John Waguespack's UPLIFTING Set for 'Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series' at Art Basel, Miami, 12/5-8

John Waguespack is the San Francisco winner of the 4th Annual Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series for "Uplifting," a portrait of Kate Moss, one of the most influential models of our time. John was a Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series representative for San Francisco in 2012, this is his second year representing San Francisco at Art Basel, Miami.

The Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, in partnership with Russell and Danny Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, has been around the country to find the next big name in visual arts. The competition takes place in nine cities across the U.S. with each city sending a winning artist to Art Basel, Miami, December 5-8, 2013.

Kate Moss rose to fame in the early 90s as one of the most iconic super models of our time. "Uplifting" is a portrait inspired by an early photo in her career. It is comprised of more than 100 layers of paint and attempts to architecturally deconstruct and then reconstruct a mathematically perfect facial structure. The overlapping grid systems and lack of a central focal point force the viewer's brain to constantly shift around the piece. This creates the illusion that the portrait is animating and becomes androgynous as it changes from female to male and back again. It is also homage to fine art and painting in that what can be done in a short time digitally was painted over a period of 8 months.

John Waguespack's art has been exhibited at Art Basel Miami's Scope Art Fair, The LA Art Show, the San Francisco Fine Art Fair, Art Pad SF, Art Aspen, The McLoughlin Gallery, 111 Minna Gallery, Los Angeles Center for Digital Arts and The Griffin Gallery. His artwork has recently adorned the covers of both San Francisco's 7x7 Magazine and the Nob Hill Gazette. For more information about John Waguespack, visit www.johnwaguespack.com.

In 2010, Bombay Sapphire and Russell & Danny Simmons' Rush Arts Foundation teamed up to create the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series: a nationwide search for the next big name in visual arts. Over the last four years, Bombay and Rush have worked together to provide exposure to the newest wave of emerging artists and discover what inspires them. Rush Arts and Bombay Sapphire believe creativity and imagination is enriching to not only the artists, but also anyone who sees their art. Over the past decade, the Bombay brand has been honored to support aspiring artists of all types in unlocking their potential and sharing their imagination with the world. Artists are encouraged to enter the Artisan Series competition by creating a piece of inspired, original art and submitting it to an esteemed panel of judges including Danny Simmons and Andre Guichard.

Fans are also able to vote for their favorite pieces of work on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire/app_126880350850476.

Pictured: Uplifting - ink on canvas, Copr. (c) John Waguespack.

NEWS SOURCE: John Waguespack

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