Brandon Maldonado's Iconic Art

Brandon Maldonado resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an environment rich in hispanic arts and culture. His religion-inspired art, full of somber grace and ceremony, speaks for itself. 

 “The visual language of art has the ability to communicate beyond the confines of spoken language. I believe this quality is the essence of visual arts and is the medium’s greatest strength. Throughout the course of humanity art has been used to inform civilizations, functioning as a powerful propaganda tool with great success. With this in mind I pick up my paintbrushes and attempt to use art as a vehicle for inspiring change.“

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

John Brophy’s Saintly Souls

When I first saw John’s new piece - Daughter of Vulcan (above) it left me gasping. The incredible lighting, casting soft reflective hues on their subject - the elegantly wistful expressive pose and the spirit mixed within the pain - all combined in astounding beauty. He captures that “other world” in a rare way. 

“John usually works out his compositions on the computer using Maya, ZBrush, and Photoshop and uses the result as a concept for the final painting. However, he considers digital imagery less interesting than traditional painting because it has no "object quality". That's why he thinks it is so important to execute the painting by hand in oil using the traditional techniques of the 15th century Flemish painters that he most admires, Memling, David, Van der Weyden, Van Eyck, etc. The digital study is only a launching point for the final painting.”

- Via John’s website, LINK

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

Daniel Martin Diaz’s Eloquent Dead

Daniel’s art is a modern day take on old school paintings - yellowed like papyrus and mysteriously somber like church stained glass windows. His beautiful ability to merge decorative motifs, with Gothic calligraphy and iconic imagery is uncanny. With his Hispanic background, death and religion obviously play a predominant role in his works, creating a poetic and surreal afterlife of their very own. Weathered and mysterious, his art speaks richly of a secret historical  alchemy.

 LINK: To Daniel’s Website & Portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

The Illuminators of Christopher Ulrich

Christopher Ulrich is a painter of surreal, iconographic images. He is influenced by the richness of ancient mythology, the mystery of alchemy, and the vastness of cosmic reality. He is one of the most influential artists of his generation of pop-surrealists, respected as much by other painters as by patrons and the general public. He has been a great mentor to young artists, continuing a great tradition he began with artist Burne Hogarth nearly two decades ago. Christopher has already begun working on the final chapter of his Christ Chronocrater Cycle. The Reckoning will debut on December 7th, 2012 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. - Via LaLuzDeJesus

LINK: A wall of Christopher’s Illuminator series   

LINK: To Christopher’s Website & Portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

Nihil’s Saints Series

Nihil is a French photographer and digital artist with a huge portfolio of fantastic imagery. Pictured here are just a few from his beautiful Saints series. If I could speak French I would tell you more, but alas...

LINK: To Nihil’s website & portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

Altarations: Wendy Gadzuk

Wendy Lee Gadzuk is a mixed media, assemblage artist living in East Oakland.  Her work has evolved from a background in jewelry and metal-smithing, costume design, and a love for Gothic architecture, flea markets, and rock'n roll. Above,  is a beautiful altar from her - This I Know To Be True.

LINK: To Wendy’s FB page, for more of her “altars”

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Animal Saints of Michelle Waters

If you follow Eclectix then you are familiar with Michelle’s critters- embodiments of the our animal kingdom, cross-dressing as popes, nuns and saints. An active animal lover, her subjects portray emotional projections - angry disdain for human abuse or calm & hypnotic spirituality. Sometimes they regard us with sad mistrust and distaste. 

“My "religious animals" paintings are a reaction to the ubiquitous fundamentalist religion in America as well as the idea propounded by most organized religions that animals have no souls. Some of my animal characters have founded their own religion, complete with nuns, popes and televangelists.” 

LINK: Michelle’s Website & Portfolio

LINK: To the Eclectix interview with Michelle Waters

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Spirits of Tatomir Pitariu

Tatomir was born in Romania and currently resides in Los Angeles. His heavy metal spirits borrow from Transylvanian rituals & traditions, Greek mythology, paganism, the elements and folklore. On Tantomir's website, there are fascinating texts & tidbits about each piece - explaining the subject, background and evolution of each image. Very inspiring and full of spiritual gusto.

