Frankly, I am obsessed with abstract artist Russell Stephenson's multi-layered and meditative paintings. They're masculine and sexy, to be quite blunt. I half expected them to smell of leather-bound books and rich mahogany. I've heard paintings described as "sexy," but I guess I just hadn't met one in person yet. Stephenson's series, "Approaching Infinity," is "sexy" done well; no cheaply painted nude women with puckered lips or uninformed slash abruptly applied brushstrokes of an abstract artist who thinks they're de Kooning incarnate. Stephenson's work is abstract art done well. Upon viewing his deceptively "simple" canvases, one is absorbed by the complexity of layers and gradations of color- all deliberately painted. One finds themselves transfixed and unknowingly serenaded into a contemplative, meditative state.
 |
| Russell Stephenson, "Approaching Infinity", oil on panel, 48"x60" |
Stephenson is a native Texan who paints full-time while also employed as the professor of drawing at The International Academy of Art and Design in San Antonio. His academic training as an artist clearly reflects in his latest series. Stephenson studied multiple mediums throughout his education, (sculpture being one medium, which explains the sculptural quality of his paintings) receiving a BFA from College of Art at Portland, Oregon and a MFA from University of Texas at San Antonio. He is exhibited and collected nationally.
My interior design eye can't help but share with you how gorgeous Stephenson's work could look in a residence or office, so, I have photoshopped his paintings into various interiors. Plus, I am a huge advocate of supporting the arts (duh, I mean I have a blog dedicated to this topic) and helping others discover original artwork and how it's waaaaayyyyy cooler than defaulting to generic prints that millions of other people also have hanging above their sofa at home. Original artwork can also be done inexpensively, so don't give me that excuse either!
 |
| photo courtesy of PBC Style, Todd Romano. Stephenson, "Flux," oil on panel |
 |
| photo courtesy of House & Home. Russell Stephenson, "Dreamland 1," oil on panel   photo courtesy of apartment therapy. Stephenson,"Transcendental Excursion," oil on panel |
 |
| photo courtesy of decor pad, nate berkus. Stephenson, "The Limit Does Not Exist," oil on panel, 48"x40" |
 |
| photo courtesy of apartment therapy. Stephenson,"Flux", oil on panel |
 |
| photo courtesy of urban farmhouse. Stephenson, "Plateau," oil on panel, 36"x36" |
No comments:
Post a Comment