Artist Registry
Artist Registry I – R
Click option below to go to the desired registry page
Dustin Inman: Visual Artist
Email : mangocats@gmail.com
Website : www.mangocats.com/SuperDustin
Dustin is 18 years old and lives in Jacksonville. He is differently-abled through the Autism spectrum, with a strong interest in movies.
Timothy Jarvis: Visual Artist
Email : tjpotter37@yahoo.com
While the ancient art of pottery began thousands of years ago, my own journey began more recently, when I formed my first pot in 1978 at the young age of 13. The feeling of the clay in my hands continues to enthrall me to this day. Through many personal achievements and failures, as well as the tutelage of several raku masters, with special individual thanks to Charles & Linda Riggs, I’ve discovered magic in its most elemental and purest form. I continue to enjoy my explorations of the ever changing mysteries of low fire pottery.
Keesha Jimenez: Visual Artist
Email : kloraineartwork@gmail.com
Website: www.kloraineartwork.wixsite.com/kloraineartwork
I am a Puerto Rican native traditional artist living in Tampa, Florida. I have studied art for over fifteen years beginning in high school. I graduated in 2009 as a visual arts major at Howard W. Blake, Sr. High magnet program in Tampa, Florida. It was here that I became inspired by artists like Edgar Degas, Francisco de Goya, Georgia O’Keeffe and Frida Kahlo for their expressive storytelling in their artwork. My primary focus is women, flowers, and landscape. I am well-rounded in different art techniques; but I paint, draw, and sculpt experimenting with multiple materials.
I graduated from the University of South Florida in December 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. I concentrated on building my portfolio and began exhibiting around the Tampa Bay area after graduating. I collaborated with Coalition of Hispanic Artists and The Thornhill Foundation for the Arts and joined in several of their painting competitions from 2015 to 2017. I returned to the University of South Florida, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Psychology in May 2020. With these new degrees, my goal would lead me to becoming an art therapist for PTSD in military veterans and children.
With the risk of the Coronavirus-19, I adapted by streaming my artwork on Twitch when exhibitions were out of the question. I have fun creating new traditional creative content and learning how to expand my artwork with digital art. As someone with cerebral palsy, art has helped me therapeutically both physically and psychologically. Art of all forms can draw out the best and worst of a person, but it is a safe outlet for anyone to express their emotions. Being able to share my artwork on Twitch gives me the opportunity to experience those emotions with everyone.
Romona Johnson: Visual Artist
Email : moniemona@msn.com
Since age 6 Romona, a New Jerseyan, has been an artist. She often recalls her mother and grandmother encouraging her to keep painting saying, “you have a gift”. When other kids were getting fancy stuff for birthdays and holidays–little Romona wanted paint. It seems, she says, “I just believed that I shared the same talent for creating beauty that I saw in the museums and galleries”.
Traveling throughout the U.S. has also deeply imprinted Romona’s style. Her creations reflect the beauty and elegance of a world only she is privy to—some of her portraits are colorful and jovial while others a bit stoic and somber. Even her greeting cards reflect a simple yet profound brilliance for the serene way she accepts life.
With an unapologetic style and unique technique, Ms. Johnson transcends traditional artistry by incorporating recycling materials as tools for her award winning creations.
Challen Karns: Visual Artist (Photography)
Email : lemonkarns@gmail.com
Website : https://vero.co/avakarnsphotography.com
Ava Karns (born Challen) is a fine art photographer currently getting her BFA in Studio Fine Arts.
David Khalil: Visual Artist
Email : mosaicartz@aol.com
Website : www.mosaicarts.itgo.com
David Khalil is a mosaic artist, who has passion for mosaic arts since 1979 and teaching mosaics since 1997. David is specialized in custom design, fabrication, installation of mosaics for interior and exterior, residential, and commercial. David loves teaching mosaics for able, disabled, kids-at-risk, and disadvantaged, too. David is insured and licensed to teach mosaics as a rewording trade or a cool hobby.
