Innholdsfortegnelse for June-July 2024/No. 157 i International Artist

Welcome to the June/July issue of International Artist! Our podcast channel The American Art Collective is celebrating its 268th podcast in June. That’s right, we have 268—soon to be over 300—artists’ stories that will live forever in the digital audio world. Artists and collectors and the world will be listening to these stories for decades to come because four years ago we believed artists’ stories should be heard and seen in print, audio and online. If you haven’t listened to a favorite artist’s story please come find us on Audible, the Apple podcast app or Spotify and join the 200,000 other listeners looking for inspiration and education. Speaking of education, we have an important new special section in this issue. It is our Art Schools & Workshops Directory. You will…

Samuel Hoskins Portrait of Dr. James Allister Odd, oil, 30 x 20" (76 x 50 cm) INSPIRATION Sir James Allister Odd, a multifaceted individual with titles including the 9th Count of Valais and 19th Lord of Hasley, is renowned for his contributions in cybersecurity, investigation and music, and is a respected philanthropist. Educated in computer science and information security, he began his career as a cyber warfare specialist in the United States Air Force and later worked in computer forensics. Residing in the northwestern United States with his wife, Clarity Rose Odd, he is deeply committed to community service, actively participates in charitable work and upholds a strong interest in art, literature and history. PROCESS To start this painting, we met at my studio to take photos of different positions,…

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST: Can you tell us a little bit about Scottsdale Artists’ School and its history? SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL: Scottsdale Artists’ School (SAS) is located in a charming historic school house in the arts district in Scottsdale, Arizona. SAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by a group of dedicated artists and community art advocates who wanted to create a space where people could learn and grow as artists. With a legacy spanning 41 years, SAS is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in fine arts education for all skill levels from absolute beginner to professional. IA: What kinds of programs and courses does SAS offer? SAS: Scottsdale Artists’ School offers a variety of programs and courses for artists of all skill levels, including drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. We…

I think of myself as a direct I impressionist, able to paint any subject in any lighting. I must admit there are a few subjects I still find a bit of a struggle. The surface texture of my finished painting is extremely important to me, and I believe my brushwork to be a subtle secret code. When thinking of paint application, one of my favorite things I’ve learned is to think of the sky as if it were a piece of fine silk, the mid distance as the texture of cotton and the foreground a thick piece of carpet. I place a high importance on creating depth in my paintings, almost to an obsession, looking for ways to get more French ultramarine blue into my work, wherever or whenever, especially…

For as long as I can remember, FI have been an observer with a deeply rooted desire to be an artist. As a rural farm kid, I quietly took in the world around me, but there was a disconnection between what I saw and the understanding of knowing how to paint it. Fast forward a few years, and with a degree in interior design and architecture under my belt, a husband and a young family of three boys, we returned to farm life after 10 years in the city. The impact of what I saw around me literally took my breath away. I decided that if the landscapes around me created such an emotional response, I should try to bring that same emotion to the canvas. A lifetime of observing…

My choice of subject matter Mrepresents the beauty of nature in all its forms, taking into account all stages of the aging process—from the tightly furled flower bud right through to the very end of the plant’s life cycle. This is because there are so many interesting and unexpected changes that take place in shape, color and texture as a plant grows and matures. Searching for inspiration means that I have to stop and really take notice of my environment, honing in on the beautiful, complex details in nature that exists all around us, from the sculptural structures and shapes that a plant or flower can weave as it grows, to its tiniest details and surface patterns that can be easily missed in the blink of an eye. As I…

I think that now, more than ever, we must value things created directly from human hands. It feels like everywhere I turn, I see more and more imagery created entirely with artificial intelligence. And while it can be used as a tool to help get ideas flowing, AI imagery itself inherently cannot ever contain the essence of the human spirit. This, to me, is what makes art so important. So beautifully, incredibly valuable. It is the mere fact that a person put their time, effort, heart and soul into this object they’ve created, whether it be a painting, a sculpture or a story. The intention matters, and the context matters. So, what I’m trying to say here is, please continue doing what you are doing. Please continue pouring your souls…

FULL COLOR DIGITAL PRINT-OUTS Use the Official Entry Form over the page ONLINE Visit our website to upload digital files of the images you want to enter and pay for them using our secure server. www.internationalartist.com To upload your entries you need to prepare your image files to be at least 400 pixels at the shortest edge. Once you are in the Official Online Entry page simply select which challenge you wish to enter then follow the prompts and finally pay the entry fee via our secure server. There you can also see other entries received along with past winners of our competitions. HINTS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ARTWORK • Set your camera to the highest quality available. • Shoot your paintings dead square on and fill the frame as much as…

Throughout human history, people have used art to express themselves, record their daily activities, capture moments and share their emotions. Think back to those ancient cave paintings in places like the Lascaux caves—they are like snapshots of life dating back to 15,000 BCE. Or think about paintings like the Mona Lisa’s smirk or Van Gogh’s Starry Night and how they communicate the creator’s vision with us, the viewer. Now, fast forward to the 21st century and at the forefront of both excitement and skepticism is artificial intelligence (AI). The fusion of AI and fine art sparks both controversy and enthusiasm, challenging traditional notions of creativity, authorship and the very essence of art itself. Although most of us probably think of AI-generated art as a new idea, it actually dates back…

