Artists

These artists are visionaries who never lost their sense of child-like wonder and curiosity; whose appetite remained unchecked by commercial ambitions - they're artists in every sense of the word.

	Jen Rehberg - Cake Artist Jen Rehberg has been the creative type all her life. She found her passion of cake decorating a few years ago when a friend asked her to make her daughter's birthday cake. Although her first cake was far from amazing, Jen got "the bug" and has been decorating ever since! In 2011, Jen founded her custom cake business, Oh, For Cake's Sake! in Vista, California, with the hope of bringing smiles (as well as happy tears) to her customers faces. Over the past few years, she has created unbelievable and unique cakes for all sorts of different occasions. Jen loves to learn new things and try different techniques on her cakes, which in turn make her creations even more amazing. In her spare time - oh, who are we kidding? Jen doesn't have spare time! All of her time is consumed by cake!
Currently favoring acrylic as her medium of choice, Sonia's work embodies pulsating color schemes and themes of heritage as based off her own vivid Mexican background and childhood. Often featuring strong feminine forms Sonia seeks to capture the inner and outer beauty of each individual portrayed. "I am very easily inspired by positive, motivated, spiritual people as well as experiences, I live my everyday life with an open heart, loving all that comes my way."
	Sonia Lopez-Chavez For Sonia Lopez-Chavez, the pursuit of passion and beauty has been her calling since inception. Born in the vibrant city of Guanajuato, Mexico, at an early age Sonia moved to San Diego and has remained ever-since, ever inspired by the gorgeous scenery and diverse culture. "My process for creating new work is simple. I find inspiration and then go with it. I put all of my energy in to one piece at a time.," the soft-spoken Sonia notes, petite features alighting as she speaks.
Currently favoring acrylic as her medium of choice, Sonia's work embodies pulsating color schemes and themes of heritage as based off her own vivid Mexican background and childhood. Often featuring strong feminine forms Sonia seeks to capture the inner and outer beauty of each individual portrayed. "I am very easily inspired by positive, motivated, spiritual people as well as experiences, I live my everyday life with an open heart, loving all that comes my way." Likewise, indicative of this ethos, Sonia's work encapsulates scenes full of equally as ingratiating personalities. Often juxtaposed with natural elements, the Southern California setting of San Diego has provided plenty of inspiration providing not only cityscape but serene mountains and coastlines. "Just walking out my door inspires me. All the positive loving energy I put out is returned so I then choose to transfer it on my work."
	Kim Barry Graduated from Penn State University, Kim has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, since. She had been a member of the International Artists Support Group (IASG) during her time in Washington, D.C. , where her work was included in International traveling group exhibits through their program. In 2003, she relocated to Jacksonville, FL in an effort to focus solely on creative projects. In 2010, with fellow artist and partner, Joey Thate, they opened Suite 106- a 3,000 sq. ft., their working studio in collaboration with Downtown Vision and the Cultural Council as part of a large scale movement called "Off The Grid" with the intent to revitalize the city through the arts. After a much successful run, Barry and Thate relocated to Los Angeles in 2011.
	Anselmo Garcia At fifteen, I began using the walls of the cities I lived in to develop my voice as an artist. If I could write, I would write my stories. Stories of being on the go, stories of being alone, yet surrounded by family and friends. I grew up in San Diego and Tijuana, two cities that are in close proximity but are completely different worlds. Imagine the blur of movement trailing behind me as I struggled to make sense of the worlds I belonged in. What I have to offer from my experiences are images – images that stem from the beauty and pain of living. Out in the world, my expressions quickly spiraled into new ideas as my audience filtered my stories with their own lenses, their own meanings. Art never maintains one identity. It's always moving and evolving. I'm all about this movement. There is no way to fully understand why our paths unfold as they do. I put my trust in the universe and know that there is a lesson in everything. Success only comes to those who take it and life comes only to those who live it. I continue to refine my skills as a painter while also pursuing a degree in graphic design. I also enjoy curating shows because I get to connect individual works into larger, unified statements.
