Featured Artist Friday: Melissa Fu-Dominguez

Melissa Fu-Dominguez"As an avid traveler and museum visitor, Melissa Fu-Dominguez has always admired still life paintings and was particularly struck by the oeuvre of Luis Melendez whose works depict fruits and vegetables with such exquisite details that they are like  high-definition of the eighteenth century.  Four years ago Melissa decided to take her first art class with John Trees at Pasadena Extension in hopes of finding some latent artistic talent in herself.  Later, with another art instructor, she was introduced to acrylic and oil.  She was hooked after her first few strokes in oil painting.  Melissa's favorite subjects are found in the kitchen, such as bowls, citrus, and onions.  When not painting, Melissa is teaching high school English, tango dancing, or trying new recipes.  With encouragement from Jill Kiefer and inspiration from students in Dr. Kiefer's class, Melissa hopes to continue her studies in art and explore other media."

“Still Life Without Lemons” - 12x9 in. - oils on canvas (click photo for larger image)

“Poppies" - 24x18 in - oils on canvas (click photo for larger image)

When Was the Last Time You Folded a Piece of Paper?

Simon Schubert Lets His Fingers Do the Working....  

Portrait of Samuel Beckett (click photo for larger image)Simon Schubert (b. 1976) is an artist based in Cologne, Germany, where he was born. From 1997 to 2004, Schubert trained in sculpture at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. Inspired by Surrealism as well as by Samuel Beckett, Schubert employs materials ranging from the simple to the sophisticated. Some of his most remarkable works have been created by simply folding white paper--from which three dimensional images emerge from two-dimensional surfaces. Click here to get some further insight into Schubert’s folded creations--but there are a number of blogs and websites that note his work. Google him to learn more!   And...the next time you perform a simple task--think about how you might turn it into an art form!

Villa de Bank

Where Skills Collide

(click photo for larger image)

Drawing and restoration skills emerge in these amazing works of photorealism by Spanish artist, Pedro Campos.
Click here for more images of this talented painter's work....

Featured Artist Friday: David Sikes

David SikesDavid Sikes is a wonderful oil painter--as well as a novice printer--who lives in Pasadena, California.  David experimented with painting on canvas, paper, and metal before landing on his media of choice--Luan wood veneer. This foundation imbues his highly detailed and beautifully colored works with a wholly unique look--and the results are outstanding. He’s painted landscapes, polo matches, Springer Spaniels, Dory boat competitions and, most recently, flowers. The art featured here includes: “Encore! Flowers” and “Steps of Carmel”. David has been workshopping with me for several years now--and it’s always a pleasure to watch both his process--and his results! If you’re interested in acquiring art by David Sikes, please contact davesfile2@gmail.com.

David Sikes - "Encore! Flowers" - Oil on Luan Veneer - 24x24 in.

David Sikes - "Steps of Carmel" - Oil on Luan Veneer - 36x24 in. (click photo for larger image)

Leaf Carving - Patience IS a Virtue

The process of creating a leaf sculpture takes skill, time, a gentle touch and extreme patienceLeaf carving involves the manual cutting and removal of a leaf's surface, to produce a work of art on the leaf. Artists work with extreme care and with special tools to remove the leaf's surface, where needed, without damaging or removing the veins.  Veins add detail to the subject matter. The process is very complicated and it usually takes about 3-4 months to complete the artwork. Click here to learn more and see some of the amazing results....