Featured Artist: DENNIS POTOKAR

Dennis Potokar is an artist with a powerful message,
his works evoke emotion giving his audience and delightful treat for the mind.
His work is magnetic. It draw’s you in, and changes you with every stroke.
His ideas are so unique they engulf your mind into another dimension.

Dennis Potokar, where does your inspiration come from?
“The beauty in everything!”
-The fractal geometry that lays in the underlying structure of things that are around us in general.
The simplicity of the beauty in a landscape. Patterns their changes, they fascinate me, I see them everywhere.

“The result is a loving interest in placing human life in its real world, of beauty and constructive change and expressing higher values toward a more creative path than the one we are on now.”

Dennis Potokar has spent his time in several parts of the United States like Hawaii, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles. He also traveled abroad to Milan, Paris and throughout thirty-four other countries. Always searching and finding other art works that have inspired him.

His favorite influences right now are George Frederic Watts, Gustave Moreau, Jean Delville, Gustave Klimt. and William Blake.

Dennis Potokar considers his work to be an Earthy, holistic style, using contemplative symbolic abstraction and an emotional use of figures in a world based on fractal geometry.

He is involved in teaching, art direction, music, photography, and is a life-long painter. He dedicates all of his time to painting and creating.
www.potokar.tumblr.com

Dennis Potokar is an artist who creates with paint. This is important to him in a world of intolerance, ignorance, and destructive evil, but also of astounding beauty and tranquility for those who have the desire to live it and make it real in life. That is why his creations are so rich and beautiful. Few artist have the brilliance and the depth by which he creates.
www.artistoftheinfiniteeye.blogspot.com

If you wish to learn more about this artist and his work:
dennisart@sbcglobal.net

www.dennispotokar.com

DENNIS POTOKAR
"My goal is to express art, sometimes logically, sometimes intuitively...
through metaphor and symbolism, which has meaning....
from my own life experience (hopefully) to yours."

Featured Artist: JOHN BROPHY

John Brophy was born in St. Louis, MO, but didn't spend much time there. His father was an aerospace engineer for McDonnell Douglas (which is now known as Boeing.) The family moved a lot and by the time he was 12, he had already lived in St. Louis, MO, Tustin, CA, Boise, ID, and South Carolina, as well as Japan and Athens, Greece. As a young adult, he later lived with his family in several different places within the state of California.

John Brophy first started painting just after he finished high school. He had been a yearbook photographer and had enjoyed taking photos, but felt a need for something more and thus, picked up oil painting.

When his dad was transferred to Zaragoza, Spain, he took the opportunity to go to a university in Madrid. That's where he studied fine art, taking full advantage of the Prado Museum and the wonderful courses that he could absorb.

Soon after, he left home, he moved back to Japan for about 8 years. He ultimately decided to nest in Issaquah, WA. Though he has endured much travel, John Brophy is thankful for the experiences he gained.

With a very well-marked passport, he feels that he cannot quite say where his inspiration comes from and that it springs from many places and experiences. Some artists have a hard time with coming up with ideas, but John Brophy is happy to say he is not one of them.

When John Brophy was new to painting he idolized Salvador Dali and found that he could think up all kinds of Daliesque compositions. However, it was something that bothered him because even though the ideas were good, they were in someone else's style.

It took him a while to realize why he was rendering his work in someone else’s style, and ultimately he realized that it was because successful artists have done the hard work of developing their own styles and visual vocabulary.

The styles of the most successful artists were contagious to the point where that particular artist could engulf themselves in anyone’s style of painting. As he stated “It is easy to move into a beautiful house that has been built by someone else.” Taking this into consideration, John Brophy, found it necessary to stop looking at works of other great artists and build up his own inventory of visual iconography.

John Brophy’s biggest influences are Salvador Dali, Mark Kostabi, Pierre et Gilles, Tadanori Yokoo, the music and writing of Brian Eno, Haruki Murajami, and one of his first art teachers: John Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald’s temperament and gentle insight helped tune John Brophy’s eye and sharpen his creative instincts.

