artsy forager

Tag: buildings

  • Touch Upon the Terra: Hannah Richman

    Touch Upon the Terra: Hannah Richman

    After spending the past two years going from small town to small town, I’m still kind of in awe of Seattle buildings.  From what I happen to think is one of the prettiest skylines in the country ( if not THE prettiest! ) to the fantastic examples of  modern architecture and traditional storefronts.  The paintings of Massachusetts artist Hannah Richman  explores the facade of the urban landscape, man’s touch upon the terra.

    Richman_Fulkerson Street II_oil on canvas_30x24
    Fulkserson Street II, oil on canvas, 30×24

    Especially here in this city surrounded by such amazing natural beauty ( Hello, Cascade Mountains!  Hello, Olympic Mountains!  Holy cow, you are huge, Mt. Rainier! ), it’s interesting to note how some buildings seem to perfectly fit into the landscape.  For instance, as I type this, I’m looking out the window at a Mid-Century apartment building that perfectly hugs and nestles into the landscape, it’s lines mimicking the hills beyond.

    Richman_Untitled
    Untitled, oil on canvas
    Richman_Felton Street VI_oil on canvas_55.5x42.75
    Felton Street VI, oil on canvas, 55.5×42.75
    Richman_Fulkerson Street I_oil on canvas_18x14
    Fulkerson Street I, oil on canvas, 18×14

    Then there are other examples, where we see the hand of man has rushed in and decimated everything in its path for the sake of commerce.  Wonderful old neighborhood storefronts are abandoned for the lure of the shiny new strip mall.  It happens in most cities in all states and more and more, many countries.

    Richman_Earle Street_oil on canvas_36x24
    Earle Street, oil on canvas, 36×24

    Richman’s work illuminates these man made structures as she catches them in mother nature’s light.  And for a moment, they seem to have been there always.

    To see more of Hannah Richman’s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Petit Boutiques: Johnny Bull

    Petit Boutiques: Johnny Bull

    I used to be a lover of big department stores, you know, the ones full of racks upon racks of things to choose from– a little something for everyone.  But that was the Suburban Florida girl in me.  Since our move to the Northwest, I find myself more and more drawn to the small shops that make up most of the little towns we find ourselves living in and exploring.  The shops themselves are often architectural gems, with brick walls, old hardwood floors and coffered ceilings, every time I see an empty storefront, I dream of the what a pretty little gallery or shop it might make.  So I couldn’t help but be enchanted by this series by UK artist Johnny Bull, as he turns his brush to the lovely little shops to be found in the land of Degas and Monet.

    Of course it goes without saying that French buildings and boutiques would be full of charm and joie de vivre, but the style of Bull’s work makes them even more delightful.  In isolating the buildings against a muted pastel background, we are allowed to gaze upon them one by one, each with a personality and charm of its own.

    Bull’s palette reminds me of what it might be like to see each shop in different lights of day– the blue grey of early morning, the warm glow of sunset.  So lovely I can’t stand it.  I immediately want to go into each shop and smell the cafe au lait and meet the quirky artists and writers sure to live above stairs.

    To see more of Johnny Bull’s work, please visit his blog.  Now I must go and plan a trip to France.  Oh, it’s gonna happen.

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