California figurative artist Marques Vickers presents a personal creative overview of 2004 showing 65+ images of paintings and sculpture completed during that year as well as a detailed overview of his studio sculptural garden. The 83-page ebook includes poetry and personal observations on the process of creating visual art. The publication serves as a present day creative commentary into one artists insight into his own creative evolution and future direction. Vickers has exhibited his work internationally and been profiled extensively in media worldwide. He is a recognized spokesperson for utilizing the Internet as a marketing vehicle within the fine arts industry and has published several books and lectured extensively throughout the United States.
Alliance Francaise, "La Femme Revée" (The Dreamed Woman) (San Francisco, CA) (July)
Waterbarge Restaurant and Gallery "Dance and The Fury" (Vallejo, CA) (April-May)
Gallery Saccade "Arte Jondo: Rhythm and Motion" (San Diego, CA) (February-April)
ARTICLES:
"Artist Establishes FineArtCharity.com Website for Artwork Donations" (December)
" Marques Vickers...."Rhythms In Color" (April)
"Alliance Française Gallery San Francisco Hosts Vickers "Dreamed Woman" Exhibition" (April)
"ArtOnlineLinks.com Website Offers Direct Art Industry Links" (April)
"Napa Valley Museum Sponsors Internet Talk By Artist/Author" (April)
"Vallejo Artist Returns to Figurative Roots With Local Exhibition" (March)
"San Diego's Gallery Saccade Hosts Vickers Flamenco Dancers" (January)
Artist Establishes FineArtCharity.com Website for Artwork Donations
Benicia, California artist Marques Vickers has established a new website www.FineArtCharity.com, designed towards offering original fine art for charitable fundraising purposes.
"The concept behind the idea," notes Vickers, "is to create an avenue for worthy organizations to auction donated artwork to assist in their fundraising activities to expand their valuable activities. I began this venture because I'm in the process of transferring my principal studio from northern California to southern France. Relocating bulky sculpture and canvases can be cost prohibitive. I would prefer charities, schools and social organizations to use the proceeds from selling these works."
The three criteria for receiving donated artwork include: 1) the organizations must be offering a useful service to society, 2) the artwork must be used exclusively in fundraising and not office decor and 3) the organization must make pickup and delivery arrangements and assume all expenses involved.
"Hopefully, other fellow artists can involve themselves more in charitable giving of excess work," according to Vickers, "This is not always practical for many artists because they have limited inventory to begin with and many regularly contribute to local charities."
For further information on submitting requests for artwork, visit FineArtCharity.com or contact Marques Vickers at (707) 745-1891 and via email at marques@marquesv.com..
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (December)
While Marques Vickers came to art a little late in life, he has all the passion an commitment necessary to be a successful artist. His amazing ability to articulate the human figure decries his claim that he has never taken a life drawing class. His work not only expresses movement, it contains energy.
Like snapshots in time the figures are captured either in contorted positions as they dance or while relaxing as they regain their strength. Yet, they all hold that spark of life that makes the difference in good work.
We have all seen figures that are perfectly rendered yet have no real sense of life inside them. Marques' work is exactly the opposite. Unquestionably these are living people, filled with energy and a real lust for life, even when in repose.Marques grew up in Vallejo, just an hour from San Francisco in the beautiful California wine country. He had an adventurous nature and was drawn to places unknown. With his eye on the travel industry, he took his BA from Azusa Pacific University in business administration, thinking business a good background for any occupation.
He spent several years in southern California, first working in community redevelopment, then the travel industry, and then a year in France upgrading his language skills and trying to find a job. No matter his confidence, skills, or experience he found all doors closed to an outsider. Disappointed, he returned to Vallejo and opened and operated his own travel business for 17 years. Squeezing as much travel time as he could into his busy life, he developed a passion for seeing out-of-the-way places that offered a novel experience. Currently he would love to travel to the Middle East, if it were possible, to experience the change that is going on there.
As sometimes happens in life, Marques discovered in 1996 that fate was giving him the opportunity to re-determine his future. Europe was also experiencing tremendous upheaval with the Berlin Wall coming down and the Cold War ending. He had always been interested in communities in transition and here were entire states and cultures in transition. He decided to spend the summer traveling through Eastern Europe, which proved to be the perfect place for him to experience his own transformation. It was a fascinating experience to see how people adjusted to change while maintaining their dignity and a quality of life that they both wanted and needed to survive. Their strength and courage inspired him to trust his own ability to reshape his life and future.
