artsy forager

Tag: art

  • 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.

  • Artsy on Escape Into Life: Mia Brownell

    Can’t believe I almost forgot to let you all know about my post today over at Escape Into Life!  Better late than never, I suppose.. Be sure to click on over there and check out today’s feature on artist Mia Brownell.  I think you’ll find her work as intriguing as I did!

    Still Life with Villin Headpiece, oil on canvas, 56×42

    Mia Brownell on Escape Into Life

  • A Tale of Patina, Pattern and Pop: Jill Ricci

    A Tale of Patina, Pattern and Pop: Jill Ricci

    In our modern and sleek world, we find fascination in old things and places.  These are objects with a story, subway walls wallpapered with layer upon layer upon layer of poster ads or the stratum of paints on a bedroom wall, showing us the history of its owners.  These are the ideas New Jersey artist Jill Ricci strives to convey in her work, those hidden discoveries.

    Upper Playground, mixed media on canvas, 36×48

    By combining elements of advertising ephemera, fabric, wallcoverings and abstraction, Ricci’s work manages to feel at once ancient and modern.

    Ovation, mixed media on canvas, 24×24

    With contemporary graphics layered under the patina of paint, these pieces almost feel like we are peeling back the scales from the antiquated to find that what is hidden beneath is not obsolete, but avant-garde.

    Release, mixed media on canvas, 36×48

    The artist’s layering collected materials mirrors society’s ever abiding search for the next big thing.  We are constantly looking for the latest gadget, fashion or whatchmacallit that will give us joy.  But perhaps, joy doesn’t come from the newest thing, but looking back with fondness and learning from what has come before.

    Roam, mixed media on canvas, 36×48
    Jack’s Garden, mixed media on canvas, 48×36

    To see more of Jill Ricci’s work, please visit her website.  Her work can currently be seen in shows at Jules Place in Boston, MA and at Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ.  Check these artsy spots out if you’re nearby!

    Featured image is Cherish, mixed media on canvas, 48×30.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Fantastically Fanciful Fauna: Corine Perier

    Fantastically Fanciful Fauna: Corine Perier

    ‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a bird-mouse..?  The work of today’s artist captures the whimsy and fantasy that defines this time of year.  French artist Corine Perier creates hybrid creatures that, despite the works’ surrealist quality seem completely real, not to mention irresistibly charming.

    Le Trophee de la Chance, oil on wood panel, 46x38cm

    Though whimsical in feel, these contemporary portraits remind us of the very real problem of species extinction on our ever changing planet.

    Le Petit Prince, oil on wood panel, 27x22cm

    Her amalgamated creatures stare out at us with wide, vulnerable eyes.  They appear kind and wise, resembling characters from fantastical lands like Narnia and Middle Earth, here to guide witless humans on their journey.

    Renaissance, oil on wood panel

    But in the eyes of some, there is an additional element.. perhaps fear, perhaps resignation to their fate at the hands of the very humans they wish to help?

    Boule de Neige, oil on wood panel, 65x54cm
    Camouflage, oil on wood panel, 27x22cm

    To see more of Corine Perier’s gentle enchanters, please visit her website.  A big thank you to Myra Wexler aka YO MOMMA for introducing me to Corine’s work.  Be sure to check out Myra’s blog, too.  It’s full of awesome sauce.

    All images are via the artist’s website.