my bio and artist statement.
Hons Honey
Hon's Honey is a social enterprise dedicated to giving dignity and purpose to women survivors of addiction, sex trafficking, generational poverty and trauma. Our natural, honey-based goods help to support our mission by providing women an opportunity to rediscover their value, identity and created purpose. We desire to employ, equip and encourage women survivors as they establish new skills, gain financial independence and experience the hope of healing.
Jeanine McClain
I am a senior artist whose passion is portraits. I usually photograph my subjects and paint them in oil on canvas. I aspire to express the heart and soul of the individuals I paint, as well as their physical likeness. I am currently working on a "People of Catonsville" series of portraits. Every face tells a story and every person has their own unique beauty. When someone allows me to photograph and paint them I am honored and excited. So if a sixty something, kind of reticent, Black woman approaches you on Main Street and asks to photograph you, its probably me.... I am always looking for new faces.
Jeanne Bryl
Being a crafter my whole life and making items over the years from wood crafts to jewelry and sewn decor, I finally found my niche five years ago making my beloved foaming whipped sugar scrubs, goat's milk soaps, and eco-friendly 100% soy wax candles. I find so much joy in making products that appeal to the senses and I love helping people provide the perfect gift for friends and loved ones.
Jen & Jon Bailey
Jen and Jon Bailey are the artists behind WireStruck. Having met in Baltimore County, they became high school sweethearts in 1994. They later married and settled in the Reisterstown area sharing a creative spirit that has allowed both of them to grow as artists.
Wirestruck is their compilation of work together. Handcrafting one of a kind creations out of wire, they make jewelry and tree sculptures. The jewelry is wire woven with sterling silver or copper wire capturing unique semi-precious gemstones, natural fossils, Czech glass buttons and more. The wire tree sculptures come in silver plated or copper wire with some that include gemstone leaves. Every branch on each tree is created in detail and mounted on unique mineral stones and fossils. They sell in person at local festivals and art shows. Custom orders are welcome too! You can get in touch with them at wirestruck@gmail.com
Wirestruck is their compilation of work together. Handcrafting one of a kind creations out of wire, they make jewelry and tree sculptures. The jewelry is wire woven with sterling silver or copper wire capturing unique semi-precious gemstones, natural fossils, Czech glass buttons and more. The wire tree sculptures come in silver plated or copper wire with some that include gemstone leaves. Every branch on each tree is created in detail and mounted on unique mineral stones and fossils. They sell in person at local festivals and art shows. Custom orders are welcome too! You can get in touch with them at wirestruck@gmail.com
Jordan Mansour
My style works around a simplistic pen and ink landscape, centered around themes of adventure, relaxation, and love for earth's natural beauty. I love to be outdoors whenever possible. I am usually in awe, soaking up all the sights and sounds of this beautiful world, to create simple, peaceful art that is meant to take the viewer away from the chaos of our daily lives. My stated goal is to donate 15% of my art sales to environmental causes that help fight global climate change. We need to leave our kids and grandkids with something to cherish - Mother Earth.
I'm a self-taught artist who is continually learning how to create art and run a business. I am a father to two young girls and husband to a loving wife who supports all that I do. I love to spend my time being active outdoors whenever possible, especially cycling and hiking.
I start with my 2B pencil, and my notebook to create a design. Then I ink the art using Staedler technical pens. I scan my drawings into my computer for reproduction and store the original art in my professional portfolio until sold (framed & matted).
I'm a self-taught artist who is continually learning how to create art and run a business. I am a father to two young girls and husband to a loving wife who supports all that I do. I love to spend my time being active outdoors whenever possible, especially cycling and hiking.
I start with my 2B pencil, and my notebook to create a design. Then I ink the art using Staedler technical pens. I scan my drawings into my computer for reproduction and store the original art in my professional portfolio until sold (framed & matted).
Judi Guralnick
I travel the world to see as much of the natural world (and culture) as possible. Using threads and string, I recreate my impressions of the world around us, whether it is coral from the ocean, bamboo forests from Thailand or savanna from Africa.
In the past I would knot my pictures with macramé. Now I use sewing threads, but not in a traditional way. What I like about both is the ability to create the complexity and textures of life.
In the past I would knot my pictures with macramé. Now I use sewing threads, but not in a traditional way. What I like about both is the ability to create the complexity and textures of life.
