Horacio Cardozo

Art Appreciation

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I appreciate art. I could spend hours at a museum looking at paintings, photography, and sculptures. Friends and family can attest to this fact.

The internet also provides a great medium to not only view artwork but also learn about the artist.

Recently, I came across Horacio Cardozo--a very talented Argentine-born artist known for his realistic oil paintings of boats and female nudes. His oil paintings look almost photorealistic with a touch of surrealism. 

You can see a lot more of his paintings HERE.




Boat in Tranquil Bay (2008) via missfolly



The Magnificient Seven (2009) via tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica



Perpetual Blue via tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica




Secrets of the Red Veil (2008) via fontanablog

Resting Nude (2011) via tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica

Sources: http://horacio-cardozo.blogspot.com/; http://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/2011/10/horacio-cardozo-argentina.html#more; http://missfolly.tumblr.com/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/horacio_cardozo/

A Giant Mantis

Taken on December 29, 2008

This photo was taken during the Giant Insects Exhibition at the Rochester Museum & Science Center using a Sony DSC-W120.

Spartaco Lombardo

Art Appreciation

Figurative Italian artist Sparaco Lombardo is known for his realistic oil paintings of horses and women.

To be honest, I was first captivated by his beautiful paintings of women. One in particular was of a brunette laying naked on her back looking playful at the viewer (Nudo). Then when I visited his website and blog, I became a fan of his stunning paintings of horses.

Free as the Wind via easyart



Giardino Acquatico I via allposters 



Ballerina via pinterest.com

In the Morning via pinterest

Nudo via conchigliadivenere

Sources: http://www.spartacolombardo.eu; http://maherartgallery.blogspot.com/2012/02/spartaco-lombardo-italy.html; http://fineartblog.ru/spartaco-lombardo-2010-07-19/; http://spartacolombardo.blogspot.com/

Fabián de la Rosa

Art Appreciation

I came across Fabián de la Rosa's paintings on accident, but it was an accident well recieved.

Fabián de la Rosa was a Filipino painter known for landscapes, portraits and everyday scenes of simple women doing daily activities. Born in 1869, he is considered a "master of genre" in Philippine art.

Rizal (1902) via pupuplatter

Kundiman (1932) via pupuplatter

In the Rice Field (1919) via pupuplatter

Sources: http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/30/master-of-genre-fabian-cueto-de-la-rosa-1869-1937; http://www.geringerart.com/bios/delarosa.html; http://old.artesdelasfilipinas.com/main/archives.php?pid=30; Wikipedia


 

El Greco

Art Appreciation

Doménikos Theotokópoulos, also known as "El Greco" (Spanish for the Greek), was a Spanish Renaissance artist. Born on the Greek island of Crete in 1541, Theotokópoulos was ahead of his time--he is "regarded as a precursor of both Expressionism and Cubism."

He is best known for the elongated and articulated fingers. The use of color and light and the avoidance of proportion is a common feature in his paintings.

At age 22, an organization of painters' guild referred Theotokópoulos as a master (maestro Domenigo). In 1577, before spending time in Venice and Rome, Theotokópoulos moved to Toledo, Spain, where he spent the rest of his life. El Greco was regarded as a great painter.



Mary Magdalen in Penitence via hoocher

Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest via artchooser



Martyrdom of St. Maurice via artinthepicture

The Purification of the Temple via imaginemdei

Sources: http://hoocher.com/El_Greco/El_Greco.htm; Wikipedia






 

Minor White

Photography Appreciation

Considered one of America's greatest photographer, Minor White was known for his distictive style of using light in his photography.

White, who served in the military intellegence during World War II, studied with other influential photographers such as Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, and Ansel Adams.

White developed the "zone system," which promoted the previsualization of what the photographer is planning to capture with the camera, rather than just point-and-shoot. Ironically, he worked as a curator at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York--George Eastman introduced the world to Kodak whose slogan was "You push the button; we do the rest."

