Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Saturday, March 09, 2013
View my new designs for 2013
I am posting all of my new designs for 2013 on my other blog. You can view everything by clicking here.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
"Sage Marine" Table Lamp by Art Donovan
A new addition to our collection of Sage Marine, marine grade lighting for yachts, staterooms and salt air/ seaside locations. Hand carved mahogany and weathered, un-lacquered brass details. Full range rotary dimmer on the base. 27" tall x 13.5" wide. The lamp may be easliy mounted for permanent, unmovable yacht installation. Designed and entirely hand made by Art Donovan.
View our other marine grade lamps here: Sage Marine
View our latest Steampunk Designs Here
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Monday, November 05, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Introduction of Electro Futurism
The very broad based category of "Steampunk" certainly has enough sub-divisions to confuse even the most ardent of enthusiasts and I have referred to my retro futuristic work as such. "Steampunk" is a convenient umbrella title for all the works inspired by the 19th century technologies. But since my designs are almost exclusively electrically-based and illuminated, I thought that I'd re-introduce my category/title for this type of work. The title of "Electro Futurism" would accurately describe the antique influences of my pieces. Thinking Tesla, Edison, the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne along with the myriad of antique electrical devices that were so wildly popular during the late 19th century, this new title fleshes out the historic and aesthetic basis for my inspiration. Objects such as illuminated sculptures, be they functional or decorative, computer case mods, computer keyboards, digital camera mods, iPods, flash drives and gramophones could also be included in this category.
You can view my full Steampunk website here.
You can view my full Steampunk website here.
Friday, May 25, 2012
The "Ravi Palace" Steampunk Pendant Device
Shape trumps ornament in this evolutionary Steampunk design.
Jewel-like points of illumination. 7 ft. tall x 2 ft. wide.
A unique departure from traditional Steampunk design work.
Rather than employing the typical, ornate layers of Steampunk brass, rivets and brown wood details, the Ravi Palace features a dramatic, graphic silhouette in matte jet black with illuminated, rotating "planets" in the crown. The overall design is rendered in what I term, "Electro Futuristic" design. It is powered by a device I modeled after an antique Geiger Counter. Made of mahogany, brass, steel, spun filament fiberglass, glass, polycarbonate and dichroic material. Incandescent, CFL and U.V. bulbs. *Note- Large Jpegs here. All images are sharper after you click on them.
Click Here for a short video of the Crown Unit.
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Above: A unique, hand made Steampunk wall lamp. I built them from mahogany, glass and brass. The top lamp is entitled "The 221B Gas Flame Lantern" and has a gas flame electric bulb which simulates an actual moving flame. A short video of the moving flame bulb can be viewed here.
Friday, March 30, 2012
New Wall Lamp-
New for 2012.
By Art Donovan.
Wall Lamp in subdued red and yellow ochre. Persian influences with a bit of "Steampunk" in it's technical-looking details. It features a hand-carved, layered body in solid maple and solid brass. The lampshade has both an antique pattern print and a polycarbonate diffuser with bronze mesh overlays. The top image is hand painted in gouache and gold leaf. (The original image is a from a 19th century Iranian painting of a groom with two horses). The Tassel is brass and maple. Designed and hand made by Art Donovan.
For sales information, Contact: Leslie Donovan at LTDonovan(at)optonline.net
Thursday, March 22, 2012
New. For 2012
"The Most Excellent Rumi Redux"
by Art Donovan.
On the heels of curating the most highly attended exhibition of the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford University, artist and designer, Art Donovan, continues to infuse his lighting collection with evocative antique and ancient elements.
Mr. Donovan’s newest design, "Rumi Redux" uses influences from the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi. The imagery (and Arabic calligraphy) is inspired by the famous 12th century Persian scientist, al Jazari.
The crown art is entirely hand painted in gouache and gold leaf with translucent dyes used for the back-lit elements.
The back-lit, glowing “Eye” is inspired by an early 19th century painting from an English masonic lodge. The comet is painted from the 16th century German, "Wunderzeigenbuch" (The Book of Miracles). The Persian elephant is painted from an early illuminated text and the crescent moon is a 2" thick, frosted convex lens which is then back-lit and rear painted in deep red to evoke earth shine.
