Denise Thimes | songstress, motivational speaker
Malcolm “Airbrush Assassin” McCrae | “Brother man,” digital illustration
Genevieve Flynn | “Ssssssumptuous Teapot,” sterling silver, 24K gold plating
David Spear | oil on canvas paintings at Addison’s restaurant in Columbia: “Dishwashers,” “Cooks,” “Servers”
Meet our Missouri Featured Artists for September
Each month we highlight a new group of four individual artists from all around Missouri. Here’s our quartet for September!
Find more of all these artists’ works on their own websites—just follow the links on their artwork and profiles.
Plus, here are highlights and links to all our earlier artists since we started the Missouri Featured Artists program last December. There’s music, photography, poetry, storytelling, fashion—paintings from hot wax to watercolor—metal and glass and ceramic sculptures—and so much more as we celebrate the diversity and depth of Missouri creativity.
Malcolm “Airbrush Assassin” McCrae
artist, author, speaker, entrepreneur
Southeast Missouri
muralist, illustrator, graphic/exhibit designer | Columbia
My strategy is to push boundaries, avoid being type-cast, and adapt to projects to develop a broader range of artistic roles; keeping my art fresh and evolving.
My most recognizable artworks are large-scale painting and murals in restaurants, schools, public buildings, and business walls in and around Columbia. I draw inspiration from art history and utilize the variety of tools and techniques I’ve been gathering over my career, including a BFA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and an MFA from the University of Missouri–Columbia. These skills have allowed me to take on a large variety of art projects, including illustration, graphic design, film editing, and viewer interactives. Today I continue to work on commissions while working part-time as an exhibit designer for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Denise Thimes
photo, courtesy of Christian Gooden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
songstress, motivational speaker | St. Louis
If we’re not here to help each other, then what are we here for? “What the world needs now is love, sweet love – no no not just for some, but for everyone!”
I’m proud that people come to my concerts and events and love to hear me sing! I grew up surrounded by all types of music especially from my father, pioneering radio DJ Lou “Fatha” Thimes. Over my multi-faceted career now spanning three decades, I’ve performed with musical greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Bobby McFerrin, David Sanborn, and my idol, Aretha Franklin. I’ve sung for Queen Elizabeth II and President George W. Bush. I have toured America and Europe with several critically acclaimed productions, and am an eight-time recipient of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company’s Woodie Award for both musicals and drama. I am equally passionate as founder and executive director of the Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, named in remembrance of my mother.
Malcolm “Airbrush Assassin” McCrae | “A Wish of Hope,” mural flood wall in Cape Girardeau
artist, author, speaker, entrepreneur | Southeast Missouri
One of my favorite quotes and the title of my first book, these words sum up my life: “To Live, To Create, To Inspire.”
I have been a professional artist for over 25 years, as well as an educational authority, delivering motivational speeches, lectures, and training classes to students, teachers and organizations. I also produce instructional programs, teach airbrushing classes, and publish books. My creative gifts have been exhibited at galleries, festivals, corporations, and universities. I was born and raised in Milwaukee in the ‘80s, which has definitely influenced my style, with inspiration coming from hip hop and graffiti. I love using acrylic paint, spray cans, and airbrushing as major tools in my arsenal. I currently live on the road full-time with my wife Natalie in our converted MCI coach bus called the Pollination Station Art Bus, although Southeast Missouri is our home base.
Genevieve Flynn | “Acorn Shawl Pin,” cold forged of Argentium silver, black Tahitian pearls, chased and repoussé acorn in 24K yellow gold keum boo
silversmith, artist, educator | Kansas City
I so enjoy seeing people’s reactions when they look closely and discover the details that have been so laboriously tended to and created by my hands, a hammer, and my chasing tools.
I have evolved over the span of 45 years from being a goldsmith into a silversmith creating one-of-a-kind decorative art pieces as well as art jewelry. My pieces are steeped in ancient metal techniques, and also incorporate new technology and materials. Being a self-taught artist and business woman, I pride myself on continually challenging myself to learn new metal processes keeping my work fresh. I adore the Art Nouveau style. Its sinuous lines and floral and insect motifs are present in my work. I have built a following for my silversmithing classes at my intimate studio. National and international instructors in metals are invited to teach in their expertise. I am honored to be able to share my wealth of knowledge in hopes of others keeping this field alive.
