Artists

Miles Vankeersbilck is a fine artist working in painting. A local artist to Hawthorne, Miles is proud to share their Unique vision at The Artist Tree.

Cassidy Barnes is an actor and visual artist hailing from Portland, Oregon. Mostly self-taught; he possesses minimal formal training, having only taken a few college-level art classes during high school. Despite his intense dedication to acting, art has always been a constant presence in his life, allowing him to explore photography, painting, sculpture, and collage. He describes his creations as often humorous and somewhat kitschy, blending elements of glam, pop, grunge, and wit. While some works may carry profound messages, they are always characterized by vibrant colors and a playful use of glitter. In his studio, Cassidy embraces and celebrates daydreaming, allowing his ideas to flow organically without a strict plan. Each piece he creates evolves naturally, reflecting his instincts and the essence of living art.

Brett Caplinger is a native Californian artist based in Southern Orange County. Although classically trained, his vision and inspiration have always come from his own influences through life and music. Caplinger paints original works of art utilizing blues music legends, landscapes, and animal characters in amusing situations. He has exhibited in group exhibitions as an award-winning artist throughout California, also his art can be found in private collections. He was also featured in “Art Business News” Art Expo New York – “Meet the Artist”.

The mediums I choose to work with are oils, acrylics, and pastels. Brett Caplinger is a true American artistic and musical hero. His blues music even inspires him to paint while he is playing the blues which he has done to the delight of his fans at the OC Fair. Do not be surprised if he breaks into a solo musical performance and a solo artistic performance all at the same time.
His “Blues Harmonica” can be heard frequently in venues throughout southern California.

“My art is a representation of my love for classic American Blues music, life and animals. I utilize composition, light, and color in capturing another era and time and discovering the meaning behind the music, the hardships, and emotions. Being a Blues Harmonica “Harp” musician for 40 years has truly been the inspiration behind my artwork.”

Jakob Jimenez is a Fresno and San Francisco-based Photographer. He uses the camera to explore and respond to what he sees in the world. Primarily working in Black and White to focus on the contrast and the grit of reality. Jimenez is an upcoming artist who started his studies at Clovis Community College and is currently continuing his undergraduate program in Photography at California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

Long story short, life has been an adventure. A roller coaster at times. I’m just thankful to still be a part of this wild world we live in. I am a recovering alcoholic who just celebrated eight years of sobriety. When I first quit drinking I had some trouble getting out of my head. ART SAVED MY LIFE. It has taught me how to deal with life in a positive way. What I produce is a product of my experiences, my emotions, my thoughts, my heart. Sometimes it’s messy, sometimes it’s beautiful, sometimes it’s both. No matter the outcome, it’s the journey for me. The process, the work, the breakthrough. It allows me to get out whatever it is that needs to go. To move forward rather than standing still, paralyzed by fear. My art is my soul on canvas. My freedom.

Mr. James is a Los Angeles-based multimedia artist and cosmic raconteur. His vivid stories emerge from unanswered childhood questions which he transforms through painting, video, felt, and fashion into primary color-soaked, mytho-psychological pop fairy tales. Mr. James’ focus on character as brand draws inspiration from pop and folk culture, as well as his time spent working in fashion and apparel in NYC. He considers his work a celebration of life in transformation. His art can be seen at MrJamesWorkshop.com

Tyler Mishá is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist known for her vibrant signature style. With a flair for bright colors and bold shapes, she creates art that i vivid and full of life. Her dynamic approach to art shines through in the unique personality of each piece.

American artist Nestor Toro (b. 1976) is a professional, independent abstract painter. His internationally collected abstract art can be found in private collections across five continents and over 30 countries. The value of Nestor’s art has doubled in the past year, making him one of the most sought-after contemporary abstract expressionist artists.

His love of nature fuels his unique, expressive, gestural painting style, often compared to Pollock’s technique of painting with the canvas on the studio floor. Nestor’s bold color palette, featuring unexpected choices that organically combine, creates an emotional connection with viewers, often evoking memories.

Nestor’s desire to experience the world has been the most significant influence on both his life and art. Always drawn to travel, he wanted to explore the vastness of the world and experience the adventures he knew existed beyond the small tropical island he called home. At 18, he left the island to attend college on the mainland, pursuing his love of travel. His education and work in the travel industry allowed him to visit over 20 countries, exposing him to diverse cultures and granting him a global perspective that most people do not have.

