Artist Birthdays, July 31: JEAN DUBUFFET, JACQUES VILLON, CONSTANT PERMEKE

JEAN DUBUFFET (July 31, 1901 – May 12, 1985)

• Nationality: French
• Field: Painting, sculpture
• Art Movement: Art Brut, Pop
• ARTiFact: Coined the term Art Brut (also known as “raw art” or “outsider art”) for art produced by working outside aesthetic norms, by non-professionals such as mental patients, prisoners, and children.
• Artist Quote: “Art doesn’t go to sleep in the bed made for it; it would sooner run away than say its own name: what it likes is to be incognito. Its best moments are when it forgets what its own name is.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Allées et venues, 1965.

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JACQUES VILLON (July 31, 1875 – June 9, 1963)

• Nationality: French
• Field: Painting, printmaking, illustration
• Art Movement: Cubism
• ARTiFact: Born Gaston Emile Duchamp but adopted a pseudonym in 1895 to distinguish himself from his two younger brothers – major artists of the 20th century, Raymond Duchamp-Villon and Marcel Duchamp.
• Artist Quote: “If I am to complete all the pictures I’ve been thinking about, I must hurry on with it, you know.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Le Grillon, American Bar, 1899.

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CONSTANT PERMEKE (July 31, 1886 – January 4, 1952)

• Nationality: Belgian
• Field: Painting, sculpture
• Art Movement: Flemish Expressionism
• ARTiFact: In 1997, Belgium recognized Permeke’s achievements by dedicating the 1,000 franc to him and his work – a bill used until the country adopted the Euro in 2002.
• Important Artwork (shown below): Les Toits Rouge, 1929.

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Related Links:

• Learn more about Jean Dubuffet at Foundation Dubuffet
• Learn more about Jacques Villon
• Learn more about Constant Permeke
• Discover more about your favorite artists at Park West Gallery 

Park West Art Collector Impressed by Cruise Ship Auctioneer at Sea

“I want to compliment our cruise art director, Michael. We have purchased on cruise ships in the past and have seen several directors. Michael is by far the best one we have encountered.

He is extremely knowledgeable about art and the artists. He has a passion for collecting and tries to share that passion with patrons. He has an intense energy during the auctions. The auctions were fun and entertaining.

Michael was great with art patrons. During the previews, I saw him moving through the crowd, able to talk at any level about the piece in question. I heard him make recommendations with sincerity and in line with the patrons’ interests, not just to make another sale. He treated everyone with the same respect and dedication whether buying thousands of dollars on multiple pieces or only hundreds on one piece.

The thing that makes him stand out, in my opinion, is that he is genuine and it shows. I hope next time I go on a cruise, he is the art director because I will definitely buy from him again.”

James B.
Lascassas, Tennessee

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Related Links:

• Learn more about artist Igor Medvedev (artwork shown above)
• View selections from the Park West Gallery – Medvedev collection
• Read more Park West customer testimonials

Have you been to a Park West art auction at sea? Leave a comment & share your experience with us!

Park West Foundation Launches “Blue Babies” Initiative

Initiative to help youth aging out of the foster care system to be unveiled during events on August 1st

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN – The Park West Foundation, established in 2006 by founder and CEO of Park West Gallery, Albert Scaglione and his wife Mitsie Scaglione, is unveiling its “Blue Babies” initiative. The initiative is designed to facilitate the positive transformation of young people who are aging out of the foster care system.

“Blue Babies” represent Michigan youth who have triumphed over adversity. These youth are committed to leading by example to empower their peers and to serve as guardians and advocates of children’s rights in service of their communities.

The “Blue Babies” initiative will be formally unveiled during the Together, We Can Michigan “Blue and Green Fest” community event on Saturday, August 1 from 10am to 4pm at the Joseph Walker Williams Recreational Center, located at 8431 Rosa Parks in Detroit.

