Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i American Art Collector

Welcome to the January issue of American Art Collector and Happy New Year! We hope your New Year’s resolutions include traveling to galleries, museums and art shows and to be active in the world of contemporary realism. In 2024, we know contemporary realism continues to be the most beloved genre for collectors. Our monthly Art Lovers Guide to Collecting Fine Art explores the thriving art scenes in destinations around the country and we’re kicking the year off by spotlighting galleries, artists and museums across Arizona. Scottsdale, Arizona, is the headquarters of International Artist Publishing, so who better than to help you plan an art-focused trip to the state? The weather is inviting; the artists and galleries are exceptional, and it is a great place to start your year-long journey of…

Once in a blue moon a new genre of art will arise, but more often than not, there will simply be exciting new trends and styles that appear within an existing genre. Back in 2016, we noticed a significant shift when many realist artists were bravely starting to introduce abstract elements in their representational figures, a style I coined as “Hybrid” in an article written that year. Today, in 2024, they are taking it a step further by maintaining a refined, tight realism, and combining it directly with bold abstract shapes and color. The effect of this juxtaposition is exciting on many visual levels. The refined technical skill of high realism achieved in these works can be marveled at, while the loose color and shapes evoke feelings, the decorative arts…

Sending art to the moon is not a new phenomenon. The Moon Museum, a small ceramic tile inscribed with drawings by the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Claes Oldenburg, hitched a ride to the lunar surface with Apollo 12 in 1969. The sculpture Fallen Astronaut joined the first space art object in 1971, followed by two phonographic records containing a spectrum of audio from the sounds of whales to Chuck Berry’s hit “Johnny B. Goode” in 1972. With today’s growing interest in space exploration and opportunities for commercial travel opening up since NASA passed the manufacturing of lunar landers to private companies like Space X and United Launch Alliance, sending a time capsule of art to the moon is not only viable for big name artists like Jeff…

In the winter season, Arizona comes to life all across the state. It’s that time of year when the blistering heat finally cools down, the air is light and cities are abuzz with holiday cheer. Always a part of that feeling of cheer are the robust art communities in the Valley and beyond—there’s the culturally vibrant Tucson down south, brilliant Old Town Scottsdale and bustling downtown Phoenix in the Valley, and lesser-known gems up north like Prescott, Jerome and Williams (the “gateway to the Grand Canyon”). We’d also be remiss not to mention the gorgeous red rock canyons of Sedona, where numerous art galleries reside. There is something magical about Arizona in the winter (and any time of year, really) —that juxtaposition between the sunny skies and desert wildlife alongside…

AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76107, (817) 738-1933 www.cartermuseum.org ARCADIA CONTEMPORARY 421 W. Broadway, New York, NY 10012, (646) 861-3941 www.arcadiacontemporary.com BLUE RAIN GALLERY 544 South Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 954-9902 934 Main Avenue, Unit B Durango, CO 81301, (970) 232-2033 www.blueraingallery.com CAVALIER GALLERIES 530 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10019, (212) 570-4696 www.cavaliergalleries.com CLAUDIA SEYMOUR Stamford, CT claudiaseymour@aol.com GEORGE BILLIS GALLERY 116 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880 (203) 557-9130 www.georgebillis.com GRACE MEHAN DEVITO (203) 979-2472 gmdevito@yahoo.com www.gracedevito.com LAURIN MCCRACKEN Fort Worth, TX, (817) 773-2163 laurinmc@aol.com www.lauringallery.com NANCY J. BALMERT www.nancybalmert.com PEGGIE BLIZARD www.peggieblizard.com PETER SWIFT pswift73@icloud.com www.peterswiftartstudio.com RJD GALLERY 227 N. Main Street, Romeo, MI 48065 (586) 281-3613 art@rjdgallery.com www.rjdgallery.com…

The 1930s and 1940s are some of the subjects of Geoffrey Gersten’s new show at Altamira Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona. The show, titled Americanarama, will draw from imagery from vintage magazines, movie studio press stills and advertising. “Geoffrey Gersten’s paintings combine elements of both Americana and Pop Art,” says Stacy Barr, an art consultant at the gallery. “Geoffrey has blended these two styles to create works that evoke a sense of nostalgia and celebrate iconic American imagery with precision and detail.” In one of the new works, American Girl, which shows a model balancing on a fence amid a field of Gersten’s trademark dots, the artist was inspired by a Paramount Studios press still from the 1940s. What excited him about the image was the model’s more casual expression…

Inspired by light and atmosphere, as well as the landscapes of Ireland and rural Pennsylvania, artist Jeffrey Reed presents new works in a solo show hosted by Gross McCleaf Gallery in Philadelphia. Opening January 11, the show, titled Doonfeeny Studies, showcases roughly two dozen small gouache paintings of Reed’s time in Ireland that, in the artist’s words, "reveal the history and impact the land and the sea have on lives and community. My paintings have always been inspired by specific moments and observations. Light and atmosphere are the two elements that inspire me the most…I hope that someone looking at my paintings would have a sense of the familiar while at the same time [discover] something new. The light might feel familiar but the abstract shape of a field might…

