DMG Art Studio

Work in Progress

2012-02-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

I am currently working on 2 commission paintings. Here is a picture of the wedding portrait I'm working on. As you can see I just started.

This portrait is being done in a unique way. It was a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico. In the background there is a painting of Cancun and in the foreground is the bride and groom. The foreground painting will be frame with silver leaf to separate it from the background painting.

If you would like to have a portrait done in this unique way contact me; debra@dmgartstudio.com

Reminder: This Months Special is on the NEW/LINKS page of my website. Click Here to View or Purchase this Months Special

Website Updated!

2012-01-29T10:10:00.000-08:00

Please take a moment to visit my website. I made some changes. Let me know what you think. DMGARTSTUDIO.COM

I also put This Months Special in the News/Links page. It's a good deal for an original painting.

Keeping up with Social Networking

2012-01-19T13:47:00.000-08:00

I find it really hard to paint and keep up with social networking. I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other art networking sights. I also have items on Zazzle and CafePress. Between all of this and updating my website sometimes it's hard to find time to paint. I am also looking for galleries to represent my art. It takes more time now then it did in the past to sell my paintings. Before social networking all you had to do is get your work in galleries and produce more work to replace what you sold. Now you can spend days updating your status on all the networking sights. That's enough complaining, it's time to get to work. If you would like to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin here is my email address so you can look me up debra@dmgartstudio.com

New Paintings

2012-01-09T18:38:00.000-08:00

I just started 2 new paintings for customers. One is a painting of a small child drinking out of a straw and the other is a painting of a destination wedding. I will be blogging both paintings progress as they are painting. I look forward to everyone's input and questions.

Paul Cézanne

2012-01-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

Paul Cézanne, c. 1861
Born	19 January 1839 Aix-en-Provence, France
Died	22 October 1906 (aged 67) Aix-en-Provence, France
Nationality	French
Field	Painting
Training	Académie Suisse
Movement	Post-Impressionism
Works	Mont Sainte-Victoire seen from Bellevue (c. 1885) Apothéose de Delacroix (1890–1894) Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier(1893–1894) The Card Players (1890-1895) The Bathers (1898–1905)

Cézanne the artist

The Card Players, an iconic work by Cézanne (1892).

In Paris, Cézanne met the Impressionist Camille Pissarro. Initially the friendship formed in the mid-1860s between Pissarro and Cézanne was that of master and disciple, in which Pissarro exerted a formative influence on the younger artist. Over the course of the following decade their landscape painting excursions together, inLouveciennes and Pontoise, led to a collaborative working relationship between equals.

Cézanne's early work is often concerned with the figure in the landscape and includes many paintings of groups of large, heavy figures in the landscape, imaginatively painted. Later in his career, he became more interested in working from direct observation and gradually developed a light, airy painting style that was to influence the Impressionists enormously. Nevertheless, in Cézanne's mature work we see the development of a solidified, almost architectural style of painting. Throughout his life he struggled to develop an authentic observation of the seen world by the most accurate method of representing it in paint that he could find. To this end, he structurally ordered whatever he perceived into simple forms and colour planes. His statement "I want to make of impressionism something solid and lasting like the art in the museums",^[13] and his contention that he was recreating Poussin"after nature" underscored his desire to unite observation of nature with the permanence of classical composition.

Death

One day, Cézanne was caught in a storm while working in the field.^[17] Only after working for two hours under a downpour did he decide to go home; but on the way he collapsed. He was taken home by a passing driver.^[17] His old housekeeper rubbed his arms and legs to restore the circulation; as a result, he regained consciousness.^[17] On the following day, he intended to continue working, but later on he fainted; the model with whom he was working called for help; he was put to bed, and he never left it again.^[17] He died a few days later, on 22 October 1906.^[17] He died of pneumonia and was buried at the old cemetery in his beloved hometown of Aix-en-Provence.

Thank You!!

2012-01-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank all my 2011 customers!!

May 2012 be even better!!

Remember to check this blog often for

New Paintings & Specials.

Better yet, become a Follower!

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-30T06:05:00.000-08:00

Start off your New Year with a New Painting. Purchase an existing painting or have a custom painting done and receive a 10% rebate.

Sale ends January 31, 2012

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

Need a Last Minute Gift?

2011-12-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

Give the Gift of Art!!

Think Gift Certificate!!

Purchase a Gift Certificate through the store on my website and I will send the Gift Certificate to you by email. Then all you have to do is print it out and put it in a card. The Gift Certificate can be redeemed towards an existing painting or a commission painting.

www.dmgartstudio.com

Give the Gift of Art

2011-11-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

There are many ways you can give the Gift of Art.

1. Purchase an Original Oil Painting or Print from my website

2. Purchase a Gift Certificate toward an existing painting or a custom painting.

3. Purchase a Gift Certificate toward Beginner Oil Painting Classes.

dmgartstudio.com

The Gift of Art is a Gift that keeps on giving!

Beginner Oil Painting Class

2011-11-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

The 1st beginner oil painting class started on November 5 and the 2nd class was last Saturday. It was so much fun showing others how to paint. They played with paints and mediums in the 1st class. The 2nd class was a small still life using only primary colors. We will be doing another still life this Saturday. Come join us it's not to late.

Would you like to take a
Beginner Oil Painting class?

Email me for more info: debra@dmgartstudio.com

Do you know someone who might
want to take the class?

Give them a gift certificate.

Available on my website: dmgartstudio.com

Email Newsletter

2011-11-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Have you signed up for my email newsletter yet?

If you haven't, now is the time it's going out this week. You will receive the latest news and specials that are only in the newsletter. You can sign up on the left of this blog or on my website: dmgartstudio.com

$99 Original Painting Sale!!

