Category: Featured Artist

Featured Artist… David Santillanes!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“String Lake” by David Santillanes

Don’t you just feel as if you right there on the edge of the water, overlooking the lake? This painting brings me into the moment, which is pretty cool! “String Lake” received an Award of Excellence at the 2012 RMPAP (Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters) Plein Air for the Park in Grand Teton National Park. I especially love the reflections in the water, the hazy trees on the horizon and the more vivid foreground. Very nice! 

Here’s a blip about David from his website:

As my painting style continues to evolve my goal with each piece is not a literal rendering of the scene.  Instead it is to capture and convey its essence.

In terms of composition, I look for simplicity.  I’ve found that there are many opportunities to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of ‘place’.  Therefore I’ll seek out the big abstract shapes in the landscape and  use them for the underlying design concept.  And because I’ve departed from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit this concept.  In this way I am able to describe the scene in my own “words”.

Finally, capturing the essence of a landscape involves a realistic rendering of color, light and atmosphere.  This requires direct observation and is why most of my paintings begin in the field with a plein air study.   But studying the physical aspects of nature isn’t the only reason I paint outdoors; for me, the sensory experience of being there is equally important. There’s no better way to get to know a place on earth than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting. This intense observation brings a spiritual intimacy with the scene that can’t be achieved in mere passing and allows me to “speak” with complete sincerity in each painting.

Dave Santillanes
Fort Collins, Colorado 2011

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: David Santillanes Facebook

Featured Artist… Katie Dobson Cundiff!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

“Merriewoods” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

I just love this painting for so many reasons. The cabin feels rustic and like something that fits within a perfect vacation, the trees are loose and full of character, the shadows are amazing and the clothes on the line, whoa! Those nicely added pops of color just make this painting extra special. This was one of the paintings that Katie had done for the Cashiers Plein Air Paint Out (Cashiers, NC) that just ended on Saturday. What a delightful time that must have been. How great to be a spectator in such a beautiful location full of fabulous artists!

Another painting that I just love, also from the Cashiers Plein Air Paint Out:

“Toll House” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

I absolutely adore how the underpainting shows through, it just adds so much! The little bits of light on the house, the cool picket fence and gate, the bright green sunlit grass and the beautiful flowers in the foreground all make this painting what it is… fabulous!

If you happen to be in the Charleston, SC area, you’re in luck! You can see some of Katie’s work at Galerie On Broad… if you aren’t in the area, check out their website!

Here’s a blip about Katie from her website  (click HERE to read in full), she sounds like such an interesting person!:

I am primarily a landscape artist, although I enjoy painting many different subjects including portraits and figurative, animals, still life, rural landscapes, boats, and urban scenes.  I think my work differs from that of other artists because of the influence and instruction I received from my father.  As a child, I loved to sit and watch him work on his illustrations, and would often pose for him.  He would let me look through his art books and by the time I was a teenager, we had long discussions on art and artists.  He showed me the works of master artists Degas, Lautrec, Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn (to name a few). Frequent visits to the Art Institute provided me the opportunity to study these and other great painters. This strong foundation in drawing and painting, and exploring the works of fine art masters has been the most important element in my journey and quest to becoming a “painter of life”.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Images: Katie Dobson Cundiff Facebook

Featured Artist… Robin Weiss!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“White House” by Robin Weiss

Artist Robin Weiss works magic with a brush! His subject matter is very diverse, which makes it so interesting to follow his career, see what he’s painting. This painting is so sweet. It is amazing. I absolutely love the light and how it hits the house, the picket fence, and plays with the shadows in the road. So much detail has been added, the gingerbread on the peaks, yet this is not tight… not an easy task! Robin clearly knows when to stop and not overpaint a painting!

 Images: Robin Weiss Facebook

I love it when artists post photos of the art as well as the location, so that you can SEE what they’re painting. Most of the time whatever they’re painting looks much better than the real life scene. I wonder if that’s how they naturally see the world… hmmm… interesting! The first painting above entitled “White House” won the poster contest for a plein air event sponsored by Gallery North… (Image: Robin Weiss blog: In Plein Air).

Here’s a blip about Robin from his site on Daily Paintworks:

I began drawing at a very early age. In the early seventies my high school art teacher , Louis Penfield , took on the role as my art mentor. We spent many hours collecting material for massive found art sculptures made of metal. We would draw and paint from life, in class, after school and on weekends at his estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright . Wright also designed an art studio for Lou that was never finished . We hauled stone from the Chagrin river in northeast Ohio flowing through the property and worked on the studio. Then we would set up still life compositions and paint in watercolor.

