- pop-FoLK: tHe peCuLiar art of LeigH CoOney
I was born in Ireland and emigrated with my family to Canada when I was six years old. After leaving the poverty stricken country my family and I lived in many places before finally settling in Ontario, Canada when I was twelve. Unfortunately all this moving around left little time for making friends, and this combined with the fact that I struggled with an Irish accent, and an (at the time) unrecognized case of Attention Deficit Disorder meant I had great difficulty communicating and I became increasingly shy and introverted. This self-consciousness turned into self-awareness however and I began to appreciate the causes for our actions. I began to take an interest in psychology.
When I started teaching myself to paint in my late twenties I immediately started a tradition of approaching my paintings with a view of the psychological. Sometimes I analyze my own actions, and sometimes I playfully analyze the actions of others, whether they are famous writers, political figures, or just our average neighbours. It's the person that we hide that interests me. The most common theme in my paintings is childhood alienation, and I revisit this subject again and again. It may not be groundbreaking, but I do feel that most of our fears, desires, and idiosyncrasies start as seeds in childhood and much healing and self-improvement can be gained by first recognizing this. My goal is for my paintings to act as a catalyst for this change in the viewer.
As a self-taught artist I don't feel I know much about composition, colors, or symbolism. I work viscerally and I try first and foremost to take into consideration the "rhythm" of the painting. I don't feel that one needs to be a great master or even attend art school to see that a picture is more pleasing to the eye when one uses color and composition to a certain effect, I believe it is human nature to accomplish this. I believe the only difference between a good self-taught artist and a classically trained artist is the self-taught artist, through experimentation and repetition, can take much longer to get to the same place.
I keep everything simple, including both my compositions and my materials. I use only pure oil paint from the tube as it gives me the time I need to experiment and adjust a new idea multiple times before it is dry. I mix all my own color from the primaries, and from there I experiment until I get what I need.
I call my style Pop-Folk because although many of my characters come from pop-culture, my style reflects the relaxed approach to traditional guidelines that I find in medieval art, early renaissance art, folk art, most "outsider" art, and traditional one panel comic strips. It's Pop-Folk because I paint instinctually, rather than academically, putting shadows and proper perspective in when and where I feel they work best. Like most folk-art my work is characterized by a naive style, in which traditional rules of proportion, perspective, and light source, are not employed.As of September 2010 I have been creating art full time, meaning my only source of income is from my painting. I have taken part in art exhibits in galleries all over the Canada and the United States and I have paintings in permanent gallery and private collections from South Africa to France. My next solo show will be in my home town of Kitchener Ontario, where in March 2012 I was nominated for a KW Arts Award for my contribution to the visual arts. I love to discuss art, and I can be contacted through my website or directly by e-mail:www.leighcooney.comleighcooney@hotmail.compop-FoLK: tHe peCuLiar art of LeigH CoOney www.leighcooney.comPaintings by outsider artist Leigh Cooney.All copyright with the artist 2012, used with expressed permission from the artist.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
March 2012- Featured Artist of the Month
Monday, March 5, 2012
February 2012- Featured Artist of the Month
MIA ROMAN HERNANDEZ – Art By Mia
Brooklyn born Latina Painter, Writer and Mixed Media Artist. It was with my family that I first learned to appreciate the importance of an artistic community. Being surrounded by so many creative people provided me with a nurturing artistic environment that encouraged me to explore and learn without boundaries.
Growing up in Brooklyn, NY taught me the value of diversity but my Mom taught me how to fight the battles of life and survive the wars. She is my Goddess and Warrior. Trips to the park with her were excursions and the clouds were not just clouds but shapes and forms with endless possibilities. She taught us to see things with an open mind and to never be afraid to try new things.
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to travel through Europe and the Caribbean. During my travels I have visited the world’s most treasured pieces in history like … the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Michael Angelo’s David, The Sistine Chapel, Venus Di Milo and to view art by Obed Gomez, Frida Kahlo, Rafael Tufino, Goya, and so much more. Many artists have played a big role in inspiring me for instance the works of Frida Kahlo and Rafael Tufino, but the main inspiration source of my art is Culture, Global issues, Women and GIRLS. Having the opportunity to meet women from all over the world during my travel taught me how to appreciate and celebrate the Divine Goddess within us all regardless where we come from. So my true inspiration for my art is Women… her struggle, her life… her culture… family, passion… her motivation to move forward regardless of her obstacle. With this I was inspired to create a Goddesses and Warrioress Series which reflect the women I meet during my travels and read about. My Goddesses and Warrioress Series came about when I realized the struggles and strengths of women on a global level, especially women of color. My mission is to create a lifelong collection of images, sculptures, altars and artful renditions of the Goddess and Warrioress, she comes in so many forms and shapes as an infinite blessing to this universe and I would love nothing more than to celebrate her through art with the world.
