Hit & Run Painting

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This is a bit off-topic for this blog but it's one of the few really good videos of an artist painting in their studio. Brendan Cass seems to be the real deal with a genuine oeuvre and personality.



And you absolutely must watch the Studio Visit videos of Wolf Kahn Part I and Part II.
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Floral Inspirations

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There's still a bouquet of cut flowers, flanked by two half-burned candles on the dining room table. They're now faded and wilted and they remind me of the story behind a series of paintings by Fereydoun Ave, titled Lal Dahlias. I can't seem to find the original story which paints the picture of a depressed artist who's mother passes and he fills his apartment with dahlias and suddenly finds inspiration and begins a manic whirlwind of artistic activity focused on the now wilted and dying dahlias.



This image is from a review of that Show, in the DubaiLime. You'll find 6 more images from that Show Here and a picture of the artist with several of the works Here. It takes quite a bit of searching several search engines to come across any more images from that Exhibit, which then gives you a better feel for the variety of styles and materials he used.
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You might also want to check out his Persian Miniatures.
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Mark Making and Erasure

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The work of Christopher Wool certainly falls into the Category of Marks, Gestures & Scribbles and I've wanted to do a post about him for quite some time now. Famous and notable, others have waxed eloquent about his oeuvre and there's little I could add to what's already been said. But some of you may not be familiar with his work and this is probably the best way to introduce it to you.



(There's no sound until the annoying, little commercial ends)
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Wool is also known for his text works which you can see in a very fascinating video over at CastYouArt that covers the Warhol, Newman, Wool “Barney is now at another party.“ Exhibition at Kunsthaus Graz. This is an interesting juxtaposition of work by these three titans.
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Tip: If you don't have High Speed Internet - click the arrow to start your video and then click the appropriate button to stop it. It will continue to load so that later you can again click the arrow and play it without interuptions. You probably have tabbed browsing, so just use your other tabs to surf the Internet while you're waiting for the video to load.
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Brush Strokes and a Color

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Regardless of what style of painting you like, please take the time to read this interview with Alan Ebnother. Aside from explaining his oeuvre, it's amazing to read how this artist came to his career. He's interested in texture and color and couldn't be more serious in his pursuit. Another interview has pictures of works from his blue series and you must scroll to the bottom and see his studio in New Mexico.

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He's represented by the George Lawson Gallery where you'll find a sampling of his paintings in different colors and you'll find more images at Galerie Gisele Linder. You'll definately want to go through his photos at MySpace.

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Image is from Minus Space.

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Blooming Sansevieria

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Snake Plant, Sword Plant and Mother-In-Law's Tongue are all common monikers for the Sansevieria but few people know it blooms; much less smell like an Easter Flower.

(The flower stalk is just left of center - click images to enlarge.)

I was going through many of my photo albums this evening, looking for images of recent paintings that I could exhibit and came across these pictures of my sword plant. Deciding it would make for an interesting addition to the landscaping, I planted it outside for the summer. Later that summer a closer look revealed that it was blooming. The buds remind you of little bananas and there are small droplets of sap or nectar on the stems. When the blossoms pop open they look like tiny fireworks and have the loveliest smell. Each of the Easter Flowers that we love have a distinct and sweet smell and this is just one more. It soon starts fading though and you catch yourself burying your nose in the blooms for any last whiff of that intoxicating perfume.

This hardy little plant-that-could will sometimes take such abuse and just keep on going. It can go unwatered and in bad lighting and hold it's own. It's striking presence fits any decor and to see one bloom is quite a treat.

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Lines, Dots, Flowers & Stripes

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You need to experience the ever evolving oeuvre of Thierry Feuz for yourself. Just one or two images doesn't do him justice nor does it begin to relate how he feels about color and form. In the top image from his interview at DE51GN, we're not sure if what we're seeing is micro or macro. There's plenty of line, gesture, color and contrast in this lacquer and acrylic on canvas from his Gulfstream Series and it reels us in and causes us to ponder. Although it makes so much sense, you'll be surprised by the different directions he chooses to explore. Visit his Website where he's divided his work into 6 categories or Series. And reading the interview/reviews at these 3 Links from his site gives insight into his personality and work.

He's represented by Limn Art Gallery, with images from his exhibition.

Six images at Une Gallery.

And Kashyahildebrand New York has some installation shots of his stripe paintings.


Top image from DE51GN.
Bottom image from Limn Art Gallery.
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