Max Beckmann and the Mysteries of Life

After reading a compelling article in the Wall Street Journal on artist, Max Beckmann, we couldn't help but relate the late artists work to that of Daniel Boylan. A common theme in Beckmann's work was "man's inner self and the mysteries of life", but he also painted landscapes, cityscapes, history paintings and mytholigical works.


Beckmann's, Self Portrait in Tuxedo

Artist Dan Boylan, an Omaha, Nebraska native works mainly instinctively and paints images that "...are a fragment of the visions I started out with as a boy."


Sammy, 30"x38"
Oil on gessoed board



Sarah II, 30"x38"
Oil on gessoed board



Syd, 52"x70"
Oil on gessoed board

To see more on this artist, please visit our showroom or his website.

Landscapes by Mary Johnston

"Born and raised in Duluth, MN, the landscape around Lake Superior gave me a beautiful palette of water, sky and forest to inspire my work...the scenes from the Great Lakes region continue to be the main focus of my creativity."

-Mary Johnston



Day by the Lake, 36x36

Prairie Sunset, 48x60

Orange Sky, 36x36

After the Plow, 30x30

Come view these gorgeous pieces - new in our showroom!

For more information on the artist, make sure to visit her website.

Showroom Update: New Artwork

Lately, we've got all sorts of new goodies in the showroom. These richly saturated watercolors by artist, Calvin deRuyter, almost make us forget about the cold weather months not so far ahead. Stop by soon to check out these gorgeous pieces!


Foothills Plateau, watercolor on paper



Lakeview #2, watercolor on paper



Southwest Inspiration #8, watercolor on paper



Hidden Pond #3, watercolor on paper


More new pieces to be posted soon!

International Market Square Launches New Website.

Built in 1905, the IMS building was modeled after the San Fransisco Design Center - and in 1985 became Minnesota's largest renovated building and now provides the most innovative home designs. IMS continues to be the largest home and commercial interior design marketplace in the Upper Midwest.





This year marks the 25th anniversary of the design center - and they have completely re-vamped the website. For information on International Market Square's history or to browse the directory of designers, showrooms and offices, visit the new site.

New Artwork: Marie Kvasnik

Stop by and check out this great new artwork brought in by Minneapolis-born artist, Marie Kvasnik.


Carpe Diem
Oil on canvas, 38x55


Cause Silence Isn't Golden When I'm Holding it Inside
Oil on canvas, 60x33


Black and Blue Sky
Oil on canvas, 24x20


Mahjong
Oil on canvas, 48x24

Showroom Update: Artist, Daphnae Koop

We are crazy about these beautiful pieces by Minneapolis-based artist, Daphnae Koop! Make sure to come see these new addtions to our showroom at IMS.

Hope Springs. Carved reclaimed wood with inset glass.

In the Listening Sky. Carved reclaimed wood with inset glass.

Detail: In the Listening Sky

No Other Prayer. Carved reclaimed wood with inset glass.

"It is my great hope, and my ambition, to paint work that calls to something beyond itself, something larger, deeper, a thing I sense in the stillness that happens when I am unguarded in front of a painting with a brush and pigment in hand and nowhere to hide."

-K. Daphnae Koop

Learn more about the artist at her website.

Artist: Kit Eastman

Kit Eastman, a St. Paul, Minnesota based textile artist is currently creating hand-painted objects in the Japanese tradition of katazome, or stencil-dyeing, using natural dyes on linen, cotton and silk. The following pieces are available in our showroom and are absolutely beautiful in person! In this collection, Kit has employed multiple dyeing and printing techniques on fabric, as well as simple piecing and stitching to convey her thoughts about the urban landscape near her St. Paul home.


Remembered Contours, dyes and pigments on silk organza and cotton

Morning Doves, dyes and pigments on silk organza and cotton

Caw en Repose I, dyes and pigments on cotton/linen - embellished

Caw en Repose II, dyes and pigments on cotton/linen - embellished

To view more of Eastman's work, visit our showroom or the artist's blog.

Showroom Update: Artist, Roy Cacek

Into the Bright Night

Vague Impressions

Light Pollution

Metro Glow

View more of these stunning pixilated pieces by Roy Cacek in our showroom at International Market Square!

Showroom Update: New Artwork

Donna Bruni, Prairie Garden I. Oil on canvas, 36"x45"

Donna Bruni, Prairie Garden III. Oil on canvas, 36"x45"

New installation by local ceramic artist C.M. Gibbs

Donna Bruni's, Prairie Garden I, alongside an installation by C.M. Gibbs.

A Balance Between

While in the process of selecting artwork for a children's room, a colleague came across some amazing pieces by Jennifer Davis, and I instantly became drawn to the delicate nature, subject matter and vivid coloring of each piece. Each object, character and symbol that is created has an invented meaning for Davis as she continues to find a balance between beautiful things and subtly enigmatic undertones within her work. The artist believes her graphite and acrylic drawing/paintings "...celebrate beautiful things as if through the eyes of a child that has reluctantly grown up a little bit." Is anyone out there not reluctant to grow up from time to time?

Make sure the check out Jennifer Davis' blog for insights from the artist and new artwork. Also noteworthy is an upcoming show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts featuring four Minneapolis artists (including Davis) entitled,"Flourish: Jennifer Davis, Erika Olson Gross, Terrance Payne, & Joe Simmons." The show runs from October 22nd, 2010 - January 2nd, 2011. For more info., check out the MIA's site.

Speaking Boldly about Quiet Things

"My paintings are a means for me to speak boldly about the quiet things...I find that giving each one of my figures a presence and context of color and light, enhances my own sense of presence and place in the world."

-Candace Compton Pappas

Pappas' beautiful work ranges in size from 4 by 6 inches to 5 by 6 feet - incorporating plaster, clay, glues, inks and other water-based mediums, creating a textured field to work on. The paintings are often carried over onto the frames which are constructed by the artist herself. Make sure to visit her website and blog to see and learn more of this fascinating artist.