artsy forager

Category: Paintings

  • Translucent Mountains: Ellie Malin

    Translucent Mountains: Ellie Malin

    The snow is beginning to fall in the upper elevations on the Olympic Mountains here in Washington.  Something about the steep crags covered in snow melts my heart and captures by soul every time I see it.  I love that Mr. F always points it out to me, when the snow begins to appear, to make sure I don’t miss it.  In her woodblock prints, Melbourne artist Ellie Malin reduces the mountainous landscape to their most simple pointed forms.

    Radiant Mountain IV by Ellie Malin Sundown Landscape I & II by Ellie Malin Reflective Landscape by Ellie Malin Moving Mountain, Steep Slope I & II and Translucent Landscape by Ellie Malin Sundown Landscape by Ellie Malin

    The way she uses opaque and translucent shapes to echo the varying planes of the mountains captures the mysterious layers perfectly.  These prints make me want to hike through each canyon and over each peak!  There is always something about breaking forms down to their very simplest shapes and planes that I find so satisfying.

    To see more of Ellie Malin‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Life, In Abundance: Naomi Okubo

    Life, In Abundance: Naomi Okubo

    It’s so easy to forget how good we have it.  We get so caught up in what isn’t going right in our lives or what is challenging us that we neglect to remember how very full of wonder and sparkle life is.  The work of Japanese artist Naomi Okubo is so full of layered jubilant pattern that you can’t help but remember your lost joie de vivre.

    Naomi Okubo Naomi Okubo Naomi Okubo Naomi Okubo Naomi Okubo

    I love that it feels like you’ve walked into the middle of some kind of fabulous party, completely with confetti and streamers.  The flat layering of texture and pattern give her paintings a collage like feeling to them, snaps of life pieced together to create irresistibly charming work.

    To see more work by Naomi Okubo, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Awaiting the Return: Kiana Mosely

    Awaiting the Return: Kiana Mosely

    We are now well into November and the holiday season is approaching at lightning speed ( see yesterday’s Artsy Holiday post, early I know, but I couldn’t resist! ).  The brilliant October color has yielded to the breezes and leaves are now scattered across the landscape.  Nature has begun her winterizing and it seems a good long time before the flowers show themselves again.  These watercolors by Northwest artist Kiana Mosely have the feel of flowers pressed between the pages of books to remind us that spring will begin again.

    Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely

    Kiana’s flowers have such a flowing simplicity and the characteristic “bleedy” quality of watercolors reinforces their pressed flower sensibility.  Its almost as if these flattened floral shapes are here to remind us that though the spring seems far away, the flowers are still there, waiting for the thaw.

    If you’d like to see more of Kiana Mosely‘s work, please visit her website and Facebook page.  Prints of these gorgeous watercolors are also available in her Etsy shop!

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Shapes and Structures: Agnes Barley

    Shapes and Structures: Agnes Barley

    I’ve always been fascinated by the way our minds inform our eyes.  How our brains connect   the proverbial dots to tell us that when we see certain shapes configured this way or that, we’re seeing three dimensional planes out of what is actually two dimensional surface.  In the abstract paintings of artist Agnes Barley, we see that by placing certain shapes against one another just so, the illusion of three dimensional space is created.

    Spores 3 by Agnes Barley Swelling Waves 6 by Agnes Barley Early Waves 7 by Agnes Barley Early Waves 4 by Agnes Barley Swelling Waves 7 by Agnes Barley

    Her shapes twist and turn and create shadows of themselves upon the painted surface, further reinforcing the dimensionality of the forms.  The objects created by putting these pieces together feel so architectural, they seem as if they could be studies for structures or sculpture.  I kind of want to climb on one and sit atop it, taking in the view.

    To see more of Agnes Barley‘s work, visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Foggy Gazes: Alyssa Monks

    Foggy Gazes: Alyssa Monks

    Here in the Northwest, we’re no strangers to the rain.  Months and months of time goes by seeing life through a haze of drizzle and mist.  Although the rain can be a bit tedious, Mr. Forager and I are always struck by the beauty it brings out in the way the landscape becomes distorted.  In her work, Brooklyn artist Alyssa Monks began with hyperrealistic depictions of women bathing and now finds the figures being pulled into a more abstract world.

    Blind by Alyssa Monks Still Wet by Alyssa Monks White ( study ) by Alyssa Monks Squeeze by Alyssa Monks Chance by Alyssa Monks

    Always interested in the distorting characteristics of figures seen through a veil of water, steam and glass, Monks’ latest work is pushing the figures further into the mist, leaving the figure secondary to the surface behind which she hides.  As the tall cedars peek out timidly from the fog, so do these figures seem hesitant to reveal themselves, adding the voyeuristic feel of Monks’ work.

    You can see more of Alyssa Monks’ work on her website and Facebook page.  If you’re near Rockville, MD, the artist will be giving a lecture and conducting a workshop with Capitol Arts Network this Friday and Saturday, November 8th & 9th.  You can find more information on the Capitol Arts Network website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Longing for Eden: Lauren Matsumoto

    Longing for Eden: Lauren Matsumoto

    Being nature loving outdoorsy types, Mr. Forager and I sometimes discuss what it would have been like for Adam & Eve– to dwell peacefully with wild animals.  Mr. F hopes that being able to interact safely with wild creatures will be one of the perks of heaven.  He really really wants to hug a grizzly bear.  In her mixed media work, New York based artist Lauren Matsumoto uses unexpected elements to focus on nature and how we relate to it.

