CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS OF SGA
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IVAN CHOW
“My training as an architect has instilled in me a filter of precision and accuracy through which I view the built environment and with which my artistic side competes. My plein air sketches make up for their lack of accuracy with life and energy, while my studio drawings – mostly from photos – experience a gravitational pull back to architectural proclivities and its subsequent formality. I usually adopt an ink-and-watercolor approach to sketching: the fine-line inkwork allows my inner architect to do its thing, while the watercolor allows my inner artist to mess with the former. What I am exploring the interface of both these approaches to artistic expression. But it hasn’t been easy. In addition to a couple of decades of practicing as an architect, I have been in senior management in both the investment and academic worlds for over twenty years. Old habits of precision, efficacy and goal-orientation are hard to loosen and harder to redirect. Yet I am enjoying this late-stage vocational shift more than any previous career phase. Sketching seems to have funneled all my accrued abilities into a process and product that brings satisfaction to self (though not always), joy to others (though not always) and money into pocket. (definitely not always!)” "Sketching Savannah" is a collection of exquisite full-color ink-and-watercolor sketches featuring over a hundred places of interest and charm throughout downtown Savannah, Georgia. The sketches, organized in serendipitous constellations, are accompanied by reliably-sourced historic captions and neighborhood maps that draw the reader into the life and history of Savannah and its reputation as the Hostess City of the South. The sketches were made in a variety of settings, both en plein air and in studio and are connected by a unique fusion of both the historical and the contemporary that coexist in this historic and unique city. The author and artist is an architect by trade and particularly fascinated by the impact of the built environment on the communities that occupy it. 
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BETH KRAH
The biomorphic nature of Beth’s sculptures appears to have been formed deep beneath the ocean's surface. What may begin as a simple small vase becomes more beautiful and intriguing as the clay asserts itself beneath her fingers, often going through times of doubt and frustration as neither sculptor nor clay are sure where they are heading. Eventually, these unrestrained graceful lines reach beyond imagination as she relinquishes control and allows the clay the freedom to preside over the ultimate design. The fine edges of her pieces take hours to fine-tune with approximately 90 pinches per minute. Her larger sculptures have been pinched over 12,000 to 21,000 times. “Struggling with Tourette Syndrome has been a major factor when carrying these fragile sculptures to the kiln, praying to God they'll make it in one piece - no small feat for the large ones. This motor control disorder rarely allows me the luxury of being still and moving gracefully, so a sudden jerk or tic can turn a bone-dry sculpture into a cloud of dust in a heartbeat." bethannekrah@gmail.com bethannekrah.com IG: & Facebook: beth.anne.krah |
VALERIE DUMAS
Seeking to infuse a tropical style into her abstract art, Valerie draws inspiration from her Floridian roots, as well as her time spent living abroad near the beaches of Antigua, Philippines, Jamaica and the South of France. Island colors.. bright and bold are her signature look that can be incorporated into any room of the house. Valerie also paints with hot wax making encaustic monotypes of beautiful coastal landscapes and colorful mermaid faces.
Website: https://valeriedumas.ecwid.com/
Instagram : @vkdumasart
Seeking to infuse a tropical style into her abstract art, Valerie draws inspiration from her Floridian roots, as well as her time spent living abroad near the beaches of Antigua, Philippines, Jamaica and the South of France. Island colors.. bright and bold are her signature look that can be incorporated into any room of the house. Valerie also paints with hot wax making encaustic monotypes of beautiful coastal landscapes and colorful mermaid faces.
Website: https://valeriedumas.ecwid.com/
Instagram : @vkdumasart
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RICKY FOSTER
Ricky is originally from Wichita, Kansas where he recently retired from the aircraft industry. He began his venture into the art world by studying sketching and painting at the Wichita Center for the Arts for five years. He recently moved to Savannah to be closer to his family. He has been oil painting for sixteen years and has won many awards both regionally and nationally. He describes his style as semi-impressionistic boardering on realism; therefore, seeing himself as a traditional artist. His main inspiration is from his own reference photos to set the composition. His main objective through the act of painting allows his thoughts, along with his emotions and the colors to converge from within to create an original one-of-a-kind piece of art. Ultimately, the result will emotionally and conceptually also move others from within. e-mail rcfoster588@yahoo.com https://rickyfoster.weebly.com/ 
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COURTNEY TROWMAN
Courtney Trowman’s whimsical mixed media collage was born out of an inherent need for expression, a passion for art, yet the inability to draw. She became inspired to discover her own style after seeing a Robert Rauschenberg exhibit. Her love and eye for photography came much more easily, and also from her father. Trowman, aka CC Bella, came specifically to her collage art in her 20s, self-taught by curiosity, play and experimentation while living as a professional dancer in Los Angeles. Much of her work consists of found materials and upcycled / recycled items due to a combination of her tendency to pick up odd bits and pieces off the street along with a strong desire to reduce her carbon footprint. Courtney sometimes incorporates epoxy resin in both her collage work and her photography, giving the pieces more complex multidimensional layers. She began showing her work in 2018 and has been on display at Sulfur Studios, RootsUp Gallery, Corkhouse Gallery, Cedar House Gallery, the JEA, Coffee.Deli, and Locally Made Savannah. Her creative career also includes being a published poet, a professional dance theatre performer and Assistant Director for Zion Dance Company, all of which have influenced her art. “My style of collage does not follow the traditional definition of the technique, and yet it comes close to describing my particular brand of layering various materials and techniques into one piece. Most of my pieces feature at least 50% of found, upcycled and or recycled materials. In the last decade especially, I developed a stronger desire to do as much as possible to reduce my carbon footprint. I love rescuing items, that would otherwise go to the landfill and giving them a second life in artwork. Whether it’s for a collage or photography piece, I exclusively find the items that become my canvases and/or frames second hand.. Even most of my paint comes from Starlandia Supply here in Savannah. “This not only fulfills a very practical and necessary purpose for our planet, but I find that these random items give new meaning and bring a special kind of energy to my work. I’ve also seen that the unexpected and whimsical quality of my work speaks to a softer layer within people, something that is so needed in a harsh world.” Contact Info: Facebook: CC Bella Collage @ccbellacollage Instagram: @cc.bella_collage Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ccbella |
