Paintings in a hyper-real style are generally quite impressive but, for me, this is more from a technical perspective than say a creative one. What's particularly great about the works of Brooklyn-based artist Alyssa Monks is that although painted in a hyper-real style, the nature in which the subject is distorted introduces a fantastically abstract feel not often associated with this technique.
Combining pretty much all the most difficult of textures into one tightly cropped shower scene Alyssa paints fleshy flesh that's not only wet, but is also pressed up against patches of foggy glass and behind the cascading drapery of partially transparent shower curtains. She not only tackles this seriously tricky stuff but totally owns it. It's no wonder that she teaches flesh painting at the New York Academy of Art.
More at
alyssamonks.com.