Jean Calogero

Untitled (Venice Gondola Scene)

1955-1960

Wreath: ROME from artist Stephenie Peek who makes her home in California, is beautifully rendered with a sense of depth, intellect, timelessness and beauty. Inspired by a time the artist spent in Italy and found herself strongly drawn to the history and mystery of antique Roman laurels. Here, the golden wreath appears to float above the clouds in a surrealist, Magritte-like sky. The clear blue has an ethereal quality with glimmering gold. The painting's edges are painted white, so framing is not required. If framing is desired, we can provide it for an additional cost. Signed, dated and titled verso by artist: Artist's statement— The genesis of this oil painting, “Wreath,” is the classic laurel wreath fashioned in gold and awarded to victors, both athletic and poetic, in ancient Greece and Rome. From my studio at the American Academy in Rome, I looked out over the city and imagined these memorials to those who have crossed finish lines, so to speak, who have won their races. Suspended in silence, this wreath speaks for me not only of wordly success with its ephemeral nature, but also of a kind of lasting victory that art can remind us of. "Ars longa...

American Realist nature scene - Pathway to Enchantment - celebrating the color yellow through sunlit fall leaves and trees by celebrated American artist Peter Loftus who is known for captivating color-rich scenes focused on shadow and light through his oil on canvas paintings that breathe life while reflecting natural western environments. Loftus' subject matter includes oceans, mountains, babbling brooks, mountain ridges and their breathtaking vistas; as well as people and figures. This beautiful oil painting glows with natural warm earth tones concentrating on yellow. 44 x 60 inches. oil on canvas. Artist signed, dated and titled. Peter Loftus was born in 1948, in Washington DC. He received a BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art, in 1971. In 1974, Loftus earned an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. Drawn by the glorious California light, Loftus moved to Santa Cruz in 1975. He has lived and painted there ever since. Loftus taught at both University of California at Santa Cruz and Cabrillo Community College between 1975, through the present (at UCSC). He taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Drawing, and Painting, in both oil and aqueous media. During that time, he also sustained a rigorous exhibition schedule, showing regularly on the East and West coasts; in New York at Fischbach Gallery, and San Francisco at William Sawyer Gallery and later Hackett-Freedman Gallery. In addition, Loftus has participated in a number of group exhibitions. These include: American Realism: 20th Century Drawings and Watercolors (and accompanying book), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, New Horizons in American Realism: Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, MI. Loftus is also included in several publications, including: "The Artist as Native: Reinventing Regionalism" by Alan Gussow...

This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. In this contemporary surrealist painting Nathan Neven juxtapos...

Canvas size 73x60 cm. Frameless.