A while back we made a wildly successful gallery postcard that quickly disappeared! In trying to create something visual that people could take with them to remember the gallery, we have a new gallery postcard with images of some of the all-time favorite paintings that have graced the walls of SMG!
Swing by the gallery to snag one (and even one for a friend) before they vanish! A little daily art inspiration to keep at your desk, in your studio, on your fridge, or even as a bookmark :)
This past July, we had the pleasure of hosting Leo Mancini-Hresko for a painting demonstration. We didn't know before he arrived if he was planning to paint an interior or a figure and were delighted to learn he would be painting his beautiful wife Elpida!
Set-up was a breeze (even if the weather was warm) and as Leo started painting a crowd started to gather around, watching & asking questions.
Leo is a great multi-tasker with his ability to talk & answer questions (and even sing a few lines from a song) while he is painting... charming the crowd!
We look forward to having Leo back to do a fall plein air landscape demonstration near the gallery and perhaps on the banks of the Charles! Once he returns from a plein air painting competition in Vermont and then a painting trip with fellow artists to Russia this month... lucky, busy Leo! You can keep up with him on his own blog: http://leomancinihresko.com.
Boston-based artist Nick Ward, who's piece 'Suburban Dream' was a part of our April Back to Back Exhibition, recently took the time to chat with us about his painting style and what motivates him!
What do you like to paint? I like to paint people -- because I like people. I love to study people in their daily routines.
When did you start painting? Not that long ago actually. I've been a professional artist for about 5 years now.
On average how long does it take for you to complete a large composition? Does the time vary depending on the size of the painting? It takes me months to complete a single piece. I normally work with larger paintings -- around 4' x 5' each or larger. With really large works I use small brushes, which takes longer, but gives me the detail I am looking for. Small pieces, however, if I really focus I can finish within a week.
Why do you use a small brush on large scale paintings? Small brushes enable me to pay close attention to the small details in the human body. In reality, people aren't perfectly smooth -- everyone's body has various textures and skin tone variations. The small brush allows for a more realistic depiction. Each brushstroke produces a new breadth of color and texture.
What type of environment do you like to work in? I always work with music. Depending on what music is playing effects how the painting goes. Certain songs motivate the scene. If you want something refined, put something mellow on. I always paint in the studio, isolated from distractions and prying eyes.
What is your favorite piece that you've ever painted? 'Mirrors Eye View' is my favorite painting, it was recently used on the cover of Dig Boston magazine.
What is your favorite piece of art? Edvard Munch 'The Kiss'.
What is your favorite Greater Boston area museum? The deCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA.
What do you want your viewer to experience when they see your work? I want the viewer to experience the classic "body tingle" -- a full body wave of emotion. I want the everyday person to walk up to the work, see it, and understand the message without having to be a trained art major. I want my art to be simple enough -- to be accessible to the general public, yet stimulating for art intellectuals.
Check out more of Nick's work on his website! We're anxiously awaiting a few new small pieces from Nick that should arrive this summer -- we'll share them as soon as they're here.
We could not be more excited or proud to announce that our very own Carlo Russo's stunning painting 'Dreams of Ophelia' was selected in the Art Renewal Center's 2013 International Salon Competition for a Purchase Prize and 3rd Place in the Figurative Category!
Carlo is an incredible painter and could not be a more deserving guy. Just as many of you, we are going to miss 'Ophelia' at the gallery, but are happy to see her find a fantastic home!
Carlo's 'The Blue Dress' was chosen as a finalist in the Still Life Category and can be seen in the gallery!
These two beautiful landscapes, by gallery artist Kathleen Dunphy, were both chosen as finalist in the Landscape Category in the ARC's 2013 International Salon Competition.
Boston based artist Kelly Carmody, an invitational artist in our recent Back to BackExhibition, had her painting 'The Fisherman' (left) chosen as a finalist in the Figurative Category! Kelly's two Back to Back pieces are still on view in the gallery.
Mary Sauer's 'Erin' (right) was chosen as a finalist in the Portrait Society of America's 2013 International Portrait Competition. Awards were given out at the Annual Art of the Portrait Conference where 'Erin' received an Award of Exceptional Merit.
We are incredibly lucky to have so many accomplished artists represented in the gallery. All of them work extremely hard and we appreciate organizations, such as the Art Renewal Center and Portrait Society of America, who take the time to recognize their accomplishments.
Stop by the gallery to see works from these artists as well as all the other talented artists we carry!
Sloane Merrill Gallery and the Boston Figurative Art Center (BFAC) announce their first collaboration in the form of a themed group exhibition titled 'Back to Back' opening Friday, April 12th at 75 Charles Street, Boston.
Below is the call to artists to submit for the juried portion of the exhibition.
Please feel free to contact Sloane Merrill Gallery with any questions at 617.227.1775 or by email at info@sloanemerrillgallery.com
Julia -- all finished!
Her skin is flawless, her lips are full, her hair encompasses several shades, and her eyes are beautifully piercing. And her buttons! Scott painted the pearls with the perfect sheen and opalescence.
Julia came together beautifully -- bravo to Scott! For more information on Scott, take a browse through his website: http://www.bartner.nl.
For any portrait commission inquiries, please contact the gallery directly: info@sloanemerrillgallery.com.
Next step -- the first layers of color! You can see the flesh tones bringing life to Julia's face, especially with the subtle rosiness to her cheeks. Scott is a master of contrast and shadow, however slight, allowing her nose and chin to become much more dimensional. Our favorite element of Scott's work is easily the draw of his eyes! He creates figures with captivating eyes that bring the viewer right to the sitter or model.
Check back next week for Scott's progress on Julia! For any portrait commission inquiries, please contact the gallery directly: info@sloanemerrillgallery.com.
The artist's process: exciting, agonizing, exhausting, and fulfilling.
Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be showing you an exclusive look at how Netherlands-based portrait painter Scott Bartner constructs one of his astonishing pieces. Meet Julia, she's currently an underpainting or grisaille.
We love seeing the inner workings of Scott's process and know you will as well!
Next image soon enough...
It's Friday again! This week we are happy to feature a frame, and painting, by Carlo Russo. Carlo is another one of our artists who makes his own frames. Having been to his studio, and seen him working through this frame, we know how much he thinks about the color, profile, and finish on his frames.
Carlo did an amazing job with the gold leaf detail. The gold picks up on the browns and tans of the painting, playing off her skin tone perfectly. The frame looks classic, even though it was only made a few months ago.
If you haven't seen this painting or frame in person, be sure to stop by the gallery soon! It's hanging in a prime spot behind the nook desk!
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the gallery: Mary Sauer! Mary graduated from BYU, has taken classes at the Art Student's League in New York and The Grand Central Academy of Art, and apprenticed with William Whitaker. Mary had a big 2012 -- she won "Best of Show" at The Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition, was featured on the cover of the August Issue of American Art Collector Magazine, and was named one of Southwest Art Magazine's "21 Under 31" Artists. Expect to see Mary's work in the gallery before Christmas!
Here's what Mary has to say about her work:
"I believe there is beauty in every form which can be translated to the canvas by showing it as it appears naturally. This pushes me to achieve representational color harmony, proportion, and value relationships via a traditional approach to oil painting."
