Michael's paintings are known worldwide for their use of bright color and vivid imagery.   I am proud to add this piece to the LJFC Art Gallery.   He is an autistic savant artist, speaker, and advocate.  I was immediately drawn to the strength and freedom in this work. 

Artists Statement:
This is the newest painting completed for my new 2016 Strength Of Women Series.
She walked out of the front door from a place she had called home for the last 10 years, and said goodbye to the life of survival that she had gotten used to. She was beautiful and wore a size 2 dress, but her husband had verbally abused her daily to the point that she felt as if she were obese, worthless, and unattractive. This day was the day that had come to where she no longer could live the life of her before. She bravely started a new life with what little she had but at least could truly call her own. Mankind is a strange animal as many persons will continually attract and nurture that life which is familiar and makes them feel comfortable in its expectations. She eventually began the dating ritual and immediately recreated her previous existence by selecting someone who would fill the role of the partner that she had become familiar with all her life. A few months passed before a few close friends tried to warn her of the mistake she was making with her new involvement, but there was a “worthless” feeling that was buried deep within her soul and she couldn’t bear to dismiss a man who was showing her attention. Their connection and involvement deepened and that gave him the comfort and confidence to say what he wished in any way he wished to deliver it to her. At first the cutting and diminishing remarks were spoken as jokes, but in time no one was smiling or laughing. One day he casually and verbally cut her emotionally as he referenced her weight. She quickly and defensibly responded with an excuse as she accidentally called him using the name of her ex-husband. She gasped. All the years of the previous abuse flooded into her mind and she looked up to catch the eyes of her new abuser. There was a pause. She pushed her shoulders back, stood tall and walked with purpose to exit his door forever. As she left she loudly said over her shoulder, “Never Again.”
 

Remrov's pencil drawings are astounding.  The detail he incorporates brings the subject(s) to life on the page.  I thought long and hard before commissioning this work.  Coming to know Remrov as a friend, I wanted to ask him to draw something representative of himself.  How lovely it turned out!  I will treasure this piece forever.
Artist's Statement:
This is a pencil drawing of my little feathered friend Pilaf and me.  Pilaf has been my best friend for 18 years, and he was also registered as my therapy animal.  He always helped me a lot with the challenges I face as an autistic person.  Pilaf and I were always together.  He always sat on my shoulder or in my shirt and he also loved to sleep in my hand.  He kept me company while I was working on my drawings and we often went to the park where Pilaf loved to play in the grass and bathe in the fountain.  He always loved to be cuddled.  Pilaf passed away on March 31, 2017.  I miss him a lot and I will always keep him in my heart.   Rest in peace my wonderful friend, we'll meet each other in our dreams.

This piece is as piercing as Quinn's first painting in the LJFC Gallery.   In fact, if you browse through the postings you will find a similarity in the eyes.  The oil on canvas work depicts Count Dracula, the archetypal vampire of Bram Stoker's classic text.  Quinn's author's statement is also a treasure as viewed in the slideshow.
Author's statement:
"Wither stood a tall old man, clean shaven for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of color about him anywhere."

This wonderful addition to our LJFC Art Gallery is a commission specifically for our YOU Fit Center.  I’ll let the author describe it.  She puts it into words far better than I can. 
Author’s Statement:
Hello, I’m Chloe Sybert.  I wanted to design something with a tree because
(1) I picture YOU Fit as an inclusive and accepting club of sorts.  I had club meetings in a tree when I was little.
(2) trees are strong and have roots.  Relationships formed at YOU Fit will hopefully improve lives and help each other like roots.
(3) Apparently there are lots of trees there, so this seemed fitting.
(4) People carve special names into trees so I wrote the organization name as a carving because hopefully this will be a special place for people.  This will be a place where they fit! 
I wanted an artsy looking sky and painted the tree in my own style.  I hope you enjoy it.  J

This painting both excites my senses and melts my heart.  Lavender is such a healing gift for humanity, but especially those of us with anxiety.  The scent can relax, its oils can be spread and share the healing properties.  The color has been my favorite since I was a little girl.  This delightful work is also special to me because of the artist.  I’ve gotten to know Katie Alband just recently.  We’ve spent a few days a week together over the past two months.  Thank you, Katie, for allowing me to purchase your painting to add to the LJ Friedrich Consultants art gallery. 
Artist’s statement:
After surviving a severe life or death open heart surgery at birth, Katie faces many challenges.  Her beautiful art is a way for her to express herself.  It is a window to her soul …  She hopes that you will enjoy it!

From the moment I saw this piece by artist Quinn Crain, I was mesmerized.  The pieces fit beautifully.  The eye is prominent although not direct.  I love all of the skin tones.  It is now the centerpiece of my personal art gallery that I’m building for LJ Friedrich Consultants.
Artist’s Statement:
For myself, I simply wish for my work to live on in the hearts of others, not only moving said hearts but to be moved as well; love and joy is often planted as a seed, and creating artwork is answering a call … a reason for me to be, and a means to convey that everyone in the world has their own as well.  Life is a lifelong study of understanding oneself in the universe.  I’m incomplete.  When I am whole, so shall this painting be.