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Leonardo Da Vinci Masterpiece

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:32:00 +0000

German website DW-World.de announced that an old world German piece of art of a side-profiled monotonous woman is actually an original Leonardo Da Vinci painting. Not surprisingly, the value of the art work has skyrocketed since the discovery.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

"An announcement in the art market weekly publication Antiques Trade Gazette has caused a major stir in the art world. Martin Kemp, an Emeritus Professor of Art at Oxford University, claims that a small chalk, pen and ink drawing on vellum is the work of the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci.

And so far, most of the art world seems to agree with him.

After being missing for centuries, the portrait turned up at an auction at Christie's in New York on January 30, 1998. Listed as lot 402 in a sale of Old Master Drawings, the art work was described as "a Young Girl in Profile in Renaissance Dress." It was catalogued as “German, early 19th century.” Initial estimates put its value between $12,000 and $16,000.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Once the piece was attributed to da Vinci, its value jumped to $160 million. When the hammer finally came down, it had been sold to a New York art dealer named Kate Ganz for $19,000. She later sold it for about the same price to a collector named Peter Silverman in 2007.

According to the article in Antiques Trade Gazette, it was Ganz who suggested that "the portrait may have been made by a German artist studying in Italy ... based on paintings by Leonardo da Vinci."

The painting has now been re-valued at 100 million pounds ($160 million)."

The article goes on to describe the authenticity of the painting along with a brief history. Ganz is probably wishing she didn't resell the artwork right about now.

Leon Jones Interview

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Big Art Blog is very proud to give to you our exclusive interview with airbrush extraordinaire Leon Jones. Being the genuine and amazingly talented artist he is, Leon was generous enough to answer questions about his personal history, inspirations and special experiences with friends and celebrities. Enjoy!

This classic painting sums up the constant bickering from the Good Day L.A. morning news team.

Do you have any personal inspirations such as people or art movements that inspire you?

Yes, and he is a person we all know and love. Michael Jackson and others like him who’ve shared themselves and their talents with the world inspire me to become the best that I can be. I also want to leave something behind. Something that says “Hey, I was here!” long after I’m gone.

At what age did you start airbrushing? Tell us a little about your airbrushing history.

I started painting when I was nine, but started airbrushing when I was 30. Airbrushing is very soft, and I think the perfect medium for portraits. By using different colors of transparent paint, you can achieve shading effects that would be difficult and time consuming, if not down right impossible with other mediums. I’ve airbrushed everything from huge wall murals, to cars, t-shirts and even peoples faces on Halloween. There’s no end to what you can do with an airbrush.

Have you worked much with other mediums besides airbrushing?

I love working with oils and have quite a large collection of work in various subjects floating around. I’ve drawn and sketched in pencil and charcoal, painted in acrylic (I’ll often use acrylics to detail my airbrushed work) and have even tried my hand at a little sculpting.

Can you give us a brief background about yourself, such as your hometown, upbringing, family and life’s enjoyments?

Although I was born in Texas, I spent most of my childhood and early adult life in Denver, Colorado, then moved to Southern California in 1984. I’ve got 5 children, 4 of them boys with my daughter being the oldest. Lots of grand babies too! I love to fish, shoot pool, putt around on my Harley (which I don’t have right now) and look for buried treasure with my metal detector.. but the love of my life is painting.

You were recently articled in the Orange County Register regarding your work done at Michael Jackson’s ranch. What three words would best describe this experience?

I felt honored, special and blessed.

You use a lot of celebrities as your models for airbrushing and I know you have had personal contact with these celebrities. Can you tell us a little about it?

I’ve had my fair share of ‘celebrity encounters’ and to make a long story short all I can really say is that they’re just like the rest of us. Some of them are real jerks with others surprisingly nice. The jerks (and jerkettes) seem to think they’re better than everyone else and everyone should be so in awe of their mere presence that they can do/say whatever or act however they want. Others talk to you like you’re a real person and are genuinely interested in what you have to say. Some of them act like they’re almost ‘in love’ with themselves or with the ‘image’ of themselves. Most all love to be in the limelight and the center of attention, which I suppose is a good thing since that’s where they are.

