Eddie Vakser Shares More of Humberto Salanova

Eddie Vakser shares more information from Humberto Salanova."Upon the installment of my studio a the begining of the year in the Warehouse district, it was impossible to not feel the complexity of the magnificent construction in downtown Houston...imposing, contrasting, organized, enveloping, overflowing of transactions, nourishing, desired, agile, intellectual, dirty and clean, but functional city.

Where it is clear that the Oil and Gas Industry are the principal actors in this immense scene, where my pallet is in complicity of the outpour and color, making it possible for the strength of the lines to mix and sprout from the deepest soil until they reach the sky and where each section of the artwork represents each working day."

Eddie Vakser Wecomes Humberto Salanova-Colosia

Artfest International and Eddie Vakser welcome another artist from Chile.....this time it's Santiago.

The following is a brief excerpt from Humberto's biography:

An artist considered for his energetic and action like paintings, also known as "live paintings", are derived from the free movements and paint stains, thus the passing by of Neo-Impressionism all the way to Abstract-Expressionism. An artist who reflects his sensitivity in the variety of his works. He has the ablility to change materials and techniques,being very versatile and constantly looking for the impulse of direct emotions of the artist, qualifying himself sometimes as an eniga - curious dreamer of an insatiable imagination. His flowing movements and blending of primary colors reflect his warm Latin roots and infinite ways to express them. After extensive travels throughout the world, he declares: "Almost always, the artist is in conflict and in his case, the artist solves his existence."

Eddie Vakser With More Info on Dmitry Sandjiev

1970-1974 Dmitry studied and defended his diploma cum laude on faculty of decoration of Yaroslavl Fine Art School. Participated in the republic exhibition "Soviet Kalmykia".

1975-1981 Studied and defended his diploma cum laude in Moscow State Fine Art Institute named after V.I. Surilov, the graphic department lead by professors N.A. Ponomarev and B.A. Uspenskiy. Participated in the all-Russia exhibitions.

Artfest International and Eddie Vakser Welcome Stupinoi

Eddie Vakser and Artfest International welcome another new artist.

If your tastes run towards the soft color and texture of nature, then Stupinoi has something to offer you.

Check back for further updates on one of our newest artists

Eddie Vakser Welcomes Dmitry Sandjiev

Another famed Russian artist has been added to the Artfest International roster.

Eddie Vakser welcomes Dmitry Sandjiev to our ever-growing family of artists.

Be sure to check back for further information on Dmitry.

Eddie Vakser and Artfest Int'l Welcome Don Henderson

Whether it's a cityscape, landscape or seascape, then Don Henderson needs to be looked at.

A local Texas artist, Don is one of the newest members of Artfest International and you'll be seeing more of him in the near future.

Eddie Vakser and Artfest Welcome Craig Gould

Eddie Vakser has added yet another exceptional artist to the art team at Artfest. If you are interested in "sports" art, then this is the artist to check out.

Eddie will have more pictures, information and interviews with Craig Gould in the near future.

Artfest International and more from Jeffrey Leigh

Eddie Vakser: "What can you offer to other artists as a mentor with your experience?"

Jeffrey Leigh: To explain the amount of sacrifice you may have to make to get "there". It's more than teaching techique, it is finding a maturity to your interpretation. There are many failures as well as successes. To simplify...your painting, your life, your loves, your day...find that balance that keeps you connected to the canvas. I know it sounds a little abstract, and it is. It is not just about peaceful existence, but what motivates you. The struggles with your art can be battles and what comes out is great. Your motivation may come from the extremes in your life.

One on One--Eddie Vakser & Tom duBois

Eddie Vakser: "How does your life experience figure into your painting today as we speak?"

Tom duBois: "My life experience today is God's word. All my work today is cross focused and Christ centered."

Romanho, Life Experience and Eddie Vakser

Eddie Vakser: "How does your life experience figure into your painting today as we speak?"

Romanho: "All my paintings are a reflection of my life. When I paint flowers, the flowers are an explosion of colors and gratitude for life. When I paint faces, I am talking about loneliness and how our inner being transcends our bodies.

Eddie Vakser Talks More With Harry Thompson

Eddie Vakser: "What can you offer to other artists as a mentor with your experience?"

Harry Thompson: "I believe that I understand the nature and function of art whether it is representational or otherwise. Knowing how to begin and in what sequence a work of art should develop would enable me to be of help as a mentor. I am , systematic and comfortable and familiar with techniques of art and enjoy the versatility of working in a variety subject matter, styles and media."

