It is a very long story. I will try to explain it, in a shorter version. Last summer, my cousins and I, were up at my Grandmamans country house, doing our annual painting weekend. We paint outdoors together all weekend. So all of a sudden this strong large old Willow Tree stands before me. I just had to paint it. But I wanted to do it a free expressionist - abstract style. So I laid the canvas on the ground and filled my hands with paint and rocks and went away at it. Willow Tree took me all day(+) to paint and it turned out to be one of my favorite paintings ever. Shortly after, the Kohl Gallery in Toronto, was interested in displaying it for sale. When I decided to be the first artist of ARTICO to do a solo show at the Rivoli, I thought to myself, I have to do a series on abstract paintings - around the thoughts of my "Willow Tree". When it was all confirmed that I was doing the solo show, I started right away and painted for one month straight. I took everything else out of my life - like Modeling, Acting, Computer Work, etc, etc. - everything. I just focused on my new series. Mixing thoughts of nature and humanity, I created over 20 paintings around the "Willow Tree" masterpiece. It was important to give out a positive message and have a title for my show, that had a warm feeling to it. These tree's are actually me! I know it sounds funny. But one night in my process of the making of my show. I went to visit my friend Pavla, a professional artist. She turned the lights out - leaving one little light on my painting. We had a long look at it. She said, "how does this painting make you feel". I discovered that the painting was a reflection of me, my life. I was astonished. The tree is strong, some branches - like my life - are rising high and proud and some are lost flowing to the ground, the colors are cold and warm - a little confusing - the tree has growth in it and is full of possibilities. Shortly after when I went home; I wrote a few titles for my show, on a piece of paper. Embracing Life was one of the titles I wrote down, that kept catching my eye. I thought it was a really nice message to give out and that it went with my entire story about these tree's and I. I learned in this process, that it helps to talk about your art, with another artist. I found it helped me understand what I was creating this time and why.

I think it can help Artists of any level, a great deal. I know that there are plenty of Artists out there in Toronto, that are very hungry to meet other artists. We can talk to each other about art and understand each other better than doing so with non-artists. We see the world in a different way. We are a non-for-profit organization. ARTICO is also developing many ways to get exposure for our members. Every month, one of our artists have their own solo show at the well known Rivoli Restaurant and Lounge in Toronto. This is also teamed up with HOT Hearts Open Toronto, on the same night. HOT does a televised music show at the Rivoli and now our ARTICO artists are combined in, with this tv program. It is great exposure for anyone who is working hard at being an artist and wants to get their talents out there. ARTICO is 100% a friendly, loving and supporting group. We had our launch group opening show, last December 2007. I think close to 200 people attended the opening and exhibition. Not to mention, the exhibition ran for one month in the Rivoli Lounge and they are a very busy place. So everyone that went out for dinner and entertainment at the Rivoli, saw our group art exhibit. We are a strong committed team, so you will hear a lot of good things about the ARTICO group in 2008. We are in the process of contacting Newspapers, TV Shows, Magazines, other Galleries and so much more, to get our name out there. And what is so nice, is that we are all doing it together. I feel it is really positive to work with other artists. No ones great talents should pass us by. Please note: Our ARTICO & HOT TV program airs on Czech TV every third Saturday of each month on OMNI TV Channel 4 at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy!

I think my personality shows a lot in my work. But if someone hires me to do a painting, sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with me. But, I have been fortunate, that a lot of people who hire me, give me a lot of freedom to do what I like with the painting.

Yes and no. I think it is my time now. I have been painting on canvas for over 10 years now. But It has only been the last few years that I have been taking my art seriously, studying fine arts and finding my place in this world. I think everything happens for a reason.

I find myself very poetic, caring and always wanting to learn new things and help others. I get most of inspiration from other artists, friends & family, visiting galleries & traveling. It is good to have a good support system behind you too. It is not easy being an Artist. I have to thank my parents, my husband and my late brother - for believing in me and putting up with me.

