'Art Held in Contemp.' Volume 9 by Briana Melendez

 I've always been a visually stimulated individual. As a kid I was always mesmerized by the vibrant colors in nature & much to my parent's dismay the metal radiators in our home quickly became works of abstract art as I was entranced by the melting of my 64 colors of Crayola. The MOMA is by far my favorite museum in all of NYC. I can never get enough of the smooth perfection in marble and the vibrant colors of early 19th century paintings. As much as I love all these beautiful representations of creativity I could never feel connected completely. They are products of bygone eras that while I can admire I could never fully feel a part. That all changed a few years back. I picked up this art magazine called 'Juxtapoz' & BAM! It hit me like a Batman punch. There were images I understood, images I could relate to. Artwork that made sense & represented me. Knowing that 'my' art was alive & kicking has sent me on a quest to look for artist & works of art in which we all can see a little bit of ourselves. With each new installment I'll be aiming to do just that. Sit back & enjoy the ride, I know I have been.

artist Ryan McGinley

There are no words that can describe the pictorial works of Ryan McGinley. While this New Jersey native started in 1998 just documenting his day to day existence and friends, his eye & talent quickly lent itself to eventually creating the 'staged' images and portraits that are expressed in his later work. The vibrancy of color and impression either jumps at you or slowly drags you into the subject and you are taken there quite willingly.   

'Alex (Hurricane)'

'Amanda (Green Blow-Up)'

***Please click 'READ MORE' below for more explosive photography***
 (Some of the images after the jump contain NUDITY & are NSFW!)

'Amanda (Railroad)'

'Amy'

'Brandee (Kitten)''

'Bridgette'

'Grace (Emu)'

'Hanna (Deer)'

'Olivia (Sparks)'

'India (Coyote)'

'India (Deer)'

'Marcel'

'Matt'

'Nick'

'Night Sky (Pine)'

'Olivia (Sparrow)'

'Owl (2010)'

'Jake (Fall)'

'Knotty Pine'

'Midnight Flight'

'Somewhere Place (2011)'

'Boy with Thorns in His Side'

'Drift Domes'

'Grace Teeth'

'Hanging Rock'

'Icicles (Blue)'

'Jake (Shining Rock)'

'Tom (Fall Away)'

'Blue Pink & Orange'

artist Ryan McGinley

Link to previous installment of 'Art Held in Contemp.'