R. Kenton Nelson: New Artist Challenge

March 16th, 2019
R. Kenton Nelson Artist Challenge

I wanted to thank Lou Ann (@louannwarren) for hosting the Georgia Totto O’Keeffe artist challenge. Georgia has always held a special place in my heart and I was very honored to win this challenge and my entry also made the official top 20 chart for week 443. Thank you so much for taking the time to vote.
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2019-03-02


For the latest Artist Challenge, I chose a living American artist, R. Kenton Nelson. I connect with his artwork, because like me, he was born in Southern California in 1954.


“The world which R. Kenton Nelson creates in his paintings is at once innocent and sophisticated, nostalgic and modern, anonymous and intimate. A world of saturated colors, controlled emotions, hinted at rather than expressed. Others have written that he paints a “perfect world” and this is true in one sense, certainly in that his seamless compositions and his sensuous images are drop-dead elegant regardless of the subject matter. Nelson is inspired by the mythology of California. This is a polished and sophisticated vision of life that is more dream than reality and even if the good old days never really did exist, it can be painted as such. Nelson’s paintings depict pristine novelty, how things were in a glorified past, should be in a perfect present, or could be in a new improved future. Kenton Nelson roams the idealistic California of his childhood dreams, with a powerful mix of sunny optimism and noir mystery. Saturated with color and longing and balancing shadow and light.”

Here are examples of his artwork in my collage:
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2018-12-14

Here is another example in the R. Kenton Nelson style that I posted from my photograph:
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2017-05-24

And another example:
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2018-05-12

I hope you enjoy his art as much as I do and get inspired to depict it in your photography, be it simple objects, a bridge or a lighthouse, small home or everyday people. Are you up to the challenge? Enjoy it! You can also post below to inspire more participation. Thank you.

Please use the tag ac-rkentonnelson

The challenge begins: March 17, 2019
ends: April 17, 2019 (deadline extended due to rainbow challenge)


http://www.kentonnelson.com/bio

http://www.kentonnelson.com/objects

http://www.kentonnelson.com/architectural

http://www.kentonnelson.com/figurative

http://www.kentonnelson.com/watercolors

https://www.linktv.org/shows/artbound/american-life-remembered-kenton-nelsons-comfort-art

http://www.kentonnelson.com/videos

http://www.kentonnelson.com/process

http://www.kentonnelson.com/mosaics
March 17th, 2019
Oh, I like his work! I love to discover someone I've not known of before.
March 17th, 2019
@spanishliz Happy to hear that, Liz! Take a look at all his examples and put on your thinking cap...and take your camera! :)
March 17th, 2019
Interesting choice, I like the 'Process' link!
March 17th, 2019
@overalvandaan I posted above an addition example from a photograph I took.
March 17th, 2019
@gardenfolk great choice - will hopefully be able to get out and about with my camera and join in - if this rain ever stops hahaha
March 17th, 2019
he has a very cool and eyecatching style
March 17th, 2019
@annied Well, if it doesn’t stop raining, you can look for interesting objects. :)
March 17th, 2019
@kali66 Thank you. I am glad you like his work.
March 17th, 2019
Thanks for the links CC. This is an interesting artist, I knew his work, but didn’t knew it was him. If you know what I mean 😉
March 18th, 2019
I've made an attempt, but I'm not completely satisfied with it
March 19th, 2019
Oh my! He’s a great choice for your challenge! I will enjoy everyone’s images in his style, I know!
March 19th, 2019
FUN! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.
March 20th, 2019
@louannwarren @yogiw
I hope you both decide to enter the challenge! :)
March 21st, 2019
@farmreporter. I wanted to let you know that I changed the deadline for the new artist challenge so you would be aware for Thursday reminder...Thanks! :)
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