Diane McGarel

Welcome to my blog.  

I hope you enjoy looking at my art work and learning more about me.  

thank you.  

my mcgarelgraphics website location is 

www.wix.com/mcgarelgraphics/McGarel

Diane McGarel Self Portrait 2012

Greetings:
welcome to my personal blog.  Below is my self portrait.

© 2012 DJ McGarel

Without

media: digital on carved wood.  

sized: 24 inches x 11.50 inches

      Art has personally been a healing process for me, adding comfort and joy to my life.  While working on the exhibition, Journey towards Fulfillment, I began to realize that one can never be completely fulfilled—the challenges are too great and the hurdles are too large in number.  And so, in a sense we are all unfulfilled.  Whether we decide on filling the void with spiritual or intellectual healing, life’s journey often seems like a never-ending quest towards meaning, purpose and enlightenment.  The steps we take, along with the process we choose, to getting fulfilled, are different for everyone. But ultimately we all aim at the same goal—to attain inner peace.  Art creates that beacon for me, and allows me to explore, challenge and express my inner soul towards inner peace.

      I am an active member of these following organizations: Illiana Artists, Tall Grass Arts Association and the Union Street Artists Guild.  

      In 2007, I earned my master’s degree from Governors State University in Communications & Training.  While obtaining my master’s degree, I audited several graduate art courses and in 2008-10, earned nine credit hours towards my MFA degree.    

       Process: My mixed-media works evolve when I take the digital image, change it, and restructure it on the canvas by using acrylic paints, torn or ripped paper or canvas, metal, and various other objects,  My predilection for abstract art is revealed in the preponderance of grids and fragmentation viewed in my artwork.  Both the digital and mixed-media effect invites the viewer (or critic) to observe or interpret the works, by offering infinite possibilities without limitations.  In my latest work, I am adding more realism and as such are using more photography in the art work.    

       Influences:  My art is an expression of all my experiences that have manifested in a collective process.  In my adult life, I have been highly influenced by brothers Doug and Mike Starn. They were the first to introduce me to the notion that photography like paint should have a tactile component. Photography can be felt as well as just viewed by the viewer.  As such, I have incorporated texture in my works by surrounding the torn digital prints with paints, sand and other materials. Other artists I admire are Chuck Close and Henri Mattise who when faced with human frailty did not let their handicaps cripple them. They creatively endured and even strived to overcome adversity, and in the process enhanced their art works.

more of Diane McGarel's artwork can be viewed at mcgarelgraphics
http://www.wix.com/mcgarelgraphics/mcgarel

Diane McGarel

Greetings.... thank you for visiting the artist's Diane McGarel's personal blog.  My business website is mcgarelgraphics:

http://www.wix.com/mcgarelgraphics/mcgarel

      Art has personally been a healing process for me, adding comfort and joy to my life.  While working on the exhibition, Journey towards Fulfillment, I began to realize that one can never be completely fulfilled—the challenges are too great and the hurdles are too large in number.  And so, in a sense we are all unfulfilled.  Whether we decide on filling the void with spiritual or intellectual healing, life’s journey often seems like a never-ending quest towards meaning, purpose and enlightenment.  The steps we take, along with the process we choose, to getting fulfilled, are different for everyone. But ultimately we all aim at the same goal—to attain inner peace.  Art creates that beacon for me, and allows me to explore, challenge and express my inner soul towards inner peace.

      I am an active member of these following organizations: Illiana Artists, Tall Grass Arts Association and the Union Street Artists Guild.  

      In 2007, I earned my master’s degree from Governors State University in Communications & Training.  While obtaining my master’s degree, I audited several graduate art courses and in 2008-10, earned nine credit hours towards my MFA degree.    

       Process: My mixed-media works evolve when I take the digital image, change it, and restructure it on the canvas by using acrylic paints, torn or ripped paper or canvas, metal, and various other objects,  My predilection for abstract art is revealed in the preponderance of grids and fragmentation viewed in my artwork.  Both the digital and mixed-media effect invites the viewer (or critic) to observe or interpret the works, by offering infinite possibilities without limitations.  In my latest work, I am adding more realism and as such are using more photography in the art work.    

