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Cary Alden
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WHAT: Reception to Meet Artist Douglas Hofmann & Celebrate The Modern Masters

WHERE: Martin Lawrence Gallery
             433 Royal Street (near St. Louis Street)

WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2014
            6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Exhibit runs through the end of November
            RSVP (504) 299-9055 WWW.MARTINLAWRENCE.COM

DETAILS:
Join us for a special evening with the artist as we celebrate the artwork of Douglas Hofmann and the Masters of the 20th Century. Stop by and be the first to acquire one of his fantastic new original works and stunning prints. Refreshments will be served and entertainment will be provided by The Yisrael Trio. The artist will be available to sign new acquisitions of his work during the evening.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
"With my paintings, I strive to get a feeling of air. I want to express a romantic emotion."
- Douglas Hofmann

The paintings of Douglas Hofmann are critically acclaimed for their glowing surfaces, detail and softly lighted forms. Hofmann expertly combines his own methods of painting with Old Master techniques, creating a beautiful aura of light and atmosphere that is more often found in great Baroque paintings. He pays meticulous attention to detail and creates harmonious compositions with superbly balanced colors and shapes.

Hofmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1945 and began his training in art after high school at the Maryland Institute of Art. During his first year there he discovered Joseph Sheppard. "I used to walk down to the first floor and stick my head in this room that was totally quiet. You could hear a pin drop. It was Joe Sheppard's class." He began studying with Joe, taking on anatomy, drawing and painting from the model, all of which were new to Hofmann.

e also discovered the Maroger method, which enables the artist to use thin layers of paint and techniques similar to those of the Old Masters. Through his burgeoning interest in the Old Masters, Hofmann began to develop his individual taste.

Vermeer's interiors with figures became one of his favorite themes. Emulating Vermeer, he painted situations from his home and studio using his wife and children as his models. Hofmann later expanded his subject matter to include his memorable nudes and his much loved ballet works. "I borrow from everything I like, for example, the works of Vermeer, Rubens, Degas and Mucha. I'm using a Dutch technique but with an Art Nouveau model, Victorian too. And I love the female figure, I think it's the most beautiful thing there is." His subjects have changed over the years, but women have continued to dominate his panels and prints.

Hofmann's works have been exhibited in numerous group and one-man shows at prestigious galleries and museums, in every major city in U.S.A. and Japan, many of which have sold out completely during their opening nights. He has received numerous awards for his works, including first prize at the Peale Museum in Baltimore, 1970; "Best Paintings in the Traditional Manner" at the Baltimore Museum, 1971, "Best in Show" at the Washington County Museum, Hagerstown, MD, 1972; "Best in Show" at the Center Club in Baltimore, 1973 and 1978. In 1988 he was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his painting The Secret by the Salmagundi Club at its Eleventh Annual Non¬members Juried Exhibition.

"With my paintings I strive to get the feeling of air. There is a 'signature' to the work that reveals my hand, my feelings and my personality. You can see the manipulation of the paint and the brush strokes. I don't want to paint everyday scenes. I'm a dreamer. I want to express a romantic feeling in my work. This appeals to me as a form of self-expression in today's world of structured reality."

 

Martin Lawrence Galleries-America's Premier Gallery of Fine Art
Founded in 1975, Martin Lawrence Galleries specializes in original paintings, sculpture and limited edition graphics. The gallery is distinguished by works of art by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Erté, Liudmila Kondakova, Kerry Hallam, Philippe Bertho, Robert Deyber, François Fressinier, René Lalonde, Felix Mas, Takashi Murakami and many others. Martin Lawrence Galleries is dedicated to presenting the great names and the best of the emerging artists. We are committed to offering the finest quality artworks and superior value, while maintaining the highest level of integrity and ethical standards in service to our clients.

 

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