March 31st, 2021 

February 24th, 2021 

A nna Gammans is a British artist who paints beautiful landscapes and cityscapes. Particularly places situated on the Italian coast, such as Amalfi and Santorini, but also famous architectural works are depicted in her paintings. Gammans visited most of the places which are depicted in her paintings - even the paintings showing a sunset were personally observed by the artist. Her goal is to depict natural phenomena as realistic as possible, and thus more authentic than in photographs. Thereby colors play a special role. Among other things, colors and color combinations are one of the main sources of inspiration for the artist. She tries to represent these in her paintings as accurately as possible. Also, the colors reflect, at least unconsciously, the feelings associated with the moment. Although the artist does not actively try to incorporate these feelings into her works, especially positive and happy feelings seem to shine through the paintings. Gammans wants the viewer to feel happy and relieved when looking at her paintings. The painting itself also contributes to this: Easily recognizable symbols for each location (for example, the city of Santorini) are meant to evoke the feelings associated with that particular place. Gammans also puts a high focus on reflection and the reflection of light. These help her make the images more vivid and active. In addition, this detail is better imprinted in the memory of the viewer and is a generally considered "beautiful" symbol. In Anna Gammans' paintings, the color pink is particularly emphasized.Since pink immediately strikes people and seems to be burned into memory, this color helps to make it easier for the viewer to understand and look at the image. Of particular interest is the transformation of modern cities, dominated by dark colors, into pink, dazzling streets and bodies of water.In almost every picture there is an abstract part. This the artist creates, like much else, with her hands and does without a brush.The abstract part seems to distract the eye from the bright colors and facilitate the interpretation of the image. Beautiful are the New York City paintings of this artist.

N atasha Barnes is a South African artist who paints beautiful abstract paintings. Natasha grew up in South Africa and was influenced by South Africa's landscape, wildlife and vegetation since childhood: she sold her first painting when she was only seven years old. Barnes' mother encouraged her to continue painting - yet the artist initially became a cook. For years, Natasha considered painting only a hobby, until she finally decided to make a living from it. In fact, the artist often uses kitchen tools to make her paintings. These tools help the artist create certain shapes and lines, and then proceed to paint the picture. Barnes paints on huge white paper surfaces. These are hung on a wall, on the floor, or placed on a table.Now the painting process begins. In fact, the artist varies her colors and shapes according to client: different countries - different colors.Once the painting appears finished, it is removed from the wall, floor or table.Now it is looked at, and the artist decides "according to feeling" whether the picture is completed. It often happens that Natasha still makes small changes, or even completely changes the painting again with the help of colors. According to Natasha, colors determine one thing above all: the mood of the painting. It is important to the artist to learn what others see in her paintings. She often actively incorporates these recognized elements into her paintings afterwards, or tries to emphasize them even more in the respective work of art. For Natasha Barnes herself, there is only one constant in her paintings: the lotus flower. Probably the most popular painting of this artist is "Spotted Tiger". What stands out here: reddish and pink tones. Barnes is convinced of the color pink and points out that this color has an incredibly powerful effect on us. According to Natasha, brave people wear pink. Other beautiful paintings by this artist are: "Grey days are the best", "Softly falls the rain" or "Dandy Flowers". Find more informationen on: https://www.natashabarnes.com

E mma Jean Kemp is a British sculptor who creates beautiful figurative sculptures. Kemp works mainly with plasticine to form her sculptures. Later the form is immortalized with metal. The artist has specialized in the depiction of people. What stands out here: the detailed elaboration of face and hair.In fact, Kemp does not always add these attributes to her sculptures: only recently has she begun to deal with facial features. Kemp is inspired by many things to create her works - but her family has a special role. Especially her father and the emotions she associates with him seem to be a strong drive to create sculptures like "Turning the Page" or "Lost & Found". Nevertheless, the artist is also influenced by her respective life situation: being a mother in particular seems to be reflected in her sculptures. Another important attribute: books. In many ways, Kemp integrates literary works into her sculptures. On the other hand, her sculptures serve as bookkeepers - but often books are already contained in the sculpture itself ("Medicine for the Soul" or "Knowledge"). In these works, the concept of "time" also seems to play an important role. Books serve as a help, yet people have to climb the mountain themselves. Also, motives of gymnasts or dancers can often be seen. The artist herself practices a Brazilian martial art - an important source for these sculptures. Here the artist is fascinated by the incredible variety of movements and the range of action of the body. Kemp conducts studies of human anatomy and uses anatomy books to represent the human form as accurately as possible. Especially the strength of the body seems to impress the artist. With the help of figures such as "Pendulum - Gymnast", Kemp depicts "what the body can create". The special thing about the sculptures of this artist: the rough surface. In fact, this arises due to the work with plasticine. Nevertheless, it is important to Kemp not to create a smooth surface. Finishing the sculptures with metal adds desirable details and shading. One of many wonderful examples: "Seated Man". Find more information on: https://emmajeankemp.com

