FOUNDING ARTISTS OF SGA
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JOE SHIELDS
Since beginning his career in the early 1980’s, Joseph Shields has established a reputation as one of the most noteworthy fine art photographers currently working in the American South. His images have been selected for important exhibits at cultural centers throughout the region including the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia, the Mobile Museum of Art in Mobile, Alabama and the Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, Louisiana. His work is in the Permanent Collections of the Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville, Alabama and the Lamar Dodd Art Center of LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. Shields has also gained recognition internationally, with his photographs honored in two World Gala Photography Exhibitions in Madrid, Spain and included in Experimentelle 16, a prestigious fine art invitational held in Markdorf and Marburg, Germany. Shields is represented by Getty Images of Seattle, Washington and Arcangel Images of Malaga, Spain. 912.631.0616 focus@josephshieldsphotography.com |
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JAMES MRAVEC
"Currently, my creative work has been focused on narrative illustration, nature conservation and expressive painting. I come from an illustration and design background which is heavy on representational art that is influenced by a narrative. I have personally been exploring the application of paint into a more expressive form. My paintings have been striving for a balance between the brush strokes and the realism of the subject. I have been searching for strokes of paint that can add emotion to the narrative of the image. The images should be structurally concise but have an emotive quality from the paint. I am looking for a poetry of visuals to aid in the communication of the story. I have been interested in animals and wildlife conservation since I was young. I have recently started a series of paintings which are titled the Hand of Man. In these paintings, I am exploring the effects of humans and the presence of man on animals in the wild. This includes thoughts on how the environment of the animals can be changed and affected for good or bad. I am trying to get the viewer to think about the inter-connectivity of nature and humans and how this can change the animals and how this could also indirectly affect people. I want the viewers of this art to think about what man has done to the habits of animals and how this could inadvertently affect us. The images from this series all include some visual clue to the Hand of Man without necessarily showing any one person. I hope that these personal paintings can be used in some format to help with natural conservation efforts." James Mravec is a full-time professor at SCAD teaching in the Illustration department. He is new to the Savannah area and is looking forward to exploring nature in Georgia and being inspired for new artwork. www.JamesMravec.com IG: @jimmravec |
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GARY COVELL
"I started out drawing what I saw around me in everyday life. When I began to read, I liked action/adventure, war and science fiction stories. I collected comic books and illustrated my own short stories. I’m mostly self-taught. Family members gave me large rolls of paper on which I drew out stories. As a child, I was hospitalized with a weak lung. A kind Doctor drew my portrait and that experience motivated me to later draw portraits. After a tour of duty in the US Navy I settled in Savannah with its rich artistic history. In the mid 90’s while working in an unrelated field, I sold my first piece of art. It was a pencil portrait drawing done while I sat on a sidewalk of Riverstreet. I’ve drawn portraits at the city market in Charleston S.C., and on the beach in Waikiki in Hawaii. Some of the art events I’ve participated in are the Arts on The River, festivals in Savannah, the annual Sunshine Art Festivals on St. Simon’s Island and other art events around Savannah, Tybee Island, Richmond Hill and Bluffton, S.C. I was a member of the Savannah Art Association and joined their co-op, the Gallery on Chippewa Square. When this gallery closed, I became one of the 8 founding members of the Savannah Gallery of Art in September of 2021. I draw what I see. For example, portraits, landscapes, man-made landmarks, still life's and nature are done mostly with pastel, graphite, or watercolor. I've begun experimenting with acrylic abstract painting recently and I enjoy the feeling of balance or sometimes an imbalance, with color, composition, mediums, and tools. My abstracts relate to my previous work in that I first develop an idea in my mind's eye. I begin the process by drawing a rough outline and then adding paint and materials to my plan. Sometimes I don’t even have a goal as I start an abstract. I just let the mediums tell their own story. I let them flow and swirl from the container, brush, or tool and in no form or direction. I throw, pull, scrape, mix and push colors and items until the object conveys its own truth. Experiencing and studying life on its own terms including language, music, art, history, philosophy, and nature continue to inspire my creativity. I also enjoy learning guitar and singing." GCovellFineArt@gmail.com http://www.instagram.com/GaryCovellFineArt |
