Any of Wayne Thiebaud's San Francisco paintings. The Crocker Art Museum has had some spectacular works of his on display. I love these!
Just saw the Jasper Johns retrospective at the Whitney, so much more to him than the flag stuff. Huge exhibit, one walk thru isn't enough. The above was painted just as COVID was taking over.
Love that place too, always great care taken with the exhibits (the David Wojnarowicz from a couple of years ago was mind bending), and there are great views out on the terraces. Jasper Johns is 91 and still working.
Cool! Glad you like them, Capt'n! About 10 years ago, I walked into one of the gallery rooms in Sacramento's Crocker Art Gallery and turned and suddenly, at just the right distance in from of me was one on these marvelous Thiebaud city-scape paintings. The affect was stunning! I darned near shed tears. They are amazing painting! Also, back in the late 1960's, my sister took and art class at U.C. Davis that Mr. Thiebaud was teaching. She still remembers what a great experience that was.
On one of those description cards you find next to the paintings he's quoted as saying: "Every time I finish a new painting I think it's my last, and then I'm surprised to find out it isn't."
That's quite brilliant. Is Frank Stella still working? He'd have to be close to Jasper Johns' age, but around five years younger.
Don't know. He's also due for a big retrospective. I have to see that John's exhibit again before it shuts down in February, so much to take in.
Is The Whitney for specifically artists from the US, or just some sort of connection? I remember reading somethng about thst some time ago. It looks to be an impressive museum.
Yes, it's devoted to American artists. The full name is The Whitney Museum of American Art, but The Whitney is much catchier. The building they have now is much more impressive than the one that was on 54th Street. Panoramic views, terraces, huge spaces for exhibitions, very well curated.
I've been on the Steve Hoffman forums almost daily for more than two and a half years now, but have never bothered to look at any of the sections devoted to things other than music, recordings, and audio equipment until today. I had no idea there was stuff like this on the forums. I'm heartened to see so many people interested in art as well as music and posting favorites, although, as so many others have noted, choosing ONE favorite painting of all time, is a hopeless and perhaps pointless task. All well and good, though, if it gets people sharing art and ideas about art. One thing that saddens me a little, though, is how little abstract art is being discussed. As an abstract artist myself, I'm used to the neglect of the non-representational side of the art world, but, still, a little sad. So much good abstract art out there....
Currently it could be one of many works by Chaïm Soutine. It's hard to really explain why I'm really into his rawness and textures at the moment. But I find his work can be very engrossing and even if you don't think much about his painting(s) as you look at them immediately. They seem to stay in your mind afterwards, and keep you interested.
Never heard of Soutine until I read your post - he had an interesting style and a tough last few years. Glad to have been introduced to him - thanks!
Thinking of a “ favorite “ it’s easy to go back as a kid and pick one. I first saw this painting sold as a poster in the back of Heavy Metal or Creepy Magazine and boy did I want it. I later found out it was by Ron Cobb who worked as the conceptual artist on Star Wars. Something about the desert scene with clouds in a perfect sky really drew me in. Anyway I love this image.
Not sure about that but he was a conceptual artist on many films. Alien, Star Wars and Raiders of the lost Ark to name a few.
Like many, it's impossible to pick a favorite of all time. However, I find John Singer Sargent's Capri Girl on a Rooftop wonderful.
