Distinction Gallery Presents: "Distinction Studio Artists"

Distinction Studio Artists: 34 local artists June 12 - July 3 reception June 12, 6-11pm

Jennifer Anichowski: At a young age I knew I wanted to be an artist, so as soon as I could I auditioned for the Las Vegas Academy of Visual arts. After graduating from there I went to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and enrolled in as many art classes as I could. I moved to San Diego, CA, where I have attended school, exhibited in a few shows, met some fantastic friends and made some great opportunities. My artwork is in private collections locally and across the country. I find myself inspired by everything around me, Salvador Dali, Michael Parks, and Lisa Albinger are a few of the artists I find most stimulating. Recently I have decided to merge my multi-media collage works and surrealist oil paintings together. I am currently working on a full new collection and commissioned illustrations. Keep an eye out!

Julie Arroyo: My love of art began in Philadelphia when my folks enrolled me in a summer class at the age of 6. We werebeing taught about oil pastels that year. I remember feeling very inadequate (big word for a 6 year old, huh?) since I was so young and inexperienced, but I absolutely loved playing with the pastels. I went into my own world, ignoring what the teacher was showing us, and just made picture after picture until my parents picked me up at the end of class.."

Robert Barry: Robert Barry has had a passion for photography since the late nineteen sixties when he purchased a camera to photograph his first-born daughter. He quickly found that just making family images did not satisfy his creative photographic appetite. From these early days his interests and pursuits have mostly been in the photo treasure hunt. He loves to wander in and around cities investigating and capturing images about how we build and decorate our environments. He finds beauty in things mundane to the majestic.

Since then I have taken many classes through my school career and have learned to work with many different mediums: oil paint, watercolor, acrylic, clay, ink. and have experimented on quite a few surfaces. My favorite and most recent medium is water color and chinese ink on wood. I have created a technique I call 'ink drips' since it resembles the path ink (or water or any other kind of spilled/dripping liquid for that matter) might take when slowly dripping down an incline. In displaying this technique in my studio at Distinction Gallery in Escondido, I have found it to be one of the favorites of my audience as well. I still find myself, however, continuing to try new techniques and mediums as well as going back to the old dusty styles I put down long ago and finding a way to revamp it and make it my own.

San Francisco State University is his alma mater. He received his Masters in Art in 1978. Robert is currently a Professor of Photography at Palomar College in San Marcos, California. His teaching career started there in 1989. His Photographs have been exhibited and collected internationally.

Brady Beard: Brady started drawing when he was a child. He first used pen, crayon, marker, and pencil to create repetitious designs on paper. He successfully created cubed images inside mosaic panels of color. When he was 7 he started to practice drawing photos and toys. Soon after that he was drawing from oceanography books and still life sets he would make. He started paintings when he was in college and has experimented with his medium and craft to this time. Throughout that time he was written poetry and now infuses his written word with his paintings. These poetry pieces are almost always finger paintings.

Kendra Binney: Kendra Binney was raised in a small mountain town with no shoe stores. Most of her time was spent barefoot treading through the miniscule world of spiders, snakes and all things hiding in the grass. She transfers this closeness with the small and obscure into her paintings. Through scenes of dripping landscapes and insecure, vulnerable characters, she illustrates a world draped in memories, remorse, and fragile realities. Seen through pastel washes and shiny candy coatings of resins, her works evoke both nostalgia and contempt. They are at once gentle and cruel, sweet and unsettling. Kendra currently lives in Portland Oregon. She spends her days all alone in a small studio with no windows. Here she paints, daydreams, and paints some more.

Norma Brinker Norma Brinker is a prolific and vibrant artist whose work provokes thought and emotion, communicating dept of heart and soul. Norma's inclination towards art began at a very young age. Being naturally gifted, she is a self taught artist with an abstract expressionistic style.

In 2004, Norma opened an art venue called Creative Expressions Art Studio. She offered classes in drawing, painting, ceramic painting, and hand building with clay. It was during this time that Norma began to think seriously about fine art and taking her art career in a different direction. Since then, her work has been viewed throughout the nation. Norma has developed a meager following of collectors of her work and continues to paint and develop new skills and techniques. Norma's gallery, the Noric Fine Art Gallery, was located in La Mesa, Ca. up until 2/15/2010. The Noric has moved inside Distinction Studios and Gallery in Escondido.

Sharif I. Carter: With the influence of his older brother, a talented musician, and his own love of music, the analytical mind of this automotive engineer produces mesmerizing fluidity and movement with vivid colors. Defying traditional rules and mastering the technique of painting with opaque watercolors on black wood canvas, Sharif has defined a style that will transcend generations.

