"Sargent"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

I'm not sure there is a more perfect painting other than 'Madame X' by the American artist, John Singer Sargent.  His painting debuted in 1884 in Paris - critics freaked out and deemed it scandalous and immoral - too 'erotic' for their delicate (prudish) eyes it seems.  Even the family of Virginie Gautreau (Madame X) was outraged, particularly because one of the dress straps was originally slipped off her shoulder.  Sargent appeased the family by repainting the strap and kept the painting for 3 years - meanwhile moving to London and becoming one of the most sought-after portrait painters of the times.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City purchase 'Madame X' in 1916.

I am quoting a portion of the Khan Academy's summary about 'Madame X', because I think it's so very well said -  'The painting - which debuted to severe disparagement but is today treasured as a masterpiece beloved in the history of Western art - is but one example of an artwork that gradually evolved from epitomizing the condemned to the celebrated.  Much of a work's initial reception is based upon society's tastes, standards of etiquette, and values of the era, and as these attitudes shift over the decades, the public may begin to look at older paintings with new eyes.'

There isn't a single painting that Sargent created that doesn't bring me to my knees - so it was an easy choice for the letter R in my series ArtistZ.

                         FYI - 

 

When Forgery Isn't a Crime

I watched a fascinating documentary last night about the art forger, Mark Landis.  It is part of the series POV on PBS - titled Art and Craft.   Artists should find this story and documentary compelling, but I think anyone would really.

The synoposis as described on PBS's website:

'Mark Landis is one of the most prolific art forgers of the modern era — and he isn't in it for the money. In the last 30 years he's copied hundreds of pieces, from 15th-century icons to works by Picasso and even Dr. Seuss, then donated them to museums across the country. When a tenacious registrar discovers the ruse, Landis must confront his legacy and a chorus of duped professionals intent on stopping him. But Landis is a diagnosed schizophrenic, driven since his teens to escape "the life of a mental patient," and ending the con isn't so simple. A cat-and-mouse caper told with humor and compassion, Art and Craft uncovers the universal in one man's search for connection and respect.'

I just had to tell you about it.

Read about Art and Craft here, where you'll find your television schedule or the link to stream it.

"Qi"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

A new addition to my series ArtistZ - and I will say, the hunt for an artist for the letter Q wasn't easy.  I narrowed it down to three painters and chose the one that spoke to me - Qi Baishi.

Qi Baishi, a Chinese artist, born in 1863, is one of the most famous contemporary Chinese painters who could paint nearly every subject matter and is best known for his flowers, birds, insects and fish.  It is said 'he mastered the ability of suggesting the essence of his subject with a few, brief strokes.'  Which is why it appeals to me - it is very Zen.

"Daily Exercise"

8 x 6"

oil on panel

I intended to post this new painting on National Dog Day a few days ago, but in my life, every day is dog day. 

Don't forget to take your dogs for a long walk.  It's good for everyone.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Klimt"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

Choosing a favorite painter for the letter K for my series ArtistZ was tough - I love Frida Kahlo, Wolf Kahn, Kandinsky, Klee, Franz Kline.  But there's something about Gustav Klimt's works that blows my mind.

The famous portrait of Klimt's close friend and patron 'Adele Bloch-Bauer' (also known as 'The Woman in Gold') took 3 years to complete in 1907.   There's a current movie titled Woman in Gold about the true story of Maria Altmann, the niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer, who fought to reclaim the ownership of the painting that was stolen by the Nazis during the invasion of Vienna.  A remarkable story.

The painting is a collage of oils and gold-leaf applications and I played with a metallic copper ground color and mixtures of gold and copper oils to bring out the effect.  You can see little bits of the ground color shimmering throughout my painting - a bit hard to see in the image above. 

"Hopper"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I'm happy to resume my series ArtistZ  today - and it was hard to choose between Hopper and Hockney for H, my choice came down to the artist who always inspires and blows me away.  Edward Hopper has been one of my most-influential painters - his settings, his feeling of solitude, his color harmonies and his light.  Oh the light.  

To choose a favorite of Hopper's is nearly impossible for me.  I can say I've experienced the iconic 'Nighthawks' a number of times in the Art Institute of Chicago and every time it's a fresh look.  Aside from the numerous parodies done of this masterpiece and the fact it is one of the most recognizable artworks,  it's really a brilliant composition that moves me every time I visit it. 

A Conversation with Antrese on The Savvy Painter Podcast

I am a huge fan of The Savvy Painter Podcasts and I was honored to be interviewed by Antrese Wood, who is great at hosting artist interviews and she's an artist herself.

