Artists

Denzel Lightbourne (b. 1994, Freeport, Bahamas) is a multidisciplinary artist working primarily in mixed media paintings and drawings. His work examines themes present in folklore and real world issues, merging the two. Addressing multiple narratives that span across mental, spiritual, environmental and mythological references, Denzel’s work presents a sign of hope in times of uncertainty. He graduated from St. George’s High School, shortly after, he became a self taught artist. Since then, he’s earned group shows in The Central Bank of The Bahamas and The D’Aguilar Art Foundation. Most recent, the ARTLUCAYA: Grand Bahama Arts Festival. In 2019, he held his first ever solo exhibition titled “Stranded” in Port Lucaya. It got him recognised by news media such as ZNS Network and The Tribune.

I was born on April 3rd, 1967, to a Barbadian mother and a Bahamian father from Stanyard Creek, Andros.

I was raised in the Bahamas, where I developed a natural interest in art, leading me to pursue it further. Art became my way of expressing myself after years of studying and practicing various spiritual paths, including Yoga, Transcendental Consciousness Initiation, Self-Initiation (such as The Golden Dawn, the Ausarian Religion of Egypt), and Yoruba. I have also been trained in Reiki, a Japanese art of healing through the human energy field. I am a self-taught artist with no formal training.

For me, art is a means of communicating with the higher self. I often ignore the initial visual idea of a painting, as it serves merely as a trigger. The non-visual, exhilarating, healing feeling is the true essence of the painting. I am as excited as the average observer to see the final outcome. The canvas represents the interplay of dimensional realities—the inter-dimensional and what we call reality. I enjoy sculpting on canvas by manipulating an acrylic mixed medium (archival acrylic, mixed paper, and toothpicks) to capture and express this energy.

When a painting emerges from deep within the inner self, it feels unhindered, as if you are somewhat unaware of your senses. As the painting unfolds, it's astonishing to see it become tangible. Once completed, I view it as though I’ve never seen it before, as naïve as any observer experiencing it for the first time.

Peace! My Name is Terrl, I go by Designed By Tee. I AM a Visual Artist, I have been fortunate to work in different areas in the Artworld, from Photography, Video Production, Tattooing, Interior Painting, Digital Works, Screen Printing and Clothing and Apparel. These foundations of Art have given me a well- rounded perspective in how Art is present all around Us. The main area(s) I’ve enjoyed working with majority have been with Painting and Digital Art. In college I took many classes in relation to Art. I worked with clay, ceramics, and Life Drawing; I never took a painting class! But for me it’s all been a self-
taught skill, which is why I think I lean towards painting more. These areas of Art have given me a room to get away from the world and step into my own world of imagination and creativity, making the ideas and creative possibilities endless. I didn’t know I had this gift until my senior year in high school. To me, which I feel Art was forced on me, due to My Art Teacher by forcing the class into this Houston Art Show. (That Art Show made up 44% of our overall grade.) So, for that project, I drew out a Cowboy boot with a leather strap going over the top of the boot, the piece was created with a Graphite Pencil. Next thing you know, I got runner up for that Art Show. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to do something Artistic, I just did know what and how I was going to find what it was Artistically I wanted to do. I just knew I Could Draw anything in Black and White. Art has been my Peace since that moment, over the years I continued to develop a better relationship when it came to working with Black and White as a base color. It has taken time in developing my skills, sometimes there are walls but that’s where the fun begins. I think that’s when creativity is branching out. My Art development really hit in my college days, once exposed to many different avenues and being able to work amongst different artist and with different material and mediums really aided in Growth. Once I was done with college, I began to study different Artist in different areas of the Artworld, which also gave me a whole new room of creativity and imagination and a variation of concepts to sketch for the ideas that came about. I have been able to do a few collaborations with C.ReativeR.ighteousC.Chilldren (CRC) Fashion and Apparel and A. Mays productions with custom flyer work done for his brand. I’m excited to continue to see how my art will develop as the years go on.

Isabel Moultrie is a young realistic and surrealistic Bahamian artist. She grew up on the islands of Nassau and Abaco. Ever since she was 3 years old, Moultrie frequently drew and scribbled on each and every surface. She now specializes in mediums such as - oil, acrylic, and watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, and occasionally clay sculpting and ceramics. Through her art, Moultrie strives to educate and enlighten viewers on prevalent global issues. She tackles topics such as equality and mental health. She also thoroughly enjoys studying the nature and beauty of the world we all live in. In Moultrie’s eyes, art isn’t just about what you see on a canvas, but what you feel and how you take in what you see, what you walk away with, and how you are affected.

