American Artist Magazine

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American Artist Magazine, November 2012

Brian Riley — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:06:00 GMT

FEATURES

The Basis for Beauty
We recently asked instructors at Studio Incamminati, in Philadelphia, to try some new drawing and painting grounds. Their experiences are not meant to endorse a particular product but instead give you new criteria to consider the next time you’re at your local art-supply store.

The Renaissance Portrait: Donatello to Bellini
By John A. Parks
A recent exhibition demonstrates how 15th-century Italy learned to use the power and appeal of portraiture.

The Portrait, Demonstrated: Part 3 of 3
In this final installment of our three-part series, Gregory Mortenson shares his palette and explains his paint-application process.

Painting As the Romans Paint
The recent program “Rome Through the Eyes of Piranesi” took artists and architects on a drawing and painting tour of Rome, under the auspices of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA). We recently spoke with instructor Patrick Connors about the program and about how Renaissance-inspired theories of perspective and proportion inform his own paintings.

Paradise Lost
By Michael Gormley
Mark Innerst creates sublime paintings of urban landscapes and coastal regions that juxtapose realist and abstract elements.

Ahead of His Time: The Vision & Experimentation of Édouard Vuillard
By Allison Malafronte
Although this turn-of-the 20th-century artist is often overlooked in the art-historical documentation of Modernism, it is now apparent that Vuillard’s aesthetic vision both anticipated and surpassed that revolutionary movement.

American Artist Magazine, October 2012

Brian Riley — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:21:00 GMT

FEATURES

Realism Redux
By Adam Van Doren
A publicity photograph taken more than 50 years ago to promote an exhibition by fledgling artists now stands as a testament to the enduring power of realist art.

Power: The Paintings of George Bellows
By John A. Parks
A major traveling retrospective showcases one of the great American masters.

Far From Utopia: Adam Miller and  Martin Wittfooth
By Michael Gormley
Using very different approaches, these two young  painters both aim to portray the harder side of life in  the modern world.

The Portrait, Demonstrated (Part 2 of 3)
In this second installment of our three-part series, Gregory Mortenson explains his oil-transfer method and the imprimatura step, which will establish a value hierarchy, strengthen the drawing, and refine edges.

Edwin Dickinson:  Expecting the Unexpected
By Margaret Krug
20th-century master Edwin Dickinson instilled remarkable freshness into an expansive body of work, and encouraged his students to paint in a way that expressed their unique vision of the world.

Realism in a Minor Key
A recent exhibition at the Woodmere Art Museum, in Philadelphia, brought to light some darker shades of American realism.

American Artist Magazine, September 2012

Brian Riley — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:07:00 GMT

FEATURES

Where to Study Art: A sponsored guide to some of the best educational programs.

Black Mountain College: An Experiment in Art
by John A. Parks
Black Mountain College survived for only 23 years— during which time its average enrollment was less than 50 students—yet its experimental atmosphere had a profound impact on the evolution of American art.

Ox-Bow: Making Art Happen
by Naomi Ekperigin
For nearly 100 years, this bucolic retreat in Southwest Michigan has served as a haven for artists who seek to create in an immersive, encouraging environment.

The New York Academy of Art: Traditional Skills, Contemporary Discourse
by Allison Malafronte
For 30 years, the New York Academy of Art has been giving students the tools they need to create technically accomplished and culturally impactful artwork.

Home Alone: Winners of American  Artist’s Self-Portrait Cover Competition
The finalists in our Self-Portrait Cover Competition share the stories and techniques behind their winning work and discuss the importance of self-portraiture to their practices.

The Portrait, Demonstrated (Part 1 of 3)
by James Duncan
In the first installment of a three-part series, Gregory Mortenson explains the steps he takes to create a block-in, including his methods of measurement and how he uses mirrors to create a more natural self-portrait.

The Art of Architecture
by Michael Gormley
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and its affiliated programs are working to revive classical architectural traditions, which are as relevant and as inspirational today as ever.

