From languorous days by the pool to enrichment in school, this week’s winners both gave – and got! – something a little different.
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Seeing the long summer days give way to bare trees and cooler temps can be bittersweet, but as Steinbeck once said, “What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”.
And the winners of this Open Call captured that sweetness with such aplomb. Curator Kate Kelly was entranced by surrealist figures on the beach, vibrant desert scenes, and even a distinctive homage to the gardens at Giverny. Let’s take a look!
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Sizzlin’ Summer: Summertime Inspired Art Competition
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Is there anything more quintessentially summer than a day spent by the pool? Argent’s beautiful oils capture all of the marvelous elements that quietly captivate us as we take in such a scene: rippling water distorts a reflection, interesting angles guide us unexpectedly across the canvas, and an electrifying palette leaves us hungry for more.
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Adonin’s work often strikes me as deeply poetic: it feels surrealist yet accessible, with multiple shapes and elements coming together to create pensive scenes. “The Crow and the Girl” is no different, and I found myself meditating on the idea that the artist seems to create two striking figures out of assorted organic elements, a lovely reminder of our interconnectedness and profound relationship to nature.
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Step aside, Monet! The gardens at Giverny have mesmerized artists since the 19th century, and Gordon’s unique woodcut captured a unique energy I’d never quite seen before. Textural and vibrant, I can feel how the land is positively bursting with life, ready to wow a new generation of creatives with her distinctive spirit.
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Sprightly and whimsical, I immediately fell in love with the flat nature of Gonzalez’s painting: it seems to conjure the petroglyphs of Arizona, which is featured in the work. I also love the reminder of how alive the desert is, with its own varieties of flora and fauna. It can often feel quiet and desolate, but there is a richness there that the artist lovingly renders.
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As one of our most successful programs, we wondered if there was a way to utilize Open Calls to give back to the Artrepreneur community. So we asked ourselves, “How can we provide real-world value to these talented creatives?”. And the answer was clear: let’s connect them with top artists and educators for a portfolio review!
Working with Matt Rota and Melanie Vote, we were thrilled to offer something a little different, and they leaned into their expertise right from the start. “A body of work builds meaning by creating its own context, so when a series of images is striking it may be difficult to say exactly why, “ explains Rota. “But what we found is that all of the work that stood out contained one, or all, of the following criteria: a well-refined set of formal skills in their chosen media, consistency within that media, consistency within series message/concept, and clear intentions within that concept”. How professorial!
Dig into their top picks below.
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Portfolio Review With Distinguished Art School Professors
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Susie’s work is a good example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Her works succeeds on a technical level, she can paint well, has a powerful sense of color, and a strong compositional sense. Each of these elements, understated in its own right, interplay to build a far more intense and sophisticated image.
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I want to find the country where Damon draws and get lost in one of his forests. He has mastered a particular mood, a sort of inviting peaceful loneliness which is never dull. His craft is so completely consistent and disciplined, it exudes a quiet patience which every artist could learn from.
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Paula has a sense of humor. She collects things, old photos, perhaps other people’s trash, and puts them to good use. Her images are like old memories, half faded, but repurposed with a keen eye for design. They smirk at us like a child’s mind full of clever insights.
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The concentric circles and rhythmic elements in Els’s work immediately captivated me. The subtle allusion to water creates a soothing and mesmerizing atmosphere, evoking the presence of Andalusia. What I admire most is how her sculptures and paintings both pay homage to Mediterranean life, with one offering a surface perspective and the other delving into its depths.
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Even through the computer screen, Ivan’s works echo a profound connection and understanding of their subject matter. The vibrant mark-making contributes to the sense that he’s capturing the energy experienced while painting on location. His art resonates with a rich lineage, bridging plein air painting to expressionism, and this connection to artistic history is both palpable and highly respected.
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Miriam Chiera,
“NATURA“
(2023)
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Miriam Chiera’s works exude a remarkable sense of balance, rhythm, and playfulness. The bold colors and equilibrium immediately captured my attention, sparking my curiosity to delve deeper into this whimsical, minimal geometric realm. It evokes a world reminiscent of historically significant minimalist artists, blended with a touch of folk art, exemplifying a profound appreciation for a diverse artistic heritage.
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Eyes on the Prize: New Opportunities You DON’T Want to Miss
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Looking for a little creative push? That’s where we come in – and our latest Open Calls are more exciting than ever!
In addition to our usual offerings, we’re thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership with our friends at Purple Mouthed, who are looking to collaborate with a talented Artrepreneur on a wine label. $1000 plus an actual contract to create a cool product? Yes please! Just click here to learn more.
And don’t forget to check out our other fun art competitions!
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Where else can you sell your work with no fees or commissions? Where else can you buy your next piece and know that 100% of what you paid goes directly to the artist? There’s a reason why we’re the first arts platform to receive a B Corp Certification!
Here’s a quick roundup of some recent staff favorites that you can bring home for under $500.
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Evgenia Smirnova, “Pink Abstract n1” (2023)
starting from $41.00 (plus shipping)
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When it comes to your business, what’s the next frontier? If you’ve been curious about how to break into the commercial art sector, it can feel daunting at first. But fear not: we want to help you demystify the process!
The easiest place to start? Let’s dig into the work itself. Curator Kate Kelly takes a deeper look at what makes the cut – and what doesn’t.
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Follow @artrepreneur_og to discover new artists, expert tips and fresh inspiration every day.
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