2011-11-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

"Flutter"

Sale Ends November 30, 2011

Click Here to View or Purchase Painting

Hard Lesson

2011-11-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is the story of what not to do as an artist. My story began when I was contacted by a musician to do a CD cover. Of course I was very excited and thought it would help get my name out there. During the 1st conversation I agreed to do the painting for a lot less then I would usually receive. I thought it would be worth it to have my name on the cd. After going back and forth with the musician for 2 weeks we finally agreed on a design. At this time I asked him about a Licensing Agreement, he said he didn't know what it was so I explained it to him. He just dismissed it by telling me what he was going to pay for the painting. Meanwhile I was doing the painting and having the Licensing Agreement done. I finished the painting and email him an image (small, of course). He loved the painting. During this time the Licensing Agreement was done so I email it to him. This is where everything went wrong. The agreement stated that he would receive the painting and an image to be used on the cd cover only. It also stated that if he wanted to use the image on anything else he would need to have my permission in writing and another Licensing Agreement. He said that he didn't agree to any of this and that once he bought the painting he could do whatever he wanted to with it. Wrong! I told Him that copyright always stays with the artist unless stated in writing. He didn't like this so he decided not to take the painting which in my opinion proves he was going to rip me off and put my image on other products.

The lesson I learned from this is never do a painting for a product without a signed Licensing Agreement first!!

Oil Painting Class Starts Saturday, Nov 5 at 9:00

2011-11-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be starting the 1st class this Saturday!! This class is going to be a lot of fun. I call it "Playing with Paints". I will be teaching about different brushes, mediums and mixing paints.

Stop by if you are interested in learning how to paint in oils. My studio address is 2233 Park Ave., Orange Park, Florida, 32073.

Saturday doesn't work for you? Call (904-434-4558) or email (debra@dmgartstudio.com) me so we can arrange for another time, day or evening.

Ebid Auctions

2011-10-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Would you like to get one of my paintings at a really good price? I have 4 listed on Ebid! Check it often, you never know when your favorite painting will be listed. Here's the link:

Debra's Ebid

It's Time to Start Thinking About Christmas!!

2011-10-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Oil paintings make the perfect gift!! You could have a portrait done for them or a painting of their favorite place. Portraits can also be done from black and white pictures. Click here for my contact information. Note: Custom paintings have to be ordered by November 5 to be done in time for Christmas. Order by October 31 and receive 20% OFF!!

Have you ever thought of having a painting done for someone but didn't know what they would like? Gift Certificates are now available in the store (2nd page) on my website. Click here to purchase a gift certificate.

Class Starts in 2 Weeks!!

2011-10-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

I've been working very hard on the "Beginner Oil Painting Class" that starts on November 5. I can't wait, it's going to be a lot of fun to share my techniques. Here is a syllabus of the first 3 classes:

Class 1 - Brushes & Palette Knives,

Making a Color Wheel

Class 2 - Complementary Colors, Mixing Neutrals,

Mixing with Black & White

Class 3 - Basic Oil Painting Techniques

Would you like to take the classes?

Please contact me by going to my website:

www.dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - American Artist, Rolf Armstrong

2011-10-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

Rolf Armstrong was born in Bay City, Michigan on April 21, 1889 to Richard and Harriet (Scott) Armstrong. His father owned the Boy-Line Fire Boat Company, which included a line of passenger ships. Some were deployed in Chicago for use at the Chicago World's Fair there in 1893. However, the father's business and family were struggling, and the family homestead was lost to foreclosure. A few months later, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan.
Rolf's father died in 1903, and a year later he and his mother moved to Seattle, Washington, following the footsteps of his oldest brother, William, who had moved there a year earlier. By now Rolf's artistic interests were emerging to more than a part-time pleasure.
He moved to Chicago in 1908, where he later studied at the Art Institute. He then went on to New York, where he studied with Robert Henri.
After a trip to Paris in 1919 to study at the Académie Julian, he returned to New York and established a studio. In 1921 he went to Minneapolis to study calendar production at Brown & Bigelow.
During the 1920s and 1930s, his work appeared on many pieces of sheet music, as well as on the covers of many magazines. Many stars posed for his portraits, including Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo, and even Boris Karloff.
Armstrong's work for the Pictorial Review was largely responsible for that magazine achieving a circulation of more than two million by 1926. A year later, he was the best selling calendar artist at Brown & Bigelow. In 1930, RCA hired him to paint pin-ups to advertise their products, and in 1933 the Thomas D. Murphy Company signed him to produce a series of paintings for their line.
Rolf Armstrong died in 1960 on the island of Oahu, Hawaii as one of the best "pin-up" artists of the first half of the twentieth century.

Only 2 Spaces Left!!

2011-10-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Do you live near Orange Park, Florida?

Would you like to take Oil Painting Classes?

Beginner Classes Start:

Saturday, November 5, 9-12 AM

Would you like to take classes,

but this date and time won't work for you?

Email Debra to make other arrangement:

debra@dmgartstudio.com

Beginner Oil Painting Classes

2011-10-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

Would you like to lean how to paint in oils?

Do you live near Orange Park, Florida?

Beginner Oil Painting Classes

The 1st class is November 5, 2011, 9-12 AM

For More Info Contact Debra at:

(904) 434-4558

Email: debra@dmgartstudio.com

Updated Website!!

2011-10-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

Now You can Purchase My Paintings Directly from My Website!! Just Click on STORE in the MENU

I had a lot of comments about how hard it was to go from my website to my storefront and then back. You spoke and I listened. Please take a moment to check it out.

www.dmgartstudio.com

Thank You!!

2011-09-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank everyone who came to my

"Wine & Cheese Reception"

If you didn't get a chance to come or live to far away,

please visit my website to see my paintings

WWW.DMGARTSTUDIO.COM

Reminder!!

2011-09-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

Wine & Cheese Reception

September 15, 2011 - 4-7 PM

Stop by an have a glass of wine with Debra.

Find out what inspires her paintings.

Ask her questions.

Find out more info at

DMGARTSTUDIO.COM

Website

2011-09-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

I gave my website a facelift. Now you can click on the thumbnails to view a larger picture. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

www.dmgartstudio.com

Would You Like to Learn How to Paint in Oils?

2011-09-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

Do you live in or near Orange Park, Florida?

Beginner Classes Available

DMG Art Studio & Gallery

2233 Park Avenue, Suite 201 (2nd floor)

Orange Park, FL 32003

Contact Debra for More Info:

Email: debra@dmgartstudio.com

Phone: (904) 434-4558

My Zazzle Store!

2011-08-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Wine & Cheese Reception

2011-08-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

September 15, 2011 - 4-7PM

DMG Art Studio & Gallery

2233 Park Avenue, Suite 200 (second floor)

Orange Park, FL 32073

Stop by and have a glass of wine with Debra.

