Juan Sese: Finding the Shape of Things
Recently, I chatted with artist Juan Sese. I’ve been following his work for a couple of years. He is originally from Argentina—as you know, I have a soft spot for Argentinian artists—and is now based in Barcelona. I connected with him on Instagram when I saw his work: a melange of colorful shapes laid on canvas. During our conversation, a very gentle Juan showed me some of his work from his Barcelona studio and walked me through his creative process. With great candor, he shared the ups and downs of being a self-taught artist trying to make it in the art world at a global level.
It’s Wonderful, But Is It Art?
Our perception of art can be like the weather—totally unpredictable and entirely dependent on where you’re standing. Of course, it’s worth noting that everyone, regardless of whether they’ve got a PhD in Art History or think Matisse is a type of pasta, has a reaction to art. Imagine a spectrum: experts are huddled at one end, non-experts loitering at the other, and in between lies a vast expanse of responses to the usual suspects—color, shape, size, and so on. Research suggests that one of the strongest indicators for art appreciation is simply being open to the experience. And while the aesthetic experience of art is a deeply personal journey—one in which emotional response may vary wildly based on your level of expertise—there’s something undeniably universal about the emotional tug of art.
A Walk in Harlem: A Graffiti-Laden Journey Through the Grandscale Mural Project
It was a Friday morning, the kind of morning where the city hums in its usual, chaotic way. Naturally, as I do once a month for an appointment, I found myself wandering the streets of Harlem, drawn by that indefinable energy that makes New York, well, New York. I was on Park Avenue, somewhere between 124th and 125th Streets, when I stumbled upon it: a construction site, wrapped up tight in plywood. But this wasn’t just any old construction site. No, this was a canvas.
Ben Slow: The Artist Who Paints Emotions into Existence
There are artists who can sketch a face with the precision of a forensic scientist, nailing every detail from the arch of the nose to the wayward curl of hair. And then there's Ben Slow, who doesn't just paint faces; he distills the very essence of what it means to be human and slaps it on a canvas—or, more often than not, a towering wall. We collaborated on a project a few years back—a mural for the New York offices of a certain bat-and-ball sport’s upper echelon. The NDA I signed prevents me from name-dropping, but suffice it to say, the work was as colossal as it was confidential.
The Gardner Museum Heist: A Tale of Unsolved Art Theft
I know you all loved the Kiki Schirr theory that Degas may have been Jack the Ripper. So, what other art crime could I bring to you? First, I thought of the Mona Lisa being stolen in 1911, but then I remembered the Gardner Museum heist. The spookiness of those empty frames still haunts me. I visited the museum a few years ago, and I still remember the wow-I-can’t-fucking-believe-this moment as I roamed through the galleries.
C.S. McIntire: From Graphic Design to Fine Art
I’ve been following C. S. McIntire’s work for a few years now, and I must say, I love his keen sense of composition! He’s a self-taught painter whose transition from graphic design to fine art reveals a rich tapestry of creativity. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, McIntire’s work reflects a unique blend of artistic disciplines and a deep understanding of human cognition and emotion.
Ann Marie Auricchio: From Commercial Murals to Fine Art
I first crossed paths with Ann Marie Auricchio a few years ago while diving deep into research for a project I was working on. You know those moments when you find an artist whose story is so intriguing, it practically begs you to keep asking questions? That’s Ann Marie. I needed a large-scale mural for my project and stumbled upon her work online. The more I spoke with her, the more I realized I was scratching the surface of a treasure trove of talent. From her roots in commercial murals to her current exploration of fine art collages, Ann Marie’s trajectory is nothing short of fascinating.
A Morning of Coffee and Art
It’s no secret that I'm a big fan of Ellen de Meijer’s work. I've written about her art before. A couple of days ago, I caught up with her son, Mick de Meijer, over coffee at L’Adresse, across from Bryant Park. He brought one of Ellen’s limited edition prints for me—and let me tell you, I love it!
