March 11, 2005

March 10, 2005

While the Kentucky Derby is just 2 months away horse betting fans and poker players team up to help artist launch company and Expo at the International Artexpo, NY.
World Series of Poker Inspires Pals to Gamble on Artist & Friend - Kim Luttrell Launches Company and Exhibition at the International Artexpo, NY

A group of Kentucky high school friends are coming together across the country to invest in and promote friend and artist, Kim Luttrell. After seeing an article in The Wall Street Journal about a patent attorney who won the World Series of Poker and funded his entry fee by selling shares of his stake in the tournament, friends were inspired to buy shares to form Luttrell Fine Art, LLC and fund the artists entry into the International Artexpo in New York to be held March 3-6. Friends are hoping to capitalize on the talent they see in Luttrell's work through this unprecedented business model in the art arena and gain a piece of the growing $60 billion dollar art industry.

New York (PRWEB) March 4, 2005 -- A group of Kentucky high school friends are coming together across the country over 20 years later to invest in and promote friend and artist, Kim Luttrell. As a result, Luttrell has launched her new company, Luttrell Fine Art, LLC, and is exhibiting her work this weekend at the International Artexpo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, March 3-6, 2005. Art expo jump-started the careers of some of the finest American artists of the 20th Century, one of them being Andy Warhol. Luttrell will be at booth #2812 throughout the show.

Luttrell attended the Artexpo as a spectator for the past four years and knew she needed to be an exhibitor in order to take her career to the next level. After conducting research with various artists, she knew the results were promising. However, the financial commitment was daunting. The right amount of work, appropriate set up and suitable promotional tools seemed prohibitive to Luttrell.

Luttrell's high school friend, fellow New Yorker and avid collector, Amy Wilson, also attended the 2004 International Artexpo and felt this was the next step for the artist. Wilson read an article that appeared on June 1, 2004, in The Wall Street Journal about a patent attorney who won the World Series of Poker. This savvy poker player funded his entry fee by selling "shares" of his stake in the tournament. After his big win, investors were paid a percentage of his winnings. Wilson was inspired that she could establish something similar for Luttrell to exhibit at the Artexpo.

On a trip home to Henderson, Kentucky, shortly following the article, Wilson informally presented the concept to friends and high school classmates of Luttrell who enthusiastically encouraged and began the venture. Five-hundred $100 shares were sold to launch Luttrell.
Beyond their financial investments, several contributed their professional services for additional stock. The long-time Kentucky-based friends have joined with some of Luttrell's oldest collectors in New York and Connecticut, consisting of investment bankers, real estate investors and company presidents.

"I have realized that many people come in and out of your life and the people you want around you are those you can trust," said Luttrell. "I am excited about taking my work more broadly worldwide with the help and support of those most true to me."

The 39-year-old Luttrell is not unfamiliar to bankrolling her art career with the help of her Kentucky friends and associates. In 1983, as Luttrell was graduating from high school, she created a series of works depicting the Kentucky Derby and horse racing. Luttrell ingeniously sold these as prints to fund her college education at the Ringling School of Fine Arts, in Sarasota, Florida.

Luttrell's body of work includes painted works on paper mounted to canvas that presents an appearance of motion. Additionally each section within the piece occasionally reveals an isolated scene. Luttrell has also produced labor intensive woven paintings that are a tribute to the handicraft and age-old tradition of weaving used by early 20th century settlement workers from her home state of Kentucky. Along with these latest works, are her abstract forms using paint chips which hold the viewer's attention by creating shapely waves of infinitesimal colors and compelling intensity.

Because Luttrell remains connected to her roots in Kentucky, she will be showing some works at the International Artexpo depicting scenes from the state. Luttrell recently developed a series of etchings, photo-etchings, lithographs and serigraphs at the famed Arts Students League in New York to exhibit at the Artexpo. She will be premiering her works on giclee prints as well.
Luttrell moved to New York City in 1991 with $600 and a dream. Once in New York, Luttrell evolved into a full-time career of creating original mixed-media art and began by selling her art on the streets of Manhattan neighborhoods to build her notable clientele. Since 1998, Luttrell has achieved numerous solo and group shows throughout New York that has generated a notable following; selling her work for as much as $32,000.

"For an artist, it takes a little more determination to get to the places they want to go," says Luttrell. "But knowing that on a small scale, on the streets of New York where there is so much competition, I was able to survive, allows me to feel hopeful that I will be able to make it in today's art world. Certainly, time will tell, but I remain steadfast in reaching my dreams with the support of so many that believe in me."

Luttrell Fine Art, LLC. Kim Luttrell creates original mixed-media art using a vivid palette, conspicuous textures and arresting themes. Her works are displayed in corporate and private collections throughout the U.S., Holland, Israel, Australia, Argentina, England, Brazil, China, Japan and Republic of Guinea and hang among other well-known artists such as Dali, Picasso, Winston Churchill and Anthony Quinn. Notable collectors range from Anna Strasberg, widow of renowned actor and teacher, Lee Strasberg, of the Theatre Institute in New York and California to Kentucky's own Academy Award winning, Patricia Neal. Luttrell has participated in solo and group shows in New York and was a featured artist in a national publication show house, the House & Garden Havemeyer Mansion in New Jersey. An Australian filmmaker also made Luttrell the topic of an independent documentary which has been recently added to the permanent archives of the Library and Research Center of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. For more information: http://www.luttrellfineart.com/ .

International Artexpo, New York. The only U.S. based international event connecting artists, galleries, and art publishers with more than 40,000 trade buyers and collectors. The Artexpo strengthens business relationships and enables artists to explore new market opportunities with qualified buyers from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other regions. For more information: http://www.artexpos.com/ .