See her paintings up close and personal.

Please RSVP if possible

Email: debra@dmgartstudio.com or

Phone: (904) 434-4558

The Dancer Painting Has a Name!!

2011-08-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Dancing with Attitude"

All the information about the painting is
now on my website:

www.dmgartstudio.com

Dancer Painting is Finished!!

2011-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

I finished the painting and taken the pictures but I haven't decided what to call it. Please help me out by taking the poll of suggested names on the left. Also, leave me a comment if you have any suggestions. I am getting ready to put it on my website and in my online store but I can't without a name. Thanks for your help!

Website: www.dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - Peter Max

2011-08-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Peter Max (born Peter Max Finkelstein, October 19, 1937) is a German-born Jewish American artist best known for his iconic art style in the 1960s. At first, his “Cosmic 60s” art, as it came to be known, appeared on posters and were seen on the walls of college dorms all across America. Max then became fascinated with new printing techniques that allowed for four-color reproduction on product merchandise. Following his success with a line of art clocks for General Electric, Max’s art was licensed by 72 corporations and he had become a household name. In September 1969 Max appeared on the cover of Life Magazine with an eight-page feature article as well as the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Ed Sullivan Show.

Childhood

Peter Max's childhood began when he and his parents fled Nazi Germany, (Berlin, Germany) in 1938 to escape the Holocaust and traveled to Shanghai, China, where they lived for the next ten years. They lived in a pagoda-style house that overlooked a Buddhist temple, where Peter would observe monks painting calligraphic images with large bamboo brushes on large sheets of rice paper. His Chinese nanny taught Peter how to hold and paint with a brush by using the movement of his wrist and his mother encouraged him to develop his art skills by leaving a variety of art supplies on the balconies of the pagoda and told him to “go ahead and make a mess; we’ll clean it all up after you.”

In 1948, the family departed on a ship that took them on a 48 day sea journey around the continent of Africa and arrived at the port of Haifa, right after Israel had attained its statehood. They lived in Haifa for two years, and while Peter attended grade school, he simultaneously developed an interest in art and astronomy. His parents supported his interests by sending him to private art classes with a Viennese expressionist painter, Professor Honick, as well as weekly classes in astronomy at the Technion Institute on Mount Carmel.

From Israel, the family continued their journey westward and stopped in Paris for several months. That experience greatly enriched Peter’s appreciation of art; he sketched classic statuary in Parisian gardens, devoured the museums, and even took art classes at the Louvre. While he was impressed by the works of the European Expressionists and Fauvism, he was particularly fascinated with the paintings of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who was a traditionalist, renowned for his photo-realist style. The influence of Bouguereau, and later, John Singer Sargent, were instrumental in motivating Peter to take up realism when he began his formal art studies at the Art Students League of New York.

The 1950s

Peter and his parents first settled in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn 1953 attending Lafayette High School (New York City). One of Peter’s friends and classmates was actor Paul Sorvino. In 1956, Max began his formal art training at the Art Students League of New York in Manhattan, studying anatomy, figure drawing and composition under Frank J. Reilly, whom he had considered a master of light and shadow. Reilly himself had studied at the League alongside of Norman Rockwell, under the tutelage of George Bridgman, who was considered to be one of the great anatomists of the 20th century and taught at the League for 45 years.

The 1960s

In 1962 Max started a small Manhattan arts studio with friend Tom Daly, The Daly & Max Studio. Daly and Max were joined by friend and mentor Don Rubbo, and the three worked as a group on books and advertising. In 1963, Daly, Max and Rubbo did the illustration, design and color for Helga Sandburg's (the daughter of poet Carl Sandburg) children's book Joel and the Wild Goose.Max was commissioned by Riverside Records to create cover art for Meade Lux Lewis. The album art won a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators in 1962. With the use of photographic images as elements of collage, Max organized the Bettman Panopticon exhibition utilizing the antique photo content of the Bettman archives. It was considered one of the most avant-garde exhibitions of the New York graphic arts scene. His interest in Astronomy led to his Cosmic 60s period by way of art posters. He appeared on the Tonight Show in 1968 and on the cover of LIFE magazine on 9-5-1969. Max's 1968 LOVE poster was emblematic of late 60s pop-culture iconography.

The 1970s

U.S. postage stamp, featuring artwork by Peter Max, that commemorated Expo '74.
In 1970, many of Max's products and posters were featured in the exhibition "The World of Peter Max" which opened at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco. The US Postal Service commissioned Max to create the first 10¢ postage stamp to commemorate the Expo '74 World's Fair in Spokane, Washington. July 4, 1976, Max began his Statue of Liberty series leading to his efforts with Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca to help spearhead the restoration of the statue.

1976 also saw the commissioning of Peter Max Paints America by the ASEA of Sweden. The book project commemorated America's bicentennial and included the following foreword. "Peter Max Paints America is based on works of art commissioned by ASEA of Sweden on the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, in sincere recognition of the historic bonds of friendship between the people of Sweden and the people of the United States, recalling that Sweden was one of the first countries to extend its hand in friendship to the new nation."

The 1980s to present

Official artist for many major events including Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Super Bowl and others.

He also hosted the Xpress Peter Max Coloring Contest in the St. Petersburg Times in November 2005. The contest, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, was a contest for children to color in a sketch by Max. Of 800 entries, 90 were sent to Max, who chose a grand prize winner, a runner-up and 10 honorable mentions in each of the three age categories: 5-8, 9-13 and 14-18. Grand prize winners and runners-up received a piece of original art by Max, presented to them at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Each honorable mention student received a signed Peter Max poster.

Personal Life

Max owns a collection of 36 Chevrolet Corvettes, dating from 1953 to 1988, one for each year. The collection has been horribly neglected.

Peter Max is an environmentalist and defender of human and animal rights.

Peter Max was in the news in 2002 when he offered to provide a life of green fields for Cinci Freedom, a cow that escaped from an Ohio slaughterhouse. The cow leapt over a six-foot fence while the slaughterhouse workers were on break and eluded capture for eleven days. "This little girl's will—facing the end of her life, being so frightened, then taking the risk of all risks to live, to be free—touched me so deeply," Max was quoted as saying, "It was so inspiring. I knew I had to try to preserve that wonderful spirit." Max donated $180,000 worth of his art to benefit the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to ensure her a long life of peace at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York.[citation needed]

Peter Max currently lives in New York City with his wife, Mary Max.

