Huê Thi Hoffmaster

Maniacal Relaxation No. 2: Colorful Abstract Expressionist Painting on Canvas

2020

Gestural, abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas in earth tones of blue and green, with accents of burgundy and pale yellow "May 29", Painted by Hudson Valley based artist, James O'Shea in 2021 Oil on canvas, 26 x 26 inches unframed, raw canvas sides Wire backing, ready to hang Signed verso James O’Shea’s deeply pigmented abstractions are grounded in the landscape. Taking his cues from the bare winter months in the Northeast when the horizon is stripped of its foliage, he suggests that “So much of life’s structure reveals itself when it goes into hibernation”. The architecture in O’Shea’s compositions takes form with expressive gestures using...

Gestural, abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas in earth tones of blue and orche, with pops of green and red Painted by Hudson Valley based artist, James O'Shea in 2021 Oil ...

Square, abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas in aqua, teal, blue, and green against pale grey with accents of yellow, peach, and mauve 'Delta' by Jenny Nelson Oil on linen, ...

Abstract expressionist style painting on canvas paper in teal, dark blue, and pink with accents of green 'Untitled 2 (Blue & Pink)' by Jenny Nelson Oil on canvas paper, Painted in 2016 14.5 x 10.5 inch painting in 20 x 16 inch white 8-ply mat This modern abstract expressionist oil painting was painted by Woodstock, NY based artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2016. The colorful abstract is composed of calming tones of teal and dark blue. The contrasting patches of pinks and green beautifully pop against the subtle pale pink background. Color is applied in light layers which is noticeable in the faint yet visible under tones of the painting. The oil painting includes an 20 x 16 inch 8 ply matte and is signed on the lower right hand corner. About the Artist: It is with her commitment to a lifelong, organic process that Jenny Nelson has achieved what so many artists and creatives work for; a language and a technique that is very much her own. She has wooed audiences here and abroad with consistently exquisite and balanced abstract paintings in neutral palettes of blues and grays that give way to pops of pink and orange. But to pin her as solely an abstractionist would be limiting her skill and versatility as a painter. Classically trained at Bard College, Nelson’s thorough knowledge of composition and color relationships as experienced through drawing from life are the tools that prepared her to work in abstraction and develop her technique. Nelson begins all her paintings the same way; she mixes an extensive palette of colors, preps the square canvas, and goes to town obliterating the surface with lots of color and wild gestures using oil sticks and brushes. After sitting with the discomfort and rawness that remains, Nelson turns the canvas around and around until a shape or color comes to the foreground. The next step is reductive as she blocks out bits of chaos with a solid color applied with a palette knife, oil sticks and brushes. Tension is built through the push and pull of paint as it is layered over colors and unruly forms. Nelson studies the painting at all stages of this process, waiting for it to communicate the next step until harmony and balance is achieved. Each work, with its own identity demanding attention and complete surrender to the process, may seem daunting at the onset. But Nelson is comforted by the perspective that painting is infinite and each new canvas is just one of many, therefore easing her expectations. Some pieces in this new body of work differ from previous paintings in that the abstractions are once again rooted in life. Inspired by the photographs of artist Joseph Podlesnik, Nelson uses his architectural and observational compositions as the framework for her new work. While the origins of the photographs’ subjects are not recognizable in the finished painting, she channels the energy discovered in his real-life findings to her canvas for a result that is entirely abstract. Invigorated by this approach, Nelson bravely moves forward, prepared to shift genres if that is where her journey takes her. A graduate of Bard College, Jenny Nelson also studied at the Lacoste School of the Arts in France and Maine College of Art. She completed a Residency at Byrdcliffe Art Colony from 2004 – 2008 and has exhibited regionally and nationally for many years. Nelson currently teaches workshops and an ongoing weekly class at the Woodstock School of Art. More about the artist: Jenny Nelson attended Maine College of Art in Portland Maine, and is a graduate of Bard College, where she received a scholarship to the Lacoste School of the Arts in France. She has been living in Woodstock, New York for nearly two decades, including a Residency at the Byrdcliffe Art Colony from November 2004-08. Jenny has been exhibiting for many years nationally and regionally including, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY; Hidell Brooks Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina; Carrie Haddad, Hudson, NY. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: Solo Shows: 2019 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY 2019 Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2018 Light Waves, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2017 New Works, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2016 Sailing in Place, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Traveling Light, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2012 New Work, Smink Modern, Dallas TX 2012 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2011 Awakenings (Duo with Keun Young Park) Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 New Paintings, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2008 Autumn Elegance, Asher Neiman Gallery, Red Bank NJ 2008 The Light Between, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2006 Of Line and Light, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2006 Abstractions, Gallery 100, Saratoga NY 2005 Spring Collection, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2005 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2004 Summer, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY 2004 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2003 Paintings from Shady, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2001 Fisher Studio Art Gallery, Annandale-on-Hudson Group Exhibitions: 2018 20th Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2017 Due East: Woodstock Artists in Nantucket, Nantucket Arts Center, Nantucket, MA 2017 Composition: The Abstract Landscape, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2014 Women in Abstract, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Hidell Brooks Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2013 AD Boston Art Fair, Gold Gallery, Boston 2012 Contemporary Painters, Carrie Haddad Gallery Hudson, NY 2012 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2012 Tria Gallery Summer Exhibition, Manhattan, NY 2012 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2011 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Figures and Abstractions, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2010 Art Hamptons, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard MA 2009 LA Art Fair, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Curators Choice, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2009 Instructors Exhibition, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock NY 2009 Group Exhibition, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Small Works, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 Winter White, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2009 Contrasts, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 AAF NYC Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 Summer Cocktail, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2007 Faculty Plus One, Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson NY 2007 Art Basel Miami, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2007 One New Work, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Beach, Gallery Yellow, Cross River NY 2006 Flow, Kleinart/James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Group Exhibition, James Cox Gallery, Woodstock NY 2006 Collectors Choice, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 Group Exhibition, Chace Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2005 Passionate About Art, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston MA 2004 Six Women Painters, Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Poughkeepsie NY 2004 New York Underground Art Fair, Pool Art Addict, Four Points Hotel NY 2003 Senate House Show, Kingston NY 2002 Group Exhibition, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY Juried Exhibitions: 2004 Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock NY 2002 Hudson Valley Artists 2002, Samuel Dorsky Museum, New Paltz NY Selected Collections: Warren Bierwirth, Paris, France Cecilia Greene, New York NY Helen Chapman, New York NY Michael & Sheila Faharty, New York NY Christopher Dlutowski, New York NY Jim & Dianne Footlicke, New York NY Laurent Gaudry, New York NY Nancy Seigal, Boca Raton FL Holli Gersh, Boca Raton FL Kenneth & Margaret Uhle, Ridgefield CT Dr. Lee Sider, Mt. Tremper NY Friedrike Merck, Woodstock NY Weston & Julia Blelock, Woodstock NY Miller Howard Investments, Woodstock NY Kingston Hospital, Kingston NY Media: Jenny Nelson, Accidental Storyteller, Carrie Haddad Gallery, 2017 Jenny Nelson's chaos, Hudson Valley One, 2017 A Conversation with Artist Jenny Nelson,, Blog Talk Radio...