This month’s cover artist, Donna Launey, has wandered a long journey to get to her artistic dream. “Art has always held a fascination for me, explored mainly through art history classes, wandering art museums, and taking an occasional painting workshop. In my early years, my passion for medicine superseded and led me on a career path as a Diagnostic Radiologist, specializing in women’s imaging for more than 25 years,” said Donna. And now, Donna’s art career is as bold and exuberant as the colors in her vibrant artwork.

This month’s cover artist, Donna Launey, has wandered a long journey to get to her artistic dream. “Art has always held a fascination for me, explored mainly through art history classes, wandering art museums, and taking an occasional painting workshop. In my early years, my passion for medicine superseded and led me on a career path as a Diagnostic Radiologist, specializing in women’s imaging for more than 25 years,” said Donna. And now, Donna’s art career is as bold and exuberant as the colors in her vibrant artwork.

“I have always been enchanted by beautiful fantastical masterpieces. Some love abstract art, some love realistic, some love wood carving, ceramics, or glass blowing; for me, it is fantasy art.”

Self-taught, fantasy artist Molly Harrison is a weaver of tales through captivating watercolor and ink artwork. When bringing her visions to life, Molly creates powerful compositions, usually featuring a female character, the moon, and atmosphere. “I hope my work inspires women to be their most powerful, in essence, meaning to embrace their femininity with abandon. Make no apologies for being beautifully, uniquely you,” Molly shared.

“If I could write I would; instead, I tell stories in paint.”
– Candace Lovely

Pink Magazine is delighted to have American Impressionist Painter and legendary local artist Candace Whittemore Lovely gracing the cover of our magazine once again for an unprecedented eleventh issue. Candace is a Copley Master, trained in the Boston School tradition. From the start, Her self-professed “fascination of the woman” has been in perfect symmetry with friend and Publisher Elizabeth Millen’s Pink philosophy of celebrating women.

Ladies, raise your wine glasses in salute to Jill Haney Neal, our August issue Cover Artist who’s whimsical, bodacious babes have graced a variety of artworks including paintings, wine labels, coffee mugs and Pink’s October 2016 and June 2020 magazine covers: Welcome back, Jill!

Jill believes women were created in God’s image with a universal spirit and are equally loved regardless of size, ethnicity, or background. “There is an edginess to my art and from what I’ve been told, I’m still breaking barriers. When you get women together, they are funny and sexy, it’s just part of our essence.”

Amos Hummell has been a doodler all his life. For the past 35 years, the self-trained, June Pink cover artist has been a colorful, folk-art inspired fixture on the local Lowcountry art scene.
Though he dabbled in the traditional medium of “paint-on-anything” a few years ago, Amos’ playful style comes to life mostly on canvas these days. However, his work still fabulously explores beyond the lines and is far looser than the confines of formality. We’re not saying this just to be catchy—Amos truly is famous in the Lowcountry and beyond. Not only is he creative, his use of color and his perspective on the ordinary is what makes his work so extraordinary. He was Pink Magazine’s sixth artist, way back in 2004, to ever grace a cover. His style is all his own, he is one cool dude, and Pink is lucky to be able to work with him for the third time in featuring his art.

Amos Hummell has been a doodler all his life. For the past 35 years, the self-trained, June Pink cover artist has been a colorful, folk-art inspired fixture on the local Lowcountry art scene.
Though he dabbled in the traditional medium of “paint-on-anything” a few years ago, Amos’ playful style comes to life mostly on canvas these days. However, his work still fabulously explores beyond the lines and is far looser than the confines of formality. We’re not saying this just to be catchy—Amos truly is famous in the Lowcountry and beyond. Not only is he creative, his use of color and his perspective on the ordinary is what makes his work so extraordinary. He was Pink Magazine’s sixth artist, way back in 2004, to ever grace a cover. His style is all his own, he is one cool dude, and Pink is lucky to be able to work with him for the third time in featuring his art.

“Don't be afraid to make waves, the moon does it all the time.”

Tia Riva has been creating artwork for as long as she can remember, in every form, with every media, in every creative way she could imagine.

