First Annual Fall Library Show

Perfection is a tragic misstep, a dizzying spiral straight into life's jail cell! My work teeters on the fragile skin of sanity, where uncertainty and clarity collide in a wild, topsy-turvy dance. I am a walking collage of half-formed thoughts, pasting together fragments of reality with glue sticks forged from dreams and fevered nonsense. In the studio, time becomes meaningless as I fling these pieces around, hoping for something—anything—to stick, never knowing if a creature or catastrophe will claw its way into being. My raison d’être lies in the joyful surrender to absurdity, relinquishing any notion of control and embracing the chaos—where outcomes are as unpredictable as they are unnecessary. – AAWHIT ART https://aaronwhitmoyer.com

My journey as a painter is connected to my passion for storytelling and my commitment to honoring the rich tapestry of Black Southern culture. I strive to illuminate the beauty found in everyday experiences, celebrating the interactions that define our lives. I aim to capture the essence of our shared humanity while highlighting the uniqueness of personal narratives. Color and texture are integral to conveying mood and emotion. I employ a palette that reflects the vibrancy of Southern life, using bold colors to evoke a myriad of feelings. Textures play a crucial role as well, as I layer materials and techniques to create depth and movement, mirroring the complexity of our lives. Arbitrary and expressive elements allow me to transcend the literal, encouraging viewers to engage with the emotional landscape of each piece. These elements invite the viewer’s personal interpretation, fostering a dialogue that extends beyond the canvas. The beauty of the Black South is to be celebrated and shared. There are universal experiences of love, community, and resilience that resonate deeply. I believe that art has the power to connect us across divides, and I am both honored and excited to contribute to this ongoing dialogue through my work. Website: www.mmarshallarts.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/miasartstore/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/mia.marshallarts/

Andes Finch is a 17 year-old Tucker resident who attends Paideia School. He enjoys photography and creating art with markers. More work can be seen at the Facebook page Art by Andes Finch.

Not until the advent of personal computers and Photoshop did the camera I used to document my work become an artform. A photo created on a whim sold as soon as I placed it in a show leading to years of shooting in and around Memphis. Moving to Louisiana resurrected my underlying love of nature and cinched my need to document and honor her. Now in sprawling tree filled Atlanta, I am surrounded by forests and living things attracted to our yard we planted with pollinators and native plants. Birds, bees, dragonflies and butterflies come calling and occasional deer walk through. The birds show no fear one day...fleeing at the sight of me the next. It is a lovely dance. A world teeming with life is beautiful! A yard teeming with life is a treasured gift and my call to do work I love. I am a painter. I am a photographer. I am at peace with nature. Journeys to wildlife refuges reinforces my love and serious concern for our beautiful earth, and I will spend the rest of my life documenting her in hopes everyone will work harder to save her. Thanks for reading, Lizi www.liziward.com

www.jiaziyin.com My work is based on my understanding of memory, time and space, and interpersonal relationships. The subject matter varies from human figures to abstractions. My figurative work explores the relationships and emotions in family life, while my abstractions focus on retrospection, analyzing my perception of the passage of time, and the transformation of space. I use color to express memories and emotions. As an immigrant, maps signify relocation and memory. I include abstract maps in a lot of my work so I won't get lost. My latest series "Lucid Dreams" investigates my shared experiences living abroad as an immigrant and the psychological experience of encountering two distinct cultures. I used the natural scenery of the United States and China as a vehicle to explore the intersection between two cultures and landscapes, and how we process these experiences as outsiders. The use of cyanotype as my medium is deliberate, as it represents the ephemeral and variable nature of life and memory. I strive to evoke empathetic responses from viewers, similar to the feelings that literature inspires—I can experience life experiences that I wouldn’t have, but at the same time examine my own life from an outsider’s perspective.

My journey as a painter is connected to my passion for storytelling and my commitment to honoring the rich tapestry of Black Southern culture. I strive to illuminate the beauty found in everyday experiences, celebrating the interactions that define our lives. I aim to capture the essence of our shared humanity while highlighting the uniqueness of personal narratives. Color and texture are integral to conveying mood and emotion. I employ a palette that reflects the vibrancy of Southern life, using bold colors to evoke a myriad of feelings. Textures play a crucial role as well, as I layer materials and techniques to create depth and movement, mirroring the complexity of our lives. Arbitrary and expressive elements allow me to transcend the literal, encouraging viewers to engage with the emotional landscape of each piece. These elements invite the viewer’s personal interpretation, fostering a dialogue that extends beyond the canvas. The beauty of the Black South is to be celebrated and shared. There are universal experiences of love, community, and resilience that resonate deeply. I believe that art has the power to connect us across divides, and I am both honored and excited to contribute to this ongoing dialogue through my work. Website: www.mmarshallarts.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/miasartstore/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/mia.marshallarts/

