ARTIST Q&A Meet Mike Kupka

ike Kupka’s artwork captures more than just a likeness of the characters he paints. A graduate of the duCret School of Art in his native New Jersey, Mike’s use of shadow, mood, compo- sition and color help depict a greater range of emotions Volume 2 Issue 1 in all the villains he paints, from Captain Hook to Cruella. 2008 Recently, Collectors Editions sat down with Mike to learn HIGHLIGHTS a little more about his life behind the canvas:

What’s in your iPod? “Morning Blossoms” What isn’t? I have 3,600 songs, from Coldplay and Lenny Kravitz to Inspired Journeys Giclee on canvas Godsmack and Guns N’ Roses. Dimensions: 15" x 20" What are you reading? Edition of 50 usband-and-wife art team the St. Petersburg Academy of Art, herself. Michael was told it was “his I just bought “An American Vision, Three Generations of Wyeth Art.” I went Michael and Inessa Garmash and Inessa is a graduate of the best work ever,” and he and Inessa to the Wyeth Museum in Brandywine, Pa., two years ago. I knew a lot get the inspiration for their Lugansk Fine Art School in Ukraine.) have painted together ever since. about Wyeth’s work, but it still blew me away to see it in person. paintings from two great loves: They began their painting partner- They begin each painting by work- What did you want to be when you grew up? their love for each other, and their ship three years into their marriage, ing on separate images, but in the An artist and a professional soccer player. I used to draw the Sunday comics every week as a kid. I wanted to go love for travel. to a serious art school that also had a soccer program, but that was hard to find! I decided to just go to art school. when Michael began a painting of process they discuss the work and The couple, who have been Polina, then 2, for a project at sometimes switch roles. After sever- What is your favorite time of day to paint? married 15 years and have a 14- school. But when the toddler found al exchanges, the two “I’s” blend When everyone else is asleep. I go into the studio around 1 or 2 in the afternoon and work until 2 or 3 in the morning. year-old daughter, Polina, travel the painting and painted her into a “we.” When it’s that late, my phone’s not going to ring, and I can get more work done. together at least four to five times own version, Inessa quietly fixed it Favorite color? a year. Their adventures have Blue. Whenever I go shopping for anything, I always wind up buying blue. Then I look in my closet and everything’s taken them around the world, blue. I’m trying to buy some different colors now. through much of Europe and the Two things are absolutely necessary for our work—to paint Where did you go on your last vacation? United States. Most recently, the under natural light and to trust each other in the creative process. Vegas, baby! I love to gamble. Art Expo was there, so I went to that and hung out for six days. Considering I pair traveled to Napa, Calif., with gambled for that long, I think I held my own pretty well. Michael Young, president and We often argue during the process, but we always come to Favorite sport? CEO of Collectors Editions, and a mutual agreement. We enjoy working together enormously. Tim Dickson, owner and co-founder I love soccer, but I stopped playing a few years ago. I needed to – Inessa Garmash focus on my art, and it was getting tougher with the younger kids of Eclipse Workshop. coming to the league. As far as watching sports, hockey is my favorite. “New impressions always help to Greatest artistic influence in your life and why? create new ideas,” Michael Peter Caras. I met him my second year of art school. At the time, I explains. “Our trip to Napa was an advertising major, and he inspired me to switch to illustration. enriched us with impressions of I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance and friendship. multi-colored vineyards. Fall is Tell us one thing we might besurprised to know about you. beautiful there, and we hope to I don’t think I should share that! see how the landscape and light What one word describes you? changes during the other seasons.” Inspired. Several of the Russian couple’s “Bambi” romantic impressionist paintings Graphite on illustration board If you have any questions about this publication have been inspired by their tan- Dimensions: 6" x 10" or would like additional copies, please contact dem travels. “Winter in Paris” was Janet Smith, Director of Gallery Services and Managing Editor of Behind the Canvas, at born as a way to capture the [email protected] spirit of their trip to Paris at Each edition of Behind the Canvas will Christmastime. A different trip to feature a Q–and –A with a different artist, Contributors This Issue: Key West, Fla., sparked a series of who will create a unique sketch, paint- Tim Dickson, paintings featuring the night port ing or drawing. Galleries are encour- Co-owner/Vice President of Production there. aged to visit our Web site to find out how Michael Young, they can become the new owner of the President and CEO When they’re not trekking around original artwork featured. To learn how the globe, Michael and Inessa you can acquire this beautiful graphite reside in St. Petersburg, Russia, “Winter in Paris” Hand-embellished Giclee on hand-textured canvas sketch “Bambi” by Mike Kupka, go to where they first met at a bus sta- www.CollectorsEditions.com. Behind the Canvas tion. (Michael is a graduate of Dimensions: 20" x 30" Edition of 50 is published by Grapevine Communications – www.GrapevineCom.com IDEA PALETTE ECLIPSING ALL OTHERS Defining The Lines New Additions True Colors