If you’re interested in following John Brophy and his enigmatic artwork Please contact: john@jbrophy.com Facebook John Brophy’s Personal website: www.jbrophy.com

If you’re interested in following John Brophy and his enigmatic artwork Please contact: john@jbrophy.com Facebook John Brophy’s Personal website: www.jbrophy.com

Featured Artist: JOHN DICANDIA JINNDOW

John Dicandia  also known in the art world as “Jinndow” was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and of Italian heritage. John Dicandia-Jinndow has been creative for most of my life but has been seriously active in artwork only in the last 25 years. 

He works primarily with ink, graphite and acrylic to convey thoughts about his environment and the human state, both solipsistic and interpersonal, fusing myth and reality.  A blend of mediums and ideas that make his work both beautiful and captivating.

John Dicandia-Jinndow is both a creative enigma in artwork and a delightful writer and illustrator. His work has been published and also has been elected to compliment book covers. John’s curiosity for the human heart is what keeps his work so full of life, with colors and concepts that are naughty and nice, keeping the viewer in suspense and thrilling them with great expectations.

 Although John Dicandia-Jinndow has travelled extensively he resides and creates in his home town in Melbourne, Australia. His artistic creativity surfaced at a very young age. When John was 11 years old he began to take an interest in writing. It is hard to pinpoint one source of inspiration. Perhaps it’s from his diverse environment and the people that he has met along the journey of his life. It was then at that very young age that he started writing stories about having really cool friends and going on adventures.  

His biggest influence have been numerous, for he has had the fortune to get inspiration from his environment and his peers.  John can’t single out one major source of influence or art movement however he does have an affinity to the period from 1890-1940 covering the Belle Epoche, Dadaism, Art Nouvelle and Art Deco. 

John Dicandia-Jinndow likes to consider his art style to be -Art deco with gothic and pop art elements” or as he likes to say- “in a nutshell”. He Describes himself as “A puzzle with missing pieces!” His work is as he states “Organized chaos!”

If you wish to explore more about this artist please visit:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/dicandiaj

For personal inquiries please contact:

dicandio@gmail.com

www.jinndow.com.au

Featured Artist: Peggy Robles-Alvarado

Peggy Robles-Alvarado

A poet a writer an actor and a director that has shined her energy upon those that have had the immense privilege of meeting her. She is an amazing lady that fills the room with an intense connection.

The first time I met Peggy her voice and poetry hit me like a ton of bricks. She opened the emotional barrier that seemed impossible to brake. She spoke to the microphone and the walls of the gallery disappeared transforming that time and space into a visual delicacy full of yesterdays and memories of childhood dreams. 

Born of a Puerto Rican and Dominican decent Peggy was raised in Washington Heights by two hard working middle class parents who decided to break tradition and named her “Peggy”. A name that she upholds with pride.

Her mother and father where one of her biggest influences. She learned that life was, what you made of it. The beauty of your world is but yours to mold. Her parents were both full of virtues, good ethical morals and ruled their home with unconditional love. Peggy is a person of such deep roots that shine through is all the aspects of her life. She loves communicating and expressing her views. 

Peggy has also had many big influences growing up, such as Sandra Maria Esteves and Tato Laviera who wrote about identity and culture. In her recollection she talks about the many influences such as Ntosake Shange, Carmen Rivera, and Lorna Dee Cervantes, Isabelle Allende, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Martin Espada, and Edwidge Danticat.   

Her style has been an evolving and fearless playing with words and structure that addresses social and emotional issues that affect women, society, those deemed statistics, and the voiceless. 

She finds her inspiration in her surroundings, sometimes something as simple as a smile can set Peggy on a journey of the soul. Peggy’s writings can surge from an experience in a past relationship or an afternoon in the park interacting with a child, maybe even from passing by a particular place that provokes intense feelings that then trigger a memory. She also writes about women’s issues such as gender roles, domestic violence, and what it means to be a woman. 

