Art Held In Contemp Vol 12: Ray Caesar

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. This week we delve into the surreal world of Ray Caesar....

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

I like the dark & disquieting. I like reading, watching, observing something that leaves me feeling slightly tainted and a bit off-kilter. I really like Ray Caesar. Caesar is a digital artist based out of Toronto who works primarily with 3D software programs to create his visions. What I find most intriguing about Caesar are the details. At first glance the observer sees the obvious beauty but if you look deeper you can find the pieces that make you question 'why?'

Blessed

Arabesque

Ebb Tide

Ecstacy

Foreign Tongue

Home Coming

Madre

Oh Sweet Vanity

Return of the Day

Silent Partner

Sleeping by Day

Suddenly

The Burden of Her Memories

The Waiting Life 

Wallflowers

.....For more works from Ray Caesar, check out website

Art Held In Contempt Volume 11: Paul Barnes

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Without further ado I present you to Paul Barnes..........

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

Raised in rural Scotland surrounded by nature and folk tales, Paul Barnes' paintings have an aged simple air that brings to mind one's childhood bedtime stories. While his work appears innocent and light there is a somber undertone that filters through and shakes up the snug childish vision. His quiet style allows you to create your own narrative and turn on that imaginative light which fades as we get older.

Lazer Monkey

Melvin

Sweeten the Kitty

The Eternal

The Presence

Mocking Bird

Untitled

White Fox

Words of Wisdom

Puppy

Resting Place

Lonely Bear

Angel

China Bull



To see more of Paul Barnes' work check out his official website

'Art Held in Contemp' Volume 10 by Briana Melendez

For each new installment I'll spotlight an artist from painters to sculptors and street artists whose work reflects the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Without further ado I present you to Camilla d'Errico..........

**Please click READ MORE below for more art**

Vancouver based artist Camilla d'Errico is definitely a product of her childhood environment. A steady diet of cartoons, manga, anime and comics helped give birth and continue to feed d'Errico's creative mind. Her paintings and drawings at initial glance seem sweet and tender but all one has to do is look into the wide eyes of her creations to know that beneath the pastel fluff lies dark mysteries.

'Pink Twin Rainbow'

'Bowl in the Wind'

Cover Art for 'The Fallen'

'The Unique Mind'

'Honey Suckle'

'Tortoise Refuge'

'Angry Universe'

'Bah Bah Little Sheian'

Cover Art for 'Burn'

'Disassembled Tears'

'Fur Carnival'

'Janus'

Cover Art for 'Nightmares & FairyTales'

'Ororo'

'Strawberry Crows'

artist Camilla d'Errico

Camilla d'Errico official site

'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.'