artsy forager

Category: Paintings

  • Live the Artsy: Deb Haugen

    Live the Artsy: Deb Haugen

    Home has been a subject in the forefront of our minds lately.  Over the next several years, Mr. F and I are saving like mad so that we can settle down and build a little house that fits our needs and our aesthetic perfectly.  What might that aesthetic be, you ask?  Well, it has a lot in common with the work of this month’s Featured Artist, Deb Haugen— fresh and organic, yet modern.

    LTA_haugen

    art | found here

    interior | found here

    In her work, Deb, a California-girl, balances that lovely line between the modern and organic, often employing watery, free flowing colored forms dotted with graphic ink drawing.  Translating her work into a living space means lots of white walls and furnishings dotted with pops of muted color and warmed with natural textures and graphic punches of black.

    A space like this is just dying for a post-beach fire, wine, and conversation!  If you’d like to see more of Deb Haugen‘s work, check out her website AND visit The Trove, Artsy Forager’s new Great.ly boutique gallery where you can find lots of Deb’s work for sale including these lovelies EXCLUSIVE to The Trove!

    Haugen_Greatly exclusives collage

    work by Deb Haugen available exclusively at The Trove

    Please note that the above works are cropped.  You can see the full versions here!

    *This post contains affiliate links.  As a Great.ly Tastemaker and curator of The Trove, I receive a small commission on each piece sold from The Trove boutique gallery.

  • Prevailing Beauty: Megan Weston

    Prevailing Beauty: Megan Weston

    I am never not struck by the incredible beauty of this planet we call home any time Mr. Forager and I are out hiking.  It is amazing to think of the way this earth evolves, adapts, endures.  In these beautiful mixed media paintings, Australian artist Megan Weston, in her own words “presents our earth as fragile and damaged by our selfish behavior, but also demonstrates that its beauty still survives“.

    Megan Weston | artsy forager #art #artists #contemporaryart #abstractart #mixedmedia Megan Weston | artsy forager #art #artists #contemporaryart #abstractart #mixedmedia Megan Weston | artsy forager #art #artists #contemporaryart #abstractart #mixedmedia Megan Weston | artsy forager #art #artists #contemporaryart #abstractart #mixedmedia Megan Weston | artsy forager #art #artists #contemporaryart #abstractart #mixedmedia

     

    Inspired by aerial landscapes, these mixed media paintings seem to whirl and swirl within their planetary atmosphere.  Just as the earth is filled with wonder and variety, Weston’s work leads the viewer on an imaginary journey around its circumference.  We don’t know if we’re looking at storm systems brewing from above or microscopic views of tiny bits of our planet.  As the colors bleed and blend, we are left with the assurance that no matter how we abuse it, this ever changing earth will endure long after we have left it.

    To see more of Megan Weston‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Jesus Leguizamo

    Jesus Leguizamo

    I’ve been seeing a lot of articles pop up lately on the importance of our online profile photos.  It seems that we make snap judgements about the people we see online based solely on facial expression in profile photos ( duh? ).  In his paintings, Colombian artist Jesus Leguizamo obscures the faces of his subjects, blurring all expression.  There seems to be a trend in art and photography of obstructing faces.. in these days of status updates and selfies, are we all just sick of ourselves?

    Jesus Leguizamo | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart Jesus Leguizamo | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart Jesus Leguizamo | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart Jesus Leguizamo | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart Jesus Leguizamo | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

    In some of Leguizamo’s work, the faces are completely obliterated, leaving nothing but what’s left of the figure to clue us in as to who they are.  In others, the result is a bit more haunting, as we see just enough expression to leave us wanting to know more.

    In all the social media swirling around us, it’s tempting to want to put it all out there, to share with the world everything we’re doing and thinking.. and it seems there is a Pavlovian type effect that happens when we do.  Sharing and getting a response makes us want to do more. But when do we cross the line over into sharing too much?  Is it best to lay it all out for the world to see or retain a bit of mystery?

    To see more of Jesus Leguizamo‘s work, please visit his website and his portfolio on Saatchi Art.

    Second image via the artist’s website.  All other images via Saatchi Art.

