No. 016 | July 2024

DRAX ISSUE 16

JULY 2024

THE ART ISSUE FEATURING DRAX FINE ART

TWO ARTISTS

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SUMMER WATERMELON GAZPACHO

Denisa’s Desserts B Y

D E N I S A

B A T I S T A

CONTENTS

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FROM THE EDITOR

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DRAX NEWS A Brand? Drax’s Future?

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BUSINESSES All the latest info on the Drax Group

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TWO ARTISTS Martin and Valadon: Women That Challenged the Status Quo

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SUMMER WATERMELON GAZPACHO Joules for Fools by Dan Treado, 2016

Jacqueline Balassa (1954 - present) Nesting Kingfishers in a River Landscape | 2002 Oil on board| Wooden frame Depiction of a natural Australian landscape.

Courtesy of Drax Fine Art.

d r X FINE ART For more information, please contact Giavanna Mattera at giavanna@draxfineart.com.

FROM THE EDITOR

Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC. Publisher Editor Featured Writer

Michael Ennis Eleonora Fogg Julia Healey

Don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl.net!

As I write this introduction to our issue dedicated to the visual art works in Drax Fine Arts’ growing collection, I can’t help but think about Julia Cameron's book The Artist’s Way. The course helps artists unblock themselves, fostering a deeper connection to their creativity.

Here’s the thing: we are all artists. Some of us labeled thus by other people, and others hide in the safety of the shadows, afraid to claim the title we are all given at birth. “Artist” is not a term relevant to a select group of those who are “worthy.”

"Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist— hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch" - Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way. Maybe, just maybe, let yourself do something a little audacious: be an artist for the day. Take some time, even just 1/2 an hour, and do something for your inner artist: color in a coloring book, dance (or thrash) around to music you love (I assure you no one is watching, nor do they care if they happen to catch a glimpse), write a description of your surroundings or just sit and people watch, as visual stimulation and new sights are also part of artistic development.

If you picked up this issue, you probably love other artists. Makes sense as you are an artist yourself. I hope these works in our collection and their creators inspire you to step out of your shadow artist shell and play with your creativity.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time!

With love and light,

Left: Close-up of a painting from the 'Tehri Garhwal' Gita Govinda Right: WA:IT Glowing Oil - Now available at Wellness+ Studio

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CULTIVATE YOUR BEST SELF info@wellnessplusstudio.com

WWW.WELLNESSPLUSSTUDIO.COM

(646) 398 - 8080

DRAX NEWS

t

here is so much to share about the behindthe-scenes happenings at the Drax Group.

However, the biggest thing on the team’s mind can be enextsettling o encompassed in one word:foot branding.

Whether strengthening Wellness+ Studio’s current brand and the new branch of Wellness+ Aesthetics, rebranding Bread Story, or building business identities from scratch for the newer companies, crafting timeless and empowering branding is the biggest project for the team in the next few months.

In this day and age, branding can make or break a business. What brand can you immediately recognize just by walking down the street? Is it Starbucks with its stark green logo on a coffee cup? The bright red rectangle displaying the word Supreme on a white tee shirt?

Or maybe it’s the characteristic Louis Vuitton purse, with its milk chocolate brown exterior laden with a print of flowers and interlocking Ls and Vs. The s

flowers and interlocking Ls and Vs. Branding is vital to customer recognition and success regardless of the product.

The startups in The Drax Group were all created through Mrs. von Liebig’s generosity, love, and support of the incredible individuals behind the visions.

It is now up to the team to seamlessly connect them.

The upcoming months are set to be a period of transformation for The Drax Group as our team remains dedicated to bringing these branding projects to life.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a fervent desire to empower individuals and communities, The Drax Group is on the brink of setting new benchmarks in branding and business development.

