Zack Zdrale

Sledge Bearers, Two Men Holding a Sledge Hammer, Original Oil on Panel

2021

Michael Van Zeyl Silverstone Yellow Jasmine oil on panel 40h x 40w in 101.60h x 101.60w cm MVZ005 ARTIST STATEMENT I'm currently working with figures and portraits and combine human forms with botanicals to explore our relationship with natural elements. Capturing the movement of the figure or an expression of a living soul presents endless possibilities and inspiration enabling me to blend with different themes. I've studied classical methods of oil painting with a focus on the 17th century Dutch Masters. The subjects I am drawn to are individuals with character, athletic figures and blooming floral arrangements with elegance and ethereal beauty. The reference for my work comes from my direct observation of natural day light in my north light studio illuminating and blanketing the form of my subjects. I am fascinated and challenged by the process of transforming a flat, blank canvas into the illusion of dimensional form, atmosphere and mood. That process is usually well thought out but sometimes painted direct and use intuition to complete my idea. Both of these methods present challenges but each way fills the void of the other and opens up the possibility of new visual ideas to meet my objective. BIOGRAPHY For Michael Van Zeyl, portraiture is much more than a one-sided translation of the artist’s point of view taking form in a subject. It’s an engaging visual dialogue that renders a soul in light, shadow and pigment, continuing the conversation for future generations to appreciate. While subtle observation and technical skill are only part of Michael’s gift, his experience has honed his craft to the highest standard. His talents were apparent by age seven and he spent subsequent decades mastering a wide range of painting techniques. In particular, 17th century Dutch and 19th century impressionist styles have resonated with him and surfaced in his own works. His formal training began at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, continuing on at Chicago’s Historic Palette & Chisel Academy and the Art Students League in New York, where he studied with the most accomplished artists who also paint directly from life under natural light. Michael is currently a faculty and board member at the Palette & Chisel and has been the club’s most popular instructor for several years. Michael’s work is already appreciated in many public and private collections, such as the United States District Court, University of Chicago, DePaul University School of Law, Chicago Theological Seminary and American Hotel Register. He has received awards from the Portrait Society of America, The Artists Guild, the Oil Painters of America and the 2014 recipient of the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship for Midwestern Artists. EDUCATION 1987-1990 American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL 1999-2000 American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL - Life Drawing & Oil Painting Palette & Chisel Academy, Chicago, IL - Painting & Life Drawing Art Students League, New York, NY - Painting EXHIBITIONS 2017 “Anne Harris...

The classically posed dancer is juxtaposed against the iMac computer in Andrew Conklin's painting entitled "Nina with iMac Snow". While the computer is a technological marvel, it ha...

A muscular male outstretches his arms to allow his tattooed back to be seen in all its glory. A koi swims upward toward his shoulder, surrounded by swirls of patterns. The pale yell...

One of the key lessons we can glean from the myth of Sisyphus is the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Sisyphus was condemned to an eternity of ceas...

Cornelis le Mair (Eindhoven, July 3rd 1944) is a Dutch painter. This Romantic painter is famous because of his 17th century paintings. As a child, Le Mair already developed a talen...

Marten Huitsing The girl in the old house 70 x 45 cm ( frame is include, with frame the size is 80 x 55 cm) Oil on wood panel The paintings of this artist have been part of the collection of Galerie Bonnard since his graduation (2010) at the Classical Academy of Groningen. Huitsing has quickly become successful, his style, craftsmanship and choice of subject appeals to many people. Yet Marten, he says, does not want to repeat himself. He is always looking for the way of painting that suits him at that moment. The sympathetic artist got national fame because he beautifully portrayed a famous Dutch TV presentator Mart Smeets in the 'Paint the stars' program. Honest, very recognizable and with a narrative painting. Mart Smeets was overwhelmed, praising his comments. Rightly so! From that moment. Marten Huitsing's work has gained increasing popularity, he is an annually returning artist at the renowned PAN and he can hardly cope with the demand for new work. The work that the artist has made for our gallery that there is always a balanced composition. In the collection there is one painting that is directly an ode to an older master, both often with Marten Huitsing. He did that before. In this case an ode to the French painter William Bougeureau...

Dutch painter Egbert Modderman made this painting in the beginning of 2021. 2020 was a very successful year for the young Dutch painter, he did win ...

Calvin Lai's (US based) "A Precarious Balance" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude female figure in a posture turned away from the viewer and balancing on one f...