Tag: food

  • Finding the Pearl: Carlos Lopez

    Finding the Pearl: Carlos Lopez

    You know the old wives’ tale: oysters are an aphrodisiac.  How many single guys have taken a gal out for beer & oysters hoping to make a lil magic happen?  If it’s sensual magic you’re hunting, look no further than the work of New Orleans artist Carlos Lopez.  His elegant, nearly surreal still lifes of oysters will make your mouth water and pulse quicken before you ever bite into the real thing.

    Gluttony by Carlos Lopez
    Gluttony, oil on canvas, 10×10
    Champagne with Gigi by Carlos Lopez
    Champagne with Gigi, oil on canvas, 20×20

    For a New Orleans native, oysters, so abundant in the area seem a natural still life subject, yet there is nothing prosaic about Lopez’s treatment of the common bivalve.  These works carry the sensuality of Georgia O’Keeffe, the smooth surrealism of Dali, yet glow with the light and crispness of classical still lifes.

    Passionate Affair by Carlos Lopez
    Passionate Affair, oil on canvas, 50×40

    These mollusks seem to take on a life of their own, the work is so full of emotional charge, we can feel the sadness, the joy, the hope or shame the oyster seems to be feeling.  Or perhaps we are seeing our own reflection in the pearly surface of its shell.

    Make a Wish by Carlos Lopez
    Make a Wish, oil on canvas, 16×16
    Heavenly by Carlos Lopez
    Heavenly, oil on canvas, 20×20

    To see more of Carlos Lopez’s work, please visit the website of his representing gallery, Gallery Orange in New Orleans.

    All images via Gallery Orange.

     

  • This Artsy Life: Weekend 1 [ Artsy & Mr. Forager Go to San Diego, We Meet The Sweater ]

    This Artsy Life: Weekend 1 [ Artsy & Mr. Forager Go to San Diego, We Meet The Sweater ]

    One thing I’ve been thinking about lately is how to inject more of myself into the blog.  Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely not going to turn into the Artsy & Mr. Forager show.. but the way we live is so unique and our opportunities for adventure and exploration so rich that I thought you guys might enjoy the occasional glimpse into the way we live.   So beginning this week, I’ll post a little recap of how we spent our weekend, part of a This Artsy Life series.  Mind you, not every weekend will be filled with new sights and discoveries.. sometimes we’re really boring. 😉  But I hope these posts will help you get to know me a little better, and in turn, we’ll get to know each other a little better!

    Last weekend was spent with dear friends in San Diego.  Our times with the Jameses and their three sweet boys are filled with the sharing of food, drink, and laughter.  And sometimes a tickle fight.

    [ beer tasting at Ballast Point Brewing ]

    [ Ruud van Empel at MOPA* ]

    [ the sweater likes coffee** ]

    [ artsy eating ]

    [ tickle fight ]

    [ turkish coffee at Hillcrest Farmer’s Market ]

    *Look for a post on this amazing artist & exhibition soon!

    **There’s a story behind the sweater.  And many to come.

  • Friday Faves:  Mmmm.. Donuts!

    Friday Faves: Mmmm.. Donuts!

    Please pardon the Homer Simpson impression!  What is it about those little round, doughy rings?  Frosted or glazed, we love them all.  Here are a few artists who’ve captured the spirit of our passion for these sweet treats.

    Fade to Blonde by Emily Eleveth
    Boxed Donuts by Peter Anton
    Krispy Kreme Dozen by Joel Penkman
    Donut Tower by Larry Preston

    Emily Eleveth | Peter Anton | Joel Penkman | Larry Preston 

    I’m drooling now, how about you?  Think I’ll try to talk the hubby into a visit to the Donut House this weekend.  I don’t think it will take much arm-twisting. 😉  Happy weekend, Artsies!

    All images are via the artists’ websites, linked above.

  • Naked Abandon: Lee Price

    Naked Abandon: Lee Price

    Sometimes, I find an artist’s work so powerful, that I can’t write about it immediately.  When I found New York artist Lee Price’s work, I wanted to share it as soon as possible, but just couldn’t write about it yet.  So I featured her on my Artist Watch over on Escape Into Life, where I can simply post images, a bio and a link.

