Chris Mars creates incredibly powerful images inspired by the childhood experiences that resulted from his older brother being institutionalized after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Â
The paintings tell an incredible story, one that reminds me of a similar story told by David B. in graphic novel form. Â To say that these are stories worth telling is a gross understatement.
The mashed-up imagery in Nathan James work combines “two modern domains: cartoon and plastic and flesh and bone.” Â It’s an impressive combination, and appropriately frightening at the same time. Â
Don’t miss his archive section, there are plenty of great works there too.
Today I’m doing something a little bit different. Â I’m posting about a documentary on an artist, rather than about the artist herself. Â
I recently saw “My Kid Could Paint That”, a film that documents the story of a girl (Marla Olmstead) who gets international attention for her abstract paintings at the age of four. Â Her work begins selling for tens of thousands of dollars, but the validity of the paintings soon comes into question when people begin suspecting her father of having a hand in creating the work.
It’s an interesting story, but the best part about the doc is that it explores conversations inside and outside of the art world regarding the value of art, and the value of abstract art in particular. Â It’s worth seeing if you get the chance.
I am loving the simplicity of Susanna Bluhm’s paintings.
If you ever get tired of this world, there’s a whole new one going on in Gary Baseman’s paintings. Â It’s a world that combines extreme cuteness with an abundance of depravity. Â The result is well worth a visit.
I’m enjoying Anne-Laure Djaballah’s blog, where she posts images of her layered and textured landscape/abstractions.  Very cool work.
It’s impossible to go out in public without being caught by the gaze of surveillance cameras these days, but what happens to all that footage? Â Well, I’m happy to report that at least a tiny fraction of it is being turned into art. Â
William Betts’ large paintings of surveillance stills are strangely compelling, and a little bit unnerving too.
Have I mentioned how great Sarah Hatton’s work is? Â Well, I’m doing it now. Â Sarah Hatton’s work is great. Â Go ahead, see for yourself!
The paintings on Jason Murphy’s blog range from deceptively simple still life works, to deceptively simple surrealism. Â I say “deceptively” because while the compositions are simple the images are often filled to the brim with the idea of menace and danger, which of course is why I like them.
Sarah Jane Gorlitz has just been shortlisted in the RBC Painting Competition, and I think she has a good chance at taking the win. Â Of course, I am completely biased in that she is the only short-listed painter that I actually know personally.
Congratulations to all 15 members of the shortlist!
