"3 Degrees of Abstractions" a collaboration of three contemporary fine artists, David J. McKenzie, Jr., Contemporary Artist, Darren Jackson, Figurative Abstract Artist and Chris Daniel, Mixed Media Abstract Artist, have teamed up to present a diverse concept and variety of mixed-media artwork under the same roof. Founded by artist David McKenzie Jr. and artist representative, Trudy Hawkins, this unconventional exhibit brings local emerging artists together for the pleasure of art collectors and enthusiasts in our local communities.

This unique art venue, which will showcase original paintings and signed limited edition reproductions, provides an opportunity for patrons to purchase affordable "high quality" works of art.

The exhibit and reception will be held on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Sycamore Club Community Center located in the Fairwood Community of Bowie, Maryland at 12600 Fairwood Parkway, Bowie, Maryland 20720.

Come and meet the artists as they unveil new pieces of original art. David McKenzie’s work is a reflection of over twenty years of using oils and acrylics combined with graphics and design technology. He uses bold shapes and vibrant colors to produce large abstracts, many of which are inspired by African masks and Adinkra symbols, and others of which are inspired by his love of the "vibes, tones, and rhythms of music." Zanzibar’s restaurant and nightclub co-owner Michel Daley states, "I have purchased several dynamic pieces of McKenzie’s work over the past few years. Mr. McKenzie’s non-traditional venue approach to selling his affordable art in a restaurant setting was a success with our patrons; a perfect blend of art and cuisine."

Artist Darren Jackson is a "painter of the soul." Using oil to create his unique style of omniform figures, Mr. Jackson describes his technique as, "having the ability to render a figure in multi-positions or as if moving." His colorful pieces will energize any room and are designed to convey interpersonal feelings of romance, spirituality, and family values.

The third and final artist, Chris Daniel, blends deep hues of earth tones and vibrant colors with textures to create highly unique, sought-after works of art. Inspired by the urban scene, Chris’ eye-catching pieces combine both contemporary and neo classic elements of design.

Please contact Trudy Hawkins at 301-538-8276 for further details.

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Directions: From 495 Beltway Take Exit Rt 50 East Towards Annapolis; Take Exit 8 to 704 North Which Changes Into 450 Going Towards Bowie; Continue On 450 To Fairwood Pkwy, Make Right At Light, Continue To Drive Past Safeway Shopping Center, The Sycamore Club Will Be On The Left.

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About The Artist

David McKenzie, the artist, is a reflection of our new age of communication technology. He brings the strong influence of graphics and fine arts techniques to his paintings: bold shapes and vibrant, luminous colors. His abstract, yet organized forms reflect late 20th Century directions in art. He enjoys synchronizing his visual art with other forms of communication, particularly music." The vibes, tones and rhythms of music, " says McKenzie, " have helped to strengthen my imagination as an artist."

McKenzie's background in various forms of art began when he attended the first New York High School of Printing, the New York Institute of Photography, and Columbia Broadcasting School in New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Creative Arts from the State University of Old Westbury, Long Island, New York. His practical experience during the early 70's included working for Shorewood Publisher's art reproduction house in New York City, which specialized in lithographic reproductions of famous artists' paintings.

Over the last decade, McKenzie, a Vietnam veteran, has combined his talent as an artist with his professional experience and skills as an art director, pre-press printing specialist, photographer, and computer graphics specialist. His commitment to producing original artwork and his sense of connoisseurship about doing so have made him reluctant to use popular forms of reproduction such as lithographs, seriographs, and giclee, which he says can inadvertently devalue one's artwork by saturating the market with secondhand versions of one's creativity and artistic expression. Instead, he employs his expertise as a photographer to produce photo paintings, which he then garnishes with his signature 18k gold oil based inscription.