After over 40 years as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I transitioned into exploring creative outlets in retirement. During my career, I often integrated art into therapy sessions, using creative expression to support children's development. In retirement, I reconnected with my own artistic vision, focusing on oil painting. I've had the privilege of learning from esteemed mentors across the country through various classes and workshops. My work is influenced by American Impressionism, characterized by a joyful exploration of color and a deep connection to each subject. I'm excited to share my evolving work, hoping to inspire and connect with others through the vibrant world of color and shape. My husband and I have lived in the Tucker/Smokerise area for over 38 years, raising our four children in this wonderful community. My art studio is located at Urban Arts Collective- 5655 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, Georgia 30341 Website: [www.janeshawdeweyart.com](https://www.janeshawdeweyart.com) Email: janedshaw@gmail.com

Willie Bower is an epidemiologist with the CDC, but his true passion is wildlife photography. Wildlife photography combines two things he loves; being outdoors and the technical aspects of photography. He has lived in Tucker 25 years. This picture was taken on a trip to Colombia in Tayrona National Park. He used a Nikon Z-7ii mirrorless camera body. This picture was taken with a Nikon VR 70-200mm f/2.8. at 200mm 1/1000 sec f/8.0, ISO 1600.

Rosalien Payne, a portrait artist for 30 years enjoys painting with oil on canvas to create her beautiful images. Her favorite subject to paint are children from photographs submitted by proud parents. Rosalien is a juried member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta (PSA) for over 20 years. She has served on the PSA Executive Board as treasurer, vice president and secretary. She has entered her work in many juried exhibitions, winning the Merit Award at the South Cobb Arts Alliance exhibition. Rosalien’s paintings can be found in many homes across the United States as well Europe.

Growing up in WV, Teresa was painting by age 13. Wonderful mentors, private instruction and classes at the local college lead to commissions and by age 18 she had exhibited all across the state. After moving to Georgia her painting took a slight turn and she painted murals exclusively for several years. In more recent years she has turned her brush back to the canvas with new light and enthusiasm, including a new perspective on the world of nature, which can be seen in her favorite subject matter: birds, feathers, and nests. Becoming one with the paintbrush is her zen, and art helped her manage anxiety after her husband's bicycle accident over the summer. For the frequent doctor and hospital visits she tossed a sketchbook and her long neglected color pencils in her bag and channeled her worry and anxiety onto paper resulting in her latest series "Eyes on the World", which has been very well received. Teresa has participated in exhibits with The Atlanta Fine Arts League, Focus Gallery in Atlanta, Art Station in Stone Mountain Village, as well as in Louisville KY, Hilton Head SC, and Toronto ON, she also won the Congregational Favorite from St Mark's Art Festival in San Diego CA. She is a member of The Tucker Arts Alliance and has recently exhibited with them and is currently in The DEV Gallery in Decatur. When not wielding a brush or pencil, Teresa can be found working on illustrations for her children's book, in her over-grown garden in Snellville, or traveling with her patient and supportive husband, Bobby.

I am a 7th generation Tucker native, a 1972 graduate from THS. This photograph is of my Mother’s hands, Mom is a 6th generation Tucker native and a 1944 graduate of THS. Her hands represent the hands of all “The Greatest Generation”. Her hands are resting on the family Bible that is over 100 years old. The cutwork tablecloth underneath the Bible was handmade by my Great-Great Grandmother and is approximately the same age as the Bible. Mom’s hands show the hard work from the fields, housework, and aging. The Bible was significant to her, for she drew her strength from the words within. This photograph is dedicated to my Mom, 1926-2024.

Life in uniform tends to write itself. One day after another, like boots marching in parade. I took to art to disrupt that rhythm. Trapped in a sea of earth tones, I was looking for a way out, just to discover that my voice would carry more weight while embracing the nation's call. Through the lens of the military, I’ve learned the importance of relationships. The flag will fade but the stories will live. I take great responsibility in being a storyteller, and that’s what my art is, stories forged in color, and in eternity. www.corbanlundborg.com

Susanne Swing Thompson Our communities, our lives, nature, this world around us -- it’s all part of a greater story, woven together. As I look through my lens, it helps me to take a closer look, and to focus on the details, the beauty, the hardness, the intricacies, the play of light, the connectedness of everything. Simple moments become significant. The everyday becomes intriguing. The hidden becomes visible. It is from there that the deeper story unfolds for me, a visual narrative of the seemingly common-but-deep moments into which I’ve been drawn. The photography, note cards, books, blogs of Susanne Swing Thompson can be found at www.wren-photos.com. She sends a weekly nature email (free). To receive it, please fill in the form on the Contact/Subscribe page of the website.