You may find his work gracing the labels of award winning wines, illuminating the walls of fine restaurants and hair salons, or enhancing the layout of a website. He is currently sharing his passion for art by travelling all over Southern California to the hottest spots getting his brushes wet painting live wherever music electrifies the soul and drawing off the enegy of the crowd.

Marco Chavez: I have always had a passion for expression, no matter what it may be. My camera is what keeps me sane. Acting is my schizophrenic form of therapy. My guitar is my wife. I'm a terrrible painter, a decent kisser, a lightweight drinker, and a big dreamer. Distinction is an amazing gallery, and I am excited beyond words to be here./p>

Desiree Fleck: For my whole life I have had a strong connection to animals and my passion to leave a positive impact on the planet grows as life rolls on. As a species we are taking too much from Mother Earth without giving enough back and we're losing the balance that makes our planet so abundant. I strive to live harmoniously with nature, make conscious decisions in everything I do, and hopefully provoke thought in other people along the way.

David Flynn: Coming Soon

Will Gibson: I am old enough to have had my first experiences with photography at a time when black and white imagery was still a dominant form. Ansel Adams, the Westons and others were at the peak of their careers and Life and The Saturday Evening Post magazines were touch stones for the cultural life of the country. Once I started printing my own work in 1968, I was hooked. I have ever since been fascinated with the possibilities inherent in a medium that deals with time, light, shape and form. It allows me a way to see in new and different ways. It has always been a way for me to make sense of the world, and to focus on things and ideas of substance. Just as I strive to make compositions that have a classic inevitability about them, so too I often photograph subject matter that has, in the terms of an environmental biologist, a climax community feeling about it. In a modern world of constant change, a reminder of classic forms and ideas has true merit and can help us cope with the more hectic aspects of our lives. In this way, I feel my best work is a stepping off point for meditation and reflection. Whether I am photographing old things, timeless landscapes, or using long exposure and light painting, time is a central element to my work. It is the one thing in our existence we cannot control or avoid. We can only choose how we use our allotted time, learn as much as we can along the way and enjoy the ride. Contact me for more information about my archival processes.

Diane Hattula: Because color is both powerful and manipulative, I am intrigued by the physical relationship of colors to each and the ability to arrange them in ways not normally seen in nature. By painting imaginary and sometimes abstract landscapes, I have the freedom to explore the physical properties of color." Diane lives in Escondido, California with her husband Patrick and her two children, Jimmy and Dani Jo. A native of Michigan, Diane was trained in fine arts at Wayne State University in Detroit. Her paintings emphasize her interest in using color. She also uses her art to focus on political issues which are close to her heart. Diane believes that the world is potentially full of actual and spiritual beauty, especially if we care about our community.

James Ivey: I am a self taught artist working with oils. My goal has always been to paint like the masters using many layers of oils using the smallest of brushes so the brush strokes are unseen and the detail is very fine. My paintings are a telegraphic transmission from somewhere else and I pray a band of natives do not cut that wire because it is crossing their beautiful landscape.

This is what has been written about my style in the press: "James uses the term “carnival-surrealism” to describe his particular candy-coated absurdities and likens his scenes to “a toy box from another planet that spilled into [a] landscape.” There's lightness to his work that seems to get some of its strength from the frequent use of clouds in the Dali-esque backgrounds. The clouds and deep, full blue skies set off the mysterious, empty ground in the landscapes-the paintings could be anywhere".

Lindy Ivey: I'm a self-taught artist, my work is full of flaws and imperfections, I feel like these characteristcs breathe life into my pieces. I'm a simple girl, and I like bunnies.

Roel Jovellanos: Roel Jovellanos was born in the cold and windy city of Chicago, but was quickly replanted in the sunny Southern California soil at the age of 2. He studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena where he focused on both traditional methods of painting and the more modern methods of computer generated art. After graduating, he moved to San Diego and spent the last 10 years doing art for various game companies such as Sony Online and Midway Home entertainment.

In 2005 he decided to a turn a page in his life and pursue a line of art centered around the Southern California Landscape. His studio is currently located in the heart of Escondido's burgeoning art scene, where the excitement of new and cutting edge art continually sparks his creativity.

Jamie Kanes: Jamie has been a creative professional in the skateboarding and snowboarding industries since the ‘80’s. With jobs ranging from marketing, and graphic and product design, to being art director for Transworld Snowboarding Magazine, she has spent years creating commercially appealing imagery. Currently, as a freelance designer, she hopes to spend more time on her personal, less commercial imagery.

