Artists to Check Out: Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer (1660's painter) is one of my personal favorite artists.  Think of him as an old world Edward Hopper.  His paintings are still, pondering, and intimate. Although before the advent of the camera, Vermeer's painting skill involved the use of never before seen blurred depth perception, blurring items in the foreground before there was Instagram. His painting, Woman In Blue Reading a Letter, is now on exhibit at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Luminous and exquisitely rendered, Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (about 1663–64) is one of Vermeer's most captivating portrayals of a young woman's private world. This generous loan from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam marks the first appearance of this remarkable painting in the western United States, and the last stop in a world tour heralding the opening of the Rijksmuseum on April 13, 2013, following an extensive renovation. This special installation situates Woman in Blue Reading a Letter among works by Vermeer's leading Dutch contemporaries and highlights the inimitable approach of one of the most celebrated painters of the Golden Age - See more at: Getty

More Paintings by Johannes Vermeer:

American Chronicles The ART Of Norman Rockwell

I am looking forward to seeing the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

"One of the most popular American artists of the past century, Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was a keen observer of human nature and a gifted storyteller. This traveling exhibition features 50 original paintings and 323 Saturday Evening Post covers that document Rockwell's engagement in American life in all its glory and tragedy over five decades. The exhibition also includes materials from the Museum's archives demonstrating how Rockwell worked: proceeding from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies, and detailed drawings to the finished painting. Timed, reserved tickets will be required to view this exhibition." via Crystal Bridges 

Admission sponsored for youth ages18 and younger. General Admission $12 per person. March 9 - May 27, 2013  Travel Directions v

Art: Anna Magruder

 
Artist and illustrator Anna Magruder is inspired by found photos as well as photos from old yearbooks. Drifting between realism and surrealism, she recreates vintage America through her paintings, often re-imagining the lives and stories of the characters on canvas or just exploring the emotional color of faces in the crowd.  Find more of her art work at Etsy.

via Esty

Art: Painting Peanut Butter and Jelly

 
Artist Duane Keiser reminds us of simple pleasures through his still life paintings.  Images of donuts, eggs, milk, and peanut butter and jelly.  Duane must really like PB&J because he paints it a lot.  Watch how he paints a sandwich by painting the two slices, smearing on the jelly, and slices into halves - all in one sitting - creating the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  (and, he leaves on the crust ...)

via GOOD

Art: Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 – May 15, 1967) is one of my favorite artists.  His paintings are quiet, calm, luminous, still moments.  Each painting leads the viewer to wonder, "What are they talking about?  What is she thinking?"

A realist painter, Hopper depicted images of modern life.  At forty-one, Hopper gained recognition for his work and his painting House By The Railroad(1925) was the first oil painting acquired by the Museum of Modern Art.  His work is part of many permanent collections - view a selection of his works at the Whitney Museum.