Artists of the Month: June 2024
This month we have selected an eclectic mix of artists for our Artist of the Month of May 2024. We have a unique selection of contemporary artists whos’ art has caught our attention. From the expressionistic brush strokes of Marie Antoniou realistic floral of Jill Ann Harper. In fact there is something for all tastes. Art2Arts the first choice gallery to buy art
Marie Antoniou
Artist Quote: ‘I love the process of painting, and the challenge of depicting traditional subjects in a fresh and original way’.
Artist and tutor Marie Antoniou has been painting most of her life. She is well known for her unique depiction of wildlife which have earned her numerous awards and accolades. Marie is a great champion of acrylics which allows her to explore traditional subject matter with a more contemporary approach to painting.
She is represented by several galleries and her paintings are part of many private collections. Marie’s work features in the Complete Guide to Painting in Acrylics (2014) and co-authored ‘The Acrylic section of Artist’s Painting Techniques’ (2016) published by Dorling Kindersley. In 2017 Marie will be writing a series of articles for the Artist Magazine.
For the last 8 years Marie has been a shortlisted finalist at the prestigious ‘David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year’ exhibition in London. I mainly paint Wildlife. Through expressive brushstrokes I aim to depict the movement and life that nature has to offer and patterns that are created naturally.
SEE ARTWORKS BY MARIE ANTONIOU
Fiona Philipps
Artist statement: ‘I love creating art in many different forms as a way to express my response to the world around me through the use of colour, mark making and texture.’
I have loved creating art since my childhood and went to art college when I left school. Whilst bringing up my children, I continued to paint. Then decided to return to college and studied for a degree in fine art. Graduating in 2011 and then returned for a further year as a fellow.
Now I work from my home studio, which fits in well around family life. I love to create semi-abstract artworks with lots of texture. Mark making is also an important part of my process. I find that the seasons have some influence on my chosen colours, but I always prefer to mix my palette to more subtle shades and tones. Sometimes my paintings are evoked by my childhood memories of time spent growing up in this beautiful coastal area.
I love to walk whatever the weather and as we move from season to season. The changes in these surrounding landscapes are documented in my abstract and semi abstract paintings. Inspiration for my still life paintings come from the everyday objects that surround me. My figurative works come from my imagination.
SEE ARTWORKS BY FIONA PHILIPPS
Jill Ann Harper
Artist statement: “The thing I love most about being an artist is playing with colour and waiting to see what emerges on the canvas”.
I became a professional oil painter in 2015, following a 20-year career in governance. Working from my studio at home in Rochester, I love to sit in peace and quiet and paint. My style is mostly realism, although I do quite like to simplify what I’m painting to focus on key content. A lot of my work is bold and bright.
I paint a lot of architecture, flowers and cats but common to all my work is clean lines and crisp images. Painting is in my bones, not only because it keeps me sane but it also allows me to communicate directly from my soul.
The messages in my work are often centred around the beauty of nature; the funny things that cats do; and the amazing accomplishments of humankind in the design of bridges, architecture and monuments. Ultimately, I see my work as a reminder to notice and appreciate everything that is positive in this life.
SEE ARTWORKS BY JILL ANN HARPER
Emilia Milcheva
Artist statement: “Art is the most noble of all human capabilities as it is about creating a pure love state of the soul and without judgement”.
My name is Emilia. I beliеve I was born an artist. It took me some time in my childhood to understand which art suits me best. I tried almost every art stage until I found the art of painting and I stopped looking further.
My passion for drawing and fine art actually and unexpectedly started with a dress of my mama. It was a white trico dress with purple-red-to pink roses printed on it. (I hope you still remember the elegant feminine fashion of 70ies-80ies). To me is seemed like the beauty of the whole world was captured in that dress. So I started painting roses and I have not stopped painting since. Thanks to that lovely dress I found the happiness of painting at a very early age. I discovered the power that it gave me to express myself, to tell people what I see and how I see it.
For so many years now, nature is still the main source of inspiration for me. I am deeply touched and I admire the organic order and the harmony of nature. This leaves me with a feeling of tranquillity. It is amazing how nature paints her masterpieces at every step on the way. No one can do better. So I am simply taking some captures on a loan.
My Art
I want, at least I hope, the viewers of my art to feel the same happiness and peace of mind that I had while painting the piece. For them to feel the warmth, the comfort, the quietness that I rest between the layers of paint.
I was trained by several fine art masters on a base of private lessons. My parents believed that being in close contact and being personally trained by different artists of great skills and repute will help me grow better than going to an art school. So I was working together with each master for about one year. In parallel I graduated foreign language school and institute.
I do not have a preferred medium. I love working oil as well as acrylic. Oils give me the pleasure of building a painting step by step, hour by hour, playing with shadows and forms. Acrylics allow me to paint a piece in a single breath. This is what art should be, I think, one breath of life full of emotions and deep passion for the subject of the painting.
As a dedicated artist I strongly believe that creating is the most powerful side of human beings. But I am also sure that art is not self-sufficient. There must be people to share with, to make a connection, to build the bridge speaker-listener. So come closer, take my hand and come with me in the most beautiful world of nature’s wonders!
SEE ARTWORKS BY EMILIA MILCHEVA
DJ
Artist statement: ‘Being a creative artist really does help to bring the simple beauty of living and life into your every day, and each day can surprise and inspire you.
Being able to share this with people is where the real magic is, and It has been said that my work frequently stops viewers in their tracks, as it so effectively captures the magic of the natural world that surrounds us.’
I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, and creating artwork has always been a driving force and passion in my life.
My style has developed through many years of experience working in professional fine art studios and working for international design companies – designing and producing artwork for hotels, restaurants, commercial spaces, public areas and private estates worldwide.
I am now an established independent freelance artist, and have been teaching art classes and courses, running painting workshops and doing painting demonstrations throughout the UK & Europe for 15 years. Recently over the past 2 years I have also been teaching painting holidays.
I am a regular contributor to the Leisure painter magazine, and my artwork has been featured in national & International publications including International Artist magazine, Artist and Illustrator magazine, The Artist Magazine, Paint magazine, Trail Magazine and the Great Outdoors Magazine.
My inspiration
Spending time with nature has always been a huge source of inspiration, and the Mountain environment holds a special fascination for me. Painting outdoors ‘en plein air’ is simply the best way to really immerse yourself in a landscape and connect with your subject. Mountainous areas have their own weather systems which can provide you with all four seasons in one day, and as the artist you can pick and choose elements of these moments to add to your painting. The painting then becomes a story of the whole day, rather than a quick snapshot. Back in my studio I will then use these ‘Plein air’ studies as reference for colour, tone and light, and my photos for composition and detail.
Carol Ann Wood
Artist Quote: ‘I find my inspiration in the natural beauty of my surrounding landscape and beyond. My aim is to capture nature’s ethereality in my paintings.’
I have been working as a professional artist since 2006. Working for both the private and commercial sector producing original artwork. Some of which have been put to print in large home furnishing outlets.
I studied Art at Leeds College of Art & Design, specialising in floral art for the textile and surface pattern industry. But I began painting in earnest in 2006 becoming a full time professional artist.
My artwork is sometimes realistic, but I often like to take a contemporary slightly abstract twist. Yet these are still and inspired by the natural forms of flowers, trees and ethereal landscapes.
All my artwork is original and I use the finest quality oil and acrylics. I take commissions both private and corporate and can work to your specific size requirement and colour scheme, should you require a bespoke piece of art. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like further details about my artwork, or a quote for a commissioned piece..
SEE ARTWORKS BY CAROL ANN WOOD