This free event is open to the public and features free food, fun, games and live entertainment. The event includes a bus tour of historical sites and celebrity homes, with tour times at 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, or 4:30pm. Special preference will be given to guests who wear blue or green. A special session, Healing from Abuse will take place from 10am to noon.

“Park West Foundation is currently working with more than 200 young adults who have recently aged out of the foster care system,” said Mitsie Scaglione, executive director of the Park West Foundation. “We have assisted in the transformation of dozens of young people who left foster care without a decent place to live, without a clear direction for their future, in many cases without adequate job skills or education, and often without the support network necessary to create a positive life. ‘Blue Babies’ was formed to bring a more focused approach to the needs of these young adults.”

“Blue Babies” range in age from 17-21 years old when they age out of the foster care system, are in many cases left on their own to find housing, employment and/or educational opportunities. The “Blue Babies” initiative provides a framework of support that includes a “family” of foster care peers to provide guidance and assistance, as well as access to a network of social and government services available for financial, education and job training resources.

Without support of organizations like Park West Foundation, and many other local partnering agencies, many of the “Blue Babies” fall victim to predators, or become involved in crime or in drug use.

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Related Links:

• For more information about Park West Foundation or the “Blue Babies” initiative, visit www.parkwestfoundation.org
• Download flyer for Together, We Can Michigan “Blue and Green Fest”
• Get directions to Joseph Walker Williams Recreational Center

Artist Birthdays, July 30: HENRY MOORE, JULIAN ONDERDONK, GIORGIO VASARI

HENRY MOORE (July 30, 1898 – August 31, 1986)

• Nationality: English
• Field: Sculpture, drawing
• Art Movement: Modernism
• ARTiFact: At eleven years old, he consciously decided to become a sculptor after hearing of Michelangelo’s achievements.
• Artist Quote: “All art should have a certain mystery and should make demands on the spectator.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Reclining Figure, 1951.

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JULIAN ONDERDONK (July 30, 1885 – October 27, 1992)

• Nationality: American
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Impressionism
• ARTiFact: Nicknamed “The Bluebonnet Painter” in recognition of his lush signature landscapes featuring fields of the Texas state flower.
• Artist Quote: “I long to get out in the open air with my palette in one hand and brush in the other and be able to smear paint over the whole landscape.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): A Bluebonnet Field, 1912.

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GIORGIO VASARI (July 30, 1511 – June 27, 1574)

• Nationality: Italian
• Field: Painting, architecture
• Art Movement: Mannerism
• ARTiFact: As the first Italian art historian, he authored one of the most important books on the history of art ever written, The Lives (Le Vite), in which he coined the term “Renaissance.”
• Artist Quote: “I know that our art consists first and foremost in the imitation of nature but then, since it cannot reach such heights unaided, in the imitation of the most accomplished artists.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Justice, 1542.

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Related Links:

• Learn more about Henry Moore
• Learn more about Julian Onderdonk
• Learn more about Giorgio Vasari
• Discover more about your favorite artists at Park West Gallery

Norman Rockwell: American Imagist

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND — The National Museum of American Illustration presents Norman Rockwell: American Imagist, the first Norman Rockwell exhibition ever to be shown in Rhode Island. The remarkable collection of selected art - including more than 60 original paintings, drawings and studies – spans six decades of the artist’s career.

Norman Rockwell’s heartwarming depictions of  everyday life made him the best-known and most beloved American artist of the 20th century. The exhibit asserts Norman Rockwell as a great American artist and illustrator, whose real and most enduring subject matter was capturing the American spirit. His images often served as a mirror of American life. It has been said that a Rockwell painting does not require an explanation, a caption or even a title. It speaks to us directly.

“I think (visitors are) going to have a greater understanding and appreciation of who Norman Rockwell was in his artistic career, certainly, and then within the context of American history,” said Judy Goffman Cutler, founded the museum in 1998 with her husband, Laurence Cutler, to house their illustration art collection.

Norman Rockwell: American Imagist is currently on display through August 30, 2009.