Kathleen Knust
I only starting really painting after my mother passed away
She was a fashion illustrator and watercolor artist
My dogs pose for me
I look at them and then start painting and they never offer an opinion, oh once Lilly did
She was a fashion illustrator and watercolor artist
My dogs pose for me
I look at them and then start painting and they never offer an opinion, oh once Lilly did
Katia Baskina
Katia Baskina Is an expressionist painter who was born in Moscow, Russia, and moved to the States when she was 19 after living in South Africa for 5 years. Katia graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design and took several painting elective classes. Katia has been painting for about 18 years. Her main influences are the Expressionist and Impressionist movements. Her favorite artists are Gustav Klimpt, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh. Katia uses bold, defined brush strokes and bright contrasting colors to create her striking expressive images. Katia is proficient at painting fantasy and realistic scenes, portraits, landscapes, and murals. Katia draws her influences from everyday events and people as well as world mythology and history. In the last few years, she has become greatly influenced by Baltimore's history and folklore. Katia has been showing her art at local galleries, bars, and restaurants for the past 15 years and has been a prominent member of the local artist community. She is currently working on her second Master's degree in Art Therapy.
Kristin Helberg
Kristin Helberg makes her home and studio in Baltimore County. She has been a teaching artist with the MD State Arts Council for over 20 years, creating public murals with MD school children.
Her paintings are in the permanent collections of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian, the Reginald Lewis Museum in Baltimore, the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas the University of MD Museum, the Ronald McDonald house in Baltimore and at NIH in Bethesda, MD.
Her vinegar grained boxes are sold in the gift shops of the National Archives Museum and the American Folk Art Museum in NYC. For five years she was a visiting artisan at Colonial Williamsburg giving vinegar graining demonstrations.
Her paintings are in the permanent collections of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian, the Reginald Lewis Museum in Baltimore, the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas the University of MD Museum, the Ronald McDonald house in Baltimore and at NIH in Bethesda, MD.
Her vinegar grained boxes are sold in the gift shops of the National Archives Museum and the American Folk Art Museum in NYC. For five years she was a visiting artisan at Colonial Williamsburg giving vinegar graining demonstrations.
Lisa Tomello
Lisa Tornello was born in Catonsville, Maryland and left for New York in 1980 to follow her career as a freelance graphic artist. She now resides in New Jersey and is an award winning jewelry designer. Coming from a fine arts background, she worked in oils, watercolors, pottery, basketry and quilting (for which she holds several awards), before discovering her true passion for metalsmithing. Each piece of Lisa’s jewelry is hand-fabricated using traditional metal and wire working techniques. Lisa works primarily in Argentium sterling silver accented with gold, copper and brass, along with semi-precious stones and the decidedly not so precious stones she picks up on her travels or walks along the beach... a unique combination of metal and imagination!
Lynn Rybicki
For more than thirty years, I have been painting and exhibiting my work in over 50 shows in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. I have exhibited in solo shows at galleries and colleges, invitational exhibitions, a residency with exhibition, and ten national juried shows at venues including The Butler Institute of American Art, in states ranging from Maryland to Pennsylvania, to New York, Delaware, Connecticut and Ohio. Additionally, my work has been included in more than 30 local juried and group shows in Maryland.
My current painting practice and methods are spontaneous and come from within. I have no preconceived ideas beyond selection of colors and a strong desire to express with paint. Large brushstrokes, vigorous gestures and drawing directly on the canvas from paint jars are some of the techniques I use to make compelling statements on small canvases. I add depth to non-representational elements to take the viewer deeper into my vision of the world. My abstractions express emotions, the profound dynamics of the human experience, and the depth of what lies beneath the surface of life. Feel free to reach me by email: lynnryb@yahoo.com
My current painting practice and methods are spontaneous and come from within. I have no preconceived ideas beyond selection of colors and a strong desire to express with paint. Large brushstrokes, vigorous gestures and drawing directly on the canvas from paint jars are some of the techniques I use to make compelling statements on small canvases. I add depth to non-representational elements to take the viewer deeper into my vision of the world. My abstractions express emotions, the profound dynamics of the human experience, and the depth of what lies beneath the surface of life. Feel free to reach me by email: lynnryb@yahoo.com
Magnus Hoopes
Magnus Hoopes is a multidisciplinary textile and paper artist who comprises half of the studio Squishaus. A longtime exhibitor at the Columbia Festival of the Arts and Baltimore's Monster of a Show; he has had work displayed in the Tin Top Gallery (Winchester, VA), the Columbia Arts Center (Columbia, MD), and the Chesapeake Arts Center (Brooklyn Park, MD). Magnus regularly teaches adult art classes through the Howard County Library System, and will be teaching through the Guild once the COVID-19 crisis has abated. His primary mediums include embroidery, needlepoint, crochet, sewing, hairpin lace, scherenschnitte, and decorative bookbinding. His current work in progress is American Gothic- a series of vintage needlepoint and crewelwork kits that have been altered to include well-known cryptids.