Andes Finch is a 17 year-old Tucker resident who attends Paideia School. He enjoys photography and creating art with markers. More work can be seen at the Facebook page Art by Andes Finch.

I am a recovering attorney, having practiced law for almost 50 years, and having retired, find myself able to spend more time doing what I love: capturing moments in film and in paint. Since I was a child, I have loved to draw, and have always covered my notebooks and legal pads in doodles and lines. Faces fascinate me, as do birds, oceans, sunsets, animals, and landscapes. Digital cameras have provided me with a way to capture and remember that which is interesting and beautiful, and I want to keep learning how to take those perfect photographs and interpret those images in watercolor and in oil. I am a member of the Portrait Societies of Atlanta and America; the Tucker Arts Alliance; the Dunwoody Fine Arts Association and Women in Focus. I am Co-Founder and President of “Peter and Paul’s Place,” an organization formed to provide adults with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in the Arts.

Mosaic artist Laura Fleming McKellar is an Atlanta, GA native and resident. After majoring in art at Agnes Scott College, Laura was trained in graphic design at Portfolio Center in Atlanta and worked successfully as a graphic designer for 30 years. With a yearning to return to studio work, Laura began working in mosaics in 2016 and has reinvented her artistic career through mosaic arts. The love of texture, pattern, gathering materials, and translating them into beautiful design are her daily passions. She incorporates stained glass, tile, beads, broken plates and whatever else can be securely glued down into her unique creations. Her organic yand flowing florals in stained glass are complimented with painted grout backgrounds, her creative twist on the traditional mosaic style. Laura creates symphonies of beauty on her substrates and is energized by florals, nature and abstracts. Website: www.artworkarchive.com/profile/laura-mckellar

For the last 30 years I have specialized in painting in the style of the Dutch and Flemish Masters using traditional oil painting techniques to create luminous paintings. I develop a painting using photographs for reference and these are provided by the client or we schedule a photo session. In the same classic manner, I create landscapes and still-life compositions. My love for art began as a child in Greenville, South Carolina. I married and moved to Atlanta where I worked at Emory University until my children were born. Our first home was in Galilee Acres and then we moved to Smoke Rise. I was involved with Smoke Rise Elementary School and Tucker High School while my children attended and then I turned to my passion. I attended Dekalb College majoring in Art, advanced study of Life Figure Painting with Ouida Canaday and Joe Perrin, and finally studied with Jeanette Wingate and Linda Pollok. Inspired by the classical works of the Old Masters, I reproduced 12 religious paintings for exhibitions while leading Art classes at Rehoboth Baptist Church. We held annual exhibitions and I began to accept commissions from friends and family. Soon my clients included recording artist Kris Smith AKA Kriss Kross and Neil Shulman AKA Doc Hollywood. After the Atlanta Olympics, I published my first print of the two stadiums. During my career, I've continued learning by attending workshops and exhibitions. I'm a Juried Member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta and member of the Tucker Art Alliance. I enjoy local events in Tucker and family time. Making memories is my goal.

I’m inspired by messages from the divine, the human spirit’s delight in liberty, and the storied figures from my Celtic and Norse heritage. I am continually drawn to finding the breath and the emotion just beneath the surface of the human face. Though I often use myself as a model, these figures are not self-portraits any more than playing Lady Macbeth onstage is a self- portrait. I simply cast myself in stories left up to the viewer to complete. Each canvas, whether a portrait or an abstract, is an experiment in layering watercolor, line drawing, and collage; an improvisational play of balance and composition using a bold and joyful color pallet. I collage with magazine clippings, and painted papers. And I sometimes use clippings from boxes of love letters from my granddaddy to my grandmother sent in the ‘40s and ‘50s, infusing their love story into each piece. I hope these images inspire a sense of wonder.

This piece is a surrealist watercolor portrait of a woman in nature. It is based off of my struggles with mental health in the past, specifically, my struggle to cope with anxiety and depression. I included the butterflies because of my online research telling me that drawing butterflies on yourself helps improve your self image and avoid negative thoughts about oneself. I was also inspired to create this after I read about Frida Kahlo drawing butterflies on her casts after being in a bus accident at 18. I wanted to share this image in order to share my experience with others. Thank you for taking the time to read this and look at my image.