Weaving together pattern, light and color builds the complex layers behind the work of Lynn Van De Water. Through the lens of early masters, she applies attentive details as she arranges her compositions. A playful use of mediums and designs juxtaposed against a stimulating backdrop allows her flow of creativity to speak volumes. During a recent trip to Italy, Van De Water manipulated the free form of situating the inside world against the outside environment. Working directly from her Italian villa’s finestra in the Bergamo countryside, the artist composed her next arrangements. Sweeping the bounty in an armful of flowers and greenery from the grounds of the villa, she arranged her bouquet against the pillowy clouds and horizon. Vineyard Roses captures a warm breath of the Bergamo sun, the arrangement…

Getting the first issue of the year out the door always feels like something of a feat. When we begin working on this magazine, many galleries, artists and museums are still solidifying their 2024 schedules, a process slowed by the holidays and the fact that, in closing out another year, we are all ready for a well-deserved break! But here at International Artist Publishing, our small but mighty company that puts out several magazines monthly, time just keeps on ticking. Month after month, we are reminded that no matter what challenges arise, somehow we always get it done. And the sweet satisfaction of doing so is what keeps a lot of us in the industry. But just like a work of art isn’t complete without a viewer to appreciate it,…

Leonard Koscianski begins his day at 6 a.m. with a 5-mile run through the streets of Annapolis, Maryland, with a group of fellow runners. “It’s dark,” he recounts, “the stars are out, there’s the moon. When we finish, the sun’s up and it’s daylight. We’re running in the transition of night into day.” Light in its infinite variety illuminates his paintings, from cool moonlight to the warmth of incandescent light streaming out of buildings, relieving the dark. The phenomenon of the blueness of moonlight is caused by the light sensitivity of the eyes shifting to the blue end of the spectrum in low-light conditions. In Man Cave II, the blue moonlight is punctuated by the warm light of a garage, an open door and the light in windows revealing the…

VISIT AMERICANARTCOLLECTOR.COM/PASTISSUES OR CALL 1 (877) 947-0792 TO PURCHASE PAST ISSUES Create a library of fine art in your home by purchasing past issues of American Art Collector. Enjoy timeless works of art, followartists’ careers, and explore gallery and museum exhibitions and coast-to-coast art destinations that continue to define the nation’s art market. Collectors of Contemporary art rely upon American Art Collector to stay informed on the latest works from the country’s top contemporary artists as well as artwork from historic Western masters. Our magazine allows collectors to get a real sense of art that is coming available for sale—and opportunity to buy it right off our pages. Stay informed on the latest exhibits across the country, subscribe today online at WWW.AMERICANARTCOLLECTOR.COM…

A new group exhibition at Anne Neilson Fine Art explores different viewpoints of landscape scenes through a wide variety of styles and mediums. Titled Vantage Point, the show features a dynamic collection of 40 works of art by such artists as Christopher Groves, Millie Gosch, Kim Amell, Mary Benson, Judith Judy and Sarah Gayle Carter. Carter’s geometric style is seen in full force in her oil Parterre. “[This piece], as the rest of my landscape paintings, is an interpretation of a photo of an actual, specific place. In this case, an aerial view of rural Virginia farmland,” says the designer turned painter. “My designer eye responds to line, form and certainly color. I look for the color and structure hiding beneath the surface of things. I push the world I…

When watercolorist Daniela Werneck has models over for a photoshoot, she takes as many pictures as she can while they’re simply relaxing and talking with her. During these moments, the artist isn’t worried about composition or pose, but rather, capturing the genuine facial expressions and body language of her subjects. After the session, she takes as much time as she needs going over every photo. “I have been a romantic and an art lover since I was a child,” says Werneck. “My art is innocent, romantic and pure. [It] conveys a feeling of freedom and hope to the public. Just like fairytales, my paintings tend to speak to the public, tell stories and portray an emotional narrative, revealing feelings and thoughts.” Werneck was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro,…

Eileen Nistler can sum up how she feels about painting through the Jordan Peterson quote, “Do what is meaningful, not expedient.” Among her influences, she cites Rubens and Caravaggio and the chiaroscuro idea of value. She too likes to depict her subjects in the spotlight with the edges receding into the blackness. “I am inspired by many things that were grand and wonderful to me as a child,” shares Nistler. “I loved the show Bewitched and on that show the befuddled Aunt Clara had a door knob collection. That intrigued me a lot. I loved the beautiful glass door knobs in our home and understood completely why she collected them.” Some of Nistler’s paintings are of costume jewelry. “My grandmother and my aunts were classy ladies that had lovely jewelry,”…