Mallory Wierzbicki
Mallory Wierzbicki is the owner and artist behind Designs by Mallory. She has an appreciation for nature and the variety of beauty in the human form, which you'll find throughout much of her artwork.
Each piece of art is hand-drawn and painted using fine-tip pen and professional-grade watercolor. She strives to create artwork and greeting cards that are unlike any other, and many have been described as innovative and whimsical.
She prides herself in that she is a one-woman show, having independently built her business from the ground up. She loves to put her own lively twist on her creations, and looks forward to sharing her art with you.
All artwork is created in her home studio in the company of her Doberman pinscher, Komet.
Each piece of art is hand-drawn and painted using fine-tip pen and professional-grade watercolor. She strives to create artwork and greeting cards that are unlike any other, and many have been described as innovative and whimsical.
She prides herself in that she is a one-woman show, having independently built her business from the ground up. She loves to put her own lively twist on her creations, and looks forward to sharing her art with you.
All artwork is created in her home studio in the company of her Doberman pinscher, Komet.
Manda Rudolph
Manda has been working with a variety of glass mediums for over twenty years. With little formal training, she has taught herself skills of making both fused, slumped and flame worked glass creations with the intention on expanding her processes to include custom laser engraving. Her current offerings include Christmas Ornaments, Memorial Keepsakes, Wine Bottle Stoppers and a large array of Fused Glass Jewelry. It has been a lifelong passion of hers to incorporate her creative mindset, enthusiasm and dedication to allow freedom to travel all over the country displaying her wares at various art events and crafts festivals.
Her creative process involves a couple different methods to manipulate multiple layers of sheet glass while fusing or slumping them together at high temperatures in a kiln. When working with borosilicate glass, it requires the use of a propane/oxygen torch which allows her to melt glass rods and tubing combined with endless color combinations to create unique ornaments or jewelry. She is humbled by having the ability to honor deceased loved ones by incorporating ashes into custom designs to memorialize their life for family members to cherish forever. Having a creative outlet has allowed her to live a truly blessed life, and she is very grateful and appreciative for every opportunity to share her artwork.
Her creative process involves a couple different methods to manipulate multiple layers of sheet glass while fusing or slumping them together at high temperatures in a kiln. When working with borosilicate glass, it requires the use of a propane/oxygen torch which allows her to melt glass rods and tubing combined with endless color combinations to create unique ornaments or jewelry. She is humbled by having the ability to honor deceased loved ones by incorporating ashes into custom designs to memorialize their life for family members to cherish forever. Having a creative outlet has allowed her to live a truly blessed life, and she is very grateful and appreciative for every opportunity to share her artwork.
Mark Johnson
Do you love LEGO? Share your love for the best toy ever made with BrickCrafts. BrickCrafts are made using genuine LEGO pieces. Items include jewelry, bow ties, hair accessories, license plate frames, build-your-own holiday ornament kits and more!
Marty Spence
Art is capturing a moment of time. A moment of one’s soul.
That is why every piece of art is different even if we are looking at the same model or the same still life or landscape.
It has to be different because the art is a reflection of who we are at the moment, and how we are relating to the object or person at that moment. In doing so, we are bringing our histories with us: Our past, present and hopes for the future.
I really don’t know what led me to art. I didn’t get there until much later in life. People were always important to me. My professional focus became at intensive study of the emotional development of people with an emphasis on the child.
One drawing course led me to an equally intensive study of art.
Now it seems I am putting together the love and study of people and life with he love and study of art. This has resulted in a fascination with portraits.
Portraits go beyond the human and transcend into landscapes and nature.
I offer you now some portraits of moments in time and a bit of my soul
From The Gardeners House Collection of Fine Art
That is why every piece of art is different even if we are looking at the same model or the same still life or landscape.
It has to be different because the art is a reflection of who we are at the moment, and how we are relating to the object or person at that moment. In doing so, we are bringing our histories with us: Our past, present and hopes for the future.
I really don’t know what led me to art. I didn’t get there until much later in life. People were always important to me. My professional focus became at intensive study of the emotional development of people with an emphasis on the child.
One drawing course led me to an equally intensive study of art.
Now it seems I am putting together the love and study of people and life with he love and study of art. This has resulted in a fascination with portraits.
Portraits go beyond the human and transcend into landscapes and nature.
