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CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VIVIANA PUELLO www.vivianapuello.com Email: viviana@arttourinternational.com COO/GRAPHIC DIRECTOR ALAN GRIMANDI www.alangrimandi.com Email: alan.grimandi@arttourinternational.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Mileidy Meléndez Sánchez Email: graphics@arttourinternational.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS: Isabel Prontes, Anne K. Anthony, Selas Smith, Tiarra Tompkins, Gunesh K. Anthony, Jordana Kahn, Maline Walters, Sandra Leiva, Esther Mathias WEB DESIGN: Humberto Jose Orozco SOCIAL MEDIA: Romy Singh EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Roxanne Ligason - Jeanifer Jabiguero CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Email: admin@arttourinternational.com Tel: 1 800 807-1167 ADVERTISING: To place an Ad contact: info@arttourinternational.com MARKETING: www.mediakit.art
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PODCAST “The Winner’s Journey” www.vivianapuello.com/podcast New Episodes each Friday ArtTour International TV Show https://www.arttourinternational.com/atim-tv-show/ Tune in on Thursdays at 5:30 PM EST In New York, Tune in to MNN-HD Ch. 1993 in Manhattan (TWC/ SPECTRUM). Outside of New York watch the live streaming of our show at MNN.ORG FOUNDATIONS: CREATE 4 PEACE www.create4peace.org ARTISTS FOR A GREEN PLANET www.artistsforagreenplanet.org GET FEATURED! If you’re an artist looking for a platform to expose your art, share your message and expand your network, contact info@arttourinternational.com for to find out how to get featured in our magazine.
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ATTENTION: Help us protect visual artists rights. The copyrights of all published artworks are retained by the artists. Magazine published by ArtTour International Publications, Inc. 988 Columbus Ave. New York, NY 10025. Copyright © 2021. Reproduction of any published content without the written permission of the magazine’s publisher is prohibited by law.
Dear reader,
In this special issue, we present our selection of artists selected for our ATIM’s Collectors Choice Award! We want to recognize their accomplishments and commitment to their careers. Discover all of them on the pages of this special issue! As I write this letter, we’re only a few days away from our ATIM’s Collectors Choice Award Ceremony, which we will host from our virtual studios on Friday, July 22 at 4 pm. The ceremony will be broadcast live on twelve channels. Exciting!!! If you missed our presentation, you still have a chance to watch the ceremony. Stay tuned to the ArtTour International TV Show because we will air the edited show on Thursday, August 4, so everyone who missed it can watch it. This issue is the third magazine published in the twelfth year of ArtTour International. Our award-winning publication has reached over two million readers in more than 204 countries. This year, we are dedicating our summer issue to spreading peace awareness, hoping that our broad exposure will promote arts and culture and spread the message of these artists to raise peace awareness worldwide. Don’t miss our digital issue, available on iTunes, Kindle, and Magzter, and now on PressReader. Click on the QR codes and enjoy our audio and video productions. We go beyond the artworks and share where the inspiration was born. So join us as we take you on a journey through the beautiful art world.
Viviana Puello CEO/Founder ArtTour International Publications Inc.
David Jones
Jean Jacques Porret
Ric Conn
Gayle Printz
Tom Ashbourne
Wendy Yeo
Neela Pushparaj M.D.
Amir Chodorov
Adina Ding Pg. 10
Laura Pretto Vargas Pg. 31
Alexandru Darida Pg. 10
Lis Angel Pg. 32
Amir Chodorov Pg. 11
Luana Stebule Pg. 33
Anatol Woolf Pg. 12
Mahfuzur Rahman Pg. 34
Betsy Stewart Pg. 13
Marcelle Mansour Pg. 35
Camilla Fransrud Pg. 14
Marlo Pg. 36
Chatarina Salomonsson Pg. 15
Mary Morgan Pg. 37
Christina Mitterhuber Pg. 16
Megan Vun Wong Pg. 38
Christine Busch Pg. 16
Monika Bendner Pg. 39
Christy Chor Pg. 17
Neela Pushparaj M.D. Pg. 40
Cleo Mitchel Pg. 18
Patricia Spoon Pg. 37
David Jones Pg. 19
Q. Wang Pg. 42
Elisabeth Daunelius Pg. 18
Regina Jokubaitis Pg. 44
Elke Schmölzer Pg. 20
Ric Conn Pg. 43
Eric Wiles Pg. 20
Robin Babitt Pg. 45
Frans Frengen Pg. 21
Sandra Erden Pg. 44
Gabriel Lavoie Pg. 08
Sandy Searcy Pg. 46
Gayle Printz Pg. 09
Shannon Barnes Pg. 47
Howard Harris Pg. 22
Shifra Levyathan Pg. 48
Irina Howard Pg. 23
Steffi Rodigas Pg. 49
Jacquelin Dunn Pg. 26
Tom Ashbourne Pg. 50
Jean Jacques Porret Pg. 24
Toti Cuesta Pg. 51
Jenni Souter Pg. 26
Tracey Chaykin Pg. 52
José Ángel Palao Pg. 27
Vaydra Wright Pg. 48
Josef Weidner Pg. 27
Veryal Zimmerman Pg. 54
Judith Beale Pg. 28
Vigdis Feldt Pg. 53
Kajal Mondal Pg. 28
Wendy Cohen Pg. 53
Kasia Muzyka Pg. 29
Wendy Yeo Pg. 56
Katherine DuTremble Pg. 30
Yvan Bedard Pg. 57
SUMMER
2022
Lis Angel
Monika Bendner
Marlo
Q. Wang
Sandy Searcy
Veryal Zimmerman
Robin Babitt
Marcelle Mansour
Howard Harris Steffi Rodigas
Anatol Woolf
Shannon Barnes
Irina Howard
Toti Cuesta
Mahfuzur Rahman
Gabriel Lavoie
Megan Vun Wong
Christy Chor
Luana Stebule
Chatarina Salomonsson
Laura Pretto Vargas
Tracey Chaykin
Kasia Muzyka
Yvan Bedard
Katherine DuTremble
Camilla Fransrud
GABRIELL LAVOIE gabriellavoie.ca
“Solidarity” Oil on Canvas, 24”x36”
G
abriell's artistic sense and his imaginary world, very rich and deep, perfectly portray his creative intelligence. His quest for light, his palette of infinite hues, as well as his attention to detail, characterize his unique style.
reinvent myself leads me to a diversity of artistic movements in which I aspire to feel free. Art is the Light of the Soul ... When I paint, I dive into the ocean of life trying to extract its primordial essence."
"My deep intention is to put art at the service of Souls by offering you colorful and luminous works that touch Hearts. Whether as a symbolist, surrealist, visionary, and/or portrait painter, my need to evolve, discover and
“Revelation” Oil on Canvas, 36”x36”
8 | SUMMER 2022
“Bubbles of Happiness” Oil on Canvas, 40”x30”
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GAYLE PRINTZ
www.gayleprintz.com
Color and Dimension The Art of Gayle Printz
G
ayle Printz is an American World Master Artist specializing in contemporary abstract paintings that epitomize the beauty of self-expression through art. Every painting in Printz’s modern art portfolio is an award winner, sharing at least one of the 650 international art awards Printz earned since she began painting in May of 2020. Her work is on permanent exhibit in France at Le Musée de Pienture de Saint-Frajou and can be found on the walls of prominent art collectors, investors, exhibitions, and publications all over the world. Vibrant colors, texture, movement, and form give life to masterful compositions that captivate the viewer's eye. Recognized for her ground-breaking three-dimensional works that deviate from anything we have yet to see in the art world, Gayle Printz uses her paintbrush as a tool to blend universal significance with a unique sense of beauty. Drawing the viewer into her paintings, Gayle Printz encourages them to interpret her works and assign personal meaning based upon their own sense of reality. By so doing, the artist succeeds in her mission to provide viewers the freedom to find emotional meaning in the intangible beauty of art using their imaginations.
“Shapely” Acrylic on Canvas, 40”x30”x1.5”
The meaning of her paintings will vary with each viewer, as the images within her works change depending upon one’s visual perspective. Three-dimensionality allows new imagery to appear as you change position to study her work. The art of Gayle Printz stands out for its uniquely recognizable aesthetic; however, the most remarkable aspect of Printz’s work is her liberal use of color to convey abstract concepts. Unlike formally trained artists, who tend to use a specific theme, subject matter, or combination of colors across all their paintings, Printz's paintings each differ in breadth, scale, and concept. Thus, while some of her paintings use cool colors to produce a calming effect on the viewer, others combine warm and cool colors to arouse the viewer's subconscious. The diverse content in her paintings makes for an art form that all lovers of abstract art can fall in love with. Another aspect of Printz's work that sets it apart is the deliberate, yet unrestrained, movement of the brushstrokes within her paintings. Though she often blends colors to create smooth transitions, Gayle Printz impressively crafts each brushstroke, so it is visible in the final composition. This approach results in highly expressive artworks, testifying to the artistic freedom with which Printz creates her paintings.
“Eyes” Acrylic on Canvas, 40”x30”x1.4”
A close examination of Printz's paintings reveals that the artist allows herself to paint freely, unrestrained by the rules that apply to traditional artistic genres. Nonetheless, some of her paintings reveal the influences of 19th Century masters, post-impressionism, modernism, and abstract expressionism.
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“Brush” Acrylic on Canvas, 18”x24”
SUMMER 2022 | 9
ADINA DING
People who admire the sky and the stars gravitate to Ding's paintings and their plentiful messages. The artist is fond of sun rays and similar components in nature. Her diverse landscapes cover all types of bases. She regularly depicts serene day-to-day existences right by the water. Viewers who feast their eyes on Ding's works can relish the charms of vessels, aquatic creatures, and birds galore. As mentioned earlier, the poems can give viewers a substantial degree of insight.
adinading008@gmail.com
The Many Marvels of Figurative Art By Isabel Prontes
A
dina Ding is a renowned v i s u a l artist who creates mesmerizing figurative art. She devotes a lot of time to poetic imagery. Whimsical elements of all sorts drive her abstract and figurative paintings. Her works are consistently attached to specific poems, making the work memorable and easy to grasp and understand. People who assess Ding's works often notice that they cover all kinds of topics that are highly relevant in this day and age. They span all kinds of categories in general as well. Ding has a penchant for painting nature in all of its splendor. Her paintings frequently illustrate the magnificence of scenic landscapes. They
“Faith” Mixed Media, 12”x16”
“Hero” Mixed Media, 12”x16”
highlight the resilience and grace of lively animals and frequently put the enigmas of female human beings on display. The artist frequently touches upon the feminine mystique. Staring at Ding's paintings can be an intoxicating journey for any viewer. The women who grace her works are often amid energizing behaviors that are practically otherworldly. Likewise, it can be thrilling for viewers to analyze Ding's artistic techniques. This painter utilizes dripping paint, nuances, texture, and other elements to establish numerous layers that can make things as evocative as possible.