       Influences:  My art is an expression of all my experiences that have manifested in a collective process.  In my adult life, I have been highly influenced by brothers Doug and Mike Starn. They were the first to introduce me to the notion that photography like paint should have a tactile component. Photography can be felt as well as just viewed by the viewer.  As such, I have incorporated texture in my works by surrounding the torn digital prints with paints, sand and other materials. Other artists I admire are Chuck Close and Henri Mattise who when faced with human frailty did not let their handicaps cripple them. They creatively endured and even strived to overcome adversity, and in the process enhanced their art works.

Thanks for viewing,

Diane McGarel

Artwork for March/April 2012 by DJ McGarel

© 2012 DJ McGarel

Are We There Yet?

digital

two digital images sized 8 1/2 x 11 inches in a glass frame mounted

on a carved wooden board

sized: 24 inches x 11 inches

© 2012 D J McGarel

Broken Pathways

Media: mixed; collage: combination of digital with

paint, sand, metal, leaves

Both pieces are new as I am exploring having the art work have textile feel. Whether the art has texture itself or just the look texture contained with in the artwork. My mixed-media works (such as my piece, Broken Pathways) evolves when I take the digital image, change it, and restructure it on the canvas by using acrylic paints, torn or ripped paper or canvas, metal, and various other objects. My predilection for abstract art is revealed in the preponderance of grids and fragmentation viewed in my artwork. The digital and mixed-media effect invites the viewer (or critic) to observe or interpret the works, by offering infinite possibilities without limitations. Both works symbolize the fragmentation of life.

You Tube video of my show at the Monkey Mind Studio last year in 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOi6td4fWIk

If you wish to check out more of my artwork... check out my business's website: mcgarel graphics

http://www.wix.com/mcgarelgraphics/mcgarel

Thanks for viewing,

Diane McGarel

youtube video for enTANGLEMENT

enTANGLEMENT was displayed at the Monkey Mind Art Studio, Frankfort IL

youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOi6td4fWIk

mcgarelgraphics website is moving to http://www.wix.com/mcgarelgraphics/mcgarel

thank you

best regards,

Diane McGarel

enTANGLEMENT Monkey Mind Art Studio in Frankfort

Welcome

Back in October was my art exhibition entitled enTANGLEMENT that was held at the Monkey Mind Art Studio in Frankfort. I donated a piece entitled Decisions to help out the Faye's Light Cancer Organization which is located in Homewood. I thank ALL those who helped in the success for this show. Below is a link on youTube concerning the event and the piece that was auctioned off on eBay.

With 4 solo exhibitions and several group shows 2011 was for me a very productive art year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOi6td4fWIk

I look forward to the adventures of 2012. I welcome you to join me on my journey. :-)

mcgarelgraphics art work

These two images of the left are entitled:

Plaid Purple Haze

© DJ McGarel

mixed media

Passion

© DJ McGarel

mixed media

Diane McGarel

PH 708-699-4083

Email: mcgarelgraphics@sbcglobal.net

Website: http://web.me.com/dmcga456/McGarel_Graphics/Welcome.html

Mirrors of the Subconscious

Artist Statement:

Our images, passions, and individual perceptions are mere reflections, a mirror-image of who we are and who we want to be. Since the subconscious is uncontrolled thought, it can be altered, somewhat like a reflection in a mirror. The mirror-image only reflects from left to right, but never from top to bottom. Images that appear left in real life will appear right in the mirror-image. Our subconscious, our individual thought processes, are similar to the mirror-image because they only reflect the subconscious (uncontrolled thoughts) through the conscious (controlled thoughts). Both our subconscious as well as our conscious manufacture true and false images simultaneously. The resulting representation solely depends on one’s own subjective reality. Mirrors are man-made manifestations of one’s own psyche. My series, entitled “Mirrors of the Subconscious,” is just that, my uncontrolled thought processes, distorted, through a controlled environment (conscious thought), in a constant state of flux.

