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| Teresa Elliott Deliverance 36 X 36 in. |
The America China Oil Painters League (ACOPAL), has recently announced the winners of its second annual open competition. As this year's Grand Prize Winners, Teresa Elliott, Benat Iglesias, and David Gluck, have the possibility of having their paintings included in an exhibition of contemporary realism at the Beijing World Art Museum in September, 2012. In the meantime, Elliott and Iglesias will have their paintings featured in a show opening next month at Ohio's Butler Institute of Art with others of America's most highly regarded representational painters, including Jeremy Lipking, Michael Klein, Joseph Todorovitch, David Kassan, Daniel Sprick, Tony Ryder, Casey Baugh, Steven Assael, Nelson Shanks, Daniel Greene, Patricia Watwood, Robert Liberace, Christopher Pugliese, Burt Silverman, and Max Ginsburg. Unfortunately, Gluck's painting, The Trapper, was a last-minute submission, and it will not be sufficiently dry in time for hanging in the Butler show; a fourth-place winner, Peter Fiore, will have his painting in the American exhibition instead.
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| Benat Iglesias The Louvre Project 60 X 65 in. |
It is the purpose of ACOPAL to build a "creative and philosophical exchange between artists in the United States and those living in China. Exchange programs will be designed to allow American artists to travel to China to meet with their Chinese counterparts to share ideas, methods and techniques associated with realistic painting in oil. In turn, Chinese artists will come to America to do the same. Visiting artists from either side will conduct workshops, seminars and open forum discussion groups to advance the exchange of artistic endeavors in an amicable climate of 'East meets West.' Through this organization, exhibitions will be arranged (in America and China ) to showcase the best artists that each nation has to offer with the intent to promote the resurgence of Realistic painting in oil." (from the ACOPAL mission statement).
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| David Gluck The Trapper 30 X 20 in. |
The American exhibit of ACOPAL members, including this year's Grand Prize Winners, Elliott, Iglesias, and Fiore, will open on December 18th at The Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown, Ohio. It will run through January 22, 2012. The Artist's Reception will take place on the final day of the show, from 1:00-3:00 PM.
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| Peter Fiore Winter Storm Clearing 30 X 40 in. |
To see all 50 of this year's ACOPAL finalists, please visit the organization's website.
30 comments:
A special congrats goes out to David Gluck, for his winning entry, "The Trapper." David has been a long-time reader of Underpaintings (his wife, Kate, helps him with the big words), and on his own blog "Painting Stuff to Look Like Stuff," he offers a step-by-step walkthrough of the creation of this particular piece.
wondrful works, congrats to all!
And to think I have the pocket-sized version of "The Trapper".
congratulations to all the artists! Thank you for sharing this. It inspires me so much. These paintings are stunning.
Thanks Matt, and yes, its true, me no write purdy words on my blog. I leave it up to Underpaintings to do the real legitimate research and education. Our blog is more about immature jokes and bacon. And Jason, I better not that that thing on ebay now that its worth 5 million dollars (Canadian).
David, don't be ridiculous. I would go to Sotheby's first, but only if I was desperate for $5M.
@Jason Grrrrrr. I was so close to owning the pocket trapper keeper.
@David But since you don't live in Canada, we should stick to American prices...
Here we go again...I have to say as a "fine art" competition... except for a few paintings. Most were only good art "ILLUSTRATIONS" (something you would expect to see on paperback books, movie posters, etc.) I have to say I do not concider most of these entries FINE art in the sense of fine art. I think the judges need to redefine what art really is and quit choosing borderline mudane,cheesy paintings. Also for judges to quit choosing known and acomplished artists or artists from the "in Schools of Art" and give UNKNOWN artists a chance for some exposure. There are MANY unknown artists who do great work but are not chosen because they are not in the whos who... again these contests reek of politics.If there are any artists who agree, NOW is the time to be heard!
@ Scrooge- Thanks for using your real name.
Wow.
A). What's wrong with illustration? Most historical fine art was allegorical; if anything, there was little story-telling in most of the work. Most was art-for-art's sake (with which I also don't have a problem).
B). Of the 50 finalists, there were probably as many who were new to me as there were familiar names. If every artist there was an "old hat" to you, I'd be surprised.
C). The contest was open to artists living in America. You are likely to see people from familiar schools; there just aren't that many of them.
D). Training for representational art (which was the theme of the competition, by the way) was practically non-existent for a great part of the 20th century (not completely gone, but mostly). These schools which are re-establishing classical training have not been around for very long. If you are one of those people who don't like the academic work these talented artists are producing, keep in mind how good they are at such young ages. They will be the ones in twenty years who will be backing up more challenging ideas with excellent skills.
E). I think the judges have defined what art is, at least in the realm of this competition. You just don't like their definition.
Since I don't have the benefit of seeing your artwork, all I can say is that your comment seems more like sour grapes than legitimate criticism.
Many acknowledges that as good as Norman Rockwell was...he was not a "fine" art artist..even HE said I am only an illustrator..the difference is illustration has a commercial,photographic and generic look to it(not Realism,which is much more creative in appearance) I am afraid with the resurgence of Realism ..artists AND judges alike do not seem to know the difference..so what is happening is the quality of art is just not there. (sorry ..Id be crazy to use my name,but what I have to say is important and must be said because what is happening in these contests,and to Art in general. it isn't just high end contests..it is happening on the local art club levels...time and time again I hear artists say"Wow! the judges must be crazy,jealous, don't know art,etc ect!") As for unknown artists placing ,I have a hard time believing that! How about the Portrait Society of America? 12 of the TOP finalists were all from the Florance Academy! Including the Draper Award!
@Scrooge Don't take it too hard. I know there are some honest artists here, but I would blame the contest hosts more. They're basically reading a script when they select the winners.
Art schools pay contest hosts (or contract them) to select winners who attended their establishments.
It's basically a way to "advertise" their school and show that the winners came from "said schools". It's a sham, but the artists (I'll agree this year were pretty mediocre) are sometimes pretty good. So, keep trying. If you're a freelancer, stick it to the establishment.
PS - VOTE RON PAUL 2012 FOLKS.
I have to agree with Scrooge, especially about that David Gluck guy. I mean, honestly, what is he thinking? His piece is completely emotionless and unmanly. I am positive that even though he is primarily a self taught painter and not affiliated with any institutes, a school must have slipped some money to the judges to see him win. He must have been sleeping his way to the top of the art world this whole time. It has nothing to do with hard work.
Here's what your blog critique actually sounds like. blah blah blah illustration blah blah blah no one is doing narrative work blah blah blah how come people who are 30 years old aren't as good as Alma-Tadema blah blah blah corruption blah blah blah I know what's best without showing my work or using my name blah blah blah
Scrooge, someday you can start your own art competition and put your money where your mouth is. But for now, leave the tough choices about what constitutes "real art" for the people who are willing to invest the time and energy into running these things. Applaud their efforts because without them, there wouldn't be competitions. Certainly not if it was left up to nay-sayers like you.
Oh, and hugclub.net? You're totally high.
You guys are setting art back by not being more intelligent and open minded about SERIOUS,GOOD, even GREAT art...just look with your eyes what is "winning' contests...! ( David and Katherine, no offence to you was intended...in my opinion your art was worthy of your wins)(I didnt say ALL winners, I said a good majority of winners ....I think positive and negative forums are needed in anything to actually go forward. I think Realism,in our time is not the Realism Ideal. for one thing today I see talented artists stagnated in a trap of"how different.or wierd can I be or how outrageous can I get" It is a gimmick tactic to get ones art noticed (not really from the heart.)Or how "photo perfect" can I get" True Realism is the ability to catch an honest quality of a subject(s)combined with a human essance,a sublime beauty,as well as wonderful composition and painting technique all combined. In Portraits particularly...it must have a connection of the subject and the viewer,tell a story,have beautiful detail such as background,hands,clothing...most portrait winners are bland copies of humans that look more like a study done at an art class..and probably took 2 days to do...this is what Im talking about...why would judges choose art like this? But they do!!! I think throughout the Ages there has been a problem with so called art Societies and critics,that is one reason the Impressionists broke away. The art societies(critics) of their time were getting too snooty and opinionated on what "good art" was. I see this happening to Art today. (Thank you, Hug club... I can see you are a free thinker... and I never thought about a connection about the Art Schools using artists to promote their schools. I seriously wouldn't doubt it!)
The only artists that win competitions win because they enter them. A lot of very good artists, that you may prefer to win, simply don't enter.
The world of art is very wide and very varied. Illustrations are fine art...if they are good...just as a found object can be fine art if it can be transformed beyond its mundane role. Cartoons,manga,anime, video, oil paintings of color fields or recognizable objects, or anything are all fine art...are they great art? that is a question that each individual work has to deal with. Norman Rockwell is a fine artist, just as Picasso, or Mark Rothko, VanGogh, Lucien Freud, too many to list..not determined by chosen style but by the actual work. The work has to have a certain level of quality to last the test of time. Something that is more recognizable (or as you call 'representaional') does not get pushed out of the list with derogatory labels or statements that say 'illustrations are not fine art'. That is a very 20th century held value that has proven to be arbitrary and invalid.
Oh ...I see,now all art is good art,no standards ,hights of excellance to be reached...just in order to be politically correct,we have to acknowledge there really isnt good or bad art...anything will do, I agree with Scrooge..thats what the judges must be saying to themselves! LOL!
Innis!!! Look what you did!
In all honesty, I have heard this rant before, or at least a version of it. I also take issue with some facets of the contemporary art scene, but creating works which I feel are thoughtful, well planned, and well executed is my response. "Intelligent and open-minded" forums solve very little in comparison to actions. If you want to see artists seek excellence, sharing information like "Underpaintings" and "gurney journey" is far more beneficial to artists than condemnation. I believe ACOPAL is a good step in the right direction, otherwise, I would not have entered the competition in the first place.
I also take issue with you polarizing various art forms, as I find illustration, concept art, and fine art are completely intertwined and to denounce the merit of any of them is what truly sets art back. Art has evolved and talented individuals are dispersed among many different fields. There is no reason that artists cannot derive information and inspiration from fields that are not their own.
In addition, the resurgence of realism is a relatively new entity, only dating back around 20 years or so. Technology (such as the internet) and the access of information is more responsible for its resurgence than changing artistic values. Us younger artists have the fortitude to stand on the shoulders of our predecessors who worked so diligently to rediscover information that was once thought lost. The reason many artists you see in these competitions come from these schools is because they have been given this head start. I agree with Innis, give us 20 years to develop our work then get back to us.
Ok, thats enough of me trying to sound intelligent. I want to go back to talking about Pantera and bacon now. These "intelligent" conversations give me too many of those headaches with pictures......I mean thoughts.
Yeah Innis, why do you have to upset the herd? Geez.
Looks like Scrooge, aka Gary has been given multiple opportunities to vent publicly in a not-so-nice way.
We all have our opinions, and basically, these shows are all about opinions. It's hard not to take things personally (I know I have on multiple occasions) But it's worth the effort to try.
Love,
Unknown Artist pushing 50
I want to go back to something David mentioned. Yes, Pantera were a great band but there are plenty of great, current, bands as well. I suggest The Contortionist, Protest The Hero, Animals As Leaders, Mastodon, Meshuggah and of course the mighty Opeth.
Oh yes, while there are many classic heavy metal bands such as Pantera, Slayer, and Metallica, I find that current heavy metal competitions, such as battle of the bands, are being judged unfairly. You see Jason, many heavy metal colleges are giving judges money to see their bands take off. Look at Nickelback. They suck so bad someone must have been paid off somewhere along the line to insure their success. (also, you forgot Vomitron, The Haunted, Children of Bodom, and 3 inches of blood, shame on you, and yes Mastodon is awesome).
Now, on to the topic of bacon. I find bacon to be one of the most diverse and underutilized ingredients in food today. Thoughts?
@ Jason - I know. It sometimes makes me want to quit blogging.
@ Gluck - Yeah. I should have never congratulated the artists who worked hard and received recognition for their works by a body of their peers.
Look. I don't want fighting amongst representational artists. It's the very last thing I want. We don't have enough of a stronghold in the current art world yet. Let's stick together until we do, then we can question each other's various approaches.
For the most part, we are still infants in this revival of realism. We aren't born fully-formed, and realism takes a heck-of-a-lot of training and practice to reach even just a decent level.
If people like Scrooge have this vision of what 'good art' is, then paint it, and blow us away with it. In the meantime, expect to see a learning curve in the young artists out there, and that what they do tomorrow will be built on the work of today.
There are agendas among judges, I just wouldn't say it is a conspiracy (The idea that the Florence Academy is an evil cabal rigging contests made me laugh. I doubt any school has the finances to buy votes. Have you considered that the school produces good students, Hugclub? Or at least, consistently trained ones?). Judges have opinions. They aren't neutral (that would defeat the idea of a contest, wouldn't it?). Sometimes, they award unworthy friends, and that stinks. Many times they will recognize works that are most like their own (this is why I think judging panels should regularly rotate in annual competitions).
In the case of ACOPAL, many of America's best known realists were taken out of the competition right at the beginning by making them members and judges.
Scrooge, portraits can be dull (I've created them, so I should know). They are commissioned works, and as such, you are often at the mercy of a demanding client. Some clients love visually challenging portraits. Other want them staid and old-school.
Norman Rockwell wanted to be considered a fine artist. He was just practical, and figured it would never happen. He settled for being an illustrator when it was a profession (like doctor or lawyer), and people like Pollock were fine artists. I think his opinion of his art's validity as 'fine art' had much to do with figurative work being relegated to illustration, an idea well in place when he was beginning his career.
The argument against institutions and judging committees has been made before. It's old and un-original (the same claim Scrooge has leveled against contemporary realists). It's repeated by rote, even the part about the Impressionists.
I agree with Kate. If you don't like the winners out there, start your own contest, but don't judge the work yourself (or at all), because other people will find fault with your choices. That's the nature with opinions.
Dave, there's that intelligent man I married. Scrooge, whether or not I agree with you is not a litmus test for my intelligence and open-mindedness. Stop being so pompous, have a beer, a rasher of bacon, and chill out.
David, I think metal is some of the most creative music out there because it is unhindered by the pressures and expectations of widespread success, or awards. I used to like C.O.B. but I got kind of tired of them. I forgot the mention Ghost, Arsis, Gojira, and The Faceless.
And about bacon.. http://i.imgur.com/7Cilf.jpg
@Jason, ha, sweet.
@Innis, well said.
just wonderful, love the kids, just like photo, love the trapper
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