The Katz whiskers!

"Born in 1927-American Artist Alex Katz is one of the most innovative leaders in the return to figurative realism and representation among avant-garde artists in America and Europe today. By 1960, very early in Katz' career, Alex Katz had already found his original and poetic solution to the dilemma of choice between earlier, dominant abstraction and realism by giving primacy to style over subject matter."
www.artbrokerage.com, 2012

After studying at the prestigious Cooper Union in New York and Skowhegen School of Painting and Sculpture, Alex Katz has gone on to have over 200 solo exhibitions and 500 group exhibitions and now has a wing dedicated to his works in the Colby College, Maine.

He splits his time between New York working and living in artists' residences, and Maine where he uses paint,  pencil, print and sculpture to create iconic portraits and landscapes.

His works explore colour, shape and light to create a distinctive artistic style that looks as new today as it did over 60 years ago when he created his first pieces.

His influence can be seen today in graphic design, painting and textile design. We absolutely love his signature style; clean, experimental and perfectly simple. Currently showing at the Tate St Ives, it is definitely worth a look.

A minimal colour pallette is used to its best effect.

This image gives the viewer a real sense of space and freedom
with a large foreground and small subjects.

Integrating everyday objects in to a timeless image.

This striking black and white image uses highlights for maximum impact.

One of the more well-known works which captures a simple
side profile creating a unique portrait.

Although the tree silhouette is at the forefront of the image,
the clever use of colour draws the viewers eye to the background.

A simple sunset scene which explores the sun, boats and foliage as shapes
rather than detailed images, but creates a clear portrait scene to the viewer.