Jessica has been
interested in art since she was a child and showed a promising talent for
drawing at an early age.When she
was a teenager she began to paint occasionally but never imagined an art career
could come to fruition.
However in 2005
she was awarded a scholarship from Scottsdale Artist’s School and took a
workshop with R.A. Heichberger.She continued to
study under him and by 2007 she was able to fulfill her dream of a career in
fine art.
Jessica’s
inspiration is drawn from many facets of nature.It can be anything from the colors in a sunset, the
brilliance of Autumn Aspen foliage against a clear blue sky, or the pattern of
a stream running through fresh fallen snow.From these Jessica develops color harmonies, value
structures, compositions, and designs resulting in her unique style of
painting.
I
look at a piece of paper as 'tabla rosa' a clean slate, perfect potential.This potential is activated by light
and shadow as each decision creases into the paper.Emerging from an interest in geometry, light,
architecture and paper, my themes describe the intelligent design of decisions
just below the surface of creation. This is revealed best by unfolding a design
to show the papers memory of creases.
The
work begins this way, with delicate paper.Each piece is then cast into bronze through a process
developed over many years of experience in the foundry.It can take from twelve weeks to six
months for a piece to be realized.
BIOGRAPHY
Kevin
Box grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, beneath 'the tree that escaped the
crowded forest', Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper.Kevin's creative passion was
evident at a very young age and was he determined to realize his
'visions.'
Kevin
spent three years studying art and art history at the School of Visual Arts in
Savannah, Georgia, completing his degree at the school's prestigious main
campus in New York City.There,
under the direction of Jackie Winsor and Alice Aycock, he confirmed his
contemporary artistic vision, inspired within an historical context.
In
1999, Box began his career in a foundry.Bronze spoke his artistic language, what he refers to as 'deep time
conversation.' Over the next four years, he labored under self-imposed
apprenticeships to become proficient in bronze casting.Working for sculptors and foundries, he
attained an exhaustive knowledge of casting techniques and the fabricating and
finishing processes necessary to create monumental works of art.
Throughout
Kevin’s experiences, he took every opportunity to develop his work.After years of experimentation with
bronze, he arrived at the process in which he works today, becoming a fulltime
artist in 2003.His knowledge of
the foundry process combined with a vision for innovation defines the style and
sensibility of his work as it establishes a place within contemporary art
history.
On
New Year’s Day in 1994 while traveling, Hilario faced the monolithic stone
temples of Monument Valley, Arizona and recognized for the first time his true
nature and his calling. Inspired, he returned home two days later and began to
paint. As an Arizona native with a rich ethnic heritage consisting of
Aztec and German from his maternal side, and Yaqui Indian and Austrian
from his paternal side, Hilario always identified with the spirit of the
American Southwest. This unique identity became apparent with his earlier
works.
Hilario
believes that as an artist, he must be free to explore all directions and as
many materials as possible to bring forth his creativity. He believes in order
to successfully create a piece of art, he must seek out and interpret all the
influences that pass through his conscious and subconscious self. These
influences, what he calls the ethereal chaos of his spirit, allow him an
endless flow of creativity and give his art authority and truthfulness.
Hilario
was drawn to acrylics as his medium, which allowed him to experiment with color
and form. He studied the work of master artists, in particular Gerhard Richter
and Dan Namingha, to develop and perfect his technique.
Hilario’s work has been featured in many museum and
gallery shows around the country.
Above the Sun 48 x 60 Acrylic
Balanced By Light 30 x 60 Acrylic
Descending Quietly 46 x 48 Acrylic
The Process:
Hilario’s process begins with motivation and
awakening. This involves back road trips to remote and wild areas of his
beloved Sonoran Desert and the American Southwest. He calls these adventures
"Field Studies," and they provide him with tremendous inspiration.
His final vision and what he will eventually put to canvas can be based on a
fleeting emotion, a flash of insight, past memories or even a dream. Hilario loves to paint! His passion for
creating his art keeps him in the studio five to six days a week. This
means there is always something new for fans and collectors to look at and
explore. Hilario is continually striving to express himself in new ways, ways
that capture the very scenes that resonate with him so deeply. When Hilario is ready, he chooses a color
palette -- the one that will best reflect his vision, and then a composition
will begin to take shape. He must select the proper size canvas and consider
whether or not the painting will be a stand-alone piece or one that consists of
multiple parts. With all the preliminary details out of
the way, Hilario will build a form. He uses wood and hardboard with canvas
stretched over it, because he feels that the piece and his easel are one and
the same. After stretching the canvas, he preps it, mixes his paint (always
acrylic!), and gets to work putting the ideas he has in his head onto the
canvas. Ultimately, it is the painting that allows Hilario to convey his
experiences and ideas to others, but every step of the process is important. Once Hilario feels he has captured his
vision on the canvas, he is done painting, but not done with the process. He
must first remove any prep material-- wires, the form as a frame for hanging
etc., and only when everything is squared away does he title and sign his work.
French-born artist Gerard Mortier will have his new works on display at SmithKlein Gallery throughout the month of May, 2014. Below is some information about the artist:
The true Opal Coast as seen in the mind of Gerard Mortier, the great interpreter of light and how it plays on the canvas.
For almost thirty years Mortier's work has been seen and appreciated in New Zealand, Spain, Europe and Colorado.
The relationship between Gerard Mortier and the Opal Coast can be seen in his paintings. Rather than making fleeting moments of his general childhood memories, Gerard Mortier chooses to share his memories of the sea and rocks at Audreselles with the public. Little by little and over the years, his self-taught techniques improved, and he became more precise. By 1970, his first works became known. Right away, the works were successful, not only locally in northern France but beyond.
Gerard's paints and equipment.
Gerard works on his next project
Looking at his work is to experience an aesthetic moment.
Seascapes are what Gerard typically painted in the past.
However, for Gerard Mortier, going forward is a must. It was not in his plans to copy the seascapes of northern France again and again. He felt the need to grow and go beyond. While he admits to having adopted some of the impressionists' styles, he began to move away from impressionism and embrace a more abstract approach. Nevertheless, he never forgets the importance that light as well as contrast play in his paintings. These will remain his main asset as an artist.
More work by Gerard Mortier.
A landscape by Gerard Mortier.
Besides, Gerard Mortier is not limiting himself to a unique source of inspiration. Taking less familiar paths, he becomes fascinated by Paris, Lisbon and other areas. He readily admits wanting to leave behind some old habits, so he can plunge into a different poetic milieu.
In the end, it will be a pleasure for admirers of Gerard Mortier to find scenes of the Bologne area still in his works. It will feel like a breath of fresh air full of maritime smells. The painter promises to always come up with some surprises, surprises we are certain will match the quality of all his past work.
The wedding season is nearly upon us. If you are looking for beautiful, hand-made, unique engagement rings, wedding bands, special occasion necklaces or earring, check out the wonderful selection of jewelry at SmithKlein Gallery.
