Tag: interiors

Featured Artist… William Wray!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Bannister” by William Wray

Can I just say THANK GOODNESS I FOUND THIS PAINTING! I’ve had this in my mind forever… this painting is just so intriguing… it’s a bannister and a staircase I know, but it’s something mysterious or something that has caught in my brain and I haven’t been able to let it go. I swear I featured this artist already. I went through my entire blog… nothing. I couldn’t remember the artists name for the life of me, and if Fred didn’t also see it I would swear I was losing my mind. We tried to find it last week, searched every gallery, every artist that we could think of and came up with nothing. Then I was on Frank Gardner’s website (you must visit! he is an exceptional artist, he never continues to amaze me with his work!), reading his blog, this post specifically… (click HERE to read!)

“20 Representational Painters to be Inspired by in 2012”  My personal list of paint that inspires me.

When, WHEW… Frank had William Wray on his list as well as the image. YAY! I’m not crazy, whew! I think I’m going to order a cake to celebrate, ha ha… So THANK YOU Frank, for your list, which was SPOT on, I’m so thankful I ran across it again!

Ok, onto the featured artist… William Wray. Look at this painting… this man is not afraid to put some paint down with some color to it! I love that wonderful orange popping through the violet… whoa! I wonder if this was really the color this stairwell was or if this is his interpretation?  Would be interesting to know. Either way the color is amazing. I love how artists can take something mundane and by changing the colors within the image it takes it from drab to WOW! This painting is on his website under “Interiors”. Great website so take a peek! William has a tab on his website “INFLUENCES”, and it’s brilliant! A link to the artists who have had an influence on him. Great information! Thank you William!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Jennifer O’Connell!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

 “Bay Window” by Jennifer O’Connell/Image: Left Bank Gallery

Jennifer O’Connell does some amazing interior paintings! This is an artist not afraid of color! Her bold paintings really make a statement… I love the way she did the fireplace in this one, and the light streaming in the window, fabulous!

A blip from the artist’s website:

Jennifer O’Connell grew up in the Adirondack region of upstate New York. She earned an MFA degree in painting and drawing from the University of New Hampshire and a BFA from SUNY Plattsburgh. Additionally, she studied fine art at the University College Chester in England on a Giltz Family Travel Award. After receiving her MFA, she was invited to show in the Young Talentexhibition in Washington Depot, CT. Since then, she has been the recipient of numerous awards including an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Fellowship, a Vermont Studio Center Artist Residency Grant, and a Massachusetts State Cultural Council Grant. She has led public lectures and participated in panel discussions on the East Coast. Visiting Guest Artist Lectures include Barton College in NC and SUNY Plattsburgh in NY. Her exhibition record includes national and international shows at Fraser Gallery in Washington, DC and the Bowery Gallery in New York, NY.  In 2008, she was selected by juror Cynthia Reeves for the New England New Talent Exhibition at the Fitchburg Art Museum in Fitchburg, MA. In 2011, she was invited to exhibit her work at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Galleries that represent her include Adam Cave Fine Art in Raleigh, NC and Left Bank Gallery in Wellfleet, MA. She currently works and resides in Western Massachusetts.

Catch you back here tomorrow!


Featured Artist… Dick Cole!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Slickers by artist Dick Cole                                        

I love paintings of interiors and I love how artist Dick Cole captured the light in this watercolor… fabulous! I ran across his work while surfing through a Sonoma gallery (Fairmont Gallery), stunning! This image was entitled SLICKERS, so I’m assuming that’s the name of the painting. I saw this image on Dick Cole’s website (very nice!), if you aren’t near a gallery that represents his work, check out his website, it’s very nice!

A blip about the artist from his website:

Dick Cole is an illustrator / watercolorist with over 30 years experience in the field.

A graduate of U.C.L.A. and the Art Center College of Design, he has worked as a graphic designer, art director, and illustrator in New York, Palo Alto, CA and San Francisco.

A fourth generation Californian, he has traveled widely, has a passion for jazz and classical music, and enjoys fly fishing and writing poetry.

He shares his Sonoma home and studio with his wife, Diane Noyes-Cole, and a small spoiled dog, Max.

Image via DickColeWatercolors.net!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Karen Hollingsworth!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
"Sand in the Sheets" - Karen Hollingsworth, Image: Wynne-FalconerGallery.com

I can FEEL the breeze blowing in the window, I can hear the crashing of the ocean waves, the birds chirping… I can smell the salt air, I FEEL AS IF I AM THERE. Ahhh, this is a great painting done by an amazing artist from Atlanta, GA. She is known for her light airy paintings and considers a painting successful if the viewer feels as if they’re there. Here’e a blip from the artists website:

Karen Hollingsworth is known for her unique light, airy “windowscapes”. In the past the artist painted interior spaces, now she includes an open window that acts as a portal into the space beyond. Her large oil paintings often depict subject matter that is fairly minimal, chairs and ordinary interior settings, however what attracts many viewers is the mysticism evoked by the movement of the air and the ocean breeze through the curtains. 

For Karen, a painting is about the feeling it evokes. Although there are no figures present in her windowscapes, it is difficult to deny the implications of vacant chairs in such an empty space. Karen is interested in creating the “impression of looking through that room and seeing the view outside the room.

“I love to create paintings that evoke a sense of the familiar,” says Karen. “To blend the common objects of everyday life, placed within the interior of a room, with a glimpse of the ocean or mountains through an open window. My windowscapes are intended to provide the viewer with a sense of solitude and well being. A comfortable world bathed in sunlight and warm breezes. For me, a painting is successful if “I wish I were there.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Karen Lawrence!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: CityArtGreenville.com

I really enjoy paintings done of interiors. I love to get a glimpse into other peoples homes, it’s kind of like taking a home tour without going anywhere. I appreciate other people’s style and design (well, most of the time!) Karen Lawrence is an artist from Atlanta, GA who primarily does interiors. They’re fantastic. She does paint other subjects, but interiors are what she’s known for. What drew me to this painting was the gorgeous deep dark greens that you see through the window next to the bright light. This painting is entitled SUMMER SUN.

It appears that Karen is in the midst of updating her website (we always appreciate an up-to-date website when we aren’t close enough to pop into a gallery and see the real thing! For now click HERE for a link to see her work. Her original website is http://www.karenlawrenceoils.com – check back in a bit, give her a chance to update! Here’s a blip from the temporary website:

I paint every day in my studio at Tula Art Center in Atlanta. That is, when I’m not out photographing beautiful homes and meeting the people who live in them. I’m intrigued by how people live and the common thread that connects us with our past. I love houses with history and rooms filled with beloved treasures.

The elegance of a curved archway, the drama of tall ceilings and open French doors, the intimacy of an overstuffed chair with a good reading lamp – are all elements of scenes waiting to be painted. For me, the other essential element is light. I’m especially excited by the play of bright sunlight streaking across the floor or warm lamplight drawing one to a comfortable place.

After wrestling with the perspective of a foyer with multiple archways reflected in mirrors or chair legs that don’t want to cooperate with my paintbrush, I relax with the tranquility of a vase of flowers on a table. I find still life very comforting. I love the colors reflecting on shiny surfaces and the freshness of garden flowers backlit by sun pouring in my dining room windows.

My style of painting is a rather loose version of realism. I spent thirteen years developing my style and technique in watercolors. Since 1997, I have been painting almost exclusively in oils.

Karen is in several galleries click HERE for a list from her website… Catch you back here tomorrow!