Although I have been painting all my life on personal and commissioned paintings: I have only been showing my work on the internet and being involved in exhibitions over the last year. In this process, I am learning a great deal on how to price my work. Having said that, my prices will be going up this year. My prices at my solo exhibit at the Rivoli are higher than usual. My paintings that are displayed at KOHL gallery are in the hundreds range. I have been told many times, that my previous prices were too low. I'm glad that people are mentioning this to me and It's also a very huge compliment too, at the same time. I am not going to sky rocket my prices up. They have just adjusted a bit. I think I am a very talented artist, but I still have a lot to learn. Don't we all though.

If I lost my hands, I would paint with my feet. If I lost my feet too, I would paint with my mouth. I'm not complete, if I can't do my art.

I would like to model for Claude Monet aka: Monet. He is my favorite artist from History. I like how he has a lot of movement in his work. I really like his subjects and how he compositions them. I really enjoy looking at his work all the time. I think me and him would work very well together. I would also like to paint for my Grandmaman one day. Her website is www.artmodern.org . Because she is the painter that I always looked up too, she showed me the ropes and she inspires me all the time.

It just happens inadvertently, all the time. I go to paint one thing and then it turns out looking like me in some way or form. It's so funny. I hear this happens quite a lot, with other artists too.

I always name the painting when it is complete. Usually a title comes to mind right away. But if I'm having trouble coming up with a name, I'll sit back and gaze into the painting.

I have about 8 unfinished paintings lying around my studio. I don't like doing this too often, but sometimes I have no choice. The paintings always do get completed though. I prefer to do one painting at a time.

I am mostly a painter. That is what I enjoy best. I do love to dabble into everthing though. I get bored very easily and like to experiment. Lately I have been adding a lot mixed media to my paintings, like rocks, shells, metal, beads - you name it. I think it's fun and looks very interesting. I bring my sketch book everywhere I go and draw what I see or from imagination. I prefer to use conte when I draw. I love my imagination drawing. They are really vivid and sometimes I don't even understand what I drew. My Grandfather Earl, gave me a wood burning set a few years ago. He is a wood sculptor, burner and carver. I always talk to him about his art. So, he overjoyed me with a woodburner one year for Christmas. It's like an extremely hot pen at the tip. The hot tip of the burner can make thin or thick lines, when you pressed it up against wood. You may want to wear a mask, because the smoke can burn your nose sometimes and don't even touch the tip where the heat is. I usually burn scenery pictures on plaques of wood. Currently in woodburning, I am working on a huge piece of wood and it has something to do with Toronto and our Galleries. Use your imagination. My project will be out in the next few months. I will keep VRV posted.

I mostly paint inside my studio. This is because I have everything all set there and it just makes life easier. I do take my painting equipment outside in the summer a few times. I do draw very often outside in the summer months. My favorite place to draw, is on my boat.

I don't paint every day at this time. But I hope one day I will be able to do so. Right now, I am a full time Model, Actress, Artist and part time Diploma Fine Arts Student, at the Toronto School of Art. I am a very ambitious young woman. I like to keep myself busy and learn new things all the time. I started Modeling Acting and doing my art full time, 2 years ago. Before that, I was the Quality Assurance Director for one of the leading Freight Brokerage Companies across Canada, namely Freightworld Logistics Inc. I was working with Freightworld for 8 years and I learned a lot about running a business, dealing with people all over the worls and so much more. As I got older and closer to the love of the Arts, I decide to put all my energy into what I truly believe in. I strongly feel that you should go after your dreams. My talent website is: www.CharleneOnline.com.

No, I don't think it's like any other business. It can be very hard to get your name out there. The point is to get many people to recognize your art. So this takes a lot of hard work and patience. You may love your art, but maybe other people don't in this Century. So that can get you down and be frustrating. But you have to keep doing your art if that is what your heart is telling you.

I'm just starting to try to get galleries to display my work now at 27 years old. I find it a lot of work, but I have a lot of faith in myself and I'm a go getter. I have a lot of energy and persistance. I am a versatile painter, so I can do many styles. I think that is key. Some people may think I'm a little wet behind the ears and I have a lot to learn. But that's okay for them to think that. I already have accomplished so much, so I know I have a successful future ahead. Some people are amazed at how much I have accomplished over the last few years. Many people in Toronto and around the world have been showing so much of their support, towards my work and my first solo exhibition.

