Artist of the Week, Lucretia Torva- Queen of Chrome
Lucretia Torva has been often revered by our fans as the “Queen of Chrome”. You would be hard-pressed to find another artist that can master chrome the way Lucretia has. Lucretia’s work has been displayed all over the country and can be viewed at Angelica Gallery & Framing and at the Scottsdale International Auto Museum. Lucretia has been interviewed before and you can find that interview here: Inspirations: Living The Dream. Lucretia answered our questions and submitted three images of featured work of hers. Please enjoy the samples of Lucretia’s work that we have included along with her personal insights as a true artist dedicated to her craft.
There’s certainly some good automotive artists out there. Quite a few of them simply represent the car in a competent realistic manner. I like to create an image of a cool car with some personality!
2. What inspires and motivates you now?
To Create images that make people go “Wow!” and/or bring tears to their eyes!
3. What do you feel or experience when you are creating?
Elation, Power, Tenderness, Love, Desire, Lust, Happiness, Surprise, Oneness…
4. Are there certain things or people that influence your creative flow or process?
The feel of laying paint across a canvas-Observing the life around me-Viewers’ reactions and comments. Music
5. What is your favorite atmosphere or environment in which you like to create?
Getting ideas is a different process from actually producing a painting. I get ideas most anywhere: a car show, a meditation session, while driving, in the shower, etc. The painting process itself works best with a nice block of time and some music that is pleasantly stimulating.
6. What would you say would be the one thing you would like someone to take with them when viewing your work, if anything?
I’d like the viewer of my work to be more aware of their own environment. By my painting a lot of detail and contrast, many people feel there is so much detail in my paintings that they would have missed. They seem to acquire a keener interest in really “seeing” what’s around them, even if only for a moment!
7. What other professions, interests, or hobbies do you have?
I am interested in knowing at least a little bit about a lot of subjects. I am intrigued by science and space. I love to travel. I enjoy nature and receive a lot of support from being in nature, enjoying trees and clouds and a lovely breeze. I like most crafts even though I don’t have time to engage in them: ceramics, woodworking, knitting, sewing…
8. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Easy….a successful, profitable artist who brings excitement and joy into the lives of those who view and own my art.
9. What advice would you give someone just wanting to start out with their art career?
Be willing to put in time at getting really good at what you do…be very skilled so that when you do think up something to create…you can pull it off!
Dark Art Exhibit
Angelica Gallery likes to have regular exhibits with unique themes. These exhibits give different artists the unique opportunity to have their work displayed in an art gallery and seen by diverse crowds of people. This also gives the artist the opportunity to expand their portfolio. All of our exhibits become experiences as artists and fans of art in all its forms come together to celebrate art and good company.
In September Angelica Gallery had a Dark Art Exhibit that featured art work ranging from aliens to masks and various forms of Goth and Macabre. We had a Fire Dance performed by Jennifer Burden Blossom to add to the ambiance of the dark art theme and guests were welcome to dress the theme as well. We always post a collection of images from each exhibit on our Facebook Fan Page and the album for this exhibit can be seen there. Our goal is to also find artists that we want to list and as we continue to build our website we will link our artists and their work to their own websites.
November 12th we are already planning our next exhibit. We are looking at having an Angel/Devil themed exhibit featuring art that can be considered scandalous by some and a celebration by others. We had a similar exhibit in July called, “Celebration of the Human Form” which was a great success. To view images from this event that truly became more of an experience you can view them on our July 2011 Exhibits album.
We are always looking for new artists and unique types of art so please don’t hesitate to contact Micah at, micah@angelicagalleryonline.com for more information on the gallery, events, or any other questions. If you are interested in submitting any work, please include jpegs of the work you want considered. Don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook Fan Page to stay current with what we are doing!
Artist of the Week, Dale O’Dell
Last week we featured Dale O’Dell as our Artist of the Week on our Facebook Fan Page. As our featured artist we sent Dale 10 questions to answer so that we may post them in our final blog along with images of some of his work so enjoy the images we have attached along with his responses to the questions.
- What would you say was the first thing or moment that got you inspired to start creating?
Very young. As a kid my parents enrolled me in a lot of after-school art classes. I wasn’t a very good painter or too good at drawing but I did learn all the fundamentals. In the 7th grade I was introduced to photography and discovered that photography was the medium for me. Photography is a blend of both art and science and I took to it. I enjoyed both the creative time behind the camera and the scientific aspect of the darkroom. I didn’t choose art, art chose me.