Teaching mosaics benefits’ summary:
a) Learn sciences and math, education, and life skills.
b) Learn a trade and secure their future.
c) Enhance their imagination, knowledge, motivation, self-esteem, and culture.
d) Increase their positive thinking, behavior, and bring them back to the bright life.
e) Heal their anger, loneliness, stress, depress, and sadness.
Please visit web sites: http://www.mosaicarts.itgo.com. and
https://www.youtube.com/user/mosaicartz/videos
Nathan Kifer : Visual Artist
Email : perlakiferz7@gmail.com
Born in the Panamanian tropical rainforest this young artist shows us, through his drawings, the imaginary “jungle” that lives in his mind. His Autism diagnosis has given him a special affinity and understanding of what it means to be a true lover of nature, as well as a defender of animals. His motivation and inspiration come from nature.
Nathan enjoys drawing his animals and imaginary creatures using pencils and markers on various types of paper and surfaces, from an environment where acceptance and harmony are present, always with a specific goal in mind for each creature. A tail, a claw, each stripe, represents an important quality that should not be overlooked. The “unlimited doodling” is his passion. At a young age he has already done several expositions as well as achieving second place at the Young At Arts Museum contest in 2020 (Highschool Division). He was invited to show his art at the Multiplaza Shopping Mall (Panama City, Panama) art expo and recently invited to auction his art along with other professional artists for the Foundation Pro Niñez.
Cheryl Kinderknecht : Visual Artist
Email : chkinderknecht@verizon.net
Cheryl H. Kinderknecht is a painter, mixed media artist and former gallery owner who also happens to have a significant visual impairment secondary to retinitis pigmentosa. Her formal art training includes an art degree from Fort Hays (KS) State University.
Katherine Kovacs : Visual Artist
Email : sunshinekat76@aol.com
I love to paint and draw and create. I’m Katherine and I have a learning disability.
Susan Stemple Kubes : Visual Artist
Email : susan_kubes@yahoo.com
Website : www.artlifting.com/collections/susan-stemple-kubes
Susan is a Florida native with a lifelong passion for painting Florida’s natural beauty. She works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, pastels, encaustic wax, and other media. Her art takes many directions. Susan is now working in abstracts on canvas and paper and also working on ostrich and emu eggs, and on gourds. Susan has a studio in Largo, FL where she teaches classes in oil and acrylic. She has been a VSAFL Registry member for 5 years, and with their help and encouragement has been able to grow as a professional artist and take advantage of many amazing opportunities while representing and promoting VSAFL.
Theodore Leeks : Visual Artist
Email : tleeks2909@gmail.com
Theodore Leeks started drawing in 1963, in high school and can draw anything.
“In order to define art, it is necessary first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as a condition of human life” – Leo Tolstoy
Robert Lia : Visual Artist
Email : robertlia935@gmail.com
Robert is 21 years old and loves photography. He started the art of photography while hiking in Tennessee. Robert started with his phone and has now upgraded to a camera.
Carol Lore : Visual Artist
Email : carolnyusiness@gmail.com
Website : www.clore4art.com
Carol Lore is a mixed media artist who was born and raised in New York. Starting early on with simple line drawings often compared to John Lennon, Carol has developed her craft through art classes and studying various artists such as Basquiat, Rothko and Dali. Carol’s work has been displayed at deseo studio, the treasure Island art Guild; where she won first place for her acrylic
on canvas, “Lips” and various venues in downtown St Pete. Her work has also been used as cover art by Dark Horse Publishing LLC.
Carol is now teaching art classes in Gulfport Senior center, Pinellas Park in St Petersburg Florida while continuing to paint and experiment with new techniques to include with future products.
Tina Lore : Literary Artist
Email : tinamariehansen@yahoo.com
Website : www.writeliving.wixsite.com/mysite
Tinamarie was born and raised in New York. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Eckerd College and an MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Tampa. She’s the recipient of St. Petersburg College’s Karen Pelz Writing Award, where she won 1st place for her poem, “As I Remember” and 3rd place for her short story, “The End.” Her poem, “Poetry Comes and Goes” was published by The Eckerd Review in 2015. Her work is also included in, Florida’s Best Emerging Poets (2018). Tinamarie had the pleasure of editing a book of poetry published by, Dark Horse Florida Publishing LLC, titled, Junky (2018). She’s had four plays produced by The Gulfport Community Players, winning Best Original Writing and Best Production for her play, “Buying Back Brooklyn.” She recently (2018) directed, “The M Word” for the Gulfport Community Player’s Writers Group. She also wrote a one-act play, “As it is in Heaven” which was included during GCPWG night of one acts. When Tinamarie is not writing or directing, she tutors children in reading and teaches older adults computer science.
