Artistic Encounters is an on-going series of segments focusing on the fine arts of our region.

A native of upstate New York David-Charles started painting in kindergarten. A shared love of music and art took him through High School with multiple art awards and winning an organ scholarship to Alderson Broaddus University where he graduated with multiple painting and music awards. David-Charles has served two churches in forty two years as a full time organist choirmaster. Painting throughout his career as a passionate avocation led him to Provincetown, Massachusetts where he studied impressionism with the world famous Ilona-Royce Smithkin for twenty years. In his retirement David-Charles has painted almost full time. His love for fruits and vegetables creates an atmosphere where the observer is invited to walk behind the curve of the vegetables and fruits.  His painting reflects the colors and designs of Monet.

Since Ruth’s retirement from elementary education, she has been exploring her lifelong interest in art. As an active member of the art community through the Blacksburg Regional Art Association, she has received awards in regional juried shows including the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild. She is a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society. No matter the style or subject, it is evident she finds joy in the beauty around her and in expressing life experiences through her art. She is a member of The New Leaf Gallery in Floyd, VA. Her work is on display at several locations throughout the New River Valley. 

David was born in Pulaski County and has always lived in the Fairlawn area on the family farm. He attended county schools and New River Community College. Staying in the area kept him very engaged in my community. He had painted for many years but stopped in the late 70s. Around 2014 he became enamored with photography. His photography and encouragement from wonderful friends inspired him to pick up a paintbrush and start watercolors again. Also being an avid perennial gardener gave him plenty of subject matter to photograph and paint. His style varies from abstract to whimsical and everything in between. David’s art is like a journey - trying new techniques with different art supplies, meeting other artists for inspiration and encouragement, and using his photographs for subject matter. He’s always ready for a new piece of watercolor paper waiting for his brushstroke to make it his.

Growing  up in Shanghai, Z. L. Feng painted and experimented with different mediums, including pastel, oil, and egg tempera, before choosing his favorite, watercolor. He finds inspiration for his lovely landscapes in the countryside of the New River Valley. Those familiar with Feng's art are also captivated by his portraits of  the people of Tibet, Native Americans of New Mexico, Southern farmers, and others. Feng's artwork can be found in numerous private and corporate collections, including Walt Disney, the U.S. Gulfstream Aerospace Center, and Orlando International Airport as well as the permanent collections of the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri, and the Radford University Art Museum. His work is also in private and corporate collections in Singapore and China.

Sienna Turecamo is a luxury wedding and editorial photographer specializing in medium format film. She currently lives in Roanoke and is based on the East Coast of the United States and Europe. Her career began while studying at the University of Virginia where, according to Sienna, “I discovered the power a photograph had to make a difference in the world through its ability to illustrate beauty of a subject and tell their story.”  Throughout her career as a wedding and editorial photographer she has photographed many influential figures such as Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television as well as individuals from the Baltimore Ravens. Additionally, her work has been published in many distinguished magazines, such as BRIDES, Engaged, MiddleburgLife, and most recently Business Insider. Sienna was named an inspiring female entrepreneur as well as a top photographer by Virginia Bride Magazine. 

Beth Rodgers loves everything whimsical, mysterious and fantastical in art, and often looks for ways to incorporate these elements into her work. She started painting over seven years ago after retiring from non-profit community program development and management. Her sister who is an artist, introduced her to acrylic painting and showed her the basics. She enjoys the versatility of this medium and over the years has learned increasingly more about color and composition, distinct shapes, and negative and positive spaces. She usually paints from reference photos, most frequently taken herself, when she is drawn to unusual compositions or subjects. She brings her own interpretation, style and color to her paintings, looking for what isn’t there but could be. She hopes that the enjoyment she experiences in painting is conveyed through her paintings.

The artist P. Buckley Moss was asked how long it takes for her to paint a picture.  "My whole life," she said.  For Pat, it is this lifelong passion and belief that is expressed in her work, giving us a collection of art that is filled with a lifetime of experiences:  from her Irish-Italian heritage to her urban art school education, the laughter of her children, and the simplicity of birds flying south for the winter.  As a young mother Pat moved her family south and increasingly found inspiration in the imagery of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, becoming captivated by the life and culture of the Amish and Mennonite people of the area.  She embraced the local landscapes, lifestyles, and traditions and felt that the life and culture she was part of held an important message for modern society:  live simply and enjoy every moment!

Paulina Swietliczko is a perceptual painter inspired by everyday life and her favorite medium is oil. According to Swietliczko, ”Recently, I have been painting outside, finding places and scenes around my town and surroundings; sometimes I paint architecture and some other times a landscape, vegetable garden, objects in my house or my friends and family members. Whatever I paint, I try to find my own way of depicting the world. In my painting process, I like the feeling of wonder and being lost, finding some kind of order in the chaos. Painting for me is a constant search and an adventure, each time I paint, I discover something new.” 

If you find yourself strolling down Roanoke’s Crystal Spring Avenue you might just find  Rudy Saunders creating one of his signature birdhouses while whistling with the neighborhood birds. He’s a friend to all and embodies the creative spirit of this vibrant city. His talents are not limited to providing whimsical safe havens for our feathered friends but he also carves walking sticks, paints, and plays the African drums.  His imagination finds beauty in repurposed pieces of wood, furniture, etc. and turns it into functional art. 

Retired Naval Aviator, Captain Rich Davis bought his first DSLR about 12 years ago. After fumbling about for a year shooting on automatic, a couple of professional photographer friends taught him how to shoot in manual mode. He then fell in love with the craft and dabbled with infrared for about 6 years or so when a friend gave him an old, converted camera. He’s been doing more infrared photography since a few years before he retired, but it is now the main focus (pun intended) of his photography.

Originally from Deva, Transylvania, Cornelia has now lived in France for thirty-three years.  The female form is her favorite theme and her chosen technique is composite (inks, oils, pastels, acrylics, collages, ceramics and mosaics). The Roanoke Saint-Lo Sister City group brought her to the Star City first and now she returns frequently to her home away from home spreading her artistic abilities and enthusiasm for fostering a shared love of the arts between cultures.  

Born and raised in the Mediterranean French town of Marseille, Pierrette was captivated by the unique, wonderful light that has attracted artists for centuries. Most of her paintings are reminiscent of the South of France and are filled with color and energy.

On this episode, Madison Madden visits Lindor Arts where she talks with Impressionist Artist Greg Osterhaus.

LinDor Arts | Facebook

osterhausart.com

On this episode of ARTISTIC ENCOUNTERS, Madison Madden visits with abstract artist, Maggie Perrin-Key.   MaggiePerrinKey.com

Roanoke artist, Julie Hamilton calls herself a good energy artist. On this episode of ARTISTIC ENCOUNTERS, Madison Madden uncovers why there’s more to Julie’s art work than meets the eye. More info at juliehamiltonart.com and emilymangusinteriors.com.

In this premiere episode of Artistic Encounters, Madison Madden visits with Salem artist, Kyra Hinton. Kyra is a Chemical Ink Artist, a term, and an art form, she created thanks to a happy accident.