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Artist of the Month-Ana Sofía Castanon

12/28/2018

Artist Ana Sofía Castañón

Ana Sofía Castañón is a multi-talented artist hailing from Cancun, Mexico. Her Instagram is filled with brilliantly colored paintings of dreamy looking turtle grass with manta rays gliding along the ocean floor. It had us mesmerized and we just had to share her artwork.

After connecting with her, we learned that Ana Sofía is so much more than just a talented watercolor artist. Before dedicating her career to her artwork, Ana Sofía was a fashion

designer making bridal gowns and purses. As a young child, Ana went to art classes where she was introduced to pencils, acrylics, pastel and oil. In addition, she grew up in a family of designers, artists, architects, and writers who
encouraged her to develop her skills.

Today, Ana Sofía’s preferred mediums are watercolor, gouache and inks, which she chooses to paint with using Silver Black Velvet® brushes. “I have been using Silver Brushes for 3 years. When I discovered them, I had an instant crush. I use the Black Velvet® collection, which hold the exact amount of water needed. I love that they are very easy to use and very durable. The mix of natural squirrel hair and the synthetic filaments works perfectly.”

"Reina"

Ana Sofía’s art is influenced heavily by nature and the wonders around her. Growing up on her family ranch in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, she was free to discover while surrounded by animals, crops, and trails. “My childhood made me connect with nature and until this day, every time I need to recharge, I go to the sea to free-dive, or the jungle and explore.” After one particular free diving session, Ana Sofía started her “Ocean Dreams” series where she represents the ocean and reefs in a very colorful and peaceful way.

"Manta Rays"

To aspiring artists, Ana Sofía says this: “Many times we are afraid to take action or just become overwhelmed by the idea of what is needed in order to do whatever we dream of doing or becoming. When I decided I really wanted to make a living with my art, I had a job. I knew I had to paint everyday, so at first I started with 15 minutes until it became more than 8 hours daily. To me, it is all about facing my fears. I always put myself into very uncomfortable situations.

This is where all the great things have happened. So I encourage you to get out of the comfort zone as much as possible. If it makes you anxious, it’s probably good. The best is when I’m on the other side watching what made me scared.”

Currently, Ana Sofía is working on a series for exhibition next year and mural projects in her local community.

Instagram @anasofiacastanon
Facebook: @anasofiacastanonart
www.anasofiacastanon.com

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Artist of the Month - Dan Thompson

12/28/2018

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Artist Dan Thompson

Dan Thompson is quite accomplished when it comes to his accolades. Not only is he a co-founder of the Grand Central Academy of Art and the Janus Collaborative School of Art in New York, he was also appointed Dean at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia this summer, which according to Dan, is an “extraordinary honor.”

“A school of this caliber must not be underestimated as a place simply to take painting lessons—it is a guild of evolving artistic tactics and a conservatory of timeless figurative practice. As the new artistic leader, I am gratified to be at the vanguard of the conversation.”

In addition to his new position, Dan taught a controlled palette life painting class over the summer at the Art Students League of New York and a class entitled Musculoskeletal Gross Anatomy for the Figurative Artist at Weill Cornell College of Medicine.

There’s no question that Dan has his plate (or should we say palette?) full but he still manages to find time to paint his favorite subject: the human figure. “There is no rival to the human figure. It is a doorway into every metaphor, the embodiment of seeing itself. The figure is us. The human body, layered with rules and systems, structures and sciences, is endlessly rich and ceaselessly expressive. There is no other art which could replace its importance nor hold my fascination as immutably, so long as I inhabit a figure.”

"Kaitlyn" 18x24 Oil on Linen

For the last 10 years, Dan has been using Silver Brush LTD® Grand Prix® long and extra long filberts and Silverstone® filberts to create his art because “they are simply the best brushes available,” he says. “I started painting when I was 11 years old. My dad bought me a simple acrylic set and told me that I could work with his oils—but only after I had mastered the ‘preparatory’ acrylic media, using only water as medium.”

One of Dan’s favorite techniques to use in his artwork is the “color spot” technique used by Edwin Dickinson, who learned it from Charles W. Hawthorne and William Merritt Chase. The general idea is that the artist puts one stroke of color next to another, next to another and so on to create an image. This technique is seen clearly in much of Dan’s art.

"Jason" 18x24 Oil on Linen

Currently, Dan is working on a “composition of a full skeleton, arranged within a drapery mass and adorned with metallic pieces. Its kind of Birth of Venus—maybe a Death of Venus! Or a transcendence, which is how it feels. The cathartic aspect of painting is one of its most rejuvenating attractions.”

To the aspiring artist, Dan says this: “Genuine aesthetics are self-derived; Create works that

you can look back upon with contentment for having echoed your heart and not contorting your authentic vision to suit someone else’s style.”

To learn more about Dan, visit his website: www.danthompsonart.com
You can also follow Dan on facebook and instagram

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Artist of the Month-Ana Sofía Castanon

Artist of the Month - Dan Thompson

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