Florence by Sue Barrasi  8.5×12″  Oil

Shadows are so important and Sue really has nailed them quite nicely. The light on the tangerines is fabulous and the vase looks like you could reach into the painting and pick it up. I like the dark background with subtle variations, it really makes the fruit stand out. A great painting! Be sure to check out more of Sue’s work!

Read a bit about Sue, from her website:

“Upon graduating from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, Bronx born artist Sue Barrasi traveled Europe devouring the works of the masters. 

In Paris she spent countless days and nights soaking up the Impressionists, especially Monet with whom she had been obsessed since childhood. Later, on a rainy summer afternoon in Spain she encountered the works of Joaquin Bastida Sorolla who would become one of the major influences on her work.

Upon returning to New York Sue dove headfirst into the competitive world of commercial illustration, immediately landing work with McCall’s Magazine. Shortly after, she met Bill Heapps, founder of Pig Pen Studios, who was incredibly generous in sharing his knowledge and experience, and she is forever grateful for the time spent working under his tutelage.  Other illustration commissions followed, as well as contracting work with ad agencies, and other publications, forcing the young artist to develop the discipline and strong work ethic which informs her work to this day. It was during this period she was commissioned by the government of Grenada to create a series of postage stamps featuring the indigenous sea life of the island nation.

She eventually made her way to the Art Students League where she studied with David Leffel. The dedication to the serious study of traditional painting at the League caused her to refocus her energies.  Over the next decade her work garnered numerous awards in juried shows, grants, and residencies and was featured in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. In the late nineties Sue temporarily lay down her brushes to help create her masterpieces, Kiara and Dana, trading in still lives and landscapes for finger painting, mud pies and murals.   

Eventually the call of the canvas proved too much,  Sue grabbed her oils and brushes and studied briefly with American Master John Osborne, discovering the prismatic palette which she continues to explore to this day. Osborne’s impact on her sensibilities cannot be put into words.

Today Sue’s approach involves several steps, beginning with small color studies on location. She then uses these sketches to record information for later use in larger studio works. For her Still life works she prefers North Light whenever possible and likes to work alla prima. She examines a variety of disciplines including values, color harmonies and composition. “I paint to live, I live to paint. I am mesmerized by natural light. To me, painting transcends obsession; it is an addiction. I paint because it makes me a better person, but it is my hope that my artwork spreads joy to the viewer.”” Click HERE to continue…

Thank you Sue, for submitting your website!

All images via SueBarrasi.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Vivid Sky by Joseph Alleman  30×22″  Oil

Joseph Alleman is an artist from Utah, and his work is wonderful! VIVID SKY is a striking painting with this wonderful white house against that daring blue sky. The shadows and light are spectacular!

Days End by Joseph Alleman  40×30″  Oil

DAYS END is an oil painting that shows great moodiness. I love paintings with dark skies! The barn has enough detail for your brain to fill in the remaining. Be sure to check out Joseph’s website for more info, including the galleries that carry these two paintings!

Read a bit about Joseph, from his website:

“For artist Joseph Alleman, an important motive to paint lies in understanding his surroundings. “I’m visually compelled by various forms of shape, value, pattern, etc. Through the process of painting, I gain new and deeper insight into my subject and its surroundings as these elements combine and communicate.” 

Working  in both watercolor and oil, Joseph Alleman’s paintings have become highly recognized and collected for their visionary portrayals of the West.  As a signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies, he exhibits regularly through gallery, juried, and invitational shows, and has been a featured artist in the majority of contemporary fine art publications.

Residing in Northern Utah, Joseph finds a great deal of inspiration  in the regions land, towns, and people which make it unique. “There is a beauty within the everyday and ordinary that only painting can reveal. I’m drawn to these subjects in hopes of making and sharing such discoveries.”” Continue reading HERE…

All images via JosephAlleman.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Troupe L’oeil with Grotesque by Justin Wood  14×11  Oil

Justin Wood. Beautiful paintings, all different subjects. What a talent to be able to paint so much detail. Justin has such a variety of subject matter. This painting was so interesting, so many details that you could almost write a book, it’s more than a short story that can be taken from these trinkets, it’s a novel – So creative!

