Arcadia Fine Arts Gallery Online Log / Blog

After making tremendous waves with his American Painting Video Magazine project, Michael Klein has returned to the easel with a new piece just in time for the US Artists show in Philadelphia. There is an interesting consideration of proximity at play in this painting. While the figure is close enough to the viewer to see Klein’s delicate handling of textures, the artist creates a great distancebetween his subject and audience by refusing to reveal the subject’s face. With his still life work, Klein has the incredible ability to find the most humanity in the moments of it’s absence. Bringing that concept to a portrait might seem like a cold prospect for some painters, but for Klein, it is a comforting place to be.

Michael Klein, “Karina Esperanda,” Oil on Linen, 48″ x 24″

Michael Klein’s paintings embolden the word quiet.  The ability to communicate the subtle nuances of a quiet room in “Winter Day” is no easy task.  The glowing light emitted from the window is painted with a mastery of technique as compared to Johanne Vermeer’s “The Kitchen Maid”.  The unique subject matter of an impoverished kitchen lends the painting a sense of quiet mystique.  No music would be playing in this kitchen, just the crackle of a fire in the stove.  One can almost hear the cold wind blowing outside behind her.

Winter Day

After this last busy week of cinematic, painted drama, I thought it would be nice to throw in something a little more subdued today. There are few painters that we work with that are more subdued in content, and even personality, than Michael Klein. He’s a fairly soft spoken guy, and his technique and pallet tend to follow suit. Here is a fantastic piece from his debut 2008 one man exhibition—

Michael Klein, “At Rest,” Oil on Linen, 42″ x 26″

One thing you may notice walking around the American Wing at the Met, is how prominently fabrics are displayed in portraits.  As many of the posed subjects were visually documenting their opulence, their wardrobe was often key.  Despite the vanity of those subjects, I personally, have always been blown away by how certain painters could describe those fine fabrics found in bows, ribbons, dresses, tapestries, etc…

In “La Juventud,” Michael Klein is breaking down the elements of those regal portraits, and breathing a more poetic and understated life into them with a relaxed pose, accented by the horizontal format and her bare feet.  Note the way he handles the fabric of the figure’s ribbon, as well as the pillow by her feet.  John Singer Sargent could have said it better himself.

Michael Klein, “La Juventud,” Oil on Linen, 30″ x 50″

Only 5 copies left of the Liepke Retrospective and APVM dvd combo for our April Fools promotion–

The first 50 people who respond to this special Facebook offer,
will be able to buy “Liepke: A Retrospective” 300-Page, coffee table book
for a special discounted rate of only $75.00 plus $25 shipping AND a free copy of
Michael Klein’s masterful American Painting Video Magazine DVD Vol. 1
featuring extended profiles on painters Brad Kunkle, Daniel Sprick, and Michael Grimaldi.
The Liepke Retrospective book is normally $125 plus $25 shipping in the US.
FOR THE FIRST 50 PEOPLE who call Arcadia Gallery at 212-965-1387 and order!!!
Get the book AND the DVD………Only an April Fool would pass up this offer. No joke.
Call Now: 212-965-1387
(This offer is only valid within the United States.)

It’s been a pretty busy day at the gallery. Despite the rain, there was plenty to do, and plenty of great people stopping in to see what we’re up to.
Here’s one piece that I’ve been staring at all day— Michael Klein’s “The Collection”.

It’s an incredibly simple painting, but beautifully designed, and brilliantly executed. With a pallet this simple, the strength of the piece really relies on composition and raw draftsmanship. Klein is really working with the rhythm and weight of the lights and darks to balance everything. Check out how he handles the ellipses in the plates and glasses— they’re flawless. One false curve and it would be a mess. This piece is confident and understated virtuosity.

Oh, and it’s oil on paper too.

Michael Klein, “The Collection,” Oil on Paper, 14″ x 30″

Over the course of Arcadia Gallery history, there are few painters as passionate about the craft of painting, and as immersed in the quest for capturing beauty as Michael Klein. There is nothing ironic about his vision. There is nothing sugar coated either. Klein is a gifted painter whose ability to paint the emotional truth is as advanced as his technical proficiency.
Michael Klein, “Bride With Flowers,” 35.5″ x 31.5″

Michael Klein’s four new works for this years annual Small Works Show:

Michael Klein "Peach and Bowl" Oil on Panel Panel- 9.5x12 Frame- 15.5x18.5

After painting his second ground breaking show last May, Michael Klein has kept himself busy by running the increasingly successful American Painting Video Magazine.  Luckily for us, he managed to take a break as a budding film maker to paint four pieces exploring the themes of nature for our Small Works Show.

Michael Klein "View From Across Oil on Panel Panel- 4.5x7.5 Frame- 10.5x13.5

More below:

(continue reading…)

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…)

(continue reading…)