Author: Seraphina Calder

Natali Antonovich believes her art is the truest way to understand her. Her words, “It is always difficult to write or talk about yourself because it is a kind of revelation,” capture her introspective nature and desire for authenticity. She has spent a lifetime exploring the world and her inner self, using painting and photography as tools for connection and reflection. Since childhood, Antonovich has sought to make sense of the universe around her. Her work spans graphics, batik, portraiture, and teaching art and art history, yet her focus now lies in oil painting and watercolor. Themes of love, mystery,…

Kerstin Roolfs is a German-American artist whose work delves into the realms of portraiture, sports, history, and politics. Drawing inspiration from the philosophies of Plato, the poetic brilliance of Goethe, and the intellectual depth of thinkers such as Sloterdijk, Hölderlin, and Adonis, Roolfs infuses her art with layers of meaning and contemplation. Having transplanted herself from Berlin to the vibrant artistic hub of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1994, and later to the Bronx, NY, in 2016, Kerstin has woven her experiences and observations into a tapestry of thought-provoking artwork. Her pieces have not only graced the walls of solo exhibitions but…

Born in 1977 in Alaveddy, a village in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, VP Vasuhan grew up surrounded by traditional Tamil culture, which left a lasting mark on his artistic journey. South India and northern Sri Lanka share deep cultural ties, including their folk arts, religion, and language. Vasuhan’s childhood was steeped in these traditions, nurtured by his grandfather, a farmer, and by exposure to art forms like religious painting, embroidery, pottery, and kolam—a traditional Tamil floor art made from rice flour. These influences became the foundation for his artistic practice, as did early lessons in plant-based colorings during kindergarten. Vasuhan later…

Padraig McCaul is a Dublin-born artist whose work is steeped in the beauty and emotion of Ireland’s landscapes. Now living in Mullingar with his family, McCaul spent a transformative decade on Achill Island, where the rugged terrain and ever-changing skies of the Wild Atlantic Way became central to his artistic vision. He describes his work as an effort to paint the feeling of a place rather than merely its physical appearance. His oils radiate the energy and spirit of the West of Ireland, drawing viewers into an emotional dialogue with the land and sea. McCaul’s style often features bright, open landscapes populated…

As an artist, Katerina Tsitsela moves fluidly between painting and engraving, using her craft to explore the complex terrain of human perception and emotion. Her work isn’t just about what we see—it’s about what we feel, and often what we try to hide. Through color, texture, and her thoughtful approach to landscapes, she captures the essence of our internal struggles. “I see my work as a way to interpret the human experience,” Tsitsela says. “I focus on what I call ‘internal landscapes,’ expressions of our mental and emotional states.” These landscapes go beyond mere representation; they’re psychoanalytic portraits of anxiety,…

Haeley Kyong creates art that cuts through the noise. Born and raised in South Korea, her minimalist pieces are a quiet force, encouraging reflection. Her art isn’t about elaborate details or grand narratives. It’s about stripping everything down to essentials—shapes, colors, and emotions. She believes art should bypass intellectual filters and hit you in the gut, a philosophy that shapes every piece she creates. Kyong’s background is as rich as her work is simple. She trained at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and later at Columbia University. These institutions honed her technical skills while her…

Bobbie Carlyle’s work is defined by boldness, intelligence, and a deep connection to human resilience. Her sculptures in bronze, ranging from figurative to wildlife, western to liturgical, capture life’s raw struggles and triumphs. Best known for her piece Self Made Man, Carlyle portrays the essence of carving one’s destiny, a recurring theme in her art and her life. Raised in a bustling household while earning a Fine Arts degree from Brigham Young University, Carlyle’s dedication to her craft is deeply tied to her personal experiences. The mother of seven children and a grandmother to many, she draws inspiration from the richness…

Camille Ross was born in 1964 in San Francisco, California, and her upbringing spanned two strikingly different worlds. She spent her early years in the politically charged environment of Berkeley during the 1970s and later moved to rural Mississippi. These contrasting landscapes shaped her worldview and artistic approach, providing a unique lens through which she examines society. Ross’s biracial heritage and Cherokee ancestry added another layer to her understanding of identity and culture. Growing up, she witnessed stark cultural segregation among African American and Native American communities, particularly in the face of systemic racism embedded in the dominant Anglo culture.…

Helena Kotnik is an artist whose work sits at the crossroads of vivid aesthetics and deep psychological inquiry. With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Barcelona University and Akademie der bildenden Künste in Vienna, Helena has honed her craft with precision and thoughtfulness. A subsequent Master’s degree adds further depth to her perspective, enabling her to explore themes that traverse societal and personal landscapes. Her work, which she describes as “psychological human landscapes,” delves into the complexities of human experience. Each piece acts as a mirror, reflecting the intricate weave of emotions, identities, and social constructs that shape our…

Jesse A. Kantu, a Houston-based artist, whose works show the complexities of human experience take center stage. His work blends philosophical inquiry with creative exploration, resulting in art that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. From his academic journey to his social initiatives, Kantu has built a practice rooted in examining cultural identity, personal struggles, and the shared essence of humanity. Kantu’s formal education laid the foundation for his multifaceted approach to art. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture with a minor in Art History from the University of Houston in 2006, he pursued a Master of…