ALEXANDRU DARIDA alexandrudarida.com
A
lexandru D a r i d a A w a r d winning Artist has been exhibiting his art in museums and art galleries across the United States and 45 countries. The master lives in Chicago, where he has an art gallery studio. In 2010 Alexandru Darida received the Award of Excellence in Art from the City of Chicago. The spiritual, artistic journey that he portraits in his stellar oeuvre is quite impressive and is a triumph of personal expression. His work includes oil paintings, drawings, and acrylic sculptures that speak to such diverse subjects as the promotion of stem cell research, renewable green energy sources, and man's place in relation to nature. “The Creation” Oil on Canvas 40”x30”
10 | SUMMER 2022
His art has a universal appeal, and his work has roots in Cosmic energy.
“Quantum Love” Oil on Canvas 40”x30”
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AMIR CHODOROV www.amirchodorov.com
“Corona Mall”
"C
omplexity and information overload characterize almost every visual environment, given that fact means that our perceptual system in our brain can't build us a wholeness view of all the objects together.
As a photographer, I tried for a long time to create a method that would enable me the ability to create such "wholeness Photography" that integrates – physical objects, emotions, and beauty. In 2017 after 40 years of experience, I succeeded in inventing a selfmethod that breaks our Visual Attention barrier as a photographer that enables me to create a whole view in locations that are Reflected in my Artwork. I discovered that the first photographer barrier is the camera viewfinder, which narrows our ability to view all the objects in the location while we are shooting.
“Duomo di Milano”
First Insight - Shooting must be done from my brain, not from the camera viewfinder. Second Insight - before shooting, I stay in the location for a while to give my brain time to study the physical objects – line shape and forms and color pigments. An emotionally filling atmosphere includes people, religion, culture, and energy. Third Insight - find the best "Point of view" covering all objects together. These three insights mentioned above draw a schema in my mind that creates the integration of the objects. Execution Phase - from the selected point of view, I'm shooting hundreds of photos from different angles. I'm not looking through the camera viewfinder but following my eyes to cover the whole brain schema.
“Church of the Holy Sepulchre”
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Final Process - organize the photos together like a puzzle, creating "Wholeness Photography" of the location."
SUMMER 2022 | 11
ANATOL WOOLF anatolwoolf.com
“Harlequin and Columbine” Oil on Canvas, 28”x22”
"A
s a painter, I aim to intrigue the viewer into following me into the world I have created. In my most recent series of paintings, I use the whimsical characters of the Italian Commedia Dell'Arte to inject a humorous flair into my work and create a theatrical atmosphere.
While I work in a variety of materials and techniques, my methodology is consistent and always supported by the technical rigor of my classical training. At the same time, I often make generous use of texture and other stylistic twists on classical techniques, as well as unexpected bursts of subject matter, to express my own distinctive style."
“Nude Dancer” Colored Pencils on Paper, 10.5”x15.5”
12 | SUMMER 2022
“Palio di Siena” Oil on Canvas, 30”x30”
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“Water Stills Nos. 27-28” Acrylic and Sumi Ink on Canvas, 40"x6"x3" (each.)
BETSY STEWART www.betsystewart.com
“I
create paintings of microscopic and macroscopic nature hidden from the naked eye: the layered interconnectivity that could represent the origins of life in a drop of water or systems in the vast cosmos. I quote the naturalist John Muir: 'When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world”.
“Bioverse No.4”, 48"x48"x3"
“Natales Nos. 5-6” Acrylic and Sumi ink on Canvas, 10"x80"x3" (each.)
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SUMMER 2022 | 13
CAMILLA FRANSRUD www.artbycfransrud.com
C
a m i l l a Fransrud is a Norwegian artist. Born in Oslo in 1974, she moved to Trondheim, the heart of Norway, at the age of twenty and has lived there for twenty-seven years. She has three adult children, and family means a lot to her. Ever since childhood, she has had a profound and unique passion for photography, which she is self-taught. As a seven-year-old, she owned her first camera, and she could stand at the beach for hours to capture the perfect moment. As a result, she is strongly connected to the ocean, where she today also has her day job.
Through her love for photographic art, she discovered her passion for painting. She started painting in 2017 and paints on canvas with acrylic, mixing her colors. In addition, she uses chalk, a palette knife, various textures, and mixed media to create depth in her paintings. She is also self-taught in this artform and has had three separate exhibitions in Trondheim. She attempts to evoke in her art that you can feel the painting at your fingertips, sense it, not only look at it. To her, the process of painting is just as essential as breathing. "Let me give you one breath, one moment of poetic stillness," she says. Working intuitively with colors, she derives inspiration from the northern light. She wants to give you a space to dwell in, a place to enjoy and be. To her, it is essential to paint with the heart, and her expression is both abstract and figurative. She desires to touch your heart via her paintings so that you can feel and create your dreams through the feel in gs she attempts to convey in paintings. "You do not capture a picture; you create one. So let us create a beautiful world together".
14 | SUMMER 2022
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CHATARINA SALOMONSSON www.konst.se/chatarina-salomonsson
The Theatrical Imagery of Chatarina Salomonsson By Isabel Prontes
C
hatarina Salomonsson's art showcases sensual scenes and mesmerizing imagery. Based in Sweden, the artist isn't afraid to take risks when creating her work. She was reared by a mother who had emotional difficulties, something that caused her to move around aimlessly from one city to another. The young Salomonsson even resided in an orphanage for a while. This lack of uncertainty is reflected in her art and is very apparent to the viewer.
In other works, sensual female faces, almost of angelic appearance, capture her audience's eyes. Her work showcases a delicate balance of beauty, calmness, and sensuality.
Sensual scenes are a big part of Salomonsson's approach. Her paintings regularly revel in female power and magnificence overall. This artist highlights many aspects of the female physique. She highlights sensual interactions between couples, too. It isn't uncommon for Salomonsson to portray her subjects in various states of undress. People who look at Salomonsson's paintings observe that she has a zeal for existence that's impossible to suppress. The viewer can gaze at images of fleshy and luscious crimson lips and female silhouettes proudly standing by themselves amid vibrant and colorful landscapes.
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SUMMER 2022 | 15
CHRISTINA MITTERHUBER www.christinamitterhuber.at
The Memorable Works of Christina Mitterhuber By Isabel Prontes
C
hristina Mitterhuber is a renowned artist who creates vibrant mixed media and oil paintings.
Mitterhuber's artist preferences may be apparent to individuals who take the
time to assess her works. She looks up to legends such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and, last but not least, Michelangelo. Experiencing her artworks can be a thrilling and enriching journey for the viewer. She utilizes her paintings to communicate themes about her dayto-day existence. Her works highlight emotions she encounters daily and emphasizes her reasoning and priorities. In her canvas, vibrant yellows, lime greens, oranges, and turquoise dance as a big part of the scene. Her paintings showcase all of the colors of the rainbow in evocative ways making color an essential element of her artistic journey. The artist also puts a great deal of effort into concepts and subjects. She aims to make her art humorous to viewers. Her
“We In Red”
CHRISTINE BUSCH chris-busch.pixels.com
16 | SUMMER 2022
“Lighthouse” Oil on Canvas, 20’’x16’’
“Farblabyrinth I" Oil, Acrylic and Glitter on Canvas, 11.8”x11.8”
goal is to enable the public to escape the stresses of their life temporarily. Mitterhuber's oil paintings are consistently dynamic, spirited, poignant, and detailoriented.
“I
grew up in Pennsylvania in the Blue Mountains. I’m inspired by wildlife, history and the natural world. I’ve always been fascinated by images, light and color. I focus on oil painting and photography. I have experience with photo editing software and use my photos as reference for painted works, combining different elements to create something new.”
“Osprey” Fine Art Photography, 20”x16” www.arttourinternational.com
CHRISTY CHOR www.christychor.com
Poetry, Grace and Movement The Art of Christy Chor By Anne K. Anthony
C
hristy Chor is an individual lover of nature, a storyteller, and a ceramic artist. She is a believer in the poetic and charismatic beauty presented by our mother nature through eternal femininity and its resilience and inner beauty. Nature inspires Christy's pieces of art. Christy is an alumnus of Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada, where she got a BA honour in Craft and Design. In addition, Christy is an enthusiastic participant in the Canadian Art Community. Christy is a promoter of the need for equal treatment of women (Wong, J. 2020). Through her art pieces, she recognizes most women's uncertainty in identifying their potential if they would spread their wings of self-confidence and self-belief. Through her arts, she tells a story of the change that can come from confidence and courage absorbed by the feminine group. Christy's artworks mainly inspire the poems based on fighting for freedom. Christy Chor's various artworks depict human figures representing the female body. It is a straightforward way of promoting females in an unequal society (Del, 2022). Visual art is capturing, and the ceramic pieces are usually expressive, decorative, and domestic hence essential in promoting the unrepresented females in society. Christy is an artist who fully recognizes that the intention and narrative of art are fundamental aspects of creating artwork.
“The Extinction” Ceramics
“Turbulence” Ceramics
“Moments” Ceramics, 15Lx12Wx15H
Christy presents her experiences and sentiments over time through her ceramic pieces of art. She intends to evoke visceral, precious emotions in the viewer and break racial, language, gender, and social differences that are barriers to human interactions. Finally, Christy Chor expressed feminine inferiority through her artwork; hence, some equality discussions have developed. Through the orchestra of wildlife, landscape, and other natural inspirations, Christy enhanced artwork of appreciating and cherishing nature. According to the artist, she loves capturing and observing the poetry and grace of movements.
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SUMMER 2022 | 17
ELISABETH DAUNELIUS www.dauneliusart.com
Emotion and Vulnerability The Art of Elisabeth Daunelius emotion. Art and life are correlated for the artist, and this concept is very apparent in her artwork. With watercolor, acrylic, and oil on canvas, Daunelius explores different subject matters that include her natural surroundings, human emotions, landscapes, and the environmental changes of the seasons.
