High-Def Realism

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October 13, 2023

Realism art - Detail of "Four Muses" by Duffy Sheridan — Detail of "Four Muses" by Duffy Sheridan

Gallery 1261 is presenting a special showcase of contemporary artworks that explores the realm of high-definition realism. Curated by Anthony Waichulis, this new exhibition aims a spotlight on works some may often describe as “tight.”

Realism Art on View: “Tight”
October 21 – November 4, 2023
Gallery 1261
Denver, Colorado

Contemporary realism portrait painting - "Small Shadow" by Serge Marshennikov — “Small Shadow” by Serge Marshennikov

From the gallery:

Representational painters have long had their efforts categorized along a spectrum of definition or abstraction. On one end of that spectrum, dubbed loose, we tend to find artwork with wonderfully bold abstractions and incredibly masterful brevity. In contrast, the other end, dubbed tight, is populated with impressive realizations of great complexity and meticulous precision. Virtuosity can be found equally across the entirety of this spectrum; in the artists who can abstract a subject down to ten brushstrokes, the artists who choose to manifest that same subject with a thousand, and the countless artists chasing their own blend of definition and abstraction in between.

Realistic figurative narrative art - Detail of "King of the Sea" by Stanley Rayfield — Detail of “King of the Sea” by Stanley Rayfield

“Tight” celebrates those who continue to redefine the landscape on the high-definition end of this spectrum of representation. The artists selected for this special showcase continue to awe and inspire with their endeavors, achieving levels of resolution and depth that elicit experiences of wonder and fascination for any viewer. Demonstrable virtuosity, compelling subject matter, and mind-blowing levels of resolution are sure to be present in many combinations—so do not miss this amazing collection of work.

Narrative art - "Getty Museum" by Alexander Chistov — “Getty Museum” by Alexander Chistov

Participating Artists in “Tight”

Julie Beck, Gregory Block, Alexander Chistov, Dan Christian, Francisco Collado, Helen Crispino, Tony Curanaj, Rodney O’Dell Davis, Natalie Featherston, Scott Fraser, Russell Harris, Sergei Marshennikov, Kevin A. Moore, Renato Muccillo, Stanley Rayfield, Megan Read, Duffy Sheridan, Joseph Todorovitch, Ruddy Taveras, Jason Walker, Anthony Waichulis, and Anna Wypych

Contemporary realism artists - Detail of "Thinker" by Anna Wypych — Detail of “Thinker” by Anna Wypych

View more fine art gallery exhibitions here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

Virtual Gallery Walk for October 13th, 2023

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Fine Art Today

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October 13, 2023

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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.

Clearing, Jean Schwartz, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in; Jean K. Schwartz; Solo exhibit LOCAL ATMOSPHERE, Calloway Fine Art, 10/14- 11/11

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No Looking Back, C.M. Cooper, oil on panel, 24 x 18 in; C.M. Cooper

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Je Suis Assez (I am Enough), 2023, Kate Van Doren, oil and Pan Pastel on gallery wrapped dibond, 36 × 36 × 1 1/2 in; 33 Contemporary

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Mountain Landscape – Sierra Nevada, c. 1927, Jack Wilkinson Smith (1873-1949), Oil on panel, 20 x 24 in; American Legacy Fine Arts

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Guardian, Suzy Almblade, watercolor, 4 x 6 ft; Celebration of Fine Art

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P Class Parade, Russ Kramer, oil on canvas, 25 x 39 in; Russ Kramer

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.

“The Lord Is in This Place…” and 7 Other Tonal Paintings

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Fine Art Today

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October 12, 2023

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"The Lord Is in This Place, How Dreadful Is This Place (Federal Hill Firetower)," oil on muslin, mounted on panel, 20 x 20"

Tonal Paintings on View > Charlie Hunter is “a cheerful guy who paints drippy portraits of decaying American infrastructure in Bellows Falls, Vermont.”

His tonal paintings are on view in a solo show at William Baczek Fine Arts (Northampton, MA) through November 11, 2023.

Included in the show are:

"Ascutney From Kamel's Farm," oil on panel, 6 x 12" — “Ascutney From Kamel’s Farm,” oil on panel, 6 x 12″

"Bryant Homestead Barns," oil on muslin panel, 12 x 24" — “Bryant Homestead Barns,” oil on muslin panel, 12 x 24″

"Chester Depot, Vermont," oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12" — “Chester Depot, Vermont,” oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12″

"Cummington Fairgrounds," oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12" — “Cummington Fairgrounds,” oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12″

tonal paintings - "Death of a Hillfarm," oil on canvas, 24 x 48" — “Death of a Hillfarm,” oil on canvas, 24 x 48″

tonal paintings - "Fifth Street," oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12" — “Fifth Street,” oil on muslin panel, 6 x 12″

tonal paintings - "Waiting," oil on muslin panel, 8 x 16" — “Waiting,” oil on muslin panel, 8 x 16″

About the Gallery:

Founded in 1996, William Baczek Fine Arts represents artists working in a variety of media, including painting, sculpting, photography, video, and printmaking in both representational and abstract styles.