My love for fiction began at a very young age with writing short stories and poetry. After receiving a B.A. degree in Mass Communications from Illinois State University, I spent much of her career working with non-profit organizations that focus on family and children. But I always been passionate about creative writing.

I founded Azure Dusk Publishing, LLC because I wanted to share inspiring stories with children that have a positive impact on how they perceive themselves and interact with others.
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I wrote my debut book Grandma Had a Grandma Too because I believe that a lot of people had similar experiences growing up to what is seen in the story. The inspiration came from the loving relationship between my mom and niece. It was a joy to watch their interaction, and a lot of the story depicts the fun times that they shared. There are also moments in the book that come directly from my childhood and the times I spent with my grandmother. Children only know us as adults and they have a hard time imaging that we were once young like them, so I wanted to show that connection. What’s also important to me is that I create stories that depict African-American children. Representation is very important and I want them to see themselves in the stories that I create.

“Art is not just expressing oneself but an experiment…a continual process.” states Dereck Paul who was born in Nassau, on April 11, 1972. Dereck obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Governors State University in the south suburbs of Chicago in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

Paul has participated and exhibited in numerous exhibitions including a solo exhibition at Valparaiso University sponsored by the Brauer Museum of Art & Christ College, in Indiana, and various juried group shows throughout Illinois and Indiana including African- American Reflections, Tall Grass Art Gallery, Park Forest Illinois, Black Creativity, sponsored by the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Ill and Home is where the Art is, Aldo Castillo International Gallery where his work was exhibited & auctioned with Ronnie Wood from the world renowned rock-in-roll band The Rollin Stone, just to name a few. This exhibition was highlighted and reported by NBC’s subsidiary in Chicago. Paul was also selected in the juried exhibition at The 2nd Annual Art Exhibition at The National Art Gallery in 2004, where his work was on display with the likes of Stan Burnside, Antonious Roberts, Tyrone Ferguson, to name a few. Also, in 2004, Dereck’s work was selected in the group show Lumen: A Winter Show of Small Works, in Chicago Illinois.

Additionally, many of Paul’s works are in private and public collections locally and internationally including Clifton Taulbert (writer and producer of the book and film “Once Upon a Time We were Colored”, Governor State University Art in Public Places, Vincent d’Aguilar and private residence
in Lyford Cay. Furthermore, legendary poet and Pulitzer Prize winner the late Gwendolyn Brooks unveiled Paul’s work entitled “Hope trough Youth” in 1996 where he was commissioned by the university for Black History Month.

“Most of my works have been improvisational and impromptu in terms of materials and methodology. my concern now in this season is combining this ‘freedom’ with a specific technique. A stage in this personal growing process, I hope to master, in the pursuit of becoming a genuine artist. My art is life’s journey and what I create is a reflection of life, therefore, my art imitates my life.”

Currently Dereck, lectures part time at The College of the Bahamas, and is the proprietor/ principal designer at P ‘N’ R Studios & Designs an architectural & an interior design company.

Lyndera Hall-Pinder, born on the island of Grand Bahama, the Bahamas, B.A. in Administration, at the University of The Bahamas. Her pursuit for art had bloomed and fashioned by self taught techniques as she focuses mainly on the semi realism and abstract discipline. Being a Painter, Musician and Graphic Designer, focus is emphasised on the vibrant colors, patterns and bright lighting as a hue of her personality and a representation of the Bahamian culture and nature. Majority of the pieces focus on the perspective of life, through the eyes of a child.

Her work has enhanced the spaces of many art shows, galleries, magazine and festivals in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the U.S. and across the world. Lyndera now currently presides, and works in Nassau, Bahamas.

My love for wildlife and nature is rooted in the belief that the natural world is a vital part of our lives. My hope is for my artwork to connect people to nature in a way that is personal and meaningful.

My pieces feature wild spaces and the creatures who live in them. My choice of mediums are color pencil, watercolor and acrylic paint. I choose the medium that best suits the subject as well as the effect and aesthetic I wish to create. Through realistic portraiture, I seek to evoke the spirit of my animal subjects, whether it be a charming domestic pet or a powerful, wild predator. I also explore other aspects of nature such as landscapes and flora.

