We remember Robert Indiana

Tags

american, art institute of chicago, love, painter, postage stamps, robert indiana, sculptor

 

 

 

 

My favorite artist working with letters has passed. Robert Indiana passed away May 29th at the age of 89. Indiana was renown for his paintings and sculptures involving the word LOVE. 

Robert Indiana was born in New Castle, Indiana in the year 1928. After serving in the United States Army Air Force he went on to earn a degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. He also studied at the Skowhegan School of Art, Edinburgh University, and Edinburgh College of Art.

His work can be found on many items including postage stamps and book covers.

Indiana had a close relationship with famed painter Ellsworth Kelly.

The artist often referred to himself as a “sign painter.”

Works by Indiana can be found in museum collections around the world including the Stedelijk Museum located in Amsterdam, and the Whitney Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art both located in New York City.

Below we visit the studio of Robert Indiana located off the coast of Maine:

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Art on television

Tags

antonio banderas, national geographic channel, pablo picasso, television show

 

If you are flipping through television channels trying to find some inspiration don’t forget to check out the wonderful new series “Genius Picasso”, featured on the National Geographic channel.

The series takes a close look at Picasso, his art, his women, and his lifestyle.

Other important characters shown include painter Henri Matisse and the famous art patron Gertrude Stein.

Below a great clip showing Antonio Banderas as an older Pablo Picasso:

Another interesting fact is that some of the paintings have recently been in the international news as they were part of the Rockefeller Auction that broke the record for the largest private art sale of all time. One piece that was painted by Picasso and titled Young Girl with a Flower Basket sold for $115 million dollars.

Very interesting to see so many artistic personalities brought to life!

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Artist of the moment……….Elisapee Ishutulaq

Tags

canada, canadian, elisapee ishutulaq, Inuit, printmaker

 

 

 

Elisapee Ishutulaq is a contemporary Inuit printmaker. Elisapee Ishutulaq was born in Kanirterjuak camp, Nunavut Territory, Canada in the year 1925.

Price range information:

Ishutulaq began drawing and carving in 1970. Ishutulaq is the last living artist who participated in the first print collection.

Many works are completed using the medium of oil sticks.

In this clip Ishutulaq talks about recreating her memories of what life used to be like in her artwork:

The artist was named a Member of the Order of Canada.

I find the work of Elisapee Ishutulaq to remind me of the American painter Grandma Moses. Both artists created scenes that showed portrayed what communal activities such as hunting or just having fun.

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Artist of the moment……….Laura Ball

Tags

animals, bev doolittle, hidden images, laura ball, painter, university of california at berkeley, university of california at davis

 

 

 

Laura Ball is a contemporary painter renown for her creating imaginary creatures and animals. Laura Ball was born in California in the year 1972.

Ball earned a bachelor degree from the University of California at Davis. The artist went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

Price range information: Many prints can be found between $60 and $300. Originals range between $3,000 and $12,000.

Ball is based out of San Diego, California.

Below a brief interview with the artist talking about finding her style of representational painting:

Works by Laura Ball can be found at the Denver Museum of Art. Ball’s artwork is also part of the collection of well known collector Howard Tullman.

Below a link to the website of the artist:

https://lauraball.net

Laura Ball brings to mind the art of painter Bev Doolittle. Doolittle is renown for painting the Cowboy and Native American scenes with hidden imagery in the background. Ball’s approach also involves hiding images, but with blank backgrounds the viewer is able to concentrate on the image as a whole, and then the hidden images in details. Ball’s work is a never ending mystery for the eyes.

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Artist of the moment……..Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne

Tags

cabinets, kevin laverne, patina, patinated, philp laverne, tables

 

 

 

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne were a father and son duo renown for their creative furniture designs. The team made functional furniture pieces that were also great displays of artistic genius. The family created bronzes tables and cabinets.

The LaVern’s used a centuries old techniques to give each set a unique and one of a kind feeling. Large slabs of pewter and bronze were often set in a special soil for periods of 6 weeks to allow them to oxidate.

The duo often used imagery from the Chinese culture.

In this clip a close up of an end table. What a remarkable finish it has!:

 

Price range information: Sorry none available.

Below a close look at an Asian theme coffee table ready to hit the auction block:

Philip LaVerne was born in 1907 and passed away in 1987. Kelvin LaVerne was born in 1937 and is still living.  This father and son team produced tables of the highest quality, great structure and with unique imagery. The process of placing the slabs of pewter or bronze in soil allowed each piece to be very unique.

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Artist of the moment…………..Alfons Walde

Tags

architect, austria, austrian, landscape painter

 

 

 

 

Alfons Walde was a landscape painter, graphic designer, and architect from the country of Austria. Alfonse Walde was born in Oberndorf, Tyrol, Austria in the year 1891.

The artist was renown for his portrayals of winter scenes of mountain life. Walde also enjoyed painting alpine sports with an emphasis on skiing.

Walde studied architecture at the Technische Hochschule located in Vienna, Austria.

The artist served his country in World War 1.

Below a look at a brilliant signature piece up for auction at Bonham’s:

Walde was also an accomplished graphic designer completing many posters.

Price range information: Walde worked in oils, gouache, pastels, watercolor, and tempura. Works range from $25,000 to $500,000.