Mini Art History -M.C. Escher

2011-07-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Maurits Cornelis Escher - Born: 17 June 1898, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Died: 27 March 1972 (aged 73) Laren, The Netherlands. Nationality: Dutch. Field: Drawing, Printmaking. Works: Relativity, Waterfall, Hand with Reflecting Sphere. Influenced by Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Awards: Knighthood of the Order of Orange-Nassau, Maurits Cornelis Escher (17 June 1898 – 27 March 1972), usually referred to as M. C. Escher (English pronunciation: /ˈɛʃər/, Dutch: [ˈmʌurɪts kɔrˈneːlɪs ˈɛʃər] ( listen)),[1] was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. These feature impossible constructions, explorations of infinity, architecture, and tessellations.

Maurits Cornelis, nicknamed "Mauk",[2] was born in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, in a house that forms part of the Princessehof Ceramics Museum today. He was the youngest son of civil engineer George Arnold Escher and his second wife, Sara Gleichman. In 1903, the family moved to Arnhem where he attended primary school and secondary school until 1918.

He was a sickly child, and was placed in a special school at the age of seven and failed the second grade.[3] Though he excelled at drawing, his grades were generally poor. He also took carpentry and piano lessons until he was thirteen years old. In 1919, Escher attended the Haarlem School of Architecture and Decorative Arts. He briefly studied architecture, but he failed a number of subjects (partly due to a persistent skin infection) and switched to decorative arts.[3] Here he studied under Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, with whom he would remain friends for years. In 1922 Escher left the school, having gained experience in drawing and making woodcuts.

In 1922, an important year of his life, Escher traveled through Italy (Florence, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Ravello) and Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Granada). He was impressed by the Italian countryside and by the Alhambra, a fourteenth-century Moorish castle in Granada, Spain. He came back to Italy regularly in the following years. In Italy he met Jetta Umiker, whom he married in 1924. The young couple settled down in Rome and stayed there until 1935, when the political climate under Mussolini became unbearable. Their son, Giorgio Arnaldo Escher, named after his grandfather, was born in Rome. The family next moved to Château-d'Œx, Switzerland, where they remained for two years.

Escher, who had been very fond of and inspired by the landscapes in Italy, was decidedly unhappy in Switzerland, so in 1937, the family moved again, to Ukkel, a small town near Brussels, Belgium. World War II forced them to move in January 1941, this time to Baarn, the Netherlands, where Escher lived until 1970. Most of Escher's better-known pictures date from this period. The sometimes cloudy, cold, wet weather of the Netherlands allowed him to focus intently on his works, and only during 1962, when he underwent surgery, was there a time when no new images were created.

Escher moved to the Rosa Spier house in Laren in 1970, a retirement home for artists where he had his own studio. He died at the home on 27 March 1972, at age 73.

Drawing Hands, 1948
Escher's first print of an impossible reality was Still Life and Street, 1937. His artistic expression was created from images in his mind, rather than directly from observations and travels to other countries. Well known examples of his work also include Drawing Hands, a work in which two hands are shown, each drawing the other; Sky and Water, in which light plays on shadow to morph the water background behind fish figures into bird figures on a sky background; and Ascending and Descending, in which lines of people ascend and descend stairs in an infinite loop, on a construction which is impossible to build and possible to draw only by taking advantage of quirks of perception and perspective.

He worked primarily in the media of lithographs and woodcuts, though the few mezzotints he made are considered to be masterpieces of the technique. In his graphic art, he portrayed mathematical relationships among shapes, figures and space. Additionally, he explored interlocking figures using black and white to enhance different dimensions. Integrated into his prints were mirror images of cones, spheres, cubes, rings and spirals.

In addition to sketching landscape and nature in his early years, he also sketched insects, which frequently appeared in his later work. His first artistic work, completed in 1922, featured eight human heads divided in different planes. Later around 1924, he lost interest in "regular division" of planes, and turned to sketching landscapes in Italy with irregular perspectives that are impossible in natural form.

Relativity, 1953
Although Escher did not have mathematical training—his understanding of mathematics was largely visual and intuitive—Escher's work had a strong mathematical component, and more than a few of the worlds which he drew are built around impossible objects such as the Necker cube and the Penrose triangle. Many of Escher's works employed repeated tilings called tessellations. Escher's artwork is especially well liked by mathematicians and scientists, who enjoy his use of polyhedra and geometric distortions. For example, in Gravity, multi-colored turtles poke their heads out of a stellated dodecahedron.

The mathematical influence in his work emerged around 1936, when he was journeying the Mediterranean with the Adria Shipping Company. Specifically, he became interested in order and symmetry. Escher described his journey through the Mediterranean as "the richest source of inspiration I have ever tapped."

After his journey to the Alhambra, Escher tried to improve upon the art works of the Moors using geometric grids as the basis for his sketches, which he then overlaid with additional designs, mainly animals such as birds and lions.

His first study of mathematics, which would later lead to its incorporation into his art works, began with George Pólya's academic paper on plane symmetry groups sent to him by his brother Berend. This paper inspired him to learn the concept of the 17 wallpaper groups (plane symmetry groups). Utilizing this mathematical concept, Escher created periodic tilings with 43 colored drawings of different types of symmetry. From this point on he developed a mathematical approach to expressions of symmetry in his art works. Starting in 1937, he created woodcuts using the concept of the 17 plane symmetry groups.

Circle Limit III, 1959
In 1941, Escher summarized his findings in a notebook, which he labeled Regelmatige vlakverdeling in asymmetrische congruente veelhoeken ("Regular division of the plane with asymmetric congruent polygons").[4] His intention in writing this was to aid himself in integrating mathematics into art. Escher is considered a research mathematician of his time because of his documentation with this paper. In it, he studied color based division, and developed a system of categorizing combinations of shape, color and symmetrical properties.

Around 1956, Escher explored the concept of representing infinity on a two-dimensional plane. Discussions with Canadian mathematician H.S.M. Coxeter inspired Escher's interest in hyperbolic tessellations, which are regular tilings of the hyperbolic plane. Escher's wood engravings Circle Limit I–IV demonstrate this concept. In 1995, Coxeter published his finding that these works were extraordinarily accurate: "Escher got it absolutely right to the millimeter."

