Meet the Artists

Mari's Desert View Paintings

CAVE CREEK, AZ

Fab Photography

Cave Creek, AZ

Charles Santora Photography

Austin, TX

My name is Charles Santora and I’m an Austin, TX based fine art photographer. I was born in Philadelphia and spent my formative years in New Jersey, nestled between Philadelphia and New York City. Living in close proximity to these two metro areas inspired my appreciation for the glamour and challenges of city life. With my photography I endeavor to capture the relationship between man and structure; the coexistence with architecture and infrastructure that city life necessitates. It’s this human experience that gives energy and purpose to my work.   My work could be summed up as an artistic view of man’s achievements combined with the human experience. It’s the human element that reveals the soul of a city and is integral to the stories within my photographs.  I love finding stories that lurk in every neglected or grimy street and I’m constantly striving to bring my unique vision of the world and its many layers to life in my photographs. What may seem like a mundane human moment or commonplace scene to others, I see as inspiring with a world of promise and opportunity to create a beautiful print. The impressive architecture and infrastructure of each metropolis sets the background for my scenes and plays a key role in the story of each of my prints. It’s man's architectural triumphs that force us to navigate our lives using streets and alleys, and it's here where the fabric of life against the backdrop of brick and mortar provides texture, emotion and stories for my photography.    My projects have taken me to the streets of London, Paris, Egypt, New York City, China and many US cities. I’ve exhibited my work in numerous galleries in California. I was a featured artist on ARTnCRAFTtv. I’ve also done extensive work for the US-China Cultural Association where I’ve been commissioned by China to photograph the City of Wuhan using my unique point of view and signature processing style. My photographs have been featured in the China Arts Festival, displayed in numerous galleries in China and exhibited in the San Francisco Public Library.     My creative process starts with a lot of time and an extreme amount of patience in the field where I hunt for those fleeting and unique moments and where I can apply my 4 golden rules - location, composition, light and the human element. My digital post-processing technique includes digitally developing these unique moments in time into black and white prints that are rich in detail and texture so the viewer feels they are part of the scene. I also create photos in vibrant color when the color lends itself to the story of the image. My work is produced on large aluminum substrate and archival paper.        ";s:16:"support_btn_name

Beauty in My Eyes LLC/Photography

OH, 44128

Byron Neslen Photography LLC

Phoenix, AZ

Faughn Photography

AZ

The Nature Gallery

Bloomington, IN

The art of photography has little to do with technology: cameras, lenses, film type or megapixels.  Rather, how we see and use our ‘tools’.  For me, how I select elements to be included in my compositions and understand how weather and lighting influence colors and shadows in rendering of the image How long have I been photographing?  Good question!  Since the 4th grade.  Did I take courses?  Nope.  Self-taught.  Hopefully that shows to be a good thing! Most my images are recorded using medium and large format film cameras.  Most recently my macrophotography is done with digital capture.  Again, not about the technology; rather - the vision.   I do nearly all production of my work.  I have a 44” large format 12-color printer and cold-mount roller lamination system.  I cut mats on a Wizard computerized mat-cutting system and cut/join molding for frames.  For canvas, I do my own coating & stretching on keyed stretcher bars out of Ontario, Canada.  The only work I out-source is mounting my photos to Dibond aluminum.  That is done locally by a studio here in Bloomington, Indiana. If you are at all uncertain what size will best fit your space, let's do a virtual fitting.  On my website you will see a gallery of just virtual fittings (16 examples I believe).  It is an elegant process to fit the images in your space in different sizes and if you wish, different presentations (e.g., framed, canvas, triptychs).  Contact me and we will do it! ";s:16:"support_btn_name"

Patrice Meyerdirk

Gilbert, AZ

You know that classic “I hate art!” story? The one where a kid straight-up hates art. Mine starts in childhood, with a young me dodging crayons like they were live grenades. Drawing? Boring. Painting? Absolutely not. I was busy loving to cook—rolling out dough like it owed me money, perfecting recipes and fattening anyone who would eat what I baked. My teenage years? Absolutely not an artist, hah. My working years at a nearby school kept the checkbook full and I thought I’d settled in. Then one day—yeah, a total whim—the metal shop scene lit up. I learned to rally around the welding table and grinding bench, turning metal sheets into sculptures. I think my title was officially collaborator. I jumped in, helped design and build what we called art. Customers loved ’em, the lifestyle was wild (outdoor craft markets, road trips, and finally we graduated to art festivals). That electric buzz when someone walked away with a conversation piece. But here’s the new version: I didn’t love the shop work. It was great supporting—turning raw metal into art—and I loved the customers, the “show setup”, and the sales. Then, a quiet realization that my real love was hiding somewhere else… maybe in a studio instead of a shop. So I did the only logical thing: on a whim, I grabbed a couple brushes, a stack of canvases, and a mountain of acrylic paint. Painted like a kid who’d just discovered fire. And suddenly? It was fun. My old art teacher had drilled into me as a kid—“Focus your energy elsewhere, young artist!”—and when I finally ignored that “you’re no artist” vibe and picked up those brushes, boom. It was like someone finally turned the number up on something I actually loved. "The outlet was right there, and it felt kind of fun." Now? I’m out here turning that “maybe I could be an artist” giggle into actual paintings that somehow mix the chaotic energy of a metal shop with the cozy chaos of the easel, or the kitchen table. It’s like the best of both worlds decided to go on a road trip and drag me along for the ride.