Of all the celebrities I’ve met, there was one so real and down to earth I’ll never forget her. While painting out in front of the Café Tu Tu Tango restaurant at Universal City Walk, I was approached by a tall, slender, blond woman in sun glasses wanting to commission me to paint a portrait of her and her best friend, to give him as a gift since he was quite ill at the time. Once we started talking, she asked if we could move off to the side a bit (out of the steady stream of people walking by) so as not to attract a lot of attention. I started joking around with her, teasing her, asking if she were famous, who she was, stuff like that. She looked at me, puzzled, and seeing the blank look on my face said “You really don’t know who I am?” I didn’t. She pulls her sunglasses down so I can see her eyes then asks me “Do you recognize me now?” I had no idea who she was. Her husband, who had been standing there the whole time (wearing sunglasses too, by the way) just smiled at her as she gave him that “Do you believe this guy?” kind of look over the top of her sunglasses. She says, “Well here, let me show you.” So taking me by the hand, she made her way to the souvenir shop a couple of doors down. She stops at the magazine rack, points to numerous magazine covers and says “There, that’s me!” It was Rebecca Romjin Stamos!

I bought a magazine (I just had to get her autograph!) and after getting back to the restaurant, we got a table for the three of us to talk and finalize the deal. She took a well-worn photo of her and her friend from her purse, pushing it across the table to me. With tears in her eyes, she asked how long it would take and after letting her know I could have it done by the following weekend, we agreed to meet at the restaurant the following Saturday. With it being such a personal picture and all, I left it in my van when I brought it the following week. When Rebecca and John arrived that afternoon, John sat at the table while Rebecca followed me down to the garage to get her painting. When she saw it, she broke into tears and kept thanking me and hugging me and crying, and then thanked me, hugged me and cried some more. It was very emotional. I’ll never forget it.

Can you tell us where we might be able to see some of your work in person? What upcoming events or galleries will you be or are you already featured in?

You can find my work at Galerie Michelangelo in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Old Town Gallery in Seal Beach, the Universal Music Group building in Santa Monica, the Fox 11 Newsroom and Image Conscious. I’m currently doing a large project for “Rembrandt’s”, a celebrity themed restaurant on Yorba Linda Blvd. in Placentia. Most weekends, you’ll usually find me painting ‘live’ at the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa and my art can also be found online at many art and poster websites.

If you were not an airbrush artist, what do you think you might be doing with your life right now?

I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Painting is my life and always has been. If I didn’t have a job or work as an artist, I’d just be unemployed.. but still painting!

Thanks so much Leon for doing this interview! Much success to you… please keep us updated with your newest achievements.

It’s been my pleasure! Thank you for having me.

Next week we will explore Arkansas, continuing our Galleries Around the World series.

Prints & Stuff

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:39:00 +0000

I wanted to let you all know about the fantastic site www.printsandstuff.com which has an impressive selection of posters & prints at greatly reduced, competitive prices.

Their expansive list of prints to choose from includes the following: Animals, Architecture, Astronomy & Space, Children's Room, College, Comics, Country Living, Cuisine & Food, Education & Business, Fantasy, Fashion & Clothing, Floral & Botanical, Holiday, Home & Interior, Humor, Inspirational, Maps, Movies, Music, People, Places, Religion & Philosophy, Scenic, Seasons, Sports, Still Life, Television, Transportation, Vintage, & World Culture.

You can also browse by Hot Items, Most Popular, Obama Posters, Clearance Items & more. A well constructed site, easy navigation and unbeatable prices... what more could you ask for?

Use the special promo code 'peach' and receive a an additional 25% off your order. Hurry, this offer may not last!

printsandstuff.com has been added to the Artist Directory under 'Posters & Prints'.

We are very proud to announce that next week we will have an exclusive interview with very talented airbrush artist Leon Jones . Don't miss it!

Historical Facts About Airbrush Art

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Found this interesting article from www.associatedcontent.com. Being that Airbrush Art is our theme right now, I thought I'd share it with all of you. Just a little tidbit on Airbrushing and the history behind it:

"Airbrush Art is one of the most common forms of painting. It can be done on virtually any surface, inclusing clothing, automobiles, walls, canvas and even the human skin. Airbrush art is commonly displayed by murals on buildings. This is a unique way for artists to show the world their art. Airbrush techniques allow artists to create unique forms of art. The history behind airbrush art is almost as fascinating as the creations that are produced. The airbrush form has been used for centuries. It wasn't until recently that technology advanced this art form, allowing us to use compressed air and hoses to paint. It is believed that early civilizations used a form of airbrushing by blowing through hollow tubes, usually made of wood or bone. This form is actually still employed today. Many airbrush sets designed for small children require the child to blow through a tube or paint pen to get the airbrush effect.

