Photorealism 101 and the artwork of Neil MacCormick.

Along with John Baeder (And a huge fan of his work) is Neil MacCormick. I came across his blog, titled Photorealism 101, and was inspired by his play by play story which intertwines his life as it relates to his art career. As artists we tend to feel alienated at times. We make work in the solitude of our studio and only after long hours, days and months does that body of work see the light of day and get the publics reaction. Every piece we make we have to question if it is correct and as we change out subject matter will people understand why and how we got to that point.

MacCormick shows with OK Harris. This is no small feat as Ivan Karp is a legendary figure in the New York art gallery scene and super critical in every respect. In MacCormicks' blog he recounts his many trips to New York to meet with Ivan and returning to Canada being asked for newer work, better work. Finally when all seems hopeless and life is at its lowest he gets a show at OK Harris in the hallway. After the opening night only selling 3 pieces he feels the show is a failure and returns to Canada. Ten days later MacCormick receives a call from Ivan Carp asking if he has any more work because all but one have sold. SInce then he has sold every piece that OK Harris has shown.

Neil MacCormicks' work is beautiful. He has done the neon signs in the past and then has moved on to a concept based on Edward Hoppers' depression era city landscapes. These works are amazing. The tell of the desperation of urban blight.
These works incorporate icons from the past mixed with modern day elements of graffiti.

You can see more of his work here and here.

His blog can be found here.

"America"Lost and Found" Opening photos at Mark Gallery

Some photos prior to the opening of "America"Lost and Found" show at Mark Gallery in Englewood, New Jersey. The show features work by Jeff Schaller and myself and runs through May 15th.

"Diamonds and Rust" Opening Photos.

Some photos before the opening of my show "Diamonds and Rust" at Art Department Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Big thanks to Anke and Amy for making it a successful opening.

Creative Loafing Editors Pick for "Diamonds and Rust" show.

Some press for my upcoming show in Atlanta at Art Department Gallery.

Find the link here.

The artwork of Randall Reid.

I recently purchased a piece of artwork by Texas artist, Randall Reid. This being the first purchase of art in a long while makes me very happy and I want to write about it.

Reid's work consists of small boxes made of recycled cut steel, vintage rulers and wood. To me these are archaeological pieces that speak of the history of the material and where it has been for the last few decades. The small details and how they relate to the overall piece of each work is what initially caught my eye but there is much more at stake.

To me they are pieces of American history. Without directly telling the story I get a sense of specific time and place. Reid's use of vintage rulers draw me in as well because of my fascination with numbers. In the end his pieces are solid and beautiful. His color use is bold and exacting to the story he is telling.

You can see more if his work here and here and here.

Robert Mars "Diamonds and Rust" solo show opening at Art Department Gallery, Atlanta, GA.

I have a solo show opening on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at Art Department Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is titled "Diamonds and Rust" and will feature 13 new paintings. Please come by and check out the opening if you are in the area!
The opening reception will be from 7-10PM at 327 Edgewood Avenue SE in Atlanta, Georgia.

All pieces below are available for sale. Inquiries on availability and pricing at events@artdepartmentgallery.com


"Young American Look" 48" x 48"


"Triple 7s" 24" x 24" SOLD


"The Die Hard" 24" x 24" SOLD


"Smooth Move" 24" x 18"


"Relax" 30" x 24" SOLD


"Piece of the Rock" 12" x 12" SOLD


"Hot On The Strip" 12" x 12"


"Hot New Weapon" 24" x 18"


"Horsepower" 12" x 24"


"Excitement" 24" x 36"


"Conquer The World" 30" x 24"


"Bombshell" 30" x 24" SOLD

The collage artwork of Jonathan Talbot.

Years ago, when I started experimenting with collage, I purchased special paper made for collage at an art store in Portland, Oregon. After I moved away from Portland I could not find it at my local art store so I contacted the maker to buy direct. The maker of the paper is also an artist with whom I have been buying from for the last 8 years. We have become internet art friends and are always looking for ways to improve our processes by sharing our discoveries.

Jonathan Talbot's artwork has been exhibited practically everywhere in the world including the Museum of Modern Art and the National Academy. Jonathan is a multi-disciplined artist that has been focusing on collage for many years. Below is his latest pieces that are based on a Marcel Duchamp study titled "La mariée mise à nu par ses célibataires, même" (The Bride Stripped Bare by her Bachelors, Even), often referred to, in English, as “The Large Glass.”

In this series of collages the bachelors have been "unmolded" and can be seen as real people from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the period during which they took first form in Duchamp’s mind.

My favorite piece is definitely "The Bachelors Visit New York" with the humorous modern day police officer thrown into the composition for dramatic effect.

You can see more of Jonathan's work here.


The Duchamp Study for the "Bachelors" portion of "La mariée mise à nu par ses célibataires, même."


"The Bachelors visit New York" 11 1/4" x 13 1/2"


"The Bachelors meet the Venus de Milo" 9 1/8" x 13 1/2"


"The Stationmaster, the Priest, the Undertaker, and the Delivery Boy Visit Palmyra" 9 1/8" x 13 1/2"


"The Loneliness of the Busboy" 9 1/8" x 13 1/2"


"The Loneliness of the Busboy Resolved" 9 1/8" x 13 1/2"


"The Arrival of the Gendarme and the Undertaker" 9 1/8" x 13 1/2"