Finding new artists inspired by the classics

I went to Iowa State University for Fine Art and had to take many art history courses and fell in love with some of the masters' work. It has helped me figure out what my favorite subject matter is, what my favorite mediums are and the style I am the most drawn to. The amazing part about artists is that they are constantly absorbing, and reflecting, new inspirations and muses. Through conversations with our artists and clients, we’ve heard a few repeated comparisons between historical painting masters and our current pieces. And they’re fun to share!

Van Gogh will always be one of my favorite artists. His dreamy paintings are both soothing and jarring. While he is known for making a large collection of self portraits, he is also famous for his abstracted landscapes. The landscape is seen through the eyes of the artist; it is his interpretation of the places he is painting. While he was a post-impressionist, and therefore had a very soft feel to his pieces, as does Karin Olah. Her works are a view into the way that she sees the landscape, the countryside and the homes that are planted there. While Van Gogh's work was chaotic and frightened, Olah’s is very reminiscent, cozy and lovely. They both have altered reality to show the way these places have touched them and the way they feel about them. Olah, as you can feel from her work, loves the farm and it stirs a familiar familial memory.

Andy Worhol is known for his pop art work; vibrant and colorful. He is known for his repetition and abstracted reality. Stephanie Hendersonhas the same feel about her work. It is bright and filled with color. They also have a familiar feel - like they are a scene you have seen before, just not quite in this way. Both Warhol and Henderson see life as colorful, bright and moving.

Da Vinci is one of the most recognizable artists of all time. He is known for his Mona Lisa and his extensive sketches and for being the best painter of all time. His style is romantic and timeless as is Lino Lago. The underpainting is romantic and classic while the over painting is modern and contemporary, making his work an instant eyecatcher.

Recently we’ve worked with a client who initially mentioned his love for Jackson Pollock—the dark, rich tones and extreme movement. He isn’t naturally drawn to bright colors. We immediately paired Rebecca Stern’s artwork, comparing the earth-tones used in her palette and the dramatic movement in every paint stroke. There are many different types of abstract artists, so it’s important to make note of your favorite kind of abstracts—soft or hard lines, vibrant colors or earth-tones, multiple layers or simplistic.

When picking your next piece of art for your collection, it’s helpful to reflect on the masters and think about which ones are your favorite and why. That’s a great starting point!