Be sure to check out Justin’s paintings and read a bit about Justin, from his website:

“JUSTIN WOOD (1982)  is a painter from Doylestown, Pennsylvania interested in traditional techniques and genres. At a young age, he began drawing frequently and was introduced to painting in high school. Justin attended Syracuse University where he studied illustration under respected illustrators Murray Tinkleman and John Thompson. While at Syracuse he took figure drawing with figurative artist Jerome Witkin. In this class, Justin became more familiar with the history of classical painting and the importance of drawing and painting from life. This experience redirected his focus to the fine arts. Upon graduating, he joined Jacob Collins at the Water Street Atelier/ Grand Central Academy of Art in New York City where he studied full time for five years and served as Jacob’s studio assistant. After completing his studies, Justin became an instructor of cast drawing and painting at the Grand Central Academy. Justin paints still lifes, portraits, and nudes all from direct observation at his studio in New York.”

All images via JustinWoodArt.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Self Portrait in Mirror by Kate Sammons 20×16 Oil

Kate Sammons. Her work will take your breath away. She paints beautiful Floral/Still Life’s, wonderful Watercolors and stunning Figurative works and more! Kate did a wonderful pastel, MY MOTHER, and it is just beautiful! All I can think is HOW? It’s a gift, for sure!

This painting, Self Portrait in Mirror is such an interesting composition. I love the key in her hand, there is a story there, and I love a story! An exquisite, interesting, “make-you-think” painting! I love that the door is open, so much interest!

Read a bit about Kate, from her website (and check out her fabulous paintings!). HINT: It’s very impressive! This lady has talent!:

“Kate Sammons was born in Seoul, Korea, naturalized as a US citizen one year later and raised in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Early in life she exhibited a flair for arts and crafts that developed later into a passion for art.In 2002 she graduated from the University of Ilinois with a BFA in painting before continuing on to study and apprentice at several studios to focus on representational painting. Sammons started her professional career in 2007, going on to exhibit work in galleries and museums around the country including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Butler Institute of American Art. Her paintings have been featured in magazines such as Fine Art Connoisseur, The Artist’s Magazine and American Art Collector, among others. With a blend of representation and imagination, her work is described as beautiful and refined with a lighthearted spirit that reflects her personality. Among the varied subjects she paints, she often returns to themes of humanity with nature that incorporate dreamlike imagery and personal emotion.

Sammons moved to Los Angeles in 2010, teaching art part time and creating studio work. Since then Kate appears locally at exhibitions like the annual California Art Club Gold Exhibition and the LA Art Show. In addition to seasonal shows, her art is available for purchase at several exclusive galleries in Palm Desert, Santa Fe, Denver and Orleans. From the beginning of her career, Kate has been dedicated to preserving the traditions of fine art, making originality and handcrafted quality the hallmarks of her brand. Her annual production is low as each painting is entirely unique in its identity and design. At the heart of Kate’s enterprise is a taste for art that is independent of popular conventions- timeless, distinctive and free in spirit.”

All images via KateSammons.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Spring House Morning by Nick Paciorek  48×48″  Oil

Nick Paciorek. An artist who isn’t afraid of color! I love his palette, his paintings are so interesting. I love the way he interprets a scene using bold color and great strokes. Nick paints pretty much everything – you’ve got to check out his website!

I love how these sunflowers are the star of the show, they are so uplifting!

West Broadway Reflect by Nick Paciorek 48×60 Oil

Another fabulous painting (all are!) – I love the reflection of the woman in the window, there is so much going on in this painting, wonderful colors and shapes. Great light! This painting makes you feel as if you are among those out on those New York streets!

Read a bit about Nick, from his website:

“Chicago – the city, its colors, shapes and sounds – shaped young Nick Paciorek’s world and brought him where he is today: a renowned artist whose work is seen from coast to coast.

At age five when other kids were enthralled with the Major League baseball being played at Wrigley Field, Paciorek was awed by the colors and the brightness – in the field, the bleachers, the people.

As a teenager, Paciorek spent countless hours at art exhibits. He continually returned to his favorite, an Impressionism collection at a museum in downtown Chicago, impacted by the ability of an artist to control the world on canvas simply through color choice. It was then that Matisse became Paciorek’s central influence.

As an artist, Paciorek aligns himself with a new generation of Fauvists. He uses broad strokes of brilliant color for their emotional impact.