After a stint in the US Navy I moved to Washington and started studying for architectural engineering. While attending Olympic college I began taking art courses and made the decision to focus on my art. At the time I was working in watercolor and started taking workshops from successful local artists. Deanne Lemley, and Jane Wallace were among them.

In 2006 , I joined the daily painters movement after reading about Duane Keiser and Julian Merrow Smith. I was desperate for more motivation to produce art and while I never actually achieved daily painter status , that is, completing a painting every day for an extended period of time, it was a good move for me to get involved with dedicated artists online. This resulted in a vast improvement in the quality of my artwork and I am now very thankful to be a full time artist.

Now working in oil I continue learning as much as I can from other professionals in the field. I have attended workshops with Darrell Anderson, Jim Lamb, Ned Mueller and others. 

I am currently painting and teaching at The Knowles Studio in Poulsbo WA. alongside printmaker and art instructor , Leigh Knowles Metteer.

My paintings are represented by The Directors Gallery on Bainbridge Island and Alki Arts gallery in West Seattle.

I have work published in, City Living; The Longborough Festival Opera, UK; Daily Painters, Color, Obsession and Joy; and others.

I have sold hundreds of paintings from my blog site and have work in private and corporate collections worldwide.

I wish Robin continued success, he is an amazing artist! I look forward to seeing his paintings in person one day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Vincent Giarrano!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Communique” by Vincent Giarrano – Image: GalleryHenoch.com

I first saw this painting on the January 2012 cover of Southwest Art. That great blue in the building… the woman very busy with her phone… the newspaper showing more of a days-gone-by era. This looks like a scene out of a normal day, which makes it that much more interesting. I think Vincent is an amazing artist. His subjects are so interesting, I urge you to check out his website, and the list of galleries that represent him.

Here’s a blip about Vincent from Gardner Colby Gallery:

Connecticut artist Vincent Giarrano is a representational painter. His work is focused on creating a realistic image, but also important to Vincent is the concept of realism in his paintings. “What I love is painting subjects that relate to real life experiences….I want my paintings to resonate as sincere and true moments of life.”

Quality of light is another major aspect in Vincent’s paintings. The cool even light of Vincent’s recent series about life in New York City, creates a believable impression and triggers a feeling of reality for the viewer. The New York City series deals with the dynamic between people and their environment, as well as the interplay of classic and contemporary elements in the setting.

Vincent earned a BFA from The State University of NY, and a MasterofFineArtfromSyracuseUniversity. Hisworkhasbeen show in galleries across the county, including the prestigious Salon International at Geenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX, where Vincent’s work was accepted three years in a row, and the Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT, “Faces of Winter 2008” exhibition judged by Daniel Greene.

Giarrano’s work has been featured as the cover story of The Artist’s Magazine (Oct 2011) and Southwest Art magazine (Jan 2012). 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Mike Hernandez!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Lovrovich Net Shed Gig Harbor”  by Mike Hernandez

Whoa! What this man can do with gouache leaves me speechless. In a word… Brilliant! The looseness and the fabulous colors, this is absolute perfection. These images are from Mike’s Facebook Page… he’s also got a blog, so check it out if you get a chance. I read an article from 2009 about Mike on LINES AND COLORS (a blog about art). Here’s a little blip from that article written by Charley Parker (I highly encourage you to read it in its entirety)!

Mike Hernandez is a concept artist and art director at Dreamworks Animation. He has worked on projects like Shreck, Sinbad and Bee Movie. You can see some concept art for Sinbad and Bee Movie on his blog.

Most of the artwork on his blog, though, is his personal work — beautiful small landscapes in gouache, a few somewhat larger ones in oil, charcoal drawings, and marker and ink drawings, often with versions colored after the fact in Photoshop.

Hernandez apparently paints and sketches either on the way to and from work, or perhaps on his lunch hour, as many of the small landscapes are of the area around or even on the Dreamworks campus. They range from traditional landscapes in parks and wooded areas to urban scenes and compositions of industrial buildings, which he renders as miniature marvels of geometric color and light.

Check out his work, I think you will appreciate his work as much as I do! It never fails to amaze me how there are so many talented-beyond-belief-artists, and Mike definitely falls into that category!

