This year, we began our Client Spotlight program with a mission of getting to know the artists we serve and introducing them to you. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, and wanted to commemorate all of those who participated in the program in 2020! Read on to explore the artists who added a little inspiration and beauty to this crazy year, and read their posts!
Interested in being a Spotlight in 2021? Email [email protected] to learn more!
1. Tom Hwang
Tom Hwang is a longtime photographer and client who has visited our South San Francisco location many times for his matting and framing needs. He is a professional photographer and has photographed many different subjects from landscape to concerts. Tom was our very first Client Spotlight.
"Every time I visit Golden State Art, I feel like I'm visiting a friend and always have everything I need." - Tom Hwang
Tom’s Instagram: @tomhwang2
2. Martirene Alcantara
Martirene Alcantara is a photographer and art director in New York. She became a full time artist in 1991, and has gone on to become the photographer and art director of many projects in advertising, museums, art publications, and more. Her many accomplishments include four pieces in the New York MoMa Permanent Collection.
“Observe, listen to your gut, always work on projects that make you happy, not to please others.” - Martirene Alcantara
Martirene’s Website: https://www.martirenealcantara.com/
Martirene’s Instagram: @martirene_alcantara
Martirene’s Facebook: @MartireneAlcantaraPhotography
3. Michelle Ware
Michelle Ware is a painter residing in Northern California. Michelle works out of her home studio built by her husband in 2013 and launched her art business a couple of years ago. She offers an extensive collection of original artwork, prints, and free coloring pages on her website (listed below).
“The creative process is very meditative and grounding for me. I also really enjoy sharing my paintings with others. Knowing something I created helped to brighten someone’s day is really amazing!” - Michelle Ware
Michelle’s Website: https://michellewareartist.com/
Michelle’s Instagram: @michellewhopaintsinca
Michelle’s Facebook: @michellewareartist
4. Allie Richards
Allie Richards is a photographer and photography instructor based Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Allie has been a full-time professional photographer for three years but has been practicing photography since she was 13, when her parents bought her a small point-and-shoot camera. She offers many fine art prints of her photography on her website (listed below).
“I believe that anywhere can be captured in a beautiful way, but it takes the right conditions to do so.” - Allie Richards
Allie’s Website: https://www.allierichards.com/
Allie’s Instagram: @allierichardsphoto
Allie’s Facebook: @allierichardsphoto
5. Rainer Neumann
Rainer Neumann is a photographer, painter, poet, and songwriter residing in Half-Moon Bay, California. Rainer has created and published all of these art forms over the years, and started a graphic design business in 1979 in San Francisco. He also published an art magazine entitled “Canticle,” as well as several fiction, pastel, and watercolor books.
“See potential in all things and people around you – nature and materials have their stories as do people.” - Rainer Neumann
Rainer’s Website: https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/rneumann
Rainer’s Instagram: @beckertz
Rainer’s Email (for inquiries): [email protected]
6. Sherry Blandin
Sherry Blandin is a photographer who resides in Marana, Arizona. She became a photographer later in life after a career as a fourth grade teacher in Monterey Peninsula, California. In 2012, she moved with her husband and two daughters to Arizona, where her career as a professional photographer began. Now, she captures the beauty of Arizona through the lense of her Canon camera.
“I want to tell a story. I want composition, movement, color, and light to stand out. I want to create a mood for the viewer and I want my project to stop the viewer in his/her tracks.” - Sherry Blandin
Sherry’s Website: https://www.sherryblandinphotography.net/
Sherry’s Instagram: @mamaoso46
Sherry’s Facebook: @sherryblandin
7. Paula Farino
Paula Farino is an artist residing in Orlando, Florida, She began her career as a professional painter in 2011. Her beautiful, "windows to the unseen" approach to art make her work unique and awe-inspiring.
“I get to give people a glimpse into the unseen realm and bring that piece of heaven into their home.” - Paula Farino
Paula’s Website: www.paulafarino.com
Paula’s Instagram: @paulafarinoart
Paula’s Facebook: @paulafarinoart
8. Bonnie Ziskin
Bonnie Ziskin is an artist who began her art career at the age of 70 after previous careers as an accountant and a surgical nurse. Now 72, Bonnie creates colorful abstract paintings, fused glass, and quilts using mainly primary colors, and is entirely self-taught.
“The fight of true “freedom” prompted me to try things I was always afraid of accomplishing.” - Bonnie Ziskin
Bonnie’s Website: https://zoey-art.com/
9. Rhonda McMillan
Rhonda McMillan is an artist who uses natural elements to bring her vision, and other people’s visions, to life. What began as a hobby has now developed into a unique and beautiful artform that she creates to “bring happiness, creativity, and inspiration into other’s homes!” While living in California, Lake Erie and the Nimisila Reservoir, Rhonda has collected elements such as rocks, pebbles, stones, beach glass, pottery shards and driftwood for her art.
“I will continue to find new ways to capture hope and the beauty of life that is all around us.” - Rhonda McMillan
Rhonda’s Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAbstractPebble
Rhonda’s Instagram: @the_abstract_pebble
Rhonda’s Facebook: @theabstractpebble
10. Brooke Connor
Brooke Connor is a wildlife and children’s book illustrator based in Boulder, Colorado. Brooke began her career as an illustrator after “finally remembering she preferred her right brain and started drawing again.” Before beginning her artistic career, she obtained an MS Degree in Chemistry and worked in environmental chemistry for 28 years.
“I love doing art because it allows me to sink deep into whatever I'm doing and to me, the rest of the world disappears.” - Brooke Connor
Brooke’s Website: https://bconnordesign.com/
Brooke’s Instagram: @brookeconnordesign
Brooke’s Facebook: @brookeconnordesign
11. Dean Mayo
Dean Mayo is a Southern California based photographer. His career as a Golf Professional put him on the road to becoming a photographer in 2005, and he has been capturing everything from golf courses to architecture ever since.
