"Entelechy 2" by Mariela Moode, Artexpo Booth #523

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “Etelechy 2″ by Artexpo New York 2010 exhibitor Mariela Moode, who will be exhibiting in booth #523.

Mariela’s paintings are rich with symbolic suggestion. In the artist’s words: “Beyond each of the symbols lies a hidden story, and beyond the entire image lies a hidden message. The message of overcoming and renewal in the entelechy paintings are also a message of hope for a society in transition.”

Mariela was born in 1986 in Salcedo, Dominican Republic. At 17 years of age, she moved to Santo Domingo to attend business school. Thereafter, while attending the National School of Bellas Artes (ENBA), she dedicated much of her time to the exploration of life drawing, piano and theatre. When she was 20, Mariela left the Dominican Republic to live and study in the United States. She currently lives in Ohio and has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions.

Mariela prefers to paint with oil, but also enjoys exploring other mediums. Her paintings represent a continuing change through the process of evolution and self-discovery.

“I find my inspiration in beauty, truth, sorrow, anxiety, the concept of forever, death, politics and god. My paintings are a visual journey through time and my search to find true meaning in life. The paintings evolve symbolically from chaos to order. At times, this is a graceful process, as if my subconscious manifests itself through the forms. Other times, it is a painstaking process. Time is infinite and all of eternity exists within each moment; this body of work represents my struggle to comprehend the journey of true life.”

To read more about Mariela Moode and see more of her works, visit her website. And of course, be sure to stop by Mariela’s booth, #523, at Artexpo New York 2010, coming to NYC’s Pier 94 next week! Get your tickets here.

"The Cycle of Life" by Sunita Jariwala-Gajjar, Artexpo Booth #S131

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “The Cycle of Life,” an extraordinary piece by Artexpo New York 2010 exhibitor Sunita Jariwala-Gajjar.

Born in Surat, India, Sunita immigrated to the U.S. and now lives in Jersey City and works in Brooklyn. Her intriguing “Earthscapes” (giclée prints) combine digital and mixed media to explore worlds both ancient and contemporary. Here’s what Sunita has to say about her art and creative process:

“Travel, like art, is a uniquely liberating experience –– one of continual exploration and constant discovery. The sensory information we take in on our travels informs and expands our perceptions, which in turn gives freedom to new and personal expressions.

“It’s the symbiotic relationship that is the genesis of this experimental series of composite images combining my twin passions.

Crossing international boundaries served as inspiration to push visual ones. By digitally merging photography and traditional painting, I’ve sought to escape the obvious conventions and redefine the sights, culture, daily living, art and artifacts from my travels on my own terms.

Having grown up in India where color and variety are an intrinsic part of life and landscape, it’s natural that these influences would come to bear. You can see them reflected in the vivid, highly saturated imagery, the addition of incongruous elements to convey mystery, and the
occasional blitz of visual stimuli to enrich and heighten the impressions.

The end result is the creation of new artistic journeys that transform the physical ones in provocative and unexpected ways.”

You can see more work by Sunita in Artexpo’s flickr account, and here’s a link to Sunita’s site. And of course, be sure to stop by her booth (#S131) at Artexpo! (Need tix? Get yours online today.)

"A Drifting Memory" by Chris Dellorco, Art Traditions, Booth# S220

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “A Drifting Memory” by Chris Dellorco. Chris is published by Art Traditions, and will be exhibiting in booth #S220 at Artexpo New York 2010, March 25-28 at Pier 94.

“A Drifting Memory” is giclee on canvas and measures 40″ x 30. Of the artwork, Chris says, “To me, the feather symbolizes a memory that is hard to grasp and hold. We can try to capture it but, just as easily, a memory can blow away and fade.”

Born in Los Angeles, Chris first took interest in the interplay between art and architectural history while studying Developmental Economics at U.C. Berkeley. Desiring a more creative field, he switched his focus from academics to art and went on to establish himself as one of the county’s foremost illustrators. Although completely self-taught, his art career has spanned all aspects of illustration while specializing in the film industry, children’s products and children’s books. A true renaissance man, along with a degree in Economics and a successful art career, he has also successfully written and directed an award winning short film, receiving international recognition.

For the past 15 years, Chris has been widely considered one of Disney’s top illustrators for print advertising, specializing in Home Video packaging. His covers range from the award-winning “The Lion King” to the recent “Lilo and Stich,” and everything in between. If you own one of Disney’s animated titles on VHS or DVD, Chris probably did the cover.

In the entertainment field, he has won numerous awards and illustrated numerous movie posters, including “Conan the Barbarian,” “Revenge of the Nerds,” “The Firm,” and many others.

Chris has successfully displayed his art for many years at the Image Arts Gallery located in Westlake Village, California. His paintings are currently on view at the 2nd Street Cigars and Art Gallery on Gallery Row in Downtown Los Angeles. More recently, he has shown at the prestigious Beverly Hills’ Affaire in the Gardens Art Show. His art has also been featured at the celebrity filled Artists for Medicine annual auction at the Lladro Gallery in Beverly Hills, showing along side such renowned artists as Basquiat, Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha and Yoko Ono.