ere at Collectors Editions, our mission “Color is extremely important is to paint a new canvas in the art to every artist, and to what he world…one brush stroke at a time. Of or she wants the audience course, we can’t paint that canvas alone. That’s why one of the most important aspects to see and feel,” says Tim Dickson, owner and co- of our work is our support of you, our gallery “Wishful” partners and valued clients. Hand-embellished Giclee on hand-textured canvas founder of Eclipse Workshop, This year, one of our goals is to continue to Dimensions: 40" x 18" Edition of 50 Collectors Editions’ in-house printing division. “The job of enhance that support and further “define the Andrew creates a composition of concentrated lines” of collaboration and communication emotion by using color to not only physically the printmaker is to respect with our gallery partners. That includes making describe a woman, but to also explain her that, and to reproduce that sure that all of our partners are aware of the introspective state of mind. original color as closely as full spectrum of marketing tools and services possible.” we provide. How does a print- One new tool we’ve provided this year is maker do that? our gallery catalog. We have developed It’s no easy task, two catalogs, one focuses on our Collectors but one of the Editions Fine Art portfolio and the other on our most important Disney Fine Art portfolio. Both catalogs are skills involved is a provided to each gallery and include new deep, hands-on release information, artist bios, “fast facts”, a understanding of back reference to artists’ work and more. “Resplendent Queen” color theory. That Throughout the year, we’ll be sending catalog Giclee on canvas Dimensions: 24" x 36" Edition of 50 understanding updates to you whenever appropriate. With his liberal use of color, as well as dynamic lines, Brian Davis’ often comes from “Snow White’s Romance” “Resplendent Queen” is complex in its composition. In addition, we offer a rich array of marketing Giclee on canvas experience in analog screen- resources, including help with layouts, creative Dimensions: 24" x 16" Edition of 70 direction and production of gallery canvas printing, which requires hand-mix- signage, advertising, new release information John Alvin sought to offer the full range ing colors from a seemingly endless of emotions and the extreme contrast and more. We also want to help our gallery palette of possibilities. between good and evil that we experience partners better tell the story of each paint- throughout the story of Snow White. The master printers at Eclipse ing—what the artist is painting and why. As Workshop continue to work in both part of that, look for more themed series of the digital and analog worlds— paintings from our artists, all with great stories, IN MEMORY OF... enabling them to translate their meaningful symbolism and of course expertise to both kinds of prints. resourceful information to support them. John Alvin “No matter what technology you Most importantly, please remember that we use, you need to have that inti- have an open-door mate knowledge of what it’s like to We are extremely sad to report that artist policy. I encourage add yellow to purple or green to John Alvin died suddenly of a heart each of you to come red,” Tim explains. “Working in both attack Feb. 6. A master of cinematic art, visit Collectors Editions, the analog and digital worlds John created posters for countless take a tour of our facil- keeps us close to that knowledge.” ity, and spend some Hollywood blockbusters, including the two fingers touching above the Earth’s In addition, Eclipse works with time with us and our surface for “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.” each artist when making repro- artists—and please “Creating the promise of a great experience” was how John described his role ductions, often developing a bring your collectors as as today’s pre-eminent designer and illustrator of cinema art. Over his 35-year unique language about color with well. We want to know career, he painted some of the most recognizable movie art for more than 135 each artist. “Pull back on the how we can best part- films, including “The Color Purple,” “Cocoon,” “Blade Runner,” “The Lion King,” blue,” for example, could mean ner with you—one “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” something different to every artist. brush stroke at a time. series. “We’ll Keep ‘Em” “Our own knowledge of color is Michael Young Giclee on canvas Dimensions: 18" x 24" Edition of 95 “John was a brilliant artist, but he also was one of the most amazing human what helps us communicate with beings I’ve ever met,” says Michael Young, president and CEO of Collectors President and CEO “We'll Keep ’Em” is by James Coleman. Reunited at last, the Dalmatian clan the artists and create an authentic Editions. “He was humble, sincere and a true joy to be around. He will be dearly eventually make it back home, where Roger and Anita decide to raise the print,” he says. “It’s our job to keep 84 other dogs along with their original 17, so making 101 Dalmatians. missed.” that original color alive.”

BRUSH TIP: We’ve added something new—Disney Fine Art TILE by artist Allyson Vought. Visit www.DisneyFineArt.com to learn about these beautiful hand-crafted tiles and view the complete inaugural collection.