She initially fell for watercolors, and after years of riding her artistic wave in life and graduating with an Associates in Fine Art, Tia discovered her niche: a mixed-media watercolor illustrator. This self-titled genre is a melding of happiness, combining her love of whimsy, positivity, and fulfilling quotes. Her artwork comes alive through layers of watercolors, ink, salt, Prismacolors and bits and pieces from old and new. The vibrant colors, textures, symbols, words, and patterns provide inspiration beyond paper. After the pieces dry, she meticulously details each one with Prismacolor and metallic markers. Deep feelings and emotions resonate with each of her one-of-a-kind pieces.

As an artist, John Crum strives to develop paintings that speak about the world and the moments that affect our lives and environment—personal moments that have made a fond memory or lasting imprint. He believes a painting should evoke thought, awaken a memory, or spark an idea. “My subjects begin as an observation or in a passing moment. Capturing that image and putting the message onto canvas is my most gratifying accomplishment. I consider a painting successful when the viewer stops, takes a closer look, and then smiles,” said John.

Joyce Huntington, who’s artwork is founded in energy, is always looking for ways to get her energy out there. She’s excited to do this through Pink as our cover artist this month.

Joyce’s work is always a meditative process. Many of the images she paints are given to her during meditation, or come during those moments between worlds, when one is just waking up. “I don’t try to figure out their meanings, I just paint the vision. Time stops when I start mixing colors; intuition guides my strokes. Painting is all about discovery, making connections between the subconscious mind, the hand, and the canvas. There’s always a surprise when I put down the brush and move back, always more and less than I intended,” said Joyce. It is usually at this point she begins to see and understand what her subconscious was manifesting during her state of deep thought.

"Lighthearted, joyful even, with a bit of the spiritual element...a very good place to be!” This is how Deborah Gregg views her art, and it is an all-encompassing description of her incredible folk art that graces Pink Magazine's cover this month.

Deborah grew up in Illinois as a middle child with four siblings. She has lived in many places, but the Midwest, with its beautifully changing seasons, captured her heart. She resides in an old farmhouse (complete with flowers and picket fence!) in small town Minnesota. She has two adult daughters, Rigel and Brigitte, four beautiful grandchildren, and you can always find a kitty on her lap.

One of 15 siblings, Artist Sabreee is a native South Carolinian from the small farm town of Lake City. Though her youth was mostly spent working on her family’s 300-acre farm, Sabreee always knew she had to be an artist.

“I knew from day one I was an artist. It was inside me from the time I knew who I was,” she said.

Unlike many farming families, Sabreee’s parents, along with her brothers and sisters, all supported her passion for art. They encouraged her to be what she wanted to be, but that didn’t get her out of all the daily chores. Her parents were loyal sharecroppers who taught their children the value of hard work, which is certainly what contributed to her strong craving for education and the desire for another way of life.

As a child, Holly Irwin dreamed of becoming an artist. With encouragement from her mother, she began formal art classes at age 11, studying under Pittsburgh's legendary art teacher, Joseph Fitzpatrick, whose list of famous students include Andy Warhol. Four years later, at age 15 years, Holly was awarded a scholarship to Carnegie-Mellon University’s fine arts program for high school students.

“My mother was an artist, a fashion illustrator and a seamstress; she made all of our clothes, even coats and hats,” said Holly. “So I guess it’s not a surprise that fashion and design inspire me most. I create my own fashions on canvas using the language of color, line and composition. I love taking one of my drawings and elevating it to a large scale, fine art painting. Sketchbooks of figure drawings and dresses are everywhere in my home and studio. I try to sketch every day.”

This month’s cover art "Friendship" is from the series “Breezy and Gullah Mermaids” by Lisa Rivers, who gave us this insight into the painting, “The water represents freedom. The skirts blowing in the wind represents women who are both strong and graceful. The ribbon represents the fight against cancer. My mother died of cancer, and I could feel her spirit flowing through me as I painted this piece,” Lisa explained. She has fought many battles in her life but, through her strength and grace, is a successful artist and entrepreneur today. “Real friendship has a true ‘Breezy’ healing power of love,” Lisa added.

Perry Milou is arguably one of the nation’s most recognized pop artists. Critics and collectors have hailed his bold, vibrant palette over the past 30 years. Considered a talented forward-thinker with diversified inspirations, Milou’s work has often been described as “alluring,” “brilliant,” “fresh” and “glamorous.”

Milou’s ever-evolving style creates a blend of pop culture contemporary art that is frequently a tribute to global icons, Americana and celebrities. His A-list of clients include Sophia Loren, President Joe Biden, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Petty, Robert Herjavec, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga and Allen Iverson.