Arcadia Fine Arts Gallery Online Log / Blog

Last year, Brad Kunkle had a pretty good time hanging out in Los Angeles during the LA Art Show. He had two new works that sold out within 24 hours of the opening, and he was just having some fun getting away from the brutal east coast winter. This year, Brad is bound to his easel in the woods of Pennsylvania painting like the mild mannered madman that he is. There is one show that Brad Kunkle is deeply concerned about this year— and it just happens to be his own one man show this April in Soho. Easily the most anticipated sophomore show at Arcadia since Jeremy Lipking’s sellout exhibition in 2004, Brad has his work cut out for him. Mr. Kunkle was kind enough to give the good people of LA a preview of one piece from that upcoming show– “Bird of Paradise.” Kunkle is exploring new boundaries compositionally while subtly injecting a wider pallet into the equation. Sticking to his love of gold and silver leaf, Deco design work, and Pre-Raphaelite imagery— Kunkle is sure to keep the fire ablaze. Take a good long look at the new piece, and stay tuned for his new show this April.

Brad Kunkle, “Bird of Paradise,” Oil with Gold and Silver Leaf on Panel, 30″ x 40″

Ever since Brad Kunkle showed up at Arcadia Gallery with a stack of paintings in the spring of 2009, the guy has had to give up the luxury of sleep.  It’s a small price to pay for producing work that drives both artists and collectors into a frenzy.  So, rather than falling victim to the seduction of slumber, Kunkle compromised and made a series of paintings about sleep.  This painting called “Sixth Sleep” was on display in Berlin last fall.  It just made it’s way back to the US, and unlike most of his paintings— it’s available.  His next show will be in April 2012.  May the sleep deprivation continue.

Brad Kunkle, “Sixth Sleep,” Oil, Gold and Silver Leaf on Canvas, 47″ x 21″

Small, elegant, well executed, and beautifully composed— this painting from Brad Kunkle’s debut 2010 show at Arcadia Gallery, could have sold at least 20 times in the last 13 months since the opening.  Needless to say, we’re pretty excited to have 2 new pieces debuting in July’s Flora Abunda group show this summer.  Hopefully that will hold off the ravenous masses until Kunkle’s next one man show in April 2012.

Brad Kunkle, “Two Suns,” Oil and Gold leaf on canvas, 21″ x 12″

Fan favorite Brad Kunkle is featured on a great blog called Poets and Artists that features a lot of really great contemporary painters.  Check out the photo of his studio at the end of the article.  There is a tiny taste of what Kunkle has on the way…..

http://poetsandartists.com/2011/04/20/brad-kunkle/

While technique is often a characteristic that accompanies great realist painters, one of the most important (and overlooked) qualities of a great painter is their ability to include the audience in the resolution of the piece. Brad Kunkle is a painter that understands the power of the viewer to process complex concepts with just a very small amount of information.

Kunkle manages to imply a full range of color with about 3 tubes of oil paint, and some gold and/or silver leaf. His figures always hint at a deep well of emotion, without ever telling you what’s in it or where it is. Brad Kunkle is a proficient enough technician to set the stage, and a smart enough director to know that his audience will do the rest.

Brad Kunkle, “The Cage,” Oil, and Silver Leaf on Panel, 30″ x 32″

“The Cage” (detail)

“The Cage” (process)

Brad Kunkle also brought us a few pieces for the LA Art Show. This oil with gold and silver leaf on linen is called “The Source” and weighs in at 26″ x 18″. This piece sold within 15 minutes of the show opening Wednesday night.

“The Source,” Oil with Gold and Silver Leaf on Linen, 26″ by 18″

Here are a few photos of last night’s Opening Gala at The Los Angeles Art Show. Many of the Arcadia artists were there!

Our booth at the L.A. Art Show!

Aron Wiesenfeld and his epic new painting “The Well.”

Francis Livingston and Ron Hicks in front of their new works.

Here is a shot of Brad Kunkle and Julio Reyes!

A preview of Brad Kunkle’s new paintings for the Small Works Show:

"Second Sleep" Brad Kunkle Oil and Leaf on Panel Panel- 12x12 Frame- 19x19

Ever since Brad Kunkle’s sold-out-debut exhibition this past April, everyone has been asking about when there will be new work available.  The response has been overwhelming and the good news is that Brad is back in the studio.  His first sign of life is in the form of these four great little gems for the Small Works Show.  Each piece  is 12″x12″ or smaller and feature his signature gold and silver leaf technique.  Enjoy!

"Third Sleep" Brad Kunkle Oil and Leaf on Panel Panel- 12x12 Frame- 19x19

"Fourth Sleep" Brad Kunkle Oil and Leaf on Panel Panel- 9x12 Frame- 16x19

"Fifth Sleep" Brad Kunkle Oil and Leaf on Panel Panel- 12x9 Frame- 19x16

The basement walls full of new work for the Small Works Show .

Just giving you a little preview of the first show of our 2010 fall season: The Annual Small Works Show 2010.  This will be a group show of works roughly 12″ x 12″ or smaller (mostly…).  The show contains some fantastic little gems from a wide range of artists from Dan Adel to Aron Wiesenfeld.  We will be posting previews until the opening of the show- September 23, 2010 at 6 pm.  Stay tuned!

(More shots below…)

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