WELCOME TO WEST EDGE MURAL FEST
Join us in The Plaza on Saturday, July 15 from 11:00am to 2:00pm to enjoy our new collection of large-scale murals. Created by incredible Muralists including @woes, @dream.weavin, @annacharneyart, @everydayresearch and more. Meet the artists and explore West Edge while enjoying face painting, henna, and live music.
Pop into The Plaza all week (July 10-14) to watch these works of art come to life across 4,000 square feet of walls at West Edge.
Art in Session is a non-profit organization providing resources for creatives. Art in Session has teamed up with West Edge to provide a unique opportunity to local artists and the community through a celebration of large-scale art.
Pop into The Plaza all week (July 10-14) to watch these works of art come to life across 4,000 square feet of walls at West Edge.
Art in Session is a non-profit organization providing resources for creatives. Art in Session has teamed up with West Edge to provide a unique opportunity to local artists and the community through a celebration of large-scale art.
Although my art and creative expression take form in a variety of different mediums, painting and public speaking have become the primary focus of my work. Whether I am using words or paint, my intention is to illustrate my perception of the connection between the energy we project through our thoughts, words, and feelings, and the physical realities we experience. Each painting is a new opportunity to bring this message to life, and I invite the universe to guide me in the content and delivery. It is through my personal example and artistic expression that I intend to inspire others to claim the power of their focus and engage in the powerful practice of deliberate creation.
Links to Viral Videos:
Pool Mural on Facebook
Ocean Ceiling Mural
Allison Wonderland Mural on Facebook
Links to Viral Videos:
Pool Mural on Facebook
Ocean Ceiling Mural
Allison Wonderland Mural on Facebook
ALLISON BAMCAT
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Allison Bamcat is a color-obsessed painter living in Los Angeles. Through her use of texture, expression, and vivid color, she seeks to invoke feelings of nostalgia, magic, intensity, and gravity. The creatures, props and plants in her paintings serve as guides on her personal journey. Bamcat works in Acryla gouache for her fine art painting and also creates large-scale murals throughout the US.
Charney is a painter and muralist of abstract pattern works. She received her BFA in painting/drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been living and working back in her hometown of Denver, Colorado since 2016. Her practice includes works on canvas,installation pieces, and indoor/outdoor murals on any scale (both in the private and public sector). Charney has exhibited in galleries and painted murals in Colorado, California, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, Alaska, Utah, Texas and internationally in France and Costa Rica.
Statement: Through the use of graphic patterning, dense detail and expansive compositions, I create a sensational and retinal experience for the viewer of my paintings. I am interested in optical art and systems of illusions. Each painting consists of many flowing and bending forms, which are primarily made up of enlarged halftone dot patterns. I reference printmaking in my use of these patterns, which help to create the illusion of a printed image on a micro scale. By enlarging these patterns and using the dots as shapes themselves, I am layering multiple illusions within each painting. Along with these literal illusions, I integrate other forms of visual perception to delve the viewer into an imagined depth and space. I use line and repetitive shapes to create speed and manipulate the eye of the viewer, hoping that the dynamic arrangements of detail and corresponding visual rhythms will create an immersive experience. Using acrylic on canvas and aerosol on murals, I’ve taken to describing my illusionistic and bending forms as “digital taffy”.
Statement: Through the use of graphic patterning, dense detail and expansive compositions, I create a sensational and retinal experience for the viewer of my paintings. I am interested in optical art and systems of illusions. Each painting consists of many flowing and bending forms, which are primarily made up of enlarged halftone dot patterns. I reference printmaking in my use of these patterns, which help to create the illusion of a printed image on a micro scale. By enlarging these patterns and using the dots as shapes themselves, I am layering multiple illusions within each painting. Along with these literal illusions, I integrate other forms of visual perception to delve the viewer into an imagined depth and space. I use line and repetitive shapes to create speed and manipulate the eye of the viewer, hoping that the dynamic arrangements of detail and corresponding visual rhythms will create an immersive experience. Using acrylic on canvas and aerosol on murals, I’ve taken to describing my illusionistic and bending forms as “digital taffy”.
