An art consultant is defined; “As an Art Consultant, you help people select and acquire art – including paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures – for their home, business, or collection,” according to chegg.com, but It’s not a secret Artists Circle isn’t your typical Art Consulting Firm. Our most recent venture was helping Danny Lane, an artist that traveled all the way from the U.K., put together and install his latest work of art which is titled Nokomis. He was inspired by Algonquin/ Powhatan legends. Artists Circle had a blast working alongside Danny and his team for four days creating and perfecting the sculpture that is now placed at a new apartment complex located on Freedom Drive in Reston, Virginia. The sculpture is made up of 296 glass pieces and stands 14 feet tall.
Meet Austin!
This year has been one of explosive growth for Artists Circle! We recently hired Austin Bristor as our new Installer & Project Assistant. You’ll see him at installations with Dan or helping Jack, Katie, and Olivia with client presentations. His can-do attitude and bright disposition makes him an important and valuable addition to our team. Read about Austin below!
Where did you grow up? I’ve lived in Mt. Airy since I was one year old.
What bands are you in and what instruments do you play? My main musical endeavor is my solo project called “Avstin” which has taken various shapes over the last five years. It’s allowed me to dive into various genres and atmospheres for different occasions and opportunities. I’m planning on releasing my debut self-produced album as Avstin by late Spring / early Summer this year! On this album I perform all of the instruments and tracks myself such as: vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizers, and drums. I also play bass in a really fun indie-rock band out of Mt. Airy called Flooring.
What do you do in your free time / on the weekend? I enjoy living an active lifestyle. On the weekends you can generally find me running, hiking, taking day/weekend camping trips, or exploring new towns, music venues, and wilderness areas.
Do you have any pets? I have two Bernese Mountain Dogs named Nanna and Bear who are a BIG part of my life. They are litter mates and turned 3 years old last week.
What’s a ‘did you know’ fact about yourself? A couple ‘did you know’ facts about me is that in the future I wish to continue my education in either architecture and/or civil engineering, and I’ve eaten a vegetarian diet for about 6 years now.
If you’re ever in the Frederick or Mt. Airy areas, keep your eyes open to see if Avstin playing a show near you! Welcome to the team, Austin!
Creating Custom Artwork for Your Space
Project #1
Artists Circle was contacted to create a custom, bicycle-themed sculpture to be installed in the lobby area adjacent to the fitness center in a mixed use multifamily/office building in Washington, DC. Associate Katie Giganti developed several concept sketches and the client finally settled on the idea below: bike chains vertically suspended from horizontal armatures, mounted at different depths from the wall. Some of the bike chains will be colored in a palette designed to compliment the finishes in the space.
Project #2:
This custom art concept, developed for a lobby in Rosslyn Virginia, is designed to represent a topographic map of Rosslyn, the Potomac River, and Washington DC. The wall sculpture will be made of thousands of aluminum tiles bent at various radii to create the topo effect.
Project #3
The Law Library of a local Circuit Court is being renovated and the designer integrated a large “floating wall” to separate the study area from the book shelves. Associate Katie Giganti first presented some wall sculpture concepts to the client and they loved the idea of something circular to break up the otherwise very linear feel of the space. However, they started thinking something with thematic imagery related to the use of the space would be more fitting than a purely abstract work of art. Katie then created a custom, 7’ diameter photomontage. The overlaid pieces on top will stand off at various depths
Stamps: a Timeless Gizmo
Stamps, we’re all familiar with them. The necessity needed to send any type of physical mail. The first stamp was invented May 1, 1840 in Great Britain, and now in 2018 are used Globally to successfully communicate around the world. Before the internet, and before phones, there were very few ways to be able to communicate with people across cities, states, nations and Countries. To be able to achieve a universal way of communication there needed to be one crucial component- the stamp. Here at Artist Circle we come across all types of art, and this project was most certainly one for the books. Artists Circle commissioned this artist for Groom Law Group’s reception area. The unique use of color and the precision of stamps is eye catching and mind boggling. Our very own Jack Devine and Olivia Zvara worked on this project and will never forget it.
Upon stumbling up on this artwork by illustrator Diana Sudyka that focuses in on an artist who manipulates the classic stamp look, we couldn’t help but be taken aback. This reminds us of our project and leaves us speechless. We treasure the use of detail and the modern spin on something that is 178 years old.
Perspectives
If we know anything about life it is based on perspective, and if we know anything about art, we know life imitates art. This sculpture incorporates both perspective and art, a sculpture built to change its' own details as the sun changes. The constant change of artwork gives viewers a brand new perspective of the sculpture to observe. How does this work? The formation of the discs generate moving shadows in the courtyard and the glass. Take a look at what inspired us this Tuesday!
Greetings From New York City!
Greetings from NYC! Our project Manager is visiting the Armory Show and is soaking up all the mind boggling works of art. So far she has seen a ton of Neon work, and is loving it. She has been to SCOPE, the armory show and Clio. Aren't these mesmerizing?
Piedmont Project
Jack and Olivia’s most recent project was at Piedmont REIT. Their Lobby In Washington D.C. was renovated by OTJ Architects. A local D.C. Artist met with Jack and Olivia, and they learned about her process and her inspiration. They made sure to see the pieces in person and verify they were the right fit for this project. These mixed media paintings on paper and are mounted on a Sintra board. The installation process took two days and three installers to successfully get the cleats set up to dry. These paintings bring a vibrant and electrifying atmosphere to the downtown lobby.
Hudson Cook Installation
Artists Circle's most recent project will be sure to knock your socks off. Olivia Zvara and Jack Devine’s most recent venture was for Hudson Cook, a Maryland based law firm with an office on K street. The space designed by SKB Architecture encompasses a sleek design with silver accents and clean crisp lines, so Olivia and Jack chose an oil painting on canvas with impressionistic style to balance out the space.
Nature in the Big City
Is there anything cooler than a petrified moss wall sculpture that requires absolutely no maintenance? The answer is NO - there is nothing cooler! Our very own Artists Circle associates Jack and Olivia sourced these as a way to bring a sculptural, botanical element into an interior setting. The corridor in which these pieces are placed leads to an exterior rooftop patio, so the moss sculptures serve as a sort of introduction or teaser for people heading out to the rooftop garden. Dan had a blast installing these for penthouse at a downtown Washington D.C. corporate office building. What better way to Incorporate nature into the big city?
Happy New Year From Artists Circle
Happy New Year from Artists Circle and the Underground Art Framing team! Artists Circle and our framing partners at Underground Art Framing celebrated the new year the right way, with laughs, smiles, and of course, a huge wheel of Parmesan cheese!