Studio Philosophers: The IDSVA   Doctoral Program
by Michael Gormley
A game-changing experiment in art education offers a research-based doctorate program for working artists, providing them with an opportunity to expand their involvement in the greater cultural dialogue.

If You Could Create the Perfect Art School, What Would It Be?
We asked an illustrious group of professional artists, graduate and undergraduate teachers, and administrators this very question, and the responses were quite inspiring.

Cover Image
Self-Portrait  
by David Tanner, 2008, oil, 16 x 12. Collection the artist.

American Artist Magazine, July/August 2012

Brian Riley — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:38:00 GMT

FEATURES

On Location in Malibu: Paintings by the California Art Club
by Michael Zakian
A current exhibition lets landscape lovers see many sides of a famously captivating location.

Abstract Reaction
by Eric Sutphin
California artist Elmer Bischoff used a foundation of abstraction to help become a pioneer for a new movement in figurative art.

Novorealism: Honoring the Human Element
by Naomi Ekperigin
For members of this growing movement, representational art is a powerful tool in what they consider to be a “revolution”—one that asserts humanity in the face of our technological, mechanical world.

Jennifer McChristian: A Journey of Evolving Vision & Ability
by Allison Malafronte
Whether painting traditional plein air landscapes, urban street scenes, or emotive figurative and interior work, this Los Angeles-based artist endeavors to continually expand her ability to see, contemplate, and capture her surroundings.

Jeffrey R. Watts: Passion, Discipline, and Balance
by Austin R. Williams
This San Diego artist and instructor aims to not only teach students technical skill but also help them look inward and use their abilities for self-expression.

Theodore Nicolai Lukits: The Aesthetics of Beauty
by Michael Gormley
By incorporating decorative motifs with influences from numerous other artistic traditions, this master artist brought his paintings to an elevated level of beauty.

Cover Image
Malibu Gull (detail)
by Alexey Steele, 2012, oil, 26 x 65. Courtesy the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Malibu, California.

American Artist Magazine, June 2012

Brian Riley — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:28:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor’s Note
10 Letters
12 Art Mart
14 Quick Sketches
64 From the Archive
66 Exhibitions
70 Business of Art
74 Technical Q+A
76 Coming in...
78 Bulletin Board
80 Art for Thought

FEATURES

22 Perfecting Portraiture: Techniques and Materials to Breathe Life Into Your Pastel Portraits
by James duncan

34 Antonio López García: The Best of Both Worlds
by Allison Malafronte
Over the course of his career, this Spanish artist has combined his innate creativity, academic training, and the influence of modernism to arrive at an artistic language that embodies the best of two worlds.

40 Preserving Spain: Sorolla and the Hispanic Society of America
By Michael Gormley
In his monumental series Vision of Spain, Joaquín Sorolla sought not only to depict a culture but to preserve it in the face of modernization.

52 Through a Looking Glass, Surreally
By Austin R. Williams
In the early and mid-20th century, female artists from Mexico and the United States produced deeply layered and reflective surrealist works that explore the figure, the modern landscape, and surrealism’s own identity and legacy.

56 There Are No Rules: The World as Goya Saw It
By John A. Parks
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes produced some of the most dramatic, disturbing, and ravishing pictures in the history of art. Here, we learn how the last of the Old Masters became the most modern of painters.

64 Compare and Contrast: Velázquez and Sargent
By Eric Sutphin
Although separated by two centuries, Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) and John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) were both revered for their stunning depictions of figures brimming with life and personality. In this analysis of two portraits, the Spanish master’s influences, as well as Sargent’s adaptations of his techniques, are striking.

Cover Image
Flamenco Dancer (detail)
by Joaquín Sorolla, 1914, oil. Courtesy Museo Sorolla, Madrid, Spain.