Artfest's Curator Board--the First Five

Artfest International's Eddie Vakser and Art Channel Galleries proudly announce the first 6 of its 13 member Curator Board to review, advise, and recommend art for Artfest International, Art Channel Galleries, and Art Channel.tv:

WILLIAM K. MCELVANEY
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, PERKINS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, DALLAS, TXFORMAL DEGREES: B.B.A. BANKING AND FINANCE, M.B.A. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, M.DIV, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, DALLAS, TXSERVED IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AS PASTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, AND TEACHERAUTHOR OF EIGHT PUBLISHED BOOKSA LONG INTEREST IN THE ART AS REFLECTED IN THE FAMILY COLLECTION OF SCULPTURES, PAINTINGS, PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE ART OF THE SOUTHWEST.

ELLEN KEY
B.A. FINE ARTS IN JOURNALISM, JOURNALIST BY PROFESSION, ART ENTHUSIAST BY AVOCATIONREPORTER AND FEATURE WRITER FOR TWO DAILY NEWSPAPERSCOPYWRITER AND ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE IN DALLAS ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMPURSUED VISUAL ARTS THRUOGH THE DOCENT PROGRAM AT THE DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART IN 1987. THIS RIGOROUS AND DEMANDING CURRICULUM PREPARED HER TO DIRECT TOURS THROUGH THE DMA'S COMPREHENSIVE PERMANENT COLLECTION AND SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS. BECAME MANAGER OF MEDIA RELATIONS AT THE DMA IN 1994.COLLECTS ART THAT REFLECTS HER ECLECTIC TASTES INCLUDING AFRICAN SCULPTURE, FOLK ART, AND ABSTRACT PAINTINGS. HAS TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE AFTER RETIREMENT IN 2004.

HARRY THOMPSON
B.A., SPEECH & THEATRE, GEORGETOWN COLLEGEM.A. DRAMA, BAYLOR UNIVERSITYPhD STUDIES IN THEATRE ARTS COMPLETED AT UNIVERSITY OF INDIANADIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR OF THEATRES AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL IN MULTIPLE STATE; DESIGNER OF SETS, LIGHTS, COSTUMES, MAKEUPFINE ARTIST WITH ANNUAL SHOWS IN DALLAS AND IN CHICAGO FROM 1980ARTISTIC CONSULTANT AND DESIGNER FOR THE DALLAS BALLET AND THE JOFFREY BALLET IN NEW YORK CITYCO-FOUNDER OF MAVERICK PRODUCTIONS, A TEXAS CORPORATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION DIRECTED AND PRODUCED IN U.S.A., FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, AND GERMANYART WORK IN COLLECTIONS IN U.S., CANADA, ENGLAND, EUROPE, AND AFRICA

GUY VANCE BROWN
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY 1979CURRENTLY PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT AND PRESIDENT OF GUY VANCE BROWN ARCHITECTS, PC, DALLAS, TEXASEXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH OTHERS AND GIVING ATTENTION TO DETAILS AND THOROUGHNESS, ALL ATTRIBUTES WHICH HAVE BECOME HIS HALLMARK. APPRENTICING UNDER THE EMINENT AND TALENTED EGYPTIAN ARCHITECT, FAROUK SEIF, DISCOVED HIS ARTIST'S VOICE WITHIN. THAT VOICE CONVERSES WITH THE ARTIST'S EYE, DIRECTS THE STROKES ACROSS THE CANVAS, SETS THE SCALE AND PROPORTION OF ANY PROJECT.HIS PROJECTS ARE NOW FEATURED ALL OVER TEXAS.

ART ROGERS
B.A. ARCHITECTURE, MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OHIO; M.A. ARCHITECTURE, RICE INSTITUTE, TEXAS; DIPLOME MENTION TRES BIEN, L'COLE DES BEAUX ARTS, FONTAINBLEU, FRANCE; MFA PROGRAM IN THEATRE, TRINITY UNIVERSITY;LICENSED ARCHITECT, STATE OF TEXAS SINCE 1996, MEMBER AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURAL EXAMINERS, BOARD CERTIFIEDSTUDIES UNDER DONALD BARTHLME AT RICE AND UNDER PAUL BAKER AT THE DALLAS THEATRE CENTER WHERE HE WAS AN ACTOR AND SET DESIGNER, APPRENTICED UNDER ARCHITECT O'NEIL FORD, AN ASSOCIATE OF O'NEIL FORD AND ASSOCIATES, AND FOUNDED THE ARTCHITECTS STUDIO IN DALLAS, ALL EMCOMPASSING 37 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE. VARIOUS MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING THE RUTH TAYLOR THEATRE AT TRINITY UNIVERSITY, RESIDENCES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND SEVERAL MUSEUMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN DALLAS.TAUGHT GRADUATE SCHOOL DESIGN AT THE DALLAS THEATRE CENTER AND TEXAS WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY.PUBLISHED POET AND MAINTAINS A PRIVATE SCULPTURE STUDIO IN DALLAS, TEXAS