The first official airbrush device was developed in 1893. It was patented by Charles Burdick. The primary purpose of the tool was to retouch photographs. This system was used until the early 1900's. This was a growing time for airbrush art. Techniques were developed and enhanced, and the equipment was upgraded to make use easier. During World War II, airbrush art was very popular. The military used this art form to paint on American planes. When this occurred, artists around the world became more interested in the art form and began experimenting with different devices, trying to perfect the airbrush tools.

Artists continue to realize the unlimited possibilities by using airbrush art. Walt Disney instituted the form into his work. During the 1940's, Disney began using airbrush art for animation. He used airbrush to create the background for animated movies. This brought about a new change in the industry, now allowing animated movies to have more effect. It allowed the use of shadowing and gave depth to backgrounds. This was a major breakthrough for airbrush art. Artists began to elaborate on Disney's methods and continued to develop the art nto what we know it as today."

We will have features on some fantastic Airbrush artists soon. Stay tuned

Michaell Magrutsche (Abstract Artist)

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:24:00 +0000

"I am inspired when something different draws my attention. Not different for deferent's sake, but different in being creative, or fresh in a new way."

Born in Vienna, Austria and now residing in sunny Southern California, Michaell Magrutsche is a vibrantly creative, extremely friendly artist who draws comfort and inspiration from the abstract world. His uncle, Adolf Frohner, was a famous Austrian painter who taught Michaell the "power of abstract". Michaell's art is his "soul food", and he has been involved with art as early as he can remember, from being a disc jockey to producing fashion shows, to producing/directing international television programs, to screenwriting, and finally to creating music and paintings. He also has provided very professional customer service at Champagne's in Newport Beach.

His art is displayed at various exhibits around Orange County, including the Huntington Beach Art Center (June 26th - July 19th), which my boyfriend Martin and I had the pleasure of attending to view his exceptional work. To see other locations where Michaell's work is displayed, please visit his website www.michaellart.com.

5 Holidays

original acrylic on canvas

(36" x 48")

Modern Retro - aqua

original acrylic on canvas

(12" x 12")

Truly talented with undoubtedly a lot of possibility for his future, Michaell is the type of artist who aims to surmount the influence of other artists that inspire him.

"I would like my art to stimulate the viewer in a way that triggers his or her imagination to fill in the blanks, thereby creating an interaction with the artwork. It should cause a response similar to that of listening to the music of minimalists, such as Miles Davis, where one’s mind and soul complete the picture, playing with the unfilled spaces in a myriad of possibilities."

Michaell has been added to the Artist Directory under 'abstract' and 'acrylic'.

Art Gallery Project on Hold & More...

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting over the last 2 weeks. Summer has brought about a busy schedule for me (work all day, school all night) and though I'd rather be on here living in the art world, I suppose there's just just other things to tend to at times. The 'Art Galleries Around the World' project will be continuing on August 1st. Until then, I will post about other exciting art topics and will certainly keep updating any new artist profile requests sent my way. This is just temporary and I can't wait to give the blog my full attention in just a few weeks time.

Costello Childs Contemporary

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:54:00 +0000

Costello Childs Contemporary Art Gallery

Address: 2724 N. 68th St, Suite 1
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Phone: (480) 949-2701

Email: cccmontelucia@gmail.com

Hours: 10am - 5pm
(Mondays by appointment)

Located in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, with more than 50 years experience demonstrated in the blissful Costello Childs Gallery by Michael Costello and Daryl Childs, it's no wonder the polished atmosphere has such a solid, professional vibe. The gallery is dressed with vibrant colors, polka dotted vases, intricate figurines, and much more to enrapture your curious mind.

Here is an excerpt from the gallery website's 'About' page that gives a simple yet informative overview of the gallery that I certainly could not have portrayed better myself:

'The gallery features works in various mediums that include paintings, works on paper, photography, and sculpture, among others. Costello-Childs is a full service gallery offering art consultation, on site presentations, project specific commissions, custom framing, delivery and installation. Our focus is to serve the needs of the beginning as well as the established art collector and to provide the design industry with quality works of art for residential, commercial, corporate and hospitality projects.'

The gallery has different monthly themes, a newsletter to keep their visitors informed, and a lot of visual treats to make your eyes smile with pure delight!

