Today it’s easy to take for granted the massive shift abstract art had on the art world and society as a whole. It’s easy to forget that at one time “realism” was par for the course and even the expressionists made sure you could identify the objects in their works. Then, just a little over 100 years ago, abstract artists appeared on the scene forever changing what could be considered art. This interactive visualization by New York’s Museum of Modern Art explores the similarly forgotten fact that many of the first abstract artists where highly connected to one another. [Read more...]
Freestyle Creations Peek Into the Universe
While most artists have a concept in mind as they approach the canvas, John Speaker is more of a freestyler. As he sits down to start a piece, he touches his marker or paintbrush to the canvas and lets his consciousness take care of the rest. He says,
“The creation becomes an evolving chaos of the purest emotions; they do not represent happiness or sadness, confusion or enlightenment, hope or doubt; they are simply the culmination of everything and nothing. The concept of a mistake becomes completely irrelevant in the process, as the confines of our societal definitions have been shed, and the energy of the universe is allowed to present itself unrestrained. My creation becomes something more than an expression of life. It has become life itself.”
When I first discovered John Speaker’s art, I got lost in each piece, trying to interpret and put my own spin on the images before me. Stay tuned after the jump for our interview with him, then check out JohnSpeaker.com to see more. [Read more...]
Visual Bits #367> The Fruits Of Art Labor
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Visual Bits #364> Living in A Colorful World
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The Wet Look: Oil Paintings by Jeremy Mann
San Francisco based artist Jeremy Mann receives his inspiration from his urban surrounding, painting a unique and dynamic city. His style is peculiar, as he uses various painting techniques on wood panels, infusing his compositions with vivid and atmospheric colors. Some of these techniques including surface staining, the use of solvents to wipe away paint, and the application of broad, grainy marks with an ink brayer roller. [Read more...]
Visual Bits #363> Not Your Average Surreal Photos
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Paper from the Past: Collage by Lars Henkel
Maybe it’s a stretch, but something about the linear and technological elements in Lars Henkel’s excellent collages reminds me of Marcel Duchamp’s famous The Bride Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors, Even. Perhaps it’s the fact that the technical elements in his work don’t quite make sense (many aren’t even connected to anything), or that there is a distinct lean towards early 20th century imagery and a beige color palette. The many levels of detail certainly lead us to believe that there is more going on than meets the eye. [Read more...]
Accurate, Real Life Recreation of Van Gogh’s Portrait
When it comes to perfect remakes of famous artwork, few have come close to this photographic tribute to Van Gogh’s self-portrait. In fact, if you were flipping through an art book and saw this photograph, you might just keep going without realizing it wasn’t the original painting. [Read more...]
Icons Re-mixed in Ghoulish Watercolor Paintings
Influenced by Stephen Gammell’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, a Seattle based artist who goes by the name of Wednesday Wolf has put a ghoulish twist on some of Pop Culture’s most iconic characters. Cartoons, video game characters, and superheroes are weakened as WW re-mixes them with stringy limbs and morose faces. The macabre, drooping figures are done with watercolors and the collection is extensive, with many of his own character creations. WW draws on the skills taught to him by his father who is a computer programmer, to market himself online, allowing him to be a full time artist. He is also arranging a musical accompaniment to his art exhibits by putting a punk band together. [Read more...]
Visual Bits #357 > Keeping Life Playful: Children & Toys
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