Art Hag

A series of Brian Calvin's new, large-scale paintings featuring cute, young, hipster girls drinking Modelo beer, looking vacant, and hanging out on Californian beaches or in front of graphic prints, are currently on view at Anton Kern Gallery in Chelsea. The portraits featured in HEAD are composed in Calvin's signature, rough, flat, cartoonish, style in rich, vibrant hues. The 40-year-old, Los Angeles-based Calvin, who was born in Viscalia, California and received his MFA at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago in 1994, creates portraits that resemble a west coast, younger, trendier Alex Katz.

Speaking of Katz, the 82-year-old artist currently has a show at Adam Baumgold Gallery on East 66th Street. Alex Katz, Paintings from the 50's - 80's features well-know paintings by Katz such as Swimmer #3 from 1973, Self Portrait (Study) from 1982, as well as a few featuring his wife and muse Ada, including Ada in a Pillbox Hat (1961) in which Mrs. Katz is posed a la Jackie Kennedy. A few smaller paintings used as studies for larger, finished works are also on view. I particularly liked two of these studies featuring Katz's son Vincent - Walk (1970) and Man (Vincent) in Canoe (1974). Though studies, these two works still convey soft, dreamlike, summery scenes. Also on view are a few landscapes featuring flowers and trees which I liked for their joyfulness and also because I'm not familiar with this side of Katz's work (I typically associate Katz with portraits). The kindly gentleman at the Baumgold Gallery politely requested that I not take pictures at the exhibit so I unfortunately don't have any to share here - which is more reason for you to check out the show for yourself.

Learn more about Brian Calvin: Head at Antonkerngallery.com. Through January 16, 2010. And learn more about Alex Katz, Paintings from the 50's - 80's at Adambaumgoldgallery.com. Check out Katz's website at Alexkatz.com. Through January 30, 2010.

Head With Stuff (Can With Hand), 2009