Jamie Kaufhold: Jamie is a veteran of the gulf war who transforms her experiences she endured while in combat into artwork. Jamie was greatly affected by her time spent in service and vows to share her involvment with the world

Igor Koutsenko: Igor Koutsenko was born in Evpatoria, a resort city on the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea. His father brought Igor to the Children's Art School in his hometown after his son demonstrated artistic ability at a young age. At age eleven, Koutsenko was accepted to the adult art studio directed by the acclaimed artist Zvyagintesev who encouraged his talent. Later Igor was educated at the Penza School of Art (class of E. Iodynis) and received rigorous training in the old traditions of Russian realist art. While living in Moscow, he successfully used the Moscow art market to sell his works to Russian and foreign collectors. His experience in Moscow allowed him to fully realize himself as an independent artist.

Martita: As Artists,we are not able to fully function in art shows without having balance in our lives. You, as Patrons support us with our vision to continue onward. Thank you.

My art is like crazy glue, it sticks and it pretty much sums up who I am.

I find painting of all my arts ,my personal therapy.I paint to honor my Brother's passing and to seek relief from grief.

I hope you are able to absorb the beauty in my art and not the pain".

Darrel McPherson: Luminoius artist McPherson is a member of the Oil Painters of America, San Diego Visual Artist Guild and the American Society of Botanical Artists. Darrel paints in the mode of the impressionists in traditional California style landscapes.

Darrel started painting back in the sixties under the guidance of Robert Thomas, iconic painter and collector. Darrel's early work fused abstract with spiritual themes in the symbolist manner. Over several decades and has focused on the California landscapes and botanical constructions in “plein air". His is a unique style of luminious painting that captures a sense of time and space. Darrel follows concepts developed in the early Impressionist movement and early California artist like Edgar Payne. His recent associations include Alicia Sotherland, Daryl Millard, Bradley Kaskin and the late Western artist Guy Bernardo. Paintings are layered in transparent colors giving depth and light to the piece. All of the landscape works are painted outdoors in natural sunlight. "My wish is to capture a moment in time, the romance and nostalgia of time and space that abounds in nature."

Nick Mikesell: I've been a concept artist and illustrator for over 10 years now designing various products for companies like Harley Davidson, Disney, Warner Bros. Studios, LucasFilm and Wyland. My true passion is video game concept art and would some day love to work as an artist in the industry.

Tracy Mikesell: Life is short. I am lucky enough to get to do what I love everyday! What you see here is what I do for fun, soon I will be featuring the work from my "day job" as a Senior Graphic Designer at Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc. Stay tuned, there is a lot more to come.

Major Morris: Major Morris was a photographic hobbyist until the early 1950’s, when, as a laboratory technician at MIT, he learned the precious art of creating his own photographic works. He began marketing his photos, first to MIT’s Alumni publications, then to advertising agencies, then to textbook publishers who valued his ability to make social commentary with his urban images. A graphic example of this is seen in his recently published book, "Nurture Their Dreams”.

“Rincon Tree”, is a departure from the images that usually fall before Major’s lenses. He came upon the, “Tree”, one day when he was out on a shoot with a fellow photographer. It spoke to him spirituality – it is as simple as that.

Gloria Muriel: Gloria Muriel shows us a unique and magical world that exists beyond reality, a universe in complete harmony with nature. Through her paintings she creates a portal to her own cosmic dreams and fantasies. Meditation helps guide her and see the divine presence found in everything that exists. Her art is merely an expression of this essence she carries with her and she is only grateful for the opportunity to share this vision with the world.

Martin Nasim: Coming Soon

Velvet De Oro: Velvet de Oro is a Californian artist whose art revolves around copious figures and free-style patterns. Her unusual work is heavily influenced by Asian Indian Art, Buddhist Patterns, Filipino Tribal Tattoos, Chinese art scrolls, the Japanese pop culture, DC Graphic Novels, De Stilj, Norman Rockwell, Alphonse Mucha and Pablo Picasso.

Judith Preston: Coming Soon

Philipp Scholz Rittermann: From dramatic panoramic sequences to evocative toy-like images, Philipp Scholz Rittermann's work spans the visual spectrum. He uses urban, industrial and natural landscapes as canvases to explore recurring themes in his surroundings. An enduring theme in Rittermann's work, beginning with his nocturnal images of urban landscapes from the early eighties, is the depiction of the passage of time. He continues this theme in his latest panoramic sequences which offer views so wide, they extend beyond what we can physically see with our own eyes. Through his images, we see beyond our senses. Rittermann sometimes renders the ominous serene and vice versa. He awakens our sense of discovery by bringing us images of uncelebrated subjects. These often convey a sense of familiarity, inviting communion with the viewer; the meeting with the subject as a private, intimate occasion. Rittermann began photographing in Hannover, Germany, where he co-founded a photography gallery and taught photography. He has lived in the USA for more than two decades, and his work is featured in over one hundred public, private and corporate collections ranging from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris, France. Featured nationally and internationally in more than forty solo and over fifty group exhibitions, he frequently gives lectures and workshops. His work has been published in numerous books and magazines. In conjunction with a mid-career retrospective, the Museum of Photographic Art, San Diego published a monograph of his work titled "Navigating by Light."

