Ya’ll, I am a long time fan of The King. Not a crazy-I-have-an-Elvis-room-in-my-house-and-make-a-yearly-pilgrimage-to-Graceland fan, but I will sing along with him every time he comes up on the iPod. Yesterday marked the 35th anniversary of Elvis’s death and I’ve been seeing a lot of artists drawing inspiration from Mr. Presley lately, so thought I’d round up a few of my faves for you!
Sticker Elvis by Jim Blanchard( Elvis ) Beyond the Bend by Deborah ScottThe Dr. Martin Luther King of Rock & Roll by Troy GuaThank You, Thank You Very Much by Sarah Ashley Longshore
Be sure and check out all these artists’ websites, linked above. If you happen to be in the Seattle area, don’t miss Elvistravaganza!, a curated show featuring works inspired by The King during Bumbershoot, Sept 1st-3rd. All the cool kids will be showing, including Deborah Scott, Jim Blanchard and more!
All images are via the artists’ websites, linked above.
In my much younger years, many a Sunday afternoon was spent glued to the television, enraptured by the movies of my parent’s generation. Each one filling my impressionable mind with images of the perfectly coiffed hair, sophisticated fashions and charming coquettishness of starlets like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn and Leslie Caron. The work of California artist Tracey Sylvester Harris hearkens back to those glamorous days of my dreams.
Convertible, oil on canvas, 24×30
Those old films and their heroines led me to believe in a world in which women wore heels to the swimming pool, men were redeemable rakes and an awkward bookworm could be transformed into a beautiful swan.
Light Blue Slip, oil on canvas, 60×40Starlet, oil on canvas, 60×40
They caused me to prance around our house in my mom’s high heels and a floating negligee dreaming of the glamorous and romantic life I would lead when I grew up. But soon, reality taught me its hard lessons and I realized that the worlds I so admired weren’t real after all and the world of my dreams began to look a little different. A bit more earthy and down to earth. A little less frothy but a lot more fun.
Cocktail Hour, oil on canvas, 36×48
But that doesn’t mean I don’t still occasionally long to thrown on a little black dress and pearls. Old dreams die hard.
To see more of Tracey Sylvester Harris’ work, please visit her website. You can also see her work in person, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, at Skidmore Contemporary.
Spending more than a week immersed in natural beauty, away for the most part, from the pull of technology, makes for a difficult re-entry into the realm of satellites and social media. We tend to forget, while living in either world that the other exists. The abstract work of Nick Lamia reminds us that though we often think of them separately, society must coexist with the natural world in order for either to thrive.
Untitled, oil on panel, 45×48
Lamia’s juxtaposition of street map-like grids over landscape-ish scenes give us glimpses into how we integrate ourselves into nature and vice versa.
Untitled, oil on panel, 30×32Untitled, oil on canvas, 66×72
As societies, we are responsible for the care of the natural world around us. In return, that world repays us providing food, resources, enjoyment and inspiration.
Untitled, oil on canvas, 36×42
To see more of Nick Lamia’s work, please visit his website.
I love it when talented artists reach out and ask to be featured on Artsy Forager. And when they are from another country? That just thrills me even more! Very talented Barcelona artist Elena Vera Solodovnikova recently emailed me her work and I couldn’t wait to feature her in my weekly Artist Watch on Escape Into Life! Head over to EIL to check it out!
We’re coming upon mid-August, some kids are already heading back to school, soon it will be Labor Day and autumn will be upon us. The abstract paintings of Sofia Lacin have such an indian summer feel to them, don’t they?
Hunched Over Shoulder, oil on canvas, 36×36
Bright colors peep out among warm hues, reminding us that summer is slowly fading into Fall.
Two Moments, oil on canvas, 36×48Smile, oil on canvas, 36×48
Lacin’s expressive lines and brushstrokes remind us that the slower pace of the warmer months will soon give way to the busyness of the school season and holidays.
Through the Surface, oil and chalk on canvas, 60×60
Please visit Sofia Lacin’s website for even abstracted gorgeousness!
I am officially back among the technologically connected! While we were camping in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, we made the decision to be completely unplugged– not much cell service or wifi to be had in most spots anyway. But it was a bit disheartening to see families and couples who, while surrounded by what is arguably some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, tapped away on their iPhones and Droids. The illustration and collage work of artist Natalie Nicklin confronts us with the imaginary worlds taken over by technology imagined in our past. Sometimes it feels like they actually came to be, doesn’t it?