“In a world where there seems to be so much chaos and pain, I find that venturing off to a beautiful and peaceful place is the perfect cure to recharge your spirit.” - Dean Mayo
Dean’s Website: https://www.foretography.com/
Dean’s Instagram: @deanmayo
Dean’s Facebook: @deanmayo
12. Regina Prager
Regina Prager is an artist based out of Portland, Oregon. She grew up in Michigan, where her love for art and creating began in childhood. She started her business, Little Spooky Studio in 2017 offering fun, spooky prints, stickers, pins and more.
“Make whatever makes you happy! Don't worry about what other people are creating, or followers on social media, or being left out. If you work hard you can make your dreams come true.” - Regina Prager
Regina’s Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlespookystudio
Regina’s Instagram: @littlespookystudio
Regina’s Facebook: @littlespookystudio
13. Cindy Dalton
Cindy Dalton is an artist and art teacher residing in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Cindy comes from a long line of artists, and was encouraged by her mother from a young age to build on her own passion for art. She began studying art at Rochester Institute of Technology while in high school, and once she finished high school, began working as an Interpreter for the Deaf with students majoring in art. Her work at the Institute allowed her to also take art classes herself, and through the position she fell in love with learning and teaching art.
“When my art can communicate something I strongly believe in or feel, that is when it brings me the most joy.” - Cindy Dalton
Cindy’s Instagram: @cindyc_dalton
Cindy’s Facebook: @hugofcompassion
14. Elizabeth Bowman
Elizabeth Bowman is an impressionist artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is originally from Argentina and moved to the US when she was 11 years old. She has been painting for others since September of 2019 and offers a collection of her artwork on her website (listed below). Elizabeth works from her home studio every day, usually during her little one’s nap time.
“Make what you can within your limitations. Better yet, make your limitations your allies by allowing them to shape your style.” - Elizabeth Bowman
Elizabeth’s Website: https://elizabethbowman.com/
Elizabeth’s Instagram: @elizabethbowman_artist
Elizabeth’s Facebook: @ElizabethBowmanArtist
15. Fiammy Dizon
Fiammy Dizon is an artist and 8th grade English teacher residing in Daly City, California. She creates completely unique and mesmerizing pieces of art with an abstract fluid style using many different mediums, most notably alcohol inks.
“With each piece, I aim to echo my firm belief that everyone and everything on this earth has immense beauty and power; a lesson that is critical for myself as an emerging female artist.” - Fiammy Dizon
Fiammy’s Instagram: @fiammydizonink
16. Mary Cowan
Mary Cowan is a watercolor artist based in Ames, Iowa. She holds a degree in Fashion Design from Iowa State University, and has always had a love for the arts. After putting aside her art to raise her three beautiful children, Mary founded her art business Adventure Illustrations, LLC. in 2019 to begin sharing her art with others.
“Embracing every mistake is an opportunity to create.” - Mary Cowan
Mary’s Website: https://adventureillustrations.com/
Mary’s Instagram: @adventure_illustrations
Mary’s Facebook: @adventureillustrations
17. Jim Livingston
Jim Livingston is a photographer based in Amarillo, Texas. Jim began his journey with photography at 14 years old when his sister gave him a Pentax K1000 camera. He began his professional photography career in 2015 after years working in social work.
“For the true artist, making art is like breathing, it is reflexive and most don't know how to stop.” - Jim Livingston
Jim’s Website: https://www.jimlivingstonart.com/
Jim’s Instagram: @jimlivingstonart
Jim’s Facebook: @jimlivingstonphotography
18. Charles Jensen
Charles Jensen is the founder of Charles Scott Gallery, a Los Angeles based company collecting and selling art for over a decade. Charles began collecting art many years ago, and this love for and experience with art is what inspired him to begin the Charles Scott Gallery. The company offers everything from animation art to fine art on many different platforms, including their website, Etsy, and Amazon.
“Make what is UNIQUE that you love. It is the uniqueness that matters - and whether it matches the tastes of the time, no matter.” - Charles Jensen
Charles’ Website: https://www.charlesscottgallery.com/
Charles’ Instagram: @charlesscottgallery
Charles’ Facebook: @charlesscottgallery
19. Tim Baca
Tim Baca is a photographer and storm chaser based in New Mexico. He began his journey as a storm chaser and photographer in 2017, and passion for photography and beauty of his home state of New Mexico have produced many beautiful images of storms, landscapes, and the state's famous hot air balloons.
“One of the biggest factors in my photography growth is being open to constructive criticism. Be open to it, and you'll come out a better photographer in the end.” - Tim Baca
Tim’s Website: https://timbacaphotography.com/
Tim’s Instagram: @tim_baca_photography
Tim’s Facebook: @tbimagery
20. Jeremy Scarbrough
Jeremy Scarbrough is a professional photographer and United States Marine Corps veteran who resides in Southern Maryland. Originally from Amazonia, Missouri, Jeremy joined the Marine Corps at 20 years old and traveled the globe for the next 20 before settling down in Maryland to retire from active duty. In 2012, he began his professional photography career.
“The "rules" of photography are limiting and put you in a box. Paraphrasing Ansel Adams, there are no rules for good photographs. There are only good photographs.” - Jeremy Scarbrough
Jeremy’s Website: www.jksimagery.smugmug.com
Jeremy’s Instagram: @jks_imagery
Jeremy’s Facebook: @JKS.Imagery
Thank you to everyone who participated this year! It was an honor to get to know and spotlight all of you, and we look forward to spotlighting more artists in the new year!
