November 22, 2018November 23, 2018

A (no name) Artist Tells His Story…

There are so many talented and interesting artists in our group, and I consider it an honor to know most of them personally. Their stories are fascinating, surprising, and always very inspiring. One of our artists has been telling his story as a Cambodian refugee through incredibly beautiful, powerful illustrations. I am so moved by these very personal stories of his life expressed with such sensitivity– exposing the vulnerabilities, love, and challenges of his childhood.

Our artist wishes to remain anonymous, but I am so grateful he has agreed to share some of his illustrations with us. A select handful have been chosen and featured below. They provide insight into life as a refugee and describe hardships most of us can not imagine.

in Featured Artists / Latest

February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

Featured Artist: Robert Dennis

There are many talented members in our group, so we’d like to continue our ‘featured artist’ segment highlighting artists that really exemplify what a (no name) Art Group member is – creative, compassionate and making a difference in the world. This month we’d like to shout out Philadelphia artist Robert Dennis. And since today is Groundhog Day, here’s the piece that jogged our memory about all the great work Rob has done.

Groundhog Day was a collaborative project from 2004. It included 12 artists for each of the 12 months of the year to create a (no name) Artist Calendar. We loved this sweet little illustration Rob created for February. Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?? We hope not!

Robert was with us since the beginning (wow has it been almost 20 years?!) Please take a moment and enjoy the details of Robert’s work and how he shares his talents with young artists in the community.

May 23, 2017May 23, 2017

Featured Artist: e Bond

Now it’s time to brag about one of the biggest rock stars I know, both in art and in life! Featured artist e Bond is another creative soul who has been with us since the beginning. I’ve known e since 1992, we connected immediately our freshman year sharing a love for important things in life, like line art and tacos. I’ll try not and go into my personal testimony of why I think she is awesome, or our unforgettable adventures together. But I’ll mention this, that we (she) planted 3,540 trees together in the Scottish highlands and once I saved her from a cat on the island of St. Lucia with a water bottle. We’ve been through a lot.

Why “e”?

First thing’s first. Let’s get the most popular question for e out of the way. It’s true. e’s full given name is a lowercase “e”. Her mother has always spelled it this way even if the birth certificate demanded an uppercase. e says “my mom wanted people to meet me with no preconceptions as to my race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. e Bond is like a blank slate-you can’t tell much by it, so you’d have to figure it and me out once you meet me”.

in Blog / Featured Artists / Latest

April 21, 2017May 23, 2017

Featured Artist: Sandra Webberking

Our group has oodles of talent, and with Earth Day around the corner we’d like to highlight a very special one!

This “no name” artist sure has made a name for herself. Sculpture artist Sandra Webberking of Springfield PA has been with the group since 1999. Her contributions, have been some of our most memorable (and definitely largest!) works of art. Sandra hasn’t painted a rock, but she sure is a rock star! She is an eco-minded artist and every piece is filled with passion and love. You can find her installations in local restaurants, streets and, gardens throughout the area.

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August 7, 2014September 20, 2016

In Memory of Phillip Bowman

It is with regret we announce the loss of (no name) Art Group member, Phillip Bowman. Phillip was our oldest member. Although he was a very private man, his work was strongly represented by his loving daughter, Courtney Bowman, who is also a (no name) Art Group member.

in Featured Artists

June 1, 2012September 19, 2016

Christina Hess Represents!

Last year, (no name) Art Group pulled together funds to financially assist a member in their creative dreams. The top prize was awarded to Christina Hess who requested funds for travel to Spectrum Live in Kansas City. Below is Christina’s blog about her experience, a huge thank you to everyone who gave her a hand!
2011 (no name) Art Group Grant Contest

Christina’s Blog

“On May 16 I left for Spectrum Live, an illustration convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy art. It was a long 20 hour drive but Dominick Saponaro and I made it to Kansas City MO, ready for the show. With the help of the (no name) Art Group grant I was able to travel and prepare accordingly. It helped me create numerous items to showcase and sell.

Some of these items were hand bound journals, hand made jewelry boxes, packaged prints of different sizes, necklace pendants and earrings. I had framed prints to showcase my illustration, post cards, bookmarks, my hardback portfolio as well as small oil paintings for sale. It was the first convention I took part in so it was a new experience.

The preparation took much more time than I anticipated. I predominately illustrate digitally so working with my hands was very satisfying. My favorite project to work on was the jewelry boxes. I featured my grant image on one of the boxes, which sold. I bought unfinished jewelry boxes and adhered my images to them. Staining, Polying, gluing organic paper and gold leaf was only the beginning.

I took this collage technique into my final stage of the grant piece. My “Protect” piece created for (no name) was printed and adhered to a 12″x12″ raised panel. I then used metallic paint, oil paint, varnish and sheer ribbon for collage. I then framed it in a floater and treated the edges of both the frame and the painting with a metallic modeling rub. In low light the gold leaf shines beautifully! It was so much fun to do and I got a lot of positive feedback on the technique. My only regret is that I didn’t work bigger! Click here to read more about the technique.

Having funding from (no name) Art Group made it possible! I could prepare and create many more items than I originally anticipated. I also was able to receive funds from Moore College, where I teach part time, to support some additional expenses. My goal was to experience the convention scene and connect with new faces as well as reconnect with others in the illustration industry. I was so fortunate to be located near some fantastic artists who I had a chance to befriend. Armand Baltazar and Iain McCaig were among some of the talent. I was humbled and so fortunate to meet them. It was well worth the time and I will be doing this again next year with some modifications. My personal and professional goal was met and I came out happy and more experienced!

