Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2023 i Artists Magazine

Recently, I was exploring ways to communicate the quantum airiness of energy visually in my oil paintings. I was problem-solving a concept and trying to introduce something new to my painting practice. It was then that I stumbled upon the ethereal quality of interference paints. They’re a fascinating class of media that produce an ever-changing display of color and luminosity. I knew practically nothing about them, yet I purchased tubes of Williamsburg oil paints in interference red, blue, green and violet to experiment with them. What I learned is that they can be used to create mesmerizing optical effects that reflect and refract light waves. My explorations taught me a lot about the world of interference paints, their composition, unique qualities and various ways to use them. WHAT ARE INTERFERENCE…

Working in early morning or late evening for the most interesting lighting scenarios, Steven Walker captures an inspiring scene first with his camera and then takes the photos to his home studio. Some photos, he notes, make poor references for studio painting —but not in the way you’d think. “Some photos are just too good,” he says, “and should continue to exist as photos, while others need an artist to take the composition to the next, more aesthetically pleasing level.” ARTISTIC BEGINNINGS During his childhood in Richmond, Va., art was always an interest, even as early as nursery school, where his art was published in the school newsletter. Walker says that although he wasn’t particularly motivated for college, he lucked into a spot at Virginia Commonwealth University, which happened to…

“Dubbed ‘the painter of the American winter,’ Walter Launt Palmer (1854–1932) is most famous for snow scenes such as this one. Impressionists like Palmer were preoccupied with capturing the changes in outdoor lighting and how this altered our perception of—and even relationship to—the landscape. To avoid biting winter temperatures, however, Palmer used photos to study the effects of natural light and then painted in the studio from memory. Although his photos were not in color, he had observed that snow is not pure white. With this knowledge of light and color, the artist included pink highlights and blue shadows in this depiction of snow, creating a rich and luminous effect.” IAN GABRIEL WILSON Curator of Exhibitions & Collections Blowing Rock Art & History Museum…

Ready to be mesmerized? Then look up a few YouTube videos of Alexander Timchenko painting pinstripe art. With a very steady hand and a relaxed focus, he pulls razor-sharp lines over all sorts of objects—cars, motorcycles, guitars, even his wife’s Adidas sneakers. The long-haired brush he uses releases an even stream of color as he builds designs with graceful curves and angular points. The designs that flow from Timchenko’s brushes are precise and symmetrical thanks to his artistic touch. The results enhance the shape and design of the surface on which he’s painting, turning each object into a one-of-a-kind work of art. FALLING INTO LINE Pinstriping is an ornamental art that dates back centuries. Artisans hand-painted accent lines and flourishes on horse-drawn carriages, signs, bicycles and more, a tradition that…

When you’re feeling restless, do you ever daydream about walking out the door with just a pack on your back, free to go wherever your boots take you? My personal fantasy has me wandering off to sketch my way around the world, from my home in Vermont all the way to Timbuktu, and back again. I wouldn’t take much with me … maybe just a compass, a bedroll, a change or two of clothes, and art supplies: a small pad of paper, a brush and a little watercolor palette filled with burnt sienna and ultramarine blue. That’s it, just a brown and a blue. This may seem like an overly limited palette for a round-the-world trip, but I’d be in good company carrying just those two tubes of paint. Before…

Just outside of Bellingham, Wash., on 40 acres of property, artist Liz Park hones the talent she has been nurturing for decades. As a creator who found her artistic voice in the Jackson Hole, Wyo., region of the U.S. during many years of living there, her current home bears witness to a full-time art practice that continues to take shape. Park is originally from the Hershey, Penn., area. Her childhood carried the aroma of chocolate at its fringes, especially just before rainfall or when a bout of humidity would strike. The chocolate company held a significant role in her hometown community of Harrisburg. “Both of my parents, at one time or another, have worked for the Hershey company,” she says. The childhood influences of her home state go well beyond…

Loose Brushwork If there was ever a time to work loosely, painting en plein air during the cold winter months might just offer the perfect opportunity. It’s a great time to follow in the footsteps of the Impressionists. • Embrace broken color through the use of loose brushstrokes. • Let your marks be a little scattered and unplanned. • Follow a tight value range to keep any color chaos contained. Opposites Attract Time is of the essence when painting outside during the chilliest season of the year. A good compositional rule of thumb is to look for contrasts so that you don’t spend a lot of time settling on a scene. • Seek places where linear, man-made objects such as roads, fences and buildings meet organic objects in interesting ways.…

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave), a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is one of the most iconic and widely reproduced images from all of art history. Its influence was felt during the time it was created in mid-19th century Japan and has only continued to grow, possibly surpassing that of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers or Whistler’s Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (also known as Whistler’s Mother). And like Van Gogh, Whistler and other art titans—including Picasso and Warhol—Hokusai is recognized by his last name alone. ENDURING INFLUENCE In March 2023, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA Boston) opened “Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence,” an exhibition of over 100 woodblock prints, paintings and illustrated books by Hokusai, juxtaposed by 200 works created by…

With 12 grand unveilings this year and next, it’s time to update your museum bucket list. Early predictions that the pandemic disruption would shutter as many as one-third of museums have, thankfully, proven to be unfounded. In fact, 2023 saw the unveiling of a number of brand-new museums, and many surviving institutions have recently invested in substantial renovations, equipping them to educate and inspire whole new generations of patrons. Here’s a look at 12 museums that opened or are slated to open (or reopen) in 2023 and 2024. The International African American Museum (IAAM), Charleston, S.C. Opened in late January, the IAAM was built on Gadsden’s Wharf, a spot which was a major point of entry for slave transport. The IAAM tells “the unvarnished stories of the African American experience…