artsy forager

Category: Paintings

  • Convergence. Edwige Fouvry.

    Convergence. Edwige Fouvry.

    Trees break free from rocky soil.  The sea crashes onto land.  The natural world is filled with interesting and often incongruent intersections.  In her paintings, French born Brussels based artist Edwige Fouvry calls our attention to those confluences to be found around us.

    Edwige Fouvry | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Edwige Fouvry | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Edwige Fouvry | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Fouvry5 Edwige Fouvry | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings

     

    These places of intersection are often some of my favorites– the drama of cliff faces rising above a glassy lake is just too incredible to be true sometimes!  Landscapes remind us of our own juxtapositions, the way our lives don’t always seem to make sense and yet, somehow we continue to thrive.  There is a certain type of wildflower found in Florida that actually needs what we would normally think of as disaster ( wildfire ) in order to grow.  Perhaps it is at those times when the sea crashes onto our shore that though we think we are drowning, we are actually being nourished.

    To see more of Edwige Fouvry‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Dolby Chadwick Gallery.

  • Abundance. Todd Hunter.

    Abundance. Todd Hunter.

    Something about spring brings to mind the word lush. The landscape here in Northern California has been filled with blossoms and green.  It’s like the earth is ready to explode with the joy of warmth and sun following the grey of winter.  But we know all this riotous color is short lived, soon to give way to the scorched earth of summer.  These abstract paintings by Australian artist Todd Hunter remind me that the overabundance of life isn’t to be taken for granted.

    Todd Hunter | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Todd Hunter | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Todd Hunter | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Todd Hunter | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Todd Hunter | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings

     

    Just as Hunter’s paintings are a deluge of color and texture, so does our life sometimes seem overflowing with happiness and good fortune.  We store up those feelings, to be called upon in the midst of the drought.  But right now the rains are coming and we relish the abundance while we have it.

    To see more of Todd Hunter‘s work, please visit his website.

    Images via the artist’s website and the website of his representing gallery, Scott Livesay Gallery.

  • Coverings. Brian Coleman.

    Coverings. Brian Coleman.

    For painters, it can be so intoxicating to fall in love with those first strokes laid on a canvas.  They can seem so pure, so guileless.  It’s tempting to call it done.  But what we learn over time is that choosing to cover and rework can bring depth and clarity that wasn’t there at the beginning stages.  We might lose something we loved, but we always know it is still there, under the latest cover of paint.

    Brian Coleman | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Brian Coleman | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Brian Coleman | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Brian Coleman | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Brian Coleman | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings

     

    Charleston artist Brian Coleman knows a thing or two about what he calls “excessive reworking”.  Painting intuitively and to music, Brian’s thoughts and feelings flow freely onto canvas.  Yet with many a freewheeling emotion, sometimes those first strokes need to be reigned in.  Just as we push aside a hurt to focus on what is better, so his work reminds us to cover what was in hopes of finding better in the new.

    To see more of Brian Coleman‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Anne Irwin Fine Art.

  • Views. Christopher Ryan Russell.

    Views. Christopher Ryan Russell.

    Mr. F and I have an ongoing difference of opinion.  When we’re hiking, he is all about big, open, impressive views.  I like hikes that take me deep into the forest where the light does magical things among a myriad of textures.  But no matter the view, the point is to get out and just see!  These paintings by Christopher Ryan Russell take us down both paths towards divine prospects.

    Christopher Ryan Russell | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Christopher Ryan Russell | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Christopher Ryan Russell | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Christopher Ryan Russell | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Christopher Ryan Russell | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    On occasion, Mr. F and I both get what we want– a journey that takes us deep down into the forest and then up and out into an amazing landscape view.  Russell’s work well represents that dichotomous marriage between what lies beneath and what is to be found above.  One would not be nearly as thrilling without the journey to or from the other.

    Check out Christopher Ryan Russell‘s website to see more of his work.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Piles. Brigid Watson.

    Piles. Brigid Watson.

    Are you a piler?  At any given time, we live with at least half a dozen piles scattered among us– stacks of mail, bills, laundry, books, you name it.  Sometimes one pile begets another pile and so on and so on.  These paintings by Brigid Watson, with their heavily layered texture reminded me that the piles are simply the layers of life.

    Brigid Watson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Brigid Watson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Brigid Watson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Brigid Watson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Brigid Watson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

     

    In Watson’s paintings, the layers of paint swirl together, overlap, sometimes just piling one right on top of the other.  So it is with our own piles.  We try to keep things neat and compacted but that just isn’t the way life works most of the time.  The piles continue and soon we can only catch glimpses of what lies beneath.  The layers add to the foundation, creating movement, color, creating life.

    To see more of Brigid Watson‘s work, check out her Facebook page.  I chose to focus on these textural paintings but I fell in love with everything she does!

