Featured Artist - Carey Chen

We are so excited to Feature Carey Chen as our artist this week!

 Jupiter Haven

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in California and raised in Jamaica until the age of 18 then moved to Miami where I opened a family business. My hobbies were motorcycle and car racing but I have always had a passion for the ocean. My family has been three generations in Jamaica.

What brought you to Florida?
In the 70's there was some political unrest, most of the wealthy in Jamaica moved out of the country I moved with my mother,two brothers and sister to Miami.

Do you have a favorite place in this huge world of ours?
I love Florida but my next favorite place is all the caribbean islands. No matter where. I have traveled to almost all and have friends all over. It is my second home.

Did you go to school to study art?
I am self taught.

Mahi Hookup

When did you first realize you are an artist?
I had the feel for it when I was young but never started seriously until the age of 30.

How would you describe your painting style?
Realistic, fine art

What inspires you to create your images?
Seeing all the incredible fishing scenes catching thousands of game fish.

What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
I have liked Christian Lassen, Don Ray before I started painting.

Moon Doggie

What do you do for fun (besides painting)?
fish, travel


How do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?

I put some music or tv on in my studio to rest the brain after a long session

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

I have investors who help with the business. Had to multi task.

 Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

The future looks bright. I've made some bad mistakes in the past that held me up but I'm ready to move forward now.

 Venezuela Grander

What are you working on at the moment?
I'm working on some murals now and a new t shirt line.

Any advice you would like to pass on to up and coming artist?
My advice is "the more you paint the better you get".


Is there a place on the web where folks can see your work & purchase prints?
Right now I have a new start and getting my new company going. They can find my info at www.careychenart.com which is under construction but in the meantime they can follow me on Facebook "Carey Chen Art"


Do you have some upcoming events we should be aware of?
See us at Sunfest!!

Featured Artist Michael Pucciarelli

Featured Artist Micheal Pucciarelli - Low Brow Painter/Tattoo Artist

Where the Barbed Wire Grows

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am primarily a tattoo artist, I have been tattooing for about 13 years and I own my own shop Altered State Tattoo in Lake Worth FL. My second medium is painting, I work with acrylics on Masonite and sometimes canvas. I also have been playing guitar in rock bands since I was 18.

What brought you to Florida?
I was born here, my parents are originally from Brooklyn NY.

Do you have a favorite place in this huge world of ours?
I'd say California, I've been there 3 times and loved it,

Did you go to school to study art?
Well I guess since I was drawing most of the time in class on my folders you could say I had my own art school in my mind, but no, just art classes in high school.

Nemo's Ethnobotanical Experiment No. 5

When did you first realize you are an artist?
I think probably very young, maybe 8, I would copy Frank Frazetta paintings and then I did a scratch-board of a squirrel and my mom framed it, thats when I realized that I could draw.

How would you describe your painting style?
Much like drawing, as I love working with pencil, it's pretty tight and meticulous, I always do a detailed drawing first and work from that. I work in thin layers to create depth and values.

What inspires you to create your images?
My paintings are influenced by many things, music, movies etc, but thrill rides and amusement parks are the central theme that ties them all together.

Fraken Tiki Island

What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
Frank Frazetta was the first artist that really kicked me in the face, his paintings of barbarian warriors and exotic women was the epitome of heavy metal to me, also album covers were a big inspiration. Then I saw the paintings of HR Giger, again a newer view of heavy metal to me, his dark visions of a bio mechanical hell really struck a chord with me.

What do you do for fun (besides painting)?
I play guitar in a band called Trailer Shark, we do high energy covers of classic rock and heavy metal.

How do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?
It helps for me to look at artwork that inspires me, books, websites or going to museums.

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
I do it myself and with the help of the internet mostly and tattoo magazines.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Probably painting more and tattooing less.

What are you working on at the moment?
I just finished painting some guitars in bio mechanical and steam-punk styles, and I also have a 30 x 40 canvas in progress, it's a vision of blue Asian style demon morphing into a skeleton in the sky, in the lower foreground is me at an easel painting UFO's.

