New York art dealer, Kate Ganz, had no idea what she had on her hands when she acquired "Young Girl in Profile in Renaissance Dress" at auction for $19,000 at Christies 12 years ago.  She sold the piece for about the same price just 2 years ago to a Swiss collector.  With a recent and very important discovery, the piece is now valued at $160 million. Peter Silverman was the man with the eye. He knew right away there was something very distinct about the piece. He asked several experts and had tests run on the piece, using "multispectral" digital technology, that eventually uncovered within the pigment a partial hand print and fingerprint that matched that on file of none other than Leonardo da Vinci.  The piece is believed to have been painted in 1496. "My one claim to fame in this whole thing is that I saved it from obscurity," Silverman told CNN.  The portrait will be on display in Sweden this coming March in a show titled  "And There Was Light: The Masters of the Renaissance Seen in a New Light". To read the full article from CNN.com, click here Special thanks to Livi, a friend of Mondo, for letting us know of this fascinating story.  If you hear about art in the news that other Mondo blog readers would enjoy, please email us at info@mondofineart.com

Leman Brothers will be taking their modern and contemporary art collection to auction, with the first batch of 238 lots hitting the block on Nov.1st through Freemans, "America's oldest auction house". Among some of the artists whose original works will be available for sale: David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg.  Prints from Jim Dine, Louise Bourgeois, Claes Oldenburg, Wayne Thiebaud, Yaccov Agam, Alex Katz, Robert Motherwell, Louise Nevelson, Frank Stella, Robert Indiana, and Andy Warhol will also be up for sale. As Leman Brothers sit in bankruptcy, their creditors hope to recover some of their losses through this auction, as well as two subsequent auctions on Dec.6th and Feb. 12, featuring other works from the collection. To read more on this, you can view the article by William D. Cohan in last weeks CNNmoney/Fortune Magazine online HERE.

          Thanks to all that made this such a memorable night! Special thanks to Sterling Partners, who hosted us in their beautiful newly renovated space for the event.  Since we are an online gallery, our events/shows will vary with location.  To know when and where our events/shows are, please sign up on our Contact page (click here), and we will make sure you get the VIP invite every time. See you at the next event!

"Sisters Crossed" Dimensions: 36"x36" Medium: Oil on prepared paper This stunning piece reflects the relationship between two sisters. It is composed of bold, angular lines, yet conveys a softness in tone and expression.   Detail           For more information on this piece, please contact us at info@mondofineart.com.

We are very excited to be showing a few select pieces of Michael Workman's experimental abstract works.  Michael Workman, one of Utah's most well-known landscape artists,  describes himself as a "contemporary traditionalist".  The pendulum of this paradox swings more to the contemporary and abstract, and away from the traditional with the pieces he is showing with Mondo Fine Art.  Michael's signature paintings are much more representational of the Utah landscapes that surround him - mountains, fields, horses, livestock, barns, and sleepy old towns.  These landscapes are all still present in these more abstract paintings, but are brought to life and into focus with color and texture. They hint to a horizon, or a mountain, or a season - but the interpretation of these pieces are much more felt than seen by representational clues. This work is about layers. In person, as you engage with the works, you see layer upon layer of paint - yet the work is completely smooth in surface.  The depth and dimension of this work is implemented with thought and skill. To see all of these featured works, please click HERE. We hope you enjoy these paintings. If you would like more information on any of these pieces, please contact us at info@mondofineart.com.

It is with great excitement that we add Olivia (formerly known as "Holly Mae") Pendergast to Mondo Fine Art. I came across Olivia's works in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah. The connection with her work was immediate. Her figures drew me in with their beautiful and soulful expression and graceful elongated form. Olivia has a great talent for capturing humanity in her work. I once asked Olivia how does she choose what subject she will paint... her answer was: "Whatever breaks my heart." It's this passion and love that she puts into her work that connects directly with people. Olivia recently spent 4 months in Malawi (Africa), spending time with the community there and painting (as shown in photo above).  The connection she felt with the people is evident in her portraits of them.  She captures their spirit, their essence, their strength, their humility. Whether she is painting the people of Malawi or landscapes - she always paints her heart. To read more about her story and her passion behind the paint, click here: Olivia's bio. Her works are now online for viewing and sale here: Olivia's artwork. Congratulations to Penelope for being quick on the response to our quiz and winning a pass to the Utah Museum of Fine Art!