Process:

I begin each of my digital works of art by drawing, painting, and/or tossing dye onto canvas. I then scan the images onto my computer, altering them with a variety of computer programs. My predilection for abstract art is revealed in the preponderance of grids and fragmentation viewed in my artwork. This technique presents viewers with my personal mode of expression, because it symbolizes, to me, the endless circle of life. Moreover, the digital and mixed-media possibilities invite viewers to interpret the works in fruitful and multiple ways, by offering infinite possibilities without limitations.

Influences:
My art is an expression of my experiences which have manifested in a collective process. In my adult life, I have been highly influenced by brothers Doug and Mike Starn, by whom I had been introduced to the notion that photography, same as painting, could have a tactile component. As such, I have incorporated texture into my works by surrounding the torn digital prints with paints, sand, and other materials. Other artists whom I admire are Chuck Close and Henri Matisse, individuals faced with human frailty whom did not let their physical setbacks cripple their creative energies; they overcame adversity, and, in the process of doing so, became innovators.

Selected Shows and Exhibitions:

2011 Mirrors of the Subconscious, Solo Show. S. Suburban College, South Holland, IL

2011 The Struggle for Art 111, an invitational Exhibit. CornerStone Art Center, Whiting, IN

2011 Illiana Artist Group Show, S. Shore Convention Center, Hammond, IN

2011 Unfulfilled. Solo Exhibition, Tinley Park Library, Tinley Park, IL

2010 Either/Or. Union Street Gallery, Chicago Hts, IL. Nat’l Juried Event

Juror: Jason Lahr. Curator of the S Bend Museum of Art, IL

2010 Collective Art Show. Glenwood-Lynwood Library, Lynwood, IL

2010 Between Fragmentation. Solo Exhibition, Frankfort Library, Frankfort, IL

2010 Image Attitude Impression. Union Street Gallery, Chicago Hts. IL Nat’l Juried Event

Juror: Geoffrey Bates. Director and Curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, IL

2009 Student Art Show. Governors State University. University Park, IL

Juror: Mark Zlotkowski. Professor, DePaul University, IL

Entrée’ entitled, Honesty is Never a Lie, awarded Honorable Mention.

2008 Mirrors and Masks, Union Street Artists Guild Collective Show, S. Suburban College,

2008 4^th Annual Self Portrait Show. 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nat’l Juried Event

Juror: Joyce Morishita, Emeritus Professor: Governors State University, University Park, IL

Ph.D. in Art History and M.A. in Painting from Northwestern University

2008 Faye Light Silent Art Auction. Governors State University, University Park, IL

2008 Union Street Artist Guild Exhibiton. Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL

2007 Perceptives: Any Way You Look At It. Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL.

Juror: Allison Peters, Director of Exhibitions, Hyde Park Art Center, Nat’l juried event.

2007 Illiana Artists 11^th Juried Regional Exhibition. Chesterton Art Center, IN.

Juror, Karen DePirro, Professional Artist, MA: Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Entrée entitled, Plunder and Asunder, awarded honorable mention, mixed media piece.

2007 Student Art Show. Governors State University, University Park, IL 60411

2007 National On-Line Self Portrait Exhibition. www.33collective.com/3rdPortrait/index.html

Juror: Matthew Ivan Cherry, Dean of Fine Arts, South Suburban College, IL

2007 Annual Artist Exhibition, Tall Grass Art Gallery, Park Forest, IL.

2007 Focus on Chicago: Photo and Digital Exhibition. 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL.

added side note: Due to the fact that MobileMe will no longer be available in June 2012. I am in the process of changing my business website. I have a few art works and information posted on wordpress.com

you can access the new site by googling mcgarelgraphics@worldpress.com

or even mcgarelgraphics.wordpress