artsy forager

Tag: floral

  • January Featured Artist: Christy Kinard

    January Featured Artist: Christy Kinard

    Happy 2014, Artsies!  I can hardly believe we have turned the calendar over to a new year so soon!  2013 was a year filled with changes and opportunities, some worked out, some didn’t, but I hope we all have come out stronger and wiser and read to take on the world in the year ’14!  I’ve lined up a slew of fabulous artists taking part in the monthly Featured Artist program ( going strong for nearly 2 years now! ) for this year and am excited to kick off the year with the lovely work of Memphis artist Christy Kinard, who’ll be gracing the blog and AF social media all this month!

    Love for Hydrangeas by Christy Kinard Mixed Bouquet with Blue Stripe by Christy Kinard XO Orchid by Christy Kinard Fiori by Christy Kinard Picasso Vase by Christy Kinard

    Like me, Christy is a Southern girl whose work lovingly reflects the bounty and color of life in the South.  Southerners in general are great lovers of beauty, and often lovingly tend gardens exploding with color.  In these mixed media paintings, Christy weaves a tale of Southern charm and tradition, taking inspiration not only from Southern gardens and flora, but also from quilt making and childhood memories.

    Her work has layers of texture and color, much like life anywhere, deeply rich and filled with meaning, memory and secrets.  The bouquets she chooses to paint aren’t necessarily prim and proper, they’re a bit messy and beautiful in their imperfections.

    To more work from Christy Kinard, please visit her website and Facebook page.  And while you’re doing the Facebook thing, head over to the Artsy Forager page to check out Christy’s cover art and an album of some of my personal favorites from her portfolio!

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Splendorous Adornments: Takaya Hanayushi

    Splendorous Adornments: Takaya Hanayushi

    We’re so casual these days.  Heck, all my high heels are in storage, I probably won’t see them again until around 2018!  But there are days when I miss getting dressed up.  Remember that careful giving I was going on about yesterday?  These sculptural floral arrangements by Takaya Hanayushi remind me of our need to present ourselves artfully.

    Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi

     The idea of adorning oneself in a certain way, whether to mark one’s place in society or simply as personal expression is a human trait that seems to have been with us a long time.  And although in our dressed down society, such lavish adornments as were once practiced are rare, we still find ways to incorporate these rituals.  We pierce and tattoo, we find just the right pair of shoes, we refuse to wear animal fur or skins.  Though it may be in more subtle, 21st century ways, we are still each day painting our own portrait of who we are and presenting it to the world.

    To see more of these stunning arrangements by Takaya Hanayushi, please visit his website.  You can also follow Hanayushi on his Facebook page.

    All images are via the artist’s website and Facebook page.

  • In Sunshine and Shadow: Jill Sykes

    In Sunshine and Shadow: Jill Sykes

    As you may have noticed if you read my recap of the past few weeks, we’ve experienced a myriad of climates and landscapes recently.  While the sunny skies of Southern California were a welcome sight, there is still something so enchanting about the starkness of winter branches against a cloudy sky.  It seems ironic then, that these paintings by Los Angeles artist Jill Sykes should remind me so much of wonderfully overcast days.

    East by Jill Sykes Arden by Jill Sykes Ai Fiore by Jill Sykes Skylark by Jill Sykes Saffron by Jill Sykes

    When the sun is high in the sky, of course, it creates the most lovely shadows.  Yet sometimes it feels as if the individual forms of the landscape get lost in the blue.  On a day filled with clouds, though, everything stands in deep contrast with the whites and greys.  The individual branches of each tree are so much more pronounced, we can see the world without the distraction of color.  As lovely as any old black and white film.

    The way Sykes silhouettes her branches creates an intriguing tension between the subject and background.  Leaving us to wonder in some cases which is which.

    If you’d like to see more of Jill Sykes‘ work, please visit her website.

  • Moving In Shadow: Nanna Hanninen

    Moving In Shadow: Nanna Hanninen

    Do you ever feel like life isn’t quite real?  Like you’re sleep walking or drifting in and out of a surreal existence.  Occasionally, I get the strangest sense of deja vu.  Its like finding yourself in a place you experienced in a dream, but this time in reality.  These photographs by Finnish artist Nanna Hanninen have that same kind of unreal fluidity.

