ART AFICIONADO

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Shakira - Dónde Estás Corazón

Music Appreciation

Growing up along the U.S. Mexico border in the 90s had its benefits. The radio dial was practically filled providing all types of music. While one radio station played Alanis Morissette or the Goo Goo Dolls, another played Maná or Shakira.

¿Dónde Estás Corazón? was originally released in a compilation CD but re-released by Sony in her breakthrough album Pies Descalzos, which was released in 1995.

Source: Wikipedia

Monday, September 3, 2012

Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer

Music Appreciation

The 19 year old from New York City released her debut album, Tidal, which contained several big singles including Criminal, Sleep to Dream, and Shadowboxer, on July 23, 1996.

Here's a story I've never told. I use to receive a music catalog where I would order CDs for one penny. The catch was that you had to order so many more CDs in future purchases for full price.

I remember ordering her CD, not because I had heard her songs, but because of the CD cover. Her gorgeous blue eyes captured my attention. I would listen to her album from Sleep to Dream to Carrion staring at her blue eyes.

More: Fiona Apple - Criminal

Source: Wikipedia

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Dennis Wojtkiewicz

Art Appreciation

Chicago born artist Dennis Wojkiewicz is known for his oil painting of fruits and flowers.

Yes, these are not photographs but paintings. His photorealistic paintings presents the subject in detail through the use of translucence.

via pinterest.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

via whatsalouawants.blogspot.com

Sources: http://www.evanluriegallery.com/artist.aspx?id=51; http://www.cuded.com/2012/01/fruit-and-flowers-paintings-by-dennis-wojtkiewicz/; http://trendland.com/dennis-wojtkiewiczs-fruit-paintings/#; http://www.glassgaragegallery.com/lib/frameset1.php?artist_code=DWZ&id=14

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This

Music Appreciation

In 1981, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe collaborated together to form the English pop duo The Pet Shop Boys.

After the success of their first album Please, Tennant and Lowe introduced us to their second album Actually, which is listed as one of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Released in 1987, What Have I Done To Deserve This featured British pop star Dusty Springfield and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Source: Wikipedia

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Virgin Mary

ART APPRECIATION

This photo was taken on May 27, 2012 using an HTC PH44100.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Adrian Gottlieb

Art Appreciation

Adrian Gottlieb is a young American painter and portraitist known for using Verdaccio and classical oil painting techniques. His subjects are depicted using the naturalist style that makes paintings look almost life-like.

You can see more of his work HERE.

Dormir (2010), via conchigliadivenere

Sources: http://www.adriangottlieb.com/; http://www.gottliebstudios.com/; http://www.waterhousegallery.com/Gottlieb.html; http://www.figurativedrawing.com/; http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/2009/10/adrian-gottlieb-adrian-gottliebs-works.html

Saturday, August 18, 2012

George Tooker

Art Appreciation

George Tooker was an American artist known for his paintings that captured social realism. The majority of his paintings were of people living in poverty and struggles in society. His paintings were somewhat mythical and poetic with a sense of haunting and apprehension.

Perhaps a good example of a painting that expressed that sense of dread and unease is "Government Bureau" where people wait to speak with pale looking bureaucrats behind frosted-glass partitions. Or the haunting image in "Landscape With Figures" where masklike faces poke out from individual compartment boxes.

The English Lit graduate from Harvard, received the 2007 National Medal of Arts for “his paintings that combine realism and symbolism, transforming scenes of American life into iconic images. His metaphysical works reveal man’s journey from despair to triumph.”