Mollie Chounard
painter
St. Ann
Eric Ordway
ceramic artist, potter, teacher
Columbia
Russell Nelson
designer, illustrator, watercolor artist, educator
Kirksville
Glyneisha Johnson
poly disciplinary artist, educator, community care taker
Kansas City
Allison L. Norfleet Bruenger
mixed media jewelry and assemblage artist
St. Louis
Kyle Selley
firework artist, visual artist, art educator
Kansas City
Lisa Bartlett
mixed media artist, painter
Columbia
Ray Cardwell
singer songwriter from the Ozarks
Jefferson City
Azaria Rianne Hogans
choreographer, dancer, educator
Springfield
Greg Holden
artist, photographer, inquisitive observer, thankful human being
Eureka
Patrick Rafferty
guitarist, teacher
Affton
Barb Byrne
fused glass artist
Pleasant Hill
Gary Cadwallader
painter of acrylics and watercolor
Warrensburg
Byron von Rosenberg
poet, illustrator, storyteller
Byrnes Mill
Regina Willard
contemporary impressionist
West Plains
Hyejin Cho
concert pianist, educator
Kirksville
Grant Kniffen
painter
Dardenne Prairie
Laura Bigger
artist, printmaker
Kirksville
Ralph Hepola
musician
Springfield
Jen Everett
interdisciplinary artist
St. Louis
James Douglas Cox
metal artist
Republic
Natalie Wiseman
visual artist
Joplin
Kevin Umaña
painter, ceramics sculptor
Kansas City
Nartana Premachandra
dancer, writer, storyteller
St. Louis
Wanda K. Tyner
glass artist
Lee’s Summit
F.C. Shultz
author, poet, reader
Webb City
Lindsey Dunnagan
visual artist
Kirksville
Brian Owens
soul musician/vocalist
St. Louis
Anand Prahlad
literary author, musician/songwriter, filmmaker, teaching artist
Columbia
Brenda Beck Fisher
painter, watercolorist, interpreter of the beauty in the world
Hannibal
Anne Garney
landscape painter, fauve, expressionist
Kansas City
Jeffrey Noonan
musician: performer, teacher, scholar
St. Louis
Whitney Manney
fashion and textile designer
Kansas City
Justin Hamm
poet, photographer, citizen of the American Middle West
Mexico
Robin Van Hoozer
artist, painter, maker of unusual things
St. Joseph
Bobby Norfolk
storyteller, author, teaching artist
St. Louis
What is the program’s goal?
The Featured Artists program promotes and supports individual artists and demonstrates the variety of creative Missouri talent.
How does the program work?
We feature four artists each month. We highlight and promote each month’s artists via the homepage of the Missouri Arts Council website, the Featured Artists page on the website, monthly email, social media, and links to the artists’ websites. Artists receive a $300 stipend/license fee to feature their work online. Artists are paid directly by the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Who is eligible?
Individual Missouri-resident artists of any medium with online work that they have ownership to license. (Groups are not eligible.) Mediums may include (but are not limited to) visual art, literature, music, video, dance, theater, storytelling, and traditional arts.
May artists participate if they don’t have a website?
No; an effective website is an essential part of this program. Without it, there is nothing to promote, neither your work NOR a place to send people to benefit you. An artist’s website is an important tool to promote your creative work. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. can supplement with social engagement, but do not effectively allow an artist’s work to be as easily accessed as does a website.
How do artists apply?
Propose your work for consideration via this online form. Support your application with links to your website and other online platforms where your work is located. No work may be sent as an attachment. Work that cannot be accessed online may not be considered. Artists retain full ownership and rights to their work. Artists will allow with their consideration a limited use right to feature their work on the Missouri Art Council website and other platforms. There is no fee to apply.
How are Featured Artists selected?
The Missouri Arts Council staff selects artists with diverse demographics and locations throughout the state who are producing quality original work in a variety of art mediums and genres.
How will artists know if they are selected?
Artists will be contacted directly if they have been selected. If you are not contacted, do not despair! All applicants will continue to be considered as the program continues monthly.
How often should artists apply?
Artists need apply for this program only once. Applications will be kept on file for future consideration.
How long will this program last?
We will continue this program through June 30, 2021. If funding allows, this program may continue.
