Thank you to Judy Berman for interviewing Damion.
Damion Rhodes' art is diverse and creative. He works in acrylics, graphite and charcoal. Originally from Los Angeles, he now lives in Merritt Island.
He answered the following questions.
   1. What is your favorite medium and why? "I really enjoy charcoal, but I like trying different things.”

   2. If you had unlimited money, how would that change what you do as an artist?
       I'd use it to buy real estate, convert it for the homeless, start art studios in impoverished areas, enhance healthcare and Ai for agriculture, invest in museums of ancient history and arts. 


   3. Name a person that has influenced your art journey? "I find inspiration in all artists in differing ways, inspiration in the most random of things."


   4. What's the best art gift you've received or given? "The best gift is naturally the blessings and opportunities. The good and the not-so-good. It's all within a System of Progression."


   5. Is there anything you'd like to add? "Follow your intuition. It'll never lie to you."

Tell us about yourself…I am a 30 year fiber artist and Certified punching instructor specializing in color manipulation through my Painting With Wool techniques. I also paint with acrylics and oil and I am a Master Dyer. I compete on a global level. 
 
I have been a member of CBAA for 4 months, and I live in Viera. I am from New Hampshire originally. We moved here to be with family in 2021.
 
1. What is something no one knows about you?
My artistic drive. As Gustav Klimt quoted, " Art is a line around your thoughts." I am always creating my next piece in my head. 
 
2. What's the best art gift you have been given? A charcoal portrait of my son and I hugging I received it a year after he took his life to PTSD.
 
3. What's your preferred subject matter for your art? My artistic preferences literally change day by day. Right now I am fervently content with painting. Last year I was immersed in fiber art. 
 
4. Is there something you'd like to add here? 
I teach my students to love where they are in the process. To excel within themselves, for themselves, and no one else.
 

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What a lovely time of year!  As part of a wonderfully creative artist community, the CBAA members are embracing this time of year with a flurry of events & activities!
The Kid's Summer Art program preparations, Continuing Adult Art classes, the Spring Art Show in April, the Surfside Playhouse rotating art program, and Art in Public Spaces program - this is only a portion of the ways CBAA keeps art alive in Central Brevard County!  Check out CBAA website for all the details & information!!

Hello, My name is Arthur DeLaurentis.

I have been a lapidary (stone cutter) for over 45 years and a serious silver smith for the past 15 years. My first love is the lapidary work. The natural beauty of gem stone material is what inspires me to create different jewelry pieces. I cut and polish all my own natural stones.

Over the years I have taken a number of different classes to improve my work. There are so many aspects of jewelry making that it is almost impossible to try to master them all. I have learned so much over the years that I would encourage beginners not to give up.

1. Interview Question: What is the best art gift you have received or given?

Last year I met the daughter of one of my customers who works at the American Embassy in Afghanistan. She sent me a box of rough Afghani lapis lazuli (about eight pounds). I in-turn made her a lovely pear shaped lapis pendant from the material.

2. Interview question: What is your inspiration when creating your art?

My creativity grows whenever I see the images that occur in the natural gemstones. My goal is to free the beauty that lies within the unpolished stones.

3. Interview Question: When are you at your creative best?

When I have trouble sleeping, I come up with some of my best design ideas. When morning comes I get up and draw my ideas. Then I refine how the piece will finally look.

This is one of my intarsia pendants. The center is malachite surrounded by lapis, synthetic opal and rhodochrosite. It hangs from a hand woven chain, made from five strands of 26 gauge fine silver wire. I also forged the fittings. I like this piece because it incorporates all my handwork: my own design, my own intarsia, and my own weaving. It sold very quickly.

I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, take classes, and persevere in your art.
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