American Artist Magazine, May 2012

Brian Riley — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:47:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor’s Note
10 Art Mart
12 Gallery Wall
14 Quick Sketches
64 From the Archive
66 Exhibitions
71 Business of Art
74 Technical Q+A
76 Coming in...
78 Bulletin Board
96 Art for Thought

FEATURES

24    Playing With the Past
by Michael gormley
Famed illustrator Mel Odom’s paintings of vintage dolls explore real-world conflict and reflect on the power of innocence.

30    Howard Pyle and the Academic Tradition
by James Gurney
This year marks a century since the death of Howard Pyle. To honor the artist, museums in Delaware and Massachusetts have mounted major retrospective exhibitions that highlight his continued influence on picture making in America.

38    Pulps to Portraits
By Michael Gormley
In recognition of a career spanning almost 70 years, the Norman Rockwell Museum prepares to mount a major retrospective of Everett Raymond Kinstler’s work, spotlighting the artist’s ability to imbue figures with life, whether in a portrait, an illustration, or a painting that comes straight from the artist’s imagination.

46    Thomas Woodruff: The Four Temperaments
by John A. Parks
This acrylic artist was inspired by an ancient theory to craft a series of mind-bending paintings.

52    Gregory Manchess: Exploring the Figure
by James Duncan
Be it a mural of a cunning pirate, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, or an otherworldly, sword-wielding beast with four arms, Gregory Manchess uses the figure in ways many artists only imagine.

56    Real Fictions
by Austin R. Williams
Imaginative realism presents the fantastic and fictional as if they were real. Several new exhibitions—full of gods, goblins, detectives, and dinosaurs—cast light on this artistic tradition that began in the 19th century.

Cover Image
Gardenia Mom (reversed)
by Mel Odom, 2008, oil on board,  22 x 20. Collection the artist.

American Artist Magazine, March/April 2012

Brian Riley — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor’s Note

53 Business of Art

92 Bulletin Board

94 Coming in...

96 Announcing the  American Artist 75th  Anniversary Exhibition

FEATURES

75 Years of American Art

10    Robert Henri: Painter, Teacher, Artistic Crusader
by Austin R. Williams
The lessons of this early-20th-century master— including advice about portrait painting and figure drawing—are as relevant today as when American Artist first reported on them more than 70 years ago.

14    Call to Arms
by James Duncan
In 1945, American Artist examined some of the iconic images that shaped the home front during World War II. Sixty-seven years later, these works remain as compelling and poignant as ever.

16    Finding the Beauty in Everyday Life
by Eric Sutphin
Throughout his career, Leon Kroll turned to the female form for its grace and symbolic power. His idyllic images of tranquil women asserted the presence of beauty even in the darkest of times.

22    Degas + Renoir: Point and Counterpoint
by John A. Parks
After World War II, America became the world’s center for artistic patronage, and works by the Impressionists were some of the most highly sought-after. Today, exhibitions of work by two major Impressionists reveal distinctly different creative visions.

30    Mary Blair: Painting in Hollywood
by Michael Gormley
A prolific and innovative artist, Blair influenced a generation of children’s books, animated films, theme parks, and architectural décor.

36    The New New
Art director Amy Petriello looks back on the design changes that American Artist has undergone over the last 75 years and shows us the importance of timelessness.

38    Discovering America
by Naomi Ekperigin
For many artists, World War I incited a shift in their approach to making art that was highly personal and called for direct contact with the American landscape.

42    Houghton Cranford Smith: Painter of Dreamscapes
by Michael Gormley
Houghton Cranford Smith spent a lifetime painting. The evolution of his work evinces both changing tastes and a faithful adherence to eternal truths.

46     The Classical Revisited
by Allison Malafronte
Starting in the 1980s, classical realism emerged as a vital representational art movement. This article looks at some of the original proponents of the practice and the schools that continue to pursue this tradition today.

56     2012 Workshop & Art School Directory
Our annual compilation of domestic and foreign workshops and art schools.

