Category: ART

Artist to watch… Douglas Martenson!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments
Bedroom Window by artist Douglas Martenson / Image: CourthouseGallery.com

This is a fabulous piece by artist Douglas Martenson, today’s Artist To Watch. I love how the light peeks through the fabric in the curtains, its fabulous! The artist shows his work at Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth, Maine. If you’re in the area, check it out… otherwise check out their website!

Here’s a blip about the artist from the Courthouse Gallery website:

I have been working from life directly and indirectly from images based on the studio, or the house that I rent with my wife and Daughter for several weeks each August in Blue Hill Maine. This gives me an opportunity to focus on Landscape elements such as light and how it falls, grand vistas, water, structures such as buildings and how they relate to their environment. I also create through the use of domestic spaces both in Philadelphia and in Maine and examination of the interior world consisting of objects and light that help the spaces take form to create a landscape of the interior. While the work has always been substantially representational, this focus has brought a quality of tone and brushwork to the fore. I hope through this examination I have touched on something which is universal.

Martenson, who since 1978 has made his home in Philadelphia , a Graduate of the Pennsylvania academy of the fine Arts, his studio is a three story row house located in the Dickenson square area of Philadelphia, the house he rents in Maine is an old farm house located on seventeen acres facing Cadillac Mountain. Martenson has been the recipient of many grants and awards including a Pennsylvania Council on the arts fellowship and several Individual creative opportunity stipends from the Pennsylvania council on the Arts, a Pew fellowship on the arts grant for study at the Vermont studio center in northern Vermont an a Cresson European Traveling Scholarship from the Pennsylvania Academy of the fine Arts. Martenson has exhibited widely and shown his works regularly in galleries in New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… ArtBoy68, uh, I mean, Scott Hamilton!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments
My portrait done by artist Scott Hamilton

I ran across this blog a while back by artist Scott Hamilton (Artboy68), a VERY talented artist from British Columbia. I signed up to be a follower because I was intrigued at what he was doing, 100 portraits in 20 weeks. The blog is aptly titled “100 Portraits“, and I enjoy reading the comments back from people like me who have had their portrait done! I urge you to check out Scott’s blog, he’s very talented indeed! This sketch is 2 3/8 x 2 15/16 and he is sending it to me, what a special surprise. Click HERE for the link to this post…

I’ve met a lot of neat people through WordPress, people like Scott, but no one has done my portrait before, ha ha… THANK YOU Scott! I wish you much success, you are talented indeed… AND just so you know, I already had a draft started so that I could feature you, but I was waiting for you to do a SELF portrait… hint hint… maybe the 100th?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Ulrich Gleiter!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
"Just Arrived" by artist Ulrich Gleiter / Image: KarenHagan.com

Can’t you just FEEL how deep this snow is? How cold the temperature is? Perhaps smell wood burning from a nearby fireplace? Today’s artist to watch is Ulrich Gleiter who was given this advice… “Paint two small plein air sketches every day. Nothing else will train your sense of color better.”

ULRICH GLEITER was born in Saarbruecken, Germany, and studied at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts in Germany before moving to Rus- sia to study first at the Suricov Institute of Arts in Moscow and then at the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. In 2010 he received the Best of Show award and First Place in the Quick Draw Portrait Competition in the Plein Air Rockies 2010 in Estes Park, Colorado; the Award of Excellence in the Wyoming Plein Air in Cheyenne, Wyoming; and the Frank Bette First Prize in the 2010 Alameda Plein Air Paint out in Alameda, California. He will be mounting a solo exhibition of his work at Gallerie Ines Schulz in Dresden, Germany, in the fall of 2011, and will participate in the Door County Plein Air Invitational in July 2011 and the Plein Air Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, in August 2011 For more information, visit his website at www. ulrichgleiter.com. 

HERE is a good article from Plein Air Magazine about Ulrich…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Thank you to artist Dan Corey, an artist who knows the spirit of the season…!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

I just want to give a big SHOUT to artist Dan Corey for being so very generous! First of all for being a part of a fundraiser for Boothbay Regional Art Foundation’s Art Scholarship Fund, where all artists who participated agree to sell their paintings for $100 with 25% going to the foundation (NOTE: Fundraiser is over BUT you are in luck… the paintings on Dan’s blog are still available UNTIL the day after Christmas and then they’ll be gone (or regular price)… Dan didn’t just include a painting or two, he included around 20 or so paintings (at the time I write this)! That is VERY GENEROUS! And… then he did a holiday giveaway, the first person to read his post and answer his questions won the gorgeous painting above. Let me say, I don’t normally win things… and I’m OK with that… BUT this was meant to be! I was checking his blog to see if he posted a new painting and saw that the giveaway had begun! The questions were posted! I got answers to the questions and responded as fast as my frozen fingers would type… and whew… I am HAPPY to say, we are the proud owners of the big holiday giveaway painting and we are THRILLED! So a BIG THANK YOU to Dan… we are loyal followers Dan, you are a fabulous artist as well as the nicest guy… we look forward to meeting you one day soon!