Spending time outdoors in observation of the natural world has had a profound impact on my artistic practice. As I observe plants and animals, I contemplate the role that each has to play within its ecosystem. Through my work I hope to contribute to a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the environment and its inhabitants.

Dr. Sophia Rolle grew up in an eclectic Urban Center known as Coconut Grove during the start of an independent Bahamas. It was a time when the emergence of Bahamian cultural expressions was being formulated at such places as Jumbey Village and the Coconut Grove Street Festival. The exposure to prolific local artists and contemporaires along with study of the subjective genres of all catergories of art, have brought me to this point in my career. Each piece of my work is a reminder of where I came from and the world as I see it today, abstract and “fluid”. Each art or craft piece is beautifully hand-made. They are not machine produced, thus, no two pieces will be alike. Slight imperfections are expected. We strive for perfection always.

June Collie (b. 1986) is a Bahamian visual artist and gallery owner based in Nassau, Bahamas. Often working with the mediums of paint, film and photography, Collie’s work centers the joy of family and Black womanhood through an Afro-Caribbean lens.
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Collie first showcased her paintings in the Color of Harmony exhibition at The College of The Bahamas. She later ventured into photography and filmwork, where she produced her first solo exhibit of short films titled Situations, showcased at New Providence Art & Antiques. Famous for her style of bold lines, vibrant colors and full-figured subjects, Collie’s paintings reflect the importance of joy, pleasure and rest in Black communities.

Over the years, she has been invited to participate in artist residencies with Popopstudios and The Current Art Gallery at Baha Mar - the latter of which produced a solo exhibit titled “Apartment Therapy”, international exhibitions such as The 55th International Art Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia at the Querini Stampalia Foundation in Venice, Italy, and the Rochester Contemporary Art Center in New York, as well as her works have been collected in the Luciano Benetton Collection "Imago Ipunm" in Italy.
Collie, a talented artist and creative entrepreneur, currently resides in the beautiful city of Nassau, Bahamas. She has established herself as the proud owner of Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery & Store, a vibrant space that showcases her stunning artworks and those of other local artists. Through her passion for art, June has become an influential figure in the artistic community of Nassau, where she creates and shares her beautiful pieces with art enthusiasts from all around the world.

I am originally from Moline, Illinois and have resided in Kearney, Nebraska with my wife and family the last 25 years. Most of my career has been spent in healthcare; however, the last few years I have worked as a career management Coach, assisting individuals to return to gainful employment following separation from their company.

When I was sixteen years old, my life changed forever. I was a gymnast, and I had sustained a Spinal Cord Injury (broken neck) when preparing for a competition. I discovered I would never walk and/or function the same again.

The hardest part wasn’t the break; it was the recovery and rediscovering how to utilize what I had left.

Art was one of the biggest parts of my recovery along with my faith, and through painting, I found a way back to life and some sense of normalcy. By paying attention to moments, by capturing scenes, people, and objects, I found hope in the world around me. And by finding that hope, it grew within me to express and give back through many different avenues!

Now, almost forty years later, I continue to paint and still rediscover that same joy in art—the joy of paying attention to moments that transcend the limitations of the present.

My goal with the artwork, is to provide the viewer with the same hope and beauty it has provided me all these years.

At the tender age of ten Clifford Fernander realized that art was one of his Gods given talents. Since then, this talented Bahamian has devoted his spare time to recreating his Island Paradise on canvas .He is a self though Artist who has develops his talent over the years by hard work and determination. He has been painting on the professional level for more than 35 years. His first and second public showing was group exhibitions with the Longbranch Artist and Artisans Association. He has exhibited artwork in more than twenty group exhibitions and eight solo Art shows in the Bahamas.

In 1994, he was the overall winner and won many awards in the first Royal Bahamas Defense Force Art, Craft and Poetry Competition. His first solo Art exhibition was held at the Upstairs Gallery, in November of 1995 on Queen and Marlborough Street. He has exhibited his artwork at the Central bank of the Bahamas, Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, and the Museum of Arts in Nassau, the British Colonial Hilton in down town Nassau and at the Nassau Beach Hotel on Cable Beach.
In October of 1999, Photographs from four of his Junkanoo paintings were selected to create four new Bahamian stamps. On January 22 2000, Mr. Fernander presented one of his paintings to Dr Maya Angelou on her visit to the Bahamas. In January of 2004, he presented one of his paintings to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa on his official visit to the Bahamas. In November of 2002, his painting was selected as the overall winner of the Rotary Club of Nassau Art competition, which was held at the home of the Governor General.