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PAT LAMAR
Pat Lamar was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has always been active in community and music; a family heritage. She began her painting career in the 1980’s by accepting an invitation from a close friend to try a class. Her love of Art and the endless possibilities became a lifelong passion. After taking a few classes and much practice, Art became an integral part of her life; eventually teaching classes in Oil and Acrylic painting; then opening her own Studio and Store. She hosted many fine Artists from all over the Country for Seminars. Illness over the next few years forced her to take a sabbatical. Eventually returning to an active life after a Transplant, she has continued her passion in Watercolors. Her interests are unlimited. It has been said that her work is very diversified..from Still Life to Impressionism, including subjects from Nature and all of life’s gifts! Now exhibiting in Savannah and other areas, presently at the Savanna Gallery of Art. She has won awards from the Savannah Art Association and Artist of the Month at the Landings Art Association, Her Fine Art and numbered prints are available through Facebook, Instagram, and her Website: patriciarlamarart.com, at the SGA Gallery, or by contact at patricialamar93@aol.com / 770-335-4927 Member of: American Watercolor Society Southern Watercolor Society Watercolor Society of Indiana Georgia Watercolor Society Art League of Hilton Head Society of Decorative Painters |
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WILLIAM "ROY" YARGER
Roy started woodworking at an early age under the watchful eye of his father, Royden, an accomplished woodworker in his own right. Roy continued woodworking as a hobby during his career with IBM that took him from Dearborn, MI; Poughkeepsie, NY; Boca Raton, FL, and finally to the Atlanta area in 1984. He retired after 30 years with IBM and worked a few more years for an IBM reseller in Roswell, GA as Director of Technical Services. He retired and relocated to Brunswick, Georgia in 2006 where he opened Woodfall Studio to create his one of a kind pieces. Roy moved to Savannah in 2015 and has continued his artistic endeavors. His father gave him his Sears Craftsman wood lathe and after he turned his first piece in 1994, he was hooked. Roy has focused his woodworking almost exclusively on woodturning and the lathe since that date. Roy has attended Arrowmont arts & crafts school, and studied under Kip Christensen and Michael Mocho. His work has been greatly influenced by master woodturners Dale Nish and Rudy Osolnik. He is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the LowCountry Turners and founder of the Golden Isles Woodworkers. He has been a featured demonstrator at numerous Woodturning clubs in the Southeast through the years. Awards: He has received numerous awards for his work through the years. Publications: Woodturning Design Issue #1, 2004, Woodturning Design Issue #6, 2005, Woodturning Design Issue #14, 2007. Sunshine Artist, Art Show reporter from 2002 thru 2012. STATEMENT: "I have worked with wood most of my life. I started at a very young age assisting my father, Royden, on his many woodworking projects. I have always found wood and woodworking a relaxing, enjoyable hobby. Like everything in nature, each piece of wood has its own character. Each piece is much like every other piece in the species, but each is also very different. Much like every one of us. I have found few things in life more enjoyable and satisfying than seeing that personality emerge from each piece of wood and doing my best to bring out its beauty and character. I try to save and preserve what Mother Nature has created. Most of the wood I use comes from trees that have been felled due to disease, storms or development and destined to be hauled to a landfill. Woodturning is one of the ways that we, as individuals, can preserve a little of a tree that once lived and stood proud. I try to give each piece of wood a new life." |
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JIME WIMMER / Prettylines
