Peek Inside Fine Art Connoisseur, November/December 2024

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November 1, 2024

Published six times per year, Fine Art Connoisseur is now a widely consulted platform for the world’s most knowledgeable experts, who write articles that inform readers and give them the tools necessary to make better purchasing decisions.

Fine Art Connoisseur, November/December 2024

Get this issue of Fine Art Connoisseur here.

ON THE COVER
LOUISE SOLECKI WEIR (b.1961), “Sima,” 2023, ceramic with oils (unique), 18 x 14 x 9 1/2 in., available through the artist

COLUMNS

Frontispiece: Mortimer Menpes
Publisher’s Letter: Portraits of the Present, Intended for the Future
Editor’s Note: Sharing Makes Us Stronger
Off the Walls
Classic Moment: Neill Slaughter

FEATURES

Artists Making Their Mark: Three to Watch
We highlight the talents of Rachel Burgess, Jennifer Cronin, and William J. Rushton.
Go Figure
By Max Gillies
Jamie Wyeth’s Homages to His Wife, Phyllis
By Chris Crosman
Paulette Tavormina’s New Take on the Old Masters
By Peter Trippi
Belle Da Costa Greene, Trailblazing Librarian
By Thomas Connors
Old River, New Light
By Rebecca Allan
Bath: The City as a Work of Art
By Louise Nicholson
The Hedberg Collection’s Next Chapter
By Peter Trippi
Great Art Nationwide
We survey 15 top-notch projects occurring this season.

Fine Art Connoisseur‘s jargon-free text and large color illustrations are attracting an ever-growing readership passionate about high-quality artworks and the fascinating stories around them. It serves art collectors and enthusiasts with innovative articles about representational paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints — both historical and contemporary, American and European. Fine Art Connoisseur covers the museums, galleries, fairs, auction houses, and private collections where great art is found.

American Plains Artists: 2024 Signature Show Winners Announced

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Fine Art Today

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October 28, 2024

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Best of Show: "Rattlesnake Glen" (oil, 16 x 20 in.) by Charlie Bullock

The American Plains Artists has announced the winners of their 2024 Signature Art Show that opened at the Prairie Arts Center in North Platte, Nebraska.

From the organizers:

A large, continuous crowd enjoyed seeing this impressive display of artworks. Winning Best of Show was “Rattlesnake Glen,” an oil painting by Charlie Bullock of Athens, TX.

The Publisher’s Award of Excellence sponsored by Art of the West magazine went to “Morning Glow on the Bosque” by Lloyd Voges of Clifton, TX.

Publisher's Award of Excellence: "Morning Glow on the Bosque" (oil, 24 x 18 in.) by Lloyd Voges — Publisher’s Award of Excellence: “Morning Glow on the Bosque” (oil, 24 x 18 in.) by Lloyd Voges

And the Publisher’s Award of Excellence Artist Focus sponsored by Western Art Collector was won by “Smokin’,” a bronze by Mary Michael of Harlowton, MT.

The North Platte Award went to “The Stillness of the Land” by David Dorsey of Valentine, NE.

The Golden Spur Award (APA Signature Members Choice) went to “Gentle Nudges” by June Dudley of College Station, TX.

The Arrowhead Award (chosen by the hosting facility) was “Jack Scratch,” a bronze by Sherry Blanchard Stuart of Scottsdale, AZ.

Winning the Plainsman (People’s Choice) Award was “These Few Precious Days,” a colored pencil by Eileen Nistler of Upton, WY.

The public is encouraged to view the show online at www.americanplainsartists.com.

Visit: North Carolina Artists Exhibition

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Fine Art Today

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October 27, 2024

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Cruz - Third Verse, mixed media art — JOSÉ MANUEL CRUZ (b. 1966), "The Third Verse," 2023, spray paint, acrylic, and gold enamel on canvas, 36 x 36 in., winner of the 2023 exhibition’s Betsy J. Sykes Award

The Raleigh Fine Arts Society is mounting its North Carolina Artists Exhibition at the Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh. This popular project has evolved from a small showing in 1964 to become the state’s largest annual all-media juried exhibition. Through its 60-year history, artists living in more than 60 counties have submitted entries.

