PW revised

Question 1

Ron Agam

Answer 1

Aesthetic Style: Ron Agam creates mesmerising kinetic art, following in his father Yaacov Agam’s footsteps. His recent works are called “3-DK,” standing for “three-dimensional kinetic”. His artwork is characterised by kinetic imagery, optical elements, and visual iconography that immediately engage the viewer.
Accolades: He received France’s highest civic recognition for his photography, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. His work, “La France,” is on permanent display in the French Embassy in New York. His artwork has also been featured in solo and group exhibitions globally.
Biography: Born in France, Ron was given a camera by his father at age 6 and became an award-winning photographer. In the 1980s, he moved to New York and opened his own gallery and art press in SoHo.
Main Points: Award-winning photographer – Kinetic art – son of Yaacov Agam.

Question 2

Yaacov Agam

Answer 2

Aesthetic Style: Yaacov Agam is one of the founders of Kinetic Art, incorporating the 4th dimension of time into his designs. He challenges the idea that art should only be viewed from limited perspectives, inviting each viewer to actively engage. Agam works across various media, including two- and three-dimensional painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, serigraphy, lithography, and etchings.
Accolades: He had a one-man retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1980. His works and art installations are displayed worldwide, such as “The Agam Fountain” in Paris, the “Fire and Water Fountain” in Tel Aviv, Israel, and “Reflection and Depth” at the Port Authority in New York. George Pompidou, president of the French Republic, commissioned him to create “Elysee Salon,” an entire room within the Pompidou museum. In 2010, one of his paintings sold for $698,000 at Sotheby’s New York, the highest price ever for an Israeli artist’s work. The Yaacov Agam Museum of Art opened in his hometown in 2017.
Biography: Born in Rishon LeZion, Israel, Agam trained in art in Jerusalem before moving to Zurich and then Paris, where his first one-person show in 1953 quickly earned him critical acclaim.
Main Points: Kinetic art – Installations all over the world – Agam Museum in Israel.

Question 3

Matt Beyrer

Answer 3

Aesthetic Style: Beyrer originated Natural Expressionism, an artistic style that merges the natural wood grain with his detailed landscapes, cityscapes, and still lifes. He is influenced by Old Masters like Rembrandt van Rijn and the Hudson River School artists for his use of light, and contemporary artists such as Drew Struzan.
Accolades: In his first year with Park West Gallery, he sold out every VIP auction featuring his art, a first for the gallery.
Biography: Born in Winter Park, Florida, Beyrer was inspired to paint after being bitten by a shark at age eight and watching Bob Ross. After graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2006, his unique style quickly gained popularity.
Main Points: Natural Expressionism – Incorporates wood grain into his paintings.

Question 4

Romero Britto

Answer 4

Aesthetic Style: Britto’s self-taught style is called “Neo-Pop Cubism,” combining Cubism, Pop Art, and graffiti, inspired by Picasso and Warhol. His style is known for patterns, bright colours, and creative use of his own name. His art aims to convey optimism, warmth, and happiness.
Accolades: His art has been showcased in over 140 galleries globally, including the Carrousel du Louvre. He has received commissions from Mini Cooper, BMW, Apple Latin America, Pepsi, Grand Marnier, and Disney. Britto was named the official ambassador for the 2016 Summer Olympics and created art for the 2007 Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014. In 2017, the Star Art Foundation commissioned him to create a work for Pope Francis.
Biography: Born in Recife, Brazil, Britto aspired to be an artist from age eight. He immigrated to the United States in 1988 and rose to prominence after a commission for Absolut Vodka. He is also a committed philanthropist.
Main Points: Neo-Pop Cubism – Self-taught artist – Created art for Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup.

Question 5

Michael Cheval

Answer 5

Aesthetic Style: Cheval’s “Absurdist” style is influenced by 19th-century theatre, Lewis Carroll, and Surrealists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. His detailed art features witty metaphors, optic juxtapositions, and nods to European folklore. He considers his work a “window to another reality” and invites viewers to become “co-authors” by deducing or imagining their own meanings.
Accolades: He held a critically acclaimed solo exhibition while still in art school. In 2000, he received the Exhibition Committee Award from the National Arts Club in New York City. He was selected as the Best of Worldwide Oil Artists in 2009. His works have been published in “Dreamscape 2010” among 50 world-renowned surrealist artists. His art is held in museums in Eastern Europe and private collections, including those of Gina Lollobrigida and Ian Gillan.
Biography: Born in Russia in 1966, Cheval grew up in a family of painters, poets, and sculptors. He attended the Ashgabat School of Fine Arts and worked as an illustrator in Moscow before immigrating to the United States in 1997, where his art was well-received.
Main Points: Absurdist – Inspired by Dalí and Magritte – Invites viewers to become “co-authors”.

Question 6

James Coleman

Answer 6

Aesthetic Style: Coleman works in oil, watercolor, gouache, and pastel, creating impressionistic and luminous pieces that convey warmth. He is celebrated as a master of color, light, and design.
Accolades: As one of the few artists licensed to create Disney imagery, his work is highly sought after, with contributions spanning over 30 years in film and fine art. He is also a naturalist and environmentalist, supporting National Parks and being a five-year finalist in the Arts for the Parks competition.
Biography: Born in Hollywood, California in 1949, Coleman’s creative abilities emerged early. His interest in filmmaking and fine art led to a long career in animated films, starting as an animation background painter for Disney Studios, where he developed skills in computer-generated images.
Main Points: From Disney to Fine Art.

Question 7

Chris DeRubeis

Answer 7

Aesthetic Style: DeRubeis is the originator of “Abstract Sensualism,” characterised by shimmering metal, organically flowing lines, and abstract imagery. He masterfully manipulates aluminum, copper, silver, and gold panels, incorporating chemicals and natural elements like fire. He prefers metal because it combines sculpture and painting to intensely communicate emotions. Due to his unique technique, every work is a one-of-a-kind variation.
Accolades: His artistic style is a registered art form. In 2005, DeRubeis’ work received the MUSE Award in “New Movement”.
Biography: Born in California, DeRubeis was inspired by his grandfather at age 13. He spent a decade experimenting to develop Abstract Sensualism, and his art is now exhibited and collected globally.
Main Points: Abstract Sensualism – Creates art on metal with fire, power tools, and paint.

Question 8

Duaív

Answer 8

Aesthetic Style: Duaív is a French contemporary Impressionist, known for his uplifting, colourful, cheerful, and bright paintings that seem to buzz with movement. He uses cans of paint, palette knives, and his fingers, achieving a full spectrum of hues with only six to eight colours.
Accolades: He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Star of Europe for his contributions to contemporary artists and his country. In 2006, he was listed in the Benezit Dictionary of top-rated painters. Duaív has painted custom vehicles for Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Porsche. His work has been exhibited worldwide.
Biography: A French-born artist, Duaív began painting at age three, completing his first oil painting by nine. He met Salvador Dalí at 23, who greatly inspired him. He is also an accomplished classical cellist, practicing daily and painting nightly while listening to music.
Main Points: French Impressionist – Acclaimed classical cellist – Known for his bright, cheerful compositions.

Question 9

Stephen Fishwick

Answer 9

Aesthetic Style: Stephen Fishwick’s art style uniquely infuses colour, movement, and sound into his paintings. He is influenced by diverse painters from Norman Rockwell to Salvador Dalí and John Singer Sargent to J.C. Leyendecker. His “Art Attack” show involves transforming a blank canvas into an explosion of art choreographed to music and dance.
Accolades: His “For Life Collection” features vivid canvases of endangered animals, showcasing his vision.
Biography: Growing up on an Ohio farm, Fishwick developed a love for animals early on. He took his first formal painting class at ten, and his art gained recognition in high school. He enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and became a professional artist within a year, drawing portraits, caricatures, and illustrations.
Main Points: “Art Attack,” choreographed painting with music and dance - Norman Rockwell to Salvador Dali influences - “For Life Collection of fine art”.

Question 10

Marcus Glenn

Answer 10

Aesthetic Style: Glenn is known for his vibrant colours and expressive use of papers and fabrics, creating textured collage effects. He developed “Flat Life,” a unique method combining painting with sculpture to form bas-relief. His colourful and unique imagery explores themes like the creative process, the dialogue between art and viewer, and jazz music.
Accolades: His work “One Nite Outta This World” was the official art for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014. He was also the official artist of the 2014 Amelia Island Jazz Festival. In 2005, his first museum exhibition was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, which now hosts one of his paintings permanently.
Biography: A native of Detroit, Glenn won a full scholarship to the Center for Creative Studies as a teen. Before his art career took off, he worked on an assembly line for Chrysler while developing his art style at night.
Main Points: Created “Flat Life” combining painting and sculpture – Official Artist for Grammy Awards – Incorporates jazz into his art.

Question 11

Michael Godard

Answer 11

Aesthetic Style: Godard’s detailed and irreverent works feature animated olives, grapes, and dancing strawberries. His unique imagery blends imagination and subtle humor, inviting viewers to explore their creative side with “olive” puns.
Accolades: His imaginative art has reached millions globally through various platforms. His paintings are displayed in the Officer’s Lounge in the Pentagon. He has been featured on numerous television shows. Notable collectors include Larry King, Ozzy Osbourne, and Michael Jordan. A documentary on his life won several awards. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital honoured him in 2017 for his philanthropic efforts against childhood cancer.
Biography: Godard worked as a mechanical engineer for 12 years before dedicating himself to art. After his daughter’s passing in 2006, he committed himself to philanthropic causes through his art.
Main Points: Rock Star of the Art World – Dedicated to philanthropy – Detailed paintings of cocktails and animated olives and fruit.

Question 12

Kre8 (Kevin Vigil)

Answer 12

Aesthetic Style: Kevin “Kre8” Vigil’s distinct style features colorful, abstract splashes against black-and-gray compositions. He draws from graffiti art, tattoo artistry, and Surrealism, inspired by artists like Dalí, Warhol, Basquiat, and Picasso. He calls his style “Kre8izm,” where his colorful splashes represent inner lives.
Accolades: He has achieved 58 sell-out events at Park West VIP level.
Biography: Born in Germany in 1980, Kre8 moved to the United States at age five. At 14, he joined a graffiti group and participated in displays across the U.S. for a decade. “Kre” stands for “Knowledge Reveals Evolution,” and the “8” represents the infinity symbol. At 25, he began working as a professional tattoo artist while continuing his original artwork.
Main Points: “Kre8izm” – Combines Tattoo art, Graffiti art, and Surrealism.

Question 13

Ashton Howard

Answer 13

Aesthetic Style: As a leading tropical artist, Ashton Howard brings the ocean’s tranquility, light, and colors to collectors with his enchanting and fluid art. His self-taught style, “Fluid Realism,” blends realism and abstract expressionism, focusing on both the subject and the moods evoked by nature.
Accolades: His art is displayed in over 25 galleries globally. He has painted murals at various locations, including the Sacred Heart Women and Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and Pepperdine University in California.
Biography: Born in 1979 and raised on the Gulf Coast in Pensacola, Florida, Howard pursued his passion for art in high school. He briefly attended the Savannah College of Art and Design but left to travel the world for inspiration, eventually becoming a “struggling artist” in Laguna Beach, teaching surfing and painting surfboards.
Main Points: “Fluid Realism” - self taught - blends realism and abstract expressionism.

Question 13

Slava Ilyayev

Answer 13

Aesthetic Style: Ilyayev masterfully creates colourful and vivid works that continue the traditions of Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh. His art is distinctive for its elevated textures, achieved by applying thick swathes of oil paints with a palette knife. The result is beautiful, blending viscous oil paint, a symphony of colour, and romantic intrigue. His compositions of light and shadow reflect seasonal transitions and nature’s beauty.
Accolades: He held his first exhibition at the Sculpture Union in Tel Aviv in 1999, followed by another at the Safari Gallery in Jerusalem the same year. Ilyayev has held many group and solo exhibitions in Israel, the United States, Turkey, and Spain.
Biography: Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ilyayev studied art at the Baku College of Arts in 1991. After immigrating to Israel in 1995, he studied at the Avni Institute of Art and Design in Tel Aviv. Besides his art career, Ilyayev also teaches art in academies in Israel.
Main Points: Impressionist style characterised by heavy textures – Strong sense of perspective, light, and shadow.

Question 14

Thomas Kinkade

Answer 14

Aesthetic Style: Kinkade painted magical imagery, including nature scenes, gardens, cottages, sports, lighthouses, seascapes, cityscapes, and American icons. His works are rich with symbolism; for example, lights in homes and chimney smoke represent family warmth. He applied multiple layers of dark glaze as a first step, believing the darkness enhanced the impact of the light he added.
Accolades: Kinkade is considered the most widely collected artist in the United States, with his works adorning over 10 million homes worldwide. He created art for major events and locations such as Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, Graceland, the Daytona 500, and Yankee Stadium.
Biography: Known as the “Painter of Light,” Kinkade was one of America’s most collected living artists until his passing at 54. Born in California, he did not graduate from college, but after a brief career as a background artist, his idyllic cottages and landscapes quickly became renowned.
Main Points: The Painter of Light – Collected by millions worldwide – Idyllic and luminous scenes of cottages and landscape.

Question 15

Mark Kostabi

Answer 15

Aesthetic Style: Kostabi’s paintings are easily recognised by their characteristic faceless, enigmatic figures engaged in activities with poetic or metaphoric meanings. His artworks are largely philosophical, exploring probable truths or unanswerable questions about existence. Subjects include romantic love, identity, artistic expression, the impact of pop culture and social media, and the erasure of human individuality.
Accolades: His artwork is featured in over 50 permanent museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum. Famous collectors include Bill Clinton, Brooke Shields, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Guns ‘N’ Roses chose his artwork for their double-album “Use Your Illusion”. He has been featured on numerous prominent television shows, and an entire episode of Miami Vice was built around his artwork.
Biography: Born in Los Angeles, Kostabi studied drawing and painting at California State University, Fullerton. He moved to New York in 1982 and became a prominent figure in the East Village art scene by 1984. In 1988, he created “Kostabi World,” adopting a business model similar to Andy Warhol’s “The Factory”.
Main Points: Created “Kostabi World” – Exhibited in over 50 museums - Faceless figures with philosophical themes.

Question 16

Lebo (David Le Batard)

Answer 16

esthetic Style: Lebo’s art is inspired by ancient storytelling, comic strip compositions, and street art, creating colorful and approachable works that evoke spirituality and hope. He fuses drawing, philosophy, calligraphy, and symbolism into his unique style, “Postmodern Cartoon Expressionism”. His style is characterised by gestural lines and condensed fields of colour, with recurring characters he calls “totems,” such as owls and cats.
Accolades: He has collaborated with major companies like Adidas, ESPN, Google, and Macy’s. Lebo painted the hull of the Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the Norwegian Getaway. In 2003, he created the official artwork for the Latin Grammy Awards. As an accomplished muralist, he painted a mural for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the iconic “Welcome to Miami Beach” mural.
Biography: Born in New York in 1972 to Cuban immigrants, Lebo was raised in Miami, where he found inspiration in the city’s bold aesthetic and musical culture. He gained renown for his public murals and held his first public exhibition in 1996.
Main Points: Postmodern Cartoon Expressionism – Inspired by symbolism, comic strips, and philosophy – Worked with major companies like Google and ESP.

Question 17

Nano Lopez

Answer 17

Aesthetic Style: Lopez creates imaginative bronze figures that blend folklore, science, industry, and nature. He uses the ‘Lost Wax Process,’ an ancient Egyptian invention, to create his sculptures.
Accolades: He was recognised for his artistic talent at age five, winning first place in a municipal school drawing contest. His “Nanimal” sculptures are collected globally, and he continues to innovate in bronze work.
Biography: Nano Lopez was born in Bogota, Colombia in 1955. His artist grandmother had a significant influence on him, encouraging his artistic pursuits from a young age. At about 15, his love for art grew, and he practiced with wet clay. In high school, he copied masters like Michelangelo, realising art was a profound passion. In 1978, he worked for sculptor Francisco (Paco) Baron in Madrid, carving monumental marble, granite, and steel before casting his own bronze works and holding his first solo show.
Main Points: ‘Nanimals’ - Lost Wax - Bronze Sculptures.

Question 18

Csaba Markus

Answer 18

Aesthetic Style: His unique style is a contemporary fusion of Renaissance Europe and Classical Mythology. Markus is known for his “Modern Mona Lisas,” depicting women who are beautiful, sophisticated, and strong.
Accolades: His painting “Pure Love” was named one of the world’s top 10 most sensual paintings by the Toronto Sun. Markus invented caldographs, a new art medium where images are bonded to wooden panels, as a tribute to da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. His artwork has been exhibited globally in prominent galleries.
Biography: Born in Budapest, Hungary, Markus was inspired by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Caravaggio. He studied art in his home country before immigrating to the U.S. in 1978.
Main Points: Inspired by Renaissance artists —Hand crafts every aspect of his art — Invented caldographs.

Question 19

Marko Mavrovich

Answer 19

Aesthetic Style: His artwork vividly captures the essence of the sea. Mavrovich’s tranquil seascapes and light colours reflect his upbringing near the Pacific Ocean and the Adriatic Sea. He draws from his knowledge of the world’s seascapes, using an expressive style and palette knife for texture, similar to Impressionists.
Accolades: Mavrovich has participated in group and solo exhibitions in the US and Europe. His work is frequently featured on Pinterest.
Biography: Born to Croatian parents in California, Mavrovich spent his youth moving between Croatian islands, developing a love for sea life. He started as a watercolor painter, inspired by his father. After a close call during his three years as a commercial diver, he decided to pursue art as a career, continuing to paint seascapes, coastlines, and landscapes.
Main Points: Seascapes – Palette knife – Commercial Diver.

Question 20

Peter Max

Answer 20

Aesthetic Style: Peter Max’s colourful works are synonymous with contemporary American culture and the spirit of the 1960s and ‘70s. His style is characterised by cosmic and patriotic themes painted with brilliant hues and loose brushstrokes. His art has been categorised as Pop Art, Neo-Expressionism, or Surrealism, and he has worked in various media, including collage, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Accolades: Max is highly accomplished and one of Park West’s most collected artists. He has created art for significant events like the 2006 Winter Olympics, Woodstock ’99, multiple World Cups and Super Bowls, and the Grammys. He painted the hull of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway. His art is in over 100 galleries and museums worldwide, including a retrospective at the Hermitage Museum. He has painted portraits of six U.S. presidents and has art in various US Embassies, earning him the title ‘America’s Painter Laureate’.
Biography: Born in Germany in 1937, Max’s family moved frequently before settling in Brooklyn, New York. In 1961, his graphic design studio achieved overnight success, and he shifted his focus to painting in the ‘70s.
Main Points: Cosmic art – Pop culture icon – America’s Painter Laureate.

Question 21

Tim Yanke

Answer 21

Aesthetic Style: Yanke’s “Neo-West” style is an energetic and boldly colored form of Abstract Expressionism that incorporates symbolism from the American West. He uses various media—written words, spray paint, charcoal, or acrylics—to draw viewers into pondering his messages. His recent creations include colorful depictions of Southwest wildlife, which he considers “spirit animals”.
Accolades: In 2010, he was commissioned to create the signature work for The Henry, an upscale boutique hotel in Michigan, his largest work to date and on permanent display. Yanke donates his artwork to Habitat for Humanity and contributes to military organisations. He was profiled in Cowboys & Indians magazine in 2017.
Biography: Born in Detroit, Michigan, Yanke received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in 1986. He worked as a graphic designer before becoming a professional artist.
Main Points: Abstract Expressionist – Style is known as Neo-West.

Question 22

David Najar

Answer 22

Aesthetic Style: Najar’s “Contemporary Expressionism” features energetic movements of colour and shapes, often capturing scenes from nature. He uses both thick impasto and thin airy layers of colour to create a sense of deep space in his landscapes. His compositions frequently explore themes of reflection, utilising water sources, sunsets, and shadows to split images into reflections, sometimes resembling optical illusions.
Accolades: Najar studied closely and exchanged ideas with Israeli master Itzchak Tarkay for over seven years. His paintings are sold worldwide and have been shown in group and one-man exhibits in Israel, the United States, and Canada.
Biography: Born in Israel, Najar’s early interest in art was not supported by his family. He excelled in sports, becoming a leading figure in Krav Maga martial arts, and only began painting in his thirties when he enrolled in art classes.
Main Points: International Contemporary Expressionist – Focuses on nature – Came to art later in life.

Question 23

Anatoly Metlan

Answer 23

Aesthetic Style: Metlan’s traditional style depicts seascapes and coastal villages with warmth, light, and bold colours. His art is inspired by his travels and concerts, capturing moments of tranquility and energy. His newer works feature flamenco dancers with vibrant colours applied using a palette knife, and elegant women with instruments, possibly as an ode to his violin-playing mother.
Accolades: Metlan’s work has been exhibited globally in France, Israel, and throughout the United States. Images of his dancers are popular on social media, particularly Pinterest.
Biography: Born in Yalta, Ukraine, Metlan developed an early interest in art. He received formal art education from the local high school of the arts and Krivoi Rog University in Ukraine. After immigrating to Israel in 1996, his works began to feature the picturesque landscapes of his new home.
Main Points: Landscapes infused with Mediterranean light – Energetic dancers.

Question 24

Michael Milkin

Answer 24

Aesthetic Style: Milkin employs the impasto technique, creating a highly textured surface that dramatically captures, reflects, and refracts light, casting shadows. He focuses on still lifes and landscapes, using acrylics and oils with thick, dramatic brushwork and brilliant colours. Inspired by Cézanne, Manet, and Vasiliev, his process involves outlining subjects, filling with modeling paste, layering bright acrylic, and varnishing to accent colours. Accolades: He has held numerous group and solo exhibitions, including in Paris, Ukraine, Jerusalem, New Jersey, Madrid, and New York. Biography: Michael Milkin was born in Kharkov, Ukraine in 1964. While studying architecture, he participated in art exhibitions. He later pursued graphic arts at the Pedagogical Institute in Kharkov and began teaching fine arts, with his works exhibited across Ukraine, France, and Germany. Main Points: Landscapes in Impasto - Cézanne, Manet, and Vasiliev - Birchwoods.

Question 25

Sam Park

Answer 25

Aesthetic Style: Park’s style, “New Impressionism,” transforms real-world scenes into beautiful landscapes of vivid light and gorgeous colour combinations. While reminiscent of French Impressionists, his style distinguishes itself through his use of a palette knife and attention to detail. His paintings are based on real locations but enhanced by his imagination and artistic license. Accolades: He won an Olympic-sponsored competition during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, and his artwork was acquired by the Hyundai Corporation for permanent display. Six of Park’s paintings are hung in the Presidential Palace in Cyprus. Biography: Born on a small Korean island, Park began painting at age 13, developing an appreciation for nature. He graduated from Seorabeol Art College in 1973, studied art in Paris, and travelled worldwide. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1984, he gained international renown for his art. Main Points: New Impressionism – Paints with palette knife and some brushwork – Won 1988 Olympic art contest.

Question 26

Pino (Giuseppe Dangelico)

Answer 26

Aesthetic Style: Pino’s recognisable style deeply connects with the public by portraying the complexities of human relationships. Women were his muse, and his bright characters appear vibrant with his loose yet accurate brushwork. Accolades: He is known as one of the most successful and iconic book cover illustrators of all time, having created over 3,000 book covers, movie posters, and magazine illustrations. His romance novel covers were particularly popular, often featuring Fabio. From 1960 to 1979, his work won numerous prizes and awards in juried exhibitions. By 2001, galleries worldwide sought his works. Biography: Born Giuseppe Dangelico in Bari, Italy, Pino studied art in Italy and was commissioned by major Italian book publishers. His reputation grew, but after his passing in 2010, his estate recalled all unique paintings not purchased, making them quite rare. Main Points: Impressionist figurative artist – One of the most famous book cover illustrators in the world.

Question 27

Alexandre Renoir

Answer 27

Aesthetic Style: Alexandre Renoir continues his family’s legacy by painting in a style based on the Impressionist movement pioneered by his great-grandfather, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He uses palette knives to create textured works with vivid colours, mixing paint directly on the canvas to add an extra dimension and shadows. Like his great-grandfather, he aims to create art that is pleasurable, serene, and beautiful. Accolades: His art is collected in over 16 countries. In 2008, the Tennessee State Museum featured his art alongside that of his great-grandfather. He is the only other member of the Renoir family, besides Pierre-Auguste, to become a professional artist. Biography: Born in France, Alexandre was exposed to art from a young age. After moving to Canada, he studied at prestigious art schools and explored various creative fields before realising painting was his true calling in 2004. Main Points: Great-grandson of Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Paints in a contemporary Impressionist style.

Question 28

Itzchak Tarkay

Answer 28

Aesthetic Style: Tarkay is considered one of the most influential figurative artists of the early 21st century. His work is inspired by French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, featuring the bright colours of Matisse and the drawing style of Toulouse-Lautrec. His images evoke a meditative stillness that is lush, sensuous, and timeless, with his oeuvre dominated by visual poetry depicting well-dressed women in lavish interiors or terraces. Accolades: He gained recognition at the International Artexpo in New York in both 1986 and 1987. Three hardcover books have been written about his art. Tarkay mentored younger Israeli artists, including David Najar. Biography: Itzchak Tarkay was born in Subotica on the Yugoslav-Hungarian border. His family immigrated to Israel in 1949, where he received a scholarship to the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and later graduated from the Avni Institute of Art and Design in 1956. Main Points: Figurative artist – Artexpo in New York – Three books published about Tarkay’s art.

Question 29

Daniel Wall

Answer 29

Aesthetic Style: Wall is the creator of Intense Impressionism, an artistic style founded on 19th-century Impressionist ideals but adapted to contemporary life. He prefers palette knives to apply thick swathes of bright oil paint, employing the impasto technique. Wall uses vibrant colours and creates striking lighting effects that appear warm and cool, dark and light, detailed and spontaneous simultaneously. His symbolism consistently reflects his romantic and joyful view of life. Accolades: Wall served as an illustrator and cover designer for over 20 national journals and has published over 500 book covers and illustrations. He has received several fine art awards, including the Best Work Award from the Shandong News Artists Association in 1990. Biography: Born in a small village in northern China, Wall began drawing and painting at age four. While working as an art teacher in the mid-1980s, he developed his Intense Impressionism style. He moved to the U.S. in 1995 and gained a national following within five years. Main Points: Intense Impressionism – Impasto technique using a palette knife – Romantic and optimistic themes.

Question 30

Jim Warren

Answer 30

Aesthetic Style: Mostly self-taught, Jim Warren is inspired by master painters like Dalí, Rockwell, and Rembrandt, adhering to his advice, “To hell with the rules…paint what you like”. His ethereal paintings transport viewers to dreamlike worlds, where colors emerge from ocean waves or waterfalls become women’s hair. He calls his style Neo-Surrealism. Accolades: In the 1970s, he won first place awards at major outdoor art shows in California. In the ‘80s, he painted hundreds of magazine illustrations, movie posters, book covers, and album covers for artists like Alice Cooper and Bob Seger, winning a Grammy Award for the "Against the Wind" album package. Biography: Born in Long Beach, California in 1949, Warren began drawing at age two. He decided to pursue art in 1967 and began working in surrealistic fantasy in 1969. Main Points: Neo Surrealism – Grammy Award for “Against the Wind” - Self taught artist.

Question 31

Wyland

Answer 31

Aesthetic Style: Much of Wyland’s art is inspired by his experiences diving with and photographing whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife. His close studies of these animals in their natural habitats provide reference for his compositions. He typically begins with pencil sketches, adds basic details, paints the background, and then brings his subjects to life with vivid colors. Accolades: He founded the non-profit Wyland Foundation in 1993, dedicated to ocean conservation, partnering with organisations like the UN Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Wyland has hosted several television programs focused on his passions for scuba diving and education. His conservation efforts have led to strategic alliances with notable groups like the United States Olympic Team and Walt Disney Studios. In 2010, the United Nations released six Wyland images for an international stamp issue. In 2016, he was chosen to paint the hull of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Bliss. Biography: In 1971, at age 14, witnessing migrating grey whales inspired him to use art to advocate for clean water, healthy oceans, and marine animals. He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. In 1981, he spray-painted the first of his "Whaling Walls"—life-size whale images—in Laguna Beach; he now has over 100 such murals. Main Points: Sea life Painter - Murals of underwater creatures.

Question 32

Pablo Picasso

Answer 32

Aesthetic Style: Picasso co-created Cubism and later elevated other mediums and styles. He could simplify complex subjects or do the opposite, painting in both a representational style and his famous Cubist style. Beyond famous paintings like “Guernica,” he mastered sculpture, ceramics, drawings, graphic works, tapestries, and theatrical sets. Accolades: Picasso is arguably the most famous artist of the 20th century. His co-founding of Cubism transformed the 20th century. A Picasso painting, “Les Femmes d'Alger (Version O),” sold for a record $179.4 million in 2015. His artwork is in museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and various Picasso museums. His prolific career encompasses 26,731 catalogued artworks. Biography: Born in Spain, Picasso received classical art training but began exploring avant-garde styles in 1906. He moved to France and significantly reshaped the artistic landscape with his contributions to Cubism from 1909 to 1919. Main Points: Cubism – One of the most prolific artists in history – Works in over 100 permanent museum collections worldwide. Key Works and Series: The Vollard Suite: Considered one of the greatest graphic achievements of the 20th century and Picasso’s most significant collection of graphic works, it consists of 100 etchings commissioned by Ambroise Vollard. The series explores the artist’s studio as a creative space and offers an intimate look into Picasso’s mind through five themes: The Battle of Love, Rembrandt, The Minotaur, Blind Minotaur, and The Sculptor’s Studio, plus three portraits of Vollard. Picasso learned new etching techniques during its creation. Park West purchased an extremely rare complete set in 2004. The 347 Series: Among the last hand-signed etchings and engravings Picasso ever created, with each original plate etched or engraved solely by him. Picasso created 347 etchings in only seven months at age 86, a testament to his genius and creativity. It represents his last great achievement in graphic arts and showcases his command of challenging techniques. The series explores a playful side of his life through depictions of Spanish culture. Complete sets are part of permanent collections in seven museums worldwide. Ceramics: Between 1946 and 1973, Picasso created a breathtaking collection of original ceramic works. His involvement began at age 19, inspired by Paul Gauguin. At 65, he partnered with Atelier Madoura, creating over 3,500 ceramic works over 20 years. He appreciated ceramics for their quick and inexpensive creation, making his art accessible to everyday people, and for their functional and aesthetic qualities.

Question 33

Rembrandt van Rijn

Answer 33

Aesthetic Style: Rembrandt’s legacy is rooted in his deeply technical and empathetic understanding of representation, leading to a prolific and versatile career across many media. He is celebrated as one of history’s most innovative printmakers, mastering chiaroscuro—the contrasting use of light and dark. His body of work includes approximately 300 etchings, engravings, and drypoints, around 300 paintings, and 2,000 drawings. Accolades: He is highly regarded as one of the greatest Dutch masters. His works are in over 70 permanent museum collections worldwide, including the Louvre, The Hermitage, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to his life and work. Biography: Born in Leiden, Dutch Republic, Rembrandt developed his artistic talent early, opening a studio at 22. By 1631, he settled in Amsterdam after rapid success. Despite personal misfortunes later in life, his legacy endures. Main Points: Dutch master – Chiaroscuro style – A master etcher – Works in over 70 permanent museum collections worldwide. The Millennium Edition: This collection offers a limited opportunity to own eight etchings printed from Rembrandt's original copper plates, created approximately 350 years ago. Between 1994 and 2003, Emiliano Sorini and Marjorie Van Dyke produced limited editions of 2,500 examples of each of the eight images, marking the first time such limited edition Rembrandt works had ever been created.

Question 34

Salvador Dalí

Answer 34

Aesthetic Style: Dalí depicted a dream world where common objects are juxtaposed, deformed, or transformed in bizarre and irrational ways. He rendered these objects with meticulous, realistic detail, often set in bleak, sunlit landscapes reminiscent of his Catalan homeland. Recurring motifs include melting clocks, sand, ants, his wife Gala, eroticism, and biblical references. Influenced by Sigmund Freud, Dalí developed his unique "paranoiac-critical" method to access the subconscious. Accolades: Dalí is arguably the most famous Surrealist artist, with "The Persistence of Memory" being one of the most recognisable artworks ever made. His notable works are featured in prominent museums worldwide, including The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He also has a museum dedicated to his work in St. Petersburg, Florida. Biography: Born in Figueres, Spain, Dalí was an artistically precocious child who studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. He was deeply interested in the philosophical writings of Freud and avant-garde art movements. His work fused Surrealist concepts with the refined methods of the Old Masters. Key Collections at Park West: Park West holds artworks from Dalí’s Nine Muses, Divine Comedy, and Biblia Sacra series. The Divine Comedy: In 1951, Dalí embarked on a 14-year project to illustrate Dante’s epic poem through original engravings. He created over 100 watercolor studies and personally approved over 3,000 woodblocks for the 100 engravings. Park West, having dealt in Dalí artwork since 1974, possesses a thoroughly documented and authenticated collection of these works. The engravings were displayed at Louisiana’s Hilliard University Museum and come with a free copy of the book "Dalí—Illustrator". Biblia Sacra: In 1963, Dalí created a series of lithographs inspired by the Holy Bible, particularly the Old Testament, resulting in 105 stunning images. These are part of the Park West collection and are authenticated by Bernard Ewell.

Question 35

Francisco Goya

Answer 35

Aesthetic Style: Often considered among the last of the Old Masters, Goya created numerous paintings, etchings, drawings, and lithographs. He unflinchingly captured the horrors of war and the darker aspects of human nature. He also produced etching series criticising 18th-century Spanish society. Accolades: His works are featured in numerous exhibitions and permanent museum collections, including the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Goya’s etchings, particularly his “Disasters of War” and “Los Caprichos,” influenced subsequent Modernist and Surrealist artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. He served as the official court painter for the Spanish Crown starting in 1786. Biography: Born in Spain, Goya began his artistic career as a court painter for Spanish royalty. After contracting an illness in 1792 that caused hearing loss, his art took on darker tones and themes, leading him to create poignant anti-war statements and scenes portraying humanity’s ruthless sides. Main Points: Considered the last of the Old Masters and first of the modern masters – Works featured in permanent museum collections, including the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Key Etching Series: Many historians consider Goya one of the greatest etchers, and his etchings are among his most influential works. “Los Caprichos” (The Caprices): This series of 80 satirical prints, completed and published in 1799, depicted Spanish nobility. “Los Desastres de la Guerra” (The Disasters of War): From 1810-1820, Goya created this 80-piece series capturing the atrocities of the French/Spanish conflicts.