	Robin Przybysz Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1963, Robin (Adams) Przybysz was surrounded by a family whose life was involved in the arts. Her father had a career as a commercial artist and lithographer. Her uncle was a noteworthy sculptor, who created numerous public sculptures throughout the Midwest. Though her siblings pursued interests in theatrical arts, modeling, landscape architecture, and home arts, Robin chose her career in fine arts. From 1982-86, Robin attended the University of Cincinnati graduating with Bachelor degrees in both Fine Arts and Art Education. During this time, she also involved herself in a number of shows and installations both as a participant and as a coordinator. In 1991, she returned to the University of Cincinnati to serve as an Adjunct Professor for the Art Education Department. Since graduating, Robin has consistently been involved in the arts both teaching art and in creating her own work. Her works come from her private world and becomes a gift to all who choose to walk in it. They speak of poetry and passion of those private moments most of us seldom share, but always cherish. The intimacy of the sculptural vessels goes beyond the works that deal primarily with traditional craftsmanship and functional qualities associated with this art form. Robin loves to keep the pieces more primitive, raw, so that the work reflects her emotions without disguise. Her work transcends its own history of form and function that begin with the meditative process while creating these masterpieces. The results are an experience of quiet ceremony.
	Roberto Carlos-Zea Native of Guatemala, Roberto Carlos-Zea is a painter that is inspired by his heritage. He implements a colorful - folkloric style in his artwork. Living in Los Angeles, California, his designs are featured on apparel by Soul Driven Clothing. "I come from a small cave, there I learned painting from ancestral art left on our walls. Growing up I learned hunting skills, and how blood looks when it spills; All lessons I would apply to my art one day. Now, I live in a house, and though I may still paint a wall, I prefer a canvas with oil paint, and paper with a pen. My name is Zea, keep me in your prayers, for art feels so good, it seems like sin."
	Christopher Michael Norris Christopher Michael Norris lives and works in Venice of the Americas. He has studied at the College of Design at Iowa State University and completed a study abroad program in Rome Italy. He graduated with a BFA from ISU in 2006. He currently plays in two bands: Hi-Stereo & the Schoenberg Knifefight Ensemble. His work has been shown in Rome, Iowa, and California. He is contacted for painting, drawing, design, custom painted signs, bass playing, t-shirt making, and just about any creative thing that somebody wants to pay him to do.
	Ziggy "ZIGGY" Yao-Yap Ting was born on August 10, 2004. Native to Palm Springs, California, Ziggy started painting in 2007. His paintings depict various aspects of Chinese culture, fostering his Pekingese lineage from the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Ziggy officially started his painting career at the 2008 Yorba Linda Arts Festival in Yorba Linda, California. Since then, Ziggy has displayed his works at the Nadeau Gallery in Santa Monica, California, the Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Ana, California and Denise Bibro Fine Art Gallery in Chelsea, New York. Ziggy also makes appearances with his art work and painting skills at many animal rescue organizations to help raise money for animals in need. Ziggy has been featured on ABC news, USA Today, FOX news, SBS World News Australia, Animal Radio, "The Morning Show" KDOC, "Good Day LA" and "Palm Springs Life" magazine, "In Touch" magazine and "The Daily Telegraph". In 2011, Ziggy was listed in the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" directory and the Guinness Book of World Records.
	Ted Packman Ted is a conceptual artist who creates unique visions of colorful fun and fantasy. His use of linear patterns and bright colors transports us through space and time of our own imagination. His work is a combination of fauvism, minimalism, and postmodernism. The result is an amazing array of sensually stimulating images. Inspired by the energy of New York and influenced by Peter Max, Matisse and Rosenquist, Ted utilizes an extraordinarily vibrant palette derived from his current environment of San Diego. His conceptual art is characterized by the simplicity of minimalism, and the complexity of vibrant color. The former New York native incorporates the musical elements of Donald Fagen, Eric Clapton, Prince and Steve Winwood into the soul of his pictures. The multi-faceted artist embodies the skills to become the next post-modern icon in the twenty first century.
	Tony Guzman I have always been into graffiti, but I never really thought I would be good at it. Growing up, in a rough neighborhood in San Diego, gang tags were all I had really seen. During my junior year of high school, a friend introduced me to the different types of graffiti. I started working hard on finding my own style. I'm still in the process of exploring new techniques to create art. For many, graffiti is not perceived to be something positive, but for me it is a way to express myself. I am building a future for my daughters out of something that I love to do.
