Arttour international magazine spring 2017 digital by ArtTour International Magazine

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The Magazine Created by Artists!

A Global Platform For Professional And Emerging Artists Present In 198 Countries With Over 2 Mill Readers! Available in Print and Digital! ArtTour International is an award-winning publication dedicated to exposing visual and performing artists to the eyes of art lovers worldwide in a very interactive multi-media format. With over 2 Million readers in 198 countries, ArtTour International is the fastest growing art magazine in the international market. Available in print, digital, and its renown Web T.V. channel ATIM.TV. It is the go-to international platform for today's professional and emerging artists. A r tTo u r I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a g a z i n e showcases articles of outstanding interest on personalities, trends, and events shaping the art world.

Published and Distributed by ArtTour International Publications, Inc. For more information email: info@arttourinternational.com or call 1 800 807-1167 ÂŠ Copyright 2016. ArtTour International Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any published material without written permission of the magazine's publisher is a prohibited by law.

Artist Submissions If you would like to publish your works at ArtTour International Magazine send us your submissions to info@arttourinternational.com or call 1 (800) 807-1167

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A BRIDGE BETWEEN CONTINENTS At the core of ArtTour International is the ability and the promise to inspire our global audience to interact with the wonderful world of art. Our mission is to connect artists with art lovers, collectors, and galleries worldwide, promoting the arts as a vehicle to inspire a renewed collective consciousness.

GLOBAL POWER BRAND HAS REDEFINED THE WAY TO PROMOTE THE ARTS The foundation of ArtTour International’s leadership and authority is the brand’s unique role as an arts and culture barometer for a global audience. ArtTour International presents art news in a humaninterest-story format. The magazine covers, analyzes, comments on, and defines art news, culture, and influential personalities in the art industry. Beautiful and sophisticated, ArtTour International distinguishes itself through its bold coverage in a socially conscious design. Thought-provoking, relevant and always influential, ArtTour International has re-defined the way to promote the arts. ®

For information contact your sales representative or email: info@arttourinternational.com - Phone 1 (800) 807-1167 Published and Distributed by ArtTour International Publications, Inc. For more information email: info@arttourinternational.com or call 1 800 807-1167 © Copyright 2016. ArtTour International Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any published material without written permission of the magazine's publisher is a prohibited by law.

ATIM S R E T MAS S D R A AW 2017 ArtTour International Magazine presents the Award ceremony for the

“ATIM’S Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art”

Publication awarded with the medal of honor by the National Academy of Fine Arts in Brazil.

Gran Auditorium Al Duomo Florence, Italy. Saturday May 27 2017 - 18:00

www.atimtop60masters.com

ArtTour International Magazine, the most iconic worldwide magazine on the arts, has made its selection for the 2017 issue of the award-winning publication ATIM's Top 60 Masters Of Contemporary Art and we're now ready for the ATIM Masters Award Celebration!. ArtTour International is pleased to announce that the 5th annual ATIM Masters Awards will take place on May 27th, 2017, beginning at 6 pm at the Auditorium Al Duomo Theater, in Florence, Italy. Guests at the event will be treated to a unique and spectacular art exhibition, curated specifically for this event and featuring artwork by renowned artists from all over the world. The exhibition will showcase the artists being honored at this ceremony. The awards recipients will be chosen from ATIM's Top 60 Masters Of Contemporary Art, an annual publication that features sixty master artists and highlights the best of the best in the contemporary art world. Curated by internationally acclaimed art personality, Viviana Puello founder and editor-in-chief of ArtTour International Magazine. To honor the artist's career achievements, Puello, an artist herself, has created a unique award to be presented to the artists. A sculpture entitled "Rising Above," a 10" angel-like figure with magnificent open wings. Reproductions of the sculpture are created in porcelain and plated with 24K gold. The sculpture embodies everything ArtTour International Magazine stands for. This highly anticipated annual awards ceremony is the flagship event of ArtTour International Magazine and draws artists and art aficionados from all around the world. Stay tuned to our next issue for news of this celebration!.

For information and artist submissions for participation in the 2018 issue of the ATIM’s Masters Of Contemporary Art visit www.atimtop60masters.com

ArtTour International Publications presents

A book by artist, writer, curator, journalist and activist, Viviana Puello, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ArtTour International Magazine

This written gift, tells the success story of artist, writer, journalist and activist, Viviana Puello, Editor-in-Chief and founder of ArtTour International Magazine, one of the most inﬂuential art magazines in the international market in present times. In these pages, Puello recounts her personal experiences, revealing secrets from her journey; sacred moments of pain, failure and the wisdom gained; lessons learned and the self-awareness that has welcomed her to shift life’s obstacles dramatically into life-changing success.

www.arttourinternational.com/inspiration Published by ArtTour International, Inc. 45 Rockefeller Plaza Suite 2000, New York, NY 10111 © Copyright 2015 ArtTour International Magazine.All copyrights are reserved by the author. Reproduction of any published material without the written permission of the magazine’s publisher is prohibited by law.

A Letter From The Editor Welcome to Spring 2017, a brand new issue celebrating the diversity of artistic expression and human creativity in a visually compelling package, brimming with vivid and exclusive images as well as fantastic multimedia articles. I hope you enjoy our new enhanced look and very exciting content. For this issue, I have been working from Florence in preparation for our annual ATIM's Masters Awards Ceremony, the biggest event for the year at ArtTour International Magazine when we celebrate and honor the artists that have been part of our publications during the past year. On May 27th, our team will gather from all corners of the world with over sixty master artists who will travel to the Auditorium Al Duomo Theater for this grand celebration. Stay tuned to ATIMTV.com for news on the awarded artists of 2017. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the ATIM Facebook page and Livestream. For this issue's cover story “The Beauty And Wonder Of The Samburu,” we bring you an article full of mesmerizing images featuring exclusive photographic work by Canadian artist Helene DeSerres. DeSerres has captured the true essence, soul, and spirit of Samburu people in her current series. She presents to us scenes of locals in their day-to-day routines. Warmly welcomed in the households of Samburu women, DeSerres captured them in their organic state of being. We are also launching two new columns with this issue. “Angels In The Arts” and “Create 4 Peace”. In this issue of “Angels In The Arts,” we introduce you to the amazing world of Saylee Nandkishor Agavane, a mentally challenged award winning artist and devoted teacher who has become a great inspiration in the dance world. In our column “Create 4 Peace”, we want to celebrate the freedom of self-expression bringing you a magniﬁcent photo gallery entitled “Artivism: The Artist Voice.” A platform to give a voice for artists who want to make a positive impact in society. I hope you enjoy this column; aligned with the ATIM vision of promoting the arts to inﬂuence the imagination and creativity of people to transmit love, peace, and personal responsibility. We are also proud to reveal that July 10th is the date for the launch of our ATIM's Top 60

Masters of Contemporary Art 2017. This sought-after, much- anticipated catalog, amasses sixty modern artists and provides interviews, art reviews and compelling images of their works. It will be available at all Barnes & Noble Stores and our independent stores and newsstands on July 15th. For digital readers, the online issue of Spring 2017, available on iTunes, Kindle, and Magzter, provides the opportunity to click on the breathtaking images accompanying each article and be redirected to the accompanying video. Yes, it's a fantastic time for us here at ATIM: the collaborations, the endeavors, the anticipation of the future and what's to come. We're glad you're here to share the journey with us! Stay inspired!

Viviana Puello Editor-in-Chief ArtTour International Magazine Note: If you are interested in becoming a contributing writer send us an email to vp@arttourinternational.com

CONTRIBUTORS ArtTour International Magazine “Created by Artists for the Artists of Today”

ALSO AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL FOR DOWNLOAD!

EDITOR IN CHIEF: VIVIANA PUELLO Founder of ArtTour International Magazine Creator of the ATIM Web TV Channel & Art 2 Heart Email: vivianapuello@arttourinternational.com VIDEO/GRAPHIC DIRECTOR: ALAN GRIMANDI Director of the ATIM Web TV Channel Email alan.grimandi@arttourinternational.com WEB DESIGN: Humberto José Orozco

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Humberto José Orozco Alan Grimandi CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS: Thomas Liutas, Jalal Bounnnouar, Cathy Crocco, Laura Anderson

DISTRIBUTED WORLDWIDE! You can ﬁnd ArtTour International Magazine in all Barnes & Noble Stores in USA, McNally Robinson Booksellers in Canada and over 1200 Independent Bookstores and Newsstands Worldwide!

PHOTOGRAPHY: Alan Grimandi, Brittany Harrison CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Shipping & Orders: info@arttourinternational.com or call USA: 800 807–1167 iTunes, Kindle, Newsstand Applications: Contact customer service: Call USA: 310 359 8709 UK: 208 196 9503. Ofﬁce hours are 5:00am – 5:00pm PST Monday – Friday.

This is an interactive publication! Look for the Art 2 Heart logo: TM

INTERVIEWS

Click on it to watch the video interviews and behind the scene footage of our feature artists. For more information log on to www.atimtv.com

ON THE COVER

DISTRIBUTION: USA & Canada Contact: +1 (800) 807–1167 Europe Contact +39 (345) 167–7704 ARTIST ADVERTISING SERVICES Jeﬀ Tubesa JeﬀTubesa@arttourinternational.com Tel 1 800 807-1167 Ext 112 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING: Contact Your Local Sales Agent or email: info@arttourinternational.com Tel 1 800 807-1167 Ext 107

Please help us protect visual artists rights. The copyrights of all published artwork are retained by the artists. Published by Arttour International Publications Inc. 45 Rockefeller Plaza Suite 2000, New York, NY 10111 © Copyright 2017 ArtTour International Magazine. All copyrights are reserved by the authors. Reproduction of any published material without the written permission of the magazine's publisher is prohibited by law. Samburu Woman And Baby Photography by Helene DeSerres

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Index

2017 Spring Issue

Cover Story

Page 10

Page 30

Back Cover

The Beauty And Wonder Of The Samburu

Glimpses of Nature

Breathtaking Images Of A Remote Culture Captured By Hélène DeSerres

A Journey To The Inspiring Universe Of Svelana Kanyo by Viviana Puello

by Viviana Puello

Page 42 Fountainfalls The Compelling Works Of Mark Lenn Johnson by Viviana Puello

Page 56

Page 86

As The Universe Falls Together

A New Wave Of Functionality

The Work Of Michael Carini

The Art Of Sveta Long

by Thomas Liutas

by Viviana Puello

Featured Artists Annette Tan Barbara Moore Charles Whiting Frans Frengen Gudrun Alvebro John Nieman Kevin Grass Karly & Anne V. Lawrence R. Armstrong Lisa Levasseur Michael Lam Maitreya Misa Aihara Ricky Sanchez Ayala Sónia Domingues Stacey Lovejoy Suboth Maheshwari Sushma Pamneja Wendy McNally

Page 84 Page 26 Page 80 Page 90 Page 66 Page 38 Page 53 Page 82 Page 54 Page 72 Page 22 Page 78 Page 60 Page 50 Page 62 Page 37 Page 25 Page 52 Page 59

Cover Artist

The Beauty And Wonder Of The Samburu Breathtaking Images Of A Remote Culture Captured By Hélène DeSerres

by Viviana Puello. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Hélène DeSerres is recognized globally for her art as a painter, photographer, and sculptor. DeSerres paints in a variety of styles, including abstract, impressionism, and realism, and her work incorporates acrylic paintings, sculpture, and photography, She has been using art to highlight some of the most distinct subjects from around the world, regularly ﬂying to remarkable sites to capture exclusive sights through her photography.

Describing art as her "Oxygen," DeSerres cares deeply about the environment and protecting animals. Natural landscapes, majestic creatures, and bold pigments are prominent features of her work as a painter, and many of her series delve deep into the theme of environmental conservation. Recently, DeSerres traveled to Kenya to manifest subtle and arresting photographs of The Rift Valley, a province known for its dry and somewhat barren land. DeSeres takes a storytelling approach to each photo creating carefully orchestrated compositions that remain as witnesses of sublime moments spent with the locals. Located in Northern Kenya, the Rift Valley province is a place where one can find the Samburu people, a fascinating tribe of Kenya of semi-nomadic pastoralists who relocate every five to six weeks to find fresh grazing grounds. Samburu men are known for their strength and deep connection with nature, they've been known to use their bare hands to kill lions that attack their camels. This notable tribe of Kenya is called Samburu because of its butterfly-like people. Samburu is a literal translation of the word butterfly. Both women and men of this tribe are vibrantly beautiful and adorn themselves in a wide array of colors, women's tribal dress' consist of several rings of beaded necklaces, symbolizing their wealth. DeSerres has captured the true essence, soul, and spirit of Samburu people in her current series. She presents to us Images of locals in their day-to-day routines where men are tending young cattle while women are diligently working to gather roots and vegetables. Warmly welcomed in the households of Samburu women, DeSerres captured them in their organic state of being. www.arttourinternational.com

SPRING 2017 | 11

Samburu women possess a sophisticated dressing style, elegance dangles from their accessories, and cotton dresses called khangas. Their look becomes more remarkable and sensational because of their elaborative necklaces. The traditional values of this tribe encouraged DeSerres to capture this much older artistic tradition in her photographs, and she is now all set to reveal her notable work to the world. Women from each generation, in their everyday routines, have a subjectivity of their own, flawlessly interpreted in these photographs. From Samburu dancers to mothers with their infants, every photograph has something new, something unique and expressible to show her viewers. These images are part of her ongoing personal project to document one of the most colorful tribes of Africa. This seminomadic community-based in the Central Rift Valley area of Kenya is easily distinguishable because of their elegant approach to fashion. DeSerres spent a lot of time in the province while experiencing the unique flair and essence of the Samburu spirit. These stills showcase DeSerres's ability to capture intensely emotive and powerful photos. It is evident she has created a vulnerable, connected, and trusting space with the community in this tribe. The intimacy captured through her lens showcases the warmth of the people of Samburu towards the artist. Dancing is considered critical in Samburu culture, and DeSerres paid particular attention to documenting the dancers. From the blessing of cattle to the preparation for war, there are more than many reasons to c e l e b r a te a n d d a n c e . C a p t u r i n g Samburu in its splendor has revealed their magnificence which every art-lover across the globe can cherish. A proud warrior race of cattle-owning pastoralists, Samburu tribe, is virtually isolated and considerably unaware of the momentous changes the country has been witnessing in last few decades. Unlike other neighboring tribes, Samburu isn't following the footsteps of western civilization and are still enjoying their raw culture. They are immensely proud of their culture and traditions and have retained the customs and ceremonies of their forbears until now. These eye-catching images invite the viewer to explorations of culture on the brink of extinction. As globalization and digitization become the end of many of www.arttourinternational.com

African's tribes, and their traditional ways of life and their contact with modernization threatens to change their way of life forever. The need for survival and sustenance forces the young generations away from tradition into a modern lifestyle that will ensure provision to meet their most immediate needs but slowly leaves behind the richness of a fast disappearing world. DeSerres has seized each and every celebratory moment of this tribe with utmost zeal and passion. Oﬀering her audience an insight to the treasured and deeply honored way of life in a tribe that so gracefully creates their ideals in this modern day. With these images, the artist has served a much needed good to humanity and the Samburu culture, immortalizing with her work this remote tribe. Creating a photographic document that will stand the test of time and will serve as a record of this precious world of human purity and authenticity.

www.hdeserres.com

SPRING 2017 | 16

2017 APRIL 21-24 AN ANNUAL FINE ART DESTINATION Each year thousands of art industry insiders ﬂock to Artexpo New York in search of the art and artists that will shape trends in galleries worldwide. Hosting more than 25,000 avid art enthusiasts annually, it is the largest international gathering of qualiﬁed trade buyers—including gallery owners and managers, art dealers, interior designers, architects, corporate art buyers and art & framing retailers.

www.artexponewyork.com

A New Scope

The Scultpure Works Of Fabian Perez

by Yadira Roman

“Black Phone” Bronze Sculpture, 9”x9”

18 | SPRING 2017

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artistic heritage of impressionism, Perez has managed to detached and explore a unique approach, a styles he calls “Neo-Emotionalism.” The artist continuously develops and introduces new ideas, references, and new creative paths, as his new series, “Black Phone,” “Surprise At Moonlight” and “Waiting For Romance.” Fabian Perez proves that he is an artist who consistently pushes the boundaries of his artistry. The works resonate with compositions previously painted by Perez and now appear as spatial artistic creations that reveal new elements of his creative world. There are ﬁgures of women, dancers and gentlemen, all of them being recurring themes, and demanding from the viewer to take a step back and visit some of the previous artworks of the artist. Such as, “Surprise at Moonlight” which depicts the ﬁgure of a man who was p rev i o u s ly p o r t raye d i n o n e of h i s p a i n t i n g s n ow complementing it and revealing details previously unknown to his audience.

