My post this week on Escape Into Life features an incredibly amazing artist with a poignant story to tell.
Don’t miss out on Lee Price’s work.
Category: Figurative
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Collecting Glances: Kris Lewis
George and I are people watchers. Sometimes when the hubby and I are stuck in a public place with time to kill, we love to watch the people go by, making up stories about who they are, where they are going.. Occasionally, in the course of observing, we may make eye contact with a stranger. Just a glance, but in the moment, there is a recognizable connection between souls. Los Angeles artist Kris Lewis shares his own experiences in human observations with his wonderfully moody portraits.
Scintillating Venuses, oil on wood, 24×23 If you’ve read the blog for a while, then you know I’m a sucker for interesting portraiture. Lewis follows in the footsteps of portraitists that came before him, his figures are beautifully drawn and rendered. But what sets his work apart is the capturing of the fleeting emotion of a moment, whether conveying a sense of vulnerability, power, sadness, even resolution.
Destruction Period, oil on canvas, 24×24 The faces portrayed often seem decidedly modern, but when juxtaposed with costumes of another era and surrealish landscape backgrounds, as one blogger put it, the result is “modern spooky”. These aren’t prosaic traditional portraits to hang above the fireplace. They are explorations of experience, revelations of hidden narratives.
Fire Tower, oil on wood, 12×16 
Low Tide, oil on board, 24×36 It’s almost as if, in carefully observing his subjects, the artist sees them in another life. A life previously lived in a different time and place.
Red, oil on wood, 20×24 Which makes me wonder.. how would such an artist depict me? Or you? Wouldn’t you love to know?! Visit Kris Lewis’s website to see more and while he’s in the process of updating it, you can find his latest work on his Facebook page. Speaking of Facebook, have you “liked” the Artsy Forager Facebook page? If not, you may be missing out on all sorts of fun & interesting tidbits not shared on the blog!
Thank you to Christine at Bijou and Boheme for introducing me to this incredible artist!
Featured image is Weathered Oak, oil on wood, 24×20. All images are via the artist’s website.
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Mixing Light Into the Grey: Arabella Proffer
None other a luminary than my husband’s man crush, Eddie Vedder said, “It’s an art to live with pain.. mix the light into the grey.” Although I don’t necessarily subscribe to the notion that all artists must suffer in order to create great work, artists have long had a way of funneling hardships endured into their work. The result is often something extraordinary. When diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Cleveland artist Arabella Proffer channelled the painful endurances of modern medical procedures into research of the remedies of the past. The result is a new series, The National Portrait Gallery of Kessa, a collection of paintings exploring the medical procedures and superstitions of the past.
Skin of the Fox Cures the Pox, oil on linen, 16×20 ( via Lee Joseph Publicity ) Being in the midst of a Frida Kahlo biography, Arabella’s work immediately struck a chord with me. But these aren’t remade Kahlos. There may be a similarity in style and subject, but while Kahlo’s work dealt directly with her own experiences and emotions, Arabella instead chose to portray imaginary female subjects, creating not only a visual representation but a history and backstory for each.
Violets for Heart Veins, oil on linen, 16×20 ( via Lee Joseph Publicity ) From the artist: “After having a section of my leg removed, I began researching medicine from the Middle Ages through the 18th century; this series was a good way for me to work out my anger and be even more thankful that what I’m going through is nothing compared to old remedies and techniques. My art and interests were in the way society lived in the past, but with emphasis on the defiant, glamorous, and eccentric — not daily strife. You could have been rich, important, or beautiful, but if sick, you would still receive brutal or worthless treatment.”
Sawed, oil on linen, 16×20 
Black Madonna, oil on linen, 5×7 This series, along with selected works from the Black Madonna series, are now on display in a solo exhibition, Ephemeral Antidotes at Articulated Gallery in San Francisco through February 3rd. If you’re not in the San Fran area, be sure to check out Arabella Proffer’s website for more of her work.
Featured image is a detail from Violets For Heart Veins, oil on linen, 16×20. All images are via that artist unless otherwise stated.
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Desires Confronted: Hooper Turner
Confession: I love fashion magazines. The beautiful imagery of gorgeous people wearing couture, sporting watches and handbags that cost as much as a car, is like crack to me. Maybe in the intellectual artsy realm I am not supposed to taken with such trivial and superficial fluff, but I just can’t help it. Nor can NYC artist Hooper Turner.