    All images are via the artist’s Facebook page.

  • Peeks. Laurie Danial.

    Peeks. Laurie Danial.

    Our little apartment here in Marin County is on top of a hill, looking down on a small valley below, surrounded by trees.  We delight in leaving the windows open, each glimpse out feels like the view from a treehouse!  Every morning, as I groggily try to get my bearings post-alarm-ring, I catch tiny little slivers of the sunrise through the trees.

    Laurie Danial | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Laurie Danial | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Laurie Danial | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Laurie Danial | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Laurie Danial | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

     

    Occasionally, those small slices propel me out and up the steps to see the full view.  But most of the time, I’m content with those tiny little looks.  The bigger picture is in the beyond and there is comfort in knowing it is there, yet I don’t feel compelled to always seek it out.  I’m safe and content up here in the trees and the slivers are enough.  Just a little taste can be just as satisfying as eating the whole pie.

    Abstract paintings featured by Portland artist Laurie Danial.  See more on the artist’s website.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Breathe. Eric Aho.

    Breathe. Eric Aho.

    I’ve always loved being outside.  When I was young, my brother and I would spend entire Saturdays outside, only coming in when we heard my dad’s special ( and loud! ) whistle.  As the years went by, it seemed like the opportunities to be outside became fewer.  But that old ache has been renewed and these days, I can’t wait to get out to where I can breathe.  Artist Eric Aho‘s abstract paintings capture that magical feeling that only the freshest of air can bring.

    Eric Aho | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Eric Aho | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Eric Aho | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Eric Aho | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Eric Aho | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

     

    Mr. F and I like to seek out lesser traveled trails– definitely a challenge while we’re in the Bay Area.  But even if the solitude is short lived, we soak up every second.  One of us will pause– shhh!  The other always asking what is it?  What do you see?  What do you hear?  What we hear is nothing.  Quiet.  Peace.  Air in, worries out.

    To see more of Eric Aho‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s representing galleries, Hidell Brooks Gallery and DC Moore Gallery.  Artist found via Hidell Brooks.

  • Tribes. Erica Lambertson.

    Tribes. Erica Lambertson.

    It can be a struggle to find your people.  When we’re young and not yet fully who we are meant to be, we often find ourselves in the midst of people simply because they are the ones that are around or because of a longing to be cool, popular, etc.  And life can still be that way.  On social media and in the blog world especially, we’re bombarded with images of the “cool kids” doing amazing things, enjoying success.  It can make us long to be a part of their pack.

    Erica Lambertson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Erica Lambertson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Erica Lambertson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Erica Lambertson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Erica Lambertson | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart

    But what I’ve learned, and believe me it’s taken a long time, is that there is a group of people that will get you.  And those who don’t can be fun to hang with occasionally, but they aren’t your people.  Your people, your tribe, are the ones who hold your hand through thick and thin, who get your jokes, who understand your passions.  They are out there.

    Featured artwork by New Orleans artist Erica Lambertson.  See more of Erica’s work on her website.

    All images via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Gallery Orange.

  • Outskirts. Ian McLean.

    Outskirts. Ian McLean.

    A sense of belonging.  We grow up seeking it.  From the start, we are a part of our family, but as we grow and mature, we look outside of those familiar faces to find our community.  For some, it happens quickly and remains unchanged, for others it fluctuates with time and seasons and the search is a longer, more arduous effort.  These paintings by Ian McClean seem to be manifestations of that feeling of being on the outside, trying to find your way in or perhaps, deciding whether you’d like to go in at all.

    Ian McLean | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Ian McLean | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Ian McLean | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Ian McLean | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Ian McLean | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    We all know what it’s like, that dissatisfaction with where you are but the uncertainty of exactly where you belong.  In younger years, it seems easy to find “our people”, circumstances often do it for us.  But as we move through life and decide for ourselves where and how we spend our time, finding where we belong becomes more of a challenge.  To a certain extent we’ll all feel like a square peg in a round hole, maybe forever.  Could that be so that we’ll never get too comfortable?

    To see more of Ian McLean‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Glimpses. Trent Call.

    Glimpses. Trent Call.

    Every day whether through face to face interactions or social media, we get tiny peeks into the lives of other people.  And often, through those small glimpses, we make conclusions about who they are.  Truthfully, we make judgements.

    Trent Call | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Trent Call | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Trent Call | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Trent Call | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Trent Call | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

    So and so always seems to be on vacation, where do they come up with the money?  That woman dragging her kids through the grocery store at 8pm, shouldn’t those kids be in bed?  But when we’re only offered slices of the truth, it is impossible to know the whole picture.

    In the obscured blurriness of these paintings by Salt Lake City artist Trent Call we see just enough of the story to attempt a conclusion.  But is the answer we find the right one?  Is it really what we see or our own version of the truth?

    All images via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Juxtapoz.