Artist Statement

The Argentine Giant Cactus Flower is a favorite of landscapers in the high Arizona desert. This fragrant blooms normally open at night and persist until early to mid-morning. While it is said to be a nocturnal blooming cactus on cool, cloudy days in Arizona; the flowers continue blooming during the day. The cactus of choice in the neighborhood.

This Yellow Giant was in my neighbor’s yard backlit by the early morning sun when I took the photograph. Oil paintings were added to expand the level of painting communication. Most often the subject matter directs how it would like to be interpreted in watercolor, oil pastels or as an oil painting. The subject intensity of the flower color and shadows were best expressed in an oil painting.

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Mary Dove’s father made certain she was exposed early and often to a wide variety of life experiences. These included all manner of wildlife, birds, nature, sports and even food. Such invaluable encounters have enabled her to breathe life and soul into everything she chooses to paint or draw. Diversification thus became, and remains today, the hallmark of her work. Paintings range from landscapes and architectural structures, big game animals, pet portraits and still life. This allows the subject matter to emotionally fine her as she responds to a particular location or personal experience.

Biography

A resident of Sedona AZ, Mary Dove earned both a Bachelor and a Master of Art Education Degree from Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX. Her college education began as an architect major, moved through commercial art and technical illustration to discover her artistic voice as an illustrator. She now captures structures vanishing from our ever-changing landscapes. In the animal world, her keen insight and sensitivity express the physical characteristics and personality of our animal companions and wildlife. Her chosen subjects are depicted in a “realistic expressionism” style reflecting the study of light and values to depict the story mood of the painting.

Art Statement

Protest is a universal thing that transcends culture and language barriers. This image is from a Sunday afternoon in Poland, a holiday in an area populated by tourists. The bystanders were from several nationalities and spoke many different languages, but the idea of protest was understood by all.

Artist Biography

Sarah Haig is an artist and educator working in northwest Tennessee. Her work ranges in medium, with a continued question of how the medium can further the message within each individual piece.

Artist Statement

Anke Dodson enjoys working in the style of contemporary or painterly realism on a variety of surfaces such as watercolor canvas, aquabord, claybord, yupo, ricepaper and, of course, traditional watercolor papers. Her work includes cityscapes, landscapes and marine subjects.

Biography/Resume

Anke Dodson is a native of Germany and a naturalized citizen of the United States. She is a resident of Tulsa, OK. She has studied painting in watercolor and pastels with nationally known artists and instructors such as Steven Quiller, Alan Flattman, Naomi Brotherton, Judy Betts, Christopher Schink and others and in recent years has added the art of printmaking, more specifically monotypes. Taking a workshop taught by renowned printmaker Julia Ayers made her want to learn more about this unique medium and its possibilities.

In June of 2011 she was invited by the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, OK to teach an introductory monotype workshop in conjunction with their “Rauschenberg at Gemini” exhibition. A solo exhibition at the Gallery of the Performing Arts Center in Tulsa in October 2011 included a large number of monotypes, portraying the change of seasons on the prairie.

The Community National Bank of Kansas commissioned her to paint historical works for seven of their branch offices. The large portraits of these communities are now on exhibit in their respective cities.

Her work was juried into the 2017 and 2018 National Watercolor USA shows.

Her paintings have been added to a number of corporate and private collections in the U.S., Germany and France, including several commissioned pieces.

She is represented by the Eva Reynolds Gallery of Fine Arts in Leawood, KS (Kansas City) and her work can also be found in the virtual galleries of the Oklahoma Artists Coalition and the Tulsa Artists Guild (TAG).

Artist Statement

My painting is inspired by European postimpressionist poetic motives together with classic understanding of Fine Art traditional interpretation. I do believe there is no end to figurative painting at all. Any skillful, significant master just adds new word, line, verse or, even novel, to the interminable Book of Painting. We all learn from Life and Nature, which, even developing, still proposes us the same human and artistic values as it was in Ancient Greece or Renaissance Italy.

You cannot call any good artist quite new. He is just a new step in sublimation and analysis of those who influence him most, thus we see Titian behind Modigliani, Caravaggio behind Picasso. Art is the union of different artistic aspiration.

Biography/Resume

I was born and raised in Russia where I got fundamental classic education in monumental painting and sculpture. I graduated from Stroganov Art Academy in Moscow 1991 where I participated in various student exhibitions in Sweden, Japan and Italy, but seeking my own path in art I moved to Israel where slowly but steadily I began to paint, to create my own world without looking at the temptations of momentous modern conceptual art” fame and glory “ I spent some time among the Israeli artists participating in various exhibitions in the prestigious galleries such like Jerusalem Theater, in 2003 I moved to US where my art was generously supported by famous philanthropist Len Blavatnik and late Ann Loeb Bronfman. In 2007 I won the Gran Prix in International Miniature Painting Competition (under Washington Miniature Painting Society) I have exhibited my works in the best Washington area galleries. It makes me really glad to see that my painting is understood and appreciated in US and I have chance to work wholeheartedly in what I consider ”my painting”- in style, in color in line.

I reside in Bethesda MD, where I teach art in my studio and paint and exhibit my works.

1982 -1986 – Art college in Saratov BA degree(painting and sculpture)

1986- 1991 – Stroganov Art School in Moscow MA degree ( monumental painting)

• – Student exhibitions in Tokyo, Moscow and Stockholm.
• – Member of Painters and Sculptors Association of Israel

1993 -Exhibition in Moscow Modern Art Center – presentation the idea of using Matryoshka dolls as portable symbols of “mini monumental art”.

1992- 1996 Commission in murals for Jeffrey Sweetbaum.