Here are just a few pieces on display:

'Two Roses' by Tom Baril

'Untitled #3871' by Ron Ehrlich

'Sewn/Letters' 1 by Kaori Takamura

Tomorrow we will feature another gallery from Arizona. Lots more fantastic art coming your way!

Greg Horner Wood Carving & Engraving

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:07:00 +0000

www.ravenswindow.com

Mailing Address:
PO Box 996
Haines, AK 99827

Phone: 907-766-2704
Email: greg@ravenswindow.com

I was so inspired by the charm of the wood carvings of Greg Horner I had to share them with the world! Greg spent his life studying and working in the Northwest Coast Native style. Though he does not have an actual gallery for visitors, you can browse his online collection and contact him directly. Intricate detail and beauty are abundant in his quality selection of intricately engraved silver bracelets, cast glass sculptures and monumental totem carvings. His website gives a simplistic yet generous overview of his life:

"A life-long Alaskan, Greg was introduced to carving at Alaska Indian Arts in 1974. Apprenticed to some of the finest Native and non-native artists in Alaska, he developed a foundation to further explore this art form in wood, metal and print media. "This work evolves out of my own personal experiences and interpretation of traditional Native art forms and imagery. I strive toward originality and the level of craftsmanship that is the legacy of the Northwest Coast Native art." Greg pursued a formal art education in Seattle, graduating from Cornish Institute of Art in 1987.

Greg was given a Tlingit name, “Skin Dei,” at a Potlach memorial in honor of his mentor, Tlingit elder George Lewis. Greg is currently working in Haines on private commissions and a series of glass sculptures with neon. Teamed with his wife Leigh, they work together year-round in their home in the historic Fort Seward with their children Marley and Elena."

Hummingbird - Silk Screen Print

Raven Rattle - Wood Carving

Next week we will discover some great galleries in Arizona.

Performing Arts Resources & Tips

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:21:00 +0000

For all you performing artists out there or for those of you who just love going to see the arts on stage I wanted to pass on a few useful sites that offer a great variety of useful tips and resources.

The first, Performing Arts News, offers a wide variety of events, articles, acting tips, theatre news, filmmaking resources, and even a community forum to read and discuss anything theatre arts related.

Performing Arts Schools is also another website with great resources. Their generous directory includes: Applying, Books/Supplies, Careers/Jobs, Financial Aid, Glossary, International, Majors/Programs, News, Resources, & Testing

And last, but certainly not least, I found this insightful article from Jobs.ac.uk. It is an interview with Dr. Catherine Armstrong on how to make your way into the world of Theatre Arts:

Working In Theatre and Performing Arts
By Dr. Catherine Armstrong

Finding work in the theatre and performing arts sector can seem impossibly competitive, so much so that many potential actors give up their dreams before even trying. This article will offer some concrete advice on the best ways to maximise your chances of working in theatre.

Why work in the theatre?

Acting or performing, like teaching perhaps, is a job that reflects a real passion or calling. It sounds clichéd but most actors instinctively know they want to be actors. Others discover that they have a love of performing and display a talent for entertaining people and slowly realise that performing is the job they would like to do. The chance to be creative, choosing which projects to work on, and earn money from doing something you love is irresistible to many, and makes the job worth the uncertainty, the insecurity and cut-throat nature of the business. Also be aware that the hours are often unsociable as there will be a lot of evening and weekend work involved.

So you certainly need a strong interest in the theatre and performing arts in general; this is not the sort of job that you will try out to see whether you like it or do simply to pay the bills. If you feel you have that passion, then read on!

How to get into it

Chris Allen, an actor who is enrolled on the MA in Acting at Arts Educational (validated by City University), recommends that initially working for free and gaining experience while making contacts in the industry is the best way to begin an acting career. Vocational experience can be as valued as formal qualifications - if not more so - so do not worry if you have no qualifications yet. The same is true if you would like to work as part of a theatre's technical crew or administration staff. See if you can volunteer at your local theatre, or try to see what opportunities the large festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe offer.

Working on a voluntary basis initially means that your income has to come from elsewhere. Mark Davies, a former circus and mime performer recommends getting a flexible non-performing job that will allow you time off to attend auditions and workshops. Chris agrees, saying that it is important to develop other skills that will help you keep afloat financially, such as writing. Another avenue that Mark pursued when getting his performance career off the ground was busking in popular street theatre spots such as Stratford and Covent Garden.

