This was an interesting one. While I was working on it and realized I made a mistake. A big mistake. A mistake not in the work itself (even though the photo I took doesn’t do it justice) — but the moment in the story that I chose to freeze. Currently the paining is unfinished and might stay that way, but it was going to be called “Wrong Answer” Right now, the painting shows the woman beside the button and the man sitting in the tank, but neither is actually doing anything decisive. The...

As you know not only has the work shifted but I'm working on redesigning the site as well as a full personal rebranding. Love to here what which one you think is best, and for what situation. And any other thoughts you might have. #1 Ian Kabat is a contemporary realist painter whose work bridges technical precision with symbolic storytelling. Trained through a disciplined approach to figurative realism, he has evolved beyond portraiture to create narrative paintings that explore contemporary...

One of the enduring mysteries of making art is that no amount of skill guarantees success. Sometimes a piece feels alive, while others feel merely competent. This one I worked on for some time, and it never felt like it was working. It is the second time this has happened since I restarted. For me, a work of art "works" when every decision seems to belong. Composition, color, value, gesture, symbolism, texture, and scale reinforce one another rather than compete. This one just seemed to...