Veronika Hart

“Echo of Kifaru’s Survival”, oil on canvas,

size: H 51” x W 39”.

Swept up by the energy of a charging rhino, two dancing figures meld into highlights, shadow and form, their heads trapped within the hollow darkness of the ears. Will mankind listen to reason, and forgo the slaughter of this tough survivor from the Miocene era?

Molded by a unique blend of African and Western culture (“Between Worlds”), and

using oil on canvas, I strive to build aesthetic tension and to engage the viewer through

visual narratives whether the images represent contemporary portraits, surrealistic

animal human fusions or current political interpretations.

With each painting I’m challenged anew to attain not only technical virtuosity, but also interesting conceptual content. Composition is the cornerstone of my work. I spend

time contemplating diagonals, movement, and light before I begin. As a painting progresses

I concern myself with figurative accuracy and expression, initially keeping my palette in

a low color key, committing myself to detail and highlights only when I feel satisfied with proportion and general appearance.

Combining my ability to absorb visual material into my mind’s eye with a gift to sketch

from memory and imagination, and drawing upon years of experience as an illustrator

as well as countless hours spent drawing from the figure, I embark on a visual journey to capture the essence of my dual-cultured personality in a series of paintings under the title “Between Worlds”.

-Veronika Hart

Veronika Hart

15 Village Springs Lane

Hendersonville, NC 28739

828-696-2278

The child of German/Jewish settlers Veronika was raised on an isolated farm, among the leopards and tea fields of Tanganyika. Outside the homestead, Africa teemed with millennia

of oral traditions. Wild life roamed the bush. And expansive vistas opened out over the

Great Rift Valley below. Inside the farmhouse, without running water or power, telephone

or other industrial comforts, European traditions reigned supreme: home made gingerbread cookies, Christmas trees, and Brothers Grimm at bed time. Then came British type boarding schools, Dickensian in their rules.

As in her own life, so also in her art: Veronika developed between worlds. From the figurative heritage of Germanic and African lore at home, she was suddenly thrust into highly abstract teachings at Art school in Europe, and later, as an illustrator, into the cutting edge requirements of commercial art in New York. There, she was inducted into the prestigious Society of Illustrators, and later went on to win several prizes at the Art Student League of N.Y., Salmagundi Club, Silvermine Guild Art Center, Catherine Lorilland Wolfe Art Club and other art establishments.

Despite the pressures on her to conform, Veronika embraced her own, unique form of expression: figurative, albeit increasingly surrealistic portrayals of life between worlds. From that mysterious place, she explores the contradictions of humanity and its often-brutal impact on our environment, even as she celebrates the wonder that is our global heritage.

Please click a link below to download the corresponding files.

Biography [pdf].

Artist Statement [pdf].

Curriculum Vitae [pdf].

“Foiled” (Self-Portrait), oil on canvas,

size: H 24” x W 20”.

Wrapped in a costume made of kitchen foil,

my goal was once again to go beyond the format of the classical portrait.

"A Centaur’s African Dream" oil on canvas, size: H51" x W39"

Perhaps it’s no surprise that during my experiments with human/animal fusions, a centaur-like creature should eventually emerge from the shadows of my subconscious. Borrowing from nature, I have used the zebra’s striped markings to confuse the viewer.

“Immune” (“Boy from Darfur”), oil on canvas,

size: H 28” x W 22”

Hardened by war and pain this boy holds us with his steady gaze as he unflinchingly grips

the deadly scorpion by its tail. His North African features bear witness to the history

of that region.

“Impunity”, oil on canvas, size: H 40” x W 26”.

Hiding behind sunglasses, and confident of his impunity, this Congolese soldier rapes and bullies before boldly displaying his victims in place of bullets.

“Jini’s Kiss”, oil on canvas, size: H 51” x W 39”.

“Spreading his giant ears as wings she takes flight, taming his restless fury with a kiss”

Continuing with my surrealistic flavored African series, this painting reflects M.C. Escher’s approach to creating playful mind teasers with a whimsical blend of reality and fantasy. By portraying a spirited Elephant and a delicate nymph in the same space in overlapping metamorphoses, my aim is to engage the viewer’s mind and eye with a conflicting visual puzzle.

“Leopard’s Song”, oil on canvas,

size: H 70” x W52”.

When I was a child there were still some leopards prowling around in the surrounding rainforest, and occasionally we would hear

them cough at night. Over the years, fear

of them turned to fear for them, as these magnificent animals have dwindled in numbers due to poaching and loss of habitat.

