Mark Brautigam recently brought in his beautifully made, limited edition box set of 25 prints from his “On Wisconsin” photo series. Always with an eye for detail, Brautigam worked with a custom box maker in New York to produce this elegant, cloth covered archival repository for this collection. Each print is stored in individual, acid free sleeves so that the images can be safely viewed. It is so pristine that we have to keep it in back, but it is available for viewing upon request.
Read MoreMark Brautigam – “On Wisconsin” at Tory Folliard Gallery & Haggerty Museum of Art
Wednesday, August 31 saw the opening of the Current Tendencies II exhibition at the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University. The exhibition features 10 Milwaukee artists working in a diverse range of media. I have 16 photographs from my series On Wisconsin in the show and am thrilled that they are now part of the permanent collection at the Haggerty. The exhibition runs through December 31.
Read MoreStephanie Trenchard – “Alice B.”
“Alice B.,” a multiple piece, cast glass sculpture by Stephanie Trenchard demonstrates the artist’s interest in culture and history but also cites the artists skill in uniting creative and technical aspects to create painterly, luminous sculpture. Stephanie’s castingsare created by making an impression in sand, putting in powdered patterns, then pouring molten glass (at temperatures above 2,000 oF) halfway into the mold. Then, she sets in her pre-made glass objects and draws in stems and leaves. Using paradise paints, glass powders, and frits, Stephanie is able to achieve luminosity rivaling any oil paint. She then pours more glass to fill the impression. The whole process of assembling each piece is very quick, lasting only about three minutes. Each piece then cools for a period of days. In “Alice B.”, which measures 21 x 8 x 5 - 3/4 inches, Gertrude Stein is depicted next to a pear, a symbol often found in Trenchard’s work. Alice B., Stein’s companion is placed near a chair, which symbolizes the home. A mask, which inspired Picasso also makes an appearance as does a lit home in the night. Each figure and symbol floats in its own world but is united by the colorful background painting. Although this piece has a modest footprint, it covers a lot of ground in terms of history, ideas, and presence. Tory Folliard Gallery is pleased to welcome Stephanie Trenchard to the gallery and we look forward to seeing more great sculptures by her.
Read MoreMark Brautigam – “Aurora”
After years of roaming the state to capture intriguing subjects, Mark Brautigam recently completed his series On Wisconsin. Finding beauty in settings others might overlook, Brautigam focuses on ordinary people and places around the state, expressing their quiet dignity and importance through carefully framed shots with his 8×10 camera. We will be presenting ten photos from Mark Brautigam‘s series On Wisconsin in an exhibition of the same name September 9th through October 14th, in the meantime, click here to see more of Mark Brautigam’s work.
Mark Horton – “Downtown”
Mark Horton left a successful career in law to pursue his passion: painting. Using recognizable elements from many cities, Horton creates fictitious, harmonious compositions of Gotham. In some of his oil paintings, dramatic lighting and shading suggest buildings looming behind the viewer. Whether from a bird’s eye view or from a straight-on perspective, Mark Horton captures the vitality of an urban scene.
Read MoreMark Mulhern – “Cocktail Party”
What makes a good party? Is it the setting, the weather, the people, the fashion, or an elusive vibe in the air? “Cocktail Party,” a major new oil on canvas by Mark Mulhern that measures 54×60 inches, captures the mood of a beautiful day with friends gathering to socialize. Mulhern‘s characteristic abstracted figures express lively movement without getting too caught up in details. The unrestrained brushstrokes are done with a light touch, while bold daubs of color are adroitly placed to lead the eye back through the space of this enchanted setting. This is one party you don’t want to miss.
Read MoreRichard Taylor – “First Take”
Richard Taylor describes the inspiration behind his work best when he says, “My work allows the cadences, rhythms and syncopations of music and poetry to find themselves in visual expressions in paint, metal and space. I distill my emotional history with my daily perceptions to create two- and three-dimensional statements which speak of my walk through life.” Taylor‘s sculptures have a quiet, anchoring presence. Made from welded steel and structured from geometric shapes that seem to float together, Taylor sets the stage for the enamel paintings he finishes the pieces with. “First Take” which measures 74.5×13.5×6 inches is abstract, composed of both irregular shapes and a system of pattern. The painterly surface does not completely hide the steel, but seems to work with it. The exposed welds lend an organic quality, and the concurrence of the colors give “First Take” a gentle, graceful movement.
Read MoreJan Serr – “The Observers” (Woman with a Blue Umbrella)
Jan Serr’s first solo exhibition was in 1978, and she has been painting and making prints on a daily basis ever since. While much of her better known work focuses on the landscape, she never stopped painting figures. Her most recent body of work for our Summer in Wisconsin exhibition includes beach goers and sun bathers, as seen at Bradford Beach on Milwaukee’s East Side. Intensely colored and intricately textured, this work encapsulates the view from her studio window. We look forward to Jan Serr‘s upcoming retrospective exhibition at UW-Milwaukee’s Inova/Arts Center Gallery. Opening September 8th, this show will contain Jan’s portraits from the last 40 years.
Read MoreKathy Hofmann – “Oak Tree”
As summer winds down and the days get shorter, one cannot help but feel a certain nostalgia for those first bright mornings of early summer. Not only does Kathy Hofmann perfectly capture dawn in this 15 x 16.5 inch acrylic on panel painting, she also captures the mood of a season. The dramatic contrast between the shadows of the tree and the bright, misty hills in the distance suggest the mystery and promise of a beautiful new day in the country. The dappled sunlight on the trunk, the subtle variation of the color of the shadows, and the beautifully painted leaves all indicate that this painting is by an artist with a sharp eye for detail, a talent for imparting light, and a true appreciation for all of nature’s wonders.
Read MoreLaurie Hogin – “Field Guides”
Laurie Hogin‘s “Field Guide” series refers to taxonomic impulse to organize and classify the overwhelming variety of creatures in nature. These intimately sized oil on panel paintings measure 4.5×3.5 inches, and with their custom gilded glitter frame, they are each 6.75×5.75 inches. Small, but full of personality, each set is beautifully painted and exquisitely detailed. These birds are full of personality, and certainly have something on their minds.
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