    Lee Price | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

    Having been naturally thin and active almost my entire life, up until recently, I’ve never really had weight issues.  There were times I actually wished to be a little more curvy, more womanly.  But as I approach the big 4-0 next week (!), I find myself struggling more than ever with my body image.  Having listened to every woman I know complain about her body at one time or another, I know that I am not alone.

    Lee Price | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

    Lee Price’s work speaks to food obsessions and compulsions so common, especially among women.  Her pastel, candy-colored palette belies the darkness at the heart of each painting.  Her women are isolated, surrounded not by friends, family or lovers, but by piles of food, rarely untouched.

    Lee Price | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

    Constantly bombarded with conflicting media, we, as women, are often left feeling inadequate and confused.  We retreat into ourselves, indulging when we are alone so that the only judgement we’ll feel is our own.  Will we ever stop condemning ourselves so harshly?

    Lee Price | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

     

    Lee Price | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #contemporaryart

    For me, its still a struggle to make the right choices.  Gone are the days of being able to eat whatever I like and still be a size 5.  But also gone are the days of eating like a bird and obsessing over the way my body looks in a bikini.  I may be a bit more curvy, but I’m choosing to be happier than ever.  For me, it’s been a choice worth making.

    To more of Lee Price’s work, please visit her website.

    Featured image is Ice Cream, oil on linen, 62×31.  All images are via the artist’s website.
  • Friday Faves: Are You a Sweet Genius?

    Friday Faves: Are You a Sweet Genius?

    Tell me ya’ll have at least seen the commercials for Food Network’s Sweet Genius show.  If you haven’t, you are missing out on some unintentional hilarity!  Hubby and I can’t help but imitate host Ron Ben-Israel each time he utters the show’s tagline, “Are YOU a sweet genius?” in a heavily accented voice.  With shows like Sweet Genius, Cupcake Wars and Cake Boss, there seems to be a quest for confection these days.  How about a few sweet artistic treats to kick off your weekend?  Enjoy!

    Big Banana Split by Mary Ellen Johnson, oil on panel, 38×32
    Black Pool Rock by Joel Penkman, egg tempera on gesso board, 17.7×23.5
    Pink Confetti Cake by Peter Anton, mixed media, 40x51x40
    Coffee and Cake by Duane Keiser

    Mary Ellen Johnson | Joel Penkman | Peter AntonDuane Keiser 

    Hope you enjoy some sweet goodies of your own this weekend!

    Featured image is Boxed Donuts by Peter Anton, mixed media, 36x37x5.5.  All images are via the artists’ websites as linked above.

  • The Artsy Everyday: Is That Your Art in My Coffee?

    I always get a little thrill when I get a tiny foam work of art in my coffee.

  • Friday Faves: Eat. Drink. Be Artsy.

    Friday Faves: Eat. Drink. Be Artsy.

    The hubby and I love food.  Eating food.  Buying food.  Cooking food.  Talking about eating, buying and cooking food.  We plan trips around where we will eat.  For us, food is more than just a way to provide energy to our bodies. ( Although, we take that pretty seriously ).  Food doesn’t just nourish our bodies, it is a feast for the eyes and the soul.  The best times are those spent lingering over wine after a delicious meal with friends.

    For centuries, artists have seen the beauty and sensuality in food.  Gastronomical still lifes have long been the fare first of students, then of masters like Cezanne.  For this Friday’s round-up, I’m featuring some selections from an artsy menu.  Here are some of my favorite artistic comestibles!

    Falling Seeds #8 by Gustavo Castillo
    Opaque Cookies by Kim Frohsin
    Tower by Justin Richel
    Hot Sauce Spill by Carlos Lopez
    Hot Sauce Spill by Carlos Lopez
    Strawberry PB&J by Duane Keiser

    After you wipe the drool off your keyboard, be sure to check out the websites of all these grocery-lovin’ artists.  Hmm.. I think maybe it’s time for lunch.

    1.  Gustavo Castillo

    2. Kim Frohsin

    3. Justin Richel

    4. Carlos Lopez

    5. Duane Keiser

    Any other foodie Artsies out there?  Have a favorite eatery or foodie artist?  Do tell!