Amy Helfand

After Toile
18 x 24 in. - archival giclee print

Artist and designer, Amy Helfand is based out of Brooklyn, New York.
www.amyhelfand.com

Mira Alibek

Lost: Day
16"x11.5" - marker and silkscreen on paper - 2006

Mixed media artist, Mira Alibek is based in New York City.
www.miraalibek.com

John Phillip Edstrand

“Deerest", 2006, Oil on Mdf board, 120x120 cm.


“Drippin", 2006, Oil on Mdf board, 120x120 cm.

John Phillip Edstrand paints and sculpts strange blob-like objects. His painting include sculptural elements attached to the surface. Looking at a photo of his work, it is hard to determine which is painted and which is sculpture. The objects in his paintings hover in a black empty background; themselves sparkling in a wide range of “poisonous colors“. They resemble gobs of paint squirted from the tube, or chewed gum, or some long lost sea creatures never seen before. That’s the fun of these images; they are so foreign and peculiar. He also creates these alien specimens with digital media. His website is very sleek and nicely designed, and includes multiple views of his work.
www.jpedstrand.com

Kim Piotrowski

“29 57’N 90 4’W (New Orleans)”, 2007, acrylic & mixed media on linen, 24” x 24”


“Princess Weigh In“, 2006, acrylic & mixed media on linen, 60” x 60”

Chicago based artist, Kim Piotrowski makes wonderfully colorful, complex paintings. Using found images along side highly abstracted elements, she creates unique compositions that suggest at content. Each piece seems hint at an underlying commentary on different social issues, but abstracted in a way that particulars of which not quite clear. There is an explosive energy to many of these paintings. Her color choices are unexpected and unusual, while the paint laid down in various styles on top of each other. Her website is being updated but there is plenty of work there to look through.
www.piotrowskiart.com

Laurent Koller

“Asian Rhapsodie” - 130 x 97 - 2007 - acrylic resin and ink on fabric


“Haiku 19” - 41 X 33 - 2007 - acrylic resin and ink on fabric


“M” - 41 X 33 - 2007 - acrylic resin and ink on fabric

French artist Laurent Koller makes dynamic abstract compositions in true black and white. Reducing the elements of the picture to these high-contrast gestural shapes, figure and ground, creates a dramatic tension. Bold, expressive and energetic strokes sweep through the picture plain. The details and idiosyncrasies of his mark making are exquisite and engrossing. His website is straight forward with a beautiful presentation.
www.laurent-koller.com

Carol John

“Oh Huh”, oil on paper, 2005, 40"x60"


“Puff”, oil on paper, 2006, 40" x 57"

Athens, Georgia based artist, Carol John’s paintings are playful and bright. She uses iconographic symbolism and text, mixed with abstract shapes to deliver fantastic compositions and walls of wildly patterned chaos. Her use of color is off-beat and her choice of simplified text is quirky and humorous. The tone of this work appears to be rather light, but there are some interesting concepts weaving in and out. I will refrain from making any wild interpretations here, but The work on her website is definitely well worth a visit.
www.caroljohnpaintings.com

Raoolf Assefi

“Movement 3”, acrylic on canvas, 30”x40”


“Composition Dream”, acrylic on canvas, 36”x48”

Abstract painter, Raoolf Assefi’s work takes on formalist ideals of modern art head on and he manages to produce some very fresh and satisfying art. He creates canvases filled with cascading forms of color and light. Dizzyingly complex structures rhythmically pushing and pulling the eye through the maze of their own lushly painted surfaces. His color combinations are daring and complex ; harmonious and joyful. His website is put together with an impressive and fun flash presentation.
www.assefi.com

Sunny Belliston

“Untitled”, 2006, 48"x72", acrylic, collage, graphite on panel


“Itapua I”, 2006, 46"x46", found papers, acrylic on panel

Ohio based artist, Sunny Belliston makes stunningly colored and textured surfaces. He uses found materials collaged and painted into geometric abstract compositions. Strips of paint and paper combine into irregular patterns and fields of subtlety varied colors. There is an interesting tension between the bright, fresh color schemes and the warn and weathered surfaces created. He also touches on minimalist sculptural elements with several of his found object pieces.
sunnybellistonart.com

Rebecca Saylor Sack

“Loop, Again”, 185 x 200 cm, oil on canvas, 2006

Rebecca Saylor Sack creates explosively energetic paintings. These magnificently colorful abstracts allude to landscape with all the depth and complexity of a lush forest. Dense areas of chaotic, layered, paint marks contrast beautifully with restful pauses of broad brushstrokes and delicate wisps of line. The movement described by expressive gestural brushwork is invigorating and difficult to resist; they simple draw you in. They are raw and earthy, reminding me of the never-ending ebb and flow; growth and decay of nature. Her website also includes some of her equally great drawings.
rebeccasaylorsack.com

Marie Hvid Pørksen

"Den Kongelige Porcelænsfabrik", olie på lærred, 60x70 cm, 2007


"Den Kongelige Porcelænsfabrik", olie på lærred, 60x70 cm, 2007

Marie Hvid Pørksen is a Danish painter who makes simplified abstracted views of domestic and industrial interiors and exteriors. She portrays the trappings of human existence in a almost naïve, completely charming way. Her lines and brushwork have and awkward beauty to them while her color choices and compositions are sophisticated and challenging. I love seeing these bleak, somewhat mundane subjects in this brand of flattened childlike honesty; its such a unique and surprising perspective on life and our surroundings.
www.mariehvidporksen.dk