By Isabel Prontes
Abstract Paintings That Truly Make an Impact
E
lisabeth Daunelius creates abstract paintings with vibrant color and movement charged with energy and
CLEO MITCHEL cleobob44@yahoo.com
Heart & Soul The Art of Cleo Mitchel
"Keep Swimming Upstream". By Emma Gutierrez
C
leo Mitchel is a self-taught award-winning abstract artist whose work is making a mark in today's art world, a talented artist who has a unique germ of pouring out her heart and soul into any works of art
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Her oil paintings are brimming with color and details and showcase compositions that evoke emotion and draw the viewer's attention, occasionally featuring landscapes that feel somewhat lonely yet invigorating. Her artworks dazzle spectators with colors that are the opposite of subtle and neutral, creating simultaneous contrast and energy shifts in her compositions. In addition, she also uses form and shape as one the main elements in her works and surprises her audience with mesmerizing geometric
she creates. In her paintings, Mitchel uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural makes to produce its effect rather than attempting to accurately describe a visual reality. Mitchel's works are creative and phenomenal, exploring concepts of humanity and nature in innovative and compelling artistic ways. In her works, mother nature takes center stage. Mitchel cleverly captures clouds, rainbows, plants, and other natural elements in a distinctive method of playing and mixing colors. As per the artist, "Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness," Mitchel uses colors to capture joyful and peaceful moments and express a rich ambiance and happiness.
shapes that bring to mind all kinds of art movements from the distant past. This art power player is no stranger to the concept of self-portraits that are free of any secrets and straightforwardly highlight her emotions, presenting us with works that are both vulnerable and sensitive.
Most recently, Mitchel's trailblazing efforts in the global art scene were acknowledged when she was among the 60 artists this year to receive the ATIM's Top 60 Masters Awards by ArtTour International Magazine. As per the artist, her profound desire is to motivate and inspire her audience to practice freedom, follow their dreams, and follow a path that makes them happy. Cleo Mitchel is one of the upcoming artists to watch in the art industry. She is a force to reckon.
During her creative process, there's no planning or calculation; Mitchel's approach is to let creativity instinctively lead the way. As a result, spontaneous imagery evolves as the artist naturally creates her works.
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DAVID JONES davidronaldjones.com
David’s love for art and creating unique paintings finally came full circle in 2007 when he met International awardwinning artist Sharon Morley, APS. Sharon saw something in the extensive collection of Indian ink paintings that he had created over the years and encouraged him to put color to them. Now, as a full-time artist, he creates works of art that bring light to the imagination, the mind, and the eyes. Two large examples of David’s artworks, “Pressure” and “Ten Years Before,” were displayed at the “Art en Capital” show held at the Grand Palais, Paris, 25 – 30 November 2014, in the Artistes Independants section of the show. “Ten Years Before” was awarded the “Toile D’Or De l’Annee 2015” by the Federation Nationale De La Culture Francaise.
“La Sirene d’Eze Village” Oil on Canvas 20”x16”
“Stairway To Heaven, Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
D
avid’s drawing style developed as a young boy. He was born in St. Asaph, North Wales. He went to school in the area until moving to England to earn undergraduate honors degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from the University of Birmingham. Subsequently, he moved to Paris, France, and lived there for six years, during which time he was honored to have his first show of Indian ink and brush paintings on Canson paper. This Paris exhibition depicting “The Body as Architecture” was sponsored and curated by Dr. Caroline Boyle-Turner, the art historian and Gauguin scholar. David continued to paint, earned graduate degrees in engineering from Northeastern University, and worked as an engineer for over 30 years while raising a family in New England.
“Right Bank of the Seine” Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”
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SUMMER 2022 | 19
ERIC WILES www.ew-photo.com
C
aliforniab a s e d artist Eric Wiles fine art and landscape photography reveal dynamic images of natural beauty. His goal is to bring awareness to the variety of wondrous places globally, hoping that it will “Along Pacific Coast Highway”
be inspired to contribute to global conservation and protection efforts. In presenting the magnificence and beauty of our planet, we can recognize that every day is earth day. Eric’s work has been propelled to international awards exhibiting at various galleries and art fares, including the Musée du Louvre and Red Dot Miami, and also ATIM ARTYA Award winner.
“Pacific Coast Highway”
ELKE SCHMÖLZER www.elkeschmoelzer.com
“M
y art is like life, an experimental journey, a creative process, ever changing expressive emotional and full of colors and humour, sometimes it feels like meditation, sometimes like explosion, everyday life people who cross my way love and nature inspire me and flow into my work, I catch glimpses and present my personal sight of the universe.”
“Stonefaces Out of The Blue 2” Acrylic on Canvas, 39.3’’x39.3’’
“Stonefaces Out of the Blue 1” Acrylic on Canvas, 39.3’’x39.3’’
“Out of the Blue” two examples of the series “Stonefaces” will be presented at Dallas Art Expo 2022 in September 2022 – more “Stonefaces” were shown earlier this year within solo shows in New York City (USA) at Saphira & Ventura Gallery and at the gallery Steiner in Vienna (AT) and at international art fairs as LA Artshow, Red Dot Miami, Art Expo NYC, Shanghai Art Fair and more.
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FRANS FRENGEN www.allart-frengen.be
“To Eternity” Fumagine/Acrylic/Movable Dots/Movable Square, 27.55”x27.55”
basis for much of his work. 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.
“Rebuilt Space, In Broken Red And Blue” Fumagine/Acrylic/Movable Dots/ Movable Square, 27.55”x27.55”
Creating Beauty from Ashes By Tiarra Tompkins
E
It may still be decades before our world comes together in peace to face the obstacles facing our species and our planet. When we are striving for unity, artists like Frans Frengen are opening doors to critical conversations. Inspiring people from all over the globe to ask more questions about challenging topics. Questions like, what can we do to make a difference? To bring awareness to global problems, share support for environmental conservation, and share a vision of the beauty that truly comes from ashes.
ach of us will face tragedy in our lives. The pain, recovery, and rebirth that comes from adversity are as unique as our fingerprints. To describe the gamut of experiences and feelings that each one contains can be overwhelming, and yet, there is also tremendous beauty that comes from these experiences. Each opportunity and lesson a chance to take what they taught us and use it to serve others. From racial division to global warming, we are bombarded daily with loss, devastation, and division. How can humanity rise like the phoenix from these proverbial ashes? Through artistic creation, Master Fumagine artist, Frans Frengen, paints with flame. They are bringing the right ashes into the beauty of his work. Creating art with ashes and soot, Frengen paints with a flame, creating paintings and sculptures of soot and installing smoke, allowing us to see that beauty, hope, and restoration comes from the ashes. For a world suffering from rampant wildfires, systemic racism, and gender inequality, Frengen brings vision and hope with his work. Inspired by this technique of using real fire, ashes, and soot, real conversations around environmental conservation have been ignited, bringing into view so much that our world is suffering a loss. Original from Belgium, Frans Frengen is one of the most genuine contemporary artists to emerge on the scene, developing a work process that is as intriguing as his artwork. Feng studied painting and drawing under prominent artists for some years before acquiring the signature "Imagine" technique that forms the
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“Rebuilt Space, Black And White With Blobs Of Paint” Fumagine/Acrylic/Movable Dots/ Movable Square, 27.55”x27.55”
SUMMER 2022 | 21
Harris uses a combination of aesthetics and technology across his work to provide a perceptual experience that is highly dynamic for viewers. As a result, the artworks are significantly distinct from typical fine art photography when considering the different layers associated with the same. The three main elements Harris uses to create such an excellent experience for the viewers include media, color, and the nature of abstraction, all blended synchronously to form a multidimensional art form that creates perceptual variation as the targeted outcome.
“USA” Sublimation on Aluminum
HOWARD HARRIS www.hharrisphoto.com
Harris is highly influenced by his knowledge of quantum mechanics, which explores the complexities of reality through different dimensions. To reflect this, Harris employs layers to achieve depth in his images, creating an optically illusory experience. As a result, the imagery simultaneously affects our external perception and internal feelings—a common feature in his dimensional photography. Every artwork by Harris is a juxtaposition of carefully crafted elements of light, space, and movement and a product of visual mechanics. The goal behind each work is to emphasize the variations in perception that exist for every single thing in the world.
“Raspberry” Sublimation on Aluminum
Techpressionism, The Art of Howard Harris By Gunesh K. Anthony
H
oward Harris is globally recognized for his masterful works, which showcase a blend of fine art photography and digital art paired with state-of-the-art technology. Harris has chosen a medium that is undoubtedly a contemporary genre of art and requires a high set of skills and vision, which Harris demonstrates at an extraordinary level. Harris's style in his Dimensional photographic art showcases expressionistic imagery; he has developed a technique of his own: Techpressionism. Playing with angles, lighting, and positioning to create different dimensions to the same subject makes the art visually provoking and stimulating.
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“Dancing” Sublimation on Aluminum
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IRINA HOWARD irinahoward.com
“M
aking art to me is a profound process of personal discovery and development. My work manifests beauty and seeks the inner creative significance to reach those who appreciate classical ideals while still being inspired by contemporary ways of speaking about human values.
I am fascinated by forms and textures existing in nature and am compelled to express their meaning, unique purpose, and beauty in connection to human experiences. With its dynamic expression and energy, visual language interpretation brings intellectual stimulation and develops an emotional response. The creative use of symbols illustrates visual metaphors and offers an insight into an idea or a concept. My processes combine thoughtful, conscious decision-making and spontaneous, intuitive solutions to create compositions. Recognizing the psychological influence of elements and generating visual narrative, revealing the invisible within the visible helps me develop aesthetically pleasing, meaningful artworks. Each of them is a deliberate effort to communicate viewpoints originating from moments of self-discovery. I chose abstract as the most expressive style. I use lines to create feelings; shapes and forms to reflect on emotions, thoughts, and perception; texture to reveal experiences; color tones to add contrast and reinforce a message through design and composition. The psychology of art elements imparts more meaningful design, which influences viewers' emotional responses. My favorites are circles and curved lines. I found them simple but, at the same time, “Hope” Oil on Canvas, 40”x30”
“Addiction” Oil on Canvas, 40”x30”
very compelling. The circle is a line that never stops, represents "completeness," and gives a sense of protection, friendship, femineity, community, and perfection. It naturally communicates positive emotions and builds a strong visual identity. In my work, a circle often symbolizes hope. My body of work expresses personal experiences, thoughts, spirituality, feelings, and philosophy in life. I believe in an awakened mind and a soul's purpose. Therefore, I always strive to inspire hope and encourage positivity.
“Patterns of Life” Oil on Canvas, 24”x24”
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SUMMER 2022 | 23
JEAN JACQUES PORRET www.jjporret.com
O
riginally from Switzerland, award-winning artist, sculptor, and engineer Jean-Jacques Porret was exposed to art from the day he was born to a family of art and antique collectors.
