Featured Artist… Bruce Gomez!

On June 28, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Final Thoughts From Far Away by Bruce Gomez – Image: TellurideGallery.com

Bruce Gomez, artist… Spectacular, right? The composition of this painting is amazing. The colors… perfect in every way! If you haven’t seen work by Bruce Gomez I highly suggest you check him out, he’s got such beautiful subject matter! Bruce is a pastel artist, living in Denver, CO.

Here’s a blip about him from the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art:

Bruce A. Gómez was born in Denver, Colorado in 1957 and was educated at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Denver, where he received a degree in Political Science as well as a degree in Romance Languages. The Telluride Gallery of Fine Art has represented Bruce since 1985.

He has been working in pastels for thirty-nine years, full-time for the past twenty-nine. Entirely self-taught, Bruce works exclusively in that medium on cold-pressed watercolour paper. In addition, he has taught for the last twenty years at the Ah Haa School in Telluride, CO, where he has been one of the school’s highest rated instructors for years. He has also had the opportunity to teach workshops in Sedona, AZ, Moab, UT, London, England, and Cortona, Italy. He is currently a regular instructor at the Abend Gallery of Fine Art in Denver.

Bruce has participated in more shows than he can recall and his work has been featured in The Artist Magazine, Art and Antiques, and in Southwest Art Magazine several times where he was noted as an Artist to Watch Over $5,000.

He has appeared in numerous Pastel Invitational shows as well as Plein Air Invitationals including The Denver Golden Triangle Invitational, and The Sedona Plein Air Festival, in which he won The Collector’s Choice Award, The Artists Choice Award, and received one of five Merit Awards in 2011 and the Merit Awards in 2012.

Bruce has also produced the artwork for numerous festivals and events including The MAAD poster Detroit 1998, The Telluride Jazz Festival, The Telluride Chamber Music Festival, The Sheep Mountain Alliance, and many others. He has contributed his work to numerous fundraisers and benefits including fundraisers for The Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, The Telluride AIDS benefit, The Ah Haa Art Auction, The Alzheimer’s Foundation, KRMA Art Auction, and The American Cancer Society.

His extensive travels range from Aspen and Telluride, New Mexico and Arizona, Wyoming and Montana, up to Banff, and crossing the Pond to Europe; he has painted across London, Amsterdam, Paris, Provence, Florence, and Rome.

Truly gifted! Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: Tidewater Cottage SL 998 (Southern Living)

On June 27, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

Tidewater Cottage (SL-998) An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by LRK, Inc.

For today’s plan, I was searching for something a little edgier, with a more modern flare to it… and look what I found! The Tidewater Cottage (Southern Living Plan SL-998) is 1,710 square feet. It’s got that open plan that we love (and it’s not for everyone, but it fits our lifestyle quite well). It would be neat to build this house out in the country or on the water… I’m not picky, I would take either one! I LOVE all those windows… especially if you had spectacular trees as your view! Perhaps on the edge of a forest.

Here’s a blip about the Tidewater Cottage from the Southern Living House Plans:

Our Tidewater Retreat (SL-998) is a 1,710-square-foot escape that maximizes indoor/outdoor living. After a day at the beach, stow gear in the storage room and wash off sand in a bathroom located on the ground floor. On the main level, the kitchen flows into the dining room and living room and two bedrooms are quarters for friends and family. Walls of windows look out to the wrap-around porch, a perfect place to enjoy ocean breezes and sunsets over the water. Upstairs await the master bedroom and a bunk room. A third-floor loft offers a panoramic view.

The ground floor… great for living at the beach, a bathroom so you don’t have to track back through the house… a shower to rinse off… Hmmm… not sure I would want to clean all that. Personally, maybe a toilet, tiny sink and make the rest storage…

Rinse off with the garden hose ;)

The first floor has everything you could possibly think of… two small bedrooms down are nice, in case one day it’s difficult to climb the stairs… hmmm… although you would still need an elevator to get you to the first floor I suppose. I’m not a big fan of caddied walls… I would see if that one wall could be straight…

The second floor… the Master Suite… matter-of-fact… I might even make the two bedroom downstairs into the master bedroom… I would put the toilet and sink where the bathtub is, and make a doorway to the bedroom, closing off the hallway door. I would put a little tiny powder room (toilet/sink) under the steps. I would let guests have the upstairs bedroom. The bunk room could either hold another bed, or be used for storage. Storage. Wow… that would be great!

WHAT A GREAT ARTIST’S STUDIO!! Buns of steel from going up and down three flights of stairs, an added bonus! Wow!!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images: http://houseplans.southernliving.com/

Featured Artist… Susan Gilbert (opening reception today)!

On June 26, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

Washer Woman by Susan Gilbert

I love this piece by Susan Gilbert. The rich, warm colors, the pounding surf, the splash of the wave in the distance… and oh, how the toned canvas shows through. Remarkable. Susan lives on Monhegan Island, ME. Her work is featured at the Island Inn this year… be sure to check it out!

