Chris Demarest Art
For three decades my world was children's publishing, authoring and illustrating over 100 picture books. In 2011, my career took a sharp turn inspired by a WW II photograph of a fighter pilot. A national portrait tour paying homage to that generation ended in March 2017. The exhibit now resides at the Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs CA.
Griff Holland USAAF
6888th Battalion
Women's Memorial @Arlington National Cemetery where the WW II portrait project began. 2011-2013
The Japanese influence
Moving to Bainbridge Island was serendipitous in many ways. Many of the WW II paintings I'd done were of Japanese Americans sent to concentration camps in the U.S. My new home is where the first Japanese Americans were removed from their homes, an executive order from FDR in 1942. My interest in the Japanese culture however goes back to college with the influences from artists, architecture and the basic idea of less is more which continues to ring true today.
Teapot: shoji paper and wood (Private collection)
Plovers: shoji paper and wood.
Shoji screen: oil on paper (sold)
Wobbly-sabi: wood/driftwood
Wobbly-sabi teapot
And now the really fun stuff.
Dioramas:
Shoji Teapot
St.Exupery crash lands in the Sahara, moments before the Little Prince arrives. (sold)
Mayflower
The James Cairn: rescue of Shackleton and crew. (sold)
Moby Dick
"We've all grown used to earthquakes around here."(sold)
Ahab's Wife: the whale like a dark behemoth comet.
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New Work
"Connie"
1911 Fiat "Beast of Turin"
Recent commission 16x20 Oil on panel
Vintage Car Series
And a tribute to Tintin, creation of Herge.
After several months of the van remaining white, I was inspired by the art of Herge and his character Tintin, 90 years ago.
1936 Auto Union Mercedes (14")
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Snowy egret: oil on shoji paper.