Les Paul Special, acrylic with brushes

Custom BC Rich Warlock double-neck guitar/bass in progress

Bass hand painted with acrylics for producer Steve King

Any advice you would like to pass on to up and coming artist?
Make sure you have a day job! But paint every painting like it's your last, Vermeer only did 31 paintings, and produced an average of 3 a year, quality over quantity is the only way.

Is there a place on the web where folks can see your work & purchase prints?
www.poochisland.com

Do you have a blog?
I'm on Facebook, Michael Pucciarelli


Do you have some upcoming events we should be aware of?
I will be at Art Rock Sat May 15 at the Armory art center in WPB

Featured Artist Interview - Eileen Seitz

We are so excited to have Eileen Seitz as our featured artist this week!!
We have been doing Giclee Printing for her for forever!
Her images are so beautiful.

Gone For A Book

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a positive being an independent thinker who follows spirit in all that I do. I love people and always see that anything can be accomplished and manifested. My attitude is "When I see ideas on the inner planes, I can make it happen in the outer world. I also have learned That which is mine, comes to me"

What brought you to Florida?
A trip to the west coast of Puerto Rico where the surfers lived in tree houses and sat on their surf boards like seals out in the waves when I was 18 showed me the LIGHT and NATURE in such abundance and beauty that I fell in love . It was 1968 and that same winter I went on a journey to the Florida keys camping with my sister and her friends. It was my first "seeing" of this same light in the US and I knew I belonged in South Florida. We took a day trip to Key west and as soon as I saw the architecture and felt the energy, I knew I would live there some day. Either that summer, or the next, a boy back then, I met and began a relationship with, was my ticket out of Manhattan. Manhattan was where I was born and raised and lived for 21 years. This guy and I lived in New York state for 2 months in a tent in the woods and then after walked through the countryside of NY state with a horse, a compass and puppy ( like two Indians). We finally left the city and got a ride to "Key West" where I lived for 5 years.

Side by Side

Do you have a favorite place in this huge world of ours?
Of the many travels I have experienced and many places I have seen and lived
some of the ones that stand out are.
For the Land, Martinique, St. Lucia, Kauai, Tobago, Jamaica
For the people Manhattan, Outer Islands of the Bahamas, Taveuni Fiji
For the conversation right here in Coconut Grove, Florida
For the City, Museums, Culture - Manhattan, Paris, Venice, Brussels, Florence, Amsterdam, Brugges, Nice


Did you go to school to study art?
I went to Pels Art Institute in Manhattan was I was 12-13 years old and then at 17- 18 years old I went to Saturday morning art class Pratt Institute, Brooklyn N.Y. At the end of my senior year in High School, I applied to Pratt and was accepted as a full time Fine Art Major.

Max's Garden

When did you first realize you are an artist?
My mom knew when I was 8 years old in 4th grade and kept me busy with "art materials"
I knew when I was 13 and held a rapidograph pen in my hand and started to draw. That was it
I was hooked and knew that I was going to do this for the rest of my life.


How would you describe your painting style?
Imagination and individuality expressed in creating a vision that excites the SOUL and invites the SPIRIT of you the viewer to bask and enjoy all the "smells, sounds, joys of color, through whatever line and form I bring to the 2nd dimensional surface. I paint my experiences, my relationships with the plants, architecture, people or animals. I invite you the viewer to see your own" limitless" spirit.

Hello Hibiscus

What inspires you to create your images?
ah! the breathe of being alive. Everyday I am inspired, by things I see because everyday I see something with new eyes as I have lived another day of experience. People inspire me, clouds inspire me, the tropics inspire me
The tropics feed me.
The northern climates don't give me the same energy as the tropics, where the sunlight is different.
I love the south west too with the red clay earth, that inspires me.
The unusual inspires me.


