Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i American Art Collector

Greeting visitors to Amy, Josh and Forrest Lind’s home in Savannah, Georgia, is a painting by Amy Lind herself. “After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design,” she says, “I was lucky enough to be picked up by a gallery and began pushing paintings out the door to galleries and exhibitions. I painted this work for a competition and we kept it at home awaiting the results. As we lived with it, we grew to like it. When it wasn’t accepted for the competition, we realized we had fallen in love with her and decided to keep the painting. She used to reside in our dining room and looked over us as we ate. Now Amaryllis greets visitors to our home. “I met the model at Jeremy Lipking’s studio,”…

Flailing limbs, shirtless torsos twisted in a writhing bundles of skin and ribs, cocked elbows, ruddy exposed knees angled down and out, calve muscles flexing under rolled pant legs, bare feet arched against the hum of an unheard song somewhere in the infinity of a white or black backgrounds. This isn’t ballet. It’s more primal, more spontaneous, more bombastic. For Denis Sarazhin, his dancing figures are expressions of the human form in their rawest state. His figures appear to be moving to their own impulsive beat, an improvisational rhythm that sends the male figures into a state of bohemian bliss, their bodies rejecting their rigid forms and collapsing into a contorted, spinning and dipping mass. The Ukraine-based painter will be showing his newest works starting December 16 at Arcadia Contemporary…

In the early summer of 1873, Winslow Homer arrived in the fishing port of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and spent the next two months experimenting with watercolor. He had used watercolor previously but his summer’s work was the first time he approached it seriously as an art form. Boys in a Dory is one of the 30 or so paintings he did of children playing on the beach and on boats around the busy harbor. His pencil outlines are visible beneath the strong, horizontal bands of muted color that lead the eye to the solitary boy in a blue shirt sitting on the bow of the dory. His friends pause in their rowing as a schooner sails by. It is an ostensibly idyllic scene. The boys, however, were born during the Civil…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / CHARLESTON, SC December 1-22, 2017 Robert Lange Studios 2 Queen Street | Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 805-8052 | www.robertlangestudios.com Nathan Durfee’s newest body of work focuses on his fantastical characters as they are surrounded by their fears, hopes, dreams and thoughts—and also lots of water. His colorful cast of characters find themselves marooned, either intentionally by an unforeseen force or accidentally, on islands made of grassy soil, black rocks, a pillar of rock floating in heaven’s clouds, icebergs and a boulder in a bathtub. The show is appropriately titled Islands I Make Believe. “I like to make the titles vague, usually just enough to make sense so I have the freedom to explore a body of work. These pieces are all centered on these islands, which…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / CHARLOTTE, NC November 18, 2017-January 6, 2018 Jerald Melberg Gallery 625 S. Sharon Amity Road | Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 365-3000 | www.jeraldmelberg.com The accidental choreography of people walking on an urban street, their reflections and the reflections of cabs and buses mixing on rain-wet pavement are moments Susan Grossman sees as she walks along the thoroughfares of New York and Charlotte. She captures them with her camera set on black-and-white and returns to her studio to assemble any number of static images into large, vibrant images of the city in motion, inviting the viewer to be part of the scene. She assembled Parade from photos “with a quirkiness, making up something in a sort of childlike way.” She explains, “I’m not a colorist. I set…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / SCOTTSDALE, AZ December 14, 2017-January 14, 2018 Andre Kohn Fine Art Gallery 7034 E. Main Street | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 970-4300 | www.andrekohnfineart.com On December 14, Andre Kohn Fine Art Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, will open a 25th anniversary retrospective for its namesake, artist Andre Kohn. He will display not only new pieces created over the past few years, but also older works that he had kept and is now offering to the public. The show will highlight the variety and versatility of Kohn’s paintings throughout different periods of his career. Kohn describes his work as “contemporary figurative expressionism” that is based on the traditions of Russian and French impressionism. “I strongly believe that a craftsman can only call him or herself an artist after…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / PARK CITY, UT December 6-21, 2017 Terzian Galleries 625 Main Street | Park City, UT 84060 (435) 649-4927 | www.terziangalleries.com This winter, Terzian Galleries in Park City, Utah, looks west, celebrating the art and history of California. The upcoming group show, From California with Love, features the work of five contemporary artists with connections to the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Participating artist Melissa Chandon explains that the idea for the exhibition originated from a trip Karen Terzian made to Sacramento last year. “Our goal was to have a group that had an energy and like-mindedness. It was our shared experiences, Karen having lived in California’s central valley on a family farm and my personal experience of living on a family ranch in Northern California that hatched…

