Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Joseph Yoakum



Joseph Yoakum Valley of El Capatan  c. 1960's  watercolor and ball point pen on paper
9" x 12"  
fleisher-ollmangallery.com

Joseph Yoakum's drawings are avidly collected by folk art collectors as well as museums, artists and fine art collectors around the world. My take on his popularity is that his work cuts across all genres. They are beautifully drawn and composed using delicate line and muted color to define his impression of places he visited in his mind. The originality of his style and authenticity of his approach to making his art resonated with people with the ability to see and feel his presence in the work. 

In my experience viewing contemporary artists today, I feel many are trying to capture Yoakum's approach with varying degrees of success. What is almost impossible to attain for contemporary artists is the authenticity that comes from an inner directed "outsider" person of color that grew up in the middle of the last century. That experience is is what makes his work so unique, beautiful and touching.

Friday, August 24, 2018

Sarah Walker


Sarah Walker  Qbit  2016  acrylic on linen  66" x 72"
fleisher-ollmangallery.com

Friday, August 17, 2018

Thomas Kapsallis


               Thomas Kapsalis  In Transition  1997  oil on canvas  20" x 16"
               corbettvsdempsey.com

Thomas Kapsalis b. 1925 is a painter from Chicago that taught at SAIC starting in 1954 after studying in Germany after WW ll. In looking at his work over the past 65 years I am impressed with his vision, tenacity, and craftsmanship. It is a testament to the artist that he is still working into his 90's and his ability to be consistent in thought and execution remain.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Steve Gibson


              Steve Gibson  The Magician's Dilemma  2018  gouache on paper  30" x 22"
              stevegibsonstudio.squarespace.com