    Matsumoto_Oracle Observatory Matsumoto_mushroom patch Matsumoto_winter bloom Matsumoto_Pet Matsumoto_Flowerburst

     

    The artist uses female figures from vintage erotica among playful and whimsical flora.  But  there is an element of the looming industrial age, as planes, satellites, and automobiles threaten to intrude and destroy our love affair with nature.  How often do we completely unplug?  No wifi, no cell phones, no cable t.v.  It’s definitely easier said than done, but maybe if we try it, we can recapture some of that peaceable kingdom that once was.

    Please visit Lauren Matsumoto‘s website to see more of her work.

    All images are via the artist’s website and Facebook page.  Artist found via Uprise Art.

  • November Featured Artist: M.A. Tateishi

    November Featured Artist: M.A. Tateishi

    It’s the end of the week, but the beginning of a brand new month!  Oh, October, did you have to go so soon?  I’ll forgive you, though, because November means a new Featured Artist and she is one of my long-time faves!  The work of Vancouver, BC artist M.A. Tateishi explodes with color and movement, so its fitting that the artist would find recent inspiration in the undersea realm.

    M.A. Tateishi M.A. Tateishi M.A. Tateishi M.A. Tateishi M.A. Tateishi

    Following a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium, the artist has been cranking out these jellyfish inspired works. ( if you’re up Vancouver-way, there’s a special jellyfish exhibit but it’s only on exhibit until November 14th! )  The graceful, flowing creatures are a perfect vehicle for Tateishi’s bold, fluid style.  The jellyfish are part of a new Pure series, in which the artist combines drawing and pure, transparent colored resin.  Stunning, right??

    All this month, I’ll be featuring M.A.’s work here on the blog and the Artsy Forager social media pages.  Be sure to head over to Facebook where her work will be gracing the cover of our page and I’ve put together an album of my personal Tateishi faves.

    Another note for you Vancouverites ( Vancouverians? ), M.A. Tateishi will be participating in the Eastside Culture Crawl with 400 fellow artists November 15-17th.  Don’t miss out on the chance to see these beauties in person!  Want to see more?  Make sure you visit M.A.’s website and Facebook page.

    All images via the artist.

  • Insert the Artsy: One Painting, Three Rooms

    Insert the Artsy: One Painting, Three Rooms

    A phenomenal piece of artwork can find its home in any sort of space.  Especially when its as beautiful as this one, Darzita by this months’ Featured Artist, Jennifer JL Jones.

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    Darzita means “to reveal” and I love how this abstract mixed media work informs the personality of each of these spaces in such a chameleon-like way!

    It goes soft and serene in a monochromatic bedroom retreat..

    ITA_jones_dreamy

    room found here

    Or adds dynamic movement to dramatic charcoal walls in this copper-accented dining room–

    ITA_Jones_drama

    room found here

    Modern texture and little pops of bright color echo this loft’s downtown feel–

    ITA_jones_urban

    room found here

    Which is your favorite? Personally, I think it would look stunning in a little modern cabin in the mountains.. preferably one with my name on the welcome mat. 😉

    If you’re in the Tulsa area, be sure to check out Jennifer’s latest exhibition opening on November 14th at Aberson Exhibits!  Don’t miss out seeing her work in person!

    Interior images linked above, art image via the artist.

  • Painted Skies: Scott Naismith

    Painted Skies: Scott Naismith

    There is something so magical about the way the skies color with the beginning and end of each day.  It’s almost like a painted message– there is new joy and hope in a new day or take heart, this day is done, a new one comes in the morning.  In his work, Scottish painter Scott Naismith explores the brilliance of those colored skies and the effects of light and color in the atmosphere.

    Consonance and Disonance by Scott Naismith Dissonant Skye by Scott Naismith Diminuendo Shore by Scott Naismith Staccato Loch Study 1 by Scott Naismith Diminuendo Sky Study 2 by Scott Naismith

    Through the refraction and reflection of light, we are treated to skies filled with glorious color.  What happens within the atmosphere and how our eyes perceive it is completely explicable, scientifically, but what about our emotional reaction to such a sight?  How do we explain the warm glow within that light and those colors bring?  Maybe we don’t have to.  Let’s just enjoy the gift.

    If you’d like to see more of Scott Naismith‘s work, please visit his website.  The artist also has some really interesting thoughts on color theory, which you can see in this video on his YouTube channel.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Defaced: Rogelio Manzo

    Defaced: Rogelio Manzo

    When you look in the mirror, what face do you see?  Not a trick question!  Do you see your own visage as it actually is or do you tend to see the face of ten, twenty years earlier?  We often think of faces as unchanging, until a glance from just the right angle shows us the mortality of time marching across our faces.  In his work, Mexican artist Rogelio Manzo deals with the fragility of life and notion of beauty by deconstructing and distorting the faces of his subjects.

    Nicolasa by Rogelio Manzo Nicanor by Rogelio Manzo Rogelio Manzo Lupe II by Rogelio Manzo Juanjo by Rogelio Manzo

    As a society, we’ve become so obsessed with the idea of youth and perfection as beauty– that the end result seems to be that we are ending up with a homogenized standard of attractiveness.  The unique face, the one with a bent nose or not-quite-perfect teeth is reconstructed through surgery and orthodontia to fit the idealized “normal”.  We all begin to look the same, losing our sense of what makes us each rare and uncommon.

    If you’d like to see more of Rogelio Manzo‘s work, please visit his website and Facebook page.

    All images are via the artist’s Facebook page.