Qualifications needed

As mentioned above, qualifications are not essential for becoming an actor or performer. It is possible to become very successful by being self-taught and learning skills from friends. However, there are acting, stage and performance schools that run short courses and workshops in skills such as performing or clowning, and also longer courses such as the year-long Masters in Acting that Chris is doing. He heard about the course through the recommendation of a friend but the selection process was very competitive. After completing a lengthy application form, Chris attended an audition in London including a workshop involving performing, sight-reading and improvisation and then the delivery of two prepared monologues to the course tutors. These tutors, along with student minders who had been with the applicants all day, had a say in the selection process. The final four candidates were selected and then interviewed as a group about why they wanted to be on the course.

Where to find work and what the work is like

Many performers are self-employed, working at festivals, corporate events, cabaret and theatre. The jobs are either sourced by the actors themselves, or through friends or an agency. Having been slow to realise the benefits of technology, the industry is now slowly catching on, so you can search for auditions online. It is also possible to use the medium to market yourself. There are people in the creative arts sector who have made a name for themselves by becoming notorious on sites such as Youtube. And being able to create decent quality paper publicity from home rather than using printers is another bonus of recent technological developments.

In terms of keeping your career going, Mark emphasises the importance of constantly maintaining and developing your skills. Your success will depend on being able to continue to woo the crowd, so training is everything. Patience is vital, if performing is something you love, take your time to develop your repertoire and slowly get your name known. It is also important not to be too precious about your art. Be prepared to take on jobs that you do not necessarily enjoy that much in order to get your name known and survive financially. Chris agrees that it can be hard to maintain your artistic integrity, but that networking is vital in this field to maintaining a successful career. Building up a good portfolio of experience and some good contacts will compensate for having to work in some less than ideal roles.

Other jobs in the industry

Performing is not the only way to get into the theatre or the media. There are many jobs behind the scenes of a technical or administrative nature that can be just as rewarding. In fact actors at festivals are often required to ‘muck in' and move sets and props, or perhaps do some marketing, so the line between the two is not always distinct. Again, it is vital to try to get some experience as early as possible. Stewarding at your local theatre which often pays nothing or very little is a way of getting a foot in the door. On the administration side, if you have a professional qualification (e.g. in marketing) and can display a passion for the theatre, this will stand you in good stead.

We will finish our discovery of great art galleries in Alaska tomorrow and start exploring the galleries of Arizona next week!

Haley Kaplan: Masterpiece In the Making!

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:29:00 +0000

There's something uniquely distinctive about the art of a child that can easily capture the heart of millions. It simply amazes me that the eyes and hands of someone so young can portray the pure essence of an image so rich with detail and fine imagery. Haley Kaplan is one of these young talents.

At age 12, Haley has already won many contests, including being prized first place out of 1700 others for her piece Beautiful Silence (shown below with medal). She has been showcased at the Laguna College of Art & Design and her art has been showcased in a variety of different locations. Some of her work she has created at her school, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate.

Here is a small sample of work from the young artist:

Entitled Purple Shadow in the 'Color It Orange' contest.

Medal winning Beautiful Silence showcased a variety of places.

Contest winning ethnic portrait of a man in Africa named "Harambee", meaning: 'Let us all pull together." A favorite!

Close up of "Harambee".

'Earthly Essence'

I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of Haley's work in years to come. Thanks Breanne Zebrowski for letting us know about your very talented friend!

The Alaska House Art Gallery

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:07:00 +0000

www.thealaskahouse.com

Location: 1003 Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701

Phone:(907) 456-6449

E-mail:Info@TheAlaskaHouse.com

Traveling northwest, we are now discovering classic art galleries in the large Arctic state of Alaska for our continous segment 'Art Galleries Around the World'.

The Alaska House was designed and built in 1939 in beautiful wintry white Fairbanks. "There are oak floors, high ceilings and leaded windows in the three white-washed gallery rooms, hand hewn timbers overhead, and a river stone fireplace that brightens the gallery through the winter months."

In 2000, the house was restored and transformed into an art gallery by the Fejes family. "The gallery specializes in museum-quality Alaskan arts, exhibiting Alaska Native and resident artists, paintings, artifacts, carvings and sculpture, masks, fabric art and hand-crafted jewelry." The gallery is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Art of Alaska. The museum portays a multitude of different art varieties with a lot of rich culture and fascinating history. They also hold a variety of exciting events throughout the year, including Jazz and Art (musicians entertain) and Meet the Artist (artists come and share techniques and demonstrations).

