Featured Artist… Sam Robinson!

On June 24, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Interior painting by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

I enjoy interiors. Everyone that I speak to loves them, yet you don’t see a lot of them… Sam Robinson has a fabulous website, you can view paintings by subject, Figures, Interiors, Landscapes and (tada!) Interiors! He does a wonderful job with each subject. This interior is such a sweet painting, the nice warm colors, view of the outdoors, light on the wall from the lamp and the shadows that it provides… very cool! Sam also does portraits and equestrian sporting art (foxhunting and steeplechase). Check out his website if you get a chance!

Below is a painting that was done for a show at McBride Gallery… the light in this painting is incredible!

Pemaquid Sundown by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

Here’s a blip about Sam from his website:

My credo as an artist is, “Expression without Description”. I work directly from life as often as is practical. I prize the vivid suggestion of appearances through brushwork and color tones. My artistic concerns can be understood as a pursuit of a “New American Impressionism”. It is the effect or impression I am after, stated directly from observation. I aim for painterly warmth and pursue my taste for subjects and effects that have charm and beauty.

Equestrian Sporting Art is a particular passion, deeply connected to the landscape and country life of the surrounding region. Several of my shows on the subject have shared the title, “Portrait of a Tradition”, summing up my intention to capture the particular character of the landscape and the subjects; human, equine and canine that inhabit it.

I lived in South Korea for most of my childhood where my parents served as missionaries. My earliest art training was in Asian brush painting. On my return to the United States I studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, graduating magna cum laude with a BFA in painting in 1978. I live in Maryland with my wife and two children.

I am a member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association and participate in their paint-outs and shows. I am also a member of the Portrait Society of America and have received the “Best Portfolio” award twice, a Certificate of Merit in the International Portrait Competition, and an Honorable Mention in the members only Self-Portrait Competition. I have also received Honorable Mentions in plein air event “Quick Draw” competitions at Paint Annapolis and Plein Air Easton.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… James Richards… (& Happy 1st Day of Summer!)

On June 21, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Summer Fun by James Richards

Today is the first day of summer (which is the summer solstice… the longest day of the year). You will see light a wee bit longer today.

Speaking of light… James Richards, an awesome plein air painter who’s style I adore has been turning out some incredible beach scenes. They are loose and leave something to your imagination which is part of the beauty of his work. Can’t you just feel the sun beating down upon you in this painting? Hear the ocean and the buzz of excitement from the people? Feel a bit relaxed after looking at this? I can even feel the water lapping at my ankles as the tide goes in and out… I love how Jim’s work allows you to use your imagination in the people’s faces. I think it’s amazing how he has the ability to do that. (Image above from JRichardsStudio.com)

Charleston Shadows by James Richards

My husband and I met Jim at an art walk at Galerie on Broad in Charleston, SC. Jim was giving a demo that just blew us away. Every piece of his work was fabulous. If you’re in the Charleston area I highly encourage you to check it out. STUNNING. Charleston work that isn’t typical. He’s got a nice edge that makes it different and fresh. (Image above from Galerie on Broad).

Jim has a great website, one worth checking out. I especially love his Word From James tab… what a cool guy!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… Jim is giving a Plein Air Workshop in France August 4 – 18, 2013… there are only a few spots left. You must read about it! Talk about a breathtaking experience! Other than airfare, it’s all inclusive, meaning food, lodging, wine, travel once you get there from painting location to location is all covered in the price! Two weeks. France. Learning from Jim Richards?!! Grab the open spot while you can!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Grab a few Beers at the show – Gleason Fine Art! June 20-27, 2013!

On June 19, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Burton’s Cottage by Kevin Beers

Kevin Beers. Master of painting all things Monhegan. Kevin’s paintings truly make you feel as if you are walking down the road on the island you have grown to love. Every detail is present.

It was always fun watching Kevin walking down the road with his biggee size canvas, setting up to start back where he left off the day before. Exact same time and place, so that the lighting is the same. As you’ll read below, Kevin met his wife (and fellow artist) Amy on Monhegan and they married there a few years later. Very cool story!

Kevin is probably most known for his Monhegan lighthouse scenes, which are incredible, but here is another favorite, and one that will instantly resonate with you if you’ve ever been to Monhegan!