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CATHLEEN CAMPBELL
Cathleen Campbell was born in Colorado but grew up in West Virginia where she decided at 5 she would be an artist. She majored in Fine Arts at West Virginia University and was responsible for the Read- Aloud West Virginia and the A for Arts which incorporated art into the curriculum the schools. She has studied in both France and Italy, and has won several awards including 3 first place, 2 second and 3 honorable mentions from the Savannah Arts Association. Last year she had a one women show that was titled “From the Mountains to the Ocean, my Journey in Art “ at the Taylor Arts Council in West Virginia. Tybee Island has been her home for the last 12 years and she is influenced by her surroundings . You can see her work at the Savannah Gallery of Art and the Tybee Cottage Art Gallery. Instagram: @tybeeartist Facebook @lovellshackstudios 
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CORA ENNIS MORRIS
Making art has always been an innate desire for Cora throughout her life as much as her connection to nature and exploring the world. Over the years, she has worked in various mediums as seen in her portfolio. After painting with acrylics for many years, Cora was in search of another medium to develop a new style. This occurred in 2012 while attending an opening for the encaustic artist Martin Kline. That night the seeds were planted as she was immediately drawn to the texture, translucency, and light that can only be achieved with the encaustic medium. Encaustic is the fusing of bees wax and damar resin that has been in use since Ancient times. After seeing the exhibit she registered for a workshop offered at the New Britain Museum of American Art to learn the process and was completely captivated. Her vision developed over time as she worked with the medium to incorporate encaustic with photography, painting, and printmaking. While not a classically trained photographer, over the years Cora has subconsciously embraced photography in her travels across the globe; as a way to capture her experiences. Cora best describes her style as modern/traditional that quietly takes the viewer into a time and place experienced by the artist with each piece created. Since moving to Savannah with her husband in 2017 from Connecticut, she is finding endless inspiration among the live oaks and beautiful coastline. Cora has lived on the East coast her entire life. The ocean naturally creates a sense of peace for Cora, and a responsibility to raise awareness for preservation through her artwork. Cora has a BFA in Painting & Printmaking from Central Connecticut State University. Over the years she’s had numerous one-woman shows and has participated in juried exhibits, and group shows. Cora’s work can be found in the homes of private collectors in Georgia and California. She is currently being represented by the Grand Bohemian Gallery Plant Riverside in Savannah, Georgia as well as a contributing artists in the Savannah Gallery of Art. website: coraennismorris.com Instagram: @coraennismorris |
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LOGAN ARTISAN
Logan Artisan is a fine artist based in Savannah Georgia and is most well known for her renderings of the beautiful city, though she loves painting women, flowers, and nature landscapes as well. As a child she drew constantly carrying her sketchbook everywhere. She was raised in North Carolina and studied classical music earning a degree in vocal performance, while also taking classes in painting at Wingate University. After graduation she made Savannah her new home and studied graduate illustration at SCAD. The journey was not all smooth sailing. Years of undiagnosed Lyme disease lead to pain and neurological problems. Some got better some did not. From this she feels she’s grown as a person and believes, “We all hurt at times, but there is so much beauty in the world and so much to be grateful for.” Her art has always been about capturing moments of beauty. She finds little moments of beauty everywhere and tries to remember or take photos that inspire her work. Living right outside Savannah now with her husband, two dogs, a cat, 8 chickens, 1 duck, and a garden, Logan finds herself more inspired by nature than ever. Those beautiful moments when the sun is shining through the gaps of an old tree, or in the city capturing a sunset lighting the Spanish moss ablaze with hints of orange and pink. She says about her art, “I want my pieces to not only capture life like a photo but to be almost moving. I want the viewer to feel as though they can feel the breeze.” Logan uses thicker paint close up, so subjects bounce out from the piece. She adds strange angles and blurry spots to show how something would be perceived by the human eye. She, above all, wants to make whatever corner of the world she is in more beautiful. Instagram: @loganartisanart |
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KATHARINE TAYLOR (aka Katharine Nace so some paintings will be signed that way)
www.thecolorgallerie.com IG @katharine.taylor.watercolors "Although a lifetime Virginia artist, I've traveled to Europe many times and much of my work reflects scenes from Old World countries. Now having just moved to Savannah, I've found a whole new locale for my inspiration to paint. My watercolors are described as representational and carry a variety of subject matter." "I am drawn to the architectural elements of old buildings and find them more interesting as they weather with age…. cracked and patched plaster, moldy green stones and splintered wood tell the story of the structure especially through the doorways. Alongside these are my waterscapes and boat scenes, mostly of a calm and serene nature. Above all, I want the viewer to be pleasantly reminded of a place they’ve been before, a sort of déjà vu experience." 
