Photorealist Artist Paints a Peerless Picture

by: Martin Hofschroer

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Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 Time: 7:23 AM - 2 comments

British artist Sarah Graham is enjoying critical acclaim as her photorealistic paintings continue to astound.

Fans of Sarah Graham prints can be forgiven for salivating over her paintings of cupcakes, gumballs, lollipops and pick n mix candy as they are often mistaken for real life photos.

Trend Hunter magazine said: "I have just discovered this artist Sarah Graham whose painting are just amazing. They look so real, unless you look closer, you could mistake them for photographs."

Sarah Graham has been praised for her ability to paint reflecting and refracting light, which is an incredibly difficult skill that gives her work an authentic photographic feel.

The Fine Art Blog said that Graham's 'Pick n Mix' painting was exceptional for its use of vibrant colours and the depiction of the varying textures of a wide variety of sweets.

It said: "Sarah has once again painted this picture so realistically, it could be a photograph! She has even painted every single light reflection, making this a dramatic, colourful yet light piece."

Petrol heads can also get pleasure from Sarah Graham prints as several pieces of her work include iconic cars such as VW camper vans and Mini Coopers.

The photorealist movement evolved from Pop Art and established itself in America during the late 1960s and early 1970s as an increasing number of artists began to use photographic images to help them create their paintings.

Photorealist artists started to create work which initially drew criticism from sections of art world who objected to the assistance of photographs.

Original photorealist artists whose work helped define the genre and influence Sarah Graham prints include Chuck Close, Richard Estes and Ralph Goings.

Modern Photorealist artists like Sarah Graham are building on the foundations laid down by the original generation and are raising the global awareness of the movement by exhibiting outside America.

Several prominent artists such as Clive Head, Raphaella Spence, Bertrand Meniel have emerged in Europe in recent years and have enjoyed success with their photorealistic paintings.

Graham's artistic abilities clearly run in the family as her sister Elaine is looking forward to exhibiting a selection of her own wildlife-themed paintings in London during July.

The artist's first job was in the pick n mix sweets section at Woolworths and now Sarah Graham can sell her oil-based originals to art enthusiasts for up to £10,000.