One of the most inﬂuential and critically acclaimed artist to have emerged in the international art scene during the last decades is Argentinian master artist Fabian Perez. A highly skilled painter known for his intriguing and stunning compositions where the artist depicts his unforgettable memories or compelling moments.

The “The Black Phone” presents a female figure that is talking on the phone, having a mysterious gaze and a stance that indicates emotional pressure and also eroticism. As an artwork it is almost the reproduction of an older painting by Perez, offering a new look into a theme that becomes recurring throughout his work but still retains a fresh character as it is radically different due to the change in materials. At first glance, Perez works act as sculptural portraits created Cont. Next Page...

Trained in classical methods, Fabian Perez works meticulously and engage in the narrative of each work. Each piece has a dramatic or romantic character and tells its own story. In his paintings, color, line, and light are orchestrated with great attention to detail giving his figures a powerful physical presence. On his tree-dimensional sensuous works, Perez is not short of the same expert artistry present on his paintings. Working mostly in bronze, Perez creates thoughtful and compelling sculptures with intricacy. His new work despite implementing new elements and techniques keeps the core aesthetics that has been developed throughout his career and what has earned him the international recognition. Fabian Perez focuses on the depiction of the human figure and portraying it with technical mastery. It is a work that focuses on an accurate portrayal of the subject which proposes not only an elegantly structured visual result but also the underlying emotions that play a huge part of his work thematically. Despite being heavily influenced by the www.arttourinternational.com

“Waiting For The Romance To Come Back” Bronze Sculpture, 11”x9”

SPRING 2017 | 19

“Surprise At Moonlight” Bronze Sculpture, 16”x8”

“At The Door” Acrylic On Canvas

“The Embrace II” Acrylic On Canvas

with a unique, well-defined visual language; one that speaks to the timeless concept of love, passion, and romance. His bronze figures capture a sense of nostalgia, of moments and stories frozen in time, reflecting the artist's experiences, emotions, and personal history. An element that transcends past the static feel of the medium itself, proposing the conceptual background of the Argentinian artist. This recent chapter of his work carries an “emotionalist” style, a neo-noir artistic expression, inviting his viewers into a new level of intimacy. Fabian Perez's new series tells unique and individual stories of works conceived and executed with masterful artistry, a high degree of freedom, and exceptional physical and mental strength. Perez recently exhibited in the Sargent's Fine Art www.arttourinternational.com

“Geisha Pound Sake II” Ink

gallery in Hawaii, showcasing a collection of his works that continue on the high artistic proﬁle that he has carefully structured throughout his years of hard work and dedication. A personal artistic expression that places the human ﬁgure at the forefront, a protagonist who evokes feelings and memories. Perez continues to stretch the scope of his talent, taking the time to look within, before focusing out.

www.fabianperez.com SPRING 2017 | 21

Michael Lam

A bridge between East and West by Yadira Roman

Michael Lam is an internationally acclaimed Chineseborn New York artist that manages through his vibrant work to bridge the gap between eastern and western culture. His work is deeply rooted in his memories and experiences as he grew up in China, where he made his ﬁrst contact with one of the most intriguing parts of their visual culture, calligraphy. This early life experience marked the beginning of Lam's successful career, the basis for his current artistic structure that has eastern foundations and that he expresses in a more westernized manner. Lam's art has often been referred to as representing a “New York Line” due to his excellent line technique. These traditional roots are transformed into an artistic expression relevant to our days by the Lam who is now operating in a contemporary context, reevaluating the way that the origins of any culture can have an impact on our society. Calligraphy is a practice venerated in China, a tradition going back thousands of years and in a way, it combines artistic expression with actual 22 | SPRING 2017

writing. This way of performing just a few strokes with a brush (or even a single one) and managing to create a symbol that has not just a crude meaning but an aesthetic value corresponding to its purpose as well, is something which is genuinely fascinating and indeed can be correlated with contemporary art. Through his expertise in this practice that formed the foundations of his artistic work, Michael Lam manages to create meaningful artworks that introduce one to an experience that feels both familiar, and quite new. Notably, there is an engaging dialogue between one and his works, as he presents a symbol which is abstract as a form but can be highly representative of an extremely clear notion or object. One is drawn into exploring the image which is presented in front with the yearning to discover every hidden aspect of it. This stimulation which is posed to the viewer as the witness is a beneﬁting feature that renders such a form of art contemporary. It transcends the roots that are interwoven with tradition and enters the world www.arttourinternational.com

contemporary art, which demands the audience to become an active participant in the experience of the work itself, a thinker instead of a reader. Michael Lam also has a series of artworks that derive from the same technical roots but at some crucial points take a diďŹ&#x20AC;erent route, thus having their personal existence. It is his work around the single stroke, a technique which is not only aesthetically pleasant but also demands a high degree of concentration and is extremely v i r t u o s i c w h e n p ra c t i ce d w i t h m a s t e r y. I t i s a n u n f o r g i v i n g technique, as the artist is not allowed any mistake on the given artwork. One needs to be at the same time calm, bold, decided and elegant to have an extremely high degree of control over the brushstroke, a brushstroke that considers at the same time pressure, direction, rhythm, and movement. The outcome might initially be mistaken as the result of "just a few seconds," but it is the work of years or even decades concentrated in a fraction of the time. Lam manages to create something fresh and unique which further expands his symbol-based work of calligraphy and becomes a window into the abstract spiritual mind. One can follow the path of the hand as it traversed through the paper in a way reminiscent of the mid 20th-century action painting movement. Lam approaches the subject with elegance and, unlike action painting, power is constrained and controlled, creating bursts that are carefully positioned and deďŹ ned. Thus once again the viewer is an integral part of the interpretation of the artwork as one needs to experience these paintings as stamps of time and space that indicate concepts proposed by the artist. Once such a connection has been established, one might ďŹ nd these single brushstrokes to hide layers upon layers of delicate features that o rc h e s t r a te w i t h p re c i s i o n a n approach to the desired topic. Michael Lam creates paintings that are autonomous of his larger work as a drawing virtuoso with unique techniques, but still, there are some

"Genesis - Let There Be Light 07" Acrylic Ink On Paper

"Genesis - Let There Be Light 08" Acrylic Ink On Paper

www.michaellamny.com

Cont. Next Page...

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SPRING 2017 | 23

“Statue Of Lady" Acrylic Ink On Paper

quite robust connections to be made. Once again he retains the abstract nature of his artistic expression, preferring to contact the viewer via pure aesthetics rather than references. Clear symbols are absent as well, but the general forms that are apparent on his artworks almost always hint towards the existence of some entities. Not physical entities, but rather symbolic and abstract objects that can be considered as a reference to his other series of work. What is fascinating in some of his pieces is that the background is not a monochromatic hue or the surface of the given medium. Instead, the space that surrounds the portrayed entity is something that plays a more prominent role and manages to describe an existence. The question is up to the viewer once again to answer: Is it a natural reality which is conceptualized or is it a concept taking form in the context of the painting? Lam's work explores concepts of opposites such as good and evil and balancing the yin and the yang through the interplay of light and dark. Lam's underlying messages in his work express the concept of acceptance for the natural state of all that exists and the importance of attaining a state of complete spontaneity which will lead us to be what nature intended. In an article describing Lam's work, ATIM Editor-inChief Viviana Puello wrote "To appreciate his work, one must transcend the external manifestation of his excellent technical skills to understand the spiritual freedom of his art, which focuses on the spontaneous 24 | SPRING 2017

nature of the universe. Two important messages in his work are that everything in the world has a natural state and that one should strive to attain a state of complete spontaneity to become what nature intended." An impacting artist that is sharing his vision through his scope of life, one is ensured that this artistic journey can be a fruitful one for anyone that loves art which combines aesthetics, technique, and concept. It is the most crucial part of this dialogue as the viewer needs to show extreme care to distinguish the many overlying elements present on these artworks. Once these items have been interpreted, new and exciting pathways appear that lead to many realizations about the nature of symbols and their significance for our society. In 2016 Michael Lam's philanthropic efforts were recognized. For his significant contribution and devotion to promoting global peace through his works of art, ArtTour International Magazine presented the title of “ATIM Messenger Of Peace” to Lam through the "Create 4 Peace". A program created by ArtTour International Magazine to reduce the transgenerational transmission of pain and suffering, utilizing art to impact the imagination and creativity of people to transmit love, peace, and personal responsibility. Michael Lam is a storyteller evoking passion, peace, inner truth and connecting us all to higher levels of consciousness through his art. www.arttourinternational.com

A look at the artist

Subodh Maheshwari

by Crossley

“My paintings give me space to feel and express my visual delight in color, shape and form.” – Subodh Maheshwari Subodh Maheshwari's vibrant compositions are a celebration of life, love, and creative energy. She uses symbolic elements lto create works that are emotionally evocative, personal, spiritual, and profound. Maheshwari has an uncanny ability to fuse eastern symbolism with the western composition in bright pools of undulating color. Rajasthani art influences are apparent in her pieces, and she manages to put accents of Hindi and Sanskrit symbols in a highly individual way. Subodh, who was born in Aligarh, North India, studied fine art at Agra University in India, California State University, and finally, earned her Masters at the University of California. It was at Irvine, where she won the Regional Fellowship Award and blossomed as an artist. She has since gone on to participate in prestigious exhibitions, and her works have been featured in renown publications.

“Love And Peace” Acrylic on Canvas 40”x30” 2014

From her body of work, one can tell that Subodh ﬁnds her inspiration in nature and life. She manages to take life experiences society and everything in between and paint them into various forms and hues. Her paintings tell a story that shifts according to the viewer's mind. When she's not breathing life onto canvas, she teaches art at the local community college and conducts workshops for aspiring artists. Subodh Maheshwari lives and works in California.

SUBODH MAHESHWARI, M.F.A. Tel: 951 735-3043 Email: subodhstudio@yahoo.com www.subodhstudio.com “Love Is In The Air” Acrylic On Canvas, 40”x30” - 2014

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SPRING 2017 | 25

Barbara Moore

Art in Every Corner by Yadira Roman

“Reﬂection”

“A Bit Of Heaven” Fine Art Photography

Fine art photographer Barbara Moore holds consistency, always bringing forward intriguing elements that demand a very careful approach to the composition. She is a self-taught photographer, always refining and enhancing her artistic prowess to produce thought-provoking photographs. Her attitude towards artistic creation is expressed in one of her quotes, “Wherever your eyes c a n g o , t h e r e ' s a p i c t u r e . ," underlining her will to experiment with photography and find interest in every imaginable composition to create thoughtful art. Her journey through photography has led her to numerous endeavors that focused on different subjects 26 | SPRING 2017

“Meander 2” Fine Art Photography

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“Wise Men, On The Death Of A Fish” Fine Art Photography

and genres, ranging from landscape to nature and abstract photography. One of the most visually striking and masterful skills of Moore's photography is the way that she depicts landscapes, a theme common in photographers but through her eyes and pictures transforms into a majestic display of the splendor that surrounds us. Moore seizes the opportunity of taking a picture which is at the same time raw and beautiful but also extremely well deﬁned and composed, making excellent use of artistic elements to become something more than a documentary nature photographer. Barbara Moore's skillful use of light creates dramatic results that remind the viewer that beauty is something that often needs search and devoted research to uncover and manifest. Throughout her work light is not only a tool to handle the theme artistically and manage to structure the picture carefully, but it is also a way to convey the atmosphere of the given landscape. No matter if it is a cold and icy forest, a calm sea or a crystal-clear spring day, light is always present as an element that underlines the picture and enhances its mood and overall aesthetic. In her abstract works, Moore usually depicts landscapes viewed in a way that obscures their original reference. On her work “Meander 2”, bold and beautiful tones of yellow playfully move around blue www.arttourinternational.com

tones, the image is the Mississippi River captured from an airplane window, one can see the airplane wing as the triangular shadow on the bottom left of the picture. Moore manages to toy with reality and perception, presenting us with landscapes that forge unusual and new patterns that establish a fruitful and exciting dialogue between the artist and the viewer. In “Wise Men, On The Death Of A Fish” artist depicts wise men (small blue shapes) who live in the of the realm of water, looking at the yellow ﬁsh, which seems to have a sunken/dead eye. The white streaks appear to be a creature about to devour it, and to the left, other ﬁsh are in a panic, trying to escape also being eaten. As the artist states “I try to tell or evoke a story in the images that I create, to stimulate thought beyond just the visual that people see. And you can surely tell that I love “Bold, Beautiful, Color,” which further enhances the viewer's experience'. The work of Barbara Moore is an awakening, a call that wishes to wake up society and support others in evaluating their use of sight, as she evokes the notion that art is everywhere. All these features complement her already rich and prestigious career which has spanned already for many years.

SPRING 2017 | 27

“The Hidden Trail” Fine Art Photography

www.barbmooreﬁneartphotography.com

A fascinating visual experience! A contemporary art selection of timeless beauty Exhibition Presented by ArtTour International Magazine

• BOOTH #446 •

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APRIL 21-24, 2017

VIVID ARTS NETWORK

INTERVIEWS

Back Cover Artist

Glimpses Of Nature A Journey To The Inspiring Universe Of Svetlana Kanyo by Viviana Puello

“Birch Leaves”, 2015 Oil On Canvas, 24"x30"

“For me, art brings personal growth: I can step back from my creation and uncover deeper layers of myself. is expanded vision inspires my future work and my teaching. If a viewer can identify him or herself, or make a connection with my art, then the audience can believe that what is felt is real and justified. Art brings faith and faith is what we all are searching for. rough art, people find their inner peace and envision or become aware of a better place for themselves in this world.” - Svetlana Kanyo Svetlana Kanyo is an artist known for her timeless pieces -- creations that are appealing to the eye and soothing to the soul. Her artistic focus is depicting the beauty of nature in its various glorious forms. Her work is known for the tenderness and healing effect it conveys. The use of subtle colors brings forth a touch of natural beauty, from Mother Nature itself. Apart from the painting still lifes, views, and glimpses of nature, Kanyo believes that women are among the most beautiful creations. Her work reflects her thoughts on the feminine spirit, making the female form the focal point in her pieces. Kanyo has explored different aspects of a women's beauty – from her most sensuous curves to her nurturing energy. Her work 30 | SPRING 2017

reﬂects upon the innocence of women, their serene calmness, and their touching stillness when lost in thought. Kanyo's paintings are a great amalgamation of the inner strength and external beauty that the universe has endowed in each person. She highlights human emotions in her work. She believes that through art, one can capture the beauty of life and the pain it gives us. Her artwork draws viewers in, welcoming them to share a deep connection with each piece. Such opulent images, gentle strokes, and creamy color schemes bring us into her world: a window into a valley, observing a goddess, and taking strolls through nature. Each piece is an invitation to a warm shift of www.arttourinternational.com

color. Her use of color radiates energetically, creating waves of positivity and invoking the connection some may have lost with nature. A fun play with contrast, and subtle relationships between cool hues. The combination of elements, from the sky with those of water, creates the base of Kanyo's breathtaking paintings. She uses her imagination and the reality of places to create meadows and mountains. Faithful to her beliefs, her paintings capture those moments that one wishes to hold onto forever. Enjoy this inspiring interview with Svetlana. Do you remember your ﬁrst encounter with art? When did you know you would become an artist?

