Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Personal Interview with Artist Jill Soukup Part III

is honored to present


Opening Night Reception
January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "This Way and That" 36 x 36 oil

The following is an excerpt from a four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series will cover Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blog page. Join us as we celebrate American Artist Jill Soukup latest works January 13, 2012 at Saks Galleries Denver.

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

“Jill’s love of abstract patterns and contrasting shapes in subject matter from buildings to organic subjects makes her work unique. Her skillful impasto paint application reveals rich, beautiful marbling of colors and provides important textural impact.” - Jake Gaedtke

The Interview

JILL SOUKUP ON PROCESS

Q: Your architectural scenes in particular have an authoritative sensibility to them. These are bold statements enhanced by their strong textural qualities. Could you talk about your process and how you achieve that?

A: I’m always on the lookout for unconventional materials I can use to apply paint that will result in unusual surface effects. For example, although I use the regular array of artists’ brushes, I also will load paint on hardware-store trowels in various widths and coarser house-painting brushes, lavishing broad swathes onto the canvas or board.

Q: Do you paint alla prima or is there a lot of work that goes on before you put brush to canvas for a new painting?

A: My preparation process is intensive. I take a long time to go through my stash of images and reference materials, sorting out the strongest. Then I narrow those down even further and print out the ones I like best. I might sketch up my idea from there or even use Photoshop to work through possible compositions. I want to get the structure of the piece really clear in my mind, to work out the nuts and bolts of color and design before I begin to paint. If I have the basics all mapped out, it’s easier to depart from them in more expressive ways. I’ll often then begin by sketching a line drawing onto the canvas or brushing on a thin oil wash in complimentary colors. I work the whole canvas from one end to the other, beginning on the right side since I’m left handed.

for more information on Jill Soukup use this quick link to Saks Galleries.

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206

303.333.4144

www.saksgalleries.com

Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012
Demonstrations January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All art is available prior to the opening night gala.

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Jill Soukup a Personal Interview - Part II Style and Color


is honored to present


opening reception
January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "Railyard Medley" 24.5 x 52 oil

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

Looking at one of Jill Soukup’s paintings, we can focus on a single brushstroke – or even a combination of several brushstrokes. Each one is a powerful work of art. These ‘building blocks’ become recognizable objects – a horse or a building for example. Soukup’s creative synthesis of abstraction and realism surpasses artistic breakthroughs such as ‘Impressionism’ or ‘Cubism’ to offer the viewer something new, Jill’s unique signature style. - Catherine Saks


The Interview

The following is an excerpt from a four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series will cover Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blog page.


JILL SOUKUP ON STYLE AND COLOR

Q: Your singular style sets your work apart. You’ve been called a contemporary realist, but that seems an insufficient description. How would you categorize yourself as an artist?

A: I think it would be more accurate to describe my work as Realism tempered by Expressionism. My goal is to create a more abstract notion of each subject and rely more on concepts of color theory than the true-to-life colors present in a scene.

Q: When it comes to color, your work is remarkably individualistic. Would you say it’s a hallmark of your style?

A: Early in my career, color was a nagging frustration, but it has turned into a passionate obsession. I’m very interested in color theory, especially color chords—those combinations of colors that work together harmoniously—and I make conscious choices throughout each painting to achieve that. Each color note contributes to the symphony of the whole. The writings of Johannes Itten, the Swiss expressionist associated with the Bauhaus school have been a big influence on me. I might juxtapose complimentary colors, for example, to achieve a bold, striking note. Or, I might choose analogous colors accented by a third for another distinct effect. As a painting progresses, color has an important impact on its overall mood, its emotional impact.

<< for more information on Jill Soukup use this quick link to Saks Galleries.

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206

303.333.4144

www.saksgalleries.com

Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012
Demonstrations January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All art is available prior to the opening night gala

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A personal interview with Artist Jill Soukup


Saks Galleries Cherry Creek
is honored to present

Jill Soukup
"Horses and Other Thoughts"

opening reception
January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "Brawl Bait" 30 x 30 oil

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

“I’ve followed Jill’s work for many years and I’ve always been impressed with the confidence and strength of her paint applications. Her latest works are even more unhesitating, bold, and expressive, and beautifully designed, taking on completely new territory. I’m eager to see what’s next!” — artist Daniel Sprick

The Interview

The following is an excerpt from a four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series will cover Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blog page.

JILL SOUKUP ON SUBJECT MATTER

Q: Jill, your main subject matter veers between industrial/architectural and animals. The two seem poles apart and yet you paint each with an especially sensitive understanding. What draws you to the two? Are there commonalities that run deeper than one might think at first glance?

A: I’ve been intrigued by mechanical and architectural materials since a college photography class led me to a local factory where I discovered how rich these sites are in natural design. I’m drawn to the repetition of basic forms—geometric shapes that echo one another—and the abstract patterns to be found in complex masses of metal pipes, wiring, and gears. There’s an unexpected artistry there. I find some of these same patterns echoed in my observations of animals in natural settings—combining them with the flowing, more organic shapes provides increased interest or emphasis.

Q: Among animals, you seem to favor horses. What is it about them that makes you want to paint them?

A: Like so many young girls, I was obsessed with horses. Although I didn’t own one, friends often invited me to ride theirs or hang out at their stables. I drew or sculpted them constantly. I’d even sculpt them in snow large enough to sit on, so I could pretend I was riding. Their graceful, gestural shapes contrast beautifully with the mathematical qualities of architecture—the triangles, squares, and rectangles of buildings—so there is a real synchronicity between my two main subject matters. Explorations with horse hair led to experiments with texture in architectural pieces. Intricate factory scenes inspire me to see those qualities in a grouping of horses—their multiple legs and bodies giving a complex structure and linear quality to an otherwise curved composition

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206
303.333.4144


Look for the Exhibition page coming soon to view all of Jill's work on-line at Saks Galleries
Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012
Demonstrations: January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00pm

For more on Jill Soukup read the January 2012 issue of Western Art Collector Page 60

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Announcement of Awards for Small Gems American Art Invitational 2011


Announces the Awardees

Best of Show
Gordon Brown
funded by Saks Galleries
Gordon Brown " Ocean Breeze" 6 x 8 oil

Dean Mitchell
Collectors Award
funded by Saks Galleries
the watercolor collection
"French Quarter Corner" 10 x 7.5 "Trumpeter" 11 x 7. 5 "Winter Sunburst" 10 x 7.5

Stephanie Birdsall
Collectors Award
funded by Saks Galleries
the pastel and oil collection
"Plums and Cherries" 11 x 14 pastel "Persian Bowl with Hydrangeas" 11 x 14 oil

SWA Award of Excellence
Ray Roberts
funded by Southwest Art Magazine
Ray Roberts "Back Bay Light" 8 x 10 oil
Congratulations to all the participants of "Small Gems 2011"

Exquisite sculpture and paintings are still available for holiday gift giving.

3019 East Second Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80206 303.333.4144


co-sponsored by



Friday, December 2, 2011

Exquisite Small Gems by American Masters - Sculpture and Paintings Opening Saturday at Saks Galleries Cherry Creek Denver


presented by

Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek
December 3 - 31, 2011

Join us for this very special weekend event

Meet the Artists
Coffee with Patrons , Sunday, December 4, 2011
10:am - 1:pm



Walt Gonske "Ojo Sarco, New Mexico" 12 x 16 oil




If you would like to purchase this painting by Walt Gonske or any of the other Small Gems in the American Art Invitational, please contact karen@saksgalleries.com or 303.333.4144


Participating Artists

William Acheff, Edward Aldrich, Kathy Anderson, William Berra, Stephanie Birdsall, Gordon Brown, G. Russell Case, Chapel, Tim Chapman, Nicolas Coleman, C. Michael Dudash, Molly Davis, Barry Eisenach, Josh Elliott, Kim English, David Gray, Daniel Glanz, Michael Godfrey, Walt Gonske, David Gray, Ron Hicks, Quang Ho, William Hook, Olga and Aleksey Ivanov, T.D. Kelsey, Andrea T. Kemp, Daniel Keys, Joseph Lorusso, Kim Mackey, Kevin Macpherson, Jerry Markham, Andi “Nura” MascareƱas, Dean Mitchell, Jay Moore, Dan Ostermiller, Mary Qian, Ray Roberts, Wayne Salge, Sherry Salari Sander, Tim Shinabarger, Sallie K. Smith, Jill Soukup, Pati Stajcar, Michelle Torrez, John Traynor, Karen Vance and Jie Wei Zhou.