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SARAH SNYDACKER @sarah_snydacker
“I love the wild, natural places in the Lowcountry, and daily you can find me swimming in the ocean or paddle boarding on the creeks with my camera. I constantly explore the hidden nooks and crannies of the barrier islands around Charleston, and I am inspired by the light and colors of the islands. I try to capture these places in my photographs and hope to bring awareness to the Lowcountry’s natural beauty in order to help protect it for future generations.” Sarah, a resident of Johns Island, is a self-taught photographer. She grew up in the Midwest and vacationed in Charleston with her family for many summers. She earned several degrees in music, including a MFA in vocal performance and a PhD in vocal performance and literature. She has taught voice and piano lessons for 20 years and is a freelance performer. As a young girl she dreamed of living on Johns Island, and four years ago she made her dream reality. Although teaching music continues to be her full time job and passion, photography has quickly become another passion. Her photographs can be seen at SGA as well as at the Charleston Artist Guild in downtown Charleston. She has won several regional awards for her photographs. She is happy to work on commissions. 
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Kristen Medford / Kristen Medford Photography
www.KristenMedfordPhotography.com @Kristen_Medford_Photography "As a travel/documentary photographer I am able to use photography as a means to a deeper, richer connection with people and places that I encounter along my journey. I enjoy processing unfamiliar places through my lens- allowing me to observe fleeting moments and smaller details that might otherwise be overlooked. My travels have, of course, taken me to several unfamiliar places, but have also helped to awaken a profound sense within. I am a travel/documentary photographer based in Savannah, GA. Originally from New Jersey, I came down to Savanah to earn my BFA in photography and ceramics from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Photography has always been my main form of expression and creative outlet. Outside of traveling, I love living in Savannah with my husband, Chris, and our three pups, Luna, Olive and Gordie, and our cat, Seabass. In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, surfing, reading and DIY rehab projects around the house." |
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Mona's first connection with art was sparked by her father at the very early age of four. She has a bold and vivid memory of him teaching her how to sketch a simple line drawing of a face profile. From that point on her love of art and creating took off. In her teen years She took private painting lessons from Jimmy Duffy, a renowned Savannah artist. A few years later, The University of South Florida exposed Mona to many genres of art. Among other classes she was enrolled in, she discovered how applying various glazes to her pottery produced magical transformations of brilliant colors after being fired.
Living in London, England, then back to Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, trips to Florida, as well as extensive ventures through Europe, Ireland, Scotland, and many tropical Islands as a young adult, furthered her understanding of the world of artistic ideas. Mona was fortunate to meet her husband, a brilliant, self-taught artist, in his own right, and they eventually settled in their original hometown of Savannah, where they raised their four daughters. Together they share their art studio in their home. Mona often used her creativity to make backdrops and other decor for their children's dance concerts at the Savannah Arts Academy. At that time in her life, she was also inspired to paint impressionist ballet dancers and florals. In 2020, Covid emerged, which helped to change her direction in art and in life. She discovered the world of online art courses. Among others, the courses given by Nicholas Wilton have become the cornerstone of her development and passion for abstract painting. During the past two years, Mona has devoted most of her painting time to focus primarily on acrylic and mixed media abstract paintings. Her process consists of building layer upon layers of thick and thin applications of paint only, as well as collages and different mediums sometimes sanding, scraping, or manipulating the various mediums that have expanded her freedom of expression. “I never have an idea as to what I plan to paint. I choose colors for the first layer then let it unfold from that point. Thin and thick acrylic paint is applied, at times collage, along with several mediums. I sometimes sand, and then scrub the painting to let the history show through. The composition often combines abstraction and expressionism, compelling the observer to personally engage in an emotional dialogue with themselves. My ideas come from life experiences that consist of what I read, nature, a conversation, places I've traveled to, and more. Exploring abstract, abstract expressionism, and multimedia painting has led me to a connection to my confidence as an artist. I feel a sense of newfound courage as I expose my love of abstract, bold, colorful, layered paintings to the viewing public. To me art is an expression of our truest self and a very personal visual poem. |
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We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and potter, George Little. Even though he is no longer with us, we are proud to still have some of his incredible works on display and for sale in our gallery. We are also pleased to announce that all proceeds from the purchase of George's works will be going directly to Mrs. Little. We are honored to be able to do this small thing to honor his memory and legacy.
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