Posted October 04, 2023in Iowa Artist
Large floral canvases with muted colors fill Andrea Van Wyk’s studio at Mainframe Studios. The acrylic paint blends into the canvas, and her work is unencumbered by glass and frame. Look closely, and you’ll see she’s inspired by the styles of Georgia O’Keefe and Helen Frankenthaler, where the flowers spill
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Posted September 06, 2023in Iowa Artist
Like some artists, Jan Davison began her career with a “realistic” job, working as a graphic designer, which paid the bills. Yet, her dream job as an artist was always in the back of her mind. Davison attended Drake University, and, as a junior, she studied in Florence, Italy, taking
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Posted August 02, 2023in Iowa Artist
As a long-time art instructor and educator, Melynda Van Zee knew the techniques she needed to teach her students. Underpainting, shadowing and more help budding artists develop a framework to start their creation. Meanwhile, in the back of her mind, Van Zee dreamed of being a fine artist and creating
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Posted July 05, 2023in Iowa Artist
When visiting a Christian church, one would typically find images of Jesus, Mary and the crucifixion. At Lutheran Church of Hope at 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, parishioners will find those yet also view a gallery of featured artists’ paintings. The Lutheran Church of Hope’s artwork gallery
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Posted May 31, 2023in Iowa Artist
Lainey Beck’s passion for expressing her feelings through her art career has evolved from oil paintings, to stacking upholstered chairs, to encaustic artwork. CITYVIEW recently asked Beck about her artwork. What type of art do you do and how has it evolved? “The type of art I do is nonobjective
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Posted May 03, 2023in Iowa Artist
Art takes many forms. From oil paintings to charcoal drawings, to sculptures and statues. Art made from fabrics and textiles gives more depth — something you can touch. That’s what fiber and textile artist Genevieve Lavalle loves most about her artwork. Lavalle is located at Mainframe Studios. Her craft consists
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Posted April 05, 2023in Iowa Artist
Artist Chris Vance sits casually on a paint-stained stool, wearing a black Metallica T-shirt and torn jeans, among tall walls, including dozens of half-started paintings. He points to his reserve paintings hidden behind a thick blanket yet won’t reveal his work until his exhibit opens at Moberg Gallery. Vance’s 25-year
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Posted March 01, 2023in Iowa Artist
Artist Olesya Maupin is well known for her beautiful paintings in her hometown of Almaty, Kazakhstan, which borders Russia. As she invites me into her basement studio in Ankeny, she explains how her artwork began appearing in public buildings. As a 5-year old girl, she and her mom were sitting
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Posted February 01, 2023in Iowa Artist
After spending hours, weeks and months perfecting colors, shadows and shapes, artists are eager to share their creations. Locally, artists look to galleries, libraries, coffee shops and stores to display or sell their art. The Des Moines Arts Center displays top artists, yet it’s a nearly unattainable venue for local
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Posted January 04, 2023in Iowa Artist
Seso Marentes is to be known as an Iowa artist — not just an artist whose ancestors came from Mexico. He began his soul searching path to discover his Iowa roots. As a result, his artwork consists of a series of Mexican icons interlaced with symbols of Iowa. “It’s a
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