Riccardo Mannelli

Art Appreciation

Italian artist Riccardo Mannelli is known for known for paintings of older subjects and their real bodies in intimate moments.

I came cross this artist's work while surfing La Conchiglia Di Venere art blog, and I quickly became enamored with the "natural" depiction of his subjects either making love or caught in deep thought.

You can see more of his wonderful work HERE.

Hasta Manana Mio Amor 4 via conchigliadivenere 

Blues Freddo via thisisnthappiness 

Sources:

http://www.artnau.com/2014/12/riccardo-mannelli/
http://www.galleriagagliardi.com/en/artist-works/riccardo-mannelli
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riccardo_Mannelli
http://www.grimildeblog.it/amore-e-sesso-nei-quadri-di-riccardo-mannelli-soprattutto-amore
https://conchigliadivenere.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/riccardo-mannelli-1955-italian/
http://thisisnthappiness.com/post/105654610044/reality-bites-riccardo-mannelli
http://quaz-art.blogspot.com/2012/03/riccardo-mannelli-appunti-per-la.html
http://www.eccellentipittori.it/riccardo-mannelli
http://www.juxtapoz.com/erotica/paintings-by-riccardo-mannelli
http://www.tricromia.com/en/tricromia-artisti/riccardo-mannelli

Edward Steichen

Photography Appreciation

Luxembourgian American photographer, Edward Jean Steichen, is recognized as the first modern fashion photographer who captured models and movie stars such as Marion Morehouse and Gary Cooper.

The Academy Award winner was also known for co-founding the internationally famous art gallery 291 on Fifth Avenue in New York City with Alfred Stieglitz.

You can see more of his wonderful photographer HERE.

Gary Cooper (1930) via tmagazine 

Gloria Swanson (1924) via venetianred 

Marion Morehouse and unidentified model
wearing dresses by Vionnet (1930) via tmagazine

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Steichen
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/steichen/
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/stei/hd_stei.htm
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/edward-steichen-in-vogue-125189608/?no-ist
http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=5623
http://www.artnet.com/artists/edward-steichen/
http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/EdwardSteichen
http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/1780/edward-steichen-american-1879-1973/
http://venetianred.net/tag/edward-steichen/
http://thebluelantern.blogspot.com/2014/01/edward-steichen-painting-or-photography.html
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/in-focus-edward-steichen/?_r=0
https://danielgerhartz.wordpress.com/tag/edward-steichen-paintings/

Juan Medina

Art Appreciation

As I've mentioned in previous blog entries, I have a fascination for realistic artworks. When I come across an painting that catches my eye, I usually want to know about the creator.

While surfing one of the blogs I follow, I came across a beautiful image titled "Gabrielle in Landscape." It is of a beautiful naked woman seated on a satin green blanket in front of a lake in a forest. The definition of her body is pronounced and flawless.

This portrait was painted by Mexican artist Juan Medina, who is known for his trompe-l'œil art technique, which gives a three-dimensional effect in his artwork making it almost realistic.

You can see more of his beautiful paintings HERE.

Gabrielle in Landscape via kaifineart

Anonymous via kaifineart

Dance via artodyssey1

Sources:

http://www.medinajuan.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1fDJCmIas
http://www.lovettsgallery.com/artists/artist.asp?ArtistID=224
http://www.aristocratgallery.com/juan-medina-1050/
http://www.sagecreekgallery.com/artists/J_Medina/index.htm
http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/2009/08/juan-medina-medina-is-artist-who.html
http://www.kaifineart.com/2014/06/juan-medina.html
http://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/2011/02/juan-medina.html

Mary Ellen Mark

Photography Appreciation

At age nine, American photographer Mary Ellen Mark, began taking photographs with a Box Brownie, an inexpensive cardboard camera primarily used for snapshots.

The renowned photographer is best known for her photo-journalistic captures of war demonstrations, civil liberties movements, and social issues, as well as portraitures of movie stars.

You can see more of her amazing and captivating photos HERE.

