Posts Tagged ‘abstract art’

b-loud! Jeanette Luchese’s Abstract & Emphatic Dreams

// April 7th, 2010 // View Comments // b-loud

“A sensory dialogue of inner vibrations embracing joy in creation and a freedom in speech.”


Jeanette Luchese‘s artwork is an empathic tussle revealing our common inner conflicts.  Jeanette explores many media including painting, jewellery, sculpture and glass work. Thick paint is puttied, scraped and brushed over surfaces. Her abstractions ring with a dynamic range of internal echoes and every song sung tells a story to the heart. She organised the online  project
‘A View From Your Window‘ at b-uncut.net where she is a consistent supporter of her fellow artists.
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What was your very first artwork?
I have always loved to draw, and only have memories of  drawing as a young child. I didn’t play with dolls, although, I enjoyed sports, I just liked to draw, I considered it playing. One day, I got tired of taping pieces of paper together to make larger drawings and decided to draw all over my bedroom wall, I hid it ingeniously for months, until the day I heard my mother scream… “Come get this artwork off the wall”.
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Describe the piece you love the most—why?
I think the piece I love most, is the piece that disturbs me the most, “What day is it”. In reflection the piece speaks to the inner struggle that unites us all. It seems to align itself to Freud’s structure of mind, the ID, SuperEgo, and the Ego. It was born out of a time I was questioning my identity, within aspects of authenticity, and much I considered “real”.
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What are your methods? Your inspirations?
My methods are very simple, I invite the experience of creation, a state that I feel gives me the freedom to “speak”, and I am inspired by everything and nothing. All intrigues me.  The pondering of the serendipity in life, the impulses that lead, the journey, and nature itself, the cycle of decay and rebirth: I gain inspiration from these acts or states of transformation. In looking at my art, I see an orchestration of opposing aspects that conflict and must find a commonality, a balance, a way to rise above. I think the negative, or what some deem “dark” translates to conviction, and is as much a necessity to expose as is the strength in spiritual up-lifting of the “light”, which I hope all can sense in my art.

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What did it take to make it to where you are now?
In all honesty, a persistent unrelenting inner spirit that refused to lay dormant, and a total disregard for all consequences, and a passion to believe all things are possible.
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Do you make a living from your artwork?
Well if you consider graphic design artwork, which I do, then yes, if you consider visual art only artwork then no, not yet, but soon.
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Who has helped you along the way?
Actually, everyone… My art is impacted by my journey – good or bad, and although perhaps not easily seen at the time, all have played a part, even now with b-uncut. Although, to point to moments in time and accredit a person, or persons, that played a huge role, I would first have to go back to an art teacher I had in high school, Maria Kertesz, she so believed in me that she pushed me past what I was willing to do. More recently, I would have to accredit Ted Fullerton, Stu Oxley, Arron Rose, Marlene Hilton Moore, and so many more of the faculty of Georgian College, Barrie: their acceptance of my crazed expressions of visual ramblings opened the door I had closed. [I felt haunted by things I left undone and decided to complete a road I first set out on and enrolled in a visual arts program, and am currently two classes away from completing a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree]. My son Joshua inspires me through the pursuit of his own dreams, and my husband who although is very confused in the “why of it all” is supportive.
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What 5 artists (DOA) would you invite for the ultimate dinner party?
Leonardo Da Vinci – his genius is astounding, from his painting to his robotics and his constant search for answers/understanding, just would love the opportunity to listen to him. Picasso, just because, Motherwell for an affinity to the blank canvas as a portal, David Smith for his movements in steel, Duchamp for a conversation on the toilet, and if someone could not make it, I would really love to substitute Greenberg to clarify a view things.

b-Quick!
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Your favourite curse?
I don’t have one, primarily phobic and I don’t want the bad karma.
 Qualities a man needs to seduce you and the flaws that will repel you?
A willingness to listen and an ability to “hear.” The flaw, pretending to listen, and being incapable of “hearing.”
 Your biggest (albeit endearing) flaw?
Uncontrollable enthusiasm… I am told it is annoying.
 Your parents advice you should have followed, but didn’t?
Watch your pennies.
 The power you wish you had?
 Other than, the power to grant world peace, end starvation and strive; the power to fly, how wondrous to physically do what I can only accomplish in my dreams.
 Who would you choose to rule the world?
That crazy mouse in the cartoon that wanted to take over the world…I think his name was “Brain”… lets give him a go.
 Favourite ice-cream?
Pralines and Cream
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b-Honest!

Where do you see yourself in…..