	Jamyla O'Neil I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, Ca. I moved to Southern California in 2003, where I earned my degree in Illustration from CSULB. I am inspired by beauty, and I believe that it is found in the most unexpected places. I currently work as a graphic designer and fashion illustrator, in the apparel industry. But, painting is my first love and watercolor is my specialty. I feel very blessed to love what I do, and do what I love.
	Sergio Gutierrez Sergio Gutierrez has been a performing artist for over 10 years and has recently dipped a paintbrush into the world of visual arts. In just 8 short months, he has created many unique pieces that have been displayed and respected, in several art shows in Carlsbad and Encinitas. Without any formal training he has been able to perfectly capture simultaneous emotion and movement from photos of famous rock artists, of children at play, dancers, summertime fun, and much more. This short road so far will take us on a long- colorful journey of amazing artwork produced by local San Diegan.
	Aileen Reyes A self-taught visual artist and published poet, I have always gone back and forth between both mediums of expression. I’m Puerto Rican, born and raised in New York. I started creating art during the mid 1990's NYC. I became seriously involved in the poetry scene, at that time I also began creating mixed media character sculptures. They with mostly designed with recycled materials. I was surrounded by all types of artists and venues. I convinced Steve Cannon, owner of Tribes gallery, to give me a show. Eight months later, I transformed the gallery into an explosion of color, all of the 100 pieces, together in one radiant show. It was an installation of vibrant color on the walls of Tribes Gallery. When I moved to San Diego in 2004, I became more influenced by the abstract, neo expressionist, and graffiti styles. Their raw, untrained sharp strokes and eyes inspired me. Like in my writing, I prefer not to spoon feed people when working on canvas. I like to be able to leave the door open for people's interpretation to flow through it. Good or bad, as long as it moves you, as long as it makes you think. Currently, I am full speed ahead. I’m creating a collection of small, 4/6 inch ink and mixed media paintings on paper. The title, “One-Hit Drawings”, is a collection of whimsical eclectic, line drawings. The project currently has 500 images and growing. Like my first solo show a decade ago, another obsessive art adventure.
	Jami Leslie Photography and art was a passion that was embedded in Jami since childhood. It all started with her first black and white photography and dark room class that she took at the age of 12. More recently her obsession was taken to a whole new level when she took her first breath underwater and found the sanctuary of the ocean. In her words, "Scuba diving takes you to a completely different and stunningly beautiful world that only a fraction of people get to experience." She wanted to share this new experience, and found the perfect median with creatively transferring her amazing pictures to canvas. Soon her friends and family, and their friends and family were requesting these unique pieces for their homes, offices, apartments, etc. It wasn't long before she was invited to present at her first art show. Currently she is working on her Dive Master professional scuba certification and diving with her camera in hand to capture her next inspiring piece.
	Jude Her first memory of an art lesson is how to shade in a figure of a clown with a pencil to create form and life. She was sitting on her grandmothers lap at the age of six, and it sparked a curiosity and feeling of great joy. Her creativity was nurtured throughout school with various art and craft projects, and was introduced to the world of culture and fine arts in dazzling New York City. It was that exposure that evoked intense emotions. It was magic! Self taught and professionally trained, she has witnessed the fragility of life, how a fleeting moment of joy can in the next instant be a moment of anguish. Her art explores these moments. She experiments with various medium: oil, watercolor, pastel, and mixed. Her intrinsic nature allows her to freely use diverse matter to achieve texture and imagery. The use of subtle form within the obvious can usually be discovered in many of her paintings as the viewer taps into their own imagination.
	Anthony Berta Anthony Berta grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he developed his urban contemporary style. His unique eye has been recognized locally, regionally, and internationally. Anthony's ability to find hidden patterns, shapes, bright colors, and angles, has been exhibited across the United States, Canada, and the U.K. Besides nature, he also focuses on the architecture of Europe, North America, and Asia. Anthony also donates his work, to support many charity events like the "Peace Project". He currently resides in San Diego, CA, where he continues his passion of photography, as well as pursuing his interests in painting, cooking, graphic art, and music.