My art is a mixture of strong tradition with a keen sense of new age. My research, self-evaluation, and awareness of my heritage evolved into a direction I have found to be exciting, challenging, and educational. I present an image that offers the beauty, grace, dignity, and strength of a proud people. These are the people of the Americas. The mystiques of ancient rituals, chants, fetishes, and offerings, their hieroglyphics, sculpture, architecture, plus the colors of the ceremonial costumes are all sources of inspiration.

My approach to my work has always been intuitive. I try to allow the image to develop on its own. There are clues at times as to where I can direct some of these images, other times; I just enjoy the freedom of the process and experimentation with new materials.

One of my greatest influences is Rufino Tamayo; his work impressed me from the start, especially his ability to express his "Mexicanness". Tamayo believed that artists invent each time they create art ... "each one of us involved in inventing do it in a different way." I attempt to apply that same attitude toward my work. My work has been described as ethereal, spiritual, subtle and luminous, I appreciate this particular view because these are qualities I try to create.

F. John Sierra

 

Will Portis began his career in art while still in high school as a Display Artist for the Goodrich Tire & Rubber Company. Since then he has created hundreds of works of art, both commercially and as a private fine artist. 

Mr. Portis is an accomplished portrait artist as well as a master of landscape art. In addition to his paintings on canvas, Mr. Portis' work can be seen on the numerous murals he has completed over the years.

In his dedication to art, Mr. Portis has spent time as an artist in Residence at the Mansfield Museum of Art, and the African-American Cultural and Historic Museum. He has also conducted a number of art and art related lectures, seminars, and classes over the course of his career as an artist.

Will Portis, who describes his style as a "natural realism", has been hailed as a Modern Renaissance Artist by many. His paintings have been noted for their dynamic lighting and bringing out the character of his subjects.

Mr. Portis attended the University of Akron for the Fine and Commercial Arts and holds a Masters degree in education.

In addition to being a working artist, Mr. Portis is also available for private instruction.

Rowena Bowman

Originally from New Orleans, Rowena Earned a degree in Fine Art from LSU Baton Rouge. This Training emphasized printmaking and commercial art.

In 1993, she was granted studio space at Glen Echo Park, MD, outside Washington, D.C. During that time, she took classes at the Corcoran School of Art, the Torpedo Factory, and The Yellow Barn Studio to improve basic painting and drawing skills. This influenced Rowena's personal style in mixed media and digital graphics.

After Rowena returned to Louisiana in 2001, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of her artwork. The trauma of the hurricane and the long aftermath became the subject matter for her cut paper artwork.

In September 2006, Rowena was selected as the only visual artist among many performing artist from Louisiana and Mississippi, who were honored at the Kennedy Center’s Open House as Survivors of Katrina. She came to the Fresno in 2007 to be near family.

Rowena currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

Ann Stewart

Aileen R. Imperatrice