One more of his paintings… this one of a Koi pond…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Tony D’Amico!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Deep Shadow at Dudley Farm” by Tony D’Amico

Image: TonyDAmicoFineArt.com

I first saw this painting on Tony’s Facebook page and I was instantly captivated. What a wonderful old building with the most beautiful dappled light showing through. I love how it’s imperfect as an old farm should be, where everything isn’t perfectly straight, it gives it so much character! The fabulous color of the sunlight on the roof is amazing, not one tone, but many all blended just perfectly. The sky and  trees look like they’re out of an old painting, just beautiful… and the grass! Ahh, the lights, the darks, all so nicely placed, and oowieee, that gorgeous light at the bottom of the door!

Tony’s work is fabulous and I urge you to check it out! He has a great website, so give it a peek!

Here’s a blip about Tony from his website, read “About The Artist” to see more:

Tony D’Amico is a Connecticut based artist. He is a visual journalist capturing scenes of everyday life too often overlooked. His work conveys an idealized yet representational interpretation of the countryside, city or seascape.

Beginning his employment as a commercial artist/illustrator, Tony enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world holding management positions and developing campaigns for such companies as American Home Products, Playtex, and the Pepsi-Cola Company. He then founded his own promotional marketing agency, Creative Alliance based in Southport CT. The client roster included, The Pepsi-Cola Company, AT&T, Tiffany & Company, ebay and the Guinness Importing Company. Evolving into one of the top promotion and event marketing agencies in the US, he later sold the company to the Publicis Group, an international advertising and media services conglomerate. 

Tony has studied with a number of nationally recognized artists such as Gabor Svagrik, Hodges Soileau, David Dunlop and John Traynor.  Most recently, he is associated with a group of painters who are led and inspired by his good friend and noted artist, Donald Demers. Tony’s paintings have won numerous awards and are in a number of municipal and private collections.  He is a member of the CT Plein Air Painters, Lyme Art Association, Salmagundi Club in NYC, Rowayton Arts Center, Oil Painters of America, is a featured artist on Lori Woodward’s Collectors Showcase and is represented by The Geary Gallery in Darien, CT.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Sara Jane Doberstein!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Hangin In There” by Sara Jane Doberstein

Image: Sandpiper Gallery

Sandpiper Gallery, located on Sullivan’s Island has been a place that I love to take people who come to visit… they always find a cool piece of jewelry there. Sandpiper recently moved down the street, across from the infamous POE’S TAVERN (wonderful hamburgers, fish tacos, cool atmosphere, busy and happening place!). They now reside in a larger space. I look forward to getting out there to visit!

I thought this was an interesting piece by artist Sara Jane Doberstein. A different perspective, I like that. They way she captured the water, the rope and the crab, whoa! Very nice! If you get a chance, pop in the gallery to check out Sara’s work! If you aren’t in the area be sure to give her website a look! Here’s a blip about Sara from her website:

Sara Jane Doberstein was born in 1976 in Hamilton, Ontario, and has spent most of her life in Owen Sound, Ontario on beautiful Georgian Bay. She moved to British Columbia in 1996 to study at the Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design, and has been a full-time artist since 2000. Her interest in the arts began at an early age, when she developed a passion for the American coastline during family trips to the Carolinas. She continues to visit the United States as often as possible, finding inspiration in the beauty of its coastal areas for her vivid paintings of seashells, sandpipers, and crabs.
 
Sara Jane’s diverse painting styles range from traditional representational to contemporary realism, and her work reflects a fascination with the natural world and its transformations. Whether her subject is a glossy cluster of cherries, the chipped paint of an antique, or the colorful jumble of seashells on a beach, her paintings capture the larger-than-life essence of everyday objects and scenes. Her playful, whimsical approach to her subjects is balanced by a technical mastery of paint, which combines to create detailed, thoughtful, and energetic compositions. 
 

Sara Jane is a member of the Oil Painters of America, CAC, and Muskoka Arts & Crafts. Her work has been included in many prominent juried exhibitions across North America, and has won a number of awards, including an Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America’s 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition. She has been featured in several publications, including Southwest Art’s “21 Under 31”, and “Start Your Collection”.  Sara Jane currently lives and works in Owen Sound and Muskoka, Ontario.

