Amazing Art & The Artists

Two different artists, two different styles….each creating sensational art worth gazing at to enjoy, savor and take in all the beauty they possess.  

Think of all the beauty still around you & be happy.  ~Anne Frank  

Kevin Fitzgerald:  Has been painting for over 30 years, born in Washington, D.C., Kevin was drawn to painting from early childhood.  Citing the 19th century Romantics and Tonalists as inspiration, the work is both assuaging and triumphant in depicting the divine landscape. Fields, farms, marshes, and ponds all comprise the working vocabulary of a painter who glorifies the Great Mid-Atlantic region. 
There has yet to be a piece that artist Kevin Fitzgerald that I have seen that hasn’t moved me on some level or another.  The feeling when seeing one of his paintings, each one has evoked a strong sense of connecting to the stunning pieces they are.  Someday, someday, oh someday……I will be lucky enough to have one of his beautiful works of art gracing one of my walls where endless gazing would occur.  For now, I breathe in the beauty of this man’s talents through galleries and other fortunate people that are in possession of his amazing art.     
   

 The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection. ~Michelangelo  
  

If you love his works as much as I do and you are lucky enough to be around Old Town Alexandria, Virginia on Friday March 12, 2010 from 6:30-9:00 pm, do stop in at the super fabulous Principle Gallery for
Kevin Fitzgerald’s – Exhibit   He is a pure pleasure to meet and converse with & you’ll be happy you stopped in to have the opportunity to see him and his art in person.
all images courtesy of Principle Gallery 208 king street Alexandria, Virginia 22314  phone: 703.739.9326

 

Janet Slom an artist, resides in Westport Connecticut.  She has a gift, one where she is very much connected to her art, and paints from her heart and soul.  The very first second I glanced at her art, I sensed an intense and amazing feeling of serene beauty in which her soul radiates and is poured into each piece.

Her journey in life, her inspirations and her energy she creates ethereal paintings, aptly called, Heaven & Earth.
  The paintings abstractly interpret the moment when sunlight, earth, and sky meet in a stunning gorgeous burst. “Everyday I go for an early-morning walk just as the dawn breaks, and the beauty is so overwhelming, it is profound,” says Janet about the series. “It is a reminder that all we really have is this moment.” 

Please do take a moment to take in, inhale, embrace if you will, her majestic descriptions,which are almost as beautiful as her art is, her words regarding the meaning & the feelings in which she creates some of her series.    
The idea of mindfulness and capturing the essence of a given point in time is a recurring theme in her work.  In Abbracci, or “hug” in Italian, loosely painted figures embrace passionately or fondly, and for Janet the series is about the beauty of not only being embraced but also embracing the moment. “Whether it’s drawing a model or showing
the dance of light on the water, it’s about pondering all of that childlike wonder and gratitude and seeing this very moment because   it’s all very fragile and very fleeting. It’s quick.”

Her works seem to captivate, entrance you, which seem to have this magical glow.  

 
Westport Magazine - February 2006 by Suzanne Gerber
A renowned artist and teacher who has shown her transcendental abstract paintings on several continents, Janet paints not from her imagination so much as from her soul. Which is not surprising when you learn that Janet the artist has her roots in Janet the dancer and Janet the student of yoga and meditation. Today those seemingly disparate threads have been woven together in her life and her art.   Lately, Janet’s work has begun to change on a profound level. She’s in the middle of a life change, leaving her past behind and starting anew. Not surprisingly, her art is reflecting this transformation, which she likens to “living in the blankness of a canvas.” Petite and impassioned, when Janet speaks, she sounds like she’s reading. But because her inner and outer worlds are so aligned, the words come out perfectly crafted, like her soul has been rehearsing them forever.

  
“Art is a universal language that communicates through the heart of creative expression.  When the work touches another deeply, it is a celebration and a gift.” ~Janet Slom

I have been forever changed in such a way after having connected with these artists and their art.  When we view art, it should move us, connect with us on some level, speak to us, invoke a feeling, touches us deeply……do you have a favorite art piece or artist that makes you feel those things?

Objects de’ Art…….Artfully Displayed On The Walls

Art and mirrors are not the only thing that can be displayed on a wall.  If it’s an object, whether it be old, new, a family heirloom, large, small, asymmetrical, symmetrical, flat or three dimensional, more than likely it can be hung on the wall to create a an interesting element to a space.

Nautical: from ships, to sails to sea (coral).
Phoebe Howard

Phoebe Howard 

Kay Douglass beach home Coastal Living

Hung in a series, everyday items create a graphic focal point on an architecture-free wall,” Kay says. “When I am shopping for wall art, I’m initially drawn to the shape of an object, but I also look for woven textures and pay attention to the object’s former life.” Baskets, oars, and even hayforks the designer is also drawn to old shutters and wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

S.R. Gambrel

Objects add interest and can be displayed in bedrooms, foyers, stairways, kitchens, barns, living rooms, powder rooms, nurseries, porches or anywhere there is a vertical space to which to hang something.