B ritish artist Mulligan creates beautiful lenticular images, with the help of which she depicts icons such as Marilyn Monroe, David Bowie, Twiggy or Audrey Hepburn. For the artist, building up knowledge about the respective chosen person is important here - especially the private life. Especially with Monroe the artist seems to connect deep emotions and a certain degree of protective instinct; mainly because of Marilyn Monroe's private life. In fact, the artist created three images of Marylin - all based on the same photo, different in color scheme. The most important detail: diamond dust. As an anecdote to Monroe's famous singing "Diamonds are a girl's best friend", the artist decided to attach this detail to her paintings. Beautiful with the painting "Diamonds are a Girl's best friend": Due to the diamond dust, the painting glitters when the light falls on it. Hours of research are invested before the artist decides on a particular celebrity. For Mulligan, it is important to be able to understand the person in order to be able to portray them in certain facets of their life and with certain - mostly self-perceived - emotions. Mulligan not only portrays women - Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn; but also famous male protagonists. In this she finds inspiration in her childhood. The artist grew up with some of the icons, which is probably one of the main reasons to paint them: David Bowie and Freddie Mercury. Nevertheless, it is not (as it is easy to assume with the female celebrities) beauty that makes the artist create her paintings, but rather a deep, emotional connection to the icons. The titles of the individual works already hint at what the lenticular images might refer to: "The Show Must Go On" (Freddie Mercury), "Aladdin Sane" (David Bowie), ""Beauty Queen" (Audrey Hepburn). In fact, Mulligan uses the titles of her works as "tools" to facilitate viewers' subjective interpretation. Possibly, the artist wishes that viewers can better understand the icons through her paintings, and be encouraged to ask questions and investigate. What stands out, especially when we take a closer look at celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy, is that neither of them considered themselves beautiful. Find more information on: https://www.nualamulligan.com/art

J ennine Parker is a British artist who creates beautiful sculptures - mostly in bronze. She expresses herself through the female form, although her sculptures are generally shadowy. The artist often uses dancers as inspiration for the special, curved shape of her sculptures. Here, she first photographs her models, then starts painting and begins the modeling process. Parker uses a variety of materials - from bronze and wax to porcelain. Her figures are (mostly) cast after the single piece is completed. Her sculptures show passion, obsession and intensity. The artist uses very expressive words, as titles for her paintings: "Trust", "Purity", "Empahty", "Affinity", "Peace". Here, not always only a single figure is depicted, sometimes a - presumably - male form is added. For some time now, the artist's style seems to be changing; she uses increasingly rounded shapes ("Peace", "Trust", "Serenity") and seems to be moving away from "stroke-like" long forms. Parker often paints pictures and integrates her sculptures into them - "Prosperity" is used particularly often. She also creates "backgrounds" for her sculptures: usually foaming waves or raging oceans. Particularly when looking at "Guardian," it's striking which artists Parker draws inspiration from: Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Peter Hayes. Interesting and beautiful about this piece: the blue details on the wings. Other beautiful pieces by this artist include "Divine" and "Purity". Find more information on: https://jennineparker.co.uk/