In February of 2019 Mr. Fernander was selected to exhibit his paintings at the Coconut
Grove Art Festival in Miami Florida. This was his first international Art exhibition.

I’m Christian, a true Texan with North Carolina & New York running through my veins. After being diagnosed with class IV lupus nephritis my freshman year at the illustrious NCCU, I became eager to educate myself & others about lupus by joining the support group of Durham, becoming a collegiate awareness advocate, participating in fundraising walks, & volunteering with the Lupus Foundation of America. But wait, my journey with lupus did not start off this easy, let alone by me wanting to advocate for it. It was painful, confusing, anxiety-building, and sometimes, very lonely. My love & appreciation for jewelry-making began when I interned for a beloved designer jewelry in Dallas the summer of my sophomore year. The act of designing, crafting, & gifting pieces that allowed others to express their creativity, embrace their personalities, & bring them joy truly brought me joy. It was hard, detailed work but I loved it all. It became a form of self-care. After the summer, I continued to make jewelry for my family & friends as gifts. In the midst of medical treatment, I became more interested & intrigued by holistic wellness & after learning how to incorporate different forms of healing into my pieces, my love for working with natural crystals & stones developed. Fast forward a many of seasons, a many of changes, & a quite a bit of determination, & Monarch Masterpieces is spreading its wings!

Nadia Marie Smith is a Bahamian Artist and Art educator whose profound love for the arts was discovered from a tender age as she drew anything in sight. She is a progressive educator who has used her skills of innovation, organization and creativity to inspire others while crystalizing her personal passion for the arts. The recurring themes of her work are spiritual, emotional and expressive. Nadia’s inspiration for her pieces is a combination of the mood and experiences life brings her way, the good, bad and indifferent. Her expressive and semi-abstract acrylic paintings shows her emotional internal struggles with love, hurt and spirituality. Her Caribbean influence is evident in the vibrancy of her colors. Her artwork is mesmerizing, capturing the human figure, moods of everyday life and the beautiful nature that surrounds her. Her sceneries capture the beauty of The Bahamas. She continues to allow her talents to flow on the canvas because for her, Art is her escape!

Moses Victor resides in Nassau, Bahamas where he was born and raised. His inspiration for art stemmed from his older brother’s realism graphite pencil drawings. What fascinated him was the amount of detail he would put into a character sketch or colored pencil drawing. He felt as if there was an Art Show in his own household.

Despite putting art on hold for several years, he has always been passionate about the craft. During the pandemic, Moses was terminated from his job. This caused him to rely on his natural talent as a source of income. He started off by creating a portrait of his sister. Subsequently, he began creating multiple portraits which quickly generated an influx of customers - more than ever before. This made him realize he should never stray from his gifts. Further into his art journey, Moses gained more influence from artist such as Stuart Davis, Heinrich Kley, Dave Smith. Nina Chanel Abney and Amy Sherald.

As stated previously, Moses has a natural talent for art. Currently, he is a self taught artist that is always open to improving his craft. He believes art is a forward moving career that is steadily advancing and moving into new levels and different techniques and it should alway be treated as such.

Ultimately, Moses aspires to be recognized on a global scale. He aims to curate shows, collect art, have installations shows around the world and to donate to charitable organizations. Also, he wants to become a great member of the art community to uplift emerging artist in addition to current artists.

My name is Natasha Marcano Dillon. I grew up on a tiny twin island called Trinidad and Tobago. Now, I reside in New York with my husband and two sons. As a teenager, I wanted to pursue art, which always relaxes me.

I studied Communication Design for my Bachelor's and Art Education for my Master's in college. During that time, my favorite classes were always the studio art courses. When I became a high school teacher in 2015, I worked on drawings of different subjects and mediums every summer. Then, in 2019, I became interested in portraits and worked on them consistently during my breaks. At that time, I chose charcoal as the dry medium to depict more realistic characterizations of my subjects. It was easier to work with two small boys and move around.

