haleARTS S P A C E invites you to the opening reception of “Icon” festuring the work of Judy Ragagli. One reception will be held on Friday, December 9th from 5-8 PM at the Edgemar Center. A second reception will be held at 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 156, on Saturday, December 10th from 5-8pm. The show will be available for purchase through January 4th, 2017.
Growing up, Judy Ragagli took great joy in self-expression through the visual arts, however it was not until adulthood when she fell under the tutelage of master artist Paul Bedard that she began to seriously pursue her passion for oil painting. During an intensive study, Ragagli unleashed and honed her inner talent for creating stunning and life-like depictions in oil. During this period she poured herself into the craft to create a unique method of handling the paint which is reflected in her one-of-a-kind oil paintings. Ragagli’s very first canvas was a portrait of nostalgic Barbie, a subject that she would later assume as her primary inspiration and focus.
Ragagli’s oil paintings are so life-like, many people have mistaken them for photographs. In order to achieve accurate tonal properties of Barbie’s plastic flesh, Ragagli employs an arduous process of specialized mixing of oil colors that few artists have been able to master. Using only seven original color tubes of oil, she is able to precisely translate the vast and scintillating color properties of Barbie’s skin, hair, make-up and wardrobe as they interact with reflective light. The effect of her process and style culminates in a cohesive vision of the beauty and grace of Barbie and the artist’s own commentary on the significance of this great American Icon.
“I have always loved nostalgic Barbie and her mystique of elegance and worldliness. I see her as possessing a soul and positive spirit; her true persona extends beyond the plastic facade. She represents and contains knowledge of culture and society thus becoming more significant than an object of child’s play. She is an indicator of trends, a marker of historical eras, and a positive role model for the past, present, and future.
My goal is to pay homage to this surviving icon of modernity, femininity, and style. I want my viewers to recognize nostalgic Barbie as an important and positive influence within American society on both the individual and aggregate levels. By presenting Barbie through portraiture on canvas, I aim to create a vision of Barbie that is still and noble. I strive to elicit veneration for Barbie’s legacy while painting a mark of beauty and grace into the world.” -Judy Ragagli
About haleARTS
haleARTS SPACE is an accessible art and gift gallery that features local emerging artists.
Our new haleARTS Art and Gift Gallery is located at 395 Santa Monica Place, on Colorado Street, between 2nd and 3rd. Our gallery is located on the first floor, and just half a block from the new metro station, and two blocks from the beach. Our Santa Monica Place location features local artists and high design accessories. Inspired by the lifestyle of Southern California, we feature a variety of art, gifts and accessories that encompass the SoCal vibe.
Our haleARTS headquarters are located in the uber-creative, Frank Gehry designed, EDGEMAR complex. Our gallery at EDGEMAR is situated in the arts, dining and entertainment district of Main Street in Santa Monica. Just a few blocks from the ocean and between Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and the iconic Venice Beach.
For the emerging collector, our ongoing collection of art features a rotating collection of featured works in varying prices. We also hold gallery lectures, special events & the well-loved “$100 ARTsale”. Don’t miss out on these limited time events! Join our email list or follow us on social media to find out about upcoming events…
For the art/design enthusiast, we carefully curate an eclectic collection of home accessories items, functional art pieces, games, toys, a great selection of books, cool stationery and art supplies.
For more information, pleaser visit: www.halearts.com
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