Shawn Ehlers

Pop-Up Exhibit: January 31 - February 2, 2025

Art Walk + Meet the Artist: Saturday, Feb. 1 | 3:00-7:00pm

Make OMAM one of your stops during the First Saturday Ormond Art Walk to meet artist Shawn Ehlers and see her fine art photography/encaustic wax pieces on display in our reception gallery.

Admission is FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all Art Walk stops!

Beer and wine, will be available for purchase.

Artist Biography:

Shawn Ehlers is a former Ford/Elite model who lived and worked in Milan, Paris and New York before getting behind the lens. Photographed by well-known photographers as Helmut Newton, Olivero Toscani and Albert Watson, her shift behind the camera was an easy transition. She gave models movement and posing directions familiar to her, helping launch successful commercial and fashion careers. Also working as a celebrity shooter for Wireimage and Getty Images, some of her roster includes: Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, President’s Bush and Clinton, Susan Sarandon, and Whoopie Goldberg. As a fine artist she won the prestigious gold award in 2015, Prix de la Photographie (PX3) for her series, “Women as Birds”. She combines the medium of Polaroid photography with the ancient art of encaustic wax.

Artist Statement:

"The main portion of this collection of pieces focuses on the reverence I have for nature and particularly water. Open water swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am passionate about swimming in all bodies of water: oceans, lakes and rivers. Water has a fluidity that is both healing and calming. It’s the ebb and flow, the gentle and tumultuous waves that gives the water a mesmerizing effect. My intention of combining the photographic medium with encaustic wax is to evoke the feeling I get from being at one with the water or experiencing it: floating, suspending, and supporting. A few of the pieces in this collection express my thoughts, feelings and experiences as I travel the world. I’ve come back to my roots with photography, shooting exclusively with various Polaroid cameras. I find the film produces a magic image which scanned during the development of the photo is then printed using watercolor textured archival paper and ink. Typically there are several layers of encaustic wax that are brushed on and manipulated with a palette knife to get the surface I desire. The art of encaustic wax began in ancient Greece, initially applied to the hulls of ships with pigment and eventually made it’s way to both easel painting and sculpture. There is a luminosity and dimensionality with the application of encaustic wax. The textured surfaces I create mimic the feeling of water and the image underneath. The translucent quality of the wax intensifies the feeling and beauty of the abstraction of nature."

Follow Shawn Ehlers

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Robert Uchlatzki

Pop-Up Exhibit: January 3-5, 2025

Art Walk + Meet the Artist: Saturday, Jan. 4 | 3:00-7:00pm

Make OMAM one of your stops during the First Saturday Ormond Art Walk to meet artist Robert Uchlatzki and see his work on display in our reception gallery. Admission is FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all Art Walk stops! Beer and wine, will be available for purchase.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Born In Budapest, Hungary, Robert Uchlatzki immigrated to the U.S. at a young age. About 5 years ago he took a professional outlook on the arts and dedicated his practice to black and grey graphite drawing, creating portraits and various subjects with a realistic approach. After joining the crew at Victory Tattoo, he took an interest in tattooing and his artistic medium changed to watercolor and mixed media. Upon completing an apprenticeship, being a full-time artist allows Robert to creatively express and exercise art forms in many different styles. His works display a progression of styles that are influenced by European fine art and American traditional tattoo art.

Website: spottedfoxstudio.com

Instagram: @spottedfoxstudio

Lauren Michele

Pop-Up Exhibit: December 6-8, 2024

Art Walk + Meet the Artist: 3-7pm | Live Music: 4-6pm

Several pieces by watercolor, graphite and colored pencil artist Lauren Michele will be on display and for sale inside our reception gallery from December 6th through 8th. You can meet the Florida artist here at OMAM during the Ormond Art Walk from 3 to 7 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Plus...

Visit our amazing ROOFTOP terrace from 4 to 6pm to enjoy LIVE MUSIC by Sammy Rose presented by the Locals Mix!