In 2021, I wanted to try a more playful style with more vibrancy while maintaining a painterly yet graphic approach, so I tried pastels. I also began showcasing my artwork publicly in the fall of 2022 through group shows and various significant events. Some of the exhibitions I participated in included A Spectacular Black Girl Art Show (Brooklyn), The Other Art Fair Brooklyn (Spring 2024), and several group exhibitions in Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan.

Nylah Marie Walton was born November 11th, 2013 In Fort Worth, Texas. She currently resides in North Texas and is in the 3rd grade. She comes from a diverse cultural background of Bahamian and African American descent. Nylah is an artist who has many different interests creatively. She naturally shows a very versatile interest in singing, instruments, dancing, drawing, coloring, painting, creating anything from nothing, or even just making something new from plain household materials. She is able to communicate with people of all ages, and is just a pleasant soul to be around. Nylah would tell you that she wants to be many things when she grows up but she has already started crossing some of those goals off of her list. As a dyslexic learner she has embraced her talents and has developed an advocacy for those who learn differently. "Art makes me feel good and I will never stop doing it" says the young artist of all trades. Expect great things in the future for this brilliant young mind.

Hello, my name is Kedra Sumner, a 37-year-old artist and writer who has, for too long, kept my creativity in the shadows. Born in New Rochelle, NY, and raised in Greensboro, NC, I am a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I've always had a deep love for art and storytelling, with my creative drive centered around making sense of my complex, often perplexing mind.

My mother, Sandra Sumner, has been a huge influence on my artistic journey. As a child, I was captivated by her self-portraits of my siblings and the oil painting kits that filled our home. I quickly learned how sacred an artist’s brush can be—first dipping into pure water, then tapping into vibrant colors, and finally dancing across the canvas with the grace of a ballroom dancer. Art, in all its forms, has been a defining force in my life, and it continues to shape who I am today.

Born May 24 th ,1983. I started drawing at an early age watching cartoons and reading comic books to get an understanding about art. Knowing that this was my passion I pursued it further. I attended the S.C.McPherson High School and C. V. Bethel Senior High where I was taught by the late Mrs. Sandra Illingworth. Through her guidance made me what I am today.

I am currently pursuing my art education degree at the University of the Bahamas. I have participated in numerous art shows and festivals including the Oxford art fair in London 2017. My style is interchangeable ranging from pop, design, urban and fantasy art. Art is life. I seek to paint the ordinary in an unusual way.

Krystle Walton is a multi-disciplined artist from Louisiana with a passion for sculpting and ceramics. After studying art in college, she fell in love with the hands-on process of creating with clay, exploring the endless possibilities of texture, form, and color. Her work blends traditional techniques with a modern twist, resulting in vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect her unique artistic journey.

Golden Fire Ceramics is Krystle’s dream—a vision that she is passionately working toward. Though not yet fully realized, it represents her commitment to bringing her art to life and sharing it with others. Alongside her ceramics, Krystle enjoys connecting with the community through custom commissions and hosting workshops, where she inspires others to explore their creativity and discover the beauty of handcrafted art.

For more than a decade and a half, I've lived a unique double life; spending my days as a seasoned Corporate America professional with over 20 years of experience, and as a traveling tattoo artist and piercer. My early life showcased signs of my inherent creativity and drawing skills, but it wasn't until my friends encouraged me that I truly embraced my artistic inclinations and ventured into the realm of tattoos. The unexpected twist in my journey came with the onset of the pandemic. As in-person meetings with clients were put on pause, I discovered a new love in painting. I found a calming refuge in exploring the vibrant world of colors and canvases. Hence, this marked the start of my artistic expedition.

I am a physician-artist who first immersed myself in painting in March of 2022. I use bold colors such as red, gold, blue, and yellow to convey unspoken emotions to the viewer. My medium of choice is acrylic and oil pastel crayons on canvas. Growing up, I admired the art of Jacob Lawrence, Horace Pippin, Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, Basquiat, and the expressionist movement. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many lives were lost prematurely, including those of people I had cared for personally as an emergency physician, that my creativity emerged at the tender age of 55. I have no formal art training and simply paint by instinct and love of vivid colors and imagery. My paintings are ripe for individual interpretation, which is my forte as a new artist.

