Art Held In Contemp Vol 12: Ray Caesar

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. This week we delve into the surreal world of Ray Caesar....

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

Art Held In Contempt Volume 11: Paul Barnes

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Without further ado I present you to Paul Barnes..........

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

'Art Held in Contemp' Volume 10 by Briana Melendez

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Without further ado I present you to Camilla d'Errico..........

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 9 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

artist Ryan McGinley

There are no words that can describe the pictorial works of Ryan McGinley. While this New Jersey native started in 1998 just documenting his day to day existence and friends, his eye & talent quickly lent itself to eventually creating the 'staged' images and portraits that are expressed in his later work. The vibrancy of color and impression either jumps at you or slowly drags you into the subject and you are taken there quite willingly.   

'Alex (Hurricane)'

'Amanda (Green Blow-Up)'

***Please click 'READ MORE' below for more explosive photography***
 (Some of the images after the jump contain NUDITY & are NSFW!)

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 8 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

Amy Sol has been stalking my dreams.......OK she really hasn't but, if you were to take a look at her work you would definitely be getting a peep into my subconscious. With her use of muted colors and fanciful characters Sol creates imagery that is as delicate as wisps of smoke. After viewing her pieces, I can't help but feel all soft and squishy like a Gund. Check out her blog for to see the thoughts behind her process and some really cool side projects.

'The Last Mermaid'

'Give Me A Name Bastian' (collaboration w/Greg Craola Simkins)

 ***Click READ MORE below for much more of Sol's art***

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 7 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

If you grew up in NYC during the 70's & 80's you were able to experience first hand the birth of the modern graffiti movement. Soon this inner-city artistic fever spread world wide and, in the early 90's, it infected 18 year old Vanessa Castex in Toulouse, France. At first it was just hanging out with friends as they tagged their monikers across the city but, young Miss Castex decided to put her art school training to work. Soon sensual 'dolls' were popping up all over the walls in Toulouse and Miss Van was born. As the years have passed Miss Van has taken her sultry, flirtatious beauties and evolved them into deeper, darker emotional expressions of herself. The coquettish looks of her early street paintings have become raw, cultured energy that shows how an 18 year old  street artist has matured into an artistic force in her adulthood.

***Click 'READ MORE' below for more of Miss Van's work!***

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 6 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

Born in 1984 Columbus Ohio native, Robin F. Williams, takes a traditional medium such as oil and reinvents it with such color and texture her paintings are neon electric pieces of fine art. I was able to catch her exhibit at the PPOW Gallery on West 23rd Street a couple of weeks ago and, like a bulimic in gale force winds, I was completely blown away. As amazing as the art looks on screen when viewing it up-close and personal, the details and color are so compelling you just have to wonder how Williams is able to create such dynamic imagery with only a brush and paint. In piece 'Boy With Sticks', the vibrancy of the wood is so intense that the chopped ends seem like lit embers that could burn at the touch. Than, in the fleecy tenderness of 'Tired Prince', Williams transcends the level of average artist.

click 'READ MORE' below for more work from Robin Williams...the female artist not the male 

comedian/actor

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 5 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

'Artitst James Jean'

My love for comic books and graphic novels has exposed me to some great story tellers and phenomenal artists. James Jean is one of these exceptional artist. I was introduced to his brand of genius through his work with DC/Vertigo and the cover art for 'Fables' (which on a a side note is a FANTASTIC run that is still on going. I highly suggest you all run out an pick up the first trade and check it out, now lets get back to James). Jean graduated from SVA,School of Visual Arts, here in good old NYC, back in 2001 and was quickly hired by DC as an artist. His work on titles such as 'Fables', 'Batgirl', 'The Umbrella Academy' and 'The Green Arrow' has propelled him to be recognized as one of the best in the business. He's had the honor of receiving the Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist with his work on 'Fables' for 5 consecutive years (2004-2008), Batgirl (2004) and Green Arrow (2007). 

Now for me what pushes James Jean into the realm of the 'Amazing' is his versatility. Not only can he create great comic art but his works of fine art are quite remarkable. When viewing his pieces I can't help but feel that I am looking at his paintings through a layer of gossamer. There is an ethereal and disturbing (and I say that in a COMPLETELY good way) quality that I truly appreciate. His new show, 'Rebus', opens this March at the Martha Otero Gallery in LA. With 'Rebus', I believe Jean is venturing into yet another realm and, thankfully, we are all invited along. Check out the daily blog on his website for newly added pieces as Jean shares his process with us.