Austin Lubetkin : Visual Artist
Email : bocaaust@gmail.com
Website : www.bocaaust.com
As a child, my autism prevented me from communicating through traditional means until my mother used her experience in art therapy to open my eyes to all the world has to offer. Today I’m confident in my artistic abilities and have grown into an adult who uses his synesthesia, autism, and emotions to create unique and expressive pieces. My self-taught technique involves making many small paintings which I scan into the computer and combine in Photoshop to create pieces that are truly unique. Overall, I communicate my feelings through my color choices utilizing my synesthesia which involves a link between my emotions and colors. During difficult times in my life, art was always there for me and it has become a therapeutic means to express my inner voice. I frequently try to give back to the community through my artistic involvement in charities like JDRF and Artists With Autism as part of my mission statement which is that I intend to make a difference in the world by being an artist.
Wayne MacLaughlin : Visual Artist
Email : w_maclaughlin@yahoo.com
Through an art therapy class, Wayne started painting in watercolors then expanding into acrylics. His artwork can at times be quite funny (like climbing a mountain of ice cream). As a Parkinson’s patient he is a real mover and a shaker.
Nova “V” Mahoney: Visual Artist
Email : voidstarzart@gmail.com
Website : www.voidstarz.art
My name is NOVA (my fans call me V) and I’m a Digital Artist & Content Creator who copes with Autism, Anxiety, Social Phobia, and Fibromyalgia. I was bullied in high school due to my Autism and art helped me cope. Since 2019 I have been the Youth Advisor for the XP Crunch Podcast Show called Mindful Gaming: Mental Health RoundTable Committee where I attend and speak at national Mental Health Conferences and Geek Conventions on Artwork and Autism. Currently I illustrate and animate my original characters and comics, while writing creative storylines for my own publications as well as a creative venture with my mother on several podcasts and . My complete passion lies in strange and quirky character designs with dark and unusual story telling.
Briana Cahen Martins: Literary Artist
Email : Briana12x@icloud.com
I am an aspiring artist that enjoys coloring, acting, painting, sketching, writing, film-directing, editing and drawing.
Sara May : Visual Artist
Email : saralynnmay@yahoo.com
Website : www.msmouthpaintings.com
Welcome to my new creative outlet after being disabled by Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis over 7 years ago. Having always been a creative person, when my hands started to fail me, I was devastated. I heard about quadriplegic’s painting by holding the paint brush in their mouth, but I was hesitant to try. I haven’t seriously painted in nearly 30 years by hand so I was skeptical to try it by mouth. It took me a few months to get the courage to start. I knew it would be a challenge, but with all setbacks with MS, I didn’t want to be discouraged again. Thanks to my friends and family for the support I will continue to paint. Some paintings are much better than others as I get better each day. Thank you for viewing.
Geneveve Meza : Visual Artist
Email : ycortes@macdonaldcenter.org
I love the vibrant colors in all the pieces of my art.
Emily K. Michael : Literary Artist
Email : emily.k.michael@gmail.com
Website : emilykmichael.com
Emily K. Michael is a blind poet, musician, and writing instructor from Jacksonville, FL. Her poetry and essays have appeared in Wordgathering, Nine Mile Magazine, The Deaf Poets Society, Rogue Agent, AWP Writer’s Notebook, BREVITY’s Nonfiction Blog, and The South Carolina Review. Emily writes about disability, ecology, and music. Emily’s first book Neoteny: Poems is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press.
Sarah Moore : Visual Artist
Email : mleonhardt@ridgeareaarc.org
Website : ridgeareaarc.org
I am a passionate and expressive artist who enjoys exploring creativity through mixed media, painting, and collaborative projects. My artwork often reflects themes of emotion, nature, and personal growth. I participate in a psychosocial rehabilitation program where I engage in group art sessions and community-based creative activities.
