Dynamic Duos:
Collaborative Works by AAP & CCS Artists

The Virtual World
2021
mixed-media collage
30 x 22 in. (framed 36 x 24 in.)
$400

About the Work:
Jacob has a lot of characters and images that he likes to draw in his sketchbooks with pencils and markers. We thought it would be a fun way to create a larger project together by collaging some of his sketchbook drawings into a larger composition. “The Virtual World” shows a cityscape filled with some of Jacob’s favorite subjects—big eyes, cyborgs, stars, etc.—and is inspired by sci-fi and anime.

Brent Nakamoto is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in painting and drawing, printmaking, photography, and book arts. He received his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara and MFA from the Sam Fox School of Art & Design at Washington University in St. Louis. He currently lives and works in Pittsburgh, PA, and teaches at the Community College of Allegheny County.
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Jacob Schmitt, of Beaver, has always been interested in creating. He is very inspired by the human eye and likes to sneak eyes into his projects. When it comes to art, he prefers using ink over most mediums. He enjoys drawing with ink pens, high-end markers, and has recently tried inkwells and dip pens. Through CCS classes he is fine-tuning his drawing skills and line work as well as learning to revisit projects and re-working old pieces. Jacob also enjoys selling his work and having it in exhibitions. Other interests of his include, furries, furry costumes, and working digitally on the ipad.
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Artist Reflection 1
2021
ink and oil on canvas, 37 x 25 in.
$250

Artist Reflection 2
2021
photography and mixed media, 37 x 25 in.
$250

About the Works:
Through getting to know one another we decided to combine Curtis’ photography background with my journaling and abstract style. Curtis typically works on a large scale, which is something I don’t have a ton of experience with. Curtis ordered some bigger paper for us which he was able to print photographs on. I used my abstract painting techniques to paint both pieces while Curtis showed me some new painting styles. For one piece we created, I chose one line of writing that I thought was strong so we could include it within our work. After we were all done with the painting and printing, we framed the works together. I’m so happy with how this collaborative project turned out, I hope you all enjoy seeing what we created!

Curtis Reaves, Pennsylvania Fine Art Photographer, responsibly creates artful wall accents for residential and commercial environments. The foundation and uniqueness of his work is influenced by the process of envisioning the countless possibilities unearthed in discarded natural materials. Blurring the visual lines between paintings and photography, Reaves utilizes film, digital processes, and computer technology to transform his work into poetic abstract imagery. All pieces are printed on archival paper and inks for a lasting impression.
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Julia Fieldhammer, of Gibsonia, is very intrigued by abstract art. When it comes to working abstractly, her material of choice is almost always watercolor. The fluidity of the water and paint really blend well with her abstract, expressionistic style. Along with Julia’s love of art, she is also an avid writer. She currently writes for Brother Andre’s Cafe, does local talks with universities and interested groups about her experience as a writer and/or advocate, and she has her own website/blog. If you’d like to learn more about Julia’s creative lifestyle check out her website!

The Beach
2021
tie dye and acrylic, 16 x 16 in.
$125

Stripes
2021
tie dye and acrylic, 18 x 16 in.
$125

Untitled
2021
tie dye and acrylic, 16 x 16 in.
$125

Memories - Jami Johnson (with assistance from Haylee Ebersole)
2021
yarn and crochet, 26 x 25 in.
$200

About the Works:
It was so wonderful to get to know Jami and collaborate with her on several experimental fiber and textile based paintings. Jami’s prolific and intuitive crochet work along with her love of pink has inspired most of our collaboration. Over many months, Jami developed her own unique crochet technique and produced an abundance of fiber pieces all in varying sizes, patterns, and shades of pink. We decided to take some of her favorite bits and stitch them together into a dynamic composition stretched over canvas bars. While we were crocheting and stitching, we really got to know one another and talked about our favorite movies, food, and memories. Both Jami and I also realized that we share an interest in tie dye and decided to experiment drawing with fabric dye and painting over the top with stripes executed in acrylic. Mostly abstract, our work explores a love of material, craft, and color in playful and spontaneous ways.

