Artists We Heart Ed. 159: Meet 14 New iCanvas Creators

Romare Bearden was a visionary artist celebrated for his chronicles of African American life through compelling visual stories, drawing inspiration from cityscapes, people, and American culture. Influenced to initially become an artist by a childhood friend named Eugene, he went on to master narrative collages and watercolors. His work encompassed abstract, cubism, and modern fine art, earning him accolades such as the National Medal of Arts and a retrospective at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The Romare Bearden Foundation continues his legacy, promoting cultural and educational aspects of the arts.

Based in Hua Hin, Thailand, Alisa Lariushkina creates air-dry clay art of impressionist landscapes with bold color schemes. Inspired by Impressionism paintings, Vincent Van Gogh, and Japanese art, she loves brushstrokes that create the illusion of movement. From rainbow succulents to golden sunsets to fairytale nights, we think her artwork can be a mesmerizing way to create a textured and vibrant atmosphere. 

Spain-based artist Beto Val creates digital collage art of surreal beings combined with nature and botanicals. Inspired by the idea of the evolution of a species taking a different direction, he dives into everything from “Wild Aristocracy, Amazing Machines, or animals from an Imaginary Animal Kingdom”. From leaf fishes to flower parrots to sea frogs, we think his artwork can be a great way to create a thought-provoking and unusual atmosphere. 

East Galway-based artist Catherine Patrickson creates gouache paintings, watercolors, and mixed media art of people exploring and observing nature. Inspired by observations of her surrounding environment, birds, and plant life, her art is an examination of limits to freedom, inherent in our sense of identity and place within the contemporary world. From night windows to shadows on the land to time rivers, we think her artwork can be a lovely way to create an invigorating and reflective atmosphere.

Based in Orlando, Florida, Heather Nagy creates acrylic paintings of cityscapes, landscapes, and botanicals with captivating hues. Inspired by slowing down to take in the beauty around her, and wanting to capture and idealize places and moments, she captures the idealized reality of how we wish things looked all the time. From Sannibel sunsets to rainy days in Chinatown to coconut palm trees, we think her artwork can be a wonderful way to create a vibrant and fascinating atmosphere. 

Portland, Oregon artist Susan Almquist creates acrylic paintings, collages, and mixed media art of abstract animals, figures, and odd creatures. Inspired by the unexpected, the manifestation of her unconsciousness at work, and the act of creating something that didn’t exist before, she hopes to infuse each picture with equal parts humor, mystery, and joy. From medieval dogs to snow queens to fungi frolics, we think her artwork can be a delightful way to create an intriguing and joyful atmosphere.

Residing in Scotland, Baldvin Ringsted creates Limited Edition oil paintings and mixed media art of landscapes and flowers with geometric designs. Inspired by music, memories, pop culture, nostalgia, and technology, he likes to bring together the warm, innocent, and nostalgic feel of “thrift store” painting. From impossible dreams to moving spirits to nightfall flowers, we think his artwork can be a nice way to create a nostalgic and intriguing atmosphere.

Based in Montpellier, France, Cépé creates digital illustrations of abstract figures immersed in daily activities. Inspired by the light and colors of the south from growing up in Marseille, he likes to destructure space, bodies, and faces to imagine a distorted and naive world. From beautiful worlds to small pools to art shelters, we think his artwork can be a great way to create a joyful and bright atmosphere.

Sweden-based artist Karolina Kling creates acrylic paintings, digital art, and watercolors of patterned posters and more. Inspired by her travels, she has a distinct style that is present in everything she does. From dotty shapes to a love for spring to summer in beige, we think her artwork can be a fun way to create an intricate atmosphere with retro energy.

Based in Lincoln, MA, Pascale Berkowitz creates drawings, watercolors, and digital art of still life tablescapes, exteriors, and architecture. Inspired by the beauty of recurring lines and organic forms, and sometimes color, as a process of discovery, her art captures brief run-ins with the sublime that are buried in the everyday. From walls of oddities to spring flower bouquets to Paris windows, we think her artwork can be a lovely way to create a whimsical and playful atmosphere.

Gesves, Belgium-based artist Denis De Mot creates acrylic and gouache paintings of minimalist abstracts. Inspired by the world around him such as nature, shapes, photographs, and objects, his network of cracks and scratches in his rusty prints cover a meticulous succession of layers. From neutral color schemes to bold reds, we think his artwork can be an interesting way to create a textured atmosphere with industrial vibes.

Based in Överkalix, Charlotte Eder creates photography and pastel art of trees, botanicals, and landscapes. Inspired by trees, water, flowers, and other nature, she’s constantly searching for new ways of mixing techniques and motifs. From Monet dreams to blue shades to spring light, we think her artwork can be a beautiful way to create a quiet and serene atmosphere.

Residing in St George, Utah, John Berry creates Limited Edition oil paintings of colorful abstracts. Inspired by life and the shared traits of humans, he focuses on individuality rather than a particular style. From fevered visions to cream soda to dropped hearts, we think his artwork can be a wonderful way to create an expressive and bright atmosphere.