Portland-based artist Jayes Caitlin brings her graphic arts practice to life with minimalist works that combine systematic approaches with chance elements. With an extensive background in design, Caitlin’s abstract art spans archival editions, paintings, and silk-screened concert posters, all contributing to her vision of abstraction’s role in contemporary visual culture. Explore her journey from Chicago and Los Angeles back to Portland, where she is opening a new RISO Studio Arts location.

Self-taught artist Robin Kerr blends multifaceted elements of culture, history, and personal identity in her abstract work. Drawing inspiration from the nuances of living between places, Kerr’s art explores themes of belonging and perception, creating thought-provoking pieces that challenge and celebrate humanity's diverse expressions.

Jeff Sheridan’s work exists in the space between dreams and reality. Drawing from hypnagogic states—the threshold between wakefulness and sleep—his abstract paintings transform subconscious imagery into intricate, otherworldly compositions. Influenced by psychology, the occult, and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Sheridan uses layered washes, stippling, and detailed brushwork to create striking monochromatic scenes. Explore his multidisciplinary practice and the unique creative process behind his thought-provoking work.

Kelly Tsai’s SKyGiRLS is a striking portrait series that explores the complexities of identity, representation, and the Chinese diaspora. Through carefully constructed persona diptychs, Tsai embodies women whose stories have been overlooked or misrepresented, creating a powerful dialogue between history, mythology, and personal identity. Inspired by the surge in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, SKyGiRLS is both a personal exploration and a collective reimagining of Chinese womanhood.

Bella Cardim’s powerful artwork merges personal experience and conceptual inquiry, addressing themes of food, identity, and emotional nourishment. Using mixed media, textiles, and photography, Cardim’s work invites reflection on the cultural norms surrounding body image and the emotional facets of eating disorders. In this post, we explore her practice and recent exhibitions, including her upcoming residency focused on emotional nourishment and societal expectations.

Nicole Williford’s representational paintings invite viewers into a world where family stories are transformed into visual myths. Inspired by archival photos and shaped by her own imagination. Nicole’s work blends personal and found photographs with oral history and imagination, creating surreal, layered paintings that explore the myth-making of family life.

Jordan Clark’s multidisciplinary practice blends painting, photography, and design, drawing inspiration from the textures and structures of urban environments. His layered compositions reflect his experiences with architecture, graffiti removal, public transit, and digital mapping. Through a process of masking, revealing, and responding to materials, Clark constructs abstracted spaces that bridge physical and digital realms. Read more about his influences and artistic journey.

Brigid Kennedy’s work bridges the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, capturing the interplay of architecture, nature, and light through abstracted representation. Her ongoing series, inspired by direct observation, reflects on the significance of windows as portals to both the outside world and the self. With a career spanning numerous exhibitions and prestigious grants, Kennedy continues to create paintings that invite exploration and contemplation.

Chris Lael Larson’s work blurs the boundaries between photography, painting, and installation, creating layered, immersive experiences. Using a mix of hyperreal lighting, bold color, and unconventional materials, his pieces reimagine perspective and depth, offering a fresh take on contemporary visual storytelling.

Discover the work of Rachel Dunn, a film photographer based in Pennsylvania, whose captivating images explore the interplay of architecture, light, and negative space. In AQ Volume 5, she shares her journey from high school portfolio to a passionate pursuit of analog photography, emphasizing the timeless quality of her art. With a focus on traditional techniques, Dunn challenges herself to experiment with different film stocks and camera angles, offering a fresh, nostalgic view of the world around her. Read on to learn more about Rachel's artistic practice and philosophy.

Marisa Macklin, a contemporary figurative painter featured in AQ Volume 5, brings her diverse background in musical theater and fine art to create vibrant, evocative works. Her latest series, Fashion, Fruit, and Fowl, merges the energy of fashion and farm life, offering a fresh perspective on modern portraiture. Dive into Macklin's journey from city streets to rural life and explore how her evolving environment shapes her art.

Francesca Woolson, a talented painter from Western New York, brings a unique perspective to surrealist portraiture, combining oil paint with elements of memory and emotion. Her work explores the intersections of domination, isolation, and the subconscious, influenced by personal experiences and non-visual art forms like poetry. As a junior at Maine College of Art and Design, Francesca is already making waves with her award-winning pieces and ambitious exploration of human figures and memory. Learn more about her evolving artistic voice in this in-depth interview.

Kimberley Day, a Concept Artist and internationally exhibiting painter, shares her creative journey in AQ Volume 5. Known for her abstracted landscapes, Kimberley’s work explores the intersection of literal and felt landscapes, capturing the reflections and metaphors that shape our perception of reality. In this feature, she reveals how her artistic practice has evolved from the film industry to painting, and the personal philosophies that fuel her passion for art.

Véronique Martel’s ceramic art reflects the powerful metaphors of strength, memory, and identity. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Martel's work transforms everyday materials into symbols of resilience, with amphoras representing the collective power of women. Learn more about how this talented artist merges tradition with personal expression, and discover the philosophy that drives her creative process.

Discover the work of Clementine Morel, an artist whose photography beautifully captures the intersection of identity, emotion, and narrative. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Morel’s lens explores the delicate process of self-discovery amidst cultural shifts, offering a powerful visual dialogue on identity, belonging, and the human experience.

Featured in AQ Volume 5, artist Vanessa Osmon creates thought-provoking abstract portraits that reflect the unique challenges and beauty of military spouses. Through her layered figures, Osmon explores themes of identity, resilience, and the nomadic lifestyle that shapes her community. Learn more about her powerful process and the personal stories behind her work.

Jana Šantavá, a fine art photographer from Bratislava, Slovakia, delves into the complexities of self-perception and societal constructs with her surreal photography. Using elements like mirrors and vivid contrasts, her work examines the emotional layers of human identity, particularly focusing on women’s inner lives. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Šantavá’s Echoes of Identity offers a bold visual narrative that challenges societal norms and invites introspection. Explore her journey from Bratislava to international recognition and her upcoming exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles.

In AQ Volume 5, fiber artist Susan Taylor Brown shares her journey from writer to visual artist, transforming the textures of nature into intimate, tactile works of art. Her Wildscapes series, a collection of miniature fiber landscapes, offers a moment of calm and reflection amidst our busy world. Learn how Susan’s self-taught techniques and deep connection to the natural world have shaped her unique artistic voice.

Bree Gilliam's figurative oil paintings give voice to marginalized people and explore the social issues impacting society today. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Gilliam's work—often inspired by personal experiences and the fight for social justice—examines injustice through a deeply emotional and expressive lens. Learn about her journey from high school inspiration to creating art that sparks important conversations.

Natasza Mirak, known for her deep exploration of identity and the societal roles imposed on individuals, is featured in AQ Volume 5. Her work combines classical techniques with modern media to examine the dualities within human experience—confusion and certainty, shame and boldness. Mirak's approach invites viewers into a world where the complex relationship between roles and intimate needs is visually realized through powerful portraiture.