Jami Johnson, of the east end, is a passionate artist always making something to express her unique perspective. Her favorite materials include fabric, yarn, and her sketch-book for drawings. Jami explores her fascination with what our dreams and imaginations are made of and how to think about the growth we all experience every day but cannot see. Jami created her own type of crochet-stitch which we’ve named the “Jami J Stitch”. Jami has made her own line of fashion art-pieces over the years and plans to work her Jami J Stitch into future designs. Jami enjoys drawing all the wild things of her imagination, and loves participating in CCS classes so she can dive into her art making interests.
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Haylee Ebersole is an interdisciplinary artist working in sculpture, print media, and installation. She earned a BFA in Printmaking from Metropolitan State College of Denver and an MFA in Printmaking from Ohio University. In 2017, Ebersole was awarded the Emerging Artist of the Year by the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and was the recipient of a Creative Development Grant provided by the Investing in Professional Artist Grants Program, a partnership of The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments. She taught Drawing and Mixed Media at Seton Hill University and is the founder of Meshwork Press, a neighborhood print shop in Wilkinsburg, PA.
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Neurographica 1
2021
ink and oil on canvas
40 x 30 inches
$1,100

Neurographica 1
2021
ink and oil on canvas
40 x 30 inches
$1,100

About the Work:
In the process of making Neurographic 1 and Neurographic 2, we found an interactive drawing and painting approach best suited both our individual practices while also opening up the possibility of creating imagery new to both of us. Our decision to limit our materials to black ink and oil painting on white gessoed canvas allowed us to focus on a collaborative mark-making process.

John Burt Sanders is an artist from Arcade, New York. In 2019, his work appeared in the Northeast edition of New American Paintings, issue # 140. He completed his MFA in painting and drawing at Ohio University in 2011 and earned a BFA in painting and art history at State University of New York at Fredonia in 2007. Sanders has been awarded an Artist Opportunity Grant from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council in 2014. In 2014 he participated in an artist residency at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont. Sanders currently lives and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Daijah Massie is a master of pattern, contour line, and organization. She uses her skills to create zentangle, and neurographica like images. She free-hand draws a lot of her work but isn’t afraid to make a template, use a ruler or pull out some stencils. This master of profection was also part of the clay program back in 2019 where she never let any pieces go in the kiln without giving them a final clean & stamp of approval. Daijah is a lover of dancing, specifically using the Just Dance video game and she loves music.
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Camouflage Environment
2021
collage
16 x 20 in. (framed 20 x 24 in.)
original NFS*

*Limited edition prints available for sale

About the Work:
It was such a pleasure to make this artwork with Mick Fisher! Before we met in person, I was inspired to see Mick’s drawing of green and red leaves with insects and creatures blending into the background. That drawing served as inspiration for the collage we worked on together. We each drew insects, leaves and seashells that we combined to create our collaborative collage, titled “Camouflage Environment.” Mick made some wonderful placement choices including setting his caterpillar on a similarly patterned leaf. Looking at our imagined ecosystem brings me so much joy.

Mick Fisher, of Upper Saint Clair, Mick has been committed to his art making practice since the very beginning of CCS in 2012. Mick is always drawing the things he sees around him, often drawing imaginary worlds of character mash-ups and visual puns and jokes. His favorite part of making art is using color, and he is especially fond of painting and drawing. He is precise in his creations, and can draw straight lines and spacing without a ruler or measuring!
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Lauren Braun is a visual artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. She works in collage, drawing and painting. In 2021, Lauren participated in the first cohort of the Mindfulness Facilitator Certification program virtually through the Copper Beech Institute. She was a 2018 Emerging Artist at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and has participated in residencies at Nemacolin, the Pittsburgh Glass Center and the Vermont Studio Center. Her work was featured in Creative Nonfiction Magazine. She holds a Masters degree in Fine Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and earned a BFA (Art Photography) with honors from Syracuse University. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2007, she has developed her studio practice while working for a variety of non-profit organizations including Dreams of Hope, JFilm and Jewish Residential Services. She also had a brief stint in the corporate world as the program coordinator for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards program. Lauren’s work is included in the permanent public collection of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, and the corporate collection of PNC Bank. She creates work in her studio located in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
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A Few Of Our Favorite Things
2021-22
mixed media wall drawing
dimension variable
NFS

About the Work:
Our collaboration is born of a love of color and a playful spirit. We decided to put all the things we love together in a joyful wall drawing. “A Few of Our Favorite Things” combines Robyn’s love of roller coasters, family and friends, butterflies and jokes with my favorites, landscape, mountains, clouds and trees to create a landscape of roller coasters, butterfly clouds, a Love Tree and from one of her fave jokes, Nose Mountain. We hope that you’ll enjoy this work as I have enjoyed this experience. And remember to be thankful for all of your favorite things!