“Girl with Pearls”, 2017 Oil On Canvas, 16"x20"

I discovered my talent and love for the arts during my time at the university where I had the opportunity to learn from some amazing instructors. Sadly, a short time later a severe illness forced me to give up my artistic dreams. After three months in hospital where the physicians had already given up, I survived but lost partial hearing and the ability to feel emotions. Looking back at that time of my life, it was like living in a period of darkness. Many years later fate gave me a second chance by meeting a therapist in Germany, experienced in helping people ﬁnd the way back to Life. Seeing the paintings I did before my illness, he realized that the love for art was the key to opening the door to my emotional world. Under his mentoring, I began to paint, and very soon to see the light again. I realized the impact of positive feelings in everything we do. I discovered the connection between brain, emotions and technical skills, and learned that real art, like every success in life, is a result of talent, knowledge, and feelings. Please tell us about your main inﬂuences. Painting is my daily life by teaching others how to paint but also by learning other artist's styles, techniques and secrets. I am inspired by the Old Masters so as by Hyperrealist artists as Damian Loeb, Alyssa Monks, Simon Hennessey, Jason de Graaf and Gerald Schwartz, artists who can see and paint what often others don't see. How would you describe your style? I am learning every day and trying to rediscover Cont. Next Page...

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“Girl with Apples”, 2017 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

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“Light Smoke”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 9"x12"

the Old Masters lost secrets. Old Masters were very carefully in revealing their secrets only to their best students, but many of those secrets sadly were buried with the artists. How has your style changed over the years? After ﬁnding my way back to art, I felt like a child in a candy shop, who has to try every candy. I tried every style, every medium, and I believe this journey was very beneﬁcial for my teaching. As an artist, however, after every “trip” I returned to the realistic art because I feel that there is my home.

“Day Dream”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

When choosing to paint/draw, do you take a picture of the subject and draw from that, or do you prefer to paint/draw from the object itself? Depends on of what I am working on, if it is still life, often I am painting from the object. If it is a motif where the light can change, I take

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“The Fallen Rose”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

pictures and use them to draw or paint from like every other artist. It is not very comfortable to stay in 2 0 d e g re e to p a i n t a w i n te r landscape or to expect from a model or some drops to stay for days in the same position. What do you believe is a fundamental element in creating a good composition? I think a successful composition is harmonious in arrangement and pleasing to the human eye, and in general should give the impression of uniqueness. I believe that a good composition is a matter of thoughts and focus at that moment. Sometimes it feels that setting up t h e c o m p o s i t i o n i s t h e re a l creational process. What elements of the world around you inspire you and your work the most?

“Lemons”, 2015 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

Since my childhood, I've admired water drops, and the inverted world reﬂected in them. As a child I Cont. Next Page...

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“Fall In Drops”, 2015 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

dreamed about wearing a necklace of dew covered by spider webs, and how with one little touch its beauty would be destroyed. The drops would slide off, and the brilliance and delight that they elicited in the soul of the little dreamer, would disappear. As a youth, I had to overcome different challenges, but the feelings of unfairness and injustice brought tears to my eyes. I tried to catch one of my fallen tears and observe it. This distracted me from my problems and suggested the idea that fear and pain are temporary and the world would right itself again as soon as the tears disappeared. The drops in my paintings are inspired by my reflections on the experiences I've had and display the emotions of sadness and happiness I've felt. What would you like viewers to take away from your paintings? As someone with a hidden disability, I have faced a long road full of difficulties, challenges and ignorant people who didn't want to understand. Eventually, the therapy helped me find my way back to art and myself. I now feel that I can live again and have the desire to share my feelings.

“Emily”, 2017 Oil On Canvas, 16"x20"

With my art, I want to send the whole world the message that art can help to overcome every diﬃculty and it is never too late to begin to live again. I want the 34 | SPRING 2017

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viewers to experience the same feelings as I did while creating my artwork, and to open a space in their soul for hope and p o s i t i ve c h a n g e s . I wa n t t h e m to understand that sadness is not something to be afraid of. It happens to everyone. The only difference is the way we perceive the world and how much we are ready to accept, forgive or deal with. With my art, I am trying to wake positive emotions because that's what changed my life. You studied Education and Visual Arts and have a Master Degree in Education, and over 15 years experience as a teacher and artist. How has your involvement in teaching influenced your work? I earned my Master in Education with the research topic Changing lives through Art Education. My study showcased the relationship between visual art and human emotions, so as the nature of this relationship and the various parameters that affect it. I believe, as evidenced by my life experience, “visual art can help mediate socio-emotional, cognitive, sensory-motor and other challenges people face. Visual art teaches people that a problem has more than one solution” (Elliot Eisner, 2002). Every time I teach my students, I am learning myself something new.

“Apples”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

Do you give talks or run workshops or classes? If so, where can readers find information about these? When I am not painting, I am sharing the secrets of professional art with my children and adult students in Edmonton, Canada. Based on results, I feel proud to have in my classes few of North America's most successful children's artists. I am also happy to see some of my adult students taking their first steps on the international fine art stage. It is a joy to see that after considering art for many years just a hobby or a dream, with the right instruction they are able now to move to the next level, have art shows and sell their work. Information about my programs and students can be found on the website. Can you tell us a little bit about the Masters Arts Academy and how it helps artists? Masters Art Academy was founded by my husband Stephen, initially to create for me the possibility to do what I love to do. After moving from Germany to Edmonton, it was not easy to work in an environment where Cont. Next Page... “A Woman’s Scent”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

“Orange And A Half”, 2015 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

politicians and art administrators don't realize the value of highlevel visual art and professional art education and are also not ready to learn from other cultures. Scientific studies have proven that no other activity has more benefits for children's development. Cutting professional art education in schools is like not teaching children how to use letters to form words or words to create sentences. With my students´ achievements, I hope that our community one day will be able to understand that real visual art and professional art education are worthy of attention and support. Recently I published with the Masters Art Academy the Ambassadors of the Art, an art magazine where we promote some amazing young and adult artists, and also inform about the benefits of professional art education and the value of visual art in .

the human history Visual art was the first form of universal communication between people. It is through the drawings and paintings of our ancestors that we can get a better glimpse of our past. Written communication evolved much later by using art symbols, but even the best writings can't mirror what we see and feel, with the same accuracy as visual art does. A painting captures all of the beauty and pain of life and holds onto it. Looking back at the human history, only a blind wouldn't see that without visual art we would still live in the caves where visual art was born. Why were you so interested in representational painting? During our history, humans created many different forms of art. All art forms, including modern art, have their beauty and deserve admiration and respect. However, the only art form which survived thousands of years is the representational art. I would compare representational art with classic music. After the war, when most people couldn't afford to learn how to create real art, galleries came up with the modern art which compensates for high-level skills with the artist's storytelling abilities. My story telling skills are limited; therefore I am using brushes and colors to express my thoughts and feelings. What's next for you?

“Seven Drops”, 2016 Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

Last year I was accepted as a member of the Art Renewal Centre, one of the world’s most prestigious art organizations with only 160 accepted members. I also received several invitations to showcase my work in US, Austria, Germany and Italy but this time I am still too much involved with teaching and don’t have the time to create enough artworks for a solo exhibition. I love teaching and it is amazing to witness how art can change people’s life and make dreams become true. My dream would be to be able to oﬀer art workshops in Europe. Perhaps a hotel chain or vacation resort would be one day interested to attract art loving guests. I would say that I will keep doing what I am doing; creating art and helping others to make the world a more colourful and beautiful place to live, and let’s see where Life will take me! :)

www.kanyoart.com www.mastersartacademy.com www.ambassadorsoftheart.com “Sunset At The Black Sea”, 2015 Oil On Canvas, 24"x30"

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Conceptual Exploration With LoveJoy

by Yadira Roman

Stacy Lovejoy is an artist who delved into the contemporary faux-naif genre, an artistic movement characterized by the combination of a beautiful childlike innocence as well as a mature approach to artistic expression. She has a rich background in the world of art, with experience in visual arts, street art, installations and in more applied fields like architecture. Forming a complex body of work based on experimentation that leads to numerous innovative results, ranging from painting to installations, interactive objects and sculptures, all of them exhibiting a uniquely fresh profile. Her innovative creations are showcased by the powerful approach to coloring, implementing bold and vivid tones on the objects and paintings that she creates, while introducing geometric/abstract features. It is a vibrant, personal style that underlines her constant experimentation within the realm of art always using new features. Such as the implementation of faux-naif style in her wall sculptures, artworks that transcend new interpretation of the artistic movement and introduces a feature which is unique in her work. They are an amalgamation of her cognitive, creative process, as they implement all the dimensions of a sculpture in artworks that are neighboring paintings, creating an immensely enjoyable form of hybrid art. It is an element that elevates her to a pioneering status, as her experimentation led to fruitful, thought-provoking results. Lovejoy combines faux-naif with futurism, remaining connected to the contemporary world of naïve art and creating a bridge to the utopian future. Conceptually, it is a choice that reflects her deep interest in the evolution of society, on a spiritual level. The inclusion of futurism in her work is a choice which reflects on the way that her stylistic approach is structured, as it offers a dive into the portal to unconditional happiness. These characteristics forge a body of work which is both playful and pensive, referring to matters and issues that are pivotal to the formation of healthy, wellfunctioning society as they get explored within the context of contemporary art. In essence, Stacy Lovejoy is an artist that has carefully created a body of work which demands thorough

“Waves Of A Smile Under A Microscope”, 2015 Acrylic On Canvas, 30"x30"

“They Exhale Happiness”, 2015 Acrylic On Canvas – 36"x36"

exploration. She presents artworks that evoke feelings while at the same time being intellectually stimulating, an immersive experience within a rich world of art that oﬀers a tremendously rewarding journey through unknown realms of artistic creation.

www.stacylovejoy.com

What Is Missing?

John Nieman Explores The Values In Danger Of Extinction In Today's American Society by Yadira Roman

John Nieman is an internationally recognized American artist, writer, and author of numerous novels and art books, well known for his unique realist style of painting that utilizes the subject overlaid with words to create an underlying message, a riddle, that the viewer is invited to explore with deep concentration and thought. Nieman manages to combine visual arts with literature, creating a result which is highly conceptual and balances between these two distinctive media to create a harmonious outcome that intellectually challenges the public.

“Reﬂection”

His most recent body of works, entitled "What is Missing?" combines art, and appropriated or found objects to evoke a profound meditation on contemporary North American life. In this series, Nieman paints and transfers words onto used milk cartons. The images and words that Nieman adds on to these milk cartons reﬂect a sense of loneliness and nostalgia that he sees as central to life in the USA. in the present day. The artworks focus on a highly contemporary social topic, the radical redeﬁnition of values and ideas in our society. Based on the actions of dairy producers during the 1970's, having used milk cartons to promote messages about missing children and raise the awareness of the public. Nieman, inspired by this idea, used the format of the milk carton to support his “missing” signs, ideas which are missing in the contemporary society. One will notice messages like missing innocence, facts or spontaneity, values that he considers to be forgotten and lost from our collective memory. This concept is accompanied by text that summarizes his thoughts on this matter and creates a cohesive ideological background that serves as a foundation for his artistic expression. He characterizes his technical approach to the extreme care that he exhibits to create a structured 38 | SPRING 2017

“What Is Missing?” Installation by John Nieman

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“What Is Missing?” Installation by John Nieman

ﬁnal result. The milk cartons seem as they are industrially fabricated to promote the messages and manage to be viewed both as a conceptual object as well as a work of art. This rich artistic production structures an artistic installation of dozens of milk cartons, it is accompanied by the book written by Nieman, expanding his ideas and opinion on these highly controversial issues. It is a book that can help the public illuminate these forgotten ideas and rethink the way that society should develop and reconcile with the past. These features shape the highly accomplished artistic www.arttourinternational.com

proﬁle of Nieman, a mature artist who has been active for over thirty years and has created an eﬀective body of work comprising more than ten books. With "What Is Missing," Nieman invites the audience to a more careful exploration to understand the full scope of the social transformation he underlines, and requests from the viewer to think about his/her attitude against these ideas. In essence, it is a highly educational series, inviting food for thought. Creating a fascinating window into the rich creative world that he has fabricated, a visual experience which is innovative regarding realization. SPRING 2017 | 39

“What Is Missing?” Installation by John Nieman

Inevitably, in this fastest of societies, some behaviors move into favor. Others fade. The grand question mark is whether or not the trajectory is moving us forwards, or backwards.

What Is Missing?

Quite frankly, it's up for a good, honest debate.

America evolves. Some things are found. Many things are lost.

A few examples that are not covered in this book: Once upon a time, many of us subscribed to more than one newspaper. Now many major cities have ceased publishing dailies. On the other hand, many of now have more than one computer, electronic notebook, tablet, and smart phone.

John Nieman

As a result, we get our headlines more instantaneously. But is it better? Not so long ago, we all tuned in at 10 p.m., Saturday night to watch “The Sopranos,” Sometimes, we watched it together. Now, we privately order an entire season of “Game of Thrones,” or “House of Cards.” We can tell our dad or mom about it later. We used to lust after chrome-plated automobiles every September from the Detroit assembly lines. Today, we check out the hybrids from Japan and Korea.

John Nieman

The point is: Things change. Things come. Things go. This is a book about what's gone, or at least on the endangered special list of values. At the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon/codger, all the recent changes have not been positive. We are losing a vital personal connection. We are becoming more insensitive to those “below” us. We read less. We are less comfortable in our own skin. We doubt the future.

“What Is Missing?” “I have always loved living in the United States of America. No place on earth is as ﬂexible, as diverse, as young-thinking, as entertaining, as entrepreneurial, as mobile, or as absolutely surprising every day when the sun comes up. However, that does not make me a “Moonie.” I realize that we live in the most malleable country on this planet. America is the opposite of a static nation. Everything changes, sometimes at warp speed. That's part our uniqueness and exceptionalism…but also part of our growing concern.