Surrounded by beautiful antiquities, statues, and artwork every day, the seed of art was planted early, and he began carving wood when he was just six years old. He specialized in creating magnificent works with the lost wax technique of casting Bronze. Bronze primarily interested him "because it is the most demanding material which is responsive and sweet to the touch." After acquiring his engineering degree, Porret came to New York, anxious to learn English and build a life on his terms. There, his career was set into motion, which soon after led him to Chicago. Porret's thirst for knowledge took him to museums all over the world, absorbing all he could and sharing philosophies with the most prominent artist of the time. As an artist, Porret is continuously evolving, and his work and style have changed over the years. From sharper to a softer expression of molten metal. Porret muses, "If my approach seems figurative, I do not aim for a reproduction of the human form: what interests me is to transmit an abstract feeling or an idea rather than an image of reality. I use recognizable forms to arouse emotion, to give birth to sensations. I consider myself, in fact, an impressionist." This vision drives his work, and each sculpture imbues depth and intensity. Though he initially started his career by working in Bronze, Porret began experimenting with various stones. Dissatisfied, with his sculpture's bases, bought a granite and marble company, to have complete control in his work's creation. Yet this choice also evolved his work, and these various stone elements have become an integral part of his creative process and vision.
My style or inspiration has been more refined and has become firmer due to nature. Maybe more ME 24 | SUMMER 2022
# 450 “Illusion Intime”, Back
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Many of his signature pieces with their soft angular movements are harmoniously mixed with sharply defined textures captivating thoughtful designs with an immortal richness, boldness, and unsettling beauty. Porret's work is infused with his personality, unsuppressed by traditional rules; his work is original and buried within each piece is the poetry of his work. Creating figures of humanity in the abstract, each form courageously melting into the next. Emotions created from fragments of granite or marble jutting and piercing through the bronzes bring the concepts of nature and man together, creating a stunningly modernistic and seductive interpretation of the human form. When viewing one of his sculptures, the human form seems to leap out at the viewer. Jean-Jacques describes this movement as "rhythm in space." Porret said of his artistic method and vision, "I work without any preconceived idea… (I) continue instinctively, with one shape leading to the next, until the figure is simply rhythm in space". Jean-Jacques Porret's bronzes can be seen in innumerable collections throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States. He was commissioned to create the bronze sculpture for the AmericanSwiss Friendship Award. The "Abage Encyclopedia of Bronzes" describes Porret as "an independent thinker, whose bronze sculpture might be described as a naturalistic, modern blend, in which forms are simplified to their essential rhythms and elements."
# 450 “Illusion Intime”
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SUMMER 2022 | 25
life as figurative, ordinary, beautiful, and unrestrained. In the process of enhancing the appearance of her artwork, she takes into account the internal experiences of the viewers. The primary objective of that is to have the likelihood of perfecting the internal analysis of her artwork primarily by basing it on their inquiries. Furthermore, she regards her work as one of the avenues for educating society and ensuring that they have a lasting impact on the audience. Jenni Souter painting are intended to let the viewers have artistic experiences as they symbolize a pained imaginative narration of human relations concealed under the pretext of life. Her artworks offer comfort and hope to the audience, especially those suffering and struggling in silence.
JENNI SOUTER jennisouterartist.com
Painting Humanity By Jordana Kahn
J
enni Souter draws her inspiration from her personal life experience. Her work reflects her empathic connection to contemporary society and her appreciation for life and human beings. Souter is a spiritual individual and strongly believes everything transpires for multiple reasons. Her artwork is directed towards identifying her as an artist who sees organic
JACQUELINE DUNN jacquelineandunn@gmail.com
“I
grew up with art in the seventies. Spirograph, paint by numbers, everything going. I felt art completed me as a person; it amuses me and keeps me busy. In my schooling days, my teacher thought I was very talented, but I didn’t believe it. I have always suffered from depression and went in the wrong direction. Finally, seven years ago, I started to do art again by entering competitions and fortunately did very well with a public commendation outside London. Suffering from severe insomnia, I used to paint a lot to occupy myself during the wee hours. One morning I realized I wasn’t drawing any particular images or patterns on my work and then just came to recognize everything once my piece
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was done. I drew different pictures on all four sides of the canvas; most of them are optical illusions showing one image and then loads more on that picture where the one image was shown. I am leaving it up to God. There’s no other explanation.”
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JOSEF WEIDNER
For me, artistic inspiration, expression, and free creation are very important in the first place. Often several materials also flow into a total work of art. The complete composition is always at the center of attention.
www.josef-weidner.com
“The Battle, Death and Life”, 34.2”x57.8”
“I
was born on 30. September 1958 in the small town of Neustadt/Waldnaab in Germany. I graduated in architecture with a focus on urban planning in1987. Today I live with my wife and three children in the Rhine-Main region, very close to the city of Frankfurt.
Already in my childhood, I began to paint and draw busily. Further training after my studies at the Frankfurt Art School with Irene Schuh or the painting and drawing courses at the Frankfurt Städelschule were formative for me and my art. Since 2006 my art has been presented to the public, and since 2012 I have already received numerous awards and prizes for my outstanding artwork. My artworks arise intuitively from my imagination. My abstract works are in oil or in acrylics. The motifs are mainly environmental and natural impressions, which then later develop intuitively as fantasy creations. The artwork itself develops out of a painting process - first, the mental framework, the construction, and the division of the sheets are roughly determined. “Alles Ist Vergänglich”, 34.2”x57.8”
JOSÉ ÁNGEL PALAO www.joseangelpalao.es
“W
of humanity. Understanding this reality has been decisive in my life, and how it has transformed my way of seeing the mission of art in our modern society, I wanted to share it with you."
hat is your artistic goal?” someone asked award-winning artist José Ángel Palao. And he responded, “My goal in art is to be true to myself and follow my soul’s call.”
José Ángel Palao - Oneself 6. Self-Portrait Series
This profound concept contains in itself a whole attitude to life. Therefore, José Ángel Palao says, "Let us seek between the heartbeats that which we usually call inspiration. Because only in the silent, serene, and harmonious depth of our hearts we'll connect directly with the luminous origin of our infinite creativity: here is where we'll find everything we need to become artists. Achieving this purpose means having found the meeting point that unifies us as creators for the benefit “Dream 3” Digital Photography, 11,7”x16,5”
“Dream 9” Digital photography, 11,7”x16,5”
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SUMMER 2022 | 27
JUDITH BEALE www.jdbeale.com
“A
ccessing an open level of quiet consciousness through the process of creating a painting is and always has been the ultimate end goal for me, regardless of the materials or techniques involved. The intent is most often directed toward producing a solid image with formal balance, harmony, and a sense of mystery surviving the creative process.”
“Beginnings Endings” Acrylic, 18”x24”
“Two Paths” Watercolor, 29”x21”
KAJAL MONDAL kajalmondalartist.com
“M
y paintings reveal my daily life journey experience and emotions. Those I paint and show on my canvas. I keep a composition, concept, and message to share with my viewers. I paint on my canvas two different elements that apparently have no relation but are deeply related, and I share this with viewers or art lovers. I erect a composition that visually makes an impact on my canvas. My art is inspired by the message I receive from nature, society, and aesthetics or art. My subjects are elements that I find in my daily routine, animals and human organs. As part of my creative technique, I apply perspective, which creates depth on my canvas. I shortly narrate a massage which means a vast language to the visitors.”
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KASIA MUZYKA www.kasiamuzyka.com
“A
rt, for me, is about abstracting yourself on the canvas. Through this abstraction, the artist and the viewer can connect with the parts of themselves that they did not know existed. Thus, the artist and the viewer are both allowed to get to know themselves outside of their set beliefs. Through my art, I can connect to the deepest part of who I am. This connection goes beyond what we think we know about ourselves. My art is an invitation to the world of fantasy and imagination and the illusion of how we think the world is. In reality, our perception creates our experience. I believe that we live with filters through which we perceive our reality. When you look at my art, you will perceive a certain interpretation of your reality. This perception answers the call to that which exists in the core of your being and is in connection with everything else. I pour holy water to begin each painting, starting with a circle, which takes on a symbolic representation of wholeness. Then, believing that water holds memory, the circle of water becomes the starting point for each piece, creating a space where my paintings can come to life.
“Beating Heart of Ukraine” Acrylic on Canvas, Mixed Media, 40”x30”
“Blood Magic” Acrylic on Canvas, Mixed Media, 24”x30”
“Divine Masculine” Acrylic on Canvas, Mixed Media, 36”x24”
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I am fascinated by the energetic statement of the moment, especially in those rare experiences of grace that I translate and develop on the canvas. I believe that energy never lies. I can sense the energy coming to me via the intuitive impression of the world. By channeling and imprinting this energy on a canvas, I experience the truth of the moment, which allows me to make the energy tangible for the viewer. This “felt reality” is evident in my artwork and how I create.”
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KATHERINE DUTREMBLE www.katherinedutremble.com |
katherinedutrembleart
Something Wicked This Way Cometh...
K
atherine DuTremble paints the land and sea as bursts of energy. Though her forms and relationships between objects are always carefully observed and communicated, DuTremble lets her brush leave streaks of light down a tree trunk and dabs of pure color atop a fern’s fronds, invigorating the traditional landscape format with her personal touch.
Often daringly framed as long, tall slivers of the canvas, her scenes are so brilliantly deep that they could be a glimpse caught between two slats of a fence, a split-second vision that holds the promise of an entire another universe. DuTremble’s
Luminosity
taste in terrain roams free; she depicts moonlight on the open sea with as much care and intelligence as she does a wooded path in autumn. The one constant is the expertly described sense of distance in all of her work which encourages her viewers not only to understand the landscape but to enter it and experience it like a native. A native Louisianian, Katherine DuTremble currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina. She works in both monotype printing and oil painting, methods which she celebrates for their differences: one to be admired close up and one from a distance. She continually adapts her process to achieve her characteristic notes of drama and an eerie yet inviting familiarity. Commissions accepted. “Red Sun on the Bluffs” Oil on Canvas, 36”x48”x1 1/2”
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LAURA PRETTO VARGAS
www.lauraprettovargas.com
"I
'm an Italo-Brazilian artist based in Miami. My paintings are gestural and aesthetically similar to artworks from the Abstract Expressionist movement; as a lover of art history, my work gains inspiration from it in various styles. My canvases are filled with highly textural brush marks and color. My artistic language seeks to express feelings of vulnerability, happiness, energy, sexuality, and so on. My art express shared human emotions and is made to connect with my own and others' emotional life experiences, providing a space for connection and reflection."
