John Botz

"White Chair" Still-Life Gouache and Pencil Sketch by John Botz

1980s

With this colorful and minimalist watercolor by the artist Jae Carmichael, we are immersed in the vibrant world of Fauvism, as championed by Henri Matisse. Color above all, and perhaps even more than drawing, is a liberation," serves as a guiding principle in understanding this piece. This artwork serves as a nod to pay homage to Matisse's pioneering approach to color and form, mainly as found in all his cutting work, like his “Book-flowers,” where we witness the systematic arrangement of simplified yet dynamic forms delineated by sharp contours reminiscent of cut-out shapes. The artist's bold experimentation with color is evident, with striking contrasts between different hues—where vibrant yellows boldly clash with deep indigo, and audacious blues stand alongside vibrant greens. Jae Carmichael, much like his Fauvist counterparts, employs broad swathes of pure, vivid colors to evoke emotion and captivate the viewer. This piece, crafted with meticulous attention, showcases the artist's mastery in harnessing the power of color to convey mood and atmosphere. It is signed CC, her last signature. Whether portraying the distinctive petals and pistils of squash blossoms or capturing the essence of simpler floral motifs, the impact of color reigns supreme. In this piece, the subject matter seems to fade into the background, overshadowed by the sheer force and intensity of the artist's chromatic exploration. Born in Los Angeles, California, Jae Carmichael studied at Mills College and earned a BFA from the University of Southern California...

This gouache reveals a butterfly tree with wings covered in multiple eyes towards the observer. In this primitive kaleidoscope playing with perspectives, the artist Rupert Picott leads us into a dance of forms, half-animal, half-vegetal. Here, we can breathe a nature distanced from civilization, a shattered, psychedelic dimension that opens the doors of a hallucinated perception. This gouache transcends its physical form. Like a dream woven into reality, it beckons viewers to question the boundaries of their consciousness. Each brushstroke becomes a portal to a realm where the mundane and the mystical intertwine, blurring the lines between what is seen and felt. In this dialogue between forms and colors, Rupert Picott offers us not just a painting but a glimpse into the infinite expanse of the human experience, echoing William Blake’s timeless wisdom: ‘If the doors of perception...

In this watercolor by Judy Pike, the seated figure, positioned on indistinct ground, oscillates between presence and erasure. The face, fragmented as if shattered by light, hovers be...

Born in Rollis, Minnesota, the Colorist Edward R. Lewis enjoyed a long career as a painter, prolific in watercolor, oil, and acrylic. He also dedicated his life to teaching the arts and spent the majority of his artistic career as an art professor holding positions at Sioux Falls College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and at Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, Missouri. His vibrant canvases often ask the viewer to make a quantum leap...

Artist Byron Randall, Signed and Dated. A post-impressionist expressive still life. In the top left a vase with luxurious flowers, while in the forefront there is a banana in a small fruit bowl...

Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Chair, Flowers and Bottles) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 in...

Art: 5-1/2"x 5" Frame: 14"x 13-3/8" Watercolor on Holbein watercolor paper. Signed and dated lower right. From Wisconsin, now living Kansas, Lueck is a Hallmark Illustrator & waterc...

"Red Chair," though an interior scene, is arranged like a still-life with the furniture and objects slightly off-kilter in the creative manner of Marc Chagall's interiors, the Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish origin. These non-fixed objects lend a floating energetic atmosphere and the brilliant colors contribute to the liveliness of this warm inviting interior. Richard Jerzy was a well-known watercolor artist from the Detroit, Michigan area. His signature works were figures and still lives, and many famous Michigan families are collectors. "He was probably the most promising, successful, exciting artist in the state of Michigan," said Miriam Parel, a fellow artist and friend for more than 30 years. He grew up on Detroit's east side and developed an interest in painting as a teenager. He attended Detroit's Center (now College) for Creative Studies. Other well- known CCS faculty and graduates are Susan Aaron-Taylor, Harry Bertoia, Doug Chaing, Stephen Dinehart, Tyree Guyton...