My Chistmas Thoughts on Red: By Alexandra Dailey

 

My Christmas Thoughts on Red:  By Alexandra Dailey

One color that is constantly on my mind during this time of year is red.  This vibrant primary color is everywhere; on bows, Christmas tree skirts, ornaments, candy canes, twinkling lights, candles, holly berries, and Santa’s suit, just to mention a few.  And today while reading the news, searching for gifts, and looking at art online, I came across a piece that fits in perfectly with this warm and cheery season. Katherine Parker’s 2010 oil painting entitled Malta is an all red canvas with a handful of black and yellow marks scattered over the otherwise monochromatic surface.  Working in the abstract expressionism vein, this piece of Parker’s, as well as the majority of her paintings, reminds me of Mark Rothko.  The intense use of color in Malta is most definitely reminiscent of Rothko’s style, as is the presence of horizontality and verticality.  At first glance simple is how one could describe both Parker and Rothko’s work, but upon longer meditation the vibrancy of their pieces speaks much louder; they possess a powerful simplicity that is difficult to capture.  Seeing the brushstrokes embedded in the red layers of Malta shows the viewer that time, concentration, care, and great effort went into its creation. Simplicity is powerful, and layers of simplicity are even more impacting.  And in my opinion, layers of red are even more compelling, but perhaps that’s because red is my favorite color.  Overall, I would say that there is nothing “simple” about these artists or their styles, nor would I say that Christmas is a “simple” holiday, or red a “simple” color.  All of the above are elaborate in their own right, but when they can be enjoyed via simplicity I believe they can be truly appreciated.

Since we have almost breached the craziest time of the season I will leave you with this: Don’t get caught up in the hectic human orchestrated antics of the holidays, but instead enjoy the simplicity of the red lights upon your tree, the rosy red cheeks of your loved ones, and perhaps the warmth of a fiery crimson painting like that of Katherine Parker. 

Happy Holidays!

To read additional articles written by Alexandra Dailey, visit www.alexdailey.wordpress.com or visit www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com to read additional work written by Alexandra and our other fine writers.

Check Out "Final Raspberry Birch" by Artist Shelley Wheeler

Artpiece: 

“Final Raspberry Birch”
Pastel on Canvas
12”  x  12”

 

About the Artist:

Shelley Wheeler:
Shelley grew up in the Midwest, along the Missouri river, and she carries with me that small town attitude.   She claims to be part of the last generation in America who did not have all the technology we have today while growing up.   I was forced to use my imagination and I thank the universe for that every day. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful husband who has supported me both emotionally and artistically making the starving artist part of my story a struggle but giving me the freedom to pursue my dreams.

 

To view more of Shelley’s work and the work of all our fine artists, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.   Also check out our monthly art competitions.

Purist Canvas by Jayme Catalano

 

Purist Canvas by Jayme Catalano

Sylvester Stallone once said that, “if bad decorating was a hanging offense, there’d be bodies hanging from every tree.”  Luckily it’s not, and even if it was, interior designer David Oldroyd would not be among the casualties.  He recently completed a modernist renovation of a thirties townhouse that perfectly combines the crisp edge of modernism with the warmth of natural materials.  Located in the hills above the Castro district in San Francisco, the interior is a light-filled, purist canvas perfect for its vintage furniture, rare collections, and sensual sculptures.  Visit the Style Saloniste for additional photographs of the house.  You can view more of photographer Philip Harvey’s work at his website.

Jayme is a Public Relations Expert, specializing in the Arts.  To learn more about Jayme and her firm Canary Public Relations, visit www.canarypublicrelations.com.

   

 

 

 

 

                                           

 

Check Out "Gone" by Artist Pete Mair

Artpiece: 

“Gone ”
Acrylic on Hardboard
24"  x  30"
 

About the Artist:

Pete Mair:
Pete was born in Neptune, New Jersey, which is very close to the ocean.  Living close to the water is something Pete missed very much, while living on Atlanta, Georgia.  It was in Atlanta where Pete began his professional career as an Artist.  He joined as artist group in Atlanta and was accepted into a few local galleries, where he began selling both his original paintings as well as his reproductions.  Pete is born to an artistic family.  His brother is also a painter.  Pete came to art late in life.  He felt that art belonged to his brother.  So Pete pursued music.  These days you’ll catch Pete playing his music as well as creating beautiful art.
 

