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

mcgarelgraphics

getting to know the owner of mcgarelgraphics

Diane McGarel was born on April 5th in Roseland, which is on the far Southside of Chicago IL. Her Father, a sexton for the Catholic Cemeteries instilled in her a beauty for various cemeteries art treasuries such as stain glass, headstones and mausoleums. From her mother, McGarel has gained the courage to re-define her career and followed her first love-- art. Her art work combines painting with computer graphics. In 2004, McGarel earned a B.A. degree majoring in Art History from Governors State University. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree in Communications & Training while completing several graduate level art courses at GSU.

The process of creation should be just as important as the finished product. My art work whether it be digital or a painting share either a textile feel or the illusion of having texture. The earlier digital art pieces began with me tossing paint or dye onto a canvas. The images where then scanned and altered in both Jasc Paint shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop. The mixed-media art works evolved when I took the digital finished image and changed it by restructuring, tearing or gluing the new image onto the canvas surrounding it by a variety of materials: each segment of the art sand, pebbles, acrylic paint, metal, torn paper or canvas, etc... By using this process each art piece can stand alone. At times I prefer to work in the abstract having the fragmentation and grids define itself: helping the viewer (critic) define or interpret the works by offering an infinite possibilities without limitations. My later digital works are more defined. I am using less abstraction but more realism. This past year, 2011, I have exhibited four separate solo shows: JourneyTowards Fulfillment, Unfulfilled, Mirrors of the subconscious and Entanglement. For these shows the combination of digital, painting and mixed-media art pieces explored various emotional issues ranging from helping the individual define life’s purpose for him or herself to facing some type of adversity with triumph. I am in the process of defining; making a firm stand as defining exactly what are my own beliefs and purpose in life. I do so with the support of God, family and friends as my foundation. Towards Fulfillment, Unfulfilled, Mirrors of the subconscious and Entanglement.

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 art works by surrounding torn digital prints with paints, sand and other materials. Other artists 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.

artwork can be seen @ mcgarelgraphics

http://web.me.com/dmcga456/McGarel_Graphics/Blog_unProcessed/Blog_unProcessed.html

note: working on the new show. The working title is WALK BY FAITH. I am working on a piece titled: Jonah 3:1 concerning second chances. It is in the formation stages and yes, will post when I have more info.

Today I was working on getting the website converted from IWeb to worldpress. It doesn't as of yet come on as far as I can tell a google search but who knows.

mcgarelgraphics@worldpress.com

enTANGLEMENT arrives at Monkey Mind Art Studios in Frankfort

© 2011 DJ McGarel

Forward

digital on carved wood with beads

enTANGLEMENT is an art series by Diane McGarel.

exhibit dates: September 26-November 2, 2011

reception: Sunday October 16, 2011

artist statement:

Anger, fear and doubt are just a few of the emotions I am experiencing simultaneously upon learning the shocking news that one of my best friends has cancer. “How can this be?” I asked myself. “She eats right, exercises, doesn't smoke or drink, why her? It doesn't seem fair!!!!” As inwardly I scream in anguish, I outwardly smile to be supportive. My art series entitled, enTANGLEMENT illustrates the emotional battle and strength required to face devastation with dignity. My father died at 52 of lung cancer. At his funeral, my Uncle spoke of his courage and how those during my father’s time of need he thought of us not of himself. In my opinion that is what love is; to give others the courage to endure the impossible.


website: mcgarelgraphics
http://web.me.com/dmcga456/McGarel_Graphics/Blog_unProcessed/Entries/2011/10/16_%C2%A9_DJ_McGarel.html

A week prior to the reception, Sunday October 16th, the art piece entitled, DECISIONS will be on sale on eBay. The funds raised from this sale will be donated to Faye's Light Cancer Organization in Homewood, IL

enTANGLEMENT displayed at Monkey Mind Art Studios, 3 W Nebraska, Frankfort, IL 60423
website: http://www.monkeymindartstudio.com/

Hammond Visitors Center

Excited to have my work be part of this show at the Visitors Center in Hammond IN

My art piece is a digital work. 16 x 20 inches created in 2011.

more of my art work can be viewed at mcgarelgrapics