He has lived in Miami and Los Angeles and has spent extended periods living outside of the United States. This includes a year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and most recently, six years (2006–2012) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was during his time in Buenos Aires that his creative inspiration was fully ignited. He was fueled by the vibrant and rich culture juxtaposed with the extremes of wealth, manic chaos, and abject poverty, which coexist side by side. In this unique environment, his first paintings were created and evolved.

Hirotaka Suzuki is a Japanese artist living in Southern California. In his hand brushed painting, he focuses on transforming issues into surreal expressions to emphasize reality. In other words, he intentionally hides his ideas inside puzzles and expects viewers to discover them in his artwork. These representations derive from everyday occurrences, historical events, and imaginary stories. He both enjoys and suffers during the creative process.

Werner Luft’s talent emerged early in his childhood and developed further as a young man while studying art in Stockholm and Amsterdam. He first studied under the Hungarian artist, Endré Fenyö and later, he thrived in Paris in the late 1940s at the renowned Atelier Lhote, under the guidance of André Lhote, a prominent figure in modern cubism who called him the “little Renoir” for his exceptional color harmony and composition. After immigrating to the United States, Luft’s style evolved, his palette became richer and more vibrant, and he moved from portraits and landscapes to abstracts, still lifes, and nudes. His works show a progression from dark, earthen tones and cubist influences to a unique style characterized by bright pastels, pure chroma, and bold color contrasts.

Ron Braveman has been a Los Angeles-based artist for about 25 years.

After studying fine art at the University of Hartford’s Art School, he lived in New York City and Los Angeles, continuing to hone his skills by taking classes at Pratt Institute, the School of Visual Arts, Otis College of Art and Design, Art Center College of Design, and other schools.

He primarily works with watercolor, acrylics, pens, pencils, and gouache on paper and canvas. After being commissioned multiple times in 2018 to create original maps of specific places, he discovered that streets, architecture, and various repeating patterns provide endless inspiration.

Once a work begins, it is an intuitive process for him. He pursues a theme until it resembles his mood, most often painting in a peaceful and calm, meditative state. There is no recipe that is replicated from one work to the next; every piece is unique. He manipulates each work until it seems to breathe on its own.

James Gibson is an artist based in Laguna Hills, California, known for his captivating exploration of the abstract through vibrant forms and colors brought to life with skillful brush strokes using oil paints. James’ unique pieces are a must-have addition to any art collection and can be admired in all their glory at The Artist Tree gallery situated in Laguna Hills.

Charlotte Krashinski is a Los Angeles Artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, capturing the essence of spirituality and inner peace through her beautiful creations. Her paintings, which often feature subjects such as Buddha; monks and portraits, serve as a form of meditation for both the artist and the viewer. Charlotte’s art reflects her deep appreciation for the world around her.

Through her journey of self discovery and enlightenment she is able to share her unique and inspiring artistic vision with the world. Art is the imperfections of each piece that gives it charisma, joy, emotion.

Deborah Hobbs is a lifelong, passionate, California based artist now in Los Alamos,CA. She is an experienced craftsperson with over 35 years of experience in creating stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces. Her main areas of expertise revolve around oil painting, jewelry making, basket weaving, as well as furniture.

Chris is a California-based fine artist and printmaker with murals, paintings on canvas, and relief prints displayed publicly and in galleries. His desert upbringing has inspired him to build a body of work based on the use of bold palettes of brilliant colors to give his pieces deep contrasts, movement, and depth.

Through the use of these colors and contrasts, he aims to interrogate assumptions of dualities. Juxtaposing the built and natural worlds, overlapping the past with the present, and inverting the role of shadows and light aim to invoke reflection on one’s relationship to nature and to folkloric mythologies.
A Californian artist of Mexican descent, Chris draws great inspiration from Mexican folkloric traditions depicting hummingbirds, native plants, and cultural traditions as a means to link modern day imagery to the past.

Karen Eccleston is very much inspired by the old masters, Van Gogh, Manet, and also Georgia O’Keefe.

Growing up in Southern California and visiting Hawaii, Karen enjoys painting Coastal landscapes, tropical Florals, and Ocean Scenery. She works primarily with acrylic and oil. Karen has sold many pieces to physicians and hospitals, and also private clients.

