”Luck of the Irish”, a
newly released fine art limited edition created by contemporary artist Michael
Flohr reveals a place that is near and dear to his heart. Painted at the world
famous Buena Vista café in San Francisco, the composition showcases Flohr’s incredible
mastery as one of today’s most talented modern impressionists.
His composition draws
the eye towards Fred the bartender, who stands behind the polished old
world wood of the famous counter. Glass bottles are illuminated in the soft glow
of the light and patrons are gathered all around as Fred tells his jokes and
spins his yarns for the eager listeners.
Their friendship as well as
Flohr’s genuine fondness for the café is evident in the golden coloring and
textural details of this beautiful work of art. His brushstrokes work to tell
the story, bringing to life the unique smells and the sound of chatter
and laughter.
“Luck of the Irish” is a
celebration of good times and good friends. It is a tribute to the past, a nod
to the present and an amazing example of the transporting power of art.
Michael
Flohr’s
moment in “Italian Rain” takes place in Italy’s
renowned Piazza Navona, which dates back to ancient Rome. The existing square
was built in the 15th century on the former Domitian’s stadium, built by emperor
Dimitian in the 1st century. With its magnificent fountains and the church of
Sant’Agnese in Agone, this square is home to some of the most important baroque
sculptural and architectural masterpieces in the world.
For centuries, people from all walks of life have come to this lively square to
experience its legacy. Apropos to Flohr’s abstract expressionist style is the
emotion he expresses with each stroke of his brush. The colorful reflections
from a warm evening rain illuminate his memory, as he recalls how the rain
seemed to rejuvenate, not dampen the spirits for all of those who wandered
amidst this historically significant place on this enchanted evening.
Michael Flohr's "Cornado Beach Walks" was born of a
sense of nostalgia and fond memories that fed his artistic impulse in creating
this intriguing panoramic work of art. Horizontal lines of azure imbue his
California skyline. Flohr paints a narrative that speaks of a family frolic or a
lovers' lounge, an enchanted vacation or just the good fortune of living life by
the beach. At a glance, we are transported to a carefree moment in time forever
etched in the artist's memory
A couple dining provides the artist's story
a profound statement about the exquisite joy in finding someone
special. Color and composition masterfully interplay to suggest a
special moment in time. The rich and moody hues suffuse an aura of sweet
intimacy. The viridian tones of the shadow cast from the reflection of
the evening light creating an aura of time passed. They seem to ask the
question "Have we met before, perhaps in another existence". Flohr
paintings possess a visual intensity and the emotional power to capture
moments that resonate deep within the soul.
Intentionally stylized with retro
contemporary flair, "Shaken not Stirred" transports the viewer to a
different place in time. Colors melt like the haunting melody of a
Billy Holliday song or the taste of a warm snifter of the cognac. The
backdrop filled with spontaneous and brilliant color, conveys the spirit
of the scene as a feeling of mystery and impeding romance looms in the
air. The lady orders her favorite libation a martini "shaken, not
stirred". Is she alone or a lady in waiting? Does it really matter?
Ultimately. Michael Flohr succeeds in taking us to a place that whets
the appetite for intrigue and quenches our thirst for visual pleasure.
Artist Michael Flohr paints a glimpse of a rainy day
on the streets of New Orleans, French Quarters. Flohr takes the viewer to a
corner of "Bourbon Street" where he captures a moment in time where colors
seem to merge in the sky bursting though the clouds into rain. At the center a
lone figure braves the rain and the slippery Cobblestone Streets. Soothing
shades of blue, red and yellow reverberate like an alto sax playing in the
distance creating a sense o quietude an reflex a much simpler time gone by.
Flohr captures the buzz of the street. The rain falls against the pavement like
twinkling piano keys and the wispy snare drum cadence of footsteps coalesce as
the figures head to their destinations. Asimphony of art, music and life comes
alive.
“Ciao Bella” invites the viewer to step into the old
world and delight in the simplicity of what
once was, and to some still is the center of the universe.
Here, Michael Flohr paints a scene familiar to any
casino featuring the players and the spectators, the winners and the losers. At
first glance, you can almost hear the shuffle of the cards, the clanking of
chips moving across the table and the bells of the slot machines ringing in the
background. Painted in rich, jewel tones, this seemingly solemn image is fraught
with the quiet excitement of a date with Lady Luck.
Michael Flohr’s latest image takes us to “Happy
Hour” at the legendary Buena Vista in San Francisco. Located across the street
from Fisherman’s Wharf, the city’s most popular tourist destination, the Buena
Vista translates to “good view” in Spanish. The Buena Vista has been a popular
meeting place since 1916 when the first floor of a boarding house was converted
into a saloon.
Serendipity Suite”. A guys’ night out is “Good
Medicine”. No strangers to their favorite watering hole, a man sits quietly
consoling his friend at the bar. Perhaps another broken heart? Love gone wrong
or love not found? In times like these it helps to have a friend.
“Lady Luck” in its midst, a woman stands alone at
the bar. Perhaps, too, looking for some consolation and some of her own good
medicine. They’ve all been there before, even at the same time. But today will
be different.
" We've all heard the saying "When in Rome, do
as the Romans do." The most common translation, of course, refers to when
one is in a strange or different situation it is best to behave like those
around you. This is but one great example of why these types of expressions
endure for thousands of years: they are extremely efficient descriptions;
they cram so much meaning into so few words.
Master artist Michael Flohr takes a stroll
down a quiet street in Rome on the way to the famous Trevi Fountain. A small
Italian café illuminates the night sky like a beacon. The street he walks
seems to go on forever, just like "La Citta Eterna" (The Eternal City)
itself. Vibrant hues of garnet, azure and golden yellows consume his canvas
as if capturing the reflection of each glistening raindrop of the summer
evening shower. We invite you to walk with Michael Flohr through one of the
ancient streets of Italy. "
“Night at the Fox” - Atlanta’s landmark Fox
Theatre.