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Related Links:

• For more information on the exhibit, visit www.americanillustration.org
• Read Experiencing Rockwell - an essay by Park West Gallery’s Director, Morris Shapiro
• Learn more about the artist Norman Rockwell

Rare Salvador Dali Portrait of His Wife Gala Goes On Display

FIGUERES, SPAIN — Antoni Pitxot, director of the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres, and Montse Aguer, director of the Centre for Dalinian Studies, have presented the latest acquisition made by the Dalí Foundation: an oil titled Gala. This painting could be the first portrait of Salvador Dali’s wife and it may be viewed starting today in a montage designed specially for this exhibition by Pep Canaleta.

When, in 1929, Dalí met Gala Éluard, a strong impression was provoked, so intense that from that point on he would never be separated from her – until the death of Gala in June of 1982.

The painter made - from a photographic portrait of Gala - a detailed portrait with collage, full of details. Starting from the smoke of a cigarette, he integrates the iconography of this moment, repeated often in the paintings made between 1929 and 1931 - the lobster, the bird, the figure of the great masturbator, the shells, the squirrel, the ants… – all accompany Gala with long hair; Gala, the ideal woman. A Gala that stares at us with clear sight. A delicately executed portrait and due to its small size, a small jewel.

Read the full article at ArtDaily.com >>

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Related Links:

• The Figueres Dalí Theatre-Museum www.salvador-dali.org
• To learn more about Salvador Dali, visit Park West Gallery’s new website dedicated to the master dali.parkwestgallery.com

Artist Birthdays, July 29: ROBERT REID, EASTMAN JOHNSON

ROBERT REID (July 29, 1862 – December 2, 1929)

• Nationality: American
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Impressionism
• ARTiFact: His murals adorn the North Corridor of The Library of Congress - four circular panels on the north wall entitled Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Philosophy, and octagonal paintings in the ceiling vault representing The Five Senses.
• Important Artwork (shown below): The Violet Kimono, 1910.

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EASTMAN JOHNSON (July 29, 1824 – April 5, 1906)

• Nationality: American
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Realism, Genre Painting
• ARTiFact: His artwork was so influenced by the naturalistic style of the Dutch masters that he was known in his day as “The American Rembrandt.”
• Artist Quote: “I have been for some time past in a state of such lassitude that I do nothing whatever that I am not obliged to, and avoid every physical and especially mental effort that is possible.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Negro Life at the South, 1859.

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Related Links:

• Learn more about Robert Reid at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Learn more about Eastman Johnson at The San Diego Museum of Art
• Discover your favorite artists at Park West Gallery bio.parkwestgallery.com

Rembrandt Exhibit in Oman Will Be the First of Its Kind in the Middle East

MUSCAT, OMAN / OmanObserver.com — Al Salmi Library will present Rembrandt in Oman, a grand exhibition of 100 original Rembrandt prints from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam.

“This will be the first time the works of Rembrandt will be on public display not only in Oman but also in the entire Middle East and North African region,” said Stefan van Wersch, Ambassador of the Netherlands.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was the first to develop etching as a true artistic medium by using the scribbling strokes to produce extraordinary and expressive lines. He used a variety of subjects in his etchings that include portraits, landscapes and scenes from everyday life, said Abdullah Salem al Salmi, chairman, Al Salmi Library. The grand exhibition is going to illustrate the full range of subjects including scenes from the Bible, mythology and other classical sources.

Rembrandt in Oman will be on view at the Grand Hyatt Muscat from August 19 to September 19.

Read the full article >>

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Related Links:

• The Rembrandt House Museum www.rembrandthuis.nl
• To learn more about Rembrandt, visit Park West Gallery’s new website dedicated to the master rembrandt.parkwestgallery.com
• Read recent postings about Rembrant parkwestgallery.wordpress.com
• View selections of Rembrandt artworks from the Park West Gallery collection sales.parkwestgallery.com