Each of his pieces is a celebration of light and color, a vivid interpretation of his subjects. For him, choosing the exact combination of hues for each painting is foremost.

Large cities with active skylines, busy streets and hard edges are one of Paciorek’s favorite subjects. He’s influenced by the relationship of one building to another and the immediacy of light hitting a building in a certain way. He finds that a particular street may represent the entire mood of a city.

Originally from Chicago, Paciorek’s education brought him to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. He now maintains a studio in Providence.” Continue reading HERE…

All images via Paciorek.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Midnight Run by Marie Channer  24×36″  Oil  – Available at Saks Galleries

The first paintings I saw of Marie’s were of horses. I couldn’t believe it. Such emotion and life! The painting above is so dramatic with the light on the mane and whiskers against that dark background and horse. Almost like a photograph. A stunning rendition of a beautiful horse – she captured the moment perfectly! Marie has some stunning paintings, be sure to check out her website!

Read a bit about Marie, from her website:

Marie Channer resides near Nederland Colorado. Her love for horses and the west gives her inspiration for her horse paintings and landscapes. She also enjoys painting dancers and recently has completed some Flamenco pieces.  When not in her studio, she enjoys studying Old Masters techniques, touring galleries and museums studying other artist’s work, or teaching a class about painting in oils.

All images via MarieChanner.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Homeward Bound by Brent Cotton caught my attention right away. A moody painting with a perfect title! Then I started looking through Brent’s available paintings and let me tell you… it wasn’t easy to choose one single painting. Brent has a wonderful style, he depicts the light so that it takes your breath away. Be sure to take a peek at his website – WOW! Beautiful paintings so full of life, and also be sure to read his bio (below) – this is a man who truly loves what he does and it shows!

I love paintings that tell a story, and this is one of those paintings. I can think of many different stories, which I just love!

The painting above is available at Trailside Galleries in Jackson Hole, WY – just one of the galleries where Brent shows his work. The “Capturing the Light” show runs from Sept. 1- 30, 2016 with an opening house on September 17, 2016 (tomorrow) from 5-7PM!

Read a bit about Brent, from his website:

“Raised on his family’s cattle ranch in Idaho, Brent’s first lessons in art were taught by his grandmother, a  talented watercolorist.  He grew up sketching the cowboys and horses he observed every day.  His family moved to Lindsborg, Kansas when he was in the 5th grade.  In this little town steeped in it’s Swedish heritage and love of the arts, Brent’s creativity flourished.  In high school an influential instructor encouraged him to pursue a career in art.  Upon graduation, he spent several seasons as a hunting and fishing guide in the vast wilderness of Idaho and Alaska, experiences that led to many painting ideas.  He focused on wildlife art and taught himself woodcarving as a way to express himself.  His specialty became gamefish and songbirds.

After several years of carving and sculpting, Brent decided to concentrate on painting.  He began attending workshops, and over the years has studied with some of the best known names in wildlife and western art.  He was part of a select group of artists to study with world-renowned western artist Howard Terpning at the Cowboy Artists of American workshop in 1997.   He gives Oklahoma artist Christine Verner the most credit for putting him on the path he’s on now. She expanded his vision and under her direction his work turned from highly detailed to a more painterly and looser approach.

He moved to Maui in 1999 and it was there that his work took on a more moody and atmospheric feel.  The foggy days he experienced on the slopes of Haleakala volcano combined with the forest fires in Montana where he continued to spend his summers, had a dramatic impact on the direction he would take as an artist.  Today he prefers to paint in the Tonalist/Luminist style made popular in the late 1800’s, seeking to create works that are mood-evoking and have a timeless quality.

He also enjoys ‘Plein Air’ painting and strives to work outdoors as often as he can. “I became a better artist when I began painting from life, it forced me to really observe and train my eyes to filter out the unnecessary stuff and focus on the major elements.”  He loves to strap on his hiking boots, grab his portable easel, and wander off in search of a moody scene to capture on canvas.

As an avid outdoorsman Brent can often be found in standing in one of the local rivers with a fly rod in his hand or on the oars of his driftboat.  The close proximity to some amazing blue ribbon trout streams is one of the many reasons he and his family make their home in the Bitterroot valley of Montana.  This passion has led Brent to focus on sporting art, particularly fly-fishing as a common theme in his work.  His paintings of solitary fishermen in his signature moody style has garnered him many fans in the art and sporting world.

