The SOBA featured artist exhibit will run from May 6-June 2 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. May 10

John Meckley’s May art exhibit at The Society of Bluffton Artists’ gallery in Old Town Bluffton will reflect the South Carolina Lowcountry’s beautiful marshes and majestic egrets. 

“Lowcountry Backyard” art exhibit will show from May 6-June 2  with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. May 10 at the SOBA gallery.

“What inspires my brushstrokes to a canvas here in the Lowcountry are the images of soft, warm breezes floating on top of the many coloring changing marsh grasses,” Meckley said. “Also inspiring is how the white Egrets seem to glide effortlessly in slow motion across the backdrop of the majestic skies, making the long journey back to their tree top nests.”

Meckley traces his artistic roots back to the age of 13. His inherent love for art blossomed through self-taught techniques, drawing inspiration from the timeless masterpieces of Rembrandt and the esteemed Wyeth family artists. Meckley’s unique style intertwines elements of these revered artists with his own signature of soft, smooth, and warm brush strokes, complemented by a carefully curated palette of warm, earthy tones. His subjects emanate a profound sense of serenity and tranquility, inviting viewers into a world of contemplation and peace.

Meckley’s artistic journey took a significant turn at the age of 17 when he clinched his first Juried art show award in Pennsylvania. Since then, his talent has garnered widespread acclaim, earning him numerous accolades in juried exhibitions across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, and South Carolina. Notably, his exceptional craftsmanship has been recognized on an international scale, with one of his masterpieces proudly adorning the walls of the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

However, it was a pivotal moment two years ago that marked a profound shift in Meckley’s artistic focus. Relocating to the picturesque surroundings of Bluffton, South Carolina, he found himself enraptured by the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. A transformative experience unfolded as he drove across a bridge, with the gentle patter of rain and the radiant glow of the sun casting a surreal ambiance. A vibrant rainbow arched across the sky, while a mesmerizing flock of Egrets danced gracefully across the marshes. In that transcendent moment, Meckley felt an undeniable connection to nature, interpreting it as a divine sign guiding his artistic path.

The exhibit will take place April 1-28 and the reception is from 5-7 p.m. April 9

Marianne Stillwagon is the featured artist for April at The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Her exhibit will run from April 1-28 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. April 9. These events are free and open to the public.

Stillwagon’s upcoming show uses a variety of acrylic paints with the main focus on bold colors that create an emotional response from the viewer. 

“Since moving to South Carolina in 2015, I have been inspired to paint the colors of the LowCountry – in both realistic as well as abstract modes,” she said.

Stillwagon is originally from South River, New Jersey. She has a bachelor’s degree in design, and she has worked as a freelance graphic designer for many years before pursuing her “first love” of painting. She has participated in numerous retail and trade fine art shows since 1976. Stillwagon’s artwork has been sold in galleries and shops throughout the U.S. Additionally, she is an exhibiting member of the New Hampshire Art Association,National Association of Women Artists,  the Monadnock Area Art Association and SOBA. 

For more information, visit http://mstillwagon.faso.com/.

The Pearl Gala will take place 5-9 p.m. April 13th at the Berkeley Hall Club

The community is invited to attend The Society of Bluffton Artists’ Pearl Gala — celebrating 30 years of art in Bluffton — from 5-9 p.m. April 13 at the Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton. 

The evening will include cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the beautiful grounds and then dinner and drinks, entertainment by a jazz duo and a brief slideshow of SOBA’s 30-year history. Attendees are also invited to participate in the silent auction of Wearable Art hand painted and modeled by SOBA artists.

“This is not a fundraiser, it’s a celebration,” said Marie Burgeson, SOBA’s president. “We’re  offering something to the community for their enjoyment,  and at the same time helping them understand and appreciate what our organization offers.”

SOBA was established to promote a stimulating community environment for the visual arts and to assist area students and artists in enhancing their artistic abilities. SOBA was founded in the spring of 1994 by seven local artists, who had the idea of creating an organization where all levels of art skills are welcome, and to provide a place where their art can be beautifully exhibited for purchase.

