Arcadia Fine Arts Gallery Online Log / Blog

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″

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:

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As if being one of the most intense contemporary realist painters around isn’t enough, Michael Klein has taken on another significantly ambitious endeavor.  The American Painting Video Magazine is a quarterly video project that sends Klein around the country interviewing some of the most impressive and accomplished realist painters of our time.

Here is a preview of his interview with Daniel Sprick in Denver, Colorado:
Daniel Sprick Interview

The Spring issue came out in April, and the Summer issue just became available. For $10 a download, each issue clocks in around 2 hours and is full of very in-depth interviews. The videos can be downloaded at the official site:
www.americanpaintingvideomagazine.com

Arcadia Gallery returns tho the Annual event of the east end, ArtHamptons 2010. With new works from Malcolm Liepke, Jeremy Lipking, Michael Klein, Michael Chapman, Joseph Todorovitch and many more. This year, ArtHamptons will include 80 Galleries from around the world in a 50,000 square foot air conditioned tent.

Arcadia Fine Arts Booth 306-308

Show hours

Thursday, July 8, 6pm – 9pm
Opening Preview Party

Friday, July 9, 11am – 7pm
Saturday, July 10, 11am – 7pm

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Michael Klein opened his second one man exhibition last Thursday (5/13) here at Arcadia Gallery in Soho. To see more pictures continue below….

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Michael Klein Solo Show Opens Thursday