Raul Rodea

Artist Statement: Growing up as an introverted Christian kid in school led me to wrestle with my identity which led me to feel like an outsider. As a result, I pursued art as an escape to express myself. Ultimately, I create for the outsiders, those who strive to be different and not fit in with the status quo

Pictured: A Victory In the Mind, mixed media on canvas; acrylic, spray paint, silver leaf, gold leaf, rhinestone stickers, 24x30, $4,000

Raul says about the piece “I was compelled to create a work that reminds me of victory whenever I am going through hardships. I want to share this work with all of the warriors who would love to add a moment of empowerment from the gallery to their home.”

Artist Statement: I paint whatever tickles my soul. I have always been drawn to capturing the beauty and spirit of all living forms and objects, whether from nature or my imagination. The only thing that changes is the degree of abstraction to naturalism. My approach to painting is always the same: to capture the spirit with the same grace that nature brings to us.

Pictured: Sol Deslumbrante (Dazzling Sunlight), oil on canvas, 48x48, NFS

Pictured: Atomic Man, steel sculpture, NFS. Joe created this sculpture as a part of a graduate school show while attending NIU.

Across the Universe, blown glass bowl created during a class in Door County, WI.

Joe Hernandez

Joe is a practicing ceramic artist and associate professor emeritus from Waubonsee Community College. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Master of Fine Arts degrees from Northern Illinois University. He is also a military veteran of the U.S. Army. 

Joe’s artwork has been featured in numerous one man, two-person and group exhibitions for the past 60+ years on the regional, national and international levels. His work has been featured in galleries in Door County, Wisconsin; throughout the tri-cities and in Korea and China. 

He currently serves on the board of the Norris Art Gallery Committee in St. Charles. Joe also judges art shows in the area and hosts workshops for numerous high schools. 

Among his numerous accolades are his inductions into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame and the Senior Illinois Hall of Fame. 

Joe is a strong advocate of for the arts in schools and in his community. For Joe, that has not been a job nor career, but rather a lifetime-long calling of love. 

Pictured: El Chapulin Colorado y Chimpancé, 4’x5’, oil and acyclic on canvas

Pierre Lucero

(born August 31, 1993) is a freelance artist, animator, muralist, & apparel designer from Aurora, IL, USA. Self-taught, using mediums ranging anywhere from acrylics, colored markers, pen & ink, watercolors, graffiti, & graphite to capture an exploding psychedelic mix of eccentric artwork. 

 Working from reference & imagination, Pierre has always been fascinated by the limitless possibilities & reality altering properties that artwork could portray. Pierre works traditionally to create his original artwork, averaging a time span anywhere between 12-18 hours to complete a piece. Often times described as a controlled chaos, juxtaposed into unique motifs. Inspired by bright colors, figure drawing, animals, skulls/bones, guts, cartoons, melting objects, space, nature, & anything out of the ordinary. Pierre continues to push the boundaries of imagination into his artwork, like something from a colorful nightmare, teetering on the thin line between playful & twisted.

Currently, Pierre is closed for commission but is willing to make an exception for those who have wall space for large murals (indoor or outdoor).

Pictured: Constellate, acrylic on Canvas, 48x48, $4,000

Juan Francisco Sepulveda

Juan F. Sepulveda is a Mexican-born artist based in Aurora, Illinois. His artistic journey began at a young age and has evolved from graphite drawings to pastels, ultimately developing into a deep passion for oil painting. While studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Juan experimented with color, composition, and various mediums, further refining his artistic vision.

Juan is currently working on two distinct painting series. Nostalgia is a figurative collection that blends modern art elements, vibrant colors, and floral motifs on large canvases. The second series focuses on traditional depictions of farm animals, particularly sheep and goats, which bring him great joy.

A long-time resident of Aurora, Juan is inspired by the city’s diverse community, especially its youth. He has volunteered his time to teach drawing at a local elementary school and the public library, sharing his artistic expertise and engaging with the community.