• – Solo and group exhibition in Jerusalem Theatre Gallery, by the Israeli Ministry of Culture patronage

1997-1999       Lived and worked in the Sa-Nur Artist Village in Samaria, several exhibitions in the local Gallery.

• – Solo exhibition in Mitzpe Hayamim Gallery, Israel

2002 -2003 Lived in New York, exhibition in Alexandre Gertsman “Intart” Gallery, cooperation in designing murals for Mr. Blavatnik house (Medin Room) with the office of architect Thierry Despont. Two solo exhibitions in Mr. Len Blavatnik Office on 5th avenue.

• – Solo exhibition in AvantGarde Gallery, Washington DC.
• – solo exhibition in Goldman Art Gallery, Rockville MD
• – Participation in Modern Russian Art auction Project with group exhibition in Gallery “5” Richmond VA.
• -solo exhibition in Russian Cultural Center Gallery, Washington DC     2007 – solo exhibition in Arts Barn Gallery, Gaithersburg MD
• – solo exhibition in Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, Rockville MD
• – solo exhibition in Smith Parada Gallery in Georgetown Washington DC
• – group exhibition in Strathmore Gallery Bethesda MD
• – solo exhibition in Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery in Washington DC
• -solo exhibition in Frangulian Gallerie, Paris, France
• – solo exhibition in Kentland Mansion Gallery Gaithersburg MD
• – solo exhibition in Bohrer Park Gallery Gaithersburg MD
• – solo exhibition in Historic Churchhill Hotel foyer -gallery Washington DC

2015- solo exhibit in Glenview Mansion Gallery and Arts Barn Gallery.       2016 – solo exhibition in Chesapeake Gallery North Potomac MD

Artist Statement

Ralph Garafola has made a living as a commercial illustrator and fine artist for more than 65 years and brings his style of contemporary realism to his oil and watercolor paintings of portraits, landscapes, seascapes, still life and animals/pets. He travels throughout the Southern United States, Italy, England and France in search of new subjects and locations for future paintings while studying the works of the Old Masters.
“All my paintings are portraits. Whether my subject is a person, landscape, seascape, still life or pet, my approach is to portray my subject in its natural environment. It puts the viewer inside the painting. My paintings realistically depict what nature has created.” – Ralph Garafola

Biography

Ralph Garafola critically acclaimed artist, educator and author was raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He and his family moved to New Jersey in 1964 and since 2001 spend the winters in Florida. Garafola started his career as a draftsman in New York City for Armor Engineering.

Later Garafola worked for Design Service in Newark, NJ as an illustrator producing government-training manuals for the Armed Forces. Afterwards he was promoted to Art Director. He worked there until he was drafted in 1953. Subsequently he studied drawing at The Alliance Art School (Educational Alliance) in lower Manhattan at night.

Garafola, a Korean War veteran was in the army for two years as Army Combat Photographer MOS. He studied at Fort Monmouth New Jersey Army photo school; graduated and transferred to the Pictorial Center, Long Island City as a photographer making training films for the army. While stationed in Korea Garafola was a draftsman. He was discharged in 1955.

Back in New York, Garafola studied at the Art Students League of New York over seven years with Frank J. Reilly. He served as class monitor to Reilly, who was an instructor at the League and Commissioner of Art for New York City.

Garafola worked at Janal Studio in Newark as a commercial illustrator. At that juncture he then went out on his own and for more than 65 years he made a successful living as a self-employed commercial illustrator, photo retoucher and fine artist. Garafola retired as a commercial illustrator and continued painting. He brings his style of contemporary realism to his oil and watercolor paintings of portraits, landscapes, seascapes, still life and pets. Garafola travels throughout southeastern United States plein air painting and Italy, France in search of new subjects and locations for future paintings while studying the works of the Old Masters.

At 70 years of age started teaching at the duCret School of Art, Plainfield, NJ and in Florida at the Sarasota Art Center, Longboat Key – Ringling College of Art and Design, the Art Center Manatee and Art Expressions by the Bay in Sarasota. Garafola also has students he tutors privately.

Current Work/Projects

Garafola’s portraits and still life capture the personality and character of his subjects while his landscapes and seascapes capture the mood of the scenes. Garafola says, “All my paintings are portraits. Whether my subject is a person, landscape, seascape or still life, my approach is to portray my subject in its natural environment. It puts the viewer inside the painting. My paintings realistically depict what nature has created.”

Garafola’s first published book “Frank J. Reilly – The Elements of Painting” reveals Reilly’s theory of what one needs to know about painting, as taught to Garafola. Frank J. Reilly was an American painter, illustrator, muralist and teacher. Reilly served as the Commissioner of Art for New York City. Ralph Garafola studied at the Art Students League of New York over seven years, where he served as Reilly’s class monitor.

“To succeed in the realm of graphic arts, like dancing and playing music, one must acquire knowledge. By practicing and applying that knowledge, one becomes skillful. It was Reilly’s logical application that was the basis for developing my craft. After 65 successful years I have never found a reason to change methodology he taught me. I owe him my sincere gratitude. Now, through this book, I share it with you” says Garafola.

Now Garafola is working on a second book, “Frank J. Reilly – Outdoor Painting” publication is scheduled for the end of 2017.

“The Price of Liberty & Freedom” A Commemorative Painting for Honoring Your Personal Hero was painted by Garafola as a dedication to the ultimate sacrifice made by our heroes so we can continue living with the freedoms we have in our nation. Ralph Garafola a veteran of the Korean War, long believed our heroes can be honored with more than a photo on a mantle or bureau. He created this unique painting in which a photograph of your personal hero is inserted into the composition – creating a beautiful, commemorative work of art that truly honors them and their sacrifice.

Garafola designed and directed the building of the 911 Memorial that stands in front of the Warren Township Municipal building in New Jersey.