Tom Balderas – ARTFOODHOME.COM

“Life” by Scott Christensen

Image: M Gallery of Fine Art, Charleston, SC

LIFE. What a great title for this painting! It’s an impressive 70 x 70 ( 80 x 80 with the gorgeous frame included) let me tell you, it makes a statement. Scott Christensen is an amazing artist. That goes without saying. Fred and I popped in M Gallery in Charleston, SC last weekend and saw the latest arrival entitled “Life”. I’m not kidding you when I say we walked into the room and stopped in our tracks. This painting is a stunner. If there is a chance that you can find your way downtown Charleston, SC you must stop in and check it out… there are so many great artists in one gallery it will blow your mind, including (but not limited to)… Frank Gardner, Tom Balderas, Robert Spooner, Gene Costanza, and the list goes on…

There is great video of this painting you must check it out! This was on the M Gallery blog… click HERE…

Here’s a blip about Scott from an article in Artist Daily website. Click on the bolded Q+A link to read in it’s entirety!

Idaho artist Scott Christensen is one of the most well-respected landscape painters in the country, and his understanding of light, ability to achieve pure color, and reverence for nature also make him a highly sought-after instructor. In this Q+A section, we list Christensen’s responses to 10 questions on landscape painting to give readers a glimpse into the artist’s mind, process, and teaching style.

Then… what I’m always interested in… (from the same link in Artist Daily):

AA: Who are some of your heroes in the landscape-painting genre, both past and present?

SC: Past: Isaac Levitan, Emil Carlsen, Alphonse Mucha, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, Nicolai Fechin, Anders Zorn, Arthur Mathews, Edward Steichen, and Ilya Repin. Present: Clyde Aspevig, Carolyn Anderson, Tim Lawson, Susan Lyon, Scott Burdick, Dan Gerhartz, and Sherrie McGraw.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

“Still life with purple brush” by Tom Balderas – Image: Sharp Art Gallery

Fred and I were meandering through M Gallery in Charleston, SC where we came upon a piece by Tom Balderas, it was so striking. Those dark darks next to the light lights just pull you right into the painting, and those bits of white where the canvas shows through, I love that! I found this piece at the Sharp Art Gallery (which appears to be strictly an online gallery which is quite interesting… if you’re an artist you might want to check it out!)… If you’re located in Charleston, SC (or are visiting), Tom does have work at M Gallery, stop in a take a look!

This is the painting that recently sold, very striking…

“Child and still life” by Tom Balderas – Image: M Gallery

And now, for the best part (other than the actual paintings)… the “About” Tom Balderas… this is so interesting! AND SO CREATIVE, but what else would you expect? From the Sharp Art Gallery website:

TOM BALDERAS

Third son of four. painter. writer. musician. photographer. thinker. creator.
listener. observer. human. social. loner. understanding. misunderstanding. giver. taker. wanter. perfectionist. imperfect. mess. father.

Found himself dwelling upon an emotional and artistic precipice since birth.

Growing up in Torrance, California, Tom Balderas lived only a few miles from the ocean, which has made nature, along with his family, the main inspiration of his paintings.

Balderas attended Loyola Marymount University, where he studied film production and art. After graduating, he worked several years for NBC Productions and made many made-for-television movies.

He then began studying under the tutelage of his photographer father, as well as Joseph Mendez, master painter and teacher. Balderas considers the time spent studying with Mendez to be the cornerstone of his growth as a painter.

Also, studied with charles, anne, jennifer, daniel, sophia, lynne, joseph, harold, zen, elliott, starbuck, dan, andrew, dr. block, zinaida, david, e. charlton, michael, rose, ken, walter, selden, chris, armin, joaquin, edward, bejar, valentin, george, edward, jesus, pierre, rachel, mort, to name but a few of so many.

Works towards progress.

Catch you back here tomorrow!