White kept his bisexuality a secret throughout his career, and it wasn't until 13 years after his death that his photography of male nudes were published in 1989.


Frost on Window via rctc-photo-1.blogspot.com



Barn and Clouds (1955) via dptips-central



Tom Murphy (1948) via arttattler



Gino Cipolla (1940) via theredlist.fr

Sources: Miles, Frank J., "Partners in Love & Art," LstyleGstyle Magazine, September / October 2012, Page 26.; http://myglobaleye.blogspot.com/2011/02/minor-white-arts-and-aperture.html; http://fultonstreet.us/EXH_PUB/white/white.html

Giuseppe Muscio

Art Appreciation

Giuseppe Muscio is a realist and surrealist artist known for the beautiful paintings of everyday objects and female nudes. Born in the small village of Orta Nova, which is east of Napoli, Italy, Muscio's photorealistic paintings are not only beautiful but magical, spiritual and poetic.

You can see more of Muscio's work on his website, HERE.



Voltiamo Pagina via privategallerygiuseppemuscio



Poetiche Rielazioni (2008) via privategallerygiuseppemuscio

Resta Un Po Con Me (2010) via blogger-index

Sources: http://www.giuseppemuscio.it; http://artelibre.net/ARTELIBRE1/MUSCIO/index.htm; http://privategallerygiuseppemuscio.blogspot.com/

 

Brian Andrews' Hominid

Art Appreciation

There are three things I am afraid of: x-rays, spiders and women. Contemporary artist Brian Andrews blends all three of them into this creepy yet captivating short video titled Hominid.

You can see more of his great works HERE.





Sources: http://www.brianandrews.org/; http://streetanatomy.com/; http://www.expression.edu/blog/faculty-focus-brian-andrews/





 

Gil Cohen

Art Appreciation

When I was young, I use to play with miniature war planes and toy soldiers. I'd imagine a conflict between the browns and the greens, which would then erupt to an air war. After one side would win (usually the greens), I'd sometimes lay on my back, stare at my toy war plane, and get lost in thought.

I recently came across some paintings by Gil Cohen, an American artist and illustrator known for his depiction of historical events in aviation.

Cohen's paintings tells stories of past wars and gives the viewer a sense of involvement and appreciation.

Check out an excellent three part interview with Cohen by MensPulpMags.com HERE.




We Guide to Strike (2006) via wallyswar



Almost Home (2008) via majordickwinters



The Wrights at Huffman Prairie (2003) via menspulpmags

Sources: http://www.aviationarthangar.com/gilcohen.html; http://www.aviationartcentral.com/artists/artist_bio.asp?Item1=Cohen,%20Gil; http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/Gil-Cohen-Aviation-Artist.html; http://www.airartnw.com/cohen.htm; http://www.menspulpmags.com/2011/01/interview-with-artist-gil-cohen-part-1.html


 

Sergio Martínez Cifuentes

Art Appreciation

Chilean-born artist, Sergio Martínez Cifuentes, who currently resides in Madrid, is known for his descriptive and realistic oil with acrylic paintings of landscapes and nudes.

His portraits of ballerinas in intimate settings are absolutely stunning. You can see more of his work HERE.

Backlighting I (2004) via artelista 

Intimate moment II (2007) via realismoenlapintura

Golden hair (2006) via conchigliadivenere

Tips (2009) via artelista

Sources: http://wwwsergiomartinezcom.artelista.com/en/; http://www.sergiomartinez.com/; http://ggalleryslo.blogspot.com/2012/01/sergio-martinez-cifuentes.html#!/2012/01/sergio-martinez-cifuentes.html; http://designyoutrust.com/2012/03/paintings-by-sergio-martinez-cifuentes/; http://marialaterza.blogspot.com/2011/05/sergio-martinez-cifuentes-santiago.html; http://realismoenlapintura.com/2011/02/20/sergio-martinez/

There once was a king...

c. 2012

Tears For Fears - Break it Down Again

Music Appreciation

The English New Wave band, Tears for Fears, formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith.
The band's fourth album, sans Curt Smith, Elemental, was released on June 7, 1993--Curt Smith had left Tears for Fears soon after The Seeds of Love in 1991.

