Daily Artsy Landscapes Paintings

Grandeur. James Lavadour.

Mr. F and I have settled into our new spot for the next three months– Idaho Falls, Idaho.  While it’s a huge change from living outside of San Francisco, you may be surprised at how excited we are to be here. The little town may not offer as much as we’ve had in Marin County, but we are less than two hours from Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons, which makes our little mountain loving hearts go pitter patter for sure!

Living in Northern California for the last year, we’ve found ourselves missing the impressive grandeur of tall, rocky peaks.  Eastern Oregon artist James Lavadour captures the abstract grandeur of the mountainous landscapes we love so dearly.

James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

 

We’ve talked to many people in our travels who feel a strong connection to the ocean, who feel the need to be near it always.  The ocean has its undeniable beauty, for certain, but for us, it is in the mountains that our souls feel at home.  To hike a ridge trail, looking out over endless peaks and valleys, to be above the clouds, watching birds soaring below and our spirits soaring with them.  Lavadour’s paintings reveal in color and light that mysterious enchantment to be found among the mountains.  I can’t wait to get out and feel their presence this weekend!

To see more of James Lavadour‘s work, please visit the website of his representing gallery, PDX Contemporary.

All images are via the PDX Contemporary website.  Artist found via Liz Tran.

Abstract Art Artsy Diggs Daily Artsy Paintings

Structures. Howard Hersh.

hover over the photo above then click through for a peek into the artist’s studio

We live our lives in and within structures.  From the house we call home, to the universe itself, to our very bodies, structure has a crucial role to play in every aspect of our lives.

San Francisco artist Howard Hersh is exploring the dualities of structure simultaneously in his two series, Dispositions of Structure ( encaustics on panel ) and Skin Deep ( acrylic on birch and basswood ).

Howard Hersh | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Howard Hersh | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Howard Hersh | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Howard Hersh | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings Howard Hersh | artsy forager #art #artists #abstractart #paintings

His series of encaustics on panel, Dispositions of Structure are paintings about structure— physical, social, intellectual structures as well as the natural architecture of the universe.  Skin Deep, on the other hand, are structures about painting— explorations into the idea that of the existence of the painting not just as a depiction of an object but as an object itself.

The connections and fluctuations in his shapes, the way they seem to move in and out, backward and forward make me think of how dependent we are on those structures in our lives.  Societal structures such as laws and mores keep us safe and our base instincts in check while we rely on the health of our bodily structures to keep us alive.  One type of structure doesn’t do much good without the other.

To see more of Howard Hersh‘s work, please visit his website.  Howard was kind enough to invite Mr. F and I to tour his studio.  Be sure to click through the studio tour at the top of the page!

All images are via the artist’s website.

Daily Artsy Figurative Paintings

Waning. Patrick Puckett.

The days are slowly growing shorter.  Kids are going back to school, the lush green of summer has begun to fade.  The transition from summer’s ease into the bounty of Fall is here.

The paintings of Austin artist Patrick Puckett with their warm, autumnal palette and easy repose remind me of this final slowing down before the busyness of the cooler months begins.

Patrick Puckett | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Patrick Puckett | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Patrick Puckett | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Patrick Puckett | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Patrick Puckett | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

Will this be the last al fresco dinner?  The last beachside picnic?  Soon we’ll trade these delights for briefcases and backpacks, for crisp, cold nights and warm, baked bread.  Each season’s end brings a bit of melancholy, but with each end is a new and different beginning.

To see more of Patrick Puckett’s work, please visit his website.  If you’re in the Seattle area, don’t miss his show at Hall Spassov Gallery in Bellevue, up through August 31st!

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

Daily Artsy Paintings

Chill. Cindy Rizza.

There’s an ongoing struggle between Mr. F and I.  Or should I say between me and Mr. F’s inability to relax, to chill, to sit and do nothing.  It seems like we are constantly on the go, even on vacation, we’re up with the sun to take full advantage of seeing everything we can see.  Mr. F is a take charge, get things done kind of guy, whereas I like to enjoy each little moment.  Fortunately, we manage to meet in the middle most days!

In these beautiful little paintings of simple lawn chairs, New Hampshire artist Cindy Rizza creates what seem to be reminders to take a seat, to savor a moment.

Cindy Rizza | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Cindy Rizza | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Cindy Rizza | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Cindy Rizza | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Cindy Rizza | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

 

Wish I could tell you that we’re planning a chilled-out weekend but we’re currently on the road from California to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where we’ll be spending the next three months bouncing back and forth between The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole.  I guess we’ll relax when we’re old and gray!

To see more of Cindy Rizza‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via The Jealous Curator.