Wharf with Trucks by Kevin Beers

When you arrive on the island, the boat drops you at the wharf. There you’ll see the trucks waiting to take your bags to various hotels or homes. There’s always a lot of action down on the wharf and its a great place to hang out, just stay out of the way!

Here’s are the details about Kevin’s show from Gleason Fine Art gallery:

JUNE 20 – JULY 27, 2013 in Boothbay Harbor

KEVIN BEERS: Monhegan Island
Oils of Monhegan Island

Reception: Friday, July 5, 2013, 5-7 PM

Artist Talk: Kevin Beers, Thursday, July 11, 4-5:30

I found some information about the show in the Wiscasset Newspaper:

Beginning Thursday, June 20, landscape painter Kevin Beers joins ceramicist Tim Christensen for two new shows at Gleason Fine Art’s Boothbay Harbor gallery. For Beers, this will be his 12th solo show at the Gleason gallery, and for Christensen, his second solo show in Boothbay Harbor. A public reception for both artists will be held at the Townsend Avenue gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 5.

Each summer, Brooklyn resident Kevin Beers returns to the rock-bound island of Monhegan to paint for five months. Monhegan has come to mean a lot to Beers. It is where Beers transformed a passion for painting into his life’s work. It is also where Beers met his wife, Amy Raye, who, in a scene right out of a Hepburn and Tracy romantic comedy, literally ran into Beers while admiring a magazine article about Beers painting on Monhegan. Fittingly, Beers and Raye married on their island a couple summers after their serendipitous meeting.

To his many collectors, a Beers painting represents everything they love about Maine: intense blue seas and skies, puffy white clouds and sunlight dancing off neat clapboard houses. To Beers himself, “Monhegan is a dazzling place with incredible, beautiful light. I love to paint the buildings on the island – the color and structure of weathered buildings, the patterns of sunlight and shadow, and the sharp contrast between a red roof, white clapboards, and bright blue sky.” [Read more HERE]

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits: GleasonFineArt.com

Featured Artist… Jason Sacran!

On June 17, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Lit Up by Jason Sacran – Image: Waterhouse Gallery

Jason Sacran shows his amazing talent with his nocturnes. They are stunning. The first one that caught my eye, After Dark, was so striking… when the image opened, I saw it was already sold (I like to try to feature paintings that are still for sale if possible). After Dark won BEST OF SHOW and ARTIST’S CHOICE at 2012 Cedarburg Plein Air Event. Way to go Jason! The painting above, Lit Up is striking as well… I love that nighttime light, how the cool colors just bounce around the painting. Very nice!

Back Road by Jason Sacran – Image: ASingularCreation.com

Just look at that nice glowy light… Fabulous! Little nuances like the marks in the road, just make it that much better! Of course Jason can paint just about anything… I was concentrating on his plein air pieces, because I always go to those for any artist… they’re looser and just so darn good, especially since I know all the hard work that comes with standing in the heat/cold with bugs/birds/etc. Someone should make little bubble studios that you can pop up at a moments notice, like being outside, but with no bugs… maybe some AC… a ladies room would be nice, and hey, while I’m dreaming, a little fridge… coffeepot… Oh never mind! (K.D. see why I have trouble painting plein air, hee).

Read a blip about Jason from his website, (check it out… very nice!):

BIOGRAPHY

Jason Sacran has a BFA in painting from Tennessee Tech University, and credits towards an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jason and his family live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was the curator for the Fort Smith Art Center for almost three years. In 2010 Jason became a full-time artist/painter, and part-time instructor for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Jason is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. He has had several exhibitions and been awarded many times for his works and achievements including a first place award in the Portrait Society of Americas 2011 Members Competition, Best of Show in the 2010 Wisconsin Plein Air Painter Association Annual Competition and Best of Show in the 2010 Winthrop Rockefeller Institution Invitational. Although known for his figurative and portrait work, Jason is quickly rising as a top plein air painter, and considers plein air one of, if not his favorite subject.

STATEMENT

In general, my work is about the process of creating by painting subjects that evoke a mood or feeling introspectively. I am interested in documenting things of today, mostly with overlooked or even forgotten aspects of everyday life – scenes we pass by every day, objects we often use, people we know well, but hardly ever think twice about. In the chaos of daily life, I believe we all take the simple and familiar things for granted. Sometimes they are the very things we come to miss.

I couldn’t agree more! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Gary Bodner!

