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!
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.
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!
It’s Day 4 of the Artist Takeover and today Artsy Forager is being taken over by two of my favorite artists from my hometown. First up is Jacksonville artist and friend, Christina Foard. Christina and I first met back in Jacksonville and she has become a dear friend and wonderfully supportive and encouraging ear. And hopefully, she’s always able to count on me for the same. True to her nature, her questions were thoughtful and insightful.
Urban Leak, acrylic and oil on canvas, 109×66
Christina Foard | My first question is possibly a bit broad, but something makes me think it’s a cornerstone for you, and may have application for all of us in any field. What are your beliefs about generosity – you know, giving without a foreseeable or tangible return on investment? What role does it play in your strategic plan for your future as an arts advocate/blogger?
Artsy Forager | I purposefully don’t talk much about my spiritual beliefs on the blog. I would never want anyone to be put off by spiritual talk. But your question brings it forward, so I’ll lay it out there. I am a Christian. I believe in God & the salvation of Christ. A cornerstone of my faith is a belief in service to others. My husband and I both try to practice giving freely of ourselves and our resources. We believe in the joy of giving.
Through Artsy Forager, I’m able to give of my time and resources to help people whose talent I believe in. Right now, I receive no financial benefit from Artsy Forager. What it is giving back to me is a sense of purpose and a knowledge that I am doing my part to help someone else. My strategic plan for the future is pretty fluid at the moment– I have ideas and short-term goals for broadening my audience and scope of services through the blog, but I also want to be open to whatever comes my way. I want to be able to help artists in a tangible way– I’ve found that is where I receive the greatest satisfaction! In the short term, that may be achieved through the blog and through doing the type of art consulting/project management I’m already familiar with. I’m not sure what will happen long term, but I would love to be able to incorporate charitable giving into my long term business plan, once I figure out what that is. 😉
Guggenheim
CF | Are there characteristics that you think many/most artists share? Are there commonalities in their approach, energy, psychological make-up that you’ve experienced?
AF| I’ve been so fortunate to be able to meet and befriend some spectacularly talented artists and incredible people. Every artist is different, but I’ve found that many of the artists with whom I’ve developed relationships do share some characteristics–
Many of the most talented artists I’ve come across are incredibly humble, they are often open to all types of inspiration and stimulation, whether it be through other visual artwork, music, literature or other creative talk. They see the world through a broader lens, often much more open than others may be to differing points of view. I love the way so many artists support and encourage each other. The arts are a business but one that I personally think is enhanced by cooperation, not competition.
Bouchon
CF | You’ve been roaming nomadically for a while, clearly devoted and adoring your husband all the while, what do you think are the most exciting art markets amongst the cities you’ve gotten to know? What makes them vibrant in your opinion?
AF| Oh what a fun question!! My husband George & I feel so fortunate to be living this unique nomadic lifestyle. It has opened our eyes to so many places we may not have discovered otherwise. Here are a few of my favorite artsy spots I’ve found so far–
Seattle, WA— I may be a bit biased toward Seattle, as it was where George & I truly fell in love, so I see the city through love-colored glasses! That being said, the artistic energy in Seattle is phenomenal and the quality of the work being done there is, in my opinion, among the best in the world. For a large city, the sense of community and camaraderie among the artists in Seattle is amazing. Every time George is up for a new assignment, I hope and cross my fingers for Seattle. I would love to be there for a while to really immerse myself in the art community and just soak it all in.
Portland, OR— Another obvious one. 😉 I’m not as familiar with Portland as I am with Seattle, having only visited on a few day trips last summer but the art scene there is comparable. The arts in Portland seem a bit more laid back than Seattle.. almost like Portland is Seattle’s younger sibling.. I think it is still coming into its own. It’s truly becoming a creative destination for all kinds of art, which I find really exciting. It’s another city I would love to live in for a while and get to know better.
Astoria, OR— When we moved to our first Northwest assignment in Aberdeen, WA last summer, I was desperate for some cultural stimulation ( not currently to be had in Aberdeen, but we have hope for that little town ). We took a day trip to Astoria one Saturday and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the galleries there. Many small Northwest towns have thriving art scenes, but the focus is usually on Western/Native American art– which is great, but not my cup of tea. Astoria has a fantastic photography gallery, Lightbox Gallery , a large multi-discipline contemporary gallery, RiverSea Contemporary as well as a fun, more cutting edge space, Lunar Boy Gallery and others. An artwalk, shops, bookstores, etc., make Astoria a great little artsy town. If only it didn’t get almost 200 days of rain a year..
