I visited Jeremy Long in his studio in the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University. Continue reading
painter
Trish McKinney – Teacher and Painter
I first visited Trish McKinney in 2014 when she opened a gallery/studio, Trish McKinney Studios, a retail gallery and open studio space on the 2nd floor of the Hotel Gallery in Tipp City. Continue reading
Matt Kish – Artistic Illustrator
I first met Matt Kish when he was being interviewed on The Art Show, a program on Dayton’s public television station. I was there to take behind-the-scenes photos, but Matt’s story was so interesting that I found myself listening instead of shooting.
Matt had been making art for years, with little commercial success or recognition. He finally decided he would quit making art, but only after completing one last project. Moby-Dick had always been important to Matt, and he decided to make it the linchpin of his final art project. He decided to make one drawing a day for 552 days, with each drawing inspired by one of the 552 pages in Moby-Dick.
Matt posted each drawing online. They began to attract viewers, then speaking engagements, then an agent, and finally a publisher. Far from being Matt’s final project, the Moby-Dick drawings seem like they might be a beginning to a successful art career. Continue reading
Terry Hitt – Philosopher Painter
Painter Terry Hitt works in Dayton’s most colorful building, the K12/TEJAS building at 341 South Jefferson Street. The first time I met Terry he told me how much he enjoyed working there because “it’s filled with so much good energy and artists of all ages to talk to.” Continue reading
Gabriela Pickett – Artist and Activist
When I told a friend I was visiting the studio of artist Gabriela Pickett, she told me I was in for a treat. “When I first saw it,” she said, “I wanted to bring a sleeping bag and just live there.” Continue reading
Jane Dippold – Artist
Jane Dippold divides her time between illustrating children’s books and creating collage paintings, often landscapes of the countryside near her home north of Dayton. Continue reading
Daniel Brown – painter
I first visited Daniel Brown because something he had said resonated with me. On his website I read that “finding a direction is one of the toughest things for an artist to do.”
Daniel’s direction is cars. For the last 11 years, he has been earning a living as a full time artist. All of his paintings include one or more cars. Continue reading
Mike Elsass – Abstract painting on rusted steel
Mike Elsass may be Dayton’s most colorful artist, and he works in what is definitely Dayton’s most colorful studio. Mike rents most of the top floor of one of the Front Street buildings. His space includes a beautiful gallery, several large production rooms, plus space that he rents out to other artists. Continue reading
Amy Kollar Anderson – Painter
Amy Kollar Anderson was one of the first artists I met as I was starting to submit my photos to art exhibitions. As Gallery Coordinator at Kettering’s Rosewood Gallery she networked with artists from around the country. She gave me valuable advice on the quality of my work and on where I should attempt to show it.
I took the above photo more than a year ago when Amy was ARTIST OF THE WEEK on my facebook page “Dayton at Work and Play.” Shortly after, she left her position at the Rosewood Gallery to become a full time artist. Continue reading
Mychaelyn Michalec – Painting in the Dark
An artist friend said I had to meet Mychaelyn Michalec, a painter who was creating fabulous work in her basement in the dark. My friend knew I would be intrigued and would want to arrange a photo shoot, which I did.
When I arrived, Mychaelyn offered me a cup of coffee and showed me some of the art she has collected, all by Dayton artists. Continue reading