He saw many interesting cities that summer including St. Petersburg but the real life-changing experience came when he was visiting his sister, Lisa, who works in the Diplomatic Corps in Helsinki. While taking in the many wonderful museums around the city, he saw a sculpture titled 'Sibelli' and was suddenly struck with the idea that he could do that. It was a mystery to him where the idea came from but, when he returned to Vallejo, he enrolled in a welding class, began reading artists' biographies, and studying art theory. Within six months he had sold his condominium and bought a warehouse where he slept in the loft but had ample room to both paint and do sculpture.
His father, John Vickers, an accomplished watercolorist and teacher, was surprised at this sudden change in direction but was pleased to see the passion and commitment Marques had for what he was doing. Until he recently passed away, they had many long discussions about art but their ideas differed so dramatically that their conversations never came to a meeting of the minds.
Continuing to study the concepts and ideas of other artist Marques says, "Innovators freely admit many of their ideas are based on the masters. Work isn't duplicated; the ideas are integrated into your own expression and that work becomes your own identity. It is the highest compliment."
Marques paints with acrylics on canvas but he finishes his work with resin to accentuate the vibrant colors. He figures he has about 20 years worth of ideas to paint and it is one of these ideas that inspires him to start a new piece. He doesn't sketch, he just starts painting the position of the dancer and builds on the form, defining the shape and filling in the background. He rarely gets it right the first time and so re-paints in layers until he has the right balance of movement and energy supported by empty space. To maintain perspective he needs to step away and will often put a piece aside, working on several paintings at a time. He can't explain what he is doing, he often doesn't understand what he is doing, he just works it through. Any attempt to verbalize it would dilute the experience. He just has to trust the catalyst that makes it all work.
Besides painting 20 to 30 hours a week, Marques still designs specialty tours for old customers, lectures to various venues on business management and to artist groups on how to work with galleries, and continues to dabble in exporting local wines and sporting goods to Europe.
Marques loves having his work in the elegant Gallery Saccade. The building is a perfect example of successful urban renewal which he maintains, has many similarities with contemporary art. Neither is re-inventing anything, only adding to a long history. The best work builds the new while respecting what already exists. It creates a perfect atmosphere for contemporary collectors who are well educated, not necessarily rich, but have good taste, appreciate fine things, and enjoy the visual stimulation of contemporary expression.
Marques current show is up until April 10 and then a portion of the work will hang with a group show through May. Gallery Saccade is located at 1702 Kettner Blvd in Little Italy, its hours are 11am to 6pm, Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment. Phone (619) 546-9169.
Decor and Style Magazine by Kathleen McMillen (April Issue)
Kathleen McMillen is an art consultant in the San Diego
The San Francisco Alliance Française Gallery will be hosting an exhibition of paintings and body sculptures by Bay Area figurative artist Marques Vickers entitled "La Femme Rêvée (The Dreamed Woman)", July 1-31, 2004. The gallery located at 1345 Bush Street in downtown San Francisco will host an opening night reception for the artist open to the public on July 1st from 6:00-8:00 PM.
A familiar theme in Vickers work, the dreamed woman is a synthesis of dance movement and reflective poses through compositions constructed from within the artists imagination. "The finished works are not in themselves portraits of woman but rather symbolic representations of femininity," notes Vickers. "My women figures exude strength, whether its is exhibited in transitional dance movements or in a provocative straight forward look. They are not women to be exploited rather respected for the passionate depths they represent and exude."
The exhibition will feature approximately twenty paintings and four full-bodied Neo-Formalism sculptures. "The three levels of the gallery present an intriguing challenge of color layering and depth to the display. I want the viewer to be drawn into the work as they descend each staircase just as the imagery is intended."The Alliance Française exhibition will be Vickers third one-man show of 2004 following presentations at the Gallery Saccade in San Diego and Waterbarge Restaurant and Gallery in his hometown of Vallejo. HIs work has been exhibited and profiled internationally and is part of several individual, public art and corporate collections. His work has been selected for the past four consecutive years for inclusion at the MAC21 Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, the second largest modern art fair in that country as part of an international competition. He is also the author of the book "Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online: A Right-Brained Guide to a Left-Brained Industry" which has served as a ground breaking marketing publication in the fine arts industry which he has lectured and conducted seminars on nationally.
