Stories of Contemporary Reaslism

Several of my works are included in the innovative online exhibition and sale titled Stories of Contemporary Realism at The Brigham Galleries.  This exhibit was guest curated by artist Kyle Thomas.  "Stories" opened for viewing on March 27th and continues thru May 31, 2012.  

 Cary Ann, oil on panel, 18" x 14"

Each artist was asked to give the back story of each piece or grouping.  In my usual fashion, I got a bit wordy...

"This query forced me to see how my works are inter-connected. What I realized in looking back, is that these works very clearly represent my life and the changes that have occurred for me in the last few years.  Starting with the painting of my friend Cary Ann, which was painted from life in my former Pasadena, CA studio thru to the large nude that was literally JUST finished here in my new home in North Carolina, you can clearly follow how my life's recent changes have affected my work. I consider figurative painting my first love. Painting people defines who I am and how I process this world, so when this recent move to the South made me NOT want to paint the people around me, that was a huge deal for me. Feelings of being foreign and disconnected from the people here, forced me to turn to different inspirations for my work. I became fascinated with the often overlooked, very common southern plants and the abundance of green that now surrounds me. It was through researching these Southern Weeds (as I call the series) that I started to learn about the South and started to gain a connection to the history of this place and its people. I have been able to return to my first love of figurative painting. Now, I do feel a deeper connection and understanding of the people around me. Though it seems my paintings are merely a direct response to the experiences of my life as they happen, my hope is that there is some universal truths that we can all share in the work. Honestly representing the emotions, content and characters of my life is the only way I know how to express these universal human truths."

Nest, oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Globe Sedge, oil on panel, 16" x 16"

Goldenrod, oil on panel, 24" x 24"

 Study of Kat, oil on panel, 12" x 9"

Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48"

Artist included in the exhibit are:

Greg Bennett

Robert Bodem

Candice Bohannon

Stephen Cefalo

Marc Dalessio

Matt Dickson

Michelle Dunaway

Alia El-Bermani

Frank Gardner

Ignat Ignatov

Tara Juneao

Michael Lierly

Leo Mancini-Hresko

Alfred Paredes

Scott Prior

Tony Pro

Mario Robinson

Richard Scott

Kyle Thomas

Ray Vargas

Katie Whipple

You can also view a video preview and discussion of this online exhibition on The Brigham Galleries blog here.

Featured in American Art Collector

I am so honored and pleased to share that my work is featured in the current April 2012 edition of the magazine American Art Collector!  The article acts as a preview for the upcoming The Expedition & Beyond show at Principle Gallery, which opens Friday the 13th.  My painting Becoming can be seen on a nearly full page spread.  Thank you to American Art Collector for featuring the exhibition - it is a lovely article.  You can purchase a copy of this magazine at any Barnes and Nobles or other book store near you. 

Principle Gallery - The Expedition & Beyond

Becoming, oil on panel, 24" x 24"

I am honored and excited to share that three of my paintings will be included in an exhibition at Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA.  The Expedition & Beyond will showcase the works of thirteen incredible figurative artists.  I am so happy to be sharing these esteemed walls with this talented group.  

The Expedition & Beyond

April 13 - May 15, 2012

Opening Reception: Friday April 13th from 6:30-9pm

Principle Gallery

208 King St.

Alexandria, VA

703-739-9326

Artists included are:

Alexandra Tyng – Narberth, PA

Alia El-Bermani – Cary, NC

Catherine Prescott – Harrisburg, PA

Cindy Procious – Chattanooga, TN

Diane Feissel – Philadelphia, PA

Linda Tracey Brandon – Phoenix, AZ

Mia Bergeron – Chattanooga, TN

Rachel Constantine – Philadelphia, PA

Sadie Valeri – San Francisco, CA

Stefani Tewes–Laguna Beach, CA

Terry Strickland- Pelham, AL

Shannon Runquist, Charleston, SC

 Diane with Kitten, oil on panel, 20" x 16"

 The Gibbes Mausoleum, oil on linen on panel, 10” x 8”

This exhibition is a direct result of the Women Painting Women blog, which I helped to co-found, the subsequent 2010 exhibition of the same name at Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC and the painting retreat we called "On Expedition" that coincided with that initial exhibition of over 54 international artists.  This time around, The Expedition & Beyond  focuses on the work created and inspired by that week long retreat of a baker's dozen like minded artists.  We will each exhibit one study that was painted on location as well as 2 works that were created in our studios after the retreat. 

