Artists Describing Their Art:
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...
Steven Gordon - Light is the quintessential component in Steven Gordons powerfully luminous landscapes of California. They derive their strength from the artists intimate dialogue with land and light At times I feel as if Im painting with light. Its exciting to take something so completely ephemeral and control and create with it. Since his arrival in California from the Midwest Gordon has been focusing on the visual impact of changing light effects in the Napa Valley wine growing region of California. Continuously exploring and formulating new visions, he has been producing pastel and oil paintings of rare immediacy. Steven Gordon grew up in his native town of Waukegan, Illinois. After having been self-taught in his early years, he decided on formal training in the arts. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelors degree in art. For his masters program, he chose Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting. After graduate school Steven Gordon came west to settle in the Napa Valley. He secured a job with a local winery in Yountville which turned out to be a fruitful relationship since Gordon was given an annual showing of his ...
Kimmie Hamm - Everywhere you dream to go can become a part of you and everywhere you have been is a part of you. I am an explorer and optimist at heart, so when I set out to create something one word always comes to mind: Possibilities I feel that through art I can explore the visions in my mind, everything from a small flower or blade of grass to distant worlds filled with whimsy and thoughts of what ifaEUR|aEUR|. Culturally I have two aspects that influence me one being my Native American ancestry and the other my German immigrant ancestry. I am deeply rooted in the beauty and wonderment of nature. My wise grandmother told me if you have strong roots your sprit can fly anywhere and still return home. That saying has always stuck with me and in many ways sparked my imagination. The explorer in me must come from my immigrant ancestry. My great grandfatheraEURtms family traveled to America on a steam ship in 1874. I can imagine them traveling for what must have seemed like an eternity. I often contemplate what they must have been thinking, and try to express the excitement of the unknown and the anticipation ...
Edelweiss Calcagno - www.edelweisscalcagno.com +1-240-701-9100 Using different techniques, some of them mixed together to create new unique techniques. My art is formed by adding layer after layer, producing extraordinary illusions making the mind get involved in the labyrinth of colors and materials. Viewers never stop discovering new things - there is something fresh each time they look at my pieces. My source of inspiration is that a picture can speak a thousand words. I have seen many times how my art can touch people. I believe in the freedom of rights and equality for all, and these beliefs impact my artwork and my message. My art does not judge, but it is honest, even when this means stating what I see there is a strong message. I trust my art because the word that comes out from it is a positive word. I discovered the beauty of creating sculptures and prints in addition to doing paintings, etching and restoring art and now they have become part of who I am. There are the infinite possibilities hidden in sculpture. Between mixed media, aluminum casting, and more I love to touch any type of material and find new ways to use ...
Julie Van Wyk - ARTIST STATEMENT I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED AND ADMIRED IMPRESIONIST PAINTERS OF THE PAST AND WANTED TO PAINT LIKE THEM. MY FAVORITE PAINTER IS CLAUDE MONET. I WORK IN WATERCOLOR,, ACRYLIC, OIL AND PASTEL. MY FAVORITE MEDIUM IS ACRYLIC. I LIKE TO PAINT QUICKLY SO THAT THE PAINTING RETAINS ITS FRESHNESS, AND ACRYLIC ALLOWS ME TO DO THIS ...
Elaine Lisle - A friend recently described my paintings as "the exhuberant expression of people engaged in life." Even when I paint a landscape without figures, I prefer to paint places that include bridges, farmhouses, bicycles, even roadsigns, all evidence of human activity. I complete most of my paintings in the studio from reference sketches and photographs. I work only in oil, because I love the texture, and it is very forgiving if I make a drawing error. If the location allows, I will often complete a small en plein air study on site. I prefer bright warm colors, the long shadows of late afternoon, and some challenge in the composition. I want to make a composition which is complex, so the viewer has much to contemplate. At the same time I often remove elements in the actual landscape if they don't work well with the composition. I might leave the trash out, but put in the newspaper boxes, because I like the bright colors and shapes. My paintings are thoughtful pictures of people engaged in living in a bright, colorful, changing world. Elaine Lisle ...