Influenced by her favorite artists and teachers: Picasso, Bonnard, Schiele, De Kooning, and Joseph Blaustein, David Valentine, Susan C. Price focuses on changing and turning objects, figures into complex color fields. She approaches each painting with what she calls “creative destruction”, trying new things until she’s satisfied.

Ziva Barrett strives to explore the enigmatic and mysterious realms of the subconscious mind . As a surrealist artist, she is fascinated by the uncanny, the dreamlike, and the inexplicable aspects of human existence. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of sources, including literature, mythology, psychology, and personal experiences, she constructs visual narratives that evoke a sense of intrigue, inviting viewers to interpret and engage with their own subconscious landscapes.

While her work is deeply rooted in the tradition of surrealism, she also draw inspiration from contemporary issues and social dynamics. By addressing themes of identity, power dynamics, and the complexities of the human condition, she aims to provoke a dialogue that transcends the confines of the visual realm. Through her art, she seeks to engage viewers in a thought-provoking journey, encouraging them to reflect upon their own experiences and beliefs.

Michael Hartstein is inspired by the movement of nature into our everyday lives. His paintings reflect some aspects of nature. Michael paints in an impressionistic style, using bold colors and textures to bring excitement and passion to my paintings. His goal while painting is to stimulate awareness of how nature enriches our lives.

Simone’s paintings are an invitation to step into a world where spontaneity, intuition, and daring exploration reign supreme. With each stroke, color, and revealed layer, she shares a unique glimpse into a kinetic artistic journey that captivates the viewer’s imagination.

Nora was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina (1962) and studied fine arts throughout secondary school and university.

She obtained a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Visual Arts, in 2002 she relocated to California, where she now resides permanently and makes a living as a muralist, painter and ceramicist.

Her paintings depict her memories of Argentina, its music, people and architecture, using her love of color with a loose, painterly style using the palette knife.

Marie has always been an artist at heart, captivated by the world of colors and shapes. During her High School years in Quebec City, Canada, she found ways to indulge her passion for painting. Attending the Sylvia Araya Painting Academy at night, she honed her skills and learned to see beyond mere aesthetics. It was her pursuit of a career that took her away from her beloved hometown. Marie set her sights on Toronto, Canada and enrolled at George Brown College and graduated with a Goldsmith degree. After a career in the Jewelry industry spanning from Toronto to Boston to Southern California, she resurrected her paint brushes and poured her talent, time and energy into her artwork. It was then that metal became a crucial element in her creative expression, evident through her skillful use of gold or copper leafing and the incorporation of metal objects in mixed media creations.Today, Marie is a respected member of the esteemed Quorum Gallery in the artistic haven of Laguna Beach, California. She actively participates in prestigious juried art shows, showcasing her extraordinary talent to discerning audiences at events like the Beverly Hills Art Show, La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, Art Walk Liberty Station, and many more.

Marie’s journey as an artist is a testament to her unwavering passion and dedication. As she continues to pursue her artistic endeavors, she creates a rich tapestry of visual delight that captivates and inspires all who encounter her work.

A born and raised Bay Area artist, David Layton’s paintings revolve around the technological, the present, and the personal. Though he focuses on commonplace subjects, his works seek out their inherent dynamism through composition. The use of cropping, saturated colors, skewed angles, and a personal perspective combine together, emphasizing these fleeting moments.

Digital photography is integral to his painting practice. After taking hundreds of pictures, he narrows them down to a select few. These are images that both distill the essential elements of his subjects and reframe it for the viewer. The works are a translation of the digital image, imbued with my experiences of the spaces through paint.

Californian artist Alexi is an advocate of Impressionism with a modern twist. Alexi paints with passion and heart bright and colorful florals, landscapes, and abstracts.

Jay Castillo, a local Riverside artist, creates artwork that is as fun to make as they are fun to look at. His work lets you wander across a multitude of textures and unexepected elements, all harmonious in their larger composition. With most of his inspiration from western mythologies and psychedelic culture, Jay creates delightfully messy yet constrained artwork that teaches through play.