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If nothing else, I hope this artistic book makes us think twice about the direction of our own lives and our own country. In my humble opinion, our own lives must come ﬁrst. Once satisﬁed and comfortable with that, a great country will inevitably follow.” - John Nieman

www.johnnieman.com www.arttourinternational.com

ATIM’s Top 20 Fine Art Photographers This state-of-the-art publication features twenty of the most important emerging photographers of present times. An arts and culture documentary that celebrates humanity and our beautiful planet. ATIM’s Top 20 Photographers will take you to an unimaginable journey to the world’s most exotic locations. Over a hundred pages lled with vivid, colorful images of fashion, photojournalism, and travel photography. Artist on the covers: Mark James Ford, Riya Sharma, Hélène DeSerres

ArtTour International Magazine

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For information and artist submissions for participation in the 2018 issue of ATIM’s Top 20 Fine Art Photographers send an email with your submission to info@arttourinternational.com www.arttourinternational.com Published and Distributed by ArtTour International Publications, Inc. For more information email: info@arttourinternational.com or call 1 800 807-1167 © Copyright 2016. ArtTour International Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any published material without written permission of the magazine's publisher is a prohibited by law.

Interior Cover Artist

The Compelling Works Of Mark Lenn Johnson

by Viviana Puello.

“Dayo - Joy Arrives (African)” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

In his expressionist photography, American contemporary artist Mark Lenn Johnson captures textures, lines, and movement creating awe-inspiring compositions of color, light and ever-evolving forms. Born in Kentucky, Johnson has managed to create a compelling artistic body of work in a wide array of media. He has mastered the technique of glassmaking applying a personal approach towards abstraction and has also developed a portfolio of painting and photography. In his vibrant photography works, eye-catching use of color and an impactful essence leaves his viewers craving for more. A unique approach to the multifaceted lenses of color. His artworks are monuments to the freedom that one can see in art, as they have no conventional shackles and let the viewer explore raw color and composition to delve deep into these features. His content is art as a detached existence that can have relevance in our society. In term of technique, Johnson has dedicated years developing his reﬁned style with mediums that have an inherent value attached to applied art. His patterns and compositions are bold, employing a diversity of colors and motifs to structure the ﬁnal result and 42 | SPRING 2017

create something that is immensely virtuosic as well. Specifically, concerning coloring, he makes uses of vibrant and decisive tones to create artworks that are visually compelling. In a way, color and form become the centerfold of his work, elements that become the defining factor of visual balance. In his creative photography Mark Lenn Johnson's water drops are presented at extreme close-up shots that showcase more abstract qualities of the exhibited subject. C o m b i n e d w i t h t h e o b s c u re d , m u l t i co l o re d background, the result is images that project the impression of sculptures made of water that take dramatic and fluid poses. All these are implemented in compositions that are thought provoking and showcase balance in its fluidity. Thus, one can see a body of work dedicated to the freedom of artistic expression, not only theoretically but also regarding the creative techniques used. Enjoy this “Art 2 Heart” Interview to artist Mark Lenn Johnson. Your journey as an artist started with glass work, can you tell us more about that? My appreciation for glass began many years ago when I discovered a vintage carnival glass bowl at a yard www.arttourinternational.com

“Cia” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

sale. I was mesmerized by its vibrant purple color and its design. I learned later that it was hand-crafted and from there I was hooked. That piece started me down a road that eventually led me to own my first business – an antiques shop. I developed an appreciation for handmade objects – mainly glass bowls, and from there I learned to make my glass pieces. All these many years later, I still have that carnival glass bowl (and many more-lol), and it is still inspiring me to this day. What inspires you so much about glass? It's one of the few, if not the only, medium that can be worked within many different states - cold, warm and hot. And it responds quite differently in each of those states. It can also have many levels of translucency – from being virtually transparent to being completely opaque. But no matter the state, it's beauty is sensual – visually so as well as to the touch. At the same time, it can also be incredibly challenging and frustrating to work with, always being just beyond being able to be completely controlled. The result though is pure joy and, oh yeah, getting to play with fire and torches and hot kilns and furnaces is pretty cool as well. What lead you to photography? I came back from vacation a few years ago and discovered that the hot water tank in my glass studio had ruptured. It was flooded. While most of my glass equipment was saved, I had to tear out walls and virtually redo the entire area. Obviously, while that process was going on, I couldn't work on my glass. I very soon realized that I needed some outlet for all of my creative energy.

I already had some photography equipment because I was taking pictures of my glass art. So, I learned a little more about photography, upgraded some of my equipment and started doing landscape photography. It was great, but I still had the personal need to create something – something that was mine and mine alone and something that didn't exist before. So as a result of a very fortunate Saturday morning kitchen accident involving my sons and a lot of food coloring and water, my ﬁrst body of work that didn't include glass came about. I called this series “Watersilks' because the result looked like silky graceful ribbons of color rolling through the water. I was using a container of water to create them and capturing the moment with my camera. The "Watersilks" series led to my abstract painting work, which I called "Colorswims". With this series, I was using diﬀerent tools and techniques to manipulate food colors to 'paint' in skim milk, which was acting as my 'canvas." I would then capture the design with my camera before it dissipated into the milk. Cont. Next Page...

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“Lesedi - Woman of Light (African)” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

That series led me to my most recent body of work and the work that I'm receiving recognition for currently – my "Fountainfalls" series. In this series, I use colorful pieces of my glass work – obscured in the background – to highlight beautiful, sculpture-like water drops. Each is entitled after a beautiful woman's name. You are considered to be a glassmaker, an abstract painter, and a creative photographer. Is there a media you could say you enjoy the most? Or are the three equally important for your self-expression? My work, whether it be in glass, abstract painting or creative photography, is the physical manifestation of my intrigue… my captivation… my obsession with color. I see my glass work as being much more orderly, patient and well-defined while my abstract painting concedes a less systematic and less rigid approach. My creative photography harnesses aspects from both. In its right, it is systematic and methodical while, at the same time, yielding a completely random, arbitrary and ungovernable outcome. It exaggerates reality – capturing precise moments in time - and uses color to compel us to take notice of things that we don't typically discern – like a waterdrop. All three, however, are equally important to me and equally necessary and contribute to an all-important sense of balance in my creative making process. How would you describe your style? Because I work in various mediums, I think my style differs accordingly. But throughout all of my work, it's all – and I do mean entirely – about color. So I suppose you could say that color is my style and to define it any 44 | SPRING 2017

more precisely than that would not be doing it justice. You are obviously passionate about color, and one can see that through your colorful and vibrant body of works. Do you think this passion for color is a reflection of your passion for glass and is now spreading through your creations with other media? I believe that it's the opposite. I believe that my passion for glass is the reflection of my passion for color. Glass allows me to do a lot with color, but what I can't do with color in glass, I attempt to do with color in my abstract painting and my creative photography. I was fortunate that I came to glass first before discovering my other creative processes, so I will always consider myself a glassmaker first and foremost. Can you tell us about your creative process? Unless I have a specific project or commission that I'm working on for a client, my creative process usually begins with deciding upon which medium I will be working in for that particular time. Sometimes I will work on one series alone for weeks. Other times I will change up daily. That decision is usually predicated upon my mood and my current creative need. Do I feel the need to see the results of my work quickly? Or am I at a place of serenity and patience? Sometimes I will begin with a sketch, or at least a very well-conceived idea, of what I want to create. Other times, I am just reacting to and collaborating with the medium itself. From there, it's just a matter of employing color and fixating on every detail to create the most visually appealing object possible. www.arttourinternational.com

“Fontana” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

Featured on the interior cover of this issue, is one of your amazing images from the “Fountainfalls” series. Can you tell us the inspiration behind that series? My "Fountainfalls" series is the latest step in my creative evolution. More than any of my other series, it allows me to incorporate my glass work with my love of photography directly. Regarding the inspiration behind it, again, it's all about color. I can be downright audacious with my use of color in this series, and hopefully, the final image composition will be something shockingly beautiful and surprisingly bewildering at the same time. What do you believe is a fundamental element in creating a good piece in your "Fountainfalls" series? Obviously the image must be sharp and well defined. The color must also pull the viewer in and keep them transfixed. But more than that, I believe that a composition has to speak to an audience. It should allow the viewer to bring something into the image from their perception, but it will also elicit an emotional reaction as well and allow them to take something out of it. You have traveled to Murano, Italy, Paris, France, Asheville, North Carolina and New York, NY for your work. What do you think is the significant influence from your travels and how has that affected your style? I've taken something visual from each of these places and incorporated it somewhere in at least one of my s e r i e s . O ve r a l l , t h o u g h , i t 's b e e n t h e s k i l l , craftsmanship and single-minded focus and intensity that I've seen artists in each of these areas demonstrate. I only hope that I'm bringing that same www.arttourinternational.com

re l e n t l e s s n e s s a n d a t te n t i o n to d e t a i l a n d craftsmanship to my work process. What elements of the world around you inspire you and your work the most? Certainly my travels abroad inspire me. The Northern Lights, water, and seascapes, underwater sea life, ﬂowers, architecture, fashion, all of these have served as inspiration at some point in one or more of my series. Music also plays a very big role and is a source of inspiration in my creative process. What's your typical day like? I'm blessed to have a career that I absolutely love working for a nonproﬁt organization where I get to work with emerging and established artists, craftsmen, and creatives to help them start and expand their businesses and obtain more exposure for themselves. So, my own creative time in my studio doesn't start until after my typical work day is over, and I've spent time with my sons. Around 10:00 p.m., after they've gone to bed, I'll head to my studio and work for several hours. Then I'll go to sleep for a few hours, get up and start the process all over again. I've been doing it so long now; my body is accustomed to working with little sleep. Plus, at this time, I'm not willing to give up my time with my sons. This way, I get to spend as much time as possible on the most important aspects of my life – raising my children, helping other artists and creating my artwork. What would you like viewers to take away from your work, both your glass art and photography? It's been my experience that art, almost like nothing Cont. Next Page...

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“Masika” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

“Anaya -Admire God, African” Photograph On Dye-infused Aluminum, 24”x36”

e l s e , c a n b r i n g p e o p l e to g e t h e r t h a t h ave diametrically opposing views. I hope that people with different perspectives can find a common starting point admiring my work. Then perhaps they can realize that they're not that different from each other. So, especially in these days, I aspire to bring more beauty to the world through my artwork. And who knows what can happen from there?

What's next for you? I've been approached to do a book on my “Fountainfalls" series. I still need a few more images, but I hope to start that project this Summer. Other than that, I just want to keep making art that is appealing to people and be the best father that I can be.

www.marklennjohnson.com 46 | SPRING 2017

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Angels In

e Arts

A Special Teacher Saylee Nandkishor Agavane

by Yadira Roman

Born in India on the 19th of April, 1990 Saylee Nandkishor Agavane is a mentally challenged award winning artist and devoted teacher who has become a great inspiration in the dance world. She trains physically and mentally challenged students and has received the National Award (2012), SPANDAN-National Trust Award (2012) and Dr. Batra's Award (2013) in India.

“Reﬂection”

Saylee Nandkishor Agavane was b o r n w i t h Me nt a l Ret a rd at i o n , spending her days embracing a childhood in Pune. Having been born with individual differences such as her weight at birth coming in at four pounds with noticeably flat feet, her parents played a significant role in the desire for normalcy in her childhood. Their desire was for her to experience her upbringing just as any other child would. She pursued her education in the common school systemalthough her drive was high, and her test scores excelled she was required

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to step out of the public school system by the third grade. Agavane is currently attending The Jeevan Jyot School (a school for special children) and has made a remarkable transition since her arrival there. Since the age of nine, she has been studying Kathak, which is one of the six classical dances in India. Her focus is remarkable as she has disciplined herself in improving her memory through this practice. "Practice makes perfect," a proverb that she lives by and states has had a grand effect on her life. In 2007, Shiamak Dayars' Western Dance Institution granted her the opportunity for right stage daring. Her confidence increased after the support given to her; this encouraged Agavane to begin participating in three shows a day arranged in t h e S u m m e r a n d W i nte r Fu n k of t h e organization. Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh, a record holder in Limca Book of World Records, invited her to participate in their Multilingual Dance and Drama Competition. The committed dancer has now been involved in the event for eight years. This program is not designed for children with disabilities, and so this has been a journey of great confidence for Agavane and her family. Proving one is beyond capable of achieving what we set our mind to, Saylee Nandkishor Agavane won the Bronze medal at the eighth Cont. Next Page...

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Global Olympiad Dance Competition held in Bangkok, she gained the attention of the Rotary Club of Pune, this led them to present her with The Krushna Patil Young Achievers Award. Among 1000 participants in India she was awarded the third place in the Best Dance National Awards in Orissa. Her prime awards are not the only noticeable advance this young artist has made; Agavane can operate computers, she plays basketball, she swims and stands as a guide and a teacher for her peers going through a similar journey as special children.

After gaining an outreach of opportunity through her many achievements as a dancer, she chose to become a dance teacher, and train children in her same journey to gain trust and conﬁdence within themselves. "When I was invited by diﬀerent schools for taking dance workshops for their special children as well as the blind, deaf & dumb, I was upset to see the conditions they were in. They sat idle and looked lost. That is when I thought of starting Saylee's Dance Classes at home. Till date, I have trained more than 50 students in our area and Savali School, Bal Kalyan Sanstha, Sai Seva Sanstha and Shiv Chhatrapati School. The number of students is increasing day-by-day which also includes homemakers and small kids. My aim is to give inspiration to all the parents, who are depressed by their child's condition. My wish is to start an Institution of Dance and other activities and have all the disabled ones prove to the world that they are not disabled but are the “Specially Abled Children, gifted by God.” On February 6, 2013, Saylee Nandkishor Agavene was awarded the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disability, presented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India from the Honorable President of India, Pranab Mukherji. Eager to continue her mission to uplift, encourage, and acknowledge the unique children of our world through the arts. An excellent example of the global vision artists share to heal through experience, talent, and determination.

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Richy Sanchez Ayala

“New Explorations”

by Yadira Roman

“Cinematic_lab”

" e art I create seeks to stimulate the inner child in all of us, that kid I will always be. e experiences I lived growing up and making music with friends form the basis in my Concept Art for Animation. " - Richy Sanchez Ayala Richy Sanchez Ayala's masterful creations are the perfect blend of conceptual works for animation, ﬁne art, and acrylic painting. His masterful compositions depict human ﬁgures in futuristic urban landscapes, viewed through the artist's unique perspective. He focuses on a stylized approach which is elegant and above all expressive. Ayala creates cartoon-like characters in a style which is very similar to illustration, often having a childlike innocence on their features while at the same time existing in a mature environment. These features are depicted by extremely careful and precise details, which are required to create not only something a e s t h e t i c a l ly p l e a s a n t b u t a l s o we l l documented enough to be considered as an independent artistic existence. Thus, his 50 | SPRING 2017

“Headquarters”

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“Different Levels_AP”

project can be regarded complete, being not only a personal expression concerning painting with acrylics but it also features the artist's ideas concerning writing and character creation, animation, background, and psychology. It is something that underlines his pluralistic approach and offe r s to t h e p u b l i c n ot o n ly a n admirable work of art but also a world to explore, full of new and intriguing ideas. Ayala's series "Tribes: Defragmented" is the root of his recent success in the world of art, a success that reflects his artistic profile and which is sure to lead to new opportunities. It is a work that demands careful attention to delve deep into the multiple aspects that it offers to the viewer, in turn providing a unique setting to explore.

“Loading”

According to the artist, this body of works represents change through the p ro c e s s of c re a t i o n , c h a o s , a n d destruction. R i c hy S á n c h e z Aya l a s t u d i e d a t Manhattanville College, in the state of New York, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and where he won the Fagin Award, the highest award given to the arts at that university. He is currently a Master of Visual Development at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, one of the most prestigious art and illustration institutions in the United States.