His works brought him fame: he was awarded the Knighthood of the Order of Orange Nassau in 1955. Subsequently he regularly designed art for dignitaries around the world. An asteroid, 4444 Escher, was named in his honour in 1985.

In 1958, he published a book entitled The Regular Division of the Plane, with reproductions of a series of woodcuts based on tessellations of the plane, in which he described the systematic buildup of mathematical designs in his artworks. He emphasized, "Mathematicians have opened the gate leading to an extensive domain."

Overall, his early love of Roman and Italian landscapes and of nature led to his interest in the concept of regular division of a plane, which he applied in over 150 colored works. Other mathematical principles evidenced in his works include the superposition of a hyperbolic plane on a fixed 2-dimensional plane, and the incorporation of three-dimensional objects such as spheres, columns and cubes into his works. For example, in a print called "Reptiles", he combined two and three-dimensional images. In one of his papers, Escher emphasized the importance of dimensionality and described himself as "irritated" by flat shapes: "I make them come out of the plane."

Waterfall, 1961

Sculpture of the small stellated dodecahedron that appears in Escher's Gravitation. It can be found in front of the "Mesa+" building on the Campus of the Twente University.
Escher also studied the mathematical concepts of topology. He learned additional concepts in mathematics from the British mathematician Roger Penrose. From this knowledge he created Waterfall and Up and Down, featuring irregular perspectives similar to the concept of the Möbius strip.

Escher printed Metamorphosis I in 1937, which was a beginning part of a series of designs that told a story through the use of pictures. These works demonstrated a culmination of Escher's skills to incorporate mathematics into art. In Metamorphosis I, he transformed convex polygons into regular patterns in a plane to form a human motif. This effect symbolizes his change of interest from landscape and nature to regular division of a plane.

One of his most notable works is the piece Metamorphosis III, which is wide enough to cover all the walls in a room, and then loop back onto itself.

After 1953, Escher became a lecturer at many organizations. A planned series of lectures in North America in 1962 was cancelled due to an illness, but the illustrations and text for the lectures, written out in full by Escher, were later published as part of the book Escher on Escher. In July 1969 he finished his last work, a woodcut called Snakes, in which snakes wind through a pattern of linked rings which fade to infinity toward both the center and the edge of a circle.

Oil Painting Classes

2011-07-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about teaching beginner oil painting classes at my studio in Orange Park, Florida. Please take the poll to the left or leave me a comment to let me know what you think. If you are interested in taking the classes email me: debra@dmgartstudio.com

Reminder:

Living Artful - The Boss

(see previous post)

Sale Ends Saturday, July 23

Living Artful!! Featured Painting

2011-07-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

"The Boss"

Sale! Sale! Sale!

This Original Oil Painting is Only $39.00

This painting of the majestic eagle is 8x10 and is framed in a dark wood. Frame is included with the price.

No code is needed to purchase this painting. The painting is already discounted at checkout. Click HERE to view or purchase painting.
Hurry, Sale Ends 7/23/2011

Check out all of my paintings on my website: dmgartstudio.com

Living Artful! Featured Paintings

2011-07-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

This Week's Featured Paintings

$99 Special!!

"On the Rocks" (above) Promo Code: LiveArt99

"Solitude" Promo Code: LiveArt$99

Click on the links above to purchase these paintings. Remember you must enter the above promo code to get the discount at checkout. These paintings will only be on sale from 7/5/11-7/8/11

Don't forget to visit my website to view other paintings.

dmgartstudio.com

The Next Step

2011-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Dancers painting is done!

The picture is coming soon.

I am still looking for a name for the painting. I was thinking of calling it "Master's Inspiration" or "Inspiration" because of the Degas style painting in the background. Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment below or emailing me at debra@dmgartstudio.com

Reminder!

You only have until Sunday, July 3, 2011 to purchase

"Family Outing" at 50% Off

See "Living Artful" for information

Living Artful!! Featured Painting

2011-06-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Have you always wanted an original oil painting but thought it was to expensive? Every week I will be featuring a painting in the "Living Artful" section on my website's home page. This is your chance to purchase a painting at a discount price. There will be a promo code associated with every painting. You must have the code at checkout to get the discount.

This Week's Featured Painting
50% OFF

"Family Outing"

Promo Code: LiveArt1

Remember you must enter the above promo code to get the discount at checkout. This painting will only be on sale from 6/26/11-7/3/11

To View or Purchase Painting Visit:

DMG Art Studio Online Store/Family Outing

Mini Art History - Bellini

2011-06-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Giovanni Bellini (c. 1430–1516) was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. His father was Jacopo Bellini, his brother was Gentile Bellini, and his brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna. He is considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it towards a more sensuous and colouristic style. Through the use of clear, slow-drying oil paints, Giovanni created deep, rich tints and detailed shadings. His sumptuous coloring and fluent, atmospheric landscapes had a great effect on the Venetian painting school, especially on his pupils Giorgione and Titian.

Early career

Giovanni Bellini was born in Venice. He was brought up in his father's house, and always lived and worked in the closest fraternal relation with his brother Gentile. Up until the age of nearly thirty we find in his work a depth of religious feeling and human pathos which is his own. His paintings from the early period are all executed in the old tempera method; the scene is softened by a new and beautiful effect of romantic sunrise color.

In a somewhat changed and more personal manner, with less harshness of contour and a broader treatment of forms and draperies, but not less force of religious feeling, are the Dead Christ pictures, in these days one of the master's most frequent themes. Giovanni's early works have often been linked both compositionally and stylistically to those of his brother-in-law, Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506).

The Next Step - Dancers Painting

2011-06-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is a Big painting!

This is the biggest painting I have ever done. It's taking a long time to do but I think it will be worth it in the end. I plan to have it done in the next week or two.

I am still looking for a name for this painting.

If you have any ideas, please leave a comment or email me at:

debra@dmgartstudio.com

Are you interested in purchasing this painting?

If so, email me (above) to discuss a special pre-finished price.

Please visit my website to view my online gallery:

www.dmgartstudio.com

What Would the World Look Like without Art?