My love of creativity does not stop at writing or painting but it continues with body adornment. My wearable art is purposefully created as unique pieces to be worn by Goddesses of all cultures and walks of life. My main source of inspiration is the diversity in women, cultures and the cycle of life. This earth is filled with beauty and while the media showcases the evil, ugly and ravaged I use the beauty as my inspiration and palette to create Wearable Art Pieces. I enjoy creating one of a kind jewelry pieces and wearable art that make you feel special, unique... A Goddess.... and when she steps out in her piece of wearable Art By Mia she is celebrating her inner Goddess. For centuries women have been adorning their bodies with jewelry, tattoos, colorful clothing and in some cultures a little more elaborate than others. This is the beauty of being WOMAN/GODDESS... Art is Life and we are the canvas so as we decorate, design and create we grow, move and celebrate it to its fullest.
If I had to sum up my inspirations into one word it would be “Life”. The driving force behind my work is very personal. It is an influence of family, culture and a deep sense of spirituality. WE are ONE and will RISE AS ONE!!!
Contact Information:
E-Mail: artbymamamia@yahoo.com
Website: http://artsbymia.com
Online Shop: www.artbymia.etsy.com
MIA ROMAN HERNANDEZ – Art By Mia, Inc.
Biography:
Mia Roman Hernandez with a degree in business and a passion for Art has become an internationally recognized self taught visual and Mixed Media Artist, Curator, Designer, Intuitive Arts Workshop Facilitator, Educator and Entrepreneur whose visual works have been exhibited and are part of private collections internationally and throughout the United States. Her paintings reflect spirituality, culture, humanism, reality and speak of advocacy for women and current events, while her jewelry designs embody the beauty of nature and the Divine Goddess within. Mia teaches Mixed Media Art at The Children’s Art Carnival in NYC to children ages 4-8 years of age as well as previously teaching cultural art workshops at Riverbank State Park in NYC. Mia, Founder of Art by Mia has curated several shows in and out of the NY area including but not limited to … Visions of Puerto Rico, Latinas En Foco, Women’s Journey, United for A Cure, FEMICIDE, FAREWELL SILENCE which was a global collaboration of over 200 women sharing their voices through pen and paper and Most recently Afro Latino American Crossroads. Her works have appeared in numerous exhibitions, galleries and reside in many private collections. She was recently recognized with a commendation from the Honorable Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall for her artistic and humanitarian contribution to the community as a Puerto Rican Artist. Mia Roman Hernandez a self taught Artist and Entrepreneur on a MISSION!
Curated events
Latinas En Foco, Photo exhibit, Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center March 2009
Her Food For Thought Poetry Event, Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center March 2009
Visions of Puerto Rico photo exhibit, Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center June 2009
Tribute to the She-Roes & Heroes of Poetry, Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center June 2009
Day of the Dead Arts Exhibit & Lecture event – Chashama, New York City October 2009
FAREWELL SILENCE – Monologue reading and exhibit, CSV October 2010
Afro Latino American Crossroads – Abrazo Interno Gallery, NYC 2011
Exhibitions
Puerto Rico Fest Borimix – CSV Cultural center November 2007 &; 2008 &; 2010
Latinas En Foco, Photo exhibit, March 2009
Urbanism, Rhythm, Space & Time, Baltimore, MD, Curated by Helene Ruiz, April 2009
Visions of Puerto Rico, Photo exhibit, June 2009
The Many Faces of Frida visual arts exhibit,Oakland, CA, July 2009
Hard Hearts Visual Arts exhibit, Williamsburg Music Center, Curated by Helene Ruiz, July 2009
Masquerade / False Faces – Visual Arts exhibit at Casa Frela Gallery, NYC October 2009
Resident Youth Art Instructor – River Bank State Park, New York 2008 – 2011
Youth Art Instructor – The Children’s Art Carnival, New York City 2009 – 2011
Rhythm and Color – Gallery 101 Fort Lauderdale, Fl. – February 2010
FEMICIDE – Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto Velez cultural center – March 2010
Spoken Soul / SWAN Day event – Miami Fl, Design District, Gallery 4141 – March 2010
Masquerade – Mask exhibit, Richmond VA, 2010
FAREWELL SILENCE – Monologue reading and exhibit, CSV October 2010
Orisha – Elegba Folklore Society exhibit, October 2010
Busted in 2 Cities – PA & NYC Bust exhibit, December 2010
Raw Realities- Art 6 Gallery, Richmond VA, January 2011
Gods & Goddessess – Cest le Vie Gallery, Richmond VA, May 2011
Music is Life – Williamsburg Music Center, NYC, May 2011
GODDESS - Chashama, New York City, June 2011
Holland Exquisite Corpse Art collaboration – Netherlands, November 2011
“El Gozo de Crear” - The Galleries at The Interfaith Church Center, NYC, November 2011
Sabor Feminina - Feminine Flavor Art Exhibit – Richmond VA, March 2012
Cover Designs & Book illustrations- Transitions of a NuyoRican Cinderella, NYC March 2012
All copyright with the artist 2012, used with expressed permission from the artist.
