Artist Profile: MICHAEL SHAPCOTT

More portraits, this time by Michael Shapcott, from Connecticut. These female subjects are emotionally arresting, and each sends a different message. The above painting, entitled Auburn, was done with graphite, acrylic, and oil on canvas. It appears as though the graphite is the under drawing, covered with a thin layer of oil and some acrylic details applied in select areas. I love the colors and the basic paper shapes that intermingle with the painted portrait.
















Above Left: I love how Shapcott decidedly manipulated the proportions of this subject's features. That element combined with the smeared on oil colors on top of the detailed features contributes to the overall success of this piece.


Right: Entitled Within White, the brave use of color and deep outlines compliment the detailed fabric of the focal point and the flat gradation of the background.

This work is breathtaking.

Artist Profile: MOLLY BRILL

These are some beautiful portraits done by Molly Brill, an inspiring young watercolor magician with a very exciting style. The quality and style of her painting really accentuates the tendency of the watercolor media. Brill also experiments with acrylic and colored pencils in her paintings. The wet on wet technique Brill uses to blend her subject matter with the drips and splotches of wet pigment is impressive and difficult to achieve. The seamless combination of accurate portraiture with vibrant color and wild painterly expression reminds me of work by David Mack, author of the Kabuki chronicle of comics.

Artist Profile: FERRIS PLOCK

Several things about Ferris Plock's work are appealing to me. The paintings on wood give these unusual portraits texture and emphasize the contrast of the other-worldly "wicked samurai skateboarders" to the real world.

The combination of detailed patterns also attracts me to Plock's painting style, the juxtaposition of the busy patterns suggest folds in fabric and flatten the shapes into collage pieces. It brings to mind abstract parts of Klimt paintings that intermingle with portraits of women and lovers. Although Plock's subject matter is much more new wave, combining mythological creatures and historical references with a humorous twist.

Artist Profile: MATTHEW CUSICK

I have found myself very interested in maps lately, for both their formal and functional qualities. The illusions created from maps by artist Matthew Cusick are an exciting and intricate statement about the conventions of maps and painting. I think of his process lying between the realms of collage and treating the shapes created by maps as a coloring book.


The re purposing of these maps not only creates an intricate texture but also gives a new significance to the information found on the original maps. Cusick's unique approach to mixed media is both breathtaking and inspiring. The end result of his technique leaves the viewer with mysteries to explore within his work, after the comprehensive message is communicated.

Artist Profile: PAUL KESSLING

PAUL KESSLING. Another artist that has a simple formula for art in various color schemes. Although they are all superbly visually stimulating. This set of oil paintings really uses the qualities of the media in a different way. These possibilities are exciting for me, Kessling has managed to pull qualities of watercolor out of oil paints, which always feel thick to me, both physically and conceptually.

Artist Profile: PHAN THU TRANG

I have yet to experiment with pallet knife painting, but seeing these beautiful paintings makes me want to get my knife dirty and try some new techniques. I love Trang's colors, the slight variations in the values create the natural shapes. Although the subject matter doesn't change throughout his body of work, they are all beautiful and inspiring.

Some Inspirational Stuff.

things that are of interest to me

TEXTURE
watermarks
pallet knife painting
fabric
lace
wood grain
cut paper
transparency

THEMES
portraiture
distortion
mixed media
tea party
nature
maps
cities
patterns
body parts
windows
fantasy
disembodiment
humor
whimsy

FORMAL ELEMENTS
stripes
natural shapes
colors
texture