“Heads-Recovered”

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Sushma Pamneja by Viviana Puello

Born in India, 62-yearold Sushma Pamneja from Jalandhar also a former Head of Dept, c re a te s m a s te r f u l compositions in watercolor, oil, color pencil and pen. In Pamneja's drawings, the use of black and white allows a non-intrusive expression, leaving f re e d o m fo r i nte r p ret at i o n . He r thoughtful pieces highlight virtues of the female creative energy. Beyond her excellent technical performance, Pamneja presents to us her perception of existence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women are natural creators, for they create life. Art, therefore, functions as a great outlet for our creative energies.â&#x20AC;? - Sushma Pamneja

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Art Expo New York Booth #148

Kevin Grass Florida artist Kevin Grass is Redwood Media Group's 2017 [PLATFORM] Artist of the Year. His contemporary American themes and representational painting technique often lead to comparisons between Grass's work and the paintings of Norman Rockwell. Unlike Rockwell, Grass's work tends to be darker and more critical. “We live in a time of division, uncertainty, and cynicism. I see my work as a somewhat humorous reﬂection of this era.”

“Progress”, 2013 Acrylic On Panel, 35"x42"

“Love Wins!”, 2015 Acrylic On Panel, 48"x36"

“Intimacy”, 2015 Acrylic On Panel, 38"x38"

www.kevingrass.com

“A Renaissance Man”

Lawrence R. Armstrong by Mia Tina

Award winning artist Lawrence R. Armstrong describes his work in art and architecture as a continuous exploration of the “concept of layers.” Armstrong is an architect, painter, and sculptor who has created a niche for himself as an expert in the ﬁne arts. His pieces represent an ongoing exploration of the concept of layers -- speciﬁcally, how they interact and intersect with each other to depict meaning.

happens quickly in a series, with many sketches and pieces being created one after another. Though the process is sequential, they regularly correlate with the ﬁrst “ﬂash of light” that inspired him. Armstrong says that many of his life's passions manifest in the same way.

He describes his art as having been founded in an awareness and fascination of layers in the natural and built environment, in space and time, intellect and emotion. He ﬁnds inspiration in “ﬂashes of light,” which he notes appear involuntarily to him through his sensory perception via artistic mediums, like music and writing, architecture both built and natural, or events, people, and moods. Blends of all of these, create even more complex layers. After absorbing these layers, Armstrong allows the concept to gestate before arriving at the exact media he will use to produce the piece. Then the process

Lawrence R. Armstrong has been called a “modern Renaissance man,” and for a good reason. Not only is Armstrong an exceptional artist and architect, but as the chief executive officer of the international design firm Ware Malcomb, he has seen the award-winning company through consistent growth, with a notable boost in annual revenue of more than 170 percent between 2010 and 2015. A testament to the Renaissance man's artistry as much as to his business acumen and expertise in design and technology. In an “Art 2 Heart” interview with Viviana Puello, editor in chief of Art Tour International Magazine, Armstrong speaks about his process. “I notice layers in the natural world and the built environment; I notice physical layers, and I see events that happen in a very planned way and in a very disorderly way. I listen to layers in the atmosphere of sounds: music that is very orderly and other sounds that are random. The atmosphere of different moods, different people that might fill a room. And so, my work is an expression of the very o rd e r ly ve r s u s t h e ve r y c h a ot i c a n d unplanned.” “I love everything that I do,” Armstrong tells Viviana Puello, “and I think that's a vital part of anyone's life – you have to love what you do. I love being an architect; I love running my company and helping my clients and our people grow. That inspires me, so on the weekends and in my downtime, I'm inspired to go to my studio, and I create this work based on those inspirations. For me, it's an outlet, and it's a way to continue to be creative and to contribute.”

“NYMPH” Metal | Acrylic | 96”x24” | 40 lbs

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Armstrong's work as an artist blends into his leadership as the CEO of the visionary design company Ware Malcomb. The ﬁrm's chief marketing oﬃcer, Ruth Brajevich, speaks to this synthesis, “His work as an architect is enhanced and inspired by his work as an artist, and his corporate clients appreciate this unique sensibility. At the same time, his www.arttourinternational.com

art is inspired by modern architects and artists, as well as his international travels.” The success of both the firm and Armstrong's personal work are mostly owed to technology, according to Armstrong. We may all have associated him with artistic ingenuity, but it appears this talented artist is not swift to take credit for his beautiful masterpiece. Virtual architectural models, constructed through building information modeling, provide an endless virtual vision of coordinated views for various architectural designs a n d p ro j e c t s , a l l ow i n g b o t h t h e designers and the firm's clients to envision the outcome through the creative process. This tool also benefits Armstrong's multilayered sculptures and paintings, with their intersections and interacting layers. A world traveler who brings his art everywhere his feet land, and design and business-savvy man, Armstrong now lives and works in San Clemente, California. He is an accomplished designer, architect, and CEO of the successful international firm Ware Malcomb. This great visionary has paved his way in his career, earning his place as a master of the arts.

“CHRYSALIS” Metal | Acrylic | 119”x85” | 50 lbs

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“EPHEMERA” Metal | Acrylic | 119”x85” | 50 lbs

“As the Universe Falls Together” The Work Of Michael Carini

by Thomas Liutas

As The Universe Falls Together Acrylic On Canvas, 36"x36"

Michael Carini is an American artist who has been gaining wide acclaim for his masterfully created and beautiful body of work. He has been trained in the prestigious Loyola Marymount University and has apprenticed under well-respected contemporary artists like Roland Reiss and Jane Brucker, thus having a rich past in artistic education that has oﬀered him a 56 | SPRING 2017

robust foundation for his work. This diversity of inﬂuences and his personal research into the world of painting has resulted in his own, unique approach to abstraction, a work which poses immense interest in the context of contemporary art. His most common medium of choice is acrylic as they www.arttourinternational.com

allow him to apply multiple layers overlapping, combining and contradicting without becoming mixed due to the rapid drying time. He is a true “Acrylic Alchemist," a term that he has adopted for the way that he works, as it is evident that he pushes acrylic colors to their very limits regarding artistic expression, creating unexpected results. Most of his paintings are created on a monochromatic background which serves as a foundation that holds the multiple layers, lines and forms implemented by the artist, having a subtle, yet important, role in the overall creation process. On this firm foundation, Carini applies hundreds of brushstrokes, using bold colors, to slowly construct a complex visual environment that consists of dozen overlapping lines. His characteristic element when creating these elaborate linear structures is that they are almost predominantly curved, creating complex vortexes that have an immense sense of depth and movement. It is a result that might seem chaotic at first glance, with lines and forms always overlapping, but once carefully researched there is an exceptional balance. This harmonious effect is due to his meticulous approach to the creation of these artworks, which combines a passionate talent with the serious approach of a well-educated artist. Drips, splashes, and even some large geometric forms can be seen in the drawing and become a delightful addition which despite being subtle, is important and offers a new depth into his work. The technical style which is adopted by Carini leads to an equally compelling and interesting conceptual background that focuses on paralleling his painting style to theoretical notions that he wishes to bring forward. Concepts like rhythm, music, the fluidity of time and space become evident in his rich artistic body of work. In essence, they are depicted in a raw,

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“Don't be afraid to be di erent… Be afraid to be the same” - Michael Carini immediate way that focuses on showcasing them as they exist, in an abstract, theoretical way. He utilizes the natural perfection of abstraction (being a reference only to itself, rather than an imitation) to showcase that these concepts have a unique beauty which is hard to visualize but possible to experience via paintings that introduce the viewer to them. Thus it is a body of work that invites the viewer to take a journey through many raw concepts of nature in a unique way and possibly become a truly important experience that will help one to redetermine identity, self, and existence. "As the Universe Falls together," is a composition that makes use of all the technical and conceptual characteristics of his work. It is a painting dominated by

As The Caged Bird Sings Acrylic On Canvas, 72"x45"

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“Astranomelly” Acrylic On Canvas, 78"x120"

cooler, blueish tones that immediately introduce a sense of tranquility and ﬂuidity, similar to the ideas connected to the element of water. Such a feature is also enhanced by the multiple splashes that serve as the foundation of the artwork and are in accordance to the chromatic tones that dominate the artwork. Upon them, there are the characteristic intense curved chromatic lines that create a dynamic, elaborate drawing which becomes the focus of the artworks. The title suggests a connection to cosmological concepts, something which is successfully paralleled to this sophisticated visualization and includes the notions of motion, genesis, and ﬂuidity that are present. Another piece worth looking into of Carini's is "Astranomelly," a piece that focuses on the dance-like structure that many of his artworks have in the form that he creates them. It is intricate artwork with an immensely dense chromatic curved line that focuses on a vortex leading to a dark gap. It creates a remarkable sense of depth and distance which once again has conceptual ties with a cosmological notion.

“The Soliloquy of Stranger (Straliloquy)” Acrylic On Canvas, 72"x72"

All these are elements that orchestrate Carini's rich artistic background, who undeniably has a bright future ahead of him. It is a work that despite his indepth exploration of color and forms has still many gifts to oﬀer, always being of supreme interest to the public and critics alike.

www.michaelcarini.com

“Foreverandever” Acrylic On Canvas, 60"x96"

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Wendy McNally

by Thomas Liuthas

"My work has been an expression of social conscientiousness veiled by the inspired playfulness of Josef Albers' experimental work with his interaction of color." - Wendy McNally

“Internal Rhyme” Acrylic Paint On Linen, 79"x66"

Wendy McNally is a Canadian artist that proposes a highly diverse body of artistic work, which includes drawings, paintings, sculptures and many other media to convey her scope in art adequately. There is a unique approach in the form in which she includes historical influences within the context of contemporary art, having profound impacts by archaeological artifacts in the way that she creates her artworks. Her paintings and drawings exhibited are influential as they have a high degree of accuracy and masterful usage of color despite often being stylized. She can have accurately drawn details and smooth color transitions, while also having broader color fields and drawing patterns, managing to combine them into one coherent result. The way that she structures her paper cut-outs is extremely skillful, as, despite the difficulty of the material which is hard to shape at will and create different images, she has almost complete mastery over highlighting her pure skill and dedication. Her technical prowess is complemented by the way that she successfully creates sculptures and prints that have similar aesthetic roots with her paintings, something that exhibits a deep personal research of McNelly on many different artistic media. These elements structure her body of work that, as noted above, frequently uses images that are reminiscent of Native American traditional and ancient art, a sign that such features can still have relevance in the contemporary artistic context. They pose interest in the way that something ancient can have a very modern side attached to it, a comment of the artist that shows the form in which art is always moving forward, forgetting the past, but can also go in circles to re-evaluate long forgotten aesthetic roots. One can see some of her roots in the modern artistic movement of Fauvism, spearheaded by artists like Henri Matisse, one of the most famous painters of the 20th century. All these differing influences that she uses in her art combine and promote her personal artistic style which multidimensional as well as able to focus on specific images and ideas, avoiding becoming too broad and losing its consistency as an artistic production. It is this diverse artistic production that elevated Wendy McNally to an artist who is widely recognized as thoughtful, skillful and constantly experimenting to be always at the very front of the contemporary artistic scene. Her work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows all around the world, always gaining the interest and admiration of the public as something fresh and thought provoking realized in a very skillful way.

“Mother And Child” Acrylic On Linen, 66"x79"

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www.wendymcnally.com

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Misa Aihara's Art: A Color Narrative

by Viviana Puello

“I am always open to the things that come to me through my ﬁve senses in my daily life. Some are color and form, some of them come through communication by words and sounds, and others come through the atmosphere in the sense of smell, touch, and so on. I always observe my painting to get inspiration for the next step from the hint of a color either in a small part of the canvas, the whole structure of the canvas, or the atmosphere of the image. When I misread the hints, I analyze the reason for my mistake and try to ﬁnd another step. I always repeat this process to complete a painting.” - Misa Aihara Misa Aihara is a Japanese contemporary artist recognized for her lyrical abstract compositions of vibrant colors and elegant, expressive lines. Aihara applies directly onto her canvas, thick layers of paint, employing contrasting forms of light and dark, space, and density, with a playful use of color combinations.

“Cxu vi amas Brahms?” Oil on Canvas, 31”x31”

Aihira's masterful compositions observe form, space, movement, and color and explore the concepts of density and openness, and light and dark. In the artist's words, she aims to create a “performance with nonrepresentational parts of colors, textures, brushstrokes and so on—every component on canvas.” Aihara creates her work using an interplay of patterns, line, color, and texture. Her love for color is seen in the juxtaposition of hues adding, depth to her two-dimensional works. Misa Aihara draws her inspiration from many sources. Usually, she says, the image of the complete piece doesn't come to mind before she begins, but as she starts working on a piece, a small detail of the same can trigger her imagination and influence the result. Other times, this inspiration comes from the atmosphere or the whole structure of the canvas. Born in the early 1940s in Ibaraki, Japan, Misa Aihara discovered her artistic talent in her childhood. By the age of 14, she already knew she wanted to be an artist. Over the years, she has worked with and created various forms of art, engaging all the five senses. In her words, she is “open to things which impact the five senses, eyesight, hearing, taste, touch and smell." Colors and 60 | SPRING 2017

“En cxambro16-7” Oil On Canvas, 36”x46”

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forms are what inspire her most. Many of her works have acquired her great popularity and recognition the world over. Just glancing at her works, one may classify them as abstract. On further scrutiny, however, one can begin to recognize an organized and planned spontaneity—the result, order out of chaos, compositions that evoke profound feelings in the viewer as an invitation to explore deeper dimensions of consciousness. Some of the greatest works of Misa are the “Verko” series, "La Mano," “En Cxambro 12” and “En Cxambro 87." These appeared in some exhibits, which include “Move Without Moving: Quando l'arte colora la solidarieta umana” in September 2015 and the Milan Contemporary, also in 2015. The Verko artwork collection comprises a varied body of works which express diﬀerent moods through the use of colors and shapes. Misa Aihara graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, and from there, she was unstoppable. Her work has given her accolades from all over the world. She has had her pieces showcased in her homeland of Japan, in the United States of America and very widely in Europe.

“Verko 16-12", 2016 Oil On Canvas, 31"x39"

Her first solo exhibition was in 1970, in Tokyo, at Surugadai Gallery. Since then, she has had numerous exhibitions. Due to her excellent work over the years, it comes as no surprise that in 2011, Misa Aihara won the Chianciano International Art Award. This award was presented to her in Chianciano, Italy. The winning did not stop there, as in September 2013, Aihara received the “Certificate of Artistic Merit.” In 1977, she appeared in the then-popular Japanese Printmakers show in Germany. Since childhood, Misa Aihara has regarded colors as elements, not just inanimate non-discretional objects but as a mean to describe feelings, scents and even touch. In her pieces, these colors tell a story, and the artist becomes an inspirational vehicle that brings the story to life. Misa Aihara is, without a doubt, one of the best artists who has emerged in the international art arena in recent years. Her works are timeless masterpieces full of depth and meaning. Aihara's passion, dedication, and drive are represented in every piece. She is incredibly accomplished and is striving to discover more in her research into colors and how they influence one's emotions. This unstoppable artist is a great source of inspiration, and her career is a testimonial to how far dedication and excellence can take an individual in her journey. Misa Aihara’s next exhibitions include: • International Contemporary Masters Exhibition - March 4th - July 4th, 2017. • Metropolitan Gallery Las Vegas, Las vegas, USA. • Art Expo NY - ArtTour International Magazine Booth #446 - April 22nd - 24th. • Solo Exhibition (The gallery Steiner, Vienna, Austria) May 22nd - June 17th.

