The Art Inquirer is your source of news for the artist and the Art appreciator
Established in 2008

Monday, June 29, 2009

John Stires - Sea Life Artist




Following a series of interviews with artists, this time The Art Inquirer brings to its readers the opportunity to get to know John Stires, an artist who paints the sea life.

TAI - Thank you for accepting to give this interview to The Art Inquirer.
Let us know about yourself and how it all started.

JS - I was born in Glendale, CA. I've always like art and I've always liked fish. I just never thought about combining the two interests. In high school, they both were hobbies and when it came time to chose a major in college I went with fish (biology major at UC Santa Barbara) thinking that art was an ineffective use of my time at college. I made this decision about a year or two before the explosion of the digital arts and by the time I was a junior in college I realized that I probably should have majored in art. While I enjoyed biology, I was pretty bad at it. Luckily, I did take quite a few art classes in college, which pretty much saved my GPA. After college I moved to NYC, considered an architecture career, but soon realized that as with biology it was too technical and I would never enjoy it. So I waited tables, considered writing a comic book and ended up working as a graphic designer and creative services director at Marvel Comics. After 6 years there I transitioned into the wild world of Internet startups and landed a job as a product manager at a video product review website called Expo TV, which is where I work today.All this time I pursued creative avenues but avoided painting, mainly because I had no clue what to paint. I wanted to have a purpose with painting and felt there was no reason to consider it unless there was something I wanted to paint. By this time I had been involved with reef aquariums for almost 20 years. Last fall it finally hit me, I could paint fish and corals and other sea creatures!I consider myself to be more of an expert with reef aquariums than I consider me to be an expert in art. In fact I probably consider myself to be more of a novice at art when it comes to technique. I really don't have much technique when I paint and I'm trying very hard to learn various ways to work with paints. I do feel that I have a very creative mind and feel that in time my technique is going to catch up with my mind. While I am happy with some of the things I have painted, I still feel that I am searching for exactly what I want to convey.

TAI - How important do you find your knowledge about the species that you convey and how does that show in your paintings ?

JS - I think my knowledge of the species adds quite a bit to what I choose to paint. Understanding the behaviors of the fish and corals helps me bring forth unique personalities and movement in the subject. I am very interested in trying to capture distinct expressions from the fish rather than simply painting beautiful sea life. I think the beauty comes from the mood the animals bring. That is probably why I focus on such intimate portraits rather than large seascapes.

TAI - Wanting to paint the waterworld has forced you in study the water species with more perseverance ?

JS - Definitely. It has helped me explore certain fish and behaviors much more. It's great because the research is a wonderful learning experience and has has even helped me explore aquarium husbandry more.

TAI - When doing a portrait, be it of a human or animal, one of the objectives of the painter is to transmit the model's character or mood.How do you cope with the objective when portraying a living being from the waterworld ?

JS - Trying to capture the mood or character of a fish is pretty difficult. Fish don't express themselves with eyes and other facial expression. They express themselves with their bodies. So movement is key when trying to transmit a mood. Even though fish don't express themselves with their facial features I still think it is possible to illicit a feel through their eyes and mouths. Many fish have down-turned mouths and wide open eyes so that generally makes for sad, wary, and paranoid looking subjects. I actually like that and I think it touches on the environmental concerns of our oceans today. It is as if all the fish are wary of the humans viewing them, wondering if humans really have the best intent for their environment.

TAI - Besides painting with oils, what other mediums and venues do you use to transmit your art and work to the public.

JS - I actually dabble in quite a bit more things besides oil painting. I've always been interested in the Internet and building successful website, so I look at everything I do on the web as somewhat of an art form. My site is as much of an art project as my paintings. Through my site I do alot of digital art with wall decals and I also reproduce my artwork on t-shirts, coffee mugs and other products through Zazzle. It is another way for me to express myself and jumping into the online world helps keep me engaged with my artwork. Although I do admit that the time spent online doing this stuff also takes away from my time spent on actual painting.Recently I started taking video of various corals and fish and cutting together small clips of them. I started a new site called Reef Video and I look at this as a different type of artistic expression. There are many behaviors that need to be shown on video that I can't really do with a paintbrush. This goes for corals especially. In paintings corals look like plants or sticks or other static objects. With video you can show how they blossom and move and feed. It is quite spectacular and alien to watch a coral move and feed. Many people don't realize that they are animals and are always surprise by their unique behaviors.