Lately Peggy has been writing about whatever makes her angry. Rather than dwell on an issue or situation she writes about it, giving negative energy a new spin and creating reactive art!

Peggy began writing poetry and performing in 2008 but it wasn’t until 2011 when she published her first book of poetry “Conversations With My Skin”. 

Writing this book was a major turning point in her career after the publication of her book she began to book a regular basis.  Peggy then started to perform poetry for all kinds of audiences.  

This year Peggy did something she hadn’t done before, getting herself into a new journey in life she co-wrote and co-produced a Spoken Word theatrical production titled “Soledad Speaks” with 3 other poets J.F. Seary, Maria Rodriguez, and Meriam Rodriguez, and an amazing director Linda Nieves Powell. 

The experience pushed her creativity to new limits and now she is experimenting with poetry and theater. 

Peggy also began to produce literary events under “Robleswrites Productions” and started a new project titled “The Abuela Stories” Project highlighting the essence of unique Abuelas (grandmothers) through poetry, prose and photography. You can visit for more information: www.abuelastories.com

In one sentence Peggy describes herself and her work:

Peggy Robles-Alvarado:

 “I am a fearless magic making, perfectly imperfect woman with a penchant for poetry and storytelling.

For more info on this artist and her current works, or performances please visit: 

www.Robleswrites.com

www.abuelastories.com

Contact email: robleswrites@gmail.com

Featured Artist: OLGA AYALA

OLGA AYALA

Olga Ayala is an incredible artist with a broad background in many mediums. Her talent has been a form of inspiration that has opened imaginations, stolen hearts and melted barriers.

When I first stumbled upon her work I was truly enamored with her Claymation's and the beauty came as a wonderful gift that was unwrapped piece by piece.

The more I saw her work the greater my admiration grew for her as an artist and a peer. Her individualism was so intense that you see that through her magical hands when she places her spirit and essence upon each piece that she creates.

Olga's love for the arts has been within her since the tender age of 5 when she saw her mother draw of Mickey Mouse on a grocery list. She was immediately bitten by the art bug --the rest is history. As a very young child, Olga dreamed of becoming an artist and set on course to make her dreams a reality. 

She comes from a beautiful background of Puerto Rican ancestors and was born and raised East Harlem, AKA El Barrio: Spanish Harlem in NYC --what she lovingly calls “the rhythm section.” She is the first generation of her family that was born in the states, and therefore considers herself a proud Newyorican!!

Olga's biggest influences have been the  many special people, events, cultures, and, moments over the course of the years of her life. 

Currently a large part of her work is heavily influenced by  reflections of modern and urban society and the customs of Puerto Rican music, dance, and history. Her inspiration stems from the history and roots of the various racial, cultural, and political aspects and traditions that come together to make up modern day Puerto Rico. She is also intrigued with the art and history of ancient cultures from around the world, and finds a lot of fun, humor, and, creativity in pop culture.

She’s experienced in a variety of fine art techniques and since discovering polymer clay in 1997, has been working with it ever since. Her rich Puerto Rican culture, sense of humor, and love of music strongly influence her pieces, as is evident in her work. She believes that art should be something not only to look at, but to touch and interact with. You will find much of her body of work consists of art that is functional as well as decorative.

She also sculpts portraits depicting her subjects, and often times alter egos. She also dabbles in fine and figurative art while integrating her favorite medium, polymer clay, in just about everything she creates. Olga uses a variety of polymer clay techniques in her pieces. You can find her art work showing and selling at various venues nationally and internationally, and in cultural festivals and street fairs throughout the 5 boroughs of her native New York City and in her website:  www.olgaayala.etsy.com

Olga Ayala considers her art style to be eclectic, given the fact that she loves working in mediums that are less likely to have been thought of as art tools. Most people who currently know of her work consider her an artisan; however she has only been creating functional art for the last 16 years. Olga considers herself an artist who just happens to employ functionality in her works.

You can order her designs on her website:  www.olgaayala.etsy.com or contact her via email at olgaamano2@aol.com. 

