HongNian Zhang - Silk Road

HONGNIAN ZHANG


HongNian Zhang is a world reknowned artist. His fabulous Chinese Historical scenes have been published by National Geographic Magazine 3 times. (National Geographic uses photography to exemplify the narrative and has never featured an artist) They then purchased those paintings for their corporate offices in New York.

His historical scenes are of famous events that happened in the early days of Chinese history and therefore, there are no photos or visual records. These stories are very famous and HongNian is proud to visualize the events as close to historically accurate as is possible. A self taught history buff, he has carried these visions in his head awaiting the occasion to bring them to life.

Once the historical event is chosen, he begins making numerous sketched versions of what is already in his mind. Pouring over them until one satisfies his vision, he then takes that composition to the next level. After numerous layouts, he begins a color study; a sort of palette that will dictate the composition and the costumes.

HongNian travels from Woodstock, NY to China multiple times for each painting as he begins laying the groundwork for documenting these monolithic events. HongNian has a “backstage pass” to places others aren’t allowed entry. Through the Chinese government and National Geographic, as well as museum curators and well-connected Chinese movie stars, He is able to go inside places like the DUN HUANG CAVES, the tombs containing the TERRA COTTA WARRIORS and into the vaults at the Chinese Museums. Once inside, HongNian carefully studies the particular Dynasty that the scene represents. He sketches right from the walls in the caves or the costumes in the vaults and he extracts everything he needs to choreograph his scene. This includes the shapes of vessels, the hairstyles, shoes, clothing, jewelry, accessories, horses, colors and symbols used during that dynasty. Hundreds of individual sketches are made so that he can recreate authentic replicas. In addition, he studies the characteristics of the people in that era: height, body shape, facial features, ethnic heritage and mannerisms. Ever sketching, he later uses this data to draw the individuals for the scene.

Next is the process of measuring the models so that he can custom make authentic recreations of that dynasty’s clothing. He then returns to China to choose the fabrics personally, as the colors need to be historically accurate as well as follow the color palette he has already lined out.

Anthony Waichulis - Living Master

ANTHONY WAICHULIS - LIVING MASTER
Anthony Waichulis is a Pennsylvania native, living, painting and teaching from a small rural town.
Anthony is the first ever Trompe L’oeil artist to be chosen as one of the Top 100 Living Masters!! He was only 35 years old when selected. In addition, he was named by Fine Art Connoiseur Magazine as one of the three top artists to collect.
Trompe L’oeil is an age old art form that captures the setting in its exact form, as there were no cameras then. The setting must be of real items, done in the correct scale and there can be no brush strokes when the painting is complete. Once cameras were invented, this art form became less popular, but Anthony has personally set out to return it to popularity. His successes have in fact caused major museums to again have Trompe L’oeil exhibits and to pull their great collections from storage.
Due to the fact that he has a long list of collectors and it takes him approximately half a year to do one painting, his works are scarce. Anthony enjoys setting the stage for his Trompe L’oeil’s, but once he has mastered the subject he will not return to it. This further adds to the collectibility of his masterpieces.
This particular painting affords Anthony the opportunity to contrast light with dark and the softness and worn-look of the leather ball against the crisp and sharp glass bits. The edge of the furniture plays against the piece of tape to truly Fool-the-Eye (the definition of Trompe L’oeil).
His sense of humor shows through in each painting and even the title of this painting, “Dodger Blues” is a testament to his wit.

Reknowned Watercolorist

JOHN SALMINEN is a native of Minnesota. He is a World Reknowned watercolorist, one of the 100 Living Masters and holder of more than 190 Awards. Known for his realistic urban landscapes, he has the ability to take the most ordinary events and turn them into celebrations of life.

Most watercolorists paint only the image on the paper, but John covers every square inch of the paper with paint. He includes every detail, down to the street signs, window stickers, and power lines. His inclusion of the details other artists delete only seems to magnify the importance of the event.

Looking at his painting “Stockton Street” for example, it is a crowded San Francisco street with power lines and street lights mixed with heavy traffic and buildings – not what you would ordinarily want to look at, but somehow all those details make this scene fascinating!!!! The power lines add to the perspective of the painting and the buildings and street give it height and depth.

It is a credit to John’s talent to take watercolor, a very difficult medium, and create the interest and excitement level that he has.

Travel Around the World

Travel the world at San Marino Gallery....

Photography works by:

Jim Nilsen

Man Ray

Martin Roberts

Kimerlee Curyl

Patrick Rummans