Be sure to stop by booth #S220 at Artexpo New York 2010 and see Chris Dellorco’s impressive work up close. Tickets are available online.

Booth #626 at Artexpo

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “Untitled II” by Pratul Dash. Pratul is published by Tamarind Art Gallery, which will be exhibiting at Booth # 626 at Artexpo New York 2010. Tamarind Art Gallery is a major advocate of contemporary Indian art, seeking to showcase high-caliber Indian works to western and global audiences.

Indian artist Pratul Dash uses a wide range of media to explore the social and ecological concerns of modern India. Born and raised in rural Orissa, he moved to New Delhi to study painting at the College of Art, graduating in 1998. The transition from his simple life to the complex urban environment of New Delhi made a strong impression on Pratul. His paintings and videos are an examination of the destruction wrought by urbanization and globalization on both the natural landscape and the human psyche.

Pratul says:

My works do not narrate any particular tale or have any obvious coherent narrative quality, yet they are the product of an endless quest to locate the urban and the existence of the human beings in the urban locale. I attempt to incorporate the irony of the developmental myth with the sublimity of human life.

With the rise of neo-capitalism, the strangeness and sameness of new urban culture is developing all over the country. This rapidly changing social landscape provides the backdrop to my paintings, in which I place myself as the receiver—either as a child who is a helpless observer of vast social construction (in terms of urban development and vertical growth), or/and an individual who probably realizes that within developmental work there is a sense of waste, decay and de-humanization.

The large color fields of my paintings provide a spatial limitlessness; indicate a unity of time and place; and embrace the conscious experience which travels from personal to psychological to social with a scent of the human tragedy in the hope to progress.

Look for works by Pratul Dash and other fine artists at the Tamarind Art Gallery booth, #626, at Artexpo New York 2010, starting March 25 at Pier 94 in NYC. Tickets to the show are available online.

"Id" by Carmit Haller, Booth #916

Today’s Artwork of the Day is a bold, colorful metal piece by Artexpo New York 2010 exhibitor Carmit Haller entitled “Id” . The artwork, which measures 52” x 40” x 5″, was created by layering prints on aluminum.

Originally from Israel, Carmit creates large-scale, limited-edition “metalwerks” featuring lavish colors and intriguing compositions on aluminum. She employs an innovative computer-based painting technique that sets her apart from other artists in her field.

Carmit earned her BFA in Computer Arts/New Media from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where her work won several awards including “Best of Show.” After establishing a fruitful career as a senior graphic designer in the San Francisco Bay Area, she returned to her passion for computer arts. She is currently represented by Bruno Publishing in the Caribbean Islands, and has had successful solo exhibitions in various venues in Israel. Her work has also been published in several art magazines worldwide.

With a background in Psychology, Carmit also attempts to touch the subconscious of the viewer through her artwork. Her creations visually evoke well-known theories from Psychology, such as Freud’s “Id” and “Catharis,” and Jung’s “Albido.” Carmit believes in color as the first and foremost “raw” element that captures the viewer’s eye and psyche; she says it is the main key to engaging the observer in her works. The form and composition of each piece adds another layer of intrigue, piquing both the mind and imagination. “I want the audience to feel something about my work, have an impact on oneself and challenge him intellectually,” she says.

Look for more of Carmit’s bright, engaging creations at Artexpo New York 2010. You’ll find her at booth #916. (Haven’t got your tix yet? Get them online today!)

"En Arriere," by Stephanie Kristofic, Booth# S156

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “En Arriere,” an abstract by Artexpo New York 2010 exhibitor Stephanie Kristofic.

Stéphanie Kristofic has always been fascinated by the human body and its movement. That’s why she often paints with live, dancing models nearby, hoping to generate “an instantaneous encounter” between the live bodies of dancers and the canvas.

“I’m trying to understand the human condition, in questioning myself about the relation between the body and the way it moves. I am a soul and live inside a body, which is my only means to connect to the world and with other people. Everything between us happens through it, however I wonder how what we are inside appears outside, and how to catch that—how to transcend body and see our specific identity.”

See Stephanie’s work at Booth# S156 at Artexpo New York 2010, coming to Pier 94 this month! You can buy tickets online, or register online for FREE if you’re a trade attendee.

Coming up this month at Artexpo New York 2010, Limelight Agency (booth#827) will unveil rare limited edition and signed giclee prints by artists Ronnie Wood (yes, that Ronnie Wood) and Justin Bua.

"Keith Richards," by Ronnie Wood, Limelight Agency, Booth #827

Like a Rolling Stone:
Unbeknownst to many, Ronnie Wood—the legendary guitarist and song writer for such bands as The Faces and The Rolling Stones—is also a painter. At age 4, Ronnie showed an appreciation for the Arts by first picking up a paintbrush and eventually the guitar, which led him to a super-stardom only experienced by a few. Outside of his career in music, Wood continued to paint. Moved by the musicians around him, he painted both on the road and in the studio. Inspired by the masters, Picasso, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, Ronnie’s work offers an intimate glimpse into the exclusive world of rock ‘n’ roll. Captivating portraits of Keith Richards, Slash, and Jimi Hendrix in a series called “Now, Then & Always” will debut at the show.