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SUMMER 2022 | 31
LIS ENGEL lisengel.dk
T
he contemporary and visionary artist Lis Engel has been working with art since she was 12 years old when she had her first exhibition of oil paintings on The island Bornholm, where she was born. She now works as an international artist exhibiting in censured and free art events worldwide.
"My art is an investigation of relation and experience through painting and drawing. I am interested in deep states of experience as ways of intensifying the lived Now, lived memory, and lived vision. My focus is on honoring life. My inspiration comes from walking and meditating on nature, music, poetry, literature, and sacred texts. I have learned from studying medieval, modern and contemporary art and understand life and art as doors to profound experiences of life and meaning. My art moves freely between the symbolic, playful, poetic, fantastic, expressive, and purely abstract. I work primarily with abstract and fantastic art. These two aspects of art are, for me, an open way of investigating realities of the figurative, the symbolic, the poetic, and the abstract, searching for ways to communicate experiences of aliveness, beauty, and the sublime. I have been painting and drawing all my life. Besides, I have a scientific education from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D.
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and worked as an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen in bodymind arts until 2011. Besides, I have studied art
in New York, Seattle, Paris, London, Rome, Firenze, and, of course, Denmark."
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LUANA STEBULE www.luanastebulefineart.co.uk
“S
ince 2013 I have been living and creating in the United Kingdom. I was born in Lithuania, finished A.Martinaitis Art School and Academy of Art. My art includes stage’s projects for theatrical performances, mural paintings, together with 22 solo and 45 groups exhibitions in Europe; Lithuania, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, also I have exhibited in England, Canada and United States. Inspirations come from the outside the world; travels, books, music, nature and from inside me; eternity, God, immortality. I am trying to paint not only with a hand and a head, but, also, with a heart.
“The little Prince” 2022 Oil on canvas 24”x18.1”
I only in 2018 created my English website and became visible around the world. Since I received numerous recognitions. In 2019 by the Art Market Magazine I was selected to be on the Gold List as one of The Top Artists of Today. In 2020 I was awarded the 3rd Leonardo Da Vinci Prize and the New York city Prize. My artworks selected into Art Anthologies “Important World Artists 2020” and “International Contemporary Masters 2021” the publisher is “Artavita,” US. In 2021 I was awarded Dante Alighieri International Prize and this year I was awarded ATIM’s Top 60 Masters Award”. “We Run the World” 2022 Oil on Canvas 24”x18.1”
“Happy Holiday” 2022 Oil on Canvas 24”x18.1”
Creativity is more that just being different, everybody is able to reproduce weird paintings. What is hard to be simply, awesomely simple. I am observing nature and retranslating by signs. To arrive signs you have to concentrate hard on the resemblance. I never worry too much people like or dislike my paintings. When painter follows what people like and what would sell well this type of artist became a dull craftsman. If I have a burning idea inside me, I realise it. In my creative process I use different media. The majority of my current artworks are oil on canvas, in winter time I use mixed technique; oil pastels, watercolors, acrylic on paper. My favourite technique is collages, by additional materials and oil colors I created jazz as a visual performance.
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SUMMER 2022 | 33
MAHFUZUR RAHMAN
www.mahfuzcanvas.com
"The Colors of Nature" By Maline Walters
T
he first element of Mahfuzur Rahman's art is the bright colors he uses to bring out the image he has in mind. The colors sometimes contrast sharply, creating simultaneous contrast, as in the painting "Red Grains." The bright yellow and red contrast with the deep blue in the background. On the other hand, the artist sometimes paints using monochromatic colors, or colors that marry quickly with each other. Examples of this technique include "Eve and Flow." A feature that stands out in Mahfuzur Rahman's portfolio is how trees make appearances in many of his works, showcasing his love for nature and our environment. In some paintings, such as "Flint Of The Sun," trees are the image's only object. In Red Grains, the trees are full of life and found in a field where other plants grow well. In contrast, some of his works showcase trees that have dried up, have no leaves, and are also located on bare land with no vegetation leaving an exposed field.
“Eve & Flow” Acrylic on Canvas, 39.3”x27.5”
“Flint of the Sun” Acrylic on Canvas, 47.2”x59”
“Red Grains” Oil on Canvas, 35.4”x35.4”
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The repeated use of trees, portrayed in different stages of the life cycles and at different times of day or night, is hard to miss. A subject Mahfuzur Rahman uses to inspire us to reflect on our relationship with our planet. By utilizing the colors and movement on the trees, his work invokes different emotions and shares his inspiration from nature with the viewer.
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MARCELLE MANSOUR marcellemansour.com.au
Reshaping The World's Reality Through Art
M
arcelle Mansour is an award-winning Australian multidisciplinary visual Artist, bilingual writer, journalist contributor and Peace Ambassador. Originally of Palestinian Heritage, based in Sydney. She earned two Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) and Studio Arts (MSA) from the University of Sydney and previously a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature from Egypt. Her work spans from representational art to abstract, digital and light art in a variety of mediums and techniques. She has exhibited nationally and internationally in Biennales and major international exhibitions in Sydney, New York, Paris (Louvre), Venice, London, Florence and Amsterdam. Her exhibitions of Shifting Waves and Treasure Forever for prominent Australians gained her popularity in portraiture, and some were published in her book of Shifting Waves. Marcelle Mansour received numerous international art prizes including an Honorary Presidential Award, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Honorable Mentions for Artistic Excellence, Voices of Tomorrow Art Award, ArtTour International Top 60 Masters Award, ATIM’s Collector’s Choice Award and International Art Prize Paris 2022. In her artistry, Marcelle explores the world of wisdom. She reflects on issues affecting our global community and aims for hope by highlighting the beauty of humanity.
“The Author, Professor Stuart Rees AM” Pastel on Canson Board, 22.8”x14.9”
Marcelle Mansour’s work is radiant with vivid colors and significant subjects. Her portraits of prominent Australians from life capture their physical appearance, characters, and inner psyche. Her light work is painted with light itself as a material to impinge the medium of human perception and consciousness that becomes human reflexive, making the body as a medium of universal transformation. Her digital art reflects her soul as a mirror channeling the pulse of society as a universal essence relating to the whole of humankind. It depicts her heritage and connections to the globe reflecting on universal challenges facing our current world aspiring for reshaping the world’s reality.
“Elevation”, Light Art, Painting and Photography, 15.7”x10.6”
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“Energetic Resilience in Transition” Digital Painting, 19.6”x27.5”
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MARLO reves-realites.com
“A
t the age of 12, in school in Lugano, Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, I discovered art as an intimate pleasure and emotional outlet. After that, I chose art to accompany me at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA, with an emphasis on personal creativity that suits my intuitive Alla prima painting, letting inspiration surge from deep within me and seizing the spark of the emotion at the origin of an artwork. While living for four years in Rome, among other places in the world (Tunisia, Vienna, Greece, and Geneva, where I settled), I self-studied the Italian Renaissance masters. I absorbed their mastery of color and composition to transmit meaningfulness to an artwork. In addition, I also studied Giorgio Vasary's first methodology of art studies, which is still a backbone in art schools today. As a prized poet and performer, these are the poles of my art, with poetry as its weft. Amidst all the tragedies that I am experiencing, with the recent loss of my son and my daughter suffering from mental illness, art deepened and increased my understanding of life. It has brought me back to a meaningful life and made me develop my version of contemporary art and sometimes abstracts that go beyond the limits of reality into Infinity, as defined by Angelo Crespi. As an artist, I am guided by the following quotations, which demonstrate art's duty to bear witness to life throughout time, thanks to the freedom granted by its current contemporary form.” “If the soul does not guide the hand, it is not art.” -Leonardo da Vinci
“Imagine the Future” Acrylic on Canvas, 31.4”x23.6”
“It is the mind that guides the hand—mental maturation of an emotion." -Michelangelo "Let the material do as it pleases... it will surprise you." -Soulages "The essence, always the essence..." -Arthur Miller
“Ukraine Thinking of You” 15.7”x15.7”
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“The Secret City” Acrylic on Canvas, 31.4”x23.6”
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MARY MORGAN maryemorgan.com
“M
y artwork is about my life’s journey and the joy of living through abstract form and color. The creative process that produces a product is the voice that reflects my soul. My work includes influences from nature, family, spiritual truths, literature, and everyday living. The color and form of my abstract art are enmeshed with internal and external world influences and a blending of subconscious and conscious thoughts. The materials that I work with are acrylic, oil, watercolor, collage, or a combination of these on canvas, wood, or paper. My Intuitive mark is often spontaneous.
“Waves of Mercy And Grace 2” Acrylic, Collage Paper on Cradled Board, 24”x18”x5”
PATRICIA SPOON spoonpatricia2@gmail.com
The Psychology of Art The Works of Patricia Spoon By Anne K. Anthony
F
or Patricia spoon, her art is a profound process of expressing her creative thoughts. Her work manifests beauty and seeks the inner creative importance to reach those who appreciate classical ideals while still being inspired by contemporary ways of speaking about human values. She draws inspiration from textures and forms that exist in nature and is compelled to express their unique purpose, meaning, and beauty in connection to her life experience. With dynamic energy and expression, Patricia Spoon’s visual language
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It’s my desire that the viewer has an emotional connection and will interpret according to their own voice and vision.” “Waves of Mercy and Grace 3” Acrylic and Collage on Cradled Board, 24”x18”x5”
interpretation develops an emotional response and brings intellectual stimulation. Moreover, the creative use of symbols exemplifies visual metaphors and offers an insight into a concept or an idea. Her procedures combine thoughtful, conscious decision-making and spontaneous, initiative remedies to create compositions. The recognition of the psychological influence of components and generation of the visual narrative reveals the invisible within the visible, and its emotional connection to experiences of humans helps her develop aesthetically meaningful and pleasing artwork. Each is a deliberate effort to communicate viewpoints originating from moments of self-expression. Patricia chose self-individualism as her expressive style, which developed from the favoritism of colors and selfexpression. She uses shapes and forms to reflect emotions, perception, and thoughts; lines to recreate feelings; texture to reveal experience and color tones to reinforce messages and add contrast through composition and design. The psychology of art components imparts more meaningful
“Colors 6” Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”
design, influencing viewers’ emotional responses. This creative style is unique though the techniques involved are complex and consume a lot of time to develop the final product. Patricia’s favorite mediums are oil and acrylic because they provide expressive flexibility and the ability to generate and achieve extraordinary results. She also uses materials like mesh wire, modeling compounds, clay, and sculpted metal wires to explore different textures.