 One month? Pondering, making, showing, sharing, selling.
One year? I have never had the opportunity to travel and there are so many places I dream of experiencing, I hope in a years time I will have made this dream a reality, imagine going around the world, pondering, making, showing, sharing, selling.
One decade? In a villa in Italy, inspired by the surroundings comfortable and happily pondering, making, showing, sharing, selling.

b-Loud: Jasmine Ronel: Paint with Passion

// March 17th, 2010 // View Comments // b-loud

Israel-based Jasmine has created a diverse body of work incorporating photography, printing, painting and drawing, using a variety of media. The work has a graphical influence but her techniques and processes give each image a gripping tactility. The subjects are always brewed in a mass of worked textures, layers, tender colour and present emotion. Her carved compositions follow three core themes: woman, flower and abstraction. To better understand this talented artist, read on.

b-Loud!

b-uncut: What was your very first artwork?

When I was 3 years old, I took a decision to be a painter. The very first artwork of mine as an ‘artist to be’ was “an angry flower”, 1973, Gouache on paper, 30×20 cm.
20 years later – I am married and a young mother, drawing and paintings are way off my mind ..then.. a friend came from New York with a gift - fluorescent acrylics  – all bright colors in small beautiful containers. I treasured the gift and saved it to use on a special occasion. 3 years passed by and one day I found those fluorescent acrylics, most of them dried out… It was then that I decided to go back to paint, and started to explore canvases and papers, media and compositions.
The first artwork as a grown up was “Falling” 1996, mixed media on canvas, 60×80 cm. Translation: “I’m jumping from immense height , to a wide open void underneath, i’m falling and falling and falling, until I hit sobriety.”

b-uncut: Describe the piece you love the most—why?
This is a tough one. I have a few that I consider as favorites… but if I have to choose one, now – it would be “The Greek” 2001. it’s a small piece, which I think is full of energy and movement although it’s high density layers and mediums.

b-uncut: What are your methods? Your inspirations?
My mode of work includes the use of diverse and complex techniques, spanning a wide range of materials and media: photography, computer processing, printing spraying, high-gloss enamel paints, acrylics, glass paints, watercolors, oils, felt-tip pens and pencils. The canvas is processed in stages, via accumulated layers that maintain intricate interrelations of construction and destruction, mending and erasing.
Whether the emerging image has ascribed value or not, the painting’s true theme is in fact painting. The work transpires as a private outcome of the path towards that particular painting: the trail of its drippings, the mass of its strata and the depth of its insights.
Inspiration comes from the act itself, combined with the issues that matter at the time, usually following my three main issues – woman, flower and abstract.

b-uncut: What did it take to make it to where you are now?
My friend Ilgvars says there is only room for one on top of the mountain. Climbing up my mountain took some craziness, loneliness, dreams, frustration and the love of the act of painting.

b-uncut: Do you make a living from your artwork?
I have been a graphic designer for 20 years now. Painting is a huge bonus for me: when I actually paint  (no clients, no logos, no rules), when someone else loves it, and when I sell it. Israel is a difficult market for that matter. Sadly, most artists here can’t make a living out from art.

b-uncut: Who has helped you along the way?
Tsibi Geva , a great Israeli artist, Yossi Alony my photographer, The Internet viewers which gave me a lot of comfort, and all the people that bought my paintings…. it helps.

b-uncut: What 5 artists (dead or alive) would you invite for the ultimate dinner party?
For the next dinner party – Andy Warhol, Lou reed, Elizabeth Peyton, Marlene Dumas, and Laurie Anderson.


b-Quick!

b-uncut: Your favourite curse?
F**K.

b-uncut: Qualities a man needs to seduce you and the flaws that will repel you?
Humor, good company , great in kitchen, loves sex seduces me.
Stupid, cheap, spoiled and self-centered repels me.

b-uncut: Your biggest (albeit endearing) flaw?
Too kind.

b-uncut: Your parents advice you should have followed, but didn’t?
I follow my own advice.

b-uncut: The power you wish you had?
The ability to market myself. my art.

b-uncut: Who would you chose to rule the world?
Let love rule.

b-uncut: Favourite ice-cream?
Coffee.

b-Honest!

b-uncut: Where do you see yourself in…..

One month? – in my little studio and in google…
One year? – in my studio and some galleries
One decade? – in my big new studio, some galleries and museums too.

b-Loud: Annett E Bank: alive, boundless, divine

// February 2nd, 2010 // View Comments // b-loud

This week b-uncut caught up with British artist Annett E. Bank.

