Curtis R Doll Jr Quick Facts
I have just created a free promotional gift to pass along to anyone who has a spirit in the process of growth. As a SelfGrowth Expert on Beauty I invite you to share with me a visual image which, as an artist, I created for those who are moved by the ineffably beautiful Eternal Spirit of Love.
To download my FREE Promotional Fine Art Print titled: "Angel 35" click here.
Curtis R Doll Jr – Artist / Designer / Founder of: CurtisGraphics Corporation
Paintings, Pastels, Drawings, Stained Glass Design & Giclée Limited Edition Fine Art Prints
The Lark Ascending Illustrated Poem
A Philosophy on Art and Design
eMail: Curt
Services: Digital Graphic Art and Design, Photographic Advertisement Editing & Enhancement - Photographic Restoration - Manipulation, Advertising - Brochures - Billboard Design - Magazine and Newspaper Advertisements, etc., Website Design, Illustration, Motion Graphics
Education: Associate Degree in Advanced Technology, Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts, York, PA (1998); Honor Graduate of Fine Art, York Academy of Arts, York, PA (1977)
Awards: The judges at DesignFirms.org
have announced that the CurtisGraphics Corporation design of the MIKA
International Logo has been found as one of the best designs in (2008)
and has thus awarded CurtisGraphics with the DesignFirms Graphic Design Award; World Web Award of Excellence in Recognition of Originality, Overall Design and Appearance, Ease of Navigation, and Content, Art Space 2000 (2003-2004) and (2008-2009); Golden Web Award in Recognition of Creativity, Integrity and Excellence on the Web, The International Association of Web Masters and Designers (2001-2003); Golden Award, Photoimagination Photographers of the World (2002); Award of Excellency, The Art Academy of Paris, In Partnership with Artcult.com (2000); Anthony Award for Outstanding Contributions to St. Anthony Medical Center, Stained Glass Window Design for Hospital Chapel, Columbus, OH (1987); Pope Foundation Award for Abstract: Pastel Society of America Exhibit, National Arts Club, Gramercy Park, New York, NY (1980)
Extended Biography: Curt had a poem entitled ‘The Lark Ascending', published in the 2002 International Library of Poetry Anthology which was titled The Solace of Night. It was published by Watermark Press, One Poetry Plaza, Owings Mills, MD. He has been published in Stained Glass Quarterly Magazine on a set of six monumental stained glass windows he designed for Tifereth Israel in Columbus, OH using the Six Orders of the Mishna as the theme. He has also designed more than 115 crystal beveled glass clusters for MIKA International in Buffalo, NY. His most recent endeavor is partnering with MIKA International in the creation and marketing of a new line of beveled clusters. Curt designed all 53 clusters in this line titled the 300 Series. The main sales tool they will be using is a book designed by Curt consisting of over 553 design applications of these crystal beveled glass clusters within door, side-lite and transom stained glass panels. You can view, download and print this book of design, absolutely free of charge at: Crystal Bevel Residential Stained Glass Facade & Interior Panels
I have been blessed with the creative ability to conceive ideas along with the technical ability and volition to give form to those ideas. All that I am I owe to the endless blessings the Holy One has showered upon me.
In 1978 I became enamored with a particular composer and especially with a certain musical piece he composed. The Lark Ascending musical composition featuring a beautifully lyrical violin solo throughout by Ralph Vaughan Williams captivated me from the first. It was composed in 1914 and revised in 1920. The Lark Ascending is described as a pastoral piece depicting prewar England. However, taking into account the spiritual depth of his symphonic music, I personally perceive The Lark Ascending to evoke a deeper longing for the discovery of ones own inner being.
The Lark Ascending music was inspired by George Meredith's 122 line poem. The poem that I wrote by the same title was inspired by this sublime violin composition by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Through The Lark Ascending poem, which can be found at The Lark Ascending Illustrated Poem, it is my intention to reveal the interconnectedness between the arts; music, poetry and visual art, by incorporating visual images along with this poem. The imagery and the poem are best appreciated when viewed and read while listening to the music. Ballet is implied by the final line in the poem.
From a deeper, spiritual perspective, it has been written that God is love. Love is the most important of the Four Absolutes expounded upon by the Oxford Group. The idea regarding love is to ask ones self a simple question: Is it ugly? or is it beautiful? If it is ugly, it isn't love. If it is beautiful, it is love. There are no gray areas between these two poles. There is a chasm between them in which there is an almost infinite range of grays, but absolute beauty is absolute love. The Holy One is absolute love and is therefore absolute beauty.
I have submitted the first four articles on The Beatitudes: "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven", "Blessed are Those Who Mourn, for They Will be Comforted", "Blessed are the Meek, for They Will Inherit the Earth" and "Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness, for They Will Be Filled".
In my own fumbling way of doing things, as an artist, I have been seeking beauty all of my life; through my music, my writings, my paintings, my prints and my architectural stained glass design. In the series of articles I intend on writing to be published in SelfGrowth, I will be addressing the concept of beauty on a variety of levels, from the spiritual to the physical in artistic expression.
On finishing this series on the Beatitudes, depending upon the direction in which I am lead, I may divert my attention to physical aesthetics. The main conceptual theme of my most recent work is as follows:
These images are in themselves "Metaphysical Symbols". Form and color are combined, united and harmonized to create heart felt impressions of life. The concept of inner radiating light plays an integral role in the development of these images. This light emanates from within a counterpoint of darkness and shadow. In some of these images the light is radiating from without almost hiding the shadow. In others the light is radiating from within the darkness and is almost hidden. The light expresses all the positive forces of life including transcendental love. The darkness elicits the dark forces of life. Ironically, we cannot have one without the other. The darkness increases the beauty of the light just as negativity contrasting benevolence enhances the joy one experiences by doing a good deed. It is an eternal paradox.
SelfGrowth Articles by Curt Doll:
"Is Art Abstract or Representational?"
The Beatitudes
"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heave"
"Blessed are Those Who Mourn, for They Will Be Comforted"
"Blessed are the Meek, for They Will Inherit the Earth"
"Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness, for They Will Be Fille"
