Artists + Writers - ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal | Call for Artists

ArtAscent Gold Artist of the 2026 Children call for artists.

Etta J. Martin

Etta J. Martin captures emotions as they unfold, resisting the urge to confine them to simple labels. In her photography, nuances are preserved, each image holding onto the subtle complexities that words often fail to capture.

Photographs of childhood capture more than just fleeting moments; they reveal the unfiltered emotions and subtle nuances that words often cannot express. Etta’s work invites viewers to reflect on the multitude of feelings that define childhood, embracing the ambiguity and richness of youthful experience.

In works like “Aaliyah,” the beauty of waiting, the spark of curiosity, and the depth of a child’s imagination are preserved with remarkable sensitivity. Through the lens, a child’s authenticity shines, transcending façades and illuminating the freedom and wonder inherent to youth. These images do not simply document childhood; they offer a visual narrative that celebrates its spontaneity, honesty, and transformative magic. Etta favours a minimalist approach, using only simple household props when they enhance the emotional tone of an image. With a focus on presence, vulnerability, and quiet mystery, Etta’s work offers a fresh, honest perspective on growing up, one that celebrates both the beauty and the complexity of childhood. Sally Mann’s photographs have long inspired Etta, offering a window into the fierce independence and vibrant spirit of childhood.

While Mann’s work embraces the raw energy and determination of youth, Etta’s images explore the gentle transitions and quiet resilience that characterize growing up. Both artists share a commitment to authenticity; through their lenses, the purity and understated strength of children are revealed with extraordinary sensitivity.

Etta’s experimentation with both colour and blackand- white photography allows each moment to retain its vitality. Viewing the world through a parent’s lens adds a unique, intimate perspective, offering a third dimension to the photographs that deepens their emotional resonance. These images create an environment reminiscent of what many Canadian children crave: a place to explore, to ponder, and simply to exist, where silliness, serious contemplation, and stillness are all given space to thrive. In this way, Etta’s work not only documents childhood but also honours its complexity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the universal nature of growing up.

Etta J. Martin is a photographer whose work gently explores the world of childhood through an unfiltered gaze. Raised and educated in Missouri, Etta earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in photography from Missouri Western State University. Her intuitive, emotion-driven process is rooted in home and everyday life, often featuring her own children and the subtle poetry found in ordinary moments. Etta’s photographs are shaped by natural light, mood, and the authentic interactions that emerge in comfortable surroundings.

Etta J. Martin is the Gold Artist of the ArtAscent Children call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the 2026 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Children issue.

ArtAscent Gold Writer of the 2026 Children call for artists.

JC Sulzenko

Back to where we belong

We’ve lived a week of wisdom teeth
My lovely 20-year-old in her white, iron bed—
a child gain for one short week—
sleeps badly, faints from too many painkillers…

JC Sulzenko writes with clarity and honesty, giving voice to emotions that many people feel but are reluctant to express. As both a mother and a poet, she offers reassurance to her readers, gently reminding us that letting go is, fundamentally, an act of love.

The poem Back to Where We Belong explores the gradual separation between mother and child as the child grows. Yet, no matter how much time passes, the child remains a child in the parents’ eyes. When a grown child returns home, a sense of independence gives way to the comfort of parental care. For a time, they are brought back to the closeness of earlier days. The poem observes this return, noting both the sweetness and the pain as each individual resumes their own life. JC shows that part of experiencing love is also feeling the ache that comes with parting.

JC’s writing is not simply an homage to parenthood, but an exploration of the many moments that define the experience of being a parent, whether it’s picking up a child from daycare or caring for them after a wisdom tooth operation. She finds meaning in the ordinary, revealing how love is woven into both grand and everyday gestures.

Ada Limón serves as an inspiration to JC. Both poets excel at capturing deep emotion in the rhythms of everyday life, drawing on vulnerability and authenticity. Limón’s influence is evident in Sulzenko’s honest portrayals of motherhood and relationships, where the personal becomes universal. Their poetry resonates for its sincerity and for the way it honours both connection and independence, reminding readers of the beauty in simply being present for one another.