2. What inspires and motivates you now?
Curiosity. I’m interested in things I have not seen before so I’m motivated to push the limits of photography and digital art. I’m also motivated by the classical surrealists and have closely studied the works and writings of Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and others. Today, as a result of the ‘digital revolution’ of photography I find more inspiration from the history of painting than photography. Technology allows me to use photography in ways that go far beyond the traditional photograph. The ‘photograph’ is no longer my final destination creatively.
3. What do you feel or experience when you are creating?
Joy, discovery and a lot of hard work.
4. Are there certain things or people that influence your creative flow or process?
Photographic influences are Pete Turner, Mitchell Funk, Jerry Uelsmann, Man Ray and the classic American Western photographers, f-64 group, etc. From painting, influences are Dali, Magritte, Jacek Yerka, and Picasso. Science-fiction literature is also an influence including authors such as Frank Herbert, Robert Charles Wilson and Robert J. Sawyer. I like surrealist writers like Jeff Noon. Another influence is progressive rock music. This is the music that’s not heard much on the radio. Just as I seek novelty and innovation visually, I appreciate musicians that continually push boundaries to create something truly new; musicians and bands such as Steve Hackett, 1970’s Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Watch, Pendragon, Jadis, The Tangent, Marillion, Marc Dwane, Erik Wollo, Cairo, The Flower Kings, etc. Freud and Jung are influential. Those who don’t follow formula are my primary influences. As diverse as this list is, all of it somehow gets into my brain, is processed, and comes out in my work.
5. What is your favorite atmosphere or environment in which you like to create?
When photographing I prefer to work alone, both in the studio and on-location. Also when working at the computer in my studio I prefer to be left alone, frequently for hours or days, and I require time for quiet contemplation. I work out many concepts during that time between fading wakefulness and sleep.
6. What would you say would be the one thing you would like someone to take with them when viewing your work, if anything?
The joy of discovery and the impetus to THINK.
7. What other professions, interests, or hobbies do you have?
I ride motorcycles which brings me great joy and freedom. Motorcycling exercises different parts of my brain, is physically demanding and serves to ‘reset’ my creative thinking. I play classical guitar, not very well, but I work at it specifically because it’s HARD to do. I’m also tangentially involved in paranormal research including UFology, Cryptozoology, ghost-hunting, psychic-functioning and remote-viewing. Quantum physics interests me a lot.
8. Give an example of a difficulty you have had to overcome.
Introversion.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully as a more recognized and collected artist and not living under a bridge!
10. What advice would you give someone just wanting to start out with their art career?
Success is the result of not quitting.
To see Dale O’Dell’s work in person and to look through some of his published books you can visit us at Angelica Gallery, 3607 E. Campbell Ave. in Phoenix. You can find more of Dale O’Dell’s work at his website: http://www.dalephoto.com/.
Who Is Angelica Gallery & Framing?
Angelica Gallery & Framing is an art gallery located in an old home that was commercialized in the Arcadia area in Phoenix, AZ that has also incorporated a framing business as part of the gallery. The gallery’s curator is Carlos Duran who is an accomplished artist himself and is responsible for the Angelica logo. As an artist and experienced framer, Carlos is able to identify with other artists and the difficulties of finding professional and artistic framework along with reasonable prices. Carlos also knows all too well the challenges that so many artists in various mediums have displaying their work in fine art galleries. Because of Carlos’ familiarity with all of these potential issues and his strong passion for art and keeping art alive in our communities, he opened Angelica Gallery & Framing.
Angelica Gallery & Framing has regular exhibits with unique themes to give different artists of all mediums and genres the opportunity to have their work displayed in a fine art gallery along with Masters like Salvador Dali and Picasso to name a few. Angelica is also a beautiful setting for any event including networking events and fashion shows. Angelica can also professionally stage any business or home for special events and also has artwork available for locally owned businesses that may want to hang artwork. Also, Carlos is available to do murals and any other paintings specific for a home or business.
We at Angelica Gallery & Framing believe strongly in keeping art alive in our communities. Any form of art is a personal expression and the creative process is an important and very therapeutic one. As we continue to build on the Angelica name and broaden not only our view but the community’s view of art, we will continue to strive to look for different types of art and artists along with people who believe in art, it’s value and importance. We look forward to future exhibits, events, and auctions that will be experiences in themselves and encourage any and all feedback.
Please follow us on our Facebook Fan Page and join us in keeping art in our present and future! For questions or more details, please email our Gallery Manager directly at, micah@angelicagalleryonline.com. Our website is still under construction but will be up and running soon! We will keep you all posted! Thank you for your patience!
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