Now in operation for over twenty years, the gallery’s first opened at 229 Main St. in Northampton. In 2003, the gallery moved to its current location at 36 Main St. and maintains two primary exhibition spaces plus a projects room. William Baczek Fine Arts presents six to eight solo and group exhibitions each year, some of which are accompanied by publications.

Helpful Links:

National Art Museum Reopens This Month

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Fine Art Today

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October 12, 2023

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A modern art museum gallery is photographed at a wide angle. A visitor observes framed artworks on the walls to the left. To the right of the visitor, a large mixed media painting shows a downtrodden woman walking with a hulking load of corn on her back. Several birds stand at her feet. — Hung Liu: Making History (installation view); Photo by Jennifer Hughes, courtesy of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

On October 21, 2023, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) will reopen after more than two years to unveil its highly anticipated top-to-bottom renovation. The historic building’s transformation will be highlighted by immersive exhibitions showcasing powerful works by contemporary women artists and a bold thematic reimagining of its stellar collection of international art spanning six centuries.

The world’s first major museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, NMWA has expanded and enhanced the visitor experience at its home in Washington, D.C., with new exhibition spaces, enlarged public programming areas, enhanced amenities, and increased accessibility. To celebrate opening weekend—Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22, 2023—NMWA will offer free admission and festivities, including art-making, interactive activities, and live performances.

“This expansive transformation heralds a new era for the National Museum of Women in the Arts,” said Director Susan Fisher Sterling. “Our building is the flagship for our mission, which resonates today more than ever. NMWA’s renovation—made possible thanks to extraordinary donors and dedicated staff members—brings new possibilities for dynamic exhibitions, programs, and connections. This venture springs from our work championing gender equity through the arts.”

A black and white archival photo of NMWA's building during construction taken from the street. There is a wooden fence around the base of the building with a horsedrawn carriage parked on the street. A person, represented only as a blur, is crossing the street. Art museum construction. — Construction of the National Museum of Women in the Arts building (formerly Masonic Temple), 1908; Courtesy of the Columbia Historical Society

NMWA’s $67.5 million project, designed by Baltimore-based architectural firm Sandra Vicchio & Associates, is the museum’s first full renovation since opening in 1987. It honors the legacy of the 1908 Classical Revival structure while improving its façade, interior spaces, and infrastructure.

Wearing a bright yellow apron-style dress with strawberries and lace-trim details, an expressionless young woman with medium-dark skin tone rendered in grayscale stares out with her hands in her dress pockets. Her head is cocked to one side against an intensely pink-colored background. — Amy Sherald, “They Call Me Redbone but I’d Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake,” 2009; Oil on canvas, 54 x 43 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Steven Scott, Baltimore, in honor of the artist and the 25th Anniversary of NMWA; © Amy Sherald, Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth; Photo by Lee Stalsworth

NMWA’s renovated galleries will open with innovative presentations not previously possible. The inaugural exhibitions and remixed collection installation highlight new opportunities: nearly 40% of the works on view will be exhibited for the first time at NMWA, including nearly 70 works from the museum’s collection.

In a painted self-portrait, the artist stands in a stage-like space framed by white curtains. Beneath black hair woven with red yarn and flowers, heavy brows accent her dark-eyed gaze. Clad in a fringed, honey-toned shawl; long, pink skirt; and gold jewelry, she holds a bouquet and a handwritten letter. — Frida Kahlo, “Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky,” 1937; Oil on Masonite, 30 x 24 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of the Honorable Clare Boothe Luce; © Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Image by Google

An extensive collection reinstallation, “Remix: The Collection,” offers thematic and provocative combinations of works from NMWA’s holdings that span six continents and six centuries. The reconfiguration of the gallery spaces creates compelling new sightlines between works, inviting discussion and new insights.

A orange ceramic colander holds several types of fish of varying sizes that lie stacked. In the foreground, a cat stands alert with its paws on a yellow fish. In front of the colander, a gleaming pewter dish holds shrimp and oyster shells. The surfaces all reflect and shine. — Clara Peeters, “Still Life of Fish and Cat,” after 1620; Oil on panel, 13 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay

Learn more about this exciting art museum reopening at nmwa.org.

View more art museum announcements here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

Artist Spotlight: JuliAnne Jonker

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On the PleinAir Salon August Winner, “Early Morning Quiet”

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Fine Art Today

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October 9, 2023

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Angus McEwan (United Kingdom), “Early Morning Quiet,” watercolor, 22.5 x 15 in.