On June 14, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Stars and Stripes by Gary Bodner – Image: Anne Irwin Fine Art

Here’s a different take on the flag for Flag Day… Gary Bodner’s work is fresh and different… He’s got a great website, I encourage you to check out his work. This is quite interesting. I’m really liking the composition and colors! It’s a bright and happy piece! Gary’s work is in several galleries throughout the country, click HERE for a list…

Here’s a blip about Gary from his website:

Gary Bodner is the quintessential renaissance man. Bodner studied architecture at Miami University of Ohio before entering Chicago Medical School. He earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and aside from his Medical Practice he has been working on his artistic craft for well over 15 years.

Bodner finds inspirations for his work in nearly everything he encounters; From photographs to wildlife to traveling to visiting museums and reading and studying art books. Bodner enjoys painting all things from stills to landscapes to figures. He particularly enjoys painting flowers and when asked about some of his specific floral paintings he said, “I really enjoy trying to create my own hybrid flower in a masculine way”.

Due to his enormous energy and passion for his art, Bodner finds time to paint early in the morning, and late in the evening and on weekends. He describes his work as strong and colorful with an expressionistic style. “The power of juxtaposing or placing one color on top of another to create an image is what drives my paintings,” he says. Primarily Bodner considers himself a colorist and is constantly looking for the interplay of colors on his canvases. He says he has been inspired by works of Cezzanne, Van Gogh and Philip Johnson, architect. His medium is ever involving and he is currently exploring the use of oil based house paint. Bodner says, “The color combinations possible with the mixture of paints is something that really drives me”.

Bodner was recently honored by the Huntsville Museum of Art as the “Painter of the Year”. Additionally, he has been featured in several magazines including American Collector and he also created illustrated paintings for the Bremen Museum Cookbook. Aside from creating his own art, he also holds advanced painting workshops where he helps other aspiring artists reach their creative potential. Bodner is a nationally collected artist and his work can be found in many galleries throughout the United States.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Margaret Lawrence!

On June 10, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Midday On The Pond by Margaret Lawrence – Image: Greenhut Galleries

Margaret has some fantastically serene paintings. Each is different yet all instill a sense of calm. I like that. The world is hectic enough, it’s nice to look at something and say “ahhhhhh”.

Reading Margaret’s bio, it looks like she was a nurse (or still is?), then studied photography and painting… well done Margaret, your paintings have such interest. They are utterly amazing!

A blip about Margaret from the Greenhut Galleries website:

Inspired by nature and the energy and mystery of the life cycle, my paintings are developed by removing paint as much as by applying it.

Through the give and take of the paint an image emerges that tells a story or marks time.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Chris Groves!

On June 7, 2013December 16, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

First Light by Chris Groves – Image: HortonHayes

How would you like to wake up to this every morning? First Light is an amazing painting – imagine being able to see the sunrise every morning without having to get up early?! This is such a fabulous painting, the clear water with the reflections of the emerging sun… not to mention, the sky! Whoa!

There is so much to keep your eye in this painting, it makes you drop your shoulders a bit and take a calm breath doesn’t it? Can’t you hear the ocean waves crashing? Smell the salt of the sea? This is only one of many new works by Chris. If you’re in Charleston, SC – stop in and see his work at Horton Hayes Fine Art Gallery.

Reminder for art lovers… there is an art walk tonight Friday June 7, 2013 from 5-8PM – stop by and see the fabulous paintings… Horton Hayes is more than just a group of immensely talented artists (as if that isn’t enough), they are the nicest people ever!

Here’s a blip from a Horton Hayes email…

Congratulations to Chris on the following recent recognitions:Juried into the Oil Painters of America 2013 National Exhibition
Insight Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas, May 18 to June 17thJuried into the Oil Painters of America 2013 Salon Show of Traditional Oils
Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan, June 21 to August 31Juried into the American Society of Marine Artists
Southern Regional Exhibition
Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, Georgia, June 13 to August 17Selected as a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists

Read a blip about Chris from the Horton Hayes website… I love knowing about artists as people as well in addition to their art background. Nice guy. Very talented.

Are you looking to take a workshop in the future? Horton Hayes has some great ones coming up, check it out!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Dawn Whitelaw!