Becca Siminou: Becca discovered her love for photography in high school in the late 1980's, but it was truly nurtured in her years at Palomar College. She graduated with a Master’s of Fine Arts at the Academy of Art University in 2010. She uses both Hassleblad and a Nikon D2-x digital camera. She spends her leisure time traveling the world, hiking, exploring, and photographing undiscovered sights. With the passage of time, she has learned how to ground herself and deepen her spirit and become one with the surroundings ―listening, looking, and accepting “what is.” This connection fulfills her purpose: to record what is present for today and history for tomorrow.

Her work has in several galleries including the Academy of Art University, San Francisco and The Natural History Museum, San Diego. She was published in Bravera and Focus at Palomar College, and has two of her own books, Colorado Fall Colors, and Tracing Journeys Through Shadows. Her main area of focus includes teaching at Palomar College and photographing for herself.

Rosemary Valente: The paintings of Rosemary Valente are powerful. Powerful passions deep within this painter's soul are the link to her creative energy. This energy is released by the myriad shapes of nature; then, like the volcanic eruptions on the Hawaiian islands whose fantastic forms long fascinated her, a creative explosion occurs. The results are paintings defined by simplicity of form and vibrancy of color. In her paintings The Age of Romanticism triumphs over The Age of Reason!

A landscape painter, Valente's favored subjects are mountains, trees, islands and deserts. Nature provides the picture. The painter provides the interpretation. Her paintings do not replicate nature; they transform it. Her application of color emphasizes form, creates harmony in non-harmonious subjects, evokes emotions, and intensifies the images she creates. Her paintings show the influence of the German Expressionists in both simplicity and color.

Rosemary Valente's early work was primarily abstract landscapes and cityscapes. The abstractions she creates reflect her fascination with form. This fascination emanates from early exposure to landscape and cityscape while in Hawaii, New York, Paris and Athens. Form is sharply emphasized in her abstract imagery. This imagery captures the visual essence of the subject.

Her most recent paintings are magical and somewhat surreal. Both poetry and fabric swatches of horses provided her with the inspiration to execute a series entitled, "Longshot." It focuses on the matters of the heart, i.e., relationships.

Kelly Vivanco: Kelly Vivanco was born and raised in front of a sketchpad and a box of colors in Southern California. She later received her BFA with honors from LCAD in Laguna Beach. In 2004 Kelly became a Studio artist at Distinction and currently maintains a working studio there. Her work has shown in numerous galleries and is held in collections across the U.S. and abroad.

Kelly enjoys setting whimsy to work in many mediums and pulls inspiration from the natural and imagined world, vintage photographs, children's literature and the oddness of her dreams.

Skye Walker: I am an artist and designer. That is all I know and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I am always striving to evolve as an artist and keep up with a world that is changing at an increasing rate.

I graduated from Oregon State University with a BFA in Graphic Design with a focus on Fine Arts. Design is rapidly changing with the advent of technology and everyone is able to work on computer programs. I take pride in my design work because I focus on making it great and not pieced together at the last minute. In this cookie cutter world of art and design, my focus is to stand out among the rest and create the best work I possibly can for my clients and employers. I’ve worked in-house and on freelance projects with such companies as: prAna, Rip Curl, Redsand, Haro Design, Dragon Optical, Nike Swim and many more. I try to diversify myself in an ever changing multi media landscape with print design, illustration, videography, paintings and more.

My paintings are inspired by both the human condition and the environments that surround us. I am also very intrigued by how we deal with each other as humans, both on a personal and physical level. It is a subject that has been dealt with in art for centuries and will keep being an important subject matter for as long as humans exist.

Kim Zuill: A mischievous child, Kim was ejected from Kindergarten for creating art that was "different". Shame for exposing Tokyo Bay as she saw it: gray sky, gray boats, gray ocean. Inspired by those mysterious foreign boats, she hopped a jumbo-jet to find adventure and develop her bubbling imagination. Today, discovery continues as Kim uses cameras to express an uncanny design sense and knack for oblique observation - tainted by her playful and naughty attitude.

Kim received formal education and training in photography and art during which her first darkroom creation was her "Evil Tulip" photogram - the birth of an important theme.

Later, Hugging Tulips received top honors for Still Life at the San Diego County Fair Exhibition of Photography in 2007. Kim's emotional interpretations of flowers, powerful abstract designs and haunting street snaps have all found their way into exhibitions like the fair, the Photo Art Group's "Permanent Tourist" and Spanish Village shows and Palomar College's Boehm Gallery.

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