21st Century and Contemporary More Art

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A thickly textured palette knife painting of an old saguaro cactus standing against a blooming spring desert backdrop. "This painting was inspired by the incredible Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California," shares artist Lisa Elley. "It's where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts collide with amazing vistas and dazzling flowers."

About the Artist
Working almost exclusively with a palette knife, Lisa Elley maneuvers her artistic blade with an uncanny fluidity. Why paint only with the knife? She says, "when I paint with a brush, which I do occasionally, I tend to focus on the detail. With a palette knife I can't focus on the detail too much, so my paintings are looser, and more gestural, with bigger sweeps and strokes." This technique is called wet-on-wet. And it seems to be quite popular, as she has been bestowed the title "Knife Queen" by her facebook fans. Fun fact: Lisa's high school art teacher told her to study harder at math, as a career in art was "impossible."

Words that describe this painting: desert, Mojave, flowers, floral, spring, cactus, sun, mountains, sky, landscape, California, Joshua Tree, impressionism, landscape, western, representational, oil painting, purple

Desert Bloom...

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Ivory flowers rise softly from a moody backdrop, while a burst of vibrant orange commands attention. This piece balances boldness and grace, proving that even i...

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Artist Christopher Garvey presents a group of varying glassware in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Set against a tonal background, the focus is drawn to ...

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A quiet river winds through a grove of trees. The warm glow at the horizon in mid-October creates a dreamlike mist and softens the scene.Artist Candice Eisenfel...

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The interior of an eatery on the east side of Manhattan exudes an eclectic charm. Several Tiffany-style lamps hang overhead, casting a warm glow over the space....

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This painting depicts a quiet forest with a central pool of water, its surface reflecting the surrounding greenery. Subtle shifts of light create a sense of dep...

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A jewel-toned still life captures the warmth of seasonal celebrations. Ruby-colored candles glow amid fallen blossoms, while rich impressionistic brushstrokes e...

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Artist Sherri Aldawood captures a peaceful moment from her trip to Marbella, Spain. Sunlight fills a narrow alleyway, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush pl...

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In this interior study, artist David Thelen explores the interplay of shadow and structure. A restrained palette of grays and soft blues emphasizes line and tex...

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Colorful houses sit at the edge of a lake, with a pink boat anchored nearby. The greens and blues of the summer sky reflect on the still water. Artist John Jaster's choice of a bright color palette creates a lively and inviting atmosphere.

About the Artist
Artist John Jaster paints in a style he describes as realistic impressions, capturing colorful views of his adventures across the Americas. "People always ask me how I get such deep brilliant colors," says John. "The answer is layers. Since acrylic paint dries mostly transparent, it requires multiple layers of paint to build up to a specific color. With the right lighting that depth of layering is like sunshine glistening through clear water." In college, John felt a pull towards computer science and pursued a career in software architecture. Although the two paths...

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A pink orchid stands out against a black-and-white geometric backdrop, contrasting the flower's softness with the pattern's repetition. Its stem curves gracef...

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A country house stands solitary in an overgrown field, with traces of time passing evident in its exterior. The grass dances with the wind as the summer sky g...

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Flowers bloom vibrantly beneath the windows as the Mediterranean sun highlights the character of the quaint stone walls and shutters. The composition captures...

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Capturing the vast beauty of nature, this painting showcases endless fields gently rising and falling beneath an expansive sky. Lush, undulating meadows, golden...

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Lush trees frame a serene pond, where the water reflects the vivid sky and its fluffy white clouds. Lily pads float gently on the surface, adding a touch of g...