'Crayon Eater'

'Batgirl Issue #41'

***click 'READ MORE' below for more great works by the artist James Jean***

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 4 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

Oil is by far my favorite medium used by artists. The realism and colors that that can be translated to canvas is amazing to me....It's as if I have a personal window, just for me, into the mind and moment of life that the artist is trying to convey. There are so many great artists out, now, that use oil that it would be impossible for me to just pick one, so here is the first in a long line I plan to spotlight. With no further delay I introduce you to Natalia Fabia.

Artist Natalia Fabia

Raised in Southern California by Polish parents, Natalia Fabia finds inspiration in the L.A. lifestyle that surrounds her. With show titles like 'Hooker Dreamscape' & 'Hooker Safari' you can easily make the jump to the central icons of her paintings. Fabia doesn't use actual ladies of the night as her subjects but her friends.  "I used to love calling my girlfriends hookers. I like the idea of someone who sells their talents and abilities for money," Natalia says. For her last show, 'Fashionable Aftertaste Without End', this past July at the Corey Helford Gallery  her inspiration switched to Japanese culture and their love of kawaii. 

What draws me to Fabia's paintings and subjects is the utter coolness that seems to just ooze off the canvas. I want to be a part of the world she has created and have a smoke and beer by the pool w/ her friends. 

'Happy Friend Tree'

click 'READ MORE' below for more of Natalia's art.

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 3 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

During the Victorian era, taxidermy art was quite the fashionable thing to own. Birds in pseudo-flight and cats sitting down for tea were to be found in many parlors. The art of Polly Morgan is not your great-grandma's taxidermy.  Morgan who is a member of the UK Guild of Taxidermists studied under professional taxidermist George Jamieson for a short time. Her vision is to try and show "the moment between death and dying" in opposition to traditional taxidermy which typically shows the animal mimicking 'life-action'. All her 'subjects' have died naturally or accidentally and have been donated by vets, bird owners, etc....

Artist Polly Morgan

'Bistrothique Commission'

Click 'READ MORE' below for more art!

'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 2 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

Jeronimo 'Dr. Lakra' Lopez Ramirez

Tattooist by profession, artist by nature, 'Dr. Lakra' whose government name is Jeronimo Lopez Ramirez) allows his craft to bleed over from the canvas of human flesh to vintage Mexican magazine covers, advertisements, photos and even on occasion to those adorable Kewpie dolls from yesteryear. Based out of Oaxaca, Mexico Dr. Lakra blends together Aztec, Maori, Thai & Filipino traditional body art along side Chicano gang imagery to create his unique brand of art. His start as a tattoo artist took shape while he was studying under Mexican painter Gabriel Orozco, initially he was going to be a comic book artist but he states that the growth of Mexican tattooing by local artist using homemade machines intrigued him so he went out and built his own unit to learn the craft himself. While his popularity as a tattooist grew during the 1990's his interest in the craft plateaued and he began to look for other venues to express himself creatively. Luckily for us his step towards painting and use of found objects has allowed his artistry to expand itself beyond tattoos and be shown in galleries around the world. I can't wait to see what his next step will be when he is ready to move on, I have no doubt that whatever it is will be as intriguing and beautiful as his current works.

'Untitled (Muscidae and Tea)'

Click 'Read More' below for more art.

'Art Held in Contemp.' by Briana Melendez

     I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.



Artist Ian Francis was born and bred in Bristol, England this self proclaimed mixed media artist graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Illustration in 2001. Francis who draws inspiration from the multiple stimuli society that we live in uses cinema, pornography, street culture, and images sampled at random from the Internet to create his abstract dream like apocalyptic visions. He had his first solo exhibit back in 2007 and since then has consistently shown phenomenal work every year. His next show will be here in NYC at the Joshua Liner Gallery in March of 2011. Do not miss the opportunity to check out these amazing works of art in person, I know I'll be first in line.

'Girl with a Cat,Grozny'

'Two People Lose Track of Where They Are'

***Click Read more for more artwork from Ian Francis***