S A Schimmel Gold - Schimmel Art

"Eleven Aspects of Women"

2012-01-18T08:23:00.003-07:00

Lately, I've had a real yen to "just paint" and have had a reprieve between projects. I bought a bunch of small canvases and started a somewhat improvisational process. If you know me, you know I have a thing for women's faces [just look at my collection!]. It got me thinking as I started sketching... What does it mean, really, to be a woman. To be a positive influence on the world. What might

What I did on my summer vacation

2011-08-01T12:25:00.378-07:00

Norm & I took a much needed stress-buster vacation to Scotland... with a little bit of England thrown in there, too. Day to fly. First to Philadelphia with a lay-over that gave us enough time to have some pizza before boarding for Glasgow - we arrived the next day. Took a bus to a train station to a bus to a train to Edinburgh [we were so excited to travel by train...we fell asleep!]. Could

Words & Text[ure] by...Bob...and Bob

2011-07-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

A sentimental journey... Before you read more, open an extra tab and listen to this song in the background [there's nothing to watch]. Go ahead, I'll wait. I just completed this new portrait inspired by a young Bob Dylan. I thought about those early days in coffee houses...blues-y moods, dark rooms...sad songs. I created a brick wall texture for the background and his coat and gave them a special

can't leave well enough alone...

2011-07-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

I am one of those artists whose brains never shut off.I am always thinking, considering, re-designing. There is was, the brand new Jim Morrison inspired portrait.Sitting in the studio, waiting for a final coat of lacquer. I looked at it. "Something's wrong," I thought. "I just need to fix that one shadow, it's bugging me." I fixed the shadow.I stood back.Now the other shadows seemed wrong.So I

An article I wrote for...

2011-07-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

...another publication. I was just submitting a story, and who knows if it will be published?! So, since I already wrote it, I'll post it here. Yeah, it's a little long. How grateful am I! It took time, it was a struggle, I still have a long way to go, but what I have learned is “it’s never too late to be what you might have been” - George Sand. I was the quiet kid, drawing in my room...the

Mosaic Inspiration

2011-06-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

When people view my work, they wonder...how did you get from this [above] to this [below]? How did I end up creating mosaic portraits out of junk mail? Well... imagine two lines in space...on a course to intersect. My work represents those converging lines. Line one - I've always painted portraits. Years ago, I started attempting to make my paintings resemble mosaics. Like, actually painting

The Kindest Cut

2011-06-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's me and my scissors again. I am working on this intricate portrait. As I was going yesterday, I started to think of how many times I cut ONE piece of paper to create the "tiles" I fit together. First, I cut the from the "raw material"- whether it's a postcard, catalog cover, packaging, business card...etc. One hack to separate a block of color from the rest. Next, as I go through any

Rollercoaster Redux

2011-05-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

I create art from all sorts of twisted inspiration. I see an image, it starts going where it's going and I follow it. The impulse is the action. I have an affinity for music, and sometimes a simple song inspires me, but then the materials at hand take me somewhere else, and then...I take off in another direction. Sweet Honey Rox...before A few years ago, I created an image of a fabulous diva

The connection between advertising and art [mine, anyway]

2011-05-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

original ad [I found it] An ad for Target a year ago was SO cute I hung on to it. A girl with a wistful expression and long straight hair in a cute spring dress...flowers in there somewhere. original painting A few weeks ago I painted a woman with long hair... and a long neck...and although I always start with a painting, my work doesn't always end up looking exactly the same [to me, anyway

The Blogosphere!

2011-05-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

So, I got a request for images for a blog. Sometimes I respond, sometimes I don't...depending on the blog. If it looks like an aesthetic fit, them seem legit, and they ask for PERMISSION to use my images, and they PROMISE to add a link back to my site, I say yes. Am I crazy? Or crazy good? So the latest, blog, My Modern Metropolis did a short story, but included a lot of pics. Thanks, Alice -

What I won't do, darn it!

2011-03-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

I love my collectors. They obviously have great taste, they like my work! They "get it." Most of the time. But I have to say...at this point in my career, I am no longer open to "suggestions." I've spent my lifetime developing a style, a technique, a voice. I do what I do because it works for me. It brings me great joy. I know what I like, I know what I'm good at. I also know my art is not

Commission Time!

2011-02-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

>>>>Not a very good photo, but you get the idea.AbstractStylized City ScapeGeometric ShapesUrban color scheme...Urban Geo-ScapeThis one is 24x36" junk mail - on masoniteWhite, Black, Shades of GreyAcid Green, Orange and Red.Framed.

Not just another pretty face...

2010-02-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Not just another pretty face?I realize a lot of people really appreciate my work, but they just aren't into faces. I get it.So, in a flash of inspiration, I took to my library of books - tile, art nouveau decor, elements of design, stained glass, architectural elements, turn-of-the-century architecture... to find a couple of images that would spark my imagination.Results? Three new pieces.Each

Doing it the hard way...call me Make-ee Do-ee.

