The International Guild of Realism’s Fall Salon Online Exhibition will bring together 224 fantastic works of art by more than 200 IGOR artists from around the world. This annual juried show highlights a blend of contemporary and classical approaches, with styles ranging from magical realism and trompe l’oeil, to contemporary realism, photorealism and hyperrealism. All artwork in the show will be available for purchase and viewable on American Art Collector’s website and on IGOR’s website. The 2024 salon opens September 20 and runs through December 15.
Aflatun Israilov, Lakeside Harmony, oil on canvas, 36 x 52”
Among the many esteemed artists showing off their chops this year is Aflatun Israilov, a self-taught artist who began painting after the age of 40. “As an artist, I’m deeply inspired by the ever-changing nature of the ocean, as well as the serene beauty of landscapes,” he says. His work often revolves around capturing the movement and mood of water, especially in seascapes, while also exploring the quiet harmony found in natural landscapes. “These elements drive my artistic expression. The ability to convey truth and evoke emotion through realistic depictions is what draws me to realism as a style.”
Elizabeth Barlow, Hymn, oil on linen, 36 x 24”
Getting out in nature is the first thing Alison Gilmour does when approaching a new painting. “Then I record the moments—whether in my mind, on film or otherwise. Then I re-imagine the scenes either by paring them down or enhancing them to suit imagination and reality concurrently,” she says. “Nature is the place I go to find myself time and time again…The beauty of nature is what has always captivated me. It is why I paint. To capture the textures, patterns, light, shadows and movement found in nature—to evoke a sense of wonder and calm at the same time.”
Alison Gilmour, Breaking Dawn, Tawharanui, oil on Berge linen, 14 x 40”
“Flowers carry within their beautiful forms powerful messages of hope, grace and renewal,” says Elizabeth Barlow, who brings a portrait of an ivory bloom titled Hymn to the 2024 salon. “By looking closely and paying attention to beauty, we will develop a deep reverence for life on this earth and change our own journeys upon it. The gardenia in Hymn shows us that there is power in quiet, strength in repose and a fierce grace in beauty,” she says of the piece.
The paintings of Glenn Murray represent how he sees a world of beauty from functional items. Murray, a veteran of three foreign wars, resumed painting in 2016 when he returned home. He finds American imagery inspiring. His colorful subjects and scenes have unique character with a contemporary flare. They are handmade stories about classic functional items. He wants you to recall a feeling from viewing his art, inviting you to look beyond and experience the emotions evoked.
Top: Antonia Tyz Peeples, Distant Gale, oil on canvas 30 x 40"; Cao Hong, La vie en rose, oil on canvas panel, 19.7 x 15.8". Bottom: Cathy P. Johnson, Red Gate, oil on linen, 36 x 24"; Patsy Lindamood, On the List, graphite on cradled Ampersand Claybord, 36 x 54"
“My aim is to bring each creature alive for the viewers so that they get the feeling that they have shared with me a momentary magical encounter with the animal themselves,” says Laara Cassells. Describing her showpiece Den Mother - Timber Wolf, she says, “This female timber wolf was basking in the late evening summer sun on the rocks outside her den. I was waiting for the cubs to come out but decided to capture this image because the light was just right.”
Glenn Murray, Union Pacific, acrylic on canvas, 46 x 50"
Antonia Tyz Peeples’ paintings are driven by her fascination with the natural world, particularly the ocean. “Waves of various shapes and sizes, surface ripples, reflections, foaming, shorelines are all challenges to explore. Through my paintings, I hope to share with the viewer beauty, awe and tranquility. Whether sunny and bright or stormy and dark, the ocean continues to be a captivating therapy I enjoy.”
Laara Cassells, Den Mother - Timber Wolf, acrylic on cradled board, 20 x 20"
Artist Cao Hong feels that flowers are full of the beauty of life—a symbol of love, praise and destiny. “[A] human’s life should be as fragrant and glorious as a rose, blooming at will,” says the artist, who brings an oil painting of a red rose to this year’s show. “No matter what [one] experiences, goodness and beauty are the ultimate salvation for a life of suffering.”
Inspired by nature and the world around her, Cathy P. Johnson’s early background as a scientific illustrator and graphic designer has sharpened her eye for detail. “When I am struck by an idea, it creates an almost inexplicable emotional resonance,” she says. “I start by studying and researching the subject. I explore the idea using form, color, tone and luminosity applied with a delicate sensitivity to realize my vision.”
