"Charley"

Meet Charley.
The eyes say it all, she is all about Love
and some more love with a
side of Love and Love for dessert.
Her owner is Sarah Cramer  at cramerphoto.com, the incredible photographer who took the amazing photos of me as a "People of Charlottesville"!

Dorothy aka "Dotty"

     Tonight is the annual Elementary School, parents night to party, fund raiser. The theme of the evening is  "Party Like a Rock Star". Parents get up and perform, there is a band and drinks and friends that never get to hang out, money is thrown, there is a silent auction and we raise money for the school PTO and stuff for the kids.

    I have been asked to donate a piece of art to the silent auction. Here she is:
Her name is "Dorothy" her nickname is Dotty. Dotty is my "Aunt" , my platinum blond, busty, lusty, hot pink channel suit wearing, sang "She's a Brick House"at last years event, relative. This ones for you Dotty, never lose your youthful glow!!!

Party On!

I am a People of Charlottesville!!!

The most amazing photographer has featured me  as one of the "People of Charlottesville"!!! Check out her Website and her blog. Thank you Sarah!!!
Her work is phenomenal!!
check it out!!!

http://www.cramerphoto.com/2011/portraits/the-people-of-charlottesville-project-lesli-devito/

The Mudhouse Show

"Tulip", "Myrtle","Juniper" and "Lilac" 16"x16" 

KALOPSIA - (kuh-lop-see-uh), def. The state of being, or condition, in which things appear more beautiful than they really are. Presumably in LOVE.

Medium: Acrylic paint

Description of the Show:

     We have all heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what influences our perceptions of beauty? Why are some things universally appealing to All or most of us? A sunset. What  contributes to that appraisal? How are we swayed or persuaded, or are our conclusions beyond conscious decision making capabilities? Do we love something more, when it makes us happy? And is it therefore more beautiful to us? And who, in the history of the world, defined “Beautiful”? 

     The Beauty of the Beast. What makes an animal beautiful? To you? To me? What makes me beautiful to you? Do we look at a painting of an animal, connect to it one day and dismiss it the next? And if so, why? There are animals which are trendy and gain popularity because they are “in vogue”. What makes a  trend?  And why is there a difference between displaying  a cow painting  and displaying a portrait of a cat? Is it the portrait or is it the cat? Or the cow? Or is there more to it? Is it Love?

30"x40""Olive"

     When I look at photographs of my newborn firstborn son, 14 years ago, he looks red and skinny and slightly alien to me now. But at the time, you could not have convinced me that he was not the most beautiful baby in the world. Is it love? Is it delusion? Is it kalopsia?

Is love delusional?

In Sonnet 116, Shakespere wrote :

...“Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove: 

Oh no, it is an ever fixed mark...”

     How does Love influence our perception of beauty? That is the question. 

Think about it ...but not too hard...and enjoy the beauty of the beast.

"Inspiration" 100"x30"

Email me @lsdevito@gmail.com for prices

KALOPSIA!

     My 12 year old daughter asked me to print something for her. She is trying out for the School yearbook and was required to write a story about someone. As I was printing, I read the article and cried. She will never cease to amaze me. So here is her article - about me!

Glancing at the faded light of the microwave clock, 52 year old Lesli DeVito, realizes that she has no time to waste. In her frantic state, she bumps into the coffee table, knocking over a small jar of blue paint. “Great,” she thinks to herself, “another setback.” Lesli multi-tasks constantly, between art and her full time career as a mother, life can

be the most stressful job there is. “I was five,” Lesli quickly recalls, “when I knew I wanted to have a job that required me to create. Ever since I could first pick up a crayon, I just knew I wanted to be an artist.” Despite her artistic gift, she never in a million years that she would have multiple shows and currently have a month-long showing of her paintings in Mud House. “It is a dream come true.” says Lesli, on the way to hang her art in the local coffee shop. “But I cannot even express to you the weight that will be lifted from my chest when this show is up and running.”

Lesli’s impressive depictions are mainly of cows, horses, and other well-known farm animals. “I first decided to paint cows when I was at a friend’s house, and in seeing the wonderful art all over her house, I was amazed and inspired.” But it was not until she saw the beautiful cow painting that she thought to herself “I could probably do that.” and so, having a very determined personality, she decided to try. In seeing the results, Lesli realized maybe she did have what it takes. “Kalopsia”, a noun, meaning “The state of being, or condition, in which things appear more beautiful than they really are,” is the name of her most recent show. With this title she is trying to show to the audience that while a cow grazing or a pig resting in mud may not seem a pretty sight, but in looking deeper, she found a beauty in them that others may not always see, and that was one of her main goals in showing her artwork to others. Soon after, she had taken this inspiration from an experiment to a career and look where she is now! And for Lesli, it is turn left for a dream come true on the long road of life. 


By Phoebe Holiday DeVito

"Sweet William"

Kalopsia opens tonight!