Inspirit of the Gulf

Our Friday Favorite for this week is the announcement that the works of Brad Robertson are now available at R. Alexander Gallery!

“Colorburst in the Skies” | oil on canvas | 48″ x 36″

Robertson paints with a distinctive style that invites the mind to wander across layers of color and texture as the eye might wander along the horizon, looking out across the water and into the depths of a Gulf Coast sunset.  Robertson aims to evoke the eternal, looking for innovative ways to combine color and texture to create multi-layered shorelines, endless horizons and seeming portals of bold color. A direct expression of the landscape he calls home, he views every piece as a part of him.

“Misty Dusk” | oil on canvas | 48″ x 36″

Robertson received his BFA from Auburn University in 1999 and has since received various awards for his unique, non-representational paintings and has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest.  His work has also been featured on national networks ABC and HGTV.

“September Surprise” | oil on canvas | 60″ x 40″

Brad Robertson has painted all his life. Born and raised in the coastal town of Mobile, Alabama, his earliest inspiration was the landscape—the indigenous pines and oak trees, and the waters of Mobile Bay. The coastal landscape is still a major source of inspiration for Robertson.

“Red Sky Calling” | oil on canvas | 48″ x 48″

Friday Favorite: Harvest Afternoon

Happy Friday!  The warm sun is overhead in the early afternoon as the grapes are being harvested.  Clouds billow above as the woven basket rests on the cool dirt.

Such a wonderful scene (& a fun job) captured by the talented hand of Spanish painter Fernando Pedrosa!  In Vendimia, he captures the beauty and elegance of nature combined with stunning figurative examples, complete with creamy skin and silky fabrics.

“Vendimia” | Oil on Canvas | 21 1/4 x 31 7/8 in

Friday Favorite: Back to School

It’s hard to believe that the summer is coming to a close and the kids will be heading back to school this month.  Artist Joe McFadden captures his fond memories of school in The Advent of the Julian Colander, an oil on canvas work.  He states, “I loved being in school.  Spending all day reading history, philosophy and  math was a sheer delight. Unfortunately, for the most part, I got everything wrong. I have turned what was once a liability into a career.  Of course now, I have been mixing up history, philosophy and math to make my own stories in artwork since and I have done this from the very beginning of my painting career.  Some find my work a hoot and some will never understand my thought patterns…which are you?”

Happy Friday to all, especially the teachers and students!

“The Advent of the Julian Colander” | oil on canvas | 36 x 24 inches

Friday Favorite: Weekly “Wine” Down

Such a busy week around the gallery with new artists and new arrivals filling our walls – stay tuned for information on this soon!  In order to help us relax for the weekend we are enjoying the beautiful new arrival by Spanish artist Javier Mulio.  “Heaven on Earth to me” is an original oil on board still life and measures 10 3/16 x 13 1/4 inches.  Such intricate beauty and elegant reflections in this piece.

“Heaven on Earth to me” Oil on Board 10 3/16 x 13 1/4 inches

Friday Favorite: Summertime Bliss

Today’s Friday Favorite is a new arrival by artist Mario.  “A True State of Bliss” brings life and vibrancy to the canvas with beautiful texture and light.  Such a perfect way to wrap up our week!

“A True State of Bliss” 36 x 48 inches oil on canvas

Inspired by Antiquity

In lieu of the typical Friday Favorite, today we would like to introduce the masterful sculptures of Marton Varo.

“Torso IV” 33 inches tall

 

Premier marble sculptor, Marton Varo was born on March 15, 1943 in Szekelyudvarhely, Transylvania, Hungary (now Romania).  He studied sculpture at Ion Andreescu Institute of Arts in Cluj, Romania from 1960 to 1966.  In 1970, he moved to Debrecen, Hungary where he completed several sculptures for public places and was awarded the Munkacsy Prize in 1984.

“Victoria” 69 inches

Receiving a Fulbright scholarship in 1988, Varo became affiliated with the University of California, Irvine, studying the relationship between architecture and sculpture.  In 1990, he became the Artist in Residence for a public art project in the City of Brea, California.

“Nude” 80 1/2 inches

Varo lives and works in the United States, in California and Florida, spending summers working in Carrara, Italy.

The sculptures of Marton Varo are one-of-a-kind works that are hand-carved and crafted from Carrara marble.  This marble is mined in an Italian quarry once used by Michelangelo.

“Spring” 92 inches

With private installations around the world, the true value in the works of Marton Varo lie in his commissioned pieces.  From selecting the piece of marble from Italy’s great quarries to sketching, chiseling and shaping a beautifully, antiquity inspired masterpiece for your space, Varo’s artistic hand is in every moment.  Select your size, your pose, your location and let the talents of internationally known and collected artist Marton Varo bring your masterpiece to life.

Varo’s work featured in the Plaza of the Americas in Dallas, Texas.

Friday Favorite: Spanish Summers

“Ponifuntia – Playa de Valencia” Oil on Canvas 39 1/8 x 39 1/8 inches

In anticipation of our July exhibition, today’s Friday Favorite is by Spanish artist Eustaquio Segrelles.  Ponifuntia – Playa de Valencia is an oil on canvas work measuring 39 1/8 x 39 1/8 inches.  Capturing the essence of the Valencian coast, Segrelles works are perfect for the season!

Our July exhibition featuring Segrelles’ works will run July 10th – 31st.

As a professional artist, Segrelles focus is mainly on oil painting, but he also has become quite skilled in the mediums of bronze sculpture, pen and graphite drawing, watercolor and printmaking.  His style is based on an amazing mastery of color and light – becoming proficient in the technique of chiaroscuro.  He uses colors only used in nature itself – brown, sienna, white, and indigo.  Broad strokes give way to subtle detail, showing faceless characters while bringing to life the Mediterranean culture.  He recreates the setting sun, the subtle sea and the daily life along the Valencian coast, reminding collectors of Sorolla’s loose brushstrokes.

The paintings of Eustaquio Segrelles can be found in public collections around the world including Argentina, London, Scotland, Holland, Portugal, Venezuela, Paris, Japan, Mexico and the United States.  His works are represented in museums throughout Spain including the Palace of the Governors and the Provincial Museum of Valencia.

Friday Favorite: Nature’s Majesty

Happy First Day of Summer!  Such a great time to be outdoors and enjoy the warm, beautiful weather.  Today’s Friday Favorite comes to us from Italy’s Marco Di Nieri.  This oil on board work is tranquil and refreshing, inspiring us to get outdoors and enjoy the majesty nature has to offer.

“Landscape” by Marco Di Nieri

Friday Favorite: Inspired by the Big Apple

The tranquil side of the Big Apple is captured by Spain’s Josep Cruanas in his oil on canvas piece, “Autumn in New York”.  No matter the season, the welcoming colors and soft brushstrokes make this our Friday Favorite!

Friday Favorite: Impressions of Valencia

This week we kicked off our first exhibition of the summer, “Valencian Summer”, which celebrates the work of Spain’s Giner Bueno.  Of course, seeing all his beautiful & impressionistic works has lead us to select “La Mañana” as our Friday Favorite!

“La Mañana” oil on canvas 21.3 x 31.9 inches