Uncategorized

Hespe Gallery 20th Anniversary Celebration /  by kimcogan


I am excited to be participating in the Hespe Gallery 20th anniversary celebration. Hespe Gallery is happy to announce it is the 20th year in business and a group exhibition will be held to commemorate the occasion. Artwork will be exhibited in 251 Post Street: in both Suites 210 and 420. We hope that you and your friends will come and celebrate with us!

Opening Reception on Thursday, April 11th from 5:30 - 7:30.
The 20th Anniversary exhibition will run Thursday, April 4th - 27th.
Hespe Gallery 
251 Post Street, Suite 420 and 210.
San Francisco, CA 94108
tel: 415.776.5918
email: info@hespe.com
www.hespe.com

Tree paintings /  by kimcogan

  
In between the busy deadlines of exhibition schedules, I have been making an effort to leave the comforts of my studio and to paint on location (en plein air). I am going to be honest, it isn't the most enjoyable activity that comes to mind when I am outdoors. 

In my days of school, I cringed at the thought when we were dropped off on location and instructed to paint for the day. Battling against the unpredictable forces of nature, the sun glaring off the canvas, the ever shifting changes of light, shadows and color, the cold gusts of wind, and the gawking onlookers with millions of questions. I understood clearly the lessons, to paint from life, appreciate nature, think critically in the moment and make quick decisions, observe form and color temperature nuances in light, etc. Perhaps it was not having proper gear which made the experiences so unbearable or maybe it was, at the time, I was more interested in composing concepts, learning old master techniques and painting figurative artwork. Years later admiring at how impressionists used simple strokes of bold color and how naturalists used subtle muted color palettes to convey form and light, I begin to rethink lessons.

There are only a handful of cityscape paintings I have painted directly on location, each one had its own learning lessons, complications and funny stories to accompany it. Instead of tackling an ambitious cityscape scene, I have focused on coastal trees in the area, there exists a balance between flowing twist and turns of the branches and structure. Each tree has a different gesture and unique characteristics which captivates my fascination.

Those same curve balls mother nature throws haven't diminished nor will they ever, maybe I have become slightly more tolerant. I have proper gear which makes a huge difference, instead of holding the canvas steady, now I can concentrate on painting. If there is the slightest lesson to be learned from the voyages I deem it as well worth the effort. Although merely for study purposes, I consider these paintings to be some of the most important since it is a step to learn and become closer to the subject, more expressive, creative, and ultimately improve. I can return to the studio refreshed with new ideas and outlook. Besides, the weather is fair enough and the fresh air isn't all that bad.

 





Skull study paintings /  by kimcogan

Artists have studied anatomy for centuries. The human form is the most complex and offers endless possibilities to draw ideas from. To convincingly portray a portrait or figure it is key to understand the anatomy and requires a great deal of practice to hone this skill. I set up skulls in the corner of the studio to study the form and structure. I prefer to angle and light the skulls dramatically so that I am forced to confront the challenge of drawing dramatic foreshortening and deal with different lighting situations.

 

Grand Opening Exhibition /  by kimcogan

I am happy to announce I will be participating in the grand opening of Maxwell Alexander Gallery December 15th. For more information regarding purchasing, please contact info@maxwellalexandergallery.com.


















Grand Opening: December 15th, 2012, 7 - 10pm.

Maxwell Alexander Gallery
6144 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
tel:310.839.9242email:info@maxwellalexandergallery.com



www.maxwellalexandergallery.com

Maxwell Alexander Gallery is introducing a new breed of Art Gallery to the Los Angeles area. The gallery is based on curated shows rather than representing a long roster of artists.

 
"Grand Opening" is the first of many group shows at Maxwell Alexander Gallery. The art exhibited ranges from Pop Western to Naturalism. This show is curated based solely on quality, not categories or style. The exhibition is showcasing 13 of the top artists in the nation. This gallery believes in the highest quality in art and will be exhibiting art that meet these standards. Maxwell Alexander is bringing art to L.A. that has not been available in this area until now. Show preview available upon request.



Wave no. 22 /  by kimcogan

This is a small wave painting I started a few days before the opening of "Sea Change". Unfortunately, the piece didn't make it into the show because of the short amount of time, regardless whenever possible I like to finish up what I start and this one I thoroughly enjoyed working on to the finish.
































Wave no.22, 2012
18" X 24" 
oil on wood panel

American Artist 75 Greatest Artists Of All Time /  by kimcogan

I am honored to be included in the American Artist 75 Greatest Artists Of All Time. I am humbled to be featured amongst talented artists David Kassan, Jeremy Lipking, Casey Braugh, Brad Kunkle, Sean Cheetham, Jeremy Mann, Burton Silverman, Antonio Lopez, Richard Schmid, Jacob Collins, Lucian Freud, Rembrandt van Rijn, Caravaggio, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, and many more.

Thank you American Artist Magazine and everyone for your support!



In bookstores and newsstands the month of October. If you can't find it, click the image to purchase and download a digital version of the issue.

Sea Change /  by kimcogan

Thank you to everyone who came out to the show, I was completely overwhelmed and happy to see all the new faces as well as familiar ones. Thank you everyone for your support, likes, comments, posts & reposts, kind thoughts, etc. I greatly appreciate it all.


 
 
Photos courtesy of 
Kevin Tyler Muncy, eyeseeyourheart.


Solo Exhibition /  by kimcogan

Solo Exhibition
Sea Change 
September 4 - October 2, 2012.

