A: Hello, my name is Jordana Rae Gassner. I am an American abstract expressionist artist living in Bavaria, Germany.  My art mainly focuses on metaphysical realism and I work almost entirely in oil paints.

The first years of my life were spent in the Black Hills of South Dakota where I learned to cherish running barefoot through fields and rock climbing, enjoying the boundless nature to be found in what was once the Wild West. During my childhood, I learned to appreciate art to a certain extent, but it was always considered something that was nice to have, but not a necessity.  Nevertheless, I was always spending time creating something, whether it was murals and paper mâché sculptures, or participating in the theatrical arts.

 In my early 20s, I was introduced to acrylic paints which enabled my first foray into creating images on canvas with thick layers of paint, or impasto painting. For me, it was a very pivotal point in learning all paintings need not be aquarelle or children’s finger paints (although I’d enjoyed the consistency of the latter). During those same years, my studies brought me to the University of Bergen in Norway, as well as the Universidad de las Americas in Mexico City, Mexico and Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where I studied Psychology, Philosophy, Literature, and Mythology.

 Around 2005, whilst living in Seattle, I was taking weekend classes at the University of Washington on how to paint and “see” color, when I discovered and began to explore the unique qualities of oil paints.  For example, finding out that oil paintings need around 100 years to completely oxidize as they do not dry as one would expect was absolutely fascinating to me, and I wanted to use this newfound information to create modern works and develop my own style. During my studies at Concordia College, I had come across a sentence in a book that I have sadly forgotten the title and author of… the gist of that sentence was that art is made to “Glorify God (or whatever higher power one would like to express as such), exemplify a mechanical technique, or to bring awareness to social injustices/plight”, and that the best art does all three. That notion has stuck with me for over 25 years and is the one guiding principle I use in creating a series.  I ask myself which of those three I would like to use as a foundation and strive for ways to incorporate all of them.

I currently live and work in Regensburg, Germany, and spend much of my time wondering how to bring ideas of science and spirituality onto traditional supports such as linen canvas.

Q: What is your background?

A: Mostly, I identify as a small-town girl from the Midwest who grew up surrounded by the imagery and culture associated with Native Americans and cowboys. The thing is, as a child I was never taught to view either of them as being better than or less than the other. My German-immigrant great-grandfather traded with the Native Americans as easily as with the European settlers.  It wasn’t until high school that I began to read about the atrocities people who lived so close to me had experienced. It breaks my heart still, just as my heart breaks learning of any of the horrors of this world, driving my wish for my artwork to bring a sense of hope and wonder to those looking.

Q: What is your work philosophy and how does that impact your work?

A: I grew up in a Protestant household which means one works hard, applies as much common sense as possible, and treats others with the Golden Rule. All of that meant a legitimate career in art was not really in the cards, or so I thought back then. Having managed to find teachers of all sorts as I traveled and lived in different places, I would sneak off to a quiet room to practice drawing, or my dear husband would watch the children while I went to yet another art class. These days, it is with much gratitude that I no longer need to sneak off or carve out time to create and can instead do as I have always wanted; to paint or draw every day of my life. Administrative tasks involved in running a business take up a lot of my week and I still do have a side job, but generally, my weeks bring me into the studio for at least 30 hours of painting, even if 10 of them happen in one go on a Sunday.  For me, painting is not something I do, it is what I am, an artist painter, and that means I dedicate as much time as possible to honing my skills and keeping at the easel in continuing to make marks in anticipation of those moments of pure flow in creation.

Q: What artist(s) inspire you?

A: The artists I most refer back to while I am choosing the layout and mixing colors begin with John F. Carlson because even though I‘d never met him, his book on landscapes taught me how to see trees and understand the atmosphere.  Helen Frankenthaler’s name comes to mind as she reminds me that one painting in about a dozen will ever be any good. Oh, and Mark Carder, whose Draw Mix Paint classes taught me to refine my color mixing, pay strong attention to value and asking questions such as „is this too blue?“ and be able to correct. Though really all artists who dedicate their lives to consistently making art, whether it be to make a living or merely be a creative outlet, are an inspiration to me.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

A: “Keep moving.”

In other words, keep creating, keep showing work, keep meeting people, keep applying for shows, keep contacting galleries, keep asking for collaborations, keep taking time for rest, and re-connect with that which anchors you (for me, that barefoot strolls or swimming in icy lakes and rivers), but most of all keep loving what I’m doing, even and especially when it’s hard. I keep moving because being able to create art and develop that into a sustainable business by working with art fairs and galleries to meet with collectors and art enthusiasts is one very big gift that I will never take for granted.

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: Aforementioned lakes, rivers, and the occasional park watching clouds and the wind whip around trees.

Q: What does exhibiting at Spectrum Miami 2022 mean to you?

A: So much honestly. Redwood Art Group has been very gracious in supporting artists to show our work to a wider public. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone at the exhibition and thankful for the real experience in seeing artwork in person instead of being limited to shows via the internet. It is very exciting. There is going to be a lot of opportunities to get to know new people and hopefully create some great projects going forward. I’d love to look into exhibiting at other Redwood Art Group exhibitions such as Dallas or maybe New York and this is a chance to confirm what I already feel to be a really good fit with my art.

