We’re proud of our artistic team here. From the early days where we had just 3 guys, to today where we have over 50 artists in house and more available for large projects, we’ve always followed the principle that only by recruiting the best talent can one get the best results.
Those same three guys are still here, by the way. That’s because we make sure the artists are valued, treated well, given the best environment and materials, and respected. The result is that they rarely leave, with a few notable exceptions where the artist has gotten their big break and gone onto better things!
So who paints for us? Who will paint your work of art?
The average Ocean’s Bridge artist is either a college graduate in art, or has served an apprenticeship with a recognized master artist. Most of the team members are aspiring artists, supporting themselves through working here whilst continuing to develop their own portfolios.
The majority of artists work out of our Asian studios, although we do have some individual artists in the US and Europe as well. |
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Other facts that might be of interest: |
| >>The average age of our artists is about 30, with the youngest currently being 24 and oldest in their “early 40s”. Around 70% are male, 30% female. |
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| >>Artists tend to specialize in certain styles or genres, such as Impressionism or Portraiture, and as such we tend to allocate new orders to the artist most likely to do the best job. |
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| >>Long term customers often request a particular artist they've worked with before, something we're happy to arrange. As always, we're at your service and will do our best to make your Ocean's Bridge experience a satisfying and memorable one! |
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Meet a couple of our artists…. |
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Dan Groves |
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| In addition to being our Customer Liaison manager, Dan is an accomplished artist in his own right. Check out this article from 2005 about one of his more controversial art collections - http://www.netspace.com/articles/English-Rubbish-Going-Back-Home.php |
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1. Daniel John Groves
Education:
Croydon College of Art and Design 1994-96
Hereford College Art and Design 1996-98
De Montfort University Institute of Arts 1998-2000
Exhibitions. (public galleries)
Croydon College of Art and Design 1996
Hereford College Art and Design 1998
De Montfort University Institute of Arts 2000 |
Influences:
Art: Lowry, Matisse, Manet, Mark Rothco
Illustrators: Ralph Stead |
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Read More about Dan Groves (Click + to View More)
Dan Groves is a young British artist who studied at The Croydon College of Art and Design, The Hereford College of Art and Design and later completed his studies at the Demontfort University Institute of Arts.
After his formal training Dan got busy trying to find his own style of painting. He likes to explore textures and visual timbres.
After meeting with success and acclaim in the UK Daniel decided the best way to grow as an artist was to experience new worlds and new cultures. Dan spent 3 years traveling through Europe, taking in the sights and sounds of many of the continents finest cities. He took a year in Turkey to study some of Europe's most ornate and oldest art styles. He studied the art of Ottoman Calligraphy and found himself heavily influenced by tile and mosaic works in this ancient part of the world.
Following in ancient footsteps, Dan traveled overland from Turkey to China via the old silk route where he picked up some of his most prized items including, wall hangings and earthenware specific to this region.
The Silk Road behind him, Daniel is now based in Xiamen, southern China were he has, again, embarked on his love of calligraphy, this time with the ancient art of Kai Shu or regular style being his inspiration. With hundreds of pieces in his studio/home Daniel decided that it was time to share his love with the public by offering them a chance to buy his works of art.
He contacted Ocean's Bridge in the hope that they could employ their years of experience in the Art World to market his work successfully. Four months on and many sales later Daniel's reputation in the art world is starting to gather momentum. With invitations from several leading galleries and commissions coming in by the dozen, Daniel is seizing his opportunity to heighten this profile and make a splash in the art world.
Some of Dan's more current work includes a “Trash ART” series which he conceived as a response to recent events in Europe where Companies have been charged with shipping rubbish illegally from Britain to China. In an ironic twist, Dan's idea was to take Chinese rubbish, turn it into art put it up for sale in his native UK.
Some of his Trash ART range collages of various waste materials turned into shapes and images. Other pieces in the range are more politically charged with several of Britain's most iconic images getting the rough treatment from the self proclaimed “ec-art warrior”.
What of the future for this budding new talent? Daniel wants to expand his talents as an artist and he sees the ‘expansion of the mind and it's horizons” the best way to do this.
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2. Luo Yanjuan |
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| A few samples of her work: |
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Excerpts from a Q & A session with one of our talented young artists, the 28 year old Luo Yanjuan from Fujian Province in China: |
Click on the + to view the ANSWER
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Q: Miss Luo, When did you start painting?
When I was a little girl. I loved drawing and coloring and began painting just as soon as I was given my first painting kit!
Q: What is your educational background?
I am a postgraduate student at Xiamen University, majoring in fine art. In fact, I am in my final year.
Q: Who did you study painting with (or where)?
In recent years, the biggest influences have been my teachers and classmates at Xiamen University. Some of the professors are internationally known, and have really helped me develop as an artist, but I have also benefited from working alongside some really talented classmates. Xiamen produces, and attracts, some of the best artists in China (EDITOR’S NOTE: China produces around 80% of the world’s reproductions these days, and the depth of talent here is reflected by the red-hot Chinese art market).
Q: What are your painting specialties (i.e. Impressionism, portraiture, abstract)?
Impressionism and still life are my favorites, although I am pretty flexible.
Q: Who are your favorite artists?
Hmm…Monet and Bonnard, I think.
Q: What paintings do you have in your home?
Landscape and still life paintings, mostly by myself!
Q: Why did you become an artist?
I started simply because I enjoyed it. And I still do…an artist is all I have ever wanted to be.
Q: Where have you exhibited before?
Longyan, Xiamen, Shanghai and Hong Kong (I sold out at my last exhibition!)
Q: What do you hope for the future?
I hope make my mark as an artist and, more importantly, continue to enjoy what I do as well as make a nice living from it!
Q: Why is your art different?
My art reflects my interests, my thoughts and my experience. And as every person is unique, my art is also…it’s very personal, a distillation or reflection of who I am.
Q: Is buying your art a good investment?
Yes, I believe so. These days I have a couple of long term buyers waiting for my next exhibition…it’s quite flattering!
Q: At Ocean’s Bridge you produce mainly reproductions. How do you approach paintings that are not your own creations?
As an artist, I appreciate the work of famous artists, find it inspirational, and enjoy recreating their art. It is also a good source of income and a nice change when I am creating my own art works and trying to break through as an established artist in my own right.
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