Top 10 Favorite Artists

Inspired by a post by fellow blogger (and artist) Jeffrey Star, I’ve compiled a list of 10 artists (& their works) that inspire me on a daily basis. The following are simply my opinions, so feel free to disagree. =)

10) Honore Daumier / 'Madame Gargantua'

I was first introduced to this artist while in college. My professor coordinated a visit to the Phillips Gallery in DC to see a once in a lifetime collection of Daumier’s drawings and lithographs. This was one of the best gallery shows I’ve been to. Daumier is quintessentially the father of printmaking, and one of the very first caricaturists. Some of his political cartoons were not only well executed, but very witty and clever.



9) Renoir / 'The Boating Party'

I love to paint, but most of my work is very monochromatic. I’ve always admired Renoir’s use of vibrant and bold colors. Renoir is a genius at painting reflected sunlight and shadows.



8) J.W. Waterhouse / 'After the Dance'

Waterhouse isn’t necessarily the most popular painter, but his works still inspiration me. Waterhouse’s paintings are usually very heavy…lots of earth tones. It’s hard to master the use of painting in shades of brown without a painting looking ‘muddy’. Plus, his fantasy based subject matter captures the imagination. Who couldn’t like an artist that paints fairies, mermaids, and sirens?

7. Frida Kahlo / 'Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress'

Other than Van Gogh, I don’t think there’s another artist that’s more complex than Kahlo. All of Kahlo’s body of work is full symbolism and emotion. Her paintings are her biography…from her horrific accident as a teenager, to her tumultuous marriage with Diego Rivera. Frida was actually quite a beautiful woman – so, I’ve always been intrigued by the fact that she gives herself a uni-brow and mustache. It’s actually a great glimpse into how she saw herself personally – somewhat masculine, and deeply conflicted.



6) Vincent Van Gogh / 'Starry Night'

Let’s face it – Van Gogh was a genius. I get chills even when I see a poster of Starry Night. The use of color, the brush strokes, the emotion….it’s awe inspiring. I could stare at his paintings for hours.


5) Jacques Louis David / 'Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass'

This preeminent French painter was highly admired by French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. In fact, Jacques created many of Napoleon’s famous portraits. I think you’d be surprised at how many famous paintings came from Jacques. I’ve seen “Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass” in person – and the sheer size of the painting is breathtaking. Napoleon definitely had a “god-complex”, and Jacques brilliantly painted him in his royal glory.




4) Leonardo Da Vinci / 'Drawing from The Virgin of the Rocks'

Personally, I believe Da Vinci had far better works than the Mona Lisa. This drawing of his, is exceptional. It’s apparent he studied the human body, and the human face in grave detail. I’m most often drawn to pencil/charcoal drawings, and I’ve always admired Da Vinci’s shading techniques. Da Vinci is simply ‘THE MASTER’ of all things art, invention, and science.





3) Alphonse Mucha / 'The Emerald'

Since pursuing graphic design, Mucha has become one of my biggest inspirations. Mucha is most notably a founding father of Art Nouveau, and the principle inventor of vintage poster design. His use of contour lines is the envy of most illustrators. In ‘The Emerald”, I love how the woman in the foreground is drawn very simply. Lots of loose lines, and simple colors. But the background is incredibly ornate. There’s a surprise in every painting with Mucha, and lots of hidden ornament designs and inscriptions. I have a couple of his posters framed at home.


2) Jan Vermeer / 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'

My favorite piece of Vermeer is his notably his most famous painting (and subject of movies/novels). When I was in high school, a Vermeer exhibit came to The National Gallery of Art. This work by Jan Vermeer spurred me to try and perfect my craft. The entire painting is mesmerizing, but the key piece of this painting is the pearl earring. The pearl’s detailed reflection, and complex colors, is the envy of the most calculated and venerated of artists.