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MEGAN VUN WONG meganvunwong.com
“H
ope is the hallmark of the human race that keeps us going. That lifts each of our languished bodies to stay afloat. That buoys the mind, body, and soul. Hope gives us the wherewithal to seek a path once again to cultivate what makes us happy. Hope leads to goals that generate growth and improvement, empowering us to envision a future.
My work is inspired by the HOPE that I see and feel as the pandemic recoils, pushed back and away. Although it has not been eradicated, we are hopeful that our lives are returning to what it was. Pre-Pandemic. Global society possesses the propensity to pursue life as it was. No longer are we helpless hostages to its virulence. No longer are we forced into endless lockdowns that last forever. No longer are we forced apart from family and friends. We now have vaccines that combat the covid virus. We now have the tools to use to keep this virus at bay so our freedoms will not be usurped and stolen from us ever again.
“Dusk Surrenders to Dawn” 2022. Mixed Media on Canvas, 24”x36”
The permeating darkness has hope, has light. The light pieces the darkness, offering renewed opportunities and revived optimism. This revitalization creates re-energized strength to forge ahead. To restore the human spirit to soar! That each of us aspires to attain. The pervasive darkness is no longer. The hope, the light assuages as we once again have the will to live. Hope is the eternal elixir that exemplifies the essence that each of us embodies. Hope is akin to the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Hope conjures the resilience of humanity in the face of adversity. Even in the darkest of darkness, a ray of hope is akin to a ray of life.”
“Desires and Dreams” 2022. Mixed Media On Canvas, 30”x40”
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“Dance of Life” 2021. Enamel on Canvas, 24”x18”
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MONIKA BENDNER www.monikabendner.com
Comedy, Brightness,and Liveliness The Art of Monika Bendner By Anne K. Anthony
M
onika Bendner, an award-winning professional artist from Germany, exposes us to a brand-new series of works that blend unexpected characteristics to add discussion and aesthetic appeal with powerful colors and shapes to create an unstructured portrait. In her works with brilliant colors and dynamic forms, she employs a range of mediums, including photography, painting, and watercolor. Her creative technique deviates from convention and conveys the emotional elements of her subjects with the use of shape and color to emphasize her ideas. Monika Bendner has a background in photographic design, but her work has developed as she has advanced through various stages of her artistic growth. Her use of powerful, rich, textured color emanates meaning via its saturation, and her use of abstract lines and shapes creates movement through their dimensionality. Bendner's work is diverse and unconventional due to her use of multiple materials, methods, and processes. Yet, because of it’s intensity and complexity, it is readily recognizable. Her artwork is created using numerous combinations of acrylic, glass, photography, metallic photo printing, and numerous materials.
“Lady's Metamorphosen”
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“Lady's Metamorphosen”
Her inspiration determines Monika Bendner's artistic styles and creative process. Her art captivates the viewers and creates a fascinating interaction between the viewer and the image. Comedy, brightness, and liveliness are replicated across her paintings as she organizes shapes and lines with expert orientation. In addition, she developed her unique style. She creates intricate, surrealistic experiences by combining photographic prints, illustrations, and watercolor in a blended approach with a computer overlay. Her compositions tell a tale that generates a wide range of sentiments and emotions. Her most recent works catch our attention and keep her audience interested with provocative mixed-media pieces that blur the limits between fact and imagination.
“Lady's Metamorphosen”
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NEELA PUSHPARAJ M.D. pushparajneela@gmail.com
Maiden Hair
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“Floral Quilt”
W
atercolor Artist Neela Pushparaj M.D. has had multiple solo shows in Hospitals, libraries, and Galleries. Her work has been published in two volumes of Top Ten contemporary artists.
She participated in the 2018 London Biennale, Water for life III in Cancun, 2018, and The first Palermo Biennale. Her work will be at the Vatican Palace. March 5-11, 2022. She is represented by Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. In addition, she belongs to multiple art organizations. She has also received multiple awards. “Painting is an integral part of my life. It is an expression of my joy in everything I see.”
“Come Walk in my Garden”
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“Girasol”
Summer Melody
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Q. WANG q-wang.com
Q
. Wang d eve l o p e d his painting style – Freeism. It has no rules, doesn't care about the skills, is not like a traditional "Fine Art," but pursues a New View. The result is a free atmosphere and a space of imagination. Generally speaking, before Manet, people all tried to paint alike; after Manet, people tried to paint dislike. It's a broken process. Monet broke the brush; Van Gogh broke the plane; Matisse broke the colors; Miro broke Shapes; Picasso broke the construction, and Abstraction broke the object. Q.
“Las Vegas” Acrylic on Canvas, 36”x36”
“New York” Acrylic on Canvas, 30”x40”
“Li Jiang” Acrylic on Paper, 14”x17”
thought and let the viewers think what they painted. But Q. Wang paints spirit, something you can not see and you can not think about; you can only feel it by heart. His paintings have no details but have characters.
Wang broke the bars between objective and non-objective paintings. Q. Wang's world is 4-dimensional. His painting is a combination of 2-dimension and 3-dimension or something between.
Traditional Western Art tends to tell stories. Traditional Chinese Art is like a poem. Q. Wang's Art is musical.
Q. Wang paints spirit by heart. Before Van Gogh, people painted what they saw and let the viewers see what they painted. Since Van Gogh, people began to paint what they
"As the famous French film producer Jean-Luc Godard said, It's not where you take things from – it's where you take them to." "Q. Wang has taken me further into the appreciation of my surroundings, people, and love. That is what Art is all about." -- Gary Sorkin
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RIC CONN www.ricconn.com
“M
y work is primarily figurative depictions of the female experience; I am inspired to speak up about inequality and social issues women often face in Western culture, focusing on their courage and beauty. I am committed and very passionate about my work on gender equality and female empowerment, two subjects that are sorely lacking in society. My goal is to bring awareness to this problem and do my part to facilitate change”.
“Lead Dont Follow”
“What if she were your Daughter”
“I am a New York-based, international award-winning American Expressionist artist, inspired mostly by Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Edvard Munch, Matisse, and the German Expressionists.”
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“Not Afraid2022 to be Real” SUMMER | 43
REGINA JOKUBAITIS www.saatchiart.com/mirrorartist twitter.com/regimmy shopvida.com/collections/regina-jokubaitis
"I
am currently exploring in what I call NEW AGE MIRROR! Simply refurbishing anywhere from new to used to antique mirrors. Channeling original creativity in oils. Creating an as unique as each individual who looks into it an abstract expressionism experience. I'm an award-winning, published, selftaught artist, born 01/01/1960 in New York to Lithuanian immigrant parents. Fluent in English and Lithuanian. Graduated Mt. Saint Mary's Academy in Top 10%. I explored small-town America for many years while traveling the carnival circuit. I am known as MIRRORARTIST. Reflections are evident in photographs of my artwork, as these are of mirrors, not canvas. Originals are clear and crisp, and unique! I look forward to new art being uploaded sometime in 2022!”
“The Mona Titty” Oil on Mirror, 24”x28”x2”
“Sleeping Zebra Eye” Oil on Mirror, 22”x31”x 2”
SANDRA ERDEN JEWELRY www.sandraerdenjewelry.com
“T
hroughout my life, I have always had an eye for beauty, particularly in unexpected or overlooked places, like the shadow ridges of an oyster’s shell or the simple and clean lines of city skyscrapers. I believe that when you can see beauty in the ‘normal,’ inspiration will always have a way of finding you.
I spent my childhood in Colombia, fascinated by the colors and designs of the gemstone necklaces and bracelets in local jewelry stores. Then, while attending The University of Miami to complete my bachelor’s in science, I spent a portion of my studies focusing on Gemology, which naturally only served to fuel my passion for colored gemstones and jewelry making.
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I also had the opportunity to travel to many countries in Asia and Europe, and I truly believe that these experiences have fundamentally influenced my work for the better. They empowered me to combine different metals, precious and semiprecious gemstones, and finishes. Today I live in Miami, a land of crystal blue waters, endless palm trees, and tropical fauna. It is fair to say that these surroundings are reflected in my work more than ever, influencing the color of gemstones I choose and the designs. As jewelry makers, I believe we are committed to the world around us, the world that gives us the resources necessary to create and enjoy the surroundings we love. Therefore, we need to make choices that will help us guard the world we live in, choosing ethically sourced materials. Jewelry is my passion; I am thrilled to be able to share it with you. Abrazos!”
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ROBIN BABITT bachuki.com | robinbabitt.com
V
isual artist and author, Robin Babitt, continues to entertain us with her whimsical perspective on life. Looking through Robin’s eyes, you can’t help but be enlightened to a world more different than ordinary, as if you are peeking through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Alive and vibrant, Robin creates each piece with unique insight. Whether on canvas or a blank page, Robin invites the observer to be a participant, opening their eyes to see things they may not ordinarily see. Deeply grounded in spirit and sensitive to nature and all the goodness it brings, Robin tips the scale of ordinary and puts an interesting spin on what you can see when you look through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Her distinct use of color and unique sense of style are apparent to anyone experiencing her work. Synesthesia was gift given to Robin at birth. A phenomenon
“Drummin” Acrylic, 23 1/4"x23 1/4"
we grab for our hairbrush, put it to our lips and sing as if we were a part of the Band. It is in hearing certain songs that we collectively recollect where we were, who we were with and what we were doing, taking claim to where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going. “The powerful connection we have with music gives us the opportunity to understand words and feelings from someone we’ve never met. It is through their thoughts put to music that we’re aware that we are never alone.” Robin Babitt, the author and illustrator of BACHUKI, A Very Little Bumblebee in a Great BIG World and BACHUKI Meets VENON, is a children’s series about a Bee that teaches life’s little lessons through the lens of his kaleidoscope. BACHUKI shows each of reader their importance in this great BIG world and that together they will do amazing things. BACHUKI revisits his friends again, Fall 2022. Robin continues her mission to combine art and food in her soon-to-be released Cookbook, The BON ART-PETIT Recipe Book. She incorporates her favorite pastimes making another dream come true. A diary of delicious delicacies, original art and inspirational tidbits will surely take the heat out of the kitchen and put fun back in it. A kitchen/coffee table must-have! “Love comes in many colors. For me it’s a Bee, great food and Rock n’ Roll.”