Growing up in WV, Teresa was painting by age 13. Wonderful mentors, private instruction and classes at the local college lead to commissions and by age 18 she had exhibited all across the state. After moving to Georgia her painting took a slight turn and she painted murals exclusively for several years. In more recent years she has turned her brush back to the canvas with new light and enthusiasm, including a new perspective on the world of nature, which can be seen in her favorite subject matter: birds, feathers, and nests. Becoming one with the paintbrush is her zen, and art helped her manage anxiety after her husband's bicycle accident over the summer. For the frequent doctor and hospital visits she tossed a sketchbook and her long neglected color pencils in her bag and channeled her worry and anxiety onto paper resulting in her latest series "Eyes on the World", which has been very well received. Teresa has participated in exhibits with The Atlanta Fine Arts League, Focus Gallery in Atlanta, Art Station in Stone Mountain Village, as well as in Louisville KY, Hilton Head SC, and Toronto ON, she also won the Congregational Favorite from St Mark's Art Festival in San Diego CA. She is a member of The Tucker Arts Alliance and has recently exhibited with them and is currently in The DEV Gallery in Decatur. When not wielding a brush or pencil, Teresa can be found working on illustrations for her children's book, in her over-grown garden in Snellville, or traveling with her patient and supportive husband, Bobby.

I’m inspired by everyday objects and images. I enjoy the process of deconstructing items and reimagining them into something new. I used an intuitive process while making this collage and the accompanying series of works. The pieces are slightly more delicate than my usual style, but still feature my signature use of colors, patterns, and textures. My name is Rose Ziemer and I create art by the pen name of RoZ. I’m a self-taught artist living in Georgia. Tucker was one of the first Georgia cities that I lived in, after relocating from the Midwest. I find that Tucker still has the same charm and appeal that it did when I lived here nearly 20 years ago. You can view more of my artwork online @redstar_rose

Mosaic artist Laura Fleming McKellar is an Atlanta, GA native and resident. After majoring in art at Agnes Scott College, Laura was trained in graphic design at Portfolio Center in Atlanta and worked successfully as a graphic designer for 30 years. With a yearning to return to studio work, Laura began working in mosaics in 2016 and has reinvented her artistic career through mosaic arts. The love of texture, pattern, gathering materials, and translating them into beautiful design are her daily passions. She incorporates stained glass, tile, beads, broken plates and whatever else can be securely glued down into her unique creations. Her organic yand flowing florals in stained glass are complimented with painted grout backgrounds, her creative twist on the traditional mosaic style. Laura creates symphonies of beauty on her substrates and is energized by florals, nature and abstracts. Website: www.artworkarchive.com/profile/laura-mckellar

As a pressed flower artist, I find beauty in the delicate intricacies of nature. Each bloom, with its unique colors and textures, tells a story of transformation. My work captures fleeting moments, preserving the ephemeral elegance of flowers through the art of pressing. Using sustainable practices, I sourced these flowers from my garden, honoring the natural cycles of life. I aim to create pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia and tranquility, inviting viewers to appreciate the small wonders often overlooked in our fast-paced lives. Through layering and composition, I blend botanical elements with contemporary design, turning each piece into a celebration of nature's artistry. You can find more of my work at sownandpressed.indiemade.com.

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by the austere beauty of the southwest. The Sandia Mountains east of my Albuquerque home were a constant and insistent presence. As a kid, I loved to draw those mountains as well as lizards and dragonflies and the hollyhocks that my mother grew. Decatur, Georgia has been my home now for over 30 years, and it’s here that I fell in love with painting. My typical subjects include animals, children, nature, emotions, and memories. I experiment a lot, and my style ranges from painterly realism to pure abstraction. I’m inspired by a wide variety of artists, movements, and styles. I am particularly inspired by the spontaneous, uninhibited artworks of very young children, which I marvel at daily as an elementary art teacher at Henderson Mill Elementary. I aspire toward that sort of authenticity in my own art.

Always curious about the how and why, I have worked in many different media throughout this career. I love glass mosaics, oil, watercolor, acrylic painting, pen and ink, and charcoal. A lifelong love for all animals inspires me to gear towards the endangered and I strive to capture their spirit and the incredible connection we have with all that is.

Mary Beth Bower loves photographing the journey. She enjoys discovering the colors and patterns in life. This photo was taken in a market in Pula, Croatia. She has lived in Tucker for 30 years and enjoys the arts programs offered by the Tucker Rec Center.

