Is That Art? Indeed!

Perusing through the isles at AmericasMart Atlanta, two very different artists stood out among the rest. Their vision of using different materials in nature to create beauty was noticed.

Christopher Marley uses bugs! While I am sure there is a scientific name for collecting insects, when you see the examples below, most will think - bugs. The images below are incredible. His precision in placement and arrangement is the key to his displays of art.

Finae by Christopher Marley*

A collection of stag beetles found in Indonesia.

30 x 40 Damselfly Diamonds by Christopher Marley*

Damselfly found in the Philippines
I encourage you to look at his website to view the amazing blue color of these damselflies.

In contrast, artist Michele Alcock, uses parts of plants and flowers to create her whimsical
"Garden Girls, Nature's Magic with a Little Bling". She carefully and thoughtfully layers the materials until an image is born. In most of her pieces she uses over ten plants and flowers. She adds a bit of 'bling' by adding Austrian crystals. Each work of art is signed by the artist.

Augustine by Michele Alcock*

Grace by Michele Alcock*

*Photographs were taken and used with permission from the artist. 

Thank you Christopher. Thank you Michele.

To learn more about each artist:

Christopher Marley website:  www.pheromonedesign.com

Michele Alcock fan page on FaceBook: 

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Micheles-Garden-Girls/235842186430599?sk=info

Bands of Love

Bands of Love (close-up)
24 x 24 x 1.5 inches
61 x 61 x 3.81 cm




The Bands of Love
wrap around us,
weaving a gold thread
through our souls.
The arms,
protect us,
and give us
boundless boundaries.

The Bands of Love
play an
unforgettable,
haunting,
melody.
The music,
beckons us.
The lyrical quality
seduces us.
The notes?
The notes can reach highs,
highs we only dream about.
And the lows?
The deep bass in the lows
make us tremble.

The width of the band
cradles us.
The deepest band
centers us.
Its strength,
Unbreakable.
Its power,
Eternal.

Finished painting sitting on the easel.



close-up to show texture



Moved or Captured - yes

As an artist I get asked, “Do you like, buy, or collect other artist’s work?” My response? “Of course I do!” There are SO many forms of art I like. But the ones I LOVE typically move or capture me. 

When I’m moved by a piece of art it can be the obvious physical movement; a smile, a smirk, a pout, a verbal “Wow!”, a change in my stance, a tilt of the head…Or it can be an  internal twitch that makes me study a piece longer because I’m trying to discover …what is the source of the movement?  It can set my mind in motion, stir my thoughts, propel my imagination or dig up a memory.

Paintings that move me.

                                          

                                          Deep Memory by Laurie Pace*

                                          Atrapada by Henri Peter*      

                                            

There are also those few paintings,  that my eyes become fixed upon. I just stand and stare. I’ll squint to see if there “is more” to the picture than what I initially saw. I’ll step closer. I’ll step back. I’ll ‘analyze’. My eyes never leave the piece, they can’t, they are captured. This treasure hanging on the wall has abducted my vision and confiscated my surroundings. Time is trapped and the masterpiece has conquered me. 

Paintings that capture me.

                                                      Play Boy by Laurie Pace*

Elements by Henri Peter*

        

There is a third scenario. A scarce piece of art that has the ability to both capture and move…priceless…

Day of Reckoning by Laurie Pace*                                           

 

Cascada de Amor by Henri Peter*                             

*The above paintings are by artists Laurie Pace and Henri Peter. Each have graciously granted me permission to use images of their paintings in my blog. Thank you Laurie. Thank you Henri.

Here are links to more information on them:

http://www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

http://www.henripeter.com/