Oil Painting

May 18, 2023

Kehinde Wiley Depicts Cuba and the Carnivalesque in Monumental Portrait Series

Artist Kehinde Wiley draws inspiration from the past to inform his contemporary portraiture. The subjects of his paintings are front and center among verdant imagery. Colorful blooms and repeating patterns surround them like the decadent wallpaper you’d expect in a palatial setting. They recall paintings you’d find in a museum created by the Old Masters. Here, however, Wiley centers the work on Black and Brown figures.

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April 15, 2023

Dizzying Hyperrealistic Paintings Capture the Shift Perspectives of Bustling Cities

Cities like New York and Paris are so large and complex that it is hard to contain them on one canvas. Artist Nathan Walsh, however, manages to create an incredibly detailed picture of urban living in his hyperrealistic paintings. By using different vantage points and incorporating reflections, these depictions feel like snapshots of a specific place in time, and sometimes of multiple places spanning different moments.

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February 6, 2023

Enchanting Paintings Decorated With Resplendent Gold Details

There is something intrinsically magical about a painting filled with gold details. Scotland-based artist Stephanie Rew uses this approach in her creative practice, combining resplendent metallic with graceful female figures dressed in elaborate costumes. The combination of gold and ornate patterns elevates each canvas into a celebration of clothing, light, and drama. While each of Rew's paintings features at least one female figure, their identity is not the focus.

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December 26, 2022

Abstract Lily Pad Paintings Symbolize the Beauty and Perseverance of Chinese Culture

Artist MaiYap explores her identity as an Asian woman in the series Reflection on Awakening. Her experience living as a minority in Panama, and then later, in Florida, formed a fear of being different. Then, when racism and hate crimes against Asian Americans began to increase—particularly during the pandemic—she turned to painting to rediscover her identity. This resulted in a collection of abstract oil paintings featuring the steadfast lily pad.

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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.