We’d like to congratulate Angus McEwan for winning Overall First Place in the August 2023 PleinAir Salon, judged by master artist Albert Handell.

Contemporary artist Angus McEwan, winner of the PleinAir Salon, August 2023

Angus McEwan on “Early Morning Quiet”

In my painting of a dark interior within a 17th-century Dutch studio in Leiden, I explore the concept of liminal spaces. This studio, nestled near Rembrandt’s first workspace, exudes character, presence, and an undeniable stillness. As I provided a workshop for watercolour painters within these hallowed walls, I vividly recall that moment when I stepped into the quiet studio early in the morning, eagerly absorbing its atmosphere.

This image resonates with painters across time and place; it embodies that comforting familiarity one experiences in art classes. The arrangement of easels, donkeys, and drawing boards forms a pyramidal composition, evoking a sense of potential within the room, akin to the calm before the artistic storm. It’s reminiscent of the works of English painter Ken Howard, who captured what he termed ‘the landscape of the studio,’ often placing models amidst a forest of easels, paintbrushes, and jars. These paintings embody the hope that all artists share as we embark on our creative journeys.

I often use lighting and perspective to create a sense of depth and dimensionality, emphasizing the boundaries and edges of the space. By playing with light and shadow, I aim to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that invites the viewer to contemplate the potential for transformation and growth.

In my paintings, I often use abstract shapes, lines, and shadows to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. By omitting or obscuring details, I aim to create a sense of openness and possibility, inviting the viewer to fill in the gaps with their own perceptions and experiences.

Angus McEwan, “Promise,” watercolour on handmade Fabriano Artistico, 57 x 38 cm

About the PleinAir Salon:

In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.

Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.

The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.

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PleinAir® Magazine is a registered trademark of Streamline Publishing, Inc.

Eileen David: “In Place”

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Fine Art Today

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October 7, 2023

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oil painting of a neighborhood — Eileen David, "Sunny Day," 2023, oil on panel, 16 x 16 in.

Whether depicting the residential charm of San Francisco, where she currently resides, the geometries of bridges, harbors, and vehicles of commercial urban life, or the steady strokes of swimmers in San Francisco Bay, Eileen David’s observational paintings elevate everyday moments to masterful scenes.

LewAllen Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, presents new works by David in the exhibition “In Place,” which is on view through November 11, 2023.

Eileen David, "Blue Striped Pillow," 2023, oil on panel, 16 x 16 in. — Eileen David, “Blue Striped Pillow,” 2023, oil on panel, 16 x 16 in.

Known for her paintings of light-filled neighborhoods, which feature the underlying symmetry of the cityscape, she also captures the clean lines and urban geometry of highway overpasses, fuel trucks, and steel bridges.

Oil painting of a freeway exit — Eileen David, “Freeway Exit,” 2023, oil on canvas, 12 x 16 in.

“In Place” will feature many of these works alongside her series of swimmers. In a diametric switch of subject to the human, David captures movement through a play of light as her subjects swim through deep blue, turquoise, and green water. Their bright swim caps and swimsuits draw focus to the subjects, as if seeing them in quiet stop-motion while on their swim.

Oil painting of a woman swimming — Eileen David, “Woman in Pink Suit,” 2023, oil on panel, 12 x 16 in.

David also draws inspiration for her paintings while exploring the city. She is fascinated by scenes of what she calls, “housescapes,” or neighborhoods nestled in the hills, and photographs these moments to paint in her studio. She interprets the imagery in the photos, and from her memory, in a more abstract way, using bright colors and shadows as compositional elements to create a dramatic feeling.

Eileen David, "Red Tree and Backyard Fences," 2023, oil on canvas, 48 x 24 in. — Eileen David, “Red Tree and Backyard Fences,” 2023, oil on canvas, 48 x 24 in.

Born in New York City, Eileen David studied at The Arts Student League of New York, SUNY Purchase, New York, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at San Francisco State University and a Master of Fine Arts at San Jose State University. Over her career, David has been awarded with various honors including a Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant and a Catherine Urban Scholarship.

View more fine art gallery exhibitions here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

Fashioned by John Singer Sargent

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Fine Art Today

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October 6, 2023

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John Singer Sargent portrait painting of Lady Helen Vincent — John Singer Sargent, "Lady Helen Vincent, Vicountess d’Abernon," 1904, Oil on canvas. Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art. Museum purchase with funds provided by John Bohorfoush, the 1984 Museum Dinner and Ball, and the Museum Store. 1984.121.

John Singer Sargent collection at the MFA Boston
Through January 15, 2024
“Fashioned by Sargent”
www.mfa.org

In portraits by John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), sitters assume elegant stances, the fabric of their dress richly depicted in broad, sensuous strokes of paint. Sargent brought his subjects to life, but he did much more than simply record what appeared before him. He often chose what his sitters wore and, even if they arrived in his studio dressed in the latest fashions, he frequently simplified and altered the details. Exploiting dress was an integral part of his artistry.

