New York City native, Marcus Antonius Jansen proves that the word "soldier" can have various meanings.

A converted Gulf War Veteran who studied painting and design in Germany and fluent in the German language, Jansen transformed his life in 1997 after his eight year military discharge from a Sergeant in the US Military to now an international acclaimed painter.

Some may remember Jansen as the Ford Motor Company commissioned artist that gained national attention through local media, where Jansen was chosen as Ford's Centennial artist who commissioned him to paint four historic works of art that were presented at the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit.

Jansen, 38, a mid-career artist, has become a leader in a modern Urban Contemporary movement that brings young and old, urban and mainstream onto one platform with his unmistakable gritty urban images.

In less then three years Jansen became the poster boy on the contemporary art scene of SW Florida while residing in Fort Myers. He has exhibited alongside SW Florida resident and world renowned artist Robert Rauschenberg and has had his work auctioned by Hollywood actress, Sharon Stone. He has appeared on virtually every media magazine and newspaper in the region including on the cover of the Fort Myers Magazine, Expressions Magazine WGCU Arts Edition, The News-Press and Rivers Weekly Captiva Island.

This beautiful, signed/numbered, Limited Edition Giclee, edition size 250, is from the watercolor painting titled "Fantasy Woods", created by Houston, Texas artist, Ann Bell, Past President of the Watercolor Art Society - Houston. Measures 15" X 11".

What is a Giclee? *Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is a digital method of fine art printing. The word Giclée is French for “spray of ink”. The original painting is scanned and digitally stored in a computer. The artist works closely with the printer to ensure that the print closely matches the original. In many cases the Giclée is indistinguishable from the original. Ann Bell signs her Giclée prints on the image itself, to avoid future confusion or possible misunderstanding. Giclées are printed individually on a high resolution inkjet printer, using archival, light-fast pigmented inks and 100% rag paper or archival canvas. Treat your Giclée as fine art. When properly protected from moisture and harsh sunlight, your Giclée will last as long as an original. Some works on paper in museums are over one-hundred years old.

Artist Vicky Brago-Mitchell melds a diversity of culture and thought into her series of fractal artwork. The work is empowered by both technology and formal insight. Using high-end graphics software and digital printing, she produces works that embody great precision, scale and abstraction. The fractal patterns found in her work are based on mathematical structures found in nature. Nautilus shapes, patterning, and symmetry are created with a digital finesse, but demonstrate artistic improvisation as well.

Barbara Willis was born in Bakersfield, California on June 29, 1917. She began her art career by studying with potter Laura Andreson and trained with the master, Glen Lukens at UCLA in the late 1930's. In 1942, Barbara opened her first studio pottery. With the shortage of domestic products due to World War II, Barbara then went from studio to production potter. Barbara's unique glazing technique, vibrant colors and imitation wood designs were sought after by the large store chains such as Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor of New York, Gump's, & Macy's to name a few....including the White House. The popularity of her work lasted until the mid 1950's when art pottery interest declined due to the increase in imports after the war. Barbara closed her pottery and moved on to her next business venture.

Contact Bonnie Blue and order your personalized bar stool today. What a great, whimsical gift idea for any family member!

Bonnie also does girl's birthday parties. She facilitates 8 to 10 girls to paint their own women that rock. A personalized rock of a birthday girl, a ride in women rock artcar, and a caricature of each girl at the party. Bonnie Blue and her fabulous women rock artcar are available for private parties, festivals, etc. for $200, $10 each additional girl.

These beautiful fluted bowls can be custom ordered in three sizes: Small - 5" to 6" tall $85, Medium - 7" - 8" tall $110, or Large - 9" to 11" tall $135 Choose between these colors: Cobalt Blue, Carney Yellow, Classic Pink, Dark Purple, Dark Green and Amber. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Shipping & Insurance included.

Terry is an artist that exhibits a unique mix of cultural influences that is reflective through his artwork. Having a Japanese and Hispanic culture, Terry's art is a refinement of intellectual and artistic taste. With such a diverse background and upbringing Terry has found inspiration through many studies of other great artists and teachers. Terry is an artist of multiple medias.

Mixed Medium - Texture Acrylic on Canvas - "Landscape Without Erosion" by Houston artist, Salli Babbitt. Measures 20" X 24". $700 - Contact Salli Babbitt at 713-665-1130 for a shipping quote and details. Remember.....Artists never pay gallery commissions at AccessoryHut.com.

SALLI BABBITT'S AWARDS INCLUDE:
2005 - Received an honor from the Bellaire Arts Commission for working on their public arts commission
2004 - Received commendation from City of Houston for outstanding community service with her Healing Arts Program
2005 - Given the prestigious standing Board of Directors Emeritus by the Art League Houston

Nazilla is originally from Tehran, Iran where she attended various art classes for a total of eight years. She relocated to Houston, Texas in 1997 where she currently spends most of her time caring for her family. Nazilla hopes to continue her art work in the very near future to continue displaying her talents through her drawings. Most of her drawings are botanical subjects and uses vibrant, colorful pencils to create her work. Pictured here is one fine example of her artwork of a red fuchsia. If you are interested in commissioning her work, please contact the gallery directly.