All copyright with the artist 2012, used with expressed permission from the artist.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Artists, Want More Opportunities?
Artist, published writer, and agent Marie Kazalia has released her 90 page ebook publication titled: The Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions.
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This ebook will assist YOU, the visual artists in your own DIY self-marketing and promotional efforts.
The Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions contains tips, 100's of resource links, and cover letters for you to adapt and use for making your own submissions, in any media, that will get your art viewed by art gallerists, museum curators, represented by corporate art consultants who will present their art to clients. This ebook contains details on how you can get Giclee print contracts. art licensing contracts such as payment for your art on calendars, CD music inserts and more that will generate income streams to support your art making practice.
This ebook contains PR and promotion resources, links and contacts--all for you the artist to use to create their own opportunities.
The purpose of the ebook, The Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions, is to save the you the artist time--not just on a daily basis, but to save artists months and years of trial and error.
The letter formats are tried and have brought results for many artists.
Marie Kazalia interview with ArtstyShark:
AS: What in your opinion are the biggest misconceptions artists have about the submission process?
MK: Most beginner and emerging artists wait for and respond to Calls for Submissions from various arts organizations. Many artists subscribe to submission lists, to scan over annual calls and fee based ops, putting their only research efforts into this one market segment. It’s like waiting in line for one thing, while a multitude of opportunities pass you by. There are hundreds, even thousands, of options out there for making artist submissions! Many artists just don’t know the endless possibilities that exist. My ebook is an eye-opener.
But I don’t just talk theory in my ebook. My ebook is a true How-To guide for artists. In simple steps, I show artists how to put themselves out there to find their markets and create their own opportunities. My ebook covers everything an artist needs to know to get started marketing and promoting their art, including presentation tools and know-how, insider tips on what words to use to get a gallerist’s attention, and *must use* words for obtaining print contracts. In my ebook I provide cover letters for artists to adapt and use for contacting gallerists, art consultants, and other arts professionals. Then I recommend a submission campaign action plan in a simple weekly framework, and even provide direct links to arts professionals. The links in my ebook alone will save any artist hundreds of hours of research! There are even links to lists of art industry contacts, such as a link to a list of hundreds of companies that need art for CD inserts, and a link to my offer to access my share list the Directory of Art Consultants –a list of 500+ live-linked contacts. In my ebook I share from my experiences, to save artists hundreds of hours (months! years!) of time wasted on trial and error efforts. My ebook is a DIY kit for visual artists to accelerate their art careers. I make this kit available as an ebook to reach artists across a variety of formats, including Kindle, Sony Reader, PDF and several other file forms and reading options.
Follow link to purchase $21.95 e book
Expressed permission given by author, Marie Kazalia copyright 2011.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
January 2012- Featured Artist of the Month
Marc .G. Doutherd is an African American,
Native American,Visual Artist. He believes in the way of the people. His work speaks for itself and is very powerful.
Marc Doutherd is a modern day renaissance artist. A master of all visual art forms. What you see when you view Marc Doutherd's art is a vision of the spiritual essence of his various subject matter as seen through his eyes, by way of interpretation, with unbelievably
bright hues that glow with a unique vibrancy unlike any other. They seem to move to the eyes.
Biography
I am a international
visual artist, sculptor,and musician/com
poser, Poet and motivational speaker, who is obsessed with the power of Creation itself!
Representation: Marc G Doutherd© LLC. US/International
Description
Marc G Doutherd
Artist Bio.
Feb, 9th, 1961 at 3:00am.
Arrived 6 months premature, complete with a hole in heart
and under developed lung.
The word that describes Marc G Doutherd is resilient!
Although he has had no formal educational training in any of the Arts, Marc has always been able to render images, sculpt any substance, and Marc plays most musical instruments after spending some time with it at a professional skill level.
According to Marc, “Love is the overriding force behind my work and it is that force and power that drives me to create”.
The philosophy behind his art is “Freedom". Freedom to expand artistically, freedom to experiment with new forms of art and new methods.
Marc is a constant participant in numerous exhibitions, art walks, gallery shows, underground art events, plays and theatre backdrop construction sites, and musical productions, when ever possible.
Marc Doutherd is a modern day renaissance artist.