John Singer Sargent, "Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and Her Daughter Rachel," 1903, Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. Rachel Warren Barton and Emily L. Ainsley Fund. — John Singer Sargent, “Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and Her Daughter Rachel,” 1903, Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. Rachel Warren Barton and Emily L. Ainsley Fund.

John Templeman Coolidge, John Singer Sargent painting Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and her daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, 1903Platinum print. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston. — John Templeman Coolidge, John Singer Sargent painting Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and her daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, 1903
Platinum print. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston.

Organized with Tate Britain, “Fashioned by Sargent” explores the artist’s complex relationship with his often-affluent clients and their clothes. The exhibition reveals Sargent’s power over his sitters’ images by considering the liberties he took with sartorial choices to express distinctive personalities, social positions, professions, gender identities, and nationalities. Alongside about 50 paintings by Sargent, over a dozen period garments and accessories shed new light on the relationship between fashion and this beloved artist’s creative practice.

John Singer Sargent, "Lady Agnew of Lochnaw," 1892, oil on canvas. National Galleries of Scotland, purchased with the aid of the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund, 1925 — John Singer Sargent, “Lady Agnew of Lochnaw,” 1892, oil on canvas. National Galleries of Scotland, purchased with the aid of the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund, 1925

John Singer Sargent, "Lord Ribblesdale," 1902Oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London, presented by Lord Ribblesdale in memory of Lady Ribblesdale and his sons, Captain the Hon. Thomas Lister and Lieutenant the Hon. Charles Lister. 1916. — John Singer Sargent, “Lord Ribblesdale,” 1902
Oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London, presented by Lord Ribblesdale in memory of Lady Ribblesdale and his sons, Captain the Hon. Thomas Lister and Lieutenant the Hon. Charles Lister. 1916.

“The coat is the picture,” Sargent once told Graham Robertson, clearly articulating the role dress played in his work. The exhibition features Robertson’s portrait as well as style icons like Madame X, Lady Agnew, and Dr. Pozzi at Home.

Visitors can also see several paintings together with the garments worn by the sitters, among them Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth with her beetle-wing-encrusted costume, and Mrs. Charles Inches (Louise Pomeroy) with her red velvet evening gown. Step into the making of a Sargent portrait and consider ideas of curating—and controlling—one’s image.

John Singer Sargent, "La Carmencita," about 1890, Oil on canvas. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Purchased from the artist for the State, for the Luxembourg, 1892. Photograph © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, New York. — John Singer Sargent, “La Carmencita,” about 1890, Oil on canvas. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Purchased from the artist for the State, for the Luxembourg, 1892. Photograph © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, New York.

costume for Carmen Dauset Moreno Carmencita — Unidentified maker, costume for Carmen Dauset Moreno (Carmencita), about 1890, Silk satin and net, trimmed with silver gilt thread, spangles, and beads. Private Collection. Photograph © Houghton Hall/Pete Huggins.

View more art museum announcements here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

Virtual Gallery Walk for October 6th, 2023

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Fine Art Today

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October 6, 2023

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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.

Into the Light, Mary Erickson, oil on linen, 24 x 36 in; American Tonalist Society

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Stable Relationships, Leslie Lambert, poured watercolor on panel, 18 x 24 in; Trails End Gallery, Chewelah, WA

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Harvest, Campbell Frost, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 18 in; Campbell Frost Fine Art

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Aliyah, 2023, Deborah Scott, oil on canvas, 24 × 18 in; 33 Contemporary

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Shadow & Light, San Lorenzo, Lee McVey, pastel, 16 x 12 in; Lee McVey

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Light in the Forest; Yosemite National Park, Chuck Kovacic, Oil on canvas panel, 24 x 18 in; American Legacy Fine Arts

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Dionysus, JuliAnne Jonker, oil on board, 30 x 22 in; JuliAnne Jonker

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Coastal, Shari Lyon, encaustic and mixed media on a wooden cradled panel, 15 x 30 in; Shari Lyon

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.

Artist Spotlight: Vicki Sullivan

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Fine Art Connoisseur

High-Def Realism

Participating Artists in “Tight”

Virtual Gallery Walk for October 13th, 2023

“The Lord Is in This Place…” and 7 Other Tonal Paintings

About the Gallery:

Helpful Links:

National Art Museum Reopens This Month

Artist Spotlight: JuliAnne Jonker

On the PleinAir Salon August Winner, “Early Morning Quiet”

Angus McEwan on “Early Morning Quiet”

About the PleinAir Salon:

Eileen David: “In Place”

Fashioned by John Singer Sargent

Virtual Gallery Walk for October 6th, 2023

Artist Spotlight: Vicki Sullivan

WEEKLY NEWS FROM THE ART WORLD