artsy forager

Tag: Landscapes

  • Mapping the Rockies. David Pirrie.

    Mapping the Rockies. David Pirrie.

    You guys, there are some artist’s work that I just adore.  And I just can’t help but share with you when such an artist has a new body of work to share or a solo show that you must see!  Artist David Pirrie has a solo show, Mapping the Rockies, at Ian Tan Gallery in Vancouver, BC until April 30th.

    In the artist’s own words, “I use the dots and grids to represent coordinate plotting, metaphorically pointing to the impermanence of their man-made structures that attempt to prescribe location at the intersection of human and geological time. I also paint evidence of erosion, hoping to remind us of the temporal nature of the mountains which, seemingly anchored in time, force us to acknowledge our transient existence on this earth.”

    Pirrie_Mt-Phillips-BC-Rockies-24x24-700 Pirrie_Mt-Garibaldi-Warren-Glacier-30x36-700 Pirrie_Mt-Sir-Sanford-48x60-700 Pirrie_Columbia-Icefield-1_125000-Rockies-62x62-700 1-12

    If you are in the Vancouver area, get to Ian Tan Gallery & see this show before it closes!  See the show paintings here and more of David’s work on his website.

    Images from Ian Tan Gallery and David Pirrie.

  • LATITUDE Sneak Peek.

    LATITUDE Sneak Peek.

    Exclusive just for Artsy Forager readers!  I’ve updated my website with all the works in my solo show, LATITUDE, opening tomorrow and I’m only sharing the news here on Artsy Forager.

    Frenz_Tenderness and Time_2015_acrylic on canvas_36x36

    Tenderness & Time (48.53.53 N), 2015, acrylic on canvas, 36×36

    So if you’re not in Greenville but would like to see what’s in the show, just follow this link to the show page on my website.  I’m on my way to Greenville as I type!  Will be posting updates on Instagram and be back here next week for a recap of how it went!

    Art by Lesley Frenz.

  • Defining Latitude.

    Defining Latitude.

    LATITUDE

    has two meanings–

    1 | the angular distance north or south from the equator of a point onthe earth’s surface, measured on the meridian of the point.
    2 | freedom, room to move

    Before I was approached by Teresa Roche at Art & Light last Fall to present a solo show of work in March of this year, I had already been working on nature based abstracts and abstract landscapes.  Exploring wild and scenic places is a big part of our life and travels, so it has been a natural well of inspiration.

    Bolinas CA

    bolinas, california

    When beginning to think about the body of work I wanted to create for my first solo show, I knew I would be seeking to capture not just a place on a map but the feelings of freedom, peace, and beauty in the experience of a particular moment in that place– LATITUDE.

    Trinidad

    mr. f on the rocks in trinidad, california

    Mt Rainier sunset

    mt rainier, washington

    Traveling the Northwest with my hubby provides me with endless artistic inspiration and with both of us endless moments of beauty to share.  While many of the places that have inspired the LATITUDE show and series are incredibly beautiful, often the sense of specialness was not simply in the place itself, but perhaps in the way the light bounced off the water, the quietness of a morning beach all to ourselves, the way the landscape brought us peace, brought us joy.

    Friday Harbor

    friday harbor, san juan islands, washington

    Over the coming weeks leading up to LATITUDE’s opening, I’ll be sharing more images, experiences, and inspiration from some of these very special places.  You can see more of the places inspiring LATITUDE on Instagram, by searching #findinglatitude.

    All photos by me.

  • Canopies. Shannon Smiley.

    Canopies. Shannon Smiley.

    In our discussions regarding our final landing spot, Mr. F and I have an ongoing dilemma.  He is drawn to the drama of being surrounded by super high mountain peaks, while I feel most at home among the trees.

    These paintings by Australian artist Shannon Smiley bring to mind the lushness of the forest canopies I am so drawn to.

    Shannon Smiley | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Shannon Smiley | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Shannon Smiley | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Shannon Smiley | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Shannon Smiley | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    To see more of Shannon Smiley‘s work, please visit the websites of his representing galleries, Dianne Tanzer and Hill Smith Gallery.

    Images via the artist’s representing gallery websites.

  • Language. Raul Cordero.

    Language. Raul Cordero.

    The art world, like so many others, has its own language.  It’s spoken by curators, gallerists, and art writers everywhere.  As artist Raul Cordero puts it in describing his Transient Poetry series, it is “A language taught in art schools, heard at intellectual theoretical events or commercial art fairs; which many learn how to speak as a matter of survival..”

    Raul Cordero | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Raul Cordero | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Raul Cordero | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Raul Cordero | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Raul Cordero | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    When we begin our journey as artists, all we want is to create, to express ourselves.  We often simply pour out what is inside without a thought of how to explain it.  Then we need to write an artist statement for a gallery, a grant proposal or website text and we find ourselves searching for a way to describe intellectually what is an emotional journey.  Words often fail.

    To see more of Raul Cordero‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Grandeur. James Lavadour.

    Grandeur. James Lavadour.

    Mr. F and I have settled into our new spot for the next three months– Idaho Falls, Idaho.  While it’s a huge change from living outside of San Francisco, you may be surprised at how excited we are to be here. The little town may not offer as much as we’ve had in Marin County, but we are less than two hours from Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons, which makes our little mountain loving hearts go pitter patter for sure!