    Hannanin_People2 Hanninen_Prayer Tree I Hanninen_Plant VI Hanninen_People III Hanninen_People I

     

    Her figures are obscured, seeming to float on the surface, wandering in and out of the frame.  I feel like there’s a parallel somewhere for our lives, the way we roam from place to place, whether physically, mentally or spiritually.  How often do we find ourselves in one place, but feeling like we belong to another?  We are physically present but the mind and soul are elsewhere.  It happens, too, in our daily interactions.  Are we truly present in each and every conversation?  Or are we allowing ourselves to be someplace else?

    To see more of Nanna Hanninen‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Cathartic Nature: Erin Lynn Welsh

    Cathartic Nature: Erin Lynn Welsh

    Different minds require different types of rest and healing.  Some, like mine, and I suspect that of Brooklyn artist Erin Lynn Welsh, require some quiet time in the big beautiful outdoors to rejuvenate and recoup.

    Erin Lynn Welsh Erin Lynn Welsh Erin Lynn Welsh Erin Lynn Welsh Erin Lynn Welsh

    Being outside, away from the distractions of life, gives our minds time to ponder and wander.  Its a fantastic way to work through a particular problem or emotional energy that needs to get out.  In Erin Lynn Welsh’s work, there’s an emotionality to these paintings, as if the artist has molded together the catharsis of being in nature and the act of painting.  Sweeping and staccatoed brushstrokes seem to belie a mood of working through something inside while depicting each scene.

    If you’d like to see more of Erin Lynn Welsh‘s work, please visit her page at Uprise Art.  And if you recognize the titles of a few of her paintings, then you love Florence + The Machine as much as I do. 😉

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Awaiting the Return: Kiana Mosely

    Awaiting the Return: Kiana Mosely

    We are now well into November and the holiday season is approaching at lightning speed ( see yesterday’s Artsy Holiday post, early I know, but I couldn’t resist! ).  The brilliant October color has yielded to the breezes and leaves are now scattered across the landscape.  Nature has begun her winterizing and it seems a good long time before the flowers show themselves again.  These watercolors by Northwest artist Kiana Mosely have the feel of flowers pressed between the pages of books to remind us that spring will begin again.

    Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely Boho by Kiana Mosely

    Kiana’s flowers have such a flowing simplicity and the characteristic “bleedy” quality of watercolors reinforces their pressed flower sensibility.  Its almost as if these flattened floral shapes are here to remind us that though the spring seems far away, the flowers are still there, waiting for the thaw.

    If you’d like to see more of Kiana Mosely‘s work, please visit her website and Facebook page.  Prints of these gorgeous watercolors are also available in her Etsy shop!

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Woodland Treasures: Marilla Palmer

    Woodland Treasures: Marilla Palmer

    When we go out hiking, Mr. Forager is, with the exception of gorging on huckleberries and the like, strictly a leave-it-as-you-found-it hiker.  I am too, for the most part, although I sometimes find myself so very tempted by that perfectly shaped leaf or beautiful wildflower. A stone does occasionally find its way into my pocket, but with our traveling, my hoarding of rocks is limited.  Last week, I came across the work of Marilla Palmer, whose delicate constructions examine the intricacies of the forest and man’s hand upon it.

    Stella Maris Driftwood 2 by Marilla Palmer Sitting Birch by Marilla Palmer Collage With Stitching by Marilla Palmer Queen Anne's Lace by Marilla Palmer Stella Maris Driftwood 1 by Marilla Palmer

    The artist tenderly renders wispy branches, then adds in embroidery, sequins, glitter, and such.  The resulting compositions have the feeling of modern botanical renderings, a celebration ( or perhaps condemnation? ) of the coming together of man and nature.

    If you’d like to see more of Marilla Palmer‘s work ( be sure to check out some of her sculptural pieces! ), please visit her website.

    Artist found via Kathryn Markel Fine Arts.  Images via the artist’s website & Kathryn Markel website.

  • Fresh Graphics: Kate Mullin

    Fresh Graphics: Kate Mullin

    Days are getting shorter, nights are cooler, and kids everywhere are headed back to school.  Summer’s end is near, and as much as I’m looking forward to the arrival of my favorite season, I do hate to see some summer things go!  The bright, happy colors of flowers with their faces turned to the sun never fail to make me smile.  These graphically painted floral still lifes by Charleston artist Kate Mullin just might get me through the coming cold and rainy months.