Jenny Stewart, Keepsies, oil on canvas, 48 x 48"
“Working in graphite has allowed me to discover my most authentic voice as an artist,” says Patsy Lindamood. “Without the romance of color, working in graphite is like telling a short story rather than writing a novel.” Lindamood focuses on lines, shapes and values to tell a story, resulting in compelling art that resonates with viewers on a visceral level. The artist adds that the key to her graphite art is the extremely versatile Ampersand Claybord surface.
“Living on a coastal island, I’m surrounded by the ocean, wetlands, dramatic skies and marine structures," says artist Christopher Forrest."All of these environments have abundant wildlife populations that change with the seasons, thus I have an abundance of subjects that I’m challenged to attempt to capture. Terns in flight are absolutely one of my favorite subjects, and this dilapidated bulkhead with its rust, algae and weathered wood is an absolute hoot to paint. While a small painting, it’s one of my favorites and I’m very grateful for IGOR jurying it into their show.”
Top: Christopher Forrest, Fishing Buddies, oil on panel, 11 x 12"; Denice Peters, American Heritage, soft pastels, 18 x 24". Bottom: Diane Liguori, Saison D’Etre, oil on panel, 10 x 10"; Jette van der Lende, Transformed to what?, oil on linen, 27.6 x 27.6"
Denice Peters works with soft pastels because she loves the “hands on” aspect and the richness of the colors. “By using just my fingers, there’s nothing between me and the art,” she says. “My artwork is about reality with dramatic light and shadows.” Peters uses antiques and everyday objects to create paintings that bring out emotions and memories in her viewers. “In this painting, I wanted to share a bit of my ancestral history,” says the artist.
“I am an expressive, contemporary realist who is compelled to capture the downright marvelous real, flaws and all,” says oil painter Diane Liguori.“I believe all things have an inherent beauty exactly as created, and it is up to us to find it. It is especially delightful when my work lets others connect more deeply with the beauty of the natural world, to each other and themselves.”
Sandra Willard, Lemon And Gerberas, scratchboard, 11 x 14"; Joye DeGoede, Hop Scotch Celebration, JoyEful Party Animals, oil, 20 x 16"
“The painting prompts us to ponder the transformation and purpose in how we raise our children,” Jette van der Lende says of her piece in the show, Transformed to what?. The painting depicts butterfly wings, a pair of ballerina slippers and a pink tiara. “The fantastical characters—monsters, superheroes, ballerinas and princesses—will all undergo their own metamorphosis, evolving from one state to the next, much like the larvae becoming butterflies,” she adds.
Jenny Stewart often uses a larger-than-life scale where she zooms in and explores the subtle textures and curves of an object until she almost starts to “lose” the object itself. “I love to use this dramatic canvas filling perspective in my marble series. I strive to capture the beauty I see in everyday objects that so often goes unnoticed,” says the artist.
Karen Warshal, Jacob and Rachel at the Well, oil on linen mounted on panel, 35 x 51"
“I create still lifes because they represent people,” says Sandra Willard. “Many individuals are involved in growing, making and selling the items that I include in a still life. When I work on my art, I especially think about the antiques. I wonder about the people who owned them before me. Then I can’t help but think about the person who will view or own my art, and whether they will consider the same things. It makes me feel a sense of community.” She brings to the show a scratchboard still life titled Lemon And Gerberas.
“The JoyEful Party Animals [series] began with a rabbit named Hop Scotch,” says artist Joye DeGoede of JoyEful Gallery, describing her piece in the exhibition. “I called my favorite bunny and scotch-loving Aunt Joye for advice. A fun idea emerged from the phone conversation. I was inspired to paint a little rabbit with a glass of scotch. He was named Hop Scotch. The JoyEful Party Animals were born! Hop Scotch Celebrationis the third version of this ongoing party.”
Top: Lara Restelli, Caramelera, oil on canvas, 30 x 40"; Linda Garcia-Dahle, Cat Dreams, mixed media on canvas, 20 x 16".Bottom: Susan Goodmundson, Searching for her Sister, dry pastel, 24 x 18"; Peter Swift, Red, White and Blue Screwdrivers, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60"
Karen Warshal’s favorite thing to paint is the human form, especially portraits. “When I first started out, there wasn’t much traditional instruction, but I eventually found classical training and then everything changed for me,” she says. “I studied the portrait and the figure in depth, and I became obsessed with those subjects. There’s still nothing like working from life with a model to make me excited to go into the studio.”
“Caramelera is a painting that is very close to my heart,” Lara Restellisays of her piece in the upcoming show. “I started this piece after my mother’s passing. This crystal bowl was always full of colorful candies in her living room. I was faced with several challenges, both technically and conceptually, throughout the creative process: how to subtly represent her memory and how to tackle the intricate facets of the crystal bowl…I am very proud of this piece and will always cherish it.”