The first release single from Elemental was Break it Down Again, which became an international hit and reached top 25 in several U.S. Billboard charts.

I was in my early teens when I purchased the compilation album, Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82-92). I was about 17 years old when I purcahsed Elemental. Yes, I was the weird kid in high school who liked new wave music.

Allow me to provide some background. I lived in my own little world of music. I loved all types. I would escape to my room and turn the radio on and listen to alternative, new wave, rock, anything that sounded pleasing. I also found myself writing poetry and lyrics. I wrote about life and love. 

Lyrics such as "It's my own design, it's my own remorse, help me to decide, help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure, nothing ever last forever." or "I spy tears in their eyes, They look to the skies for some kind of divine intervention, Food goes to waste, so nice to eat, so nice to taste..." was captivating to me as a teen.

So, it's no doubt Roland Orzabel's intellectual lyrics in Elemental was welcoming to me with lyrics such as "'no sleep for dreaming' says the architects of life, Big bouncing babies, bread and butter can I have a slice, They make no mention of the beauty of decay, Blue, yellow, pink umbrella save it for a rainy day."

Source: Wikipedia

Leonid Frechkop

Art Appreciation

I must confess, I am an aesthete. I appreciate art. If I were rich and owned a gallery, there are many artists I would love to exhibit. Leonid Frechkop would be one of those artists.

The Russian born artist's work encompassed both neo-realism and nouvelle objectivite style. He is known for female nudes.

Portrait of Wife via priceofart



Fillette au nud bleu (XX) via iamachild



Au Coiffure (1928) via conchigliadivenere

Three Nudes via conchigliadivenere

Sources: http://www.papillongallery.com/sold/leonid_frechkop.html; http://www.vincentlecuyer.com/catalogues/catalogue-2006/227-leonid-frechkop.html; http://priceofart.blogspot.com/2008/11/leonid-frechkop-portrait-of-his-wife.html




 

Jon De Martin

Art Appreciation

American contemporary realist artist, Jon De Martin, is known for figurative, landscape, and still life art. Born in 1955 in Wilmington, Delaware, De Martin is also recognized for using the grisaille technique, a painting method that uses monochromic shades of grey.

You can see more of his work on his website, HERE.

Magic Hour (2010) via johnpence

The Spike Puller (2001) via americangallery

American Dream, Bridgeport (2008) via americangallery

Ad Tendere, Ad Astra via grandcentralacademy

Venice (2011) via catherinelarose

Sources: http://www.jondemartin.net/; http://www.gageacademy.org/artists/?page=instructors&i_id=130; http://www.johnpence.com/; http://grandcentralacademy.blogspot.com/2012/04/jon-demartin-solo-show-at-john-pence.html



 

Update: Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

Music Appreciation

Dead or Alive was a British new wave band from Liverpool, England, best known for the androgynous lead singer, Pete Burns. They are also most recognized for thier song, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), which reached U.S. Billboards twice in 1985 and 2003.

When I was a kid, I remember thinking Pete Burns was girl who resembled one of my elementary school teacher. What's even more disturbing is that I thought my school teacher was pretty.

Before Pandora, iPods, or CDs, there were records. One could purchase an LP (Long Play) or a 45", which usually contained singles. To play the old vinyl records, one needed a record player. I had a small portable one, which my mom used to play her records as she exercised. This was one that I remember hearing over and over and over again.

Pete Burns, who was born on August 5, 1959, passed away on October 23, 2016 following a sudden cardiac arrest.

Source: Wikipedia

Kent Williams

Art Appreciation

Kent Williams is an American contemporary figurative artist known for his neo-expressionistic work. The vivid colors and the use of light in his paintings allows the viewer to draw a narrative.