Ahhh, Sara lives on Georgian Bay in Canada… lucky girl! When I was a kid my parents would take our sailboat cruising Georgian Bay… great memories and a stunningly beautiful location! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jerome Greene!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Painting by Jerome Greene – Image: Jereome Greene Facebook page

One year, while renting a neat cottage in Port Clyde, Maine, we ran into Colin Page, a fabulous artist with such a great style… he was part of a group of artists from all over the country who got together and painted PAINTAPALOOZA. I don’t mean they painted on occasion, these guys painted their tails off! Colin invited us all to their cottage on the last day before they left. There. Were. Paintings. EVERYWHERE. Such a fabulous group of accomplished artists all in one big cottage all doing their own thing and doing it so well! One of the guys we met was Jerome Greene. What a nice guy. Great paintings. Saw this one on Jerome’s Facebook page… love the loose airy strokes! Go check him out!

Here’s a blip about Jerome from Addison Art Gallery:

Jerome Greene has been involved in the arts since childhood. His father was a commercial artist and professor of art at Central Connecticut State University. Jerome’s older brother was an artist and sculptor. Regular family outings involved museum trips and participation in art and American craft shows.

Jerome left a career in the trades to pursue his life-long ambition to be a fine artist. He has developed a unique style of painting by immersing himself in the arts, visiting museums and galleries and working with established, award-winning artists. His range of work includes figure study, studio landscape painting, still life and, his current focus, painting en Plein Aire— capturing the immediacy of the day.

Since 2001, Jerome has been active in the vibrant Cape Cod art scene. He has shown in multiple galleries, has owned a gallery for three years, and has generously donated some of his intriguing oils to auctions in support of various charities.

In 2008, his work was featured at the Cape Cod Museum of Art’s “Painting New England Together” show.

Jerome and his work have been featured in :

  • Cape Arts Review
  • Cape Cod Magazine
  • Prime Time Magazine
  • The Cape Cod View Magazine

Jerome’s work can be found in corporate and private collections; his extensive base of collectors spans the country. A resident of Eastham, Jerome maintains a Provincetown studio.

Bob Spohn, Docent at the Cape Cod Museum of Art:

 “Jerome grew up in New Britain, Connecticut, where his father was a professor of art at Central Connecticut State University. New Britain is also the home of the New Britain Museum of American Art, where Jerome was impressed by the work of Thomas Hart Benton.

An avid baseball fan, Jerome’s secret ambition is to do “plein stadium” painting at Fenway Park. It’s fitting that one of his favorite artists is Aldro Hibbard, who gave up a promising baseball career to become an artist.

Jerome, an engaging painter with studios in Eastham and Provincetown, has the uncanny ability to capture the moment, and the skill and eye for integrating frame and painting. Like many plein air painters, he thrives on the camaraderie and energy generated by group painting expeditions.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Connie Hayes!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Blue Scooter 1” by Connie Hayes

Image: Dowling Walsh

Connie Hayes is an icon. She is a wicked good painter. I would LOVE one of her interiors, they are beyond stunning… or any of the landscapes that she’s so known for, the way she can paint a house, dock or a winding road, WOW! This show is a departure from her normal painting subjects, this show entitled “Abandon, Absorption, and Entrancement” is at the Dowling Walsh Gallery located in Rockland, Maine (across the street from the Farnsworth Museum). If you haven’t been to the Dowling Walsh Gallery before, let me tell you what you are missing. A state of the art gorgeous gallery with some of the most famous names in the art business. Dowling Walsh is a high end gallery that spares no expense in promoting their artists. It’s one of my very favorite galleries, and I truly look forward to spending time there each and every year! (It’s a nice plus that you can walk next door for a fabulous lunch, treat, coffee or tea at the bakery, and walk across the street to the Farnsworth Museum and Gift Shop, or to dinner at Rustica just down the street…) I guess what I’m trying to say is that Dowling Walsh is in THE perfect location… Don’t miss Connie’s show, trust me, it’s one you won’t soon forget! Lucky you! Tonight is Connie’s opening reception!

The painting above “Blue Scooter 1” shows such determination in the child’s face. Connie’s use of bright colors and bold brushstrokes is what she is known for. The dramatic shadows from the scooter really sets it all off. Brilliant!

