Friday Fave

Autumn is here!  Happy Friday!

Hans Hofmann (German, 1880-1966), Autumn Gold, oil on canvas, 1957
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

{image via National Gallery of Art}

David Rex Joyner

I recently discovered New Orleans artist David Rex Joyner.  Joyner's mixed medias are very reminiscent of two of my favorite abstract impressionists, Willem de Kooning and Hans Hofmann.  I love how he blends nature and landscape into these wonderfully vibrant and playful abstracts. 

Brace
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
16 x 16 inches

Cloud
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
30 x 30 inches

Float
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
9 x 12 inches

Serenity
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
16 x 16 inches

StumbleAcrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
36 x 48 inches

Trust
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
36 x 48 inches

Wake
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
9 x 12 inches

Rise
Acrylic/Mixed Media/Canvas
9 x 12 inches

The last work, Rise, is my absolute favorite!

{images via Cole Pratt Gallery}

Friday Fave

The Corcoran Gallery of Art has an upcoming exhibit Washington Color and Light featuring the works of the Washington Color School.  The exhibit, opening June 25th, will highlight the  local D.C. artists' passion for color and urge for exploration.  Gene Davis, Kenneth Noland, Howard Mehring, Paul Reed, Thomas Downing and Morris Louis-who never thought of themselves a group-first showed together in the exhibition, Washington Color Painters, in 1965.  While their individual styles varied, their experimentation with acrylic paint and optical color patterns are the common thread among the artists.

Below is a delightful acrylic by Gene Davis.  Davis is best known for his brilliant stripe paintings.  When I first came to D.C. I couldn't understand what was so impressive about his works--seeing them in a book or on a computer screen is simply not the same as standing in front of one of his massive paintings.  While he did do smaller works,  most of his paintings are LARGE! 48 x 48 in, 57 x 57 in, 60 x 70 in, 95 x 115 in...Nothing can compare to seeing a canvas with teeny, thin vivid stripes that's larger than you!

Gene Davis (American 1920-1985), Red Chatterbox, acrylic on canvas
Auctioned by Sotheby's Arcade, New York on June 22, 2005
price realized: $10,800 (including buyer's premium)

I'm enchanted by the playful, bright colors and summery nature of this work!

Have a wonderful weekend!

{image via AskArt}

Artist Intro: Todd Hunter

I ran across the vivid paintings of Todd Hunter (Australian b. 1972) last week on Verdigris Vie and was immediately drawn them!  Hunter has been described as "an alchemist of form."  His works transcend the need for definition-instead marrying form and abstract lines into a harmonious medley.  The vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes lend an air of confidence and energy-while the inventive titles arouse an element of whimsy in each oil. 

Caravan, oil on canvas

Died Pretty, oil on canvas

Some Summers, oil on canvas

Strange, Strange Skies, oil on canvas

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Remember A Time When You Once Used To Love Me, oil on canvas

This Perfect Day, oil on canvas

Simply stunning!

{images via Scott Livesey Galleries}

Abstract Love

I recently fell in love with a piece of art that came into our auction house.  It was an abstract, slightly impressionistic landscape by local artist Elzbieta Sikorska (Polish/American 20th Century).

I loved it...but after days of obsessing, worrying about the large size (3-ft by 4-ft) and stressing about the impact on my other potential home improvements, I decided I'd place a conservative bid and see how it turned out.  Unfortunately, it was fated to not to be mine.


It did, however, spark a renewed interest in bright, whimsical abstract works and how they can drastically impact a room.  I fell in love all over again!

{image via House Beautiful}

{image via Willow Decor}

{image from Things That Inspire}

{image from Things That Inspire}

{image from Things That Inspire}

{image via House Beautiful}

{image via Perch}

{image from Things That Inspire}

{image from Things That Inspire}

The art truly transforms each environment...imagine a traditional landscape or portrait in the same space.  The room would awaken an entirely different emotion and ambiance!

Friday Fave

I adore the cool soothing colors and calming nature of this oil on canvas by Washington Color School artist, Alma Woodsey Thomas.

Alma Woodsey Thomas (Am. 1891-1978), Untitled (Abstraction in Blue)
Auctioned by Swann Galleries in New York on February 17, 2011
price realized: $36,000 (including buyer's premium)

Happy weekend!

{image via AskART}

Monday Inspiration

There's nothing I enjoy more than the melding of contemporary art with traditional design.  I love the vibrancy and furious nature of abstract art contrasting with the warmth and historical nature of antiques.

Here is a great example of a traditional den with a vivacious abstract, from Atlanta interior designer Courtney Giles .  The painting was commissioned by a local Atlanta artist Will Kay, son of interior designer Carter Kay.

The lively colors in the work enable the painting to remain the focal point in both versions rooms.  Which do you prefer?

{images via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Courtney Giles Interiors}

Artist Intro: Michelle Armas

I just discovered these bright abstracts by Atlanta artist Michelle Armas on A Perfect Gray.  I'm completely in love!

  

The works are vivid, lively and absolutely enchanting!

Her works are available on her site, Michelle Armas, and from Gregg Irby Fine Art in Atlanta.  Michelle also a wonderful blog Armas Design. Check it out!

Artist Intro: Jack Mayberry

In my line of work, I often don't get to see rising contemporary artists.  So I'm always excited when I get introduced to someone new.  My new "obsession" is Jack Mayberry.  Mayberry is an interior designer, artist and manager of Perch in New Orleans.  I absolutely adore his work; his use of mediums and colors, textures and depth. 

 Just imagine one of these playful abstracts in a traditional-style room.  Love it!

{photos via Perch}