Merry Christmas to you (and Raquele)! The same to the rest of you folks! Check out Dan’s blog, it’s a treat!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… David Scriven Crowley!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments
"Talbot" by artist David Scriven Crowley

David Scriven Crowley is today’s Artist to Watch! My husband and I first ran across him on a trip to Rockland, Maine… we ran across his intriguing gallery on Main Street and fell in love with his Jack Russell, (I  believe her name was Daphne), what a character! David is a very talented artist full of amazing stories, if you get a chance and are in the area, stop by and say Hello! Or… stop by his website to check out his work…

Here’s a blip from the artists website…

My work is about emotion, the profound sense of a mandate so demanding and so compulsive that the need to make something MUST be satisfied. Even if the lack of time, the lack of funds, and the market do not support the idea, the emotional desperation for a project to be realized is so compelling as to force itself into fruition. These concepts manifest in many forms, usually complete (in my head), before they are begun. The process is, however every bit a part of the creation and through the development of the work, small changes of direction may occur. Usually, these deviations are subtle, but may at times alter the direction of the original idea. The ideas are spiritual, political, social, environmental, humorous, or may simply be about beauty.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Joe Fidler… and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

This is a two part post… the first part is a quick HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad. He’s the best… then, the Artist to Watch… !

Hey dad, I’m wondering how you are old enough to have a daughter my age, ha ha! We wish you the happiest birthday ever… You’re the absolute best! Miss you so much!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, deeeaaaaar Daaaa-aaaad!

Happy Birthday to you… and many more!

My dad can do ANYTHING… some of the hobbies he’s had that quickly come to mind are… photography/developing photos in our basement, wine making (long time ago, wonder how that turned out?), rock polishing/jewelry making, canoe building, watercolor, oil, pen and ink, woodworking (beautiful jewelry boxes, lamps, wooden bowls, ornaments, you name it…), stained glass making… the list goes on and on… the man doesn’t get bored I can tell you that! A few years ago I gave him a sketchbook for Christmas, and told him one day when he filled it up with doodles, thoughts, etc he could pass it back (nice gift, eh?)… Perhaps this may have been the most stressful gift he’s ever received, ha ha… He gave it back to me less than two years later FILLED with gorgeous sketches, pen and ink and watercolor… I am sharing a few with you. He’s too talented. He needs a website ;)

I will share more with you in the coming months… this sketchbook is precious to me… I LOVE it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artists painting on Monhegan Island, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
Walt Pasko painting on Monhegan Island, Maine

The first year we went to Monhegan it absolutely blew my mind how many artists had their easels set up and were painting away. Not a few artists, I’m talking LOTS of artists, they were everywhere! It was amazing, especially as a huge lover of art to watch them. Here is one artist I featured recently, Walter Pasko. An amazingly talented and brilliant man. He knows the technical side of painting, no doubt… fascinating to listen them talk about pigments and whatever else… over my head, but interesting nonetheless! I love photographing artists painting… I also like paintings of other artists painting, very neat!

Catch you back here tomorrow! Can you believe Christmas is only a week away?

Artist to watch… Daniel Corey!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist5 Comments
Ocean Point Snow by Daniel Corey

Artist Daniel Corey… whoa! Extremely talented… an artist from Maine with a keen eye for painting everything… I know I have already featured Dan this year (back in May) but he is posting some fantastic work at a very cheap price for a fundraiser in Maine (details below). I am in love with his snow scenes… I miss living in a cold and snowy climate (well, most of the time, I can’t complain about a Charleston winter, that’s for sure) and his paintings make me so happy! For the past several weeks he has been posting paintings on his oh-so-fabulous blog and facebook page, prices are to die for…  (AND the guy has a sense of humor, so his blog is as entertaining as it is informative!)… It’s all for a fundraiser for Boothbay Regional Art Foundation, see a description from his website below… the $100 price is a FRACTION of his normal price, and believe me when I tell you that I hesitate to tell ANYONE ELSE about this… I hate for a good painting to get away, hee hee, but fair is fair, and I think everyone needs to know about Dan!