In Alexandra Manukyan’s most recent series of rich, surreal figurative work, viewers will find the theme of nature decaying and weakened by the forces of humans, particularly through vanity and self-promotion. She portrays images of strong women with almost godlike capabilities to impact the animals and environments around them. They are fierce and in control, which, as she shows, may be detrimental to their surroundings. This is a topic that runs passionately in Manukyan’s heart, and she hopes through her art she can provoke a realization: “That right now, we, as a species, have the opportunity to stop this downward trend of destruction to this planet, our home,” she says. In all of Manukyan’s paintings, the viewer is rewarded with new worlds to explore. First, her audience is invited to…

FOG Design+Art The fifth annual FOG Design+Art Fair takes place January 11 through 15, 2018, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. This year’s fair includes 45 international galleries, programs and a special installation created by Stanlee Gatti. “We are thrilled with the caliber of galleries participating this year,” said steering committee member Susan Swig. “Now in our fifth year, it’s incredible to look back and see how much the fair has grown. We were overwhelmed by the quality of this year’s proposals, and the thoughtful approach that these galleries took in thinking about an exhibition that responds both to the nature of this location and to the cross section of art and design that we are celebrating.” A preview gala benefitting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art…

Thomas Cole painted and wrote about pristine nature where “the consequent associations are of God the Creator, they are His undefiled works; and the mind is cast into contemplation of eternal things.” Yet, even in 1836, the hope-filled landscape was in peril. In his Essay on American Scenery he wrote, “I cannot but express my sorrow that the beauty of such landscapes are quickly passing away—the ravages of the axe are daily increasing—the most noble scenes are made desolate, and oftentimes with a wantonness and barbarism scarcely credible in a civilized nation. The wayside is becoming shadeless, and another generation will behold spots, now rife with beauty, desecrated by what is called improvement; which, as yet, generally destroys Nature’s beauty without substituting that of Art.” Julie Heffernan, growing up in…

There is a reverent peacefulness that whistles through the wind outside ruins of the past, whether they be some of the most famous archaeological sites on the planet—Machu Picchu, the Mayan citadel of Tikal, Chichén Itzá or Montezuma’s Castle—or simply abandoned 50-year-old hotels or service stations on forgotten roads outside major American cities. These places, both ancient and somewhat modern, share two common traits: humans once lived there and now they don’t. “Seeing these places really makes you more aware of them. They’ve always been there, but sometimes we don’t notice them. They just sort of exist in this state of decay,” says Arizona artist James Randle, who has been painting scenes of urban and rural realism for many years. “They come from a different time. The land was used…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / NEW YORK, NY Through December 9, 2017 George Billis Gallery 525 W. 26th Street, Ground Floor | New York, NY 10001 (212) 645-2621 | www.georgebillis.com In Palm Springs, California, where Danny Heller grew up, the midcentury modern aesthetic rules the landscape. In Modern Society, Heller’s upcoming solo show at George Billis Gallery in New York, he explores how the building styles of his home on the West Coast were applied to the hustle and bustle of New York City. “With this series, I wanted to focus on the more glamorous aspects of the city,” Heller explains. “I wanted showcase the cultural institutions: the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, the shops on Fifth Avenue, the Guggenheim. These are all major examples of the midcentury aesthetic that made…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / CHICAGO, IL December 1-30, 2017 Lotton Gallery 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Level 6 | Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 664-6203 | www.lottongallery.com Even when confined to a small canvas, artists still manage to make a big statement. A Holiday Small Works Show at Lotton Gallery in Chicago will feature over 30 works with themes of environmentalism and conservation from artists including Ashley Anne Clark, Frank Gonzales, Fabiola Martinez and Mary Alayne Thomas. Clark uses materials like seaweed and bark to create the landscapes of her wildlife works depicting foxes, raccoons and more. “For this show I am working with a variety of a species to show the intimate nature of animal friendships and families,” Clark explains. “As many of us have strong connections to a specific species…

