Video of Watercolor Artist John Carollo Creating the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Poster

John Carollo's Watercolor, "Emily's Light" is the Poster for the 56th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

WINTER PARK, FL  Orlando/Winter Park-based abstract watercolor artist John Carollo's new work, "Emily's Light" is the poster image for the 56th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.

Created specifically for the poster and as a signature image for the annual Festival, the painting is a unique interpretation of a beloved Winter Park icon, the Central Park-situated, Albin Polasek sculpture, "Emily," a piece which holds special meaning to Carollo and his family.

Brought to life by the artist's distinctive Controlled Chaos painting style, where the water and paint move freely to create unusual atmospheric effects, the work aims to help the viewer feel the sensation of being near the edge of the fountain on a warm, sunlit afternoon in the park.

Officially unveiled to the general public during a ceremony at the historic Casa Feliz home in Downtown Winter Park on February 5, posters and other items featuring the image will be available for purchase at the Festival, Thursday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2015.

WATCH THE PAINTING COME TO LIFE

Creation of the painting, from blank sheet to finished piece can viewed on the artist's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/nakedeye32801.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

John Carollo began studying Watercolor in college at the University of North Texas under the
instruction of the internationally renowned artist Rob Erdle. Having initially approached the medium with a goal of producing realistic works, a summer study trip to Europe quickly cured those impulses. During the course of the journey, and continuing upon his return, John’s work took on an increasingly expressive, stylistic flair, meant to convey the mood, emotion, and essence of a scene rather than a literal interpretation of what the eyes might be recording. His loose, free-flowing style allows the water and paint to often move on its own with minor guidance, in a technique he calls Controlled Chaos. The end result showcases watercolor’s unique properties of translucency and atmospheric effect.

John Carollo

Since 2005, John has shown his work extensively in numerous venues in Texas, Georgia and the Central Florida area, including the CityArts Factory, Maitland Art Center, and Mount Dora Center for the Arts, as well as through collaboration with Voci modern dance company. In both 2007 and 2012 he was awarded prestigious United Arts of Central Florida Artist Development Grants, for his work with large-scale watercolor (over 6’) and 3D kinetic sculpture. The latter area has been a continuing source of exploration for the artist, with his work evolving from shaped paper and wire constructions to very large suspended pieces created from hand-painted silk, twisted aluminum and stainless steel. The largest of these to date at over 13’ x 16’, Icarus Ascends, premiered in 2013 and was designed for expansive atrium and transit center public art spaces.

Beginning in 2010, much of John’s creative energy has gone into The Figure As Vehicle, a travelling two-person collaborative exhibition with sculptor Marsha De Broske. Containing nearly 50 works by the two artists, all featuring the human figure in various interpretations, the show portrays the body as a vehicle for conveying messages to the viewer through mood, contemplation, personal connection and understanding. Ever-changing, the project highlights both artists’ ability to capture the essence of motion in their work, and has to-date been shown six times throughout Florida and Georgia at galleries, colleges and centers for the arts.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most prestigious juried outdoor art festivals, consistently rated among the top shows by Sunshine Artist and American Style magazines. In 2013 and 2014 it was voted America's Best Juried Fine Art Fair by Art Fair Calendar.com readers. Each year more than 350,000 visitors enjoy the show.

Every year about 1,100 artists from around the world applied for entry and an independent panel of judges selected 225 national and international artists to attend the show. The National Endowment for the Arts, The White House, Congress and many others have lauded the Festival for promoting art and art education in Central Florida. An all volunteer board of directors runs the annual Festival, now celebrating its 55th year.

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival was started by a handful of enthusiasts as a community project to benefit local artists and art lovers. The first festival was held on Park Avenue in March 1960. The festival featured original works of art and, after being advertised for just three weeks before the opening, drew 90 exhibiting artists. Over the next decade, the festival grew to over 600 artists and was spread out over Park Avenue from Fairbanks Avenue to Canton Avenue and on all cross streets. For the past 30 years or so, the festival has been contained solely in the park area and currently features 225 artists and 3 emerging artists. A loving art community has created and nurtured a successful festival that looks forward to another 50 years in Central Park.