2011-06-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

It would be really bland, to say the least!
As you sit there reading this blog take a look around the room to see all your art inspired items. It's not just the pictures on your walls, but also your furniture, clocks, lamps, clothes and much, much more. Don't forget that your home was design by an architect who made the drawings. Are you reading this blog on a computer? An artist designed the look of your computer.

Have you ever heard of Leonardo DaVinci or Michelangelo? What if DaVinci or Michelangelo was ignored like artists are today. We wouldn't have paintings such as "The Last Supper" or sculpture like "David". How Sad!!

Does your Art inspired items make you feel good? It's time for you to appreciate your local artists. Take the time to visit an art gallery (physical or online). If you can, purchase an original art piece. If you can't buy an original, buy a print or get in touch with the artist to see if they will negotiate price with you. Just think, how many beautiful art pieces will not be produced because artists have to stop work.

Please take the time to visit my online gallery: www.dmgartstudio.com
If you live near Orange Park, Florida you can visit with me at 2233 Park Ave. (my studio/gallery).

Cancun, Mexico

2011-05-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Cancun, Mexico!

My family and I stayed at one of the resorts. It's the only way to vacation. Everything is included in your room fee. You can lay on the beautiful beach or go to one of the many pools. Food and drinks are also included.

My Cancun Paintings.

These paintings can be purchased on my website:

www.dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - Paul Cézanne

2011-05-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Paul Cézanne (19 January 1839 – 22 October 1906) was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations of the transition from the 19th century conception of artistic endeavour to a new and radically different world of art in the 20th century. Cézanne can be said to form the bridge between late 19th century Impressionism and the early 20th century's new line of artistic enquiry, Cubism. The line attributed to both Matisse and Picasso that Cézanne "is the father of us all" cannot be easily dismissed.

Cézanne's work demonstrates a mastery of design, colour, tone, composition and draughtsmanship. His often repetitive, sensitive and exploratory brushstrokes are highly characteristic and clearly recognizable. He used planes of colour and small brushstrokes that build up to form complex fields, at once both a direct expression of the sensations of the observing eye and an abstraction from observed nature. The paintings convey Cézanne's intense study of his subjects, a searching gaze and a dogged struggle to deal with the complexity of human visual perception.

My Zazzle Store

2011-05-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

As you can see you can purchase my paintings on many different products through my Zazzle store. If you would like to see one of my paintings on a product let me know and I will create it for you. Just visit my website, www.dmgartstudio.com, and pick out which painting you would like to have on your product. Then email me at debra@dmgartstudio.com

Have You Selected Your

50% OFF Landscape Painting

Sale Ends May 15th!

Visit: www.dmgartstudio.com/Scenic

Use Sale Code: 50%Scenic

Sale! Original Scenic Oil Paintings

2011-05-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted an Original Painting

but thought it was to expensive?

To make room for new paintings

Debra has decided to sell all her Scenic paintings for

50% OFF

To receive this fantastic deal visit: stores.dmgartstudio.com

Select Your Painting(s)

Use the code 50%Scenic when checking out.

You can view all of Debra's paintings at her studio/gallery in Orange Park, Florida or on her online gallery dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - N. C. Wyeth

2011-05-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

Newell Convers Wyeth (October 22, 1882 – October 19, 1945), known as N.C. Wyeth, was an American artist and illustrator. He was the star pupil of artist Howard Pyle and became one of America's greatest illustrators.

During his lifetime, Wyeth created over 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books, 25 of them for Scribner's, the Scribner Classics, which is the work for which he is best-known. The first of these, Treasure Island, was his masterpiece and the proceeds paid for his studio.

Wyeth was a realist painter just as the camera and photography began to compete with his craft. Sometimes seen as melodramatic, his illustrations were designed to be understood quickly. Wyeth, who was both a painter and an illustrator, understood the difference, and said in 1908, "Painting and illustration cannot be mixed—one cannot merge from one into the other."

Life
N.C. Wyeth was born in Needham, Massachusetts. His ancestor, Nicholas Wyeth, a stonemason, came to Massachusetts from England in 1645. Later ancestors were prominent participants in the French and Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War, passing down rich oral histories and tradition to N.C. Wyeth and his family and providing subject matter for his art, which was deeply felt. His maternal ancestors came from Switzerland, and as a child, his mother was acquainted with literary giants Henry David Thoreau and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His literary appreciation and artistic talents appear to have come from her.

Every Home Deserves Original Artwork

2011-05-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

Would you like to have an orginal oil painting or have a portrait done? It may not be as expensive as you think. Some of my paintings are under $300.00. I would also consider setting up a payment plan with you. All you have to do is visit my website (click on link on left), then email me or call me (contact information is on my website) to let me know which painting you would like to have.

Mini Art History - Georgia O'Keeffe

2011-04-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Georgia Totto O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887 – March 6, 1986) was an American artist. Born near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, O'Keeffe was a major figure in American art from the 1920s. She received widespread recognition for her technical contributions, as well as for challenging the boundaries of modern American artistic style. She is chiefly known for paintings of flowers, rocks, shells, animal bones, and landscapes in which she synthesized abstraction and representation. Her paintings present crisply contoured forms that are replete with subtle tonal transitions of varying colors. She often transformed her subject matter into powerful abstract images. New York Times critic Jed Perl in 2004 described her paintings as both "bold and hermetic, immediately appealing and unnervingly impassive."

O'Keeffe played a central role in bringing an American art style to Europe at a time when the majority of influence flowed in the opposite direction. This feat enhanced her art-historical importance given that she was one of few women to have gained entry to this level of professional influence. She found artistic inspiration in the rural Southwest, particularly in New Mexico, where she settled late in life.

This mini art history is brought to you by ipad's app Art Authority.

It's Wonderful to Live the Artist Dream, But...

2011-04-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

It's also hard to be an artist.

Don't get me wrong I love being an artist. I just don't love everything else that comes along with it. Everyone thinks that all you do is create your art but that is only the beginning.

Are you wondering what else an artist has to do? Here is a little insight:

Art Sales - Art doesn't sell itself so you also have to be your own salesperson and that isn't easy in this economy. You even have to sell yourself to galleries so they will accept your work.
Social Media - It's a must to let everyone know who you are and about your art. Sometimes it takes me days to create my email newsletter, work on my website and keep up with posting on my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Business - Profit and Loss. It is a business so you have to do everything that comes along with it.

