Sompop Budtarad

"The Water Naga, " Acrylic, Gold Leaf, Mixed Media on Wood

1997

This three-dimensional work incorporates an acrylic painting on canvas laid in a handmade red frame, adorned with scorched wooden planks, a stylized plaster heart, and an ice pick. The painting is a monochromatic depiction of icebergs protruding from the surface of water. While the imagery of the painting speaks to the visible outcome of artistic production, the frame and its adornments implore the viewer to consider the requisite materials necessary for creative actualization. Bert L. Long Jr., was self-taught artist, was born in 1940 in Texas, grew up the Houston’s historic Fifth Ward and received his formal education from UCLA. Following a career as a successful master chef, Long decided to devote himself entirely to art in the late 1970’s. He began to explore folk art and assemblage to create a unique body of work, attracting the attention of Jim Harithas, then Director of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and artists John Alexander, Salvatore Scarpitta and James Surls. His life spanned an era of radical change in the American social climate, the influence of which can be seen clearly in his work. Long’s paintings and sculptures incorporate a high level of skill and sophisticated knowledge of art history, along with complex philosophical and social issues.  Long describes the philosophy behind his work as "a quest to help people diagnose their inner self," believing his art to be "the vehicle to help facilitate the process." “As artists we have the obligation to provide the world with art which communicates as truth. I believe that art has the power to heal our souls of their afflictions. I try to create art which helps to diagnose the prevalent conditions within our societies, hopefully providing an insightfulness which will help us all become brothers and sisters united in equality and compassion”                                       - Bert L. Long, Jr. The late Peter Marzio, former Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, said of Bert Long during the major retrospective of Long’s work at the museum: “Bert Long does not avert his gaze from that which is painful, but as [his artworks] testify, he also brings a spirit of joy and redemption to his art. We can all learn from this great artist.” Over Long’s 33-year career as a painter, sculptor, and photographer, he had several solo exhibitions at respected museums and was awarded many significant awards including the National Endowment for the Arts Grant in 1987 and the prestigious international Prix de Rome fellowship in 1990. Other notable awards of Long’s include the Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts Artist of the Year Award in 2009, the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Assistance Grant in 1997, the Houston Art League Texas Artist of the Year in 1990, the NEA Visual Artists Fellowship Grant, 1987 and the Bemis Foundation Residency in 1998. His work can be seen in over 100 private and public collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, the El Paso Museum of Art, and the Instituto de Bachillerato in Spain. With a recent solo exhibition at the Houston Museum of African American Culture and an exhibition overseas which is pending featuring his work, plus interest from several national museums, Bert L. Long Jr. continues to be recognized as an important African American artist throughout Texas, nationally and internationally. Bert L. Long, Jr. "Passion" 2012 Acrylic Paint, Wood Elements...

This work consists of an acrylic painting on canvas laid in a handmade frame of plaster and pine. The imagery of the painting, as implied by the title and crucifix near the center of...

"Saudi" discusses man’s modern romance with the oil industry, technology, and capitalism. In his Oil series, Guzman intimates toward the crudeness of industrial domination of nature ...

Human desire for togetherness, acknowledged by Lord Buddha. Artwork Details: Paramat Lueng-On "Look On" 1999 Rich Gold and Acrylic on Canvas 43 x 43 Inches

The Butterfly series for Ash began as a sentiment to her late Father. Butterflies began to appear in unexplainable ways after his passing, the artist later discovered that Butterflies represent spiritual rebirth, transformation, change, hope, and life - she goes on to say: "The butterfly series draws inspiration from Rivera's quote 'Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can.'" After coming to the fruition that Butterflies pose as not only a symbol for beauty and rebirth, Almonte felt a feeling of deep comfort. Her passion for sharing this message of hope and renewal through her colorfully diverse canvases is achieved with resilience leaving her audience glimmering much like the inner voice and the spark of Joie de vivre that fuels her purpose in life to create. This piece is painted on thick gallery wrap canvas and is signed lower right and on verso, it comes with hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 48 x 48 inches Inspired by vibrance and an optimistic outlook on life, Ash Almonte is recognized for her distinct abstract expressionistic style. She is best known for her series of Chandeliers, Butterflies, and Fashion from the Seventh Avenue Design District. Almonte's award-winning works can be found in private and permanent collections around the world. She is motivated by change, compassion for others, and miraculous phenomena that can impact others for good. Her flair and admiration for fashion and art have been a staple of her life since childhood. As a young girl, she would experiment using anything she could find to make art; from tearing apart bushel baskets at her father’s fruit stand, to tearing out old magazine clippings from her mother's magazine collection; anything and everything around her could potentially be used to create. She would continue to seek out opportunities throughout her young adult years, as her love for fashion grew, allowing her to collaborate with celebrity stylists creating looks for top billboard artists, as well as apparel worn at New York Fashion Week for designers Sherri Hill...

Guided by her passion for life and her spirit, French Canadian painter Zabel creates vibrant artworks filled with romance and immersive textures. With a belief that art is all about feeling, she creates magic and captures the moment by infusing her art with strong emotive qualities. Zabel communicates each scene with precision. Her work evokes the Impressionists, but depicts modern love and adventure. Couples stand at bar top tables...

Guided by her passion for life and her spirit, French Canadian painter Zabel creates vibrant artworks filled with romance and immersive textures. With a belief that art is all about feeling, she creates magic and captures the moment by infusing her art with strong emotive qualities. Zabel communicates each scene with precision. Her work evokes the Impressionists, but depicts modern love and adventure. Couples stand at bar top tables...

Guided by her passion for life and her spirit, French Canadian painter Zabel creates vibrant artworks filled with romance and immersive textures. With a belief that art is all about feeling, she creates magic and captures the moment by infusing her art with strong emotive qualities. Zabel communicates each scene with precision. Her work evokes the Impressionists, but depicts modern love and adventure. Couples stand at bar top tables...