“Twiga’s Puzzle” oil on canvas,

size: H 62” x W53”.

My aim in this painting was to sweep the onlooker’s eye from one giraffe’s neck into another and to engage him/her with the overlapping shapes of man, beast and background. At the heart of this painting however, is a story about resolving conflicts.

“Zebra children”, oil on canvas,

size: H 60” x W 50”.

“Zebra Children” touches not only on Africa’s loss of wildlife, but also on its hope for the future. The children in this painting are protectors not hunters as they aim their imaginary arrows away from the animals toward the oncoming threat.

“Maasai Prayer”, oil on canvas.

size: H70” x W50”.

The African woman endures crushing hardships within male dominated societies in Africa. Hidden in this painting are the words “Engai tajapaki tooinai puka” which means “God shield me with your wings” translated from a Maasai prayer. She is reaching out to the fish eagle – a symbol of freedom.

“Rwanda” (“Foreign Interest”), oil on canvas,

size: H 30” x W38”.

Ethnic tensions festered for decades in the wake of Rwanda’s colonial rule, leading to the vicious massacre in 1994 of the Tutsi minority.

On the left of this painting a dithering figure in robe and mortarboard portrays the industrialized West, while on the right, a nineteenth century (colonial) woman hides behind a 1990’s mobile phone. She is shielding her child from the unfolding horror that’s taking place in the center.

I painted this in 1998, long before the movie “Hotel Rwanda” was filmed. In my view there are many parallels.

“The Spirit of Mama Simba’s Children”,

oil on canvas, size: H 50” x W36”

My initial focus in this painting was to illustrate the fierce, yet independent bond between mother and child by melding mother/lioness and child/cub, but as my work progressed,

it took on an added mystical element -

thus the title.

“Finding Balance”, oil on canvas,

size: H 50” x W 95”.

This triptych reflects the environmental concerns of today.

Left panel:

Shows a tumbling figure, reminiscent of Icarus (Greek mythology), whose waxed wings melted when he flew too close to the sun.

Center panel:

Our eye eventually comes to rest on the lone figure balancing in a bubble. It will take a concerted effort for mankind to regain equilibrium to save our planet.

Right panel:

Behind her shy mask the African woman wields unpredictable power. She rides the volatile buffalo with razor sharp horns.

Upcoming Solo Show- 2011

Duke University, Durham, N.C. Louise Jones Brown Gallery, February 19th - March 22nd. Juried by the Visual Arts Committee of Duke University

Awards

2010

-1st Place Fredricksburg Center for the Arts, nationally juried show, "Transitions", Fredricksburg, VA

2006

-“Best Painting", C.L.W. Art Club's member show, Broome St. Gallery, NY, NY

2002

-National Arts Club, New York, N.Y., Famser L. Holgar Memorial Award 106th Annual Art Exhibition, Catherine Lorillard Wolf Art Club)

1999

-National Arts Club, New York ,N.Y., Famser L.Holger Memorial Award (103rd Annual Art exhibition, Catherine Lorillard Wolf Art Club)

-Cambridge Art Assoc., Cambridge, MA - "Second Place" Award for oil painting

1998

-Annual Art Show, Greenwich, CT - "First Place" Award for oil painting

-Georgetown International Fine Arts Show, Washington, DC - "Second Place" Award for oil painting

1994

-Art Student League - Group Show "Honorable Mention"

1993

-Art Student League - Group Show "Best in Show" Award.

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Woman Artists (N.A.W.A.) 2006

Society of Illustrators, N.Y.

Art Student league, N.Y.

Silvermine guild Arts Center, Conn. (full member)

Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Arts Center (full member)

Rivertowns Arts Council, Westchester, N.Y.

Art Society of old Greenwich, Conn.

Shows

Solo :

2008 (March 7 – May 31)

YMI Cultural Center, Asheville N.C.,"AFRICA - Portraits of Power"

2007

National Arts Centre, 4th Stage, Ottawa, Canada, in conjunction with performance art by Evelyn Voigt and jazz by Geri Childs

2004

Silvermine Guild Art Center, New Canaan, Conn. Contemporary Realism - Portraits

1999

Donald Gallery , Dobbs Ferry, NY

Three-person:

1999

Fraser Gallery, Washington, DC

1997

National Art Center, Ottawa, Canada, in conjunction with performance art

Group:

2010

-Fredricksburg Center for the Arts, nationally juried show, "Transitions", Fredricksburg, VA

-Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, nationally juried show, "Dimensions", Winston-Salem, N.C.