Information (and photo) from the Dowling Walsh website:

Upcoming Exhibition: July 6 – July 29, 2012

Connie Hayes will be exhibiting her new collection of paintings, “Abandon, Absorption, and Entrancement,” at Dowling Walsh Gallery in July 2012. The show will examine portraits, people and interactions. The opening reception will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5-8 pm.

Preview the show here: Connie Hayes July 2012.

Connie will be giving an illustrated talk at The Strand Theater, “Photography as Sketchbook: Exploring Gesture”, on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 4-5pm.

Connie’s show is highlighted in Maine Home + Design’s April 2012 art issue. To download a copy of the article, click here: Show Stoppers.

Biography

Connie Hayes is a painter living in Rockland, Maine. She received her M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, and Rome; her B.F.A. from the Maine College of Art in Portland; and her B.A. from the University of Maine. She received a fellowship to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 1989. Born in Gardiner, Maine she taught at the Maine College of Art for 10 years, also participating in arts administration there for 15 years, including serving as their interim Dean of Faculty. In 2003 she was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the Maine College of Art. From 1992-1998 she lived in New York City and since 1990 her pursuit has been “borrowed views”, as she lives and paints in others’ homes as an artist-in-residence. While she continues that work, she has recently been developing a new group of figure paintings, exploring gesture and color.

Connie Hayes held an exhibition, “A Decade of Views” at Dowling Walsh Gallery in the fall of 2009. To view a copy of this show catalog, click on the following link: Connie Hayes Web Catalog

Connie Hayes gave a presentation, titled “Up Close”, at the Strand Theatre in Rockland, Maine on September 18th, 2010. To view the presentation, please click here.

Her work was featured in Maine Home + Designmagazine August 2010 Issue. Following is a link to a PDF copy of the article feature: Hayes Article Feature- Maine Home and Design August 2010 Issue.

I want to leave you with one more image… isn’t this fabulous?

“Green Table, Vinalhaven” by Connie Hayes – Image: Dowling Walsh

Did I mention her use of light? Fabulous! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Michael Baum!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Manitou Meadow” by Michael Baum

Image: MichaelBaum.com

Michael Baum is an extremely talented artist located in the Manitou Springs area of Colorado. I was happy to find Michael on Facebook. Another artist had commented on one of his paintings, which is how I saw his work. Ahhh, the magic of Facebook, eh? I later saw photos that Michael posted of the fires in Colorado. It broke my heart… so much devastation. Evacuating, coming home, evacuating… some not coming home to anything at all… Can. You. Imagine? Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone dealing with this and to those who are fighting it… As I write this (Friday, June 29) I see that there was a break in the heat (down to the 90 degree temps and the wind was down to 10mph, which allowed firefighters to begin to get an edge up on this massive fire. I pray that continues. HERE is the link to Michael’s photos and first hand account of what’s happening in his area. So far, his house is OK…

Here’s a blip about Michael from his website – you can tell he’s a nice guy by his bio alone!

“Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950, my first home was a trailer traveling from Oklahoma to Ohio, where my family settled. I was always drawing or painting (dinosaurs mainly). Most years, we would take driving vacations to Florida or Michigan, or go camping at the local parks. These experiences are among my fondest memories and set the course my life would take.

 In the late 1960s and early ’70s, I attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, studying psychology, anthropology, and art. In 1973 I earned a BFA in fine art. 

I came to the West over 30 years ago, drawn by its spectacular landscapes. I pursued thelandscape in art through a variety of styles and media, now working exclusively in oil. 

 I love getting out on the road and exploring the country, being overwhelmed by its grandeur and amazed by its subtlety. I love painting the landscape, whether I do it right there on the spot or
later back in the studio. It is a wonderful challenge to try to recreate the essence of a place with paint and canvas.”

Michael Baum specializes in contemporary representational paintings of the western and southwestern landscape. 
He is represented in many private, corporate, and public collections nationally and internationally.

Michael lives and works in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Marc Dalessio!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

A sketch by Marc Dalessio – Image: Marc Dalessio Facebook

What a fabulously loose painting. It’s got so many features that I absolutely adore… the masts against a cloudy sky painted thickly, the loosely painted buildings in the distance, the shadows on the dock, the bright white of the boat deck. This “sketch” was done in Bergen (Norway). The pictures of Bergen are stunning, it looks like a great place to paint! Marc has a great website, so check it out… I enjoyed reading “about” Marc. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I read about an artist and it’s creative and interesting. Personally I think that  “About” the artist should contain either thoughts on the way they paint or their subjects or who their inspiration comes from or something personal, and not just a bulleted list of achievements (I never read those, especially the really long ones, sigh). Those are ok too, at the end, but I like to hear where the artist lives, and it’s nice if they mention family, pets, places, other artists, that’s very cool… Here is a blip about Marc from his website (actually his blog, which is a good read), and I think you’ll have to agree:

Welcome to my blog. I’m 37 years old as I write this, and I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I can remember.