One poignant manifestation of how these two art forms photography and painting come together for McKenzie is in his "Montage" series. Originally a photo he took of the bronze and black World Trade Center sculpture by Fritz Koenig, the paintings represent McKenzie's desire to soften what struck him as a harsh, militaristic image.Although the spherical sculpture was supposed to be a symbol of peace through world trade, McKenzie felt it resembled buckshot, a perspective he admits may have been colored by the fact that he was a recent veteran when he first saw the sculpture. The "Montage" series, in hues of blue, green, lavender, and pink, represents a revision of the original image he captured in his photo. In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, his resistance to the sculpture and his painting to revise its militaristic impression were prophetic.

Artist Statement

McKenzie's large, occasionally erotic, paintings are never so abstract that the original organic forms are lost; he leaves the viewer "a starting place for the viewers to have crucial views of McKenzie’s art work and connecting their views to a personal interpretation”. Through the use of bright colors, bold curves and shapes, and vibrant tones, he expresses a love of life, music, creative DNA, and attention to rhythm that give his work a unique abstract Adinkra identity.

Future Projects

He is currently writing an autobiographical novel whose working title is "Letters To My Children," a book he hopes will inspire young people to make better decisions as they cope with the challenges of life.

McKenzie invites you to view his paintings in the spirit of pure, warm, un-intimidated fun and imagination. Visit Web Site @ www.mileniumdesign.net

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My art is my perspective on life, which comes in all forms. Sometimes it’s rough. Others, it’s smooth, but always an opportunity to overcome find my way through a challenge. My journey to discover the perfect balance of inspiration and creativity continuously motivates me, and is seen in my work. Always in search of the next level, I am fulfilled by painting, and repainting on canvas until my complete expression is conveyed to medium. It is only then that I am totally satisfied with a piece. Until then, the journey continues.

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As I journey through this world, the more intrigued I become with the evolution of nature and the human life form. Artistically I like to explore the inner soul of people as they experience change resulting from our environmental conditions; and how they respond to the many social challenges we all face in this eventful and colorful world. I use oil paint as my medium to capture that "essence of the moment". Join me as I illustrate the colorful spirit that shapes and defines our everyday life from the inside out.

Biography

St. Louis Missouri native, Darren Jackson is an "artist by nature". His unique style in the modern form of abstract expressionism, offers a vibrant experience to the world of art. Each piece of his work is designed to convey a universal message that touches on various life concepts, such as romance, spirituality, and family values. His unique ability to create "omniform" figures, sculpture, and atmosphere provoke an array of emotions. Using oil as his medium, Darren creates many of his pieces in bright, bold colors that are immediately engaging, globally symbolic, and evoke energy in the mind of the viewer.

Darren Jackson’s passion for art began at a very young age. Due to the lack of economic resources he would draw and use coloring books as an outlet for entertainment around the house. While in his senior year in high school he showed enough potential to impress his teacher, who highly recommended that he pursue an art career. However, after graduation he chose a career in the U.S. Air Force. During his tenure in the military he studied Health Care Sciences and went on to become a successful Radiology Technologist.

His interest in art was refueled after taking a trip to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. He quickly began taking fine art classes and private lessons to gain knowledge about the art community. In November 2003, Darren’s talent was recognized again when one of his oil paintings was accepted into a contest called "To Extremes a Show of Heightened Realism and Pure Abstraction", and then exhibited at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland.

In 2007, his art has changed from the traditional Photo Realism style to a more modern style called Abstract Expressionism. He draws inspiration from artists such as Auguste Rodin, Elizabeth Catlett, and many African Sculpture Artists from Zimbabwe to Ghana. He is a member of the Black Artists of D.C. and the Washington Project for the Arts (Corcoran).

Darren’s dreams are to stimulate your mind, move your body, and soothe your soul.

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Contact:
E-Mail: milenium@mileniumdesign.net
Trudy Hawkins at 301-538-8276

Booking:
E-Mail: milenium@mileniumdesign.net
Trudy Hawkins at 301-538-8276

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