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Awesome Artists to Check Out (and Maybe Buy Art From)

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Some of, if not the coolest, contemporary creators in the arts and crafts world. From paintings to glass work, this list showcases the most impressive artists in Justin's eyes.
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Glasswork

The best, coolest and most mesmerizing artists making glass pieces.

 
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Located in Crete, Illinois, Robert Lotton Lagestee created a fantastic, refeshing style of glasswork. Taking up the practice from his grandfather Charles, Robert has been running his business since 2015. From his dedicated staff to creative ideas, La...
Justcookingsand: Home
 
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Kari Heybrock's been making glass jewelry for at least a dozen years. From heart charms to vases, Heybrock's business is a big hit no matter the customer. Her Valentine's Day specials, pendants and gift cards are big hits for all interested in art, j...
Kari Heybrock Designs Maker of glass beads & wearable art.
 
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I ran into one of the glass artists named Richard Ryan at an art fair in Kansas City, September 2025. Vitreous Matter Glass Studio is an impressive small business that specializes in highly expensive and detailed glass sculptures. In fact, a good num...
Vitreous Matter Glass Studio

Painting and Prints

The Bread and Butter of Artistry. Every painter/printer wants to stand out in new, fresh and jaw-dropping ways. Few can do so and keep it consistent no matter the piece or genre. Those listed here are THE must-see names to keep an eye on and to bookm...

 
Justin Minckley profile picture
At the recent art fare I went to, there were three artists and their works that really stood out to me. Andrew Batcheller and his collection is number one in both my head and list. These are some of the most detailed, creative and intricate designed ...

Batcheller is a Missouri native who classifies his work as “portraiture”. At first, Batcheller used (and still mostly uses) birds as analogies for the human condition. The emotional quality of his work evokes thoughtful contemplation of our own human...

His award winning paintings are a part of national and international collections. Unlike most of on this list, there is no set price. You must contact him via the methods in this section. All works are available as acid free. Paper or canvas prints a...
Andrew Batcheller
 
Justin Minckley profile picture
One of the biggest names in contemporary art, very few have been as consistent for decades like Diana Stetson. Currently based in New Mexico, Stetson's art is heavily influenced by Chinese and Japanese brushwork.

There are three well known art genres Stetson works with (paintings, monotypes and giclées), yet paintings are easily what she's remembered for. Creative works from oranges, teapots, and east asian works with fruit and trees, Diana Stetson's creativi...

The amount of artwork Stetson does on birds is one of the most impressive any viewer could look at and take in. No matter the species, every bird looks perfect and somehow a cleaner version than what you would see in the wild. As a nature and bird en...
Diana Stetson
 
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Tyler Binjamin Wagner is an interesting and unique artist unlike any people will encounter. From an undergraduate degree in biomedical science to five years in finance, Wagner needed at least a decade to find out what made him happy and passionate in...

WagsArt is largely inspired by Tyler's time in west Texas and how his experiences traveled throughout the desert often bordered on surreal. Wagner maintains a light and whimsical style counter to the ominous subject matter by layering vibrant acrylic... 

From original paintings to personalized, playing card prints, WagsArt remains creative in style, colors and creativity. Wagner's art starts around a few hundred dollars for those interested and seriously drawn to his work.
Tyler Wagner's WagsArt

Photography

Artists who don't just excel at taking pictures, they break boundaries, transform and introduce fresh, contemporary and eye-popping visuals that make what you're looking at more than photography.

 
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A Downers Grove, IL. native, Josh Merrill has some of, if not the most beautiful photography artwork I've ever seen or come across. The joyful, nature heavy themes utilize digital technology with minor adjustments. As said in his about section on the...

Mr. Merrill's photography style has been described as tending towards simple, graphically strong compositions, of compelling subjects in the natural world with a unique vision and skilled use of color. The best part? A great number of these works are...
Josh Merrill Photography

Spray Paint

Some of best contemporary spray paint artists you can find throughout the U.S. and the world.

 
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Spray paint can be a hit or miss type genre, but when it hits, there's nothing like it. One of the best contemporary spray paint artists I've come across is Las Vegas' own Black57. The Nevada native loves to be commissioned and is constantly looking ...

Black57 is one of the most active contemporary artists on social media. He's on almost every major platform and has his own Etsy. His work ranges from $15-$120. Depending on what kind of custom one wants, it could be more. The amount of details in hi...
Artist Black57 (@black57tcb)