A beautiful catalog accompanies this exciting exhibition which not only shares all the paintings that will be on exhibit, but also includes stories and pictures from the retreat itself.  With a lovely foreword by John O'Hern,  American Art Collector, Santa Fe Editor,  the very talented folks at Matter Deep Publishing have done a fantastic job.  This catalog can be previewed and purchased by visiting HERE.

A preview video was also created by Matter Deep Publishing which you can view below:

You may also read a very nice blog post by Matthew Innis of the wonderful and always informative Underpaintings blog by clicking HERE.  

Lastly, today I found a nice mention in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine's March-April 2012 issue.  It is currently on newsstands. 

If you are in the Alexandria, VA area on Friday April 13th we all hope you will be able to come to the Opening Reception between 6:30-9pm.  Most of the artists (including yours truly) will be in attendance.

2012 Regional Artist Project Grant - Recipient

I am very pleased to announce that I have recently been awarded a grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County to purchase new studio lights and materials to build new studio equipment such as a new model stand and storage racks!  These Regional Artist Project Grants (RAPG) are awarded annually to qualifying applicants to provide financial support for projects that will advance the applicant's career in demonstrable ways.

Britek Halogen light set, including boom, 2 stands, and three adjustable lamps!

All recipients are required to spend all project funds by December of 2012.  So, I dutifully purchased the above beautiful set of three Britek Halogen lamps, soft boxes and stands (including that awesome boom) right away.  I have been trying them out for both lighting my subjects that I choose to paint, as well as using them to take more professional photographs of my artwork.  Using these lights to photograph my work has made my least favorite aspect of being an artist a much more palatable chore!  Next will come the building - of storage racks and a new model stand.  My models will no longer have to pose on the floor or propped up on a hobbled table!  Thank you to the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, especially Jennifer McIntyre who works tirelessly to continue this wonderful opportunity for our area artists.  I very much appreciate the support and it will undoubtedly go far in advancing my efforts as a fine artist.  

The Regional Artist Project Grant is funded and administered by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.  This project is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.  The program is operated in partnership with the Franklin County Arts Council, Johnston County Arts Council, Vance County Arts Council and Warren County Arts Council.

Better Photos & closer details.

 Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48", 2012

Threshold, detail

Threshold, detail

Threshold

Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48", 2012

As a figurative painter, it is pretty hard to avoid painting a female figure or two or twenty.  The nude is an essential component to the study of representing the human form.  Here is my most recent attempt.  

 detail - Threshold

At first, my intentions were admittedly simple.  I wanted to represent the female nude figure with dignity and respect.  There are so many images (including within my own oeuvre) that show women as objects of desire, as sexually available.  This has become a prevalent practice even or especially in advertising.  Let's face it, sex sells.  But aren't we capable of showing women as more than that?  Am I capable of reclaiming the female nude (please pardon the potentially dated feminist speak)?  Over the course of this painting I started to doubt the validity of my intentions.  Who am I reclaiming the nude female figure from?  Male artists?  Well sure, there are plenty of over sexed images of women painted by male artists of past and present - but so is true of female artists (again I am not discluding myself here).  Alternatively, there are also fantastically painted female nudes that ooze humanity, dignity and create empathy within the viewer, painted by some contemporary artists such as Daniel Sprick, Richard Maury or Catherine Prescott.  In the end, I'm not sure where this painting lands.  Is this a successful painting despite the vacillating ideas present between strokes?  If you hadn't read all this, would you more likely be questioning the validity of some woman walking to the porch in the buff?  Questions just raise more questions. 

The Skeptic

The Skeptic, oil on linen on panel, 20" x 16", 2012

Perhaps this is a better photo?

ONLINE STORE!

Hello folks.  I am happy to announce I have opened my very first online store.  This shop will feature original oil studies that were done exclusively from life.  Because they are usually small and quick, I can offer these paintings at a much more affordable price point.  Please check out my first three offerings by clicking the following:

 Alia Fine Art - ONLINE STORE!