Accomplished Artist can mean so many things. But I would say the ultimate is; when you are an accomplished Artist, your paintings sell for top value prices and the public, collectors and dealers are buying them. You are remembered, admired, respected. This all happens after a long life of painting - usually. Some are lucky and make it faster than others. You have to work very hard at it - depending on what your goals are. You need to put top quality and care in your work and take your time with each one. I'm extremely happy and humble, where my art career is at right now. I have bigger dreams for myself...and that's okay. Everyone should have dreams. I'm studying fine arts, modeling, acting and working on my art. I love to be busy in different areas. But one day I plan to just focus on my art.

Abstract is my favorite. I like to look at things that make me wonder what was the artist thinking. Abstract is fun and makes me feel really over joyed. To see how an artists puts a different perspective on something is amazing. I love vibrant colours and lots of texture. There is so much you can do with abstract and they are great conversation pieces.

I always advise new and aspiring Artists to take some fine art coarses. I have studied at the Toronto School of Art, for the last year & 1/2 and I find it has helped me grow as an Artist. The teachers open your eyes to new techniques, history and so much more. I would also encourage them to sketch every day, reference life models and work on their art as much as they can - to build a wide range portfolio.

I think that there are a tremendous amount of great artists in Toronto. I find the art scene is very underground. I think more artist and gallery advertising on tv and radio, would be ideal. I wish I could see more art supply stores throughout the city. I would also like to see more people buying original fine art from local galleries, rather than fake prints they buy at Walmart for instance. An original piece of art would mean a lot more to them.

It's funny because I stumbled across a gallery last week, that I am absolutely in love with. It is called Jacob Gallery. It's located at the corner of Richmond & Spadina in Toronto - on the North-West side. I felt like I was at home, because I felt so close to the work. I enjoyed all the pieces that were on display. If you like Modern Abstract Art, then this is the place to visit.

I traveled to Europe - Italy, with the renowned Silvia Pecota www.silviapecota.com in 2006. She had 2 exhibitions in one week, during our trip to Italy. One was in Turin (Torino) and the other was near Milano (Milan). It was a beautiful experience to be a Canadian and traveling across the world, to help a great Italian-Canadian Artist, put her shows together. I was also the model in many of her works of art. Please find attached, some examples. I met a lot of wonderful people along this journey and it opened up my eyes. Silvia also took me to Venice one day and we did a photoshoot and visited all the art galleries. I was amazed to see the historic art in person, that I have only seen in pictures all my life. I am planning on going to the Artic with Silvia, in the near future as well.

My favorite artist on VRV is Deanna Musgrave. Deanna's work suits my taste in art and personality the most. I think she has a real sense of creativity and uses colors very well. There is balance in her paintings and I could look at her work for hours upon hours and see something new in them, every time. She has an original technique, which I find is very key in this industry. I look forward to seeing more of her art in the years to come.

I use a Nikon D70s, it's my first DSLR . I have a couple of lenses - a 18-70mm Nikkor and a 70-300mm Sigma Macro zoom lens. Very good camera and lenses to start with.

Stock, as I see it, is created with commercial market in mind. Art is passion which may or may not prove financially beneficial but is very satisfying.

Thats a tough one, Pamela Anderson maybe... Lol. Well, the first images that really awed and drove me towards photography are some war and travel photography from the National Geographic and some newspapers stuff.

National Geographic is like Ford, leading the way, all the way. Black and white classics, travel, people and places. They believe in quality, NG stands out from the crowd. And yes, it's my dream (which I will fulfill) to work with National Geographic.

Last year, on my trip to India, I saw some road side butchers and all that meat and barbaric way the chickens were held in tiny cages. So, I will use my photography to show people what these poor creatures are going through just to satisfy their taste. Also leather - Before and after images of animals.

As much as I hate to say it, I use quite a lot of Photoshop. But if it helps me create what I want and to be in competition, why not ! But yes in fashion photography (where I can control the circumstances), I do or try to do minimum PS.