High Noon, oil on canvas, 18×24 ( via Skidmore Contemporary ) Turner, whose latest exhibition, Glamorama, opens at Skidmore Contemporary in Santa Montica, CA this Saturday, chooses to focus his fascination and truly study these portraits of consumerism, painting them and in turn, seeing them with new eyes.
The Crusaders, oil on canvas, 30×40 Turner doesn’t take the imagery out of context, like many might, instead the images are unabashedly commercial, some complete with the text juxtaposed over the image, just as it would be in a magazine. It is in this honest confrontation of our voluntary manipulation by advertisers, creative directors, etc., that his work finds its most poignant power.
Solstice 2005, oil on canvas, 30×36 ( via Skidmore Contemporary ) 
Spiced Egg Nog Cardigan, oil on canvas, 20×24 ( via Skidmore Contemporary ) Be sure to check out Hooper Turner’s website to see more images of his work. If you’re in Southern California, make plans to see his show in up close & personal at Skidmore Contemporary Art.
Featured image is Calvin Klein Underwear, oil on canvas, 51×36. All images are via Skidmore Contemporary’s website.
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What Dreams May Come: Duy Huynh
Welcome to 2012! As much as I love the sparkles and coziness of the holidays, with a new year comes time for thoughtful reflection on what was, along with plans and hopes for what is to come. To kick off the year, the work of Charlotte, NC artist Duy Huynh ( pronounced yee wun ) is just the right combination of quiet contemplation and dreaminess to fit the mood of a new beginning.
Metamorphosis of a Metaphor, acrylic on wood, 40×40 Duy Huynh is no stranger to new beginnings, having come to the U.S. from his native Vietnam in the early 80s. Finding himself immersed in a completely new world and language, he learned to use art to make connections.
Metamorphosis of a Metaphor, acrylic on wood, 32×40 He continues to engage through his work by using symbols such as butterflies, boats, pianos, etc to create narratives just enigmatic enough to allow the viewer to imagine their own visual tale.
The Organ Donor, acrylic on ceramic tile, 16×16 His work is beautiful in its ethereal simplicity, like the small coo of a dove or the drifting of a feather on the wind. This is an artist who works with a gentle, light hand and the results are peaceful and reflective painted stories.
Eggscapism, acrylic on wood, 24×24 
Boundlessness in Bloom, acrylic on canvas, 36×36 I hope the coming year will be a time when you paint your own story. Make this year exactly what you want it to be.
To see more of Duy Huynh’s work, please visit his website and the website of his Charlotte gallery, Lark & Key.
Featured image is A Kindred Spirit Will Lead Her Out of the Woods, acrylic on wood, 48×36. All images are via the artist’s website.
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Of Myths and Imaginings: Claire B. Cotts
Some of my favorite artwork is the work that defies categorization and tells an interesting story. While studying art history in college, I always loved the stories and superstitions related to a piece of work almost as much as the visual pleasure they gave. Needless to say, the art history geek in me adores the figurative work of Claire B. Cotts in all their allegorical, mysterious glory.
Turkish Mother and Child, acrylic, 36×48 Claire’s work is reminiscent of historical portraiture and metaphorical painting so pervasive throughout much of art history. The warm, rich palette enhances the timeless quality of her work.
The Year Spent Waiting, acrylic, 36×48 The paintings are like a glorious mix between historical and folk art but with a modern touch.
Flood, acrylic, 36×48 
Woman With Quinces, acrylic, 36×82 Make sure you visit Claire B. Cotts’ website to see more of her work, including some equally amazing abstracts! Gotta love a versatile artist!
Featured image is Quinceanera, acrylic, 24×36. All images are via the artist’s website.
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Sweet Dreams Captured: Vincent Giarrano
Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday with family and friends! This was our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Frenz, as well as our first Christmas living far from family. George and I enjoyed such a lovely quiet Christmas just for two. Though it was just us here in Coeur d’Alene, there was still the same running around, decorating, cooking and planning that goes with this time of year. As I was looking through my inspiration folders, the minute I saw the work of Vincent Giarrano, I knew these would be perfect for the day after Christmas..
Oasis, oil on panel, 20×16 ( via Gallery Henoch ) Isn’t this how we all feel after all the merriment and overeating? Wouldn’t we all just like to curl up and nap all day long? Perhaps some of you will!