Carlos Pardo - IN SHORT: INSPIRATION: Concious and unconcious perceptions, my background, all circunstances of my life, experiences, past and present, books and newspapers that I read, films, Internet aEUR|feelings, emotions and a fertile imagination sometimes, all them aid to weave a story that will change alongside the execution of a piece. In my opinion our tradition, for thousands of years, the Arts reflect the vision of a trascendent life beyond our tangible life. THEME: Unreal cityscapes let us a special kind of plasticity. The imagination and feelings are active agents that are modeling the perceptible reality. Transcendent and oniric themes entered and remain in my artwork. In my imaginary urban landscapes there are overlaid elements of towns he has visited, some imagined, and maybe dreamed, but all with a unique feminine soul. The Town is a mother, lover, or daughter of the actions, dreams and passions of those who dwell in them or recall them in the distance. It is an idea in which wander those who have been caught up in its infinite labyrinth. PROCESS: I usually have not idea about what I will show on the surface. There is a lack of a script or previous sketch. Forms are born...
Joanna Batherson - My inspiration for art has come from drawing and the nature surrounding our world. My painting began as a hobby and through taking many courses and instruction from various Maine artists, traveling in USA and abroad, and moving to beautiful California,it has become a wonderful and fulfilling part of my life....
Allan. Roger. Thistleton - I have always enjoyed painting and drawing but never got the chance to do anything with it, until I took early retirement. I then started to teach myself the skills that I would need to be an artist, and soon found that it had taken over my life. I now spend most of my time working on my art, or reading about it. ...
Simon Blackwood - About the paintings of Simon Blackwood The property of beauty is to shine. Its' light extends infinitely both inwardly and outwardly. It is both overwhelming and inspiring and whatever it illuminates is consumed as it is also created by it. In short, beauty is not partial. I have chosen to follow a spiritual orientation toward all things I do. The road and the destination in this journey is the love of beauty. (A statement inspired by the writings of Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi and Jelaleddin Rumi.) Painting is a metamorphosis from base elements into an image of another reality beyond those original elements. It can allude to sublime ideals through subject matter or by the means of the juxtaposition of colour, shape and form. At best it reveals the highest aspirations of man striving to praise the gift of intelligence, love of beauty and life itself. Paintings can recall or remind us by illusory means; they may also point towards something beyond the material object of the 'tableau' hanging on a wall. The paintings represented here also attempt, without abstraction, to point beyond the subject matter, alluding to the hidden, in the world of man, that gives rise to his creativity. ...
Sheila Mccarron - Sheila McCarron was born in Co. Monaghan, Ireland. She currently lives and works from her studio in Dublin. She received a BA Hons Degree in Visual Communication from the University of Ulster, Belfast in 1999. She has exhibited widely throughout Ireland, her work has also found homes with international buyers. ...
Ken Hillberry - In art and in life, dynamics of balance, integrity and tolerant interaction of all elements or participants ought to be see, experienced and maintained. At the same time, the challenge of affecting this balance is creatively encountering all changes and adapt accordingly. For some, the destination or pre-determined outcomes are sought more often than not. Then there are some who savor the journey, thus witnessing and enjoying developments along the way. I fall into the latter category. It's like watching the film develop in a darkroom. the image takes form a little at a time right before my eyes. The creative process, for me, is void of pressure and timeless. The ability and practice and discipline are central in my approach. My creative intent is to engage a viewer in thought and emotion, as well as, with their eyes. Using imagination, retrospect or model, my range of composition can be conceptual, perhaps impressionistic or abstract in application, but always developed to evoke an awareness and appreciation for the relative conditions in life experience and art form as I incisively or playfully interpret my experiences along the way. ...
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....