artsy forager

Tag: art

  • Art to Inspiration: Lani Trock

    Art to Inspiration: Lani Trock

    Last month, I was an Art to Inspiration delinquent.  The monthly post just had to fall off my huge to-do list before we went on our big camping trip.  But this month, I’m back with a vengeance!  Our inspiration artwork for September, Blue Moon by photographer Lani Trock, is the perfect inspiration for the transition into the autumnal months.

    Hello Moon by Lani Trock

    As is my usual motis operandi, I’ve put together a little  gallery inspired by this month’s work.  Trock’s photo brings to mind camping and playing under the stars during an Indian summer, so I’m calling this little collection Night Moves.  Check it out below!

    Dance Floor by Jeremy Mangan, acrylic on panel, 18×24
    Gypsum by Lia Halloran
    Waiting by Barbara Kacicek, oil on linen, 8×8
    They Sacrificed Everything to the Stars by Amanda Blake

    Jeremy Mangan | Lia Halloran | Barbara Kacicek | Amanda Blake 

    To see more from each artist, check out their websites, linked above.

    You can find more information on Art to Inspiration here and if you would like to participate in the next Art to Inspiration, just fill out this form! Follow me and all the other Art to Inspiration bloggers on Twitter by subscribing here.  Let the inspiring begin! 

  • Action Figuration: Betsy Cain

    Action Figuration: Betsy Cain

    When I took figure drawing in college, I recall my professor telling us that once we mastered drawing the figure realistically, that’s when the real fun begins.  For once you understand the hollows and bumps of the human figure, you can then abstract your representation to your heart’s content.  Savannah artist Betsy Cain’s work energetically fuses the figure with the abstract in gorgeous layers of color.

    Red Yellow Love Melt, oil on canvas, 60×80

    Like the work of other abstract expressionists, Cain’s work appears to be purely non-representational, but often you can detect a figure coming through the energetic fever of the canvas.

    Neural Nude, oil on canvas, 54×72
    Nature of Not Knowing, oil on canvas, 60×60

    Each work consists of layer upon layer of colorful, expressive strokes which may end in a purely abstract composition yet each gives us a glimpse into the artist’s connection between her mind, the paint and the canvas.

    Nerve Flower, oil on canvas, 60×60

    To see more of Betsy Cain’s work, please visit her website.  If you happen to be reading from North Florida, you can check out Betsy Cain’s solo exhibition, Selections at Florida Mining in Jacksonville, opening this Friday, September 7th!

  • Artsy on Escape Into Life: Karen Knorr

    I find there is such a mystical, magical quality to the culture of India.  Such a juxtaposition of riches and poverty, exuberance and isolation.  The India Song series of photographer Karen Knorr explores the roles of power in Indian society and I find them both visually stunning and intellectually striking.  See more of Karen’s work on my Artist Watch over on Escape Into Life today!

    The Sound of Rain, Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

    Karen Knorr on Escape Into Life

  • Sculptures of Earthly Delights: Laura Moriarty

    Sculptures of Earthly Delights: Laura Moriarty

    Most of the time, we never seem to think about what is happening beneath our feet.  When we visited Yellowstone this summer, we couldn’t help but be confronted by the reality of what is going on beneath the earth’s surface.  The countless hot springs, geysers and mudpots reminded us that our planet is on fire underneath us.  New York artist Laura Moriarty‘s unique sculptural paintings are her own interpretations of what is happening beneath our terrain.

    Natural Bridge, encaustic on panel, 11x14x6.5
    Volcanic Bomb, detail

    Her layers of liquid color mimic the stratifications in the earth’s core, flowing in and around each other like lava.

    Time Suck, detail, encaustic on panel, 10x10x5.75
    Steep Inclination, encaustic on panel, 16x16x8

    You can watch Laura’s amazing process in the video The Way Paintings Go here.  See more of her work on her website, including beautiful monotypes created as a by-product of her sculptural paintings.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • This Lovely Life: Janet Hill

    This Lovely Life: Janet Hill

    I love artwork that transports me into a different world.  The paintings of Ontario artist Janet Hill  gives us a peek at a sweet and beautiful life, where all is loveliness and cheerful color.

    Goldfinch

    Her figures, lovely and graceful, entrance and enchant, her palette of sepias punctuated with bright, saturated color takes us back in time like faded photographs.

    Giraffes
    General Custard

    Hers is a world that feels like that magical afternoon hour.. you know the one.. when the sunlight is just the right shade, streaming through the window and giving everything in its path a magical glow.  A world that is accessibly glamorous, where even the most mundane task is done with delicious joie de vivre!