DEITY
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Website
- Self-taught painter and Muralist Deity was born in Hollywood, Ca. She is best known for her soft, ethereal female characters and portraits. She is inspired by nature, folklore and traditional culture. Deity started painting the streets in 2008 and has created murals in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Japan and India. She uses a combination of paintbrush and aerosol as her mediums. She now travels around the world painting large scale murals and helping organize community projects for the youth. Currently living in Ontario, California, Deity plans to keep collaborating with other international artists to help inspire the next generation of female artists.
DJ NEFF
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DJ Neff, a Florida native, primarily creates works of art with the medium of spray paint. He has been creating murals since high school and has an immense affinity for graffiti art, culture and style. His CANLOVE work seeks to discover the beauty within the discarded, the forgotten, and the left behind. His love of working with recycled spray cans translates into a bold use of dynamic color, attention to craft, and joyful symbolism. Ever since he cut his first can open, that spark would ignite an undying love for spray paint to which has led his artistic way over the last 20 years. His work in both the fine art and commercial spaces, including brand partnerships and mural projects, has allowed this versatile artist to explore his craft and continue to discover beauty in all types of environments.
Dreamweaver is a street artist and muralist based in Tampa Bay, FLwith a combined background in fine art, live painting, street art and art in public spaces. Characterized by natural forms, vivid patterns, and striking color combinations; her ever-evolving style integrates expressive abstract and realism to capture the beauty of life through light & color.
Efren Rebugio, Jr is originally from Florida, was raised in Hawai’i, and has been working as an artist and muralist in Austin for nearly a decade. ER also travels the U.S. and overseas to paint live at music and mural festivals. His versatile style is a mix of vibrant colors, fanciful elements and composition that gives his work a feeling of movement. ER’s intentions with his work is to tell a story of self-empowerment and inject positivity into the hearts and minds of the community.
LINDSAY SOCHAR
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Lindsay Sochar is a Los Angeles based sign painter, muralist and designer. With a love of retro advertisements and vintage textiles, the signs and artwork made in the studio are colorful and whimsical and loaded with pattern.
MELANIE POSNER
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Melanie Posner is a fine artist and muralist located in San Diego, California. She is known for painting photo-realistic women and incorporating entire spectrums of the rainbow. Originally from Pennsylvania, she grew up using art to tap into her happy place, unleashing a pure form of expression. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Tampa, her work has been featured in numerous galleries, art exhibits, and scaling along building walls throughout the United States. From canvas to brick, Melanie is best known for her striking murals. She has painted murals and logos for various clients, including Walt Disney World, hotels, breweries, and restaurants.
NICO (NICOLE HOLDERBAUM)
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Nicole Holderbaum aka "Nico" is a Florida-based visual artist, muralist, creative director, designer, and community organizer. Nico trained in art schools and programs growing up, eventually leaving home to further develop her career in Jacksonville as a muralist and street artist. She has painted murals around the world, and has been commissioned by & collaborated with globally-recognized brands and businesses, including Red Bull, Empire Records, Atlantic Records, Jack Daniels, the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), Swisher Sweets, PNC Bank, among many others. Nico has also participated in popular mural and music festivals, including Governor's Ball and Wide Open Walls. Nico has an established track record as a community leader and youth empowerment enthusiast. She has been awarded extensively for her community activism, recognized in Jacksonville as a "Community Champion" and "Art Innovator'. She has curated and produced art & music events, as well as creating a community program called the Kid's Mural Project, guiding thousands of students across Florida in designing and painting murals. She is also a leading member of Few & Far Women, a global all-female crew of street artists, who have organized mural productions from Mexico to India and aim for women empowerment and inspiration through the arts. Nico is now currently based in Miami, where she looks forward to growing in a thriving arts community.