TAI - How people react when looking at the subjects that you paint ?

JS - This is one of those questions that is very hard for an artist to gauge. My art is pretty new, I consider myself a novice so when people view my art I can never as to what level people like my paintings. This is where I rely on the internet to get true reactions to my artwork. If I notice that people start posting my artwork around the internet or if more and more people start coming to my site, then I'll know that people are reacting well to my artwork.

TAI - What are the species that you most like to paint ?

JS - Well, clownfish are just fun to paint. They are probably the most popular fish out there and there is good reason why, they just have wonderful personalities. I've been playing around recently with various types of corals and while I like to paint them I find them extremely difficult to paint well. I think that is one of the areas I need to improve the most.

TAI - Can you be caught painting or sketching at an aquarium or oceanarium ?

JS - Not yet, however I can be caught taking video of various corals and fish tanks in local aquarium shops. I am going to be visiting the amazing Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in a couple of weeks and hope to get some behind the scenes interviews and video while I am there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

TAI - Please tell us about your artistic plans for the future and if you have any upcoming exhibitions.

JS - Plan to see more paintings, wall decals, video and other things. I am looking around at printing my own greeting cards with some of my work on them and selling them through my site. I still need to create a larger body of work before I can approach someone about showing my work. It's a long process but I could see myself displaying some artwork hopefully by the end of the year.

The artwork of John Stires can be seen at his website.

In a constant effort to offer its readers a pleasant reading, based on quality and relevant content, The Art Inquirer has already granted a new series of interviews.

Advertise and Help Scott and Carol Decker



The Art Inquirer took acquaintance of the extremely difficult situation faced by Scott and Carol Decker.
Due to severe complications during and after the labour of her second child, Carol had to be submited to several amputations and later on she lost her sight due to the medication that she needs to take.
Besides all the inherent problems coming from this situation, the couple faces an untanable debt in medical treatments.
Now, as you have noticed, The Art Inquirer uses the Project Wonderful ad system which is based upon a bid system.
Advertising values start at a very low 2 cents per day and you can set the parameters of your bid limit, daily expense and for how long you want to place you ad. There is also the possibility of canceling.
To help this couple, all the revenue from the month of July will be donated to Scott and Carol using the Paypal system, which can also be found on their blog.
This is a great opportunity to advertise your business at a very accessible rate and to help a good cause.
And to thank you for your generosity, the advertiser who contributes most to this cause will gain a free month (at his/her choice) of prime spot advertising placement.
Mind that this blog is read by all ages and therefore I must approve the ads before they start running.
If you wish to know some more about their situation, please watch this video.
Thank you for your interest.
The image is used for illustration purposes and the couple's and their children privacy should be respected.




Wednesday, June 24, 2009

11th Annual Pastel 100 Competition

Artists from around the world, using soft pastels (hard pastels are also included since the competition is opened to all dry pastels) are again able to participate in another competition organized by F&W Publications, through their soft pastel dedicated art magazine The Pastel Journal.
This is a great opportunity for pastelists to have their names recognized and published in what is probably the most well known publication dedicated to this medium.
According to F&W Publications the cash prizes totalize more than $15,000 ( a value that The Art Inquirer could not confirm at this time, but will try tomorow).
There are also prizes in the form of pastel supplies for the first five of The Jack Richeson/Unison Pastels Category Awards.
Artists may enter in all categories and the finalists will be chosen by the magazine staff.
Award winners and honourable mentions will be selected by the following jurors : Ilene Gienger-Stanfield (Portrait/Figure), Jean Dalton (Abstract/Non-Objective), Nancy MacDonald (Animal/Wildlife), Paul Murray (Landscape/Interior) and Ron Monsma (Still Life/Floral).
The 11th Annual Pastel 100 Competition may be your next important step in the world of art.
Read carefully the prospectus , namely the elegibility terms, because the simply fact of not following one of the rules may annul your chances to participate and win.
All entries must be postmarked no later than September 1st, 2009.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Banksy at the Bristol Museum