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Top: Current foundation website; Right: Current mobile Bread Story website;

BUSINESSES

Updates by Julia Healey

Burr Hall Farm The Burr Hall Farm crew have started to bear the fruits of their labor! This month, the farm celebrates the harvest of oak leaf and romaine lettuce along with an abundance of semi-sweet red and white radishes. But the farmers aren’t the only ones putting in hard work this season; the honeybees have produced a whopping seventeen and a half gallons of dark golden honey. That’s more than what was harvested in all of 2023!

WJvL Foundation This month’s animal welfare nonprofit spotlight is Second Chance Rescue (SCR), in NYC. SCR has saved over 15,000 lives since 2009, prioritizing cats and largebreed dogs needing intensive care. With adoption events all summer, SCR encourages us to adopt, not shop.

Team Profile Known for her bright personality and ability to make everyone smile, Maribel has been a joy to work with for many years at Drax. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or being the life of the party, she can be relied on for her many talents even when they happen all at once. Her high, contagious energy is only matched by one: her dog, Gigi. We are lucky to have Maribel and Gigi as a part of our Burr Hall Farm team.

Drax Fine Art Il-Luma-nating the Art Non-profit Community We at Drax Fine Art encourage everyone, art lovers and novices alike, to open themselves up to the incredible diversity of artists in the art world by attending art events, gallery openings, and exhibitions. Be sure to view the inspiring exhibition, “Luma” by Catalina Tuca, hosted by Cue Art Foundation, open to the public from June 20th to August 10th in New York City. Luma is a homonym term used to name both a Chilean police baton and a species of evergreen tree. Ironically, luma, the evergreen tree, provides the wood to create police batons. Ms. Tuca uses this double meaning to create art representing the exploitation of Chile’s environment and natural resources in a collection of beautiful emotion and thought-provoking pieces.

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BUSINESSES

SvL Institute The institute team enjoyed touring Muddy Paws Rescue, a non-profit specializing in dogs' safety, believing that foster families serve a better purpose than keeping dogs in a shelter.

Muddy Paws saves more than 1,000 dogs yearly, with an average 3-week stay before adoption. Impressive! Not only do they save the lives of many, but they also support the dedicated foster families in any way they can. Muddy Paws supplies medicine, food, collars, and other necessities; they even have a supply closet open 24/7 for those who help find these dogs a loving home.

Wellness+ Studio Treat yourself or a loved one to HARU Eau de Parfum now at Wellness+ Studio. A burst of fresh floral scents derived from neroli and jasmine warms the senses. Settling on the skin, this perfume evolves with delicate cinnamon and black pepper base notes, making it the perfect scent for summer.

Drax Productions Drax Publishing What books tug at your heartstrings or elicit that achy nostalgia? Why do we ask?

Well, that’s for us to know and you to ponder.

Bread Story Did you know that Bread Story offers subscription boxes for bread and pastry lovers? If you enjoy fresh baguettes and buttery croissants, consider signing up for a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription on Bread Story’s website.

Featuring tasty French snacks, you can’t go wrong whether you choose The Family Treat or The Lunch Box! Far left: Art installation from the Luma Exhibit Left: Maribel Garcia This page, from the top: Muddy Paws volunteer; Bread Story Family Treat subscription box; HARU by WA;IT now available at Wellness+ Studio.

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Get your popcorn ready, as it is official: Drax Productions is producing its first of, hopefully, many movies! The DreadfulI is set to begin filming in September in Upstate New York and Cornwall, England!

264 1ST AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10009 BREAD-STORY.COM

TWO ARTISTS

Courtesy of Drax Fine Art

As the market inclines toward the works of women artists, especially those who are underrepresented, Drax Fine Art, a woman-owned company, is proud to host several beautiful pieces by some of those talented artists, including Suzanne Valadon and Agnes Martin. Where Agnes Martin found serenity in meditative grids, Suzanne Valadon expressed boldness in her thick colors and unique depictions of the human form. Though differing significantly in their lives, artistic styles and mediums, and time periods, both women defied the expectations of artists of their time and forged their own paths in the art world.