Some weeks I barely have time to work on my oil paintings but on the other hand I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
I really do love being an artist

Don't forget to visit my website and check out my paintings! www.dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - Salvador Dalí

2011-04-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis of Dalí de Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), commonly known as Salvador Dalí, was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres.

Dalí was a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painterly skills are often attributed to the influence of Renaissance masters. His best-known work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in 1931. Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire includes film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.

Dalí attributed his "love of everything that is gilded and excessive, my passion for luxury and my love of oriental clothes" Gibson found out that "Dalí" (and its many variants) is an extremely common surname in Arab countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria or Egypt. On the other hand, also according to Gibson, Dalí's mother family, the Domènech of Barcelona, had Jewish roots to a self-styled "Arab lineage," claiming that his ancestors were descended from the Moors.

Dalí was highly imaginative, and also had an affinity for partaking in unusual and grandiose behavior. His eccentric manner and attention-grabbing public actions sometimes drew more attention than his artwork to the dismay of those who held his work in high esteem and to the irritation of his critics.

This Mini Art History is from iPad's App, Art Authority

The Next Step

2011-04-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

Two Dancers Done, Two To Go

It seems like this painting is taking forever. It's the largest painting I have ever done. The painting is 44x56. It's been awhile since I have done figures so it's been slow going. I'm hoping to have it done in the next week or two.

I'm still trying to think up a name for this painting, let me know if you have any ideas.

I am also working on two other paintings. One is a portrait and the other is a guitar painting to add to my series. Have you been thinking of have a portrait or a painting done? Please email me at debra@dmgartstudio.com to discuss your painting.

Mini Art History - Vemeer

2011-04-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

Johannes Vermeer
Johannes , Jan or Johan Vermeer; baptized in Delft on 31 October 1632 as Joannis , and buried in the same city under the name Jan on 15 December 1675 was a Dutch painter who specialized in exquisite, domestic interior scenes of middle class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime. He seems never to have been particularly wealthy, leaving his wife and children in debt at his death, perhaps because he produced relatively few paintings.

Vermeer worked slowly and with great care, using bright colours and sometimes expensive pigments, with a preference for cornflower blue and yellow. He is particularly renowned for his masterly treatment and use of light in his work.

Recognized during his lifetime in Delft and The Hague, his modest celebrity gave way to obscurity after his death; he was barely mentioned in Arnold Houbraken's major source book on 17th century Dutch painting Grand Theatre of Dutch Painters and Women Artists, and was thus omitted from subsequent surveys of Dutch art for nearly two centuries.
In the 19th century Vermeer was rediscovered by Gustav Friedrich Waagen and Théophile Thoré-Bürger, who published an essay attributing sixty-six pictures to him, although only thirty-four paintings are universally attributed to him today. Since that time Vermeer's reputation has grown, and he is now acknowledged as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

This mini art history can also be found on iPad's Art Authority.

Recoup and Regroup

2011-04-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Doing festivals are very tiring. I spent the day unpacking all the paintings I took to the Jacksonville Fine Art Festival and I do mean all of them. I am so glad I decided to stop doing festivals. You spend a lot of time getting ready for them, then you listen to people tell you how beautiful your work is and then they walk out of your booth. This is how it has been for most artist, including myself, this year. It's very discouraging and depressing. You think it must be your work until you talk to other artists and they are expierencing the same thing.

Now it's time to regroup and focus on my studio/gallery.

Jacksonville Fine Arts Festival

2011-04-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's going to be an exciting weekend at the festival!! If you live in or near Jacksonville, Florida you should plan to attend. If you are unable to attend please take a moment and visit my webste: http://www.dmgartstudio.com

This is going to be my last festival for awhile. I'm going to be focussing on my Studio/Gallery. This will give me more time to paint and talk to my customers one on one. I will also be able to focus more on my online gallery and online orders.

Would you like to have a custom painting done? You could have a portrait done or a painting of your favorite place. Paintings make wonderful gifts for others or yourself. Email me at debra@dmgartstudio.com or call me at 904-434-4558 for an estimate.

Jacksonville Fine Arts Festival vs. Newsletter

2011-04-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

I decided to put my newsletter on hold to get ready for the Festival this weekend. If you live in the Jacksonvill area please join me and other artist at the festival. Need more info? Visit my website:

You still have time to sign up for my newsletter! Just click the JOIN button on the left.

Details

2011-04-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

The 1st dancer is almost done!

One of my favorite things to do in a painting is details. When I start adding the details the painting starts coming alive for me. Today I put the feathers on the mask of the 1st dancer. There is still some detail to be done on the mask but not much. Tomorrow I plan to finish up the mask on the 1st dancer and continue to work on the 2nd dancer which is almost done except the mask.

I'm still looking for name suggestions. You can either comment below or send me an email with your suggestions. debra@dmgartstudio.com

Check out all my paintings on my website: www.dmgartstudio.com

Mini Art History - Michelangelo

2011-04-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo , was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with fellow Italian Leonardo da Vinci.

Michelangelo's output in every field during his long life was prodigious; when the sheer volume of correspondence, sketches, and reminiscences that survive is also taken into account, he is the best-documented artist of the 16th century. Two of his best-known works, the Pietà and David, were sculpted before he turned thirty. Despite his low opinion of painting, Michelangelo also created two of the most influential works in fresco in the history of Western art: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. As an architect, Michelangelo pioneered the Mannerist style at the Laurentian Library. At 74 he succeeded Antonio da Sangallo the Younger as the architect of St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo transformed the plan, the western end being finished to Michelangelo's design, the dome being completed after his death with some modification.

This Mini Art History is from iPad's app Art Authority

The Next Step

2011-04-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I started painting the dancers!!

If you were wondering how big this painting is, it is 44"x56". I will be offering it at a special pre-sale price in my next newsletter.

You don't get my newsletter yet? It's easy to sign up, just click on the JOIN button to the left.

Don't forget to look at all my paintings on my website

DMG Art Studio

My Motivation is Back!!

2011-03-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

I took a break from painting yesterday. Today I started a new painting and also worked on my dancers painting. I am currently working on 3 paintings, the dancers, a portrait and a new guitar painting. I will have a new picture of the dancer painting for you tomorrow. I'm still looking for name suggestions.

