Artist Spotlight: Russell Stephenson

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 the style files. Stephenson,"Dreamland 2", 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"

Grafitti, Granny Style

ATTENTION GRANNIES: Knitting is no longer just for making your grandchildren itchy Christmas sweaters they'll never actually wear. It's now an international urban subculture of artists who refer to their work as "Yarnbombing," knitting onto urban structures. Some call it grafitti, some call it art. Whatever it may be, its "bomb" (yes, a pun was intended), and I love the colorful and kitschy vibe it exudes. Plus, some yarnbombing is comedic genius expressed via yarn and needle. Knitted hats and 80's throwback legwarmers on sculptures are playful and silly. My personal favorite is the knitted bikini and sweatband on a nude reclining woman sculpture, my college art history professor would faint. 

I love that you can't help but smile as you walk by, which is one of the central purposes of yarnbombing. How cool are these artists!? They are like fuzzy vigilanties, spreading smiles and joy across the city one stitch at a time. Their slogan is actually, "Improving the urban landscape one stitch at a time," so I can't take all of the credit for the latter corny comment....

Visit http://yarnbombing.com for more information on this awesome art movement or to see where the next yarnbombing will occur in your city!

Guns and Grits and Pearls, Oh My!

Oh My! is a common reaction when it comes to San Antonio artist Robert Tatum's work. That, and giggles mixed with raised eyebrows, especially when one is faced with a painting of a vixenish and buxom deer wearing a Madonna inspired bustier and pearl necklace...


Tatum's graphic design background and Venice Beach laid-back California attitude definitely come across in his artwork. The instant you meet him, you feel like you could pop open a cold one and talk about anything and everything under the sun, no pretenses. 


The work in his current exhibit, "Insert Clever Title Here," has a similar disarming and easygoing nature. Tatum, like his art "put it all out there," inviting others to do the same and discuss things that aren't necessarily status quo, laughing it off. Tatum is the first to tell you about his go go dancer mother and joke about "the white trash elements" of his family. It's refreshing. After all, everyone's got a stripper or weird uncle in the family. Tatum's work reminds me to relax, call a spade a spade and cut up about it with friends and family. As art critics say, great art evokes a feeling/message/universal truth and right now Tatum's work is telling me to go grab a Corona with my friends... here's to you Ruskin, Alloway and Roberta Smith. Cheers!


View more of Robert Tatum's work at: http://www.anartegallery09.com/tatum.html