July Artist of the Month: John Alan Stock

John Alan Stock is an American Artist currently residing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. He has been both an Architect and Artist for most of his adult life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Ohio State University with minor study in Fine Arts. He was a Registered Architect in the State of Virginia through 2019. He has been active as an Artist from 1968 through today.

Artist’s Statement

Art evolved to take a pivotal role in my life after a brain injury at age 11, which damaged the spatial intelligence center of my neo-cortex, inner ear’s crystalline structure and the optic nerve. In that these functional components work together to understand the spatial environment —they severely complicated my ability to navigate the physical world, much less pursue Art. However, multiple years of therapy regenerated my spatial intelligence in another area of the brain. I regained my facility and was able to once again understand and navigate the physical world. I eventually became both an Artist and Architect.

My Art is captured in 32 unique Series. Each Series revolves around a central theme or concept which then dictates the form and expression of the art; be it abstract, impressionism, realism, surrealism or combinations. I work in oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media/collage, inks and pencils. The idea dictates the form and medium of expression.

View John's artwork collection in the Art Speaks Gallery through the month of July or online here.

June Artist of the Month: Ryan Lytle

Whether it is pets, in nature, films and cartoons, mythology, I have always been drawn to animals. As a kid I had an extensive stuffed animal collection. These fascinations of animal archetypes, images and myths have resurfaced as visual vocabulary in my work.

My sculptures are primarily created through fiber processes. For me, there is a comfort that is embedded in the nostalgic material. Needle felting is done by compressing raw wool with a barbed needle into a form: Every area is stabbed hundreds of times with a single needle until the desired density is formed.  This medium allows me to sculpt works within a surreal space that is both disarming and inviting. 

My figures are animal based, however the pieces are about people. The animals are anthropomorphized to reflect the way we as humans interact with each other and ourselves as we navigate the world.

To view Ryan's collection CLICK HERE

April Artist of the Month: Karyn Gallion

Karyn Gallion is an artist, maker, storyteller, and mischief instigator whose work lives at the 
crossroads of contemporary folk art and storybook surrealism. She builds character‑driven 
sculptures from reclaimed wood, salvaged hardware, and the odd treasures she rescues from 
yard sales, workshops, and appliance guts — objects with an interesting past and a promising future. Her background in dance, theater, commercial art, product design, and UX gives her work its signature mix of playfulness, narrative spark, and material intelligence. In her studio — part workshop, part creative playground — curiosity runs the show. It’s a space where “what if,” “why not,” and “how might I” are daily prompts, and where collaboration with other makers feels less like work and more like a shared adventure. Whether she’s assembling a wall creature or crafting a tiny zine, Gallion invites viewers to lean in, look closer, and discover the delightful strangeness hiding in everyday things. Storytelling is 
the through‑line in everything she makes — not as a grand gesture, but as a quiet invitation to wonder.

To view Karyn's collection CLICK HERE

To see Karyn's video in the Gallery CLICK HERE