Karen Henneck says her inspiration for creating art is “God’s perpetually changing palette— the color, light and shadows that cause incredible, often unexpected beauty in the landscape.” “I am enamored by the landscapes in the West; golden sunsets and aquamarine skies, the sun’s brilliant radiance as it sparkles on the crisp snow, the deep rusty red in the rugged cliffs,” she says. “To bring these ever-changing views and excitement of God’s creation to the viewer, I strive to seize the moment before it is gone. Because of this, the spontaneity of pastels works best on location, and is the most natural of all mediums for me.” Art is not a hobby or a pastime for Henneck, it is life. “As I enhance my technique, experience will further the journey to…

Thomas Bullard is a San Francisco Bay Area contemporary landscape artist whose unique style is done by combining realism/representational and abstract techniques in one painting. He often will exaggerate and simplify his subjects within each piece, creating a balance between the two styles in a complementary fashion with minimal conflict. He paints on oversized canvases and captivates his audience with subtle and bold colors while painting in delicate and daring brushstrokes simultaneously. Bullard’s admirers often are delighted to find two paintings within the one canvas depicting a scene. Each of his paintings are centered on emotion, evoking a moving sense of mystery and solitude, presenting implied similarities between nature and humanity—both having characteristics of great strength and vulnerability. His paintings tell a story of human struggles and overcoming adversity. The…

One of the major art hubs in the Southern state of Louisiana is New Orleans, which is recognized for its culture, food and music. There are countless galleries and artists throughout the Big Easy, with many finding their homes in the French Quarter, the Arts District of New Orleans and the Garden District. There are also museums and public artwork, allowing visitors to embrace regional, national and international artwork around every corner. The French Quarter, considered the city’s “cultural hub” and one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods, has a wide variety of boutiques to explore. Down Royal Street, visitors will find around a dozen galleries featuring antiques and work by local artists, among other offerings. With museum-caliber paintings and sculpture available at many of the locations, Royal Street has a…

In every issue of American Art Collector magazine, we publish the only reliable guide to all major upcoming fairs and shows nationwide. Contact our assistant editor, Erin Rand, to discuss how your event can be included in this calendar at (480) 246-3789 or erand@americanartcollector.com. DEC 2017 7 MIAMI BEACH, FL MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER Art Basel Miami Beach Galleries from North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa will display notable works from both modern and contemporary artists, including sculptures, installations, paintings, photographs, films and more. www.artbasel.com Through Dec. 10 2 PHOENIX, AZ PHOENIX ART MUSEUM Logic of the Copy: Four Decades of Photography in Print The Phoenix Art Museum features works from 1960 through the early 2000s exploring the 20th-century artistic revolution that transformed the art world. www.phxart.org Through April 22 6…

More than 150 members of the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society will participate in the organization’s firstever Holiday Small Works Show and Sale at Cathy Kline Art Gallery. The show, happening November 13 to December 30, officially kicks off at the Parkville, Missouri, showroom on November 18 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. During the opening, collectors will have the chance to view and purchase nearly 200 small-scale pieces in an array of styles and subject matters. Among the participants are Alex Zonis, Catherine Marchand, Blair Atherholt, James Swanson, Pamela C. Newell, Miguel Malagon, Donald Curran and William Millonig, to name a few. Prior to the reception, NOAPS will host a number of events throughout the city. On November 16 is a one-day workshop with NOAPS Master…

The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “beneath the whirl of phenomena eternal life flows on indestructibly.” At another time he wrote, “It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” David Ligare dips into the eternal flow in paintings of crisp clarity. He continues to be inspired by the timelessness of the great thinkers and artists of the past. “I propose in my paintings, inspired by the real underlying Florence of deep humanistic thought and scientific discoveries,” he writes, “that there are new insights to be found in the example of the Greco-Roman world and in the deeply curious and hugely inventive minds of the 15th century.” He continues, “So much of the past is the roadmap for the future. I often cite…

