Artwork of the Week: Spotty Banana Peel

Spotty Banana Peel by Aubrey Levinthal

Oil painting on masonite panel, 5 x 8 in

I love the idea of elevating a cast off fruit rind to fine art status.

You can see more of Aubrey's work on her website: www.aubreylevinthal.com

And purchase some of her small original paintings from her Etsy shop: Tastycakeartist 

- Cathleen 

She Brakes for Art: John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent's Palette (1933.49), Oil Paints and Brushes (Straus.919)

via harvardartmuseums.org

Grace is currently tied up producing the annual Week of the Arts extravaganza that she helms every year, and so, will be taking a short break from the blog for the next two weeks. She did an awesome round-up of artists' palettes and their work last January, so I thought in honor of the hard work she puts into inspiring young minds towards creativity every year it might be cool to see some more tools of the trade used by the great creative minds that inspire us everyday. 

John Singer Sargent is one of my favorite portraitists, but I especially love his en plein air work. Imagine him toting all of this equipment out to capture the ephemerality of nature in slow-drying oil paint no less. More to come! 


- Cathleen  

Artwork of the Week: The Skaters

The Skaters by Will Barnet

1994, Screenprint on Arches Cover White paper, edition of 108

47 x 26.5 in, $2,200 from the Lincoln Center Vera List Art Project

Will Barnet, a painter known for his straightforward portrayal of domestic scenes, passed away earlier this month at the age of 101.  

- Cathleen 

Artist of the Week: Kimberley Laurenti

Cute Plant, $39 via HermanMarie on Etsy

Kimberley Laurenti is the painter/illustrator/sculptor extraordinaire responsible for these cute little guys. She has two Etsy shops: Herman Marie, where the first five of these flat wall sculptures hang out, and My Grey Sky, where she features the rest of her 3-D Mooks and 1-D prints. Though there is a distinct difference in color and content between the two stores—one's a bit brighter and more whimsical, while the other strays into slightly darker territory—you can definitely tell they were made by the same funny hand. Kimberley lives in Florida and has a blog that she occasionally updates with sweet shots from her daily life and sneak peeks of what's soon to be in store. You can check it out here: www.ilovegreyskies.blogspot.com

Two Orange Snakes, $56 via HermanMarie on Etsy

Yellow Bear with Bow Tie, $46 via HermanMarie on Etsy

Anatomical Art, $56 via HermanMarie on Etsy

Egg Cups, $55 via HermanMarie on Etsy

Bear Hood Mook, $36 via ilovegreyskies on Etsy

Mook Love Print, $15 via ilovegreyskies on Etsy

Wolk Mooks, Mounted, $40 via ilovegreyskies on Etsy

- Cathleen 

Artist of the Week: Jean Lowe

A History of Genital Warts, enamel on papier-mâché

15.5 x 12.5 x 4 in, 2009

I came across the work of Jean Lowe on one of my first nights gallery hopping in Chelsea. Once I discovered art galleries were open to all and served FREE wine every week, it was pretty much all I did on Thursday evenings for a good long while. I remember the gallery was packed with people milling around an installation of tall bookcases that were set up to display these painted papier-mâché books. Browsing the titles, I snickered (and sometimes snorted) over each humorous one-liner and really appreciated their crude trompe l'oeil effect. Even the shelves themselves were fake. I loved the fictional titles and the fact that she pushed the idea further than just painting a funny book cover on a flat canvas. She created non-functional 3-dimensional objects that beg you to pick them up and thumb through their pages—which you can't do either of—which is fine—since the cover really does say it all. 

Bookcase #1, 2006–07

Books: enamel on papier-mâché; 

Bookcases: enamel on cardboard and paper tape

Kindle: The Missing Manual, enamel on papier-mâché
15.5 x 11 x 3.5 in, 2009

Tough Love and Your Elderly Parents, enamel on papier-mâché
9 x 7 x 2 in, 2009

Some of Jean Lowe's work is currently on view in group show titled Summer Camp at Schroeder Romero & Shredder (531 W 26th St, NY) on view until August 10, 2012.




- Cathleen