Eugen Varzić’s Emotive Portraits
Eugen Varzić is a Croatian painter known for his captivating portraits and striking use of color. His work stands out for its emotional intensity and technical precision. It invites viewers into a world where the familiar intertwines with the fantastical.
Szilard Gaspar: The Intersection of Performance, Sports, and Sculpture
Szilard Gaspar is an artist from Romania whose work represents a unique fusion of performance and sports. And I love it! The other day, I caught up with him over zoom while he was at his studio in Transylvania. Our conversation delved into the deep connections between his personal history and his creative practice.
Kiki Schirr's Controversial Theory: Could Edgar Degas Have Been Jack the Ripper?
The world of art and true crime rarely intersect in a way that captivates both enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Enter Kiki Schirr, a bold thinker with a theory as intriguing as it is contentious: Edgar Degas, the famed French artist, could have been Jack the Ripper. While this may sound like a far-fetched plot from a historical fiction novel, Schirr has laid out a series of comparisons and similarities that, at the very least, provoke thought and discussion.
Thierry Noir: The Artist Who Painted the Berlin Wall
My 6-year-old loves. the portraits of Berlin-based, French artist Thierry Noir. I discovered this when she brought home a portrait she made at school, inspired by his work.
Christine Wilkinson: The Alchemist of Digital Photography
Few artists capture the essence of light, color, and form as Christine Wilkinson does. A British digital photographer with a distinctive style, Christine brings a unique vision to her craft. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of working with her on a project that required two large works.
Understanding Gestalt in Art: How Our Brains See
Gestalt psychology, developed in the early 20th century by German psychologists Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Köhler, helps us understand how we perceive patterns and wholes in the visual world. "Gestalt" means "shape" or "form" in German, and in art, these principles help artists create works that naturally engage viewers.
Yvonne Robert: Exploring Color and Form
Yvonne Robert's work is characterized by its vibrant use of color and fluid shapes. She skillfully blends abstract and representational styles, creating a dynamic effect. Typical of her work are the shapes and lines that seem to move, giving her pieces a spontaneous feel.
Paul Kuntze: Bridging Baroque and Abstract Expressionism
I’ve been following Paul Kuntze’s work on Instagram for quite some time. Recently, I had the chance to catch up with him. During a brief call, we chatted about his work, which is a unique blend of abstract expressionism and classical baroque influences.
The Significance of Sculpture in Human Society
Let’s take a look at sculptures this week, shall we? These three-dimensional works of art are created by shaping or combining materials such as stone, metal, glass, wood, plastic—or even paper. They vary widely in size and purpose, ranging from tiny pieces to monumental statues. What do they mean to us, and why are they important in the context of our world?
Joey Bates: The Master of Paper Sculptures
The first time I saw Joey Bates's work was while doing research for a Serafina project, which called for a giant paper sculpture. I was immediately drawn to the intricacies of Joey's work. He creates paper sculptures with meticulously cut elements, all held together by a hidden paper structure, resulting in phenomenal texture and visual depth.
Jonah Dichter: The Art of Transformation
You might think that I’m not always looking to meet artists everywhere I go. Maybe I’m not, but we find each other nonetheless. This year, I met Jonah Dichter at Krav Maga. Jonah is an emerging artist whose focus is on ceramics. As we were training for our next belt—I was going for blue, Jonah for purple—I asked him if I could see some of his work. He invited me to his house, where he had a few of his non-functional sculptures laid out on his kitchen counter. The more he told me about his work, the more intrigued I became.
The Indelible Contributions of the LGBTQ+ Community to the Art World
The contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the art world are vast and varied, encompassing a range of styles, themes, and mediums. Through their work, LGBTQ+ artists have expanded our understanding of identity, representation, and aesthetics. As we continue to celebrate Pride and honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, it is essential to recognize and appreciate the impact LGBTQ+ artists have had on the art world.