Artfest and Jeffrey Leigh

Eddie Vakser: "Who has inspired you to be a painter much bigger than yourself?"

Jeffrey Leigh: "When I was young it was my Dad. He never told me I could not do it, or indicate that I was not able. The affirmation of what was being told to us about my talent showed in the words of my father. I loved that man, so his affirmation meant to me that I was an artist, and...I kind of knew internally. Later I came across many artistic influences that gave me inspiration, but the seed was my Dad's awareness of what I was,even at 5 years old."

Tom duBois and Eddie Vakser

Eddie has more questions for Tom. "Where do you paint? Why do you paint there?"

Tom: "At home. Becuase an artists' life is 24/7."

Tom is short, direct and to the point, so Eddie asks him another question. "What can you offer to other artists as a mentor with your experience?"

Tom: "Choose another profession unless you have a rich patron, spouse or trust fund."

Obviously Tom also has a sense of humor.

More Eddie Vakser and Romanho

Eddie Vakser asks Romanho another question: "What can you offer to other artists as a mentor with you experience?"

Romanho: "As a contemporary Chilean artist living in the USA, I have a lot of stories to tell, but the most important thing I say is that I never gave up on my dreams and never stopped trying to be the best that I can be as a human being, and as an artist."

Eddie Vakser and Jeffrey Leigh

Eddie Vakser asks artist Jeffrey Leigh "Why do you Paint?

Jeffrey Leigh replies:
Both my sister and I really were artists at a young age. For myself, I had the encouragement of teachers from kindergarten on who say my talent. I was the class artist all the way thru graduation. We had class trips so "Leigh" could see the "art". I was the class artist till I graduated. There was never any doubt for me. Brooke, my sister, was a little older and was completely caught up in the Peter Max influence from the Beatles Yellow submarine. It really did start her to find her won expression. Brooke is a child of the 60's and her influence is with color. In many of our paintings her color influence is seen.

More of Eddie Vakser and Harry Thompson

Eddie Vakser: Who has inspired you to be a painter much bigger than yourself?

Harry Thompson: Without naming favorite artists or artists whose works are inspirational, I would have to name an artist who challenged me to paint professionally. Texas artist, Tony Bass has been a friend and mentor to my art for decades.His consistent interest and support has challenged me to expand my horizons and become more versatile.

Artfest--Eddie and artist Harry Thompson

Eddie Vakser: Why do you paint, really?

harry Thompson: Painting, in most instances, springs from a persistent desire in the artist. It is akin to a hunger pang that will not be dismissed.
There are occasions when one is commissioned to produce a painting with definite specifications. Usually, the painting arises out of the artist's own need, subject matter, preferred media and style.
Before language, ancient cave paintings demonstrated that the artists did crude drawings and paintings of the things which were of constant importances to them- sources of food.
The works of artists, from time immemorial, reflect and reveal the fixations, fascinations and subjects which are important to a given artist, regardless of the medium or style in which they are presented.

Eddie Vakser on Inspiration

In their ongoing conversation, Eddie Vakser of Artfest International, asks Romanho who has inspired him to be a painter much bigger than himself.

Romanho: My favorite artist is Pablo Picasso. Everytime that I see one of his creations I cry. He touches me deeply with his artwork. During my opening night shows I always look around to see what the people's reactions to my paintings are. I receive inspiration through everyone who comes to my art.

Eddie Vakser Talkes to Chilean Artist Romanho

EV: Why do you paint?

Romanho: I paint to find peace in this chaotic world that sourrounds me. With my palette I can transmit love, peace and happiness. I challenge the viewer to come to my world and see what the divine wants to express through me.

Talks with Artfest International's Eddie Vakser

This is to keep open communications and conversations
with artists and members worldwide with Artfest International's
Eddie Vakser.