SAL

“Perfection”, acrylic on wood panel, 910x 450mm,


“Rebirth ver.3“, acrylic on wooden panel, 1030x728mm, 2007

Japanese artist SAL makes beautiful abstract paintings centering on nature, pattern and the sublime accident. He uses limited palettes of harmonious color to make energetic compositions of drips, splatters, and graphic shapes. He references trees, water, and wind in his refreshingly tranquil but dynamic works. His website is beautifully designed and has several pages of paintings and other projects.
www.ilooli.net

Becky Yazdan

“Turtle Hill“, oil on linen, 72" x 60", 2005


“Autumn Sleeper“, oil on linen, 60" x 72", 2005

The paintings of new York based artist Becky Yazdan are wonderfully composed abstracts. Rich colors are thickly applied, scraped, smeared and blended into wonderfully textured surfaces, but there is also a depth to them. Many of them hint at landscape, with a definite push and pull between elements that make them very compelling. I find these paintings to be very charming and authentic.
beckyyazdan.com

Jax Chachitz

Untitled, Oil on canvas, 2006


Untitled, Oil on canvas, 2006

The abstract paintings of Jax Chachitz are dynamic compositions made up of bold colors and energetic brushstrokes. These non-objective works are full of vitality; the surfaces of which are powerful expressions of aggressive physicality. The play between light and dark are striking and effective. Her website was very recently launched. So, look forward to updates to come.
www.atelierjax.com/

Eve S. Mosher

"figment" (detail)
2005
nylon thread, felted wool, copper wire, beeswax, plexiglass
approx. 24" x 24" x 18"

"ambition"

2003
cotton, fiber optics, light source
dimensions variable

Eve S. Mosher's work is a delightfully tactile experience. Her sculptures and installations are built from wonderful, often unexpected combinations of materials. The works range from lyrical compositions of climbing, hanging, gravity defying objects to quietly somber, simply arranged forms. Playful orbs of brightly colored wool seem to bob and weave among tendrils of thread and wire. Sewn fabric forms creep mischievously up and along walls and ceilings. Mud, plaster, latex, seeds and pollen are layered into fascinating arrangements that run the gamut from playful to ominous and captivating to repellent. To see a thoroughly enjoyable selection of the artist's exquisitely invented objects, go to http://www.mud/and/sticks.com/. While you're there, be sure to spend some time in the drawing section. Eve's inspired approach to 2-d arrives at exciting destinations and the drawings are a satisfying complement to the rest of the work.

Rob Nadeau

“Charlie Don't Surf” acrylic and spraypaint on canvas 72 x 60 inches, 2006

Rob Nadeau makes big bold painterly abstracts. They are playful and joyous, full of bright colors, polka dots, texture, and converging stripes, while still being engaging formal explorations of structure and composition. They have an intuitive and spontaneous freshness about them. His website also includes many of his smaller works on paper and floor pieces.
www.robnadeau.

Scott Andresen

Furrow, 2006, Quilt, 48" x 30"

I never really considered quilting in terms of art before but, Scott Andresen’s quilts really opened my eyes. The patchwork designs in many of these pieces would easily rival any abstract painting, with extraordinary color and composition. Many of the quilts feature map motifs or aerial views of urban landscapes such as strip mall parking lots and urban sprawl. In some of the pieces he playfully introduces traditional quilting designs to the map topography. These are interesting, well-made works of art in a refreshing and unexpected medium.
www.scott-andresen.com

Steven Hampton

“Detail #7” 18” x 24” Oil and spray paint on canvas, 2007


“Last Action Painting” 84” x 72” Oil and spray paint on canvas, 2007

Steven Hampton’s paintings are bright and spontaneous, while made with specific conceptual intentions in mind. They are effectively eye-catching and thought provoking at once. His Details series is meant to mimic detail shots that are predominate with most promotional art materials. Depictions of explosions and painterly mark making comprise his Greatest Hits series. The statements accompanying each series on his website are extremely well written and insightful.
www.stevehampton.com

Gary Paller

18"x24" - acrylic on canvas - 2007

Gary Paller’s recent paintings and monotypes are made up of areas of color butting up against each other, enveloping the composition in a crush of pure color. Those colors are bright, rich, balanced and deeply satisfying. These are some really enjoyable hard edge abstract paintings. His website includes an extensive backlog, its really interesting to see the progression of his work from year to year.
www.garypaller.com

Stephanie Gerolimatos

oil on torn canvas with twine 27 x 44 inches

encaustic, graphite, dry pigment on mat board-faced panel 3.5 x 5 inches

Stephanie Gerolimatos makes wonderful paintings rich with color and texture. She creates surfaces that just seem alive. They have a distinct acknowledgment of their objectness; the surfaces are often cut into or scraped, some have nails pounded into them or objects embedded in the paint. Her website has lots of work on it, and is easy to navigate, with clickable thumbnails.
www.stephg.org