I am also going to be sending out an email offering a pre-sale of the dancers painting. Have you signed up to received my email newsletter yet? You can sign up on the left of this page or on my website. You can visit my website by clicking the picture to the left, which shows me and 2 of my guitar paintings.

I Love Painting!!

Motivation

2011-03-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

Some days it's really hard to get motivated to paint. Today was one of those days. I went to my studio and moved some things around and attempted to paint. It seems whenever I'm not motivated to paint I mess up more than add to my painting. I guess that is what happens when you go against your gut feelings. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I will have the motivation to paint on at least 1 of the 3 paintings I have started.

If you have had the same problem and can give me any ideas of how to get motivated I would appreciate your comments.

I'll let you know tomorrow how things go.

Mini Art History - One of My Favorites

2011-03-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

"Claude Monet"

Claude Monet, born Oscar Claude Monet (14 November 1840 – 5 December 1926), was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting. The term Impressionism is derived from the title of his painting Impression, Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant).

Early life
Claude Monet was born on 14 November 1840 on the 5th floor of 45 rue Laffitte, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. He was the second son of Claude Adolphe Monet and Louise Justine Aubrée Monet, both of them second-generation Parisians. On 20 May 1841, he was baptized in the local parish church, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, as Oscar-Claude, but his parents called him simply Oscar.S. Patin, Monet "un œil...mais bon Dieu, quel œil!", his family moved to Le Havre in Normandy. His father wanted him to go into the family grocery business, but Monet wanted to become an artist. His mother was a singer.

Information for this mini art history came from iPad's Art Arthority.

April Newsletter

2011-03-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet?

If not there are 2 ways to sign up:

On My Website: DMGARTSTUDIO.COM
On the left side of this page where is says "JOIN NOW"

My newsletter will contain information about my Show in April, the New Paintings and Special Deals that can only be found in the newsletter.

Don't Delay, Sign Up Today

End of March Promotion - 50% OFF

2011-03-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Taking a Break, Fender and Gibson Giclee Prints

To purchase these prints visit my store:

DMG Art Studio Storefront

Use the following Promotion Codes to receive 50% Off:

TABF (Taking a Break, Fender) or

TABG (Taking a Break, Gibson)

The above promotion starts now and ends 4/1/2011

Preserve Your Loved Ones in Oils

2011-03-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Do you have old pictures of your parents or grandparents?

This painting was done from a 1940's black and white picture.

You can see other examples of my portraits on my website:

www.dmgartstudio.com/Gallery

or email me

debra@dmgartstudio.com

The Next Chapter of My New Painting

2011-03-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Background Done!

Now I can work on the modern dancers!

I'm still looking for name suggestions. Please leave it in the comments.

Some Art History about My Favorite Artist

2011-03-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci(April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian classic: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer.

Born the illegitimate son of a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina, at Vinci in the region of Florence, Leonardo was educated in the studio of the renowned Florentine painter, Verrocchio. Much of his earlier working life was spent in the service of Ludovico il Moro in Milan. He later worked in Rome, Bologna and Venice and spent his last years in France, at the home awarded him by Francis I.

Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the Renaissance Man, a man of "unquenchable curiosity" and "feverishly inventive imagination". He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.

A Painting within a Painting

2011-03-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

Did you guess what was going to be put in the background?

The next time you see the painting it will have a frame around the "Degas" like painting. After that and the floor are done, I can finally work on the modern dancers.

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think. I am also looking for help to name this painting.

Some Art History

2011-03-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Edgar Degas (19 July 1834 - 27 September 1917), was a French artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism although he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist. He is especially identified with the subject of the dance, and over half his works depict dancers. These display his mastery in depiction of movement.

Early in his career, he wanted to be a history painter, a calling for which he was well prepared by his rigorous academic training and close study of classic art. In his early thirties he changed course, and by bringing the traditional methods of history painters to bear on contemporary subject matter, he became a classical painter of modern life.

As you have probably guested, I choose Degas as my subject because of the dancer painting I am currently working on.

My plan is not to only share my art with you, but to also share the works of artists that inspire me.

Don't forget to also visit my website dmgartstudio.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Step by Step

2011-03-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

Background

This is the 1st step to adding color to my oil painting. The walls look like they are painted and the floor is starting to take shape.

You may be asking yourself; Why does she have a lighter spot in the middle of the wall? You will have to check back to see.

Coming Soon,

Adding Detail to the Background

I'm also looking for name suggestions for this painting.

If you have any ideas, please leave it in the comments

The Begining

2011-03-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

Every painting starts somewhere.

This is the beginning of my new painting.

The painting doesn't have a name yet. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Open for Business

2011-03-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

My new Studio/Gallery is Open for Business. If you are near the Orange Park, Florida area I would love to visit with you.

Visit my website for address and contact information: dmgartstudio.com

New Studio/Gallery

2011-03-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy having a studio/gallery away from my home. It was so easy to do other things besides paint when my studio was in my home. I also like to show off my paintings to visitors. If you live in or near Orange Park, Florida I would enjoy meeting you. You can find my contact information on my website; dmgartstudio.com

I will post pictures of my studio/gallery in the next few days.

NEW PAINTING!! "PLAYING"

2011-03-07T06:11:00.000-08:00

Guitars are my stars. This black and white oil painting is one of the latest additions to my "Guitar Series". To see more of my "Guitar Series" paintings visit my website: http://www.dmgartstudio.com

Should You Show at Riverside Arts Market?

2011-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

If you are fine artist, absolutely not! If you are a crafter the answer is yes.

This is the 3rd year of RAM and each year it has become more about crafts and flea market items. I spent all day on Saturday sitting at RAM for nothing. I do not recommend fine artists to show their work there. It is a waste of time. If you do craft such as jewelery or clothing, this is the place for you.

My plan is to focus on my studio/gallery in Orange Park, Florida. I you are looking for studio space let me know. The studio space I am renting is very reasonable. You can find my contact info on my website: http://dmgartstudio.com

Riverside Arts Market

2011-03-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is opening day at Riverside Arts Market. Stop by my booth (#005) and mention this blog, I will give you 10% OFF your purchase. See you under the bridge

New Blog

2011-03-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

As you can see I have started a new blog. Please visit often to receive up to date information about my art, studio and shows.