OUR FOUNDERS

  • Kathy Strauss is a visionary artist with more than 40 years of experience in the creative industry. As a

    self-described Creationeer, she brings imagination and heart to every project, blending photography, mixed

    media, and words to create meaningful visual stories. Her work is rooted in the belief that creativity is a

    powerful force for connection, healing, and transformation.

    Kathy is a professional photographer and owner of ImageWerks, who specializes in personal branding,

    headshots, events, family portraits, and fine art photography. She approaches each session with intention,

    capturing more than just images; she captures energy, emotion, and authenticity. Her commercial clients

    receive personalized visual libraries that reflect their unique identity, while families walk away with treasured

    memories filled with joy and presence.

    As a Creative FrequencyTM coach, Kathy teaches workshops that awaken the creative spirit. Through

    programs like “Your Artist Within,” “Vision and Perspective,” and “Paint Your Pet,” she guides youth, adults, and corporate teams in exploring their artistic voice. Her sessions are designed to build confidence, spark

    imagination, and reconnect participants with their innate ability to create.

    Kathy is also an accomplished mixed-media artist and writer. She integrates photography, painting,

    doodling, and journaling to express the world as she experiences it—through intuition, emotion, and color.

    She has published several interactive books that blend mindfulness with creativity, including Kaleidoscope:

    Redesigning Your Life, Coloring Your Spirit, 52 Weeks of Gratitude, and Positive Spirit. Her work invites

    readers to slow down, reflect, and engage with life in a more intentional way.

    Kathy was a founding artist at the Workhouse Arts Center and President of the Arches Gallery Artists in

    Lorton, Virginia. She currently exhibits her work at the Seacoast Artists Gallery and Artists on 8th Avenue at

    the William H. Miller Art Studio in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She serves on the Board of Directors for

    the Seacoast Artists Guild, and The Arts Grand Strand, is an ambassador for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand Class 42 and Leadership Prince William Class of 2010.

  • Art is not merely a visual endeavor; it is a language that speaks to the heart and soul. For Jillian Tomkovich,

    known as JBeans, art is a lifelong journey of expression and discovery, where creativity moves and

    inspires. Her ethos, encapsulated in her mantra “There is No Still in Life”, underscores her commitment to

    creating art that resonates, captivates, and tells stories through movement and life.

    From a humble pencil in the hands of a curious five-year-old, handed down by her artist Uncle Howard

    March, JBeans embarked on a remarkable journey. Early achievements like a state-winning bust of Jim

    Morrison showcased her exceptional talent and eye for detail. Despite life taking her art off the shelf for

    years, her deep-rooted passion never waned. Her self-taught approach and determination to conquer

    painting evolved her artistry from graphite to vibrant textures and colors.

    In her early 30s, Jillian transformed her 130-year-old Victorian home in Washington, NJ, into a vibrant hub

    of creativity. She taught drawing and crafting to local children and their mothers, igniting passion for art

    within the community. Her vision of turning her home into a teaching studio gallery became a testament to

    her dedication to fostering artistic connections and learning.

    A pivotal chapter in Jillian’s artistic life unfolded when she moved to Arizona. Immersed in the Navajo

    Indian art culture, she studied their storytelling and traditions, and her work became a tribute to their

    legacy. Her intricate, decorative art on long-horned cow skulls captured the essence of Navajo culture,

    earning recognition and sales through galleries across Arizona, from Tombstone to Sedona. Her pieces

    now grace ski lodges and private homes nationwide, cementing her reputation as a creator of unique,

    culturally inspired art.