Frank, Jill and Five Other Artists Whose Work I Especially Admire

Earlier this spring Frank Holmes sent me an email to share two recent paintings that he and his wife, Jill Mackey, had recently completed. I've always loved their work and try to make time to visit their home/studio when I go east to see my family.

”The Big Three” Oil on canvas, approximately 19 x 38 inches

In recent years Frank has been fascinated by these colored panels. Jill has focused on portraiture, so the "Smashed Head from Notre Dame Cathedral" is, in a quirky way, in keeping with that theme. I myself have been enthralled with both of their studios as well as their commitment to their craft.

“Smashed Head from Notre Dame Cathedral.” Approx. 8 x 6 inches. 

Of this latter painting, I felt compelled to ask for more about the story. Here is Jill's reply:

Ed: We took a couple of photos in Paris somewhere in a basement of the Louvre. I recently came across them and looked up their story.  Most were once on Notre Dame and were damaged during the/a revolution as they were thought to be heads of kings. Many were destroyed or sold as building material. In April 1977 a pit was unearthed containing sculptures from Cathedrals including 21 heads. [Check out Set in Stone: The Face in Medieval Sculpture.] I love most painting the head, the face, and it was wonderful to see have seen the pieces in the flesh, so to speak.          
My best to you and I hope this helps. May we meet again.  Jill

HERE ARE SOME HOTLINKS TO MORE ABOUT THESE TWO ARTISTS

Frank Holmes
https://ennyman.medium.com/veteran-painter-frank-baker-holmes-discusses-his-prix-de-rome-and-life-as-an-artist-d41da5b9af37
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2021/06/flashback-friday-contemporary-artists.html

Jill Mackie
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2017/09/paintings-now-before-figures-flowers.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2018/04/almost-wordless-wednesday-jill-mackies.html
Check Out: Set In Stone: The Face In Medieval Culture

HERE ARE SOME HOTLINKS TO FIVE OTHER ARTISTS WHOSE WORK I'VE FOUND IMPRESSIVE

Detail from Tina Mion's A New Year’s Party In Purgatory
For Suicides in which Liberace makes a guest appearance
down from heaven just for the hell of it.

Tina Mion
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2009/08/tina-mions-new-years-party-in-purgatory.html
https://tinamion.com/art/presidents/
https://tinamion.com/art/ladies-first/
https://tinamion.com/

Studio of Elizabeth Kuth when she lived on Island Lake.

Elizabeth Kuth
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-visit-with-island-lake-artist_25.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-visit-with-island-lake-artist_57.html

Kehinde Wiley’s portraits of African American men collate
modern culture with the influence of Old Masters.

Kehinde Wiley
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2020/06/snapshot-of-artist-kehinde-wiley-who.html
https://kehindewiley.com/
https://kehindewiley.com/works/
Page of images at Google

Claude-Angele Boni's The Rue Morgue Avenue

Claude-Angele Boni
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2021/04/french-artist-claude-angele-boni.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2021/04/fun-with-collage-claude-angele-bonis.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2021/09/claude-angele-bonis-stuck-inside-of.html

One example of Margarida Sardinha's Alhambra-inspired
work in her exhibition titled Symmetry's Portal. 

Margarida Sardinha
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/04/margarida-sardinhas-da-vinci-simulacrum.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2012/03/exloring-hyperlightness-ad-absurdum.html
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2015/01/discussing-symmetrys-portal-with-artist.html

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All these artist's live in other regions of the country or overseas. When you travel, don't neglect any opportunity to visit the art galleries there. And when you come to Duluth, be sure to visit ours. There are a lot of people doing impressive work everywhere.