A nna Razumovskaya, eine russische Künstlerin, die während dem kalten Krieg aufgewachsen ist und nun in Kanada lebt, kreiert wundervolle, impressionistische Bilder von Frauen in … Ballkleidern. Dabei wird sie von „dem Leben selbst“ inspiriert. Am womöglich wichtigsten für sie ist hierbei Musik, wobei sie alles hören kann – von Jazz, klassischer Musik bis hin zu Pop. Besondere Inspiration erhält sie von Bachs Kompositionen. Obwohl Razumovskaya sich eine Impressionistin nennt, kann sie ihren Stil dennoch nicht als typisch impressionistisch bezeichnen – sie verwendet Kohle, Wasserfarben, Aquarelle, Öl. Hierbei bevorzugt sie Öl und Kohle und kreiert hiermit ihre wundervollen Bilder – meistens von tanzenden Frauen. Die Künstlerin legt Wert auf den Grundsatz „Vergangenheit. Gegenwart. Zukunft.“. Obwohl sie „immer noch lernt“, bemüht sie sich, nur in der Gegenwart zu leben – ohne jedoch die Vergangenheit zu vergessen. Hierbei dient ihre Kunst ihr als Hilfsmittel, um dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Ihrer Meinung nach hilft uns alles Kreative, um in der Gegenwart zu leben. Sollte man dies zu, erlebt man etwas „magisches“. Besonders gut gefällt mir „Escape into life“. Annas Models sind sich ihrer eigenen Schönheit nicht bewusst. Sie sind starke, feminine Frauen. Die Künstlerin möchte, dass die Welt versteht, wie wundervoll es ist, weiblich zu sein. Ihr liebstes Subjekt sind Tänzerinnen. Hierbei fügt sie oft Anzeichen von Bewegung in ihre Bilder ein, um ästhetisch schöne „Slow Motion“ darzustellen. Seit einigen Jahren zeichnet die Künstlerin Blumen. In diesen Bildern sei eine andere Form von Emotionen enthalten. Ein einzelner Strauß kann zu tausend Bildern führen. Für Anna sind ihr emotionales Leben und ihre Kunst verbunden. Bilder sind … tiefer, sind emotionaler. Für mehr Informationen: http://www.anna-art.com/index.php Aufgrund der Corona Pandemie ist es mir nicht mehr möglich, Ausstellungen zu besuchen. Daher beginne ich die „Corona Portraits“ Reihe und stelle mehrere Künstler vor.

C aroline Smith malt seit über 40 Jahren Bilder – hauptsächlich Frauen. Dabei lässt sie sich von keinem der aktuellen Kunst-Trends inspirieren sondern konzentriert sich darauf, ihren eigenen Stil weiterzuentwickeln. Smith stellt die Objekte in ihren Bildern zweidimensional dar, trotzdem wirken diese seltsam menschlich. Diese Technik macht es für den Betrachter fast unmöglich, die Materialien, mit welchen Smith ihre Bilder malt, herauszufinden. Es geht ausschließlich um “ … die Nachricht“. Laut der Künstlerin selbst, hat jede Kleinigkeit, jeder Strich, jedes Symbol in ihren Bildern eine Bedeutung. Aktuell macht sich besonders der Einfluss japanischer Kunst bemerkbar, viele temporäre Werke von Caroline Smith scheinen davon inspiriert zu sein. Die meisten dargestellten Menschen sollen keine Emotion oder Bewegung zeigen, es geht nicht um den Moment sondern um „die Nachricht“. Diese Bilder haben einen sehr hohen Abstraktionsgrad, sie besitzen eine unglaubliche Stärke und besitzen den Zuschauer vom ersten Augenblick an. Ein besonderes Beispiel hierfür ist „Aries“, ein Bild, in dem sich Flammen in Drachen verwandeln. Obwohl die Bilder schlicht wirken, werden während dem Betrachten zunehmend mehr Details erkennbar. Die Künstlerin verwendet zunehmend den Komplementärkontrast. Smith versucht den Stil, in dem ihre Bilder gemalt sind, an frühere Techniken und Ideale anzupassen. Besonders der Einfluss des alten Ägypten, von Höhlenmalerei und dem antiken Griechenland (siehe griechische Vasenmalerei) machen sich bemerkbar. Für mehr Informationen: https://www.carolinesmithart.com/about Aufgrund der Corona Pandemie ist es mir nicht mehr möglich, Ausstellungen zu besuchen. Daher beginne ich die „Corona Portraits“ Reihe und stelle mehrere Künstler vor.