I received this heartbreaking letter this morning from one of my oldest friends. Her friend is struggling with cancer and horrible medical bills (thanks again America for providing your citizens with affordable healthcare.) He is selling his artwork at a very discounted rate to help pay his medical bills. I hope you'll have a look and consider making a purchase...
Hi there to all friends and family,
Many of you know about my cancer situation but not all of you know about the latest development. My cancer has decided to revisit me and found a home in my liver. Actually, it’s only an apartment and I plan to evict it ASAP. !! J
We have been struggling with the enormous burden of past medical bills related to my surgery in January, but now I am faced with yet another treatment regimen ( an expensive one). Drs at Stanford University have had some success using this protocol and I plan on sharing in that success.
I am offering these original pieces of artwork for a donation of $35 each. They are approximately 6” x 6” and are constructed to “float” on your wall, not needing a frame. I have titled this series : The Dreamscape Series and I hope you will take some time when you get the chance and visit the site to view these pieces. The site is PayPal ready and you may purchase items that way or just email me with your choice and I will provide info on how to get the piece shipped to you. More info on the website. Free shipping is included.
Hope you like the series and please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in purchasing a piece.
Thank you all for your continuing support through all of this. If there is anything that I could do for any of you, you know that I would consider that a privilege.
Name: Jeani Musselman Name of Business: j. musselman photography Type of Business: portrait photography Web Site(s): www.jmusselman.com Email: info @ jmusselman.com
Who are you? In my personal life, I’m a mother of two [almost grown] boys, a wife, and one of those eternally optimistic, “cup half-full” kind of gals. I adore children, love to read, and enjoy being outside. I have a degree in computer technology, so the blending of art and science [in the digital world] is a natural fit. Professionally, I’m a portrait artist with a desire to capture the essence of my subjects.
What do you create? Contemporary portrait photography; specializing in maternity, infants, kids, and high school seniors.
Where do you make your creations? Typically, I shoot in the studio, but will also travel to a client’s home or a favorite outdoor location.
What makes your creations special or unique? Rather than just document how a person looks, I want my images to inspire a feeling. I approach each session with the mindset of, ‘wow, we’re creating a legacy for future generations of this family’ - it’s a powerful thought.
What inspired you to become an artist? As a youngster, I remember being mesmerized with photographs, especially those from generations past. It was an epiphany to realize that photographs are the link to our memories, our history. When you look at [one of your own] photographs, you’re transported back to that moment in time. Regardless of what’s happening in the world, your children will continue to grow and change. And even though you can buy “things”, you can’t buy a memory, or turn back the clock. That’s why it’s so important to keep recording those precious moments – whether you’re capturing images with a point-and-shoot camera at home, or having portraits professionally made.
One of our goals for 2009 will be setting up incentives and monthly specials to help our clients save some of their hard-earned moolah while enjoying the benefits of studio photography.
What really gets you in the mood to be creative? I look at what the music industry is doing with music videos (the cinematography can be amazing!); I love to check out the album cover work on new releases. I’m a magazine junkie, and love to spend a few hours [at least once a week] checking out fashion spreads and advertising layouts.
What do you do to unclog a creative block? Since most of my ‘work’ is done on a computer, I basically have to unplug for a while, and step away from the keyboard. Doing something outside helps tremendously: taking a walk, tending my flowers, raking leaves [or gasp – shoveling snow].
What is your favorite time to work? Mornings – after a cup of coffee!
What else are you into? I’m currently working on a line of holiday cards and announcements that will be launched in ‘09. I’m also planning to roll out a new look for my website (including the new logo which is included as a sneak peek here!).
What is a challenge you’ve had to overcome as an artist? Managing the ‘business’ side of running a business; its definitely more fun to create!
What are you most grateful for? My amazing children, …and everything they’ve taught me.
What is something very few people know about your art? My style of photography is strongly influenced by the rules of ‘formal’ portraiture; so while I’m creating a contemporary portrait, there are key elements that I try to incorporate into the shot. Seemingly little things, like hand placement or the angle of a person’s face can make a huge difference.
What would you do if you had all the money in the world? Well, after ending world hunger and bringing peace and prosperity to all mankind, I’d relocate my studio to a warmer climate! My “dream” studio would be located in an old warehouse located in the historic district of a charming community near the water (where architecture and scenery meet in a fusion of visual splendor).
Click the logo below to visit the j. musselman photography studio today!
One of the best things about being an artist, is you get to work with other artists. It's not hyperbole to say that I've had the good fortune to work with some of the best.
While I was at Penny-Farthing Press we had occasion to hire Rick Berry to paint a series of covers for our graphic novels. The second I saw his work I was hooked, and he has continued to be one of my favorite artist to this day. (I'm sure I'll get an, "Aw...shucks, Teal" email when he reads this.)
Anyway, you need to know about him.
His work is intense, fluid, mythic and mystical. His figures seem to fly in and out of different realities, and yet no matter how strange or otherworldly they may look, there is always something fragile within. I don't know any artist who paints movement and energy better.
I often feel when I look at his art that he is painting things I have dreamed. I own a huge print of the painting, What I Like About You, featured at the top of this post, and I can stare at it for hours...or at least, minutes, and then I feel inspired and get up and dance.
Limited addition, truly archival prints (they own their own press and oversee the entire process) of some of Rick Berry's artwork is available through his collaborative adventure with fellow artist Darrel Anderson. Visit Paper Eye Editions to view the current selections.
If you are reading this from New York City, then you are in for a real treat. You have one more day to hoof it down to Soho to see selected works from Rick at the Arcadia Fine Art Gallery located at 51 Greene Street (between Greene and Broom Sts) New York City, NY 10013 (212-965-1387). This gallery is a favorite of mine, and also houses works by my former classmate and friend, the incredible realist artist, Michael Grimaldi.
If you're in Los Angeles next month, figurative oils by Rick will be on view at Nucleus Gallery, 10 minutes from downtown LA.
For more information on this show, or upcoming events featuring Rick Berry's work, contact Shelia Berry, at sheilaberry@braid.com.
What will shock you even more as you look at these paintings is that Rick is self-taught. He has honed his craft through, "...museum visits, collaboration with peers and extensive, continuous study."
Rick lives and creates art in the Boston area with his wife, Shelia, and their beautiful family.
