artsy forager

Blog

  • Stacked Simplicity: Mia Christopher

    Stacked Simplicity: Mia Christopher

    Many folks are using the advent of the new year to organize and simplify their world.  Editing can be one of the most difficult tasks, especially for visually creative types, who find such stimulation in what we take in with our eyes.  San Francisco artist Mia Christopher creates interesting, elegant compositions by sticking to simple shapes and a limited palette.  In this work, less is most definitely more.

    Ink on paper, 2011, 11×12

    Stacks of simple shapes call to mind fantastical characters, books, organic forms or whatever might come to mind.

    Ink on paper, 2011, 10.5×14.5

    The beauty in these works is in the color combinations, the fluid visual texture of the ink, the whimsically natural feel of the forms.

    Ink on paper, 2011, 11.5×16
    Ink on paper, 2011, 11×14

    To revel more in this gorgeous simplicity, please visit Mia Christopher’s website.

    Featured image is Mia Christopher, ink on paper, 11×9.25.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • What Dreams May Come: Duy Huynh

    What Dreams May Come: Duy Huynh

    Welcome to 2012!  As much as I love the sparkles and coziness of the holidays, with a new year comes time for thoughtful reflection on what was, along with plans and hopes for what is to come.  To kick off the year, the work of Charlotte, NC artist Duy Huynh ( pronounced yee wun ) is just the right combination of quiet contemplation and dreaminess to fit the mood of a new beginning.

    Metamorphosis of a Metaphor, acrylic on wood, 40×40

    Duy Huynh is no stranger to new beginnings, having come to the U.S. from his native Vietnam in the early 80s.  Finding himself immersed in a completely new world and language, he learned to use art to make connections.

    Metamorphosis of a Metaphor, acrylic on wood, 32×40

    He continues to engage through his work by using symbols such as butterflies, boats, pianos, etc to create narratives just enigmatic enough to allow the viewer to imagine their own visual tale.

    The Organ Donor, acrylic on ceramic tile, 16×16

    His work is beautiful in its ethereal simplicity, like the small coo of a dove or the drifting of a feather on the wind.  This is an artist who works with a gentle, light hand and the results are peaceful and reflective painted stories.

    Eggscapism, acrylic on wood, 24×24
    Boundlessness in Bloom, acrylic on canvas, 36×36

    I hope the coming year will be a time when you paint your own story.  Make this year exactly what you want it to be.

    To see more of Duy Huynh’s work, please visit his website and the website of his Charlotte gallery, Lark & Key.

    Featured image is A Kindred Spirit Will Lead Her Out of the Woods, acrylic on wood, 48×36.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • See You in 2012!

    Happy early New Year, Artsies!  I had a wonderful surprise this week, one of my favorite people in the world, my dear sister-in-law, came all the way to Coeur d’Alene, ID from Florida to visit.  So I’ll be unexpectedly away from the blog until the new year to spend lots of quality time with my sis-in-law!

    See you next year!

  • Material Matters: Margie Livingston

    Material Matters: Margie Livingston

    If you are an artist, you know the joy and delight your materials bring.  The smell of fresh paint, the glow of molten glass, the feel of earthen clay.  Seattle artist Margie Livingston is one artist who obviously enchanted with her unique properties of her chosen medium– paint.

    198 Angles, Mostly Yellow, acrylic, 33.5×29

    Her paintings are not only explorations into the characteristics of the paint– color, texture, sheen, etc., but also studies in shape, form, line and space.

    263 Angles, Neutral Over Red, acrylic, 33×24.5

    She’s also taken this investigation of medium a step further– creating actual sculptures from paint, genius!

    Paint Strip Tied In a Knot With the Ends Tucked In, acrylic, 4x13x10 ( via Greg Kucera Gallery )
    Study for Spiral Block #3, acrylic, 6" cube

    To see more of Margie Livingston’s adventures in paint, check out her website.  If you’re in Seattle, you can see her work in person at Greg Kucera Gallery.

    Featured image is 414 Angles, Mostly Red and Yellow, acrylic, 32×24.  All images are via the artist’s website, unless otherwise stated.

  • Artsy on Escape Into Life: Kelly Reemsten

    Ya’ll be sure to check out my post today on Escape Into Life, featuring Kelly Reemsten.  No doubt, you’ll recognized Kelly’s work from her Artsy Forager feature recently.  What can I say, her work just calls out to me!