LEARN AND CONNECT

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John Carollo Selected Poster Artist for 56th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

WINTER PARK, FL – Florida-based abstract watercolor artist John Carollo is thrilled to have been selected as the Poster Artist for the 56th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, taking place Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22 in the beautiful Central Park of Winter Park, FL.

The full poster will be revealed February 5, 2015 at a special event in the historic Casa Feliz off of Park Avenue, an iconic former Winter Park home, now being used for concerts and special events.

The creation of the painting used on the poster was filmed and will be viewable on the artist's Youtube page before the start of the festival: www.youtube.com/user/nakedeye32801

Learn more about John Carollo at www.nakedeyestudios.com. You can follow John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nakedeyestudios and on Twitter @nakedeye.

SPECIAL SALE on Lake Eola/Fountain Prints!

Save $5 on prints of John Carollo's original watercolor painting Lake Eola-Rain in celebration of the reactivation/refurbishment of the iconic Lake Eola Fountain in downtown Orlando, FL!

Check out the sale listing here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63390179/watercolor-print-lake-eola-rain-special

The Figure as Vehicle premieres February 18, 2010 at Gateway Center for the Arts

JANUARY 18, 2010 - ORLANDO, FL - Artists John Carollo, Marsha De Broske and Daryl Golden will premiere their collaborative show of figurative artwork at the Gateway Center for the Arts in Debary, FL. The show will run from February 18 - March 13, 2009 and feature an opening wine/cheese reception from 2- 4 PM on Sunday, February 21.

ARTISTS’ SHOW DESCRIPTION:

The Figure has been drawn, painted, sculpted, carved, photographed and videotaped. It has been depicted from cave drawings to the present, used as a focal point of contemplation from ancient sculpture through Renaissance sensuality, to modern abstraction. Meaning, emotional connection and invitations for thought, connection and understanding are often reflected through its shape, positioning or setting.

Our figures move beyond form to become vehicles for conveying messages to the viewer. They can be a voyage between worlds or time - gestural and stately, relaxed or straining with tension. Though we work in different mediums, a binding through line we share is the invitation each of our pieces offers the viewer to find a personal connection and interpretation with our work.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

John Carollo is a noted abstract watercolor artist, working in 2D with paintings ranging from small size to very large scale, as well as 3D with unusual watercolor and mixed media installations, a new one of which will be spotlighted in this show. His work has been featured in The Albin Polasek Museum, the City of Orlando Stage Gallery, the Red Chair Project and numerous Central Florida galleries and venues. He was a 2007 United Arts of Central Florida grant recipient for the creation of large-s

cale watercolor works. Learn more about John at www.NakedEyeStudios.com.

Marsha De Broske is an accomplished sculptor working primarily in bronze, whose work has been recognized and selected for display in numerous galleries and public art venues, such as the Museum of Florida Art, the Kissimmee Sculpture Experience and the Grand Bohemian Gallery. She received United Arts of Central Florida grants in 2004 and 2007 and has work in the permanent collection of the Crealde Sculpture Garden in Winter Park. Learn more about Marsha at www.MarshaDeBroske.com.

Daryl Golden is an award-winning sculptor whose works are mixed media. Her freestanding sculpture, wall pieces and installations s are made of clay, bronze and metals. Daryl has shown at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs, Florida, Albin Polasek Museum in Winter Park, Big Arts Phillips Gallery, Sanibel Island, Comma Gallery, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Harris House, and numerous other locations.

ABOUT THE GALLERY:

Located at the Intersection of Saxon Blvd. and U.S. 17-92 at Gateway Park, Debary, Gateway Center for the Arts is a multipurpose, handicapped accessible community cultural arts center, featuring the large Formal Gallery where this show will be displayed. It is the home of Gateway Art League, the Photo Group, Children’s Play House, Gateway Community Theater, and Gateway Orchestra. For more information, see: www.GatewayCenterForTheArts.org.

