artsy forager

Tag: New York City

  • Resplendent Enigmas: Brad Kunkle

    Resplendent Enigmas: Brad Kunkle

    A man gives many question marks, however, a woman is a whole mystery.  ~Diana Stürm

    Artist Brad Kunkle is a creator of feminine mysteries.  Haunting, glistening visual fairy tales which are at once throwbacks to the past and yet thoroughly modern.

    Candela, oil and silver leaf on wood, 33×32

    His work takes inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite era, as evidenced by the medieval-feel of the compositions, near photographic precision and intricate surface detail.

    The Quickening, oil and gold and silver on linen, 44×22

    But don’t be mistaken, Kunkle’s figures and compositions are not antiquated, but rather fresh and current.  The paintings are like pages of out a Vogue magazine fairy tale– and I mean that in the best possible way.  These aren’t helpless ingenues, but contemporary women caught up in circumstance.

    Afela’s Nature by Brad Kunkle, oil and gold and silver on linen, 16×14
    The Arrangement, oil and silver leaf on linen, 34×18

    These are the modern daughters of Eve, tempted and tempting, the subject of desire and blame.  Filled with sensual strength tinged with sadness.  Kunkle tells the story of their past by placing them in classical compositions and poses, but the elegant background treatments and inherent edginess keep them firmly on current ground.

    The Source, oil and gold and silver on linen, 26×18

    To see more of Brad Kunkle’s work, please visit his website.  If you’re in the New York area, his work is represented by Arcadia Gallery, where he will exhibit a solo show in Spring 2012.

    Featured image is “Girl With Serpent and Pearls”, oil and gold and silver on linen, 25×30.

    All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.

  • Visceral Sophistication: Casey Matthews

    Visceral Sophistication: Casey Matthews

    Casey Matthews lives a double life.  Splitting her time between her home on Amelia Island, FL and a Chelsea apartment in New York City, in many ways, the Texas native is living an artist’s dream.  The best of both worlds, surrounded by natural beauty and small town Florida charm on one hand and the energy, excitement and grit of Manhattan life on the other.  She puts those hands together to create a body of work that is at once cosmopolitan and organic.

    While Goldfish Sleep, mixed media on canvas, 48×60

    Translucent washes of color recall water washing over sand or the pearl-like finish of the inside of a seashell.  Amoebic shapes cluster together like bubbles, a few occasionally breaking from the pack and seeming to drift across and down the surface of the canvas.

    In The Thick Of It, mixed media on canvas, 36×48
    Sleep Deprived and the Dog Can’t Wait, mixed media on canvas, 48×60

    But look closely at those clusters of shapes and color– it is in these little pockets that Casey lets the urban darkness come through..

    Sleep Deprived And The Dog Can’t Wait ( detail )

    Casey is nothing if not a self-aware artist, working through the dynamics of her “dual citizenship” in the two pieces City Mouse, Country Mouse ( below ).

    City Mouse, mixed media on canvas, 48×72
    Country Mouse, mixed media on canvas, 48×72

    This is intuitive work, the colors, shapes and forms emerging from the artist’s surroundings, emotions and experiences..

    Prolapse, mixed media on canvas. 24×30

    …with a touch of sardonic wit thrown in for good measure.  Are those grey tones reflective of the bleached Florida sand or is it the haze of NYC steel and concrete?  Only Casey knows for sure.

    Construction Worker Boyfriend, mixed media on canvas, 36×48

    Check out more of Casey Matthews’ work on her website and blog.  If you’re in the North Florida area, stop by Blue Door Artists in downtown Fernandina Beach for 2nd Saturday Artrageous Artwalk this Saturday, July 9th, Casey is their featured artist for July.