Blog Post

Back to School Art Ed: 4 art styles you’ll see in the gallery 

  • By Aly Shearer
  • 30 Sep, 2021

With our forever goal to make art approachable, that includes breaking down some of the art lingo that may feel intimidating.

There are so many different types of art—cubism, modern, pop, realism—the list is never-ending. And we love representing all different styles of art at the gallery. But there are a few styles that you will see more of and we wanted to highlight their style for you to better recognize!
Rebecca Stern, Once Over, Mixed media, 30 x 22 in, $1150 ($115/mo)
Rebecca Stern, Once Over, Mixed media, 30 x 22 in, $1150 ($115/mo)

Abstract

This is the largest percentage of our artists in the gallery. It is a very expressive way of making art that is often focused on the way the piece makes you feel rather than just the way it looks. Some examples of this in the gallery are Rebecca Stern, Makiko Harris, Angie BarkerBethany Mabee and the list goes on.

Makiko Harris, Violet Reflection, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in, $1400 ($140/mo)
Makiko Harris, Violet Reflection, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in, $1400 ($140/mo)

“A trend in painting and sculpture in the twentieth century. Abstract art seeks to break away from traditional representation of physical objects. It explores the relationships of forms and colors, whereas more traditional art represents the world in recognizable images.” - Dictionary.com


James Navarro, Browns Woods, 2020
James Navarro, Browns Woods, 2020

Landscape

Examples of a few gallery artists that create landscapes are James Navarro and Karin Olah. These artists allow the natural world to be the inspiration for their work. James Navarro also paints other subjects such as shoes, plants and inanimate objects, but we have had quite a few of his beautiful landscapes in the gallery. Karin uses her understanding of the countryside to inspire her quilted rolling hills.
Karin Olah, River Stripes 1, Mixed media with textiles on linen, 40 x 30 in, $2200 ($220/mo)
Karin Olah, River Stripes 1, Mixed media with textiles on linen, 40 x 30 in, $2200 ($220/mo)

“...Landscape art is a somewhat broad term, but paintings in this genre typically include natural scenery that may feature fields, forests, mountains, and valleys although figures may also form part of the subject matter. Sky and weather may also play important roles in landscape art.” - Arthistory.net 


Jehra Patrick, Ten Centuries That Shaped The West, On on Linen, 22 x 24 in, $2200 ($220/mo)
Jehra Patrick, Ten Centuries That Shaped The West, On on Linen, 22 x 24 in, $2200 ($220/mo)

Still life

One of the most traditional still life artists we have at the gallery is Rocky Reed. Rocky arranges things such as blooms, fruits, bottles and small statues into a visually interesting display and then paints them in his soft and romantic style. Another still life artist that fits in the category of still life is Jehra Patrick. Two pieces of hers in particular are From the Norton Simon Collection and Ten Centuries That Shaped the West. Kevin Brent Morris also creates beautiful still life works with flowers (beyond his beautiful beetles which are the most familiar).
Rocky Reed, Untitled, Acrylic on panel, 8 x 10 in, $260
Rocky Reed, Untitled, Acrylic on panel, 8 x 10 in, $260

"A picture consisting predominantly of inanimate objects; the category of graphic arts concerned with inanimate subject matter.” - Merriam-Webster.com


Kevin Brent Morris, On Anchors, Acrylic on panel, 21 x 19 in, $950
Kevin Brent Morris, On Anchors, Acrylic on panel, 21 x 19 in, $950

Studies

Jenna Brownlee and Kevin Brent Morris are queen and king of this genre. Jenna’s studies are in florals and the details in the petals whereas Kevins’ are in the bugs and beetles he is famous for creating. A study is often much closer than a still life would be and is focused on one subject rather than the way that multiple subjects relate to one another in the space that they are occupying.
Jenna Brownlee, Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in, $1300 ($130/mo)
Jenna Brownlee, Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in, $1300 ($130/mo)

"Careful or extended consideration or a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon, development, or question.” - Merriam-Webster.com


This all being said, you'll see many art styles come through the gallery, but these four are some of our most popular. And we always continue to expand our artist roster—inviting new art styles to resonate with faithful (and new!) clients.
Author, Aly Shearer
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