I would open an asylum for poor kids and people. But if it has to be for art - I would work on some exceptional images from Africa and around the world in war torn and in poor countries to create a art series that can help raise money to help them. And yes I am a proud sponsor of a beautiful girl in Rwanda through WorldVision.

That is a real image, not manipulated. It was shot through a car at not so fast shutter speed. Those lights are of the numerous cars on the Toronto 401 highway at around 10 pm, which also inspired the name "City Of Blinding Lights"... Or was it U2. About Contradistinctive, well, I searched something related to Maverick on dictionary.com

For Nature, Travel and stuff its good, but for Fashion I would prefer moving to NY, Paris or Milan. Oh ok Paris.

Steve McCurry. I saw his biography on National Geographic as a teenager. I wanted to work as a war photographer and as a National Geographic photographer from then on. He is the photographer who took the famous "Afghan Girl" picture featured on National Geographic`s June 1985 cover issue. Steve McCurry has worked with some great Afghanistan leaders to help the war torn region.

"Gracious beaks", ha ha. My friend was whisking this Walnut Brownie solution in the kitchen, how the mixture flows down the whisk was amazing, so click click click. And yes, we did somehow (again) managed to burn the whole thing ! Must be a faulty mixture. Lol.

Buddhist Chants and OM Meditation music. Nightingale by Yanni !

Technically nothing, but yes for a good fashion shot - good wardrobe, make-up, hair and light are very important.

Absolutely nothing. There are very few things that drive me mad in life. Seeing others making someone suffer is one of them and yes it includes people defending eating meat or capable people not helping others.

Painting yes, a lot of times. But the fact that I am a photographer means I suck at painting.

As soon as I learned to distinguish between colors, bright yellow and orange are very catchy colors.

So now you want me to go through VRV, good one. I would like to meet Victor Bentzvi (click here to visit his page. His Holga Snaps are fantastic, that is kind of photography I would love to do. Love the borders of his images.

CONTACT is North Americas biggest photography festival, having that on Resume is pretty big. I will be showcasing my work at Ben Navaee Gallery, 1111 Queen Street East, Toronto. It will be a group exhibition.

Yes, I am happy with "digital art” category as this is the field I am working in right now. I am not a photographer, but I like to "shoot” people, objects, places around me that I I find interesting. My digital prints are composed using my hand drawings and photographs taken by me or my friends.

They were my teachers from the art school I attended many years ago. József Macskássy was a well-known painter in Transylvania and my painting teacher. He didn't really like my style of painting - because of my toned up colors- and strongly encouraged me towards graphics. Unfortunately, he died some years ago, but his words have given me the power to defeat the difficulties and to never give up drawing.

Anything unlike naturally real... In my opinion, abstraction begins in our brain which can produce wonderful images. I love to bring to life abstract concepts, like passion, strength, pain, – all these words have abstract meanings that can be expressed in many ways. Sometimes, they suddenly appear in front of my eyes like some visions or simply (physically) see them in my dreams. I like to turn my dreams into graphics, if I still remember them in the morning. I also like to put unusual things or parts of them together on my digital canvas; things that naturally shouldn’t ever be together. This is how I mean abstract – a word that gives me the freedom to manipulate with forms and colors.

I suggest, everyone should try it. Then we shall see.

Some of my works in PixelDance are photo manipulations or hand drawings reworked digitally in Photoshop. I mixed all kind of pictures and effects, brushes to reach the desired expression for my ideas.

Not really… I find boring making two similar or almost alike drawings/paintings. As far as I know, movies contain hundreds of alike images. I’ve never liked to make things twice. I'd rather new ones. On the other hand, making movies on computer needs more programming skills than I have or want to have. I am happy with my static images.

Well, this is a rather long story. I was born in Transylvania (Dracula's land☺) where I spent my childhood and school years under the leading of the communist dictator, Ceausescu. Being a Hungarian, my life was darkened by nationality-related difficulties, too. Those years cannot be wiped out from my mind. I could never accept such foolish behaviors and I have been struggling against those concepts all the time. It is said, that miracle lasts for only three days… but sometimes we have to wait too much for a miracle to show up. And even if it appeared, it was shortly destructed by a wrong regime. We had to enjoy the morsels we were left.

