Marta Penter

A friend recently introduced me to Brazilian artist Marta Penter. She does some amazing photo-realistic paintings of women, with her focus on the lower half of the body. I too have an interest in painting legs and feet because they are so curvy and intricate. I also enjoy foreshortened perspectives of figure drawing, in which she has an obvious interest. Unlike myself, Marta paints in predominantly black and white and I have to admit that I love the results. I would be less successful in black and white however because I'm not a photo-realistic painter like Marta. Among her many series, Marta painted subjects on the beach, which was why she was initially recommended to me.

Somos uma somos duas somos três, 2008

Somos jeans sedas e veludos, 2008

Nude Painting

Here are some pictures of my latest painting. I worked from a model and I really love the composition, which was in part influenced by Jenny Saville.
I was better this time about taking progress report pictures:

                                    

                    

My Next Painting

Ideas for my next painting:

This image came from a desktop wallpaper

I like the positioning of this particular octopus. Disregard the background.

I'll combine this octopus with an Eric Fischl style beach scene. He'll probably be attacking the hott girl in a bikini, so then it will be a sex statement since octopuses have a lot of sexual connotations. 

click here for image info

Another idea for a painting entitled "Killer Whale" will be a play on words, inspired by Robert Deyber. This whale will be carrying guns, knives, weapons of all sorts... get it? Killer whale. It would also be a animal rights statement against the whaling industry. Save the whales! 

more ideas to come...

Eric Fischl

Eric Fischl seems to have experimented with a very wide array of subjects and composition, as well as medium. I too intend to experiment with these, but for now I'm still on my beach kick, which fortunately Fischl has dabbled with as well. And they are truly amazing!

"Untitled (Brice in Pink Shirt)" 2006

This is a perfect combination of beach imagery and figural imagery, both of which I have been focusing on lately. The way these figures are arranged appears so natural, as if this could be a photograph. It captures everyday activity on the beach. None of these figures are idealized nor is anyone being attacked by a shark or viciously sun burnt (though I do love those compositions). It's so natural, so honest. 

"Beach Scene with Pink Hat" 2006

Similar thing going on here. I love it, but if I were doing this I might vary up the sizes, shapes and skin tones of the people shown. They're all looking a bit too athletic and Caucasian for me. But the composition is great! Very busy, and again very natural.

Conrad Ruiz

Conrad Ruiz is another artist who has done some amazing Great White Shark imagery. His is done in water color and is much less polished than Aramis Gutierrez's. I particularly like the chaos in the brushstroke and wide range of color use. There is so much energy here. I would like to do something similar, but perhaps further expand the sense of fear here.
Unfortunately I cannot upload an image of his shark entitled "Rough Riders."

Aramis Gutierrez

Another contemporary American painter Aramis Gutierrez does some remarkable work! I'm really fascinated by all of his paintings, which include figural paintings, water paintings, bright color use, contemporary subject matter. All of which are subjects that I'm very interested in my own work.

 "Brooke Shields" 2010

I love the combination of the title and the focus of the body. The viewer would likely not associate this image with the modern actress Brooke Shields if it weren't for the undeniable title. There is not much detail here; it is especially lacking in the background and in her shirt. The panties, for me, are especially reminiscent of contemporary culture and they are the focus of the image.

"Brief Return of the Megaladon" 2006

Something about the Great White Shark is fascinating to me. I too have played with several images of the shark in printmaking and sculpture. Gutierrez's rendition is so different from mine, but it still emphasizes the strength, force and vicious mouth of the animal. I really enjoy this image and will likely play with the same subject again soon.

"Floridian" 2005

"Lazy Sunbather" 2007

Robert Deyber

Robert Deyber is a comtemporary American artist whose paintings I'm in love with! Some are a play on words, some are a play on images, but all of them make me smile.
I recently fell in love with early 20th century surrealist Rene Magritte; after looking at many of Deyber's paintings I can see a great connection here. Both artists force the viewer to disassociate the form with its literal meaning. It's genius.

Here's an example of a play on words, entitled "Reign Deer"

In "Pulling Hare," Deyber shows the historical sculpture "Winged Victory of Samothrace" (which now stands beside the Mona Lisa in the Louvre) being drug on a dolly by a hare. You could go several places with the meaning here, but there's no doubting the art historical humor.