I offer you now some portraits of moments in time and a bit of my soul
From The Gardeners House Collection of Fine Art
Michelle Loewer
Creativity is the way I share my soul with the world.- Brene Brown In 1991,
I earned my BA in Interior Design from the University of Delaware. As my design career progressed, opportunities for applying my artistic eye to other avenues developed and I began making macramé pieces. My work is collaboration between artist and nature, as I bring in elements such as sticks for my ornaments and bookmarks. The texture of the wood and using nature’s layers add interest to each piece. My macramé lends itself to work with many different styles of décor and who wouldn’t love a handmade, ornament, bookmark or set of napkins rings! Working from a studio situated on 2 ½ acres of land in Hampstead, Maryland, allows the peaceful setting to inspire me every day with its plethora of nature and soothing organic beauty.
Live, Create, Inspire
I earned my BA in Interior Design from the University of Delaware. As my design career progressed, opportunities for applying my artistic eye to other avenues developed and I began making macramé pieces. My work is collaboration between artist and nature, as I bring in elements such as sticks for my ornaments and bookmarks. The texture of the wood and using nature’s layers add interest to each piece. My macramé lends itself to work with many different styles of décor and who wouldn’t love a handmade, ornament, bookmark or set of napkins rings! Working from a studio situated on 2 ½ acres of land in Hampstead, Maryland, allows the peaceful setting to inspire me every day with its plethora of nature and soothing organic beauty.
Live, Create, Inspire
Michelle Yanity
Hi! I’m Michelle Yanity and I am the owner/artist at Red Clover Studio Art. I officially launched RCSA in March 2019. It wasn’t until the sudden death of my youngest brother, Stevie, that I started making and sharing my art for and with others. Stevie passed away in May 2018 at the age of 28. When going through his belongings, I found a paper that he wrote in elementary school about “the most wonderful person in the world.” He wrote about me. He said “I think my sister is the most wonderful person in the world because she is an Artist.” Those words have been infused into my soul and have created the burning passion behind my art and the need to share it with you. My mixed media artworks are meant to communicate a sense of whimsy, fun, and happiness. Using multiple mediums allow for the creation of a variety of layers and textures which gives each piece its own uniqueness. They are inspired by my childhood memories, vacations, and favorite things. Many of the memories include trips to the beach with my family, including my brother Stevie, who had a deep love of the ocean and water.
Morna McDermott McNulty
Morna McDermott McNulty is an artist, writer and educator. She is a professor in the College of Education at Towson University, as well as an author (Blood’s Will -- a vampire novel, 2018), and film producer (Voices of Baltimore: Life Under Segregation, 2017). She is also a certified Paint Your Life instructor, hosting workshops in schools and art galleries around the country. Morna has been working in, and with, arts-integration for public education for over 20 years. She received her PhD, focused on arts-based research, from the University of Virginia in 2001.Some of her photographs have been published in various academic journals including The Journal of Curriculum Theorizing and The Currere Exchange. Morna lives in Catonsville where she’s been a resident for 17 years, with her husband Leonard and their two children.
Nancy Fishel
Nancy Keene Fishel lives and works and in Baltimore Maryland and Bethany Beach Delaware. I work in a variety of media including oil paint, printmaking,and digital art. I have been immersing myself in my personal creative process after retiring from decades teaching in Baltimore County Public Schools.
Many of my recent paintings are based on observations of people both at home and abroad. The dynamism of human movement, passing of time, the energy of our ever-changing lives and interaction of people relating to one another are a focus of these paintings. Dance, play, music, walking, running, becoming lost in a crowd and being alone, all are inspirations for my work. Life, time and people do not stand still, and I strive to capture those moments in time.
Many of my recent paintings are based on observations of people both at home and abroad. The dynamism of human movement, passing of time, the energy of our ever-changing lives and interaction of people relating to one another are a focus of these paintings. Dance, play, music, walking, running, becoming lost in a crowd and being alone, all are inspirations for my work. Life, time and people do not stand still, and I strive to capture those moments in time.
Nikolas Swaner
Nikolas Swaner is a multidisciplinary painter, sculptor, and textile artist who is half of the studio Squishaus. He is a longtime contributor to the Columbia Festival of the Arts and Baltimore's Monster of a Show, and his work has been exhibited at the Tin Top Gallery (Winchester, VA); the Columbia Arts Center (Columbia, MD); and the Chesapeake Arts Center (Brooklyn Park, MD). He also teaches adult paper engineering classes through the Howard County Library System. Nikolas prefers to make art you can touch and directly interact with; and he combines traditional folk art techniques with modern themes and imagery- most notably the Lost Socks line of sock dolls and monsters he has been making for nearly a decade. Currently he has been working in punch needle to make rugs and pillows, and has been developing double knitting patterns depicting obsolete 80s and 90s computer and gaming technologies.