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“Verko 17-1", 2017 Oil On Canvas, 29.7"x35.7"

www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~uam53283

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Sónia Domigues “

e Facts & the Artistic History”

Due to its Bubbling Nature Creative, her Versatility is showed by developing a Eclectic and Unique Style. Her Inspiration emerges from the Depths of the Oceans until to Universe, with real Passion, Love & Emotion, always with the desire to create Diﬀerent Themes and Compositions, like she says: “...I Construct, Create or Paint what I Dreamed*, so my Paintings emerges from Dreams, as my desire for them come True. Each Story, each Dream, is shared with all Art Lovers in all kind of s u r fa ce s , i n d e p e n d e nt ly t h e dimension or the diﬃcult degree...and if the Great World of Arts is a Big Travel, I want to stroll through all Artistic Styles, showing my own Vision of them...” -

www.soniadomingues.pt

Chiado Palace Collection nr. I - “The Tragedies" Mixed Media On Canvas, 63"x43" The Butler serves an effervescent Tea perhaps deliberately culminating in Tragedy. On 25 November of 1726, in the possession of D. Francisco de Paula of Portugal and Castro, 8th Count of Vimioso and 2nd Marquis of Valença, the Palace is reduced to rubble by violent ﬁre. Survivors, in Silver, the same service of Tea, suffer terrible tremors, in 1755 with the earthquake of 1 of November that destroys what was left of the Building. This work evokes the two unforgettable tragedies, succeeding, so they cohabit together in the same work... End of Desolation...

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Chiado Palace Collection nr. III - Vivifying Tea & Hybrid Guitar-Harp Mixed Media On Canvas, 63"x43" Chiado Palace Collection nr. II - “Farrobodó" & “à Grande e à Francesa" - Two Popular Sayings Born in the Palace Mixed Media On Canvas, 63"x43" On 11 December, the future 2nd Baron of Quintela, also named Joaquim Pedro de Quintela, 1st Count of Farrobo, was born in the Palace of Alecrim Street. A figure that despite the relevance in the political, social and cultural life of Portugal, would forever be remembered for its facet of excessive excesses and feasts. General Junot (1771-1813) established the headquarters as well as his official residence at the Quintela Palace. For nine months, as many as the first French invasion lasted, General Junot (1771-1813) established his headquarters. But Junot, indifferent to the situations of poverty and misery provoked by the invaders in Lisbon, settled in Quintela Palace on Rua do Alecrim, with disdainful ostentation. Junot thus gives rise to the expression "à grande à Francesa".

Chiado Palace Collection nr. IV - “The Butler becomes Protagonist” Mixed Media On Canvas, 63"x43" In 1970 - A part of Quintela Palace is leased to IADE - Institute of Art, Decoration and Design. From now on will be eminent protagonists and actors in the panorama of the Plastic Arts. In 2010 - IADE adopts the Designation "Creative University" where it inaugurates Exhibitions promoted by Experimenta Design.

In 1874 - As a consequence of the long judicial process, which lasted three decades and dictated the demise of the Quintela-Farrobo house empire, the Calçada do Alecrim Palace was sold by public auction and was bought by the capitalist and Commander Francisco Augusto Monteiro, The "Monteiro dos Millões", inherited from his parents a large family fortune, built by his maternal grandfather who had a monopoly on the trade in coffees, precious stones and maritime transport between Brazil and Portugal. His son, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, gathers in the Palace his library and valuable collections of Art and Natural Sciences (entomology, malacology, ornithology, herbarium). Its collection of Lepidoptera (butterﬂies) the 2nd most extensive in the world consists of many thousands of species, some collected by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro himself, in the Palace. The malacological collection (molluscs) had about 10,000 species. The herbarium will be considered precious, and, also very relevant, the collection of hummingbirds. In 1915 - The Portuguese Instrumental Museum is installed in the Palace, with a collection of about ﬁve hundred Musical Instruments.

Chiado Palace Collection nr. V - “An Extravagant Escape From the Banal” Mixed Media On Canvas, 63"x43" In 2014 - Quintela Palace is reborn, however, keeping the original traits, faithful to the historical past and intending to develop an original and unprecedented concept for the capital. In architecture Frederico Valsassina conceived a project where the classic and the modern were in harmony. The decoration of the space was done by the architect Catarina Cabral, who looked for sober and timeless pieces that could integrate the ambience of the Palace without overlapping with the grandeur of its details and frescoes. In 2016 - The history of this exquisite Palace remains and resumes in 2016 as an escape from the daily routine, in an "Extravagant Escape to Banal". In the renovated Chiado Palace, the centenary rooms now offer high-quality alternatives and other entertainment options for the day-to-day life of the Lisbon capital, and of those who visit it. Assuming itself as a reference space in the cosmopolitan city, it unites history and modernity in a timeless way.

Chaïbia Talal: e beauty of naïve art

by Jalal Bounouar. Casablanca, Morocco.

Artwork by Chaibia Talal

Wherever you go in Morocco, if you ask the people about the most famous Moroccan artist, for sure the answer is Chaïbia Talal, the most popular painter in the country. Born in 1929 in the village of Chtouka near El Jadida Morocco, Chaïbia grew up in the countryside before she left her village and moved to Casablanca. She got married at only the age of 13 to a man much older than her, then she had a son, Lhoucine who is also a painter, but soon she became a widow at the age of 15. As a woman who was still young and a mother of an infant, Chaïbia worked as a housekeeper to ensure the costs of her daily life and raise her son as best as she could. "Nothing intended me to paint," she declared "except this dream I had at the age of 25, that said to me: Get up and paint". It was her son, Lhoucine and his friends, who helped her realize her dream and encouraged her in the path of painting. Thus, Chaïbia painted her first canvases and unveiled her “free” painting, which is usually called 'naïve.' Deprived of everything except the love of nature and flowers and the time to observe and reflect on the world around her, how could this little girl be able to keep this freshness and enthusiasm in spite of the vagaries of life? She was a girl of the countryside, brought up in a traditional manner, and destined to 64 | SPRING 2017

perform domestic and agrarian duties. Out of an environment completely foreign to the world of art, her career was dazzling. Without a teacher and far from any school, her paintings soon became the talk of the town, but especially in europe where naïve art no longer needed to be defended. Chaïbia painted the difficulty to be born and to express herself as a traditional woman. The brilliant colors of her artistic universe reflect her great and naïve feelings. It is rather the black, the white or the gray, everything that seems to reflect her intelligent creation although naïve art has long been regarded as the genre which does not pose an existential question and which remains childish and simplistic. However, naive art is in reality, and more particularly in Chaïbia Talal's works, a powerful form of expression, a raw imagery of human beings, of their sufferings and their solitudes. Chaïbia painted her daily environment, that of people, women, and countryside. All her artistic works are an explosion of colors that sparkle with vitality on all the space of the canvas: red, yellow, blue, green, white, the colors that are there to celebrate life, to express the remarkable, unique talent of an exceptional woman as she was. A woman as free as the air, free as art, who paints as she breathes. In every appearance, she used to reconstruct the www.arttourinternational.com

artist's image in the Moroccan culture as being strange, intellectual, inaccessible and obscure. She spoke the language of the people, the Darija dialect of her native Chtouka. Her personality, her life, and her art were all covered by simplicity and authenticity, even her caftan, her jewels, her looks, and that simple way she had to explain her painting: "I paint birds, ﬂowers, trees, weddings, women.” From 1966 to 1980, Chaïbia exhibited in Paris, Copenhagen, Ibiza, Menton, Rotterdam and other artistic cities. In May 2003, she received in Paris the gold medal of the French Academic Society for Education and Encouragement. She died in 2004 at the age of 75 in Casablanca leaving not only her amazing works but also a culture of art and a real national penchant for exploring the artistic life.

Artwork by Chaibia Talal

About The Writer

Jalal Bounouar is a teacher, journalist, and researcher based in Casablanca Morocco. Jalal writes for diﬀerent international magazines and news websites. He writes about various ﬁelds of interest including art and culture. Artwork by Chaibia Talal

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Gudrun Alvebro by Yadira Roman

"Glassblower" Oil On Linen, 35.5"x35.5"

Gudrun Alvebro is a visual artist from Sweden who predominantly chooses an abstract form of artistic expression and creates various artworks that implement a multitude of techniques and concepts. Her work is mostly in the realm of painting, but she also has a large body of work dedicated to calligraphy, a process about printmaking but having some fundamental diﬀerences. Throughout her work, there is an extreme dedication to accomplish an aesthetically pleasant result, while at the same time remaining faithful to the ideas and concepts that are intrinsically tied to abstract art. The way that Alvebro approaches abstraction in a painting is one which poses extreme interest and 66 | SPRING 2017

knowledge on the roots of this artistic movements, drawing inspiration from this realm of artistic heritage while at the same time introducing these concepts into a new context. It is an approach that delves deep into the essence of color and composition in art, as it manages to create a compelling atmosphere with simple, yet masterfully crafted color tones that fulfill their role and produce an aesthetically pleasant result. She implements into her artworks a combination of geometric shapes as well as biological ones, something that creates an impressive structure of different elements that manage despite all odds to coexist and bring forward the masterful composition of the final result. Another interesting feature is the way that she www.arttourinternational.com

“The princess in the tower" Oil On Canvas, 25.5"x33.5"

subtlety introduces actual references to reality in her work, thus creating a more broad approach which is not strictly abstract but encompasses a wider notion of truth within it. It is a characteristic of her work which is closely tied to the way that she chooses to name her paintings, a process which is rendered something more than simply name-giving and becomes a strong conceptual process that creates a unique connection to the viewer. Specifically, the viewer might read a title like "Grass" or "The Princess In The Tower" and then is tasked with the decoding of the visible elements in accordance to such a title. It is a challenging way to approach abstraction as by adding actual references from reality; one has to handle in a successful way conflicting ways of expression to create a decent outcome. Alvebro, through elegant and witty handling of these conflictive features, manages exactly that and delivers exceptionally high-quality paintings that intrigue the viewer once one explores deep into them.

“Autumn" Collograph, 8.6"x11.5"

Her artistic style has a natural dreamlike appearance, something which is masterfully implemented in the robust composition which is present throughout her work and she manages to connect these two differing elements. Gudrun Alvebro is a multidisciplinary artist that offers to the viewer a hugely fulfilling artistic experience, one that implements a wider array of forms of artistic expression. “Leaf" Collograph, 8.6"x11.5"

www.gudrunalvebro.com

A Fruitful Journey The Art Of Roula Chreim

by Yadira Roman

"Café De La Tarde", 2013 Mixed Media, 78.7"x51"

Roula Chreim is a Lebanese painter and curator that has managed to achieve international acclaim, exhibiting her work in dozens of solo and group shows all around the world. As an artist that knows no boundaries and is always pursuing perfection in her artistic expression, she has traveled extensively throughout her career, something rooted both in her artistic curiosity as well as the ongoing wars that plagued Lebanon and have caused the destruction of many of her homes during childhood. This resulted in a mature artistic profile, wanting to express her feelings through the art that she creates. Her work includes multiple artistic styles that she combines to create a unique approach which is deeply sentimental and at the same time has a connection with the society as a whole. The most recurring themes of her a r t wo r k s a re t h e fe m a l e fi g u re s a n d landscapes, painted in a style that balances between abstraction and figurative work, using the best of both realms of art. The landscapes that she creates are dreamlike, with vibrant colors that are connected with the artistic movements of impressionism and expressionism, having thus a rich cultural reference while at the same time retaining her personal touch. The compositions are enchanting, with her expertise being apparent 68 | SPRING 2017

“Glitter", 2012 Acrylic On Canvas, 55"x37.5"

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in the way that she balances between those techniques and manages to create a harmonious result, one that places the viewer in a journey through the artwork and illuminates a deeply spiritual world. The other recent body of work that she has exhibited focuses on the depiction of the female figure, very often dancers or women with elaborate dresses, underlining the beauty of femininity. The surrounding is often blurry, with few distinctive objects depicted, like draperies or some furniture, creating once again a highly dreamlike image which showcases her immense imagination when it comes to a composition. Instead of merely depicting the whole scene, she chooses to focus on the human existence and the female figure, thus managing to promote her subjects significantly and let the viewer face them pure, without any other objects that might steal their vibrancy. Another intriguing characteristic of her work is that she avoids to paint any facial features on her figures and i n s t e a d u s e s t h e m a s g h o s t l y fi g u re s t h a t communicate with the similarly blurry world that surrounds them. It is a choice that characterizes her paintings as highly symbolic, as any woman can relate herself to the figures depicted, becoming one with the artwork instead of merely passively observing it and having no personal connection with it. This elaborate artistic profile of Roula Chreim is the reason for her immense success during the last decade that she has been active in the realm of visual arts, a decade that has been extremely fruitful for her work. She is a highly noteworthy artist who can surely create even more thought-provoking images throughout her career. One should approach her art with the utmost respect and care to fully experience the multitude of artistic and conceptual layers included, an experience that is similar to a walkthrough one's psyche and consciousness.

“Every Time You Turn Around”, 2012 Acrylic On Canvas, 39"x29.5"

www.roulachreim.com “Cheer", 2013 Acrylic On Canvas, 64"x80"

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Staying Inspired

Meditation & Yoga: Key to Peace

“Change Is Possible” Acrylic And Oil On Canvas, 46"x36"

“It has been observed and personally experienced that it is very easy to succumb to the demons within ourself, but including meditation and yoga as a daily part of our life can help us get in touch with our soul and stay calm even in the most diﬃcult situation, bringing out the best in us. Only meditation has the power to heal and relax one's, soul. To meditate does not mean to concentrate, instead to meditate is to learn about the art to deconcentrate. It is an art of becoming thoughtless. The thing about meditation is that you become more who you truly are, something we all need, especially in today's world, where each one of us is trying to impress someone or the other. We tend to forget ourselves to satisfy others, unknowingly pushing ourselves into depression and stress. The most common symptoms of mental illness found worldwide which have been observed in all age groups include low self-esteem, self-harm, depression, stress, anxiety and emotional weakness. “Trance In Meditation” Acrylic And Oil On Canvas, 18"x24"

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These issues are not developed willingly by any person, but due to falling prey of distress, stress and lack of emotional support from their loved ones. The www.arttourinternational.com

“Meditation” Acrylic And Oil On Canvas, 32"x22"

individual will start developing symptoms and won't be able to get rid of them without proper and sometimes expensive medical treatments. Meditation and yoga are the only medicines that instead of harming any of your organs physically or without causing any mental harm, bring you out of your stress and depressions. It energizes you mind and body, which helps to cure your blood pressure, reduces anxiety attacks, rejuvenates your mind and body. It also helps reduce all kinds of tension related pains in your body like; headaches, acidity, ulcers, hormonal imbalances, muscle and joint problems. Meditation and yoga also help us get proper sleep, and it is considered the best medicine for insomnia. Meditation refreshes you from within, it helps you gain clarity and peace of mind, stays active, and keep calm. It will be a lot easier for you managing diﬃculties and problems in a calm manner. And the most important aspect of meditation is that is not associated with any religion; it can be practiced by everyone. Yoga stimulates one's body from within. The study of asana is not about mastering the posture, but it is about using the position to understand and transform yourself. It is necessary for us to spend time with Mother Nature so that we discover the music of our lives. She will lend her powers to us through yoga and meditation and will help us transform and experience our lives in beautiful harmony. When you are in a state of meditation, you are taken into a space of inﬁnity, where you experience calmness and joy in perfect balance. Yoga and Meditation work together relaxing and quietening the chaos of your mind www.arttourinternational.com

so that you can hear your soul answering all the questions you ever had.” - Hema Thakur

About The Artist Hema Vijaykumar Thakur is an artist born in the village of Undirkhed in Jalgaon District. Married to Er Vijaykumar Thakur in Mumbai. Currently, she lives in Nashik and is dedicated to painting, yoga, and meditation. Art has always been her passion mainly Tribal Warli art executed with acrylic medium and fusion style giving the dying tribal art a new life. Her favorite themes are always around Women, Family Values and Life Inspirations for it inspires her to transmit emotions. Hema has participated in many exhibitions in many cities from India, like Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Baroda, and Panjim. And she has also been involved in an international art exhibition in New York where she was announced to be amongst one of the 7 Unique Art and Artists title holder from the 2000 solo artists that had participated in the show. Hema has recently been nominated by one of the Best Art Magazine Companies in the world called the Art Tour International Magazine in the Top 60 Contemporary Artists in the world. The award function is supposed to be held in Florence, Italy in May 2017. Hema also helps people who are depressed by teaching them Meditation and Yoga by adding positivity to their life. SPRING 2017 | 71

Lisa Levasseur

by Thomas Lioutas.