This year, more than 1,000 pieces were juried by Jason Rosenfeld, professor of art history at Marymount Manhattan College. This distinguished scholar is deeply familiar with North Carolina, having earned his B.A. from Duke University.

At a Glance:
NORTH CAROLINA ARTISTS EXHIBITION
Raleigh Fine Arts Society
Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
ralfinearts.org and camraleigh.org
Through November 17, 2024

Scent and the Art of the Pre-Raphaelites

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Fine Art Today

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October 26, 2024

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JOHN EVERETT MILLAIS (1829–1896), "The Blind Girl," 1854–56, oil on canvas, 31 4/5 x 21 1/4 in., Birmingham Museums Trust

Located on the campus of the University of Birmingham, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts is set to mount the exhibition “Scent and the Art of the Pre-Raphaelites.”

Scent was a key concern for the artists of Victorian Britain’s Pre-Raphaelite and Aesthetic movements. Fragrance was suggested in images of daydreaming figures smelling flowers or burning incense, enhancing the sensory aura of “art for art’s sake.”

Scent was also implied to evoke hedonistic pleasure and a preoccupation with beauty; the vogue for synesthesia (evoking one sense through another); and the penchant for art, like scent, to evoke moods and emotions.

Scent intersected with the era’s most contested issues, including sanitation, morality, immigration, race, mental health, faith, and women’s growing independence. Many of its notions about smell — for example, that rainbows radiate the fragrance of dewy meadows — seem outlandish today, yet the exhibition demonstrates how such forgotten ideas can enhance our enjoyment of these artworks today.

The show’s checklist features work borrowed from across the U.K.,” by such talents as Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, John Frederick Lewis, John Everett Millais, Evelyn De Morgan, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Simeon Solomon, and J.W. Waterhouse.

The project has been curated by Christina Bradstreet, author of the book Scented Visions: Smell in Art, 1850–1914″ (Penn State Press, 2022). Visitors will be invited to participate in a scent experience keyed to specific paintings.

At a Glance:
Scent and the Art of the Pre-Raphaelites
Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Birmingham, England
barber.org.uk
Through January 26, 2025

Virtual Gallery Walk for October 25th, 2024

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Fine Art Today

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October 25, 2024

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As part of our effort to continue to help artists and art galleries thrive, we’re proud to bring you this week’s “Virtual Gallery Walk.” Browse the artwork below and click the image itself to learn more about it, including how to contact the gallery.

Entre les Danses, Laurie Hendricks, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 in; Laurie Hendricks

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Center Of Attention, Jim Morgan, oil, 12 x 16 in; ArtzLine.com

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Timeless Rhythms, Steven R. Hill, plein air pastel, 28×21; Windswept Studios

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The Living Legend, Ken Rowe, bronze, 16 x 16 x 7 in; Artzline.com

Want to see your gallery featured in an upcoming Virtual Gallery Walk? Contact us at [email protected] to advertise today. Don’t delay, as spaces are first come, first served, and availability is limited.

Jove Wang: Spirit of the American West

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Fine Art Today

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October 25, 2024

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Jove Wang, "Catalina Bison," oil on linen, 13 x 26 in.

On view at American Legacy Fine Arts this season is “Jove Wang: Spirit of the American West,” an exhibition of more than 20 recent landscape and figure paintings.

Gallery director Elaine Adams calls it “a bridge between two worlds, illustrating how Jove Wang’s early life experiences in China have shaped his perception and artistic interpretation of his current life in the American West. Wang’s childhood in the vast, open steppes of Inner Mongolia instilled a deep appreciation for expansive landscapes and the rugged beauty of untamed nature. These formative years amid rolling plains, grazing livestock, and the tribal nomadic lifestyle (including the renowned horse culture) are mirrored in his dynamic compositions today.”

Jove Wang, "The Blacksmith," 2024, oil on linen, 24 x 20 in. — Jove Wang, “The Blacksmith,” 2024, oil on linen, 24 x 20 in.