Chris Moneymaker, champion of the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has recently announced the release of Moneymaker Gaming, a new manufacturer of poker supplies, accessories and apparel. By some accounts, poker rakes in 3-5 billion dollars a year, and Moneymaker wants a piece of that lucrative pie.

In a press conference scheduled for today, Moneymaker plans to discuss the launch of his company as well as sharing his story with the public. Fellow WSOP champion Johnny Chan, who has signed a licensing agreement with Moneymaker, is also set to make an appearance to promote "How to Play like Johnny Chan," his new book. Moneymaker has additional licensing agreements with Death Row Records and Vida Guerra.

Source: OP-News Staff

March 8, 2005

Poker pro Kathy Liebert follows her win on 'Poker Royale: Battle of the Sexes' with an upcoming stint with PartyPoker.com, becoming spokesperson for the popular online poker room. Party Poker enlisted Liebert not a moment to soon, as she is scheduled to appear in the Party Poker Million IV cruise, setting sail on March 19th. The cruise tournament boasts a total prize pool of $7 million and will appear as part of the World Poker Tour (WPT) on the Travel Channel.

Liebert recently earned her place in the spotlight after winning GSN's 'Poker Royale: Battle of the Sexes' last week, proving that poker is more than just a man's game. Additional accolades include winning a bracelet at the 2004 World Series of Poker after taking first place at the $1,500 Hold 'Em Shoot Event. Over the course of seven years, Liebert has amassed over $2 million in poker winnings, emerging from over two dozen tournaments in the money.

Liebert can next be seen on the second season of Fox's Poker SuperStars Invitational Tournament, scheduled to kickoff on March 13th. She joins Doyle Brunson, Todd Brunson, Johnny Chan, Barry Greenstein, Carlos Mortensen, Chris Moneymaker and more.

Source: OP-News Staff

BIKER BREAKFAST: presented by Boy Scout Troop 34, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Lake Monroe Inn, 2485 U.S. 17-92, Sanford. $5; proceeds benefit the troop's fund. (407) 417-0033.

14th ANNUAL GOLDWING GETAWAY VENDOR EXPO: pin-striping, airbrush artists, leathers, tires, accessories, food and more; presented by Chapter FL1-H, Goldwing Road Riders Association, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., New Smyrna Beach Airport, U.S. Highway 1, New Smyrna Beach. Free. (386) 673-6176.

WESTSIDE POKER RUN AND BBQ: presented by DeLand Museum of Art and DeLand Rotary Club; poker run begins at the former Root Museum Building on Fentress Boulevard, two blocks north of Daytona International Speedway; 8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. blessing of the bikes; 9:30 a.m. first bike out; 11:30 a.m. last bike out; 3 p.m. last bike in at Dale's Ales, 2400 N. Volusia Ave., Orange City. $10, includes meal and live entertainment. (386) 734-4371.

EDGEWATER CITIZEN WATCH POKER RUN: stops include Fox Head, OB's, Wise Guys and Last Resort; 9 a.m. register; 11 a.m. last bike out No Name Saloon, 2001 S. Ridgewood Ave., Edgewater, $20, includes barbecue and one raffle ticket for the Edgewater Citizen Watch Harley-Davidson Drawing on March 12. (386) 428-9229.

11th ANNUAL SOBER CONCERT & HOG ROAST: games for bikers and children; no alcohol, noon, 2512 Orange St., Bunnell. Free. Take canned soda or covered dish. (386) 437-0373.

KICKSTAND CITY: featuring performers include: Ross and Rotten, 6:45 p.m.; Harley Hypnotist, 8 p.m.; Charlie Brechtel Band, 8:30 p.m. and midnight; Hawaiian Tropic Girls, 10:15 p.m.; Geneva, 10:30 p.m., Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. $30 daily admission; camping sites also available. All prices and performers subject to change. (800)-PITSHOP.

ESPN, the network home to the World Series of Poker has entered into competition with online poker sites by launching its own online poker tournament, which will send one player to Harrah's 2005 WSOP. ESPN's new offering constitutes the first time a major television network has directly involved itself in the online poker industry.

A number of internet poker rooms, including Party Poker and Poker Stars, are offering tournaments and promotions giving away seats at the WSOP, and now ESPN is giving one player such a chance with its The 11-week Degree(R) All-In Poker Challenge. The tournament also offers a number of runner-up prizes, which include a whole slew of poker paraphernalia.

The site, developed by software company Micropower, hosts free weekly tournaments until May, at which time the top 500 players will compete against each other for a WSOP seat. Aside from the actual game, Degree All-In Poker Challenge also offers tips for poker experts Jay Lovinger and Phil Gordon, as well as basic information for novice players.

Also in the works for ESPN's poker division, the network plans to release a wireless poker game to be available on a number of mobile service providers by early summer.

OP-News Staff

The Women's Poker Network, an organization helping women become active members of the poker community, recently announced it will sponsor a poker cruise this summer. The inaugural Women's Poker Cruise, hosted by Card Player Cruises, will set off to Alaska in August, 2005.

Aside from the usual amenities offered on a luxury cruise, the Women's Poker Cruise will also feature a complete poker room as well as a special tournament event. The Women's Poker Network has plans to turn their inaugural cruise into an annual event.

The organization currently offers opportunities to win the cruise package through online satellite tournaments hosted by JetSet Poker, letting a number of players skip the $4,000 fee. In the works are similar land-based satellite tourneys.

Source: OP-News Staff