Asani Nolan : Visual Artist
Email : sandirodman@icloud.com
I have been in programs for the disabled since I was eligible. I live in a group home. People have difficulty understanding my words.
Tanya O’Brien: Literary Artist
Email : tmobriendoterra@gmail.com
My name is Dr. Tanya O’Brien. I served in the Navy and worked as a registered nurse for 23 years, both in patient care and as a professor at several colleges. In 2020, I became unable to work due to my disabilities related to my time in service. The only reason I am still here today is because I found the arts as a way to process my feelings and help propel me on my healing journey.
I did not start having issues until I had been out of the military for over 4 years. It seemed to come out of nowhere. I knew I was having symptoms of PTSD, but I had guilt, thinking I couldn’t have PTSD, I was never in a combat situation. I’ve since realized that trauma can happen in many ways, and it can be a onetime experience or multiple exposures over time. With all the symptoms and issues I was having, I isolated myself in my home. I have four kids, and I couldn’t watch or participate in any of their events because I was afraid of what would happen if I left the house. I shut down, and my husband had to do everything.
I have always loved music, and one day I was asked if I was interested in joining a group to learn a dance. I had no idea what I was getting into. To me, the movement was just an exercise. Over time, and with the help of our movement therapist, I began to realize some of the benefits of using movement and music to help me work through things. Then Bernie asked me to join her in a group at the Straz called The Veterans Civilian Arts Ensemble. I went hoping to get to sing. The program directors pushed me little by little, and in my second year in the program, I wrote a poem and presented it with a group of my fellow veterans in front of an audience.
This year I was able to write a poem and perform it on my own. I have also written a book that has been published called “Into the Dark-A Sailor’s Journey” about being a female first responder in the military and what dealing with my PTSD was like. I was also invited to several art experience classes, and I found that using different art forms: drawing, painting, leatherwork all enable me to release or identify different feelings. It’s not about the finished product; it is about the process. There is no comparing your work to others; it is about what your work says about you. You may find it’s easier to use words, pictures, or abstracts. It doesn’t matter as long as you try to take what it is you are carrying and get it out.
Eliseo Ortiz: Visual Artist
Email : cheocheo65@gmail.com
“Through brokenness, beauty can rise.”
My art is rooted in personal pain but guided by a desire to offer peace, reflection, and empowerment. I use a blend of materials – ink, acrylic, found objects, and digital layering – to express the invisible journey of healing. Each piece is an invitation to pause, feel, and reconnect.
Juliana (Jewels) Pace : Visual Artist
Email : juliana.pace@gmail.com
Website : www.etsy.com/shop/julianap
I’m a happily married Christian artist & author! Most of my artwork is inspired by our Creator’s Complexity in that He created each one of us so unfathomable that one has to look many times over to see every aspect of each person! I’ve crafted as long as I can remember. My Grandpa bought my first piece when I was 10, telling me that good art should be paid for! But, I just presented myself to the world as an artist in 2004!
Patrick Peay: Literary Artist
Email : patrickpeay2025@gmail.com
Website : www.patrickpeay.com
Patrick was born on a Wednesday afternoon on August 22, 1984, to K.A. Peay and Tracey Lee Bethel. He was raised in the ghettos of Columbia, South Carolina by his loving grandmother Roberta L. Peay. Patrick always considered himself a grandmama’s boy, but was grateful for his grandmother’s many sacrifices and insistence that he focus on academics. Patrick discovered his pension with a pen as a creative writer at the age of 11 in 1995 when he and a classmate collaborated on a series of short stories entitled The Junior Detectives. They wrote and illustrated several short stories in this series up until 1998 when Patrick’s grandmother passed away suddenly.
Following the tragic death of his beloved grandmother, Patrick moved to Jacksonville, FL. After overcoming a crippling depression, he continued to hone his writing craft by working on a sci-fi novella. He also wrote for his high school newspaper for four years. Patrick graduated valedictorian from Robert E. Lee Senior High School on the west side of Jacksonville in 2002. The following fall he enrolled at Jacksonville University as a communications major. That’s when trouble found this ever-rebellious young man. Legal issues led to Patrick’s suspension and subsequent expulsion from JU following his sophomore year while he was in the midst of compiling his first manuscript.