The solid mahogany base is painted in pale matte gray with hand made brass and silk tassels.
The two electric candles oscillate in a most realistic recreation of an actual moving candle flame.
Designed and hand made by Art Donovan, Southampton NY
web: www.donovandesign.com
Email ltdonovan(at)optonline.net
On the heels of curating the most highly attended exhibition of the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford University, artist and designer, Art Donovan, continues to infuse his lighting collection with evocative antique and ancient elements.
Mr. Donovan’s newest design, "Rumi Redux" uses influences from the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi. The imagery (and Arabic calligraphy) is inspired by the famous 12th century Persian scientist, al Jazari.
The crown art is entirely hand painted in gouache and gold leaf with translucent dyes used for the back-lit elements.
The back-lit, glowing “Eye” is inspired by an early 19th century painting from an English masonic lodge. The comet is painted from the 16th century German, "Wunderzeigenbuch" (The Book of Miracles). The Persian elephant is painted from an early illuminated text and the crescent moon is a 2" thick, frosted convex lens which is then back-lit and rear painted in deep red to evoke earth shine.
The solid mahogany base is painted in pale matte gray with hand made brass and silk tassels.
The two electric candles oscillate in a most realistic recreation of an actual moving candle flame.
Designed and hand made by Art Donovan, Southampton NY
web: www.donovandesign.com
Email ltdonovan(at)optonline.net
New for 2012
"The Donovan Harp" Table Lamp
Influenced by the 19th century harp-styled oil lamps. Elements of Art Nouveau and Craftsman styling but gently updated. Mahogany and Oak with brass details. Brass and black dimmer switch on the ebony stained oak base. Nesting glass domes. Designed and hand made by Art Donovan
Persian Inspired Wall Lamp
Red and yellow ocher. Brass, bronze mesh with gold leaf details. Designed and hand made by Art Donovan. Somewhat Steampunk in it's antique, technical details. The image on the crown is hand painted in gouache ( it's from a 19th century Persian painting on exhibit at the Met.) New for 2012.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
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Above: The Geometric Deco Table Lamp, 1991.
Our original and iconic to our collection.
Featured in The Whitney Museum, NYC and The Art Institute of Chicago. The hand painted cubist pattern glows like a textural stained glass. 23" tall x 14" wide. Antique Metallic Fringe. Ebonized and stained solid maple. Designed and hand made by Art Donovan. Contact: donovandesign(at)optonline.net
You can also read a wonderful article about my designs in enLIGHTenment magazine by Linda Longo here.
Monday, November 14, 2011



New clocks, designed and hand made by Art Donovan. (1) Solid Maple Deco Clock. 20" diameter. (2) 'Steampunk Industrial Rust Clock- 31" diameter. (3) Steampunk Desk Clock. 10" diameter. (4) Industrial Clock. 31" diameter. Yes, the hands are also hand made. Available through Vintage+Modern.com
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, May 02, 2011

The definitive art book on the Steampunk genre. "The Art of Steampunk" by exhibition curator/author Art Donovan features eighteen of the most renown Steampunk artists and designers along with authors G.D. Falksen, S.C. Grey and an introduction by Oxford Museum Director, Dr. Jim Bennett. Read the latest reviews here.
Purchase online from Amazon here.
Visit "The Art of Steampunk"!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, November 12, 2010
Sage Marine- Premium Marine Grade Lamps.
This wall lamp is Sage Marine #3 Cabin Lamp.
To see our marine lamps, visit our other site here
Sunday, October 24, 2010
My most recent painting as seen in Ashawagh Hall Gallery in East Hampton. The theme of this 50 artist exhibition was "Fear". Rather than pursue the obvious themes such as fear of global warming, fear of terrorism, etc. I wanted to create a more personal, vulnerable piece:
"The greatest fear that all artists share is the fear of having their entire life's work end up in obscurity and eventual ruination -or worse yet, show up at a yard sale! This work shows a deeply fractured surface, as if the painting were carelessly left outdoors to eventually rot with the help of nature."
Title: "Fear is Huge"
Materials: acrylic paint, bronze pigment, wood, crows.
Size: 60" x 84"
For Sales Inquiries and Pricing use the Comments Section at the bottom of this post.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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