Amanda and her cousin Amy, North Carolina (1990) via thescifiman

Jennifer Tiffany and Carrie, Portsmouth, Ohio (1989) via pleasurephoto

Gregory Peck with two young extras, Old Gringo, Mexico City, 1988 via 

Sources:

http://www.maryellenmark.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ellen_Mark
http://www.missomnimedia.com/2011/08/art-herstory-mary-ellen-mark/
http://www.scotsman.com/news/mark-of-distinction-1-1390392
http://phd101summer2012.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-1.html
http://blog.ricecracker.net/2010/02/10/mary-ellen-mark-seen-behind-the-scenes/
https://thescifiman.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/media-photography-mary-ellen-mark-portrait-photographer/
http://womenswork.tumblr.com/post/268358691/mary-ellen-mark-celebrities
https://mcclewis.wordpress.com/type/aside/
https://pleasurephoto.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/photo-mary-ellen-mark-street-photography-jennifer-tiffany-and-carrieportsmouth-ohio-1989/

Karen Ann Myers

Art Appreciation

South Carolina-based artisit Karen Ann Myers is known for her oil paintings of young women in intimate settings with intricate designs and geometric patterns.


For more of her wonderful works, visit HERE.

Kaleidoscope Quilt via artodyssey1

Southwestern Medallion Bed and Diamond Rug via quidleyandco

Diamond Medallion via artodyssey1

Sources:

http://karenannmyers.com/
http://www.robertlangestudios.com/karen-ann-myers/
http://artistaday.com/?p=6697
http://blogs.cofc.edu/multimediaworkshop/2012/03/19/karen-ann-myers/
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/BS/20140126/ENT01/301260003/Karen-Ann-Myers-paintings-look-mixed-messages-mass-media
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/karen-ann-myers-stays-in-the-boudoir-for-her-new-solo-show/Content?oid=4561625
http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/2013/10/karen-ann-myers.html
https://uabvisualartsgallery.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/karen-ann-meyers/
http://blog.quidleyandco.com/events/2012narrativefragments/
https://newamericanpaintings.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/in-the-studio-process-of-a-painting-with-karen-ann-myers/14-karen-ann-myers-geo-stripe-day-8-1/

Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Photographer Appreciation

French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, is known for capturing Earth's beauty. Since an early age, he's had a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife.

Recognized as and environmentalist, Arthus-Bertrand founded the GoodPlanet foundation, which raises public awareness of ecology and inspire positive change.

You can see more of his beautiful works HERE.

via anthonylukephotography

via reelfoto

via anthonylukephotography

Sources:

http://www.yannarthusbertrand.org/
https://twitter.com/yann_a_b
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_Arthus-Bertrand
https://www.ted.com/speakers/yann_arthus_bertrand
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/mar/20/yann-arthus-bertrand-photographer
http://anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/earth-from-above-yann-arthus-bertrand.html
http://www.graphic-design-blog.com/2008/08/yann-arthus-bertrand-photography.html
http://reelfoto.blogspot.com/2011/08/yann-arthus-bertrand-fine-and-furry.html
http://lyndaevans.blogspot.com/2010/06/photographer-love-yann-arthus-bertrand.html
https://laurabenglish.wordpress.com/tag/yann-arthus-bertrand/
http://ecologicalsociology.blogspot.com/2011/03/yann-arthus-bertrand.html
http://www.goodplanet.org/

Deirdre West

Art Appreciation

Unlike many people, I spend my Sunday mornings surfing the website for various forms of art. During one such Sunday, I was captivated by a painting of a beautiful woman sleeping with butterflies around her. The painting titled The Messengers of Sleep is by American artist Deirdre West

West is known for her realistic paintings that reminisce Renaissance art, and you can find more of her wonderful art HERE.

An Offering of Milk via bellaluellablog

The North Wind via bellaluellablog

The Messengers of Sleep via impressioniartistiche

Sources:

http://artoflightandshadow.com/
https://www.etsy.com/people/deirdrewest
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/deirdre-west.html
http://impressioniartistiche.blogspot.com/2013/12/deirdre-west.html#.VLKX4yvF-ac
http://bellaluellablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/artist-deirdre-west.html