Pete considers his art to be somewhere between realism and impressionism.  Pete works with watercolors, gouache, and acrylics.  Pete enjoys painting a wide range of subject matter.

 To view more of Pete’s work and the work of all our fine artists, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.   Also check out our monthly art competitions.

Winter Carnival By Alexandra Dailey

 

December… Winter… Christmas…

Being from the northern state of Michigan I associate one word with these three—snow.  And along with the snow comes the ice.  Both wintery forms of water can prove to be extremely dangerous when travelling, however, they can be used for creative, frozen splendor.  I’m talking about art made from the subzero elements. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Houghton Hancock there occurs a Winter Carnival every February which is put on by Michigan Technological University.  A multitude of activities and events take place during the festival weekend but the one that crowds flock to is the viewing of the snow and ice sculptures.  University organizations and community groups participate in carving Michigan landmarks, buildings, professional sports team references, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and other unique “mitt” imagery.  The tools of this trade are a bit more physically powerful than say a painter’s brushes, oils, canvases, and easels. Chainsaws, drills, chisels, tongs, and sometimes torches are used to create the pieces in the frigid outdoor gallery.  Not only can sculptures be crafted with clay, marble, or metal, but they can be constructed out of what nature provides, and in the north Mother Nature provides much snow and ice. It is refreshing to see people use what they have within their reach to make temporary monuments.  This coming February marks the 92^nd year of this festival and I can’t wait to see the new icy art that the contestants are devising! If only I could actually attend like I did as a child.  Oh well, thank goodness for the internet!

Interested in more information about the festival? Check out this link - http://www.mtu.edu/carnival/

To read additional writings by Alexandra Dailey, visit her blog at http://alexdailey.wordpress.com or visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.

Meet Artist Sarah Swisher

Artpiece: 

“Bottle Still Life ”
Watercolor
20”  x  36”

About the Artist:

Sarah Swisher:

Sarah has loved art all her life and has been painting and drawing since a very early age. After high school Sarah decided that art was something she wanted to pursue professionally.  So Sarah studied at The Art Insitute of Chicago and earned her B.F.A in 1998.   Since then Sarah has been in Indiana working and painting.  Sarah loves botanical forms, mythology and surface design and all of these things play a big part in her art.  Sarah makes everything from cameos and pyasnky eggs, to needle lace and watercolor paintings. Lately Sarah has been thinking about new ways of drawing.  How to use line and color in a new way, so Sarah’s latest work involves lace making and knit images.

considers his art to be somewhere between realism and impressionism.  

 

To view more of Sara’s work and the work of all our fine artists, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.   Also check out our monthly art competitions.

 

Decimated Americana by Jayme Catalano

Susan Mikula uses expired and aged Polaroid film found at rummage sales to capture images of decimated Americana, ghostly figures, and haunting landscapes.  Like the badly outdated film itself, the images tell a story of the American Dream gone sour.  As her website describes, “Mikula has captured a fading aspect of a bygone era with fading film and an obsolete technology.”  Whether derelict and deserted industrial buildings, docks, or houses, the images all evoke the same feeling of barely remembered, semi-coherent dreams and memories. Mikula’s work is showing in Secretly Seeking at the Curatorium in Hudson, New York.

Jayme is a Public Relations Expert, specializing in the Arts.  To learn more about Jayme and her firm Canary Public Relations, visit www.canarypublicrelations.com.