Jacksonville, FL— Of course, I had to include my hometown! The resilience of the artists and art community in Jacksonville continues to amaze me. The economic downturn hit the art market hard in Jacksonville, resulting in a lot of gallery closings, but it is so encouraging to watch artists and arts supporters finding new ways to rebuild. I’m afraid they are often running up against bureaucratic opposition and conservative political silliness but yet they keep fighting. And I’m cheering them on from afar. I’m looking forward to being back for a visit later in the year and seeing first hand exciting new ventures like Florida Mining and CoRK Studios.
Ashland, OR— This small town in Southern Oregon has a really booming and exciting art scene. Being a tourist destination known for its outdoor Shakespeare Festival, Ashland was a favorite spot while we were living in Southern Oregon. We have a good friend moving to the area and are looking forward to visiting again. I’ve discovered some really fabulous artists through Ashland galleries. It’s a liberal town in the midst of a very conservative area, which makes it kind of a mecca for culture in the southern part of the state.
Port Townsend, WA— Another small town that completely charmed me. It’s proximity to Seattle ( a ferry-ride away ) and touristy appeal gives this little town great potential for its art market. I don’t think it is quite where it could be yet, but I see it moving forward toward becoming an arts destination. Port Townsend is one of those towns where I immediately wanted to open a gallery. 😉
There are a few places we haven’t made it to yet, but I am anxious to see what their art communities have to offer– San Francisco, Los Angeles ( I’m seeing some really incredible art coming out of LA ), Santa Fe, New Orleans, Chicago, just to name a few. And perhaps it’s my proximity to Canada these days, but we have some really talented neighbors to the north.. it almost tempts me to talk George into changing our citizenship!
Summer Rain, oil on canvas, 48×60
CF | How can artists help your business grow?
AF | Right now, the biggest way artists can help is to share the Artsy Forager page with friends, help me get the word out with social media, etc. When you share a quote, status, post, etc., you’re helping AF reach a wider audience. There are web tools that estimate your potential social media reach and it really is incredible to think about. It reminds me of that old shampoo commercial, “then she tells 2 friends and they tell 2 friends and so on..“.. wow, I just really dated myself! In sharing, you’re not just helping AF but every artist that is featured.
Keep me updated with new work, shows, etc. It would be very time consuming for me to periodically check for new work on each artist’s site. I love it when an artist emails me to let me know of an upcoming show or new work just posted to their site. It helps keep you & your work on my mind, which in turn, usually prompts me to post about it on the blog or social media. Win-win for both of us!
I am always open to new ideas and dialogues, too. This interview process idea came from artist Christina Baker and I was thrilled with all the artists’ enthusiasm! I would really love to have artists even more involved with the website.
Flow
To see more of Christina’s work, please visit her website. Stay tuned this afternoon for Steve Williams’ takeover!
If you’ve been an Artsy Forager reader for some time, you’ve probably noticed my attraction to art with a vintage spin. This week’s Artist Watch over on Escape Into Life is no exception! Like Amy Pleasant, Jhina Alvarado also takes her artistic inspiration from old photographs, lending them an anonymity by “black-barring” the faces. Love!
We are in the dog days of summer and it’s days like these I long for complete freedom to lounge around in the water all day. But since responsibilities and being an adult ( yuck! ) don’t allow me to do so, I’m living vicariously through today’s round up of bathing beauties!
Pretty Swimmer by Tracey Sylvester Harris, oil on canvas, 60×48Breathing at the Surface I by Samantha French, oil on canvas, 20×20Falling Pleasure by Sarah HarveySome of These Days by Nina Nolte, acrylic on canvas, 63×39
Have a fantastic weekend, Artsies! Be sure to check out the websites of these artists, linked above. Don’t forget, the Artists Are Taking Over next week! Will be a bit of a change around these parts, but one I think you’ll enjoy! Mr. Forager and I will be taking off on Sunday to spend 10 days camping out in Glacier National Park & Yellowstone, so I’ll be responding to comments and emails upon my return.
This traveling thing can be tough in many ways, but perhaps the most wearying is always living in someone else’s home. As hard as I work to make each place feel like ours, we always end up feeling a bit like house crashers. But then again, in some cases, we find ourselves caring for an otherwise empty, lonely house. Like the dwellings in Australian artist Paul Davies’ work, we are sometimes greeted by a sad shell. It is only when a house is occupied and filled with love that it truly becomes a home.