Through December 30 Michael Carson: Canvassing Bonner David Galleries Scottsdale, AZ » (480) 941-8500 www.bonnerdavid.com January 1-31 Water 33 Contemporary Gallery/Virtual Chicago, IL » (708) 837-4534  www.artsy.net/show/33-contemporary-w-a-t-e-r. Through January 2 Small Works Group Exhibition Principle Gallery Alexandria, VA » (703) 739-9326 www.principlegallery.com January 2-13 Geoffrey Gersten: Americanaram Altamira Fine Art Scottsdale, AZ » (480) 949-1256 www.altamiraart.com Through January 3 Through These Eyes: Kris Lewis, Andrei Zadorine, Yana Movchan RJD Gallery Romeo, MI » (586) 281-3613 www.rjdgallery.com Through January 5 Milt Kobayashi: Primaries Bonner David New York, NY » (929) 226-7800 www.bdgartboutique.com January 5-29 James Rieck: Dressed to Kill Rubine Red Gallery  Palm Springs, CA » (760) 537-7665 www.rubineredgallery.com January 6-27 Contemporary Realism Now  Gallery 1261  Denver, CO » (303) 571-1261 www.gallery1261.com January 6-February 24 Wild Things Stanek Gallery » Philadelphia, PA…

MACK 939 is a new reading room opening within contemporary art gallery Webber at its Los Angeles location on 939 S. Santa Fe Avenue. The reading room is a collaboration with London-based book publisher MACK, with the goal of cultivating “a lively [program] of events and exhibitions [that] contributes to the burgeoning culture and community of downtown Los Angeles.” The reading room was designed by renowned British/Dutch architect, Alex de Rijke, and is now open to the public.…

Subscribe today to get the best contemporary American art magazine in the country, and the only monthly magazine that highlights the top artists, galleries, museums and fairs throughout the art market. Need proof? The proof is in your hands. Flip through this stunning issue to find the most thorough coverage of the contemporary realism genre through: » Previews of all the biggest gallery shows, art events and sales. » Destination guides for the hottest art markets. » Special genre sections to expand your collecting power. » 12 issues a year, each one presenting work from the top artists and the rising newcomers… and everyone in between! Join our huge community of subscribers who have chosen American Art Collector as their go-to trusted source for everything they need to know about…

The 34th annual Celebration of Fine Art will once again set up shop under the unmistakable white tent that will be home to the galleries and working studios of 100 fine artists over the course of 10 weeks beginning Saturday, January 13. The lively, interactive event provides a gallery and studio experience in one, where visitors can engage with artists, view completed works in an elegant setting and watch them create new ones on site where they have set up their easels and workbenches. Because the festival runs for 10 weeks, art lovers have the opportunity to watch a piece progress from start to finish, and forge lasting connections with artists—all for a single event pass of no more than $10 that is good for the duration of the festival. Artists…

For James Rieck’s show of new work at Rubine Red Gallery in Palm Springs, California, the artist tackles deep, compelling themes. The title of the show, Dressed to Kill, named after the famous 1980s film, is appropriate for a series that explores the relationships between clothing and identity. In roughly 16 oil paintings, Rieck employs his distinct style of only portraying portions of his subjects executed in great detail. “My work is characterized by its tight cropping, a practice often seen in contemporary advertising where figures are cropped to emphasize the garments they are promoting,” Rieck explains. “Cropping, for me, is not merely about framing a subject but a powerful tool to emphasize the unspoken, inside and outside the picture plane. Sometimes what isn’t painted is just as important as…

Every Tiny Little Thing is Paul Pitsker’s first solo exhibition in three years. It marks a departure in the watercolorist’s work that wasn’t by choice or an organic evolution, but rather the result of a traumatic hand injury incurred while intervening in a violent dog fight in 2022. After the incident he couldn’t write, much less paint, and while he has slowly built up his strength, it has affected his output in a profound way. The pieces are smaller and the level of detail he once so easily achieved, sometimes feels out of reach. It also takes him longer to finish a piece. However, like most extreme life challenges, they often contain blessings that add depth to one’s experience and, in Pitsker’s case, also his art. His new paintings stay…

In 2001, after 30 years in the advertising world as an art director and illustrator, Montreal artist François Chartier finally began pursuing his artwork full time. “I felt the need to pursue in greater depth my own artistic journey through painting. I deeply think that artwork should inspire!” he says. “I love to create joyful, colorful and luminous atmospheres in my paintings, and I hope that they will remain, long after I am gone, a source of inspiration and wonder.” His bright, luminous oils capture his still life subjects in crisp detail. Lately, many of his works have an added layer of being submerged under water. “My choice of painting subject is usually dictated by the rhythm, shape, color, light and shadow I obtain by staging objects or flowers,” he…

American Art Collector magazine has changed the way artists, galleries and collectors connect. It has closed the gap that previously existed in the traditional art market. Spectacular and instant SOLD! stories keep rolling in. Check out some of the highlights of the sales and connections achieved from the pages of our magazine and throughout the market. 1 Amanda Greive sells piece featured in a preview of an exhibition at Wausau Museum of Art Painting the Figure Now, a preview of which ran in the October 2023 issue of American Art Collector, is a yearly group show hosted by the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art in collaboration with PoetsArtists dedicated to showcasing contemporary figurative works. Featured in the article was Amanda Greive’s showpiece An Infinite Escape, which sold shortly after the issue…