2024, The Lunar New Year of the Dragon

A new year, and another new beginning. There’s some new artwork to see new, I’ve included a few of the Colorful Insects Series colored pencil drawings today, they’re very realistic and detailed. The originals, Limited Edition HD Prints and additional printed merchandise items are all for sale on my sales website: alanabrahamartstudio.com

There are more there in addition to the LadyBug5 on my opening page. 20% Off your first purchase. If you have any questions or want a custom piece, feel free to contact me.

2022 ~ Another NEW Beginning ~ A New Studio!

Hi, It’s been an exciting time for us. We’ve moved to a NEW location, a larger art studio and expanded our business structure to include Art Classes. So far we have 5 new young people who are all at different levels of learning. Basic art skills are taught with one-on-one instruction and critique meetings are held monthly with all the students in attendance to learn the value of viewing, evaluating and voicing valuable insights.

While it took over 5 months to rebuild our new art studio, the effort has been worth it. The community has embraced us, and the students are excited about learning, experimenting and challenging their creativity.

Classical music pervades the environment to sooth and invigorate the creative juices of our staff and students. Watercolor, drawing and mixed media have been the more recent forms introduced over the past several weeks. I’ll share some of the results the students have produced as we plod along.

Now that the weather has warmed and Spring has brought forth flowers, greenery and growth in our gardens, we incorporate the power of nature into our Art Studio and to the students as inspiration and understanding the ‘natural’ world, it’s significance and beauty.

A favorite college art professor comes to mind as I plan and teach each new class. The gift of giving to our next generation is so important, especially as our schools have cut back on funding art classes, both hands-on and art appreciation learning.

I was in the garden this morning pulling weeds after a Spring rainfall. These come out easily when the ground is soft and damp. I study the plants and see beauty even in these, yet strive to maintain a reasonable balance to maintain a healthy garden that’s diverse and lush. It’s time to plant vegetables and herbs soon now that the frost has disappeared. Rabbits, birds and squirrels are all over the yard as they forage on the many pickings growing and living there. This is a very different area we are now in, and it’s shaping up nicely. WELCOME!

It's Time to Grow Again

2021 ~ A Transitional Year ~ Ups & Downs
The world is in turmoil, the pandemic of COVID-19 has reared it’s ugly head just as the summer seemed like the veil of fear and isolation was lifted. While living in the rural Midwest, the shift for mask mandates and social distancing advanced into two distinct camps. Even food shopping has been a bit tedious as so many folks have refused to protect themselves or others. It’s daunting as the opposing political forces cease to make much sense.
Yet, I’ve found lots of independent artwork commissions to perform for new and existing clientele. I’m so grateful since it wasn’t really expected. Staying solvent and relevant has given me and the Studio88 staff a morale lift. Even as all the trouble our country is facing, we have forged forward into the abyss with an optimism that permeates the darkness.
Moving to a larger space is often a consideration, but not until it is absolutely necessary and viable on several levels. As our business has grown, it’s decided. We’re moving to a larger venue and the space will be more than enough to grow the art studio to accompany the upcoming commissions on the horizon. We’ll re-open at the end of October as soon as the new location is set-up. Look out for a new address, a new look and an evolution of artwork and design. This is great branching-out after over 4 decades of growth and dedication to the art world. Thank you for being a part of our growth!

Calligraphy on Envelopes sent via MAIL

After committing to write a letter daily to friends, relatives, clients and patrons, I have truly evolved my approach to lettering in colors, shades and ornamentation. The formal construct of an envelope to send mail is one I have been challenging lately by turning each piece into a real ‘work-of-art’ worth framing. While that was never my initial intent, it has since become the end result of their recipients. Yay! I truly love what I do, and it’s especially rewarding to share with the people I care about.

Doing The Work!

I was asked recently by a good friend what keeps me from retiring? Funny question, since I don’t recall ever saying I’d like to retire. As an artist I feel creating is like breathing. “Do the work or die”, I replied. He was stunned. “Really, you don’t plan to relax someday”, he asked. “ No. That’s not for me. I’ll work until I drop dead”, I replied. I know this sounds like a passionate discussion, but it wasn’t, just friendly repartee’. We often test one another’s mettle. It’s what only good friends can do.
So, I’m beginning another new project today. It’s scale is unusually large for a calligraphy/illustration piece. It’s also going to be in full-color. The layout has already been established, the materials are all collected and all I need now is some sunshine. Yes, the sunshine helps me focus clearly on the colors and how they’ll interconnect. I’ll use various salts in my inks and dyes to coalesce the pigments to create texture. This is a very difficult process to control, but I’ve mastered it after thousands of trials.
After the initial colors are laid and the watercolor paper has dried, the salt can be removed with a goats hair brush. It’s a very soft and thick brush that won’t scar the paper. Then the imagery emerges from the glowing colors left behind. Adding the final images is done in layers of application. The final application of 24k gold and filigree detail will complete the piece after many hours of arduous labor. Another breath, another day.

