Monday, May 12, 2025

Alex Katz (b. 1927 USA)

 

Untitled - oil on masonite 8 x 12 in.

Alex Katz, born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, is a celebrated American figurative painter known for his large-scale, simplified portraits and landscapes. His work is characterized by flat, vibrant backgrounds and reductive forms, often incorporating elements of Pop Art.

Katz studied at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. Over his career, he has produced a vast body of work, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints, and has been the subject of over 200 solo exhibitions worldwide. His art is housed in prestigious institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

His distinctive style emerged in the 1950s, during the height of Abstract Expressionism, but he developed a unique approach that set him apart. Katz’s work often features family, friends, and landscapes, rendered with a striking economy of detail.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

James Proudfoot (UK 1908-1971)

 

Sun on a House, Dieppe (1937)
oil on canvas 64.1 x 76.8 cm

James Proudfoot (1908–1971) was a Scottish-born British painter, known for his portraits and landscapes. He studied at Heatherley School of Fine Art and Goldsmiths, University of London, later moving to London in 1937. His work was exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy (RA), Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), and the Paris Salon. Proudfoot was also a member of the Chelsea Arts Club and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

His paintings often depicted actors and theatrical figures, including Ellen Pollock, whom he married in 1945. Some of his notable works include "Sun on a House, Dieppe" (1937), "Peter Ustinov" (1921–2004), and "Perth Rooftops in Snow". His art is part of collections at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection and Perth Museum and Art Gallery


Group of Seven: Lawren Harris

 Italian Store in the Ward (1922)

Lawren Harris was a Canadian painter and a founding member of the Group of Seven, a collective of artists known for their bold depictions of the Canadian landscape. His work evolved from detailed urban scenes to simplified, spiritual landscapes, often featuring majestic mountains, lakes, and icebergs. His later paintings embraced abstraction, reflecting his interest in Theosophy, a spiritual philosophy that influenced his artistic vision.

His most famous works include "North Shore, Lake Superior" (1926) and "Maligne Lake" (1924), which showcase his signature style—geometric forms, vibrant colors, and a sense of mystical grandeur.


Simeon Nijenhuis

Early Breakfast (2025) oil on panel 34 x41 cm

Simeon Nijenhuis is a fine artist known for his paintings, often exhibited at Galerie Wildevuur

His work includes landscapes, interiors, and portraits, and he frequently paints en plein air (outdoors) to capture natural light and atmosphere. 

His exhibitions have been well-received, with many of his paintings selling out. You can explore his work on his .


Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Dyalma Stultus (1901–1977)

 

Dyalma Stultus (1901–1977) was an Italian painter and sculptor born in Trieste. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice and was influenced by the Renaissance masters, the Macchiaioli, and Symbolist movements. Stultus avoided aligning with specific artistic groups, preferring to develop his own style. His works often depicted landscapes, allegorical compositions, and portraits, blending classical techniques with a modern sensibility.

He exhibited widely, including at the Venice Biennale and in cities like Paris, New York, and Barcelona. Later in life, he taught art in Florence and Siena. Stultus's legacy includes numerous posthumous retrospectives celebrating his contributions to 20th-century Italian art.





Ivar Kamke (Swedish)

 


Ivar Kamke (1882–1936) was a Swedish artist known for his paintings and etchings. Born in Stockholm, he studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and later traveled extensively across Europe, including Italy and France, which influenced his artistic style. Kamke's works often depicted landscapes, portraits, and everyday scenes, showcasing his skill in capturing light and atmosphere. His art reflects a blend of realism and impressionistic touches, making his pieces both detailed and evocative.





 

Jenny Aitken (British)

 

Above Wirksworth (2025)
Oil on panel

Jenny Aitken is a British artist renowned for her evocative landscape and seascape paintings. Born in 1972, she graduated with a BA in Art and Art History from UCW Aberystwyth in 1997.
https://theharbourgallery.co.uk
Over her 25-year career, Jenny has exhibited widely across the UK and internationally, earning numerous accolades. In 2023, she was elected a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) and received the prestigious Baltic Exchange Award in the same year. 

 

 

Bruce Brainard (American , b. 1962)

Early Spring
Oil on canvas , 48 x 48 cm.

Bruce Brainard, born in 1962 in Saint Anthony, Idaho, is an American artist renowned for his atmospheric landscape paintings. Growing up in a small farming community nestled under the Tetons in southeastern Idaho, Brainard developed a deep appreciation for nature, which profoundly influences his artwork.