Goldfish (Some Kind of Lumpy Paint on Oval, Cork-Bordered Canvas)

I like this one too! I realize that there have been a lot of "I like this one"s here today, but I really mean it. This one is kind of charming and kind of competent and kind of unusual in an original way, so it gets a legit thumbs up as far as I'm concerned (and I'm concerned quite a bit, seeing as how I run this here joint.) Good work, artist-whose-single-initial-and-lovely-inscription-are-on-the-back :)

Maaaaybe Magnolias (Acrylic on Canvas)

I like this one a whole bunch! But just between you and me, when I asked my wife what kind of flowers they were, in addition to opining "Maaaybe Magnolias?" she then added "Badly-Done Magnolias?" But whatever. My suggestion is that you take a gander at what generally passes for Art up in here, ruminate on it for a bit, and then get back to me: I'm betting that you will eventually come to the conclusion that these are some of the most beautiful Plant Sexual Organs that have ever been exhibited here :)

Don't Know, Don't Care (Acrylic on Canvas)

If February hadn't been such a slow month for additions, this would not be here: I am not a fan of the "Live Laugh Love" Advertising/Sloganeering school of Wall Art. Even when it's a Harry Potter reference. Pfft.

Sunshine (Acrylic on Canvas)

Another one that's...not bad at all. It's different from our usual entries. In a good way. It feels vaguely South American or Guatamalan to me. I dig it!

 

Colorful Forest (Acrylic on Canvas)

I like it. I'm a sucker for bright colors.

Addendum: Gadzooks! I guess this must have been a "Paint Night Suggested Subject" (tm reg us pat off):

https://valuevillageartgallery.blogspot.com/2024/12/strange-forest-acrylic-on-canvas.html?m=1

Butterfly (Acrylic on Canvas)

 It's been a rough month...

Night Sky and Clouds (Acrylic on Canvas Board)

Down towards the bottom: am I looking at a landmass (left)? Or is it water (right)? It can't be water since it's not level. But it can't be land since it's bluish-purple. Why are there clouds clustered just barely above whatever it is: clouds are usually higher up in the sky than this. Unless something's on fire, such as a forest, in which case we'd be dealing with smoke (which more often than not is dark. Except when there's a new pope.) And what is up with that moon's clearly implausible crescent formation? Egad!

The stars are the least offensive part of this painting and even they are jacked-up fat round marble-looking stars. Phew!

Flowers on Rug (Acrylic on Canvas)

I thought this was mass-produced at first. But then I saw the then-amateur awkwardness and imperfections and I realized this was legit. I had a peek under the price sticker so I know the artist's name as well as the age of this little number and it's quite old compared to our usual installations. It's nice. It's not great but from having investigated/stalked the artist online I learned that he/she continued with his/her work, definitely improved and has made somewhat of a name for himself/herself. We are very fortunate to have this lovely painting in our gallery and at $12.99 it was a steal.

"Black Hole Sunflower" (Acrylic on Canvas)

This kind of thing is really puzzling to me. A flower. With black petals. I...whew...I just don't know sometimes.

The background isn't utterly horrible I suppose.

Snow and Trees (Acrylic on Canvas)

Pretty average. It's not awful, it's not great: it just is. Which is probably why it, and so many others like it, wind up at VV.

Not much else needs to be said. 

Flower (Acrylic on Canvas)

I almost feel about this painting as I do the one which is immediately to follow (see "Owl") - but not quite. Because there is something about this painting that manages to tilt the balance in its favor. Maybe it's the garish, semi-1960s / early 1970s color combination. Yes, I think that must be it! It's the colors! Really remarkable. This artist could probably paint the heck out of a sad clown, a big-eyed orphan, a big-eyed Twiggy-looking chick or (dare I say it?) a Harlequin I bet! Speaking of which, I would actually pay money for something of that nature from this individual. I likes me some MCM Harlequins and/or Sad Droopy Skinny Don Quixote-looking dudes on horseback.  

Artist: give my idea some thought why dontcha?

Owl (Acrylic on Canvas)

It's good, for sure. But it's not good in the way that Art should be good. What I'm saying is that this looks like something you could find twelve of in the Home Furnishings section of Target.

Artist: you have a Gut, I presume? PAINT from it...

Woman with Animals (Pencil and Pen on Cedar? Plank)

It's definitely not bad but I won't go so far as to say that it's good. Unless a kid did it. In which case it's good. HOWEVER: the artist appears to have been trying really really hard. And I support that! Not sure why he or she quit before finishing it. But a cedar (?)) cutting board for $6.99 is a real steal so I bought it. I'm putting a couple of new deadbolt locks on my fallout shelter door and can use some of this wood to shore up the frame a bit. Winning!

Pumpkins (Acrylic on Canvas)

We've installed a painting, or paintings, very much like this one in the not-so-distant past.

https://valuevillageartgallery.blogspot.com/2024/03/pumpkins-acrylic-on-canvas.html?m=1

Still not a fan.

Float Plane (Acrylic on Canvas)

We've installed a painting, or paintings, very much like this one in the not-so-distant past.

https://valuevillageartgallery.blogspot.com/2023/06/upside-down-grand-piano-in-lake.html?m=1

Still not a fan.

(This review was not a mistake.)

Flag and Tag (Acrylic on Wooden Board)

Happy (Value) Village Art Gallery Two Year Anniversary!!!

Happy 400th Artwork to be installed!!!

I'm a little bummed that this object is the #400, but oh well. I'm not opposed to the sentiments, rather the execution of said sentiments. I guess I'm not really understanding the trope here. Was the cross on fire? Was the flag on fire? Why all the black? Where did the extra red and white stripes go? Where did the stars go? This is kind of awful IMO but hey: "It Is What It Is", right?

Two years. 400 works of art. 400 snarky, cynical, smart-assed reviews. Pretty impressive, even if I do say so myself. 

Well, here's to the next 400 🍾 Lord Willing 🙏 Thanks to all the artists, known and unknown, who have made this work possible. What can one say of such valiant, selfless artists but: "All Gave Some, but Some Gave All."

🫡 🎨🖌️👨‍🎨 🫡