Thomas Woodruff is Back!

Root Hare Painting copyright 2006 Thomas Woodruff from Freak Parade

There was a gorgeously painted fashion spread in "Swindle" magazine a couple of months ago and now this: an art show at Illinois State University Galleries.
Thomas Woodruff

is back in full force with a new large-format book out

called "Freak Parade" available through Last Gasp.

These are the paintings that he was working on over the last five years.

His work glows with animated, super-magical otherworldliness.

He paints a fanciful universe of weird beauty with an incredibly unique touch, using richly layered paint and subdued colors.
Lucky were the people who got to see this show Sept.25-Nov. 5, 2006. I already know what I want for Christmas this year! I saw some of his series paintings in person at the art museum in Eugene, OR and I will never forget those baby heads and sacred scrolls.

Check out the paintings here:

Freak Parade by Thomas Woodruff

and buy the book!

L.A. Art Shows

Painting by Michael Hussar 2006
Painting by Camille Rose Garcia 2006

Looks like it was an interesting Saturday night for art show openings in Los Angeles. Supertouch blog has photos of Camille Rose Garcia's new show at Merry Karnowsky and Michael Hussar's as well (at Mendenhall-Sobieski). Both are masterful painters with unique styles. I like Camille's new vibrant color palette and what Hussar can do in a minimal way with just red and white. Read about it on:

Supertouch

Antonio Lopez Garcia's Apparitions

Atocha 1963
Woman on the Beach 1959 Pencil Drawing
Antonio Lopez Garcia (born 1936)Standing Girl

Antonio Lopez Garcia.

He paints and draws surreal apparitions...with so much love.

I like his soulful sculptures as well.

More images: pintura.aut.org

Mark Frauenfelder, Wonderful Painter!

Mark Frauenfelder of boingboing.net
is having his first major painting exhibition of nine new works at

Roq La Rue Gallery

in Seattle, WA opening November 10 (6-9PM) though December 1, 2006.

He'll be showing his art along with with Wednesday Kirwan, Chris Reccardi, Lynne Naylor and Johnny Yanok in a show entitled Retrorama!

This looks like so much fun! Go see it if you are in the Seattle area.

(Permanent link: Mark's Art Show at Roq La Rue on Friday)

Botero's Political Nudes

Fernando Botero is pictured here in front of one of his new canvases depicting the atrocities at Abu Ghraib. This photo accompanies a fascinating interview at ARTINFO with the well-known Colombian painter.

He is having a show in the United States at Marlborough Gallery until November 18, 2006.

Marshall Sponder's review of the show at ArtNYC .

A Lanky Pair

Balthus

Detail of hair and face

Nu au miroir 1981-83 Copyright Balthus (from the book,"Balthus")
Le drap bleu 1981-82 Copyright Balthus (from the book, "Balthus")

I could not resist posting about Balthus again. These two portraits of lanky teens have such rich layers of paint. The green undertone makes their skin seem realer than real. I can remember standing like that with my knees in, belly out. And look at the way the golden hair is painted! It's all crazy-looking yet somehow it's just right. There is plenty of scumbled texture and a keen sense of design. In "Le Drap Bleu", the table legs are echoing the girl's out-stretched leg. Everything is reduced down to it's most basic, simple form.

Balthus

art
Amy_Crehore

Italian Nudes - Felice Casorati

Merrigio 1923 Felice Casorati
Le Signorine 1912 Felice Casorati
Felice Casorati by Herbert List 1949
Nude Study by Felice Casorati

I always admired the studio nudes painted by Italian Painter Felice Casorati (1886-1963), a contemporary of Antonio Donghi. He went from being part of the Symbolist movement in 1912 to being associated with the Italian Metaphysical painters ten years later. "Le Signorine" could mean "The Young Ladies" or it could mean "The Spinsters". Either way, the picture is humorous and psychological. Dolores F., Violante, Bianca (the "white" nude) and Gioconda are their names.

And, in the painting above it, "Merrigio", we want to know what the one nude is thinking while the other one sleeps. The hat and shoes are a nice contrast. And who is that naked guy in the background? Reminds me of Balthus with his mysterious background figures, but it is also a still life. It's all about form, texture and composition.

Felice Casorati