Featured Artists
Amy Feigley-Lee
Bio
Amy Feigley-Lee is a contemporary artist from Detroit, Michigan. She earned her MFA in 2007 from Cranbrook Academy of Art with an emphasis in Sculpture. Her current studio practice has evolved to focus primarily on creating intricate collage pieces composed of found vintage wallpapers. She is inspired by the colors, patterns, and textures found in wallpaper as well as the formalist sensibilities that come with being an art foundations educator.
Amy's work has been exhibited both nationally as well as internationally in venues such as the Freud Museum in London England, The Daimler Chrysler World Headquarters in Berlin Germany, The American University in Cairo, Egypt, and was selected to participate in Andres Serrano Pick Detroit, at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Her work is held in the private collections of renowned interior designer, Lois Wienthal, as well as Philanthropists Sue and Allan Jay Kaufman and the Mercedes Benz Financial Services Headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI, and Grand Valley State University.
Outside of her studio practice, Amy helps build community among artist/mothers in the Detroit metro area through facilitating studio visits and critiques. She also holds the title of Special Lecturer of Studio Art at Oakland University in Rochester Michigan where she has been teaching for nearly 15 years.
Statement
This work is slow.
I am here and now, following the blade as it slices through color, pattern, and texture. The process of making is a comfort, a therapy, and a way to connect my past with my future. I delight in visual co- creation- the complexity that exists within the contrasting of hard edges with soft colors, and definitive shapes with convoluted patterns. The result is an unexpected manifestation of an ecstatic process. The dimensional quality of these works is inspired by my background as a sculptor, in terms of the physical textures of the vinyl and flocked paper, layering and weaving of materials, and the creation of the illusion of space in the rendering of geometric forms.
https://linktr.ee/feigleyleestudio
Zach Kurtis
Meet Zach Curtis, a gifted artist whose work goes beyond technical proficiency to tell a compelling story that resonates with his audience. Born in southeast Michigan in 1992, Zach has been honing his craft since he was a child, and his mastery of art materials and elements is evident in his work.
What sets Zach apart is his desire to connect with viewers on a deeper level. Through his art, he invites us to take a closer look and see the world through his eyes. His subject matter often includes objects that hold special meaning to him, and he uses them to weave a visual narrative that draws viewers in.
Based in Pontiac, MI, Zach's work has gained recognition across the US and in Mexico. His self-defined style of "painterly realism" combines technical skill with expressive flourishes, resulting in dynamic pieces that burst with color and energy. His preferred mediums are acrylics and spray paint, which allow him to work quickly and experiment with different techniques.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Zach is also a dedicated mentor, sharing his passion and knowledge with aspiring artists in his community. His relatable approach and engaging personality make him a sought-after teacher and mentor, inspiring others to pursue their artistic dreams.
As Zach's body of work continues to grow and evolve, he remains committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new creative frontiers. His art is a reflection of his unique perspective on the world, and his ability to connect with viewers is a testament to his talent and vision. Take a closer look at Zach Curtis' work and see for yourself the depth and beauty of his artistry.
Leona Webb - Photographer
I'm a Bloomfield Hills, MI based artist and have exhibited in exhibitions in Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Grosse Pointe and Detroit. Born and raised in Northern Michigan, I went on to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Business and a Master's Degree in Organizational Development. However, my real passion has always been music and the arts.
When I first approached Detroit in particular with my camera and tripod, I thought I was capturing a fragment of the city's loss and decay in 2001. However, upon studying the images, I found that many of the buildings had only lost their first function. They now occupy center stage as visual objects of commanding beauty and endless decorative iteration. They pull us into a dreamtime of movement, into what was and what will be, just like the automobile. Detroit put the world on wheels. My automobile photographs are not about conventional thinking. The automobile is where the boundaries of design are pushed to achieve fresh ideas and cutting-edge concepts. I am intrigued by that concept. I have renewed and extended my fascination with these shapes through my images.
My wish for you is to see these images as other than what they seem to represent. The images of cars are not just cars. The images of buildings are not just buildings. All of these images are abstractions to one degree or another. What is being emphasized are forms, ideas, and qualities apart from the particular object pictured. Images then become ideas. They can vary from person to person and time to time with the same person. The images come from a part of me that works unconsciously. They come from that private part of me and I hope it will touch that part of you as well.
I am a firm believer that art is a collaborative work between the audience and the image, and art happens somewhere in the space between. I prefer not to bias observers with whimsical or abstract titles. It seems to me this limits the art's power to be something different for each person - instead of letting the image speak for itself.
Leona L. Webb
Dave Swartz
Dave Swartz is a Hazel Park based artist who does psychedelic abstract work. Both acrylic & sculptural, Dave’s work explores the connection to the inner child through a bright and playful approach. Allowing the work to largely create itself, believing he is only the vehicle in which it uses to be created. His main inspiration comes from his experiences with psychedelic plant medicines, largely creating his art outdoors.
Dave is also an adjunct professor at the College for Creative Studies, teaching the fundamentals of art & design. His work has been in Vanity Fair UK, and has been shown at the Tangent, Disco Walls, and the Hatch.