Artists Describing Their Art:
Kees Van Eyck - My works of art express a metarealistic perception of our world, traditional in the history of Dutch painting. However, the source of my inspiration can also be found in European surrealism as well in American hyper-, and photo realism. In my collection Portraits of Icons of the post-war period of the 20th century I introduced the iconography of our era. These images of celebrities characterise movie-stars, media personalities plus inspirational individuals from the field of music, art, politics and philosophy. With these portraits I pay tribute to famous people with extraordinary gifts and talents, who influenced the development of mankind and left their mark on various fields during the 20th century. My perception of life on Earth is often depicted in a surrealistic manner. My attitude towards our environment is charged with criticism as well as hope for a better future. My paintings aspire to evoke the sense of beauty and to raise awareness of burning issues in todays world....
Debbi Chan - I am going to do an updated artist's statement. But until I submit it you have a short temporary one. As an artist I an fullfilled and contend. But at the same time I seek more , absorb more, and enjoy more. Art fills and fullfills me..I am always being an artist. My eyes see art always. This is not a hobby that I partake of when time suits. Art feeds me. Art consoles me. And being prolific it also takes my time. And for this I am thankful that i listened to my inner self. I am thankful for a following that grows by the minute. I enjoy you enjoying my portfolio. I also have come to realize that the coined phrase "starving artist" is a reality for some of us. But if you take another quote, my own , you will see that starving and rich pertain to material $. because of you the viewers , and because art is my life and my passion I can truly say that I AM RICH.. RICH WITH NO MONEY... and I can also say with truth that I am happy. I chose the path that allowed this rich life. There will continue ...
Jerry Ross - Manifesto of American Verismo By Jerry Ross, 2012 "American verismo", a movement that I have recently founded, is a catch-all phrase for an artistic style that draws its main inspiration from Italian art, both classical and modern. There is an implied nostalgia for work done "dal vero" (after life) whether classical (Raphael, Rubens, or Caravaggio, etc.) or 19th century (the Tuscan I Macchiaioli school) or more contemporary. Verismo is somewhat akin to contemporary "atelier realism" but the latter has been criticized for an academic uniformity and its over attention to details. American verismo is more poetic and linked to post-impressionism, the Milan-based Scapigliatura ('wild hair') movement, and the I Machiaioli's commitment to social issues. But like atelier realism, American verismo is associated with a painterly sketching style, use of broad brushstrokes, and the alla prima, "direct attack" technique of painting. It is also linked to all'aperto (open air) impressionist-style landscape painting. In short, to pleinairism which has become widely popular in recent years. I first introduced the term during several classes he taught at the Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene and then later at the "Angels Fight Road Art Center" plein air retreat...
Dennis Chamberlain - A photographer must have the ability to see and control light before it reaches the film in a way that allows an image to be produced that reflects the photgrapher's artistic vision. I have set out to use photography to create images of mother nature's beauty....
Richard Harpum - I find painting to be one of my most satisfying pastimes. Although I drew and painted as a youngster, a career in the British Army followed by many years as a senior executive in business, meant that I did not start pursuing my passion again until I was in my 50s. I am so glad that I did. Although I love the Impressionists, the engineer in me means that I have a great deal of difficulty being "loose" in my own work. Having tried and failed, I decided to take the route of being a realist artist, and recently coined "High Definition Art" as my slogan. However, I am not interested in achieving photorealism. I want people to see that my pictures are paintings, and would hate the thought that someone had to take a close look to discover that one of my paintings was not a photograph. My time-consuming technique pretty much prohibits painting en plein air, so I use photographs for reference in my studio. Consequently, I take a camera everywhere, although this drives my wife nuts! However, I deliberately avoid painting a direct copy of any of my photos. Indeed, with each new painting, I seem ...
Leonard Parker - Dr. Leonard W. Parker's artistic style lends realism to his landscapes and seascapes by viewing both from a distance or up close! As a university professor, he has grasped the techniques of oil painting from his own personal research and study. His works have been displayed locally, but his desire is to gain wider notariety. Parker has adopted the phrase "'Scapes in oil" to tell both buyers and sellers that his greatest love is representing as real as possible God's wonderful world in which we live! One would desire to display his landscapes and seascapes in a variety of settings. Dr. Parker also has had commissioned art from photographs. Buyers of his artwork have come to cherish their original oil painting on canvas as heirlooms. ...
Mary Hatch - Mary Hatch has had a strong interest in art beginning painting and art classes when she was twelve, and visiting the Dallas Museum of Art, and A The Chicago Art Institute regularly made an impression on her style by seeing famous paintings. She studied art at UT Arlington, and transferred in her junior year to the Architecture department from the Art department, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and is a Registered Texas Architect and Interior Designer. She additionally studied printmaking at TCU and the University of Dallas. Seeing other museums also created a great love for art including the Kimbell Art Museum, Louvre, Prada, Kunsthistorisches, Ufizzi, and The National Gallery. In the late 70s, she participated in multiple gallery art shows, university exhibits and Dallas WomanaEURtms Caucus of Art and Texas Visual Artist competitions. In the mid 80aEURtms she attended an Adams Middleton Gallery, Dallas, TX, art show for the abstract expressionist, Herbert Ferber, at his art exhibition. His vast canvases with sculptured facade inspired her to paint large. In the 90's, the New Mexico Series was inspired by the Southwest and multiple trips to Santa Fe, NM. During 2006-2009, she was painting seascapes ...
John Hughes - Im a retired Aerospace Engineer, and to occupy my time, i started painting about 3 years ago. I have no formal training in painting other that a high school class in drawing, and more resent a training DVD in oil painting. My paintings are primarily for decorating the wall of a home, and not of an art gallery. Since I am an Army Veteran with a 6 year commitment, I feel that, if I sell some paintings, I will be in a position to financially support one of the Veteran Organizations in order to help my fellow veterans who have sustained both physical and mental injuries. ...
Jon Glaser - There is something fulfilling about capturing a moment in time particularly as the sun makes its first or last appearance. My photographic work reflects an affinity for movement and sound; the latter reminiscent of a song, starting calmly, building strength, power and energy, until the shutter releases and the image is recorded as the ultimate crescendo. While I am most drawn to the grand landscape, my portfolio includes macro still life and abstract work as well, showcasing a relationship between color and light. NOTE: All of my photographs have been processed with Photoshop and Lightroom withlittle manipulation or adjustment. All colors are true of their location. In addition, I print all images using the latest technology, the highest-quality papers, and newest archival inks. All photographs include a 5mm white border to ensure proper handling that helps eliminate the potential for fingerprints. ...