Massachusetts - Figurative Paintings

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Sherri posed her model, Bridget, in her backyard garden just as the sun was setting to capture the dramatic backlighting. Golden light silhouettes the figure and works with the shaded areas to build three dimensionality. A timeless and gentle portrait in the warm Arizona light.

About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.

Words that describe this painting: woman, female, feminine, light, evening, garden, impressionistic, figure, figurative, person, people, Sargent, Sorolla, impressionism, people, representational, oil painting, green

Lost in Thought...

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Under the glow of a lamp, a venerable professor attentively reads and evaluates student submissions. The composition is one of artist Onelio Marrero's many port...

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High stone seawalls line parts of the New Jersey shoreline, where tides and surges deposit an array of natural and manmade artifacts. In this scene, a young gir...

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This painting drops in on a film crew working on location at the beach with a fiery sunset as the backdrop. Artist Jesse Aldana depicts a production assistant...

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Bold shapes and vibrant colors depict a bass player in a lively, home-like setting. The interplay of shape, color, and line creates a sense of playful rhythm, e...

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Artist Warren Keating captures a scene from an overhead perspective. A figure focuses intently on their phone, fully absorbed in the moment. Vibrant, sweeping b...

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In 2023, artist Onelio Marrero began a series of oil sketches featuring men painting buildings high above city sidewalks. Based on one of these studies, this ...

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A woman in a blue jacket and red pants walks across the crosswalk. Her relaxed posture mirrors the city's slow Saturday morning rhythm. The scene captures the q...

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Artist Benjamin Thomas demonstrates an impressionist scene of a couple having an intimate conversation on a lake-side bench. "I was on a bike ride around the town of Niagara and came back to them still being there," says Robert. The figures bathe in the light of the sunset...

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Inspired by his travels with his wife, artist Onelio Marrero paints her enjoying a book. They toured the neighboring towns to visit shops and historic sites d...

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A man stands still, his eyes hidden in the shadow of his hat. The lack of a visible gaze adds mystery to the scene. He is a visualization of someone whose voice...

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Five birds gather around three women as fish float behind them. An upside-down umbrella perched on a railing heightens the scene’s surreal quality. In this pi...

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Gary Leonard draws inspiration from a daydreaming woman by the beach. The sun envelopes her in warmth evoking a feeling of peace and relaxation that only this...

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Inspired by Carey Park's photos from her visits to France, this painting captures two people savoring tea in a sunlit room. Seated comfortably, they appear ab...

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Three young dancers style their hair, racing against time before a show. The vibrant brushwork and colors portray the lively and intense energy of dance prepa...

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A gentle touch, a delicate figure, a woman glows under a warm dappled ray of sunlight. "I especially enjoyed painting all of the beautiful colors in this scene," artist Sherri Aldawood says about capturing her model Alana, posing in a garden one spring morning.

About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.

Words that describe this painting: portrait, woman, figure, figurative, Arizona, southwest, garden, nature, outdoors, spring, flowers, floral, John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, impressionism, female, romantic, impressionism, people, oil painting, green

Alana in the Flower Garden...

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...

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"This piece is a departure from my usual palette and reflects a desire to infuse lightness and joy into the profound uncertainty of life," says artist Robin O...

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A woman stands in the shallow water, sensing the expansive world around her. The pink and purple sky blends with the sea, creating an image of endless space. ...

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1998–1999 marked a particularly tumultuous chapter for artist Mark Cudd. In this first installment of a 50-image series, he attempts to construct an honest ac...

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A woman glances sharply to her right, her expression poised between curiosity and caution. Rendered in stark black and white, the piece gives a timeless and cin...

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Artist Sherri Aldawood paints an ethereal portrait of a woman in white. She depicts her young model, Carley, in classical realism. Flowers daintily adorn the figure's brown wavy hair while golden light shines and illuminates her shawl and bouquet.

About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.

Words that describe this painting: Joaquin Sorolla, John Singer Sargent, woman, female, girl, figure, figurative, portrait, flowers, floral, sunlight, bright, spring, summer, face, season, garden, outdoor, warm, Dan Gerhartz...

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A daydreaming twelve-year-old holds her velvety black cat, surrounded by a jungle of houseplants. The painting is inspired by the artist Jessica JH Roller's daughter, Wren, and her ever-loyal cat, Pepper. Created using layers of high-quality acrylic paint, this piece captures a moment of serene contemplation amidst a lush, green backdrop.

About the Artist
Artist Jessica JH Roller paints whimsical and playful compositions of animals and people, marked by bold colors and primitivist linework. She distills a scene into a few simple shapes, using color to create contrast and vibrancy, often choosing palettes that reflect pop culture. "My adopted kittens, Tony and Larry, opened my eyes and unleashed the artist inside me," shares Jessica. "After, I started to notice birds, trees, color, everything." Jessica brings to life her dynamic creations in the comfort of her studio in her century-old home. She enjoys listening to music and audiobooks while painting with her 18-year-old acrylic-covered easel. When not painting, Jessica cherishes time with her family and five cats, teaches yoga, and enjoys cycling along the river.

Words that describe this painting: portrait, girl, houseplants, cat, folk, pet, friendship, love, foliage, animals, people, primitive, acrylic painting, pink

Girl with Black Cat...

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Bright pink petals frame a close-up portrait. For artist David Shepherd, the eye—like a fingerprint—uniquely identifies a person, yet their identity, orig...

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Artist Onelio Marrero paints a tender mother and daughter moment in a river. Created as a figurative study for a larger painting of the same setting. The subj...

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This impressionist painting is part of a series by artist Onelio Marrero, exploring craftsmen at work in their environments. Within this interior scene, Oneli...

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A poignant image of a young woman lying in bed by artist Onelio Marrero. She is clothed in white laying on a plush bed looking wistfu...

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A traveler sits on the edge of a fountain, resting under the shade. Nearby, a lady crossing the street seems also to be seeking refuge from the sun. Shaded sp...

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A woman poses in a flowing dress of blooming geometric flowers. Her confident stance emits a powerful aura, lit by the radiant background. Part of artist Diana Elena Chelaru's ongoing series of women adorned with colorful flowers.

About the Artist
Romanian-born painter Diana Chelaru’s paintings are colorful and contemporary interpretations of human emotion. For Diana, art is a means of communication. “It is how I express my thoughts, hopes, regrets and joys,” she says. Though she gets great pleasure from applying paint to canvas, it is the expression of emotions that she finds to be most important. Diana’s style is influenced by Byzantine mosaics as well as Gustav Klimt’s subject matter and use of decorative patterns within his compositions. Each artwork is created intuitively, resulting in paintings that speak to the soul.

Words that describe this painting: pattern, figure, figurative, portrait, floral, geometric, fashion, dress, spring, Klimt, woman, people, fashion, modern , acrylic painting, blue

Woman in a Blue Dress...

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Artist Robin weaves a dynamic interplay of color, line, and shape in this abstract image of a woman. Fused with shades of red, the piece achieves a unique sim...

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A woman savors a moment of sweetness alongside a delectable strawberry cake. The rich textures, warm tones, and striking composition create a sense of bold el...

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Artist Gary Leonard presents a portrait of a woman that celebrates existence. "The painting crosses and extends the boundaries of life into an emotionally exc...

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Vibrant activity fills the scene as people enjoy a sunny day at an outdoor café on Pearl Street. On the left, a couple is engrossed in conversation and savor...

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"This painting is about three friends or siblings enjoying the sunshine," says artist Gail Ragains. "It bursts with California colors. Minimal on detail but a...