Susan’s work is shown at the Lupine Gallery on Monhegan Island. This is the neatest gallery. I just love the atmosphere, the art (obviously), and the people. Everything about it makes it one fabulous gallery. Susan’s opening reception is today from 2-4, so if you happen to be on the island, don’t miss it!

Read a blip about Susan’s philosophy from her website:

Philosophy

Heard on the Elizabeth Ann, ferry to Monhegan, Maine:

“One kind of work describes its object and is about the object. The other work is about art.” “There is nothing wrong with illustration, but it should be acknowledged, that is what it is.”

What do I believe? All art work is about art. All people see and respond to the world in an unique way. Art is the product of a true eye, a personal vision which one may or may not have the privilege to uncover. The truth of art will be revealed when given the chance to become itself through time and work.

Alex Katz, visiting lecturer to my school in the early 70’s, showed his recent work, cutouts- wooden silhouettes of figures with his characteristic, flat , simple delineation. He described that work as seen with “quick light,” and explained that he meant the impact to be gotten immediately, all at once. I compare this to the to the painting of Vermeer, timeless, still, yet endlessly unfolding,to my vision seen in the slowest light.

Broad categories are used to organize art, and to try to understand it. Context, history surround us. The frame of reference can be daunting. Where in this sea of time do I belong? To work, to search, to find my vision knowing that truth in art can only become itself through time and work.

The artist who continues to open may interpret vision. Like DNA, art which becomes signature expression is predetermined. Style is secondary to vision. Incorporating much or little of history, art is narrative, figurative or abstract, minimal or baroque, technological, conceptual. With quick or slow light, art is always about itself.

So, art may be about describing a harbour, may be about color and pattern, may tell a story, or not. Art can be almost anything. How to organize art is personal. I choose not to draw a line. Why subvert my need to be surprised by the unexpected, to be enlightened, refreshed. When viewing art I ask, does the color sing? does the paint move me? does this work have a life? can I return to it? will it be thrown away? Is this rich, true, right? Art is.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits: SusanGilbert.com

No GMO, no poison, just fresh veggies… are these guys cool or what? Say hello to Sothel Farm!

On June 25, 2013December 17, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, THOUGHTS5 Comments

Sothel Farm. Have you heard of it? It’s located in scenic Byrnes Down, right off the West Ashley Greenway. You may have noticed a few houses that made ample use of the unused space behind their homes. They planted a garden. Not any old garden. A community garden. You won’t see a little Farmer’s Market stand, with scales, calculators and a cash box. The vegetables are free. What?! I know… since when do you hear news like that?

Planting a garden on an easement… What a brilliant idea! Instead of looking at space that is unused and just sitting there, to make something of it that the community can learn from, get people active in is great. New friendships are forged. Kids see how cool a garden is, how it grows and then are excited to eat what comes of all that hard work! And hey, pulling weeds… it’s good for you!

A photo from Sothel Farms earlier days, wow, it’s like these guys know what they’re doing!

So thank you to those of you who put yourselves out there in the heat… tending these gardens, making them so prolific AND for sharing everything! I look forward to meeting you one day to say THANK YOU! I had a squash with my dinner one night, and a tomato on my salad. I’m telling you, it’s the little things in life that make you smile!

They seem like a fun bunch… this is how they describe the farm (very creative I might add):

Free & fun. Sothel Farm. Byrnes Down, USA.

Hee hee… who couldn’t love that?

Read more about the Sothel Farm (and see the many photos!) on their blog at http://sothelfarm.tumblr.com

It’s free. It’s fun and it is oh so entertaining! Check this out…

Sothel Farm as seen from the Greenway… no zoom… so you can see it’s way out of the way… I’m starting to think we should make the entire Greenway a garden!! How smart!

Here are a few other gardens planted in out of the way, unexpected places (easement)…

This one does not have a sign that says the veggies are free… so please don’t pick unless you ask first ;)

Talk about using every square inch!

I love this sign… creative! Pull a weed… that’s not too much to ask!

Two photos to show this garden… it’s pretty, it’s full of wonderfulness!

This garden has expanded the space accommodating even more fresh veggies! LOTS of hard work!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Sam Robinson!

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

Interior painting by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

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

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

Pemaquid Sundown by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

Here’s a blip about Sam from his website:

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

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

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

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston, SC Photo: Rockville, SC Road

On June 23, 2013January 8, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME3 Comments

Several weeks ago, my sister was in town. We hit all the galleries, many restaurants, then headed to Charleston Tea Plantation and Rockville to snap some photos. I’ve written about the tea plantation before… the landscape… STUNNING. Like Rockville, there are huge, very old live oak trees. The setting seems like it’s way back when…

Rockville, SC retains that captured in time feel. There isn’t a store or a restaurant or really anywhere to go in Rockville (unless you belong to the yacht club), but it is a great place to snap photos (especially if you’re into photography, or if you’re an artist… whoa!). Subject matter galore! So… if you’re ever heading out that way… BRING YOUR CAMERA (bring spare batteries as well… I speak from experience)!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Sullivans Island Beach… Heed the Warnings!

