Michigan’s Best Artists share their inspiration
Published on June 28th, 2022
Michigan is home to many talented artists, and Art Leaders Gallery recognizes just how important local art can be to the community. Throughout July, the gallery will be exhibiting eight of our talented local artists. The Detroit Elite Eight are not only making an impact in the Detroit Metro, but many of our artists have been recognized internationally.
In addition, we often connect to the story and inspiration behind artists and their artwork. Read about where the Detroit Elite Eight find their inspiration and what their work means to them below.
Antonio Molinari – Abstracts
Where do you find your inspiration?
“I find inspiration in nature. There is so much to draw from, the beautiful shapes, colors, and textures. Just stepping outside I constantly discover so many ideas to pursue. I also draw inspiration from design. Proportions, line work, and the simplicity of things I find attractive. I feel the combination of these influences create something unique and fresh.
How has art impacted your life?
“Art is vital to me as a person. It’s not a hobby to me it is so much more. I physically and emotionally need art. I need the visual stimulation and emotional expression of art. It touches a part of my spirit that nothing else can.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“The goal of my work is to captivate viewers and stimulate their imagination. Take them out of their current state, let them lose themselves in the painting. I want viewers to forget stresses and feel inspired. The goal is to bring them on journey each time they view the art in hopes that they discover new hidden details each time.”
Gerd Schmidt – Landscapes
Where do you find your inspiration?
“I find my inspiration everywhere, constantly in awe of nature and the world we live in. I am lucky to have a home surrounded by beautiful trees that inspire my paintings.”
How has art impacted your life?
“I believe that art is such a fun way to express my creativity and life a dreamful life.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“Personally, my goal is to have fun and improve as much as possible. I enjoy seeing people look at my work. Often as they get closer and closer, they wonder if the trees are real or not. Hopefully, this allows people to look closely at nature and art, as they are so intertwined.”
Dane Porter – Minimalist Sculpture Artist
Where do you find your inspiration?
“For most of my work, I find inspiration in two very different things, nature, and architecture. With a lot of work containing modern minimalist lines, the inspiration can be found throughout. A lot of pieces are either representational of modern infrastructure and or natural silhouettes.”
How has art impacted your life?
“Art has affected every aspect of my life ever since I can remember. Even from a young age, I was always creating. Today, most of my decisions are based on creativity and color. Art has graciously given me purpose in so many ways. Art has greatly impacted my life by becoming a career for me; creating contemporary pieces of art for homes and commercial businesses. Coming from a family line of artists and craftsmen; art was destined to become a constant in my life.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“The goal of my art has always been to create powerful visual works never seen before. The purpose however has always been to create artwork that temporarily takes the viewer out of their norm to experience something brand new and visually captivating. And if I am lucky, A bit of symbolism will be found throughout my work as well.”
Rodney E. Denne – Abstract Figurative Detroit Artist
Where do you find your inspiration?
“I find inspiration by studying other artists. It is important to learn from others in order to develop. your own style. I am particularly interested in the works of CY Twombly, Franz Klein, Bob Thompson, Willem do Kooning and Mark Rothko.”
How has art impacted your life?
“Growing up in Clarkston, MI, I really enjoyed drawing. My mother did ceramics and I was always surrounded by creativity. After spending time in the Air Force, I began to draw again. This led to painting and eventually the creation of my large scale abstract figurative works. I now feel that I paint because I have to. It is part of me.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“I believe that my audience hasn’t even been born yet, so I am constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting with new mediums and styles that might be enjoyed once I am gone.”
Konstantin Savchenko – Impressionistic, Textured Oil Painter
Where do you find your inspiration?
“As an art instructor, I find inspiration seeing the incredible artworks that my students create. I feel that my work continues to develop and change being surrounded by creativity everyday.”
How has art impacted your life?
“I have met amazing people throughout my career, and I am so grateful for those relationships. Without art, I would not have the same life that I do today.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“The goal of my work is to connect with my audience emotionally so that they can be transported into the landscape depicted in my paintings.”
Andrew Madvin – Hand-Blown Glass Artist
Where do you find your inspiration?
“I grew up curious with the freedom to explore the outdoors quickly becoming interested in the natural world around me. In high school, I loved metals and jewelry classes, which eventually led me to glass sculpture.”
How has art impacted your life?
“Art shaped my life. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with my brother, doing what we love.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“The material holds an excitement I can feel. I see endless possibilities in form, technique, and physical attraction waiting to be discovered. This is the goal of my work; to explore its possibilities.”
Robert Madvin – Hand-Blown Glass Detroit Artist
Where do you find your inspiration?
“My inspiration comes from nature. My artwork focuses on natural elements, textures, and color. I also take inspiration from my travels and day to day life. While I was studying in Hawaii, I created his glass sculpture series called Pohaku, meaning “rock” or “stone.” Ancient Hawaiians would stack stones upon one another to create rock sculptures. The sculptures acted as navigational tools throughout the islands.”
How has art impacted your life?
“My brother, Andrew, introduced me to glass at while I was still in high school and it forever changed my life. We now are lucky to own our own glass studio where we create our artwork together.”
Richard Powell – Contemporary Pointillism
Where do you find your inspiration?
“The work of other artists constantly inspires me. Many times I wonder through art fairs and galleries in awe of what humans can create. In addition, I have always enjoyed the works of impressionists and post-impressionists such as Van Gogh and George Seurat.”
How has art impacted your life?
“I grew up with a love for fine art. I went to school at The College of Creative Studies in Detroit. Art continues to hold a strong presence in my life as I experiment with a variety of mediums. Powell has paints with a variety of mediums.”
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
“I hope to inspire other artists and my audience to grow in their own creativity.”
Tags: abstract art, Detroit artists, local artist