    Sally by Kate Mullin
    Sally, oil on canvas, 22×28
    Pink & Pink by Kate Mullin
    Pink & Pink, oil on canvas, 16×20

    Mullins’ use of flattened planes seems to be a deliberate nod to vintage paint-by-numbers ( which I love and have a few of my own in storage! ), but she amps up the modern feel by mixing in bright, saturated color and graphic blacks.

    Zinnia Arrangement by Kate Mullin
    Zinnia Arrangement, oil on canvas, 24×24
    Teal Zinnias by Kate Mullin
    Teal Zinnias, oil on canvas, 28×22

    Mullins’ bouquets are full of light and life.  They fairly drip with color and vivacity!  The perfect antidote for the coming dreariness. 😉

    Coral by Kate Mullin
    Coral, oil on canvas, 16×20

    Want to see more work by Kate Mullin?  Be sure to check out her website and Facebook page!

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Vanishing Nature: Myong Stebbins

    Vanishing Nature: Myong Stebbins

    For Mr. Forager and I, the natural world plays a big role in who we are, what strengthens and calms us. Getting out among the trees and streams renews our energy and every time we go, we are reminded how precious it is. The work of Berkeley artist Myong Stebbins captures that transportive feeling of our cherished natural world.

    Yeonkkoch II by Myong Stebbins
    Yeonkkoch II, mixed media on paper, 29.5×24.5
    New Morning by Myong Stebbins
    New Morning, mixed media on paper, 22.75×17

    Stebbins’ soft, translucent layers mimic the filtered light to be found deep in the forest. The isolated flora could be seen as a reinterpretation of scientific specimen drawings. Like dried and pressed petals, the flowers have a sense of papery fragility.

    Morning Calm II by Myong Stebbins
    Morning Calm II, mixed media on paper, 14×18

    Whenever we are out in the woods or beside the water, I try to capture the magic with my camera, but somehow, the lens never seems to do justice to the mystical beauty of the landscape.  In paint, Myong Stebbins has captured that essence that is so fleeting.

    Kibun II by Myong Stebbins
    Kibun II, oil on canvas, 24×32
    Echo by Myong Stebbins
    Echo, acrylic on paper, 31×38.5

    Want to see more of Myong Stebbins’ gorgeous work?  Please visit the artist’s website and the websites of her representing galleries, Pryor Fine Art and Bryant Street Gallery.

    New Morning and Morning Calm via the Pryor Fine Art website, other images via the artist’s website.

  • June Featured Artist: Deann Hebert

    June Featured Artist: Deann Hebert

    Holy cow, where did May go?!  I know we still have several hours before June begins, but we’ll be out hiking tomorrow, so thought I’d give you a little artsy Saturday treat.  For Mr. Forager & I, May was a whirlwind of traveling to Seattle, frantically searching for an apartment, moving in, buying furniture, job searching for moi and just generally getting settled into our new life here.  What’s been keeping me sane this past month?  Spying new work from artists I love around the interwebs.  This month’s Featured Artist Deann Hebert has been on a roll lately, spicing things up with bolder color and looser compositions.  And I’m lovin’ it all!

    Hebert_Get Your color On I_mixed media on canvas_36x36
    Get Your Color On I, mixed media on canvas, 36×36

    You might remember Deann’s work from the City Mouse | Country Mouse show in the found gallery recently.. D was the Country Mouse.  Being a country gal, Deann paints the rusticity and warmth she is surrounded by each day.  Yet these aren’t your grandma’s chicken paintings.  This artist is giving country the modern treatment.  She’s totally Faith Hill-ing it.

    Seagrove, mixed media on canvas, 30x30
    Seagrove, mixed media on canvas, 30×30
    Hebert_Rustic Restored_mixed media on canvas_36x48
    Rustic Restored, mixed media on canvas, 36×48

    The latest work coming out of Deann’s studio is just a bit bolder, a bit more free.  She’s getting comfortable and coming into her own as an artist and it is truly a joy to watch!

    Get Your Color On 2, mixed media on canvas, 36x36
    Get Your Color On 2, mixed media on canvas, 36×36

    Want to see more of Deann Hebert’s work?  Check out her website and Facebook page!  And don’t forget to stop by the Artsy Forager page while you’re on Facebook to see some of my personal faves from Ms D.

    All images are via the artist’s website.