William T. Williams (USA b. 1942)

Old Bethel (1970)

acrylic and graphite on paper 141 x 104 cm

William T. Williams (born July 17, 1942) is an American painter and educator. His artistic journey has been marked by a process-based approach to painting, drawing motifs from personal memory and cultural narratives to create non-referential, abstract compositions. Let’s delve into his fascinating life and work:

1. Early Years and Background:

   • Born in Cross Creek, North Carolina, Williams’s family later moved to Queens, New York when he was four years old.
   • His formative years included visits to North Carolina during summers.
   • In 1956, a pivotal encounter with famed artist Jacob Lawrence fueled his belief that he could pursue a professional artistic career.

2. Education and Artistic Development:

   • Williams attended the High School for Industrial Arts in Manhattan, where he frequented the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
   • He graduated from New York City Community College in 1960 and later earned his B.F.A. degree from Pratt Institute in 1966.
   • His artistic journey continued at Yale University School of Art and Architecture, where he obtained his M.F.A. degree in 1968.

3. Career and Exhibitions:

   • Williams’s first exhibit was part of a group show called “X to the Fourth Power” at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1969.
   • Throughout the 1970s, his work was showcased at prestigious venues such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York, as well as the American Embassy in Moscow and the Fondation Maeght in France.
   • He became a professor of art at Brooklyn College in 1970 and held summer residencies at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

4. Influences and Style:

   • Williams’s art was profoundly influenced by his first trip to Africa in the late 1970s.
   • His work evolved, incorporating elements from African art and culture.
   • His non-referential abstract compositions often reflect personal memories and cultural narratives.

5. Recognition and Legacy:

   • In 1986, Williams became the first Black artist included in H.W. Janson’s History of Art textbook.
   • He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1987.
   • His legacy endures as a trailblazer in American art.

Kazuo Nakamura

 

Blue Reflections, 1965

oil on canvas, 86.3 x 114.3 cm

Kazuo Nakamura (1926–2002) was a Japanese-Canadian artist who produced one of the most varied and consistently original bodies of work of his generation. His artistic journey spanned more than forty years, during which he created paintings and sculptures that reflected his exploration of different styles and techniques. Here are some key points about his life and art:

1. Early Years and Background:

   • Born on October 13, 1926, in Vancouver, Canada.
   • Nakamura was a second-generation Japanese Canadian (nisei).
   • His father, Toichi Nakamura, had immigrated to Canada from Hiroshima in 1911.

2. Inspiration and Influences:

   • Fascinated by his uncle’s collection of Japanese art magazines, Nakamura developed an early interest in art.
   • He studied with influential West Coast artists during his teenage years.

3. Painters Eleven:

   • Nakamura was a founding member of the Toronto-based Painters Eleven group in the 1950s.
   • This group played a significant role in advancing abstract art in Canada.

4. Artistic Exploration:

   • Inspired by his colleagues in Painters Eleven, Nakamura moved between figuration and abstraction.
   • He experimented with different styles and techniques, seeking to reveal universal laws of nature found in science and mathematics.

5. Achievements and Legacy:

   • Nakamura achieved remarkable success during his lifetime, which was unprecedented for any Japanese Canadian artist.
   • His muted landscapes and abstract compositions garnered acclaim.
   • His legacy continues to inspire a new generation of artists.

6. Where to See His Work:

   • You can explore Nakamura’s art at various institutions, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian War Museum, Government of Ontario Art Collection, MacLaren Art Centre, Museum London, and the National Gallery of Canada.

Guiliano Boscaini (Italian, b. 1958)

 
“Train Station, (Il saluto)”, 2020 

Watercolor Painting

Giuliano Boscaini is a contemporary Lombard artist, born in Turate, Italy, in 1958. His artistic journey began in the field of advertising graphics, where he worked until 1986. At that point, he decided to become an independent professional, acquiring leading companies in the national territory for his portfolio. Boscaini’s passion, creativity, and affinity for drawing led him to explore art, particularly landscape painting using the oil technique.

