Today we’d like to introduce you to Georgia Velisaris.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always been a teacher in one form or another; always enjoying and helping people of all ages to learn a variety of subjects/skills (mostly non-art related). But, after many years, it took a while to mainly focus on creating art and teaching my art skills to others. It was time to place my interest in art on top of my totem pole of life.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a Mixed Media Artist and Photographer. I’ve always enjoyed making art using all sorts of mediums since a young age. It was when I taught at an art college, entered art shows, and increased my traveling overseas; my art making evolved. My favorite subject in my artwork is architecture, but can change my theme based on my current environment (animals, nature, landscape, etc.). I re-started with photography including a series of my black and white photographs of Chicago iconic buildings, and then a series inspired by photographer Peter Wexler’s water reflections in the canals of Venice. After those series, I mixed the mediums of photography with acrylic and oil paints (painting on my architecture-related photographs) to produce my “Chicago Starry Night Lights” series (inspired by Van Gogh’s “Starry Starry Night”) and “Traditional Patterns, Surreal Skies” series (inspired by Aboriginal art designs (Australia) and Japanese cloud prints). And, from there, I expanded to creating all sorts of artwork from collage to 3-D to coloring books based on my photography. I still use my instructor/tutor skills in teaching Basic Adobe Photoshop Skills, Basic Collage Skills, and Basic Collage Using Adobe Photoshop. And, I lecture about my trip to the Galapagos Islands (focusing on the animals that I photographed for my photography collection and mini-collages). I hope people take away and acknowledge the importance of creativity, the inspiration (and where it comes from), and the similarities that connect the world.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Connect/join artists’ guilds; attend artist/guild/gallery/art center/school receptions; become a part of an artist collective
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
20% of net sales of my Galapagos themed artwork goes toward the Galapagos Conservancy (Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative).
Where to view my artwork:
• 4Art Space in the Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL (including 3rd Fridays receptions)
• Art in the Barn, Barrington, IL (September 22nd & 23rd)
• ArtPrize10, Mayan Buzz Café, Grand Rapids, MI (Galapagos Islands animals’ themed mini-collages; September 19th – October 7th)
• Artists on the Bluff at The Gallery, Lake Forest, IL (some 1st Fridays receptions); and Lake Bluff Farmers Market (some Fridays until end of October)
• Corinium Museum, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, UK (Cirencester themed mini-collages in gift shop)
• Dandelion Gallery, Waukegan, IL (3rd Saturdays ArtWauks)
• Downers Grove Park District Recreation & Fitness Center, Downers Grove, IL (currently, my “Iceland – 2017” exhibit (photography on canvas) until July 31st)
• Lemont Center for the Arts, Lemont, IL (prints and coloring books)
• Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (September 15th & 16th)
Contact Info:
- Website: clix2pix.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/clix2pix
- Twitter: @clix2pix
- Other: etsy.com/shop/clix2pix
Image Credit:
Georgia Velisaris
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