Thirty years later, the non-profit 501c-3 organization has flourished with almost 200 members, who enjoy art classes, workshops, and demonstrations throughout the year by prominent artists. The SOBA gallery gives a home for experienced artists to exhibit their work, as well as for young artists who get to experience what it’s like to exhibit in a professional gallery and the thrill of selling their art. Over the years, SOBA has provided art programs at the Boys & Girls Club, sponsored trips to art museums throughout the state, funded scholarships to local college students pursuing art degrees and more.

A Plein Air Impressionist, Carol was awarded a prestigious Artist Residency at “Les Amis de la Grande Vigne” in Dinan, France, the former home and studio of famous French artist Yvonne Jean-Haffen.

Her painting was selected for the Museum’s collection and was on exhibition in France during 2013 and 2019. Carol is a member of American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, Pastel Society of America and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. Her paintings are in collections throughout the U.S. as well as five other countries.

The work of plein air impressionist Carol Iglesias, captures the very essence of her experiences throughout her well-traveled life. She invites the viewer to share in her love of the world and entices with her bold use of color and light. One painting may depict an appreciation of architecture and in another, colorful reflections on water.

https://sobagallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Artists-Spotlight_-Carol-Iglesias-SD-480p.mov

Carol Iglesias was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her early years brought her to Calgary, Alberta, then onto Bainbridge Island, Washington and eventually to Virginia where she settled for many years. She now lives on Hilton Head Island, SC, and works out of a studio offering an abundance of natural light and spectacular views.

Like many artists, Carol’s love of art began at an early age. “My parents were very supportive of my interest in art and furthering my skills.” Carol’s mother would take her from their home on Bainbridge Island, crossing the Puget Sound by ferry, to art classes at the Seattle Art Museum. Her exposure to art was further enhanced by frequently visiting regional art shows and taking multiple art classes throughout high school. She was awarded an Art Scholarship to Olympic College in Washington, where she received an Associates of Arts Degree.

She continued her studies at the New School of Visual Concepts in Seattle before joining her friend, teacher and mentor, Jane Wallis in her private studio.

Several years after putting her paints away to raise her family, Carol embarked on a three week painting excursion with Wallis, opening her back up to all of the passion she had felt since her time in college. Simply put, “I knew I would paint again after raising my family.”

Carol’s influence comes from the great impressionists: Monet, Cezanne, Cassatt, Sargent, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh, as well as the contemporary, well-established teachers who she has taken workshops with including Kevin MacPherson, Albert Handel, Liz Haywood Sullivan, Richard McKinley, Desmond O’Hagan, Maggie Price, Doug Dawson, Susan Ogilvie, Marla Baggetta, Aline Ordman, and Jane Wallis. Iglesias has attended Plein Air Magazines, Plein Air Convention in San Diego, Santa Fe & San Francisco, participated in the Plein Air Painters’ U.S. Open on Whidbey Island, Washington and continues to paint plein air in locations all over the world. These include France, Italy,  the Netherlands, the Caribbean, Greece, Glacier National Park, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, California and other locations around the U.S.  She has exhibited her paintings extensively at galleries, museums and international shows.

https://www.caroliglesias.com/

Creator of Wearable Art

Doris is the Creative Mind behind Expressive Flair Earrings. She specializes in crafting unique and expressive earrings. With a degree in Art and years of teaching experience Doris finally found a way to let her creativity shine through her stunning designs. Her inspiration comes from beautiful artwork presented in a distinct and innovative manner.

Doris and Bluffton, SC artist Ginny Cassidy have teamed up to create amazing earrings. Doris incorporates Ginny’s beautiful paintings to make her designs.

How are the earrings made? 

Doris explains her process to transform Ginny Cassidy’s paintings into wearable art.

https://sobagallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Artists-Spotlight_-Doris-Jones-Vargas_SD-480p.mov

Big, Bold and Expressive! These boutique collections of earrings bring together jewelry design and art. Her work can be found at the SOBA Gallery.

https://www.facebook.com/JVCreativeDesignsLLC/

I was born and raised in a small row house on a busy city street in Philadelphia, PA. As a child with a bike, I was able to explore as many parts of the city as my legs would propel me to. To this day memories of those experiences have influenced my art, in that, I am often drawn to gritty urban settings for my images.

