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Category: Mixed Media

Exuberant Lines: Jessica Simorte

You guys. I get so excited when I come across a new artist! In fact, I’m pretty sure when I clicked through from Instagram and saw this artist’s work, I might have let out a little squeal. Jessica Simorte is creating these perfect little abstracts that practically sing with their exuberance of color, line, and composition.

These diminutive works ( I think the largest I saw was 12×12 ) pack a big punch. I love how she is translating what could easily be large compositions onto a small surface. And the little “imperfections” in each are really what get me. The fearlessness it takes to let the world see sketchy lines and that little yellow streak coming down at the bottom of the last piece? Possibly my favorite moment among them. This is definitely an artist I will be keeping my eye on!

Check out more of Jessica Simorte‘s work on her website. I wish I could remember on whose Instagram I saw Simorte’s name/work. Whoever you were, thank you for introducing me to a new favorite!

All images are via the artist’s website.

October 23, 2013
Woodland Treasures: Marilla Palmer

When we go out hiking, Mr. Forager is, with the exception of gorging on huckleberries and the like, strictly a leave-it-as-you-found-it hiker. I am too, for the most part, although I sometimes find myself so very tempted by that perfectly shaped leaf or beautiful wildflower. A stone does occasionally find its way into my pocket, but with our traveling, my hoarding of rocks is limited. Last week, I came across the work of Marilla Palmer, whose delicate constructions examine the intricacies of the forest and man’s hand upon it.

The artist tenderly renders wispy branches, then adds in embroidery, sequins, glitter, and such. The resulting compositions have the feeling of modern botanical renderings, a celebration ( or perhaps condemnation? ) of the coming together of man and nature.

If you’d like to see more of Marilla Palmer‘s work ( be sure to check out some of her sculptural pieces! ), please visit her website.

Artist found via Kathryn Markel Fine Arts. Images via the artist’s website & Kathryn Markel website.

October 22, 2013
Scratching the Surface: Jeane Meyers

It’s so easy to get caught up in the superficiality of life, isn’t it? But what happens when we look beyond the surface glitter and get real? Are we afraid of letting people see beyond the facade to the layers of disfunction and mistakes? There are artists who do just that. Like self taught Port Townsend, WA painter Jeane Meyers, who builds up and covers up in order to go back and reveal what’s underneath.

Yes, maybe revealing the ugly might not be so fun or flattering, but it adds texture and depth and a certain sense of vulnerability, not only in Meyers’ work, but in our lives, as well. By submitting to the process and taking what is found underneath, we letting go of our compulsion for perfection. And in return, the work ( and we ), become more interesting and more complex.

To see more of Jeane Meyers’ work, please visit her website. Her work is currently showing alongside Portland sculptor Lisa Kaser in Wax On, Wax Off at Simon Mace Gallery in Port Townsend.

All images are via the artist’s website.

October 15, 2013
October Featured Artist: Jennifer JL Jones

Happy October! No more of that foolin’ around, Indian summer stuff. We are now well into Fall and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m equally excited to share with you the work of our October Featured Artist, Jennifer JL Jones! One of the things I love most about Fall is the cozy atmosphere that permeates each day and night and exploring Jennifer’s work, with its warm, ethereal light is the perfect way to kick off the season!

Here in the Northwest, we can go for days, even weeks without seeing the sun, but the light still manages to pierce the veil, even through falling leaves and raindrops. It is this same aura of light breaking through and of fluttering movement that draws me again and again to Jennifer’s work. In her most recent series, Sojourn, the work increasingly free and joy filled.. the atmosphere is ablaze.

If you’d like to see more of Jennifer JL Jones’ work, please visit her website and Facebook page. A trip over to the Artsy Forager Facebook page will also give you a glimpse into an album of some of my own favorites of the artist’s work. Florida Artsies can see Jennifer’s work, along with three other talented artists in Synergy, opening October 18th at Stellers Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach. Don’t miss it! Not in Florida? Check out her website for a list of representing galleries around the country.

All images are via the artist’s website.

October 1, 2013
Delicate Immersion: Elise Wehle

I find it very refreshing to come across an artist for whom the most important part of her creative process in the process itself. For Utah artist Elise Wehle, the delicately intense, repetitive handwork in her cut paper collages provide an escape into her world of process.
It seems we can all suffer from tech and connection overload these days. Moments when we are completely disconnected and far away from a glowing screen of some sort have become fewer and farther between. These pieces in which artist Elise Wehle immerses herself with their deliberately tattered textures, precise cuts, and vintage feel are the perfect antidote to a world obsessed with tiny screens.
It’s almost as it we’re glimpsing peek of an Instagram feed deteriorated. The photographic cropping of the images recall those ubiquitous scenes in our social media each day. But they have aged, maybe giving us a reminder that those moments are fleeting– perhaps too fleeting to be constantly clicking and updating.

If you’d like to see more of Elise Wehle‘s work, please visit her website. I’m thinking of starting a little daily painting study to help me unplug & disconnect each day. What’s your method of getting away from technology?

All images are via the artist’s website.

September 23, 2013
Organic Liquidity: Julie Evans

Do you ever find yourself fascinated by the way certain substances act and react? I’m always intrigued by how different types of liquid interact.. the way oil floats on water, how you can make those pretty drinks by layering the heavier liquid at the bottom of the glass. New York artist Julie Evans takes advantage of liquid reactions in her abstract creations of water-based media on mylar.