Lisa Levasseur is a self-taught Canadian artist that has been producing art since 2010 and showcases and an impressive amount of work despite recently starting her professional artistic career. As an artist, the techniques that she uses are highly innovative, creating artworks unlike any other that are abstract regarding form and highly virtuosic regarding technique. Speciﬁcally, she uses an interesting and innovative technique that balances between painting and sculpture, thus has an immensely diverse approach to art. Innovation lies at the very core of Lisa Levasseur's artistic work. PalleteArt™ which is her personal technique fuses elements of painting and sculpting, creating forms that are uniquely brilliant and fresh. She works them in an intensely personal way, by adding and sculpting layers of dried acrylic color, recycling the material and reshaping it into new artistic forms that contribute to the development of her rich artistic expression. The concept of transmutation which is innate to such a process leads to artworks that are original thematically and technically. Thus the viewer experiences an entirely unique and new experience, something extremely rare and admirable. These artworks, abstract in nature, revolve around the core ideas of abstraction in art, namely self-referring artworks that exist on their own and develop a wide array of concepts not by direct visual depiction, but rather through more cognitive processes. The artworks that she produces remain faithful to these core ideas and even expand them by introducing material as a part of the conceptual processes of the realization of artwork. Speciﬁcally, the recycled acrylic color is not only a choice of materials but also a choice which is deeply thematic as it is connected to contemporary social and environmental issues.

“Copper Moon” Recycled Paint On Canvas 48”x24” - Private collection in Rancho Mirage, California

“Bright Lights I” Recycled Paint On Canvas 24”x16” - Permanent collection in a museum in Las Vegas

The acrylics that would otherwise be discarded become protagonists in this picturesque scene spearheading the proposed aesthetics and managing to become a rich and novel material. Thus one can say that Lisa Levasseur approaches her art in a complete way, by managing not only to cooperate and balance concept with technique but rather take another step and forge them into a single entity. Apart from the innovative features that are mentioned above, her artworks are highly unusual regarding aesthetics, as they are not just innovative thematically, but they are also realized in a profound and masterful way. The depicted compositions are elegantly structured in forms that subconsciously refer to organic shapes, but there is also an in-depth knowledge of geometry evident. This multitude of cooperating forms forges a ﬁnal result which exhibits a high degree of compositional knowledge showcases the way that self-taught artists can reach profound 72 | SPRING 2017

“Endless Nights II” Recycled Paint on Canvas 24”x16” - Permanent collection in a museum in Las Vegas

depths of artistic creation via personal inquiry and research, something which is even more admirable. Another feature of the creative work which is implemented in a very successful way is the color palette that she chooses throughout her artworks. Regarding color selection, it is diverse and employs www.arttourinternational.com

the full range of the spectrum but always balancing the colors on an a r t wo r k i nto a h a r m o n i o u s a n d coherent unity. She also makes extensive use of contrasting color tones to highlight shapes and features that play a fundamental role in the ﬁnal composition. It is a work that approaches the very quintessence of concepts like form and coloration, as these elements are created by the colors themselves instead of being mere illusions as it happens throughout the majority of the artistic production. Thus honesty becomes a crucial feature of her work, as the technique used is employed accordingly and honestly to the general concept which is proposed by the artist. It is rare to ﬁnd an artist with the conceptual scope of Lisa Levasseur. Throughout her dedicated and avantgarde approach to artistic production, she has managed in just a few years to introduce entirely new features to the realm of abstraction in art, operating though to distance herself from the most academic approaches that were conducted throughout the 20th century. Her work is not innovative because it follows the rules of abstraction, rather it is innovative because it goes one step beyond and introduces bold and dynamic ideas of technical and conceptual fusion. Such approaches are admirable when they are implemented successfully as the horizons of artistic production are broadened, and our collective culture is promoted to new heights.

“Gypsy Rose” Recycled Paint On Canvas, 10”x10”

“Ocean Vibes” Recycled Paint On Canvas, 24”x36” - One of the newest pieces

“Firestorm” Recycled Paint On Canvas 24”x36” - Is in a hotel in Manhattan, NYC

“Mind's Eye” Recycled Paint On Canvas 20”x16” - Awarded on Broadway Stage, NYC

Featured Exhibits

A Walk In

with Belgin Yücelen

eir Layers

by Yadira Roman

Images of the exhibition “Clothes From The Past” by Belgin Yucelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois

B e l g i n Yü c e l e n i s a contemporary artist that has emerged since the early 2000s and has managed to create a diverse, unique approach to art. She works mostly as a sculptor and installation artist, having thus experience in the way that space regards as an artistic medium shaped at will, creating thought-provoking works that usually focus on social issues of great importance. Her most recent exhibitions focus precisely on her spatial approach mentioned, as she currently has four diﬀerent shows running, each having complex connections between each other, in addition to being relevant to various c o n c e p t s a n d i s s u e s o f t h e c u r re n t s o c i a l circumstances, as well as to the historical past. The ﬁrst exhibition is titled "Clothes from the past." Presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois, showcasing a series of sculptural dresses referencing to the historical past. Yücelen, being a Turkish-American, is inspired by her cultural history and creates these dresses as a reference to the clothing patterns of Europe and Anatolia during the 74 | SPRING 2017

era of the Ottoman Empire, building a body of work with vital historical importance. Her work also has a strong connection with the contemporary population shift, migration waves, and overall cultural exchange, as the reimagined clothes refer not only to the Islamic traditions but to the diverse cultural background of the empire that included many Christians and Jews as well "Floating Children" is the second parallel exhibition held by Yücelen in Lakeside Arts Park, in which she collaborated with photojournalist Brian Rutter; the exhibition has a dual nature of photography and installation, by exhibiting sheer fabric that has photographs of Syrian Children printed and hung from the ceiling. The result is a fleeting, semi-transparent and ethereal image that reflects on the consequences of the current horrific civil war on children. It is an installation that promotes the beautiful innocence of children and their tragic contrast with the violence that they daily experience. The form in which they present themselves underlines the fragility of their existence in an environment hostile and deadly to their youth, a testament to their vanishing childhood. The third exhibition that she created to promote her thoughts and ideas is titled "Words" and is an audiovisual installation referring to human identity, selfexistence, and mentality. It is a collection that www.arttourinternational.com

represents “words that are spoken but unheard” as stated by the dexterous artist herself. Having a connection with the "Floating Children, regarding aesthetics as well as sharing the same sense of ﬂeetness, these ethereal words combine with an audio artwork that repeats these phrases, thus treating words both as sound and concept to focus on their dual nature. As a result, the viewer experiences a unique view into consciousness, venturing deep into the notion of thought, speech and the form that these identify us, our relations and our surroundings.

“That words would be ﬂoating forever in the sky or on the ceilings if they are not heard.” - Belgin Yücelen The last exhibition of Yücelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park is "Ethereal Shoes," a body of work strongly connected with her exhibition "Clothes from the Past." Once again she delves deep into the history and signiﬁcance that such everyday objects have on our collective identity, this time by exhibiting sculptures inspired by designs of the 19th and early 20th century Ottoman Empire society. It is a conceptual walk to the past through the presented shoes, an object that can conceptually connect with the lifelong journey of a human life. It is the vessel that carries our bodies and our experiences, becoming

Images of the exhibition “Clothes From The Past” by Belgin Yucelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois

Cont. Next Page...

Images of the exhibition “Clothes From The Past” by Belgin Yucelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois

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“Ethereal Shoes” by Belgin Yucelen

Images of the exhibition “Clothes From The Past” by Belgin Yucelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois

much more signiﬁcant than one might think. In essence, her entire body of work is revolving around the concept of human identity, the journey of every human and the frailty of our existence. Belgin Yücelen a grand artistic scope, which manages to combine contemporary society with her cultural roots, promoting harmonious co-existence and free cultural exchange by being respectful to each unique human life. These bodies of work manage to communicate all these notions to the viewer and establish the elaborate personal connection which is crucial in the process of interpreting the artworks presented. It is a personal journey that demands one to identify not only the images created but also him/herself, becoming a spiritually rejuvenating process.

www.belginyucelen.com

Images of the exhibition “Floating Children” by Belgin Yucelen presented in the Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole in Illinois

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Once ere Was Fire: A Novel of Old Hawaii

Read the story of old Hawaii that James Michener did not tell When Captain James Cook “discovered” the Hawaiian Islands In 1778-79, Kamehameha, nephew of the “Big Island” of Hawaii's reigning king, was quickest among his people to understand the implications of the Hawaiians' ﬁrst encounter with the haoles. He would later be quickest to exploit haole advisers and weaponry in a relentless drive to unite the Hawaiian archipelago. By 1810, Kamehameha had subjugated the last of his rivals and founded the Kingdom of Hawaii. Even as he united the Islands under his rule and ended centuries of inter- and intra-island warfare, Kamehameha set the stage for the dissolution of his people's age-old culture after his death in 1819. A work of historical ﬁction, Once There Was Fire tells the story of Kamehameha's rise to power from inauspicious beginnings on the Big Island in the mid-17th century. It is the story of old Hawaii that James Michener never told.

“Noah's Ark, the Return” Fumagine and Acrylic + Movable Square - 27,56 x 39,37 in - 2015

A work of ﬁction informed by history, Once There Was Fire is the story of Kamehameha the Great, who rose from inauspicious beginnings on the Big Island of Hawai'i in the mid-1700s to conquer the entire archipelago by 1810. The founder of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Kamehameha was born into a Neolithic society, unchanged for generations since the islands' settlement by voyagers from distant Polynesia a thousand years earlier. As a young man, Kamehameha witnessed the arrival in the Islands of the English explorer, James Cook, in 1779—a culturally seismic event for the Hawaiians. Kamehameha was the ﬁrst among his people to grasp the transformative implications of Cook's visit, an understanding he would later turn to advantage in struggles with his rivals.

Once There Was Fire brings a little-understood, historically remote era to life through the words and actions of its memorable characters: Kamehameha, his strong-willed and rebellious consort, Ka'ahumanu, his favorite brother, Keli'imaika'i, and Kamehameha's sons, nephews, comrades in arms, haole advisers, and bitter enemies. The novel invites readers to see Hawaii of the mid-18th and early 19th centuries as the old Hawaiians themselves might have seen and experienced it on the cusp of their passage from splendid isolation to the wider world.

Paperback and Kindle editions available on Amazon www.paieapress.com

Maitreya

by Thomas Lioutas.

Maitreya through his artistic expression approaches the realm of dreams and visions in art in a way which is both referring to the artistic past as well as managing to reach new depths. It is a work diverse concerning themes, drawing inspiration artistically from the powerful symbolism of mysticism while managing to maintain his personal touch. One of the most important elements that are masterfully implemented in the body of work of Maitreya is the use of patterns to convey the full range of emotions and concepts that he aims to. Speciﬁcally, since the work is based on the personal experiences of dreams, visions and mysticism, the artworks share some traditional aesthetics that are rooted in these ideas. Color tones and drawings will follow patterns that are highly ﬂuid, implementing a dynamic sense of movement, while at the same time orchestrating a result which is either blinding regarding clarity or blurry and mysterious. It is a technique which is directly paralleled to the aesthetics inherently tied to dreaming, a cognitive mental process of unpredictable and ever-changing visuals.

(ArtArsenal) PANGU.Truly from the Beginning He was Alone... Oil On Canvas, 39"x47" - 2013

The artist uses all these patterns to establish a connection to the viewer of the exhibited artwork and thus manage to form an intensely personal relationship. Such a process is pivotal to the very essence of the thematic of the artist, as it is an artistic body of work which is based on ideas concerning personal connections between h u m a n s a n d t h e way t h a t e l e m e n t s o f spiritualism and subconscious process have a great impact on our personality. Regarding technique, the approach of the artist is masterful and elegant. Maitreya manages to structure dynamic compositions that are implementing a multitude of artistic elements while at the same time maintaining a balance which is demanded to create a well established ﬁnal piece. The artistic depiction of all the ﬁgures and objects that are implemented in the composition of any given artwork is realistic, and thus the viewer can easily relate to this alternate reality which is portrayed. A reality which is rooted deep in the cognitive processes of the artist and either answer to existential questions or forge such profound enigmas about our nature and perception. In essence, it is a work which is rooted artistically in the movement of surrealism, one of the most prominent artistic movements of the entire 20th century.

(ArtArsenal) A Vision of PANGU.God - Creator Oil On Canvas, 47"x39" - 2012

The fundamental diﬀerence between the established surrealism and the work of Maitreya 78 | SPRING 2017

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A Vision.Angel of America Oil on Canvas, 47"x31" - 2001

(ArtArsenal) An Empty "Prayer Wheel" Oil on Canvas, 29"x24" - 2015

is that artistic depiction for the latter is derived from the subject, instead of the subject being dictated by the form of artistic expression chosen by the artist. Thus Maitreya distances himself from any artistic heritage and follows a personal path that leads both the artist and the observer to great conceptual depths. One needs to carefully examine the full scope of Maitreya's artistic portfolio to fully understand the grand design which is motivating it. It is a work which communicates both with the viewer and with itself, being extremely cognitive and emotional while at the same time delving deep into the quintessence of spiritualism. The World of Dreams Oil On Canvas, 31"x39" - 1996

www.empire-maitreya.com

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Charles Whiting e Elegance Of Nature

by Thomas Liuthas

Charles Whiting is a true master of photography. His work incorporates a vast array of topics and approaches that promotes the elegance of nature. Being active in the area of Colorado since 2009, he has managed to portray natural beauty through his art, while at the same time also having chapters in his work that depict the underwater world as he has extensively photographed coral reefs. In Whiting’s skillful compositions, the artist shoots pictures of extreme visual interest that introduce the viewer to a world carefully constructed to portray the full beauty of the surroundings. His landscapes make excellent use of depth, managing to include multiple layers of the depicted area to create a natural result, one that is close to an experience of the illustrated image regarding clarity. His technique also includes a brilliant approach to Charles Whiting incorporating water in the composition, as the true reﬂections are exploited as mirrors that create an inverted icon which balances the picture while at the same time bringing forward elements that enhance its contrast. Thus, it is a tool that promotes tranquility, visual strength, and a skillful approach which is hard to master and successfully use.