  • Luscious Piles: Susan Carr

    Luscious Piles: Susan Carr

    You guys know I love some thick goopy paint!  These small paintings by Susan Carr may just be the densest, most luscious piles of paint I’ve ever laid my artsy eyes on.

    Susan Carr | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Susan Carr | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Susan Carr | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Susan Carr | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart

    Susan Carr | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart

     

    I’m in love with the way these paths of paint wind their way up, down, and around each canvas, blending and weaving together like rainbowed tree bark.  I mean, I kind of want to dip a corn chip into that goodness and eat it.  But I won’t.  However, I will just sit here and admire and wish I could run my fingers over all that lovely paint.

    To see more work by Susan Carr, please visit her page at Saatchi Art or her representing gallery’s website.

    All images via the Giampietro Gallery website.

  • The Artsy Nature: Yellowstone & Amy Donaldson

    The Artsy Nature: Yellowstone & Amy Donaldson

    Judging from the blog’s title & if you’ve been reading for awhile, you’ve probably guessed that Mr. F and I are the outdoorsy types.  We both thrive on time spent among the quiet beauty of the outdoors, whether surrounded by snow-capped mountains or digging our toes into the black sand of Northwest beaches.  I’m finding artistic inspiration in nature for my own series of work, so why not find it in the work of other artists, too?  Often when I see an artist’s work, my mind connects it to the memory of a place I’ve been or a detail observed or sometimes, an outdoor scene will call the artist’s work to mind.  It’s the whole chicken vs. egg thing, but this time, with art and nature.

    So with this post, I’m launching a new series, The Artsy Nature, in which I pair a photograph from our traverses in the great outdoors with a piece of artwork.

    TAN_Donaldson collage

    photo | spring at The Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park by Artsy Forager

    art | Purpose by Amy Donalson

    One of my absolute favorite features in the wondrous beauty that is Yellowstone were the geysers and hot springs.  Algae and micro bacteria create gorgeously saturated coloration in the most heavenly palette.

    Nature is the most spectacular of canvases, isn’t it?  Look for more The Artsy Nature posts coming your way!

    Photo by Artsy Forager, art image credit linked above.

  • June Featured Artist: Deb Haugen

    June Featured Artist: Deb Haugen

    There are certain artists whose work just instantly resonates with me.  Perhaps it’s their style or subject matter, but in the case of this month’s Featured Artist, Deb Haugen, it’s both.  When I first saw her work waaay back in 2011, I immediately responded to the free flowing naturalness to her work.

    Deb Haugen | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Deb Haugen | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Deb Haugen | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Deb Haugen | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart Deb Haugen | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #contemporaryart

     

    Since then, Deb’s work has evolved beautifully, in some cases incorporating graphic drawing as in her ink pieces featured above.  These intuitive drawings have a delicious tension between the concrete illustrative quality of intricate patterns and the bright, watery world surrounding them.

    I’m not the only one who is drawn to these organic beauties– Neiman Marcus and Crate & Barrel have both carried Deb’s prints ( currently available through Neiman Marcus, new large print to come for C&B! ).  But you can also purchase Deb’s work directly through her own website shop!  Gorgeous work at super affordable prices, you can’t go wrong!

    To see more of Deb Haugen‘s work, please visit her website and be sure to follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to keep up with what she’s up to!  You’ll be seeing more of Deb’s work around the blog & Artsy Forager social media all June long!

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Easy Like Sunday Morning: Anna Topuriya

    Easy Like Sunday Morning: Anna Topuriya

    I am so ready for a bit of R&R this weekend, aren’t you?  This traveling lifestyle that Mr. F and I enjoy has its perks but the desire to see as much of each area as possible while we are here mean that weekends are rarely spent doing much relaxing.  These paintings on paper by Anna Topuriya have a lovely sense of ease and leisure to them.

    Anna Topiyura | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Anna Topiyura | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Anna Topiyura | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings topuriya_blackdressmistake_lowres
    Anna Topiyura | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    The pale palette creates a peaceful atmosphere and the pops of cerulean blue are tiny little seas of calm.  The tropical motifs definitely help foster that sense of a visual vacation, as well as the artist’s compositional style similar to Japanese painting, celebrating the beauty in simplicity.

