Tag: photo realism

Urbanity. Jessica Hess.

Mr. F and I are settled into our temporary Bay Area home and you guys, we are beyond excited!! Not only are we surrounded by incredible natural beauty ( which, thankfully, we’ve been lucky to have nearly everywhere we’ve traveled ), but we are just a short drive/bus ride/ferry ride away from one of our favorite cities, San Francisco. Although I feel most at home in a less hectic environment, every once in a while, I need to be in a city– to feel that urban energy. The paintings of San Fran photo realist artist Jessica Hess celebrates the graffiti that transforms derelict spaces into urban canvases.

Every city has spaces that aren’t gleaming and new, that’s a big part of their charm. While I don’t condone vandalization of someone else’s property, I do sometimes love a glimpse of bright paint among the rack and ruin. These colorful caches of creativity remind us that there is still life among the neglected.

To see more of Jessica Hess‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.

March 2, 2015
Good Enough To Eat: K. Henderson

Today’s artist is a painter whose collection of candied still lifes are so sweet, you’ll get a cavity just looking at them! New Mexico artist K. Henderson creates fabulously graphic paintings of the sweetest treats.

Gumballs and Crystal, oil, 6×6 Liquorice All Sorts, oil, 24×18

Part of the appeal of these candy coated canvases is not just the subject matter ( who doesn’t love candy?! ), but the way the artist has juxtaposed the brightly colored sweets against a rich black background or graphic-pop black and white stripes. Old fashioned candies appear fresh and modern.

Liquorice All Sorts, oil, 24×18

Any artist who can make licorice look delicious has my vote. I mean doesn’t that look scrumptious? And I normally hate licorice, but I think I might be persuaded by the pretty colors and textures.

Red Tootsie, oil, 8×10

Peanuts and Gumballs, oil, 24×18

To ~~see~~ drool over more of K. Henderson’s work, please visit her website.

The featured image is A Kiss. All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.

September 26, 2011
Not Your Average Photo Realism: Leslie Parke

So there’s really nothing average about photo-realistic painting. Being a lover of abstract work, I usually find photo-realistic work to be, well, a little boring. Yes, it takes tremendous skill and talent ( I certainly can’t do it ), yet something about it typically leaves me cold. BUT not so when I saw the work of Leslie Parke! Not only does she possess a spectacular name ( if spelled incorrectly *grin* ), she also has a fantastic way of presenting realistic work in a unique and interesting way.

China In The River, oil on linen, 20×28

For instance, China In The River ( above ) takes everyday objects and places them in an unusual circumstance. China is floating in the river– how did it get there? Shipwreck? Flood? The light glistens on the surface of the water and on the floating cups and saucers as they are carried downstream.

Janet's Shelf, oil on linen, 40×60

A collection of glassware becomes a box of sparkling jewels. She finds the beauty in the thrown away and disgarded.

Not From Concentrate, oil on linen, 60×42

Please visit Leslie Parke’s website and Facebook page to see more of her work. Her work will be on display at Gremillion and Co. Fine Arts in Houston, TX, November 10- December 10, 2011. If you are in the area, check it out!

September 20, 2011