On May 31, 2013December 9, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Consignment on Reid by Dawn Whitelaw

WHOA! This fabulous green stopped me in my tracks! What a delightful yet simple painting…

Read a blip about Dawn from her website (and note that she’s giving several workshops this year, info on her site!):

Dawn Whitelaw maintains a studio at “The Factory” in Franklin, Tennessee. The opportunity to paint landscape plein air with colleagues adds richness and honesty to her studio work. For over 25 years she taught basic principles of oil painting as an adjunct instructor at David Lipscomb University. Among her influential teachers are Scott Christensen, Cedric Egeli, T. Allen Lawson, Quang Ho and Jim Pollard, but most of her instruction and inspiration comes from nationally preeminent artist Everett Raymond Kinstler. At present, she teaches workshops nationally.

Her ability to capture life in paint has been noticed. Her awards include the Certificate of Merit for her portrait at the National Portrait Convention in 1991, Best of Show at the Portrait Society of America in Washington DC, and the Award of Excellence in the Oil Painter’s of America exhibition in 2002. In 2010 Whitelaw was one of ten American women artists invited to participate in the “Inspiring Figures” exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Susan Graeber!

On May 29, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist7 Comments

“Coco” at the Prud’homme Cottage, Maine by Susan Graeber

I love this happy little dog… Coco is one lucky pup to have this kind of room to run around… Charlie would run until he couldn’t run anymore (if being at the dog park is any indication!). What a sweet painting. You can feel the distance, the light, the happiness…

And one more just because I like it! Don’t you agree??! Fabulous painting!

Seal Harbor Island, Maine by Susan Graeber

Read a blip about Susan from her website:

I have had the good fortune of beginning my life long interest in painting from early childhood attending the Bryn Mawr school where creativity was encouraged. I attended Hobart William Smith colleges for one year and decided to commit to going to an art college rather than a liberal arts program, and then transferred into the Boston Museum School for two years. During that time period my family moved to Brussels, Belgium for three years, and I had the benefit of travel as well as painting programs during the summers in europe and seeing the museums first hand. After this time period I transferred into the Maryland Institute and graduated in 1980. I had a few jobs related to the arts including a gallery position, settled down and married an art dealer who is a works on paper dealer, and had two children.

I always painted plein air when our children were growing up, especially enjoying Maine and the Maryland countryside. I now am a full-time painter, and maintain a warehouse studio in Baltimore, but mostly prefer to paint on location. I love to paint on Monhegan island, Mt Desert island, New Mexico and Maryland. I am influenced by the artists Arthur W. Dow, Fairfield Porter, Wayne Tiebolt, Neill Welliver, Eduard Vulliard and others. I am most attracted to places in nature where light is creating abstract shapes, and color is creating a mood. Capturing fleeting light is always a challenge, and a thrill when occasionally it works in a painting! When painting, or even seeing that spot that pulled my attention, I am drawn to unexpected movements of light and beauty.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Colley Whisson!

On May 24, 2013December 16, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments

A Timeless Moment by Colley Whisson [image]

Colley Whisson. Amazing painter of light. Incredible light… I love his brushstrokes, some chiseled, they add great interest to the painting… Colley is from Australia, but does show in one gallery in the states, the Leiper’s Creek Gallery. He also has a fabulous website and blog…

A Quiet Corner by Colley Whisson – [image]

I am drawn to paintings of windows… and interiors, so when a painting has both… woohoo! It’s funny how a few things pop out at me that make me instantly adore this piece… the thin window panes, the shadows of the panes against the wall, the outside… There is another on his website that I find absolutely amazing… check it out, it’s called Sunlit Moment… am I right??!! Even the little thin bits of light on the gold frames hanging on the wall… WOW!

Read a blip about Colley from Leiper’s Creek Gallery in Franklin, TN:

Colley Whisson was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1966. He grew up in semi rural surrounds which gave him an appreciation for nature and the outdoors, enjoying every opportunity he had been given to study and appreciate its nuances. In 1985 he had a brief stint as a picture framer which now looking back upon was an excellent introduction to the art world as a young adult.

After giving him all the necessary fundamentals required in becoming an artist his father Eric encouraged and guided his early artistic direction.

Colley has long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”. With this in the fore-front of his mind he dedicated himself to developing his skills to the highest level possible. Colley’s aim is to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but he is also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image. Being in high demand to hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad, he looks forward and relished every opportunity. He is happy to carry the tag as one of Australia’s finest young Impressionist painter’s. With books, magazine articles and demonstration DVD’s to his credit he feels that he has begun to make his mark in the Art World.