What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
When I was growing up in Manhattan, I read the book "Agony and Ecstasy" two times about Michelangelo life story.. It truly moved me deeply
I read Vincent Van Gogh's Life story and LOVED LOVED Gaugins paintings.
I took a trip to Manhattan back in the 1980's just so I could see Gauguins traveling exhibition of 500 paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of art.. I was so so so moved.. I just sat on the floor staring at this one painting for a really long time.
I love all the IMPRESSIONISTS not so much for what they paint but for their COLORS and how they move them around the canvas. One of my favorites is Manet. his paintings of women and children are my favorite. and his usage of BLACK.. I just loved where and how he put in the black.
The IMPRESSIONISTS were influenced by the LIGHT when they went to SOUTHERN FRANCE
that's when their paintings changed.. Beautiful colors.
When I was in Paris the 2nd time I saw an exhibition of some of the impressionists painters.
Some of Cezanne and Gauguin works and saw their paintings they did down in Bretagne Region
Just like me when I left the NORTH AND MOVED TO THE SUNLIGHT.

Beach Bungalows

What do you do for fun (besides painting)?
Watch movies, go to the beach, bicycle ride, visit with friends, read and write to clients.

How do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?
Things never get tough in my studio. I am always doing something artistic. When you are an artist it never gets turned off. If you are willing to LISTEN to SPIRIT it never gets tough.


How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
Fabulously , engaging, loving every breath of it. I call my clients often when I have questions for them about their orders.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I never plan anything more than maybe next week?
I live in the NOW. Every day a new opportunity comes my way.. So why would I plan something so far away, when tomorrow is not even promised.. and If I "LIMIT" my thinking Spirit could not reach me when it was time for another gift or opportunity.. I have learned this since I was a young child. So I wake each morning embracing my day and eager to see what is coming in.


What are you working on at the moment?
A PEACOCK a 4.5ft x 5ft fiberglass PEACOCK it is FANTASTIC and a "commission watercolor of a family's home in Celebration Florida.

Day One

Day Two

Any advice you would like to pass on to up and coming artist?
Learn how to draw.. If you can DRAW you can do anything. If you know how to DRAW then learn how to mix colors.. Then you will be FREE.



Is there a place on the web where folks can see your work & purchase prints?
my website is www.eileenseitz.com
with a secure shopping cart for your own ease of purchasing.

Do you have a blog?
on my website I have my news/ biography and more that people can add comments too PLUS I have a comment place in my CONTACTS.
I don't have a blog.. I am more into PAINTING than talking about painting.

Do you have some upcoming events we should be aware of?
DELRAY AFFAIR
Delray Beach Florida
April 16, 17, 18
I am the OFFICIAL POSTER ARTIST.

Photographer Interview: Barry Seidman

This Weeks Feature Artist: Barry Seidman - Photogrpaher




Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I have been a member of the international photographic community for over three decades-as commercial photographer, artist, and award winning television commercial director. I was educated at Pratt Institute in New York and spent several years as an Ad agency art director My work has contributed to numerous award-winning national as well as local advertising campaigns.
I have exhibited in solo and group shows. My work is held in many public and private collections.



What brought you to Florida?
My wife and a BMW


Do you have a favorite place in this huge world of ours?
Other than where I am right here and right now, No. My wife and I have been around the world more than once & I still love coming home.

Did you go to school to study photography?
No

How long have you been a photographer?
Over 4,000 advertising photography assignments

How would you describe your photography style?
An illusion of simplicity.







Is there a place on the web where folks can see your work & purchase prints?
www.barryseidman.com/fineart and give the studio a call 561 630 5745

Do you have a blog?
No, but I do have some bling.


What type of cameras do you shoot with?
Hasselblad with a Leaf 32mp digital back and a Nikon DSLR

How important is Photoshop in your final images?
From 1-10 it’s about a 32


Is there any other technology involved in your final images?
I guess the biotechnology of my eyes being connected to my brain




Are you a MAC or PC lover?
What’s a PC?

How do you feel about cropping an image?
I can crop with the best of them. Cropping can make all the difference

What inspires your images?
We all look at thing differently; I have the ability to show you how I see.

Do you have a favorite photographer?
No comment





Do you have some upcoming events we should be aware of?
April 14th Free Lecture at Palm Beach Photographic Celmatis St. WPB
May 13 Lecture at Norton Museum's Art after Dark
Now-Until May 12 “Bloomers show” at The Florida Stage in Lantana
May 12 thru mid June Art-chi-textures at the Florida Stage
June 10th Multiple sins at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts in Tequesta