ArtWorks@7th Gallery new show is titled “Ebony & Ivory”. The new exhibit is an all-artist collaboration and includes 2-D and 3-D art pieces.

The popular understanding of ebony and ivory is the image of white and black piano keys evenly spaced across the keyboard symbolizing integration and racial harmony. For this exhibit, artists will creatively interpret this theme. Will it be about the contrast between dark and light through an abstract, the visual of the night sky and the rising sun in a landscape, or perhaps the completeness and balance of yin and yang in a piece of pottery or jewelry? Only the artists know!

Money spent locally stays in the local economy and continues to strengthen the economic base of the entire community. Small local businesses make indispensable contributions to communities and neighborhoods. Supporting local artists allows them the opportunity to continue to serve their communities. You will often see members of Artworks@7th supporting local charities and organizations by participating in art shows, teaching workshops, and donating items for fundraisers.

GUEST ARTIST: Shelby Hosseinipoul

I’m a digital artist based in Maryland. My inspiration for this theme comes from my deep connection to nature and a lifelong love of drawing. I blend traditional and digital techniques to create a painterly style.

Growing up in Montana, the rugged landscapes and unique wildlife gave me comfort and love through my toughest times. From an early age, drawing became my outlet for expression, but I often felt limited by only having a pencil and paper. Always wanting to learn how to paint and create comics seemed like an impossible dream while I sketched living in a car with my mom or surviving the chaos of a dysfunctional family.

I invested in a computer and pen tablet with my first job, eager to explore the vast potential of digital tools. However, due to life’s demands, I was pulled away from art for several years. It wasn’t until recently that I dedicated myself to drawing again.

I have relied on online resources, particularly YouTube, to learn from traditional and digital artists. This diverse education has provided me with a unique perspective, blending classic techniques with modern digital processes to achieve a traditional painterly feel in my art.

My goal for my next project is to create a comic that captures the timeless quality of traditional painting while utilizing the efficiency and flexibility of digital media. By doing so, I hope to merge the best of both worlds— achieving the warmth and texture of traditional art with the practical benefits of digital creation.