Austin Lubetkin is a software engineer with autism. He has a background originally in painting, and his introduction to art was through the lens of art therapy. Austin has always seen color and emotion as one with his synesthesia and has brought that unique vision into his work through his color palette, which has become his signature. He brings his own artistic touch to his work with AI that separates him from his peers working in the AI space. He frequently works with a type of AI that can transfer the style of one piece to another. In this case, Austin transfers the style of his own paintings to the new digital pieces he creates.
LGBTQ+ & Autistic Artist

Janelle “Lulu” Lassalle is an artist, writer, actress, model, recipe developer and idea machine based in Los Angeles, CA. She delights in producing colorful, whimsical work inspired by psychedelics, outer space and mother nature.
Ally Artist

Kevin L. McCants (1966 – Current) African American Painter, Teacher, Musician. Kevin’s artistic practice began at an early age when he started drawing at six years old. Following his childhood in Ohio, he studied fashion illustration and commercial art at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Johannes Vermeer, Alan Beeton, Man Ray, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne and Thomas Gainsborough are a few historic artists who have used mannequins to express their artistry and creative view of their world. Expressions that tell a story, capture a mood or simply sell an idea. Kevin uses mannequins to represent the faceless appearance of human desire, need, and social disconnect without the baggage of specific human personality.

Chung-Ping Cheng is a Los Angeles based artist, inspired by artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Diane Arbus. Cheng’s photographic practice includes black and white, color films, the medium format camera, and a focus on process, repetition and experimentation in the darkroom.
Ally Artist

Monica’s experience in the mental health field influences her work, and she believes strongly in the power of expressive arts to promote emotional growth and healing. She loves adding to her collection of discarded or lost items and reclaiming them as part of her paintings and sculptures.
LGBTQ+ Content, Ally Artist

As a California-based artist, K Ryan Henisey’s work is heavily influenced by the people, culture, and landscape of the Golden State. His personal narrative is often interwoven with mythological subjects, using patterning as a vehicle to make meaning from deconstruction.
LGBTQ+ Artist

Steele’s current body of work, with a nod to early twentieth-century modernity, places us in the present while elucidating decades past. Working in a characteristic palate of saturated hues and chromatic aberrations, opening a window to the catastrophic sea of information coming our way.
Ally Artist

David Woodland paints imagery from important televised moments of history, Watergate, Manson Trials, etc. through the same lens of lo-fi broadcast but through his cyanotype palette, and a hint of Hopper-esque loneliness.
LGBTQ+ Artist

Katie Willes first started painting as a way to connect with her daughter majoring in art in college thousands of miles away. She fell in love with the process and knew she wanted to paint for the rest of her life! Katie is largely self-taught and loves using colorful acrylic paint.

Some develop a world view through acquisition of unbiased knowledge, but the world view of many is pre-ordained by culture, or manipulated by institutions. The world today is striking in its defined sides.

Robert Nelson is interested in contrast; innocence/corruption, the infinite/the finite, past/future, good/evil. Robert is fascinated by how meanings can change depending on point of view. He strives for images that are defined differently by each observer. An image where their experiences, prejudices and beliefs all combine into the final experience of the work.

Coming from all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tiago Segundo uses visual research to balance paradoxes and irony, body and image, beauty and horror. His main medias include acrylic painting, watercolor, gouache, and mixed techniques.

Eugene Huffman is an established Queer, HIV-Positive Los Angeles Artist, Curator and Advocate. His primary work is expressionism with vibrant color and non-repeating patterns that reference life through a lens of survival – an outlet for his openness as a survivor of domestic violence and abuse.
LGBTQ+ Artist

David Marchetti is a California-based photographer/conceptual artist who challenges the conventional notions of photography and image-making systems that are currently in place in our society; to push the boundaries that lead to the unexpected.

A longtime Graphic Arts professional, Tony Smith is a self-trained artist. His paintings allow us to view the human and ordinary side of life. Tony evokes a variety of emotions with each piece, allowing the observer to feel a new sense of connection.

Born in New England, and currently, a resident artist at Hive Gallery and Studios, Los Angeles, Nick De Costa describes his art as a testament to the ebullient wealth and complexity of our magnificent ecosystem, as well as the mysteries of the cosmos.

Using oil paints, pastels and bold colors Byron Edwards creates abstract and figurative art that addresses stigmas, stereotypes and historical narratives. His work explores social and racial dynamics that foster dialogue around cultured experiences. The canvas is Byron’s passage to advocacy and resistance.

