Painting

April 23, 2026

This Figurative Painter Captures the Intricacies of Detroit Through a Local Tattoo Artist

Last year, Liu Xiaodong visited Detroit with the intention of painting its various residents—perhaps he would portray retired workers from the motor industry, he thought, or maybe rappers from the city’s prominent music scene. Instead, the figurative painter decided to significantly narrow his scope. For the first time in his career, he honed in on a single subject: John Mcintyre, a Detroit-based tattoo artist and a member of a local medieval fighting team.

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April 18, 2026

Goldsmith-Turned-Painter Illuminates the Magic of Wildlife With Metal Leaf [Interview]

Mixed-media artist Marie Lavallee is a great reminder that creativity doesn’t have to follow just one path. She first fell in love with painting in high school, went on to build a career as a goldsmith, and then found her way back to painting after turning 50. Although she shifted mediums, traces of her earlier craft remain ever-present—Lavallee incorporates elements of gold and copper leaf into her striking portraits of birds and woodland animals.

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March 27, 2026

Bill Murray Says 19th-Century Painting at Art Institute of Chicago Saved His Life

Actor Bill Murray is known for his eccentric and at times aloof demeanor. But despite his public persona, he is an artist through and through, and is moved by powerful art just like anyone else. In fact, he has declared that a painting saved him at one of the lowest points in his life. Murray recounted this moment during a press conference for the 2014 film The Monuments Men.

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March 20, 2026

Artist and Marine Biologist Merges Love for Art and Science in Large-Scale Paintings [Interview]

Honolulu-based artist Havilah Abrego brings together her dual practice as a marine biologist and painter to create striking depictions of marine mammals. Inspired by her time diving and studying marine ecosystems, her work merges science, art, and a deep connection to the ocean. She invites viewers to reconnect with the ocean through her art and reflect on our shared responsibility to protect it.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.