Light the Way art benefit Opens March 5

Several local artists are teaming together to support Columbia's Homeless Transition Center by donating art for the Light the Way Art Benefit to be held March 5, 2009.

The one night sale is being held at HoFP gallery at 2828 Devine Street in Columbia, South Carolina and will have over 100 works of art for sale. Works range in price from $150 to $1,000. Art purchased during the event can also be taken home that same evening.

Light the Way, now in its seventh year is cosponsored by Midlands Interfaith Homelessness Action Council. Participating artists include Christy Aiken, Khaldoune Khalid Bencheik, Eileen Blyth, Pam Bowers, Ethel Brody, Eddie Bryan, Nancy Butterworth, Ingrid Carson, Jeremy Carter, Anastasia Chernoff, Eleanor Craig, Robert Crainshaw, Heidi Darr- Hope, Colin Dodd, Toni Elkins, Marion Etheredge, Claire Farrell, Jim Finch, Pat Gilmartin, Bonnie Goldberg, Mana Hewitt, Ann Hubbard, Judy Hubbard, Howard Hunt, Roger Hutchison, Karen Jamrose, Judy Jarrett, Alicia Leeke, Susan Lenz, Barbie Mathis, Meg McLean, Michel McNinch, Regina Moody, Pat Parise, Rachel Parker, David K. Phillips, Renee Rouillier, Cindy Saad, David G. Smith, Laura Spong, Keith Tolen, Candy Waites, Nini Ward, Barbara Welles, Charlene Wells, Mike Williams, Ellen Yaghjian, David Yaghjian, and Don Zurlo.

The event is being co-sponsored by Beth Shalom Synagogue, House of Frames and Paintings, Mouse House and Morganelli's.

For more information about Light the Way contact Voncille Williams at 799- 2881 or email Ltwwithmusic@ gmail.com.

Artist Alicia Leeke Announces Website Redesign

Columbia, S.C. – Alicia Leeke announces the launch of her redesigned website, www.alicialeeke.com. The new site segments her work into four categories and allows viewers to preview new works easier.

“The new design gives my patrons a wider selection of works to choose from than what was previously available, and segments the work into Landscapes, Cityscapes, and Monotypes plus a special Prints and Cards section,” says Leeke.

All of the images found on the site are available as signed, limited-edition prints. Select greeting cards and her most popular pints are also available on the greeting card and print page.

In January 2009, she released her new “Abstract Landscape” series with rave reviews in the marketplace. She is currently working on a new series of Cityscapes for launch mid-year.

Patrons are drawn to her robust use of color and gentle distortions of linear perspective and comment on the positive visual response that is evoked when viewing her paintings.

About Alicia Leeke

Alicia Leeke started her artistic studies at Columbia College under Steven Nevitt. During her sophomore year she vacationed in Paris and visited the Louve, where she fell in love with impressionism and the work of noted artists: Mondrian, Lautrec, Degas, Manet, Monet, Renoir and later, Utrillo. She also visited her most inspiring spot in France, Montmarte.

She later developed an interest in the Fauves and their use of intense black lines which became the model for her post-impressionistic style. While Leeke prefers to paint landscapes and quaint street scenes she also strives to capture the essence of every-day events, converting ordinary scenes into lively images.

Complementing each painting is a robust combination of dry brush painting techniques to create texture. She manipulates acrylics to capture the thick rich texture of oils and mixes a palette full of rich reds, vibrant oranges, shocking blues and sharp white accents.

You may contact Alicia about her paintings by calling (803) 429-5456 (Studio at Edinburgh) or via email at info@alicialeeke.com. Visit http://www.alicialeeke.com/ for more information. Media inquiries should be directed to media@alicialeeke.com.

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Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition adds New Art Show, New Artists for 2009

Now in its 27th year, SEWE is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation and attracts 35,000 visitors to enjoy world-class original art, diverse exhibits, interesting presentations and lectures -- not to mention good old Southern hospitality.

New to the show this year is the “Nature’s Beauty” exhibition of original-only works, held at the Charleston Marriott Hotel on Lockwood Boulevard. The show features 45 select artists with a wide variety of works for purchase during the three-day event. Notable works include abstract landscapes by Alicia Leeke, pelicans by Jim Rowland, cranes by Jennifer Black, florals by Karen Hagen and striking wolf photography by Scott Ian Berry. There was also a not-to-be-missed demo by painter Marty Biernbaum who showcased textural painting.

At this show you’ll find watercolors, oils, acrylics, photography.

Fine artist Alicia Leeke launches 2009 designs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlanta, G.A. – With an eye toward 2009 consumer trends in home entertaining and renovation, artist Alicia Leeke is introducing a new line of contemporary landscape paintings that reflect current color marketing groups. Featuring comforting tones such as violet, plum, fuchsia, watery blues, grays, - and optimistic yellows and oranges- Leeke has produced investment-quality original landscape paintings on canvas, as well as prints.

Professionally trained in a variety of fine art media, Leeke blends the old and new. She views art as a medium for the painter to actively experience and express oneself through creative experimentation. Her art begins, transcends and evolves and that is why her landscape paintings are the hot ticket item in home décor. “Her art will withstand the test of time because it is original and her versatility is unlike anything else on the market. Not only that, her art exudes happiness and is full of optimistic bright colors and that’s what consumers are buying,” said Mike Doran, owner of Fontenay Fine Art, Antiques and Eclectic Interiors in Columbia, South Carolina.