“Hanging Lake” Glenwood Canyon, Colorado - HDR Series, 20"x30"

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Bird of Paradise Flower Silhouette DeerďŹ eld Beach, Florida

Another interesting feature in Charles Whiting's work is the way that he balances colors in his photographs, as they are carefully structured to bring forward the elements that act as the focus point while the rest of the composition orchestrates the eventual climax of the artwork. These elements, combined with his implementation of lighting in the picture which is the essential tool for the photographer, creates photographs that manage to capture the eye of the viewer and become true works of art instead of mere natural documentations. His treatment of his other topics of works showcases the same skillful approach as once again color, composition and light are masterfully implemented in his underwater photography, his seascapes as well as his depictions of animals in their natural environment.

Rufous Hummingbird, Evergreen, Colorado

Ultimately, it is a need to underline that Charles Whiting is more than a photographer as he is a complete artist, one that has absolute control over his depicted themes and manages to have a dominating presence on the scene of contemporary landscape photography. Such a feat is truly commendable as it is a very competitive scene, one that has many photographers aiming for visual perfection but few reaching the level that Whiting has managed to.

www.charleswhitingphotography.com

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Sunrise Sailboat Silhouette DeerďŹ eld Beach, Florida

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Beyond The Scope Of Curiosity

e Collaborative Work Of Karly & Anne V.

by Viviana Puello.

alienate more than impressing those who observe them. They manage to elevate collaborative relief art to a level of artwork unto itself. A fact that is even more impressive when one discovers that they have only been collaborating on art projects since 2011. Chaos theory brought beautifully and artistically to life. The productive synergy between form and color used by Karly and Anne V captures the eye of the viewers with their unique perspective of the concepts of time malleability similar to those found in quantum physics. Much like that scientific discipline, the collaborative work of these two artists invokes a sense of salience. No element of their work, be it form, scale or color is mundane. With creations that range from floormounted and wall-mounted pieces, to those that are suspended, Karly and Anne V know how to incorporate dimensional perspective to their art form. By just observing the end result of their work, one would expect that their collaboration extends to a unified style of planning for their pieces.

In the world of art, singular passion and expression are often seen as par for the course. Rarely are collaborative efforts ever seen beyond the scope of curiosity, or as a mere functional exercise between two artists. This paradigm, however, is shifted forever after one views the collaborative works of two artists from France, Karly, and Anne V. Before one even focuses on the style and method used on their collaborative relief paintings, one cannot escape the essence of the synergy that their finished works express. At no time do their relief paintings exude any sign of competing egos struggling to gain dominance. If one were not made aware of the fact that their relief artworks were indeed a collaborative effort, one would unhesitatingly attribute it to a single artist. The seamless merging of two artistic talents into a unified outcome is highly impressive. Most of the works of Karly and Anne V are large. The complexity and shapes of the relief frames used to exude a sense of wonder and can captivate those who observe them. Relief paintings of such physical dimensions often 82 | SPRING 2017

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As a testament to what two kindred spirits can do, however, each of these two artists unleashes their particular talent exclusively within a given plane. Anne V brings forth her talent for dimensional artistry by creating the form and frame, while Karly infuses her artistic magic of color and luster with paint. At no time, however, do they collude in the planning of the ďŹ nal piece. Each artist brings forth her best independently. The essence of the concluding piece is thus obtained not from methodical planning, but rather entirely from what seems to be a preordained complimentary fusion of their talents. They will awaken a sense of appreciation for what collaborative art represents -- a synergistic form of conveying a message by tapping into the minds and emotions of those who observe it. Their artwork can be described as inďŹ nitely impressive and inspirational on many levels. It is the sort of art that one is drawn to repeatedly for the depth of meaning that one can draw from it.

karlyetannev.com

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SPRING 2017 | 83

Annette Tan

by Yadira Roman

“Reﬂection” Acrylic On Canvas, 16"x20"

Annette Tan is an artist born in China ,living in the San Francisco Bay area for the majority of her life, where her interest in painting bloomed and reached her artistic maturity. Being active as a painter since the mid 1990s, she has managed to create a rich background which focuses on a highly skillful and tasteful depiction of the natural world, ranging from landscapes and seascapes to ﬂowers and still lifes. Tan's approach to her theme is robust and straightforward, aiming to portray the immense beauty of nature and capture the essential elements that characterize the landscapes that surround her as well as everyone, bringing forward the existing beauty that many of us forget. Her depiction is extremely skillful, having ties to the historic era of romanticism during the 19th century and managing to incorporate these features in the contemporary context while retaining her unique personal touch. Her work uses this great tradition in order to create her personal approach, one that pays homage to the history of art. 84 | SPRING 2017

Such features are present in many of her works, like the paintings "Summer" and "Reflection", where she creates a masterful depiction of the natural world, balancing between the tranquility of water and the majestic mountains. Her color palette is one that successfully reflects the natural world and makes use of bold, vibrant colors in order to introduce the viewer into her point of view,something she effectively manages. This, combined with her high level of drawing and compositional skill, is what elevates her work to the highest levels of contemporary approaches to realistic painting and creates a truly beautiful result. Another highly commendable feature is her choice of landscapes to depict, as she paints compositions that pose extreme interest in terms of contrast and innate color palette, a grand skill she obtains in delivering images that have a high degree of inner visual strength. In essence, Annette Tan is an artist that promotes important ideals through her art. Such as beauty, tranquility and sheer virtuosity, managing to capture the mind of the viewer in a journey through nature's splendor. She is an artist who manages to vibrate in a unique and personal way in the artistic context of our contemporary society.

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“Summer” Acrylic On Canvas, 16"x20"

“Blossoms in Giverny” Acrylic On Canvas 8"x8"

www.annettetan.com

Interior Cover Artist

Sveta Long

A New Wave Of Functionality by Viviana Puello

“Lilly Of The Valley” Hand Made Glass, Acrylic, 10.5”x8”

A native from Russia, now based in North Carolina, USA, Sveta Long has a unique style given the name of "Faberge Art Deco." Her work is a colorful nod to the Faberge eggs and Art Deco era. A walk into the innovative window of her work is a precious gift to all. Long's artistic techniques are a unique craft; she takes us into an imaginative world of play and craftsmanship drawing intricate lines, ﬂowers, faces, and mermaids that catch the light to shimmer on vases, plates, fabrics, and eggs. She incorporates the use of kitchen appliances such as plates, cups, utensils, and a variety of objects to depict her abstract world. Long has a love for all things that shimmer, and she brings her fresh new style to numerous things. What once was a form that was traditionally kept to elaborate and ornate painted eggs has expanded to multiple items. She began to recreate well known and highly desired Russian crafts, using designs that at some point were solely made for royalty. Her venture with this concept started at home, as she recreated and developed her household items. The chances are that if you see a unique plate, fabric, vase, glass, or mug with intricate gold painting on it in the Faberge

“Sugar Bowl” Ceramic, 9”x7”

“Just Lace” Glass Plate Acrylic, 15” Diameter

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SPRING 2017 | 87

“Scarfs, Scarfs, Scarfs” Silk Scarf, Acrylic 60” x 15”

“Ceramic Vase” Acrylic by Sveta Long

88 | SPRING 2017

“Ceramic Vase” Acrylic by Sveta Long

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“Through The Golden Lace” Hand Made Glass, Acrylic, 9”

patterns. Such is the grand style of these Faberge and art deco items, which demand to be viewed and never go unobserved. Long's one of a kind creations, are colorful and vibrant in a sea of stuﬀy material things. Check out her stylish kettle adorned with elaborate snaking gold vines and white ﬂower buds over a tea set that is a gorgeous shade of teal accompanying its viewer's desires of elegance and expression. Her work is both functional and expressive art. Whether it's a long glass that you are drinking white wine out of or an immense plate that you are leaning against a wall in your home, Long's creations are truly unique and inspired. Her hands get ahold of all mediums and materials to bring to life the warm quality she carries within. Whether fabric or glass, Long has transformed her love for this modern art deco style and made it entirely her own. Something from the old world, a bit of the new world integrated all into one to take place and share space in the heart of many. Sveta Long's top quality designs and creations compliment that of a polished hand and an eye for richness.

“Burgundy Tapestry” Hand Made Glass, Acrylic

style, it might be one of Long's works. The style brought to mind the admired vintage intricate glory of Russian nobility and their possessions, transformed and made fresh in a completely new and inventive New World style.The pieces are not only frequently 3D, but pop out at you with vibrant and delicately contrasting colors, beautiful borders, and storytelling www.arttourinternational.com

With a bit of Russian magic and a bit of American production, Long has burst onto the modern art scene with a bang. From vases to home sets, she brings a touch of Faberge Art Deco to everything she touches. Rooted from Faberge inspiration, applied to tangible objects-- Long is bringing a whole new wave of functionality to an older traditional style.

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Frans Frengen “Painting With by Cathy Crocco

e Light Of A Candle”

“Noah's Ark, The Return” Fumagine and Acrylic + Movable Square, 27,56"x39,37" - 2015

One of the more unique contemporary artists to emerge on the scene, Belgian artist Frans Frengen has developed a work process that is as intriguing as the artwork he creates. Frans Frengen began drawing as a young boy, and his talent as an artist was quickly recognized. He studied painting and drawing under prominent artists for some years before developing the signature "Fumagine" technique that forms the basis for much of his work. While in Wemmel, near Brussels, Frengen conceived and developed the fumagine technique, which is best described as the equivalent of painting with a candle. More than just painting with soot, this method gives a distinctive, stylized look to Frans Frengen's paintings and drawings. It gives his primarily black and white paintings and drawings a mere appearance, emphasized by the great shading that is created by the fumagine technique. Despite the bold, thick lines, smudgy appearance, and simple nature of Frengen's drawings and paintings, they are still highly detailed and reveal the artist's deep level of skill and technique. In addition to the simple shades of gray smudging created by the fumagine technique, Frengen also adds bold spots of color to the paintings. The primary colors of red, blue, and yellow are often featured in his work. It is clear that this is the work of a talented artist who has spent 90 | SPRING 2017

“(Ode To The Rescue) Mommy, Lioness To Fight And Help, What To Do!” Fumagine and Acrylic Dots + Movable Square on Canvas 39"x27,5"

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many years studying technique and artistic styles. Most of his art features people and scenes from everyday life portrayed in a unique way and with a strong perspective. Several of Frans Frengen's fumagine paintings stand out from the rest. One, "Hunting a Human Right," features a musket-bearing hunter and his dogs chasing a wild boar. This simple drawing, painted by Frengen with a candle, is not only remarkable because of the striking details and intense expressions on the faces, but because of his choice to use a single spot of re d p a i n t a s t h e o n l y c o l o r i n t h i s m o s t l y monochromatic painting.

“Praise Of Folly” Fumagine, 27,56"x39,57"- 2016.

Another piece of note is "Mirror on Newport," which features two ships in a beautiful harbor. While the artwork is mostly black and white, a few splotches of purple and green acrylic paint are strategically placed in the water. The ships are delineated with high precision, and the small numbers on the bows of the ships add an extra dimension and detail to these works of art. The bright colors of the acrylic paint contrast eﬀectively with the calm and serene waters. Frans Frengen's unique fumagine technique showcases his brilliant, simple paintings and drawings. It is clear that this Belgian artist has remarkable talent and skill, as well as a clear voice that has something important to say.

“Father Abraham; Henri From Albi; And The Albatross” Fumagine and Acrylic Dots on Canvas, 39,37"x27,56" - 2015

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“Create 4 Peace: Artivism,The Artist Voice” by Viviana Puello In this new column of our magazine, we want to celebrate the freedom of self-expression. The Oxford dictionary describes art as "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power." “Create 4 Peace” is a program founded by ArtTour International Magazine to reduce the transgenerational transmission of pain and suffering, utilizing art to impact the imagination and creativity of people to transmit love, peace, and personal responsibility. We want to present a platform to give a voice for artists to exercise their emotional power and make a positive impact in society. It is through platforms like this one that artists will take advantage of their time in the limelight to shine and take part in movements that are affluent and influential to society.

The most recent uproar witnessed in the US, where Hollywood artists came together to preach their stand against the new administration demonstrated that artists' activism campaigns could go a long way into shaping modern society. Artists are unifying their eﬀorts in promoting human and animal rights, environmental conservation and world peace. "Create 4 Peace" is standing as a conduit for international artists to express their social concerns and take action as a beacon of light for our world. The courage and vulnerability to voice their truth through art are worth supporting, and our community here in ArtTour International is openly creating such a platform to do so. Enjoy this issue's photo gallery of "Create 4 Peace" where artists around the world have shared their message.

O. YEMI TUBI “Fishers of Men"

“Create 4 Peace” is a program founded by ArtTour International Magazine to reduce the transgenerational transmission of pain and suﬀering, utilizing art to impact the imagination and creativity of people to transmit love, peace, and personal responsibility.”

“Trump Play Trump” Donald Trump has exhibited a trait proﬁle that you would not expect of a U.S. president: sky-high extroversion combined with oﬀthe-chart low agreeableness. Trump plays his role in an outgoing, exuberant, and socially dominant manner. He is a dynamo—driven, restless, unable to keep still. If he can't handle the constant media criticism then he's applied for the wrong job. Trump's most impassioned supporters are what some outlets call the “alt-right.” - Cornelia Steckhan – Corky Art.

THOMAS THOMAS “Shadows And Echoes” Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 36”

“Inspired by the suppressed voices of marginalized people here in the United States slowly making their voices heard through protest (i.e. Black Lives Matter, Indigenous People Dakota Access Pipeline, Women’s Movement..etc.) and through the ballot (the American Middle Class left behind due to technological change and trade).”

Ed Moret “Time For Peace” A New World

Michael Lam “Ink on Paper” 4.25"×6.25"

Jim Fitzpatrick “I've Been Loved and Put Aside I've Been Crushed by the Tumbling Tide” This is my altered work where I combined several on my photos and also added a lyric from the famous Chamber Brothers' song “Time Has Come Today” written by Joseph Lamar Chambers and Willie Mack Chambers. My work show the struggles and dangers faced by police, ﬁre and people from around the world. “And the Words of the Prophets Are Written on the Subway Walls” This is my altered work where I combined several on my photos and then added a lyric to the Paul Simon song “The Sound of Silence”. The meaning of my work is to remind people that we ALL need help, especially the police... to help keep them safe while they strive to keep us safe, educate us on safety issues and prevent and solve crime.

Carlos Aranha " Metamorphosis”, Acrylic on Canvas, 124” x 62”

“This Metamorphic painting is an expression of Unity within Diversity, and the necessity of all live elements to create a better and beautiful world.” - Carlos Aranha

Stefan Duncan “Embrace The Light”

Edgar Francisko Jimenez “Sin Titutlo, Sin Casa, Sin Comida, Sin Vida” (No Title, No House, No Food, No Life)

Disclaimer: Comments or opinions expressed on this pages are those of their respective contributors only. The views voiced in this article do not necessarily represent the views of ArtTour International Magazine, its management or employees. ArtTour International Magazine is not responsible for and disclaims any and all liability for the content of comments written by contributors to this article. Note: If you are an artist interested in publishing your works at our “Create 4 Peace" photo gallery, please send your submission to art@create4peace.com with the subject Peace.

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