In this clip we view an appraisal from the Antiques Roadshow:

Alfons Walde passed away in 1958.

Alfons Walde was a spectacular painter of snow and the landscape. His brilliant blue skies complimented the various blues found in the shadows. Some of my favorite painters of snow scenes in oils include Len Chmiel, Lynn Boggess, and Aldro Hibbard.

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Artist of the moment………Craig Anthony Miller

Tags

american, bev doolitlle, birds, craig anthony miller, owls, saint johns university, street artist, yoga

 

 

 

Craig Anthony Miller is a contemporary street artist from the United States. Miller is renown for his paintings of birds. Miller was born in Brooklyn, New York in the year 1971.

Miller earned a B.F.A. from Saint Johns University located in Queens, New York.

Price range information: Sorry none available.

The artist often blends acrylic and aerosol paint.

In this clip Craig Anthony Miller talks about being inspired by stained glass art:

Miller often tries to paint images that represent strength and power over all struggles.

Yoga is also a recurring subject for the artist.

Below a short biography on Craig Anthony Miller:

 

Craig Anthony Miller is an excellent draftsman and master of color. I enjoy the looseness of the shapes he creates. His style that hides animals in simple shapes reminds of the great painter Bev Doolittle. His theme of overcoming obstacles to achieve a greater cause is perfect for urban art.

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Artist of the moment………..Angelo Ippolito

Tags

abstract expressionism, american, angelo ippolito, italian, lyrical abstraction, new york city, painter, st. arsenio italy

 

 

 

Angelo Ippolito was an American abstract painter. Angelo Ippolito was born in the year 1922. Ippolito was a leader in Abstract Expressionist painting in New York City.

Angelo Ippolito was born in Saint Arsenio, Italy in the year 1922. The artist emigrated to the United States when he was 9 years of age.

Ippolito attended Ozenfan School of Art located in New York City. He also attended the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Meschini Institute of Technology.

The artist was a co-founder of  the Tanager Gallery in New York City. This gallery hosted many of the nations top Abstract Expressionist painters.

Ippolito received a Fulbright Fellowship. The artist used it to study in Italy.

Angelo Ippolito passed away in 2001. He was 79 old.

Works by the artist can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of Art all located in New York City.

Below a link to the website of the artist:

http://angeloippolito.com/home.html

Price range information:

Angelo Ippolito’s style of painting resembles that of lyrical abstraction. The artist did a great job at creating a wide variety of shapes with bold and powerful color.

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Artist of the moment……………..Photographer Russell Young

Tags

British, california, london, los angeles, photographer, russell young

 

 

 

Russell Young is a contemporary photographer renown for his work with celebrities. Russell Young was born in Northern England in the year 1959. Young spent the first few months of his life in foster care. He was adopted by Ken and Lesley Young when he was four months of age.

Where Young grew up the weather was cold and rainy. The artist considered his world dark in nature and he longed for an escape. Young escaped into the fantasy of American Pop Culture.

Young attended Chester Art College. He also attended Exeter Art College.

The artist bases himself out of Los Angeles, California and New York.

After spending some time living on the streets in London he found work as an assistant to well known Australian fashion photographer Christos Raftopoulos.

Young enjoys producing silk screen prints. These often involve using a well known photograph, acrylic paint, enamel, and diamond dust. The artist started his own photography career after shooting some stars of his favorite music genre, punk rock. In 1985 Young was hired to shoot the cover for George Michael’s album Faith.

In this clip a great montage of images by Russell Young:

 

Price range information: Young created posters, silkscreens, screenprints, and drawings that range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Russell Young was one of the first artist’s to use diamond dust in his images. This dust adds a great element of light and modernism to the work. Warhol sometimes added diamond dust his portraits.

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Artist of the moment…………..Rita Letendre

Tags

canada, canadian, geometric abstraction, mark grotjahn, montreal school of fine arts, muralist, painter, printmaker, rita letendre, toronto

 

 

 

 

Rita Letendre is a contemporary painter, muralist, and printmaker from Canada. Rita Letendre was born in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada in the year 1928. She was the eldest of seven children. Letendre’s father was of Abenaki descent, a First Nations tribe.

The artist’s father worked as a truck mechanic and driver. The family often lived at poverty level. After an injury she was sent to live with her grandmother. Whilst living with her grandmother and the more relaxed atmosphere the artist began to develop her artistic talents.

In the early 1940’s the family moved to Montreal. With her parents helping their country in World War 2 taking care of her siblings became her responsibility. During this period she began drawing every night and reading many books.

Letendre attended the Montreal School of Fine Arts.

She began as a figure painter before moving to abstract painting in the early 1950’s.

The artist is now based out of Toronto, Canada.

In this clip we view a montage of works by the artist:

Works by Rita Letendre can be found in the permanent collections of the Long Beach Museum of Fine Art in California, the University of Long Beach California, the National Art Gallery of Canada located Ottawa, and the Museum of Contemporary Art located in Montreal.

Price range information: Letendre worked in many mediums including oils, acrylics, gouache, casein, and printmaking. Prices range from $5,000 to $60,000.

Rita Letendre’s work is fun to look at. With her use of color and shapes her work reminds me of American abstract painter Mark Grotjahn. Both artist’s use compositions that often centered on the shape of the triangle.

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