Admission to the Art Walk is FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all stops! Drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails, will be available for purchase on the rooftop.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“Using watercolor and colored pencil on paper, I work to capture the softness of a feather, the smoothness of a vase, the sweet, brilliant color of an orange. With considered strokes and a slow building of value, I strive to bring out what makes an ordinary subject extraordinary to remind us that there is beauty all around us if we are only willing to seek it out. I love to embrace the sometimes unpredictable movement of watercolor pigments and emphasize this throughout my process. My approach is gentle, slow and thoughtful, similar to my subject matter. I enjoy the calmness of the creation of my work and hope to convey this feeling through the finished pieces."

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Based in her home state of Florida, Lauren Michele is a watercolor, graphite and colored pencil artist who enjoys preserving quiet moments on paper. Having practiced art since childhood, Lauren has learned and gained experience in academic settings such as Ringling College of Art and Design and workshops with prominent painters, as well as through myriad books and online courses to expand her understanding of techniques and the history of artmaking. She has exhibited and won awards in local shows and competitions since grade school and currently exhibits in outdoor art festivals throughout Florida. Lauren is currently self-promoted and sells her artwork through her business, Spotted Fox Studio.

Website: spottedfoxstudio.com

Instagram: @spottedfoxstudio

Ettore Bechis

Pop-Up Exhibit: October 4-6, 2024

Art Walk + Meet the Artist: Saturday, Oct. 5 | 3:00-7:00pm

Make OMAM one of your stops during the First Saturday Ormond Art Walk to meet our pop-up artist, Ettore Bechis, and see his work on display in our reception gallery.

Admission is FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all Art Walk stops! Beer and wine, will be available for purchase.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

From a young age, Ettore Bechis has been honing his drawing skills. After graduating as a graphic designer, he embarked on a remarkable artistic journey. During his military service, Ettore had the opportunity to paint a monumental mural measuring 10 meters by 3 meters, depicting a charge of Bersaglieri soldiers, each adorned in uniforms from different eras, showcasing his ability to create visually captivating works. In the years that followed, Ettore turned his passion into a profession, creating murals and trompe l’oeil paintings for villas and restaurants, enriching spaces with his extraordinary artistry. His skills also led him to work as a TV set designer for Mediaset S.p.A. and Rai Italia in 2002, allowing him to work in tourist resorts, travel the world, and immerse himself in diverse cultures. Along his artistic journey, Ettore discovered a deep passion for the art of tattooing. While working in Brazil in 2002, he began tattooing and eventually devoted himself to it full-time. Over the years, he has honed his techniques, creating unique works that tell stories on people’s skin. Ettore’s artistic talent garnered recognition from the United States government, which granted him the O1 visa in 2014 for his exceptional artistic abilities. In 2017, he received the Green Card, enabling him to settle in Palm Coast, where he currently resides and operates his tattoo studio and art gallery, “Overlord Tattoo Studio.” His predominant artistic style is pop art, characterized by vibrant colors and bold forms that captivate viewers’ attention and reflect popular culture. He employs acrylic and oil on canvas as his preferred mediums, allowing him to bring his artistic visions to life. Ettore’s works are often inspired by icons of popular culture such as rock stars, cinema legends, and comic book characters. Through his art, he strives to capture the energy and essence of these subjects, evoking emotions and memories in the hearts of his audience. Explore the world of Ettore Bechis and be mesmerized by his artistic prowess and the passion he exudes through his paintings and tattoos. Visit his studio and gallery to witness the fusion of creativity and craftsmanship in every stroke.

Artist Statement:

"My name is Ettore Bechis, and I am an Italian painter specializing in pop art. I predominantly paint icons from the realms of music, comics, and cinema that have influenced me since my adolescence. Artists such as Boris Vallejo, Frank Frazetta, and Simon Bisley have particularly shaped my creative journey. My chosen technique involves an initial layer in acrylics, followed by a second layer in oil for finer details. I handle every aspect of my art independently, from preparing the canvas to constructing the wooden frame and stretching the painting. I work in the “art room” within my home. Culturally and personally, my influences stem primarily from the world of entertainment. The philosophical perspective guiding the creation of my mini paintings is simply the joy of crafting something that brings a smile or, potentially, prompts contemplation."