My name is Lamont Missick, son of the soil in the Bahamas. Lamont has been drawing from the age of eight and made his first painting at twelve. He started with tracing pictures of fashion models out of magazines and taught himself how to draw the human face.
Lamont has attended only two art workshops at the College Of The Bahamas now the University Of The Bahamas. Where he had his tutoring given by professors Mr Antonio Roberts and Mr John Cox . As a result of these workshops, he gives credit for obtaining an honorable mention award in the central bank competition of 1995. Also which granted him the opportunity to present a painting too, at that time the governor general of the Bahamas Sir Orville Turnquest. From that point on Lamont has painted many paintings. One of his goals is to one day have his own stand alone showing and strive to make a name for himself in the art community.

More About Our Ambassador
From journalist, to broadcasting mogul, to artist, to now Ambassador of The Bahamas, His Excellency Wendall K. Jones is an accomplished man of many talents.

Jones is a self taught artist, began drawing and painting in his teen years while in high school.

Following high school, he was employed as an engineering draftsman with George Cox Wallace Evans and Partners and was involved in the design of a number of upscale buildings.

Jones later switched his profession to journalism where he remained and created several entities including The Bahama Journal, Radio Love 97Fm, and JCN Television. In addition, he published a number of outstanding books on the socio economic and the social cultural and political development of The Bahamas.

Appointed Ambassador to the United States of America and non-resident Ambassador to Colombia and Malaysia on March 7th, 2022, Ambassador Jones has not let diplomacy and politics take all of his time
away from what he considers to be one of his greatest life disciplines: painting.

Always with a keen eye for things and scenes that are aesthetically pleasing, he has also studied the works of some of the renowned artists in the world, so it was no surprise that he pursued his hobby by painting in his spare time.

His art includes impressionistic, abstract and realism, which, are admired and obtained by art enthusiasts from around the world.

Tanisha Marshall is a Dallas, Texas-based artist, originally from Illinois. Art found its way into Tanisha's life at a time when healing and self-love were most needed. For many years, she struggled with self-acceptance. During the creative process, she realized that to attain freedom in her life, she had to learn to embrace herself. It was during this time that she began creating without fear of judgment, allowing her to produce work that truly emanated from within. Tanisha's goal is to inspire at least one person (ideally more) to find the freedom to accept themselves as God made them.

As an Art Director/Graphics Designer by trade for over 25 years, my love and respect for the Fine Arts have always been the stem and conduit of my creative imagination. Whether an abstract painting or even a digital illustration, the mere experimental nature of the Fine Arts impassions and allows me to express myself in any medium, subject matter, or level of conformity.

Originally introduced to cyanotypes (sun prints) via printmaking, my fascination with them is of beauty and mysticism. They can be as creative or as simple as one desires. They represent a raw and unbiased view of the subject matter without the interjection of full color and all its associated conformities. The pure use of cyan, form, and the duality of light and shadow, create a mystical and captivating visual experience.

"The purpose of the artist is to explore the mystery which science overlooks."
Dr. Kevin Bethel is an artist-physician from The Bahamas who is internationally recognized for his oil, pastel, watercolor paintings, prints and drawings. His art helps us to feel the emotional emergence from the hardships of life with his focus on the effects of light, color and temperature.

From watery Washington to the beautiful Bahamas to majestic Montana, Pat Butler’s life is full of variety and vitality expressed in her art. She sees life through an inspired lens gifted to her by the Creator. Whether gardening, cooking, or “playing” in her art room, Pat desires to communicate the goodness she so easily observes in nature and in relationships. Pat is the mother of two outstanding daughters, three remarkable grandkids, and a host of family members near and far. She and her husband find plenty of joy together finishing their dream home, boating and fishing for pike, traveling mountain trails on their sideXside ATV, and discovering those intricate details in life that make it so worthwhile.

Nicole Collie was born and raised in the Bahamas and went to college in the United States, where she now resides. “My journey as an artist starts with vivid memories of a fluorescent green desk full of coloring books and crayons. This desk was bigger than life and when I totally grew out of it, I began carrying it around. I have fond memories about this desk.” Her first paintings were of landscapes, flowers, and later, the female form.
Nicole started painting with watercolors as a child, using the same seven colors that most of us were given to use during elementary school, and she loved using that medium as she developed as an artist. While attending The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where she received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design, she had to take an art class using acrylic paint and was totally against it. At that time, Nicole had only used watercolor and gouache paint. She was surprised at how easily she adapted to using acrylic paint and that it was actually enjoyable. It allowed her to add layer upon layer, which creates a wonderful texture to paint on. This school also required her to paint nudes, something that she was adamantly against due to her religious upbringing. However, once she started working with women that allowed her to paint them on canvas, there was a special transformation, when she experienced a boost in confidence and self-esteem. It is ironic that painting nudes is now all that she does.