Opening Reception: Thursday September 6, 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Hespe Gallery
251 Post Street, Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94108
tel: 415.776.5918
email: info@hespe.com

Sea Change

New works by Kim Cogan
Hespe Gallery, September 2012

A study of motion, a representation of energy, an attempt to seize a moment.

The sea has been a source of inspiration for centuries, with its hypnotic rhythms and relentless transformations. For artist Kim Cogan, the challenge was to capture this essence, to work with fluid shapes and contain the power of waves in a fixed, representational form.

Cogan lives and works close to the coast and western edge of San Francisco. His proximity to the ocean and the unique landscape of the city’s outer rim inspired his latest body of work.

Known for his atmospheric city portraits, Cogan was moved to rethink his approach to composition and technique. After years of working with rigid, angular structures on quadrilateral canvases, Cogan decided to compose his wave paintings on oval panels. “Ovals mimic the cylindrical, free-flowing shape of the wave,” he says of his chosen form. “I wanted to design a unique approach to depict the waves on a surface that has no corners or straight edges.”

Trained to work from observation, but unable to work from life, Cogan’s process involved the piecing together of thousands of photos in an attempt to capture the singular moment of a breaking wave. The finished paintings are referenced from several photographs, assembled together in sporadic brushstrokes to convey a sense of motion, color and mood.

Sea Change is both a meditation on and representation of a transformation for Cogan. It is a progression that captures the ever-shifting process of an artist’s work.



















Seal Rocks at Kelly's Cove, 2012

60" X 60"
oil on canvas

SECA Nomination /  by kimcogan

Amidst preparing for my upcoming show, I received some very exciting news which came as a complete surprise. My artwork has been nominated for a SECA award and I will be accepting the invitation. Although only the beginning nomination, it is quite a surprise and I am honored to be picked from the bunch. Thank you all for the support, please wish me luck!

For more information about SECA click the image -








Thank you SECA for your consideration.

Making Waves /  by kimcogan

Solo Exhibition Sea Change 
September 4 - October 2, 2012.Opening Reception: Thursday September 6, 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Hespe Gallery

251 Post Street, Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94108
tel: 415.776.5918
email: info@hespe.com
www.hespe.comWork in progress for my upcoming solo exhibition, "Sea Change."

Large Artworks /  by kimcogan

Hespe Gallery is showing a special exhibition of large artworks by artists, Eric Zener and Kim Cogan. Come visit and see the artworks in person Saturday July 21st, on the 2nd floor of 251 Post Street. 

July 21st, 3 - 5 pm.  

Hespe Gallery
251 Post Street, 2nd Floor
 San Francisco, CA


Be sure to grab a postcard for my upcoming solo exhibition.


Board Art Benefit For Surfaid International /  by kimcogan

Sunset Rider, 2012. Lola quad 5'10" X 20" X 2.375" Sold!
More about the surfboard - www.hesssurfboards.com   

Board Art Benefit

Saturday June 9, 2012
6-10 pm. One Night Only!
 

Driftwood Salon art gallery 39 Isis St. San Francisco, CA 94103 (near 12th and Folsom Streets.) click here for map

I am very excited to participate in the Board Art Benefit Show since it involves helping people, painting and surfing. When I was asked which shaper I would like to partner up with, Danny Hess Hesssurfboards.com, immediately came to mind. The surfboards he crafts are absolutely beautiful, I think it is very profound that all the materials are environmentally friendly as well.

It's an honor to be partnering up with Danny. The surfboard design integrates performance, strength and is constructed of sustainable and recyclable materials.  When we were discussing the project, we both were really excited to create not only a board that is aesthetically visually pleasing, but is also fully functional and will perform well in the ocean for its lifespan. It's also a work of art that can be hung on a wall.
The painting best describes my memories of riding my bicycle down to the beach to surf, as well as one of epic days SF surfers all anticipate.  It is painted with several thin translucent acrylic paint layers and an opaque layer of water soluble oil paint. It is a view looking out to the ocean over the San Francisco's Sunset neighborhood. The painting is turning point in my artwork, it blends the city and ocean together. This subject will be very relevant in my upcoming solo show since I have decided it is time to move forward with my wave paintings. More to come soon...

artMRKT San Francisco /  by kimcogan








Hespe Gallery will be participating in artMRKT San Francisco. They will be located at booth 217,  May 17 - 20, 2012. Come visit and see my new paintings. There will be a special preview of a new wave painting for my solo exhibition coming up in September.

artMRKT San Francisco
Hespe Gallery, Booth 217
May 17 - 20, 2012

www.art-mrkt.com/sf

The artMRKT San Francisco is located at the Concourse Exhibition Center, 620 7th Street (at Brannan), San Francisco, CA.




















T.L. At Midnight, 2012
72" X 52"
oil on canvas

Dallas Art Fair /  by kimcogan



Dallas Art Fair
Gallery Henoch, G12
April 13 - 15, 2012

www.dallasartfair.com

Gallery Henoch will be participating in the Dallas Art Fair. They will be located at space G12, April 13 - 15, 2012. Come visit and see my newest painting, "Entrance."

The Dallas Art Fair is located inside FIG (Fashion Industry Gallery)
1807 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX.


Entrance, 2012
42" X 32"
oil on canvas

Gallery Henoch
555 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10001
tel: 917.305.0003
email: Info@galleryhenoch.com
www.galleryhenoch.com




Old Chinatown /  by kimcogan


This is a painting over another painting I had started long ago. Learning from my previous mistakes, I quickly established the composition with large overall shapes and contrast within the 1st session which lacked in the painting before.

Old Chinatown, 2012
36" X 18"
oil on canvas