meet the Artists of
Anna Cook
ANNA COOK is a portrait and figurative painter working in acrylic and oil. Drawing from classical painting techniques while experimenting with color and expressionism, she works with photographer Knox Bogdan to create a photograph, and then ‘translates’ the photo reference.
Raquel Faria
RAQUEL FARIA is a multimedia artist who focuses on visualizing taboo subjects, as well as the varying effects they have on an individual. These include, but are not limited to, mental illness, womanhood, LGBTQ+, gender, life, death, and religion. She uses a combination of different media and color palettes to give insight into the underrepresented or stigmatized symptoms one may experience. She also aims to have hard discussions of these topics openly. Her goal is to provide a sense of solidarity to those who are affected or understand while exposing others to the unpleasant realities some face. Also, to further educate viewers about common unspoken truths regarding these topics.
Gracie Harkins
GRACIE HARKINS is a fine artist who focuses on family and relationships in her own life, conveyed into a series of diptychs and paintings. She is an acrylic painter who works in realism and the use of color to invite the viewer into scenes from her life. Her goal is to have the audience find a sense of relation and comfort to their own family and memories through her portraiture work.
Dylan Manfre
DYLAN MANFRE is a photographer and video artist based in New Jersey. His work encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including personal life experiences, holidays, and various interests. He also likes some of his work to have a wacky or comedic side. He finally wants to give the audience his authentic self without hiding anymore out of embarrassment. He constantly brainstorms ideas throughout his day, based on these factors, and always ends up with a good plan. While getting some inspiration from outside sources, he prefers most of his work to be unique. His goal is to have the audience relate to his work and to express emotion, presumably laughter.
Murphy Pickering
MURPHY PICKERING is a fine artist whose work focuses on themes of grief, the cycle of life, aging, and reversion. The foundation of her work can be traced back to the unconditional love that can only come from grandparents, along with the grief that transpires when losing them. Her pieces reflect the small moments that overlap between generations, helping viewers understand the fragile existence of the cycle of life.
Sky Stewart
SKY STEWART is an illustrative painter whose work grapples with the difficulties surrounding womanhood, the body, and growing up. Her narrative paintings aim to captivate children and adults alike, as she uses acidic colors, imagined landscapes, and nonconventional figures to make complex emotions palpable. Through her work, she pushes her audience to further connect with their feelings; to encourage intra- and interpersonal dialogues about what we feel and why.
Shane Tomalinas
SHANE TOMALINAS is a visual artist and published illustrator based in New Jersey. His work often explores folklore and the mythology of a diverse range of cultures, examining what it tells us about the human experience and a deeper psyche. The inspiration for his work stems from an interest rooted in history and a desire to learn the skills and craftsmanship of others around the world. By bringing these legends to life through his sculptures, the audience is able to feel closer to these myths and see them as more than just fiction. Instead, it emphasizes the need to look back toward the past and understand the warnings that had been laid in place.
Doris Yan
DORIS YAN is an illustrator and painter whose art focuses on her personal experiences and connection to her heritage. Many of her illustrations and paintings feature themes of Chinese culture and how it has influenced her life. In addition to incorporating elements that are more fantastical, she likes to create an enchanting touch to her artworks, making them feel more whimsically surreal. Her current work explores the emotion of nostalgia and the memories she holds through food, particularly those she enjoyed when growing up.