17 Degrees by Daniel Corey

Ok, here’s the deal this month the local Boothbay Regional Art Foundation holds its Art in the Square show. This show donates $25. of every sale to a local Art Scholarship fund. The best part of this sale is all the pieces in this show must be priced at $100. !! So that means the art foundation takes nothing and is just servicing the art community.. Just Great! So no matter who you are or what level of commercial success you have had you are priced like all the rest.. Because of the non money hungry style of this non-profit group and June Rose (a true asset to the BRAF and general sweetheart)  I try to go out of my way to help them out. I have put alot of effort into teaching and participating here and hope you may want to help out by buying one of these pieces. Now I plan on donating the same ratio to them and they have no idea I’m doing this til they read this.. surprise! I plan on posting at least one painting a day for sale and the buy it now button should let you pay in many ways so don’t make excuses to not be part of this. The price is so low for these that im guessing they will sell quick and I am not saving the best pieces for last.. so dont wait. The only addition I am making is a one size fits all shipping price of $15. this will help pay for packaging, a little effort, shipping and paypal fees.

OK, now I feel better, I let everyone know about it… but be quick with the PayPal button or I just might beat you ;)

Another great one!

Lil Frosty by Dan Corey

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images from the artist…

Artist to watch… Daniel Merriam!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
"On the Go" by Daniel Merriam / Image: ChloeFineArts.com

When I first saw Daniel Merriam’s work, I thought it was amazing. Very different. Each one like it’s own fairytale. As I looked at his pieces I thought to myself… “I could write a story for each and every painting he has”. Then I read his bio. His paintings have been used for books, and rightfully so. They are absolutely amazing! Daniel has an amazing website (click HERE) so check it out, the story about him is fabulous!

Here’s a blip about Daniel from Chloe Fine Arts Gallery, where he shows his work:

Born in 1963 in York, Maine, Daniel Merriam grew up in Naples, a rural town within the vast, quiet spaces of Central Maine. One of seven children in a creative, artistic family, he taught himself to paint at a very young age and used his art as a method of reflective play throughout his childhood. He studied mechanical and architectural design at the Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute. While still in school, he applied his dimensional skills and passion for architecture in the family’s design and construction business.

He then turned his talents to the commercial art field, working as an architectural and commercial illustrator for a number of multi-national corporations. Merriam’s illustrations received numerous awards including several first-place Broderson Awards (the annual Maine advertising industry award) and the first-place New England Scholastics Press Association Award (for editorial cartooning.)

Yet Merriam’s true passion remained painting the expression of his own vision. In 1987 he shifted his focus solely to fine art and had his first solo exhibition at Abacus Gallery in Maine. In the same year, the artist received an Honorary Masters of Humane Letters from the University of New England in recognition of the potential social contribution of his work. Since that time, Merriam has had over one hundred exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

In 1998, Monarch Editions, Inc. published The Art of Daniel Merriam: The Impetus of Dreams – selections from a decade of the artist’s work. The book’s second edition was published in 2002. Merriam’s most recent catalogue reisonné The Eye of a Dreamer was released in October 2007. Both catalogues reisonné were inducted into the permanent archives of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the National Museum of American Illustration, and the Peninsular Museum of Art.

The artist’s work appears in Dreamscape: The Best of Imaginary Realism, Volume I and II, published by SALBRU PUBLISH (the Netherlands) in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Merriam has produced paintings for the covers of books by Paula Volsky and Neal Barrett Jr. published by Bantam Books, as well as for an international literary journal, Mid-American Review. Merriam’s work was used for the playbill of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare produced by the Tony® Award-winning McCarter Theatre in New Jersey.

Daniel Merriam has been interviewed on WCSH (Portland, ME); KEYT (Santa Barbara, CA); KUSI News (San Diego, CA); Sedona Now (Sedona, AZ); 7days News (Dubai, UAE); France 3 Quercy-Rouergue (Rodez, France). He has been the subject of feature articles in numerous national and international publications, such as Art & Antiques, Gulf Connoisseur, IN New York, New Art International, Realms of Fantasy, The World & I, U.S. Art, Watercolor Magic. Merriam’s work is included in the public collections of The Riverside Museum of Art, CA; Merrill Lynch, CA; The Gesundheit! Institute, VA; the Manhattan Club, NY, among others.

Great work Daniel! What an imagination… love it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: ChloeFineArt.com

A Christmas Surprise… an Eva Carter painting!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, HOME3 Comments
Christmas surprise... Eva Carter painting!

