"L'Amout sous L'Ombrelle"

The indifferent iron skies of Donetsk, Ukraine are more likely to produce championship boxers than fine artists but Andrei Proutsouk can take something from the reference.

"They both require intense dedication and great strength. In boxing, a knockout can be a thing of beauty, and so is the feeling of having made a great painting," Andre says.

A bleak environment encourages the imagination. While attending the dreary public schools of Donetsk, Andrei's teachers noted his precocious talent. Andrei was transferred to the Donetsk Art School, and then to the Lugansk School of Fine Art. Later on, Andre was recommended to the prestigious Repine Academy of Art in storied St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg is as far from Donetsk as Peoria is from New York City. Even through the bleak Stalinist epoch, St. Petersburg remained the sentimental capitol in the hearts of most Russians. Fond memories of St. Petersburg account for a certain wisfulness in the Ukrainian emigre. But it was in America that Andre accomplished his ultimate dream. With his wife and son, he moved to the United States in 1994. There he was able to meld the discipline and training of the great Russian academies with the wild freedom of expression infusing American culture. Andrei found America strange, but welcoming.

"It was like surfing....like riding the waves of the post-glasnost era. I wasn’t prepared for such a friendly welcome from Americans eager for the humble works of a poor Russian artist," says Andre, with a trace of irony in his expression.

A question often asked of Russian émigré artists is how their work was changed by moving to their adopted country.

"I owe a great debt to both worlds....to freedom and tradition... and also to my brilliant professor E. Moiseenko during my studies in St. Petersburg", observes Andre.

Both new and old traditions of influence are reflected in Andrei's recent paintings. Andre makes frequent and playful references to American iconic symbols in his new work. Female football players, jazz musicians, svelte dancers, archly sophisticated diners in evening dress, sexy billiard players, even beachgoers are given new meanings and arranged into intersecting planes and fractured mosaics of sensuality and power.

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	"Gaffed Rig Cat"

On September 1, 1953, Douglas Kimbel Weiland was born on an American military base in Nuremberg, Germany. His father, commissioned as a Captain, was stationed oversees after the War. Upon completion of active duty, he relocated the family to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Here in the countryside of Chester County, Kim spent the majority of his childhood days.

The desire to paint surfaced at an early age but growing up in the rural countryside allowed little in the way of instruction. Parental support and encouragement led to private study with local artist Anthony Trezza, and further instruction with Pat Witt, a prominent South Jersey Painter.

In September of 1972, Kim moved to Philadelphia and entered Tyler College of Art; there many influences prepared the way for further study abroad. In 1975, he moved to Italy, studying one year at The Tyler School in Rome. At this point, travel became an obsession. Sketches and paintings reflect time spent throughout Italy, Northern Europe, Yugoslavia and Tunisia.

Weiland graduated from Tyler in June of 1976, with a Bachelor of Fine Art's Degree and relocated to Ocean City, New Jersey. The serene influences of the coast soon found a stronghold in his style and paintings from this period concentrate almost exclusively in watercolor. The transparent qualities of the medium, responded well to the study of color and light as Weiland began to record the ever-changing image of the coast.

During the 90's, a return to the oil palette coincided with extensive study in the styles and works of Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins. His work expanded beyond the boundaries of the Mid Atlantic to explore the further reaches of the coast. Traveling North into Maine, the trail is recorded in paint from Newport to Mount Dessert. During this period the works of Ogden Pleissner, as well as the many images of Andrew Wyeth became an inspiration.

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	"Schuylkill Skyline"

I was born on a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. After three semesters majoring in Basic Engineering under the Army Reserve Training Program, I served in the Philippines with the 29th Engineers Topographic Battalion. For four years I majored in Illustration and graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As a freelance illustrator in Philadelphia for forty years I had a variety of publishing, advertising, corporate, and architectural clients. Since 1976 I have produced a number of limited edition prints from my paintings which have been used by private and corporate clients, as well as for specially commissioned projects. I am also a graduate of the Philadelphia Biblical University. My drawings and paintings of Biblical themes have been published internationally. I am represented by Ocean Galleries in Avalon and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, William Ris Galleries in Stone Harbor, and Newman Galleries in Philadelphia. For nearly thirty years I have exhibited in the Stone Harbor Art Show.

My usual procedure in a commissioned project is to go on site, make sketches, take photos, produce a sketch for approval, and proceed with the final painting. Often, limited edition prints are produced, under my supervision,for special gifts. Currently I am involved in this kind of project for Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center in Philadelphia.

Visit Independent Website. williamressler.fineaw.com

	"Girl with Towel"

The Road To Being A Visual Poet: Artist, Art Instructor Len Garon is recognized as a talented, versatile, and successful artist and art educator in today's art world. He has exhibited in important galleries throughout the USA and in many important corporate, private, and museum collections. He has been a featured artist at Art Expo NY since l983 and many Art Publications. He has been the “Official Artist” for many important events and for notables like Chubby Checker. Len is recognized as one of the leading art instructors in the United States because of his versatility with subject matter and painting mediums. He is equally at ease with oil paint, watercolor/gouache, pastel, acrylic, and gold leaf.
In 1974, Len received the "Most Creative Artist" award for his work in gold leaf and oil. Enjoy reviewing his "Road to Being a Visual Poet."

"How My Artistic Fire Got Ignited"

When I was approaching the time for College, I was encouraged to get a degree that would provide me with a "real job." So art was not the right choice. I received alternate appointments to the Naval Academy and the principal appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy. Instead, I earned my BA and MPA in Public Administration. When I graduated with my Bachelors degree I spent the summer traveling for 3 months in Europe as a student on a small budget. When I went to the Tate Museum, the Louvre, Florence and Rome, the "Art Flame" in me was ignited. I was so inspired by the beauty and creations that I saw that I wondered how anyone could create such beautiful paintings and sculpture. After that I wanted to know what potential I had in art. What was my voice and creative ability? What could I do, see, feel, or create? My artistic training was limited to some sketching on my own and painting a few "paint by number" paintings. I was encouraged to paint by many relatives and friends and their support inspired me.

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