www.ExpressGayNews.com • April 14, 2003 • Q1 CYMK Q_COVERstory Captivating Colors and Beauty on Canvas Miami-Based Artist Noel Creates Spectacular Visions with His Painting By Andy Zeffer Miami. Corporate commissions have visitors Features Editor to view his murals in hotels such as the Ritz A passion for art runs in artist Noel’s Plaza Hotel in Miami and The Paradise Point veins. Born in Cuba to a family involved in Hotel in San Diego. A club in Boston hired the arts, he began ballet training with The him to do a portrait of legendary entertainer Escuela Provincial de Ballet de la Habana at Eartha Kitt, and his work has been featured the age of four. From there, he moved on to on the cover of book covers for Argentinean La Escuela Nacional de Arte de la Habana author Alicia Borinsky. His status as an artist Cubanacan, where he continued his dance also qualified him to serve on the Fine Arts training while simultaneously studying Board of the City of Miami Beach from 1994 painting. After finishing his training, he to 1997. began a career as a professional dancer, He has contributed his talents to help traveling throughout Europe and the many charitable causes as well. Absolut Americas. While dancing, he put his other Vodka commissioned him to create a talents to work designing sets and costumes. commemorative poster for the Design Noel retired from dancing in 1986 and Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS began concentrating on a career as a painter. (www.DIFFA.org). The city of Miami Beach Since then his career has flourished. Using commissioned him create five flamingos for bold and dramatic colors, Noel creates an installation benefiting the Red Cross and beautiful god and goddess-like human forms AIDS charities. He created the images for in his paintings. His dancing background AIDS Walk Miami 2000. Perhaps most comes through in the sweeping and graceful memorable is the beautiful piece he created poses of his subjects. His work also reflects for the White Party Week in 1999 titled a love for the art deco and cubist styles, both “Sueno Blanco,” which graced posters, CDs of which are right at home in Miami. and invitations. “A major influence for me is Tamara De As a dancer, Noel traveled extensively, Lempicka,” Noel says. “I love her work. Even and now as a painter, he is on the road again. though it is not the same—I never imitate— “I don’t take vacations,” he says. she has been an influence in my work from “Travel is always related to exhibits, which the beginning.” is not a bad thing. I love it. You get feedback But Noel’s strongest inspiration is his from people of all lifestyles and points of background as a dancer. He says because of view no matter where they are.” his theatrical roots, he sees the painting as a The busy artist has much on his plate Noel stage, and builds around his characters. right now. In addition to working on two A close look at the former ballet star’s commissions for private collectors, he is work reveals a steady change from his earlier preparing for a summer show at Passions pieces to his latest work. For example, many Gallery in Provincetown. He is also of his angles and forms have softened a bit. collaborating with fellow Miami artist Romero Noel explains that as an artist, one’s personal Brito for a show in October, which will feature life very much affects their professional life. eight paintings. And The City of Miami Beach As he began to change, his paintings has approached him again for another evolved and changed with him. display, but this time it will entail painting a “I like to change it,” he says. “I never beach ball rather than a Flamingo. stick with one thing for too long. Everything He is never content to bask in past I paint has to excite me. I have to feel it.” glories. “I don’t concentrate on what I’ve Success has brought Noel exhibits in done so much, but what I’m going to do,” galleries from Boston to Provincetown to Noel says. To find out more about Noel and his work, visit www.StudiodNoel.com. Q2 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • April 14, 2003 CYMK Q_Art&style Getting Glamorous with Glitterace Eye-Catching Furniture Gleams its Way into Homes and Stores By Andy Zeffer history and art tour company in Manhattan. Features Editor Due to the unfortunate aftermath of 9/11, he When taking a look at the fabulously moved to South Florida last year. glimmering furniture of Glitterace, one can’t The two inventive and visionary minds help but think of a beautiful Technicolor came together one evening with the idea of Hollywood Musical. It is no