Contemporary-Traditional Art
Contemporary-Traditional Art refers to an art produced at the present period of time that reflects the current culture by utilizing classical techniques in drawing, painting, and sculpting. Practicing artists are mainly concerned with the preservation of time-honored skills in creating works of figurative and representational forms of fine art as a means to express human emotions and experiences. Subjects are based on the aesthetics of balancing external reality with the intuitive, internal conscience driven by emotion, philosophical thought, or the spirit. The term is used broadly to encompass all styles and practices of representational art, such as Classicism, Impressionism, Realism, and Plein Air painting. Technical skills are founded in the teachings of the Renaissance, Academic Art, and American Impressionism.
Organizations
Organized groups of practicing artists and institutions dedicated to furthering classical techniques include the Grand Central Atelier, Art Renewal Center, California Art Club, Florence Academy of Art, the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia, Laguna College of Art and Design, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, New York Academy of Art, and Portrait Society of America.Publications
Publications referencing the term, Contemporary-Traditional or living artists working in traditional styles: Empathy For Beauty, Carnegie Art Museum, essay by museum director Suzanne Bellah, 2014 California Light, A Century of Landscapes - Paintings of the California Art Club by Jean Stern and Molly Siple, foreword by Elaine Adams, 2011 Land of Sunlight; Contemporary Paintings of San Diego County by James Lightner On Location in Malibu Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, curated by museum director Michael Zakian, PhD. Essay, Painting in Malibu, 1999Selections From the Permanent Collection, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, essay by Michael Tomar, PhD., 1996Notable artists
Peter Seitz AdamsNed Bittinger
Jacob Collins
Karl Dempwolf
Frederick Hart
Everett Raymond Kinstler
Jeremy Lipking
Richard Schmid
Nelson Shanks
Tim Solliday
Alexey Steele
Patricia Watwood
Bruce Wolfe