Their website is easy to navigate and explore. You can browse their calendar of upcoming events, see artwork from their featured artists, and learn the very interesting history of the museum and its founders. A gallery with a great story and lots of amazing art in store, The Alaska House Art Gallery is truly a classic find.

'Old Hunter and Young Scared Hunter' by Earl Auralria Atchak

Jewelry by Kimberly Rogers

Collection of Vintage Carvings from the 50's and 60's

We will feature another Alaska Art Gallery on Thursday!

Art Shops & Art Stores

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:48:00 +0000

We have altered the 'Artist Directory' submission form to exclude Art Galleries since we are premiering our project 'Art Galleries Around the World'. If you have an art gallery you would like to add the our continous list (located below), please submit your details HERE.

We have added a new category, however, and you can now add your art shop or store and it will be added to the directory 'Art Shops/Stores' (located on the right). We have a terrific shop just added called 'Mack and DD's Emporium' located on beautiful Dauphin Island, Alabama for you check out. Just click the image above!

Lots of great things coming your way here at Big Art Blog! Next week we will discover The Alaska House Gallery in Fairbanks, Alaska amongst others.

Conceptual Product Designs by ZOOM Design Agency

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:29:00 +0000

This is what the motorcycle industry has been looking for, an innovative and eye capturing piece of art! bikerforum.co.uk has a descriptive view of what underlines this conceptual masterpiece:

"GERMAN DESIGN house ZOOM Design Agency has unveiled first images of the company's 'Rih' racer. The motorcycle concept is set for a small series production and uses the engine from Aprilia's RSV4 WSB contender. Aerodynamics and weight loss have been the main aim of ZOOM's design approach, hence the abundant use of carbon fibre and lightweight tubular steel instead of box-section aluminium. Rumours suggest it'll cost around £25,000."

For more information and images please visit ZOOM Design Agency. They have been listed under 'Conceptual' and 'Computer Graphics' in the Artist Directory.

Naked Art Gallery

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:51:00 +0000

www.nakedartusa.com

Location: 3815 Clairmont Ave
Birhmingham, AL 35222

Phone: (205) 595-3553
Email: mail@nakedartusa.com
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 am-6:00 pm

Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Naked Art Gallery is not your typical gallery. In fact, by the looks of it on the outside you may not even think it a gallery at all. Surrounded by deep green trees and grass, Naked Art Gallery stands alone and proud in a countryside cottage setting; an eccentric setup with hints of bright originality (note the big red door and window frames).

Upon entering the gallery you're instantly surrounded by a surreal display of brilliant oranges and vibrant greens... a Dr. Seuss meets Willy Wonka-esque vibe. From pottery and paintings, to lamps and plants, you are truly awakened by the spirit of "wanting to understand and appreciate all of the artists' work with the "naked eye", without intimidating, "hi-brow" hidden meanings."

In the 'About' section of the gallery's website, it reads, "We simply want everyone to feel good about being here and to just enjoy the gallery's vibrancy." And that you do. A happy little gallery that will no doubt make you smile with delight the second you set foot inside, Naked Art Gallery is truly a unique find.

Be sure to browse their site completely, as you can get updates from joining their mailing list, browse great places to visit in Birmingham, and even read their impressive media list which includes the cable channel Turner South and the national travel guide, "Eccentric America", being awarded as "Best of The Road" by the Rand McNally Atlas, mentioned as a cool place to shop in the New York Times and Time Out New York! and also featured twice last year in the USA Today "Pop Candy" blog.

Here is just a tease of the treasures found within:

"A Timely Woman" by Tiffany Ownbey

"A Hah" by Tina Kirk

Rocket (light switch plate) by Veronique Vanblaere

Next week we will explore art galleries in the great state of Alaska! Come back soon.

Jennifer Harwell Art Studio/Gallery

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:43:00 +0000

www.jenniferharwellart.com

Location: Soho Square
1830 29th Ave S #130
Birmingham, Al 35209

Phone: 205-802-7847
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

As part of our 'Galleries Around the World' project here at Big Art Blog, I am very pleased to introduce you to Jennifer Harwell Art Studio located in Birmingham, Alabama. Jennifer Harwell is an extremely talented self taught painter who emerged on an art scene in Birhimgham, Alabama after shunning the idea of following in her brother's footsteps of becoming a nurse.