I am very grateful to those who continue to support me in my artistic endeavors.  Thank you!

As always, if you are interested in larger and more finished works, please contact either Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA or Loft Galeria in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I Believe The Skeptic is fini

Well, I wanted to write a post about my finished self portrait titled The Skeptic.  You know, give you some behind the scene thoughts that brewed while working on this painting.  But no matter how many different ways I try - I suck at taking photos of my own work.  There is always a pesky glare, bad exposure or it just is slightly out of focus.  There is also the annoyance that every single computer screen I see the work on has it's own color cast.  I know that all artists have to deal with that last problem.  I know that we all trust that you, dear readers, know that the painting is much better in person..  At this point I am just SO frustrated.  I miss my old 35mm Canon AE1 (but not those slides we artists used to have to take of our work).  Alas, I will continue to try to figure out the overabundance of settings on this damn digital camera! 

Here are a few of my most recent attempts at photographing The Skeptic.  On this computer they seem to be dark and have very inaccurate color, but maybe on your's these photos look amazing... one can dream. grrr

 The Skeptic, oil on panel, 20" x 16"

The Skeptic, oil on panel, 20" x 16"

 

Beginning Oil Painting Class

For those of you in the area, I will be offering a college prep class for high school students starting in January, that will focus on good ol' oil painting.  Recently I had the pleasure to work with high school students as the visiting artist at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh.  I found that I really enjoy working with these bright, open, rising artists.  It should be a fun class - so please tell your favorite teenage artist!    

Winter Session
OIL PAINTING FOR BEGINNERS
Dates: January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21
Time: 6pm-8:30pm
This course will cover the essentials of oil painting from proper surface preparation to color mixing. Working from still life set ups, students will explore painting materials, learn about composition, color theory and paint application. Using direct observation to gain skills and confidence, these finished paintings will be portfolio ready!
Instructor: Alia El-Bermani
Tuition: $150/$135 members
Material Lists will be provided upon registration

Please contact Artspace to register.

Phone: 919.821.2787
Fax: 919.821.0383
Email: info@artspacenc.org

www.artspacenc.org  

Self as Skeptic

Last week, after spending many hours on the large painting of my son, I wanted to take a little breather so I started a new self portrait.  It is a relief to work smaller and once again from life.  As you can imagine, I am not able to get my five year old son to hold still as a model, so I've been struggling with the limitations of photo reference.  This self portrait is a huge relief in that sense, though I do have a mad crick in my neck.

 open underpainting of 

The Skeptic, oil on panel, 20" x 16"

The day after I started this self portrait, I had the pleasure (for the second time) to see the beautiful Rembrandt in America exhibition at the NCMA with some lovely friends.  This exhibit boasts nearly 50 portraits by both Rembrandt and "the school of Rembrandt".  There are some truly remarkable paintings to feast on, such as the following self portrait painted in 1659 (which is on loan from the National Gallery of Art).  The exhibition continues at the NCMA thru January 22, 2012 and then travels to the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

It certainly is a humbling experience to compare my efforts in paint to that of the master Rembrandt!  But it also serves as a great source of inspiration to see how he layered so much paint and completely controls the viewers focus with not only the variation of paint applications, but great mastery of value relationships.  Here are a few more progress shots of my humble attempt.  It is still not complete and unfortunately, photographing a wet painting is nearly futile... my apologies for the poor photo quality.

work in progress 

detail of first pass of color

The Skeptic (in progress), oil on panel, 20" x 16"

 

100 Grand Tonight!

I am honored to share that two of my Southern Weed paintings have traveled west to California.  They are included in the 3rd Annual 100 Grand exhibition at Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara, which opens TONIGHT 5-8pm!  This exhibition has become a fun tradition for artists and collectors to start off the holiday season.  Please stop in if you are in the area!

Persimmon, oil on panel, 8" x 8"

 Pokeberry, oil on panel, 8" x 8"

December 1, 2011 - January 29, 2012

Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery

7 E. Anapamu St.

Santa Barbara, CA

www.sullivangoss.com 

805-730-1460