Agnes Martin

Suzanne Valadon

(1912 - 2004)

(1865-1938)

A Canadian-American painter, Agnes Martin is revered for her meditative grid paintings. Though associated with Abstract Expressionism in her early career, Martin's work ultimately defies easy categorization. Her signature style features delicate lines and subtle bands of color meticulously applied to square canvases.

Suzanne Valadon (18651938) was a French painter who defied convention, carving a unique path in the early 20th-century art scene. Born into poverty, Valadon worked as a circus acrobat before she became an artists’ model, her first brush with the art world.

Though she posed for famous artists of the time, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and ToulouseLautrec, Valadon had other dreams and ambitions beyond modeling.m

Martin's paintings are a testament to tranquility and beauty. While grids typically suggest order and structure, her canvases radiate with life. Thin lines, often drawn in pencil, vibrate across washes of pale color, creating a sense of movement and energy.

Despite their abstract nature, many of her works allude to nature, with titles like "White Flower" or "The Sea" offering a glimpse into the inspiration behind her art.

Martin's life was marked by periods of seclusion. She battled mental illness and retreated from the New York art scene, choosing to live and work in the solitude of New Mexico. Despite this, she became a significant figure in abstract work.

Today, Agnes Martin's works are revered in museums and galleries worldwide. Her serene paintings have also found a place in meditation spaces and private collections, creating a contemplative atmosphere transcending the boundaries of traditional art appreciation.

At Drax Fine Art, we host ten beautiful Martin grid lithographs on vellum, some of which are pictured on the opposing page.

Right: L’église d'Irigny (Rhône) by Suzanne Valadon, 1918 Right Page: A selection of unique Agnes Martin lithographs Courtesy of Drax Fine Art; Photographed by Mark Tully

Fueled by a strong artistic spirit, Valadon defied societal expectations by creating her own art. Her bold use of color and robust figures stood out, particularly in her portrayal of female nudes, a subject rarely tackled by women artists at the time.

Valadon's unapologetic perspective and confident style challenged the status quo.

In 1894, Valadon made history as the first woman to be admitted to the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, a milestone that cemented her position in the Parisian art scene. Notably, Valadon's influence extended beyond her own art. She was also the mother of Maurice Utrillo, a renowned artist she raised as a single parent.

She nurtured his artistic talent, encouraging him to become a painter, a decision that led him to surpass her in fame during their lifetimes.

Suzanne Valadon's legacy is one of resilience and artistic innovation. Her work continues to captivate audiences with its expressiveness, bold colors, and unflinching portrayal of the human form. She inspires aspiring artists, particularly women, by demonstrating the power of perseverance and defying limitations.

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MARK TULLY Photography

NYC native photographer with over 27 years of experience in fashion, video, and still life. mark@marktully.com | 646.334.7379

RECIPE

by Christopher Varroux-Renaud

Summer Watermelon Gazpacho Ingredients: For soup: 1.5 lbs fresh watermelon, cut into cubes 3 large, ripe summer tomatoes, chopped 1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks 1/2 small red onion, sliced 1 small garlic clove 1/3 cup of fresh mint 3 TB sherry vinegar Flaky salt to taste For serving/optional garnish: Drizzle of olive oil Watermelon cubes 1 thick slice of any bread Diced red onions Fresh mint Croutons

Directions: 1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl (reserving some watermelon cubes and red onion for garnish), cover, and rest in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.

2. Once chilled, place the ingredients in a blender and puree for one minute or until the gazpacho reaches the desired consistency.

3. Taste and season as needed.

4. Serve cold with the desired garnish (e.g., watermelon cubes, croutons, diced red onions, drizzle of olive oil, fresh mint).

5. Enjoy :)

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Now Available at Wellness+ Studio | 646 - 398 - 8080 980 Madison Avenue, Suite 203, New York, NY