Darnell Waine is a life long artist and Los Angeles native. Through oils and acrylics he explores matters of the heart, the ebb and flow of romance and matters of mental health. Darnell’s work also aims to highlight the universal human experience along with what he believes is our shared origin and destiny: LOVE.

Jeff Iorillo is a Los Angeles painter working with mass, momentum, and gesture. He works action-style on a table or floor, dragging and scraping acrylic and enamel paint with plexiglass blades in a single dramatic gesture or layered passes for a vivid experience of color and movement.
LGBTQ+ Artist

Maggie Camps is an Ecuadorian artist who from an early age was attracted to brushes and colors. In 2005, Maggie specialized in mixed painting and has participated in several exhibitions. She is currently based in Quito.
Allied Artist

Justin Pitschman is a Sierra Nevada-based photographer and avid hiker.

Pitschmann works to isolate and reduce life down to simple frames with a heavy focus on simple stories told by Mother Nature. Pitschmann’s nature is clean and nostalgic.

Mario Campos Jr. is a Fresno-based painter who specializes in the macabre and the suspenseful. His subjects are nearly always experiencing hightened and unrestrained emotions of ecstasy, pain and fear. His work emulates the satyric and high pigmentation of classic thriller film posters.

Edward Lightner’s fascination with images of atmospheric atomic tests inspires his compelling art. In his recent series he has moved on to exploring imagery derived from underground atomic testing, uncovering visual threads of connectivity between beauty and death. Using such imagery allows him to incorporate other issues, such as the AIDS epidemic and religious dogma.

Dave Emmett is punk-science-fiction artist who uses fluid pour-painting techniques to create nebulae, wormholes, planetscapes, and all things alien on canvas. He aims for vibes that are loud, vibrant, disruptive, and alive.

Melinda McLeod is a local Los Angeles artist, intrigued with animals, colors, geometry, and people. Colors are influenced by feelings, everything falls into place—the look in the eyes, the twist of the head, the expression of emotion or none. Melinda’s abstract style is expressive, using a language of color and texture to express the experiences of life.

John Waiblinger is a new media artist who explores masculinity and desire through his Post Photography compositions. He snaps pictures of urban and natural environments and sources his figures from queer pornography, re-contextualizing them.
LGBTQ+ Artist

Justin Prough is a Los Angeles based artist whose work reflects the struggle between sunny days, good waves and the environmental & political unrest of our times. Telling visual stories by connecting ideas with materials and processes drives his practice.

Lance’s work is inspired by his many adventures throughout California and beyond. He can’t be everywhere he wants all at once so he creates art as a way to escape to the places he loves so dearly or invents in his mind.

When possible, Lance likes to work on materials that would normally end up in the trash like used surfboards, skateboards or scrap pieces of wood for more sustainability.

Ivy is a Los Angeles based artist from Chicago who combines figurative and abstract artistic elements with a goal to heal and connect on an emotional level. With heavy influences and inspiration from street art, Ivy conveys themes of self-love and discovery, women empowerment, and love.

A living legend of graffiti art scene whose work is known throughout the world, Richard Mirando, better known as SEEN, became active on the streets of New York City at a time when graffiti was not as fashionable as today. He started by creating subway graffiti in the early seventies and came to prominence thanks to his vibrant lettering and masterful depictions of mass-media cartoon characters like Wonder Woman, Hulk, and The Smurfs. He continues to exhibit his oeuvre worldwide.

Jessica is an LA based Creative Director/Photographer specializing in movement. Her work is a fun mix of vibrant colors, youthful energy and dynamic lighting concepts, combined with a playful sexiness. Her portfolio includes a variety of projects including Travel, brands, Commercial, Advertisement, Portraits and personal projects. Jessica has developed a deep interest in mixed media photography and cinematography and loves working with different creatives to construct eye capturing projects.

Juan Navarro is an artist, videographer, and photographer from Riverside, California. He has gained a large following behind his brand Luvmonsterz on the social media app, Periscope. Utilizing his unique street style, he captivated viewers and began sharing a message of love and acceptance. It’s a message for everyone – despite our weaknesses and our past mistakes, we are capable of giving and receiving love. Juan encourages his fans to spread love, positivity, and acceptance.

He believes that everyone can make a difference, especially through creating. Juan has painted murals in collaboration with nonprofits and has private and public collectors or his artwork all over the world. Whether through his art, broadcasts, or donating time and skill to a foundation, Juan is here to make a positive impact.