I’m afraid they will never change too much. I always felt I was rather a world habitant, than a geographically located country resident. I liked freedom too much to give up my feelings and concepts. Now living in Hungary, I am still encountering ’relics’ of the past so my images will be continuously arguing with Machiavellian authorities.

I’ve escaped and fell into many traps during my life. This is also part of my life, but instead of complaining I tighten my bandages and I stand up. Over again… Human behavior is my source of inspiration in this case. People behave differently in cumbrous situations; it’s like living in a chaotic cage, some want to get rid of the rope but run into the bars… I feel very annoying that talents (may it be art or science) disappear untraced or don’t even have the opportunity to show up, just because were born in the "wrong” country… This is the greatest trap anyone might get from the very beginning.

Well, I am glad you see it that way. First of all, permit me to remark that this painting has nothing to do with the movie named Omen! I wanted to express the unexpected danger that surrounds us. One can never be prepared enough to encounter the it. To tell the truth this image was created in memoriam of my father, who had suddenly became ill and died in a few months. The unforeseen sometimes can ruin one’s all plans, future or life.

Both of them☺ But if I were compelled to chose, I would rather spend it with Dalí. He has always been one of my favorites and several years ago I strongly forced myself not to imitate his works in any way.

I’ve never thought of it like a movie poster…As I mentioned before, freedom is very important to me. May it be real or just a projection of it, I must feel it’s presence around me some way. Maybe someday somebody makes a movie: The Lost Freedom on the Edge of Europe (hehe☺) Who knows? And the poster is already here…

In my opinion goals keep us alive, and it’s a pleasant relief to fulfill them, may they be easy or difficult. I hope I will have the strength to reach my goals. Due to some lucky circumstances I’ve started to make graphics again. Now my goal is to show something from my inner world to the outer one. I hope people will understand at least a little part, even if they don’t like all of it. I must cry out things and tell the world about this corner I live in.

The main software I am using is Photoshop, but I like Apophysis as well. I enjoy playing with fractals, without emphasizing their shape or meaning. The platform I am working on is Windows. Yes, I have a very long wish list that would make my life easier during creation, but I don’t want to bore the readers.

Being a "lonely wolf” creator, I do my graphics only by myself. Naturally I use pictures taken by some friends or expert photographers, but I think in most of the cases there is no need for a second person to prepare the photo for a composition. I am sure photography require different sets of skills, but for my paintings I gladly mess up the photos myself.

Shortly: „A woman cannot do such graphics”

Jewelry making is my second love. I was a child, when my mother showed me the first steps and tricks; I am still using them. I am making beaded jewelry right now, but I tried out other materials, like wire, polymer clay or cork. Even small stones and shells. Often the combination of these materials lead to some very beautiful pieces. I aim to make unique, one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets as there is a great challenge for me to create something never seen before. I love to wear unique jewelry and makes me happy when I see the satisfaction on my customers’ face.

Artual was born on the street, in one second. From the very beginning, I decided the domain for my home page had to contain the word ’art’ somewhere. After two weeks of searching for some proper name, I just said it out waiting in the bus station... I was very proud of myself and thought I was alone with that name. I don’t know whether it means anything, but I sadly realized that there are other using this name as pseudonym. Anyway, I have been and will also be using it for a long time.

I am sure it would be a very funny and interesting experience. Unfortunately, I am not a very good team worker, but, I’d be glad to try it out with some artists. There would be something new to me.

There are many excellent artists on VRVGallery, that I’d like to mark as my favorite. So is photographer Dunn Kenaani with his excellent photos taken from the world of animals, or Anna Vicherek’s fantastic "Imagination”… Or Laurin Jeffrey with those haunted places. I am in a very difficult situation…

Physically, after 17 years of silence, I’ve started making art graphics again last year. Spiritually I haven’t spent a day apart from my art, but the cost of living forced me to work on other fields. Finally my "rebellious” temper took me back to the path I have to follow. Hopefully I won’t ever be compelled again to do something else.