Some of these items are for sale on my etsy store!
Feel free to stop by and visit! *****10% off for reading this! Just enter the code noname*****

Now, what do I want to create for the wine label…”

Christina Hess has been a valuable member of (no name) Art Group since 2007. We wish her luck in her future endeavors and ask that you please join us in supporting Christina in her latest KICKSTARTER PROJECT- Animals In History! Check out the FANTASTIC video made by Christina below reminding us how wonderful it feels when we embrace our imagination!

Support Christina’s Kickstarter Project Click Here

25% of the proceeds are donated to Big Cat Rescue.

About Christina Hess:

“I work as an illustrator and designer in the publishing industry. I like to draw ornate things. I like to paint stories with ornate things. I like the word “intricate” which I was chastised for liking many moons ago at yearbook camp. That’s right….yearbook camp.

In addition to my clientele I have been published in several annuals and competitions such as (no name) art group grant, Phillustration 4, Spectrum 18, Spectrum 19 and Exotique 7, Silver Award for Self Promo category in the Society of Illustrators 50 LA, Expose 10 and 3×3 Magazine.

In my free time I cook, eat and talk to animals including my muse, Roscoe the basset hound.”

Christina’s Website

Christina’s Blog

Christina’s Etsy Online Store

Christina’s previous (no name) Art Group Artwork includes 2007 Memory Portraits, 2010 and 2011 The Art Of Giving, 2011 Memory Portrait (not shown for child privacy reasons)

in Blog / Featured Artists

July 9, 2011September 19, 2016

Featured Artist: Jeff McCloskey

When I think of why I started the (no name) Art Group, Jeff McCloskey is one of the first artists to come to mind. I worked along side Jeffrey (as I think only I refer to him as) at KYW-TV in Philadelphia from 1996-2002. I was fascinated by his cluttered desk and love for Frank Zappa, and even more fascinated by the world of talent he encompassed under all that hair.

↑ secretly collected sketches from kyw

Focusing on the process rather than the end product, Jeff makes art for arts sake, and has fun doing it. At his work station Jeff surrounded himself with multicolored markers, pencils, pens, whimsical doodles, plastic bugs, rubber lizards, robots, coffee mugs, and about a million other unrelated random objects. It was like a crazy mad science lab with each item arranged in some kind of organized chaos that could only be deciphered by Jeffrey. You could find him working quietly in this little world, concentrating on his next masterpiece. It was this kind of pure energy I wanted the group to support, and it was artists like Jeffrey who I wanted to share with the world. I remember Jeffrey eagerly taking up the first project back in 1999, and he has gladly accepted every project since (with the exception of the Vietnamese portraits– a gals only project). Every piece of art he created was imaginative and experimental, varying in styles from traditional graphite to digital. And one more note that is not unnoticed, Jeffrey’s art always meets the deadline! (hint hint, other artists)

Jeff has recently illustrated his first children’s book. As a lover of animals “Not A Used Dog, At All” was a perfect fit, and the illustrations reflect Jeff’s love and care for life on our planet. All profits from this book will be donated to animal rescue and shelter groups. It is now sold online at Amazon.

I am honored to have such a great artist and person in our group. Jeff continues to support the group (and me!) not only with his art, but his positive attitude and encouraging words. Thank you Jeffrey!

Jeff’s Bio

Jeff McCloskey is an Emmy winning graphic designer and graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia, has been designing and animating graphics for television since 1986. He recently illustrated a children’s book about adopting shelter dogs called “Not a Used Dog, At All” for author and co-worker Carol Erickson. Jeff currently works and lives in Philadelphia with his wife Lori and their 2 dogs and 4 cats.

in Featured Artists

May 10, 2011September 19, 2016

Featured Artist: Cathey White

This month, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge (no name) artist Cathey White. I met Cathey in college, oh so long ago. Immediately I knew there were 2 things I loved about Cathey– 1) her sense of humor 2) her funky artistic style. Cathey is the kind of person that when I look at her I just start to laugh, because I know she’s gonna say something funny, with witty comments to make light of any situation.

↑ print from magic box archives

But all laughing aside, this woman is an amazing artist. She has a style that is urban, gritty and fresh at the same time. She can accurately capture a person or object, then eloquently stylizes them with a color palette and design to make it truly hers. I’ve always admired her style and have gathered her sketches on random everyday objects throughout our school years. I’ve kept paper plates, erasers and napkins with some very fantastic doodles from Cathey. They’re safely kept in my “magic box”. The box where I keep all my inspiring art.

Cathey has participated in every (no name) Art Group project since 1999 (12 projects total!). The only other artist who has done that is myself, but that’s because I have to of course! I’m grateful for her dedication to the group. She not only creates great art, she also makes a significant contribution in the marketing and promotions of each project. She’s an artist that truly cares about the world, and she is a defining member of our group. On behalf of (no name) Art Group, thank you Cathey!

Cathey’s Bio

Cathey White is an artist, educator and native of Philadelphia. She received a BFA from Moore College of Art and Design in 1996. Cathey makes work that inspires people from every cultural, ethnic and economic background. She remains consistently inspired by her urban environment and the beauty that can be found within it.

“Art should be for everyone. It is one thing that can bring us back to our childhood, the one place we never hesitated to be ourselves.” ~ Cathey White

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Cathey’s (no name) Artwork

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More About Cathey & Singlehandedink
singlehandedink is an urban inspired line of home acccesories and gift items. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and hand spray painted by Philadelphia based artist M.Cathleen White.

Click here for more info/custom orders

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