At age 7, Wang began an apprenticeship with the master painter Gang Gu, subsequently studying at the Jilin School of Art, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, and Tokyo Academy of Fine Arts. In 1990, he immigrated to the U.S., where he has made it his goal that “each work I paint must be endowed with its own life and soul from within, whether it is a drama, an opera, a poem, or even a fantasy. I consider my style as realism combined with modern expressionism.”

Jove Wang, “The Bund in Shanghai in 1927,” oil on canvas, 34 x 48 in.

At a Glance:
Jove Wang: Spirit of the American West
American Legacy Fine Arts
Pasadena, California
americanlegacyfinearts.com
October 18–November 16, 2024

14th Annual Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show and Sale

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Fine Art Today

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October 23, 2024

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Lori Putnam, "Buffalo Sunset," oil on linen, 16 x 28 in.

Happening now through November 1, 2024:
14th Annual Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show and Sale
Newport Harbor Yacht Club and online
Website: catalinaconservancy.org/event/wildside

This year’s art show features ten nationally renowned artists who have documented remarkable vistas, secluded beaches and favorite locales during their painting trips to the Island this past year.

One hundred paintings, specifically created for this show, will be on display and available for purchase both in person at Newport Harbor Yacht Club and online.

This year’s artists are Suzie Baker, Brienne Brown, John Cosby, Don Demers, Kathleen Hudson, Jane Hunt, Kim Lordier, Terry Miura, Michael Obermeyer, and Lori Putnam.

View the catalog here. In this catalog, you will:

Learn more about each artist and their works by viewing introductory videos
Start a watch list of you favorite paintings
Be prepared for purchasing online or in person (registration required).

Take some time to experience the art of the wild side! We’re sure you’ll find a few favorites to add to your collection.

Proceeds from this show benefit the Conservancy and support the conservation, education and recreation programs of the Conservancy, including a permanent collection of plein air art that documents the Conservancy’s conservation efforts and progress in habitat restoration.

Ali Cavanaugh: “Quiet Tide”

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Fine Art Today

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October 21, 2024

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Ali Cavanaugh, "One to Listen and One to Love," 2023, watercolor on panel, 18 x 18 in.

For two decades, watercolor artist Ali Cavanaugh (b. 1973) has created a significant body of work that features portraits of her children and friends. “Quiet Tide,” an exhibition highlighting this work, is currently at the Sam and Adele Golden Gallery (SAGG) in New Berlin, NY. The event is free and open to the public.

Ali Cavanaugh, "There Are Other Ways to Do This," 2006, watercolor on paper, 25 x 28 in. — Ali Cavanaugh, “There Are Other Ways to Do This,” 2006, watercolor on paper, 25 x 28 in.

More from the organizers:

Cavanaugh’s solo exhibition at The SAGG features works created over the past 18 years. Using a palette with as few as six colors, Cavanaugh creates a range of expressive conditions for each of her subjects.

Her portraits capture more than the delicate features of people, but also the tender, unseen details that exceed understanding. The layering techniques demonstrated in her work breathe life into her subjects and create a deep and luminous aura that captivates viewers.

Ali Cavanaugh, "Self Portrait," 2023, watercolor on panel, 14 x 11 in. — Ali Cavanaugh, “Self Portrait,” 2023, watercolor on panel, 14 x 11 in.

Originally trained as an oil painter, Cavanaugh’s first watercolor was created for a trade for some carpentry renovation on the family house. Having some leftover watercolor paper from the project, she produced several experimental watercolor paintings. In a 2006 exhibition in Austin, TX, of her oil paintings, those three watercolors were included and created considerable interest. Given the strength of the interest, Cavanaugh embraced the challenge of leaving oil painting behind and spent months exploring watercolor and in a short time, she found a renewed artistic voice. Since that time, Cavanaugh has exhibited her watercolors in dozens of solo and group exhibitions and has developed a program of mentoring other artists.

