My name is Arturo I have been painting since I was five years old, I was born in Guerrero Mexico and grew up in Visalia California. In Visalia California I learned the art of painting murals and airbrushing on lowriders cars and motorcycles. In 2000 I move to mocksville North Caroline where I was inspired to paint landscape and race cars. In 2014 my family we move to Grand Rapids Michigan . In 2021 I painted my first mural in Grand Rapids, since I have painted a total of eight mural in the city ranging from 60 square feet to 2,365 square feet. Most of the painting that I have painted have been inspired by cultures and nature.

Ashley Petrash is a painter from Mt Pleasant Michigan. Petrash works in multiple mediums including acrylic, oil and water color. Petrash has been painting since 1995 and has participated in local shows throughout the years. Her portraits are motivated by showing the energy of her subjects through contrasting light and color.

Art has always been part of my life whether creating, teaching or sharing. When I was six years old, I had an art studio in the living room closet where I would create masterpieces for my mom’s refrigerator. I would then arrange them in a makeshift portfolio and present them to her for purchase. I would delight in receiving a dime or a quarter and would excitedly create more masterpieces. Throughout my growing years, I was always encouraged to be creative and never was without an endless supply of crayons, markers and paper. Once I entered high school, I filled my available class hours with art classes and was known for selling handmade jewelry and custom drawings to my classmates.

I enrolled in the commercial art program at Davis College and received my associate degree in 1996. I spent time doing freelance art for various clients and worked for a short time as a freelance artist for the Toledo Zoo. Upon admission to the University of Toledo in 1998, I completed a bachelor’s degree with concentrations in painting and cyber arts. My art style at the time started to shift from digital art media to painting and drawing.

In 2005, I started creating paintings and mixed media pieces under the name Scaredy Cat Primitives.

My art dolls and mixed-media works are created with recycled fabrics and textiles, as well as bits and pieces of old costume jewelry and found objects. It is important to me to be responsible as an artist and to leave as small of an environmental impact as possible.

My painted pieces often include hidden elements and mixed media objects hidden under layers of paint. I enjoy the challenge of working in any size, from miniatures to murals.

My 2D works and 3D art dolls have been sold across the United States. I have exhibited in both the US and Canada and have received numerous awards.

I love the challenge and rush of adrenaline you get from working under a deadline!

Maddie loves alla prima and en plein air painting, making this competition a perfect fit for her. She’s an art fanatic—a girl who simply loves to paint and connect with fellow creatives. Specializing in oil painting, Maddie draws inspiration from Impressionism, Baroque, Rococo, and Pre-Raphaelite art, creating portraits, landscapes, and still lifes.