Colley aims to share his knowledge and joy of painting with like-minded artist’s world-wide. Throughout his career he has been blessed to be able to share this wonderful artistic journey with his wife and two young sons.

This journey is ongoing and he looks forward to each time he returns to his easel.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Francis Sills!

On May 22, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Entrance by Francis Sills

One of my favorite painting subjects… the interior… It’s like being invited into someone’s home… You get to “visit” places you may never really end up. Kind of like going on a home tour… LOVE those! So very interesting to see into other peoples lives. This painting by Francis Sills is a perfect example… What a cool house!

I had heard that Francis has recently started showing his work at Horton Hayes Fine Art, a fabulous gallery in Charleston, SC – if you haven’t been… G.O. It is FILLED with fabulous artists. The “Horton” of Horton Hayes Fine Art, Mark Kelvin Horton, as well as Chris Groves, Larry Moore, Elizabeth Pollie and Nancy Hoerter, just to name a few! Check it out if you’re in town!

In addition to showing his work at Horton Hayes, Francis has got his work hanging for a show that is part of their continuing series of independent artist exhibitions at Jericho Advisors in Charleston, SC… the show will be hanging through July 4, 2013.

Now this is the type of bio I enjoy reading… a blip about Francis from Horton Hayes website:

Francis Sills was born in 1974 and raised in central New Jersey. Exposed to the wonders of the natural world at an early age through hiking and fishing, his childhood was spent drawing and constructing things out of cardboard. Both his grandfathers were good with their hands; one as a watercolorist, the other with carpentry and building. In high school, he was exposed to new techniques and became aware of the masterpieces from Art History. Art became a magical world of possibility, a place where one could create an illusion of reality.

In 1996, Sills received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (in Painting) from Syracuse University. While he was there, he had the good fortune to study under the renowned figurative artist, Jerome Witkin, who shaped his devotion to the practice and craft of painting. Trained in the work of the Old Masters, students were taught to draw from life, and in particular the model. What Witkin offered was an example of a life dedicated to the serious pursuit of painting, shaped by one’s own experiences and personal narrative.

After graduating from Syracuse, Sills moved to New York City, and settled in Brooklyn, where he continued to hone his skills with paint. “Day jobs” included: mixing colors for a wallpaper company, creating faux finishes on furniture and lighting fixtures, working with decorative plaster finishes, and painting murals.

In 2001 Sills received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design. While there, he experimented with different styles including collage, drawing installations and gestural abstractions. This work generated new ways of expression and allowed for a fresher, loosened handling of paint. After Parsons, however, the pull back to perceptual painting became too strong to deny; Sills’ heart was in realism and capturing the reflection of reality within the confines of the canvas.

Gradually Sills’ work became increasingly focused on the genre of landscape, and in particular, the urban and industrial scenes that surrounded his studio in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. Finding beauty in the decay of post-industrial Brooklyn offered endless possibilities in form, surface and light. By working from observation, his painting began to take on the specificities of time and place.

In May of 2011, after nearly 15 years in New York, Sills relocated to Charleston, South Carolina. Since then he has generated a completely new body of work while exploring the Lowcountry and the amazing beauty that Charleston and its surrounding areas have to offer. In addition to painting, Francis is an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston where he teaches drawing. Sills has exhibited both nationally and internationally, and his work is in many private collections. He lives with his wife, Faith, also an artist, and their three children in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Lindsey Kustusch!

On May 20, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments

Park Ravens by Lindsey Kustusch

Haunting. Intriguing. Mystifying. Rulers of the dark. These ravens have pizazz! They are absolutely amazing and the background… GENIUS!

Read an interview with Lindsey by BoogieBot Monthly… I love to hear artists stories, the interesting more personal facts about them!

Check out Lindsey’s website, whew – full of paintings, one after another they are fabulous! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Bill Schenck!

On May 17, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Ride Off the Mesa by Bill Schenck – Image: MaxwellAlexanderGallery.com

POPS doesn’t it?? I received an email with a collage of paintings by artist Bill Schenck. WHOA! This guy is amazing. I love his paint-by-number style, it’s so intriguing to me! I feel as if I’m standing somewhere nearby watching this oh so cool cowboy… This warm palette gets me every timel!