Greenfield's Fine Art

Goodyear, AZ

Dugout Creek Designs

Harris, IA

Kim Seyesnem Obrzut

Peoria, AZ

Connie Baker Art

Neligh, NE

Fusion of Iron & Earth

Brighton, MI

Kelly O’Neill was born and raised in Michigan and currently resides in Brighton, Michigan. Kelly O’Neill was a marketing professional with General Motors for 34 years.   Kelly has been a professional artist since 2018 with a focus on metal sculpture.  With the recent retirement from her marketing career, Kelly has had  time to exhale and allow more introspection and thoughtfulness in her artistic creations with attention to construction and care in production.  O’Neill works with Metal, Clay and Glass - Her metal work sculptures are from recycled steel and are finished with Powder Coating, Paint or natural patina.  Her Ceramics use both wheel thrown and hand –built techniques, fired with custom glazes. Her art is the Fusion of Iron and Earth.  Each piece is unique and symbiotically created. Kelly is also inspired by helping young artists with their careers.   She started as a volunteer with Mint Artists Guild assisting with brand development, social media marketing and Mint Masterpieces Fund raiser.  She was asked to join the board in 2019.  In addition to leading the marketing, Kelly has taken on additional projects including Strategic Planning for 2021 -2022,  produced virtual art fairs (to replace actual art fairs canceled due to Covid19) mentoring marketing interns,  and launching an alumni program. Learn more about the artist in this short introduction video [embed]https://youtu.be/HlFvgEBAwI8[/embed]";s:16:"support_btn_nam

Thomas Photo Arts

Meyerdirk Art

Harris, IA

A passion for metalworking gradually grew into a business centered around original design, craftsmanship, and the evolving world of art festivals. What began with a handful of handmade pieces and local events slowly developed into a full-time operation built through years of experimentation, customer interaction, and continual reinvention. In the beginning, the product line focused on practical and decorative metal pieces that appealed to a broad range of customers. Early work included garden décor, yard art, and functional wall pieces, all designed and fabricated by hand. As more shows were added to the schedule, the business quickly became a testing ground for new ideas, allowing designs to evolve directly through customer response and real-world sales experience. With each season, the artwork became more refined and more distinctive. Collections expanded beyond simple decorative pieces into larger contemporary wall sculptures and statement-driven home décor. The business also became more focused on originality and artistic identity rather than simply producing what was expected at traditional craft shows. That evolution gradually attracted a different customer base — homeowners, collectors, and buyers looking for bold, handcrafted metal artwork with a more modern aesthetic. As the company continued to grow, both the scale and professionalism of the operation expanded alongside it. Show schedules increased, travel routes became more ambitious, and the business adapted to serve multiple markets throughout the year. A growing reputation within the art festival world created opportunities to introduce new collections across a wider geographic region. The decision to begin exhibiting in Arizona, Utah and Nevada during the winter season marked another important step in the company’s growth. The Southwest market responded strongly to the newer contemporary designs, helping establish a year-round business model with summers based in Iowa and winters based in Arizona. Over time, the business transformed from a small regional operation into an established art festival brand recognized for handcrafted metal wall art, evolving contemporary design, and a long-standing commitment to creating original work that continues to change and grow with each new season.

All Crafts Plus, LLC

Phoenix, AZ

Completely Nuts

Arlington Heights, IL

Completely Nuts, Inc. is a gourmet nut company specializing in cinnamon roasted almonds, cashews, pecans, and peanuts.  Our product is roasted in small batches producing a tantalizing cinnamon aroma in the general vicinity of where they are being processed. Phil and his wife Chris opened Completely Nuts, Inc. in 1991 and began exhibiting at events and fairs in the Midwest.  In 1992 they opened a location in the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fair and have loved being a part of the fair ever since.  In 1995 they opened at Navy Pier, Chicago’s largest tourist’s attraction, and have been an integral part of the Pier year round, having 2 locations there during the warm weather. We at Completely Nuts, Inc. take pride in our product.  Our employees are dedicated to roasting a high quality product and if you see us at an event we will happily and professionally serve you.";s:16:"

Glass Cliff Studios

Desert Barrel Designs

Albrea

Cedar City, UT

For mother-daughter Laurie Hansen and Rachelle Albrecht, their artistic abilities and life experiences in their nurturing professions as a nurse midwife and as an educator, led them to focus not only on blankets of beauty, but on comfort and how they make you feel. Using the theory of trapping air for warmth, they create a stretchy rich textural dimension, so that their handmade creations will actually “hug you" when using them. ";

Paul Hopman Scratchboard Animal Art

Casa Grande, AZ

David Harding Wildlife Art

SD

Metal Memories, LTD

Fort Collins, CO

Icha Cantero Handmade Jewelry

ALPHARETTA, GA

A stay at home mom with a touch of inspiration and creativity. Hi, I’m Icha Cantero, a stay at home mom to boy and girl twins. I’ve always liked arts and crafts and have been making jewelry for more than 15 years now. I’m from Honduras, but I am currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. I started playing with polymer clay and I just fell in love with it. I hope you’ll find my wearable art beautiful. I know you can find something just perfect for you. I hand make, hand mold, bake, design and hand assemble every piece I sell. Every piece is unique, just like you. Every item is made with love and inspired by nature. Icha Cantero. Wearable art, because you deserve it.";s:16:"