Summer 2021 - ArtStudio88

It has been too long between blog communications. My apologies. I have been recovering from cancer for over two years and am finally feeling ‘normal’. The ‘new normal’ is that I’m truly excited with the direction I’m heading in, returning to the East Coast by autumn to set up shop and home again. The Midwest experiment was less than ideal, but it sufficed to keep me and my assistant safe while the pandemic roared its ugly head. The newest form of calligraphy has evolved to a new standard, taking over 14 years to create. By the end of 2021 the complete new alphabet will be displayed and utilized for new commissions and applications. Look out for these. Thanks for reading!

Changes, Evolution and Survival…

2020 has been a very challenging year for the Art Studio88 as it has been for our global community. We are staying occupied with new art commissions for all of our clientele. We appreciate the patronage of new and the continuing support of our friends over the decades. New artwork will be featured here as will the evolution of new concepts and ideas. 2021 will hopefully be a turning point for us ALL. Stay safe and healthy.

2018, It's over already!

Another year has ended, or nearly so. It’s December 15th, 2018 and the holiday season is in full swing. Thanksgiving is behind us, and that 15 pound turkey I roasted is finally gone! The purchases for Christmas are done, and just a couple items remain to be made for those who prefer homemade gifts. Yes, I still make things!

The item that is still in pieces in my workroom is a large tropical floral arrangement and the large, heavy ceramic container it will be seated in. The flowers are handmade tropical white orchids with delicate hand-painted flowers and tissue paper details that are nearly impossible to distinguish from their real counterparts. Some fresh green moss (sterilized & preserved) will finish this arrangement with the ground cover and details for real twig branches.

2018, At last a new post!

I have been working, a lot! Where's the new artwork? It's on my board. Why? Because I've been doing home decor installations and art curation for 4 clients. 

It all started when they come to my home/studio and realize they want their personal space to look and feel like mine. Is it the artwork? The indoor trees? The use of color? The wide range of furniture styles? The lighting?

It's all those things and mostly about how to assemble these finds and creations into a livable and comfortable surrounding. I really live in my space, work there, too. I cook, entertain and relax in a beautiful, culturally rich environment with up-to-date technologies and old fashion values. 

Last year's series, "T W E L V E" The Animals of the Chines Zodiac, was a big success. Most of the original watercolors sold immediately to new collectors. Archival copies sold by the dozens. And, recently four 40" x 60" canvas copies will adorn a local popular local Asian Restaurant. 

2018 will feature the "F I V E" Dragons of Asia, each from different regions of Asia distinct to their origins. The Chinese Imperial Dragon. The Japanese Mountain Dragon. The Tibetan Cloud Dragon. The Korean River Dragon. And, the Sea Dragon. I've studied dragon myths and the artwork of many artists from Asia from periods that extend from the 16th through the 20th century.

I own over 200 silk and paper scrolls from Japan and China that span over 400 years. The history and the stories that accompany these mythological beings is as interesting as it ever was, and see that the world wants to understand these imaginary creatures. The HBO series 'Game of Thrones' features their version of the dragon as family weaponry. Their detailed bodies are depicted with many Asian details, yet are malevolent as in Western cultural norms.

So, be on the lookout for the newest version of these "F I V E" beginning by winter 2018.
Until then, CIAO! Alan

Art and collections of items from trips worldwide displayed in my living room from Italy, China, Spain, Japan, France and the United States.

Finally, a new piece is completed!

2016 has been laden with challenges, so getting a new art piece completed by May 1st has seemed nearly impossible. None-the-less, the 'Violet Dragon', a private commissioned piece is now complete, signed and stamped. The buyer will take possession of his new artwork this week, and I'm excited to get back to work on new artworks for an upcoming show in August 2016.

If you are creatively inspired, whether you're a painter, sculptor, writer or composer, having the energy and disposition to 'create' isn't always there. Life gets in the way sometimes. My health was challenging me after a nasty fall off the stairway and having a brain concussion. Months of dizziness, headaches and sleepless nights clouded my abilities to function. Gradually my perception and ability to focus and sit for long hours at my desk returned. The rest enabled me to focus on some new ideas and skills I'd been toying with, so the time was useful after all.

This latest piece is a fusion of illustration and calligraphic ribbons of color laced with detail of delicate pinpoint shading and decoration. The Violet Dragon is an imaginary vision of smoke and fire swirling elaborately skyward whilst a lone Akita (the buyers dog) looks on silently. The border is an elaborate decoration made up of swirling clouds and held in place by 4 letters, each initials of the buyers name, his wife's and his dog's. 

 

Final Sales of Cadel Capitals from 2015

These are: "S" Serpent, "B", "C", "P" and "F". These are the large 18 x 24 inch pieces, matted and framed to the highest standards to over 30 inches in off-white.