Joel Rea’s Paintings Show Our Smallness Compared to the Forces of Nature

The captivating paintings of artist Joel Rea presents a take on surrealism that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The richly colored scenes that Rea creates look like stills from a vivid dream, featuring men in suits and a tiger on a seemingly endless beach. The intense detail of Rea’s renderings, combined with his use of composition, gives the paintings a breathtaking, larger-than-life feel. His human subjects look almost helpless compared to the vast grandeur of the crashing waves threatening to swallow them whole. Even the more modest scenes that Rea paints inspire a deep feeling of humility. We featured some of his previous work here and today we bring you his latest paintings.

Topics

Joel Rea, painting

Jim Shaw, Mixed Media, painting

March 17, 2018

Jim Shaw's paintings are striking fusions of pop culture, political histories, and found, scenic backdrops. The artist's varied approach has evolved over decades, with his recent work working with acrylics layered on muslin. Some of the works implement "theatrical scenic backdrops" purchased by Shaw, combining canvases from the 1940s and 1950s and his own style.

Max Seckel’s Absorbing Mixed-Media Environments

Max Seckel, Mixed Media, painting

December 15, 2018

Max Seckel’s dwellings and landscapes, rendered in acrylics, gouache, latex, and spraypaint, invite viewers to make their own observations. The New Orleans painter rendered his lived-in environments without depicting any figures in his works. Yet, in each, there’s a certain humanity depicted and reflection inspired.

The Strange, Bombastic Works of Kit Mizeres

Kit Mizeres, painting, Pop Surrealism

July 5, 2017

Kit Mizeres creates vibrant gouache and watercolor works packed with surreal elements and influences. An artist and illustrator "living on the road," both Mizeres and her work travels the country for shows and projects.

Marco Grassi’s Portraits Put Hyperrealism Slightly Off Balance

hyperrealism, Marco Grassi, painting, Portraiture

April 8, 2015

Italian artist Marco Grassi applies his hyperrealist painting chops to portraits that are slightly unconventional. While he paints mostly young, beautiful female subjects in traditional studio settings, his work becomes remarkable for the surreal accoutrements with which he adorns his characters. In one piece, a model's back becomes porous with a carved, baroque design — her body hollow like a doll's. In other paintings, he experiments with colorful body paint, tattoos, fabrics, and even a translucent, shield-like piece of futuristic jewelry. Throughout his portrait series, Grassi uses his skills with oils to create convincing illusions that make it easy for viewers to suspend disbelief.

Joel Rea’s Paintings Show Our Smallness Compared to the Forces of Nature

Jim Shaw’s Acrylic Clashes of Pop, Politics, and Scenic Backdrops

Max Seckel’s Absorbing Mixed-Media Environments

The Strange, Bombastic Works of Kit Mizeres

Marco Grassi’s Portraits Put Hyperrealism Slightly Off Balance

Subscribe to the Hi-Fructose Mailing List

Follow us on our social networks

Shop

Subscribe

Subscribe to the Hi-Fructose Mailing List