Found Objects: Eric Cohler
S.R. Gambrel

 Phoebe Howard 

Antlers:

                              Image source Nest Egg                                                                       Phoebe Howard

In The Barn & Barn Implements
  Erin Martin Design in a party barn…..how fun.

Coastal Living

 Architectural Treasures: a great way to give some interest to a room that is lacking in architectural detailing. Brooke Giannetti of Velvet & Linen added a beautiful  Italian wood piece above the bed.

                                         Coastal Living                                                                           Windsor Smith

Brooke Giannetti hung old doors with vintage paintings.

Plates:

                          Phoebe Howard                                                                        Martha Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

Ready-made ceiling rosettes are lightweight and easy to hang.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hats & Masks:

Erin Martin Design

Unique elements for display can be found in many places such as Etsy, 1st dibs, antique stores, your closet, your mother’s closet, galleries, markets and more….let your imagination go wild.  Repurposing items is also a great way to recycle.

1stDibs: China 19th Century  Black lacquered contemplation panels with marble inserts

Which ideas inspired you to take a look at something you have in a different way in where you might want to display it on a wall?  What is it and where shall you hang it?

Raising Money For Autism With Talent & A Love for Animals

Every once in awhile with no explanation,  sometimes with no warning, there is something that  moves us, that finds us inspired, giving us a a desire to share with others.  This can be a moment, a visual or perhaps a touching story.  That moment happened to me recently as I was perusing one of my all time favorite publications,  Traditional Home.  The November 2009 issue is filled with pages of the 2009 Classic Woman Awards, which share the stories of the devoted women that are caring and the ways they give back.   These women are all  inspirational with their amazing stories,  and one of these women, Kathryn Finney, a talented artist from Des Moines, is the heart warming story I am touched/inspired by that I would like to share. 

Artist Kathryn Finney is a  loving mom of an 11 year old son, Arthur who is autistic. Kathryn,  a devoted  mom, speaks fondly about her son  when asked to share some words. “Arthur is a blessing and teaches me something every day. He is not very verbal, but works hard to please us/his teachers and enjoys his schoolwork. He has a long way to go to develop the skills to enable him to function independently in this world. It is, I'm sure, every mother's dream for normalcy for their child. This has always been our normal and we do believe there is something that he can contribute and we will find those skills and nurture him.”

One way she helps her son Arthur develop his skills is through participation in dog agility training as  part of his therapy.  Kathryn feels extremely blessed for the help she receives with Arthur’s  therapies and is gratified by any way she is able to give back.  She combines her love of animals and her talents to create wonderful pet portraiture.  25% of the price of all prints purchased from Finney Fun now through December 31, 2009 will  go to OAR (Organization for Autism Research) to benefit those with autism.  Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurological disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate and form relationships with other people.

           Kathryn’s pet portraiture began 12 years ago when she painted her own Old English Sheepdog.   Animal owners can submit favorite photos of their beloved pets to give her an idea of the pet’s personality to allow her to transform them into a memorable painting that all pet owners will cherish.

Kathryn’s  fun, happy, touching art would fit in many places in a home,  especially in a child’s room, where they would be sure to put a smile on their faces.

        

Kathryn Finney shows her caring and kindness in more ways than one. “With Arthur being autistic, I don't find it unusual to try to do something for the helping and inner healing of children with autism.  I starting raising funds for the Organization for Autism Research three years ago by running the Chicago Marathon. I thought, if I'm running, I should see if there is a relevant charity to contribute something for my efforts. The response to a short letter to family and friends was so overwhelming that three years later, I've raised over $23,000 and it continues.” 

Her generosity is also apparent in her volunteer work with a local Human Services agency where she teaches several autistic adults how to paint.  “They come to my studio garage, have fun, and learn the rewards of painting. You would be amazed at their abilities. Often, I'm humbled by their talent.”

Kathryn also works with photographs to create colorful garden plans and landscape drawings to create beautiful works of art. 

 

 

Another notable mention raising money for Autism research, awareness and care, is:
The Acoustic for Autism Compilation, featuring compelling independent (and in some cases, unreleased) music specifically chosen to convey themes of hope and healing. 

 I highly recommend the purchase of these beautiful songs worthy of a great cause.  They are available everywhere digital music is sold, such as I-Tunes and Amazon.

Acoustic for Autism is a collaboration between childhood friends Louis Gendron and Michael Cusanelli. After 20 years, they reconnected and discovered the many things they still had in common, including careers in the entertainment industry, a continued passion for music, and the way autism had touched both of their families.

Acoustic for Autism relies solely on word of mouth, so please tell others about this lovely music, and of Louis and Michael’s generosity to donate 100% of the net proceeds to autism charities for research, awareness and care.

CD’s will be available mid December.