British artist Simon Claridge explains why he incorporates famous female icons in his work.

The most recent Simon Claridge prints have included portraits of iconic Hollywood starlets, supermodels and legendary musicians, which have been encrusted with diamond dust.

Some of the limited edition Simon Claridge prints in the Diamond Dust Collection feature Bridgette Bardot, Kate Moss and Marylin Monroe and the artist has revealed that he chose these women because of the reactions they provoke.

Simon Claridge has said that his portraits are intended to celebrate society’s fascination with female icons of the modern age who are synonymous with desires and dreams of glamor, sex and fame.

The artist specifically chose to depict Monroe, Bardot and Moss as they have each influenced the way that successive generations viewed fashion and beauty.

Furthermore, while the trio of women are very much symbolic of the era they lived in, they also have the ability to transcend time.

Claridge also said that his work has been directly inspired by Pop-Art guru Andy Warhol who started encrusting his portraits with diamond dust in the 1970s and ’80s.

“The use of Diamond Dust adds a new dimension to my canvas surfaces. In part, this collection is a direct response to Warhol and his use of the glittery surface,” the artist is reported as saying on The Original Art Shop.

Critics of Warhol said that by creating a glittery surface the artist was commentating on society’s obsession with glamor, illusion and extravagance and this has been expanded on by Claridge.

Simon Claridge said that Warhol’s work is as relevant as ever and is continuing to resonate as people life more extravagant lives.

Warhol’s comments about everyone having 15 minutes of fame in the future have seemingly been proved correct by the media’s fixation with celebrity and reality television stars.

Claridge has said that ultimately the portraits have been painted to create a connection between the subject and the audience.

“I am just a fan of these icons and it has been a pleasure to interpret them in paint in a way that I love. All I hope for is the painting to be a bridge between the infamous icon and the viewer,” the website reported Claridge as saying.

Art enthusiasts will be able to see Simon Claridge prints on display at the Artisan Fine Art Royal Exchange Gallery (Great Britain) on June 17th, 2010.

Simon Claridge will be there in person to discuss his work and personalize any pieces which are purchased on the day.

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My Artbroker offers the opportunity to buy and sell work from some of the most contemporary artists including Neil Dawson prints, Bob Dylan prints and Simon Claridge prints.

Marilyn Monroe nude time lapse painting by Simon Claridge

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A noted painter was inspired to pursue an art career after being enthralled by exotic images while traveling around the world.

British artist Neil Dawson almost became a big city banker after he initially discarded his dream to be a painter after graduating from university with a degree in economics.

Neil Dawson always held a passion for art since childhood, but became disenchanted with studying the subject at Central Saint Martins College in London because he felt uncomfortable with justifying his work.

“I would rather people make their own mind up and take what they want from my work rather than me telling them what they should be thinking and seeing,” he said.

It was only after a period of extended traveling abroad that Dawson rediscovered his desire to paint.

Neil Dawson felt the need to translate his traveling experiences to canvas after being continuously bombarded by perplexing, mystifying and exciting atmospheres.

He said: “Being constantly exposed to beautiful, enchanting, strange, evocative, provocative, bewildering environments with the time and mindset to properly appreciate and reflect on them was a defining experience.”

Painting the images that he captured on camera was Dawson’s way of immortalizing his experiences in art.

“As I got home I dusted off the palette and paints in an attempt to recapture some of the sights and feelings from my time abroad,” he added.

Neil Dawson quickly realized how much he had missed creating art after returning to painting and his decision to follow his dream to become an artist has led to a successful career.

Photographic references now form the basis of all Neil Dawson prints as they help to give a basic structure which can be expanded on with a more spontaneous painting style.

“I don’t like have too strong an idea of exactly how I want the finished article to look, preferring to work in a intuitive and impromptu way thus giving the painting a free rein to develop and feed off itself,” said the artist.

Art lovers will be able to see Neil Dawson prints on display at galleries in Essex and Manchester in the near future.

Dawson will be exhibiting his work at the Chelmer Fine Art gallery on May 29th and the Castle Galleries Manchester on June 5th as part of a nationwide tour during 2010.

The artist revealed on his personal website that he would be happy to personalize any Neil Dawson prints bought on the day.

About the Author: My Artbroker offers the opportunity to buy and sell work from some of the most contemporary artists including Rolf Harris prints, Bob Dylan prints and Neil Dawson prints. Visit the website at http://www.myartbroker.co.uk/

Neil Dawson – Chalice – Day scene

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