Tag: urban landscapes

  • Artful Wanderings: Catherine Beaudette

    Artful Wanderings: Catherine Beaudette

    When you travel as much as Mr. Forager and I do, there is always a danger of confusing memories of where we’ve been and when!  One of our favorite post-dinner-over-a-glass-of-wine past times is watching the screensaver slideshow of all our adventures.  The Global Cities series of paintings by Toronto artist Catherine Beaudette seem to be an artful conglomeration of urban wanderings.

    Funnel by Catherine Beaudette
    Funnel, oil, 36×27

    In Beaudette’s paintings, buildings, interiors, and vistas overlap one another, so that we’re never quite sure exactly where we are.  Its as if the artist is painting the most special memories of each place.. the way the light and shadows feel through a window, beautiful lines of architecture, the warmth of a spring day.

    Strada by Catherine Beaudette
    Strada, oil, 36×27
    Corridor by Catherine Beaudette
    Corridor, oil, 36×27

    The farther we travel from some places, the more fuzzy our memories become.  Like Beaudette’s work, we may remember the most beautiful parts of each place, taking with us only the good and happily leaving behind any darkness.

    Balustrade by Catherine Beaudette
    Balustrade, oil, 36×27

    To see more of Catherine Beaudette’s work, please visit her website.  Mr. F & I definitely have a few places we’ve been that we’ve grown fonder of over time, thanks to good memories overshadowing the bad.  How do you keep track of your travels?  Old fashioned photo albums, post card collections?

    Artist found via Sopa Fine Arts.

  • It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: Hilary Williams

    It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: Hilary Williams

    The world(s) created by Hilary Williams, that is.  But really her work is no more absurd than the world we see around us every day.  A San Francisco printmaker, Hilary takes elements of urban life, the natural environment and their inhabitants and repositions them into surreal landscapes.

    Song and Dance for a Laugh

    Haunting images of leaning buildings and ghostly figures are juxtaposed with decorative motifs and child-like doodles.  Echoes from the past haunt the present, creating a commentary on how far we’ve come, but perhaps, how little we have truly gained.

    Herding Out Saturday Night

    The dark, eeriness of the iconic architecture contrasts with the light and cheerful colors and patterns to create an absurd dichotomy.  Not unlike many recent trends that look to the past while still trying to find a place in the future.  Such irony is not lost on this artist and conveys the struggle of humanity to co-exist within the urban and natural landscape.

    Adventures in Coasting

    Hilary’s work is heavily layered which gives it a visual depth and complexity that draws the viewer in.  There is so much to see and figure out.  My husband George & I first saw Hilary’s work in The Pines Art Gallery in Hood River, OR.  We fell in love with her work and George could not stop looking at it.  A true testament to the power of the work!

    The Front Porch by Hilary Williams

    Check out more of Hilary’s work on her website, I think you’ll love it as much as George & I do.

  • Friday Faves: City Slickers

    Friday Faves: City Slickers

    We are headed to Seattle this weekend, one of my favorite cities in the world, the city where George and I fell in love.  And while I was falling in love with G ( I was probably a little in love with him when we were friends in FL, but that’s a story for another time ), I was also falling in love with Seattle.  I adore visiting cool cities– the urban landscape and architecture fascinates me.  So it carries over that I would adore the art of the cityscape.

    For this Friday Fave round-up, I’d like to share some of urbanist artists whose work I’m crushing on lately:

    Hill Houses 2 by Brin Levinson
    Passing 1 by Jason Webb
    Solitary I by John Duckworth
    Loew’s Hotel, 33rd Floor, Philadelphia by Sara Yeoman
    Miyami by Darra Crosby
    Great Tortoise Hostel, Seattle by Robin Weiss
    Boulevard Windows by Sharon Dowell

    Looking forward to bringing you more from these artists soon!  In the meantime,  take a gander at their websites..

    1.  Brin Levinson

    2.  Jason Webb

    3.  John Duckworth

    4. Sarah Yeoman

    5. Darra Crosby

    6. Robin Weiss

    7. Sharon Dowell 

    Are you taking it to the city streets this weekend?  What’s your favorite city for artsy inspiration?