The post Meet the Artist: Spectrum Miami Spotlight Recipient Jordana Rae Gassner appeared first on Art Business News.

A: I was a wrestler who trained most of my life to be the best I could be.  Then, I was a teacher and coach, and now I am an artist.  I explore myself and the world around me. I am eager to explore new things so I can learn and grow.

I am a unique observer of mankind, in search of creating uncommon artwork. I enjoy experimenting with new techniques and themes.

Q: What is your background?

A: I am from Indiana and have a Bachelor’s in Education from Purdue and a Master of Arts from DePauw University.  To teach is to learn, and I spent 32 years teaching High School Art and exploring art with my students in Drawing, Painting, Photography, and AP 2-D Art.

As I was completing my teaching career, I began studying and showing my artwork.  I enjoy traveling so I spent summer sessions in SICA at the Chicago Art Institute, attended creativity and drawing workshops overseas, and took college-level and professional art lessons.  The culmination of this self-study was a three-month immersive experience in France at Studio Escalier, learning classical realism and how to paint with light.

Q: What is your work philosophy and how does that impact your work?

A: My work philosophy is to paint or draw every day. I love drawing with pen and ink. The power of a single line can tell so much of the story of a painting.  Color and contrasting through colors is my favorite aspect to work on.  Color and line work continue to be central themes.  A few years ago I saw an artist using dribbled layers of color and decided to experiment with it.  Each color has a different characteristic dribble. The line can be fat or thin and the paint may drip fast or slow.  Dribbling has taught me to make mistakes and be freer with my painting.  It has evolved into something really unique.

Q: What artist(s) inspire you?

A: Camille Pissarro – He painted every day and was not afraid to explore new styles as they came along.

Van Gogh – A painter who was strongly influenced by color.

Edgar Degas – An artist trying to capture motion with his dancers.

Salvador Dali – He is my favorite because of his technical skill and he was not afraid to explore art in any direction.

Johannes Vermeer – I like how easily he portrayed the effect of light on a subject.

Eduardo Kobra – He is my newest inspiration, a Brazilian street artist known for his use of vibrant colors.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

A: Find the best, copy what the best are doing and then add to it.

Do not wait for inspiration.  Amateurs wait for inspiration, the rest of us get up and get to work.

Do not think when you paint.

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: Find a job you like, and you’ll never work in your life.  When I am not painting you can find me walking outside in nature each morning. I enjoy sitting and listening to music as I observe the seasons changing.  The absolute best thing is to sit in a bar and watch people, yet even then my sketchbook is out to catch the moment. 

Q: What does exhibiting at Spectrum Miami 2022 mean to you?

A: To be involved in Art Basel/Miami Week – the biggest art festival in the world – is truly exciting. Even before participating, we came to Miami to see the art and be inspired. My favorite venue was Spectrum because the artists seemed to be the friendliest of all the venues, very eager to explain their work and share their thoughts. To be surrounded by so many talented artists and friends is truly inspiring and a great learning experience.

The post Meet the Artist: Spectrum Miami Spotlight Recipient Brinton Farrand appeared first on Art Business News.

Talip Keser will be exhibiting with ACT Contemporary at Spectrum Miami this December. Get to know the artist below.

Q: Who are you and what do you do?

A: I am Talip Keser, an artist in Turkey. I want to share my works with the whole world.  My main goal is to make my work reach larger audiences. I joined this year Beijing Art Biennale, Carrousel Du Louvre in Paris, and Spectrum Miami. Next year, my goal is to exhibit at the Milan Art Fair, Artexpo New York, and again during Art Basel Week at Spectrum Miami.

I am very happy to participate to Spectrum Miami this year with my representative ACT Contemporary, Booth1213. Come and say hello.

Q: What is your background?

A: I was born in Usak, Turkey. I graduated from the Department of Fine Arts in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.

I started painting since I was a child. From 2007-2010, I worked at the Emin Özdemir Atelier; then from 2010-2012, at the Orhun Kara Atelier. And since 2014, I have worked in my own studio in Uşak.

Q: How would you describe your artwork?

A: My work is abstract painting. Expressing myself with colors rather than figures creates a more liberal space for me. Meanings and expressions of colors are stronger statements for me, and it creates impact in my art.

Q: What art and artist do you most identify with? How have they influenced you?

A: The artists that influenced me the most were Pollock, Basquiat, and Van Gogh. Their libertarian spirit impressed me a great deal.

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

A:  I was very impressed by being an inspiration to the children around me. It is very important for me that the children around me can reach their dreams more easily and be successful in their efforts.

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: The best advice I’ve ever gotten is to keep going. In the first years, I had a lot of financial difficulties. I saw how difficult it was to live in a small town and be an abstract artist here. Finally, they just accepted me — and I have been working nonstop for my dreams, which are my biggest motivation.

Q: When you are now working, where can we find you?

A: I live in Uşak, Turkey. I have a studio here. It’s a small city and it’s an honor for me to introduce my work to the world.

Q: How has your career as an artist shifted during the past two years? And did the pandemic have an influence on your art?

A: I did a lot of business sales due to the pandemic. And the pandemic did have a very positive impact. People saw blank walls in their homes, and it gave rise to an opportunity to purchase artwork.

Contact: Talip Keser

Phone: +905415751932

İnstagram: tkeserart

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