    Cleaning Is Addictive, oil on panel, 36×36

    Kelly Reemsten feature on Escape Into Life

  • Of Myths and Imaginings: Claire B. Cotts

    Of Myths and Imaginings: Claire B. Cotts

    Some of my favorite artwork is the work that defies categorization and tells an interesting story.  While studying art history in college, I always loved the stories and superstitions related to a piece of work almost as much as the visual pleasure they gave.  Needless to say, the art history geek in me adores the figurative work of Claire B. Cotts in all their allegorical, mysterious glory.

    Turkish Mother and Child, acrylic, 36×48

    Claire’s work is reminiscent of historical portraiture and metaphorical painting so pervasive throughout much of art history.  The warm, rich palette enhances the timeless quality of her work.

    The Year Spent Waiting, acrylic, 36×48

    The paintings are like a glorious mix between historical and folk art but with a modern touch.

    Flood, acrylic, 36×48
    Woman With Quinces, acrylic, 36×82

    Make sure you visit Claire B. Cotts’ website to see more of her work, including some equally amazing abstracts!  Gotta love a versatile artist!

    Featured image is Quinceanera, acrylic, 24×36.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Sweet Dreams Captured: Vincent Giarrano

    Sweet Dreams Captured: Vincent Giarrano

    Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday with family and friends!  This was our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Frenz, as well as our first Christmas living far from family.  George and I enjoyed such a lovely quiet Christmas just for two.  Though it was just us here in Coeur d’Alene, there was still the same running around, decorating, cooking and planning that goes with this time of year.  As I was looking through my inspiration folders, the minute I saw the work of Vincent Giarrano, I knew these would be perfect for the day after Christmas..

    Oasis, oil on panel, 20×16 ( via Gallery Henoch )

    Isn’t this how we all feel after all the merriment and overeating?  Wouldn’t we all just like to curl up and nap all day long?  Perhaps some of you will!

    City Girl, oil on panel, 24×18 ( via Gallery Henoch )

    The textures and colors Giarrano uses convey such a sense of peace and coziness.  I just want to curl up here, too!

    Midday, oil on panel, 18×14 ( via The Grenning Gallery )
    Sleeping In, oil on panel, 12×9 ( via The Grenning Gallery )

    Here’s to wishing you lots and lots of post-holiday rest and relaxation!  To see more of Vincent Giarrono’s work, please visit his website.

    Featured image is Unmade Bed, oil, 20×16.  Images are via the artist’s representing galleries, Gallery Henoch and the Grenning Gallery.

  • Have Yourself an Artsy Little Christmas

    Merry Christmas, Artsies!  I hope you all enjoy a wonderful holiday filled with peace and love.  Here’s a lovely little video of artist Steven DaLuz‘s Watchers Series, currently on exhibit at Anarte Gallery in San Antonio.  The imagery and music are a perfect, quiet reflection for this holy night.

    Video by Mia Feigelson

  • Friday Faves: Angels Among Us

    We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.
    Lucretius

    Tree Angel by Nicholas Wilton, oil and mixed media on panel, 36×40 ( via Selby Fleetwood Gallery )
    Sentinel by Steven DaLuz, oil and mixed media on panel, 36×36
    The Source by Brad Kunkle, oil, gold and silver on linen, 18×26
    Se Escapo by Maribel Angel, mixed media and acrylic

    At this time of year, angels are everywhere.  Both in ornamentation and figuratively.  Hope you’ll be an angel to someone this holiday!

    Be sure to be an artsy angel and check out these artists’ websites:

    1.  Nicholas Wilton 

    2.  Steven DaLuz 

    3.  Brad Kunkle 

    4.  Maribel Angel 

    All images are via the artists’ websites.

  • Fragile Fairy Tales: Tom Chambers

    Fragile Fairy Tales: Tom Chambers

    Sometimes I’m just not sure how the work of certain artists escapes my notice.  Then one day, as I happen to be perusing Pinterest, searching for a home exercise regimen I just knew I saw but forgot to pin, I see an image that blows me away.  Case in point:  the image below by fine art photographer Tom Chambers.

    Saccharine Perch, photo montage

    Chambers’ fine art photo montages have a haunting surrealistic quality, but have a spiritual and ethereal quality that has a sentimentality to it that perhaps owes itself to one of Chambers’ influences, Andrew Wyeth.

    Camouflage, photo montage

    Chambers’ work also has the same soft muted colors and striking light as Wyeth’s, which adds to the dreamlike quality.  Add to that their narrative nature makes them seem to me, like a fairy tale meets a folk song.

    The Goatherd, photomontage
    The Offering, photo montage

    To see more of Tom Chambers’ work, please visit his website.  Be sure and read the artist statement for each series– the stories behind the images definitely enhance your viewing experience!

    Featured image is Blue Fox by Tom Chambers.  All images are via the artist’s website.