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Inspiration from Artists Wk 145 Featuring Artists :Michael Taylor and Gordon Mortenson

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Welcome to this weeks thread , the featuring artists this week are : Michael Taylor and Gordon Mortenson , Lewis will open this week thread with his introduction to Michael Taylor and on Wednesday Jenny will introduced her chosen artist Gordon Mortenson. I hope you will join in and support both Lew and Jenny who I know have both put a lot of effort into their presentations, have a look at the artists work online and select one or more that you particularly like . 
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Lewis Cooper

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I discovered this artist in a slightly different way.  I'd been watching a favorite film, Wes Anderson's 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.'  A key part of its plot involves the theft of a priceless old-master painting, entitled 'Boy with an apple.'   Here's the painting... ...the film's director commissioned the British artist MICHEAL TAYLOR to paint this in old-master style.  Micheal  was born in 1952, he studied at Worthing School of Art, and then Goldsmiths School of Art.  He's gone on to become a much respected artist with three paintings and a drawing in the National Portrait Gallery, he's won numerous awards, and his work has featured in many important exhibitions.  He likes to concentrate on ONE painting at a time, each of which takes about three months to complete, so not a huge output.  If you want to know more about him, check out his excellent, and informative, website.  (https://www.mrtaylor.co.uk) Micheal paints figures, portraits and still life in oils. In much of his work he adds what I can only describe as a slightly surreal effect... He choses not to explain this.  I like that.  Paintings need to stand on their own, and shouldn't need lengthy explanations.  (An opinion...mine). A self portrait.... Whilst not a big fan of still-life, I've certainly never attempted one myself, I find his utterly appealing...   Below...Renata Symonds. I find his work full of interest, inspiring.   He's a class act. You may think differently.  We'll find out.
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Wow what find Lew , he is unknown to me so thank you for the introduction. His work is superb the detailing is amazing and like yourself I’m not a still like painter and not particularly attracted to them but he certainly makes a difference. 

Tessa Gwynne

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An extraordinary artist Lew, (or should I say extraordinary work), what a find! I understand what you say about still life, I’ve never been a fan of the traditional vase of flowers on a table, but this is something quite different isn’t it? I also like the fact that he wants the viewer to work out what each painting means without an explanation from him.  Great stuff, I will choose some work later. Thank you for the intro.
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Tony Auffret

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I can understand why Lew likes him, there's a strong sense of line, even in his surreal/distorted images.  He also seems to have a wry sense of humour, as in the still life below.

Jenny Harris

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Fascinating artist, love the slightly surreal look to his work.  I’m not a fan of traditional still life either, but his still life compositions are extraordinary - takes a while to work out exactly what you’re looking at in some of them!  A great find, Lewis.

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With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Three months on one painting - I can well believe it.  His level of skill is astounding - I'm a devotee neither of still life nor surrealism, but can admire the craft of painting in this way; I like his self-portrait, and as a devotee of both chess and old typewriters, he's chosen subjects near to my heart.  I don't, by using the word "craft", seek to imply any lack of artistry; but the technical challenges of work like this, in conception and execution, are huge - this is the antithesis of "loose" painting, and as such might not appeal to some (or many); but if he takes three months to complete a picture, he presumably charges a hefty whack for them (as he should), and will have dedicated collectors.  I would not be one of them, though as I couldn't afford his work anyway, he needn't worry about that!   One doesn't have to like work in order to be astonished by the skill it took to make it, and I'll certainly take a look at his website.  
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Paintings need to stand on their own, and shouldn't need lengthy explanations.  (An opinion...mine). Lew: I couldn't agree more.  

Alan Bickley

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The degree of skill, not to mention endurance, is almost beyond comprehension, but here it is in full view! Definitely a change from the two bottles and a bunch of grapes with draped cloth approach to still life, but possibly too much going on , although interesting it certainly is to scan the canvas and find new things lurking behind an object etc… Would I want to spend three months on a painting and create this level of detail? No, absolutely not… which is just as well because I couldn’t achieve anything like this, but fortunately, I don’t want to! Interesting artist Lew, and well presented!
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Lewis Cooper

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Anybody who attempts to make pictures, will always appreciate the skills involved even when they aren't 'wowed' by the resulting work.  If you prefer 'loose' painting, this artist isn't likely to appeal.  I can appreciate some 'loose' painting, but often find they go too far.  I'll say the same for some 'realist' art.  This artist hits the spot for me...realist yes...but he makes the art his own.  This is not always the case with highly realistic art, it can be hard to tell who painted them.  I don't get that feeling with this artist.   But we all like different things. A few more.    His portrait of the author, P D James... Drawing and completed painting... He also likes to paint just faces...
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Tony Auffret

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A curious thought struck me....one painting at a time....about three months per painting.  The gallery on his website shows about 105 or so paintings, which would be 26 years' worth at that rate.  I am not sure how many artists would show a back catalogue over that length of time on their website.  Perhaps he dashes some off in a mere month or two?

Jenny Harris

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Tony, on the Still Life page of his website, there are 6 paintings all dated 2020, so ‘up to three months’ would probably be a better estimate of time taken on each one. (Not sure why I spent time looking at this - I sat down to do some painting!)

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