3 minute read
Maribel Matthews
WWW.MARIBELMATTHEWS.COM
By Viviana Puello
"Hope of a New Dawn" Acrylics on Card, 11"x16" "Days & Nights of Suns & Stars" Acrylics on Card, 11"x16"
Maria Isabel Matthews explores with her art a wide range of techniques and styles. Employing mixed media with oil and acrylics, she layers each color with seamless transitions, resembling the natural environment.
She captures the romanticism encompassing abstraction to impressionism and landscapes to urban views through soft textures and warm color palettes. Sharp details add depth to her figurative works, revealing emotion and personality through each gaze and movement in her subjects.
Matthews's brushstrokes add a smooth rhythm and vitality to the painting. It is as if they give us a glimpse into her mind and the movement of her thoughts and feelings. Vivid monochromatic images focus on small and individual marks in the context of vastness. Her work balances traditional and representational art; and romanticizes the chosen settings, people, and culture. Her ability to connect with natural beauty has driven her efforts to speak about environmental issues.
Thematically, Matthews champions environmental conservation and highlights the detrimental effects of global warming. Her abstract works depict the impending danger facing the earth, highlighting the forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts; while using her subjects as a metaphorical symbol of the strength and natural will possessed by such wonders. She has been a prominent figure in Gibraltar's local art scene for many years, driven by a passion for painting and inspired by the beauty of nature, the magnificent architecture it encompasses, and humanity's versatility.
"Perhaps one day it will dawn on mankind that squandering our resources is not the answer and instead work in harmony with nature appreciating the beauty and grandeur of our world by caring
for it as it should." - Maribel Matthews
“Brilliant Night” Acrylics on Card, 11”x16”
DAVID JOSEPH FLESHMAN
WWW.DFORIGINALDESIGNSLLC.COM
By Viviana Puello
David Fleshman is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates colorful abstract and figurative works employing painting and digital design. His works are inspired by master artists like Paul Cezanne and Wayne Thiebaudmaster and graphic designer Alan Fletcher.
Fleshman successfully merges traditional and technical practices to develop a unique, cohesive style. He prefers the use of oils on canvas and digital photography for his two-dimensional works and aluminum casting and mixed media for his sculptures.
“A Pathway of Lights” Digital Photography, 20”x16” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
“Cakes”, Oil on Stretched Canvas, 18”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/ Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
When working on digital media, he uses a DSLR Canon camera to capture his images and then manipulates the photographs until obtaining the desired result to produce mesmerizing digital imagery. His digital paintings showcase an abstract style that explores the notion of energy and light, like in "A Pathway of Lights."
His prolific talent also excels with his creative sculptures, where he focuses on showcasing animals like in "Owl Sitting on Metal Box" and "Alligator on Wooden Base."
Committed to giving his best, David Fleshman skillfully translates complex emotions into a vibrant, dynamic, visual language. As his own emotions get entrenched in his creative process, his style develops and continues offering new views of the world we see. His paintings explore the notion of connection and his relationship with his surroundings. Animals, landscapes, cityscapes, and inanimate objects take center stage in his lively canvases showcasing a realistic style like "Creamer & Bottles" and "Cakes."
“Wine Glass & Flowers”, Oil on Canvas, 16”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/ Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
" I am a graphic designer and an artist; I put in my best-detailed craftsmanship and the time needed to complete each project."
- David Fleshman
“Alligator on Wooden Base” Aluminum Casting & Mix Material, 8.5”x3.5”x20” - © 2019 by David J. Fleshman, Owner/Founder of DF Original Designs LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
