American Realist Art

Artist Comments
A closeup of a radiant bouquet of yellow, white and red roses. Artist Jo Galang received this floral arrangement as a gift from her children on her birthday. "Small and simple things can inspire and spark happiness," says Jo. "I decided to immortalize this gift so othe...

Artist Comments
Artist Nick Savides depicts a front-facing view of the Bowery at the corner of Bleecker Street in New York City. Structures rise toward a deep blue November sky in contrast to the warm tone of the buildings below. "The white, red, green, and orange shapes seemed to play off one another, punctuated by windows of various shapes and sizes," describes Nick. "The shadows of the fire escape add some depth to a fairly shallow space while a woman in a red sweatshirt runs from the crosswalk toward an onlooker. On the right is the former location of CBGB, which closed in 2006."

About the Artist
Nick learned to paint from his mother when he was a child, but it wasn’t until college that he decided to be a career artist. His realist images of New York City are inspired by the drama of the city–the changing light, the spontaneous magic. Nick begins his process with reference photographs from his daily life, often shooting the same scene at multiple times of the day. He brings the images back to his Brooklyn studio where he composes a scene in Photoshop, adding and subtracting elements from multiple photographs to achieve the perfect composition before beginning to paint. “As my artwork is realistic, one might be tempted to think they are copies from nature,” says the artist. “Really, they are composed–every detail is considered. It is a balance between what is seen, what is true to nature, and what can make a good painting.”

Words that describe this painting: Hopperesque, Hopper, NYC, New York, cityscape, Bowery, realism, cityscape, facade, street, buildings, architecture, windows, oilpaint, small, travel, architecture, travel, realism, oil painting, blue, orange

On the Bowery...

Artist Comments
"Dramatic skies rise above a peaceful coastal scene at day’s end," describes artist Mandy Main. "Clouds make an elegant sweep into the distance as their wisps...

Artist Comments
Artist Jesse Aldana depicts an unusual cloud pattern off the coast in Southern California. Columns of sunlight cast onto the gentle slopes of the mountains in...

Artist Comments
“Moody clouds appear in shades of blue and gray over dark waters,” describes artist Nancy Hughes Miller. “I find inspiration walking the beach, letting ...

Artist Comments
Artist Gary Leonard juxtaposes a realistic figure clothed in a floral dress against a dreamy background that hints at a wild garden. The spotlight heightens her reserved gesture and timid expression while giving her skin a soft glow. Shadows on her face, neck, and body create a striking contrast to the lighter tones of the composition. "This work creates an atmosphere of calm, blending the woman's soft countenance and pastel greens of nature. "

About the Artist
Through composition, color, texture and more, Gary Leonard celebrates beauty. His works start with the subject, but then he lets the work evolve into a more complex composition. Oftentimes, he enjoys merging figures with abstract images and varying textures. He hopes that his works will leave the viewer with a sense of warmth and peace. When he's not making art, he enjoys listening to music and learning how to play the piano.

Words that describe this painting: figurative, figure, people, woman, fashion, standing, peaceful, oilpaint, dreamy, vertical, realism, people, realism, oil painting, beige

In the Calm...