However, it was his encounter with watercolorist Emilia Aldo Taron that played a decisive role in his artistic development. Watercolor, with its unpredictable results, became a medium that brought him immense satisfaction and emotions. Boscaini describes painting in watercolor as a moment of meditation, allowing him to extract energy and stillness from space.

His art, often characterized by the interplay of water and color, invites viewers to experience the emotions evoked by this captivating technique. 

To explore more of Giuliano Boscaini’s watercolor works, you can visit his Facebook page1 or learn more about him on The Gallerist

Emile Claus (Belgium, 1849-1924)

 

Fog Lanterns in the mist (1916-18)

Oil on canvas, 42.8 x 45.7 cm.

Emile Claus (27 September 1849 – 14 June 1924) was a Belgian painter known for his luminous and impressionistic style. Here are some key points about his life and work:

1. Early Life and Education:

   • Born in Sint-Eloois-Vijve, a village in West Flanders, Belgium.
   • His father was a grocer-publican, and his mother came from a Brabant skipper’s family.
   • As a child, Claus loved drawing and attended the Academy of Waregem to learn how to draw.

2. Artistic Journey:

   • Despite his father’s reservations, Claus pursued an artistic career.
   • He trained at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts after convincing his father with the help of composer Peter Benoit.
   • Claus settled in Astene, near Deinze, Belgium, where he drew inspiration from the countryside.

3. Luminist Style:

   • Claus developed the distinct style of Luminism, characterized by its emphasis on light and color.
   • His paintings often depict serene landscapes, capturing the play of light on water, fields, and trees.

4. Influences and Connections:

   • Claus befriended renowned figures like French sculptor Auguste Rodin and naturalist Émile Zola.
   • He traveled globally to exhibit his work and gained recognition as a celebrity artist.

5. Relationships:

   • The painter Jenny Montigny played a significant role in Claus’s life, attending master classes at his workshop.
   • Despite their age difference, they shared a relationship that lasted until Claus’s death.

6. Notable Works:

   • Some of his famous paintings include:
     • “The Ice Birds”
     • “Bringing in the Nets”
     • “First Communion”
     • “Hay Stacks”
     • “Summer”

7. Legacy:

   • Claus’s luminist approach influenced Belgian art and left a lasting impact on the country’s artistic landscape.

For a deeper exploration of Emile Claus’s art, you can visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels or explore more of his works on WikiArt

Ellen Thesleff (Finland, 1869-1954)

 
 Self portrait (1894-1895)

oil on canvas 31.5 x 23.5 cm

Ellen Thesleff (1869–1954) was a Finnish expressionist painter, celebrated as one of the foremost modernist artists in Finland. Born in Helsinki on October 5, 1869, she was the eldest daughter among five siblings, and her father was an amateur painter. Thesleff’s artistic journey took her from Finland to Paris, where she honed her skills at the Finnish Art Society Drawing School (now known as the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts) under the guidance of Gunnar Berndtson. In 1891, she ventured to Paris and enrolled at the Académie Colarossi.

Throughout her life, Thesleff divided her time between Finland, France, and Italy. She visited Italy for the first time in 1894 and maintained a family estate in Murole, Ruovesi. Despite her travels, she never married.

Thesleff’s artistic evolution is fascinating. Initially, she worked on symbolist paintings, influenced by artists like Eugène Carrière. However, she asserted that her greatest inspiration came from Édouard Manet. As her career progressed, she transitioned to expressionism and modernism, with a particular focus on landscapes.

In 1949, her paintings garnered acclaim at a major exhibition of Nordic art in Copenhagen. Her powerful use of lines and dynamic compositions resonated with viewers. Notably, Thesleff was part of the 2018 exhibit titled “Women in Paris 1850-1900”.

To explore more of Ellen Thesleff’s work, you can visit the Ateneum museum or view her self-portraits on Archives of Women Artists

Alice Brasser (Dutch , b. 1965)

Park fence 2021

Oil on perspex on wood , 20 x 17 cm.