From the opening of "Quiet Tide" — From the opening night of “Quiet Tide”

GOLDEN Co-Founder and CEO, Mark Golden shared, “It is with great joy that we showcase Ali’s artwork in our gallery. We began our journey with her over a year ago and so opening our gallery doors to her is an incredible celebration.”

Additional information about “Quiet Tide” and Cavanaugh’s journey with Golden Artist Colors is available on the Sam & Adele Golden website.

The 96th Grand National Exhibition of the AAPL

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Fine Art Today

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October 19, 2024

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Brian Burt "Inspiration Is For Amateurs", oil painting, 96th Grand National Exhibition.

This comprehensive exhibition features oil & acrylic paintings, watercolors, sculpture and drawings from more than 80 artists. Curated by the AAPL, most works of art will be for sale.

Matthew Waryga "Easter Sunrise in Rehoboth v.11", oil painting, 96th Grand National Exhibition. — Matthew Waryga “Easter Sunrise in Rehoboth v.11”, oil painting, 96th Grand National Exhibition.

Opening October 28th and running through November 15th, the works will be displayed in the Skylight Gallery of the historic Salmagundi Club of New York. The 96th Grand National Exhibition will be open to the public, free of charge. Awards will be announced at the reception, November 1, along with a silent auction of exquisite nude oil paintings by Kenju Urakubo, and a live painting demonstration by master pastelist Karen Israel. The schedule of events is posted at AAPLinc.org/96-gne.

All admirers of figurative realism are invited to participate in the silent auction. Two exquisite paintings by Kenju Urakubo will be offered to the highest bidders in a silent auction and will be displayed at the exhibition prior to the drawing.

Kenju Urakubo oil painting on offer in the silent auction

Kenju Urakubo studied oil painting at Tama Art University in Tokyo before making his permanent home in New York. His work has been shown in prestigious galleries and museums, winning him numerous awards. For more than two decades, Kenju’s serene oil paintings of female nudes graced AAPL’s Grand National Exhibitions, earning him Signature status. Kenju was a finalist in the 2nd ARC Salon and an award winner in the 3rd ARC Salon. Rumi, the late Kenju’s wife, has generously donated several paintings to AAPL. To honor Kenju and Rumi’s longtime patronage, a scholarship will be established with 100% of the proceeds from the paintings. The Rumi & Kenju Urakubo Scholarship will be awarded to a student of classical realism studying at an ARC-approved American atelier.

Bid Now: Art Auction for Asheville’s River Arts District

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Fine Art Today

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October 18, 2024

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Joe Gyurcsak, "The Great Smokey Mountains NP," acrylic on panel, 12.5 x 17 in.

The River Arts District (RAD) in Asheville, North Carolina has been decimated by historic flooding. Most of the 26 buildings experienced catastrophic destruction including art and the supplies and equipment used by creators.

The Artists for RAD auction takes place online now through October 26, 2024. Browse all of the artworks and bid here on paintings by Anne Blair Brown, Kyle Buckland, Richard Oversmith, Dawn Whitelaw, Jason Sacran, Larry Moore, Joe Gyurcsak, Lori Putnam, Roger Dale Brown, and more.

Richard Oversmith coordinated this auction to raise money for the artists who have lost everything at their studios in the River Arts District. He says, “I hope you will take a look and bid on anything that catches your fancy. There are some great works in here and it goes to a great cause. Please bid often!”

Lori Putnam, "Tucked Away in Erice," oil, 11 x 14 in. — Lori Putnam, “Tucked Away in Erice,” oil, 11 x 14 in.

From the auction organizers:

We will be working to restore the creativity and inspiration of our beloved River Arts District. Our goal is to assist our artists as best we can with rent and supplies. The only way this is possible is with your support.

The goal of the art auction is to raise money to benefit the artists and businesses of the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. As you may know, the RAD was devastated by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene and could use our help.

Roger Dale Brown, "York Winter," oil, 9 x 12 in. — Roger Dale Brown, “York Winter,” oil, 9 x 12 in.

Visit the Artists for RAD auction now.

Fine Art Connoisseur, November/December 2024

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