Learn About the Art you Love

Here at circa.versity, you’ll expand your knowledge of the artisan world by reading about the techniques used to create some of what you’ll find when you walk into circa. Tuition is free, so share it with your friends.

_____________________________

Handpainted Silk – Creating a Masterpiece That You Can Wear

“I am magnetized by color and inspired by silk, an amazingly soft, sensuous and durable fabric.” – Joy Light

Watch the video to learn about the techniques of handpainting silk, and join us during the month of February, 2012 for a trunk show of Joy Light Handpainted Silk.                  

Joy Hand Painted Silk Demonstration from Joy Light on Vimeo.

_____________________________

The Giclée

What was considered fine art in the beginning? The creation of the world? Surely, one cannot look around and say “no” to that one. Over the centuries, art has evolved from pastes of ground up stones or plant extracts being used to paint scenes on cave walls to using highly specialized paint, tools and techniques to create much of what we see today. Over the past several years, art has continued to evolve as digitally-created art is becoming more prevalent all around us. Artists have begun to use bits and bytes to create and construct what inspires, stirs, or sometimes haunts them. The keyboard and mouse have become the sticks with animal hair attached to one end. Just as in painting with oils or watercolors, many hours are spent composing each piece; adjusting the lighting, adding shading, mixing custom colors and integrating minute details to create a masterpiece.

So how do you get these skillfully-created works onto your wall? Print it, of course, but not by any ordinary means. The term “Giclée” (zhee-clay) was coined in 1991 to describe a new type of printing that was created for fine art printmaking. The term is based on French words that mean “to squirt, spurt or spray”. The artists’ vision is rendered by spraying archival inks onto high-grade canvas to create long-lasting pieces of exceptional quality. Some artists choose to create editions of their work, while others vow to make each piece an original.

The pieces you see here are original, one-of-a-kind Giclées by Michael DeHaven. “The Silent Piano” on the right was done in collaboration with his wife, Olga Golanov, whose collages have been exhibited worldwide. Come into circa. look at them, study them and let them take you into their world.