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.

Montana Blue Heron is Marilyn Evans Stevens and William Stevens, two self-taught weavers who have taken their willow structure weavings from simple basketry into the realm of woven sculpture and three-dimension wall art.  These sculpture weavings with bright bold beautiful colors have found been at the Celebration of Fine Art for over ten years and continue to find their way into beautiful homes.

The work by Marilyn and Bill is the result of a shared vision, communication, and the fact that nearly every individual piece has had both of their hands on it at some point in its development.  If Bill is the “What” of the piece, Marilyn is always the “How”.
Each year begins, as does each weaving, with the willow.  Wands of willow and red osier dogwood are gathered in the Spring and replenished in the Fall.  When they are picking willow, you may be assured that it is a beautiful, golden day along a silver ribbon of river, somewhere in Montana, from the Tobacco and Flathead in the north to the Beaverhead or Bighole in the south.  The gathered bundles represent the body of work to come over the next 6 months, and though Montana Blue Heron clients tell them again and again that it is their Color that is paramount in their decision, for Marilyn and Bill the work is in the Willow.
The Willow is the foundation, the “bones” of every piece.  It provides the grace of shape, strength and durability.  Over these bones are laid the flesh of weaving in colors and textures ranging from the brilliant to the sublime.
Color is the domain of Marilyn.  Her skills combine to create colors that gleam.  She is like some combination of chef and chemist as she mixes her potions and powders to some recipe known only to her through her years of experience as a master dyer.  After hours in her magic vats, the plain, drab and common wands turn into the scintillating colors of which their work is renowned.
Another feature of note in their weavings is the use of antler and wood, not as an adornment, but as an integral form affecting part of the piece.  The antler is purchased while the wood is another component of the quest to find pieces of Aspen and Pine to finalize and create the most dramatic element of their unique wall hangings and sculptures.
According to Marilyn and Bill, “No, our fingers never get tired!”
Be sure to see Montana Blue Heron’s new creations in 2010.

The warm, welcoming smile of Graydon Foulger has been a fixture at the Celebration of Fine Art since 1991, the very first year of the show. His magnificent paintings greet visitors as they walk in the front door. There is not a day that goes by that he is not painting new works – large or small during the 10 week long event.

Color and texture are part of his signature in every piece that he creates. His thick textures can take weeks or even months to dry – we frequently have paintings hanging in our office at the show to help them dry. What a treat for us!

Graydon has been involved in art for as long as he can remember – drawing as a kid, taking art classes all through school and graduating from Brigham Young University in Utah with a BFA in painting and sculpture in 1967. He then studied in a master of fine art program and taught art as a graduate assistant. In 1966, Graydon studied with the European Art Academy, which provided him with the opportunity to learn in any of the museums and galleries throughout Europe. In addition, he has studied with several prominent artists.

Graydon resides in Utah, a state he enjoys painting for its diversity. He relishes plein-aire painting (on site) in all weather conditions, yet equally enjoys the challenges of studio work. His interest in a wide variety of subjects is served by traveling extensively in the U.S., South American and Europe. Graydon’s goal is to paint competent, honest, interesting paintings ranging from the subtle rendering to the colorful impasto.

It has been a pleasure to work with and watch Graydon over the 19 years at the Celebration of Fine Art. Along with a loyal and passionate clientele who return on a regular basis to see his new creations, he has the respect of many a fellow artist. He frequently paints on location – from Arizona to California to Mexico to France and beyond – with fellow artist friends. He is both the mentor and the mentee. His easy going personality and passion for art act as a magnet for anyone who loves art. Be sure to spend some time with Graydon on your next visit to the Celebration!