I was born in Los Angeles in 1972. From the age of 6 to 10 I lived in the Fiji Islands where my father was a regional director of the Peace Corps. The beauty of Fiji and my native California instilled in me a love of the natural world.

For the last 17 years I’ve lived in Florence, Italy, though I spend a few months every year painting in the US. At present I have a beautiful 19th-century painting studio in Piazza Donatello and the use of a farmhouse near Tavarnelle val di Pesa in Tuscany which I use as a base for landscape work, as well as teaching small workshops in the summers. I also teach a plein air landscape course at the Florence Academy of Art in the spring.

Every winter I travel with a group of like-minded plein air painters to warmer climates to keep working outside. Past destinations have included Kenya, India, Greece and Albania, the Caribbean, Morocco, and this year, Myanmar.

I created this blog to share information about techniques and materials as well as to keep people updated on my paintings and exhibitions. Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks for visiting,

Marc

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Kevin Beers! New show opens TODAY!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Fitzgerald’s Dory” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

I normally post the artists I feature on Monday, Wednesday and Friday… Occasionally I need to rearrange my schedule so I can let you know about an upcoming event… this would be one of those times. Kevin Beers… a cool guy that Fred and I met on our first visit to Monhegan Island, Maine. There he was set up with his big easel, painting on this huge canvas. What artist does Kevin’s paintings remind you of? If you said Edward Hopper we’re on the same wavelength. Amazing work. His love for Monhegan truly shows through in his paintings! Kevin shows his work at Gleason Fine Art Gallery in Boothbay Harbor  – if you’re in the area stop in!

KEVIN BEERS

JUNE 28 – JULY 28, 2012

RECEPTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 30, FROM 5 TO 7PM

I’ve included a few of his new paintings… let me tell you how difficult it was to choose only two! If you aren’t in Boothbay Harbor, check out the gallery website! Hey, if you make it to the show please tell him (and his wife Amy!) that Fred and I said HELLO!

“Night Shed” by Kevin Beers

Image: Gleason Fine Art

Here’s a blip about Kevin from the Gleason Fine Art website:

Kevin Beers

Each summer Brooklyn resident Kevin Beers returns to his beloved Monhegan Island to paint for 4 months, mining a fresh treasure trove of subject matter from this tiny island off the coast of Maine. Beginning in 2009, Beers has also been making annual trips to Monhegan in winter in order to capture the islands special light in snow.

“Monhegan is a dazzling place with incredible, beautiful light. It is such a remote and untouched island. 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,” says Beers.

Kevin Beers has received increasing attention for his work, including features in Maine Home + Design, DownEast, American Art Collector, and American Artist. Avid collector, actor Remak Ramsay, says of Beers: “Unlike so many contemporary artists, Kevin Beers is well trained in the basics. Combine that with a genuine affection for the people and places he paints and his love of slanting light, and you get a rare magic that, eschewing trendy gimmicks, is as honest and sincere as it is beautiful.”

Daniel Kany, arts reviewer for the Portland Newspapers, writes of Beers: “Kevin Beers respect for Hopper is apparent, but he quickly takes his quiet volumes and glowing tonality away from Hoppers slow, cooled lines. Beers brushwork flows at a strong pace that never hurries or abandons thoughtfulness. The masterful bow to Hopper is worth applauding–especially when a closer inspection reveals Beers flowing brushwork is nothing like Hoppers.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Thomas Reis!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Reader” by Thomas Reis

Image: M Gallery, Charleston, SC

“The Reader” by artist Thomas Reis is another fine painting… Fred and I were in M Gallery a few weeks ago (when I told you about the painting “Life” by Scott Christensen) and wanted to share with you another amazing piece of work. It’s a captivating painting and it definitely keeps your eye in the painting, amazing! Here’s the blip about the painting as shown on the M Gallery website:

My model posed wearing a traditional dress called a hanbok, which is still worn in South Korea– generally on special occasions. The painting process involved the appropriation and merging of disparate elements in order to create an overarching narrative and mood. I was struck by the glowing light in the studio and the model’s contemplative absorption in her text. I was also interested in depicting a still ubiquitous dress that is so deeply rooted in Korean cultural tradition. The painting’s composition is circular–that is, I’ve attempted to lead the viewer’s eye from the subject’s face and book down to the baskets, along the hem of the dress, up the arc of the bamboo and, finally, along the arching arrangement of frames, back to the model’s face. The leading lines of the sofa also intersect at her face.