To read additional articles written by Jayme Catalano, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com

Meet Artist Sean Koziel

Artpiece: 

“Frozen Pond”
Acrylic

 

About the Artist:

Sean Koziel:

Sean Koziel is an artist from Illinois.   Sean enjoys working with acrylics and oils.   Sean mostly paints landscapes, but has completed many abstract and Neo-Geo art.  Sean likes to take photos of places of where he has traveled.  Once back in his studio, Sean then tries to capture the atmosphere of the moment in his paintings.  Sean graduated from Illinois State University in 1998, with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art.  Sadly after college he stopped painting.  In 2008, Sean was drawn back to his canvases.  Sean hopes that his paintings convey a mood, capture a moment, or build an environment for which the viewer can relate.  All us here at Contemporary Art Gallery Online, are very pleased Sean found us.  We believe his work is majestic, mellow, and skillful.  We encourage everyone to view his work and of course purchase a piece today!  Enjoy

 

To view more of Sean’s work and the work of all our fine artists, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.   Also check out our monthly art competitions.

 

Holiday Wrapping

Holiday Wrapping

The holidays are fast approaching, and I believe that I am safe in saying that many of you (myself, the poor college graduate included) have tight budgets for gift purchasing.  Not to worry or be stressed though my fellow creative and artistic friends! You can make amazing, thoughtful gifts for those in your life with very little cash.  I have one word for you – repurpose.  We all have random items floating around our homes, things that have served their purpose long ago, are broken, or are in poor condition as they stand. I don’t know what objects any of you may have but find them and imagine their potential. For example, I’m using old drawings and cards to create fun and unique gift tags for my family.  I’m also using vintage beads and cabochons to make earrings.  I may even compose some scrap art pieces for people who like original work.  All of these projects do require a few household supplies such as glue, scissors, maybe tape, and modge-podge if you have some.  Other than those items, the rest can be spotted by your creative eye and taste.  Use old magazines, books, broken or out-of-date jewelry, photographs, paper labels, old clothing—use whatever you have and what speaks to you! The holidays are about showing our loved ones that we care, and how better to do so than with something made with your own hands? So rather than picking up a little store bought gift or gift card, make something from the heart that has a little bit of you glued together in the pieces.  After all, we bestow our love into that which we create.

Article written by Alexandra Dailey.  To read more articles written by Alexandra, visit her blog at  http://alexdailey.wordpress.com.

To read articles written by all our bloggers, visit www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com. 

Meet Our New Artist, J. Carlos Cruz

Artpiece: 

“Evening at Ridge Creek Lake”
Photography

 

About the Artist:

J. Carlos Cruz:
Jose is the 3^rd place runner up in our October “Everything Photography” Competition.  Jose is a painter as well as a photographer and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

 

To view more of Jose’s work and the work of all our fine artists, visit us at www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com.   Also check out our monthly art competitions.

 

 

Pacific Skies, by Jayme Catalano

Pacific Skies

Renowned photographer Frank Espada spent the first 50 years of his career documenting the issues concerning minorities, culminating in The Puerto Rican Diaspora:  Themes in the Survival of a People, a book which has won numerous awards, and is represented in the Library of Congress along with 83 vintage prints.  Now in the sunset of his own life, Espada has turned his lens toward the sunset views over the Pacific Ocean, photographing the same patch of sky every day for a year.  “Pacific Skies” is an examination of the dynamic between the sun and the atmosphere as well as photographic composition and aesthetics related particularly to color, light, perspective, and form. 

Article submitted by Jayme Catalano of Canary public Relations.  To learn more about Canary Public Relations and read additional works, written by Jayme, visit http://canarypublicrelations.wordpress.com

To read additional blogs by all our writers, visit www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.com

Check Out Artist Tara Francoise

About the Artwork:

“Freedom”
17" x 14"
Gel Pens & Chalk on Paper
 

About the Artist:

Tara Francosie is from Portland, Oregon but everyone there calls her Tara, so we will as well.  Tara is new to the art world but her drawings are full of vibrant colors.  Her images can be described as delicate, intricate and full of life and dimension.
 

The Artist’s Statement:

“All my art is done with gel pen and chalk on paper.  A very simple approach but the results are intriguing and original.   This is my recovery without my art I would be lost to a world of Darkness.  I want to share it with the world.”

Francoise Moisan, but everyone calls her Tara is new to the art world.  Her images are bright, vibrant, intriguing and full of life and dimension.    Her drawings are completed with gel pens and chalk.  Visit us at Contemporary Art Gallery Online and view Tara’s collection of work.  You will be enthralled as we were.