Ben Fenske More Art
One of the foremost American Impressionists of the 21st century, artist Ben Fenske is known for his bold, energetic brushstrokes and signature use of vivid colors. His figurative paintings, still-lifes and interiors are flooded with warm natural light and dazzle in their wealth of blues, greens and soft violets.
Born in 1978, Fenske grew up in the small rural town of St. Joseph, Minnesota. His interest in art began at an early age. When he was 12 years old, Fenske would spend a minimum of two hours each day drawing and painting, working with charcoal, watercolors, acrylics and pastels. His passion for art broadened in high school, leading him to attend the Minnesota River School of Fine Art at age 18. There, he studied under artists including Joseph Paquet and Darren Rousar.
Following a brief stint as a graphic designer, Fenske studied in Minneapolis at the Bougie Studio, learning figure drawing and cast drawing from artist Peter Bougie. Later, when he was in his early 20s, Fenske decided to go to Florence, Italy, to study painting and drawing at the Florence Academy of Art.
While in Florence, Fenske became inspired by French Impressionism of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Old Masters paintings and Russian and Soviet art — notably the works of brothers Aleksei and Sergei Tkachev.
For more than a decade, Fenske divides his time between Sag Harbor, New York, and Italy’s Tuscan hills, where he draws inspiration for his landscapes from the surrounding countryside. In addition to his paintings, Fenske has a considerable portfolio of portrait drawings and nude sketches. He has also delved into figurative sculpture, such as the bronze Wild Boar, which he created with artist Richard Zinon.
Fenske regularly exhibits throughout the United States, including annually at the Grenning Gallery in the Hamptons. In 2016, he participated in the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He was also named by American Artist magazine as one of the “Best 25 Living Artists” in 2012.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Ben Fenske paintings, drawings and sculptures.
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Panel, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Wood Panel, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Ben Fenske More Art
Bronze
Artist Comments
This painting is part of a series of whimsical foxes. For these pieces, Tara has a collection of small toy foxes that she sets up like a still life for reference. I needed a dark background to offset the desert sand and warm hues of the fox, so I added in a dark sky flecked with little stars, Tara explains of this painting. I think of foxes as mystical creatures, leading the viewer to an otherworldly destination.
About the Artist
Desert Night...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jeff Fleming describes his painting style as kinetic impressionism. In this piece, a beagle triumphantly retrieves a stick thrown into the ocean. Jeff started the piece with a pencil sketch on the canvas, then with gloved hands, he applied oil paint using his fingers. Details were later added using brushes. Once these layers of paint dried, he moved the piece to his studio floor. "At this point, I whisked paint in random but authoritative strokes - a speckling technique which replicates water splashing."
About the Artist
Artist Jeff Fleming uses fingerpainting to create exuberant portraits of dogs. Growing up in Southern California, Jeff was first introduced to fingerpainting in kindergarten. He painted through high school and college and won several art awards, including Best of Show in a city wide student competition. After graduating with a degree in journalism and advertising, he went to work as an art director. For the next 40 years, he created print, radio and television ads for a number of top agencies. "After retiring in 2019, the clouds of stress and pressure cleared and allowed me to set my creative energy free," says Jeff. He began developing new techniques focused on the excitement and energy of painting. Today, he uses a variety of methods and tools, including fingerpainting wearing nitrile gloves, traditional paint brushes, bamboo shish kebab sticks, kite string, spraypaint and splattering. While working, Jeff always listens to music, including Broadway musicals, dance music and rhythmic Hawaiian tunes.
Words that describe this painting: beagle, dog, pet, impressionism, Iris Scott...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
More and more I love to experiment with abstraction. It's amazing how realism with some abstraction somehow looks more true than when rendered using just real...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Linen, Panel, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Linen, Oil
Nicholas VivianThat Golden Hour-modern art impressionist seascape vivid colour-contemprary art, 2024
Early 20th Century American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Canvas, Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
Artist Jennifer Ross presents a brown bird perched over its three eggs. "A bird's nest is the universal symbol of hope," says Jennife...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Gail Greene shows a picturesque stream in a luminous impression using soft tonal shades. The morning light reaches over the ridge, casting a glow on the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Linen, Oil
Artist Comments
Mallard ducks cast their reflections on the swiftly moving water, with a pair gracefully gliding near a third one perched on a log. Dynamic brushwork and palett...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a portion of a woodland river, referencing his favorite spot near his home. Combinations of robust strokes and palette knife applic...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske More Art
Oil, Linen, Canvas
