Chuck
Close
Close is most likely my favorite contemporary artist in the mainstream
art world. Ever since I reviewed a great MoMA show a few years ago, I've
been struck by the sheer technical genius of Close's work. He creates
overwhelmingly huge and dynamic realist pop portraits composed of vibrating
blobs of color. Visit some of his works on the Internet here at Artcyclopedia.
O.
Winston Link
I've explored the works of this photographer since seeing an exhibit
at the museum in the recently renovated Grand Central Station. If you
delve into Link's oeuvre, you'll discover a poignant world of dying steam
locomotives captured in a vivid chiarascuro of black and white. Read more
about his legacy in this article
from Smithsonian magazine.
Hong
Foo
Hong Foo is a wonderful painter of abstract landscapes that blend East
and West attitudes. Originally from Malaysia, Hong currently lives and teaches
in New Jersey. I've been lucky enough to get to know Hong and to see him
present his artwork several times. Immerse yourself in his tranquil and
insightful spiritual world at www.FooGallery.com.
Andreas
Gursky
A new favorite after visiting a great (and quite comprehensive)
MoMA show, Gursky's larger-than-life photographs work on several aesthetic
levels. The works are at once a sobering examination of isolation amid
chaos in contemporary life, and an incredible technical accomplishment
of scale. See the MoMA exhibit
for yourself here.
Myhelan
The Myhelan Cultural Arts Center was my next-door neighbor
when I lived in Long Valley, New Jersey. A unique and fun gallery that
regularly sponsors events and exhibits, Myhelan showcases both local and
international artists as part of its mission to share the arts of different
cultures with the community. The above work is by Joseph Farber. Visit
Myhelan's web page for more information
and a schedule of exhibits.
John
Singer Sargent
This great turn-of-the-century American Impressionist
is by far my favorite watercolorist. His work is fresh, inventive, colorful
and powerfully real. I saw two fabulous solo exhibits recently, at the
National Gallery and the Met. For me, the highlights of the shows were
his sketches and plein air (quick paintings done outside in one
sitting) pieces. Visit my Sargent pages to learn more about this talented
master.
Simon Levenson
Simon is a friend of mine; we're neighbors and both run art meetups. What's funny, though, is that I added him to this page before ever meeting him. I first saw his work hanging in a Cosi. It was really good Cezanney apple still lifes and views of the city. So I checked out his
web site. Take
a look at his site - there are very inexpensive prints for sale!
Elizabeth Patterson
I found out about this artist in an art magazine. She works exclusively in colored pencil. Visit her site: www.eapfineart.com.
Nathan
Walker
This young artist is a great illustrator who focuses
on the environment and socially-conscious paintings. Click on the picture,
a self-portrait, to visit his web site.
Rafael Tufino
I saw a great exhibition of Tufino's work last year at the Museo
el Barrio, up in Spanish Harlem. I liked some of his still lifes
the best, and he also had nice prints and some sculpture, including
a self-portrait similar to this painting.
Want more Art?
Read about Picasso's masterpiece,
Guernica.