Featured Artist: RICHARD RAMIREZ

Richard Ramirez
Was born in Manhattan in St Vincent hospital, raised in the Bronx and lives in Puerto Rico.
Living in the Bronx, NY in the '60's he was exposed to a wonderfully colorful environment.

Full of energy and inspiration at every corner. Richard was always interested in the rhythm of life and the beauty of the colors of his everyday environment. His style is remembrance of the peeking interest of the way the colors gave energy to his every stroke. As a young man Richard was working with sketches, markers and pencil. Making commissioned pieces for collectors that love his work and followed his career.

One piece that stands out from that time is the recreation of the cover to "The Stairway To Heaven" album by Led Zeppelin.

Richard loves surreal and abstract art. Growing up in the 60's in the Bronx, He was exposed to a psychedelic world, and loved the hidden messages and subliminal undertones of this type of art.

Richard -"I say Art has to make you think.. most of the time anyway.. I find it to be a stress reliever for me". He has worked with many different and mixed medias. Like gourd art, graphite pencils, markers, oil and acrylic and photography. Richard also ran a tattoo shop in the Bronx for more than 10 yrs. Were he made custom tattoo designs for customers.
Right now his choice of medium is acrylic paints upon gourds. His pieces can be found on canvas, paper and his favorite Organic Gourds.

One of his favorite pieces is "My Guardian Angel" This piece is special to him because it was born of a dream he had when he was about 10 years old. As soon as he awoke he had to sketched it out. Later on when he was older he rendered it on a canvas. Working in oil paints. It was his first real piece of art work . He really felt connected to this piece. During the years he lost it in a move. It was a difficult loss for Richard, because it was a piece that was part of his life and had always had it with him throughout his life. It was the Angel which took care of him.

Richard decided to recreate it again on a new and exciting medium "cardboard".
Meeting a fellow artist Marthalicia Matarrita, who works on cardboard inspired him to do this. By seeing her work, it reminded him of his Angel. So the process of re-painting it with acrylics on cardboard began.

"My Guardian Angel" is still a work in progress and still remains his favorite piece of work simply because it was his piece that was from deep in his conscious mind and transferred itself into a dream.

Richard Ramirez, how would you describe yourself?
Richard: -There is a saying... "We are constantly invited to be who we are" I don't know who wrote this, but I guess it describes me in a way.. I love the challenges life brings me .. and With God in my life I will find a way to fulfill His will in me.

What is your favorite thing to create? Richard -"Gourds, its a medium I found not too many people are doing.. so I keep challenging myself, I love the process, it keeps me grounded and makes me work for a piece of art.

I have to peel, cut and gut this organic matter and then comes the fun part of painting it for someone's pleasure.

I do mostly custom work, I make my gourds to order.. so my clients give me a general Idea of what they want some more specific than others and I create them for them from tiny gourds to giant gourds. It is an amazing career it fills my time and gives me pleasure.

RICHARD RAMIREZ
also endeavors in photography one of his favorite pass times!
Mornings like this prove God is great who else could create such an amazing world!

copyright: nyzstyles PR 2013

Reading

Life has taught me that I am, what I have learned. as the years have gone by, the essence of my spirit has matured and the choices I have made, have made me a little wiser. I used to get so sad about the problems of the world. When ever I saw the news I would weep for the children. for the mothers, the fathers the cousins the uncles. I would weep for the world. Within my sadness I always found my way back to the pages of the books that lined my apartment walls. I never thought of continuing my education, I always felt a lack of desire for being near so many people. The thought of having to sit in class full of people frighten me and made my anxiety reach a boiling point. so it was for that same reason that I made sure that I owned books. I knew that this would be a way of exploring the world and receiving the answers I lacked. Today I wonder what life would be if I didn't have the opportunity to own books. What state of consciousness would I be in. I thank God that I have the freedom and the resources to own a piece of education. I thank all of the many authors that have touch the so many lives with their words. So often I was changed by the beauty of their words, Books shinned light into the darkest moments and shimmered knowledge into my world. Books. How beautiful!