Several years ago on Christmas night my husband and I were riding around downtown Charleston, SC.  Then he covered my eyes and told me he was taking me to my Christmas gift… WHAT???!!! I was trying to pay attention (good luck, I don’t do so well when I can see, HA), but we kept making turns so I had NO idea where we were. He stopped the car. Still unable to see he helped me out of the car and walked me up to the window… I opened my eyes, took in the sight and said…  “ME Barbara, YOU Fred?????!!!!!” Not meaning to sound like Tarzan, I just couldn’t believe that the tag on the painting in the window that everyone can see was TO: Barbara FROM: Fred. Holy Cow! That was so special. Thanks to Eva and to Karin Olah, the gallery manager at the time, for making it so special!  Do I have a cool husband or what? What fun!

Artist to watch… Walt Pasko!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
Winter Path by Walt Pasko
Winter Path by Walt Pasko / Image: PaskoFineArt.com

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! WordPress offers falling snow on their blogs until January… So enjoy the little blizzard, I know I will…!

I. LOVE. THIS. PAINTING! This is done by artist Walter Pasko and it is fabulous! Winter scenes are a favorite. I love the colors in the snow. From this painting you can feel how cold it is when you look at the deep greens. You can also feel the warm sun on your back when you look at the light in the snow.

My husband and I met Walter years ago on Monhegan. For several years we happened to be on the island at the same time, along with another artist friend of ours, Tim Bell. It was fascinating to listen to Tim and Walter talk about the more technical side of painting, it was all I could do to try to take it all in.

This is a magnificent painting done by an artist that is not only very talented, but a very, very nice and brilliant man. Here is a blip about Walt from his WEBSITE:

Walter J. Pasko has devoted his creative energy, for the past forty years, to the painting of landscapes directly from nature.  His broad oil painting style has evolved from a need to capture the fleeting play of light and shadow patterns on the landscape, essential to the design of his paintings.He has been living for most of his adult life in the Berkshire Hills of northwestern Massachusetts where he regularly scouts the back country looking for saw mills, sugar houses, streams, and small villages as subject matter for his paintings.Primarily self-taught, he studied and painted with the late Maurice Kennedy, friend and former student of Lester Stevens (N.A.).  He has a Ph.D. of M.E. degree from the University of Massachusetts.

Artist to watch… Jonathan McPhillips!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
The Boat Ramp by Jonathan McPhillips /Image: AddisonArt.com

Ok, so I couldn’t choose. Ahhh, the magical combination of shadow and light, sun and dark clouds… wow, this makes for one fabulous painting! This painting, entitled “The Boat Ramp” was done by Jonathan McPhillips, and appears in the Addison Art Gallery in Orleans, MA.

But then how this one captures the magical light, that special golden light that makes EVERYTHING look so good (why don’t they make light bulbs that reflect this golden shade?? Hmmmm!). “Before the Bustle” was awarded Honorable Mention at Gallery 297. Fabulous! Congratulations Jonathan!

Before the Bustle by Jonathan McPhillips /Image: JonathanMcPhillips.com

Jonathan is in many galleries, so check out his website (VERY nice). Here is a short blip about Jonathan from his website, (but there is more, so check it out)! He seems like an interesting guy, he’s from Rhode Island, so if you’re in the area, check him out. I look forward to seeing his work in person one day!

“Collectors, fellow artists, and friends often comment on my work as having distinct and engaging “atmosphere”. I am so very appreciative of this recurring compliment. It is the air surrounding the landscape that I hope to depict in my paintings. The air is an unseen filter that guides how we visualize the “things” in front of us. In coastal New England, the atmosphere is always changing, therefore I am very fortunate to live and paint in such a visually engaging area.

Chasing the available light and air in our surroundings is what drives me to paint. I hope to achieve atmospheric effects with an impressionistic style, tempered by a touch of realism and draftsmanship. Painting large and small, indoors and out, I find that a multifaceted approach to studying and practicing allows me to achieve a unique quality in my work”.

JM 

Jonathan graduated from Connecticut College in 1993 with a Cum Laude Distinction in Fine Art. Now residing in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, Jonathan’s artwork has evolved into a celebration of coastal New England. Working equally in the studio and on location, his work includes the harbors, beaches, vessels, and architecture of our coastal marine environment.

Recent accomplishments include a juried acceptance into The Oil Painters of America Eastern Exhibition in October, 2010.  In addition, Jonathan was invited to participate in The Carmel Plein Air Art Festival in Carmel, California, and the Modern Marine Masters Exhibition at the Mystic Seaport Museum Gallery, both in May of 2011.

Awards and exhibitions span McPhillips’ career. Of note would be his 2004 First Place “Best of Fleet” Award at the New York Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island for “Courageous Convictions”, his 12 meter yacht replica.  Jonathan is also honored to have been invited by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the “Art in Embassies” program in 2006, which expanded his work to an international audience.