    To see more of Anna Topuriya‘s work, please visit her website.  Now excuse me, I think I need to find myself a hammock and a pina colada.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Finding My Own Artsy: Feminine Wiles, Painting Ten

    Finding My Own Artsy: Feminine Wiles, Painting Ten

    It’s been a while since I shared a new Feminine Wiles piece with you!  I’ve been so distracted by the gorgeous weather, hikes with Mr. F, and my new series on paper, that I let the FW pieces slip a bit.  But then Sunday came and along with it a warm and sunny afternoon, so I spent some time painting out on our little deck.  When I was ruminating on starting this series,   iconic feminine film icons were popping into my noggin’ and Rita Hayworth‘s Gilda was among the first to come to mind.

    Feminine Wiles, Painting Ten: Rita Hayworth as Gilda #art #artists #paintings #abstractart #contemporaryart

    found here

    In the 1946 black & white film noir, Rita Hayworth plays title character Gilda, the passionate and beautiful songstress wife of an illegal casino owner.  The film plays out a dark love triangle between Gilda, casino owner husband Mundson, and Gilda’s former love, and indebted confidante to Mundson, Johnny Farrell.

    The 40s film is teeming with tension– crime, secrets, anger, revenge.  It’s not wonder costume designer Jean Louis outfitted the femme fatale character is slinky black, reminiscent of Sargent’s Madame X.

    Feminine Wiles, Painting Ten: Rita Hayworth as Gilda #art #artists #paintings #abstractart #contemporaryart

    Rita Hayworth as Gilda Mundson Farrell in Gilda, acrylic on canvas panel, 6×6

    My darkest FW piece yet, it also has a slightly looser feel– something that I thought fit the characterization of Gilda so well– full of turmoil and contradiction.

    To see more from the Feminine Wiles series, check out the series portfolio page.  Up next?  I’m thinking a little Monroe. 😉

    Film image source linked above, painting by Lesley Frenz.

  • Gestural Forces: Zachary Keeting

    Gestural Forces: Zachary Keeting

    For many an abstract painter, there is a tense push and pull between artist and material.  What makes their heart race is the predictable inquietude of the way the paint will respond and react.  The work of artist Zachary Keeting is filled, layer upon layer, with painted gestures carefully considered yet surrendered to the forces of material.

    Zachary Keeting | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Zachary Keeting | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Zachary Keeting | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Zachary Keeting | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Zachary Keeting | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

     

    Keeting’s planes of paint are built up like high rises jammed into a cityscape, one on top of the other, but retaining such distinction that the resulting paintings have almost a collage-like feel. Paint is pushed, poured, pulled, manipulated this way and that so that a beautiful chaos ensues.

    To see more of Zachary Keeting‘s work, please visit his website and make sure to check out his documentary art project, Gorky’s Granddaughter.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Associated Memory: Lindsay Stripling

    Associated Memory: Lindsay Stripling

    In a lot of ways, our lives themselves are made up only of memories.  Whether our own memories or the remembrances people have of us, those recollections make up the way we others see us and the way we perceive ourselves.  In her gouache paintings, San Francisco artist Lindsay Stripling emphasizes memory and perceived realities.
    Lindsay Stripling | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Lindsay Stripling | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Lindsay Stripling | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Lindsay Stripling | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Lindsay Stripling | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

    Taking inspiration from vintage photographs, Stripling’s portraits represent an entrance into another world, perhaps a reality or memory different from our own.  It’s funny how, you can never have visited a place, yet have a feeling of it merely from associations like film, photographs or stories.  How often have we found ourselves in a spot, knowing consciously we’d never been there before, yet having an unshakeable feeling of familiarity?

    Memories of our loved ones can be much the same, over time, our associations may change, changing our perceptions and skewing our memories.  Our memories are sifted through a giant sieve, so that only the strongest impressions survive.

    To see more of Lindsay Stripling‘s work, please visit her website.  Lindsay has several pieces currently for sale on the Buy Some Damn Art website– make sure to check them out!

    All images via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Buy Some Damn Art.