JC’s words gently remind us that neither parent nor child needs to be perfect; acceptance and presence matter most. She encourages us to let each moment guide what comes next, rather than always planning ahead. This poem invites us to be present with loved ones, to hold space for each other, both shared and private. It is in these moments of vulnerability that genuine connection is found.

JC Sulzenko’s poetry appears in print and online either under her name or as A. Garnett Weiss; her books include Life, after life, from epitaph to epilogue (2024), Bricolage, A Gathering of Centos (Fred Kerner Book Award finalist, 2022), and South Shore Suite…POEMS (2017). She has also published children’s storybooks and a play about dementia. Her workshops have been hosted by the Ottawa International Writers Festival and other organizations. JC is a full member of the League of Canadian Poets, serves on the Ontario Poetry Society Board, and selects for bywords.ca.

JC Sulzenko is the Gold Writer of the ArtAscent Children call for writers. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the 2026 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Children issue.

jcsulzenko.ca

ArtAscent Silver Artist of the 2026 Children call for artists.

Olivia Patricia O’Neal

Olivia Patricia O’Neal’s art captures the calm in the storm, the liveliness of water, and the boundless happiness that children naturally radiate. Her work invites us to experience these moments of joy through the eyes of youth. There’s a beautiful ease in the way children simply exist, taking in the world and letting vibrant images fill their curious eyes. The rich yet gentle colours in Patricia’s piece from the Mexican Memories Series, Children on the Sidewalk, make it a delightful everyday addition, bringing a touch of warmth and energy into any space.

Patricia’s Play Time series explores a whirlwind of emotions and experiences, inviting us to revisit cherished memories in each piece. Who doesn’t recall the pure excitement of running toward something you’ve long awaited—whether it’s your grandparents, a favourite pet, or, as in Patricia’s own memories, the first sensation of sand beneath your feet and the cool sea touching your toes. Her painting Running to the Shore captures this shared joy in sun-kissed, orange tones. With Edward and Dunham, Patricia offers a more intimate glimpse, a special bond between two living beings, visually emphasized by a red thread that draws our eyes from the child’s focus to the parrot’s curiosity. This thoughtful, quiet atmosphere carries through the series in works like Lemon Drop, Fisher Boy, Buttermilk Sky, Blue Baby, and Rainy Day Haircut. Each painting is unique, evoking different moments of life, but all share a mysterious, almost sentimental calmness.

Whether it’s a moment alone, dancing with the waves, or the gentle support of a caring parent, Patricia’s paintings capture the wishful spirit of childhood through love, trust, and the courage to try something new.

Patricia admires artist Jay DeFeo, especially for her monumental work, The Rose. Both artists share a profound dedication to their craft, investing years of reflection and intuition into their most meaningful pieces. While DeFeo’s bold experimentation and layered abstraction offer a striking visual impact, Patricia’s work radiates a gentle vibrancy and emotional warmth. Both create art that resonates deeply with viewers, revealing the power of passion and perseverance in uniquely inspiring ways.

Olivia Patricia O’Neal is a contemporary artist, born in Tennessee and educated at the New York Academy of Art (MFA). She has exhibited her work internationally, including nineteen solo shows across the United States, France, and Taiwan. Highlights of her career include an invitational exhibition at the Taipei Cultural Center and a series inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Her paintings are included in private and public collections, and her practice frequently explores themes of memory and identity. She currently lives and works in Vancouver.

Olivia Patricia O’Neal is the Silver Artist of the ArtAscent Children call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the 2026 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Children issue.

pterrelloneal.com

ArtAscent Bronze Artist of the 2026 Children call for artists.

Pear Dropy

The works of Pear Dropy are meditative, each piece conveying a sense of calm and trust that feels deeply rooted.

Pear’s images invite viewers in, letting the atmosphere expand and settle deeply into both mind and body. Works such as I Don’t Know How I Know—But My Bones Do, Walk Like You’re Made of Light, Once More, and I am the Middle, and the Middle is Me each capture moments of introspection, whether it is the journey of growing up, symbolized by a golden tree, or the solace found in chosen friends.