Brent’s work has garnered several national awards including the prestigious “Arts for the Parks top 100” in both 1997 and in 2003, where his painting “Evensong” won both the “People’s Choice” and “Region 3” awards.  Brent was also the very first recipient of the “CM Russell Museum CEO Award” at the annual CM Russell Art Auction in Montana. He was recently invited to participate in the prestigious “Prix de West” Invitational show in Oklahoma City, a lifelong goal for him.

He is represented by several galleries throughout the country, with work in many private and corporate collections abroad.  Some of his notable collectors include; Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, and Brent Musberger. His work has been the subject of several feature articles in major art and western lifestyle magazines.

He and his wife Jennifer and their two small children live in the beautiful Bitterroot valley of Montana, where the rural lifestyle and wild rivers provide constant inspiration.

“I’m inspired by mood and drama, the fleeting effects of light.  I hope my paintings bring a sense of peace to the viewer, perhaps conjure up a memory.  My goal is to show God’s glory in my work, he’s blessed me so richly and I’m so fortunate to be making a living doing what I love.”

All images via CottonFineArts.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Guess the artist (normally a Friday feature) will return 9/28/16 – Catch you back here tomorrow!

Winter’s Warmth by Michael Albrechtsen   8×10″   Oil

Michael Albrechtsen. Stunning painting! That sky is on fire, the reflection in the water is perfection and those trees on the left… Oh! I love everything about this painting! The variations in the sky are breathtaking. This fairly small painting packs a punch!

Waiting for Spring by Michael Albrechtsen 28×28′ Oil

Is there anything more beautiful than that warm golden glow  that only happens certain times of day? The soft shadows, the reds that are made so warm, the tree tops catching the light against the beautiful sky. Nice shadows in the snow… Oh, how I wish it looked like this (cold) outside right now. Winter paintings are a favorite of mine in the hot summer months!

Read a bit about Michael, from his website:

“Michael was recruited by Hallmark straight from Utah State University where he received a Master of Fine Arts Degree.  During his college years he took many courses in technical drafting learning much about line drawings, shading, and three-dimensional renderings.  This training has had a major affect on the way Michael paints.  It has trained him to see detail and strive for accuracy.

Michael was raised in Bountiful, Utah where he explored the rural landscape with his friends and family.  He was encouraged by both his Mother and Grandmother to work with his art rather than follow the family occupation of mechanical engineering.  Michael’s dream was sports but for some reason he always carried a camera with him. 

While participating as a Mormon missionary in Thailand he carried a sketch pad with him and he became more and more interested in pursuing a career in art.  Michael, still not sure of his career desires discussed his love of the arts with his wife, Lynda, who encouraged him to pursue his interest.  Michael  transferred to the Utah State University at Logan to delve into his interest in the fine arts.

This emersion in painting was a huge boost in his abilities and desire to paint.  

After graduation, Michael was offered a position with Hallmark and was moved to Kansas City.  During his employment with Hallmark he was in a unique position where he was allowed to use his experience as a landscape and figure painter to do specialty cards for the masculine line of cards. 

Michael mixes what he sees and what he wants to see in developing his paintings.  He may add a stream, a mountain, or waterfall to achieve the feeling he wants for his painting.  Sometimes he will work some low mountains into the background just to give something for the colors to contrast against.  

Michael is fascinated by landscapes but also loves painting figures.  Especially when those figures are of his family and loved ones.  While in school Michael did a lot of figure work with models but now tries to paint figures at least once a week, mostly his children.   When doing figures he only paints those he loves.  Michael is very close to his family.  While doing a workshop in Texas, at night he would practice a magic trick just to be able to show it to his children when he returned.  When he has to be away to paint or teach his family is always on his mind.

Meeting with others who are interested in art gives Michael a lift.  Whether it is an art buyer, an art dealer, or an art student he enjoys sharing the creation of a painting or just discussing the process.  Michael is thankful for a wonderful family and those that buy his paintings.”

All images via MichaelAlbrechtsen.com and LegacyGallery.com, used with permission…

Both of these paintings are available at Legacy Gallery; Michael is in several galleries, including one here in Charleston, be sure to check them out!

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!