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Simic Galleries Enriching Lives with Fine Art
As printed in South Coast Magazine

The very successful group of art galleries, under the name of Simic Galleries Inc., is the result of the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a man of great vision...Mario B. Simic.

Arriving in America in 1970, he embraced his new found home and the freedom afforded him to pursue his dreams. As an artist living in Carmel, he was inspired by the magnificent California coastline and soon opened what was to be the first of many galleries.

Simic's personal passion for painting and for collecting fine works of art drew many international and American artists to his gallery as a venue in which to showcase their art. The quality of the artwork exhibited attracted fine art collectors from around the world, including dignitaries and public figures. Within a short time there were three Simic Galleries catering to the fine art needs of art appreciators from all walks of life.

Today, in their 24th year, Simic Galleries are located in the cities of Carmel, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe and Palm Desert, California. Recently, this outstanding company celebrated the grand opening of two new locations in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Jane Seymour, actress/artist was the honored guest, exhibiting her most recent paintings in a one-woman show.

Celebrity guests have not been uncommon in the history of Simic Galleries. The paintings of Tony Bennett and Jack Palance are among the exciting celebrity artists whose artwork has been exhibited.

It is, however, not only the notables who have made Simic Galleries a leader in fine art, but also the many art consultants who have devoted 10 years or more to serving the art needs of the ever growing family of Simic collectors. These very special Simic Fine Art Consultants have a wealth of knowledge to impart to everyone who walks into a Simic gallery.

This knowledge, coupled with excellent service, fosters lasting relationships between the collectors and the consultants. Their strong desire to help the art buyer find a painting or sculpture that they love, takes them far beyond the expected call of duty. It is not unusual to find consultants driving to the neighboring state with several paintings requested by a collector to be shown in the privacy of their own home, or to forfeit days off to happily accommodate the schedule of the art collector.

The final element that has helped to build the stellar reputation of Simic Galleries is the extensive high quality inventory of a wide range of art styles, from traditional to contemporary, and works from living artists and deceased Masters. Presently, there are more than 2,900 original artworks to view on line at www.simic.com.

It is a tribute to the excellence and integrity of Simic Galleries that many of their artists have consistently exhibited their work. West Coast artist David Dalton, known for his detailed California landscapes and inspirational seascapes, was the first artist to have his paintings purchased from the first Simic gallery 24 years ago.

The well-collected artist, Polish born Yanush, has been part of Simic Galleries for over 15 years. His beautiful impressionist paintings of the Monet Gardens at Giverny, Venice, Portofino, Lake Como and Sorrento have brought joy into the hearts and homes of many fine art collectors.

The amazing floral paintings of Hungarian artist, Gyula Siska, so reminiscent of the 17th and 18th century Masters, have delighted collectors throughout Europe, France and America for nearly 20 years.

American artist Michael Whitlow has also been with Simic Galleries for a great many years. A self-taught realist, he considers himself to be a 17th Century artist living in the 21st Century. His marvelous still life paintings reflect a fine talent for the use of glazing and scumbling techniques, resulting in a realistic depth of field and the naturalistic appearance of surface textures.

German artists Morro and Hans Becker were both born between 1925 and 1930 and have continued to paint exquisite paintings of Venice and the Mediterranean for Simic Galleries for 15 years. Morro is considered to be one of the world's greatest colorists. Becker's expressionist style would have pleased even Van Gogh.

It is difficult in today's economic world for an artist to be exclusive to one gallery, but many of the Simic artists have given Simic Galleries geographical exclusivity. Two Yugoslavian born artists residing in Paris, Stojan Milanov and Milan Miletic, are exclusive to Simic Galleries. Milanov is highly influenced by the collectible and deceased Master, Edouard Cortes, as well as being quite versatile in style and subject, also a trait of the famous Edouard Cortes. Miletic paints Parisian street scenes with a light quick brush stroke and palette that stirs memories of Antoine Blanchard.

Within recent years, several important Spanish artists have been represented by Simic Galleries, three of whom are Roman Frances, Javier Mulio and Ramon Pujol. These artists have been so well received that the paintings are usually acquired soon after they arrive in the galleries! Whether it is the translucence of the water in the goblet of the photo-realistic work of Javier, the contrast of finely painted figures against an impasto background of Frances, or the clear, crisp, sunlit hues of Pujol, awe-struck collectors have been eager to add these artists to their collections.

Simic Galleries have historically represented traditional artists, but this year, their 24th anniversary, they have opened their arms to some extremely fine modern artists, and the list continues to increase. Included in this list are Claudia Meyer from Paris, Tisha Whitney from California, Abbas Derissi from Iran, and Sicilian artist Carmelo Sortino.

The art of award-winning international artist Claudia Meyer is on the cutting edge of contemporary art and is innovative and powerful as well as contemplative and fluid. In contrast, American artist Tisha Whitney's work is contemporary with a traditional flair. Having traveled to over 75 foreign lands, Whitney brings the images of these romantic, exciting and exotic places to life on her canvases.

Talent is often genetic, and Simic Galleries has been home for several great artists and their descendants. One such family is that of Camille Pissarro, one of the founding fathers of Impressionism. Simic Galleries is honored to have available for acquisition the artworks of Camille's son, Paul-Emile Pissarro, a grandson, H. Claude Pissarro, and great granddaughter, Lelia Pissaro. Other well-known artist's families exhibiting in Simic Galleries are: Pierre Auguste Renoir and his grandson Pierre, Antonio Cortes and his son Edouard Cortes, Alexander Dzigurski and his son Alexander ll, James Fetherolf and his son Mark, and Morro with his son Christian.

Offering two centuries of fine art, Simic Galleries has earned a solid reputation for exhibiting Masterworks of artists who are not only listed in the prestigious Benezit Dictionary of Artists, but also have their paintings in permanent collections in art museums world wide. Some of these artists shown in Simic Galleries and sought after by knowledgeable fine art collectors are: Cortes, Loir, Lhermitte, Laloue, de la Pena, Veyressat, Dupre, Fetherolf, and Garin, just to name a few.

Mr. Simic and the Simic Galleries have enjoyed a close relationship with the Renoir family and the Renoir Foundation for the Arts for over 15 years. Pierre Auguste Renoir's great grandson, Emmanuel, graciously accepts speaking engagements at special events held at Simic Galleries.

Mr. Simic has been offering fine collectible paintings by Edouard Cortes for 24 years, and in conjunction with the Renoir Foundation for the Arts, produced a historic Cortes exhibit at the Provincial Museum of Art in Edmonton, Alberta, in the summer of 2001. Over 100,000 people visited this very important exhibit to view more than 152 Edouard Cortes paintings, original works by his father Antonio Cortes, (a 19th Century court painter to the King of Spain), and Pierre Auguste Renoir, Valtat, Ponchon, Luce, Lebasque and Montezin, among other celebrated Impressionists and Post Impressionists, all part of the Simic Galleries Collection. The last major Cortes exhibition prior to the monumental Simic Galleries exhibit in Edmonton was in 1928, held in Montreal and New York with only 35 paintings.

Preparing for the next history making museum exhibition, Simic has accepted an invitation from the curator of the famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to partner in a very special Maritime Exhibit slated sometime in the near future.

Simic Galleries has generously given back to the community over the years, benefiting organizations, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, and the Art Global Foundation. Mario B. Simic, a man of deep conviction and unlimited energy, has helped to build countless private collections and has led Simic Galleries to the forefront of the Fine Art market.

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South Coast Magazine
The Magazine of Art, Architecture & Leisure