The images spread an ethereal intricacy that resonates through the viewer, offering an experience that is first felt, then fully absorbed, almost like drinking with your eyes. A gentle embrace that leaves marks of the most sensitive transitions: growing up, changing, finding, and continually redefining oneself. Each piece radiates a warm stillness, reminiscent of a deep and tranquil lake. Even the colours capture this sensation. There is a calmness to every image, and the figures depicted appear grounded and self-contained.

Created using digital drawing and mixed media, Pear’s images feel simultaneously close to real life and otherworldly: a place where realism gracefully meets the surreal. Each piece is sparked by inspiration from nature, a memory, or a fleeting feeling that lingers beneath the surface. Through digital layering and inventive textural experimentation, Pear builds compositions that reward repeated viewing. Subtle, hidden details emerge only for those who look closely, offering fresh meaning with every encounter. This thoughtful, layered approach invites viewers to linger, pause, reflect, and forge a deeper connection both with the art and within themselves.

Pear draws inspiration from Charles M. Schulz; both artists share a deep appreciation for the quiet, everyday moments of life and the ability to capture them in a still, lasting form. Schulz, the creator of the iconic comic “Peanuts,” brought these moments to life through his beloved cartoon characters.

Pear Dropy is a contemporary digital artist whose evocative works explore identity, memory, and chance. Their gallery debut at Art Expo New York in April 2025 drew attention with pieces such as How To Let The Wrong Thing In. The self-portrait Cat People Know Their Love was shortlisted for the prestigious Ruth Borchard Self- Portrait Prize, highlighting Pear Dropy’s distinctive voice within a larger, evolving artistic vision. In 2026, Pear Dropy’s art made an international impact, appearing simultaneously in Times Square, California, and Athens, Greece. The artist’s practice is defined by unexpected public moments and constant evolution, as new works are exhibited across North America and Europe, inviting viewers into a world where the titles seem to arrive already knowing.

Pear Dropy is the Bronze Artist of the ArtAscent Children call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the 2026 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Children issue.

instagram.com.peardropy

Explore the fresh art work of our juried, distinguished artists and writers

Introducing the artists of the Children collection:

Etta J. Martin

JC Sulzenko

Back to where we belong

We’ve lived a week of wisdom teeth
My lovely 20-year-old in her white, iron bed—
a child gain for one short week—
sleeps badly, faints from too many painkillers…

Olivia Patricia O’Neal

Pear Dropy

Cameron Adams

Deonta Elite

Aaron Krone

Kinam Elijah Jara

Diane Shannon

Khyron Winfield

Haley Neumann

Ryta Slobodiana

Ljubica Simovic

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Recent Comments

ACCOLADES

I honestly believe ArtAscent is among the best of the quality arts and literary magazines available today.

I just received a print copy of the April issue. It is really magnificent! Beautiful, extravagant artwork, high quality printing.

Each time I read through an issue of ArtAscent, my mind opens up a bit more as to what art can be, what writing can be, and to how the two can enter into a dialogue together. To explore the different ways reader/writer and artist/viewer can converse with each other.

Explore the fresh art work of our juried, distinguished artists and writers

Introducing the artists of the Children collection:

Back to where we belong

We’ve lived a week of wisdom teethMy lovely 20-year-old in her white, iron bed—a child gain for one short week—sleeps badly, faints from too many painkillers…

Pages

Recent Comments

ACCOLADES

I honestly believe ArtAscent is among the best of the quality arts and literary magazines available today.

I just received a print copy of the April issue. It is really magnificent! Beautiful, extravagant artwork, high quality printing.

Each time I read through an issue of ArtAscent, my mind opens up a bit more as to what art can be, what writing can be, and to how the two can enter into a dialogue together. To explore the different ways reader/writer and artist/viewer can converse with each other.

We’ve lived a week of wisdom teeth
My lovely 20-year-old in her white, iron bed—
a child gain for one short week—
sleeps badly, faints from too many painkillers…