Putting aside paint, Jime has pursued 'drawing' full time, because that is where her passion began. Making marks, getting lost in line work. For Jime, that is where she is happiest, making "Prettylines". "I've always lived and loved to move delicate, flowing lines across paper.As a daydreamer and a doodler...it is the organic nature of line that moves me. Curious lines, scratchy lines, implied lines, delicate lines and "pretty lines".I work to make the confusing, clearer. I love both the simplicity and the complexity that the power of line holds. I feel my own emotional energy flowing through my fingers with both conscious and subconscious connections to my work.” After teaching HS students for ten years, Jime went onto pursue a career at the college level and has been an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently a full time Professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design since 2018. She holds her MFA from Hartford University in CT. Jime is not quite done with art yet. Having self published, art directed, and selling in galleries, Jime is now enjoying joining forces with her husband Mike with Wimmer's Woods: drawing what our heart desires to draw. "We both fell in love with art as children based on stories of lore, enchanting tales, and magical quests. We fell in love with nature as inspiration. Wimmer's Woods brings those together." You can also find her on Instagram @wimmerswoods |
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WAYNE CHAMBERS
Wayne has been painting for 59years! Born and raised in Virginia, he painted cityscapes and skyline views of Richmond, where he became the Retail Merchants Resident Artist for 15 years. Many of Wayne's paintings hang in their Boardrooms and Galleries. In the year 2000 while vacationing in Savannah for three weeks, Wayne delighted in painting many of the iconic Historic Homes. including the famous Mercer House (from the book and movie "The Garden of Good and Evil"). Being recognized as a local talented treasure, he was soon commissioned to design and paint the "Tour of Homes" program covers for 12 years. Wayne studied art at the New York Arts Students League and at Virginia Commonwealth University. Having a passion for teaching, he has taught at the Georgian Continuing Education Program, as well as privately. Wayne's Watercolors include the Low Country marshes, tropical beaches and birds, city garden squares, and Savannah penthouse views. "Everywhere I look, I see a painting!" Facebook: Wayne Chambers Gallery |
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CATHY SIZER
I am a self-taught jewelry artist with a special interest in Vintage and Antique findings such as lace, lace appliques, pearls, brooches and rhinestones in all shapes and sizes. For the past 15 years I often combine these elements with modern components for a new upcycled look. All my earrings, necklaces and bracelets are always one-of-a-kind. The modern components that are often hand-made include semi-precious stones, lampworked beads, Raku pottery beads, modern pearls and porcelain beads. In addition, I wire-wrap buttons both modern and vintage to convert them into rings. In addition, I work with fiber using merino wool and silk to create one-of-a-kind hand, wet-felted scarves, journal covers and even jewelry. I welcome the challenge of creating custom work in both mediums. In the past I have been represented by the Gallery on Chippewa Square, the Signature Gallery and now the newly formed Savannah Gallery of Art. I have held board positions for the Landings Art Association and the Savannah Art Association and participate in local venues which include Christmas Made in the South and the Honey Horn Show on Hilton Head Island. Contact email : c.sizer@gmail.com |
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MOLLY CUSICK
If you've been in the gallery, you've seen the stunning photography of Molly Cusick. Her pieces capture the splendor of nature from unconventional vantage points. Printed on metal, they take on a similar brilliance and depth to what we see in real life, possibly even more. For the past few years Molly has been working on her project "The Tree Pilgrimage", a photographic journey that has grown into one of "connection and awakening". Her work started with the California Redwoods and has taken her all the way to New Zealand. "I followed a calling from deep within my heart to be with and photograph the amazing Trees around the world while I still had the chance. Particular Trees started to send me images of themselves in my dreams or as I awoke from dreamtime and I would then go, like on a treasure hunt, to find them!" Now you can be a part of her Tree Pilgrimage and maybe even start one of your own. Molly has partnered with the Patreon platform, offering a subscription that takes you closer within her adventure and guides you through yours with meditations and tree imagery. You can listen to her story here: www.thetreepilgrimage.com/about This is a 15 minute recording in her own voice that is fascinating. Then take a look at what she if offering - becoming a member of the "Tree Tribe" with your very own Tree immersion: www.thetreepilgrimage.com/embark And, if you haven't already, don't forget to follow her on Instagram and Facebook. mollycusickphotography.com molly@thetreepilgrimage.com IG @mollycusickphotography @thetreepilgrimage @abstractmollycusickphoto |