I am an artist whose works are inspired by nature, and all of the creation around me. When I look around, I love to appreciate the simple things in life, such as the clouds, the trees, the amazing animals and living things, and even analyzing the smallest of details on the ever-changing sunsets I get the privilege to witness before me. Growing up in Tucker, I had two amazing art teachers who helped me find my passion in art, and guided me to what I am now. They also helped me to use art as a medium to capture the things I admire around me, which in turn, become windows into my mind for others to admire the details in life and nature through the lens of my perspective. With my art, my goal is to inspire others to appreciate the little details in life, because it is a privilege for us to be able to witness such admirable things.

I make Mixed Media art on canvas. I started with a question: is there a way to take materials and processes that are not always considered fine art appropriate, and use them to make finished archival pieces? I experimented with different materials until I found a process that was archival and met my needs. I start each piece using an abstract expressionist approach of feeling out the material on the canvas. Next, I transition into making a representational piece based on photographic reference. I finalize each piece by adding a surreal or ornamental element to solidify the composition. The subjects in my pieces are people who have been marginalized in some way. As a queer and autistic person, I have experienced marginalization. The purposeful choice of materials and processes mirrors the experience of marginalized people. We are having to find ways to fit in, or be taken seriously, in a world that disregards us. I hope that when looking at my art, someone might consider seeing value in something they would otherwise disregard.

For the last 30 years I have specialized in painting in the style of the Dutch and Flemish Masters using traditional oil painting techniques to create luminous paintings. I develop a painting using photographs for reference and these are provided by the client or we schedule a photo session. In the same classic manner, I create landscapes and still-life compositions. My love for art began as a child in Greenville, South Carolina. I married and moved to Atlanta where I worked at Emory University until my children were born. Our first home was in Galilee Acres and then we moved to Smoke Rise. I was involved with Smoke Rise Elementary School and Tucker High School while my children attended and then I turned to my passion. I attended Dekalb College majoring in Art, advanced study of Life Figure Painting with Ouida Canaday and Joe Perrin, and finally studied with Jeanette Wingate and Linda Pollok. Inspired by the classical works of the Old Masters, I reproduced 12 religious paintings for exhibitions while leading Art classes at Rehoboth Baptist Church. We held annual exhibitions and I began to accept commissions from friends and family. Soon my clients included recording artist Kris Smith AKA Kriss Kross and Neil Shulman AKA Doc Hollywood. After the Atlanta Olympics, I published my first print of the two stadiums. During my career, I've continued learning by attending workshops and exhibitions. I'm a Juried Member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta and member of the Tucker Art Alliance. I enjoy local events in Tucker and family time. Making memories is my goal.

Whether painting, sculpture, or pottery, the underlying purpose of my art is to communicate that we are part of something larger than ourselves. I want us to wake up to the wonder that we are surrounded and shaped by the thumbprints of the Maker, holding us in love. Our imperfections and brokenness become opportunities for glory to glow through. Inspiration comes when I am fully present with curiosity and a soft heart. Keeping my sketchbook with me invites me to capture the small moments of life where deeper lessons speak. My work, as an artist, is to live fully alive to the subtle shimmers of divine whispers: metaphor encoded in the fiber of reality, natural processes unfolding through the seasons. My work is rooted in the natural world and incorporates the visual language of symbols from nature. Birds in flight speak of the spirit soaring, snails teach us their pace of patience. The natural world directly relates to the internal struggles and tensions we find in daily life. I feel called to create work that holds space for our humanity: beautiful, imperfect, woven with wonder, and held in love. Based in Tucker, Georgia www.janeboutwellstudio.com

My love affair with collage began in college, when I was introduced to Romare Bearden. Now I create unique, personalized mixed media collages. Over the years I’ve developed a love for nature photography because of the wonderful abstract designs you can discover. My love of gardening extends far beyond my own flower beds. I enjoy photographing garden scenes from my travels around the world. Nature has a beautiful way of removing our burdens. Through my artwork and photography, I aim to capture the ordinary in an abstract way. My work is created to inspire people through my portrayal of nature’s gift, and offer it as a form of healing for all. Nature shows us time and time again how beautiful rebirth and growth can be. Architecture has always intrigued me and I enjoy capturing photos of buildings and architectural sites from a different perspective. You’ll also find me organizing collage and vision board sessions. I often find people are so attached to what they believe their limitations to be. However by letting go of these, they can open themselves up to not only embrace the beauty of nature but also discover their own talents. For commissions, I use a creative and collaborative approach, as I want clients to feel as though they are an integral part of bringing their vision to life; this makes the process even more personal and touching. Website: PaintandPaperVisions.com