wonder that the fusing together glitter and furniture. They partners behind the company, Andrew Luc began with used geometric pieces, stripping Carter and Gunter Maislinger, mention the them and adding glossy paint and lines of Hollywood films of Norma Shearer or the “Rat glitter. The results were amazing and unlike Pack” in fantastic 1950s Vegas when anything they had seen before. From there, describing their creations. Marie Antoinette they completely covered the pieces, resulting would have flipped her in works that can light powder white wig over the up a whole room. luxurious works of art. The pair now work It is no surprise that with a manufacturer to both men have an artistic fulfill the large demand background. Carter, a native for their product. They New Yorker, has studied at use mostly para, strong Traphagen and F.I.T. He tropical wood and solid has done everything from oak. Black-on-black designing his own clothing enamel or dark brown Luc & Gunter line in New York’s East wood shades coupled Village to working on 7th with brilliant glitter in homes, so I’d say it’s a sophisticated crowd Details on Alton Road will begin to carry their Avenue. He recently moved royal blue, hot pink, with refined taste.” work next week. The partners say they to South Beach from New black and white Maislinger also stresses the glamour of received a good response at the recent Gay York this past May. complete the look. the pieces, and the aspect that there is Life Expo April 5-6 in Miami. They spoke with Maislinger hails from So what kind of something new about it. He notes that two men who want to sell their furniture in the gorgeous Baroque city person is the Glitterace women especially love the half table with Fort Lauderdale. They also talked with South of Salzburg, Austria, which customer? mirror. As a make-up table, it is reminiscent Beach painter Noel, tossing around the idea might explain his taste for “It seems people of one found in a movie legend’s dressing of creating glitter frames. opulent surroundings. that have a modern room. Carter and Maislinger see a sparkling Moving to New York in the taste,” Maislinger says. “When you have it at home and light a future for Glitterace. mid-’80s, he created a “Also people with a candle on top, the affect is beautiful,” successful line of men’s sense of adventure, Maislinger says. “It makes you feel so good For more information about Glitterace sweater carried by over 100 usually fun and exciting to see the flickers and glimmers reflecting furniture, call 305.538.7798 or send retailers. His entrepreneurial people. The pieces go from the pieces.” e-mail to [email protected]. skills even led him to start a well in big beautiful The well-known home interior store www.ExpressGayNews.com • April 14, 2003 • Q3 CYMK Q4 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • April 14, 2003 CYMK Q_MOVIEpreview Sexy ‘Biker’ Revs Up the Music World DJ Eddie Baez Wows Dance Fans with New Album By Andy Zeffer in a loft above his mechanics workshop, the In October 2000, he released his first full- Features Editor perfect venue to perfect his skills. length compilation mix from Logic Records, DJ Eddie Baez is one busy guy, having Occasionally he would take a small gig, Eddie Baez Volume 1. His remixed songs just finished his new album, Eddie Baez II. welcoming any opportunity to find an have consistently charted in the This is one man who is used to traveling, audience and gain experience. Billboard Top 10, including Miss playing clubs all over the country. His current Hard work led to weekly gigs at The Jane’s “It’s A Fine Day,” Whitney career is a far cry from his days as a Super Club and at Save the Robots, a Houston’s “Love will Save the motorcycle mechanic, a job he did for 10 years notorious after-hours Lower East Side club. Day,” Sandra Bernhardt’s “On before getting into the club scene. Baez cites playing at Save the Robots as an the Runway” and even Demi “I just loved going to the clubs and especially invaluable experience, due to the Moore’s “Gift of Love.” As a hearing the music,” Baez says. mixed crowds of black and white, straight matter of fact, he has The journey began in the early ’90s. The and gay. For years, late-night partiers flocked achieved number one six New Yorker had just moved from Brooklyn to one of the only early morning spots. times with Toni Braxton’s to Manhattan and was frequenting all the But the big turning point came on New “I Don’t Want To,” hot dance spots, including The Red Zone, Year’s Eve 1997, when Beaz was chosen over Kristine W’s “Sweet Sound Factory and Garage.