Sir Mark Welland was coming to the end of his term as Master of St. Catharine’s College Cambridge when he contacted me about the possibility of painting his portrait. I enjoy the collaborative process of a commission, and one of Mark’s fundamental requests for his portrait was that it should somehow include his family, which breaks the mold for a Master’s portrait. I love a compositional challenge and was determined to make this added dimension of the painting work for him symbolically and for me artistically. Mark is a physicist, a leading nanotechnologist, and was also chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence. Our first meeting was at the Master’s Lodge, and it was important for me to see Mark in his environment, as it would open clues as…

Bonjour and welcome to Art Industry Insider. I’m Vanessa Rothe and in this column, I’ll be sharing my knowledge acquired by working in the art world as a curator, art dealer, editor and fine artist. From the creation of the work to the business of selling your art, my hope is to give you some useful behind the scenes information. Back in the August/September 2022 issue, I wrote an article called “Art School Today,” and discussed various art schools and avenues to learn, both in-person and online. As this important topic is always changing, we felt it was important to help you discover a few new exciting art classes with top notch instructors. Everyone is at a different stage with their work, and with their career. Beginners may desire classical…

There’s a dance that unfolds when TI’m able to silence the cacophony of everyday life. Painting is not just my passion; it is my addiction. My intent is to create serene yet compelling images, letting emotions guide my brush. Approaching the easel, I allow myself to become entranced by the beauty before me, breathing in the scene or still life, absorbing hues and moods. As I take time mixing and shifting paint into a harmonious string of color pools, a word will often come to mind as if distilled from all I’m taking in. That word becomes my intention, my idea for the piece, resonating throughout the entire session, often influencing the title. Beginning with a quick sketch, then a thin wash to lay in the composition (and moving a…

Natural history illustration is Na challenging, exacting and fascinating craft that you’ll never stop learning about, striving towards or being fascinated by. This gorgeous genre of painting brings art and science together along with a wonderful, multi-layered purpose to your work and a bar of excellence that keeps you constantly striving. From the simple pleasure and beauty of fine art, to the important documentation of our natural world, to the personal challenge, this fascinating genre is nourishing to the mind and soul, and I find that incredibly appealing. For me it’s all about the exploration of our remarkable natural world, exploring the world, subject, medium, science and self in each story. Nature truly offers an endless plethora of inspiration to us as artists, so full of beauty, divine color, endless…

The southernmost state in Australia Tis the island of Tasmania. It has a fascinating history, spectacular landscape and well-preserved colonial architecture—the ideal place to conduct a painting workshop. Our group consisted of painters from all over Australia, some from New Zealand and some from the United States. The two-week workshop was based in three locations: Smithton in the North of the state, Strahan on the West Coast and Hobart on the lower East Coast. From these three locations we had a coach to take us to various painting, sightseeing and historical locations. Strahan is located on Macquarie Harbour and has a colorful fleet of cray fishing boats. We were lucky to have fine sunny weather and a convenient park with tables and chairs to paint the boats from. To create…

Richard Robinson In every issue of International Artist we feature a Painting Workshop from Richard Robinson, one of New Zealand’s best artists Some paintings seem to glow with San inner warmth. How do they do that? Turns out it’s not rocket science. All you need to do is remove all cool colors from your palette and use a gray instead of blue. Swedish portrait painter Anders Zorn (1860-1920) is known to have used just such a reduced palette to achieve his warm paintings. These colors are vermilion, ivory black, flake white and yellow ochre. Today you could use titanium white and cadmium red instead. STUDENT CRITIQUES 1 Elena Sokolova Vibrant beach sunset, acrylic on canvas, 15⅓ x 15⅓" (39 x 39 cm) That’s beautiful work Elena. I love that you have…

Our Time in History Artists of our present era are amongst the greatest in history. I say this with an impassioned heart, having observed art all my life. I’ve experienced so many of today’s works in museums, studios, art events, books, magazines and traveling to countries around the world. I cannot fully express my emotions when speaking here of representational artists; they are phenomenal in so many ways. Certainly, art is timeless. Centuries ago, shapes, shadows, colors and designs were observed and expressed in art. Centuries from now, the complement to red will still be blue/green. Design and drama are important. Center of interest will have contrasting colors, values and details. Just remember, one or more of your art works will be seen and appreciated way into the future. Let’s…

Shrouded in Nature Growing up in rural Ohio surrounded by farmland, woods and a stream, artist Jennifer Sowder is a natural realist at heart. “While my friends in town rode bikes and played all summer, I found myself adventuring and studying nature. I moved back to my childhood home in 2012, and thereafter, a plein air painting group reawakened my inspiration to study and explore but this time through landscape painting,” she says. “Gardening has always gotten me outside and inspired, but traveling and looking for showstopping scenes fuels my work—I am blessed to be able to walk out my studio door and go on a hike on our property and be enveloped by nature.” Light is an important element in Sowders’ art (she used to paint with her plein…