    Living in Northern California for the last year, we’ve found ourselves missing the impressive grandeur of tall, rocky peaks.  Eastern Oregon artist James Lavadour captures the abstract grandeur of the mountainous landscapes we love so dearly.

    James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings James Lavadour | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    We’ve talked to many people in our travels who feel a strong connection to the ocean, who feel the need to be near it always.  The ocean has its undeniable beauty, for certain, but for us, it is in the mountains that our souls feel at home.  To hike a ridge trail, looking out over endless peaks and valleys, to be above the clouds, watching birds soaring below and our spirits soaring with them.  Lavadour’s paintings reveal in color and light that mysterious enchantment to be found among the mountains.  I can’t wait to get out and feel their presence this weekend!

    To see more of James Lavadour‘s work, please visit the website of his representing gallery, PDX Contemporary.

    All images are via the PDX Contemporary website.  Artist found via Liz Tran.

  • Livelihood. Michael Muir.

    Livelihood. Michael Muir.

    After spending too much time parked in front of the laptop this morning, I took a little break in our backyard.  Just looking out the window, the landscape seems silent and still.  But one step outside and the realization washes over me that every moment is teeming with sound and movement and life.

    It’s happening just like that.  We are so often caught up in our own microcosm that we forget there is a macro world happening all around us, in full sound, color, and light.  As I type, the branches are softly swaying, acorn shells are dropping from a hungry squirrel’s mouth, clouds slowly pass, the neighbor’s chickens clucks are heard loudly through our little valley.

    Michael Muir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Michael Muir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Michael Muir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Michael Muir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart Michael Muir | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #fineart

    We’re so self-involved, it’s easy to let opportunities to see and relish the world around us pass by.  Staring at our phones, working, going to the gym instead of going for a walk.  These paintings by Australian artist Michael Muir drive home for me what a beautifully colorful world is awaiting.  We just need to open our eyes to see it.

    To see more of Michael Muir‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Sanctuaries. Susanna Bluhm.

    Sanctuaries. Susanna Bluhm.

    Mr. F and I are purists when it comes to spending time in the outdoors.  We like to keep things simple and spend as much time exploring outside of camp as possible.  For us, it isn’t about hanging out around a campground, it is about abiding in the wild and quiet places.  Yosemite National Park is an incredible example of a scenic sanctuary, but with nearly 4 million visitors a year, it can be anything but quiet.

    Yosemite is comprised of nearly 1200 square miles of wilderness so it just takes a bit of effort to escape the crowds and find some peace.  Our last full day in Yosemite, we awoke long before sunrise, packed up for the day and headed out from Glacier Point to hike ten miles to Nevada Falls.  Beginning in the mist and fog, we had the trail to ourselves for much of the morning.  It is in those moments of solitude that we can truly appreciate the beauty and splendor that surrounds us.  These are our favorite memories of wild places.

    In her Yosemite series, Seattle artist Susanna Bluhm creates paintings based on her own experiences of the park, first from the eyes of a child, then through the eyes of an adult and mother.

    Susanna Bluhm | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #yosemite Susanna Bluhm | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #yosemite Susanna Bluhm | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #yosemite Susanna Bluhm | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #yosemite Susanna Bluhm | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #yosemite

     

    We see the marks of human hand in Bluhm’s landscapes, graffiti-like marks and geometrics reminding us that we are ever encroaching on these wild temples.  There is a reason, though, that we continue to return.  These pristine spaces call to us, call to the untamed spirit that dwells deep inside, the one buried beneath the worries and wires of modern life.

    To see more of Susanna Bluhm‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Balm. Seth Smith.

    Balm. Seth Smith.

    Last year in Eureka, summer practically passed us by.  I think I wore shorts twice.  Which is just the way Mr. F and I like it.  But this year in Marin, we’ve seen our fair share of warm days.  And while the warmth definitely wears on me, the knowledge that it is short lived helps me enjoy its stay just a little.

    Seth Smith | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Seth Smith | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Seth Smith | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Seth Smith | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings Seth Smith | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings

     

    Now don’t get me wrong– I’ll complain about the heat!  But I’ll take the blue skies and sparkles on the water in exchange for the extra warmth.  It helps soothe my soul to know that this time is fleeting, that soon the blue skies will change back to gray, the color in the leaves will begin to shift, the air will again be crisp and cool.  Summer, you may come and I’ll bask in your short-lived presence because it reminds me this season will depart soon enough.

    The paintings featured are by artist Seth Smith.  See more of Seth’s work on his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Landing. Richard Claremont.

    Landing. Richard Claremont.

    Mr. F and I have been doing this travel thing for over four years now.  That’s four years on the road.. four years of not knowing, four years of adventuring.  We are getting ready to think about our next spot, taking off and landing again in a new place, awaiting discovery.

    Each fresh spot brings not just a new landscape, but new environments, new vibes, new spaces.  Every place comes with its own sense of being.  Australian artist Richard Claremont  interprets the character of landscapes near his South Coast home in paint and color.

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    I like to look back on the places we’ve been and think about our time in terms of what we felt and experienced in each one.  Claremont’s paintings with their pink light and lush brushstrokes evoke the warm and loving feeling of a landscape well loved.  We’re looking forward to finding our own well loved landing.

    To see more of Richard Claremont‘s work, please visit his website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Christina Foard on Facebook.