City Girl, oil on panel, 24×18 ( via Gallery Henoch ) The textures and colors Giarrano uses convey such a sense of peace and coziness. I just want to curl up here, too!
Midday, oil on panel, 18×14 ( via The Grenning Gallery ) 
Sleeping In, oil on panel, 12×9 ( via The Grenning Gallery ) Here’s to wishing you lots and lots of post-holiday rest and relaxation! To see more of Vincent Giarrono’s work, please visit his website.
Featured image is Unmade Bed, oil, 20×16. Images are via the artist’s representing galleries, Gallery Henoch and the Grenning Gallery.
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Friday Faves: Face-off
Christopher Marlowe wrote about “the face that launched a thousand ships“. Faces, full of expression and personality are often the most difficult subject for an artist to render. I know, I went through three semesters of figure drawing purposefully not showing the model’s face, because as adept as I was at the figure, I just couldn’t get the hang of drawing faces. Perhaps that’s why I am so drawn to the work of artists whose faces are so beautifully rendered and expressive. Today’s round-up includes a few of my current faves:
Buck by Aaron Smith, oil on panel, 28×24 
Tart by Greg Hart, charcoal, gouache, gesso, collage and acrylic on paper, 22×30 
Marley Shelton by Keinyo White, oil on canvas, 48×48 
Matutinal by Nick Lepard, oil on canvas, 54×66 Get in some face time with these extraordinary artists by visiting their websites, linked below.
1. Aaron Smith
2. Greg Hart
3. Keinyo White
4. Nick Lepard
Featured image is Effie by Greg Hart, charcoal, gouache, gesso and acrylic on paper, 26×22. All images are via the artists’ websites.
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Silent Sanctuaries: Eric Zener
The world today is so noisy. Between traffic and the techonologies we just can’t live without, we are constantly inundated with white noise. But there are still certain feelings of complete and utter peace that come upon us in the simplest of moments. It is these moments, in which we are free from the world, that artist Eric Zener captures in his paintings.
Cocoon, oil on canvas, 54×66 That feeling of floating ( literally ) and muffled splashes heard underwater.. like being suspended in time. Or doing the Deadman’s Float. One of my favorite ways to relax in the water, even while other folks are splashing around me. It feels like being in a bubble.
How to Disappear Completely, oil on canvas, 48×38 How about that suspended in time sensation during a high leap into the water? There is only you and the sky.. and the person holding your hand, if you’re lucky.
LOVE, oil on canvas, 14×11 Zener’s collection of work also captures the most precious of respites– slumber. Oh sleep! How sweet it is to rest and dream and awake renewed.
Somewhere Else, oil on canvas, 48×38 
Carriage, oil on canvas, 66×54 Hmmm.. think it might be time for a little nap. Not sure why I’m so sleepy all of a sudden! 😉 While I catch some z’s, why don’t you take a look at Eric Zener’s website? Lots of beautiful work to be found.
Featured image is Not Here, oil on canvas, 56×46. All images are via the artist’s website.
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The Singularly Sensational Erin Cone
To take a simple, singular subject and explore all its possibilities can be a challenge for any artist. But it is an exercise in observation, composition and creativity that results in heightened awareness and the elevation of a simple idea into sophisticated conceptualism. Santa Fe artist Erin Cone takes a simple female figure in a red dress and using a keen eye for design and composition, transforms it over and over into visually striking and emotionally compelling work.
Discourse 1, acrylic, 21×21 Her use of negative space and positioning of the figure so that the face is obstructed allows the viewer to wonder who this woman is, what is her story? She seems to be searching or waiting.. but for what or whom?
Etiquette, acrylic, 48×60 The artist’s use of hard edged squares in her compositions creates an almost jarring, interesting tension between the linear quality of the squares vs. the soft, supple shapes of the female form and dress.
Assemblage, acrylic, 60×60 
Adieu, acrylic, 56×44 Erin’s work seems to be a study in quiet contemplation. The stillness of form, tranquility of space and design, the reposed manner, all lead the viewer into a sense of calm, but the use of the red dress leads us to believe that perhaps there is a storm brewing just below the surface..
Repartee 1, acrylic, 21×21 To see more of Erin Cone’s work, please visit her website. Be sure to check it out and see her other series, just as wonderful as the red dresses! I found Erin through the amazing Lanoue Fine Art in Boston.
Featured image is Debutante, acrylic, 72×48. All images are via the artist’s website.
