Born and raised on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, tattoo artist Tiffany “Tiffy” Elmergreen knew she had a passion for art at an early age. She was always drawn to tattooing, but in high school, she saw it as a mere “pipe dream.” When the opportunity to do what she loved finally came, she went for it. 

Given a pen, illustrator Jordan K. Gaza can tap into a fundamental human dread. Her work is organic and whimsical, often with a dash of body horror. Imagine Dr. Seuss having a bad mescaline trip in a field of Venus flytraps. Her figures’ soft edges belie a terror that looms in the foreground, ready to penetrate if we let our guard down. She can draw a damn good looking piece of pizza too. A freelance artist in Grand Rapids, Gaza is a true talent who’s had art featured at the UICA, Glitter Milk Gallery and more. Keep your eyes peeled for a graphic novel down the pipeline, or any project from her for that matter. With a signature blend of comfort and unease, her work takes lodge in your mind, and you’ll want it to stay. 

Artist, musician and multi-business owner Jared DeMeester was born and raised in Grand Rapids. He works as a freelance designer under the moniker I Tried My Best and is a founder of Stovetop Coffee Roasters, which is opening a café on 944 E. Fulton St. this fall. Over the past few years, DeMeester has started eight companies, played in multiple bands and become an award-winning package designer for Stovetop. But for DeMeester, this is all just the beginning.

A painting is never really done for Jean Stevens.

The Kalamazoo-based artist said she’ll sometimes take down a painting hanging on the wall of her Park Trades Center studio and add a few more brush strokes of color to it.