Pastel Art

Artists Describing Their Art:

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. ...

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. ...

Barry Boobis - Musical Visions is a body of work devoted to all themes of Music. These themes traverse the worlds of jazz, dance, rock, nature, spirit, and beyond. These musical themes are explored in the universes of realism and abstract, often combining both at a level of Spirit. Having practiced Zen meditation I see all mediums of art as One, which is derived from the ancient Buddhist scriptures. My Greatgrandfather wrote the "Hatikvah," national anthem of Israel, and my father was a jazz piano player, as well as a commercial artist, so the genetic splicing is readily obvious. The heritage of music, as well as art and spirit informs the work, and I offer it as a form of celebration of heightened sensibility. Joyousness, rapture, and expression, not just existence! As artist- in- residence at the Bluenote jazz club in NYC, and a participant in the Newport Jazz Festival and the Saratoga Jazz Festival for many years, I have had the great opportunity to bring this work to lovers of music as well as art throughout the Eastern Seabord of the USA. I now welcome the opportunity to bring it to the world- at- large through absolutearts.com. Please celebrate with me! ...

Duygu Kivanc - Duygu Kivanc is an artist who has shown her work at the United Nations, Soho, Chelsea in NewYork; Alexandria, McLean and Fairfax in VA, in Washington DC as well as internationally in various countries. She considers her participation in the Art Students' League {open studio programs} in New York has influenced her development style in art. Especially, Knox Martin's instructions on abstraction has very strong influence. Duygu's work has been published in: -The Encyclopedia of Living Artists (4th.Edition) - Best of America, mixed Media artists (2007 and 2010) www.bestofartists.com/kivanc/abstract-portfolio/9545623 -International Contemporary Artists Best of Artists Collector's Edition. -Nominated for 2011 Palm Art Award

Ione Citrin - Ione is an avant garde artist whose artistic expression takes fantastic shape through her diverse oil and watercolor paintings, bronze sculptures, found object collages and mixed media assemblages. Her paintings and sculptures range from abstract to realistic to impressionistic - all visionary interpretations from her imaginative soul. "When I paint, I dip my brush in my soul... Being an Artist is a life force, not a career choice. Each piece represents a fragment of my life's work. I present the world artistically as I see it, as I wish to see it, and occasionally as I once saw it. You see, It is my identity. Without this expression of self, I am nothing. Through my art I give love." Ione uses only one name but a variety of styles to soothe her wild imagination. A native of Chicago, she is a former television star and commercial voice-over artist. Now she wins awards and sells her creativity through her hands instead of through her larynx. Her art is as original as she is - bold, colorful and highly decorative....

Nicole Pereira - NICOLE PEREIRA Nicole Pereira is a young rising artist who started producing artwork at the young age of 4. Nicole noticed that she had a gift for art when her artwork was selected in her local public school and community art competitions. The local press also started raving about Nicoles work. With encouragement from her family and friends, Nicole now devotes all of her free time to paint abstract portraits that express her feelings and emotions. Originally, she started drawing realistic portraits of individuals and celebrities, but felt that she wanted to add more. By careful reinterpretation of the portrait, the use of broad brushstrokes and vivid colors, Nicole conveys her thoughts, feelings and emotion to the canvas to create unusual artwork. Nicole is just beginning to get recognition in the art world as a gifted and unique artist and her potential is unlimited....

Nicole M. Mathieu - Difficult to talk about art as one should, first of all, feel it. What is more fantastic that listening to a piece of music, reading a novel or seeing an artwork which will transport you deeply inside. For me, Art is not a duplication of what one sees, it should transcend it. My portraits were done in this sense trying to transpose the invisible part of the model. In my recent oil paintings, I try to give sounds with colors which reflects life itself and will remind you of things that seem familiar. Last December 2011, I moved to a beautiful art studio in Paris (near Place d'Italie) and you are welcome to visit my atelier while on vacation. Please call me before at 00 33 (0)663528344 ...

Dana Zivanovits - Dana Zivanovits was born in 1958 in Columbus, Ohio and received his art training from the Columbus College of Art and Design (1978 to 1982). After art school, he went abroad for a year and studied the art of the old masters in London, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Venice. Returning to his studio in Columbus to develop these influences into a new body of work, he then traveled to Mexico and studied the sculpture and painting of that country for an extended period. The unique and vivid colors of Palenque and Vera Cruz intensified his palette. After a period in Ohio, he then moved to Venice Beach, California where the brilliant light of the region reinforced his desire to capture effects of sunlight and atmosphere. Returning to Ohio in 1995, he has continued to paint themes deriving inspiration form sources such as world mythology, classic and B-grade cinema, literature and dreams. However his primary inspiration is direct observation from nature, versus an approach based in art theories or cultural critique. Dana has been widely represented by galleries and exhibition projects including Julie Rico and Mega Boom in Los Angeles, the Venice Art Detour, Around the Coyote Festival in Chicago ...

E S Desanna - I paint outdoors to force concentration, to achieve a rapid, lucid response to the parameters set by the changing light... I sometimes travel to distant locales, paints in hand, to use the novelty of location to insist on a more intense concentration. A change of scene sharpens my vision and forces extreme focus. But every outing is an adventure. Atmosphere and light effect a mood and sense of place that I try to capture in my work. Even the most familiar sight can be especially alluring in certain weather or light conditions. ...

Steve Miller - I have drawn and painted ever since I can remember. Pencil was always my favorite. I spent many hours as a child with a pencil and a piece of typing paper. In my late teens, I began to airbrush images on vans, motorcycle tanks, and T-Shirts. Later, I began creating illustrations for publications, and then on to creating graphics and animation on the computer for various companies/clients. Making a living seems to consume most of my time, but when things get slow or I find I have some extra time on my hands, the canvas seems to have an irresistible pull. One day a friend of mine, mentioned that he was going out and painting small plein air paintings. I told him I'd like to go along sometime. We set a time in the late spring a few years back and I borrowed an easel and we hit the Texas countryside. We painted 3 small paintings throughout the day and I loved it. It was such a relief to get away from the computer screen and play with color. Now I take my easel with me when ever I travel and paint every chance I get. Since ...

Richard Wynne - Richard is an acclaimed International Artist recently returned to the USA. Richard has lived in many Countries. "The last being Thailland. He started his art studies at a very young age at the John Herron Art Institute In Indianapolis, Indiana and then later at the Art Institute of Chicago Richard has lived in many countries, painting, and playing music. Mr Wynne has exhibited in Thailand, the United States, Spain, Argentina, Kuwait, Korea, Ihdia, and other Countries. Sometimes perhaps I say too much about my self but maybe it helps people understand what motivates my work. For your information I've lived in 8 different countries and have been around the world 5 times. I speak a few different languages, some very well; others not so well. By the way I am not a workaholic as I don't consider what I do work. I enjoy life too much. I forgot to say I am also a weight lifter as lifting weights is my Zen. When I am troubled the concentration it takes to lift makes me calm. I guess my page will probably be a little different from what people expect. Sorry I have not been uploading new work as ...

Elena Zhogina - I am a self taught artist in love with what I do. I love research into form, color, texture, styles and fantasies. I am a self-made artist. In contrast to classical school of painting I use intuition and feelings to express myself. For me the world of painting allows to find my own way of self-expression and reveal my true personality. Some paintings start from one idea but with time discover to me new things. They bring harmony and happiness into my life. I am focused on drawing/painting portraits/people and various types/styles of motion. There are several symbolism works in my portofolio describing certain period of my life and my reflections thereon. Its a pleasure to share it with you ...