You can find more of his work HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Mother and Daughter (2009) via dailyartfixx

Trace Double-Portrait (2005) via lesdiagonalesdutemps

Devon's Back (2008) via artnet

Sources: http://www.dailyartfixx.com/2011/01/25/kent-williams-painting/; http://comicblog.septagonstudios.com/kent-williams-a-dynamic-contemporary-artist/; http://www.lesdiagonalesdutemps.com/article-kent-williams-76705157.html; http://kentwilliams.blogspot.com/; http://www.kentwilliams.com; http://painthouse.wordpress.com/; Wikipedia

Voting "La Palanca"

I've been around elections since I was very little. My dad was in politics and eventually became an elected board member of a school district. After his tenure, he continued to support friends who ran for other offices either in the local, state or federal level. We walked streets, knocked on doors, and asked people to vote.

My dad instilled in me the importance of being involved in the community and having a voice through the voting process. I remember going with him to vote at my school, which was a polling location, entering a booth and having the curtains close behind us. Each candidate had a lever. At the very top were levers for parties, which allowed voters to vote straight party or as I grew up knowing it as "la palanca."

Lever machines were phased out and replaced with optical scan, which is similar to bubbling in Scantron sheet. Then after the "hanging chad" incident, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which introduced America to electronic voting machines.

Although voting "la palanca" is a phrase from the past, the idea of voting straight party is still practice.

Check out this article from American City and County, which provides a retrospect of the lever machine and how it was once promoted as "tally-fraud-proof."

Source: http://americancityandcounty.com/blog/voting-technology-develops

Enur feat. Natasja Saad - Calabria 2007

Music Appreciation

I will admit, I like the music video. Hey, I'm a guy. But this music video has a story. Sad, actually.

Natasja Saad, who is featured in the music video, was a rising music artist. She was a Danish rapper and reggae singer who died at the young age of 32. Soon after the release of Calabria, Natasja was in a deadly car accident in Jamaica on June 24, 2007.

You can see more of her music videos HERE.



Source: Wikipedia

Juan Francisco Casas

Art Appreciation

The absolute talent of Spanish artist Juan Francisco Casas transposes his photographs to oil paintings and blue ballpoint realistic sketches. The majority of his work are of beautiful women in playful and sensual settings captured in self-pic-like photos.

You can see more of his work HERE.

Seis y Cuatro Autorretrato #1 (2008) via Buamai

Fuck Artist (2009) via hypemuch

Sources: http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/2012/05/juan-francisco-casas.html; http://www.juanfranciscocasas.com/en/galeria; http://hypemuch.com/2011/04/19/photorealistic-ballpoint-pen-drawings-by-juan-francisco-casas/

Nelly Furtado - I'm Like a Bird

Music Appreciation

Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird," which is considered her signature song, was released on October 24, 2000. The song even won her the grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The CGI music video featured Nelly Furtado levitating off the ground in the woods before crowd surfing.

Source: Wikipedia

Robert Rauschenberg

Art Appreciation

Robert Rauschenberg was a Neo-Dadaists American Pop Artist known for his three dimensional collages. He incorporated trash and objects found on the streets and used various paint applications and materials in his work to make political or cultural statements.

Rauschenberg is recognized for Erased de Kooning Drawing, where he basically erased a drawing by Willem de Kooning. Signs is another Rauschenberg work widely recognized for the images of Janis Joplin, Bobby Kennedy, John F. Kennedy and the 60s era.

Rauschenberg was born in Port Arthur, Texas on October 22, 1925.  He later received a National Medal of Arts in 1993.

Retroactive 1 (1964) via orangemercury

Signs (1970) via artnet

Untitled 'combine' (1963) via artmastered

Erased de Kooning Drawing (1953) via secretforts

Hot Shot (1983) via jasonaltobelli

Sources: http://www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/; http://artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/pop_art.htm; http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/robert-rauschenberg/about-the-artist/49/; http://www.theartstory.org/artist-rauschenberg-robert.htm#; Miles, Frank J., "Partners in Love & Art," LstyleGstyle Magazine, September / October 2012, Page 27.