A master of all visual art forms. Marc started creating images on outside surfaces at the age of 5, using charcol on concrete.
Marc's mother, Josephine Delores Doutherd was an artist and Classical pianist.
Marc's father,a Seminole Indian (Owassissas Clan), (Of the earth). One of the first stainless steel sculptors in the US.
Marc can render an image on any surface,with any medium, From figurative photo realism, surrealism, to Inter pretational abstract, Marc Doutherd shows unlimited ability in terms of his creative energy and artistic innovation. His artistic disciplines include lithography, illustration, painting, graphic design, leather work, jewelry making, tanning, sculpture, glass blowing, instrument making, and music writing and composition.
What you see when you view Marc Doutherd's art is a vision of the spiritual essence of his various subject matter's as seen through his eyes. By way of Shamanic interpretation, with unbelievably bright hues that glow with a unique vibrancy. Marc captures what others try to see and understand.
Press, Television & Radio.
Sacramento Bee Sacramento Press Tribune KOVR Television/Broadcast Radio Stations Auburn Journal Los Angeles Times San Francisco Chronicle McClatchy Broadcasting Co.Inc. Sacramento Access Cable Sacramento News and Review United Press International.
Awards
Marc has recieved notoriety for his art..
He has participated in International Art Competitions
Certificates of Award and Merit:
Novell Internetional Artist Exibition-Best of Show 2004/2005/2006-Pencil- Steel Life, Great Great Great Grandmother.
US Academy Oil Painters Award.
Marc is currently involved with advocacy work on behalf of Indigenous Native American concerns, and always more wonderful art.
Personal Interests
The world and every thing that has to do with life flourishing for all of its people.
Humanitarian efforts. Recovery from sin and the pain it causes.
Love period.
Email
doutherdarts@yahoo.com
Website
http://www.marcdoutherd.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcdouther...
All copyright with the artist 2012, used with expressed permission from the artist.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Creating Art- in a big way.
Artist Daniel Merriam, has created an Easel to fit his vision in a grand way. In his own words, he explains the process to expand his creative artistic boundaries..
In the past month I have worked on everything from small pencil drawings to bronze sculpture to 5x8 foot paintings. When you discover that your ability translates into many different forms, you get the urge to push the envelope. My ambitious personality causes me to constantly bite off big projects to chew on.
Each time I approach a subject, I take the experience I have and build on it, usually trying to implement something new each time. The table /easel I have built here was a concept I had had in my head for years and finally decided to go for it. Large works. Of course this means more paint, bigger canvas, and a sore neck from holding out my arm. Otherwise, it's like working on one of my smaller paintings with a magnifying glass. No matter what life throws at artists, they will usually figure out a way to work with it.
Here I just grabbed some leftover framing lumber I had in my garage and put this together in a jiffy. I put casters on it so that I can move out of the direct sunlight as it works its way around my studio. The goal was not to build a perfect table but to get to work on the big paintings. Maybe someday I will rebuild it with fine lumber and make it look more like a permanent fixture. It needs some adjustable struts on the back. I can have my brother fabricate some from steel pipes. One of the toughest things about this was committing to a concept for the piece. It is so much work and will be quite costly to produce, frame and ship, I felt I had to demand more of my faculties to make it worthwhile.
Information and images submitted by artist, with permission to share his story.
Special thanks to the artist Daniel Merriam. 2010
Friday, September 16, 2011
Artist of the Month
Spotlight Artist of the Month
Rules for entry
1. Join My Spotlight Gallery Facebook
2. Tell us why you think you should be Artist of the Month, via blog, or email.
3. The Gallery will select three artist of interest, from the submitted pool, to
spotlight, and will tally all the like votes, on facebook,
page to determine artist of the month, among your fellow artist.
The artist will be featured with five of it's work and bio.
Please submit all interest in the discussion board, on facebook via blog, or by email. Blog please selecting the follow button.
So how do we judge, for the three final artist? We try to use as many various styles, and mediums, for the chosen artist. We consider all abilities and ages as possible so that each member has a fair chance of getting chosen. Basically try to show your best work on Facebook. If it looks like you have dedicated your career to the arts, then we will definitely consider you as Spotlight Artist of the Month.
Thank you, for your interest.
My Spotlight Gallery team
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Critique Corner on Facebook
We are a growing art community on Facebook, with many talented artist. A virtual art studio that swims with artistic activity. Are you an artist working on a new creative direction? Not sure of this new direction? Join My Spotlight Gallery on Facebook, and meet many talented artist that share your creative passion for the arts. As artist we speak the creative and understand the levels of inspiration, from that creative spark, to that what's next, to the aha moment. A healthy discussion with constructive opinions are a great way to expand your thoughts.
Check us out on facebook
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