Maggie Evans

Forgotten Conversations, 35” x 60”, charcoal on paper, 2009

Difficult Decision, 25” x 36”, pastel on paper, 2009

Hesitation, 18” x 13”, pastel on paper, 2010

Vulnerable Position, 18” x 34”, pastel on paper, 2010

Anticipation, 30” x 36”, pastel on paper, 2010

Maggie Evans creates complex psychological spaces simply by arranging chairs and tables in particularly defined interior spaces. Ok, maybe it's not quite that simple. Much of the psychological evocation comes from the ghostly quality of her technique, using pastels on stretched paper. Nonetheless, there is something remarkable about her ability to use the same very basic elements over and over, and create such a variety of subtly nuanced social scenarios. All without figures or faces. Some of her earlier work depicting bar scenes did include figures. But it seems that the figures faded over time until they eventually vanished altogether. Against expectation this allowed for a richer psychological atmosphere to occupy the images. Instead of specific individuals experiencing a specific situations she used the remaining furniture as symbolic stand-ins for any manner of individuals, allowing the mere position and proximity of them to indicate the potential for tension. The work is about this psycho-social potential instead of mere portrayal and interpretation. You can see more of her work including those bar scenes on her website: www.maggieevansart.com



I saw her work in the latest issue of New american Paintings (issue 94 - southern region). Congratulations Maggie.

Lee White

Midnight ride

Arctic Fox

 

Lurking

They Came By Air

untitled figure study

Lee White is primarily an illustrator of children's books. We could only wish for the children that more picture books displayed his level of artistry (I readily acknowledge that there are a lot of absolutely astounding artists working in this field, but as a father and an artist I can confidently claim that they do not make up the majority of published material). He does his own work as well, as you can see from some of the examples above. No artist worthy of the name can do otherwise and stay sane. But his style and interests lend themselves wonderfully to his chosen profession. What I find most appealing is his ability to evoke quite particular moods through light and atmosphere with a deft gestural style and careful color choices. It brings a very real kind of life to his often poignant fantasies. You can see much more on his website, www.leewhiteillustration.com and on his blog.

Frank Gonzales

"Passing Thru"  24" x24"  acrylic on canvas

"Kingfisher"  18" x 18"  acrylic on canvas

"Sharp 1"  12" x 12"  acrylic on canvas

"Gila Woodpecker" 18" x 18"  acrylic on canvas

"Sharpiehawk"  36" x 36"  acrylic on canvas

Frank Gonzales combines a naturalist's love for wildlife with a strong sense of decorative and graphic design and the confident skills of a practiced painter. It all comes together very nicely. It is possible for this type of image making to fall into the category of mere decorative poster art, the kind that lines the walls of mid-range hotels. Gonzales rises above this not only by his skill but also by his exploration of the nuances of color and paint. His approach to painting the birds in a manner reminiscent of pixelation does not feel as gimmicky as it might in less able hands. Instead we get a clear look at how the artists selects a hue and then blocks in the subject stroke by stroke. By purposely misplacing occasional brush strokes we can focus in on the intentionality of how the marks build up the image. The results remind us that pattern is at the heart of everything we see. Patterns may not be the true nature of the everything we see, but it is the true nature of how we see.
To look at more work go to his website: http://www.frankgonzales.net/
Thanks to the folks at http://www.booooooom.com/

Greg Sand

Grandparents.

3.3" x 5.25"

Family Reunion.

3.75" x 3.75"

Family Portrait.

3.3" x 4.9"

Brothers.

3.75" x 3.75

Sitting Portrait.

3.3" x 5.25"

Photo Booth
8" x 1.6"

I don't often post photography. For one I don't think I'm a particularly good judge of it, and I happen to know too many photographers. But these images leapt out at me from the pages of River Styx literary magazine (issue 85). Since I'm so late with this post I decided not to hesitate but simply bring you these haunting narratives that explore issues of perception, reality and yes, death. I will not say any more except that you can see more work both similar and quite different at http://www.behance.net/Greg_Sand