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Carl Samson’s Portrait of Natalie Portman Stars In
STAR WARS ART: VISIONS
November 1, 2010
The book all Star Wars fans have been waiting for is now in stores and available on line. Star Wars Art: Visions showcases 100 top artists hand-picked by George Lucas to present their visions of Star Wars. Award winning Cincinnati artist Carl Samson is among those chosen. Carl’s depiction of Natalie Portman in profile as Queen Amidala shows her against a gold leaf background with an incised and hammered planetary orbital path behind her. |
| “It occurred to me that, from a modern perspective, visual and narrative parallels could be drawn between Padme Amidala, as Queen Naboo and mother of Luke Skywalker, and the great icon images of Byzantium and later historical periods... though in place of the typical circular halo, I have incised the mandala, or orbital path, of her native planet, Naboo.” About a year ago, Samson found an unused 1930s chestnut panel that artist Herman Wessel (1878-1969) had prepared in 1935 in the attic of the former Wessel home and studio. On it, he painted Ms. Portman’s likeness in oil, using 22k and 23k gold leaf to set her off.
The original painting was purchased by Lucas for his private collection, and may be part of a touring exhibition of the works in the future. (Click on the image for a large version. Carl is represented by the Gandy Gallery: www.gandygallery.com) |
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August 2010 - American Artist's 2010 addition of STUDIOS magazine will be on newsstands September 7th. An interview on the subject of Carl's studio is featured prominently alongside those of colleagues Nelson Shanks, Sam Knecht, David Leffel, Sherrie Mcgraw, and William Chambers among many others. There are also articles on the historic studios of NC Wyeth, Cropsey and Cole.
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September 2009 - Carl Samson was co-juror along with painter and Art Department head Sam Knecht at the Portraits in Michigan exhibition in the Sage Center galleries at Hillsdale College. Painter Bunny Homan of the Michigan branch of the Portrait Society of America was instrumental in spreading the word statewide among artists. Carl held a three hour meet and greet critique session on September 12th with many of the artists in attendance. |
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| July 2009 - Cincinnati - American artist and Cincinnati resident Carl Samson has won the celebrated Phil Desind Award at the Butler Institute of American Art's 73rd annual Mid Year Exhibition. The award is given annually to the artist exhibiting the most outstanding representational painting at the show. The 8' x 5' painting depicts a full-length female nude figure model standing in front of Picasso's Demoiselles D'Avignon, triumphant over the wounded Minotaur. It is the first painting unveiled from a new series of seven canvases, called Battle at the Twilight of Painting. The Butler exhibition opens on June 28th, 2009 and runs through August 23rd. |
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COMING SOON
Seven figurative paintings, from the intimate to the heroic in scale, look at twentieth century art history from the figurative painter's point of view.
www.battleattwilight.com
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June 2009 - Carl Samson's ambitious new figurative work, Triumph of Truth, (detail at right), has been juried into the 73rd Annual Mid-Year Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art. The 8' x 5' painting shows a full-length female nude figure model standing in front of Picasso's Demoiselles D'Avignon, triumphant over the wounded Minotaur. It will be the first painting unveiled from a series of seven canvases, called Battle at the Twilight of Painting. The Butler exhibition opens on June 28th, 2009 and runs through August 23rd.
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January 2009 - The Westervelt Warner Museum has invited Carl to join some of America's finest painters in their inaugural annual exhibition, Art America 2009. At the exhibit, Carl will be showing three pieces including At the Mirror, (detail at left), a painting of his twin daughters visiting their father's studio. Click here for the link. |
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April 2008 - The Erie County Chamber of Commerce inducted Carl into their 2008 Gallery of Achievers for his international accomplishments in the field of fine art. The award was created to honor the life and career achievements of Erie County high school alumni. Members of this prestigious group are at the top of their fields in law, medicine, education, fine arts, athletics, media and more. Other notable inductees include The Honorable Thomas J. Moyer (Chief Justice Ohio Supreme Court), Orlando Pace and Scott May (basketball), Bill Mallory (football) and Jacquelyn Mayer (Miss America).
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August 2004 - The movie Artworks debuted, starring Virginia Madsen and Rick Rossovich as a pair of lovers tempted to cash in on their access to wealthy art collectors. Carl Samson was asked by director Jim Amatulli to create an original painting of a baby for the film. The painting, based on a likeness of Samson's twin daughters, plays a crucial role in the drama and is shown repeatedly throughout the movie. Other Samson canvases and drawings are also featured in the film including several of his wife. |
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May 2002 - Samson's portrait of The Honorable John J. Holschuh is unveiled at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The canvas is received with rave reviews, including those from former Senator and NASA pioneer John Glenn.
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May 2002 - Richard Schmid, Nelson Shanks and Carl Samson take a moment to pose for the camera at the 2002 Portrait Arts Festival in New York. Shortly thereafter, Samson was unanimously elected Chairman of the Governing Board of the American Society of Portrait Artists.
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June 2000 - Portrait demonstration by Carl Samson at the 2000 Portrait Arts Festival, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. According to museum staff, Carl was the first artist in history to paint a portrait demonstration, live on stage, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Grace Rainey auditorium. |
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September 1996 - Carl with fellow Russian and American artists on an historic cultural exchange sponsored by The OBEH Cultural Center and the Surikov Institute of Moscow. |
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