Locals we love: Karen Silvestro, Sean Ferneau, Karen Ann Myers, Jahsun

Karen Silvestro

"I'm fascinated by people -- their emotions, their stories and secrets, their interpersonal dynamics ... their array of psychological and spiritual ingredients that make them beautifully complicated human beings."

Through the use of the figure and symbolism in her paintings, Karen Silvestro seeks to capture universal feelings and re-create heartfelt human experiences. "When a viewer reacts reflectively to one of my paintings with, 'Wow. I've been there before,' I know I have succeeded in creating a bond of human experience with that individual. I want people to connect with my work. Through my paintings, I often try to convey unspeakable emotions -- the inner fears, joys, dreams ... the things you don't always admit to out loud but feel inside.

"Society often convinces people they should look, feel, act and be a certain way. I find beauty in the truth of our life stories and strive to show real people, real feelings and real stories with my paintings."

Silvestro's process is involved and elaborate. Her ideas come from dreams, personal experiences, misunderstandings, feelings, etc. She brainstorms a great deal, then comes up with a concept, creates many thumbnail sketches, changes compositions, gets a model, starts sketching and then finally begins painting.

She is busy preparing works for a major solo show taking place later this year. Titled "Paperdoll," the show is centered around the theme of relationship role playing and promises to evoke quite a reaction from the public.

Visit www.karensilvestro.com.

Sean Ferneau

Hello, Reader. Meet Sean Ferneau, the hottest new personality in Charleston's art and design scene. With a degree in art history from the College of Charleston and the equivalent of an art dealer's degree studying the industry while working for Ann Long of Ann Long Fine Art years ago, Ferneau is now painting his own path with various exciting projects.

Working as the gallery director at Aster Hall, Ferneau and owner Angela Hall have been rocking and rolling with openings, fundraisers and various other events at the hip joint at 481 King St. With more than 40 artists represented, the gallery's mission is to offer art and design geared toward young collectors.

He also works as the art dealer and international manager for one of Charleston's most talented contemporary artists, Benjamin Hollingsworth. "I am his manager, and he, in turn, is my inspiration. We are each other's Svengali. I believe Benjamin is poised for international presence," said Ferneau.

And on his road to fame, he will be featured in the Contemporary Charleston 2010 exhibit at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park curated by Erin Glaze and Max Miller. The dynamic duo also just leased a studio space for Hollingsworth on Heriot Street near Eye Level Art. "The studio will be not only an artist's studio and business office, but an ambiguous arts space, much like Warhol's 'Factory.' "

And since Ferneau apparently has no need for sleep, he also has a third venture in the works called Focus Business Development in Park Circle. He and partner Daniel Hoerr's new company will assist with business growth strategies, marketing and creative design.

Follow Ferneau on twitter at twitter.com/seanferneau. Also visit asterhall.net

Karen Ann Myers

"My paintings are like a personal diary of my relationships with friends, family, and lovers."

Karen Ann Myers' works are rooted in the concept of self-portraiture, as she strives to capture not just the world around her, but also within her. Often prompted by the question: "What is it like to be a woman in this specific age and culture?" her paintings are mini narratives of various relationship dynamics she has experienced.

"I strive to create a world in which the viewer is invited to question the continuing struggle of women to be taken seriously. Simply stated, each of my paintings is an opportunity to better understand myself through my past, present and future experiences and relationships."

In describing her process, she said, "I'm collaging with paint." By combining the dimensional elements of the female figure with the flatness of patterns, she is able to create this painted collage.

Myers moved to Charleston a year ago to become the executive director and curator of Redux Contemporary Art Center. Equally as important is her own career as a professional artist. She has quite the resume already, and this year is going to be busy with five different shows throughout the country, three of which are solo shows. Be sure to check out "Nothing at the Moment," a two-person show of artist-boyfriend Tony Csavas' work and her own on May 6-31 at Outer Space in Charleston.

Visit www.karenannmyers.com.

Jahsun

This artist-yogi-Rastafarian-intellectual can't be put into one specific category. "I don't subscribe to labels. I understand they are necessary in society, but they are way too confining for my taste and not always accurate. For instance, when people see my dreadlocks and hear I'm a Rastafarian (thus the customary name change from Jason Mitchell to Jahsun), they instantly think I'm from Jamaica or that I smoke marijuana, neither of which is true."

He thinks the same about his art. He is not interested in painting pretty things to make money. He actually picked up a brush for the first time in 2003 because he felt "led by the creator to do so. Spirituality is my lifestyle, and my paintings are depictions of where I am on a spiritual level. The closer I am to the creator, the more I see visions of future paintings.

"If I'm not in a loving space, I don't paint." For Jahsun, it's important to feel physically and mentally healthy when creating. He celebrates life -- even the tough parts, and instead of getting upset, he is thankful for the lessons.

"Thynkfree" is tagged on many of his pieces to remind the viewer as well as himself to be more open. His works often are based on Scripture. Look for his "codes" referencing Bible Scriptures.

Jahsun also has created all the characters for a children's book called "Indigo" about a young girl who thinks she doesn't fit in. A friend and colleague, Speech, of Arrested Development, is writing an original song for a CD for the back of the book. "Indigo" will be released Nov. 6 at the Capital Book Fest.

Visit www.faristudios.com.