Gary Leonard

In the Calm, Oil Painting

2021

Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood shares her joy in painting her subjects in various lighting situations. In this piece, Sherri captures the brilliant light glowing behind her model while simultaneously painting a cool luminescent glow that shines above her. Warmth spreads around through her fiery red hair playing smoothly with the cooling tones of her green scarf and blue light. Painting in swift intricate strokes, Sherri creates a compelling portrait of a woman with a calm and gentle expression.

About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.

Words that describe this painting: portrait, woman, female, dramatic light, warm, Michael Malm, John Singer Sargent, people, realism, face, profile, hair, oilpaint, people, realism, oil painting, red

Fire and Ice...

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic image of an eye surrounded by dewy magnolias in full bloom. He explores the idea of united humanity by obscuring the identity of his subject. "As we move forward in history, we move past the limitations of gender and race to see all people as equal and able to have a voice in society and be seen as beautiful," says David. The piece draws a symbolic comparison between the uniqueness of every flower and the singularity of a person.

About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.

Words that describe this painting: flower, floral, portrait, child, realism, hyperrealism, photorealism, eye, beauty, rainbow, bright, love, petals, detailed, oilpaint, people, people, flora, realism, oil painting, white

Steel Magnolia...

Artist Comments
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage," says artist David Shepherd. He presents a vibrant, realistic piece of a face covered in vibrant flowers. A prismatic light...

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic close-up image of lips sipping on a flower. A torrent of dewy nectar drips slowly to the subject's mouth. Her spar...

Artist Comments
Inspired by how the sunlight illuminated the petals of a rose, artist Sherri Aldawood paints a portrait of her model Alana holding a freshly cut bloom. She paints her enveloped in a warm glow, revealing her and the flower's ethereal beauty. The model poses tenderly in a white dress with a Bardot neckline. The colors of summer shimmer vibrantly in the background.

About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.

Words that describe this painting: woman, female, people, portrait, face, figure, figurative, John Singer Sargent, rose, garden, Joaquin Sorolla, Susan Lyon...

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd promotes and explores the idea of united humanity regardless of who he paints. Focusing on the eye in this hyperrealistic piece, he surrou...