Feature Artist - Bruce L. Reed

Here is our latest feature artist:

His name is Bruce L. Reed

Bruce is 38 and originally from his hometown of Rockport, TX. Bruce got started in art when he was working with an artist who inspired him to try painting as a hobby. Bruce states, When I said, "I can't paint, to save my life." he gave me some sage advice. To paraphrase his advice, "There are no mistakes, don't force the brush, and have fun." This made painting seem too simple to believe, after all, if it was that easy then anyone could paint. So I tested it out a couple of times here and there on weekends and sleepless nights. He was right and for the last four years, I have painted more and more often. I love getting paint on canvas because I learn something new nearly every time work. 

We asked Bruce what types of art does he enjoy doing? Bruce says he enjoys oil painting on canvas and wood. As of yet he is still searching for he dream masterpiece to complete.

Bruce has been inspired by a few below artists:

Alive: Miles Cleveland Goodwin www.milesclevelandgoodwin.com
Deceased: George Inness, Andrew Wyeth, Gustave Courbet

Here is some work by Bruce:

Bruce can be contacted at the below. Please show your support for Bruce's work.

Tumblr: brucereed99.tumblr.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brucereed99

Thank you Bruce for sharing your art!

Staff @ Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Feature Artist - Don Somppi

Hello Artists,

Please find here our next artist we are featuring.


His name is Don Somppi.

Don is 63 and from originally from Corvallis, OR. Don became interested in art during his time at grade school with the encouragement of his aunt, who was also his principal at the time.
Don has told us one of his favorite forms of art he likes to work with is Blocking Printing. When we asked Don if he had a dream project? He replied I do my dream project every day. Don has received inspiration from artists such as Banksey, Warhol, Rosenquist, Koons, Clint Brown, John Rock, Berkley Chappell, Harrison Branch.

Don's favorite piece of artwork he completed is the below Skeleton Playing Violin.

Other pieces by Don Somppi:

If you would like to get in contact with Don his email is: don.somppi@gmail.com

A big thanks to Don for sharing your work.

Adam Armstrong - Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Feature Artist - Phoenix Dawn Thomas

Good Day Artists,

Please find herewith our next artist:

Name: Phoenix Dawn Thomas, but I like to go by Phoenix Dawn. 

I dabbled in art in high school, but my high school in Oregon was tiny and had no art program. I decided to go to boarding school to give me the opportunity to explore my creative side and prepare me for college. There I learned about photography, which I fell in love with, and I got to experiment in the darkroom. I also taught myself photoshop which allowed me to create digital art, which is my main avenue of work. I share my work with the world through Deviantart.com. Art was always something I did for fun, as an emotional outlet and mental exploration, but I really "got into" the art world when my work was discovered by the Mahlstedt Gallery in NY last year, but it has always been a part of my life, and I have always been inspired by the many artists I know. 

My hometown is Richland Oregon, a town of fewer than 200 people. It is about an hour away from Baker city, which is an artsy community. 

My main medium is Digital Art through image composites (photo manipulation) but I also often draw, and do photography. I would like to learn more about watercolor painting, but I am not naturally gifted in painting on canvas. However, I love painting on people's faces turning them into beautiful faerie folk and glorious monsters. 

My dream project would have to do with eyes. I would want to take photos of all sorts of eyes, people of all different nationalities, animals, engineered (lenses) and such, and then manipulate the photos. The end product would be a wall of pictures showing the evolution of eyes being transformed into surreal and fantasy works of art, showing the process in my mind of how eyes open up brand new fantasy worlds whenever I look into them. 

I often fall in love with my newest pieces, so I am going to choose three works of art, one from the beginning of my explorations, one from the middle, and one from the end. 

Beginning: "Believe" a photography piece. This piece (I attached these) was one of my first photography pieces, and it resulted in what I developed into my logo/signature.

Middle: "Sweet Dreams" Is one of my first photomanipulations I created from an eye. It is a very emotional piece, reflecting the eye of an adult remembering the sweet dreams of childhood. 

Recent: "Revelations" is a photomanipulation of a lioness, which was a experiment for me to try to branch out from my eye manipulations. It ended up being an image showing a connection to my religious background and the beauty of kindness and guidance.

Four artists come to mind when I think of who I am inspired by. Kyle Thompson Photography, Alex Stoddard Photography, Judas Art (Paul), and Christina Otero. 

Contact Information:

Email: Dawn.phoenixm@yahoo.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HumanArtandPhotography/

Instagram: http://www.imgrum.net/user/phoenixdnightwing/2244994203

Devinantart.com: http://talesofnightwing.deviantart.com/

Website: http://humanartandphotography.com/

Prints Available: http://www.humanartandphotography.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Limited Edition Prints: http://415ny.com/artist/artist-Phoenix-Dawn-Thomas-62.aspx

Please be sure to check out Phoenix Dawn's links above.

Old Woods Artists Gatherings

All Artist Welcome

We are seeking artists of all types. Should you and know anybody who would like to be featured on our blog please contact us. Email admeservices@consultant.com

Thank you,

Staff @ Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Feature Artists - Tami Bensen

Happy Sunshine - From the Old Woods Artists Gatherings!!

Please find here our next artist:

Name: Tami Bensen

Location: West Seattle, Washington

Hometown: Los Angeles, California / Angeles National Forest

Tami's Bio:

Tami Bensen was born in Los Angeles in 1979. From the age of 2 she lived in the Angeles National Forest with her family, spending the next 8 years roaming the canyons with her pack of dogs. In addition to living in a cabin Tami's family also owned a 60 year old family business. The business was part locksmith and lawnmower repair. Tami spent a great deal of time in the shop with her Dad, emerged in spare parts. Taking things apart at his workbench was where she found her joy. These experiences are where her art lessons began.  
 
Tami is a self taught assemblage artist, she also works in water based paints and photography. Her inquisitive mind places such a bright perspective on anything she touches. She currently lives in West Seattle and is working on a collection titled "Anatomy".

Tami's story is that of a steampunk artist. Her style radiates through even the most natural pieces. Steampunk to her is to" create beauty and wonder from lost parts, to make something out of nothing."

Tami's Artwork:

"The  image above is my interpretation of my heart. It is composed of a 2 stroke carburetor and mics."

Above: "Borrowed Faith"

Tami's Links:
instagram.com/tamisonart

TamisonArt.com

Thank you Tami. Please be sure to visit Tami at the above links to see more of her work.

Adam - Old Woods Artists Gatherings.