Wondrous Lie Valentine

Valentine's Day 2010...step away from the chocolate, lingerie and cute, stuffed things.

Available for sale at: studiointhesouth.etsy.com

My Art and the Urvashi Vaid Connection

April 25, 1993, during the March on Washington, Urvashi Vaid ended her speech by saying,

"We stand for freedom as we have yet to know it, and we will not be denied."

Those words still give me chills.

In 2007  I created a series of paintings titled "American Freedoms Diet" all inspired by the impression her speech had on me. I called Urv last year after she saw one of the pieces and emailed me. We spoke for over an hour about many things.

All this still makes the small hairs on my body stand at attention.
- Deb Massa

SHINE

This piece took more than a year to complete. Moving from one stage to the next is rarely a fun process for me… Challenging myself to break through my self-imposed barriers; forcing me not to be paralyzed by the ostentatious idea of legitimate fine art, the myths of success and failure, talent and skill and just plain not being good enough. It’s about finally throwing off my shackles and reclaiming what I so often forget: our essential right and innate ability to create without interference or shame.

I have always loved the song "Shine" by Collective Soul. I also love Dolly Parton and she sings an amazing bluegrass (my favorite music) version. I was inspired by the words of the song and her voice when I began this work.

The lyrics:

Give me a word

Give me a sign

Show me where to look

Tell me what will I find

Lay me on the ground

Fly me in the sky

Show me where to look

Tell me what will I find

Oh, heaven let your light shine down



Love is in the water

Love is in the air

Show me where to look

Tell me will love be there

Teach me how to speak

Teach me how to share

Teach me where to go

Tell me will love be there

Oh, heaven let your light shine down


This painting is comprised of acrylic mediums and metallic surfacers. Even though Metallic Surfacers look and apply just like acrylic paint, they are very different in that they contain real metal not pigment or the mica flakes commonly used in other “metallic paints”. Rather, they are an ingenious blend of finely ground metal flakes (copper, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum) in an acrylic binder that creates the look and durability of a true metal surface. Once a surface is coated with an Iron Metallic Surfacer for example, a magnet will stick to the “painted” surface.

Artist: Deb Massa

Valentine for a Fool

"Aren't we all fools for love at one time or another." -Deb Massa

Each “Valentine” is an open-ended exploration, undertaken with a blend of spontaneity and careful analysis. It is my hope that in the end, the valentine has a certain clarity and integrity that invokes contemplation. Every piece in this series is created by first taking a stretched canvas and flipping it over-I like to refer to this as “exposing the under belly of the art world”. Then a light molding paste is applied. Next paint, liquid metals and found objects are added. Gouging, scraping and the use of solvents are all important to my process.

This painting is comprised of acrylic mediums and metallic surfacers. Even though Metallic Surfacers look and apply just like acrylic paint, they are very different in that they contain real metal not pigment or the mica flakes commonly used in other “metallic paints”. Rather, they are an ingenious blend of finely ground metal flakes (copper, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum) in an acrylic binder that creates the look and durability of a true metal surface. Once a surface is coated with an Iron Metallic Surfacer for example, a magnet will stick to the “painted” surface.
-deb massa
To purchase visit: studiointhesouth.etsy.com

Study of a Face

This is one face in a current series of expressionist portraits by Deb Massa.

"In the same way that an actor becomes immersed in a character in a play, I am absorbed by the painting. I summon up furious energy during the painting’s execution, moving noisily around the room, standing back and then rushing up, and like darts or writing on a blackboard, I fairly brutally try the next throw or cancel the previous one."
- deb massa
24"x30"
mixed media on linen
SOLD 12/09/2009

Bliss

The Valentine Series began in 2007. Each “Valentine” is an open-ended exploration, undertaken with a blend of spontaneity and careful analysis. It is my hope that in the end, the valentine has a certain clarity and integrity that invokes contemplation. Every piece in this series is created by first taking a stretched canvas and flipping it over-I like to refer to this as “exposing the under belly of the art world”. Then a light molding paste is applied. Next paint, liquid metals and found objects are added. Gouging, scraping and the use of solvents are all important to my process.

This painting is comprised of acrylic mediums and metallic surfacers. Even though Metallic Surfacers look and apply just like acrylic paint, they are very different in that they contain real metal not pigment or the mica flakes commonly used in other “metallic paints”. Rather, they are an ingenious blend of finely ground metal flakes (copper, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum) in an acrylic binder that creates the look and durability of a true metal surface. Once a surface is coated with an Iron Metallic Surfacer for example, a magnet will stick to the “painted” surface.

-deb massa

Available for sale at: studiointhesouth.etsy.com

Shrine of Our Lady Of Gleaners

Artist Statement:

I am an Artist, but, I always wanted to be a Philanthropist. The works created for theARTScenter ReVisions exhibit has given me the opportunity to be both simultaneously. ReVisions fill the need to get people thinking and evoke action to transform the world into a better more beautiful place-Deb Massa

Medium:

salvaged and found objects including: baking pan, metal toolbox lid; nails; water faucet handles; pipes; belt buckle; grill; speedometer; wood table legs; paper label; candleholder; rake; wooden alphabet block; and liquid metals.

Available for sale at: studiointhesouth.etsy.com

In the spirit of Vinnie's Dream

My HOME STUDIO located in Greenville, South Carolina’s Historic North Main Neighborhood

I was initially drawn to the relatively large and affordable studio/living space, with a wood burning fireplace and easy access to Downtown Greenville and the surrounding Upstate area in January, 2009.

Currently I am offering residential and work space to Artists. Accommodations include a private room, private studio, private 1/4 bath, plus shared kitchen and shower/bath facilities, fenced yard, and parking.

Artists (painter, sculptor, dancer, choreographer, musician, composer, actor, director, producer, potter, jeweler, designer, calligrapher, woodworker, weaver, filmmaker, photographer, writer, poet and a variety of other exciting disciplines) who are in search of a stable and affordable home studio environment or an Artist's Retreat, may Email me at: studiointhesouth@gmail.com .

Applicants must: demonstrate a serious commitment to their creative work; be clean; non-smoker.

Greenville is one of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America"