Simon Bull, 1958 | Abstract painter

Simon Bull is an English-born artist now living in America.

• Early years and education

Simon Bull was born in Bedfordshire, England. The second of four children. His father, Ian Bull served as an officer in the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department of the British Army. Ian’s extensive military postings stationed the family around the world in Guyana, Hong Kong, Germany, and Northern Ireland. Simon went to boarding school in Yorkshire, attending Ripon Cathedral Choir School from 1965-69 and in Surrey, at the Royal Russell School from 1969-1976. In 1976 he took a one year Foundation course at Gloucestershire College of Art and Design and went on to graduate in 1980 from Leeds Polytechnic with a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art.

Fernando Pedrosa, 1947 | Hyperrealist Figurative painter

Fernando Saenz Pedrosa was born in Palencia, Spain. At a young age his talent as a draftsman became very evident - so evident, that in1965, at the age of 18, he was enrolled in the prestigious Architectural School of Madrid. From 1965-1970, Pedrosa’s study as a draftsman and painter became more prolic. From his studies at the architecture school, he was able to mature his skill in drawing and combine that with painting. Painting became Pedrosa’s manner in which to bring his drawingsto life and he was so astounded by the art of painting that after five yearsof study, he decided to dedicate his career and life to it.

Peter Hobden, 1952 | Figurative Impressionist painter

"Born in Geneva, Switzerland, I followed primary and secondary school at the International Scool of Geneva.

I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages (Chinese and French) at the Polytechnic of Central (now known as Westminster University).

I discovered painting late, in 2006, after a career of almost 25 years in computers in a humanitarian organization".

James Carroll Beckwith | Academic painter

James Carroll Beckwith (September 23, 1852 - October 24, 1917) was an American landscape, portrait and genre painter whose Naturalist style led to his recognition in the late nineteenth and very early twentieth century as a respected figure in American art.

Carroll Beckwith, as he preferred to be known, was born in Hannibal, Missouri on September 23, 1852, the son of Charles and Melissa Beckwith. However, he grew up in Chicago where his father started a wholesale grocery business.

Botticelli | Venus and Mars, c. 1483

From: The National Gallery, London

Mars, God of War, was one of the lovers of Venus, Goddess of Love. Here Mars is asleep and unarmed, while Venus is awake and alert. The meaning of the picture is that love conquers war, or love conquers all.

This work was probably a piece of bedroom furniture, perhaps a bedhead or piece of wainscoting, most probably the 'spalliera' or backboard from a chest or day bed. The wasps ('vespe' in Italian) at the top right suggest a link with the Vespucci family, though they may be no more than a symbol of the stings of love.

Paul Corfield, 1970 | Naïf Style Landscape painter

Born in Bournemouth, Dorset Paul Corfield has lived within 10 miles of his birthplace all his life. He worked at an engineering firm and painted in the evenings believing that painting would only ever be a hobby and not a career. But in 2002 an opportunity arose for Paul to take voluntary redundancy and hatched a plan was to use the redundancy money to live off that for a year while he painted and painted - he has never looked back!

Rembrandt | Saul and David, 1655-1660

According to the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of a united Kingdom of Israel and Judah. His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BCE, would have marked a switch from a tribal society to statehood.

After Samuel tells Saul that God has rejected him as king, David, a son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah, enters the story: from this point on Saul's story is largely the account of his increasingly troubled relationship with David.

Wyndham Lewis | Vorticism Art Movement (1912-1915)

Wyndham Lewis, in full Percy Wyndham Lewis (born November 18, 1882, on a yacht near Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada - died March 7, 1957, London, England), English artist and writer who founded the Vorticist movement, which sought to relate art and literature to the industrial process.

About 1893 Lewis moved to London with his mother after his parents separated. At age 16 he won a scholarship to London’s Slade School of Fine Art, but he left three years later without completing his course. Instead, he went to Paris, where he practiced painting and attended lectures at the Sorbonne. While in Paris, Lewis became interested in Cubist and Expressionist art; he was one of the first British artists to do so.

John Melhuish Strudwick | Pre-Raphaelite painter

John Melhuish Strudwick (1849-1935) studied at the Royal Academy Schools, where he was not a successful student. Following this, he worked as a studio assistant to Burne-Jones and Stanhope. The influence of Burne-Jones is clearly visible in his work. Stanhope was a highly talented individual in his own right, however, and his paintings may be judged on their own considerable merits.

Pier Augusto Breccia, 1943 | Hermeneutic painting

So far Pier Augusto Breccia held around 60 one-man-shows, produced 1150 works and about 700 of his works have been purchased by Collectors all over the world.

Because of his very personal style and his original philosophy, he is actually considered and recognized as the "father" of "Hermeneutic Painting".

Pier Augusto Breccia was born in Trento (Italy), the son of Elsa Faini of Trento and Angelo Breccia of Porano (Orvieto).

Since 1948 he has been living in Rome, where he has pursued the full curriculum of studies.

Rett Ashby, 1961 | Plein Air painter

“As I paint, I recall memories from my youth, visiting relatives and playing in barns and old houses. I enjoy the history of old houses in the rural west and researching the history of those who lived there. My oil paintings represent this history, both my own and that of others, as I strive to capture the fundamental beauty that is inherent in these rural lands and structures” - Rett Ashby.

Rembrandt | Danaë, 1636

Danaë is Rembrandt's painting from the collection of Pierre Crozat which since the 18th century has resided in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

It is a life-sized depiction of the character Danaë from Greek mythology, the mother of Perseus.

She is presumably depicted as welcoming Zeus, who impregnated her in the form of a shower of gold.

Given that this is one of Rembrandt's most magnificent paintings, it is not out of the question that he cherished it, but it also may have been difficult to sell because of its eight-by-ten-foot size.

Davide Cambrìa, 1986 | Abstract Portrait painter

Italian born, London based artist Davide Cambria is an painter, who originally started his career in architecture. After deciding to venture into painting, Cambria taught himself to do what is now his full-time job. His work has become part of private collections across Europe, United States, Asia and Australia.

Victor Nizovtsev /Виктор Низовцев, 1965 | Fantasy painter

Russian-American artist Victor Nizovtsev /Виктор Низовцев is a masterful oil painter of theatrical figurative composition, fantasy, landscapes, and still life. While his professional art training occurred in Russia, as an artist Victor is a student of rich and diverse experiences. Inspiration for Victor’s art comes from all he sees and touches. It can be Greek mythology, Russian folklore, childhood memories, great Masters of the past, or routine daily life.

For biographical notes -in english and italian- and other works by Victor see Victor Nizovtsev, 1965 ~ Siren song.

Nathan Brutsky, 1963

Nathan was only 10 years old when his father, a man interested and knowledgeable in art, looked at some pictures his son had made in school and decided that Nathan was talented enough to study art.

The son preferred soccer to painting, of course, but his decisive father prevailed, and soon the son was spending 2 and 3 hours, daily, drawing and painting.

He painted everything he saw, without distinction, and from that day on he was rarely seen without pencil and paper.

This rich experience turned out to be very vital when, years later, Nathan began to create complex compositions, with multiple elements.

Titti Garelli,1948 | Pop Surrealism /Gothic style painter

Titti Garelli was born in Turin, Italy. She studied art at the Turin artistic lyceum, under realist painter Sergio Saroni, and at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts.

An exceptional watercolorist, Garelli exhibits her work at prestigious Italian and international art galleries. Her illustrations are also sought after by publishing houses and leading international marketing firms. An outstanding portrait artist, Garelli employs in her work also the oil, acrylic and pastel techniques.

Denis Sarazhin, 1982 | Realist painter

Денис Саражин was born in Nikopol, Ukraine.

He attended the Kharkov Art and Design Academy, graduating in 2008.

He specialized in painting and was a pupil of Ganozkiy V. L., Chaus V. N., and Vintayev V. N.

Sarazhin was awarded with the 1st Degree Diploma Award for Excellence in Painting from the Ukrainian Art Academy.

Giuliana Lazzerini | Tuscan landscape

Giuliana Lazzerini was born in Seravezza near Pietrasanta in Tuscany. Between 1962 and 1968 she was a student at the Istituto D'Arte Stagio Stagi in Pietrasanta, gaining a Master of Arts Diploma. This was followed by a further four years studying painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara.

Giuliana moved to Yorkshire, England in 1987 and now lives in York.

William Oxer | Classical style painter

William Oxer is a British artist of portraits, portrait commissions, abstracts, landscapes and seascapes, using gold leaf and classical techniques to produce contemporary artwork.

His primary work is in figurative art; portraiture, classical studies of figures and landscape painting, although commissioned work has included large scale abstracts. He paints mainly with acrylic or oil paints on canvas and his style can be immediately recognised as romantic and classical.

Vu Cao Dam | Modern Figurative painter

Vũ Cao Đàm (1908-2000) was a Vietnamese painter.

He was one of the alumni of Victor Tardieu's École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi in the 1930s, along with Mai Trung Thứ, Lê Phổ and woman painter Lê Thị Lựu to emigrate to France and make a career in Paris.

Childhood

Vũ Cao Đàm was born on January 8, 1908 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

A member of a large Catholic family, the artist was the fifth of fourteen children.

His father, Vu Ding Thi, was an intellectual and talented artist who excelled in Chinese calligraphy at an early age.

Natasha Foucault | Silk painter /Pittura su seta

Originally from Moscow, Russia, Natasha Foucault /Наташа Фуко traveled extensively before she made her home in California.

Natasha received her artistic training at the Moscow Art Academy. Studying with famous Russian and French silk artists, she soon created her own unique technique of painting on silk.

Natasha’s works on silk have been exhibited and sold in both non-profit museums and commercial galleries throughout the world.

Vladımir Sukovantuh, 1953 | Impressionist Landscape painter

Russian painter Vladımır Sukovantuh /Суковатых Владимир is member of the "Moscow Artists Federation".

• From 1966-1971 he worked in the studio of Honored Artist of Russia Vladimir Andrushkevich /Андрушкевич Владимир Ильич (1923-2010).
• 1999-2002 - Participated in exhibition activity Clubs - galleries "Patrons of art".
• 2003 - A group exhibition in World trade centre. 
• 2005-2006 - Exposed in Cental Artist House in structure of creative group "Reflection" 2006.
• 2008 - Exhibition in the Central House of Journalists.

Sukovantuhs' Works are in private collections and galleries of Russia and Abroad.

Gianni De Conno, 1957 | Surrealist Illustrator

Italian artist Gianni De Conno is a published illustrator of children's books and young adult books. 

Arts School, Accademy and European Institute of Design of Milano.

Over 15 years experience on illustration - book, children's book, magazine.

Published credits of Gianni de Conno include The Hungry Clothes and Other Jewish Folktales (Folktales of the World), The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and India in the Islamic Era and Southeast Asia: (8th to 19th Century) (History of the World).

Gianni De Conno is teaching in the main schools of illustration.

Dave Denson | Pastel Cityscape painter

Dave Denson discovered his passion for pastels during a time of self directed study and has embraced them as his medium of choice ever since.

Currently his paintings are a representation of everyday life in the city of Vancouver where he lives and other cities that he visits. Light, and how it is expressed with colour. is how he defines his paintings. With bold colour and contrast that he achieves with pastels Dave brings vibrancy and life to a scene that might otherwise seem ordinary.

Ann Marie Bone, 1964 | Abstract Landscape painter

A Fine Artist from Derbyshire (UK) Ann Marie Bone is a freelance artist with a passion for vibrant colours. Graduated from Nottingham University in 1983, she lives and works in Dovedale in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire, which is a constant inspiration for her painting. Bone paints mainly in oils and acrylic on canvas. Keen member of the worldwide arts website Deviant Art, her landscapes are usually among the most popular for the month under the Landscape category of Traditional Painting.

Alexandra Tyng, 1954 | Figurative Realist painter

Alexandra Tyng is a Realist painter whose work combines traditional methods with a contemporary viewpoint.

Alex was born in Rome, Italy. The father of Alexandra was famed architect Louis Isadore Kahn (1901-1974) and the mother was Anne Griswold Tyng (1920-2011) an architect and professor.

Primarily self-taught, Alex chose an academic education over art school. She learned traditional oil painting techniques by examining the work of the old masters, reading about the methods and materials of other artists, and watching artists paint.

Terry Strickland | Figurative Realist painter

Terry Strickland knows she is doing what she was meant to do. Since devoting herself to painting full time in 2005, her work has won numerous awards and been widely collected and published. Terry’s work, classified as Post-Contemporary Realism, is a combination of technical mastery and depth of content, in which skill and concept are held in equal regard.​

Aurelio Bruni, 1955 | Hyperrealist /Symbolist painter

I was born on 15th October 1955 by pure chance in Blera, a village near Viterbo unknown to most people as well as to me. Now I live in Umbria. The first nine years of my life are filled with the vague and pleasant memories of one who is convinced that the world - a few square kilometres of open and isolated countryside - could be easily controlled. I had few playmates but much imagination to fill the days that opened up generously in front of me and gave me contact with nature, wonderful and changeable as the seasons passed by.

Dario Maglionico, 1986 | Surrealist Figurative painter

Milan-based artist Dario Maglionico was born in Naples, lives and works in Milan.
Education - 2013 - Master in Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico, Milan.
Solo Exhibitions:

• 2015 - Claustrophilia, RivaArtecontemporanea Gallery, Lecce, curated by Ivan Quaroni. 
• 2014 - Reificazione#, Biblioteca storica della Società d’incoraggiamento d’Arti e Mestieri, Milan, curated by Filippo Ciavarella.

Maria Serafina Tribunella, 1955 | Tuscan Garden

Maria Serafina Tribunella is an American of Sicilian origin (born in Collesano, Palermo); raised and educated in New York City. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University, she married and moved to the home of her ancestors, Italy. It is there shat she now resides making her living as an accomplished painter alongside her husband, the Neapolitian artist, Raimondi Roberti.

The return to her native land has proved to be very important in the development of her artistic work. There is a very strong influence of The Grand Tour heritage of Southern Italy that is nostalgically rendered in her paintings.

Celestin Messaggio, 1952 | Palette Knife painter

Italian-born French painter Celestin Messaggio was born in Lombardy-Italy, his parents left Italy for Normandy when he was still only a child.

From 1955, the land of the "men from the north" will inspire Messaggio’s artistic beginnings.

His attachment to Normandy is still present in his paintings today: "If today I also wish to reproduce the warm light of the south, the waters of Venice remain a mirror reflecting my visit of the water gardens in Giverny".