There is a lot of beautiful art being made today, but it doesn't seem to generate much public interest.
"Heyoka Magazine" reports: “Through the 19th century, art was a vehicle of sensuousness, meaning, and passion. Its goals were beauty and originality.” But the art world of the twentieth-century adopted the ugly and the offensive. Why have artists poured their creative energies and cleverness into art that’s trivial?
Admission to the Walters Art Museum is now free in a breezy attempt to appeal to a more casual, diverse crowd and offer fun activities. Perhaps taxpayers are not much interested in old paintings of religious events and Greek mythology. These pictures do not generate sensation like Damien Hirst’s dissected cows and Karen Finley’s lewd shows.
Although it generates little acclaim, superb art is being created today. Check out these five artists featured in the February, 2008, issue of “Fine Art Connoisseur” magazine.
Christine Lafuente (b. 1968) paints cityscapes, landscapes, still lifes – each finished in just one session. Her work is done in a suggestive style that straddles abstraction and realism. Her work is handled by Gross McLeaf Gallery.
Nat Meade (b. 1975) creates meticulously detailed paintings, always defending his traditional representational methods – “decades after their purported eclipse” – against criticism. His work is on view at Froelick Gallery.
Lucong (b. 1978) does stunning portraits of women, focusing on their eyes. See his artwork at Gallery 1261, Denver.
Julia Loken (b. 1939) is a professional watercolorist specializing in landscapes. Her work is represented by Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe.
Karol Mack (b. 1949) paints rugged scenery of the Western U.S. Her goal is to capture elements of the “sublime” in nature, subject matter admittedly downplayed among mainstream artists but admired by environmentalists. Her paintings are available at Elk Horn Gallery, Colorado.