Linda Price-Sneddon
A graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Price-Sneddon’s paintings and installations have been shown widely in New England and the Pittsburgh area. She’s held artist residencies at numerous New England schools and institutions including MASS MoCA’s Kidspace and The Fuller Craft Museum and received grants in support of her work from the Greater Pittsburgh Artist Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Berkshire Taconic A.R.T. Fund, Target Foundation and Citibank.

Recent projects include a 2020 exhibition at Zynka Gallery in Pittsburgh, the video installation S.H.E. Emergent at the Boston Center for The Arts “Feminist Futurist” exhibition early 2020, stage set design for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble’s at City Theatre in Pittsburgh in 2018 and an exhibition of works on paper at Chautauqua Institution Strohl Gallery in 2017.
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Robyn McKee, of Plum, is enthusiastic about making and selling her art. She loves to draw a variety of subjects, including her favorite, butterflies. Robyn has been attending CCS art classes for over 8 years and has grown in her abilities over the years. Sometimes known to send student’s ‘noses’ to California and tell jokes about bumble bees' knees – Robyn shares her zest for life and humor in her art. Often her drawings include a long list of all of her favorite things and a rainbow color palette that attempts to capture her enthusiastic love of life.
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90’s Sock-Hop
2021
dimensions variable
acrylic paint on laser cut plywood
price available upon request

About the Work:
The artwork we created together this fall came from our mutual interest in 90s cartoons and TV shows. While working, we discussed our favorite characters, themes, and storylines. Faron prefers to draw from memory, whereas Lizzee relies on reference images. We learned a lot from each other's different ways of making artwork and created a cast of characters with their own unique 'twists.' These characters may make the viewer smile, or even evoke feelings of nostalgia. Nostalgia can be a feeling that things in the past seemed better, easier, and more fun. In today's pandemic world, nostalgia can forge deep and meaningful connections between people. Rather than longing for a simpler past, it can be a positive mindset that brings people together.

Faron Thompson, of Greenfield, has always loved art, even as a young child. He loves drawing and painting, especially cartoons and landscapes. Through CCS classes, he has learned to paint in ink and with acrylics in addition to fine-tuning his drawing skills. Faron has a great approach to his artmaking, “my favorite is whatever I’m in the mood for,” always expressing his individual freedom. Faron recommends using art to transform your mood, “If your day hasn’t been the best, art really helps.”
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Lizzee Solomon is a mixed media artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. She draws inspiration from 90s cartoons, Mexican folk art, and underground comics. In addition to her studio practice, Lizzee is a commercial artist, working with local businesses to elevate their visual storytelling. Lizzee is currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Brew House Association Distillery Residency program, and a Teaching Fellow at Protohaven - a school for design, fabrication, and the public good.
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Protection
2021
ink on panel with copper leaf
13.5 x 13.625 in.
$200

Courage and Strength
2021
ink on panel with copper leaf
13.5 x 13.625 in.
$200

Calm, Cool, and Collected
2021
ink on panel with copper leaf
13.5 x 13.625 in.
$200

About the Work:
Matt and I completed a series of three ink paintings building off of his drawings and on our shared love of mythology. After deciding on the three subjects, we put our heads down and got to work, each of us bringing something to the paintings. The end product was a combination of both our skills and interests.

Matt Carroll, of Stanton Heights, likes everything about art and being a creative person. Matt has a vivid imagination and often explores concepts of art from other galaxies and fantasy worlds in his drawings and paintings. He is thoughtful about the art-making process, and wants to express himself and inspire people to be the best versions of themselves. Matt has been working with Creative Citizen Studios for many years now and has demonstrated a lot of growth over the years. His favorite animal is the lion, “because it is courageous and powerful.” We think Matt is pretty courageous and powerful too – his poignant art has something special to share with the world.
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Zach Brown was born and raised in the small town of Mars, Pennsylvania. After high school he attended the Rhode Island School of Design where he received his BFA. Zach went on to earn his MFA from the New York Academy of Art. He currently lives and works in Pittsburgh where he runs The School House art space.
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