21st Century and Contemporary More Art

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A lifeguard sits on her chair, watching over an empty beach. The deep blue sky meets the calm sea, while the wet red sand mirrors the scene above. The stillness and fading colors evoke nostalgia, capturing the fleeting nature of summer. The title reflects a moment of pause between what was and what will be. Artist Keith Thomson used oil paint and ink to create this evocative piece.

About the Artist
Alabama-based artist Keith Thomson creates quick-witted, mixed-media artwork that blends realism and surrealism. His background as a political cartoonist in the 90s is reflected in the sharp storytelling his artwork achieves. He combines stylized realism and everyday subject matter with surreal details and ironic twists. He begins his work as digital sketches using animation software, then he transfers the sketch onto the canvas and begins applying oil paint. In addition to painting, he is a writer, of mostly spy novels and nonfiction articles. His writing prowess shines through in his witty descriptions of his pieces.

Words that describe this painting: beach, sea, ocean, sky, lifeguard, chair, reflection, contrast, bright, clouds, water, shore, horizon, pop, seascape, oil painting, blue

The Wednesday After Labor Day...

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A modern landscape watercolor painting conveys a playfully surreal scene. Giant jelly doughnuts pose navigational hazards along the coast. The lighthouse on the...

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This contemporary oil painting features a striking, rhythmic arrangement of twelve horses. Structured into four horizontal rows, each row contains three horses....

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Early evening colors reflect on a peaceful lake, painting its surface with soft purple hues. Aquatic plants pick up different tones as they recede into the sh...

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A river scene with watercraft comes alive through Fauvist techniques of vivid palette, simplified forms, and expressive paint handling. The boat and converging ...

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People bustle past each other, filling the sidewalks of 42nd Street in New York City. On this sunny winter afternoon, storefronts dazzle with colorful advertisements, while theater marquee lights reflect off restaurant windows. The sounds of traffic mix with the lively beat of Spanish rock music from boom boxes, infusing the air with the vibrant pulse of urban life.

About the Artist
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen...

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Artist Onelio Marrero displays a stunning koi pond in mesmerizing shades of deep blue and green. Part of his series of paintings exploring ponds, waterlilies,...

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The sun pierces through the morning mist, casting a warm, golden glow on the fields and meandering stream below. The aerial view captures the scale, depth, and ...

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Artist Mandy Main presents an expansive, glowing landscape with an accentuated perspective that pulls the eye deep into the distance. "The impressive momentum...

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Reflections on the water in Monet's pond at Giverny. Onelio spent some time there taking in the splendor of the setting. "Each view of the place was a paintin...

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This watercolor painting features a pegasus rendered in warm earth tones accented with bright blue feathers. Playful in spirit yet gentle in pose, the winged ho...

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Sweeping, layered clouds fill the sky, creating a dramatic contrast between light and shadow. Gentle waves with soft white foam at their crest roll towards the ...

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Fiery clouds drift across the sky, creating a mesmerizing display of color. Broad and swift brushstrokes capture their fleeting beauty. Artist Benjamin Thomas s...

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"Being a single father and working a full-time job limits the time I have to paint," shares artist Christopher Garvey. "This...

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A warm glow from a flickering candle illuminates the scene, casting soft light across every object. An antique clock nestled within a sculpture evokes a sense o...

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Artist Heather Foster encountered this inquisitive subject while painting en plein air. "This nosy California girl wanted to be front and center to see what t...

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A country house stands solitary in an overgrown field, with traces of time passing evident in its exterior. The grass dances with the wind as the summer sky g...

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A majestic pronghorn antelope buck sits at the heart of a darkening prairie. The rich, warm tones and subtle background details emphasize the animal’s disti...