Abstract Art Daily Artsy Paintings

Piecing. Tessa Greene O’Brien.

As Mr. F and I travel, we are in search of a place to call home.  In each new spot, we find something that we love. If we could, we would piece together our favorite breakfast place from Idaho, the farmer’s market in Southern Oregon, the hippie vibe of Joshua Tree, and the art scene of Seattle and plop them all down in the midst of high, snow-covered mountains to create that one, perfect spot.

The paintings of Tessa Greene O’Brien, with their pieced together, collage-like feel remind me of how every place is the sum of its parts.

Tessa Greene O'Brien | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Tessa Greene O'Brien | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Tessa Greene O'Brien | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Tessa Greene O'Brien | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Tessa Greene O'Brien | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

 

I love the way O’Brien distills her abstracted landscapes down to simple shapes and forms.  Every place has its issues, its complications, but just like falling in love with a person, falling in love with a place means you overlook the minor imperfections and focus on the larger beauties.

To see more of Tessa Greene O’Brien‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.

 

Abstract Art Daily Artsy Paintings

Overlap. Alyson Shotz.

We’re currently in a state of limbo.  That window when our time in one place is winding down while we’re beginning the journey on to the next.  Right now, we have one foot in California and one ready to step into the car and head to Idaho!

Alyson Shotz | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Alyson Shotz | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Alyson Shotz | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Alyson Shotz | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Alyson Shotz | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

 

Aquatints by Alyson Shotz.  To see more of Alyson’s work, please visit her website.  Or if you happen to be in the Bay Area, rush over to Ratio3 to see her work in the Zero to One on Paper show.

All images via the Ratio3 website.

Abstract Art Daily Artsy Paintings

Dualities. Shawn Skeir.

There often two sides to every story.  And every place.  As we travel and live in so many different places, we see the good and the not so good in each.  In his Weaving Landscapes, Toronto artist Shawn Skeir creates dynamic, dual personality landscapes that read as two distinct glimpses of one whole.

Shawn Skeir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Shawn Skeir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Shawn Skeir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Shawn Skeir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Shawn Skeir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

 

To see more of Shawn Skeir‘s work, please visit his website.

All images are via the artist’s website.

Daily Artsy Figurative Paintings

Verge. Grazyna Smalej.

It can be strange the way we can move so effortlessly between worlds, blending seamlessly from work to home, city to country.  In these paintings by Polish artist Grazyna Smalej, small figures seem to slip in and out of the abstracted backgrounds.

Grażyna Smalej | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Grażyna Smalej | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Grażyna Smalej | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Grażyna Smalej | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Grażyna Smalej | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

 

Sometimes it can feel like we’re stuck in one world, unable to move over to the next.  Or maybe we’re slowly, imperceptibly dissolving over, the way Smalej’s figures seem to stand alone and yet blend in.  They are on the verge.

To see more of Grazyna Smalej‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Saatchi Online.

Daily Artsy Paintings

Tinted. John McAllister.

Our experiences shape who we are.  Who we are colors our perceptions.  We see the world through a lens tinted by who we are, what we believe, what has happened to us, our fears, our passions.

The paintings of John McAllister with their photo-negative feel and coloration reminded me of how very different our perspectives can be.

John McAllister | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart #contemporaryart John McAllister | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart #contemporaryart John McAllister | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart #contemporaryart John McAllister | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart #contemporaryart John McAllister | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart #contemporaryart

 

To see more of John McAllister‘s work, please visit the website of his representing gallery, James Fuentes in New York.

All images via Contemporary Art Daily.

Abstract Art Daily Artsy Paintings

Melting. Jenny Sharaf.

Melting happens when the ions or molecules in a solid break down to a less ordered state.  I feel like we could learn a thing or two from that giving way to a chaotic existence.

The abstract paintings by San Francisco artist Jenny Sharaf  with their oozing, liquified color remind me of the freedom to be found in the melting away of our perceived orderly lives.

Jenny Sharaf | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Jenny Sharaf | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Jenny Sharaf | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Jenny Sharaf | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart Jenny Sharaf | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #abstractart

 

I’m a list maker.  A bed maker.  A straighten up before bed type.  In some respects, it works for me– it makes me very good at my freelance work.  On the other hand, it can make me a bit annoying to live with, but Mr. F thankfully puts up with my quirky type-Aness.  Our traveling together has helped me to melt away of some of that.  Things can’t always be just so.  And I need to learn to enjoy the times when the state of our lives is in a less ordered state.  If there were more structure, there would also be less freedom, less adventure.  I’ll take the melting.

To see more of Jenny Sharaf‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via SF Girl by Bay.