Masterful Original Art & Artists at McGill Exotics

Wawi Amasha: Kenyan Spiritual and Cultural Artist

Wawi Amasha is among an emerging generation of Kenyan artists working and living in the USA. With a professional career spanning almost two years, the artist draws inspiration from her home country. Themes of her work mirrors varied aspects of Kenyan culture. She was born and raised by her grandmother in a small village in Embu district, about 220 miles from Nairobi, Kenya.

A keen study of her paintings reveals a seemingly deliberate lack of facial features on her subjects, She says: "This is a technique meant to portray the faceless nature of African people as viewed by the rest of the world". But lately she is branching out to more detailed paintings while still staying true to her own original style.

If you look carefully, you will find that she places a giraffe in most of her paintings. She does this in honor of her grandfather whose name "Ndwiga" in her language means giraffe.

Now Residing in Santa Monica, California, Wawi has devoted her life to her passion. She already has been featured in SOUL MAGAZINE, MIMI MAGAZINE and AFRICAN COLOURS.NET as one of the rising stars in the Africa Art scene.

Amasha wants to discover and explore different mediums in her efforts to provide inspiring art to her already growing fan base. But more importantly, she seeks to create art that will inspire people. She wants her art to promote Love, Peace, and unity for all humanity.

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Jesse Raudales: World-Famous Olympic, Celebrity Artist

For any artist, it would be a dream-come true to be selected as one of the official artists for the Olympics. That dream is now a reality for Jesse Raudales, a North Hollywood based artist, who was selected among thousands of applicants to represent the 2006 Olympic games, standing next to his fellow Olympians, Jane Seymore and Peter Maxx. His Olympic painting, "Peace for the Children of the World," opened in California, toured to New York and then went on to the Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.

Since becoming an Olympian, Raudales has been honored by the NAACP, FBI, Warner Bros. and the EPICC Center and featured as a rising artist in international press. Raudales was the only minority artist chosen for the 2006 Olympic Games and has received high praise for his passion to paint and dedication as a father.

His artwork has been featured on television (Martin, Living Single and Higher Learning) and in the homes of many celebrities including Academy Award nominee, Terrence Howard, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and the legendary, Rick James. He has also designed logos and airbrushed fashion concepts for celebrities such as MC Hammer and the late James Brown. His list of accomplishments also includes designing logos for Martin L. King III, basketball star, Dwayne Wade and the official Miss USA Pageant logo for the Donald Trump.

The story of Raudales begins in North Carolina and has captured the hearts of many. Born stillborn, his mother prayed to God to let her son live. She coddled him for several minutes and miraculously, Jesse gasped for air and was brought to life. His mother honored her gift from God by naming her son Jesus Guadalupe Raudales but after several years of being teased at school, he was later nicknamed Jesse.

Jesse Raudales is active in his community and continues to donate his originals to a variety of nonprofits including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Zo's Summer Grove, Sparks Of Hope, Inc., The OASIS, Hands United Together, and the Boys and Girls Club of America.

In February 2007, his Peace for the Children art show was hosted by long-time friend and client, Terrence Howard, and was held at CCH Pounder's (The Shield) art gallery (Pounder Kone Art Space). Jesse showcased five original paintings marked with the handprint of his son, Jesse Jr., honoring children around the world who are victims of child abuse. These limited edition paintings continue to be auctioned off for children's charities.

Jesse's most recent shows include Colors to Life Beautiful, a group exhibition inspired by Alice Walker's Color Purple at the 626 Gallery at Studio B in downtown LA's gallery row and his solo show, My Real Name is Jesus, hosted by Jermaine Jackson which was also held at 626, focusing on his life story and the inspiration behind his most versatile works.  His art has been showcased at many galleries and private shows around the world including Epoxybox, Chase Mitchell, Million Dollar Make the Discovery Retreat for the Oscars and at the home of Miguel Nunez, Jr. (Joey, Kickin' It Old School). The Raudales fashion line, reprints and custom merchandise of his original artwork can be purchased on his online gallery.

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Alfred A. Dolezal: Master Artist and Symbolism Equivocator

About the Artist: "At an early age, I learned to appreciate the value of simple things in life and to trust that which was familiar. An avid artist even during my youth, my favorite school subjects were art and geometrical drawing. I soon discovered that by studying and copying the masters, I could sharpen my attention to details and teach myself the different technical aspects of painting. Through the years, however, I began to question the fundamental 'truths' about life. I started searching for answers and discovered that there was so much more to our existence than what meets the eye. My curiosity was stimulated and I began researching mythology, history, psychology, physics and metaphysics and combined these elements in my work. Now, I continue to explore these fields in order to understand the impact of the law of cause and effect and to decipher the code of human existence. Since beginning professional oil painting in 1963, I have completed over 250 works. My paintings often display cubistic and surrealistic tendencies, vibrant colors in dynamic combinations, evocative symbolism and thought-provoking imagery. I often employ the pigments of my imagination to reveal a mischievous, humorous side, a dry sarcasm and my love for the unexpected. My paintings illustrate the levels from which our thoughts draw their energy and create their consequences and help to explain why the world is our self-portrait. They elevate and enlighten the human consciousness through symbolic artwork and inspirational storytelling and they guide the viewer to discover inherent tools that will enable them to realize their fullest potential. My goal is to envision a blueprint that illustrates the connectivity of all life and to create a model that will awaken the human potential for a conscious evolution. When you look at my artwork, I invite you to venture beyond that which you think you know, to explore another realm of possibilities where art is much more than just a painting."

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