"King of Pop," by Justin Bua, Limelight Agency, Booth #827

The King of Pop:
Old school b-boy, graffiti artist and painter Justin Bua will return to his hometown to display the King of Pop a stunning, limited edition giclée inspired by the late, great Michael Jackson. Known and collected by millions all over the world, Bua’s artwork is representative of a new generation of artwork that tells the tale of urban life—of DJs, masters of the mic, graffiti artists and break dancers. Bua’s masterful paintings, infused with both the rhythms of the street and classical training, tell the tales of urban life through a cast of city muses. To kick off Artexpo, Bua will be on site Saturday, March 27 for a personal appearance and signing. The first 500 visitors to the booth will receive a signed postcard of the “King of Pop.”

Tickets for Artexpo can be purchased both onsite at Pier 94, and in advance online. Adult tickets are $15, seniors & students are $10, and children under 12 get in for free. See you there…

Artist Bill Mack & a piece from his Hollywood Sign project - Image from "Artful Living Magazine"

“Most people don’t know the original Hollywood sign was built as an advertisement, meant only to last for a year. Even fewer people know that 87 years later, a Minnesota artist is giving that original sign a new life.”

That’s the call-out that opens “The Hidden Story of an Icon,” a terrific feature article about artist Bill Mack in the winter 2010 issue of Artful Living Magazine. The article, by Marni Ginther, tells the story of how the Minneapolis-based artist came to be painting the likenesses of Old Hollywood icons—like Marylin Monroe and Greta Garbo—on the original Hollywood sign.

A renowned American sculptor, Bill purchased the 150-foot-long metal sign in 2007 from L.A. producer and entrepreneur Dan Bliss. “It was so gnarly looking,” Mack told Artful Living Magazine, “It was all rusty and it had 55 years of paint on it and holes in random places.” Nonetheless, amidst the rusted sheets of metal and rotting timbers, the artist saw an opportunity—and a canvas. “It’s an iconic structure that so clearly represents glamour, excitement, style, entertainment. It represents all those good things,” he says in the article.

You can read the full article here and learn more about Bill Mack by checking out the Erin Taylor Editions website.

Aside from his Hollywood Sign project, Bill is well known for his innovative sculptures both in relief and in the round. He is published by Erin Taylor Editions, which will exhibit in Booth #602 at Artexpo New York 2010.

"Hunter" by Gerel Dzjind, Valiant Art Gallery, Booth 650

Today’s Artwork of the Day is “Hunter” by Gerel D. of Valiant Art Gallery. Gerel and Valiant Art hail from Mongolia, and will be traveling a long way to exhibit at Artexpo New York 2010!

A country of mystery and legends, the cold and remote wilderness of Mongolia in Central Asia has recently been bringing new life to the international art scene. Largely nomadic people, Mongolia’s artists add a new dimension to Asian art and offer truly unique offerings for collectors and investors.

Perhaps most famous as home to Genghis (Chinggis) Khaan, Mongolia’s long, rich history and strong people have made this fascinating country a painter’s real-life palette. The use of primary colors and new blends are a testament to a burgeoning sense of freedom emerging from the nation’s former socialist tradition. The freshness, occasional naivety and stunning array of colors mutate from countryside to canvas.

Mongolia is a country of just under three million people and three million horses, where infants from two years ride as well as adults. Horses represent a permanent and recurring theme in Mongolian art and feature widely in the collection—as you can see in the image by Gerel Dzjind, above.

An unlikely custodian of this exciting portfolio, Valiant Art Gallery owner Elisabeth Koppa has engaged with local artists for over five years, encouraging them to show their talents to the world. Polish by birth, an international traveler and Ulaanbaatar resident, Mrs Koppa has built the Gallery by recognizing the unusual style and extensive scope of Mongolia’s leading artists. Elisabeth’s collection includes traditional paintings, figurative pieces, contemporary style and sculptures.

See new works by Gerel D. and other Mongolian artists from Valiant Art Gallery at booth #650 at Artexpo New York 2010!

"Alone in Kyoto" by Claudia Ferrari, Buenos Aires Open Art, Booth #815

Today’s Artwork of the Day is a piece entitled “Alone in Kyoto,” by Artexpo New York 2010 artist Claudia Ferrari. Claudia is published by Buenos Aires Open Art, an Argentina-based gallery representing contemporary artists from Buenos Aires and Chile.

Claudia Ferrari works with a Japanese painting technique called sumi-e, also known as “wash painting,” using natural flower dyes on rice paper that is mounted on canvas. Once a stroke is painted, it cannot be changed or erased.

Claudia’s landscapes are at once contemporary yet timeless. Each piece holds a serene simplicity that is beautifully matched by the artist’s philosophy, summed up by a quote she has posted on her website:

I am what I am, that is enough.
If no other in the world be aware, I sit content.
And if each and all be aware, I sit content.
-Walt Whitman

Be sure to stop by the Buenos Aires Open Art booth (#815) to see new work by Claudia Ferrari and other fine artists. Artexpo New York 2010 is just a month away now…