Stellar in its illumination,
the Fox’s marquee lights up the Atlanta evening as if starring in a
performance all its own. A landmark building in the city of Atlanta, the Fox
Theatre is rich with a history as dramatic as its decor. Described as a
“beautifully outlandish, opulent, grandiose monument to the heady excess of
the pre-crash 1920’s, it is a mosque-like structure complete with minarets,
onion domes and an interior decor that is even more lavish than its facade”.
Originally the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque dating back to the early 1920’s
it opened as the Fox Theatre in 1929. The theatre has been painstakingly
preserved over the years and was declared a National Historic Landmark
Museum Building in 1991. Captivated by its artistic fantasy and powerful
presence, Michael Flohr was compelled to celebrate this artistic monument in
a painting of his own creation. Flohr states, “The Fox Theatre is a
testament to Atlanta’s appreciation for artistic achievements. The city’s
continued efforts to renovate, restore and preserve this monument for the
sake of the arts is to be commended. I wanted to pay tribute to the
generations of people who entertained and were entertained at the Fox and to
those who have worked so hard to keep the theatre alive and well.”
" In “Set to Perfection” Michael Flohr
takes us to a quaint little bistro in Napa Valley, the heart of California’s
wine country. With a quiet emptiness and a sense of casual formality Flohr
paints a glimpse behind the scenes of what is sure to be a dynamic dining
experience for the coming patrons.
The room, awash in minty, fresh hues of green
and blue glows in the sunlight as the staff engages in their ritual of
preparation. The clean, crisp linen tablecloths are set amid the din of
chiming silverware and the clinking of glassware as if toasting to a new
day. Setting the tables, setting the scene; the artist makes his case that
the fruits of labor in Napa Valley are not just superior bottles of wine,
but the collective efforts of all those who cater to our personal enjoyment.
It’s all in the preparation. Just as practice
makes perfect, Michael Flohr reminds us once again, that the journey is just
as sweet as the final destination. "
" Contemporary artist Michael Flohr is partial
to painting his fascination with beautiful places infused with dynamic
undertones of history, intrigue and a passionate zest for life. Powell
Street in San Francisco, California is just such a place.
The title for Flohr’s “Streets of Gold” was
inspired by the lasting impact the California Gold Rush of 1849 has had on
this lively city by the Bay. All of the circumstances that fueled the gold
rush and the sort of person who was compelled to participate in such a
historic event have had a profound influence here. And after all these
years, California is still perceived as an unconventional place where new
beginnings, big dreams and great wealth can be found. "
''Table for Two''
is a glimpse inside a quiet afternoon in an elegant restaurant. A couple
dining at a small table in the background provides the artist's story -- a
subtle statement about the exquisite enjoyment of a friendly tete-a-tete
with someone special.
“Uptown” toasts to the local restaurants and
pubs where everybody knows your name and the names that keep coming back.
Afterall, “Uptown” isn’t for everybody – only those who know what’s up!
There’s something about surrendering to the
little pleasures that makes us feel alive. And there’s something about
celebrating the joy of living that makes it all worthwhile. And there’s
something about great art that captures the essence of all of these things.
Known for his dynamic city and nightlife scenes and masterful use of
brilliant color, Flohr’s art is an indulgence in the spirit of life. So
treat yourself to the finer things in life. Splurge on something you don’t
need, but truly desire. Surrender to that simple pleasure. After all, a
small indulgence never hurt anybody.
“Yes, bartender I will have a Martini for Me” - M. Flohr
“Mel at the Bar” possesses a dynamic energy and
sophisticated complexity that avows, “Play it again, Sam.” Like many a great
master inspired by the power of love for a special woman, Flohr has
dedicated this painting to his wife, Melissa.
The story of “Red Dress” was born on a hazy
morning at a café in San Francisco. Captivated by a striking woman wearing a
red dress, Flohr paints her essence amidst the backdrop of foggy morning
light emanating through the windows of the café’s vintage interior. The bold
color of the woman’s dress is restrained, yet conspicuous enough to define
the artist’s intention and create a unique focal point for this work.
“Reflections” Flohr revisits a favorite
rendezvous to say “good bye” to an old friend. After three decades of
bartending at the Buena Vista in San Francisco, Fred is retiring. A
flamboyant and colorful character, Fred sparkles amidst the reflection of
glassware and the mirror before him. It is a reflection of a life well lived
-- lending an ear, making new friends, serving up good times. Ultimately,
Flohr is painting Fred’s masterpiece. The Buena Vista provides the canvas.
The people and experiences over the years are the colors. And each passing
day is another stroke of the brush. “Reflections” celebrates a life as
varied and individual as Fred himself and the people that sat across from
him at the bar. The mirror image is but a symbol for looking back and
looking forward with no regrets and a celebration of content resolution.
“Cashing out” for the last time, Flohr captures the quiet reflection of a
colorful life painted with the spirit of the people and experiences that
colored Fred’s 36 years of tenure at the Buena Vista. Say “good bye” to an
old friend, or perhaps just “so long”.
Capturing a glimpse of a rainy evening on the
streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. New Orleans is often referred to as
“the birthplace of jazz and the cradle of modern music”. So fitting that
Flohr takes the viewer to “Royal Street” where he creates a nondescript
space and time where color seems to manifest into music and imagery churns
emotion. As dusk falls, the fantastical purple haze of the setting sun
illuminates the moist sky in shades of lavender and blue – painted only as
Michael Flohr can to capture an aura of mystery and intrigue.