American Artist Magazine, February 2012

Brian Riley — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor's Note

9 Art Mart

10 Quick Sketches

64 Exhibitions

71 Business of Art

74 Technical Q + A

76 Coming In...

78 Bulletin Board

80 Art for Thought

FEATURES

20   The Art of the American Twenties, Part 2:  Exploring America
by John A. Parks
In our second look at the Brooklyn Museum’s current exhibition “Youth
and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties,” we consider several
movements and ideologies that informed some of the most
accomplished artists of this era.

26   Shaping the City
by Austin R. Williams
John K. Harrell layers on the acrylic paint in order to represent
the vitality of urban landscapes.

34   No Babes on Sheets
by Courtney Jordan
The figures in Martha Erlebacher’s paintings are a good-looking bunch,
but loaded as they are with symbolism, allegorical narrative, and
humanist themes, they go far beyond classical ideals of the human form.

40   Will Barnet, Walter Kuhlman, Burton Silverman:
Three Painters Visualize the Real World
by Michael Gormley
The paintings and prints of these three artists suggest some of the
grand possibilities for contemporary artists working in different
strands of realism.

52   Patricia Watwood: Myths and Individuals
by James Duncan
Through her exploration of myths and spiritual journeys,
Patricia Watwood finds individual narratives that  communicate
the human search for truth in the  modern era.

58   The Nerdrum Affair
by Allison Malafronte
In response to the recent prison sentence of Norwegian artist
Odd Nerdrum, American Artist is revealing some of the facts of
the trial and giving several of his contemporaries an opportunity
to voice their opinions.

American Artist Magazine, December/January 2012

Brian Riley — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor's Note 9 Art Mart 66 Business of Art 68 Technical Q+A		70 2011 Editorial Index 76 Coming In... 78 Bulletin Board 80 Art for Thought

FEATURES

10 Artist Wish Book

17    Twelve Artists to Watch In 2012
Despite some widely held notions, representational art never
actually ceased being practiced in modern and contemporary
times—it just disappeared from public view. The lack of exposure
has been attributed to what appears to have been a rather
narrow conception of what constituted “serious” art. Thankfully,
that situation has started to right itself, as evinced by a widening
appreciation for diverse art forms. American Artist is keen to
honor and preserve this diversity as we celebrate our 75 years
in print. With the new year quickly upon us, we offer a look at
some of the exciting and individual approaches to
representational art in four ever-evolving categories:
the classical view; perception & expression; mythologies;
and conceptually speaking.

18    James Galindo: Romantic Interpretations of the Female Figure
by Allison Malafronte

22    Stephen Early: Forming Figures of Strength & Grace
by Allison Malafronte

26    Rebecca Leer: The Timeless Look of Dramatic  Still Lifes
by Allison Malafronte

30    Ophir Agassi: Paintings Worth a Thousand Words
by Naomi Ekperigin

34    Ben Fenske: Beyond Time & Place
by Allison Malafronte

38    Simon Gaon: Painting That’s All About Feeling
by Michael Gormley

40    Mark Lang: Allusion, Ambiguity, and Complexity
by Austin R. Williams

44    Bryan LeBoeuf: Into the Moment
by Austin R. Williams

48    Danny Galieote: Arabesque Pop
by Michael Gormley

52    Mathew Cerletty: Bridging the Gap Between Realism and Modernism
by Michael Gormley

56    Efram Wolff: Variations on Imagery
by Naomi Ekperigin

60    Aaron Smith: Decadence Meets Austerity
by Eric Sutphin

American Artist Magazine, November 2011

Erin Carey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:59:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor’s Note 9 letters 10 art mart 12 Quick Sketches 70 Exhibitions		71 Business of Art 74 Technical Q+A 76 Coming in... 79 Bulletin Board 80 Art for Thought

FEATURES

26 Surfaces: The Groundwork for Beauty
by Rob Zeller
The quality of materials artists employ matters almost as much as the skill set and vision of the artists themselves. The decision of which type of ground to use is one of the most important choices an artist makes when beginning an artwork, because surface texture has a profound effect on the working process and the resulting piece.