Born and raised in Vallejo, California where he currently lives and works, Vickers was a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed postgraduate work at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, France. An entrepreneur before becoming an artist, he has initiated and currently manages several business enterprises including ten+ art industry websites. Several of these self-produced websites have been the recipient of Golden Web Awards from the International Association of Web Masters and Designers (IAWMD).
For further information on Vickers artwork and publication, visit his website at www.MarquesV.com. Information and directions to the Alliance Française Gallery is available by contacting the office at (415) 775-7755.
Various National Publications (April)
A new trade website ArtOnlineLinks.com was recently launched offering the fine art industry an online resource to locate Internet related websites for artists, collectors, galleries and resellers. The free access website was created in conjunction with the recent update of Marquis Publications ebook Marketing and Selling Fine Art Online: A Right-Brained Guide to a Left-Brained Industry.
"A natural extension of the book was to create a complimentary reference resource of Internet based services ideal for the artist, buyer and/or reseller looking to enhance their online sales presence," notes Right-Brained author and artist Marques Vickers. "In the course of my talks and seminars which I've given around the country, there is a substantial demand for unbiased art industry resources. Regrettably most of art reference link sections in industry websites feature outdated information, broken links or navigate to the same single sourced website. The 1200+ websites listed in the directory provide a diverse starting destination which will only improve over time."
"My goal with both the publication and website is to keep the information as relevant and fresh as time constraints allow. We encourage art industry websites to both submit their sites for inclusion at no charge and to link to the website as a valuable reference tool."
For further information on submitting industry websites or viewing existing resources websites, visit ArtOnlineLinks.com or contact Marquis Publications at (707) 642-2933 and via email at marques@neteze.com.
Art Business News (April Issue)
The Napa Valley Museum of Art will be sponsoring a talk entitled "How the Internet Continues To Change The Buying, Selling and Collecting Process of Fine Art" by Northern California based artist/writer Marques Vickers on Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 PM. The focus of the speaking program is an overview of how Internet savvy artists and buyers are utilizing the medium as both a marketing tool and research agent. The Museum is located at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville, adjacent to the Domain Chandon champagne cellars. The telephone number for program information and directions is (707) 944-0500.
"The dynamic evolution of the Internet is transforming subtly but certainly the fine arts industry," Vickers has noted, "Much of these changes have directly influenced the communication methodology, mechanisms and logistics by which artwork is sold. The relationship between reseller and artist has been forever altered and the landscape for acquiring art has expanded into a global marketplace. The players are changing and so are the rules and some of the more notable influences are sourced outside of the art world industry."
Vickers is the author of the publication "Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online: A Right-Brained Guide to a Left-Brained Industry" which is a ground breaking e-publication on the subject matter.
His artwork has been exhibited and profiled internationally and is part of several individual, public art and corporate collections. One of his works has been selected annually in open competition for the past four consecutive years for exhibition at the MAC21 Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, the second largest modern art fair in that country.
Born and raised in nearby Vallejo, California where he currently lives and works, Vickers was a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed postgraduate work at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, France. An entrepreneur before becoming an artist, he has initiated and currently manages several business enterprises including ten+ art industry websites. Several of these self-produced websites have been the recipient of Golden Web Awards from the International Association of Web Masters and Designers (IAWMD).
Regarding the direct influence the Internet presently offers artists as opposed to the precedent methods of sales within the artworld: "The art industry is no longer a closed shop amidst a small niche of artists and prestigious galleries, the marketing of artwork currently expands regional and the potential exposure outlets for visual artists limitless. The Internet does not respect geographical boundaries and artists today can market their work into territory that ten years ago was simply unimaginable. That evolutionary distribution process is merely in its infancy and will only continue to expand."
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (December)
Returning to his local roots following a successful six-week exhibition at San Diego's Gallery Saccade, Vallejo native Marques Vickers will open a two-month art exhibit entitled "Dance and the Fury" at his hometown Waterbarge Restaurant, April 1-May 31, 2004. An opening night reception for the artist will be open to the public on April 1st from 6:00-8:00 PM at the restaurant, located at 23 Harbor Way adjacent to the downtown Vallejo waterfront.
"It's great to expose my work to my hometown community," noted Vickers. "In fact, it's the first venue I've ever staged in Vallejo. I'm generally not inclined towards restaurant exhibitions, but the Waterbarge Restaurant is a spacious establishment, enabling me to create an aesthetic theme of my figures and dancers. Like any hometown boy, I'm anxious to showcase my work to the environment and community where I was raised."
