Thursday, November 29, 2007
Special stamps for holiday cards and letters
It’s that time of year again, when our mailboxes start to fill up with “real” mail—cards and letters bearing holiday greetings. Often the envelopes are festive, and usually they’re made even more so by the images carried on the postage stamps.
Stevan Dohanos, one of the twelve original artists who founded Famous Artists School, was for many years a member of the US Postal Service Stamp Advisory Committee. In that capacity, he advised the Postal Service on stamp design, and actually designed more than 40 stamps. The Postal Service has a Hall of Stamps dedicated to Dohanos, and many of his designs can be found in the collections at the National Postal Museum.
Dohanos was very proud of his involvement with stamp design. “Stamps tell a story of America’s achievement on every level. It is a great challenge to any artist to fill this small space with a big idea,” he said.
One of Dohanos’ favorites among his many stamp designs was this block depicting four antique Christmas toys, issued in 1970 for six cents…a far cry from today’s cost of mailing a holiday card!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Happy Birthday, Rembrandt!
In celebration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday this year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is mounting an exhibition titled The Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Met’s full collection of Dutch paintings on view together—228 in all, including 20 works by Rembrandt. The works date from 1600 to 1800, and you can see many of the images on line, as well as access an audio tour of the exhibition. A great way to celebrate a birthday!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
FAS Student Selling Her Works
“Goldfinch” by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
A currently enrolled student, Loretta Trefs of Maryland, recently wrote to her instructor, Hank McLaughlin. Loretta was pleased to report her success selling her paintings at a show in September. “I must tell you, I’m as happy as a pig in mud. The show was very successful. I’ve sold eight paintings and have two to finish. In addition, I already have orders for 25 of my little painted hummingbirds.” Loretta first enrolled in Famous Artists School in 1972, a gift from her husband. Raising children and working as a registered nurse allowed Loretta to paint only sporadically. Loretta lost her husband earlier this year and took up painting again as something to “fill the hours.” She is currently taking an FAS Landscape Painting Course. As these pictures illustrate, Loretta is not only a skilled landscape artist, but also adept at painting birds.
“Hawk” by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
“Sea and Sky” by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
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