About Brad Kunkle's opening night at Arcadia, Hersh Gallery,Vincent Desiderio at NYAA, and more

This week-end I went to two art openings and two lectures.  All four events were wonderful.  The New York Academy of Art hosted Xie Dongming, the head of the Third Studio of Oil Painting Department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.  He presented a slideshow that included student artwork as well as his own.  I found the presentation interesting and the paintings very well executed for the most part.  Also Vincent Desiderio spoke at NYAA about his own work, and his experiences in the art world.  This was another very informative and inspiring talk. I believe both of these lectures will be available on NYAA Vimeo page and I highly recommend them.

The pictures below are from Brad Kunkle's art show opening at Arcadia, this past Saturday.  The gallery was packed, and the show sold out in the first 28 minutes!  A well deserved recognition for this accomplished artist.  You can see the entire catalog on Arcadia's website.

Finally, the Long Island Academy of Fine Art has opened a brand new gallery, Hersh Fine Art. It is now showing a selection of works from a group of NYAA alumni.  The opening night was wonderful, and if you are in the area I recommend you stop by.

Brad Kunkle, Switch, Oil with Gold and Silver Leaf, 16"x16"

Patricia Watwood @ Forbes Galleries

I have recently seen Patricia Watwood's Myths and Individuals exhibition at the Forbes Galleries in NY.   The show consists of 30 some paintings and drawings created in the last decade.   Some of the works link directly to the mythological theme, such as Flora, and Bacchus, while others focus more on the individual, see portrait of Dan Thompson or that of Christopher Forbes.  She has also included a number of self portraits that stand out, especially those linked to the mother and child theme.  I also found of interest the quality of the preparatory sketches, and studies she has done for certain paintings, which in some cases stand out even more than the final piece.  Overall her work is sensitive and well executed, and the show is definitely worth seeing.

Flora, 2000, Oil on Canvas 35 x 24 in

Gemini, detail, 2008, Oil on canvas 44 x 40 in