These Rorshach-like works seem to take on different forms depending on your perspective.. appearing at once botanical, sea creature-ish, even like organs in our own bodies. What I’m most intrigued by is the various consistencies that the media seem to take on throughout each composition, lovely transparently thin layers melt into deep pools of pigment.

You can see more of Julie Evans‘ work on her website.

All images are via the artist’s website. Artist found via Sears Peyton Gallery.

September 18, 2013
Exploratory Escapes: Jaime Derringer

One of my favorite things about social media is being able to watch an artist blossom and discover their voice. Maybe you recognize the name of today’s artist, perhaps better known as the founder and editor of the amazing design blog, DesignMilk, artist-blogger-poet(!), Jaime Derringer.

Composition #5, acrylic and pencil on heavy canvas paper, 12×16

Why Can’t I Be You?, mixed media on wood panel, 8×8

I wasn’t aware of the scope of Jaime’s artistic talent until she began posting her A Shape A Day project on Instagram. Immediately, I was like, “Hold the phone! She’s an artist, too??” The short answer? Yes.

Untitled, ink, marker and watercolor on watercolor paper, 9×12

Smoke Monster, ink, marker and acrylic on heavy canvas paper, 16×12

For Jaime, her work is an exploration and escape. Perusing her work, you can see the progression, the playing with style, medium and composition that marks each creative expedition.

Jellyfish, ink on paper, 25×19

With each journey, the artist is discovering her own uncharted territory and finding new paths. Personally, I’m enjoying being along for the ride.

Want to see more of Jaime Derringer‘s work? Be sure to check out her website here. Oh and bonus– originals and prints of her work are available at super affordable prices!

All images are via the artist’s website.

August 28, 2013
August Featured Artist: Candace Fasano

I just love it when an artist seems to take a bit of a break for a while and then BOOM!, comes back strong! Such seems to have been the case with Florida artist Candace Fasano, this month’s Featured Artist.

Double Exposure, oil on wood, 24×24

Long time Artsy Forager readers might remember Candace’s work from way back in July ’11 ( where have the past two years gone?? ). Over the past few years, I would occasionally glimpse a post on her blog or Facebook page, but then just within the last few month, suddenly it seemed like this artist was back and she meant business! When I clicked on a blog post back in January, I was thrilled to see a bunch of new, exciting work looking back at me.

Alternating Phase, oil on wood, 12×12

EG3, mixed media on wood, 12×12

Fasano is still playing with her imagination ( and ours ), delving even past narratives into the worlds of scientific mapping and microbiological patterns. There is still the typography and wispy lines that are part of her artist’s signature, but these new paintings seem to be an artist who has discovered new caves to explore and is diving deeper beneath the surface.

Double Etch Trenches, oil on wood, 11×14

I’m so excited to feature the work of Candace Fasano all August long here on Artsy Forager! Be sure to check out her website, blog, and Facebook page. You can see one of Candace’s paintings gracing the Artsy Forager Facebook page, too, as well as a whole album of my favorite Fasano works!

All images are via the artist’s website.

August 1, 2013
Sophisticated Swag: Alex Brewer

You’ve more than likely seen this artist’s work. His painted church in DC was all over the interwebs last year. But artist Alex Brewer aka Hense, does more than just create amazing ecclesiastical transformations. Brewer takes elements of the style he honed as a graffiti artist and applies it to canvas and paper, resulting in abstractions that are sophisticated with a bit of swag.

Mural, acrylic, ink, aerosol, graphite and oil bar on canvas, 58×58

Brewer takes those quick gestures and gritty scribbles from his street art background and translates them into layered, slightly rowdy compositions. Full of riotous color and the spontaneity of street painting, these pieces seem like screen captures of fleeting moments in paint.

Day Two, acrylic, house paint, ink and spray paint on wood, 42×48

Rearrange, acrylic, aerosol and latex house paint on wood, 72×72

Red Painting, acrylic, spray paint, ink and house paint on wood, 42×48

The layers of paint interlace with each other, so that we aren’t sure where one layer begins and the next one ends, like one artist’s graffiti slightly covered by the next to come along.

Untitled Blue

Want to see more work by Alex Brewer? Check out his website.

All images are via the artist’s website.

July 24, 2013
Paper Cuts: Atelier Bingo

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with collage. My first college art professor loved collage and it figured heavily in her basic drawing classes. At the time, I found the cutting, arranging, and pasting pretty tedious. I was more of a thrown some paint around a canvas kind of art student.. but I did love how flexible a collage composition could be. In their work, French artistic duo Max and Adele of Atelier Bingo utilize collage, gouache, ink, screen print AND digital media to create abstract compositions as expressive as any painting.

..

The flattened panes of bright color immediately reminded me of the famed collages of Henri Matisse— his Blue Nude remains one of my all time favorite pieces of art, ever. The layering of such simplistic shapes assists our eyes in completing the composition. No details are needed– we are allowed to fill in the blanks– but only by choice.

The flat planes of color are mixed playfully with pattern, keeping our eyes moving across the plane and helping us to add to the story our eyes are concocting along the way.

Want to see more work from Atelier Bingo? Of course you do! Check out their website, Tumblr and Facebook page.

All images via the artists’ website. Artist found via It’s Nice That.

July 9, 2013

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artistic pathfinding by lesley frenz

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