1) * John Singer Sargent / 'Fumee d'Ambre Gris' *

In this painting, Sargent has succeeded in completing probably the most complicated and difficult painting technique – painting ‘white on white’. Obviously this painting is not devoid of color, but it’s his use of various colors to create the illusion of white that’s most phenomenal. I admire everything about Sargent’s works. I envy his portraits, as that’s something I’ve never been able to do. He knew the female form very well, and knew exactly how the folds of clothes and ribbon, and satin fell on a woman’s body. Sargent did a series of paintings in Capri – and viewing them, you feel as though you've traveled with him. ‘Carnation Lily Lily Rose’ is another one of my favorites. It’s large, it’s detailed, and it’s soothing. I really could go on and on about Sargent. I have so many books and posters attributed to this artists I could open my own gift shop. I don’t think Sargent is given enough attention in the art world.

Greek Artwork

I haven't forgotten to post photos of my trip. I'm still sorting through all the pictures.

In the meantime, below are two paintings I purchased from Greece. One, I bought in a souvenir shop in Plaka. This lovely Greek woman owned a shop full of typical souvenirs. As I strolled to the back of the store, I found a doorway leading into a small enclosed courtyard. The area was full of oil paintings - some still hanging to dry. The lady told me these were painted by local art students at a local art school - and she had yet to put prices on the items. She gave me a great deal on an 8x10 painting (only 5 euro!).

The second painting I purchased on the island of Poros from another Greek vendor. This older lady's husband was a painter, and she sold a few of his pieces at her market. I believe she told me this painting was of Santorini (another island I would love to visit in the future).

On my trips, I love when I can find authentic local art. These paintings came on canvas, and it's interesting to see the different techniques of both artists. I only wish I had the chance to buy more pieces.

Guten Morgen / Ya Sas

Saturday evening I returned from my delightful 2-week vacation in Germany and Greece. In Germany, I visited Berlin, and in Greece, we toured Athens, Corinth and Mycenae. I’m still on a vacation high, and am having major issues concentrating at work today. I give it about a week, and I’ll be back to my normal productive self.

I have about 300+ photos to sort through, and about 100 emails to write to people I met along the way during the trip. I met a few lovely people from Switzerland, Germany, England and California – so next year will be a great travel year to visit my new friends.

I will be sure to post some photos here, but most of my personal pics will of course be on Facebook. Just shoot me a friend request if you want to take a look.

Since there’s no way I can write up a summary of all the wonderful things I did for the last two weeks, I’ll post a brief lists of some of my experiences during the trip. I apologize if I’m leaving things out. The two weeks were jam-packed with activities and tours.

Where We Toured (Berlin, Germany):
1. Pergamum Museum (Museum Island)
2. Walked the ‘Zoogarten” area
3. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
4. Strolled the “Kurfurstendamm”
5. Visited a remaining part of the Berlin Wall
6. Visited Brandenburg Gate
7. Strolled the Unter den Linden
8. Walked Checkpoint Charlie and surrounding area

Where We Toured (Greece):
1. Hadrian’s Arch
2. Acropolis/Parthenon
3. Areopagus
4. Plaka (and Hadrian’s Library)
5. Port of Piraeus (Mikrolimano)
6. New Acropolis Museum
7. Ancient Corinth & Mycenae
8. Islands of Hydra and Poros
9. Syntagma Square
10. Monastiraki

What I Loved About Berlin, Germany:
1. The architecture and ornate street lamps
2. Learning the differences in history between West Berlin and East Berlin
3. Finding out Berlin is one of the poorest German cities, but probably the most charming
4. Touching the Berlin Wall
5. Sampling real German chocolates (miss the nugget candies!)
6. Seeing the actual entrance gate to Babylon (in the Pergamum Museum)
7. Touring a real concentration camp
8. Seeing the hotel where Michael Jackson dangle’s his baby from the balcony.
9. Walking through Brandenburg Gate
10. Learning there’s more to Berlin than World Word II.

What I Loved About Greece:
1. Having REAL Greek food – fresh olive oil, feta cheese, gyros, souvlaki, and moussaka
2. The view of Port of Piraeus at sunset
3. Riding a donkey through the streets of Hydra
4. Buying local paintings from local artists in Poros
5. The psycho driving skills of Athenians
6. Shopping for leather bags in Plaka
7. The full view of Athens from atop the Acropolis
8. The nighttime view of the illuminated Parthenon
9. Spotting excavations of ancient ruins all over the city (including in the metro)
10. Walking where the Apostle Paul walked.