32 The Art of the American Twenties, Part 1: The Liberating Figure
by John A. Parks
A major new exhibition revisits the 1920s, one of the most dynamic decades in American history. Our first look at this show reveals how both popular and artistic attitudes to the figure changed dramatically during this time.

38 Daniel E. Greene: Studio Inventions Depicting the Real
by Michael Gormley
This artist’s strikingly lifelike paintings employ highly evolved abstract design principles. His large-scale depictions of subway stations and auction houses are carefully staged studio inventions involving a focused and detailed production process that is cinematic in scope.

46 Jacob Collins: Classical Inspiration, New Vision
by Austin R. Williams
This master contemporary realist combines time-honored painting traditions with a fresh and individual sensibility.

52 Juan Carlos Martínez: Honoring the Past, Firmly in the Present
by Naomi Ekperigin
This realist artist and instructor discovered that the 19thcentury academic method enabled him to not only render the world as he saw it but also honor the Masters who made such expression possible.

60 Pursuing the Classical Dream: American Artist’s Guide to Art Schools

October 2011

Erin Carey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:24:00 GMT

DEPARTMENTS

6 EDITOR’S NOTE 9 LETTERS 10 QUICK SKETCHES 65 EXHIBITIONS 71 BUSINESS OF ART		74 TECHNICAL Q+A 77 COMING IN... 78 BULLETIN BOARD 80 ART FOR THOUGHT

FEATURES

20 Albert Bierstadt: Visions of the West
BY JAMES DUNCAN
Albert Bierstadt painted epic vistas based on his firsthand experiences in the American West, but to the viewing public, his works were visions of a dreamland waiting for discovery.

26 Odd Nerdrum: Painter, Philosopher, and Pedagogue
BY MICHAEL GORMLEY
In his dark and spiritual works, this contemporary master presents a fully realized vision of his unique philosophy of art.

36 Tender: The Enduring Beauty of Egg Tempera, Part II
BY MARGARET KRUG
In the second part of our series on this singular medium, we look at artists of the 20th and 21st centuries who have used egg tempera’s unique depth to communicate human stories and emotions.

42 The Indian Space Painters: Totems, Symbols, and Myth
BY BARBARA HOLLISTER AND ERIC SUTPHIN
These visionary artists reveal a total worldview combining Native American and modernist sources in search of a universal visual language.

52 Capture the Truth of Your Subject
BY SAM ADOQUEI
For Sam Adoquei, painting a landscape is a way to honor nature, and as such, it cannot be done solely from imagination. Actively observing and recording the movement of light and changing colors is crucial for capturing the realities of nature.

56 The Classical Now: Paintings by Daniel Ludwig
BY JOHN A. PARKS
Prompted by major changes in his personal life, this New England artist recently revamped his entire creative process, leading to paintings that are just as engaging as his earlier works but more directly connected to his experiences and altered perspective.

September 2011

Erin Carey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:20:00 GMT

Departments

6 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ART MART 10 QUICK SKETCHES 66 EXHIBITIONS 71 BUSINESS OF ART		74 TECHNICAL Q+A 77 WORKSHOP DIRECTORY 78 COMING IN... 79 BULLETIN BOARD 80 ART FOR THOUGHT

16 Where to Study Art: A Sponsored Guide to Some of the Best Educational Programs

22 The Ashcan School: An American Rebellion
BY JAMES DUNCAN
By the end of the 19th century, America’s powerful art academies had come to value tradition over self-expression. It took the conviction of a group of artists led by Robert Henri to incite a shift that still influences artists today.