As a classically trained realist painter, Hollis Dunlap finds inspiration from not only past artists, movements and styles but also in contemporary elements. He is constantly exploring new techniques and compositions, evolving his artwork with time and experience—the bar is always being raised. Beginning December 9, his latest series of paintings will be on view in his second solo show at Sirona Fine Art in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The exhibition, which hangs through February 2, will highlight bold colors that nod to the works of Gustav Klimt; abstract elements in the vein of Richard Diebenkorn; and composition and atmosphere reminiscent of Edward Hopper. While infused with these characteristics, the work is also marked solely by the hand of Dunlap, who has blended his academic background with a voice of today.…

Throughout the state of Florida are countless destinations for fine art lovers to explore. Not only will they find artwork depicting the lush landscapes and metropolises of the region, but they also can visit galleries, museums and art studios for pieces by artists with national and international reputations. Florida is home to a number of annual fine art fairs and events that welcome visitors from all over the world. The December art fairs in Miami are of particular note, with thousands of galleries, artists and collectors flocking to the city for a weeklong art experience. Each fair has its own specialty, allowing visitors to find their niche of artwork or explore them all. Art Basel Miami Beach, happening December 7 through 10, features booths from international modern and contemporary art…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY December 2-31, 2017 RJD Gallery 2385 Main Street | Bridgehampton, NY 11932 (631) 725-1161 | www.rjdgallery.com This December, RJD Gallery will hold its group show Portals of Wonder. The exhibit, which features paintings of introspective and futuristic subjects, will showcase assorted works by artists Stephen Wright, Jacqueline Sandelands-Strom, Margaret Bowland, Candice Bohannon and Fatih Gürbüz. With his new works, Wright is exploring a more futuristic style while maintaining his foundations as a figure painter. “My focus has always been representing the human body and to find compelling ways for it to tell a story,” says Wright, “and what inspired me for these works was a desire to impart a feeling of joy by mixing in something I’ve always loved: science fiction. I know how…

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / ORLEANS, MA Through December 30, 2017 The Gallery at Tree’s Place Route 6A at 28 | Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 255-1330 | www.treesplace.com For the Gallery at Tree’s Place in Orleans, Massachusetts, the holidays are the perfect time for small works. Their annual show, Small Works, Great Joy, will include more than 100 works from 40 of its resident artists, including Jacob A. Pfeiffer, Mark Beck, James Neil Hollingsworth, Marieluise Hutchinson, Leah Lopez, Kathy Anderson, Gwen Marcus and Eric Kaiser. Marcus will feature The Stream, a small bronze featuring a woman gazing into the water. “She is drawn forward, and with this posture draws in the viewer. The movement in her hair, touched by a gentle breeze, brings us to that moment with her in nature.”…

Anthropomorphism, a common theme in Lucia He ernan’s work where she combines Trompe l’Oeil techniques and uses animals as characters, tells a pretty convincing story. “Nature, human and animals are the most fascinating things our planet has to o er,” says He ernan. She adds, “I believe by painting animals doing human things, it brings awareness to them and gives them a voice and personality. “My inspiration comes from the things I encounter in our daily lives—nature, humor, comics, social media, illustrations, movies, YouTube videos and the countless quirky and charming moments that unfold if we take the time to notice them. By imagining what animals might do if put in human situations, I stage tableaus that shine a spotlight on both their innocence and their raw instinct,” she continues.…

Priscilla Nelson is a people watcher but with an artist’s eye. Nelson, known for her figurative contemporary realism paintings, explores textiles and clothing and how they convey moods and attitudes. Her inspiration is people and what they wear. “I am intrigued by what people wear and how they move,” she says. Nelson’s distinctive painting style and subject matter tells a narrative that can be interpreted by the viewer. The stories her clients tell her add to each painting’s message, and she says of her clients, “Their imagination takes over and joins mine.” Since moving to Scottsdale, Arizona, four years ago, Nelson has become fascinated by water, which has become a prevalent theme in her paintings. “Now that I live in the desert, water, something that I once took for granted,…