Alice Brasser, born in Alkmaar, The Netherlands in 1965, is a talented artist who currently lives and works in Haarlem. She received her education at the Amsterdam Academy of Fine Art. Brasser’s captivating work has found its way into both corporate collections and numerous private collections within the Netherlands and abroad12.
Her artistic expression primarily revolves around the theme of landscapes. In her paintings and drawings, you’ll encounter recurring motifs such as trees, grasses, fields, and flowers. These natural elements come alive through her use of intense colors, creating an atmosphere of mystery. Additionally, her compositions often feature human beings or traces of human presence, adding depth and intrigue to her work1.
A monograph titled “Dreamscapes”, published in September 2017, provides an overview of her art from the years 2007 to 2017. In this collection, you’ll find glimpses of lush landscapes, shadowy entertainments in forests, and scenes that evoke both beauty and curiosity. The impact of her works transcends mere aesthetics; they leave a lasting impression that defies simple characterization1.
Brasser’s art invites us to explore the interplay between nature, light, and human existence—a captivating journey through her dreamscapes

Galileo Chini (Florence 1873)

Icarus, 1907

Oil on canvas

Galileo Andrea Maria Chini, born on December 2, 1873, in Florence, Italy, was a multifaceted artist known for his contributions to the Liberty style (also known as Art Nouveau) in Italy. Let’s delve into his life and artistic journey:

1. Early Years and Training:

   • Galileo Chini was born to Elio, a tailor and amateur flugelhorn player, and Aristea Bastiani.
   • He attended the Scuola d’Arte di Santa Croce in Florence, where he studied decoration.
   • His formative years included apprenticeships with painters like Amedeo Buontempo and Augusto Burchi.

2. Ceramics and Decorative Arts:

   • In 1896, Chini co-founded the “Arte della Ceramica” (Art of Ceramics) factory in Florence with artists such as Giovanni Vannuzzi, Giovanni Montelatici, and Vittorio Emanuele Giunti.
   • His collaboration extended to collector Giuseppe Gatti Casazza from 1902 onward.
   • Chini’s ceramic works blended artistic sensibility with craftsmanship.

3. Restoration and Frescoes:

   • After his uncle Dario Chini passed away, Galileo took over the restoration of frescoes in the San Miniato Municipality.
   • He restored the Sala delle Sette Virtù (Hall of the Seven Virtues) and discovered ancient paintings in the church of San Domenico.
   • Chini’s restoration work extended to other chapels as well.

4. Versatility and Recognition:

   • Chini’s artistic versatility spanned painting, decoration, graphics, and ceramics.
   • His influence was significant during the Liberty movement in Italy.
   • Notable works include the “Piastrella” (Tile) from the Manifattura Chini in Borgo San Lorenzo (1911).

5. Legacy and Honors:

   • His artistry left an indelible mark on Italian aesthetics.
   • Chini’s contributions to ceramics, decorative arts, and fresco restoration continue to inspire.

In summary, Galileo Chini’s creative journey epitomizes the fusion of tradition, innovation, and the spirit of the Liberty movement in Italy

 

Juhani Palmu (Finland b. 1944)

Vinterstämning - Winter Mood (n.d.)

oil on canvas 29 x 43 cm

Juhani (Jan) Palmu, born on July 8, 1944, in Turku, Finland, was a Finnish painter known for his distinctive approach to capturing rural landscapes and symbolic elements. Here are some key details about his life and artistic contributions:

1. Artistic Themes:

   • Palmu’s works often revolve around Finnish countryside economic centers, such as barns and other rural structures.
   • He also incorporates landscapes and shamanistic symbols, which he combines with stylized human figures reminiscent of cave paintings.

2. Versatility and Exploration:

   • Throughout his career, Palmu explored various artistic styles and techniques.
   • His paintings reflect influences from Finnish landscape art.

3. Biography:

   • Born in Turku, Finland, in 1944, Palmu spent part of his upbringing in Sweden.
   • His artistic journey led him to create evocative works that resonate with viewers.