Historically working in series, her paintings have embraced a variety of concepts. Previous series include Figure Studies, Ballerinas, Divas, Architecturals, Landscapes, Cityscapes and Abstracts. Her new landscapes complement 2009’s trends and afford you one-stop shopping with an artist whose talent captures multiple styles.

Here are a few trends and ideas to keep you ahead of the game when selling her art:

· DIYers. A continuing - and growing- need is for DIYers (Do It Your-selfers) to renovate their homes for entertainment purposes during tough economic times. They have a strong sense of fulfillment in selecting - and owning - unique design elements. This means we will see continued buying from empty-nesters who want to spruce up their new homes as well as urban professionals who want investment-quality wall art. They desire to improve their kitchens, halls, boudoirs and dining rooms...themselves.

· Home Staging. Anticipating improvement in the residential lending sector, consumers prepare to compete strongly when listing their existing home in a market flooded with foreclosed and long-listed properties. Some homeowners, builders and real estate agents are buying art for the walls, and rugs, followed by a few simply placed pieces of furniture in an effort to add value to their once vacant property and sell the house more quickly.

· Going Green? More than a just a trend, expect a demand for more botanicals and organics associated with landscapes, such as water, earth, and bright plant inspirations.

· Punch it Up. “Punch” color, strategically placed through art, can distinguish an otherwise mundane environment – and increase the perceived value. Leeke’s art adds distinctive punctuation and cohesion to a room when paired with subtle background in wall color.

· A Touch of the Exotic. Also complementing home décor this year are items that are exotic with influences from India and the Orient. Rich purples, reds, oranges and yellows serve as the punch for walls, sofas and tabletops. Leeke’s new landscapes work beautifully with both Contemporary and Eastern-inspired design palettes.

“Art is the one thing that can change the entire look of a room dramatically, because it is a personal decision” says Todd Collins, owner of House Brand Furniture. He goes on to compliment Leeke for works that are “vibrant with color” and employ “great use of material.”

Collectors as far as way as California, New York and Paris agree.

Innovative products at Fine Art By Alicia Leeke (F.A.B.A. Gallery) include original works on canvas and paper, fine art giclees (framed and unframed), greeting cards and mouse pads. Also available are monotypes, commissions and works on paper and special sketches of buildings and homes.

Examples of her work and experience can be viewed at http://www.alicialeeke.com/.

Leeke’s Cherry Grove Landscape Sells During Exhibit

The Florence Museum of Art accepted Alicia Leeke’s landscape painting “Cherry Grove” into its Annual Miniature Art Competition which was on display November 1– December 21, 2008.

The competition now in its 20th year, began as a fundraiser by the Friends of the Florence Museum to create awareness and appreciation of art in the community.

The event was judged by professional, realist painter William McCullough who lives and works in Williamsburg County and Southern France. He hand-picked 54 pieces for the exhibit from artists across the nation

And the best news? Leeke’s painting Cherry Grove purchased during the show!

Courtyard Art Gallery Adds Leeke to Repitoire

Charleston, South Carolina's Courtyard Art Gallery is pleased to announce the addition of its newest artist Alicia Leeke.

Leeke's new textural abstract landscape paintings add new depth and a fresh approach to Charleston's art scene. Her current body of work, now on display at the gallery, focuses on peaceful marsh scenes and estuaries around the Low Country.

Courtyard Art Gallery is located in the French Quarter of historic downtown Charleston South Carolina and features the fine art of 16 local artists. The gallery showcases paintings, paper sculpture, pottery, jewelry, and photography as well as works in mixed media.

Courtyard Art Gallery is located at 149 ½ East Bay Street. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Art Magazine Determines Leeke’s Work to have definite Signature Style

Charleston’s Art Magazine, published by Renaissance Media announced eight artists with signature styles in its Fall 2008 issue.

Known as “the bible to the Charleston art scene,” Art magazine highlights the happenings of visual, culinary, performing and wearable arts. It is a virtual who’s who of venues, artists and the galleries that represent them in the Charleston, S.C. area.

In it’s most recent issue, publisher Olivia Pool points out eight artists with very distinctive styles that set themselves apart by the very nature of their brush stokes, separating them from the rest of the pack. Included in this outstanding group are: John Sheran, Peter O’ Neill, Wilfred Spoon, Don Dahlke, Loet Vanderveen, John Stobart, Alicia Leeke and DAB.

So what exactly is a signature style?

For someone to have a signature style means you can look at their body of work or several pieces of their work and almost immediately know that it is exclusively theirs. It is like a handwritten signature that you sign on a check or your fingerprint. Each artist has developed their own style which sets them apart from what others are creating.

To give you a better understanding of signature styles take a further look at these other famous painters: Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’ Keeffe, Dorothea Lange, Freida Kahlo, Suzanne Valadon, and Helen Frankenthaler.

Painters are typically what one thinks of first in terms of a signature style, but other corollaries can be seen in the works of other creative fields such as jewelry designer David Yurman, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, composer Mozart, designers Christopher Lowell and Ty Pennington, Comedian Eddie Izzard and Madonna to name a few.

Why is having a signature style important?

First of all, it says to the world that these artists have a unique, consistent style. This is important because galleries find it easier to market to collectors on their salability. From a collectability standpoint, these works usually increase in value as an art investment.