    Entanglement

    Seriously, doesn’t her work just make you smile?  See more of it on her website and in her Etsy shop– lots of beautiful, affordable prints to be found!  Perfect for girlie girls, big and small.

    Featured image is Lady and the Lobster.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Say Hello to our New Facebook Featured Artist!

    Happy September, Artsies!  I’m so excited to bring you this month’s new Facebook Featured Artist.  Not only is she one of my favorite artists EVER, but one of my favorite people in the world.  Be sure to head on over to the Artsy Forager Facebook page to see the beautiful new cover image by Florida artist Christina Foard!

    Flow by Christina Foard, oil and acrylic on canvas, 96×66

    Stay tuned throughout the month of September for more from the fabulous Ms. Foard!

  • HELP! Artsy Needs to Find a Home!

    HELP! Artsy Needs to Find a Home!

    Hiya Artsies!  Most of you know, my hubby is a medical professional who works as a “traveler”– he takes contract assignments all over the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast.  We are finally getting to use his California license and will be headed to Joshua Tree, CA in October!  We’re super excited to finally spend some time in Cali, be near friends in San Diego and I can’t wait to explore all the artsiness of SoCal!

    With each new place we go, I spend hours perusing the internet, looking for furnished rentals, when I’d much rather be searching for fantastic artists to share with you!  So far, we aren’t having much luck in Joshua Tree– there are lots of rental options, but few are very budget friendly! 😉

    Peach Sky + Modern Home + Pool by Paul Davies, acrylic on canvas, 122x153cm

    So I’m asking, begging, pleading ( dramatic, much? ).. if you have any connections in the Joshua Tree area or know of anyone who may have a home  in or near there for rent, please let me know!

    Also, I’m taking suggestions for galleries to visit in the San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs/Hi-Desert areas.  Hit me with whatcha got.

    Image via the artist’s website.

  • Wear the Artsy: Painted Jewels

    Wear the Artsy: Painted Jewels

    Artsiness isn’t just about the art we create or appreciate.  It is the way we live, the way we treat others, how we carry ourselves.  Over the course of the last year, I’ve read so much regarding how the way we chose to clothe ourselves says so much about who we are or who we are trying to be.  I’m a firm believer in artsy self-expression in any form!  In this new feature, Wear the Artsy, we’ll pair a piece of artwork with a piece of clothing or accessory that captures the spirit of the art.

    art | jewelry

    In today’s pairing, our inspiration piece is this gorgeous, colorful abstract by artist Dura Hana AKA D.U.R.A.  What better way to wear those beautiful jeweltones than with that cheery Tom Binns Riri Painted Swarovski Cuff?

    Do you have suggestions for a piece of art to be featured on Wear the Artsy?  Comment below and let’s see how we can wear our favorites!

  • Pop Goes the Art: Sarah Boyts Yoder

    Pop Goes the Art: Sarah Boyts Yoder

    If you’ve been reading Artsy Forager for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I have a bit of a weakness for saturated color mixed with bold graphics.  I don’t know what it is about this combo, but I am completely unable to resist.  The colorful abstract collages of Charleston, SC artist Sarah Boyts Yoder had me at hot pink.

    Magenta Bun, collage on paper, 14×18

    I am completely enchanged with those heavy black lines reminiscent of a child’s coloring book.. Often the lines are left partially “colored-in”, a playful nod to their childlike quality.

    Bun With Yellow, collage on paper, 17×18
    Ear Collage 1, collage on paper, 13×16

    And I love the way Boyts Yoder seems to take two disparate compositions and layers one over the other, creating a game of visual “peek-a-boo”.  I want to peel back each layer to see what’s hiding underneath!

    Striped Listen, collage on paper, 13×17

    To see more of Sarah Boyts Yoder’s work, please visit her website.  Her work can be seen in Charleston at the Michael Mitchell Gallery.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Bubbaliciously Artsy Installation

    Bubbaliciously Artsy Installation

    Today seems to be the day for posting childhood memory-inspired works of art!  I am a firm believer in public art that serves to delight and inspire any viewer.  Public art should appeal to the public, you shouldn’t need to be versed in art history or elements of design to appreciate and admire it.  The Bubblegum installation of artists Merijn Hos and Renée Reijnders perfectly demonstrates the ability of public art to enchant and amuse.

    Bubblegum, day
    Bubblegum, night
    Bubblegum, night with people enjoying the scene

    The installation could be seen floating above Weerwater Lake in the Netherlands in 2010.  Check out the websites of Merijn Hos and Renee Reijnders to see more images and what they’ve been up to lately.

    All images are via Renee Reijnders’ website.