After a tumultuous bunch of years when Patrick struggled to survive and cope with addictions and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, he finally completed his first manuscript. The Red Reaper: Volume 1 was published in the summer of 2006. Patrick’s next published title was in 2011 when Must Be Nice: The Patrick Peay Story, an autobiographical journal, was released.
Zofia Perez: Visual Artist
Email : mysensoryartbyzofia@gmail.com
Website : www.mysensoryart.com
Everyone tells their story differently. Zofia tells her story through her creative and artistic innovations. Her vision is to #ShareHappy with her art and creations with everyone around her!
Many factors influence Zofia’s multisensory, textured art, including the colors and images she encounters in the world around her. She is a multi-sensory artist, significantly influenced by Florida’s colorful, tropical landscape.
Shelli Peterson: Visual Artist
Email : maid4clean2019@gmail.com
Hello my name is Shelli and I am extremely passionate about all art forms, I have many mental challenges that were not always challenges of mine they are new and I only keep going because of art, and writing I have found I’ve beginning to gain courage to put myself out there slowly for I never ever felt good enough but something is stirring inside me to challenge myself beyond the fear of being seen and I feel a want maybe more a need to share my expressions and to be immersed into other as well I really would love to have opportunity to communicate and connect with others that can appreciate my state of being as is and my continued learning within the realm of my imagination.
Sonel Pierre : Performance Artist
Email : sonelpierreactor@icloud.com
Website :https://www.sosooneinc.com
My name is Sonel Pierre I’m 30 year old and I’m aspiring actor, writer and producer with cerebral palsy and I have been interested to become an actor for a long long time.
Aarushi Pratap : Fashion Artist
Email : aarushi.pratap@gmail.com
Website :aarushipratap.com
Aarushi Pratap is an autistic fashion designer and visual artist known for her whimsical prints, bold colors, and vintageinspired contemporary style. Her work has been featured at New York Fashion Week, Tampa Bay Fashion Week, and numerous inclusive fashion shows across the U.S.
Designing and creating since age 13, Aarushi uses fashion and art as her true language—celebrating imagination, individuality, and inclusion. Inspired by marine life, nature, and everyday textures, her creations blend storytelling, artistry, and couture craftsmanship into joyful, one-of-a-kind designs. She is based in Tampa, Florida.
Aarushi creates bespoke clothing, with a philosophy rooted in making fashion accessible, inclusive, and empowering. Through custom design sessions, tailored sizing, and a deeply personal creative process, she ensures every client feels confident and seen. Beyond fashion, Aarushi’s artistry spans graphic design, logo work, commissioned acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings and illustration where her love for storytelling and bold visuals continues to shine.
Renee Proctor: Visual Artist
Email : rfproctor@hotmail.com
Website : itzykittydesigns@facebook.com
I am passionate about creating. Learning to view the world around us in different ways is what art means to me. Each one of us can try to capture the color in the sky, however we each see just a little differently. It’s that viewpoint that makes each painting or each creation that we do uniquely ours. And learning to express the appreciation of the love of that art that is special.
The mediums I work with is varied. I might paint on leave. Or I might use a found object around me -Just let’s be creative and see what we can do
Luisa Pulido : Visual Artist
Email : meinestudio@yahoo.com
Website : www.luisapulido.com
At a very young age, I recall every day being in my parent’s office, New World Magazine, where my father did his graphic arts. There was always an appreciation for the arts and visual expression. My parents understood this and gave me all the materials I needed. I drew, used watercolors, and painted coloring books as I explored my creativity and cultivated another language for myself.
I believe my family played a role in influencing me and encouraging me to pursue my artistic goals. Growing up and watching my uncles sculpt or my father air-brushing and then witnessing the results evolve in front of my eyes. It awakened a passion in my heart that made me the dedicated artist that I am today. As I grew older and learned about art, I became inspired by popular works of art leaving a deep impression on me. Traveling has also given me a broader perspective as to what it is I want to express in my paintings.