Jonathan has recently rediscovered the joy and personal fulfillment that teaching brings to an artist’s life. He periodically arranges workshops and courses in oil painting.  His artistic journey can easily be followed through social media and e-newsletters, as well as his blog and website. Video samples of selected works in progress are also available, and have been especially popular among his collectors and fans.

Catch you back here tomorrow!


Artist to watch… John Austin Hanna!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
It Never Gets Old by John Austin Hanna

This painting reminds me of my dad… doing what he loves, fly fishing. You can feel the movement of the water, hear the rushing water around the rocks, FEEL the coldness of the water. Fabulous! This painting is at the Sylvan Gallery in Charleston, SC. If you get a chance pop in, say Hi, and check it out!

Here’s a blip about the artist from the Sylvan Gallery’s website:

Impressionist painter, John Austin Hanna, is a native Texan who lives and works in the quaint art and antique oriented community of Fredericksburg.  His work encompasses a broad range of subject matter from still-lifes, to portraits, to landscapes and images of rural and country life captured in a moment of time.  His artistic discipline was finely tuned while working as a commercial illustrator in New York and Dallas until tired of the hectic life of big city living he moved to the smaller community of Fredericksburg to concentrate on his painting career. Hanna says, “Throughout my childhood, I was always drawing and dreaming of becoming a ‘real’ artist.  I finally decided that I had to pursue that dream.”

John’s canvases are saturated with light and color, some depicting a large-scale scene while others focus on such images as a small section of a fence or wildflowers on the bank of a stream. He is constantly searching for “all things great or small” to portray in his work.

Articles about this talented young artist have appeared in publications such as Southwest Art and Art Talk.

Great job John!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Painting by Geer Morton… one of my favorites!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment
Bay and House by Geer Morton

Isn’t this fresh and fabulous? I absolutely LOVE Geer Morton’s paintings. He’s got the most unique style, you can spot his painting a mile away. I love that! Take a peak at his work… on top of being so talented he’s a super nice guy! I know that I’ve feature this artist before, but it’s so hard not to show you other great paintings… I’m going to have to think of a catchy title, so I can start doing this with more artists I admire, maybe starting the new year!

My husband and I first saw Geer’s work at  Wiscasset Bay Gallery where we fell in love with his paintings (you will too, trust me on this)!  If you get a chance, stop in Wiscasset Bay Gallery and check out his work, or visit his website! (Image: WiscassetBayGallery.com) 

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend… catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Richard Oversmith!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
"The way it used to be" by Richard Oversmith (via artists website)

I found this intriguing painting under the PLEIN AIR section of Richard Oversmith’s website. I love paintings of interiors, especially something different… this is a peak into the past. Richard’s description of this painting:

This painting is of the interior of Old Fort, NC train depot.  The depot build in the 1890s probably looked a lot like this inside.  It is a museum now and house some old southern railroad memorabilia.  I was invited into the depot to paint but, I actually painted this outside looking through a window at this scene.  That’s why it’s in the plein air section.

How interesting to paint the interior from outside. LOVE IT! Check out Richard’s website, it’s a good one! He’s in many galleries, so check him out! I just noticed he’s right here in Charleston, SC!

Here’s a blip from the artists website, there is more, so check him out!

Richard Oversmith - Biography

Richard received formal training in Fine Art and Illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While at Kendall he was invited to study at the Royal College of Art in London, England. There he gained experience in plein air painting and found direction in his work as an oil painter. He graduated from Kendall College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995 and moved back to his home state of North Carolina to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist.

The natural beauty of Western North Carolina has proven to offer infinite inspiration for Richard’s impressionistic landscapes. From rolling mountains to abundant waterfalls, the majestic Biltmore Estate to a simple farm scene, this region evokes the artist’s muse. Richard finds inspiration not only at home but in his many travels. He has painted all over the USA and has recently spent six months living and painting in Brittany, France. Whether at home or abroad, Richard surrounds himself in the elements of the scene while painting, in true “en plein air” fashion. In the studio, his sense of vision and mood guide him to produce still lifes ranging from the classic to the imaginative.

Richard’s purpose in painting is to provoke the viewer to interact with his pieces. His paintings are his voice, and stroke by stroke, he composes a whole that relates his vision. Richard works in oil on linen, a medium compatible with the passion he puts into his creation. He strives to achieve a mood in every painting through the use of such visual stimuli as color, edges, value and drawing. He has derived his style from the lifelong study of past masters, the influence of contemporary painters he admires, and elements that have evolved from deep within himself. He allows the setting to speak to him, creating only as many brushstrokes as are needed for the viewer’s eyes to understand and connect.

Catch you back here tomorrow!