Vickers' work has been exhibited and profiled internationally and is part of several individual, public art and corporate collections. One of his works has been selected annually in open competition for the past four consecutive years for exhibition at the MAC21 Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, the second largest modern art fair in that country. Born and raised in Vallejo, California where he currently lives and works, Vickers was a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed postgraduate work at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, France. An entrepreneur before becoming an artist, he has initiated and currently manages several business enterprises. His numerous self-produced websites have been the recipient of Golden Web Awards from the International Association of Web Masters and Designers (IAWMD). He is a published writer and his biography has been included in the Marquis Publications LLC (New Providence, NJ) "Who's Who In America" directory since 2003.
Regarding the tenor of his contemporary work, Vickers notes that "Figurative painting is a complex warfare between painter and canvas. The alchemy necessary to make a composition work requires dredging visual images and ultimately brushstrokes from the subconscious. An artist is constantly wrestling with themselves through layers of composition and repainting to ultimately express a force, impulse or emotion from their figures."
"Painting is very personal. It is the artist's surrogate therapist and once you are seriously committed to evolving your work inwardly, it is lifelong." Vickers extensive inventory of paintings, sculpture and photography can be viewed on his website at www.MarquesV.com. He will be a featured speaker at the Napa Valley Museum of Art on Saturday, May 22nd and opening his next Bay Area show at the Alliance Française Gallery in downtown San Francisco during the entire month of July.
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (March)
San Diego's Gallery Saccade will present an exhibition of Northern California artist Marques Vickers Flamenco and Figurative dancer series entitled "Art Jondo: Rhythm in Color", February 27-April 10, 2004.
Vickers' dancers are a contemporary articulation of the human figure integrating abstract color fields with intense brushstrokes reflecting the movement and grace of a dancers rhythm. "I look at my dancers (predominately Flamenco and Modern) as an extension of the Bay Area Figurative movement of the late 1950's and early 60's...with motion," notes Vickers. "My compositional influences include Bay Area icons Manuel Neri and Nathan Oliveira and more recent, European painters Concha Benedito and Luciano Castelli."
"The movements of dance are successive brushstrokes from the color palette. The passion radiated to the audience is expressed by the depth and intensity of each stroke. The integrating of color represents each transitional passage formed by the motion of each successive step. My intent is to blur the sequence between positioning and transitioning the demands of a well executed dance sequence".
Vickers' work has been exhibited and profiled internationally and is part of several individual, public art and corporate collections. One of his works has been selected annually in open competition for the past four consecutive years for exhibition at the MAC21 Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, the second largest modern art fair in that country. Born and raised in Vallejo, California where he currently lives and works, Vickers was a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed postgraduate work at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, France. An entrepreneur before becoming an artist, he has initiated and currently manages several business enterprises. His numerous self-produced websites have been the recipient of Golden Web Awards from the International Association of Web Masters and Designers (IAWMD). He is a published writer and his biography has been included in the Marquis Publications LLC (New Providence, NJ) "Who's Who In America" directory since 2003.
The exhibition runs from February 28 through April 7, 2004. An artist reception will be held on February 27, 2004 from 7:00 PM. to 10:00 PM. The Gallery Saccade is located at 1702 Kettner Boulevard in San Diego's "Little Italy" section. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and by appointment. For additional information contact Gallery owner Sharon Haluska at (619) 546-9169 or via e-mail: gallerysaccade@lycos.com.
ABOUT "Arte Jondo"
Flamenco is a musical phenomenon that, in spite of its popular roots, survived different periods and trends, and transcends borders and nationalities. It is a living art which has drawn on all kinds of different musical trends without losing its own personality. However, its main characteristic is its relationship with the audience, which participates in an emotional and heartfelt manner. Even when it is the first time that someone approaches this discipline, their feelings are stirred, and it reaches their heart. The distinctive, mysterious quality that makes this happen is known as duende. This is why flamenco is also known as arte jondo (deep art), because it goes deep into one´s feelings. There are also persons who call it arte gitano (gypsy art) due to the influence that this ethnic group had on its birth and development.
Extracted from www.deflamenco.com
Various National Publications (January)
Instair.com: "2004 Winter Gallery: Nude Expressionism" (December Issue)
The Art Fix, Issue 35: Marques Vickers (October Issue)
Ranch and Coast Magazine "Marques Vickers Exhibition-Gallery Saccade" (March Issue)