Massachusetts-based artist Sarah Valinezhad speaks with Create! Magazine about her research-driven practice centered on Iranian women's lived experiences, the emotional weight of interior spaces, and why she sees painting as an act of witnessing rather than representation.

Suzanne V Paddock didn't set out to become an animal painter, she arrived there through grief, isolation, and a household that grew to nine cats and a dog. In this interview, the Virginia-based oil painter talks about what her pets have taught her about trust and social dynamics, how a devastating loss during the pandemic realigned her sense of purpose, and why the most meaningful moments in her work are the ones that are easy to overlook.

San Francisco Bay Area artist Chelsea Tikotsky paints the moments we almost miss, golden light on water, a shift in the sky, the quiet magic of a landscape at dusk. Working primarily with a palette knife, she builds richly textured oil paintings that move between serene landscapes and lush botanicals, each carrying its own emotional register. In this interview, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her practice, the literature and films that inspire her botanical work, and what she hopes to explore next.

Studio artist Robyn Palescandolo (signed R Palesca) finds the extraordinary in everyday objects, painting with a quiet intensity rooted in minimalism and classical technique. In this interview, she reflects on her years running a painting retreat in rural Italy, the tension between precision and spontaneity in her work, and what draws her back to figurative painting next.

Under vast prairie skies and shimmering northern lights, Nicki Ault finds her deepest sense of belonging. Based in Saskatoon, the contemporary Canadian painter creates luminous landscapes that act as visual love letters to the Earth. Guided by intuition, memory, and a profound emotional connection to the natural world, Ault translates late afternoon light, boreal forests, and endless grasslands into paintings filled with warmth and humanity. In this heartfelt conversation, she reflects on discovering her identity as a Highly Sensitive Person, embracing spontaneity in the studio, and reaching major milestones that affirmed her path as a full-time artist.

Philadelphia-based artist Elizabeth Bergeland presents While You Were Sleeping, a compelling solo exhibition at Studio 105, Ray Philly, from March 22 to May 11, 2025. Through deeply personal and symbol-rich oil paintings, Bergeland explores themes of modern exhaustion, motherhood, and the tension between ambition and solitude. Join us for the opening reception on March 22 and experience this powerful reflection on contemporary life.

Discover how Margaret Zox Brown captures the beauty of ordinary moments in her vibrant, large-scale oil paintings. Through her art, she transforms everyday life into awe-inspiring works, offering connection and inspiration to viewers worldwide.