Illuminated Icon #3, 2011
Dallas and New York-based artist Jay Shinn mixes light, projections, metal, and paint in his work. While he uses various mediums in his art, one constant is his exploration of geometric forms. No matter the medium, each piece has a three dimensional quality and really focuses on perspective. I really love his use of light in the pieces and how the repetitious patterns completely draw the viewer in.
Seven artists were each given one entire corridor to take over in the new Vincci Bit Hotel in Barcelona, which will open in April. Matt W. Moore’s 4th floor takeover is a mega mural stretching 50 feet long. Matt spent two weeks (and 14 gallons of paint!) painting the hallway – check out the results. It’s like walking through a kaleidoscope. I can’t wait to see the other hallways!
I posted about Reed Danziger’s paintings back in 2007, so I thought it was about time we revisited her work. So good. See more at reeddanziger.com.
GW’s Comment: Rolling On The Floor Laughing
Shawn Huckins’ recent series of paintings are entitled American Revolution Revolution: What would George post? Well, apparently George is ROFLing (that’s Rolling On Floor Laughing in text speak). Huckins got the idea to paint 18th century-style American portraits and then superimpose them with 21st century Facebook updates, tweets, and texting acronyms in large white letters. The outcome is a humorous mix of pop culture and historical portraiture that is meant to raise questions about how technology influences us as a society.
New York-based artist Daniel Lefcourt uses a variety of materials in his extensive body of work and seems to float between painting and sculpture. Overall his work has a monochromatic feel and is often repetitious, as seen with the repeating bands of black or raw MDF boards.
Toil of our Hands
The collaborative husband-and-wife team of Emma Biggs and Matthew Collings produces some amazing modern paintings. The couple works together on their large-scale abstract works in which she designs and chooses the color and tone of each piece while he paints them. While Biggs is well-known in the mosaic world and Collings in the broadcasting and writing fields, they come together to create these modern geometric oil paintings that really draw the viewer in.
Cold Comfort Quilt
Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, artist Ted Larsen focuses on making abstract sculptures with the use of found “non-art materials.” He chooses to stay away from one particular theme in his work and instead pursues many directions in which he continues to experiment with contexts, hybrids, and scale. I love how he uses a variety of salvaged materials including metal, wood, and wax to create such a diverse body of work.
Since 2001, French Canadian artist Steven Spazuk has been working with a technique he developed that allows him to use a flame from a candle or torch to create his paintings with the trails of soot that remain. He then uses tools to manipulate the soot left behind on the thick paper to develop breathtaking images. His work, which is mostly monochromatic, evolves as he is working and he allows the images to emerge naturally.
LA-based artist Dion Johnson‘s colorful oversized paintings are just what the doctor ordered today. I love the horizontal one – it resembles the horizon, perhaps as seen from a plane window on takeoff.
