When artists follow their passion and express their unique voice, their art evokes an immediate and lasting impact on viewers. I am delighted to present artists who fit that description. Their styles and choices of mediums are very different; however, their art and their intentions share a common bond, which is nature as a source of inspiration. In this article 7 artists share the influence of nature in their art. They either devote their entire body of work to nature-inspired images or have often felt the urge to create pieces that express their connection to the natural world. Enjoy viewing art by Ruth Soller, Tanis Bula, Pia Pilar Reynaldo, Ming Franz, Mary Manning, Jeannine Hunter Lazzaro.
These talented artists and their unique artistic visions inspired me to write this article while curating our online exhibition “Inspirational Art in Mixed Media”.
Enjoy viewing their art, reading their statements, and visiting their websites to view more of their artwork and learn more about them.
Ruth Soller
Ruth Soller lives in Lafayette, Colorado. She is nationally recognized for her vibrant oil paintings of National Parks and western landscapes that exude a powerful and magical presence that transcends their physical characteristics. She achieves magnificent results by building up layers of oil paint on a sienna-toned linen or canvas. Once varnished, the paintings take on a translucent depth and luminescence similar to stained glass.
About pursuing her passion for creating art she tells us, “Travel adventures became my muse as plein air painting and sketching allow me to record my experiences in nature.” She explains, “My purpose is to share my awe of nature and create energy and joy through art. My magical landscapes express passion through brilliant hues and dramatic contrasts.” solleroriginals.com
Tanis Bula
Tanis Bula lives in Colorado. She states, “Nature offers an abundance of complex shapes, textures, patterns and colors. The constant shifting of light makes each moment unique. Flowers especially exhibit this fleeting nature, incredible beauty constantly in transition. Their fragility and delicacy lends itself uniquely to the light and transparency possible with watercolor. I love bright colors and strong contrasts, and this too is reflected in my art.”
Most of her art is created using watercolor; however, she occasionally adds oil pastel. She explains, “When I add oil pastel to the painting it gives the work much more depth, texture and color.” tanisbula.com
Pia Pilar Reynaldo
Pia Pilar Reynaldo lives in Vail, Colorado. She won a Special Art Award in the “HerStory” 2020 exhibition I curated for Manhattan Arts International for her unique creative vision and innovative approach to using different mediums.
About nature and her art she states, “Nature arrives in my work as subtly as seasons change. Yet as I work, this motif is suddenly apparent. Unfolding layer upon layer of colors, transparent and bold, representing the life/death cycle within Nature, it is the journey in-between seasons in which life can be enriched. I cannot say if these influences came from the landscapes from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains, but I am always pleasantly surprised when a facet of Nature pulls the concept I am working on together; making it whole.” piapilarreynaldo.com
Ming Franz
Ming Franz was born in Taiwan and now lives in Edgewood, New Jersey. She developed an early passion for nature and has hiked many mountains around the world, “fueling my passion for nature, especially waterfalls, streams, rivers, trees, birds. I have become a landscape painter, because that is part of my life.”
She has focused on developing an evocative medium she refers to as “Splash Color Painting”. She explains, “I use my vast knowledge of nature world to transform the abstract ink forms into works of art. My adaptive style allows the splashes of colored ink to have their own voice. Swirls of ink are transformed into mountains, clouds, waterfalls, seashores, forests, with birds and wildflowers leaping from the paintings.” mingfranzstudio.com
Mary Manning
Mary Manning lives in St. George, Utah. She tells us, “Growing up in the West, the natural beauty and depth of space captured my imagination from childhood to the present day. Red rocks, desert light, birdsong, the sounds of a rare river running through parched landscapes, all gave me a new way of seeing. And seeing, as every great artist knows, opens a creative path to finding a style and a substance for art.” She continues, “Sometimes a spectacular sunrise or sunset captures my imagination. Storms sweeping the desert change sunny, clear blue skies into a vivid palette of colors.”
Mary often combines acrylics, gold, copper and silver leaf and epoxy resins. “All these materials allow me to process vision into a work of elemental beauty.” marymanningredrockjoyofpainting.com
Jeannine Hunter Lazzaro
Jeannine Hunter Lazzaro is an innovative and versatile artist who lives in North Attelborough, Massachusetts. About her mixed media “Trigger Again” she explains, “This painting is from a series of work that refers to having a positive state of mind. The dark field is broken up by colors and the presence of bird-like shapes. These symbolize the constant appearance of birds in the sky regardless.” In creating her “Realistic Abstraction” art she states, “Understanding the world around me has been a cumulative effect of painting or drawing it. The energy that exists in all things intrigues me.”
She adds, “I introduce media that I feel is appropriate for what is happening. Ink, acrylic paint, pastel, paper… The designs, swirls and hatchings that are created by dripping ink are entirely different than ones created by paint.” jhunterlazzaro.com
Mary Manning says
Thank you so much, Renee, for featuring my art here. I’m excited!
Ruth Soller says
Renee,
Thank you so much for sharing my art in your new article and I’m honored to be included in your Healing Power of Art & Artists Website along with many outstanding artists. You are doing important work by focusing our minds on beauty, nature, and health during current times when we face opposition in the world around us.
Keep up the good work! Regards,
Ruth Soller