Billy Morrison is one of the few rockers who can truly say he made it all the way to the top from the very bottom. 20 years ago, Billy was homeless and close to death. Today he is on the road with Billy Idol in support of the new Idol album (on which he co-wrote a number of tracks with Idol and Stevens) “Kings and Queens of the Underground” and able to share his ultimate success story of overcoming addiction and becoming one of the world’s top rhythm guitar players. From playing guitar in the Los Angeles-based celebrity supergroups Camp Freddy and Royal Machines to joining rock band The Cult on their 2001 reunion to writing and recording with his own bands Stimulator, Doheny, Circus Diablo, releasing his own solo material, and playing guitar for Billy Idol since 2009, Billy makes music at all levels.

In recent years, Morrison picked up paint and canvas and proceeded to paint prolifically. He has now not only amassed a body of work, but has also found a customer base that appreciates his darker introspective imagery. When asked about his new creative outlet and the subject matter, Billy replied, ”I just paint what lives inside my head. Sometimes that’s skulls, hand grenades and naked chicks. Other times its a statement on something I see in the world that I want to comment on or draw attention to.” His provocative and thought-inspiring statements embrace concepts of duality and mixed metaphors, and his use of color and mixed media has been embraced by both the music and art worlds.

Los Angeles based artists and rapper “Reverie” became obsessed with graffiti in high school. Her obsessesion lead to her first arrest and eventually got her expelled from school. She began creating hip hop music with her brother, Louden, which blossomed into a full blown career as a hip hop artist. Reverie regularly tours all over Europe and the USA and has dedicated fans around the globe. She and Louden still record music together regularly and have cultivated an organic, cult-like following, which they call Satori Mob – also the name of Reverie’s urban wear clothing brand.

The works on display at The Artist Tree are part of Reverie’s first limited edition visual art print release. Reverie is also an active muralist, recreating the mermaid character she created in different themes throughout LA and Mexico.

Karlos Ramon Marquez, “BUMPS,” was raised in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. Karlos has been contributing to the local LA art scene since 1984 when he created his first graffiti art pieces with friends under the name “Kartoon”. In 1985, he joined K2S (Kill 2 Succeed) graffiti crew as one of the original members. He continued to develop his style by studying art at Los Angeles City College and Associates of Art in Sherman Oaks. Due to his keen eye for detail and his polished technique, he’s collaborated with some of the most prolific Graffiti artists in the world including Joe “Prime” Reza and Kris Cunz. His art has evolved and encompasses a broad range of mixed media pieces including large canvas works and fabric, furniture and metal pieces for CISCO Home.

Juicy Queen CoCo is a Los Angeles based abstract artist, curator, model and host. She is passionate about inspiring others to be comfortable in their own skin and “love your body”. In Coco’s words, “I want everyone to enjoy all of life‘s creativity as it relates to beauty, fashion, art and their overall lifestyle.” She takes a unique approach to her art, mixing abstract techniques, with luxury design and urban grit to create pieces that are authentic to her interpretation and expression of her inner and outer worlds. The “Love Your Body “ and “Sarah Baartman” series reflect her authenticity as an artist and tastemaker, constantly breaking traditional standards of what is deemed beautiful.

Amy Smith is a contemporary artist challenging the idea of excessive consumerism directed at women to manipulate their true sense of value. Her work destroys society’s ideas of this fake reality and creates a brand new portrait of strong feminine culture. Using different techniques, her work celebrates unity and empowerment, feminism, social, and environmental justice, and messages that inspire love and hope.

Mike Norice is a native of Watts, CA and painter of portraits, landscapes, and murals, finding the importance in being diverse and striving to perfect every element of art. For Mike, art has always been contemporaneous with the intricacies of close family, complex circumstances and the immense eccentricity of time. One of his first murals was inside a Marina del Rey penthouse, a re-imagined art piece of the Sistine Chapel ceiling consisting of Los Angeles celebrity characters. Throughout the City of Los Angeles and surrounding communities, there are multiple instances of Mike Norice Art murals. In addition to those commissioned installations, Mike started a non-profit organization in 2017 called Artfully United, which creates murals in otherwise disadvantaged areas to incite a positive vibe.

