Curated by Art Enables resident artists CeeJ Maples and Mike Knox, this collection is inspired by our fascination and admiration of creatures from sea and sky. In CeeJ’s words: “Is it because humans are land mammals that we are so interested in swimming and flying? Are we jealous of them being able to move in these ways? Why are we all in such awe?”

More from the curators:

Mike: “In my piece, Art is Freedom, the red pencil shavings are transforming into cardinals, depicting the freedom that comes from art and expression. When I’m making art, that’s when I’m free. I can go anywhere. CeeJ’s piece, Test Flight is also, to me, about the freedom of flight. The colors almost create a trance, like a psychedelic thing, like you’re in a dream. I like how the bird is transparent, and the colors come through.”

CeeJ: “Mike’s piece Art is Freedom is clearly telling a story through the form of birds and through the pencil shavings forming their feathers. The piece is form, on top of form, on top of story. The layers! It’s just what I want out of art. For my piece Test Flight, I was doing a test of my materials, my markers. I added the bird as a comparison to me. Like, how are my feathers doing? Without seeing how my tools are doing, I can’t make art, and I can’t fly.”

See works by CeeJ, Mike, and their fellow resident artists in our Hot Picks collection below! Purchasing artwork by Art Enables artists makes a real and immediate impact. 70% of your artwork purchase price goes directly to the artists, and the remaining 30% goes toward studio supplies, framing costs, and other needed art materials. If you like a particular artist's style, see more of their work via their Artist page. Enjoy traversing through our artists’ work by sea or sky!