Gloria Affenit has been in love with art since early childhood, a love first expressed in a career in interior design. Seeking a more direct form or artistic expression she enrolled in a watercolor workshop. The experience became a springboard for developing her own style of painting.

"Watercolor and acrylics are my preferred medium. I often work collage into my pieces and frequently abstract my subject. Regardless of my medium or subject, design and color vibrancy are the most important parts of my paintings"

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Ruth Ilg, an award-winning artist, photographer, and tri-lingual poet, is a native of Germany. She resides and works in Asheville, North Carolina, and on Lake Constance, Germany. Ms. Ilg has studied with renowned artists in Europe and in the US, resulting in a continuing strong desire to work within a wide spectrum of techniques, styles, media, and themes. She is known for her delicate watercolor botanicals, brilliant acrylic abstract paintings, unique mixed-media work, miniature landscapes, vibrant geometric designs, luminous reverse glass paintings, and for her innovative encaustic work. Ms. Ilg is a frequently exhibited artist and photographer, and a widely published poet. She has won numerous awards for her creative work, which can be found in private and corporate collections around the world.

“Although the inspiration for my work comes from many different sources, I am especially drawn to nature, music, poetry, and the inner world of dreams and emotions. Through the exploration of color, form and texture--whether representational or abstract--I hope to create a visual dialogue between the image and the viewer, and thereby building a bridge for universal communication and understanding.”

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Reda Kay uses watercolor, liquid acrylic, ink, oil, and rough textured handmade papers to create her art. Memories of her worldwide journeys and the emotions evoked are evident in her mixed media and monotype prints, a unique print made by pressing damp paper against a painted or inked surface. A palette of warm colors, arches, shapes, and symbolism captures the essence of the Middle East, Egypt, and Italy.

She has exhibited in juried shows, won awards, and has had solo shows in Western North Carolina. Her artwork can be found in galleries as well as private collections throughout the USA and Egypt.

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Shirley Phillips, a retired business education teacher, is a petite lady who bubbles over with excitement while she describes her inspiration and technique of the pieces she has painted. "My method of painting is not static; it is always evolving. That's why you will find oil, watercolor, and pastel work throughout my exhibits. I choose the medium that best expresses my emotions about a subject." Some of Shirley's work is bold, abstract, while others are soft, and subtle. She says: "I can't wait to get up in the morning and start painting".

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