Art

May 7, 2022

Contemporary ‘Open Impressionism’ Highlights the Expansive Beauty of California Vineyards

The Impressionist movement emerged in the late 1800s as a way of capturing ephemeral moments. Oregon-based artist Erin Hanson has picked up the torch of this influential approach in her invention of Open-Impressionism, a modern version of the style that uses impasto paint strokes without layering. Her newest series applies this unique painting aesthetic to idyllic vineyards nestled in Paso Robles, Napa Valley, and the Willamette Valley.

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April 30, 2022

​​Atmospheric Forest Paintings Look Like There’s a Glitch in Their Pixels

Polish artist Luiza Niechoda simplifies landscapes with her pixelated style. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest and Romantic artists like Friedrich and J.M.W. Turner, she creates striking renditions of verdant forests and misty mountainous backgrounds. Instead of focusing on the details, however, she prefers to use abstraction to home in on specific feelings. Originally from a marketing and graphic design background, Niechoda decided to pursue painting full-time in 2018.

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April 24, 2022

Thought-Provoking Paintings Pair Real-life Observations With Subtle Humor

Whether it's adding stripes to a tiger or plucking petals from human-sized flowers, Toni Hamel dreams up uncanny scenarios and brings them to life in her realistic paintings. The Canada-based artist combines her observations of the world with her own personal experiences to create understated compositions with a humorous undertone. Hamel approaches each new work with a realistic style that appears to place these whimsical narratives on a stage with a “painted on” backdrop.

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April 21, 2022

Artist Creates Serene Faces From Thousands of Burnt Wood Sticks

Sculptor Gil Bruvel is pushing the limits of his craft with a new set of pixelated portraits. Primarily crafted from thousands of wood sticks, these anonymous faces are painted in colorful gradients that accentuate their features. This series of masks, as well as several steel sculptures, are currently on display at Galerie Montemarte as part of the Face to Face exhibition. In this exhibit, Bruvel's sculptures are paired with painted portraits by Italian artist Silvio Porzionato.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.