I am not at all surprised by your reaction. Here is why: The root idea for that gallery: “I want you to embrace that which disturbs you, knowing it’s not want it seems.” Things are not what they seem. The images challenge and disturb the waking consciousness because in direct confrontation with their representational quality, they inspire change and change to ego means death. The exposure and integration of the disowned aspects of our psyche, as symbolized by some of the images, leads to transformation but the ego experiences transformation as death so it is the ego that sees these disowned aspects as disturbing. I am using photography to bring our attention to that very process and emphasize that things are not what they seem; that embracing the pictorial/symbolic representations of our unconscious, including the content of nightmares, is vital for individual growth leads to wholeness.

Working from a place of respect and congruence, I create a safe-enough transformational environment in which some part of them (clients) recognize it is okay to share things they may have hidden even from themselves. When they do, they start to encounter disturbing but transformational elements, not unlike the ones in my Psychic Shiver gallery.

I let the unconscious take the lead. I suspend my analytical process and open up to images and ideas as they surface “from below.”

The models range form friends to ex-girlfriends, to a woman who worked at Second Cup whom I asked to model for me. Much like a director, my models become actors for my vision. I am guided by the depth of their ability to portray the character I envision and the success of the shoot is usually determined by their ability to follow and manifest my direction.

My primary focus is psychological but I don’t ignore the impact of the social/political environment and its impact on the individual’s well being. In my work as a therapist, I witness numerous ways in which gender, race, socioeconomic status, age, cultural background, and other individual variables affect peoples’ quality of life and emotional health.

I bought a fish tank to do another project that involved color/water ideas but I also liked the idea of creating shapes out of substances I wouldn't commonly consider for sculpture (in this molecular formation). It's the intersection of AIR, WATER and TIME (photography) that makes this project so engaging. I pressed air into water, rapidly pulled out the Rocket-Air Blower sensor cleaner and I pressed the cable release with the camera on the tripod at the appropriate moment. The camera was hooked up to the 50” TV screen so I could correct my timing on the spot. Lighting: one source (backlight with a soft box) but to give water more visible shape, I had black cards below and on either side of the fish tank. Of course, water surface will reflect it's environment.

Photoshop

It was the shapes that engaged my imagination that made the final cut. Some lend themselves more to projection than others.

Well, it took about 2 hours to shoot and another hour to process. When you get what you are after, you just know it.

Uh, I like that question… I’d say Phillip Glass

Fashion photography is about trends. Art is timeless.

I am still shooting with Canon 20D. I will upgrade but don’t feel a real need just yet. I would rent if I needed to work a project that required printing to large scale.

I used to be until I realized that gear is only one small part of quality. Lighting and post-processing are far more important. Now I focus mostly on concept. Technology is the smallest component of my work in photography.

External hard disk but it’s getting full. I’ll be buying a terabyte soon. I work on a mac and for now don’t see that it would change anytime soon… famous last words…

No but I love the idea. It’s the spontaneity of that process that appeals to me.

I’d get a team of like-minded creative individuals and pour the money in the media (billboards, TV, print, web, etc.) to present ideas like Psychic Shiver to the public at large.

Rarely but I do feel drawn back to the canvas. My representational painting ability is not well developed so I stick to ideas that are not limited by my technique.

The most obvious sign is technical failure/inability. It pulls my attention away form that which I should be focusing on: the piece as a whole. And that goes for both, mastery of medium and visual elements. Intentionality is something I sense so very subjectively but I trust my gut, holistic way of perceiving, to recognize intentionality and genuineness. This way of evaluating is of course entirely subjective on my end but I have found that there is some consistency in intersubjectivity when it comes to selecting more and less successful works of art even from among works of accomplished artist.

Often I ask myself: “Does the world need another photograph?” A related question then arises: “Why create?” “Why art?” and if I can’t answer that question to my satisfaction, then I wait until I can or just feel excited about an idea.

Assist. Assist. Assist and shoot. Shoot. Shoot.

Sure! But it is not up to the art school but up to the student to learn and develop. We all create in a context and I also believe: “Nothing in, nothing out.” Creativity needs to be stimulated; art schools and fellow art students maybe good for that. There is also the discipline, history, and structure that a formalized learning environment provides so well.

Jesse Lindsay for the organic qualities within the elements of graphic design