Since October that this event and its location has been kept secret, even from the Bristol City Council chiefs.
With 100 works from the Bristol based graffiti artist Banksy, this exhibition features installations, animatronics and a sensory display.
The artist started stencilling on the city's walls in the 90s and because part of the taxpayer's money has been used to erase those stencils, this exhibition may not be free of some controversy.
Although Banksy supervised the installation in loco, the museum staff was not able to guess who he was among his crew, being this one of his trademarks.
His artworks have been exhibited in Bethlehem, Los Angeles and New York, becoming highly collectable and making part of collections from known personalities such as Robbie Williams and Brad Pitt.
Named Banksy vs Bristol Museum, the exhibition may be visited for free during this Summer at the council-owned City Museum and Art Gallery, in Bristol (UK).

Monday, June 15, 2009

Did You Get Free Art Supplies ?

Today the Art Inquirer has chosen a winner from its followers and newsletter subscribers.
Besides the winner, were also chosen three substitutes in the eventuality of the prize not being claimed.
The lucky winner will receive, free of any charges, a new set of painting brushes and a wood palette.
Should no one claim the prize, The Art Inquirer will donate it to a caring institution that includes art as one of its activities.
The winner will lose the right to the prize if not contacting within a week.
Thank you for reading this blog and participating with your comments and suggestions.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Art Basel 2009



Considered the world's leading show of modern and conteporary artworks, the Art Basel 2009 is open to the general public from June 10 to June 14.
Multiple sections show the works of over 2500 renowned and emerging artists represented by 300 galleries.
It's preview opening took place yesterday and was attended by known personalities like Naomi Campbell and Brad Pitt who bought a Neo Rauch painting for $956,000.
In the last year's edition the actor had acquired a hollow Rococo-style Carrara's marble table by the dutch designer Jeroen Verhoeven.
Within the first hour of the Switzerland's based fair, a diamond-incrusted sculpture by Takashi Murakami, sold for $2,000,000.

Art Basel 2009 expects to draw wealthy visitors, such as the russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and the american art collectors Howard Rachofsky and Eli Broad, who were also spotted at the preview.
Last year's edition was attended by 60000 visitors.
The public program and the visitor information will give you a general idea of what to expect.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Art Calendar's Studio Makeover Contest

Featuring more than $10,000 in prizes, the Art Calendar's Studio Makeover is an opportunity for artists to have their studio remodelled.
The contest runs from May 1st through July 31st, 2009 and those wishing to enter must send a photo of their studio and a text stating why they should win the prize.
Three winners will be featured in the November 2009 issue and the receiver of the grand prize will videotape the studio makeover with a camera provided by Art Calendar.
Make sure that you read the elegibility requirements and rules.

Monday, June 8, 2009

The Times Top 200 Artists

After 1.4 million votes, Times readers and Saatchi Online visitors have selected the top 200 artists of the 20th century to now.
Participants were asked to vote from a list of artists working since 1900, including painters, sculptors, photographers, video and installation artists.
The list can be seen here and you may click on the artist's name for more information.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Gallery Wrap System by Hahnemühle

Create Your Own Gallery Wraps with the new Hahnemuhle Gallery Wrap System from Ron Risman on Vimeo.


Known for its quality papers, Hahnemühle has a new gallery wrap kit that may be a solution for many artists and art dealers.
This do-it-yourself kit named "Hahnemühle Gallerie Wrap" comes with the necessary tools for an easy assembly and can be used for paper and canvas.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Musée Hergé (Musée Tintin)


Symbolically inaugurated on May 22nd (Hergé's anniversary) in Louvain-la-Neuve near Brussels, the Hergé Museum or if you prefer the Tintin Museum, will have it's official opening to the public tomorow June 2nd.
Not free of controversy was its presentation to the journalists, who were kept from taken photos.
The museum is divided in 8 spaces comprising 3600m2 and was conceived by the french architect Christian de Portzamparc.