Art Review - "Portrait of Alice Dieudonneed Chase" by William Merritt Chase

For this week's #MuseumTourTuesday, here is another great piece from the McNay Art Museum's collection. William Merritt Chase created a number of portraits of his eldest daughter Alice. This one clearly demonstrates the artist's skill in simplification. This is especially noticeable in the eyes. There's almost nothing to them. Notice how the dark pupil of the eye and the line of the eyelid are one shape.

I also have to point out the simplicity of the flowers. They are made up of only a few values with a slight color temperature variation, yet they read as very complex in the context of the broader brushstrokes throughout the portrait.

 

"Portrait of Alice Dieudonnée Chase" • William Merritt Chase • Oil on Panel • 1899

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

November 2021 Art Newsletter - Go With The Flow

Your choice of paint is the most important decision regarding art materials, and all brands are definitely not equal. 

Sign up for my latest newsletter on how the right paint can not only enhance the color in your paintings, but give you more control during the entire process.

http://bit.ly/PSFA-Newsletter-Sign-up

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For us, the best part of the holidays is cooking up a storm. Just like with painting, the process of it all is as enjoyable as the result. What's better than a kitchen filled with food, fun, and family?

Kimberly and I wish you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

 

"Heart of a Home" • Oil on Linen • 18"x24" • Private Collection

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "Two Seated Figures, 1965" by Wayne Thiebaud

Kimberly and I were fortunate to be able to view the Wayne Thiebaud 100 exhibit currently on display at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas. While the exhibit celebrates the artist's 100th birthday, his 101st birthday was just this past week.

"Two Seated Figures, 1965" • Wayne Thiebaud • Oil on Canvas • 60" x 72"

Thiebaud is primarily known for his paintings of common place objects such as pies, pastries and ice cream cones, but also has a large body of work featuring landscapes and figures. It's these figure paintings in which I see a strong connection to early 20th Century American illustration.

Thiebauld's figure paintings bring to mind the fashion illustration work of J.C. Leyendecker. This stems from both the nondescript spaces that the figures are contained within, but also the very consistent and formulaic way in which the artist applies paint to the canvas.

The paint application was so important to Leyendecker's work that it became a trade secret. I can only assume that Thiebaud has a familiarity with the iconic illustrator's work due to his early career at Walt Disney Studios.

Even more interesting in Thiebaud's work is the rich color he adds to the edges within his paintings. These primary and secondary color lines add a richness and excitement to the paintings. Also notice in this closeup the careful way in which the artist handles the textural qualities of the background paint.

"Two Seated Figures, 1965" Detail • Wayne Thiebaud • Oil on Canvas • 60" x 72"

Painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Painting From The Model - The Coppini Academy of Fine Art

It was a pleasure to be able to paint a couple of quick studies at the Coppini Fine Arts Academy's open model sessions this week.

Due to the pandemic, I haven't been able to paint from the live model in almost two years, and I'm feeling a bit rusty. Time to get back into practice!

 

"Dana" • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • 2 Hours

 

"Travis" • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • 1 Hour

Painting photos by Kimberly at Saunders Fine Arts.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Throwback Thursday - "The Pink Rose" - Floral Painting

I'm working on a new series of florals for an upcoming show in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, here's one of my favorite roses for #ThrowbackThursday.

This flower jumped out it me like a star, and I mean that literally. I rarely see all of those sharp points in a rose. This was painted four years ago for a previous floral show.

 

"The Pink Rose" • 8" x 8" • Oil on Linen • Private Collection

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "Voices in the Night" by John Moyers

It was great to be back at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas this past weekend. One of the pieces that struck me most on this visit was this excellent painting by American artist John Moyers.

The horse and rider emerge from the darkness of the trees through an expert handling of color saturation. One gets the sense of a dramatic story as the figure peers back into the darkness looking for someone. It's a great example of how a painting can tell a deeper story about what's not depicted within the confines of the frame through suggestion alone. 

 

"Voices in the Night" • John Moyers • Oil on Canvas • 1997

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Veteran's Day

In honor of all who've served, wishing you a Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you for your service.

 

"Poppies" • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • Private Collection

 

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "Iris At Dawn" by Maria Oakey Dewing

This past weekend, during one of my workshops, I was asked who I considered to be my favorite floral painters. While there are many, one of my top choices is definitely Maria Oakey Dewing. I've featured her work in a previous #MuseumTourTuesday post, but not this specific painting. This piece is part of the collection of the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Irises are beautiful flowers, but Dewing goes beyond the blooms and creates a lush tapestry of foliage. That's what I admire most about her work. There's no vase or carefully cropped bouquet. Her florals can't be contained, and burst through the confines of the canvas. One gets the sense that turning in any direction will reveal more. We're not just admiring the flowers in her painting, we are surrounded by them.

Maria collaborated on a number of paintings with her husband, Thomas Wilmer Dewing, who went on to overshadow her own career. She often painted the floral portions of his compositions, and rarely signed her name.

 

Sadly, she regretted her own career later in life, believing that she had not realized her full potential, and feeling unable to compete with her husband. I for one think that she deserves a much more elevated stature among the most well known American artists.

 

"Iris At Dawn" • Maria Oakey Dewing • Oil on Canvas • 64 x 79.5 cm • 1899

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Pet Portrait Demonstration Painting - Day Three - Coppini Academy Workshop

My pet portrait demonstration painting this morning on day three of my latest painting workshop at the Coppini Academy.

“Orange Tabby Cat Study” • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • 1.5 Hours

• Available soon at www.PatrickSaunders.com

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floral Demonstration Painting - Day Two - Coppini Academy

My floral demonstration painting from life this morning on day two of my latest painting workshop at the Coppini Academy.

 

"Yellow Daisies Study" • 10" x 10" • Oil on Linen • 1.5 Hours • SOLD

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Landscape Demonstration Painting - Day One - Coppini Academy Workshop

My demonstration painting of Mission San Jose this morning on day one of my workshop at the Coppini Academy of Fine Art.

It's such a pleasure to be back in beautiful San Antonio.

 

"Mission San Jose Study" • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • 2 Hours • SOLD

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Holiday Gift Ideas - Original Art & Fine Art Prints & Cards

The holidays are almost upon us, and if you have a gift list, consider giving the gift of art this year to family and friends.

Click here to browse my online gallery of available paintings, as well as fine art prints and cards of my sold work: 

http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Fine-Art-Prints-And-Cards

I know it’s still early, but let me be one of the first to wish you and yours a very merry holiday season!

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "Pardon in Brittany" by Gaston La Touche

Today's #MuseumTourTuesday features a painting at The Art Institute of Chicago by French artist Gaston La Touche.

It's a dreamlike painting, depicting a penitential pilgrimage, where the light comes from both natural twilight and candlelight. What I especially love about the painting is the way in which the figures combine into one form, except of the woman on the horse. It almost appears as if she is riding through a field of flowers.

"Pardon in Brittany" • Gaston La Touche • Oil on Canvas
• 100.5 x 110.5 cm • 1896

 

 

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.