Bruce began his art career at an early, studying privately with a cadre of Los Angeles artists, and sold his first piece in a show at the age of nine. While earning his degree at Art Center College of Design, he studied under Lorser Feitelson, the father of Post-Surrealism.

Bruce wants to represent the blinding truth of those “Aha Moments” of true insight as well as the confusion and uncertainty we all experience along our paths. His presence of the circle in his paintings represents the elemental almost primal journeys and lessons that keep coming back around. In observation, no single point on a circle is more important than any other point reminding us that every point on the path is an equally significant part of the journey. Whether we think of it as a good or bad experience, it’s all helping us to our destination.

Expressing this intricacy and depth on canvas involves creating multiple layers of images. Bruce begins each piece with a very vivid and energetic palette knife composition, with thick swirls and streaks of saturated color slashed across the canvas. He then layers coat upon coat of sheer glazes over his base, creating a delicate balance between what is hidden and what is allowed to bleed through. Per Bruce, “This gives it subtext. Just like in life, the most interesting stuff is what’s below the surface. That’s where I want my paintings to resonate”.

2010 represents the sixth year at the Celebration of Fine Art, where he and his Pekingese, Matisse, look forward to another great season with old and new friends. Drop by the Celebration to perhaps experience journey through his paintings.

David W. Jackson is multi-talented and proficient in several art mediums. Although he is well known for his accurate depiction of wildlife and western landscapes, David’s work is very diverse and includes a wide variety of subjects and locations. His richly colored impressionistic style has afforded him the opportunity of showing his work in private collections and shows throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

David’s welcoming smile and positive attitude is very familiar to anyone who has attended the Celebration of Fine Art. His work has been exhibited with the Celebration of Fine Art since 1994. His list of collectors is long and continually growing!

A native of Ogden, Utah, David’s interest in art began at an early age. He received a Bachelor of Science degree at Weber State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree through Utah State University. After teaching high school art for 27 years, he retired to pursue his passion full time to create his own artwork. He is a strong supporter of numerous wildlife and charitable organizations and for many years has served as a board member for the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden.

David is always striving for excellence. He loves new challenges and opportunities which provide him with creative resources. His home and studio are located in the beautiful surroundings of Mountain Green, Utah where it is not unusual for him to see a Moose walking by out the window. When he is not painting or sculpting, he is enjoying his family and the great outdoors.

Be sure to stop by his studio at the Celebration of Fine Art and see what’s new for 2010.

Sylvie by Daphne Keskinis

Daphné was born in Paris, France.  Her whole family is involved in the history of art.  Her heritage comes from afar.  Her grandfather was an official portrait artist for presidents, kings and director of “ecole des Beaux Arts”.  His work is represented in numerous museums.  Her mother was a traditional watercolor artist.  At the age of 21, Daphne’ moved to New York to show her artwork in an exclusive gallery.

Daphné started with oils and pastels, but for over 40 years has been enraptured by the medium of enamel.  She studied with an old master, “Maitre Corlin”, who was a friend of Picassco and Braque.  She currently works with oils and enamels from her Studio Gallery in Carefree, Arizona and in South France.  In the inspiration of the new and old world, her subjects are versatile, bringing a force and excitement in panorama of both continents.
Enameling is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to metal or glass by firing.  The powder melts, flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating.  Applied enamel pottery and stone objects date back to the ancient Egyptians.  The French invented the technique of “painting” with a special enamel called “blanc de Limoges” over a dark enameled surface to form a detailed picture, often human figure.  Limoges enamel, made in Limoges, France is the most famous European centre of vitreous enamel production.

When Daphné paints the fused powdered glass to copper, she creates ancient gardens, views of restaurants and cafes, chefs, religious images, and gorgeous bouquets. In the past few years, she has been creating contemporary paneled wall hangings where the flowing colors create emotional movement.  Her enameled fabulous faces seem to speak to you as if they are someone you know.
Daphné  has been oil and enamel painting at the Celebration of Fine Art since 1993.  To see if one of her faces speak to you or to learn more about enamel painting, visit her studio at the Celebration January 16 through March 29, 2010.

Syed was born and reared by the Kedah River in Malaysia.  This river provided the visual impressions that can be seen in his glass work.  Since glass shares similar light bending properties with water, it allows Syed to tap into his past where he observed the movement and effects of water to create his pieces.  The complex layers of clear, opaque and dichroic glass when fired create abstract impressions of water, plants and reflections.  These graceful and fluid pieces have been embellishing his studio at the Celebration of Fine Art for over seven years.
His method is improvisational.  The cutting, trimming and shaping sheets of glass, then laying, arranging and overlapping transparent, opaque and translucent glass until the image in Syed’s mind is realized.  The final outcome is not apparent until after the technical process of kiln-firing.  At 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, the pieces of glass begin to flow and fuse blending shapes and colors emerging with the final design.

To extend the design lines initiated within the glass, Syed creates a larger format of etched and painted metals or textured glass to mount his abstract impressions.  These contemporary glass art wall sculptures are considered highly collectible by art glass collectors.   Syed’s thoughtful nature and inquisitive spirit can be seen in all of his works of art. Stop by to see Syed and his glass creations in 2010.