Nicole says, “I began painting nudes as an act of rebellion and for shock value. Raised in a modest home where nudity was never spoken of, conservative Bahamian culture made it particularly difficult for people to accept my art.”

Nicole is inspired by women and other creatives. “I enjoy painting the female body as a symbol of empowerment. Women spend so much time trying to look better, to hide or not acknowledge their flaws, and that is sad to me. My desire for everyone, especially women, is that we can accept ourselves unconditionally flaws and all. My inspiration comes from my own journey of accepting myself. That is why the images I paint have a celestial and ethereal feel to them because they are a representation of our inner selves.”

The Chinese paper-making method is a 2000 year old technique and is one of the oldest. With my work, this paper-making technique addresses the issue of waste, one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with color, flair, and the signature of hope.
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From banana leaves to colored paper, I carefully craft pieces that embody my need to create, and my longstanding commitment to sustainable practices that make a strong statement about the human responsibility to the environment we inhabit.
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I have committed myself to the task of transforming recycled material into works of art. This ancient Chinese art form was not only right for its time, but is absolutely necessary now and for our future well-being.

For as long as I can remember, I've always been creating art. It began with drawing jacked-up muscle men (stick figures on steroids), but over time, my work has evolved into a more cohesive expression of mind, body, and soul—with just a touch of talent. I owe much of my inspiration to my parents, who have been a constant source of strength, along with my aunt and several other family members. Without their influence, I wouldn’t have the mindset or motivation that drives me as an artist today.

I want people to *feel* my work, not just see it. Each piece I create is a part of a larger narrative that reflects the passions of my mind: fantasy, love, women, pain, beauty, music, and life. When viewed individually, one piece may not capture the whole story, but together, they form a larger picture that’s meant to evoke thought and emotion. I recognize that as humans, we often break things down into separate parts, sometimes missing the bigger picture—but I always welcome conversation to bridge that gap.

This site is dedicated to promoting my artwork, showcasing the breadth of my skills and imagination. Born in Champaign, IL, and raised across the South, I’ve lived in Maryland, the Carolinas, Colorado, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, to name a few. My eight years in the U.S. Air Force also took me abroad to Japan and South Korea. I’ve seen a lot, done even more, and earning my BA in Studio Art from Tennessee State University was a milestone in my artistic journey.

But enough about me—welcome to my world!

Southern Californian native, Riss Williams, is a self-taught multi-media artist currently residing within the DFW Metroplex. Inspired by bright color themes, her earliest influences include popular 80’s artist; Andy Warhol, Peter Max, and Lisa Frank with their bold use of brilliant color schemes. Riss went on to upgrade her skills at Collins College where she obtained an AA in Visual Communications. Gaining a deeper understanding of color theory and adding digital art to her list of artistic skills, birthed the style for which she’s been known the last several years, but it wasn’t until she picked up a paint brush that she finally felt at home in the art realm. Since mid-2021, Riss has been honing her skills as a painter; experimenting with acrylics, watercolors, and spray paints. In May 2022, Riss was invited to participate in her first art show and has been eager to share her art with the world ever since. Contemporary influencers include Dooga, Paper Frank, and Blue The Great.

Dr. Desirée Cox (www.desireecox.com), was born in The Bahamas. Educated at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and Oxford University (UK) and Cambridge University (UK), she is the First Bahamian Rhodes scholar and First Woman from the British Caribbean to win a Rhodes Scholarship, a medical doctor, creative artist, inventor, and global thought leader in stem cell and regenerative medicine. In January 2019 Cox was one of 5 International Action Award recipients at the 2019 World Stem cell Summit, held at the Hyatt Regency, Miami; in 2018 she was a speaker at the & Unite to Cure & conference at the Vatican; in 2017 she was one of six outstanding Pembroke College, Oxford University alumni whose photographic portraits hung in the Great Hall at Pembroke College 2017-2018. These select alumni are persons whom the Governing Body and Art Committee of Pembroke College, Oxford University, have determined are distinguishing themselves in their respective professional fields, are thought-leaders, have achieved prominence in the public eye and especially through focusing their expertise on social impact. At the 40th Independence Celebrations, in 2013, the Bahamas Government honored Dr. Cox by issuing a 70-cent stamp into circulation bearing her photograph.