I think the artists’ information is so interesting. What they were thinking when they were painting, the circumstances, what was happening, it’s just so interesting! I bought a book at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine one year, ANDREW WYETH AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Andrew Wyeth and Thomas Hoving, (click HERE for more info on the book!), and it was a description of each painting. It was so interesting! I loved that book!

Here’s a blip about Thomas from an M Gallery newsletter…

Thomas Reis began work as senior art director for JP Morgan Chase in New York City, shortly after receiving his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1993. Two years later, he was illustrating for nationally-known publications, including Time magazine, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Business Week, TV Guide, Barron’s, Forbes and Smart Money. Corporate clients have included MGM, Dupont and Colgate. Throughout his career, Reis has also worked as a fine artist, producing work with all the refinement that one would expect from a classically trained painter. His paintings are represented in numerous permanent and private collections throughout the United States. Tom currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Text provided courtesy the Museum of Arts and Sciences.)

If you’re in Charleston, SC pop in and check out this artist at M Gallery of Fine Art on Broad Street. Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Calvin Liang!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“The Golden Gate Bridge” by Calvin Liang

Image from TheEnglishmanUSA.com

If you Google Calvin Liang, you will see some pretty fantastic paintings. You will read some pretty interesting stories about his life, his accomplishments and best of all his great attitude! This man has worked so hard to be where he’s at and it shows. The featured painting “The Golden Gate Bridge” is breathtaking. THOSE. CLOUDS. I love them, they just seem to go on forever! The warm color of the bridge with the sunlight, ahhh, makes me want to be there, actually it makes me feel as if I AM there! This is a fantastic painting and I found it at “The Englishman”. If you get a chance check out his work!

Here’s a blip about Calvin from his website… there is a fascinating story about him on the Waterhouse Gallery website… click HERE to read it in its entirety!

Calvin Liang was born in Canton, China. He began painting in high school and completed his art education at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, recognized as one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In China, his skills as a fine artist were applied to the theatrical industry where he designed and created sets for operas and musical dramas for the Canton Opera Institute. Liang moved to the United States in 1987 and continued his profession as a full-time artist. He had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation, which included the Walt Disney Studios and Nickelodeon Studio where he worked for the Little Mermaid and Spongebob Squarepants. However he decided to quit working for the studios to pursue a full-time career as a fine artist, painting themes of his choosing. Since leaving his animation career in early 2002, Liang has definitely been noticed. His accomplishments include winning several top awards in important exhibitions including Juror’s Best of Show-38th Annual C.M. Russell 2006, “Art-Talk Award of Excellence” Oil Painters of America Juried Exhibition 2005, “People’s Choice Award” 6th  Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Event in Bowers Museum 2002, “Best of the Show” American Impressionist Society’s 4th Annual Juried Exhibition 2002. Thus assuring his position as one of the nation’s leading artist. National art magazines also took notice. In 2004, Liang’s work graced the cover of Art of the West’s special 16th Anniversary Edition; and in 2006, 2007, and 2008 three years he had a full feature article in American Art Collector Magazine. Also he received a full feature article in Southwest Magazine in 2005, American Artist Magazine in 2005 and American Artist Workshop Magazine in 2007.
Calvin Liang is a Master Member of Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, and a Signature Member of California Art Club and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.   

