Unlikely Tree (Acrylic on Canvas)

Technically proficient: it looks exactly like what it’s supposed to be, right? But dig: paradoxically, I’m gonna call a painting of a tree with purple leaves unimaginative. Here we’ve got gray, black and purple. Sure, it’s a night painting. But come on! Gaze at this thing for too long while thinking intently about it and you will find that some of your Joi de Vivre has been dissipated. That’s the opposite of what Art is supposed to do. Someone drive a stake through this thing quick. Damn.

No idea whatsoever (Acrylic on Canvas)

No idea if this is facing the right way, or what this even is. If it’s Planet Earth, I can’t find any clearly-identifiable continents. This thing hurts my eyes. I’m glad it’s unsigned. I almost didn’t include it.
 

Spare Change (Acrylic on Canvas)

Happy 100th exhibit, folks!

Honestly I don’t know what this is but as I was trying to come up with a clever name for it I realized it looks a bit like a quarter nickel dime and penny. 

Not my cup of tea: too modern for my taste and far too bland color-wise but eh: to each his (or her) own.

If this was done free hand, the artist made far better circles than I ever could have. I have shaky hands.

Anyway, it’s been a nice Centennial. Here’s looking forward to our Bicentennial. Onward and upward! I’ll randomly insert one of my own misconceived, ill-advised paintings sometime in the next year and we’ll see if anyone can figure out which one it is. 

By the way: I painted a tree (three actually) last night that didn’t make me want to kick the legs out from under my easel and throw my paints down an elevator shaft. Progress!

 

Ship and Islands (Acrylic on Canvas)

Not the worst we’ve seen. Far from it. Not the best, obviously. The artist put in some actual effort though, which is definitely appreciated. More time could’ve been spent on the ship perhaps. I like the clouds. The sky is the standard weak muddled sky I see on a lot of these amateur paintings but there’s enough here that’s fun, interesting and reasonably decent for me to say “Keep it up, JJ!” DY-NO-MITE!!!

Gated Garden (Acrylic on Canvas)

(Value Village Art Gallery Favorite)

As mentioned earlier, this is the second painting in the same day that is…so good…that I wondered if it wasn’t from Wayfair dot com, or from some Chinese prisoner-staffed painting factory. But dig the signature: what Wayfair painting would have a signature that looks like the logo for Toys R Us? Unless this is the world’s best “paint by numbers” kit, it has 100% got to be what it seems to be: a really nice painting by a legit amateur human being person-type artist guy. BAteMAN: we salute you!

Beach Scene (Acrylic on Canvas)

(Value Village Art Gallery Favorite)

Two in a row today that are so interesting and of such quality that I found myself wondering if they might not be mass-produced. When in doubt, I go by the quality of canvas (poor) and what’s on the back (paint mess.) This, to me, I think is just a really nice, genuine amateur artwork. Barney, I’m here to tell you: you kick all SORTS of ass, mah brutha…

Disturbing Horse (Acrylic on Canvas)

 

Someone likes horses a bit too much I think…

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.

“A Tribute to Monet” (Oil on Canvas Board)

(Value Village Art Gallery Favorite)

I’m getting a little verklempt ovah heah. Not one but TWO paintings show up in the same day, of such quality as this. Dang. Is it perfect? Nope. But it’s nice. Really nice. Do I know what’s going on? Nope. Is this a river? Not sure: if so, there’s a tree growing out of it. Do I like it, river or no? Very much so. Is it a little too static and um inorganic for a nature scene? Probably. Do I care? NO! Should I have bought it? Probably.

https://www.newsminer.com/features/sundays/community_features/retirement-doesnt-slow-alaska-artist-with-statewide-appeal/article_86f859f8-87f2-11e4-8765-03440d4593aa.html

“Song of the North” (Oil on Wood Plank)

Not a single joke will be made: this is a joyous day at The (Value) Village Art Gallery. We had two lovely paintings join our ranks, both by the same artist. I’m more fond of the landscape, trees and sky than I am of the wolf, but holy smokes what a wonderful addition to our gallery :)

Floral Profile (Watercolor on Canvas)

Again, compared to many of our recent acquisitions, the originality of this one is a most welcome change. No jokes will be made.
 

Flower Landscape (Watercolor on Canvas)

Compared to some of our recent acquisitions, I think this is just marvelous. No jokes, no snide remarks: just appreciation.
 

Steak (Acrylic on Canvas)

I thought I was being funny by naming this oddity “Steak” but now I’m wondering if that might actually be what it is. The lowered area of the canvas sure looks like it could be a cutting board, or a butcher’s block. Who freaking knows?