2009

-Asheville Airport Gallery, Asheville N.C.

2007

-N.A.W.A. members show at Adelphi University, N.Y.,

2005

-The Broome Street Gallery,Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Member exhibition

2005

-A.I.R Gallery, New York, 6th Biennial Art Exhibition

2004

-Catherine Lorillard Wolf Art Club New York,N.Y.108th Art Exhibition, National Arts Club

2003

-Silvermine Guild Art Center, 54th Annual Art Exhibition, New Canaan, CT.

2002

-Catherine Lorrilard Wolf Art Club, New York, 106th Art Exhibition at the National Arts Club (

-Arnot Art Museum, Re-representing Representation V, Elmira , N.Y.

2000

-Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, New York, 104th Art Exhibition at the national Arts Club

-Silvermine Guild Art Center,¹Cultural Exchange¹, Group show, CT.

-Silvermine Guild Art Center, 51st Exhibition, New Canaan, CT.

1999

-Cambridge Art Assoc., Cambridge, Ma. National Prize Show

-Salmagundi Club 22nd Annual Art Exhibition, New York, NY

-Silvermine Guild Art Center 50th Exhibition, New Canaan CT.

-Academic Artist Assoc. 49th National Exhibit of Contemporary Realism in Art, Springfield, Ma. C

-Catherine Lorillard Wolf Art Club, New York, N.Y., 103rd Art Exhibition, National Arts Club

1998

-Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY - "Rivers of Time" Art Show.

-Georgetown International Fine Arts Competition, Washington, DC

-Salmagundi Club 21st Annual Art Exhibition, New York, NY

-Silvermine Guild Art Center 49th Exhibition, New Canaan, CT

-Greenwich Art Society Annual Art Show, Greenwich, CT

1997

-Guild Art Center, North Hampton, Ma. - Self Portraiture Group Show

1996

-Estherwood, Dobbs Ferry, NY - Group Show

1994

-Art Student League - Group Show

1993

-Art Student League - Group Show.

Biographical Data

1968 -1970

Kunsthochschule Cologne, Germany

1970 – 1971

Werkkunstschule Wuppertal, Germany

BFA in Graphic Design, Illustration and Visual Communication

1973-1976

•Professional Illustrator - Medical Illustration, Advertising in Europe.

1976-1984

•Freelance Illustrator - Created artwork for publishing houses, movie and recording industries, and advertising. Represented by Bernstein and Andriulli, New York.

1979

•Elected into the Society of Illustrators, New York

1979-1989

•Member of Society of Illustrators

1988

•Returned to Oil Painting

1990-1994

•Art Student League - Studied figurative oil painting under Daniel Dickerson and Peter Cox.

1997

•"In Dreams" Film Project - Worked under film Director Neil Jordan. Created artwork, sketched on camera for actress Annette Bening for the film "In Dreams".

"Cradled in Truth and Deception" oil on canvas, size: H50" x W33"

My aim in this painting is to not only portray the bond between parent and child, but also to draw attention to overlapping shapes, perspectives and hidden connections. Note: only male Kudus have horns; so depending upon which line the viewer chooses to follow, the horned head above the child has either a male (kudu) torso or that of a human female.

“Portrait with Peacock Feather”, oil on canvas,

size: 24 ½“ x 18 ¾”.

Although my technique to self-portraiture emulates that of classical artists, I strive to

take my work beyond the old masters’ format

by building a contemporary or eye-catching element into each piece. In this painting the iridescent green of the peacock feather stands out against the complimentary red of the robe.

“Triumph”, oil on canvas, size: H 54” x W52”.

I have titled this painting “Triumph” because the two children are in a race against time and the pressures of the industrialized world that threaten their traditional ways and the animals around them. All the same, judging by the laughing face of one child, the road ahead looks promising despite the obstacles.

The Gallery can be rearranged many different ways. Please see the ReadMe.htm file for further instructions.

This is the same module as the previous with a few altered settings. The gallery is now created from an xml file instead of a directory. Also the gallery has been attached to the smooth scroller 2 module.

Customizing

Open the thumbnails module and set imagesFromDir

var imagesFromDir = false

Please see the demoSite.fla source for working examples.

Editing

When editing your website, right click over Gallery thumbnails and "Select a File" and choose an xml file of images. You will find the example gallery.xml file in the data/xml directory. Flashblocks ML will take care of the rest, creating both thumbnail and full size images to the specified dimensions.