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Peter Justl!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“School’s Out” by Peter Justl – Image: PeterJustl.com

Today I visited the 2012 OPA National Exhibition Associate / Signature Division page on Facebook. I felt like I hit thejackpot! The most magnificent art, you must check it out! Facebook is a fantastic tool for finding artists that you haven’t heard of before. With each and every find I am amazed. This time I am blown away. I love the composition of “School’s Out”. The dark background and the light sunlit mane make for one heck of a combination. Breathtaking! I went to Peter’s website and I’m telling you this man can paint anything. I highly encourage you to check it out. The way he portrays horses is especially appealing to me. I love horses, yet I am not a true “horse person”… that’s my husband. He showed horses on a National level for quite some time. I saw the amount of work it took to get to the top. He didn’t drop his horse off with a trainer, he WAS the trainer. You don’t typically see any of the riders at a national level be the owner and the trainer. It’s a different world. Remember the TV show Dynasty? Being at those horse shows is like being on the set of Dynasty. Everything is over the top. I can’t remember all the different stars that had horses that either they showed or a member of their family, one was Patrick Swayze, I remember him because I didn’t actually see him, but kept my eye out for him… and another I ran smack into. I saw this rather tall man in front of me, and I whispered to Fred that he looked like Elvis… while I was whispering in Fred’s ear, the man stopped… of course I plowed right into him full speed and thought I was going to be taken down by his body guards. Too funny. Apparently I looked rather harmless… it was Wayne Newton (HOW did I get off on such a long schpeal?), very nice man. My long winded point is that I saw the hard work, the number of hours of riding and the careful way Fred trained that horse. I so admired the beauty of those horses. It was just breathtaking. And to see someone capture it in a way that Peter did makes you step back and say WHOA! Brilliant. Not much more to say…!

“Running with the Wind” by Peter Justl – Image: PeterJustl.com

You must check out Peter’s website. “Running with the Wind” is in the section entitled “Spirit Therapies Paintings” and they are unbelievable. The story of Honey Bear will leave a lump in your throat. Here is the description of “Running in the Wind” from Peter’s website… check his site for more!

I did and donated this painting for Spirit Therapies, a non-profit therapeutic riding center in Las Vegas that positively impacts the lives of physically and mentally challenged individuals through connecting with trained therapy horses, certified instructors, and compassionate volunteers.

Oliver seemed to be one with the wind as he moved proudly around the riding ring.  Do horses know how beautiful they are?  I am confident that Oliver was well aware of his own fluid grace and gorgeous good looks as he put on quite a show for me.  Breathtaking!

YES, Peter! Breathtaking indeed! I can’t imagine the number of people who have benefitted from your kindness…

Here’s a blip about the artist from his website!

Peter Justl - Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Peter Justl was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, immigrated when he was a young boy with his parents to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and ten years later once again immigrated to Harlingen, Texas, United States.

After attending college in Houston, Texas, Peter began a distinguished career in architecture during which time he was involved in the design, development, and management of numerous high-end, high-profile projects.

Drawing upon his years of experience as a gifted architectural illustrator, Peter began to paint commissioned works for private clients in the 1990s.  Although Peter’s work reflects his knowledge and appreciation of architecture which often serves as the subject or setting of his paintings, it is his understanding of the complementary qualities of composition, balance, and light that stimulate and energize his paintings in a variety of subject matters and themes.

Peter’s painting “Behind the Scenes” was selected as Best of Show for the 2010 Las Vegas Art Competition.  He is a member of Oil Painters of America to which his painting “We’d become Old and Fragile, Irrelevant, Still Beautiful” was selected to the 2011, Twentieth Annual Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the following year his painting “Beauty” was selected to the 2012, Twenty-first Annual Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Evergreen, Colorado.

Peter currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife Barbara, greyhound dogs Tiffany and Toulouse, and cats Gigi and Maurice.

He has two sons, Christopher and Nicholas. Christopher and his wife Catherine reside in Seattle, Washington. Nicholas resides in Houston, Texas.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT

After a rewarding career as an architect and illustrator for the design, presentation, and management of numerous high-profile projects throughout the world, I decided to pursue my life-long dream of a career as a full-time artist.

Beginning in the 1990s, I began to paint commissioned works for private clients, first in watercolor and then later moving to oils. I felt more comfortable initially painting landscapes and cityscapes because I was able to draw upon my many years of experience as an architectural illustrator. But my interests soon expanded to include urban scenes, seascapes, still life, portraits, and animals. I enjoy painting each and have found that all paintings share the common components and elements of light, color, composition, technique, and emotion in order to be considered, at least by myself, to be interesting and successful. I believe that realistic painting, done well, can satisfy both the modernist and the traditionalist, but I detest the saccharine qualities so often found in the genre. I’m interested in creating art that provokes profound feelings, thought and endless joy.

 Endless joy indeed! Catch you back here tomorrow!