As a child, I began snapping photos with a Kodak Brownie camera gifted to me one Christmas. Back then, much to my family’s amusement, I often captured street scenes instead of typical family pictures. By the late 90s, I showcased my photos at an Asbury Park, NJ art gallery near our home, marking the onset of photography becoming a serious art form in my life.

Moving to the Lowcountry in 2001, I discovered creative inspiration along the pristine waters of Beaufort County. The untouched natural landscapes, including wading bird rookeries, small islands, and isolated salt marsh hammocks, serve as a reminder of a bygone era slowly succumbing to the encroaching sea. These islands, barely above water and surrounded by wetlands, embody ancient geological and natural history spanning hundreds of thousands of years.

Consequently, my artistic focus remains tethered to these waterscapes, whether it’s a beach, salt marsh, or moist pine forest. Additionally, I’ve forged a deep connection with the region’s history, reflected in the surviving Lowcountry homes and the heritage of the Gullah people who were once enslaved to toil in their masters’ fields. Living among their descendants, I’ve found a profound link to the past that also influences my work.

Fine art history significantly inspires my photography. As a Master Docent at the Telfair Museums, I’ve delved into various art movements, learning from paintings and drawings. Photography, a relatively new art form, draws immense inspiration from other mediums. You don’t need an art degree to appreciate and learn from it. I supplement my knowledge through museum visits, exhibitions, books, and online archives.

My favorite time to create is during the ‘golden hour’—the hour before sunset or after sunrise. This period offers optimal lighting for captivating photos, and as an early riser, I prefer sunrise.

Photography holds the ability to preserve moments and scenes in timeless images, capturing a record of the past that remains eternally unchanged. It’s a pursuit akin to civilized hunting, but non-destructive, leaving only footprints while allowing the subject to endure.
Crafting a compelling photograph involves an artist’s skill in framing elements within the composition. The success or failure of a photo often hinges on this aspect, requiring conscious decisions on what to include or exclude in the frame and how to arrange the elements present.

Staying motivated as a photographer is linked to passion. Finding purpose in exploration drives my work, allowing me to shift styles and subjects. This purpose shapes my vision and creativity, keeping my motivation and passion alive.

In the realm of photography, mastering technical skills and processes is crucial. I’ve encountered setbacks with different vendors’ offerings in the past. Currently, I rely on a Canon camera connected to Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Printing is integral, and I use a Canon printer for smaller images and various commercial vendors for larger prints, often on canvas or metal.

To succeed as a self-artist and enhance your craft, consistent practice is essential. Nobody is born with innate expertise; even renowned artists like Garry Winogrand started with no skills. Winogrand took around 5,850,000 photos in his life—roughly 445 daily in the film era.

Photographers face creative blocks too. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve captured everything or lack the motivation to shoot. To overcome this, I resort to certain methods:

• Set a photo project: Creating themes like monochromatic shots or using a single lens (e.g., 50mm) pushes me to explore and experiment.
• Explore diverse perspectives: Similar to how Monet painted the Rouen Cathedral multiple times, shooting a subject in various ways – different times, lighting, angles – offers a therapeutic and rewarding challenge.
• Exercise patience: Creative blocks aren’t catastrophic. They’re just hurdles on the path to evolving as a photographer. They prompt me to explore new techniques through learning, practice, and continual production, turning obstacles into opportunities on my creative journey.

While I might be the only photographer without a public website, I do maintain a private site to share my photos with invited guests. I also exhibit at various places like the Art League of Hilton Head Island, the Telfair Museums shop, and several national galleries.

The best part about being an artist is the satisfaction of creating something extraordinary. The joy comes from the moment when a piece is finished, capturing a unique vision. Unlike others, I get to immerse myself in beauty constantly, enabling me to share my art with the world. Ultimately, I aim to make a difference by sharing my perspective, sparking change, and offering new ways for people to perceive and feel about a subject. Being an artist isn’t about the camera gear, technical knowledge, or how long one has been shooting. It’s entirely about the mindset during creation and what comes from it. It’s about perceiving the world differently, breaking free from routines, and transcending the usual ‘to-do list’ mentality.