Pictured here is a fine example of one of Wendy Harford's commissioned paintings titled "Helen Sang the Blues".

Born and raised in Southern California, Wendy majored in Fine Arts through High School, though considers herself, for the most part, self trained in her mediums.

After raising a family and hobby farming in British Columbia, Canada for much of her adult life Wendy found herself back on the coast of BC and solo where she started 'dabbling' in the arts at age 40. When not sculpting or painting immaculately detailed paintings or murals, designing imaginative textured wearable art, or writing and illustrating you will most likely find her walking and communing with nature.

Lynda Wilson was born and raised in West Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas in 1960, receiving a bachelor's degree with a major in applied arts. Two weeks after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Don, and lived in Austin, Texas while Don finished his degree at the University of Texas. While living in Austin, Don and Lynda frequently drove through the Texas hill country and became lovers of Texas wildflowers. For a few years, Lynda worked as a display artist in Austin. In the early 1970's, after moving to Dallas, she spent a few years designing and producing abstract stitchery art which she showed and sold in the Dallas Metroplex.

Peggy Berk, IDS Associate, is an award-winning interior decorator and redesigner whose unique design sensibility is a product of years of interest, study and experience in the field, coupled with her broad international exposure to design influences around the globe.

Peggy's approach reflects her philosophy that sound design principles and a fresh creative perspective are the cornerstones of every great room, but that a livable room has to embrace both function and personality within every element of style. "If it were up to me," she says, "you'd never see a photograph of a room without the people who live in it."

Her company,Area Aesthetics, is a full service interior design and decorating firm serving both residential and commercial customers in New York and Florida. Offering a range of design options and resources - from full service design to one day decorating consultations, shopping services and home staging - its mission is to make great interior design accessible to the broadest possible audience.

Peggy is also a frequent media contributor and a prolific writer on the subject of design, and conducts workshops on "Accessorizing with Style."

The Los Angeles Pottery Show
September 30 - October 1, 2006
The Pasadena Conference Building
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, California
Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday 10 - 4
Our artist member and featured artist for the gallery's grand opening, Barbara Willis, will be exhibiting at this event.

Ann Bell will teach "Experimental Surfaces in Watercolor" on Friday afternoons at the Watercolor Art Society - Houston (WAS-H) building located at 1601 W. Alabama at Mandell beginning in September. This class will increase your creativity by teaching you to paint on non-traditional surfaces that encourage spontaneity. It is suitable for all skill levels. Advance registration is required. For more information, call Ann Bell, 281-330-3827.

Pictured here is Ann Bell's watercolor Giclee titled "Sun-dappled Path".

Pick the room or area in your home in which you find it hard to relax and do three things to make it quieter. For example, think about replacing high contrast colors with a monochromatic scheme or toning down the color with a more muted version. Try simplifying the lines in the room and paring down accessories. Get those bookcases in shape, with all books flush to the front of the shelves in size order, and create some empty wall and tabletop space where the eye can rest.

Watercolor Art Society-Houston invites you to the 2006 Summer Gallery Opening Night Receptions honoring exhibiting member artists.
Friday, August 11
Friday, September 8
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wine & Refreshments
Ample parking at The Menil Parking area
1601 W. Alabama St.
713-942-9966

Join the gallery's Directory of Artists now before the ad campaign is launched to 40,000 interior designers throughout the country! Don't be left out.

BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Use of Shopping Cart
Never Pay Gallery Commissions
Free Link to Your Website
Opportunity to be Gallery's Featured Artist
Post Upcoming Exhibits
Post Images of Your Artwork
Constant Marketing Campaigns

Vote for your favorite photo. The one who receives the most votes will receive a $250 cash prize. Contest ends August 15th. Also, see if you can identify one or both of the mystery sculptures. Be the first to submit the answers and receive a $50 gift certificate to AccessoryHut.com.

By: Alice Krueser

So your up and running! You have your "About Me" page carefully written and posted. Your images are finally sized properly so you can proudly showcase your art or design work in your gallery. Off you go into the magical World Wide Web. There's only one problem -- you are competing with millions of other artists and designers who are hoping for the same clients to stop by and visit to purchase your art or retain your services.

What's the answer? Promotion, Promotion, Promotion. If you want online exposure, you MUST PROMOTE your website to your target audience; otherwise it just becomes an occasional "pit stop" of, maybe, if you're lucky, a one to ten second session of your home page.

Listen to what our member artists, designers, and friends are saying about AccessoryHut.com.

"I was so impressed with the latest Art Promotion in Motion. You are surely talented and it certainly shows"! Barbara Willis, Potter, Malibu, California

"I would be delighted and feel honored to write an article for you. Thank you for this opportunity. I've enjoyed every bit of this process with you." - Steve Conti, Biographer, Beverly Hills, California

"Thank you so much for your continued interest and support. We love meeting people such as yourself that have the right energy to move forward. We have noticed quite an appeal to the designer market with Marc's work over the last two years, so we are excited to work with you on this" Marketing Director for artist, Marcus Antonius Jansen, Ft. Myers, Florida.

email: shop@accessoryhut.com

phone: 713-816-7400

web: http://www.AccessoryHut.com