30 Urban Vistas: Creating a Portrait of a Place
BY NAOMI EKPERIGIN
The city can be an overwhelming subject, with its ever-changing inhabitants, neighborhoods, and structures. For Patrick Pietropoli, Greg Gandy, and Richard Haas, large-scale paintings enable them to create timeless portraits of rapidly evolving locations.

44 Enduring Realism: Three Artists’ Interpretations of City Life
BY MICHAEL GORMLEY
Taylor Montague, Max Ginsburg, and the late George Tooker approach the urban landscape quite differently, but all three represent a new front for realism and its portrayal of modern life.

54 On Location at the Urban Fringe
BY AUSTIN R. WILLIAMS
Valeri Larko takes her large canvases to the outskirts of major cities, where she paints areas of the urban landscape that are often overlooked.

60 Dan McCaw: Searching for an Inner Likeness
BY ALLISON MALAFRONTE
This seasoned painter and instructor believes that the most important part of the artistic process is the expression of an individual voice and vision.

July/August 2011

Erin Carey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Departments

6 Editor’s Note 8 Letters 9 Art Mart 12 Quick Sketches 66 Exhibitions		73 Business of Art 76 Technical Q+A 78 Coming in... 79 Bulletin Board 80 Art for Thought

22 The Amazing American Circus Poster
by James Duncan
The iconic images found within circus posters have delighted and enticed “children of all ages” to escape to the Big Top for more than a century.

26 Getting Away: Trailer Parks, Road Trips, and Other Summer Escapes
by Naomi Ekperigin
Artists Robert LaDuke, Scott Yeskel, and David Lyle take different approaches to creating playful yet mysterious images that capture the nostalgia of American pastimes.

38 Quietly Fantastic: The Landscapes of Philippe Charles Jacquet
by Austin R. Williams
This French artist reaches just beyond the real to depict magical locales that resemble a mixture of fantasy, nostalgia, and summer daydreams.

42 A Well– Rounded Approach to Floral Painting
by Bob Bahr
A lifetime of experience and an assortment of painting tools have given this Connecticut artist the recipe for a successful painting career.

50 Water Ways
by Courtney Jordan
Artist Matthew Cornell has made a career out of studying weather patterns, ocean tides, and river beds, and his work reveals that conveying the power of water is all about making waves.

56 John Dowd: Provincetown’s Favored Son
by Michael Gormley
Painter John Dowd finds endless inspiration in this legendary seaside retreat, and his portraits of the local landscape reveal the many sides of American vacation towns.

60 Paul Resika: A Painters’ Painter
by John A. Parks
This prolific artist’s lengthy career has taken him on a journey through a wealth of motifs and a variety of styles.

December 2010

Brian Riley — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:00:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Untitled (work in progress, detail, reversed)
by Steven Assael.

FEATURES

The Interiors & Figurative Work of Ben Fenske: A Critical Look at Raw Talent
by Allison Malafronte & Michael Gormley
Two American Artist editors review the work of an up-and-coming artist and offer their opinion on why this young painter is one to watch.

What Is Genuine? Realist Artists Take on “Hard Times”
by Naomi Ekperigin
A recent exhibition united today’s top painters to display work that utilizes the power of realism to not only bring attention to life’s harsh realities but also act as a call to action.

The Eye of the Painter: Steven Assael and the New Realism
by Michael Gormley
Steven Assael’s complex figurative paintings and vibrant working method reveal that concept and technique work hand in hand to further an artist’s vision.

Symbolism & Strength Beneath the Surface
by Allison Malafronte
Through dramatic design and striking subject matter, Kathleen Gray’s paintings deliver subtle messages of strength, resilience, and hopeful expectancy.

Jean-Léon Gérôme: A Master Realist in a Changing Era
by Calvin Goodman
A recent exhibition in California provided a chance to study the life and work of French painter and sculptor Jean-Léon Gérôme and reassess his contributions to art during an era dominated by Impressionism.

The Perfect Gifts for Artists
Find holiday gift ideas for the artists in your life.