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Nov. 15 Art Event: Elaine’s celebrated “For the Love of Art,” when 6 Alexandria artists showed their work at this first regular event. Stay tuned for more!

About the Event: Local artists are excited to share their beautiful work with the world today at Elaine’s! Come eat, drink and enjoy the work of Jill E. Brantley, Robin Jordan, Makda Kibour, Alfa Tate-O’Neill, John Thurman, Katherine Ward, and Katherine Malek.

Meet these amazing Artists: 

Jill Brantley is a multidisciplinary artist influenced by such artists as Matisse, Gauguin, Kandinsky, Miro, Klimt, and Calder to name a few.

Creating works of art is her passion.

She has been painting for twenty-five years, experimenting with different mediums and artistic disciplines. She continues to participate in art classes, workshops, and enter juried art shows.

She is an active member of Touchstone Gallery in Washington, DC and The Art League of Alexandria, VA.

Find more art: jillbrantleyart.com

Alfa Tate-O’Neill’s work blends acrylic paint, photography, and hand-applied “bling” — rhinestones, crushed diamonds, and jewelry pieces — to transform familiar subjects into luminous, dreamlike portraits. These pieces explore the beauty of memory, elevating everyday moments of family, friendship, and place into shimmering visions of “magical realism.”

“Each work begins with a photograph — a fragment of real life — and evolves through paint and light into something more emotional than literal,” says O’Neill. “I want the viewer to feel that sense of recognition and wonder at once — as though the memory itself has come to life.”

After a 35-year career in Los Angeles film marketing, promoting major motion pictures (The Hunger Games, Batman, Argo, and The Hurt Locker , among others), I relocated to Alexandria during the pandemic and turned my creative lens toward fine art. My work has recently been exhibited at The Art League at the Torpedo Factory, Nepenthe Gallery, and at Reston’s JoAnn Rose Gallery.

“Alfa brings cinematic storytelling and visual polish to the canvas,” said Gail Silverman, art connoisseur of Reston. “Her pieces shimmer both literally and emotionally — they celebrate how art, like memory, can be both vivid and elusive.”

What We Love continues my exploration of how traditional artistic techniques can coexist with modern technology and individuality in an AI-driven age. My process emphasizes human touch and materiality — each piece is entirely handcrafted.

John Thurman has a background in architecture and design. After receiving a BFA in photography from the San Francisco Art Institute, he moved back to his hometown of Alexandria, VA.

In the years since, John has developed his painting skills at the Art League School.

As an Abstract Expressionist with a love of color, he uses his photographic outlook to view his surroundings, which augments his painting vision.

Robin Jordan is a visionary multidisciplinary artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, inviting audiences into a vibrant world of imagination and creativity.

With a passion for exploring various mediums, she seamlessly weaves together painting, sculpture, and digital art, creating immersive experiences that resonate deeply with viewers. Born in the USA, Robin developed an early fascination wijth color and form, often experimenting with different materials and techniques.

Katherine Malek found a renewed love of painting during the pandemic.

She has been enjoying painting classes and workshops at the Torpedo Factory since 2021. While honing her skills in abstract painting, she is inspired by color, texture, and a sense of movement.

Recently, she has been incorporating collage into her pieces. She has been working in healthcare for the last 15 years, and prior to that, she had a background in art therapy. Painting brings her joy and a welcome challenge.

Katherine has shown work at the Falls Church Art Gallery and lives in Arlington, VA.

Katherine Ward started painting as a freshman in college

 in 1965.

“I quickly realized there was no way to make a living, so I joined the US Air Force,” she shares. “When I retired in 1997 I started taking abstract acrylic painting classes at the Torpedo Factory. I paint for pleasure and fun now.”

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About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com

Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.

About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.