Painting

December 11, 2025

Lavishly Patterned Paintings Combine Western and Eastern Cultures [Interview]

Take your time when viewing the paintings by Naomi Okubo. The intricate, layered works are awash in patterns upon patterns, often cloaking the figures within them. Taking place indoors, outdoors, and spaces in between, the pieces draw from realism while not shying away from elements that border on the surreal. Within a grassy field, for instance, is a portal—a looking glass—into another place.

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November 20, 2025

Psychedelic Paintings Visualize the Human Psyche as a Surreal Technicolor Dream

Surrealism has only been around for a century, yet it’s had an outsized impact on the art world. In its relatively short lifespan, the movement has inspired countless creatives working today. Brazilian artist Rafael Silveira is one of them; he creates fantastical portraits of people that use objects, animals, and places as a way to delve into the human psyche.

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November 16, 2025

Ethereal Manga-Inspired Paintings Hold Dear Our Connection to the Spirit World

There’s something deeply comforting about the fantastical paintings of aica, a Japanese artist now based in New York City. With their whimsical, childlike characters and surreal, candy-colored landscapes, her works transport viewers into dreamlike worlds brimming with magic. Aica draws inspiration from Japanese anime, manga, and traditional ukiyo-e. Though she has lived in New York for several years, she feels more connected to her Japanese roots than ever before.

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November 10, 2025

Glowing “Thermography” Paintings Capture the Warmth and Light Within Us All

Energy is all around us, but it’s not always visible. Artist Ivan Pokidyshev brings human warmth and emotion to the surface through his ethereal paintings. His artworks are inspired by thermography and Transmitted Infrared Photography (IRT), a technique that uses infrared light to reveal hidden structures and patterns beneath old paintings. Pokidyshev’s practice merges science and art, exploring the invisible forces of light and heat that connect us.

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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.