Her studio, jenniferharwellart, is located in the heart of SOHO SQUARE. The gallery and website represent over 80 local, regional, and international artists. The website has a broad range of member and jewelry artists, each representing their own unique style. There are also adult and children painting courses you can sign up for with a wide collection of course videos you can easily view online.

The virtual tour view of the gallery is another classic feature which lets you browse the brilliantly colored walls, its appealing surroundings and all the magnificent treasures within. A gem of a gallery with an equally impressive website that easily lets you get a taste of what's harbouring behind the gallery's doors.

Just a sample of the many quality artists featured at the gallery:

"A Musical Moment" by Mary Lynne Robbins

Pottery Art by Joseph Frye

"Oncoming Storm" by Richard Goldstein

Thursday we will continue our 'Galleries Around the World' with another fantastic Art Gallery in Alabama. Stay tuned!

Old Book Ilustrations

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Old Book Illustrations is a site dedicated to providing those vintage enthusiasts some illustrious prints at the click of a button in the comfort of their own home. According to the copyright laws of most countries the images provided by the site are free to download and redistribute for personal or commercial use. No more hours of searching at antique swapmeets through boxes of old illustrations being sold at sky rocket prices (unless, of course, you enjoy that). You can browse through a very impressive wide selection of prints, from flowers to temples from the 17th and 18th century. Here is just a sample of what the site has to offer:

This picture was taken from the Dictionnaire encyclopédique Trousset, also known as the Trousset encyclopedia, Paris, 1886 - 1891.

This picture was taken from the Dictionnaire encyclopédique Trousset, also known as the Trousset encyclopedia, Paris, 1886 - 1891.

Along with these fantastic illustrations, each print is followed by the original book the print was founded (as I have included in this post), a detailed definition of the origins of the print (if applicable), and specified keywords to help make your browsing experience all the more easier and enjoyable. A treasure of a site with amazing content, www.oldbookillustrations.com is a definite must see!

Drink From Your Canvas: Cheeming Boey

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Every once in a while I stumble upon a brilliant & original article. This one came from The Orange County Register who articled a story about an extraordinary artist. Cheeming Boey, born in Malaysia and now residing in Newport Beach, CA, does illustrations... amazing illustrations. His Canvas of choice? A Styrofoam Cup.

What does he doodle about? Life - in general. One foam cup portrays him crossing an ocean on a leatherback turtle. He describes this as his "journey West. The boat sinking behind me is the art movement in the East with my friends who are artists back in Asia. They won't have the same kind of life I have here as an artist." His drawings started simple and grew more complex as he delved into story telling with his illustrations and each one now has its own underlying interpretation. Cheeming's cups now sell anywhere from $120 to $220 and he shows them at the monthly Artwalk in Laguna Beach, CA.

All images and quotations are Copyright The Orange County Register

Illustrations For Inspiration: Kat Macleod

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:37:00 +0000

Cocktails, birds, collage ladies & more. Kat Macleod has redefined the image of woman... from chic to sultry fashionista. An Aussie with spunk, style and feminine grace, Kat always felt the need to sketch and eventually added in a little embroidery and collage to construct her own unique style.

Kat's clients include Vogue Entertaining and Travel, Collette Dinnigan, & Harper’s Bazaar (among others); a very impressive resume that is only bound to grow and develop even further. Google surprisingly came up short with much information on the gifted artist... perhaps it's her own way of keeping low profile. Among the few sites that actually held any mentionable information on Kat were Bandelle and Oh Joy!

Kat has released four books, her newest 'Like I Give A Frock' released in April of 2009. To see her collection of books and to receive the best deals go to Amazon.com.

Sell Your Art At Big Art Blog

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Big Art Blog is proud to announce that you can now sell your artwork at our store (located below). You must have either a Profile Page created or already be listed in the Artist Directory before submitting your art to sell. Click the Artist Profile Form link or the Artist Directory Form link (also located above) to get started.

As a profiled or directory listed artist here at Big Art Blog you can have up to ten works of art for sale at once. The purchaser will be redirected to you to complete the purchase by clicking on the art they wish to purchase from the store. All sales are strictly between the artist and the purchaser... Big Art Blog is simply just here to help :)

Go to the Artwork Submission Page if you are member and would like to add your art.