Dr. Cox is a bridge-builder advancing future health innovation both in The Bahamas and internationally. Her 20+ years experience in the healthcare space in the UK, Europe, North America and The Bahamas combines an impressive, rare and unique range of skills and capacities gained from a career that has spanned clinical medicine, academia, research and development, regulatory sciences, and the design, development and implementation of high–impact health and social enterprises. Her experience in health care consulting includes consulting for biotech companies and major pharmaceutical companies including Amgen, GSK and Novartis on pipeline therapeutic products and medical devices. She is rigorous in promoting safety, equity, diversity and inclusion in healthcare. Her vast experience includes clinical medicine, academia, research and development, regulatory sciences, design and consultant to biotech companies, governments and major pharmaceutical companies. She is the recipient of numerous international awards and has published in numerous trade and academic journals.

I grew up in the mountains where the Sierra range ends and the Cascade Range begins. A valley remote and far away from any city. From there, I moved to Humboldt County to receive my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Many moves later, I have landed back in my beloved Northern California, where the natural landscapes, green pastures, multi-species forests, ocean views with dramatic cliffs, and wild animals abound. Everywhere you look is inspiration for bright, colorful, and unencumbered creativity.

I began exploring mixed media art during the COVID-19 lockdown. I found rather quickly that creating images on paper spoke to me on a level I had not experienced before. I would work late into the evening creating women’s shapes and faces that looked back at me while I spent hours trying to tell their stories. Mindful and healing, these women were all a different part of me that would aid in my path to healing from severe CPTSD. A disorder that had been diagnosed a few years prior.

In exploring different media types, I discovered Alcohol Inks, and in these, I have found my match. This medium is nothing short of magical. Tiny vials of brilliant colors that move and fractionate into multiple shapes and shades. There is a beautiful relationship with working with the Alcohol inks. They are not easily controlled. They have their own story. I, too, have my own ideas going into the process; in this, we compromise. Be it a flowing underwater scene, a floral, or an open landscape, they have taught me so much about letting go of preconceived notions of perfection and accepting my unique experiences. The outcome is always a free, loose, wild, and colorful creation that speaks a vibrancy to an unencumbered and joyful life.

I was surrounded by art from a young age. My father was in a bunch of bands when he was around my age and threw a guitar in my hands at the age of 6. Since then, I fell in love with creating and after a deep dive into my psyche, I felt a need to create in any way shape or form. I compose and write songs, capture moments through photography, and every once in a while spill my brain on a canvas with paint. Inspiration for me is abundant. Everything I see is an inspiration. Sounds, colors, shapes, faces, moments, conversations. Life in itself. Just trying to take in as much with the time I have. I would describe my art as a reflection of my psyche at the given moment. Thought provoking. Perspective changing. My creative energy requires my undivided attention. My family always said “turn it up or turn it off”. No in between and I incorporate this mindset into my creativity. All in or not at all. I write and compose songs through my band Morningbuzz, creating a mix of multiple genres each with a touch of Rafaelo and the mental state I was in at the time.

I am a Bahamian Designer and Architect that has spent a significant amount of time designing and working in Europe but established early formative years growing up in the Bahamas. My pre-teen and teenage years were filled with drawing portraits and watercolours. I developed this interest to work in design and studied Architecture in London and Sheffield and later worked on numerous complex mega projects in Uk and the Bahamas

Hi! My name is Allie, and I am a photographer, residing in Fort Worth, TX. I am currently hyper-fixated on 35mm film photography, but throughout my life I have been filming and capturing moments through any camera I could get my hands on. I also spend my days managing a tiny, local coffee shop, I've recently been enjoying crocheting and making things for my friends, and I have always had a deep love for writing. Whatever I do, it's to help my mind escape from reality for a bit of time, and to ease that part of me. To insert what I'm feeling into something creatively, and make my thoughts seem beautiful and tangible.