John Troxell works as a food and lifestyle photographer, helping his clients tell their stories through dynamic, colorful imagery. He creates images from start to finish working through the entire process one step at a time. John has live in the Los Angeles area for the past 25 years, working as a photographer for car commercials, music videos and food ads.

He fell in love with the camera at a very young age and chose to enter Hollywood as a cameraman to learn and grow in the broadcast world. His imagery is not only photography, it’s an expression of who John is and what he brings to the table for his clients – beautiful, artistic imagery.

Joseph Brandon Thomas is a mixed media artist and designer from New Orleans who now lives and works in Southern California. He graduated from Otis College of Art & Design with a BFA in Toy Design in 2018. You can see Brandon in action at Be Immense Studios and Proving Ground at the Hawthorne Arts Complex, where he paints, sculpts, designs and builds products, toys, and collectibles.

Emily Eizen is a West Hollywood based multimedia artist working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, photography, modeling, and home decor. Her ‘60s psychedelic inspired works showcase the beauty, freedom and diversity Eizen considers essential to establishing equity in the cannabis space and beyond. Emily’s portfolio and commissions highlight her ability to adapt to different styles and aesthetic across spectrums of gender and sexuality, defying convention. Welcome to the world of Emily Eizen, where the in-demand artist reflects the colorful and vibrant feelings she experiences while merging the cultures of cannabis and art.

Duairak Padungvichean (aka Lun) is a Los Angeles based artists originally from Thailand. Working across many different mediums, including traditional watercolours, digital platforms, sculpture and many more, Duairak’s art is a joyous, creative explosion that seems like it has one foot in our world and another in a fabled, surreal domain all of its own. Automata sculptures of dancing sardines cut from aluminium sit alongside illustrations of creatures that only appear in dreams. Yet, the whole collection hangs together in a way that seems strangely cohesive.

Accordin to Lun, “I really enjoy making fun images that would either make people laugh or feel happy by looking at them.” For us, they certainly do.

Corinne Pulsinelle (aka Coco Nella) is a Los Angeles based artist who specializes in mural painting, illustration, and graphic design. Her style is bold, clean, and approachable in a way that strives to connect to people. She generally works on a commissioned basis, offering clients a wide range of services from logo/brand development to large scale mural work. She has worked with many major brands, including Puma, Disney and Samsung as well as several local businesses. She also collaborates with interior designers to create murals and signage.

Jason Shelowitz (aka Jay Shells) is an artist and graphic designer from New York who now resides in Los Angeles. The works in this exhibit showcase Jason’s watercolor work and his unique pyrography —the art of burning images into wood. Jason uses a soldering iron and a pointilism technique to create doting, hyper-realistic portraits of ephemeral urban details, including mailboxes, building facades, and street typography. In 2013, Jason created his most well-known public campaign to date called The Rap Quotes. In this project, Jason turned site-specific rap lyrics into street signs, billboards and phone booth ad spaces and installed them in the exact locations called out in the lyrics. The project was inspired by his love of the culture and vision that we should give back to the communities who gave us Hip Hop. The project was turned into a television show, a book and is a work for the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

Matty Mo is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist best known for creating the conceptual art group, “The Most Famous Artist.” Through this platform, Monahan makes social media-themed installations, performance art and exhibitions to challenge viewers to examine how technology and the Internet impact society. Mo is a multi media artist who has created numerous murals throughout the city, including the “most instagrammable wall” in Venice. His moniker, The Most Famous Artist, pokes fun at our social media driven culture.

Mo’s colorful geometric mural spans the entire exterior of The Artist Tree Koreatown storefront.

Contemporary American artist Jahlil Nzinga seeks to transform the art world from the inside out with his highly emotional visual art, avant-garde techniques, and an understanding that an artist cannot be separated from any component of his life-affirming work.

Nzinga understands his art to be the purest expression of himself. So improvisational is his work that he equates it to a passion murder—exploding with emotion and without constraint or premeditated design. Nzinga has no desire to instruct his audience by using literal imagery but instead calls his viewers to wonder, be provoked, and conjure individual interpretation and analysis of his often-surreal renderings.

Nzinga created a custom floor-to-ceiling mural in his trademark freehand style for The Artist Tree West Hollywood. The mural, positioned at the rear of the retail showroom and the entryway to the VIP shopping lounge, inspires viewers to examine each of Nzinga’s unique interpretations of the human face.