“Straight From The Heart” Acrylic, 25 3/4"x25 3/4"
which enhances the information pathway meant to stimulate one sense but stimulates others as well, has given Robin the ability to see letters and numbers in color. It wasn’t until later in life that this gift was given a name. “Seeing letters and numbers in color is normal for me. I couldn’t imagine life any other way. If everyone could see things the way I do, the world would be a much happier place.” Robin’s gift, guided by intuition and creativity allows her to stay in tune with color and how colors affect you. Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Billy Eilish and Albert Einstein have also been given this gift. LYRICS IN COLOR, one part of Robin’s repertoire, taps into the feeling we get when we hear a song. The music and the lyrics are splashed in color as we welcome home the songs we’ve loved for decades. The music that has defined a generation. Through her LYRICS IN COLOR series, Robin has created a stop in your track’s moment; the moment a song is heard, and a memory is triggered. Every word in every verse and each inflection races back home in our hearts and minds, as “Strummin” Acrylic, 23 1/4"x23 1/4"
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SANDY SEARCY thesearcyshow.com
Digital Expressionism The Art Of Sandy Searcy By Anne K. Anthony
S
andy Searcy is a contemporary illustrator, abstract, digital artist, and photographer. Her works integrate photography and digital painting to produce lively compositions that convey her worldview. Closely examining Searcy’s artworks reveals that her art is inspired by two of the most famous 20th Century movements - abstract expressionism and pop art. Like Jason Pollock’s abstract expressionism artworks, Searcy’s digital paintings feature colorful and highly expressive line work, combining bold and thin lines to convey the artist’s imagination. Pop art influence is also visible in featuring human subjects. In these, the artist posterizes her subjects to facilitate the addition of colorful overlays. The result is highly elaborate compositions that convey the subjects being animated.
A unique aspect of Sandy’s work is the idea of flattening her digital creations to reinforce their expressive attributes. Unlike conventional art techniques, where artists carefully divide their canvases to separate foreground from background elements, Sandy opts to ad new layers of lines to older layers. As a result, she presents the viewer with an opportunity to celebrate art for its aesthetic rather than functional purpose and the hidden meanings embedded in the image.
The art of Sandy Searcy features diverse formal elements. However, color is the single-most-important visual element using which the artist attaches aesthetic beauty to her compositions. As a result, the artist integrates a wide variety of colors, placing little significance on the startling effect of juxtaposing random hues across her pictorial compositions. Nonetheless, the vibrancy of her compositions evokes the emotion of excitement, testifying to the happy mood with which she composes her digital paintings.
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SHANNON BARNES www.tranquilityfinearts.com
“Growth” Acrylic on Canvas, 30”x40”
Natural Freedom By Sandra Leiva
S
hannon Barnes is a renowned American artist who creates abstract and impressionist art depicting the beauty of the natural world. Barnes uses acrylic and oils on canvas mediums to create masterful compositions that tell a story with layered and blended paints that take organic forms. As a professional psychotherapist, Barnes knows the importance of nature in calming the human mind; the human brain is coded to appreciate nature. Following this line of thought, most of Barnes’ paintings portray scenes such as clouds, landscapes, deserts, and falls; with a glimpse. the viewer can enjoy a long nature walk through deserts, wetlands, and forests, capturing the most amazing moments outside city life.
“Calm Waterfall” Oil on Canvas 36”x48”
A common trend in Barnes’ paintings is using light, bright colors, and contrasts to catch and guide the viewer’s eye through the canvas. Barnes’s creative use of colors to light up her paintings allows her to match them together into unique pieces. In addition, she has an uncanny ability to capture atmospheric changes with vibrant yet soothing scenes. According to the artist, painting has given her a new type of freedom, “freedom that I have not experienced in my other profession: freedom, hope, encouragement, beauty.”
“Dancing Clouds” Oil on Canvas 18”x36”
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By capturing the universe from a peaceful and nature-loving perspective, Shanon Barnes helps us appreciate the world where we live and brings environmental awareness so much needed for the preservation of our planet.
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SHIFRA LEVYATHAN www.shifralev.com
“T
he photograph, for me, is like the canvas for a painter: I add or subtract from the photograph and create what I see in my mind’s eye. My photographs reflect my moods and life around me, private or general.
“In the Museum” Photography, 20”x22.5”
Even though it is difficult today to create something totally new, every artist still has something unique only to him. “The Flute Player” Photography, 20"x14.5"
VAYDRA WRIGHT
www.ladyvaydradesigns.co
Masterful Explorations of The Soul The Art of Vaydra Wright
“Seepage Field” Mixed Media
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I hope my art, or at least my eye, is unique.”
V
aydra Wright’s art explores transcendent experiences and emotions, inviting the viewer into her journey of exploration. She creates compositions that captivate her audience with a harmonic balance of textures and forms by utilizing light, color, and shade. Looking at the creations, one can get the impression that we are looking at an emotion or a person just lurking beneath the surface, waiting to emerge. Her artworks are complex, thought provoking, and alluring. In “Death and Afterlife,” the use of a luminous yellow shade surrounded by a sea of pale blues and grays gives the impression that light is about to burst through the surface and illuminate the surroundings. In “Seepage Field,” she uses dark browns and blues surrounded by lighter colors. As opposed to the previous painting, it gives a sense of light about to end as the darkness lurking beneath the surface is about to emerge. The use of different types of colors portrays different emotions. VAYDRA WRIGHT
“Death and Afterlife”
www.ladyvaydradesigns.co In her sculpture “Everlasting Joy,” the artist shows a human face partially hidden by a series of fibers giving a sense of a breakthrough waiting to happen, that the person is about to emerge. Her unique style is based on her ability to experiment with organic and manufactured substances simultaneously. The result is mixed media work that stands out for its mesmerizing imagery and daring message.
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“The works shown here belong to my specially developed art form "ART in ART". With color as the main element, I combine my love of realistic painting with a kind of abstraction. Hundreds of small works of art with colorful expressiveness result in a harmonious overall work, which recognises a motif or also free for imagination”.
“Birds in Danger” Art in Art, Acrylic, 15.7”x19.6”
STEFFI RODIGAS www.steffi-rodigas-artist.com
“Parrot” Art in Art, Acrylic, 31.4”x23.6”
"Birds in Danger" shows the dangers to which birds are exposed. These are airplanes, high-rise buildings with glass fronts, wind turbines or illegal shooting down”.
Advocating For Nature The Art of Steffi Rodigas By Esther Mathias
S
teffi Rodigas is an award-winning artist who expresses her emotions and general love for animals and the natural world through painting and drawing. Steffi expresses her love for animals by representing the beauty of her subjects in her painting. In "Birds In Danger," the artist reminds us how animals are neglected and abandoned with little hope.
Steffi Rodigas's works communicate a message to the viewer of a world that seems to be going against nature by showing us beauty or reminding us of the extension of animal species. A warning that we must take care of our planet to protect life for humans or animals.Her works represent the impact of global warming with subjects that symbolize the clarity and seriousness of this issue.
“Courtship Grouse” Art in Art, Acrylic, 23.6”x31.4”
Painting is the preferred medium used by Steffi Rodigas to express her thoughts and emotions, and every one of her masterful works has significant meaning in depth. It is both mesmerizing and coded with a tremendous artistic message.
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TOM ASHBOURNE SSC SCA OSA
tomashbourne.com
C
anadian sculptor Tom Ashbourne primarily works in stone, using its natural energy and colors to create beautiful contemporary abstract sculptures. Like all exceptional art, Tom’s sculptures communicate meaning through form and energy. His signature style is sensuous curves, touchable textures, and compelling tension between positive and negative space.
“Infinity Stone” Alabaster, Gilt, Granite
His natural talent and outstanding work mean that Tom is the only artist currently an elected member in all three of Canada’s top professional art associations: Sculptors Society of Canada (SSC), Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) and Ontario Society of Artists (OSA). Tom has received many national and international awards, including ATIM’s “Top 60 Masters” (2022), American Art Awards “Best Non-Representational Sculptor” (2021), DESTIG “Best Artists of 2020", and World Biz Magazine Luxury Collection Guide “Artists to Collect in 2020”. In 2021, Tom exhibited his sculptures in two of the world’s most respected art exhibitions – the London (UK) and Florence (Italy) Biennales.
“Big Red” Wonderstone, Granite
“The Watcher” Wonderstone Carnelian, Granite
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TOTI CUESTA www.toticuesta.com
Art has always been present in my life, but I did not choose it; it chose me. For years, I studied and prepared myself to follow an intellectual path. I studied law and languages. Finally, I completed my education and developed a profession. And so, the years went by with an ever- increasing feeling of emptiness. But art knew the strength with which it had to come to me for me to attend to it. Art arises from my spiritual need to create, to go beyond the senses. It is an expression of the soul. Art springs forth like celestial music. I just have to tune in to the notes and follow the rhythm. The use of symbols and color characterizes my paintings. The symbol allows me to express and transmit the message of art. The color radiates the light of each human being, allows them to highlight the beauty of their features, and transmits the essence of their emotions.
“Pieces of Me” Watercolor, 22”x26.7”
“I
love painting; it is my passion, my engine. But, it is something bigger than me that takes me over. When I paint, I disappear.
“Motorcyclist” Watercolor, 22”x29.9”
Painting is color, light, movement, vibration, and rhythm. It is a path of awakening, of evolution. I define myself as a watercolorist, although I have numerous works made with other techniques such as oil and pastel because watercolor is the most luminous and transparent technique, the one that can best represent the vibration of other planes and capture it in colors that transmit joy and light." “Sad Girl” Watercolor, 17.7”x22”
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“Boulder” Colored Pencil, Acrylic & Foliage material (Mixed Media) on Uart 800 grit Black Pastel Sanded Paper, 11’’x14’’
TRACEY CHAYKIN www.traceychaykin.com
"H
i, I'm Tracey Chaykin, an awardwinning Colored Pencil artist from Napa, California. For as long as I can recall, I've always felt the need to brighten my world with art. Every day brings new ways to work with the colored pencil medium. Some days it's a Colored Pencil on its own, sometimes combined with other mediums. Hyper-realistic artwork is my style of choice as it's ideal for preservation and conservation. It provides an opportunity for those unable to go and see wildlife in their natural habitats, a unique picture with my touches that allow someone to look and imagine as if they were there.
“The Gathering” Colored Pencil on Pastelmat, 5”x7”
“Mysterie” Water soluble Colored Pencil on Pastelmat, 11”x14”
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My life and artistic goals are intertwined. Never stop learning! Expand my knowledge base so I can continue to preserve and share the awe of Nature's beauty for all to appreciate while expanding on the possibilities of what can be achieved with colored pencils!"
