"Art cannot exist without naked beauty displayed."
-William Blake

I've always enjoyed drawing and painting the human form. In my career as an illustrator for books and magazines it was imperative that I also be a storyteller. In this exhibition of paintings and monotypes I wanted to create a body of somewhat narrative works unified by a common theme. Venus, the goddess of peace, beauty, love (and lust) seemed the perfect muse. The paintings in particular have been informed not only by the mythological figure but also by my interest in words, music, and travel...from the poetry of Pablo Neruda to the tone poems of Composer Gustav Holst and a visit to the Montreaux Jazz Festival. The images are a mix of experience, memory, and imagination.

Stylistically, I can't ignore the influence of my heros from a century ago. They are post-impressionists like Matisse, Bonnard, and Picasso. I also can't resist the occasional twist; Botticelli's Venus reborn in the trenches of Verdum or Titian's Venus titillating the Duke of Ellington. Or perhaps a bit of provocation for the viewer to imagine his or her own scenario in response to a contemporary Venus enjoying her bath or missing her lover.

And through it all the ghost of Pierre Bonnard is whispering in my ear, "Composition is everything".

Venus - The Bringer of Peace

Oil on Canvas   60" x 48"   $6400

Venus on the Half Shell

oil on canvas   13"x15"   $800

Venus of Montreaux

oil on canvas   32" x 48"   $3000

Venus and the Duke

oil on canvas   18" x 40"   $3200

Serenata

oil on canvas   30" x 30"   $1200

Naked, You are as Blue as a Night in Cuba

oil on canvas   36" x 36"   $3000

Il Bagno Di Venus

oil on canvas   38" x 40"   $2500

Flamenco

oil on canvas   30" x 30"   $2800

Blue Venus

oil on canvas   12" x 24"   $600

 

Maracas

monotype     $500

 

Mattino

monotype      $500

 

Modestia

monotype      $500

 
 

Hudson River Gallery & Frame Co.
538 S. Gilbert St
Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 358-8488
nickhotek@hudsonrivergallery.com

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