4. Notable Artworks:

   • Some of his notable pieces include:
     • “Karelia”
     • “Yard”
     • “Still Life”
     • “Rural Landscape” (1980)
     • “Houses” (1983)
     • “House” (1984)
     • “Yard Landscape” (1982)

5. Legacy:

   • Palmu’s paintings continue to captivate audiences, blending traditional subject matter with a touch of symbolism and modern sensibility.

In summary, Juhani Palmu’s art reflects the essence of Finnish rural life and the timeless connection between nature, symbolism, and human existence123.

Leo Gestel (Dutch, 1881 – 1941)

A tree in autumn, 1909 

il on canvas laid down on board, 52.4 x 38.5 cm

Leo Gestel, born on November 11, 1881, in Woerden, Netherlands, was a versatile Dutch artist known for his exploration of various artistic styles. Here are some key points about his life and work:

1. Artistic Exploration:

   • Cubism, Expressionism, Futurism, and Postimpressionism: Gestel fearlessly experimented with these diverse styles, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
   • Alongside artists like Piet Mondrian and Jan Sluyters, he played a significant role in shaping Dutch modernism.

2. Early Influences:

   • Gestel received his initial art instruction from his father, Willem Gestel, who was also an artist.
   • His uncle, Dimmen Gestel, had even painted alongside the legendary Vincent van Gogh.
   • To overcome financial challenges, Leo created advertisements (including ones for Philips) for illustrated books.

3. Avant-Garde Exposure:

   • During his time in Paris, Gestel immersed himself in the avant-garde movement.
   • In 1913, he exhibited his work at the “Erster Deutscher Herbstsalon” in Berlin, thanks to an opportunity offered by Herwarth Walden.
   • Gestel spent his summers in Bergen, where he became part of the Bergen School.

4. Legacy and Loss:

   • Unfortunately, in 1929, a fire destroyed the majority of his works in his studio.
   • Undeterred, he relocated to Blaricum and continued his artistic journey.

5. Notable Works:

   • Gestel’s sculptures include pieces like “Mallorca”, “Terreno”, “Blue Tree”, “Nude”, and “Idle Moments”.
   • His “Boats Along the Shore” from 1908 and “Flowers” from 1913 showcase his talent.

6. Public Collections:

   • His works are held in esteemed institutions such as:
     • Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
     • Drents Museum, Assen
     • Museum De Hallen, Haarlem
     • Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
     • Singer Laren
     • Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo
     • Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo
     • Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle12.

In summary, Leo Gestel’s artistic legacy continues to inspire, bridging classical and modern elements in his captivating works.

Amy Brngr

 Studio Windows and Quince

Oil on panel

credits: https://amybrnger.com/

Patrick Alò (Italian, born 1975)

Sphinx, 2010 

Iron, 106 x 67 x 30 cm

Patrick Alò, born in Rome in 1975, is a sculptor whose work seamlessly weaves classical themes with contemporary artistic techniques. His sculptures are crafted using recycled scrap metal and other discarded materials, which he skillfully combines. Alò draws inspiration from Greek mythology, and his evocative pieces often depict mythological characters and fantastical creatures. Notably, he collaborated with Fonderia Nolana to create the Legacy Piece, the first public artwork installed along Dubai’s Water Canal—a remarkable feat in contemporary architecture12.

Alò’s background is intriguing: he has an Italian father and a Hungarian-Lebanese mother. His artistic journey led him from Italy to the United States, where he discovered his passion for archeology, recycling, and cyberpunk. Despite being less interested in formal studies, Alò found his creative home in the Italian Alternative Social Centers, unconventional spaces situated in abandoned post-industrial locations where young people organize communities3.

In summary, Patrick Alò’s sculptures bridge the gap between ancient mythology and modern materials, resulting in captivating and thought-provoking works of art.

Maurice Denis (France 1870-1943)

 

Pluie en Bretagne (1889) 
oil on cardboard 28 x 21.5 cm

Maurice Denis, a French painter, decorative artist, and writer, played a significant role in the transition from impressionism to modern art.