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I also need fellow human beings or media to mirror my search for being a conscious body and soul, and finding meaning in life. I love having an interchange of experiences to develop myself towards knowledge of life laws and professionally in my work. I look to depict the beauty of life. When the sun touches the ground, light penetrates the tree leaves, the sunlight's reflections on surfaces such as water, faces, concrete walls, flowers, and grass. Every representation there might be."
“Autumn By Brede Vannet, Stavanger" Oil on Canvas 23.6”x31.4”
VIGDIS
ELISABETH FELDT vigdis.elisabeth@gmail.com
"A
s an artist, I express myself in an expressive and nativistic manner. Nearly close to naturalism. I aim to show the beauty of life and human relationships.
The individual communicates with one's perceptions and thoughts. Also, what goes on between two or more individuals on different levels and situations in their interactions. Why? Because trying to understand myself and others in the light of my background has been vital to me.
"The Boy and The Buck" Oil on Canvas, 31.4”x31.4”
WENDY COHEN www.wendycohen.net.au
W
endy Cohen is a Sydney-based artist who has attained a BFA and MFA Degrees.
Her art practice focuses on the relationship of colors, shapes, lines, and form with realistic components communicated in a painterly language. “Twighlight Rockscape”
“Routes of Roots”
By integrating shapes into a cohesive body of colors and forms in conjunction with collage elements, flowing ideas are arbitrarily manifested that bring the viewer's attention to the brushstrokes, mark-making, and materiality on the surface of each painting.
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However, the primary focus of Artist Wendy Cohen's practice is to invite the viewer to enjoy each painting as she transforms the static space of each painting with synchronized contrasting SUMMER 2022 | 53 colors highlighting its vibrant chemistry and resonance.
VERYAL ZIMMERMAN www.veryalzimmerman.com
“Moonlight Reflections” Oil on Canvas, 20”x16”
A
fter graduating from SUNY New Paltz, NY, with a BFA, Veryal focused exclusively on her oil paintings, working mostly on large paintings (8 x 8 ft, or 8 x 12 ft. But as her work evolved, she began to favor the 4-foot custom made canvas). Although each canvas is custom-made for the idea of the moment, the final paintings often become part of a series. Living on the East Coast, she had an opportunity to open a gallery for the purpose of renting wall space to both established and emerging artists. This offered new artists a chance to establish and expand their artistic careers. The gallery thrived for several
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years before the recession. That was when Veryal decided to focus her energy on exhibiting her own artwork, which also was eventful until several more galleries opened as the town became an art community leading to major competitions among the artists. With the recent move West, Veryal is pursuing her art career with a keen focus and savoring the rich natural resources and unique weather of Nevada as a never-ending inspiration for new work.
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“Full Moon in Vortex-M” Oil on Canvas, 5”x7”
“Looking East at Sunset II” Oil on Canvas, 24”x18”
Veryal is a member of the Latimer Art Club of Reno, Nevada, and has recently exhibited in several group exhibits at the Artist’s Co-op of Reno, Wilbur May Museum, and the Nevada Museum of Art, both of Reno. In 2020 she had a solo exhibit at the Copeland Gallery in Minden, and in 2021 a solo exhibit at the Northeastern Museum in Elko. She has had numerous exhibits in Connecticut, Germany, Nevada, New York, Poland, New York City, and Washington, DC. Her works can also be found in numerous private collections in Florida, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, England, and Norway.
“Full Moon II-M” Pastel, 7”x5”
“Trapped” Oil on Canvas, 24”x18”
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“Red Sun” Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”
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WENDY YEO www.wendyyeo.com
“Falling Leaves in Autumn” Acrylic on Canvas, 40”x30”
“My work combines Chinese brush work and space with Western individuality of expression. At the moment I am involved with portraying movement and cycles in Nature, e.g. the four seasons, sunrise and sunset, waterfalls and waves. The media I use are Watercolour on paper and Acrylic on canvas, often using cut-up pieces of my own work as collage”.
“Waves at Sunset” Acrylic on Canvas, 40”x30”
H
ong Kong born artist graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art University College London. Won various prizes and a Travelling Scholarship to Paris and Italy. Solo Shows in the U.K, New York, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kuwait, and mixed international shows in Italy, South Korea, New York, Paris, Austria, and Germany.
Paintings in Public Collections: Ashmolean Museum Oxford, Wolfson College Oxford, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Yu Kyung Museum South Korea, University College London Museum, Hong Kong University Museum of Art. Her work is also to be found in many Private Collections worldwide.
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“Waterfall in August Sunset” Acrylic on Canvas, 40”x30”
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YVAN BEDARD
www.yvanbedardphotoart.com
“Rust in Snow Storm” Photo on Fine Art Paper, 16”x24”
Beauty Around Us The Art of Yvan Bedard By Esther Mathias
I
nspired by his natural surroundings, Yvan Bedard's Fine Art Photography features landscapes and native cultures. He captures atmospheric changes through the use of soft lights, warm colors, shadows, and blurred and smooth edges. He uses lighting to create shape and depth in his works and defuses highlights to depict the object's truthful texture and correct color. Strong lights in a blooming, dominant, lucid atmosphere create the allure that forms the foundation of his work. “Three Generations Ago” Photo on Fine Art Paper, 16”x24”
With masterful color work, Yvan Bedard creates resilient contrast in his artwork and draws attention to the main point of the picture. He uses color and light to create depth and depict different moods and feelings. His work showcases minimal computer manipulations, and his photographs have a glowing color landscape that heightens the observer's imagination with infrequent anchor points. As a result, the pictures repeatedly surpass the border between drawing, painting, and photography.
“Peaceful Winter” Photo on Fine Art Paper, 16”x24”
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Yvan Bedard's work conveys peace of mind, ecstasy, and beauty. His images have the exceptional power to portray the world's magnificence. The images reveal the elusiveness of imperceptible moments and the tremendous beauty of our natural world. He recreates nature through art by simply displaying the beauty of our surroundings.
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Having conducted the Top 60 Masters Awards Ceremony dubbed the “Oscars of the Visual Arts,” ATIM continues to fulfill its mission of bringing artists into the spotlight. The celebration is the most outstanding event held by ATIM yet, and it has masterfully provided artists with the limelight they deserve.
ArtTour International Magazine Holds Top 60 Masters Awards 2022 with an International Lineup of Talented Artists
T
he visual arts have been a longstanding medium for genuine self-expression. It has become the catalyst for many masterful individuals to spread their insights and their passion for the art form to the known world. For countless years, these artists have performed to the best of their abilities, but it’s only until now that they’ve finally found a prestigious accolade they can comfortably call their own. This award is none other than the Top 60 Masters Awards organized by ArtTour International Magazine.
have become pivotal mediums of inspiration to the art world and beyond. ArtTour International Magazine has built a pristine reputation as a global publication that features talented artists and the works that have made them who they are today. The list of awarded artists can be seen on the official ATIM’s Top 60 Masters website. During the event, ArtTour International Magazine welcomed artists with a vast Time Square billboard where they could witness a digital exhibition of their works in the middle of the bustling New York skyline. In addition, the Top 60 Masters Awards event was filled with music, food, dance, and celebration during the red carpet evening.
ArtTour International Magazine has played a crucial role in bringing massive exposure to artists, allowing them to receive the recognition they deserve in their respective fields. The Top 60 Masters Awards showcases world-class talent and artwork infusing their craft with Viviana Puello; Founder and Editor-Chief of ArtTour International “Having conducted the Top 60 a sense of prestige and elegance. Masters Awards Ceremony dubbed Dubbed the “Oscars of the Visual Arts,” this awarding tradition has become one of the most the “Oscars of the Visual Arts,” ATIM continues to fulfill its mission of bringing artists into the spotlight,” shared one reporter and critic. prominent events in the art industry for a good reason. “The celebration is the most outstanding event held by ATIM yet, This year’s event takes the Top 60 Masters Awards to a whole and it has masterfully provided artists with the limelight they new level by unveiling another batch of artists whose works deserve.”
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The Master of Ceremony for the ATIM’s Top 60 Masters Awards was Elec Simon, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational MC. Elec’s vibrant energy is contagious, and he kept our audience engaged!
The Top 60 Masters Awards event was filled with music, food, dance, and celebration during the red carpet evening.
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During the event, ArtTour International Magazine welcomed artists with a vast Time Square billboard where they could witness a digital exhibition of their works in the middle of the bustling New York skyline
With a decade’s worth of contribution to the modern art world, ArtTour International Magazine has proven yet again that they have steadily become a massive force for good in the name of the arts. Before becoming a prestigious awardgiving body, ArtTour International Magazine was known in the industry for being a comprehensive multimedia platform that runs an art magazine publication, podcast, television show, and an expert public relations agency. In addition, it recently launched its TV network, Vivid Arts Network.
“I believe in art as a vehicle to raise global consciousness and make the world a better place” ATIM has awarded sixty artists, twenty-six of which came to New York City to receive the award in person from the founder and EditorChief of ArtTour International, Viviana Puello.
Viviana Puello; Founder and Editor-Chief of ArtTour International
ATIM’s recently launched TV network highlights arts and culture and serves as a platform for artists to be known all over the world. The TV network is available on Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Founder and CEO of ArtTour, Viviana Puello, has successfully scaled the brand to the global stage, bringing along talented artists and awarding them the recognition they deserve.
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ATIM’S Artist of the Year Philip Noyed
The Top 60 Masters Awards was graced by high-caliber artists from all over the world. Several nations were represented during the event, such as Israel, Guatemala, Greece, the United States, and Sweden, to name a few. As the powerhouse global publication looks forward to next year’s event, ArtTour International Magazine has begun opening submissions for different artworks for the Top 60 Masters Awards 2023.
Viviana Puello and Alan Grimandi
Artist John Nieman
Artist Ric Conn
Artist Meghan Poynor
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Artist Marilyn Miller
Artist LeRoi
Artist Daisy van der Zijden
Artist Ana Arathoon
Artist Tjeerd Doosje
Artist Chatarina Salomonsson
Artist Irina Howard
Artist Deborah Sisco
Artist Steffi Rodigas
Artist Gayle Printz
Artist Jodi DeCrenza
Artist Christina Mitterhuber
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Artist Athina Soultani
Artist Frank Hoeffler
Artist Barbara Tyler Ahlfield
Artist Amir Chodorov
Artist Tom Ashbourne
Artist Luana Stebule
Artist Dr. Shannon Barnes
Artist Derwin Leiva
Artist Cleo Mitchell
For submissions for 2023 make sure to visit www.top60masters.com www.arttourinternational.com SUMMER 2022 | 63
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"Infinity Stone" Alabaster, Gilt, Granite by Tom Ashbourne SSC SCA OSA
