William Kennedy Art

"Outdoor, Winter Self Portrait" is a realist oil on canvas painting. It depicts a self portrait of Rachel Personett with a blue and brownish gray backdrop. In “Outdoor, Winter Self...

Signed lower right: "S. Simkhovitch". Estate stamp on backing board verso.

Pomona reexamines portraits of individuals throughout history to illustrate the premise that history flows into the present in an ever-changing state. And, with each new context, we view people and events through a contemporary lens specific to that moment. Pomona appropriates and contextualizes original portrait elements to create reinvented portraits using technique and patterning that brings a contemporary context and perspective to these historically inspired portraits. My current body of work, Contemporary Histories, explores this phenomena by re-interpreting historical portraiture using a contemporary visual language. It is my intent to create a modern visual lens through which to view these individuals and their legacies, as they continue to flow into the present in ever-changing states. As a keen example of how history changes and morphs over time, I have selected portraits of women who chose an alternate path from the traditional ones prescribed in their times. Some of these individuals overtly stepped outside the traditional roles prescribed for women to realize their goals. Others astutely maneuvered within the social system they lived in to obtain their aspirations. Whether altruistic or nefarious, these women and their actions altered the future cultural landscape. Through a 21st century lens, we view them as women with minds of their own, who made choices to control their own lives and futures. Often, in stark contrast to how they were viewed and how their actions were recorded in their own times. For a modern visual language, a combination of fine and decorative arts has inspired my approach to this subject. Employing several formal contemporary tenets, most notably, rather than place the figure in a 3-dimensional space, as in the originals, the figures reside in flat graphic picture planes of damask designs, repetitive patterns or botanical grounds as modern settings for their modern legacies. These graphic backgrounds symbolize what was historically considered a woman’s proper domain, in particular, gardening and needle crafts, such as; quilting, embroidery and sewing. Formally, unlike the originals, I am working alla prima, rather than with a base grisaille and delicate layers of glazing. While, the patterned and botanical environments, along with gold leaf applications, contemporary compositions and color palettes are formally influenced by a spectrum of 19th - 21st century artists and artisans; from Gustav Klimt and the Wiener Werkstatte to Henri Rousseau, Tamara de Lempicka and Will Cotton. BIO Honora Jacob...

This rare original equine painting by renowned artist, Jenness Cortez, features legendary racehorse Secretariat sprinting towards the finish line at the 1973 Belmont race, winning by an incredible and historical 31 lengths. Titled, “Secretariat, Winning the Belmont at 31 Length”, this beautiful oil painting measures 16 x 24.5 and is framed in an ornate warm silver and gold frame, complete with a commemorative plaque. Secretariat is widely considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time and the most recognizable name in thoroughbred racing. Big Red, as he is most often affectionately referred, became America’s Horse after his historic Triple Crown win in 1973, winning the Belmont Stakes by an unimaginable 31 lengths (in world record time) in what stands today as the single greatest horseracing performance ever. About Jenness Cortez: Jenness Cortez is a distinguished figure in the contemporary revival of classical realist painting. She was born in Indiana and exhibited a very early talent for art. As a teenager, she took private lessons with Antonius Raemaekers...

This rare original equine painting by renown artist, Jenness Cortez, features a stately portrait of legendary racehorse Secretariat standing in the lush verdant grass at Claiborne Farm. Bathing in the warmth of an afternoon sun, Secretariat's copper-colored beauty is captured perfectly. Titled, “Secretariat as a Stallion Claiborne Farm”, this beautiful oil painting measures 18.5 x 24.5 and is framed in an ornate gold frame, finished with a commemorative plaque. Secretariat is widely considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time and the most recognizable name in thoroughbred racing. Big Red, as he is most often affectionately referred, became America’s Horse after his historic Triple Crown win in 1973, winning the Belmont Stakes by an unimaginable 31 lengths (in world record time) in what stands today as the single greatest horseracing performance ever. About Jenness Cortez: Jenness Cortez is a distinguished figure in the contemporary revival of classical realist painting. She was born in Indiana and exhibited a very early talent for art. As a teenager, she took private lessons with Antonius Raemaekers...

'Wicked Witch of the East' is a masterfully painted oil on panel, that features a long haired, young and nude woman with a scar down her stomach. I bird atop her head gazes down at a...

"Holding on to a Dream" by Matt Talbert, dated 2023, is an oil painting on linen that captures a close-up of a woman in profile. The canvas dimensions are 30 x 40 inches, and with th...

Ferdinand Heilbuth: 1826-1889. Well listed very important 19th century French painter. He was born in Germany but lived and painted mostly in France becoming a French citizen in 1876...

'Resurrection' features the head of a reclining young reddish blond haired women wearing a cloak of lady bugs. It is 6 x 8 inches, unframed, wired and ready to hang. Condition excell...

Colin Poole's "Queen's Departure" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dark haired feminine figure in a beaded headdress with clouds swirling in the background.

Samuel S.Hoskins Statement on White Roses: "White Roses" is an endeavor to evoke the enchanting fragrance of roses. One of the most delightful aspects of living in Florence, Italy, is cycling through the outskirts of the city in spring after a refreshing rain shower. The rain seems to awaken the scents of various flora. I utilized Viridian Green and Cerulean Blue to capture the cool contrast that rain imparts to the flowers, seeking to encapsulate the sensory experience of those post-rain, blossoming moments. White Roses 14x18 20x24 with Frame As a graduate of The Florence Academy of Art and a devoted oil painter, Samuel Hoskins...

Aixa Oliveras's (US based) "Desvelada" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a model laying in bed looking at her cell phone. This is a se...