Left Behind
The artist calls these worlds “technopias” and perhaps they consist of the flying cars, etc., that were being imagined during the birth of the technological age. People in the 1950s and 60s imagined that we would be living like George Jetson by now. But are we really that far off?
Waiting For
Nicklin uses geometrics to illustrate a hard-edged technology driven society yet juxtaposes them against a flesh-colored palette.
Aether
Found vintage imagery reminds us of how far we’ve come and the inclusion of figures, usually female, seem act as a hint that no matter how much we advance in technology, the human element will always be the most important and intriguing.
Pioneers- Delia Derbyshire
To see more of Natalie Nicklin’s work, please visit her page at Cargo Collective.
Artist found via isavirtue. All images are via the artist’s website.
Sometimes, there is just nothing I love better than staring at a painting thick with color, line and texture. The work of Brooklyn artist Elizabeth Schuppe‘s abstract work practically sings with spontaneous marks, expressive color and light.
Take Three, acrylic on canvas, 70×65
True to the Abstract Expressionist style, Schuppe works intuitively, without a forethought plan, allowing the placement of color and line to speak to her, directing the brush in her hand.
Hard Hearted II, acrylic on canvas, 44x 46Hard Hearted IV, acrylic on canvas, 44×46
Each painting tells a story created from the artist’s emotional expression, yet in their abstract nature, we are still able to interpret their story in our own fashion.
Pearls on Five, acrylic on canvas, 70×65
To see more of Elizabeth Schuppe’s work, please visit her website.
The minute Lisa Harris Gallery in Seattle posted images of Sherry Karver’s work, I knew I wanted to learn more about it. I hope you’ll be as intrigued as I was ( am! ). I’m featuring Karver’s work in my Artist Watch over on Escape Into Life today. You can also see her work in Lisa Harris Gallery’s group show, Photographic Wanderings, August 2nd- September 2nd.
My name is Kurt and I hail from the curated corners of UGallery, an online gallery of original artwork. It’s a pleasure to share one of UGallery’s star artists with all of you. Luckily, I didn’t have to forage far. Ryan Pickart has been on UGallery for over four years. His ladies are the stuff of dreams. I see their beautiful eyes everywhere. I’d like to introduce you to the gorgeous gals of Indiana artist Ryan Pickart because you never know when you may run into one of them ( Don’t worry, they have the Lesley Frenz stamp of approval! )
Diana, oil on canvas, 18×24
Ryan Pickart’s portraits fill the void for modern day muses. His paintings depict Goddess-like entities that capture all facets of the human personality. Each lovely lady is surrounded by a distinct aura of intense emotion. Their faces are familiar, yet distant. Ryan succeeds in his mission to “bridge the gap between abstract and realism.” He couples courage with charm and force with femininity.
Freja, print on bamboo paper
I often compare the strong female figures in my life to Ryan Pickart’s portraits (and vice versa). My mother’s fearlessness matches Lyra’s fiery features. My sister’s kindness is met by Diana’s daintiness. I even see my best friend’s wild spirit in Regina’s loose locks of hair.
Lyra, oil on paper, 18×23
Say hello to Freja, Erin, Guinevere, and Tiffany. No matter which woman speaks to your heart, a Ryan Pickart painting (or print) guarantees enough feminine finesse to soften any room. The only issue you may run into is picking the one that speaks most to your inner anima. They’re all so darn cute!
Regina, archival print on bamboo paper
Thanks so much for letting me introduce them to everyone, Lesley. And thanks for your time, Artsies. I hope you enjoyed Ryan’s work!
Artfully yours,
Kurt and the Lovers at UGallery
See more of Ryan Pickart’s work at UGallery and follow his blog to keep up with all his latest news!
To wrap up the Artist Takeover Event, I asked some of the artists whose work has been featured on the blog to let me know their favorite artists they’ve discovered on Artsy Forager. I found their picks very interesting and hope you will, too!
Don’t you love how each artist’s fave shares similarities to their own work, yet they are each oh so different? Do you have a favorite artist you’ve found on Artsy Forager? Let me know in the comments below!
A HUGE thank you to all of the artists who took over Artsy Forager! What a fun week it has been, perhaps a sequel is in order. 😉