Micheal J. Niswonger, Bottles, acrylic, 16 x 20"; Giselle V. Brown, Dad’s Portrait, charcoal on gray toned paper, 20 x 28"
Cat Dreams is an imaginative mixed media piece featuring a tabby cat by Linda Garcia-Dahle. “First and foremost, light is the subject of my paintings. I’m always looking for visuals to bring across light on my canvas. When I saw my cat dozing on my couch in this wonderful fall of shadows and light, I thought it could be a painting. When he opened his eyes and looked at me as only a cat can, I knew I had to capture his interrupted dream state,” she says.
Artist Susan Goodmundsonwas exploring Morro Bay, California, looking for subjects to paint later in her studio when she spotted two sisters playing tag on the beach. “The little sister, realizing she was suddenly alone, searched for her older sister. She saw her running toward the ocean. She yelled ‘wait for me!’ and ran to catch up to her. The bright jumper with colorful designs and the leather shoes with colored leather flowers add to the charm of this composition,” says Goodmundson, who has completed a series of pastels based off that single photoshoot.
Vincent Verboncoeur, Frosty, colored pencil, 11 x 14"
The paintings of Peter Swift are a tribute to the items of daily life. “I start with simple objects that we use every day, but we rarely even notice. For example, a Craftsman stub screwdriver,” he says. “If I had done a painting of just one screwdriver, I would have created a standard realistic still life painting. Instead, I painted eight screwdrivers in a circle, which is something completely different. The painting has become a mandala of the mundane, almost a sacred object, a hymn to ordinary life.”
“Animals are a favorite painting subject [of mine], and the challenge is always to capture their likeness, essence and spirit,” says Kate ODell.“Each has a different personality, as anyone who keeps the company of animals knows. I am particularly interested in faces, whether animal or human. Painting with watercolor on a clay surface—a bit of a cross between painting and drawing—is the perfect medium for me.”
Sherry Mason, Somewhere in Time, Sunset over Ashley River, oil on canvas, 24 x 48"
Focused on allegorical stories visually represented by the human form, Lisa Rickard’s uniquely composed and cropped figures are meant to entice the viewer into a liberated or heightened state of awareness, fully engaged in the present moment without judgment or distraction. “I hope that upon viewing, one may feel as if Cupid’s arrow pierced all hearts with love,” says Rickard.
Micheal J. Niswonger was strolling through a local restaurant gift shop when the vintage drinks, candy and treats caught his eye. “I wanted to highlight the nostalgia of the vintage items and hopefully bring back some great memories for the viewer. I have always been intrigued by multi-textured items, mixing distressed wood, fasteners, liquid and glass into a single composition,” he says of his acrylic painting Bottles.
Paco Martín, Bubble on a flower, colored pencil on paper, 8.7 x 7.1”
Colored pencil artist Paco Martín loves working on details. “I was instantly captivated by the vibrant colors of the background, the delicate nature of the flower and the iridescence of the bubble,” he says of his colorful and vibrant piece Bubble on a flower. “It was a comprehensive challenge for me and my colored pencils,” says the artist, adding that it took more than six months of intermittent work to complete.
Oil painter Sherry Masonsays, “There’s a serene dance between light and landscape that I strive to capture in my art. Painting what I see feels like entering a boundless, hazy world—what da Vinci called ‘sfumato.’ This elusive technique deeply inspires me, pulling me into its ethereal embrace.” Mason’s representational paintings aim to convey this essence, offering collectors a glimpse into the emotions she experiences while painting in plein air, creating a connection between the art and the viewer.
Kate ODell, Suffolk Punch Team, watercolor on Aquabord, 18 x 24”; Lisa Rickard, Black Diamond Apple, oil, 10 x 8”
Giselle V. Brown is intrigued by the idea of capturing a moment in time (even the finest details) and being able to find her way back to that moment. “My art may represent memories, feelings and maybe even messages,” she says. “For me, being able to share those moments with others is inspiring. Allowing them to appreciate a meaningful moment is almost magical to me.”
“Frosty inspired me with [his] innocence and simplicity,” says Vincent Verboncoeur. His showpiece features a puppy against a background of geometric shapes. “[I focused] on his colors, shadow and details and also creating a pleasing background to the eye with my attention to patterns and light.” Verboncoeur has been enamored with painting and drawing since he was a child. —
IGOR Fall Salon Online Exhibition
When: September 20-December 15, 2024
Where: Online at www.americanartcollector.com and www.realismguild.com
Information: www.realismguild.com
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