2010-01-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am all about having my hands in and on everything I do.I was working in the studio last night and the piece I am working on now is taking me WAY too long! I thought I was doing something simple, but I just don't know how to [or won't] take shortcuts.I paint everything by hand. Sometimes over and over until I think it's right. Then I cover the whole thing up!I cut everything by hand. I was

Cherry Blossom

2010-01-21T10:32:00.003-07:00

I was thumbing through W magazine [one of my favorites] and found a series of fashion photos featuring a model with a sweet face and a bob haircut. It reminded me of the 20's.I drew her, painted her and started the mosaic on her face.For some reason, I decided to give it Japanese twist - creating radiating stripes - gold and red behind her. I liked it! I was reading something or other about

Waverly

2010-01-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

I saw a photo in a magazine, and loved the face. Long elegant nose, blue eyes, full lips. I knew I wanted to to draw something from this inspiration, something about her spoke to me in pastels.I knew the title needed to start with a W... and when speaking to my friend Lynne, I asked her to come up with every W name... she rattled them off and when she got to Waverly - I knew that was it!I drew

Smoulder

2010-01-19T09:08:00.001-07:00

Smoulder. Definition? Slow Burn. With those eyes and pursed lips, arched brow... this girl's on FIRE!Usually, when I draw and paint faces, I'm very very tight and controlled - a perfectionist. This time, I wanted to be a little loosey-goosey. I drew and painted with fluid motions. I let go of the need to control every detail.And, I usually paint pretty pictures. This one is perhaps a little

Klio

2010-01-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

I love the Arts and Crafts Movement, I love the work of Gaudi, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright. And, one of my favorite artists is Gustav Klimt. I probably shouldn't group that bunch together, but it works in my mind.Klio.The title is a synthesis of Klimt and Cleopatra. I drew the face first. Deep dramatic shadows, and piercing blue eyes. I knew the background would be mostly

My Grandmother & Needlepoint &...

2010-01-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, my Grandmother taught me many things. She didn't live with us, but she did visit quite a bit.She was born in Hungary. When she was a child, she lived on a farm. When she was an adult, she lived in the city - but never forgot.She was an extremely proud person and very religious. She prayed every morning and every evening.She taught me how to cook - by intuition, by feel.

Mother Nature - Inspiration

2010-01-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is my newest piece [until later today, anway]... Mother Nature is 24x48" on canvas.While working on my Angels & Icons series, my friend Julie suggested Mother Nature... and that I would figure out a way to incorporate branches...perhaps coming out of her head!When I drew this face on the canvas, I was thinking of a more traditional tree...but came across an invitation to a grand opening

Those [dreaded?] [delightful?] Four Words...

2009-11-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

Back when I had a "real" [corporate] job, my staff dreaded the four words... These days, my family takes delight [most of the time] in those same four words..."I have an idea."When I was in my corporate job, the words "I have an idea" meant only one thing - more work for the staff. Okay, the pay-off was always positive, but it meant re-tooling, re-writing, or just a pile more to do. We don't need

Interview with Sandhi

2009-11-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

I got these questions for an interview with a magazine. Not sure what will be published, but here are my answers - Why I got into art and what I do day-to-day. Let me know if you think it's interesting!

Working in Isolation...the mind of the artist

2009-04-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm blabbering again.It took me many years to realize this, but creativity - in any form - is an isolated act. Yeah, you can brainstorm with co-workers and friends...you can jam, improvise, challenge - but each new idea that crops up in your brain came from within/from nowhere... from [as Deepak Chopra has said] "the thinker behind the thoughts."So - here's a blank canvas, or sheet of paper, or

Custom Portraits

2009-04-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I participated in Access Hollywood's "Things You Must..." Gift Lounge for the Golden Globe awards.My "gift" was a choice - either a "instant gratification" gift of one of a selection of giclees - or a small custom portrait.I've done a few of those already - but I am particularly proud of the one [below] that I just finished today for Deanna Russo - star of "Knight Rider" on

What's Happening Now... S A Schimmel Gold

2009-04-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

At the moment... The last few years have been a whirlwind of activities, many taking me away from and out of the studio. I've been distracted at times, and have participated in too many activities. I will spend the next 6 months hunkering down, concentrating on my new direction; re-shaping my work, paring down the messaging

After the show

2009-03-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more satisfying to me, as an artist, than meeting the people I create my artwork for. When the adorable couple from Canada spotted the one piece that was meant for them =[Film Noir] and instantly fell in love with it - I knew it was meant to be.Recently, I've been thinking about a new direction and experimented with a piece I created right before the show - and a gentleman saw it and

Buying art / Being an artist in this economy

2009-03-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

So, it's true, I want you to buy my art. I am not going to apologize about it.Every artist is a small business.Every artist is a consumer.Buying art sends money into the economy.Take me, for example.I am a wife, a parent, a home owner, a pet mom. I am a consumer. I buy groceries at the local market, I put gas in my car, I get my hair cut, I buy clothes, I go out to eat [less often], I pay my

Yes, I am the smart-ass artist

2009-03-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

I make art for YOU. I am in love with each piece as I create it, but then I am happy to let it go.Here are some of the questions I get asked every time I show my work. Yes, I am a smart-ass.FAQ: 1. "Are YOU the artist?" - When people meet me in person, they seemed to be surprised at my appearance - were you expecting someone taller? younger? male? thinner? African-American...blonde? 2. "How

Access Hollywood Gift Lounge

2009-01-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone's been asking me about the "Stuff You Must" Gift Lounge - I gave each celebrity a choice of a custom portrait or a giclee of one of three pieces. You'll just have to keep an eye on my web site to see who got a portrait - I'll post them once they're done!The Access Hollywood “Stuff You Must” Gift Lounge ExperienceHere’s who I met… and a few other visitors who were there but didn’t stop

Your Art is Your Legacy.

2008-12-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings!The other day, I was thinking about how much art influenced my life - as a child, a teen, an adult - how of course, it keeps influencing my life on a daily basis as I am no longer just an observer or admirerer.. I am also a creator.I was thinking about ways to convince people to buy art in this difficult economy...considering the idea of how your choice in acquiring and displaying

Mosaic Portraits

2008-10-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hello!Welcome to my new blog.I create mosaic portraits using junk mail as my tiles.Please visit my web site to see more or read more about me.Shttp://www.schimmelart.com