I would say that my desire to express myself is what mostly inspires my artwork. Life itself is a fountain of inspiration and ideas. As I prepare to start on a new piece, my imagination gets a powerful spark and my studio fill with this unbelievable excitement which makes each work mystical and magical, yet fulfills me with total freedom.
Angelina Rappa : Visual Artist
Email : rappaa03@gmail.com
Website : www.angelinadimaria.art
Angelina Rappa is a fine arts student attending Cornell University. Angelina is experimenting with many media to explore the human experience in novel and exciting ways. She is dedicated to producing truthful work and encourages personal reflection ro her viewers.
Calla Reardon : Visual Artist
Email : tstill@macdonaldcenter.org
I love to paint tall, pretty flowers. I am tall and the flowers are a reflection of me. I enjoy making art. I like acrylic paint and oil pastels.
Thomas Edison Reaves III : Visual Artist
Email : edisonart505@gmail.com
Member of VSA, MS for 10 years; Featured in One Man Show, Jackson Arts Center, Jackson, MS; Participated in numerous VSA Art Shows, Benefit Auctions and Festivals; Won Mayor’s Choice Award, City Hall Show, New Port Richey, 2016; Have paintings in Community Banks of Germantown, TN, MS Arts Commission, MS Library Commission, MS Arts Council; and in the home of a former MS Governor. Participating Artist at Jackson Square, New Orleans for one year. I focus on heavily textured contemporary paintings and work on handwoven canvas. I also am a wildlife photographer.
Emely Reyes : Performing Artist
Email : emely.reyes719@gmail.com
Website : https://youtube.com/channel/UCIyQWivZnOcxmcek4KjFaCA
My name is Emely Reyes. My family is from Puerto Rico, I was born in New Jersey, then moved to florida to attend the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in 2009. I am visually impaired. I graduated high school in 2017 from the blind high school, then I attended a small Christian college in North east Georgia called Toccoa Falls College where I received my bachelors of music in 2021. My major was music performance with a voice concentration and a minor in Bible and theology. Musically, I studied opera, classical art songs and sacred music. I am currently a voice teacher at the Blind Elementary, middle and high school at FSDB. Although I do love to teach, performing is my passion. I love to sing opera, sacred music like spirituals, hymns and gospel, R&B, Jazz and last but not least, Christmas music. I do not know where I would be without God and music. personally, music is the best way I feel that I can express myself and worship my Lord and Savior.
Addie Rodriguez : Visual Artist
Email : justaddie26@gmail.com
Addie is a mixed media artist with a particular interest in 2D collage and 3D assemblage. Her formal training stems from fashion illustration and design. Addie continues to use shapes and colors as inspiration for any new creation.
Finn Rodriguez : Visual Artist
Email : finndigitalarts@gmail.com
Finn Rodriguez is an emerging, disabled, LGBTQ+ and Latinx artist. They enjoy working on digital art and many of their art pieces express themes of community, positivity, and pride in who you are.
Jason Rosenstock : Visual Artist
Email : jrosenstock76@comcast.net
Website : www.jmarlinart.com
My name is Jason Rosenstock. I live in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. I am a physically disabled visual artist. I started to paint while attending middle school in Virginia Beach, Va. Painting allowed me to channel my positive energy and provided me an outlet to express myself in ways that I was unable to in other aspects of my life. My teachers in high school and college were inspirations for me. They noticed my talent for painting and encouraged me to continue, and with their guidance I learned many styles and techniques. Today I continue to study art at The Fat Village Center For The Arts in Fort Lauderdale. I have learned many new techniques working with the teachers there and my work has immensely improved. Painting helps me to relax and allows me to focus my energy in a fulfilling way. When I begin a new painting it is like having a goal to work towards. Many times the end result of a painting is a surprise to me. After spending so much time and energy on a project it is often hard to envision what the end result will be. I enjoy watching the progression of a painting from start to finish, seeing the layers build up and the objects take shape is truly satisfying. I often feel like a long journey is ending when I get close to finishing a painting, and many times I’m not ready to move on to something else right away.