Bank, a painter, lives and works in Brighton. Her work is both abstract and figurative. As she puts it, “one is not confined to one’s physical form alone, instead we are connected to all that is.”  Her philosophy can be seen in her art: female figures float and drift in a sea of color, often disappearing into their surroundings. Bank has exhibited at the UK’s Best Graduates Show, Salon Gallery (London), Cambridge Art Fair and the Affordable Art Fair in London & Brussels. She is currently preparing for a solo show at the New Steine Hotel in Brighton throughout May 2010. Read on to find out more about this fabulous artist!

b-Loud!

b-uncut: What was your very first artwork?

AEB: A very early piece from 2001 was a charcoal and pencil drawing called ‘Awakening’ which encompasses all that is still present in my current work- namely vibrant physicality, sensitivity and sensuality within the human form. The composition was so successful that it has been re-used as a template ever since.

b-uncut: Describe the piece you love the most—why?

AEB: I love them all in a way as they speak to me about aesthetics, perfection, meditation, spirituality and poetry. I learn from them. They tell me about a particular feeling of holistic wellbeing. I consider it an artistic relationship and it makes the work genuine and memorable in my eyes. I am grateful for each one as I see people get completely captivated by their visual appeal.

b-uncut: What are your methods? Your inspirations?

AEB: Most recently I returned to working in oil on canvas again. I adore the fabulous qualities of that medium with which you can create those wonderful rich and sculptural effects. Oil is perfect for impasto application and pliable in designing different shades. I work very intuitively with a focus on spontaneous, highly dynamic pattern in order to create images of graceful living and contemplative beauty. I think there are enough ugly things in this world and so I see it as my responsibility to take care of that side of society and contribute to make it a little more enjoyable. I never experience such a thing as ‘fear of destroying’ the painting even whilst being very experimental and bold in my approach. I think this physical involvement with the design process produces authentic art that captures the imagination of the viewer, which I consider my challenge. In the past I have almost exclusively used unusual liquid paints and pigments in combination with other mixed media – and felt very comfortable with that method too. Essentially, I want my paintings to portrait a certain aspect of what it means to be alive- to have boundless energy, sensitivity, passion, awareness and enjoyment of one’s own body.

b-uncut: What did it take to make it to where you are now?

AEB: Determination, personal strength, an irrepressible urge for self-expression, individuality and independence, an unwavering trust in my talent, and a total love for everything I do.

b-uncut: Who has helped you along the way?

AEB: The divine creative spirit who governs all. But apart from that: a life coach, many progressive thinkers, philosophers and writers, fellow students, my friends and my family.

b-uncut: Your work is vibrant and spiritual, and much of it focuses on the female form. Does your work reflect your personal life, does it define you?

AEB: With any creative person it is imperative to acknowledge the connection between the artwork and their personality. I discovered that nothing in life is separate – my paintings cannot be what I am not and so, of course they are a close part of me. I see them as transformational, inspiring and uplifting…the same characteristics that I wish to develop in my personal life. I would say that my gut feeling has shown me the way to paint – long before I was aware of different concepts such as spirituality, human potential movement, postmodern society, or the influence of a hidden agenda for our well being. I believe the world is changing and will be marked by men who are more subtle, and women, who are more powerful, so that there will be balance in the end. The female element in my work is therefore not by accident. In my opinion is the feminine principle on the rise and I feel contemporary art is a great way to express that esoteric tendency.

b-uncut: If you were to design the ultimate dinner party, what 5 artists (dead or alive) would you include for stimulating conversation?

AEB: Alex Grey, Joel Peter Witkin, Lucien Freud, Rex Church, Francis Bacon

b-Quick!

b-uncut: Your favorite swear word?

AEB: I don’t swear.

b-uncut: Most attractive/least attractive quality in a significant other?

AEB: compassion / unreliability

b-uncut: Your biggest (albeit endearing) flaw?

AEB: it takes me far too long to compose articles and publications

b-uncut: Your parents advice you should have followed, but didn’t?

AEB: to live a sensible life

b-uncut: The superhero power you wish you had?

AEB: I’ve got all the power I need

b-uncut: The celebrity you’d like to meet?

AEB: I am not into celebrities, but I like to meet Alex Collier

b-uncut: Your least favorite question to be asked in any interview?

AEB: Where are you from?

b-Honest!

b-uncut: Where do you see yourself in…..

One month? Selling all the pieces that I currently have in exhibitions

One year? Moving into a new studio/home in the countryside

One decade? Still selling artwork that people appreciate