Celebrating Contemporary Realism in Barcelona
Earlier this month, I traveled to Barcelona to attend the 13th Annual ARC Salon Exhibition at the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM). It was an unforgettable experience, especially as the exhibition included an official awards ceremony during the opening reception.
I was honored to receive both an Honorable Mention and the Arcadia Contemporary Award, presented by Kara Lysandra Ross, Co-Chair and COO of the Art Renewal Center (ARC). The evening was full of warmth and excitement, with artists, collectors, and supporters filling the museum with champagne in hand, to celebrate the many talented artists featured in the exhibition.
The ARC team made what must have been a complex logistical feat seem effortless. Their commitment to showcasing excellence in realist art made the experience feel personal, professional, and deeply rewarding.
Gratitude and Recognition
This exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of collectors Steve and Carl, who generously loaned the painting that was included in the show. Their belief in my work continues to open doors I never imagined.
To the Art Renewal Center, Arcadia Contemporary, and the incredible staff at the MEAM, thank you. I’m beyond grateful for the recognition and for the chance to exhibit in a museum that champions contemporary realist art in the heart of Europe.
Barcelona & MEAM: A Hub for Contemporary Realism
Barcelona is a city rich with art, architecture, and culture. The MEAM, nestled in the historic El Born neighborhood, offers a striking space for contemporary realism to flourish. If you ever find yourself in Barcelona, I highly recommend visiting. Seeing so many outstanding realist works in one place and being included among them is a memory I’ll treasure.
Exhibition Details
European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM)
February 8 – March 31, 2019
C/ Barra de Ferro 508003, Barcelona, Spain
My paintings are created with a traditional 
Photographing your cat from a their eye level tends to make the image feel more intimate and it shows your cat without distortion. Cat’s do like to climb so you don’t always have to get down on the ground to achieve this.
Natural light is ideal and its best if the day is slightly overcast. Cats are usually indoor creatures, but steering them towards a window will achieve the desired effect. Not only does natural overcast light help avoid harsh shadows, it gives me a more accurate representation of color for the fur and eyes. Try to pose them so that they get the light to twinkle in their eyes for a lifelike appearance.
Hi resolution images are a must but if most of the picture is just background, I’m not going to get any detail (unless the landscape will be a part of the painting!). Never compress images before sending them and fill the frame with your cat as much as possible for the most detail. Getting the correct texture of your cats fur and the subtle color changes in the eyes is impossible if the image is blurry. Filling the frame with your cat gives me all of the details that are so fun to paint and to look at. Use the zoom feature on your camera to help you get close without attracting too much attention.
My mock-up’s are constructed digitally and they help give a sense of what the painting will look like. This mock-up was submitted with the note that the color and fine details would be taken form another image (the one used to demonstrate “natural light” above).