Attention artists!! The 337 Project is calling for artist submissions for their latest creative installation endeavor - an 18 hole miniature golf course designed by artists for the public to enjoy this coming February at Library Square downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. This is an opportunity for artists to create and connect with people in the community in a whole new way - combining visual arts with the ever-so-popular sport of mini golf.   This project will be used to educate students, benefit charities, and get the general public excited about contemporary art.   The deadline to submit your application for this project is September 15th, 2009. For more info and an application, click here: submission form. The 337 Project has gone to great lengths over the past few years to get people in the community involved with art.  Since its inception with the original 337 Project, where 150 artists from the community participated in completely covering an abondoned house slated for demolition with artwork in all forms and media, the 337 Project has helped to revive an excitement about art and how it can educate, inspire, and connect us all. The 337 Project has won several awards for it's outstanding service to the community. We encourage you to learn more about the 337 Project here: 337project.org

I am thrilled to introduce to you our newest addition to the Mondo collection - Eva Rorandelli. Eva is a beautifully talented painter from Florence, Italy, who works in oil and mixed media. I was introduced to Eva's work by an friend of mine, an interior designer in Florence, who was also my interior design instructor at the Florence University of the Arts during my stay in Italy.  Eva also now teaches at FUA.  When I saw Eva's work, I immediately thought of Florence...with the focus on graceful figure and fashion. I also love her fusion of abstract and representational elements. Eva says this about her work: "My paintings explore the relationship between imagination and reality and critique the emphasis in today's society of appearance over essence. My use of fashion as inspiration is merely an act of remaking and revising previously successful object/symbols celebrated by society—it is a way to emphasize the transformation and metamorphosis of the era we live in." Eva has exhibited works around the world including Milan, Florence, Paris, New York, Rome, Beijing, San Francisco, and New Mexico. Eva has her Masters Degree in Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage at the Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence Italy. Additional studies include advanced study in painting at the New York  Academy of Arts, Woodstock School of Art, Vermont Studio Center, New York Studio School, Art Students League of New York, and the Art Institute of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Watch for her works to be added soon!!

-Mondo Fine art– to connect people with art all over the world. MondoFineArt.com is an online art gallery started by Salt Lake City local, Mikell Stringham.  After working as a director of an art gallery in Park City, Stringham recently felt the need to extend beyond the four walls of a gallery.  Becoming more actively involved with the local art community, as well as promoting artists in different markets around the world is her main focus. Stringham first got her start in the art and design industry years ago in Florence, Italy where she studied painting, photography, interior design, and gallery management.  It was because of this experience in Italy, and her desire to connect with the people around the globe, that she named the online gallery “Mondo” (Italian for “world”). During her travels and time home in Utah, Stringham has come across talented artists that she is passionate about and is excited to share them with a global community. MondoFineArt.com will offer a mix of contemporary original artwork by local, national, and international artists.  The site will frequently be updating with new artists and their very latest works. Mondo Fine Art’s online gallery allows the artist to still show with their current brick-and-mortar galleries and maintain a strong market presence, while also having a new distribution channel online to market their work and extend their reach to people around the world. The gallery will represent new, emerging artists as well as established artists. To stay connected in today’s marketplace, you need to take advantage of technology and the art world is catching up.  You’ll be able to connect with Mondo Fine Art through email, blogging, Facebook, and Twitter. Stringham’s goal is to create an online community of art enthusiasts who can discuss art topics and works, and get together on occasion to support and celebrate their passion for art. “Life is about relationships and connecting.  I hope to share my passion of art by connecting people with talented artists, beautiful artwork, new cultures, and community.” – Mikell Stringham --------------------------------------------------------- MondoFineArt.com offers an online gallery of represented artist’s newest works as well as consulting and design. Artists are currently being considered for representation. If you are an artist and would like to submit your work, please email digital images and bio to info@mondofineart.com.