Seidler House, Sunset, acrylic on canvas, 122x153cmModern Home, Empty Pool, acrylic on canvas, 153×122 cm
Many of the houses Paul chooses to paint seem devoid of life. There are furnishings, but no people to be seen, pools with no water in which to swim.
Night Pool Copy, acrylic on canvas, 76x76cm
Like Davies’ abodes, a few of the homes we’ve occupied were crying out to be cared for. The one we rented in Coeur d’Alene was a particularly sweet little cottage that seemed so neglected due to its rental status. Any improvements were done on the cheap. What a lovely home it could have made for the right family, if only it were given the chance!
Seidler, Tree & Pool, acrylic on canvas, 122x153cmPeach Sky + Modern Home + Pool, acrylic on canvas, 122x153cm
Does anyone else see an empty house and think of how much happier it would be if it were cared for and loved as a home? Just me? What does your own home say about you?
To see more of Paul Davies’ work, please visit his website.
Featured image is Empty Pool + Modern Home + Palms, acrylic on canvas, 122×122 cm. All images are via the artist’s website.
Bright vibrant color? Check. Painterly drips and texture? Check. Expressionistic composition? Check. The work of Diana Delgado encompasses all my favorite abstract art elements. Check out my Artist Watch feature on her work over on Escape Into Life today!
She Could Drape it in Color, oil, enamel, tape and acrylic on canvas, 72×48
There is a wonderful phenomenon that happens to me from time to time. I call it “name serendipity”. Every so often when I search an artist’s name on Google, I happen upon the work of another talented artist by the same name! Which is exactly how I happened upon the work of Seattle artist Amy Pleasant.
Free Spirit, mixed media, 36×36
Like Amy, I too, have a collection of vintage photographs from my grandparents’ collection and they are among my most treasured possessions. In her latest series, Lost and Found, Amy was inspired by the discarded memories of strangers. Namely old family photos found in thrift shops and antique stores, now being sold along with old tablecloths and broken lawnmowers.
Three Graces, mixed media, 40×30Kindred, mixed media, 40×30
Captured moments of past lives now cast away like any other piece of household paraphernalia. Pleasant rescues these memories that have been tossed aside, giving them new life in paint.
Night’s Nest, mixed media, 36×36
In them, we see not the memories of strangers but our own ancestral rememberings staring back at us. To see more of Amy Pleasant’s work, please visit her website. Her work can be seen in her show, “Looking For the Coolidges” opening August 2, 2012 at the Shoreline City Hall Gallery in Shoreline, WA. And on August 1st, she will be the featured artist (along with Dutch artist Janneke Van Leeuwen) at the Visual Thinking Strategies European Symposium in partnership with the Rijks Museum and will be showing at a gallery on site at a large hospital in Amsterdam(! ).
Featured image is Three Graces, mixed media, 40×30. All images are via the artist’s website.
I can only imagine the courage it takes for an artist to create in front of a group of people. Heck, even one other person would terrify me. But at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene, ID ( our hometown for just another 6 weeks ), their new featured artist for the month gives a demo on the Saturday following their opening. It is a fantastic way to gain a real “behind the art” glimpse into the creative process! I can’t believe it took me this long to attend one, but I’m so glad I did. The work of Spokane artist Mel McCuddin is striking online, luminous up close, but to see it in progress was truly inspiring.
Matchmaker, oil on canvas, 52×48Reveries, oil on canvas, 48×44
Each canvas begins as an exercise in Abstract Expressionism– it is all about the paint, texture and color. Slowly, as formations evolve in clouds, a figure emerges on the surface.
The Old Dog, oil on canvas, 36×40Black Dirt Farmer, oil on canvas, 48×48
McCuddin thoughtfully builds his layers, alternating patches of light and dark. Deliberate smudging of large swaths of canvas give way to areas of delicate and careful application.
The Late Bus, oil on canvas, 52×48
His finished works are often left with an eerie glow, giving them a slightly alien quality yet they are approachable and likable. His subjects stare back at us with curious wisdom. You can see a slideshow of images of Mel McCuddin in action here ( Artsy Forager now has a YouTube channel! ). His solo show can be seen at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene until August 4, 2012. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area!
Featured image is Three in a Tub, oil on canvas, 48×52. All images are via The Art Spirit Gallery website.
