A lifelong Jersey shore resident and graduate of Monmouth Regional High School and Brookdale Community College, Demetrius can often be seen during summer weekends with his originals, prints, magnets and cards for sale at art fairs around the state, including Red Bank, Long Branch, Asbury Park and, on June 15, in Ocean Grove. He takes advantage of the chance to study people as they stop to look at his works.
"Sometimes they're kids who stop to show their parents something that catches their attention," said Demetrius, who lives in Tinton Falls. "Other times, it may be an old person who seems to be in some pain that stops and smiles at something they see."
Painting has been a lifelong passion for Demetrius, who strives to make each of his pieces "personal, meaningful, enjoyable." He recalls his teachers and parents noticing how prolific and talented he was at a young age. He considered himself a loner, and often painted to cheer himself up.
It wasn't until about a dozen years ago that he began exhibiting and selling his works. Initially, he painted scenes with entertainers, everyday people and animals. The expressions of his subjects, often crystallized in their eyes, and use of color caught the attention of audiences. Some people describe his style as "comic-like;" all agree it is different.
His resume includes exhibits at the Monmouth Museum, Art Alliance Studio & Gallery, Red Bank Public Library, Riverview Medical Center, and Monmouth Medical Center. His originals typically fetch hundreds of dollars, but he sells prints for a fraction of that cost and, against the advice of some people close to him, cards and magnets for under $15 or $10.
"I'm attracting more collectors, some who have four or five of my originals, but I want to reach people at all different levels, including the little guy," explained Demetrius. "Some people can't afford to spend much money on art, but they want to have some of the things I've done. They may buy a few magnets, put it in their kitchen, and they're happy. And, their friends talk to them about it."
It wasn't until about a dozen years ago that he began exhibiting and selling his works. Initially, he painted scenes with entertainers, everyday people and animals. The expressions of his subjects, often crystallized in their eyes, and use of color caught the attention of audiences. Some people describe his style as "comic-like;" all agree it is different.
His resume includes exhibits at the Monmouth Museum, Art Alliance Studio & Gallery, Red Bank Public Library, Riverview Medical Center, and Monmouth Medical Center. His originals typically fetch hundreds of dollars, but he sells prints for a fraction of that cost and, against the advice of some people close to him, cards and magnets for under $15 or $10.
"I'm attracting more collectors, some who have four or five of my originals, but I want to reach people at all different levels, including the little guy," explained Demetrius. "Some people can't afford to spend much money on art, but they want to have some of the things I've done. They may buy a few magnets, put it in their kitchen, and they're happy. And, their friends talk to them about it."
Demetrius has in recent years expanded his portfolio to include scenery with flowers and urban landscapes, some without the expressive characters that were a trademark of his early paintings. He typically has about five paintings in some stage of development at the same time, he explained recently while unveiling a new piece showing a diverse group of everyday people at a bustling diner. They continue being done in his own special way, and the effect remains the same: people smile.
"People want something they can feel good about," said Demetrius. "If I can do that in my own unique way, it's very satisfying."
An edited version of this writeup with a new photo appeared in the June 14 Asbury Park Press.
An edited version of this writeup with a new photo appeared in the June 14 Asbury Park Press.
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