On June 22, 2013June 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS3 Comments

A few months ago when my parents were visiting we headed to Sullivans Island, SC. A beautiful beach, and a fabulous place to walk! We usually only go to the beach during the off season, when its quiet… but it’s beautiful all year!

If you go be aware of all the signs warning of rip currents… there are rescue attempts all the time for people not heeding those warnings, which puts other lives (friends who jump in to help, rescue workers, etc.) in jeopardy…

Know this before you swim (from the United States Lifesaving Association):

How to Avoid and Survive Rip Currents

Learn how to swim!

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Field Research Facility at Duck, NC.

Never swim alone.
Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.
If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

Good advice!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

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

Summer Fun by James Richards

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

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

Charleston Shadows by James Richards

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

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

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: Whisper Creek – a perfect mountain getaway!

On June 20, 2013January 9, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans5 Comments

Whisper Creek – Southern Living House Plan SL-1653 – Allison Ramsey Architects

Can you imagine this fabulous mountain getaway? Can you imagine how much time would be spent on these wonderful porches overlooking the mountains/woods/stream… what a place to have as a retreat or better yet to live in all year? This is a modest size home at 1,555 sq feet. This home has 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Which makes it perfect for a small family or a retired couple. As I’ve said before I’m a fan of the open floor plan concept… and this is a great efficient plan…

Continue reading →

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

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

Burton’s Cottage by Kevin Beers

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

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

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

Wharf with Trucks by Kevin Beers

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

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

JUNE 20 – JULY 27, 2013 in Boothbay Harbor

KEVIN BEERS: Monhegan Island
Oils of Monhegan Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits: GleasonFineArt.com

Quick & Easy Recipe: Caprese Salad… Nothing could taste fresher!

On June 18, 2013December 20, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe9 Comments

My basil plant is growing like a weed. It is absolutely gorgeous… I bought an heirloom tomato the other day and it smelled heavenly! My first thought… CAPRESE SALAD! I mean what could be any fresher tasting as well as quick and easy to throw together?

CAPRESE SALAD

Good tomato (or tomatoes)

Fresh mozzarella cheese (it’s in a ball, slice it into nice slices)

Fresh Basil (MUST. BE. FRESH!)

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Find a good tomato (this one was rather large), and slice it (not too thin). You can lay a slice of tomato, then a slice of FRESH mozzarella cheese (if it’s not the softer fresh mozzarella the results will not be the same, I speak from experience!) and a basil leaf, or you can stack several basil leaves together, roll them up and snip them into small pieces (as I did, above). It tastes the same either way. Now drizzle the tomatoes and cheese with olive oil, and a light sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Note: I made this recipe ahead one day… popped it in the fridge… took it out when dinner was ready and the olive oil had congealed (eek), so if you make it ahead, just take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving so the olive oil has a chance to come alive!

The other night we had boiled shrimp, corn on the cob, and this caprese salad… too good!

This is also fabulous on a good bakery baguette… nothing fresher, we used to get this at Dean & Deluca – oh, what memories!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Jason Sacran!

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

Lit Up by Jason Sacran – Image: Waterhouse Gallery

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

Back Road by Jason Sacran – Image: ASingularCreation.com

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

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

BIOGRAPHY

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

STATEMENT

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

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

H A P P Y F A T H E R S D A Y ! !

On June 16, 2013June 11, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS6 Comments

Joe (my dad) and Carlisle (Fred’s dad)… blurry photo… I vow to do better!

I would also like to say H A P P Y F A T H E R S D A Y to Carlisle Stroud, Fred’s dad!! You’re awesome DC! We think the world of you! You’re willing to drop what you’re doing at a moments notice and come to help us fix whatever it may be. We appreciate all those times more than you’ll ever know! barbara & fred

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who are a dad, who want to be a dad, who are almost a dad, as well as for those of you who wanted to be a dad but things just didn’t work out… For those of you who have adopted, have married into a family with children, for those who take the time to teach neighborhood kids, you are all the best! Happy Father’s Day…

And a big heartfelt hug to those of you who no longer have your father in your life. I know that makes this holiday, Father’s Day, a tough one. Do good and know he is smiling down upon you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: The perfect picnic spot…

On June 15, 2013June 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

I have mentioned in past posts a fabulous place called Botany Bay. The light that filters through the trees is incredible. Every inch of that place is stunning. It appears untouched. The beach is beautiful, the entire area looks like you’ve stepped back in time. This is a photo of our lunch spot. We brought a picnic, opened up the back of the car and sat, ate, listened to the birds, the wind in the trees… wow… Let’s not tell too many people about this place, ok? Keep it to yourself! Have a great weekend!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Gary Bodner!

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

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

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

Here’s a blip about Gary from his website:

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

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

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

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!