Paintings
Circa 1960's
Oil on Glass (12" x 10")
Czech Republic/France/United States
Edward Becka (1904-1977) was a Czech-born artist who spent much of his career in France and later in the United States. He is particularly noted for his innovative use of oil on glass, a technique that allowed him to achieve a unique luminosity and depth in his paintings. His subjects often included landscapes, cityscapes, and maritime scenes, rendered in a bold, expressive style that blended elements of Cubism and Fauvism.
Becka's work gained recognition in the mid-20th century, and his paintings are appreciated for their vibrant color palettes and dynamic compositions. The oil on glass technique, while challenging, enabled him to create works with a distinctive visual quality, often described as jewel-like. His maritime works, in particular, capture the movement and atmosphere of harbors and seascapes with a modernist sensibility.
Circa 1960's
Oil on Glass (12" x 10")
Czech Republic/France/United States
Edward Becka (1904-1977) was a Czech-born artist who spent much of his career in France and later in the United States. He is particularly noted for his innovative use of oil on glass, a technique that allowed him to achieve a unique luminosity and depth in his paintings. His subjects often included landscapes, cityscapes, and maritime scenes, rendered in a bold, expressive style that blended elements of Cubism and Fauvism.
Becka's work gained recognition in the mid-20th century, and his paintings are appreciated for their vibrant color palettes and dynamic compositions. The oil on glass technique, while challenging, enabled him to create works with a distinctive visual quality, often described as jewel-like. His maritime works, in particular, capture the movement and atmosphere of harbors and seascapes with a modernist sensibility.
CHRISTOPHER HLINKA
Phoenix 30” x 24”
Acrylic, Gold Leaf, and Charcoal on Canvas
Christopher is an Actor/Artist/Writer. He has traveled nationally and internationally performing in various stage musicals and has been featured on multiple tv shows and commercials. While traveling as an actor Christopher leaned into creating art on canvas to fill downtime. His first series Phoenix was born on the road after a heartbreak. Since then, his work has been highlighted in 5 different galleries around New York. He recently traveled London to workshop a musical he wrote called Bradical and the Pink Socks, and can currently be seen performing stand-up comedy all around Manhattan. Christopher also hosts Gallery Walk Tours and Figure Drawing Sessions with the hope to build community within the creative world. Bridging the gap between the spectator and artist is his next venture.
HELEN LAFRANCE - ‘The Steeplechase’ (c. 1995)
Helen LaFrance (1919-2020)
Oil on Panel 56" x 19.5"
Helen was a self-taught Black American artist born in Graves County, Kentucky. Helen has often been described as both an outsider artist due to her lack of formal training and existence outside the cultural mainstream and as a memory painter, best known for her captures of the disappearing lifestyle of the rural South. Helen has been referred to as “the Black Grandma Moses.”
Helen is best known for her memory paintings of rural life in Western Kentucky. Her works often depict scenes from her childhood, including church gatherings. community events, and landscapes. LaFrance's art is characterized by its vibrant colors, flattened perspective, and attention to detail.
Her paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States, and are included in numerous private and public collections. LaFrance's work provides a valuable glimpse into the history and culture of rural Black communities in the 20th century. Her paintings are highly sought after by collectors of folk art, including Oprah Winfrey.
To inquire about pricing and availability, please email BALL HILL The Arcade at info@ballhill.com.
Contemporary rendering of a 19th-Century Coca-Cola Advertisement (Circa 1889)
24” x 29.5”
Acrylic on Wood
Newark, Ohio
Painting addressing the COVID Crisis.
2020
Acrylic on Wood
Rachel Marie Rowse, operating under the alias RMR.Arts, created this piece in 2020 as a direct response to the global COVID-19 crisis. The artwork, measuring 12"x 18", features a powerful visual narrative combining medical imagery with symbols of hope and the Earth.
Originating from Wilmington, North Carolina, Rowse's work often explores contemporary societal issues. This particular piece, purchased in West Virginia in 2021, reflects the widespread impact and anxieties surrounding the pandemic, while simultaneously offering a message of resilience and optimism through its "HOPE" motif and global representation.
This is a mixed-media abstract by Carol Salome measuring 48” square, from the Collection of Pattye Whisman, M.D. Late 1980’s-early 1990’s.
Accompanying the larger work are the original 6 framed renderings. Each rendering collectively were the inspirations for the ultimate creation of the larger work. Each rendering is unique and measures between 5.5” and 7” square or rectangle. All are floating in a glass and silver metal frame measuring 14”x14”. They are the companion pieces for the larger commission mixed media abstract measuring 48” square.
The combination of these elements creates a cohesive body of work that invites viewers to engage with the artwork on multiple levels.
Carol Salome's work from the late 1980s-early 1990s reflects this spirit of experimentation, combining various materials to create visually striking abstract compositions. The use of both large-scale mixed media pieces and smaller companion renderings suggests a deliberate artistic process, where the artist explores different facets of a central theme or concept.
Mixed media art gained prominence in the 20th century as artists sought to break away from traditional artistic boundaries. By incorporating diverse materials such as textiles, wood, and found objects, artists created complex and multi-layered artworks that challenged conventional notions of painting and sculpture. This approach allowed for greater experimentation and innovation, leading to the development of unique artistic styles and techniques.
To inquire about pricing and availability, please email BALL HILL The Arcade at info@ballhill.com.
Oil on Glass and Board
8” x 16” x 2” Shadowbox
Granville, Ohio
This particular oil painting, utilizes this reverse painting technique within a 2” deep shadow box frame. The depiction of a tree, with its intricate branches painted on the glass and the sky and earth on the back panel, showcases Sharkey’s skill in creating a layered and visually engaging composition. Such works are appreciated for their unique artistic approach and decorative appeal, often finding a place in collections of contemporary folk art.
Watercolor on Paper
18.5” x 22.5” (framed)
Pickerington , Ohio
This particular painting captures a serene rural scene characterized by its expansive fields, utility poles, and the dramatic hues of a setting sun. Steen’s technique in rendering the sky and the textured grasses suggests a skilled hand, aiming to evoke a sense of place and time. Such works often appeal to collectors who appreciate representational art and the evocative power of nature.
September 11th Americana
60” x 90” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas Diptych. Signed Indistinctly. Weeping American Flag with impressions of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers.
To inquire about pricing and availability, please email BALL HILL The Arcade at info@ballhill.com.
This artwork is a powerful representation of the September 11th attacks and their impact on America.
The American flag: The main subject of the piece, representing the United States and its people.
Dripping paint: Symbolizes the pain, grief, and loss experienced after the attacks.
Twin Towers silhouette: Represents the World Trade Center buildings and their destruction, a central symbol of the tragedy.
Muted colors: Convey the somber and solemn atmosphere surrounding the event.
Textured surface: Adds depth and complexity, possibly representing the multifaceted nature of the event and its aftermath.
2020
Acrylic Lacquer on Canvas
West Virginia (Possibly, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia)
Abstract art, as a movement, gained significant traction in the early 20th century, challenging traditional artistic conventions by focusing on non-representational forms, colors, and textures. Artists sought to convey emotions, ideas, or purely aesthetic experiences without relying on depicting the visible world. This artistic philosophy has continued to evolve, with contemporary artists like Nathan Anderson exploring new mediums and techniques.
Nathan Anderson is a contemporary artist known for his abstract works that often feature bold colors, dynamic compositions, and textured surfaces, sometimes incorporating metallic elements. His pieces frequently explore themes of movement, energy, and the interplay of light and shadow. The year 2020 places this work within his recent artistic output, reflecting his current style and thematic interests.