The Quotes Module fades in and out displaying a list of quotes to the visitor. The speed at which each quote is displayed varies depending on the length of each quotes text and the speed that the designer designated while designing the website.

This Module allows the administrator to easily add, delete and rearrange items, all from withing Flashblocks ML.

Quotes Module

Scroll through and select the product that you wish to learn more about. Then select the product from the description area, on the right, to add that item to your PayPal shopping cart.

This example is, once again, created by the List Module. The contents are the same as those found in the previous example Although this time, on the right, there is an additional movie clip, that displays the full text from the original list. As before products may be added, rearranged, edited, and deleted by the administrator.

Sign up for your free PayPal account and start recieving credit card payments.

The List Module powered News feed allows for many more options then previously available. Display news in a running list or, as in this example, display just the headlines, with additional viewable details, as in the News 2 example that follows.

All three of these News Example are reading from the same file, list_news.xml.

Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift while your mouse is over each module to see editing options.

The News Module and RSS Subscription Module work well together allowing your visitors to view your latest news and subscribe via RSS feed.

Administrators may edit multiple news files, in RSS format, right from Flashblocks ML, adding, deleting and rearranging news items.

Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift while your mouse is over each module to see editing options.

It's easy to create this gallery in Flash with Flashblocks ML. All you need is a directory of images or a single XML file and everything will be resized and created for you.

Editing from a Directory

When editing your website, right click over the Gallery thumbnails and "Select a Directory" of images. Flashblocks ML will take care of the rest, creating both thumbnail and full size images to the specified dimensions.

Designing

Just drop the "Gallery thumbnails" movie clip onto the stage and give it a unique instance name. Resize it to the dimensions you wish for the scrolling thumbnails.

Then drop the "Gallery full size image" movie clip onto the stage and give it a unique instance name. Resize it to the dimensions you desire for your full size image.

Customizing

Open the movie clips, "Gallery thumbnails" and "Gallery full size image". You will see many option for customizations. Please see the ReadMe.htm file for further instructions.

Gallery Example

This Template example uses individual external XML data files for each template instance.

Edit the menu below and change the template from horizontal to vertical layout. The image will automatically resize and crop to fit the new template. Text will auto wrap to fit the new template.

Flashblocks Template Example 2

Name
Email
Phone

TEMPLATE1 EXAMPLE

The template movie clip is attached from the library and given a unique instance name to differentiate each instance's data. In this example we store all data in the current data file.

Feel free to contact Flashblocks from here. Also consider using the forum for technical issues, ideas and helpful hints.

It is very simple, while logged in, to change the email address that this form is sent to. Just Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift while your mouse is over the send button to see the necessary editing options.

Flashblocks Contact Form

Flashblocks Template Example 1

Flashblocks News

Flashblocks News 2

Email a Message

Thank you, your message has been sent! Sending... Please Enter Required Fields! Please enter a valid email address! SEND info@flashblocks.com

Template Instance #3

Template Instance #2

Template Instance #1

$120 Flashblocks ML additional license.
Ask about bulk licenses as low as $30 each.

$240 Flashblocks ML
The Flash Content Management System.

On this page you will find two PayPal Modules. Both allow the visitor to easily add items to a PayPal shopping cart.

The first example, on the left, is created by the List Module. It is very powerful allowing for products to be added, rearranged, edited, and deleted by the administrator. Scroll through and select the product that you wish to add to you PayPal shopping cart.

The second example, on the right, is less dynamic but even easier to add to your website and even simpler to edit.

Try editing content now. Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift while your mouse is over each module to see editing options.

Flashblocks Store

Flashblocks Store 2

Subscribe to the Flashblocks RSS News Feed

Two years after the well received release of Flashblocks Developer, comes Flashblocks ML, the Flash CMS component set. Flash Content Management is now more powerful, endlessly expandable, and yet simple.

You are welcome to login and immediately start editing this websites content. Just Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift to Login and begin. Once logged in, you will see glowing areas, designating content that you may edit. Move your mouse over each glowing area and, once again, Right-Click or press Ctrl+Shift. This time you will see editing options, specific for each type of content that your mouse is placed over. Explore, relax, and have fun. Flashblocks ML is easy.

This demonstration website comes with your purchase of Flashblocks ML. The source is included, and all of the modules that you see here are fully customizable, allowing you to learn from example and get up to speed quickly.

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