was from,” he says. Their interest was enough to convince him that his paintings might have a broader purpose beyond private catharsis. He was quickly proved right.
Stanley began showing his work in galleries and, contrary to what you might imagine, it wasn’t just the Kiss Army snapping up his paintings. Four portraits of the band Stanley created as a tip of the hat to fans have been some of his least popular works. “There are definitely collectors who will never go to a Kiss concert,” Stanley says.
His work is rich with bright explosions of color and texture, often touching on themes such as fears. Sometimes he prepares the canvas by texturing it with modeling paste, then layering acrylics of different viscosities over top, using his fingers, brushes, home painting tools or anything else that can apply paint to it. “Someone said I was fearless with color,” Stanley says. “I said, ‘What is there to fear?’”
Art allows him to explore, he says. With music, “there are certain restrictions—it’s the nature of the beast—whereas in painting the limit is the edge of the canvas. Whatever goes on within it is up to you. There are no rules.”
The soft-spoken artist insists that, despite his growing commercial success (sales totaled $2 million last year), he is still painting for himself. “My art isn’t the only work in progress; I’m changing and developing in front of everyone,” Stanley says. “My growth is happening as my success is blossoming. I’m never scared; it’s only exciting. I always define myself by the challenges I take on and how I rise and fall with them.”
Brian Diskin
Here’s your chance to take a quack at your painting migrating around the world. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has chosen the brant, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, Canada goose and long-tailed duck as this year’s fairest of the fowl for its Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The only federally recognized art contest has been in existence since 1949 and will be judged by a panel of “noted art, waterfowl and philatelic authorities” appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. (You can view all past duck stamps at www.fws.gov/duckstamps/ federal/stamps/ fedimages.htm.) Submissions can be in the medium of your choice in black and white or full color. The winner will receive a pane of stamps featuring the design and the right to sell prints as the Federal Duck Stamp artist. You can download the official entry form and regulations at www.fws.gov/duckstamps, or call the Federal Duck Stamp office at 703/358-2000 for more information. The entry fee is $125, and all submissions must be postmarked by midnight, August 15.
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