Canadian Art Schools See Spike in U.S. Applicants 🇨🇦, $40M for Trump’s Statues 💰, Lessons from English Muffins 🍞
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Canadian Art Schools See Growth in Applications and Enrollment From US
Amid tightening US immigration policies, Canadian art schools like the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) report a significant increase in applications from US students, with NSCAD seeing a 220% spike for fall 2025. Students are drawn to Canada due to concerns over personal freedoms and the supportive environment for diverse identities.
President Trump's Big Budget Bill Includes $40 M. for Statues
The proposed spending bill from President Trump allocates $40 million for statues in the National Garden of American Heroes, aimed at celebrating 250 significant figures in U.S. history. The funding is tied to a 2021 executive order and is intended to create a public space for honoring American heroes, with artists receiving up to $200,000 per statue. Critics point out that the legislation could exacerbate the national deficit and disproportionately benefit wealthy Americans, while funding for arts and cultural initiatives has been cut.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Karin Hauck, a self-taught painter, began her artistic journey in 2016 after studying old master techniques. Inspired by Renaissance and Flemish artists, she expresses complex emotions and insights through her work. Hauck recently won the 2nd Prize at the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2023, highlighting her evolving artistry and connection to contemporary themes.
Fluorescent pink shadows: Jenna Gribbon’s Rainbows in Shadows at MASSIMODECARLO Milan
Jenna Gribbon's latest exhibition, "Rainbows in Shadows," at MASSIMODECARLO gallery in Milan, features vibrant, expressive paintings that explore intimate moments with her partner, Mackenzie Scott. While the works initially present a warm, cozy atmosphere, they also challenge viewers with underlying tensions and a sense of discomfort, reflecting Gribbon's ongoing inquiry into the dynamics of the artist-subject-viewer relationship. The exhibition raises questions about vulnerability and the predatory nature of looking, suggesting that even in moments of tenderness, there remains an unsettling awareness of the viewer's role.
Artist Directory: Matt Walford
Matt Walford is a UK-based digital artist known for his surrealist photoreal works that blend photography, digital collage, and CG techniques. With a background in commercial photography, he emphasizes the deconstruction and reconstruction of nature, often modifying natural elements to convey deeper meanings. His work has been exhibited widely in the UK and has received several awards, reflecting his creative exploration of visual ideas.
🖼 Competitions
Judge: Salon Winner "Masterfully Executed" - Fine Art Connoisseur
John Buxton won Overall First Place in the May 2025 PleinAir Salon, with judge Dave Santillanes praising his masterful execution and compelling design. Known as a "painter of our heritage," Buxton has over 20 years of experience as a fine artist, focusing on the 18th-century Wilderness Frontier. His work is widely recognized in the Western Art genre and is featured in prominent exhibitions, museums, and publications, underscoring the historical authenticity he brings to his paintings.
Presenting the Winners of Splash 26: The Best of Watercolor Competition | Artists Network
The winners of Splash 26: The Best of Watercolor have been announced, highlighting some of today’s finest talent in watermedia. Juror Stephen Zhang awarded top honors to works that blended technical mastery with emotional depth, including a poignant seagull-and-girl composition, a striking trompe l’oeil study, and a multidimensional portrait.
🎨 Learn
Trust in the Path You Chose by Jim McVicker OPA
Jim McVicker reflects on his journey as an artist, starting from his first painting at 21 after discovering Impressionism. Despite initial struggles and a lack of support from his parents, his dedication and hard work led him to a fulfilling career, ultimately allowing him to sell his art and establish a supportive community. McVicker emphasizes the importance of commitment, authenticity, and continuous growth in the artistic process, asserting that true fulfillment comes from exploring new creative territories rather than merely catering to market demands.
English Muffin Theory- Hyper Accents- It’s all about the buttery nooks and crannies! | Muddy Colors
Fischer uses the analogy of an English muffin to explain the importance of varying accents in painting. Just as an English muffin has random craters and raised areas that create a delightful texture, paintings benefit from strategic highlights and shadows, or "hyper accents," that enhance visual interest without overwhelming the viewer. The author emphasizes the need for balance in strokes, suggesting that the placement and intensity of these accents can elevate a piece from flat to dynamic.
Five Art Books for Your July 2025 Reading List
July’s reading list features a range of new art books, including a biography of Edith Farnsworth, which intertwines her life with that of architect Mies van der Rohe, and "Last Artist Standing," a collection of essays by artists over 50 discussing their experiences and challenges in the art world. Additionally, Valentina Di Liscia reviews a new English translation of the Mafalda comics, highlighting their humor and political commentary. Other notable mentions include an anthology documenting the contributions of Puerto Rican artists and Clare Croft’s examination of Jill Johnston's work through the lens of dance and embodiment.
The Pros and Cons of Sketching with Gouache - Realism Today
Art School Live's Gouache LIVE event, led by artist Jared Eldridge Cullum, explores the unique properties of gouache, a medium that blends the qualities of watercolor and oil paint. Participants learn about gouache's versatility, advantages, and challenges, including its tendency to mold in humid conditions and the necessity of specific tools like synthetic brushes. Jared emphasizes the importance of understanding gouache's behavior and encourages artists to embrace its sketchy nature and experiment with layering.
📚 History
ART & ARTISTS: Abel Warshawsky - part 1
Abel Georges Warshawsky was a Cleveland Impressionist landscape painter who moved to New York in 1905 and spent years in Paris, where he mingled with notable artists. After returning to Cleveland in 1910, he taught and exhibited his work while maintaining a studio in Paris for thirty years. Warshawsky's contributions to American art include a notable portrait of his wife and several pieces held in prestigious collections, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham