YEAR 2023 WINTER ISSUE www.arttourinternational.com
Discover The Winners
Of The Cover Art Contest!
ARTISTS
To Watch In
Helping Artists Worldwide: Our Story
2023
An exclusive interview with Viviana Puello the Founder and CEO of the Award-winning Multimedia Platform helping art activists worldwide.
THE ATIM STORY By Paul Simpson 8 | WINTER 2023
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A
ward-winning artist and activist. Feature filmmaker and director. Honored podcast and television host. Esteemed entrepreneur and business coach. Founder and CEO of ArtTour International, who has expanded the revolutionary platform to encompass print and digital publications, an awardwinning TV show, international events, and so much more. A Top 10 Female Entrepreneur in 2020, as recognized by New York Weekly, whose passion now promotes artists worldwide and serves talented individuals from more than 205 countries. With all of these successes and accolades, you may wonder how Viviana Puello has never graced the pages of the magazine that she brought to life twelve years ago. The answer is quite simple—she always refused previous requests from her artistic peers and staff, instead preferring to keep the focus on talented international artists and their innovative works. Two years ago, we published the ATIM story, and this year we decided to share part of it with updates to celebrate Viviana and Alan's stories of perseverance and triumph. Viviana's childhood in Colombia was far from idyllic. Indeed, growing up, she was set adrift in the turbulent seas of
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parental abandonment. In the wake of these difficulties, she developed a belief system that limited her horizons. Only at the age of 12, when she ventured upon her first joyous explorations of art, could she finally glimpse ahead the creative powers of possibility. Yet, while the vagaries of fate and the day-today duties would obscure this vision— sometimes for years—Viviana would always return to art. Once she realized that abundance begins only in pursuing what you love, she was finally able to embrace art fully. Viviana ensured that art remained in her life, day in and day out, for ten years, as an independent artist, curator, and Founder of Vivid Arts Network, helping artists exhibit their work in international venues. Pursuing these passions led to a different kind of passion when Viviana met her future partner and husband, Alan Grimandi, while working on an
exhibition in Ferrara, Italy, in October 2009. When arriving from New York to Ferrara, the person who was supposed to pick up Viviana from the airport could not make it; instead asked Alan to do it for her. So the two met at the Bologna airport upon Viviana's arrival, Alan holding Viviana's name on a paper sheet. The love story began, and since then, these two soulmates have been together. And that's how the story of ArtTour International begins. During a flight between venues in 2011, the idea of creating an art magazine suddenly struck Viviana. She immediately marshaled Alan, friends, and fellow artists' support to bring ArtTour International Magazine to life. After a year of work, in December 2011, they released the first issue and began preparations to launch the magazine at the Auditorium al Duomo in Florence.
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DARIO CAMPANILE 40 | WINTER 2023
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Working in abstract for me is the most direct and pure form of artistic expression coming from my unconscious. The challenge is to be able to trust and surrender and allow the channel of creativity to come through me like an open vessel. This process, most of the time, is very daring because I want to ensure that the pure essence of child-like energy comes through the body and mind of the adult. My main goal is to be able to express my true soul and continue my journey by taking risks and always allowing myself to explore new visions.” | campanilefineart.com | | www.campanileabstract.com |
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“Beyond the Visible” Oil on Canvas, 48’’x60’’
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FABIÁN PÉREZ 48 | WINTER 2023 "Olga at Home" Acrylic on Canvas
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Painting is a wonderful way of communicating with people. It can be hard to explain everything I feel – and somehow, people seem to understand me by looking at my art and would love this reciprocity to remain forever. A piece of art should never be taken for what it is but for what it expresses. Success is to reach a goal that you focus on. For some artists, the goal is fame, or money, etc.- My target is to provide my family with all their essential needs, doing something that I love. And I do. That's why I feel successful.” www.arttourinternational.com
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“I
n the painting "pulse of life," color blocks similar to the church's stained glass are used to compare different states of life. A person's life is like a tree, from luxuriant to withered.
A time of life, a time of death, a time of laughter, and a time of sorrow. Because everything is in the eternal will of God, only by looking to Him and seeking Him can life shine brightly." “Pulse of Life” Acrylic and Gold Foil on Canvas 14’’x14’’
In my opinion, artistic creation is not just to draw what your eyes see, but to draw your own feelings about what you see. I like to use bold color matching to bring a visual impact to the picture. I think the proper use of colors can deepen the theme and stimulate the association and emotion. I usually hope that my works of art can express positive emotions, such as hope, sunshine and energy”
| smilepuppy01.wixsite.com/holly |
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JINXIN HOLLY LIU
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“Maiden's Prayer” Acrylic and Gold Foil on Canvas 16’’x20’’
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“I will sing his praises” Acrylic and gold foil on canvas 14’’x14’’
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MICHELLE LARSEN
“I Found Truth on the Mountain" 30"x36"
| www.poetrypainting.com | 94 | WINTER 2023
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“L
ooking at the subject's obvious, close observation and engagement, and then amplifying it with three-dimensional texture and bold color, I push beyond the norm to create an innovation in which the viewer engages with the painting on various levels; a painting, a sculpture, and countless paper wrinkles create complexity and detail— transforming shape and movement into a protruding canvas. Is it a sculpture, or is it a painting? I proclaim it is both. I was never satisfied with the simplicity of a one-dimensional painting, so I considered another element a fundamental concept.
“Geronimo" 30"x30"
Tissue paper is formed, compressed, and glued to the canvas to create a threedimensional work of art. After drying time has occurred, oil paint is applied, giving the art even more theatrics. The energy and movement of the piece vibrate as if having a pulse. My subject consists of abstract, land dwellers, nature, living off the land, mountain living, and the human struggle."
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“Untitled" 30"x30"
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PETER VAN GIESEN | peternvangiesen.com |
“A
bove and beyond all else, I'm an artist. I have always known that creativity & inspiration are part of my life force.
I discovered my artistic and business talents early in elementary school as I sold some of my first works of art at recess for snack money (yes, I did get in trouble for it). After finishing high school in Ontario, I completed a college degree in Religion and a University degree in Psychology. I was encouraged by my family to work in the church. I tried it for a few years but naturally gravitated away from the church into the business and charitable sectors. For most of my working life, I have been a business owner or senior executive in business and non-profit sectors.
“Active Pass, Georgina Point, Mount Baker”, Acrylic on Canva, 9’’x12’’
WHY ART? "Doing art is a mystical process, a spiritual work, and an exercise of creativity. When I paint, it's as if the veil of ordinary life is momentarily lifted, allowing me to embrace the underlying essence of the universe. My artistic expression is a gift to be shared. Naturally, I am drawn to the mystery implicit in the natural world. I feel more spiritually alive when outside. “Heaven's Point” Acrylic on Board, 12’’x16’’
At every phase of my life, I exercised my creativity. My creative expression flourished when I had a studio space, and when I had no such area, I channeled my creativity into my other endeavors. In 2011, I renewed my commitment to visual art and sharing that particular gift with others. As a result, I have received several international awards of recognition. I am honored to have artwork accepted into the permanent collection at the Government House of British Columbia and The Union Club of British Columbia. After using oil-based paint for many years, I switched to acrylic paint in 1993; currently, it is the sole medium I use.
My art results from sporadic energy surges that percolate past my consciousness. My style hovers between representation and impressionism with a dash of abstraction. I attempt to reach into the fabric of the world, exploring the dynamics of tension and elasticity. Using paint, I create images based on the interplay between darkness and light, the interconnected aura of the natural world." “Silva Bay, Mid-Morning Delight” Acrylic on Canvas, 24’’x30’’
I am thankful for the opportunity to share my talents with those interested and am pleased to have you consider joining me on my journey as a friend. I have operated Central Art Studio & Gallery in downtown Victoria since 2017, where I sell my artworks and those from other Vancouver Island Artists.
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“The Mothership”, Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 36’’x48’’
THOMAS ELIAS LOCKHART III “I
Paint and draw to inspire. I create to leave history, to bring us together as humans dealing with heartache, trials, and victories. I want to leave the person viewing my works better than they came. The most diverse multi-media artist whose spirit-driven process tells the unique stories of his art's inception. Beginning with a blank canvas, the process makes the journey special.
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Traditionally, creating art and painting a piece starts with a clean slate, a blank white canvas. The crisp and clean palette can accept any color or texture. The same is true for a black canvas. It is just as welcoming and receiving, embracing all colors it's served. The difference is the depth and richness.
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“The Hunt” Mixed Media on Circle Canvas, 30’’x30’’
“In The Dark, Still I Glow” Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 36’’x36’’
"I begin the creation of my pieces with a blank black canvas, bringing instant depth and contrast to the art. Then, using a white crayon or pencil, I sketch out what I see in my mind's eye, what has been given to me in a dream or by the spirit of God. My inspirations come from all around me, even from music and movement, to life stories and current events. There is a magic behind each piece's journey from conception to completion that manifests itself at the final destination of the purchaser's wall. Layering elements of fabric, paper, and metal, I will infuse a variety of textures to match the intricate lines of these creations. Creating a painting varies from medium to medium and from individual to individual. My process is as unique as the ability to flow between genres and techniques. When asked what my style is... All of them."
| www.lockhartgallery.com |
“I Will Send Down An Army for You” Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 48’’x48’’
“The Body of Christ” Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 36’’x48’’
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“Piercing Beauty” Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 36’’x36’’
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TRACEY LEE CASSIN | traceyleecassin.com |
CREATIVITY REQUIRES THE COURAGE TO LET GO OF CERTAINTIES Erich Fromm
T
racey Lee Cassin is a multi-award-winning published artist and photographer from the beautiful lakeside community of Rotoma in the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand. Her creative practice is multifaceted as a painter, mixed media artist, writer/blogger, and photographer with works in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, the USA, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and Italy. Her autodidactic practice explores many artistic aspects, particularly the fundamentals of space, shape, and color, using various mediums, including oils, watercolor, ink, printmaking, collage, and acrylics.
“Thousand Shades of Bleu” Oil 23.6’’x36.2’’
My seascapes encapsulate the many layers and beauty found within the ocean's water. The techniques I use in oils create a multidimensional perspective for the viewer that offers a contemporary insight into the movement, power, liquidity, and color of our beloved oceans. Emotions, energy, and spirituality are the catalysts of all my paintwork and photography. There is very little desire for perfection or realism. But an extension of thought via placing an infusion of strength, hope, and courage into what I create. I offer the viewer of my work a portal to those feelings."
“Sea Wanderer” Oil 23.6’’x17.9’’
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The sculptural use of paint with a palette knife and spatula is a personal passion. As an artistic photographer, she has a particular interest in macro, digital manipulation, color manipulation, and the creation of inspirational quotation photography. Her abstract and other contemporary subjects are influenced by the patterns and colors found in nature, the ocean, the human face, lyrics, and poetry. Often hidden symbolism, hearts, numbers, spirals, and faces appear in her work. Sometimes intentional, sometimes not. Contemporary seascapes feature prominently in her body of work, and it is these for which she is most known. Painted in oil or acrylic, they are birds-eye, abstract, or viewed in a contemporary manner of being within the water, looking back to the swell of the waves and horizon. She creates inspirational water images that capture movement and beauty using color, patterns, sand, rock, light, shadow, and sky combinations.
“Starry Sea” Oil, 27.7’’x21.6’’
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ATIM COVER CONTEST
W
e want to thank all participating artists in our Cover Art Contest, and we appreciate their hard work, dedication, and energy to make this happen.
Following the theme of ArtTour International's most passionate causes, environmental conservation, peace awareness, and social justice, our COVER ARTISTS represent everything we stand for. We honor all participating artists for their immense commitment, and we're happy to provide a platform to share their messages. Our collective consciousness is raised to the highest level when we share our best and our participating artists have given their best. So we wish all of them to keep going, creating, and staying inspired and making our world a better place with their work. Flip the page and discover the marvelous works of our participants and winning artists!
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Alain Rouschmeyer
Aleksandra Ciążyńska
Aliso Barrows-Young
Amy Williams
Ann Dunbar
Anne-Marie Mulligan
Asmik Bleyan
Athina Soultani
Ber Lazarus
Berta Jayo
Caroline Degroiseller
Charlie Lim
Chatarina Salomonsson
Cher Pruys
Chris Dellorco
Christelle Viviers
Christope Szpajdel
Christopher McLeod
Guido Corazziari
Cori Graham
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BIG CHANCE!
We're celebrating Earth Day with a special issue of ArtTour International Magazine and we want YOU to be a part of it!
WHAT YOU CAN WIN We will choose THREE WINNERS: 1ST PLACE WINNER: This will be the Cover of the ATIM EARTH DAY Special issue also featured with a double page article in the magazine's interior, both printed and digital. 2ND PLACE WINNER: This will be the Back Cover of the ATIM EARTH DAY Special issue also featured with a full page article in the magazine's interior, both printed and digital. 3RD PLACE WINNER: This will be the Interior Back Cover of the ATIM EARTH DAY Special issue also featured with a full page article in the magazine's interior, both printed and digital.
TO ENTER CONTEST VISIT: www.arttourinternational/ARTCONTEST
"I'm You" Mixed Media by Michelle Larsen
"Seams for Concord and Peace in the World" Mixed Media-Rivismo by Ramón Rivas