Peter Howells newest work,

Michael J Kruzich

Mosaicist

fine art/ commissions/ workshops

 "I have been a professional ballet dancer for the past 28 years.  Many aspects of my theatrical background present themselves in my mosaic subjects. They are often characterized by  movement, dramatic and subtle color/ light contrasts and a high level of detail. Personally I have an affinity for antiquity, mythology and the heroic, and my natural attractions lean toward classical realism and figurative renderings. I seek to use this ancient art form to also capture and preserve the aspects of contemporary life and nature that I find moving and to inspire and create an experience for the viewer. 

Related to commissions, I try to apply some of the same disciplines I practiced in my dance career. As a dancer I was trained to be as versatile as possible and to cultivate an ability to interpret concepts and styles from the ideas of many different choreographers. I approach a commission with the same blank- canvas idea; inevitably bringing my own style together with the needs of the particular project to create a fusion of artist/client ideas.

I was trained in Ravenna, Italy by Maestra Luciana Notturni and have since been recognized internationally for two consecutive years; winning awards at the annual “Mosaic Arts International” exhibits in 2010 and 2011 as well as work being published in a recent mosaic portraiture book.  I am also a professional level member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists, and teach ancient mosaic techniques out of my studio in San Francisco.

I work with natural stone, and Italian glass, primarily using ancient techniques developed in Italy before and during the Byzantine period. I find the qualities of these materials, combined with the classical methods, convey a sense of timeless strength, importance and elevation to whatever subject is rendered in this meticulous discipline.

Art has been my life’s work. I approach it with great passion, devotion and responsibility.  To create an enveloping experience for the viewer is my goal, and in every discipline I bring together many detailed pieces to make up a grand overall impression. In my current mosaic work I enjoy the challenge of “painting” with tesserae; fusing colors into a wondrous whole creating the illusion of seeing colors and shapes blending together like painted objects. 

Amy Ahlstrom is a contemporary urban quilter creating modern fiber art. Drawing upon her background as a graphic designer and illustrator, Amy digitally photographs the visual details of cities

My paintings provide a portal, inviting the viewer into the subtleties of rhythm and movement. The composing process involves layering paint, with attention to clarity and detail, so that light enhances the colors and creates dimension. There is a strong emphasis on traditional, classical techniques so that the viewer may better appreciate the beauty, peacefulness and tranquility of the subject.

I try to appropriate (when appropriate) from artists of the past and use iconic images of the present to create a body of work that uses ideas and materials that have been discarded and ignored as useless or trivial and transform them into something that can be appreciated.

Business has usurped the very meaning of manufactured and perverted it. As taken from the two Latin words manus for hand and the verb factere for to do/make, manufactured literally means made by hand. In other words, art is all that's left in our world that is manufactured. Andy Warhol's use of the term "factory" for his center of production was a reflection of this reality. Everything else, if it were put more accurately, is machinafactured goods.

To then share these creations, I have made greeting cards and websites and, of course, a Facebook page, learning along the way that the marketing of art takes far more creativity, toil, time and expense than producing the art in the first place does. 
 
So the goal of my Open Studio participation is to share the excitement of creating and showing (and hopefully, selling) art.