If you're interested in listening to my recent talk with Antrese, click here.  You can also subscribe to The Savvy Painter Podcasts on iTunes.

"Chagall"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I'm coming back to life and painting again.  Yay.

Continuing with my new series ArtistZ - a woman standing in the blue light of one of Marc Chagall's 'America Windows' in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chagall makes me happy, calm.  The paintings can be complex, with movement and scenery and music playing.  My favorite painting of Chagall's is 'Lovers In a Red Sky'.

"Bacon"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

A new addition to my series ArtistZ - featuring one of my favorite paintings by Francis Bacon.   It's tough to pick a favorite of Bacon's, I suppose this piece has a figure sitting and I often paint that subject.  And I dig those colors together, the mustard-gold, navy blues and that neon green in the top third.

One of the first artbooks I bought, years ago, was of Francis Bacon's work - I was very into the illustrators Brad Holland and Marshall Arisman - both painted strikingly-dark subject matter, a bit eerie, perfect for illustrating dark stories.  Those years I dreamed of being an illustrator.  Bacon was very much the same vein, but his compositions and large blocks of color around figures, his distorted figures, his macabre, nightmarish works really grabbed me.  

This painting by Bacon featured in my painting is one of many studies of Peter Lacy, whom Bacon had a tempestuous relationship with until Lacy's death in 1962.

Right On!

"A Community United" Benefit in Charleston SC

The Charleston food and beverage community is honoring the victims, familes and congregation of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church with a gathering bringing together the people of Charleston.

The event 'A Community United' will be held at the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel on July 9th.

Robert Lange Studios has organized an auction of about 90+ pieces of art - all donated from the artists.  100% of all proceeds will be donated in 9 equal portions directly to the immediate surviving family members.

I have donated "Retirement Benefits".

sold

~  Thank you and Peace to All

"Emanuel A.M.E. at Dawn"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

Before I began heading home early in the morning, on my last visit to the beautiful city of Charleston,  I pulled over to look at the colorful, glowing sky and the church steeple of Emanuel A.M.E..

I suppose I painted this peaceful moment to make myself feel better.

"X"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

I have to tell you - figuring out the X in my series  A to Z  was mind-boggling until I started focusing on the X as a pattern rather than a word.   

A glass ceiling projecting patterns and shadows on the floor while a young woman sketches in the Sculpture Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

"Patience"

8 x 8"

oil on panel 
sold

The simple pleasure of finding a shady spot with a companion.

"Volumes"

4-1/4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I got a little carried away with this new addition to my series A to Z - an avid reader pouring thru the volumes in a bookstore in the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.

I spent the entire day on this - chalk it up to a mellow, rainy day and having on a couple of excellent documentaries I highly recommend - The Other One, the Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir and Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.

"Tee Off"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold 

Golfing by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea.

"Honing In"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

A pro golfer honing in on the path to the hole.

"Net Earnings"

7-1/2 x 9"

oil on panel
sold

A new painting that features on of my hero artists, Winslow Homer.  A young lady is viewing Homer's  'The Herring Net' in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Retired"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Ah...... the good life.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a man and his best friend enjoying the sun and sand and a good book on Hilton Head Island.

"Nocturne"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

One of these days, or nights, I'll travel around and take photos for a long-desired series of nocturne paintings.   This new piece is an addition to my series A to Z.

From a quiet alley late at night in Savannah, Georgia.

"Industrial"

4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I'm back to painting in my spankin' clean studio - with this new addition to my series A to Z.  I played with a different technique, using a white ground rather than black,  painting different values of a grey-umber then scratching and washing and wiping out areas.   I love it.

From the industrial district outside of Seattle, Washington.

"Hot Dog"

7 x 4-1/2"

oil on panel
sold

I loaded on the paint with a palette knife for texture and richer color - very fun to do and good practice.  My palette is empty and that's a sign to take a break and give my studio a good spring cleaning and watch some baseball.  Preferably with a hot dog.    I'll be back soon with the rest of the series.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a Ballpark hot dog with mustard and relish, just the way I like it.

"A Visit to the Rabbi"

6 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

A quiet visit with Marc Chagall's 'The Praying Jew', which hangs in the New Modern Wing in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Sunday Best"

8 x 10"

oil on panel
sold  

A woman dressed for such an occasion as 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte'.   George Seurat's famous painting can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"On a Lark"

9 x 11"

oil on panel
sold 

I have my personal favorites in the Art Institute of Chicago - 'The Song of the Lark' by Jules Breton is one of them.  A picture says a thousand words...

Back when the movie 'Monuments Men' was premiering, Bill Murray, a part of the cast, opened up during a promotion gig about the painting saving his life.  You can read about it here.

Please click here for a larger view.