It is not unusual wanting to know where your food, clothing, and furniture come from. Why should artwork be any different? Material goods have more personal worth and meaning if you know the story behind them—the who, what, when, where and whys of their design. Filling your home with items that are rich in history and have unique tales to tell give the elements of your home relevance and intensity—enriching the space with one-of-a-kind conversation pieces. In an age when few store bought items tell a story, owning materials that have endured journeys rather than just another factory reproduction will make your style stand apart.

Art is created with intention and meaning, heavily impacted by the artist’s passions and experiences. These ADC Inc. artists have kindly offered to share the stories of their artwork, what inspires their design and how they came to find their “voice” as an artist.

Big Personality

Artist Rachel Gillen explains:
“My artwork is a reflection of how I feel about my life and the experiences that have shaped it thus far. It is largely about the people who have come in and out of my life, the ones who are still around and the ones who aren’t, and all the memories I’ve made and continue to make. I strive for my work to be an honest interpretation of my day-to-day life. My work is oil on canvas and varies largely in size and subject matter. I focus mostly on abstracting from realistic elements I am familiar with, mainly people that I feel I know very well. I choose images that represent how I feel about that particular person and aspects of their personality. I then layer those images in Photoshop with an actual portrait of the subject to create the image that will serve as the basic reference photo for my painting.

The size and basic color scheme is in direct correlation to the person I am painting, whether they are loud and outgoing with a big personality, or more timid and shy. I feel these portraits are a more honest representation of the subject than a traditional, academic portrait would be, because they delve deeper than just what you see on the surface.”

Sheer Genius

Artist Karin Sheer shares:
“Simply put, I love color and the relationship between color, light and composition. It never gets old for me. That’s probably because no composition is ever exactly the same as it was just moments before. I can relate to Monet painting his haystacks at all different times of day and discovering the subtle and beautiful changes in the color created by the changing light. It reminds me of a treasure hunt except the treasure is the lovely and sometimes unexpected colors that you uncover when studying a particular subject. For example, I love painting stone walls or rocks on a beach…the more you look, the more you see that the stones aren’t gray or brown or white, but green and pink, and purple and blue.

Nature’s beauty really speaks to me and I guess I feel compelled to respond by painting it! Ever since I can remember I was drawn (no pun intended) to all the beauty that nature has to offer. My parents often took us for Sunday afternoon rides through the countryside of western Connecticut where we lived. (If we were lucky, and we usually were, the ride ended with a trip to Carvel). I think it was then that I first started to appreciate beautiful landscapes and Connecticut certainly has a lot to offer in that department with its rolling hills, farms, stone walls and woods. I paint what I think is interesting and beautiful for its color and composition and for the feeling or mood that it evokes. Whether it’s butterflies, flowers, landscapes or seascapes, nature offers an infinite number of possibilities and a never ending supply of inspiration.”

Into the Woods

Artist Rocky Woods tells:
“I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. First, a graphic artists and illustrator and then on to my first true love…fine art! Currently, I’m moving in a new direction which I call “Landstracts.” Since I could never decide which I’d rather create, landscapes or abstracts, I managed to fuse then into a rather unique and proactive art form.

My inspiration comes from all different sources, some grounded, some rather spiritual or metaphysical. My medium of choice is always oil pastels. For me, they are so adaptable and “user friendly.” I will continue to move in this present direction until the glorious omnipresent muses guide me elsewhere.”

Visit ADC Fine Art for more!

Rachel Gillen

Looming Ruin

Small Drawings

"Art with a Story"

Big Personality

Sheer Genius

Into the Woods

"Pieces"

"Limned"

"Unabated"

"Shortest Days and Longest Nights"

Opening Reception of "Up; New Paintings by Rachel Gillen"

Preparing for my show on Friday, March 5 @ Swayne on Main!!

Finished the paintings for my upcoming show!

Skies-In Progress

Upcoming solo show

New ventures in the new year...

Sky studies...

New painting...

"Represent" @ Bromwell's in Cincinnati

My new projector

The latest...

"tiny" @ Studio Gallery.. Opening Reception: November 8, 2008, 4-8pm

My first blog...


Chillin', 4x4, Graphite on Paper