Who are Some of the Latest, Greatest Artists?
“The artist can express everything. All art is at once surface and symbol.”
-Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
One of the Humanswers faithful recently posed a question to our writers -- "Who are the stand-out painters of our day? Where are the Monets, the Cezannes of the 1990s, the early 2000s and beyond? Which still-living artists should I be paying more attention to?"
There will always be the artwork -- the individual displays and styles -- that existed in the past. Art history will tell of this work and the artists who made it memorable and it will always be there, in our collective minds if we want it to be. But art is an evolving process. It moves forward. It thrives on newness, spontaneity and fresh configurations of the old. With emerging artists, the past is still in sight, influential as ever, but it’s the present that holds a certain appeal because people often want to be right on the edge of what future generations will look back on. The art of today is enticing. There are new movements, new styles waiting on the brink.
With this in mind, one must ask, what does today look like? Where have we made it to? This current era, this art of today, of right now, what does it really look like? Who are some of the individuals behind it -- moving it forward?
Humanswers has scoured the web and digital exhibits all over the world to find you nine brilliant painters that we feel truly represent emerging styles (and represent them well), as well as where various artistic styles have begun to venture. Post-impressionism, the abstract, energism, synergism, representationalism -- the artwork of now cannot be defined in a single adjective or with a clear-cut description. And neither can its artists. Today is full of prospective talent and here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the work and processes of today’s artists -- and the minds behind the talent.
1. Olga Gouskova
For Olga Gouskova the style is Contemporary Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau, or new art, stems from the late 19th Century. It’s an artistic approach that focused on natural forms and constructions, such as plants, flowers or the allegorical female figure. It centered around curved lines and stylized designs, often found in architecture.
"Incognito II"
But for Gouskova, her work takes this style into the context of the contemporary. She creates a gaze through her portraits; she portrays an outreaching body language in her work, that is very much in-tune with today’s viewers.
And it’s all accomplished through the medium. Gouskova produces her desired effect through the use of a mixed medium that's all about mixture and balance. She paints on canvas using acrylics while she utilizes sepia pencils for the drawn portions of her paintings. As for the lines and small decorative details, Gouskova prefers acrylic pen. Together, the combined techniques of painting and drawing and graphic detailing create a desirable balance and the final outcome.
She is intrigued by the previous Art Nouveau painters, Gustav Klimt and Alfons Mucha, but for Gouskova, it’s all about establishing her own look, her own technique and ideas, apart from all others.
When asked about her favourite work from her own collection, she states: “At the moment my favourite work is 'Incognito II'. I like the mysterious expression of the painting. It’s about the secrets and dreams I want to keep for myself.”
"Pearl"
Perhaps it’s this mystery that is continuing to draw viewers in, but whatever it is -- the elegant, demure beauty illustrated in Gouskova's works capture subtle femininity at its finest.
2. Brennen McElhaney
Just like classical purists love Brahms because of his thorough mastery of the subleties within his art, here too is an artist who works brilliantly within the finer points of his medium -- portraying archetypal Realism with an appreciation of Impressionism mixed in to create simply breath-taking scenes. McElhaney does so through his preferred acrylic medium where his artwork, painted constructions, multiple painted forms or any obscure image become one. There’s something about realism, the perception of real life, that still holds strong throughout.
And McElhaney’s work conveys this.
"Carriage Classic - Firestone Vineyards"
Painting by Brennen McElHaney
He’s proving that his paintings can fit into contemporary culture just as aptly as any other style. Demonstrated here is life as it is; simple and elegant, yet capturing the essence and its genuine feel with a lasting quality.
"Tango - French Broad River"
Painting by Brennen McElHaney
McElhaney credits Anders Zorn, Joaquin Sarolla, as well as Bill Anton and Scott Christensen, as his influences. And when asked about the best work in his own collection, McElhaney claims its “Santa Barbara Courthouse”, stating:
“This painting was done on location (en plein air) in one session. The Courthouse itself is both a masterpiece of Moorish architecture and an icon of my hometown. There are several diverse lighting effects that captured my attention: 1. direct sunlight, 2. cool sky light, 3. reflected light which ranges from warm to very warm near the terra cotta tiles.”
It looks amazing -- trust me.
3. Aaron Jasinski
While we were unable to retrieve any lengthy biographical information by the publication date, Aaron was pleased to share his work as one of the best new emerging artists we've seen. His works have been showcased in art shows across the United States and Europe, and we definitely encourage everyone reading this article to check out his professional website with his entire catalogue (and to buy a print!).
"Cacophony"
"Lilly and Her Soviet Sub"
Jasinski at once meshes the surreal and almost comic-book nature of his acrylics with the stark contrast of social commentary about themes centering on alienation and differences among norms. Many themes present in his work also focus on music and nostalgia for the highlights of youth in a tone that implies being somewhat forelorn; somewhat blue that while such experiences are the heights of humanity -- they're ultimately ephemeral.
4. Roxanne Driedger
Naturalism has always been a popular style in artistic representations. The natural world has been present as a source of inspiration for countless generations, but through artist Roxanne Driedger, Naturalism and even the hints of Impressionism, have found a place in contemporary art. Driedger has that impeccable true artist's ability to see and convey the beauty in simple things; to really look at the world around her. This is a trait she reportedly attributes to her mother.
Driedger is revitalizing an old style with new life. She successfully pulls her viewers into this unique attraction and draws them into an uninhibited world that knows only tranquility and peace. Using acrylic paint on stretched canvas, her works have the effect of someone massaging your eyes with silk. See below:
"Heart of Huntsville"
When asked, Driedger reports that she is constantly inspired by artists such as Clarence Gagnon, Paul Peel and William Brymner -- and views “Afternoon Nap”, the portrait of her son, as her most meaningful work thus far.
"Thanksgiving Walk, Arrowhead"
Simply beautiful.
5. Anthony Karl Harris
We asked Anthony to classify his artwork, as part of a questionnaire sent to each artist featured here. His response was unique in that it was probably very, very difficult to answer. Undoubtedly after much consideration: "If Paul Cezanne and Comic Books/Anime had a child, it would be my artwork”, Harris states with confidence. His work exists as a mixture of other lasting styles -- and what does the end product look like? The end product is much more than a step toward something new, like an emergent property. In the same way that fire is much more than simply heat, fuel and oxygen, it’s a blurring of the line between image and reality.
"Waiting On You"
"Regrowth Love"
So how is this achieved? Harris utilizes acrylic paint and well as oil paint markers on masonite or tile board to generate his look. You wouldn’t have to look far to realize Harris’ greatest artistic influences are Paul Cezanne and comic books, but he also credits graphic design, fauvism and music as large contributors to his artistic process. If you want to capture the perfect representation of Harris’ style and mood, the best place to look would be in his piece “Waiting on You”.