artsy forager

Tag: Artists

  • Sliding. Leslie Wayne.

    Sliding. Leslie Wayne.

    Momentum can be a tricky thing.  If we’re moving in a positive direction, building and maintaing momentum is crucial.  But if we’ve begun sliding into bad habits or toward danger, we need to do everything we can to stop the propulsion.  In her Plank sculptures, New York artist Leslie Wayne  takes her paint on a journey, pushing and piling like lava flowing down a hillside.

    Leslie Wayne | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Leslie Wayne | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Leslie Wayne | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Leslie Wayne | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Leslie Wayne | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture

     

    Sometimes we can temporarily stop the slide, but what if it just keeps coming, piling and piling until it overflows?  Maybe the trick is to just let it slide.  Sometimes we need to allow ourselves the freedom to shift so that we can position ourselves to move away from one thing and build toward another.  The shifting can be tricky, though.  Overcorrecting might delay or detour.  But if just allow a tiny, scary bit of sliding, we move with greater purpose.

    To see more of Leslie Wayne‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • 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.

  • Explorations. Amy Alice Thompson.

    Explorations. Amy Alice Thompson.

    Before the mister and I began traveling together, I lived in the same city my entire life.  The urge to wander was always there, lurking beneath the surface.  I would feed it now and again with weekend trips with friends but never imagined doing anything close to our life today.  In each new place, we make a list of what we’d like to see and do in our short time there.  And every time, we’re amazed by how many locals are less acquainted with their home territory than we become.  This series of collages by Amy Alice Thompson explores the journey of exploration.

    Amy Alice Thompson | artsy forager #art #artists #collage Amy Alice Thompson | artsy forager #art #artists #collage Amy Alice Thompson | artsy forager #art #artists #collage Amy Alice Thompson | artsy forager #art #artists #collage Amy Alice Thompson | artsy forager #art #artists #collage

     

    Nothing substitutes visiting a place in person.  Even the most beautiful photograph or painting  can’t capture the sounds, the smells, the essence of what we experience first hand.  As Mr. F and I travel, we’re fortunate to be able to really immerse ourselves into each place.  We explore not simply as tourists but as temporary citizens.  Some places fall short of expectation, others exceed it beyond what we had hoped.  But each time, the value is in the exploration.

    To see more of the work of Amy Alice Thompson, please visit her website.  Where are you exploring this weekend?

    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.

  • Dazzling. Kristi Hager.

    Dazzling. Kristi Hager.

    For the past two weeks, even before the official arrival of Spring, the scent of jasmine has permeated the air here in Marin County.  Mr. F and I breathe it in and count ourselves lucky to be in this place!  The array of blooms here has been breathtaking.  Doesn’t it always seem as if the first flowers of spring are exploding with excitement?  Like they’ve just been itching all winter long to dazzle you with their color and scent.

    Kristi Hager | artsy forager #art #artists #flowers #photography Kristi Hager | artsy forager #art #artists #flowers #photography Kristi Hager | artsy forager #art #artists #flowers #photography Kristi Hager | artsy forager #art #artists #flowers #photography Kristi Hager | artsy forager #art #artists #flowers #photography

     

    And dazzle they do.  And dazzle we don’t do often enough.  Why?  Because we’re so worn down by the monotony of life.  Go to work, cook dinner, take the kids to soccer.  Rinse, repeat.  We don’t allow ourselves the freedom to sparkle.  To find that moment to feel worthy of shining.  The flowers know their worth.  Why don’t you?

    Photography featured today by Kristi Hager.  To see more of Kristi’s work, please visit her website.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Intersections. Jenny Hager.

    Intersections. Jenny Hager.

    Mr. F and I rely heavily on GPS.  After all, we’re usually living in a new place every three months!  For the first week or so, we use it to navigate every where we go.  Eventually we get to know our paths and crossways and are able to find our way without electronic aid.  In the meantime, we make a lot of wrong turns even with help.  The work of Los Angeles artist Jenny Hager has me thinking about intersecting paths and the directions we follow.

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

    The roads we think will get us to our destination– the paths that seem most logical, often lead  to a dead end or the opposite direction.  Then sometimes there is only one way to go.  We take that street and follow it until we reach its conclusion.  Those are the easiest journeys.  The ones where we find our path and simply follow.  But it can be in the twists and turns, in the turning this way when we are supposed to go that way, in which we find a destination we didn’t even know we wanted to discover.

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

    All images are via the artist’s website.