Follow Ettore:

ettore-bechis.com | Instagram

Jamie Miceli

Pop-Up Exhibit: September 6-8, 2024

Several oil paintings by Jamie Miceli will be on display and for sale inside our reception gallery from September 6 through 8.

You can meet the artist here at OMAM during the Ormond Art Walk from 3 to 7 pm on Saturday, Aug. 3rd. Plus, you can enjoy live music by @rydersnight from 4 to 6pm on our beautiful Rooftop Terrace presented by The Locals Mix.

Admission to Art Walk is always FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all stops. Beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and more will be available for purchase.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Being in nature and sharing the beauty of the world around her through her paintings is Jamie Miceli’s passion. After a recent move to Florida's east coast, she has found a new landscape to be inspired by. Jamie’s focus is landscape oil paintings, in which her plein air pieces serve as studies for her studio paintings. She also does still life and portraiture. Jamie, a self-taught and award-winning artist, is always looking for ways to excel and educate herself in her specialty. She has studied under artists such as Diane Rappisi and Jay Moore, and has participated in workshops by Stacy Peterson and Jeanne Mackenzie.

Jamie says, “I love to explore beautiful landscapes and study the ways light causes nature to speak. Through each painting, I strive to capture and share a particular feeling and sense of timeless truth as I understand the nuances of color and light that radiate from the landscape.”

ARTIST STATEMENT:

"A new-found connection to the movement of waves and water has inspired this body of work. Living close to the ocean is a great getaway space for peace and solitude. While painting "en plein air" with the wildlife and salt smell in the air, sound of the ocean and the methodical movement of the waves is a feast for the senses. The waves rejuvenate the soul, and the color of the ocean landscape bathes the view in peaceful contemplation."

FOLLOW KIERSTEN:

jamiemiceli.com | Instagram

Kiersten Hawkins

Pop-Up Exhibit: July 29 - August 4, 2024

Several paintings by Kiersten Hawkins will be on display and for sale inside our reception gallery from July 29 through August 4.

You can meet the artist here at OMAM during the Ormond Art Walk from 3 to 7 pm on Saturday, Aug. 3rd.

Admission to Art Walk is always FREE, and you can ride the complimentary shuttle to visit all stops. Beer and wine will be available for purchase inside the museum.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Kiersten Hawkins is a portrait artist who creates her pieces mostly with oil paint. Although she has always been a creative individual, she began her painting journey in 2017 out of sheer interest in the craft. Kiersten started with acrylic paint and for years her love of creating remained and grew stronger. She later ventured into the world of oil paints which sparked a new love for creating her work. Stepping into this space of painting has assisted her in figuring out the message she wants her art to convey. She is currently a student at the University of Central Florida, where she is studying Visual Arts and Emerging Media Management. Her experience here has further inspired her art and has helped her with opportunities to expose her work. She has displayed her work in art shows, live paintings, and art magazines. Currently, Kiersten is focusing heavily on full-body portraiture and the use of vibrant colors. She hopes to continue improving her work and pushing herself to explore her artistic abilities.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

"I have recently taken more time to appreciate the simplicity of daily life and the things that we forget to pay attention to in this fast-paced society. Whether that be acknowledging selfless actions, creative people, or moments of solitude. In most of my recent oil paintings, I have focused heavily on capturing moments of authenticity and highlighting times when people are unaware they are even being noticed. This is where I find the most genuine emotions. In a world that seems to be full of controversy, I believe that it is necessary to step back and appreciate moments of people just being human. I would like to describe my art as an honest depiction of humanity with imaginative undertones by using vibrant hues and isolated figures. This new goal has pushed me creatively and is allowing me to further develop my skills and message. I also use vibrant colors in my work to create contrast between the figure and the background that it is painted against. These colors usually are a bit more saturated and intense than what you would normally see in the real world. I use a mixture of realism and loud colors to mimic our surroundings but with a hint of inventiveness that only your imagination can spark."

FOLLOW KIERSTEN:

KierstenArts.com | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube