Artist Research

Nick Lepard
nicklepard.com

This is Nowhere, Oil on Canvas, 2008

Understand Still, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 2008

Nick Lepard is a painter from Vancouver, BC. His unique style of portraiture combines photorealism with thick, heavy brushstrokes that create a surreal dichotomy between realism and impressionism. Lepard uses vivid palettes and unusual colors in unfitting places to create different textures that are almost whimsical. A few of his pieces are similar to the cubist art of the early 20th-century by masters such as Picasso and Cezanne. In his words, Lepard's art "[explores] notions of singularity, concepts of time and patterns of change". This is exhibited in his work by the different light sources, colors, and angles. In works like Understand Still, to the right, he even combines different subjects to create collage-like faces.




Jacqui Oakley
jacquioakley.com

Indigo Girls, for Atlanta Magazine, Acrylic and Ink

Illustrator Jacqui Oakley says she "[loves] unexpectedly blending patterns and textures," and you can definitely see this in her work. Her art is very reminiscent of 20th century American pop art. Most of it centers around famous figures or iconic celebrities, with the exception of commissioned pieces. Her personal portfolio includes illustrations of musicians from David Bowie to Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg. These portraits are stylized, almost cartoonish, with simple lines and vivid colors. At times, she uses limited palettes (only a few colors are used) which creates a printed effect. When comparing Oakley's rough line drawings to the painted, finished pieces, you can see the effect of the bright colors and painting technique.

Nguyen Chi Tien, for Pen International, Acrylic and Ink

Silvia Pelissero
Silvia's deviantart page

Crisp Morning, Oil Painting, 2011

 Silvia Pelissero, a painter from Italy, has a unique vivid style that combines loose brushstrokes and vivid colors. Her focus is definitely portraiture, and she uses warm and cool palettes to convey emotion through otherwise plain faces. Often times her paintings look slightly unfinished, yet this is not the case. She deliberately leaves negative space within faces and features that are unique to her paintings.

Pelissero's techniques with watercolor are truly original. Her paintings are soft yet vivid, not washed-out, and often look airbrushed.

Sheets of Colored Glass, Watercolor, Ink, and Charcoal, 2011