ENTER OUR NEW ART COMPETITION CHALLENGE No. 143 Cityscapes See your work published in International Artist magazine and also receive a 4-page Editorial Feature in American Art Collector, the prestigious magazine read by collectors and galleries looking for new art work in the world’s biggest art market. Winners and Finalists in our competitions don’t just win awards to hang on their walls. The real value of entering and being one of the winners is that your work will not only be seen by hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide but also by leading galleries and collectors in America, the biggest art market of all. Our Grand Prize Winners receive a 2-page spread in International Artist magazine and a 4-page Editorial Feature in American Art Collector. Publicity at this level is…

No matter how traditional we want our art to be, we have to come to terms with using computers and the internet to get our work seen and sold. What’s the best way to allocate our time and resources? How can we be as effective as possible at promoting our work and building a following? And how do we make a living at it? I’ll be delving into some of these questions below, as well as providing a short painting demonstration that illustrates the type of material I create for my own online content. An artist friend in Greenport, Long Island, stops by to see how I’m coming on the sketch of the van. As the drizzle turns into a light rain, my diffuser (just above my hat) serves as…

Being an artist means expanding your horizons, exploring the world around you and, at times, working on improving your technical prowess. In short, it’s about personal growth—journeying to see where your art might take you next. As part of this ongoing journey, artists often enroll in various programs, workshops and courses. Whether pursuing a formal degree, attending an atelier, taking online classes or embarking on a destination workshop with an established artist, the opportunities to hone your skills are virtually endless. In this day and age, the flexibility is endless as well, from traditional classroom approaches for those who crave structure to 100 percent online programs that allow artists to go at their own pace. Our Art Schools & Workshops Directory on the following page takes readers through a few…

I have always been at home under the open sky. To try and capture in paint the beauty and mystery of nature is a joy like no other—it is like coming home. My happy place has always been in nature. I have done a lot of traveling and camping all over the country and abroad observing natural beauty of all kinds. I have a special interest in trees and skies, sunsets and sunrises. Over many years I have painted plein air and sketched many outdoor scenes to use as a basis for the large studio work I like to do. I use some photography but don’t depend on it too much lest I lose the freshness of the scene. Often I paint from memory or my imagination. My love of…

My paintings offer a unique Mvision of the landscape and the forces of nature that shape it. They are inspired by the hidden geometries that exist on the edge of our visual experiences, found in the shadows of great mountains, the faces of ancient stones, reflections on the surface of lakes and seas and within the ever-changing currents of rivers. Many subjects can inspire the artist, and one must have the confidence to explore a variety of sources. I draw from personal experiences and memories that have impacted my world vision. I spent much of my youth in the mountains of North Idaho and Western Montana. The forests, rivers and lakes of my childhood became a foundation for my perception of the world. As an abstract painter, my approach is,…

When I painted my first Wwatercolor portrait of my toddler son 10 years ago, I discovered something very special that would greatly influence my artistic direction. I found out that I love painting faces, carefully mapping out their subtle nuances of colors, shapes and lines. In a recent series, I’ve delved into painting watercolor portraits of myself, my friends and family. My introspective self-portraits are contemplative and capture subtle emotions during cherished, ephemeral moments in my life. As I slowly and carefully build up the soft washes, I strive to capture more than just my likeness, but my feelings and internal experience at that time. In my portraits of friends and family, I offer viewers a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of human relationships, celebrating the richness of our…

In my artwork, I mainly deal with I wildlife, portrayed primarily with colored pencil and sometimes acrylic. However, I did not choose this genre out of a purely conservationist approach, but rather because of the beauty, the character and the diversity that nature as a reference provides me with time and time again. I want to create art that can easily be understood without the need to be highly educated or having to think about it for hours on end before understanding its meaning. It is my own joy and amazement that I experience while drawing or painting that I would like to pass on to the collectors of my art. It is also very important to me that I create artwork of impeccable craftsmanship and quality that will accompany…

Subscribe today to get the most comprehensive magazine filled with demonstrations, workshops and creative inspiration from the best international artists working today. International Artist is the only educational magazine by artists for artists devoted to sharing voices from across the world, along with special features, columns and more. In every issue, you’ll find: » 6 issues a year, each one featuring a diverse range of work from artists around the globe! » 8+ artist demonstrations and workshops, featuring mediums, styles and subject matter that will inspire you. » Special features that dive deeper into the world of art and the artists. » Regular columns from famous artists such as James Gurney and Harley Brown. » Enjoy features from esteemed organizations including the Portrait Society of America every month. Join our…

Scan for larger reference image: For artists, inspiration can strike anywhere at any time. In this section, we’ll present a different photo prompt in each issue for artists to use as inspiration for their next piece. Rather than a reference, this photo is meant to be interpretive. It’s a jumping off point—a means to spark creativity and get the imagination going. Capture the image exactly as you see it, or take elements of it to create something entirely new. Submissions can be fully completed artwork or rough sketches. Every approach is the right approach. In the following issue of International Artist, we’ll highlight several Editor’s favorites (including your Instagram username), along with the next photo prompt. Chosen submissions also receive a free six-month digital subscription to International Artist. Happy painting/drawing/sketching!…