Landscape (oil on canvas board)

Two in a row by the same artist I think. The trees are better than the background. That’s about the only negative I can come up with. And I feel like a jerk for having even said that, since this calmly quiet and mellow landscape is leagues better than most of the stuff I’m used to exhibiting here. I’m very grateful to finish up 2023 with a few paintings that don’t look like they were done by box-wine-drunk soccer moms at an Applebee’s Paint Night.

PS sorry for the tilt: I was trying to avoid the ceiling fluorescent light glare on the glass.

 

Snowy Landscape (oil on canvas board)

Not sure what’s up lately but this is the longest run of really decent paintings that we’ve seen here at the (V)VAG since…well…okay let’s be honest: we’ve NEVER had this many decent paintings in a row all at once. You’ll see what I mean once you travel a bit deeper into the abattoir er um GALLERY that is. “Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.” 

I’M KIDDING, I’M KIDDING!!!

While I’m thinking about it though, we are creeping up on our first 100 objets d’arte: how cool is that? I’ll try to think of something special to do in order to commemorate our upcoming “100th Painting Anniversary.”

Anyway, yet again there’s nothing to ridicule here: it’s a nice, painterly landscape, I’m guessing of the Bob Ross variety.

My trees continue to suck. I’m envious.

Bayou Landscape (Oil on Canvas)

(Value Village Art Gallery Favorite)

“Best in Show” for the week, for sure. Holy Smokes! No signature: what the hell? Why would someone not sign this? Have you seen some of the things here that HAVE been signed? My gosh. The different hues of green are awesome. This thing is so alive it’s practically breathing on us. It’s humid! Again, my usual question: is it perfect? No, of course not. Is it well done? Is it a thing of beauty? Yes! Do I wish I’d bought it? Yes. Should I go back today and see if it’s still there? Probably! To the artist: whoever you are, great job! :)

Bird on Railing (Acrylic on Canvas)

It’s done reasonably well. You can tell what it’s supposed to be. But there’s no life in the boardwalk or railing or water in motion: it could all be molded out of plastic. Static, smooth, inorganic.

If that seems a little harsh, well, I don’t like birds. There: I’ve said it! My secret is out: I’m not a big fan of birds. I especially don’t like city birds. Filthy creatures with their little pitchfork feet. Ugh. So paint something else next time if you want me to be nicer. Try a mammal. Or a well-done landscape.

Landscape (Acrylic on Canvas)

It’s sooooo…bleak. I like it. After I propped this on a clothes rack to take a photograph of it, I just stood staring at it for a while. Nothing’s going on. Nothing much to see. But for me it’s like you’re right there with all the nothing. Very nice.

Japanese Fish (Watercolor on Canvas)

This feels like there’s a Japanese influence going on. Is the symbol in the center from the zodiac? I don’t know, but I’m not interested enough to research it myself. This is understated but it’s nice. Calming. Not all jacked up with the bright blues and purples I’m used to seeing around here.

Sailboat and Sunset (Acrylic on Canvas)

Boring boat, bad waves. Too many blues and purples. The sun itself is malformed! But I don’t totally hate the reflections of the sun on the water.

Forest and Sky (Acrylic on Canvas)

In person I thought this painting was a mess but looking at the photo here and now I wonder if I wasn’t being too harsh. The sky and background are interesting in a Gauguin kind of way. But: I think I’ve seen these stupid trees before. Maybe. I won’t swear to it though. Overall, I approve of the sky. 

Update: I think this is just a matter of it looking better the further away I am from it. I have a cold and I’m now questioning my initial impression. Whatever.