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We’re always on the prowl for new artists and Instagram is a great tool to find them. If you need help exploring, heres a handful of local accounts to liven up your feed. | Story by Mackenzie Manley
@cedric_michael_cox
Name: Cedric Michael Cox
Vibrant swirls and slants of surreal abstraction mark painter Cedric Michael Coxs work. As the bio on his website states, his work often delves into themes of mythical literature and the relationships between the physical body, musical allegories and natural and man-made landscapes. His work has been showcased in a handful of local galleries and museums, including the Contemporary Arts Center, The Carnegie and the Weston Art Gallery.
Photo via Instagram/cedric_michael_cox@linneacampbellceramics
Name: Linnea Campbell
If youre into critters, Campbells work is covered in them. She illustrates animals like foxes, mice, bears and bees onto various ceramic pieces, such as bowls, coasters and plates. Flowers and plants also often act as subjects. All of her work is painted in soothing, laid-back colors that are oh-so aesthetically pleasing.
Photo via Instagram/linneacampbellceramics@nicholasmoegly
Name: Nicholas Moegly
Nicholas Moegly has designed concert tour posters for the likes of Midwestern Emo heroes American Football, folksy legends Avett Brothers and beyond. His dreamy and distinctive illustrations often depict nature scenes. Personally, Im geeked over how good his hand-lettering work is.
Photo via Instagram/nicholasmoegly@sharkgirlart
Name: Casey Riordan Millard
Shark Girl is Cincinnatis unsung mascot. Perhaps Casey Riordan Millards most well-known sculpture is situated in the Contemporary Arts Centers UnMuseum. Wearing a blue dress with a pink bow around the waist, a gray storm cloud perpetually floats over a girls shark-shaped head. Millards Instagram isnt only brimming with sketches of her iconic character, however surreal artwork steeped in childhood whimsy can also be found.
Photo via Instagram/sharkgirlart@thediggingestgirl
Name: Emily Howard
Emily Howards work is like the pages of a fantastical novel come to life. Scroll through her feed and youll find Ron Weasley giving a dour side-eye, Matilda with a book clutched to her chest, a snake slithering in a garden, many inquisitive cats and empowering femme figures. Based in Erlanger, shes a block printmaker and illustrator with over 54,000 followers on Insta. She carves into surfaces of wood and linoleum and fills those spaces with ink to create thick, graphic lines, which are a signature of her illustrations.
Photo via Instagram/thediggingestgirl@doodlesonthedaily
Name: Peta Niehaus Dew
Peta Niehaus Dew began her quest to post a doodle for every day nearly a decade ago in 2010. Her work is bright, simple and cozy. Some illustrations depict dogs smiling idly or sleeping soundly; others feature grinning tapioca balls floating lazily in pastel-colored boba tea that looks good enough to slurp. She also posts the occasional animated cartoon or #relatable comic.
Photo via Instagram/doodlesonthedaily@blythe_russo
Name:Blythe Russo
Recently, artist Russo has been in the process of illustrating work for One More Wheel, a childrens book written by Colleen AF Venable, which will be released in August of this year. Her often narrative-driven is drawn with delicate lines and soft colors. If you need to chill, her feed feels like snuggling up on the couch with a cup of tea.
Photo via Instagram/blythe_russo@cgceramics
Name: Christie Goodfellow
Another ceramic artist, Christie Goodfellows work is starkly minimalistic with smooth, modern lines and earthy colors. CGCERAMICS first started in 2009 out of a small backyard studio; she recently moved production to another a space in Bellevue.
Photo via Instagram/cgceramics@joshuastoutart
Name: Joshua Stout
Josh Stout has been an artist for 15 years; he even worked as a producer of 2017s BLINK art and light festival. If youre into pop culture, he draws everything from cartoon dinosaurs dressed as Batman to Tina Belcher from Bobs Burgers. You may have also seen his work while walking downtown. Located on Eighth and Main streets on the side of Algin Retro Furniture, one of his murals depicts a ballerina Fiona the hippo dancing her heart out.
Photo via Instagram/joshuastoutart@cincyurbansketchers
Name: Cincinnati Urban Sketchers
Cincy Urban Sketchers is a collective of professional and hobby artists who meet monthly to draw various Queen City scenes, many of which end up on the clubs Insta. Theyve drawn exhibits at the Air Force Museum, used a karate practice as an opportunity to sketch moving subjects, sketched dinosaurs at the Cincinnati Museum Center and have been just about everywhere from Music Hall to the Walnut Hills Cemetery.
Photo via Instagram/cincyurbansketchers