Just in time for spring in the garden! Mark Chatterley‘s ceramic sculpture “Rabbit Head” embodies his love of the female form which becomes fanciful when topped with the head of a rabbit. The graceful form is at variance with the gritty, glazed surface. As Mark Chatterley puts it, his work, “combines creation and destruction, the beautiful and the malformed, with everything in flux.” Elegantly posed, “Rabbit Head” measures 34 inches tall and is 19 inches wide. Hand built, one inch at a time, she is suitable for indoors or outdoors and will add grace and appeal to any home or yard. Mark Chatterley is currently preparing for a solo exhibition at Tory Folliard Gallery scheduled for spring of 2012, but we always have a few pieces in the gallery.
Derrick Buisch – “Yellow Monster Head”
Derrick Buisch‘s Yellow Monster Head, which measures 24×24 inches is one of the ideograms from Buisch’s abstract painting language. For the past twelve years, Derrick Buisch has focused on developing a group of visual characters which he paints singly or in combination with other symbols. Tension is expressed by the abstracted lines of the head, the off balance placement, and by the combination of the paint colors and textures. Slightly unsettling, but visually engaging, Yellow Monster Head is a modern version of a primordial phantom. Click here to see more of Derrick Buisch’s ideograms. We look forward to seeing the work Derrick will be showing in our Summer in Wisconsin exhibit which takes place July 1st through September 3rd, 2011.
Mike Noland – “Under a Cicada Moon”
The cicada in Mike Noland‘s new painting “Under a Cicada Moon” does not actually vibrate, but one can sense the energy of its tymbals under the diaphanous wings. Noland uses bold color and repetitive, tight brush strokes to suggest the power of the natural world. As Mike says, “Growing up in the area known as “Tornado Alley”, gave me a healthy love and respect for the power and beauty of nature.” Michael Noland‘s paintings inform the viewer through intense patterns, controlled composition, and wondrous colors, of mother nature’s powerful essences, whether they be beautiful or dangerous. New paintings by Mike Noland will be on view at , April 29th through May 2nd. Mike Noland is also preparing for an exhibition of his work in the gallery planned for the fall of 2012. Click here to see more paintings by Mike Noland.
Mark Horton – “City with Market”
City with Market, an oil painting on linen by Mark Horton contains both realistic and abstracted elements. This urban landscape feels familiar, yet it depicts a place that does not really exist. Horton’s compositions are made up of components from many cities that are positioned on the canvas in such a way that the viewer is drawn in. Intrigued by architectural elements, random passersby, and ubiquitous details such as street lights and fire hydrants, Horton uses color and texture to suggest a lively interaction between people and place. Mark Horton‘s urban landscapes will be on exhibit from September 10 to October 14. Please visit Mark Horton’s page on the Tory Folliard Gallery website to see more of his work.
Flora Langlois – “Fiesta Campestre”
The affection Flora Langlois feels for her native Costa Rica is evident in her new painting “Fiesta Campestre” which measures 16×20 inches. Depicting a fantasy garden party from another time outside her studio window, Langlois includes in this work a beautiful damsel, handsome bards, and creatures appropriate in a medieval bestiary. Many of the vines and plants are currently in the artist’s garden, although, she assures us, the wild animals are not. Filled with rich detail, diminutive brush strokes, and intense color, “Fiesta Campestre” is a feast for the viewer’s eyes and party for heart. Click here to see more of Flora Langlois’s work.
Dennis Nechvatal – “Silence”
Dennis Nechvatal‘s wall sculpture Silence, which measures 30 x 20 x 5, inches consists of thirty masks which are meticulously cut and formed by the artist’s hand. Hardware, specially designed and constructed by Dennis, attaches the masks to the board in an elegant and simple system. The faces seem to float out, suggesting airy dimensionality and providing opportunity for interesting shadows. This monochromatic scheme is somewhat unusual to the artist. Leaving the tin unpainted allows the artist to reveal the numerous, tiny hammer marks to the viewer, tangible proof of his using an old school method to create a timeless, contemporary piece of art. We will be showing new work by Dennis Nechvatal at Art Chicago. Click to see more of Nechvatal’s work here.
Wolf Kahn – “Violet Woodland Symphony”
Can you hear the music? It is the sound of the forest emanating from Wolf Kahn‘s Violet Woodland Symphony which measures 43×53 inches framed. Known throughout the world for his fusion of color and unbound abstractionism, this pastel expresses his ongoing interest in the natural world. By pushing the boundaries of color and texture, Kahn communicates his ability to see the fascinating aspects of everyday scenes. An extensive traveler, Wolf Kahn has painted diverse landscapes in many parts of the United States, Mexico, Greece, Italy, and Africa. You can see more work by Wolf Kahn at here.
Jeffrey Ripple – “View from Lavender Hill”
Jeffrey Ripple‘s View from Lavender Hill, framed to 14×34 inches is a meticulous depiction of an urban landscape as seen from the artist’s Milwaukee studio. Carefully capturing not only a place, but also a time of day and year, this winter scene is not cold, but filled with warm light, carefully defined flora, and lively winter shadows. Highly detailed and insightful, Jeffrey Ripple‘s paintings continue to exhilarate with their realistic essence. Ripple will be exhibiting work in our biennial exhibition, Summer in Wisconsin. Click here to see more work by Jeffrey Ripple.
Bill Reid – “Dist Ants, Bent Rules, and Dodos”
Dist Ants, Bent Rules, and Dodos, a new painted steel sculpture which measures 21x15x7 inches, is Bill Reid‘s latest whimsical commentary in 3-D. A stylishly dressed anteater pushes around a fanciful array of ants who are busy creating lifesavers for the dodo bird in the cart. This charming menagerie inspires delight and wonder in all who behold it. The creatures, painstakingly cut and shaped from steel and exquisitely covered with fantastical painted details have individual personalities, but are united in their efforts. More of Bill Reid’s work, including large scale will be featured in our Summer in Wisconsin exhibition, which takes place July 1 though September 3rd. Please click here to see more of Bill Reid’s creatures.
Rodger Bechtold – “East Gable Sorenson”
Rodger Bechtold‘s East Gable Sorenson is filled with beautiful light and surface texture, inviting the viewer to share a tranquil moment. As Rodger puts it, “I create landscape paintings that have a feeling of spaciousness beyond the limits of the canvas dimensions, charged with color, expressed with energy and seemingly effortless brushwork. But most of all I’m interested in communicating what it feels like to be there.” A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago and a student of the great Wolf Kahn, Bechtold’s work offers a reprieve from hectic daily life. Rodger Bechtold will be having a solo showing of his work in an exhibition entitled Middle Ground from May 20th through June 25th. Rodger will be exhibiting his work at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend, WI through May 1st.