RICKY WATTS
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Richard "Ricky" Watts is a Northern California based visual artist known for intricately layered murals depicting vibrant color and movement. A forever-student of the arts, Watts' D.I.Y. curiosity and relentless hustle allows for an almost seamless shift between aerosol paint, acrylics and digital work. His extensive client list includes major works for Google, Louis Vuitton and the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. When not painting, he tends to a small farm with his partner and four-year-old twins. More of Ricky's work can be found at watts.art
SHANE GRAMMER
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Shane Grammer has worked steadily as an artist and designer since 1996. While much of his body of work centers around street style murals and art installations, he has also worked in conceptual design, fabrication, and installation for major theme parks and various attractions. Shane has been a participant or major collaborator in a variety of other creative ventures and has worked for many high profile clients including: Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, Legoland, The Bellagio in Las Vegas, and Dylan's Candy Bar in New York. Shane is currently signed with The Walt Disney Company, and his artwork can be found in Disney park galleries around the world. His other body of work can also be found nationally and internationally. Shane is also the founder of Hope Through Art Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings awareness to a variety of impactful causes through art.
Austin “Slim” Gee is a full time mural artist based in St. Petersburg, FL. Slim is proficient in graphic design, acrylic painting, and illustration. Over the past 8 years, Slim has discovered his passion for large scale public art installations. He aims to stimulate positive thought, action, and reaction through visual expression with his creations.
SWARTZ BROTHERS
(DAVID AND JON)
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Swartz Brothers Art is the work or Colorado based artists Jon and David Swartz. They work with acrylic, watercolor, oil, and aerosol to create energetic, colorful, and surreal imagery. Heavily inspired by the human experience and nature their work portrays emotional narratives with a dash of humor.
WOES (AARON MARTIN)
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“Painting these pandas with an aggravated and angry expression has given me a new lease on my style for the past 20 years. Once I figured out a way to see the world painting these creatures, I wanted to leave them everywhere I went. I’m fortunate I was able to fuel my inner youth into my adulthood and be able to use my gifts to live a special life. My art gifted me lessons, it gave me a glimpse into cultures and created a network that expands across our planetarium. I’ve always been a harbinger of styles gathering some of the freshest creatives together just to see what happens, it usually lead me to the illest team up’s ever created. It only made me a better artist and person. As a painter, I entered this lifestyle after a near-fatal car accident. In the end, it was a blessing.”Los Angeles based muralist/painter, Born in Hawaii, raised in California and later in Vegas- Aaron ‘Woes’ Martin has been honing his skills of painting his signature pandas all over the world for the past twenty years. Aaron blended his craft with digital graphics, music, art, photography, video, and puppetry builder, bridging all his creative passions together, Aaron’s evolution into painting came from humble beginnings in Hawaii after a short stint in Seattle, Washington where it propelled him to tell his story through the stroke of a paintbrush or with an aerosol can. It allowed Aaron to introduce elements to this union and extend the range of his talent even further. He challenges the boundaries and continues to create through different mediums in sound, color and fabric.
Art in Session; Resources for Creatives was established in 2020 by artist and entrepreneur, Ania Amador. Our library consists of over 50 hours of workshops covering topics such as art business, financial accounting, skill shares and more.
Art in Session Inc; Resources for Creatives is committed to providing accessible education and opportunities to artists around the world. Additionally, we serve as a platform for established creators to share their knowledge and experiences with others who aspire to become professionals in their field. Through our expansive online library, workshops, retreats, and large scale art installations at festivals and events, we are able to provide creators the tools and hands on experience they need to thrive.
One of our goals is to continue to expand our online library through proper funding for teachers and mentors. This funding will also provide scholarships to all creatives that want to benefit from what we have to offer. In addition to producing more workshops, our goal is to provide hands-on experience to artists through art installations at festivals and events, and at educational retreats.
Art in Session Inc; Resources for Creatives is committed to providing accessible education and opportunities to artists around the world. Additionally, we serve as a platform for established creators to share their knowledge and experiences with others who aspire to become professionals in their field. Through our expansive online library, workshops, retreats, and large scale art installations at festivals and events, we are able to provide creators the tools and hands on experience they need to thrive.
One of our goals is to continue to expand our online library through proper funding for teachers and mentors. This funding will also provide scholarships to all creatives that want to benefit from what we have to offer. In addition to producing more workshops, our goal is to provide hands-on experience to artists through art installations at festivals and events, and at educational retreats.