REStevensArt - News 71  Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009  -  www.restevensart.com

 HELLO ALL!!!!

     And welcome to the 'noozleddar list' to the folks who signed up recently at the Prescott art show! Summer is memory and Fall is officially upon us. I've got lots of new stuff to share in this issue, so I'll get right to it!!! :)

     Carlos Benjamin, an Arizona based photographer, happened by my booth in Prescott and snapped a few shots of me working on my latest 'photorealism' piece, I call "antique store I". I thought the photos were at least as fun as the subject, so I decided I'd include two of them. More details about the painting itself follow.

      Presenting, the first in a series entitled "antique stores". Whilst bouncing around Colorado in July, I decided to loiter about several antique stores and photograph some of their displays (with their permission of course). I didn't alter or manipulate anything, and shot the 'scenes' as they were. I thought it would be interesting to put my paint and brush to their arrangements and the natural lighting, and see what transpired.
 
"antique store I" is an 18"x48" canvas stretched around a custom built 2-1/2" deep frame. The image continues around the sides, and the piece is framed in a custom built shadow box frame with almost 3" of space around the painting. The overall measurements are 24" high x 54" long "x4" deep. The original is priced at $4800, and signed and numbered, limited edition reproductions are available in several options. A fully configured reproduction, the same size as the original, on the same size stretchers with the image wrapping around the 2-1/2" deep sides, and encased in the shadow box frame is $1,395. A standard gallery wrapped 18"x48"x1.5" reproduction is $1,095, and an unstretched canvas reproduction is $895. Noozleddar subscribers can take $500 off the price of the original, or $200 off of any of the reproduction mentioned above. Smaller sizes are also available, so just send me a note with what you're interested in.

     Meanwhile, I've been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY splattering paint around some more, and adding to my drizzlyscape collection! The 'show premiere' of this body of work in Prescott was a hit, and they made up about half of my sales for the show, which was a fun bit-o-reassurance for me, for such a departure from my usual work!

(above lt) "0902 ocotillo sunset" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.         (above rt) "0918 Lake Powell" - 16"x24" on MDF panel.

     Some are similar to the first set I painted as I'm tinkering with subtle changes in how to represent certain energies, colors, etc. There are also some very new subjects, and new approaches to portraying them.  I realize these may be rather small images to view, and I haven't yet updated the website with this new work, so if there is something you'd like to see a larger picture of, just toss me a note and I'll email them to you.

(below) "0918 desert sunset" - 16"x48" on MDF panel.

(above lt) "0918 tree swing" - 16"x16" on MDF panel.         (above rt) "0918 one tree hill" - 16"x16" on MDF panel.

     Remember, these pieces are ONLY $1/SQ. IN. FOR TWO MORE WEEKS!!!. After Art In the Park on October 3rd & 4th, the prices will go up. That means a 12"x12" one of a kind, original painting is only $144! A 16"x16" is only $256. That's half of one of my 20"X20" reproductions of the photorealism work!

(below) "0902 Washington moonrise" - 16"x48" on MDF panel. The title for this piece was inspired by the fact that my daughter and her beau just moved to Washington state this past weekend.
 
 

(above lt) "0902 b&w bonsai" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.          (above rt) "0902 b&w joshua tree" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.

     As you can see, especially with these black and white images above, and the rainbow triptych below,  I am having an insane amount of fun with color and contrast. :)

(below) "0902 desert triptych" - 3 x 16"x16" on wood panels. These are three individual panels wired to hang separately, with varying amounts of space in between.
 

(above lt) "0902 banyan sunset" - 12"x12" on MDF.         (above rt) "0902 palm sunset" - 12"x12" on MDF.
(right) "0918 flower field" - 12"x12" on MDF


     If you see something you like, but you're interested in a size other than what is displayed, just let me know. As long as it's ordered before October 5th, the price will still be $1/sq in. and a deposit will get your art under way. Over a dozen of these new pieces have sold since I introduced them, and half of those have been custom orders like that, including one piece donated to the Children's Miracle Network.

    Also, remember that I am always happy to let folks purchase art and split up the payments over time on credit or debit cards.

(above lt) "0918 desert sunrise" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.      (above rt) "0902 desert lake moonrise" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.

(below lt) "0918 desert moonrise" - 12"x12" on MDF panel.     (below rt) "0918 desert moon" - 16"x16" on MDF panel.

UPCOMING SHOWS!
__________________________________________

October 3rd & 4th
38th annual
Art In The Park

Sierra Vista, Az.

___________________________________________________________________

October 10th, 11th

DOWNTOWN
Houston, Tx.
_________________________________________

October 17th, 18th

Georgetown, Tx.
(outside of Austin)
 

     You know; I get a lot of compliments at shows, from the newsletters, on Facebook, etc. and I'm always incredibly grateful for the positive reaction I get in response to work from which I already get sufficient pleasure out of by simply creating!

     People often ask 'how' I do what I do and many of you have heard me say "I wish I had a simple answer for that, but I am just as amazed as everyone else." It' s true! I can explain some small elements of how my experience as a cinematographer has helped train my eye for certain details, etc. - but a good portion of the work that I do really comes from my gut, or some other abstract place in my head and heart that I can't quite put my finger on. This leads me to believe that it is a gift from a force greater than myself, and beyond my understanding.

     It is my strong belief that such a gift serves little purpose if I am not sharing it with as many people as possible. This has lead to a couple of particular practices on my part. For instance, I am always looking for ways to make my art more accessible to people who might not otherwise usually be able to afford art.

     I also feel quite compelled to see as much of my passion put to use for the betterment of the world as possible. Since I seem unable to run around the planet fixing everything I'd like to fix, and choosing the life of an artist has generally led to a 'less than wealthy' income :) - I see it as my obligation to the world around me to donate as much artwork as I can to various charities.   I am ALWAYS on the look out for charitable ventures that can use artwork as auction items, for raffles, for barter, etc. etc. And now, with the new 'drizzlyscapes' I've got EVEN MORE art to move in that direction. If you are involved with a charity, or you know of one, please let me know.

     Meanwhile, THANKS as always for reading, and appreciating and collecting art!   See you soon!!

Roderick
(323) 353-8202
roderick@restevensart.com

Check out the 2009
"Show Schedule"