Read a blip about Bill from the Maxwell Alexander Gallery website:

Bill Schenck has been known internationally for the past 43 years as one of the originators of the contemporary “Pop” western movement and an American painter who incorporates techniques from Photo-Realism with a Pop Art sensibility to both exalt and poke fun at images of the West.

Like the heroes he idolized in B-Westerns, Schenck might well be called the “Good Badman” of Western American art. Early in his career he became known for appropriating cinematic imagery, which he reproduced in a flattened, reductivist style, where colors are laid side-by-side rather than blended or shadowed.

Drawing upon narrative tensions that have attracted mass audiences to western fiction and movies, Schenck added hot colors, surreal juxtapositions, and stylized patterning to explore clashes between wilderness and civilization, the individual and community, nature and culture, freedom and restriction.

Current career highlights for the artist include inclusion in the recently opened exhibit at the Denver Art Museum entitled “Western Horizons”, Landscapes from the contemporary realism collection. A retrospective of serigraphs created by Schenck from 1971 through 1996 opens February 12, 2011 at the Tucson Museum of Art.

Museum collections include the Mesa Southwest Museum, Mesa AZ, The Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson AZ, The Denver Art Museum, Denver CO, The Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Anaheim, CA, Museum of the Southwest, Midland TX, Albuquerque Fine Arts Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art. Private collections include the estate of Malcolm Forbes, Steve Forbes, Chris Everett, Elaine Horwitch, Ivan Karp, Stacey Keach, Louis Meisel, Martina Navritalova, Lawrence Rockefeller, the estate of Fritz Scholder and Sylvester Stallone. Works by the artist are held in the corporate collections of American Airlines, I.B.M., Wells Fargo Bank, Hilton Hotels, Sturn Ruger and The National Bank of Switzerland.

“What has remained constant throughout Schenck’s career is his individuality in dealing with the subject matter of the west. Using the artistic formula of classic western film direction and the photographically reliant systems of contemporary art, he has bridged two genres that resonate with the American experience. Rather than standing as an outside observer to the realities and myths of the west, Schenck is a part of the scene, figuratively and literally. From early depictions of cinematic cowboys to real-life cowboys and cowgirls to poetic reveries about the Native American existence in the Southwest, Schenck melds the real with the imagined, autobiography with fantasy.”

-Julie Sasse, Chief Curator and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Tucson Museum of Art

He’s got a cool website… check it out and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jeffrey T. Larson!

On May 15, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Grace & Mercy by Jeffrey T. Larson – [Image]

Isn’t this fabulous? You can just feel that sun beating down, can’t you? The light is fabulous! I love how you can see the shadow of her figure through the sheet. Jeff is a more detail oriented artist with some very nice and unique paintings! I see that Jeff also shows at Helena Fox Fine Art gallery here in Charleston, SC – small world!

Here’s a blip about Jeff from his website:

Jeffrey T. Larson was born in 1962 in Two Harbors, Minnesota and grew up in the Twin Cities. Jeffrey has been trained in the manner of the Old Masters at the prestigious Atelier Lack, a studio/school whose traditions and training methods reach back through impressionism and the 19th centuries French academies. He followed his four-year formal training with museum study in the United States and abroad.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Kim Lordier!

On May 13, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

The Sun’s Embrace by Kim Lordier / Image: KimFancherLordier.com

Isn’t this a fabulous pastel? That horse is absolutely magnificent! The sun and the dark greens… whoa! (Pun intended)… Kim has an interesting story, read on…

Read a blip about the artist from her website:

Native to the San Francisco Bay Area and a graduate of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco CA, Kim Lordier combines keen observation and sensitivity to her award winning landscapes. After college, Lordier flew for a major air carrier, experiencing many domestic and foreign locales, while keeping up with painting and portraiture. After the events of September 2001 she turned to painting full time.

“There is nothing like the inner peace that comes from working from life, exploring the way the sun can transform an ordinary object into something stunning. I want you to see the beauty in what we pass by everyday, and acknowledge the importance of open space in our lives.”

Inspired by the turn of the century California Impressionists and Tonalists, Kim paints in the plein air tradition. Fascinated with California’s unique atmospheric qualities, Kim strives to capture the beauty, depth and energy of the land and sea. She is currently a Signature member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters, the Pastel Society of America, a Distinguished Pastelist in the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and Artist Member of the California Art Club.

Also, check out this article, When to Be Critical, When to Let Go written by Steve Doherty back in 2007. So much great advice!

Catch you back here tomorrow!