Media Contacts:

John Carollo 407.616.7170 • john@nakedeyestudios.com

Marsha De Broske 407.712.4477 • marsha@marshadebroske.com

Painting Videos Added to Multimedia Page of NES Website

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 - The video Creation of Greenwood Overlook, that was filmed in November, 2007 has been posted in four sections on YouTube page Nakedeye32801 and on the Naked Eye Studios website. Re-edited in fast-motion to compress the five hours of footage into 40 minutes, the video shows the creation of the large-scale, 7' watercolor painting Greenwood Overlook, from blank sheet of paper to finished, gallery-hung painting. The painting was the centerpiece of John Carollo's December, 2007 solo show - Liquid Thoughts, which featured large-scale and 3D works created with assistance from a grant by the United Arts of Central Florida.

Please visit www.NakedEyeStudios.com to view the videos and for more information about abstract watercolor artist John Carollo.

See John Carollo and his Art in the Maitland Art Center's pARTicipation 2009

MAY 4, 2009 - ORLANDO, FL - John Carollo has been selected for pARTicipation 2009, an offering of the Maitland Art Center in Maitland, FL. This unique event is free and open to the public and takes place in two parts: an exhibit in the MAC's Main Gallery which runs from May 2-16, and the outdoor Art in the Gardens Spring Festival - Saturday, May 16, from 10 AM - 4 PM.

At the opening reception for the gallery show on Friday, May 8 from 6-9 PM, art patrons and members of the public can meet, greet and hear about the artwork from all of the artists, and, in a unique opportunity, have a chance to bid on 45 minute instructional sessions that each artist has donated. A silent auction will be taking place where 3 sessions with each artist are available for the highest bidding participants. All funds generated from these sessons will benefit the Maitland Art Center.

The following Saturday, John will be at the outdoor event in the gardens painting live all day and showing additional artwork for purchase. The three winning bidders will have their sessions scheduled during this day and all members of the public are invited to watch his technique, ask questions and generally have a great time.

Food, drink and live music will help make the event even more festive and it is expected to be a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the recently completely redone gardens while they interact with John and the other artists in a wonderful atmosphere of creativity.

Mark your calenders for:

pARTicipation opening Gallery Show Recption

May 8, 2009 - 6-9 PM

Maitland Art Center Main Gallery

231 W. Packwood Ave.

Maitland, FL 32751

AND

Art in the Gardens Spring Festival

May 16, 2009 - 10 AM - 4 PM

Maitland Art Center outdoor gardens

For more information about the Maitland Art Center, see www.maitlandartcenter.org or call 407.782.9735.

ABOUT JOHN CAROLLO

John Carollo is a noted abstract watercolor artist based in Orlando, FL. He is a 2007 United Arts of Central Florida Professional Development Grant recipient - funds from which were used for creation of large-scale watercolor paintings in the 6-8' range. In addition to these works, John has created 3D installations, utilizing watercolor and mixed media and has been largely recognized for his portrayals of dancers in motion. 

Working with a technique he calls Controlled Chaos, John's free-flowing approach to watercolor allows the paint and water to make many of the decisions regarding the final appearance of the piece, as they move across the paper largely unimpeded. His emphasis on motion and the emotional interplay of warm and cool colors produces creations that are atypical from what is often expected from the watercolor medium. You can learn more about John and view examples of his work at his recently completely redone website, www.NakedEyeStudios.com.

At Last - The Launch of the All-New Naked Eye Studios Site!

APRIL 24, 2009 - ORLANDO, FL - Naked Eye Studios, since 1999, the unique source for graphic design and fine art in Orlando is excited to announce the debut of our ENTIRELY NEW website. Since the start of the company 10 years ago, the art side of the business especially has grown and changed to such an extent that a new site direction was needed. Visitors will find a much more up-to-date appearance, making use of Flash slideshows full of large images of both the graphic design and fine art portfolios. 

News updates presented in blog form are a new feature, as well as areas for Client Comments, Multimedia videos, thoughts and ideas Blog and extensive listings of Upcoming and Past Exhibitions, Artist Statement/Bio, Press Notices and more on the Fine Art side. A few areas are still under construction, and will be completed soon.

As in the original site, our dedicated and hard working Staff is well represented.

Take the new look for for a test drive at www.nakedeyestudios.com