 

This was originally published on the homepage of  Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Sacred Science of Aleksandra Mir

Born in Lubin, Poland, Aleksandra is a citizen of both Sweden and the USA. She currently lives in London. Her collage series - The Dream and the Promise, combine religious iconography with images and symbols of space travel. They allude to the complicated, and not always contentious, relationship between science and faith. 

“If angels and astronauts share the same sky, 

isn't it time they were introduced?”

This was originally published on the homepage of  Eclectix, 
in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012
For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

Arabella Proffer's "Ephemeral Antidotes"

Arabella has a solo show opening Saturday with lots of new works, at Articulated Gallery in San Francisco. Her stoic & stylish portrait style has embraced  the psyche of ailing women from the Middle Ages. Arabella was diagnosed with cancer last year in one of her  legs and her frustration and pain led her to cope with it through her art. As a kind of therapy she researched all manner of antique medical techniques and equipment, coming up with "case studies' - individual women complete with their own story about their botched surgeries or tortuous treatments. Delving into the barbaric medical practices of the past enabled Arabella to deal with her own modern day frustrations. 

“After having a section of my leg removed, I began researching medicine from the Middle Ages through the 18th century; this series was a good way for me to work out my anger and be even more thankful that what I’m going through is nothing compared to old remedies and techniques. My art and interests were in the way society lived in the past, but with emphasis on the defiant, glamorous, and eccentric — not daily strife. You could have been rich, important, or beautiful, but if sick, you would still receive brutal or worthless treatment.” - Quote thanks to Creep Machine

The opening reception  is from 8-11pm, January 7th and Arabella is trekking all the way from Cleveland to be present. 

Below is "Gretchen" with her sample biographic tale.

Gretchen

“An ambassador’s daughter with a passion for collecting, Gretchen’s menagerie was near complete when her father brought her the gift of a leopard cub from his travels. It was a sweet little thing, soft and playful, abiding to his mistress when she dressed it up in clothes meant for little boys. But, even the smallest of creatures will start to give in to their nature. It was thought that a flock of geese had spooked him during a game of fetch on the lawns. Gretchen was adamant the leopard knew not what he did, that his claws were bigger than his wits when he mauled her at the legs, dragging her before his final release. No potions, no humours, no herbs or witchcraft could save her. The legs would come off, and all one could do was pray. Pray for the surgeon, pray for the tools, and pray she did not die from enduring it all. Gretchen would never be same after that, lost to a world of darkness and time, languishing in bed, never speaking a word except a whisper to her pets.”

Arabella has a new book, "The National Portrait Gallery of Kessa: The Art of Arabella Proffer" available here or you can pick one up at the gallery.

 She will also have a small series of modern day "Marys" in the show, which Eclectix plans to feature in the next update of the current Iconic issue. 

Arabella's Website

Serbian Painter Zeljko Tonsic

Zeljko creates lovely symbolist beings in mythology and religion-based narratives. A loving quote about him from his bio: “And he continues to love and lets us feel that love. Love in the eyes of Archangel Gabriel, the bearer of good tidings, the comforter and helper of men. Love in the eyes of Eurynome, most important Goddess of Pelasgian myth. Love of all those, who were, and will be born on his white canvas, uniting religions, habits and understandings."

His Website Link

(Originally posted on the homepage of the Eclectix 

"Iconic" Issue, Dec-Jan. 2012,

 along with the permanent online exhibit of religion related art, LINK HERE.)

Announcing the New Eclectix Issue: "Iconic", Volume 11

Art by Shawn Barber

This new Eclectix issue pays homage to icon related art. Religious, pagan, pop culture, altars, rituals, mythology, gods & goddesses.

Artworks, news, artist interviews, calendar events, online exhibition and religious trivia. 

Link to the Eclectix homepage

Link to the permanent "Iconic" online gallery