Artists

She WAS John Singer Sargent’s Madame X

: Artists, Literature : Written by Troy Broussard : 12-28-2014

There are few portraits by American painters as famous and recognizable as Madame X—perhaps American Gothic or Whistler’s Mother, or even Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington. But to most art aficionados, Madame X is considered one of the best portraits ever painted; and John Singer Sargent is considered by many connesseurs as one of the world’s greatest portrait painters. I just finished a novel about Virginie Gautreau—she WAS John Singer Sargent’s Madame X. Sargent pursued the wealthy and beautiful Creole socialite as a sitter for the portrait as a way to display his talents to Parisian society, hoping to build a …continue reading

A painting party with John Palmer at Vallone’s

: Artists, Food & Beverage : Written by Troy Broussard : 12-03-2014

"Ode to Escapism", the result of my evening with John Palmer at Vallone's

Some events sound just too good to pass up. I recently received an invitation that interested me greatly—a painting party hosted by artist John Palmer at Vallone’s restaurant. Buddy Kirk Longmire agreed to join me for the event (I had to find a participant not only willing but also able to pony up the $135 fee). Famed restaurateur Tony Vallone has made a reputation for Houston’s finest and most exclusive establishments. And having never been to the new restaurant in Memorial, Kirk and I drove out early last week to enjoy Happy Hour and for a tour before the paints came out! …continue reading

Tiny masterpieces by Amy Guidry

: Artists : Written by Troy Broussard : 11-19-2014

Coexist by Amy Guidry, 4 x 4" canvas, $100

People often ask me for recommendations of which artist to buy without breaking the bank. Well, this is it… Artist Amy Guidry sent an email blast this week announcing a new collection of $100 paintings—a hundred bucks! Her little pieces are jewels and I wanted to share the information. This little collection are from her “In Our Veins” series which explores connections between living things and the cycle of life, and man’s relationship to the natural world. TroysArt readers might recall that I wrote about Amy back on August 7, 2014. She’s an amazing artist and this is a great …continue reading

Little Boxes by artist Bob Briddick

: Artists : Written by Troy Broussard : 11-07-2014

Not a Peep Out of Little Bo by Bob Briddick, photo courtesy of D.M. Allison Gallery, Houston

Opening this weekend on Gallery Row in Houston is an exhibit called Little Boxes by artist Bob Briddick. I’ve known Bob for 25 years and did not realize that he did artwork until I ran into him at a cocktail party a year ago. Low and behold, all the years that I knew him he had been quietly perfecting his craft of collage. Apparently he has made hundreds of collages in his spare time, never really intending to show his efforts in the form of an exhibition. But since retiring from the decorative trade he has devoted more time to …continue reading

Monet and a river, in Houston

: Artists, Destinations, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 11-06-2014

Claude Monet The Thaw at Vetheuil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Claude Monet said, “I have painted the Seine throughout my life, at every hour, at every season. I have never tired of it: for me the Seine is always new.” And the latest exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) is a testament to that lifelong obsession. Oscar-Claude Monet (1840-1926) was perhaps the most revolutionary artist of the 19th Century. He is one of the founders of the French Impressionist movement and was the most consistent practitioner of that artistic philosophy. His body of work based on the Seine is the repetition of plein-air scenes at not only times of …continue reading

An Ornament in Houston by James Surls

: Artists, Destinations : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-25-2014

"Tree & Three Flowers" by James Surls, Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas

Have you wondered about the monumental floral sculpture that went up in April on the 2700 block of Kirby Drive in Houston? The 38-feet high sculpture is “Tree & Three Flowers” by the legendary James Surls. The artwork, like examples that can be found on Park Avenue in Manhattan or Sunset Boulevard in LA, is bronze and stainless-steel and was commissioned by the Upper Kirby District. The $850,000 price tag, which includes the cost of installation, was paid for partially by funds raised by UK and by the City of Houston’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone fund. And this public work …continue reading

More on Rembrandt, like where to see one…

: Artists, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-20-2014

Portrait of a Young Woman by Rembrandt van Rijn, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, photo Google Art Project (public domain)

It is not an easy feat to eyeball an original Rembrandt. (Recommended reading: Troysart “And then to Rembrandt’s House” September 18, 2014.) Oil paintings by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) are so rare that only the best museums count one amongst the permanent collection. For decades (since 1977) the only Rembrandt painting that I know of on public display in Texas was housed at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. “Bust of a Young Jew” 1663, oil on canvas, is considered a character study rather than a portrait commissioned by an individual. The artist captures the sitter in a …continue reading

And then to Rembrandt’s House

: Artists, Destinations, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-18-2014

Rembrandt Harmeszoon van Rijn self-portrait, National Gallery, UK

I was so grateful to make it back to my hotel suite in Amsterdam after the journey to the Otterlo. (Recommended background: TroysArt “That trip to the Kroller-Muller Museum”, September 17, 2014.) I crawled into bed and thought I was dying. Thankfully my impending death was not holding travelling companion Michael Anderson (aka Manderson) back from exploring the nightlife for which Amsterdam is famous. The next morning Manderson was packing a bag. “I’m headed to The Hague,” he announced with boundless enthusiasm. “Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is at Mauritshuis. Sure you don’t want to go?” I begged to die …continue reading

Where is artist David Baum?

: Artists, Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-10-2014

Art by David Baum, courtesy of Malcolm Allred.

Twenty-two years ago I found myself spellbound in front of St. Louis Cathedral as I gazed upon the most expressive, colorful, powerful, and emotional artwork I’ve ever experienced. It was something I’d never seen before. Atypical of work found in Jackson Square, I thought that this body of work was as raw and guttural as Vincent van Gogh’s must have looked in its day. I stood there for a while but the artist was nowhere in sight. I camped there. After twenty minutes an energetic guy, my age, in paint covered clothes came sprinting up. His name was David Baum. I spent an hour with him; …continue reading

Artists Jeffrey Lipsky & Filthy Fluno

: Artists : Written by Troy Broussard : 08-21-2014

London Dial Down by Jeffrey Lipsky, photo courtesy of the artist

Artist Jeffrey Lipsky is a white Jewish man with a mustache, cap, and jeans. He has exhibited paintings in galleries and museums around the world and has been featured in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Brooklyn Rail, Art Calendar Magazine, and a string of others. Artist Filthy Fluno is a short plump black man with a mammoth afro, designer suit, sneakers, and 3D glasses whose artwork looks exactly like Lipsky’s. Surrounded by beautiful women and eccentric characters, he is founder of the esteemed art community Artropolis. He has been featured in innumerable important galleries and museums, and …continue reading