Leonardo Welterweight (2020)
socks, polyfill, felt, beads, wool yarn, embroidery floss
Leonardo Welterweight keeps going up and down in his boxing weight class depending on whether Entenmann's is on sale at the supermarket.
Leonardo Welterweight (2020)
socks, polyfill, felt, beads, wool yarn, embroidery floss
Leonardo Welterweight keeps going up and down in his boxing weight class depending on whether Entenmann's is on sale at the supermarket.
Pam Griffin-Smith
Light, stories, and the dance of nature influence my paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and oil. I hope that my paintings invite curiosity, reflection, and hope, no doubt due to some influence from my first career as a psychologist. I am registered with the Maryland State Arts Council and I am a member of the Baltimore County Arts Guild, The Towson Arts Collective, and the Maryland Federation of Art.
Patricia McDougall
Trish McDougall creates unique chainmaille items from her Jessup, Maryland studio where she lives with her partner of 20+ years and their Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Dexter. Trish discovered chainmaille by accident after taking a class at the Baltimore Bead Society Winter Show to learn chainmaille for a project for her niece’s Girl Scout Troop. Needless to say, she’s been hooked (linked!) ever since. Trish finds new ways to use metals, gemstone beads, crystals and color in her chainmaille jewelry. Trish’s work is also available at EL & Company, a unique gift shop for local professionals, artisans and businesses in Pasadena, MD. In addition to making jewelry, Trish enjoys teaching at her local Maryland bead store, Bead Soup at Savage Mill.
I love watching a pattern unfold and continue to push myself to learn more complex designs. Chainmaille give me a voice to express myself and in turn, hopefully inspire others to express themselves.
I love watching a pattern unfold and continue to push myself to learn more complex designs. Chainmaille give me a voice to express myself and in turn, hopefully inspire others to express themselves.
Rice McKelvin
Rice McKelvin is a mixed media portrait artist that lives in the Baltimore area. Their passion for art history and pop culture influences their work. Their unique experiences have left them with PTSD, that they choose to draw inspiration from. Art started as a way for Rice to cope with abuse and has grown to aid in their recovery from it. Their artwork has always represented personal hope for the future, and now helps them solidify and explore the progress they have made. Rice has also been using their art to help fully explore their identity, and relationships.
Rikiesha Metzger
Rikiesha Metzger is a community artist and sculptor working with themes related to race, identity and beauty. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Philosophy, Art Theory, and Art Aesthetics at IDVSA (Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts). Rikiesha received her M.A. in Community Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2009. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she has traveled extensively, first as a military child, and more recently as an artist interested in experiencing and collaborating with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Participating in arts programs abroad has granted Rikiesha the opportunity to meet new people by using art as a universal language to communicate with others.
Rikiesha has been exploring innovative approaches to exposing people to Black culture through the arts. Built upon a strong spiritual foundation, she desires to teach people how various forms of art can provide them with an outlet for self-expression through the beauty of self-reflection. Through community engagement, she has discovered the powerful influence art can bring about for positive change.
Rikiesha has been exploring innovative approaches to exposing people to Black culture through the arts. Built upon a strong spiritual foundation, she desires to teach people how various forms of art can provide them with an outlet for self-expression through the beauty of self-reflection. Through community engagement, she has discovered the powerful influence art can bring about for positive change.
Roswitha Schmitz
My business is call Oma's Creations. I have been creating hand-knit and crocheted blankets, sweaters, and baby sets all of my life. Sometimes I follow a printed pattern and sometimes I can just look at something and create it. I prefer to use acrylic yarns because they wash and wear easily.
Val Lucas
Val Lucas runs Monkton-based Bowerbox Press, a letterpress studio offering fine art prints, cards and more featuring hand-carved woodcuts, hand-set metal and wood type, and nature-inspired illustrations. She combines the history of letterpress printing with an interest in typography and the natural world to create well-crafted products.
Virginia Gathings
Ginger Gathings began crafting jewelry while working at an environmental center in Pennsylvania. During those 14 years she taught children about recycling and natural ecosystems in all kinds of weather. This experience inspired her to experiment with creating jewelry by repurposing found objects bound for the landfill. From there, she evolved into creating art from glass. She began fusing not only commercial art glass, but also small chunks of glass, pieces of float glass, and broken bottle glass picked up along the river shore. She now creates wearable art by fusing glass, combining the glass with metal, and forming glass beads with a torch. Ms. Gathings holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Texas.