What artwork moves you?

Since this blog was intended to be about my artwork, I do end up talking quite a bit about me. Well, today that is about to change.

Besides an artist, I am of course also an art lover and thus collector. There are very few things that move me as much as experiencing an exceptional piece of art on a daily basis. When arriving here in Savannah, my favorite artists' artwork were hung long before half the boxes were unpacked. TJ and I often laugh at our dilapidated furniture, however the few art pieces I have managed to acquire leaves me feeling rich beyond measure.

This is some of the artwork in my home that moves me;

The first is a piece by Tina Mammoser, an artist originally from Chicago currently living in London. I have been fortunate enough to pick this piece up in person at Tina's London studio and meet her in person after she has been an inspiration to me for many years. I believe Tina is an abstract artist in the true sense of the word. She cycles all over the U.K. -especially the coastal areas and then takes her experiences & visions back to her studio where she captures them in the most beautiful and honest way. For more about Tina, please visit her website, Tina-m.com

This second piece is a glass sculpture by Steve Sizelove. I think most people would agree with me when I say that there is something about glass that is not like any other medium out there. Besides it's beauty and texture, there is something secretive, something so delicately intriguing.  To think that before man learned the secret of glassmaking, nature was the world's glassmaker. Lightning striking sand melted it into tubes of glass, volcanoes erupting melted rocks…

Being fascinated with glass, Steve kindly invited me to his studio and made this figure while I watched (and posed :) For more about Steve's work see SteveSizelove.com 

This third piece is titled 'Red Gold' and part of an elements series by Anita Lewis who said; "The elements are the hidden treasures of the earth, and whether decorative or practical, poisonous or healthy, destructive or useful, they are the road into science, or avenues to the metaphysical." 

I've had the pleasure to exhibit with Anita at a series of Art Expos both in New York and Las Vegas. Every time while walking the isles, Anita's work just stopped me dead in my tracks. I do not have the words to explain why, but there is something so touching about her delicate yet powerful works. Anita's site: AnitaLewis.com

Now I am almost feeling guilty about not mentioning the other artists who’s work I collect… but I’ll leave that for a next post.

Enouth from me. I would love to hear what artwork moves you? 

Getting back to work

After arriving in Savannah it has been hard getting back to work. Of course working out of a hotel room had its obvious challenges. This reminds me of the days, many years ago, when I worked out of a hospital bed. I also recall nurses that were not all too impressed with the smells of varnish surrounding my quarters (nor the stains on my bed linen… :)

Although filled with ideas and inspiration, creating a new place from where to create has been an interesting challenge. I never thought about it much; why does it feel great being in one surrounding and just not right in another? Now I am not even going to talk about the challenges being 33 weeks pregnant adds to the whole process of setting up studio...

While working on my new temporary studio, I’ve been spending a lot of time behind the drawing board. One of the most wonderful things about drawings; you can do them anywhere! In the meantime am I also planning a new mixed media (oil, pencil & charcoal) series, which will be the first paintings to be born here in Savannah.

New Drawings: 'Turning Within I & II'

"I create from within. The Figure is a portrayal of a search that start inside and ends, if it ever does, deeper inward. Since I dislike the long monologues, I create a companion to whom I can talk. This dialogue can be very real sometimes" -Vladan Ignatovic

Turning Within I

Turning within II

The Art Model's Handbook

Recently when Andrew, a model friend of mine contacted me in regards to a figure modeling guide he is writing, I immediately knew it was a great idea. There are so many aspiring models out there that I talk to on a daily basis and the same questions always come up; 'where do I start, what should I do, not do….' ? 

In The Art Model's Handbook I think Andrew, an experienced life and photography model, really captured a lot of topics essential to both models, artists, art teachers and everyone involved in figurative art.

Models play such a crucial part of any figurative artist’s work and with no real training out there, this book is definitely long overdue. Available from Amazon

Best of luck, Andrew!  

The cover is a painting I have done of the author, Andrew Cahner in 2004

Southern Inspiration

After just over two weeks in Savannah, I have never had more ideas and inspirations that I am itching to put down on canvas. While strolling through the exceptional, historic squares (and there are 24 of them!) underneath old curling branches decorated with Spanish moss I really feel like I am in a different world. Since arriving here we’ve been living in a Hotel where there is of course little space for easels and canvasses. The preceding weeks have also been filled with preparations and distribution of work to galleries & publishers. Therefore my need for creation is at an all time high. However early June I will be getting back to what I now long for most!

Photo above taken@ 

Hilton Head Island

Antoine Art Studio moving to Savannah, GA

After 6 wonderful years in the Midwest, the time has come to continue the journey and go and experience a new part of the country. So in just a few days Savannah, Georgia will be 'home'. Although I have only spent a weekend in Savannah, I was completely taken by the place, it’s energy and charm. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is of course one of the largest in the US and has a large influence on the city, which is unbelievably rich in history, culture, architecture and beauty. I have found Savannah to be very inspiring and I am sure this will be an amazing new chapter in my work.

Therefore if you are considering adding a new ‘Antoine’ to your collection, this week may be a very good time to do so… feel free to contact me for more details

Exhibition at Nan Miller Gallery

I have been invited to take part in a group exhibition at Nan Miller Gallery in Rochester, New York. The opening will be on Thursday, April 30th, 6:30pm (reservations required for opening night @ 585-292-1430) The exhibition will be up until May 30th. Unfortunately I will not be there in person due to prior commitments, but if you are in the area, please do stop by and let me know how it was!


"Levitate II" -one of the 7 originals to be displayed at this exhibition.