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    Gradients of Thick Petals by Artist Joshua Davison Are Layered Precisely with a Palette Knife

    
    Art

    #flowers
    #painting

    July 22, 2020
    Grace Ebert

    “Blue Hydrangea.” All images © Joshua Davison, shared with permission
    Joshua Davison’s three-dimensional hydrangeas and other blooms began as an exploration of color theory. “As my thought process and work has developed, these flower studies have evolved into a complex balancing act between symmetry, saturation, and contract,” he tells Colossal.
    Based in New Zealand, the 23-year-old artist has honed his process, allowing him to produce thick-petaled flowers with a single palette knife. He uses a combination of oil and acrylic paints and builds them up in layers on a solid canvas to create each sculptural piece. Always sticking to a tight color palette, Davison sometimes utilizes precise gradients to capture every shade of blue and purple.
    The artist sees a strong tie between art and nature and strives to be incredibly realistic. At this stage in his practice, Davison is focused on mastering form and methods.  “I develop most of my techniques exempt from external influence,” he says. “We are so saturated with content of all kinds that I think in some ways it can stunt our creativity. I think it’s so important to consistently disconnect and explore concepts in your own mind.” While he considers nature to be art’s foundation, his details his approach to originality as follows:
    As a traditional painter, I also think it can seem as though we live in a world where everything’s already been done. I believe the term original is very loosely thrown around these days and that true originality is incredibly rare but something that can be worked towards and earned. The prospect of one day achieving truly original work is the single biggest motivator for me as an artist.
    Some of Davison’s vibrant blossoms are on view at Flagstaff Gallery through July 26. If you’re not in New Zealand, head to Instagram to keep up with his latest projects. (via My Modern Met)

    “Gray Flower Wheel”
    “Black Flower Wheel”

    #flowers
    #painting

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    Lush Florals and Ripe Fruit Sprout from Lustrous Glass Trees by Artist Debora Moore

    
    Art

    #flowers
    #glass
    #sculpture
    #trees

    July 17, 2020
    Grace Ebert

    All images © Debora Moore, shared with permission
    Combining traditional glassblowing techniques and sculpting methods, Debora Moore forms lustrous glass sculptures that resemble mossy branches, fleshy petals, and entire trees. The St. Louis-born artist began by creating orchids with bulbous centers before expanding her practice to larger, organic forms. In her recent collection, Arboria, Moore sculpted delicate magnolias, plump plums, and the lavender tendrils of the wisteria.
    The fragile artworks create a tension between the delicate material, the fleeting lives of flowers, and the strength and durability of nature. Moore likens her process to that of painting, where glass is used similarly to produce depth. “The material’s inherent ability to transmit and reflect light, as well as its variations from transparency to opacity, lends itself perfectly to achieve desired textures and surfaces,” she says in a statement.
    To dive further into Moore’s process and see her studio, check out this interview and her site.

    Left: “Purple Lady Slipper,” blown and sculpted glass, 35 x 21 x 8 inches. Right: “Paphiopedilum Epiphyte,” blown and sculpted glass, 35 x 9 x 9 inches
    “Magnolia” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 104 x 112 x 30 inches
    “Winter Plum” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 72 x 101 x 23 inches
    “Winter Plum” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 72 x 101 x 23 inches
    “Blue Lady Slippers” from Gigantica, blown and sculpted glass, 19 x 20 x 11 inches
    “Wisteria” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 93 x 86 x 36 inches
    “Wisteria” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 93 x 86 x 36 inches
    Left: “Blue Orchid Tree,” blown and sculpted glass, 42 x 35 x 10 inches. Right: “Pink Lady Slipper,” blown and sculpted glass, 62 x 43 x 8 inches
    “Blue Epiphyte,” blown and sculpted glass, 22 x 9.5 x 7.5 inches
    “Magnolia” from Arboria (2018), blown and sculpted glass, 104 x 112 x 30 inches
    “Blush Epidendrum,” blown and sculpted glass, 23 x 17 x 9 inches

    #flowers
    #glass
    #sculpture
    #trees

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    Henry Chram in Huaraz, Perù

    Peruvian artist Henry Chram reached us with these beautiful new murals that were just created in the city of Huaraz, the capital of the Ancash Region, North Perù. During his no-stop travelling activity, the muralist has painted delicate and silent portraits of girls hidden by flowers, on the walls of private or abandoned homes. Take […] More

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    Elegant Blooms Float Amid Botanical Watercolor Paintings by Artist Denise Ramsay

     All images © Denise Ramsay, shared with permission Based in France, botanical artist Denise Ramsay renders fleshy petals and pollen-heavy stamen in an exquisite series of watercolor paintings. She focuses on the capitulum, or the head of the flower, to give each lavender lady and glory lily an animated quality. “Corona,” shown below, appears […] More

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    Porcelain Fauna and Human Anatomy Embedded into Thick Botanical Fields by Artist Melis Buyruk

     “Habitat The Pig” (2019), porcelain, 50 x 50 centimeters. All images © Melis Buyruk, shared with permission When asked why her porcelain works are unpainted, Turkish artist Melis Buyruk answered that adding color to nature dictates meaning. “I like to avoid using descriptive elements such as color,” she said in an interview about her recent […] More

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    Neon-Illuminated Glass Orchids by Laura Hart Consider the Flowers’ Fragility and Resiliency

    “Orchis Exotica Cattleya Amethyst,” fused and sculpted glass with neon, 44.5 x 47.5 x 17 centimeters. All images © Laura Hart, shared with permission Made of translucent glass, Laura Hart’s brilliant orchids appear to be the paragon of delicacy: the fleshy petals and neon-illuminated columns are in full bloom, representing a fleeting stage of life […] More

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    Art Museums and Cultural Institutions Around the Globe are Sending Each Other Virtual Bouquets and Botanicals

     “To: @LACMA, @MOCAlosangeles, @hammer_museum, @gettymuseum. We hope this bright splash of color, courtesy of @JeffKoons, brightens your day 💐 #MuseumBouquet Love, All the staff at The Broad“ Social media was teeming last week with floral offerings from cultural institutions around the globe. Since many are closed due to COVID-19, museums like the Guggenheim, MCA […] More