Arts Council of Kanawha Valley

I am a proudly born and raised, native West Virginian artist. I am pretty well rounded with my art medians, and have been practicing art my whole life. I am 22 years old and currently attend West Virginia University Institute of Technology for Art and History and was a painting and ceramics student of the late Bob Simile.

The East End Bazaar, a project of Charleston East End Main Street, is an open-air artisan market featuring an eclectic mix of functional and collectible art and hand-crafted goods. It will also feature a full lineup of live, acoustic music and other entertainment each weekend.

Ginger is a full-time Mom and artist living in Fayetteville, WV with her husband, daughter, two cats, one dog and three fish. Having juried into Tamarack in 2010, Ginger's work was selected for the “Best of Tamarack” juried exhibition in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Her acrylic painting of the Cathedral Cafe in Fayetteville, was selected for inclusion in Tamarack's 2012 “Best of Tamarack” calendar.

Growing up in Chicago I was always surrounded by great art. Several of my relatives were artists and it always seemed like a natural thing for me to become. I studied at the Art Institute of Chicago from the time I was eight years old until college age when I enrolled at the American Academy of Art to focus on communication art, graphic design and illustration. Thirty years ago I relocated to West Virginia to work as an illustrator for a large paper product manufacturer. I fell in love with the state of WV and all of its natural beauty.

As the middle child of seven growing up in rural Jackson County, West Virginia, I have always had an appreciation and love for art. I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil, but didn't develop an interest in painting until I was in my thirties. As a self-taught realist artist using acrylics as my medium, I have painted a wide variety of subjects; however, old barns, homesteads and wildlife are my favorite. I draw much of my inspiration from God, my family, friends and living in the country.

I'm 24 from Charleston WV and I love painting and drawing in all media. My specialty is portraiture and the macabre. I've been drawing since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and although most of what I do is self taught I did have a good bit of high school art classes (including AP) and a wonderful teacher. I think that the most important job for an artist is to just be honest in our work, and so that's what I try to do. I use my artwork to express myself and be honest with how I feel.

Born and raised in WV until I graduated from Hurricane High School, I moved to Pittsburgh to attend the Art Institute. From there my life has taken me to live in other countries - England for 4 years, Australia for the last 2 only to return to the WV area in January 2011.

While in Australia, I studied under a pastellist and was part of an art society that allowed me to grow and flourish. I exhibited and was commended on my pastel work, even was mentioned in The Australian Artists' Magazine in November 2010.

I also do pencil work, but I truly found my love in pastels.

Starving Artist for Hire Its hard for me to choose a category because I do a little bit of everything. Drawing, sculpting, fx makeup, costuming, painting, crafting, jewelry making, photography printmaking, i love it all. My favorite medium is pen and ink but i love all art. I'll do anything from bead sprite commissions of 8 bit character to full pinup paintings. My studio's name is Sarkany Studios and can be found of facebook here http://www.facebook.com/SarkanyStudios As well as my Etsy account that i sell crafts through here http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarkanyStudios

I am 62 years young,from Charleston WVa., and have been interested in art all my life. A special thanks, to my high school art teacher, Mr Smith. I have drawn pictures and played around with chalk,for years, but taught myself how to paint about a year ago. my paintings are my own. I like to paint what I am feeling at the time.

Nancy Stephens is a local artist of Charleston West Virginia.
All artwork is original, created from the artists strong spiritual feelings, as well as interest in the changing world of today.