Illustration Extraordinare: Kevin Dart

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Being that our 'Medium of Choice' is Illustration until June 15th, I thought I'd introduce you to an amazing illustration artist I discovered by the name of Kevin Dart. A freelance artist from sunny Southern California, Kevin is currently a creator at Disney TV and co-owner of Fleet Street Scandal, a project he and art pal Chris Turnham embedded upon to create high quality art prints that would "look great on a wall". Here is just a sampling of those prints...

You can discover more of Kevin at his website where you can browse through his impressive collection of artwork, follow his updates on his active blog or even choose new apparel such as a Yuki 7 t-shirt based on a French poster for A Kiss From Tokyo.

Watercolors & Cupcakes: a very sweet blend!

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:06:00 +0000

I stumbled upon artist Jessie Oleson's blog entitled Cake Spy, an ooey gooey assortment of scrumptious recipes and images that will make your mouth water with pure delight. Clicking a link to her Online Shop at etsy, I found a colorful collection of original watercolor prints, each painted with images of cupcakes, bacon, toast, cookies, pies... even a happy little cupcake standing in front of the eiffel tower. What could possibly be more original?

Having had her work displayed in various magazines, such as Sunset Magazine and Taste of Home, it's not doubt what Oleson is recognized for: her charming imagination. She has numerous original prints, all of which are very reasonably priced, at etsy. An original artist with a lot of creative flare, Jessie Oleson's etsy store and blog are definately worth checking out. Jessie has been added to the Artist Directory under 'watercolor'.

New Profile Page For Artists!

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:13:00 +0000

Big Art Blog is proud to announce that we now provide a Profile Page for artists! The page is designed for artists who do not not have a website or blog of their own or just want a classic viewable profile searchable on the blog and search engines via web crawls and pinging services.

The service is a yearly fee of $20. A small fee for a complete profile, including an image, contact information, personal art links, and biography. To see a sample of what a profile page looks like, please click HERE

Photoshop: The Ultimate Imagination

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Photoshop is nothing new, yet the images created using the program never cease to amaze me. I browsed images and found quite a few that I was very impressed with, sampling just a couple here with you.

A cat licks its human paw, connected by what looks like an array of fleshy stitches.

A swimmer emerges from the surface of a red juicy watermelon.

A woman looks at ease sipping her hot coffee while her tresses of hair run away in a blend of running horses.

If you have any photoshop images you would like to share with us, please send your images to bigartblogadmin@gmail.com

Interesting Art Facts...

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend. Here's a little excerpt I found from www.jtodd.com with some interesting art facts:

Did you know that. . . .

Oil paintings generally cost less to frame than equally sized prints

Lighting on a painting needs to be dimmer at night and brighter during the day

Reputable galleries offer the same prices as their artists offer directly

An artist's best work is usually sent to his most productive gallery to sell

Fluorescent lighting causes more fading of artwork than incandescent lighting

Most artists are left handed

Giclee prints are just high quality ink-jet prints on fancy paper or canvas

Most couples do not agree on artwork for their home, initially

Art prices are set just like other prices--by supply and demand

Added lighting almost always enhances any painting, regardless of style or color

Most art buyers acquire it to enhance their home interiors

Art has surpassed the stock market in appreciation over the past twenty years

We have a new Artist Spotlight. Cindy Couling is a Mixed Media artist who has a natural gift of creating beautiful jewelry, prints and more.

Most Creative Hotel Rooms in the World

apriltbeck@gmail.com (April) — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Thought this was a pretty interesting find from the Web Urbanist website. They've put together a collection of very unique hotel rooms from all across the world, each focused on a particular theme. They make the Holiday Inn look oh so very ordinary. Here are a few highlights:

The Symbol Room: A unique room filled with black and white symbols emblazoned upon interchangable blocks, giving the clientele the option to rearrange their furniture to their liking. As dizzy as it may make you feel, you certainly can't deny its originality

The Jail Cell: This one struck me as odd, yet diturbingly charming. Who would pay to spend a night in a replica of a jail cell? A lot of people, apparently. This cartoonish replica, painted in bright colors, gives its clientelle the option to break-out at the end of the night by means of punching a hole in the wall.

The Vampire Hotel: If jail seemed gloomy enough, try spending the night where the dead rest in peace - a coffin. Climb up the stairs into the wooden "attic" and slumber away in your dead bed. Crossing arms over your chest is not mandatory, however ordering in a horror flick is highly recommended.

For more artistic pleasure, please click HERE.