Blogging for DoNArTNeWs and Side Arts is one of those opportunities people talk about when they say, “Do what you love,” DoN loves writing about Philadelphia art, artists, photographers, designers, sculptors and cultural leaders of all stripes. Helping the creative community get publicity is self serving and generative simultaneously resulting in the opportunity to publish this book. Thank you to the Philadelphia art community for accepting DoNArTNeWs and DoN Brewer on Side Arts as a reliable art review resource . Thank you to Philly Side Arts for helping DoN think bigger. Thank you to Lilliana S. Didovic for trusting me with Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1).
“Totally Exposed, I Fall and I Rise, is titled because obviously I’m exposed, I’m naked but it’s also about being exposed to the elements, the effects of time.” Sarah R. Bloom, a beautiful fresh face, says with a sigh, “I’m coming to grips with aging, thinking about cycles of aging, for me, it’s been this sort of non-linear pattern of resistance and acceptance. I came to the stages of grief, not exactly but similar to, fearful denying…” DoN interrupts her and complements her youthful beauty and questions why the artist is experiencing Erikson’s sixth of the seven stages of life: Middle Adulthood: 35 to 55 or 65Ego Development Outcome: Generativity vs. Self absorption or Stagnation? “People keep saying that to me but I am 42. Just knowing other women at this age and while I felt I had a lot of time left, there are a lot of hormonal changes that start happening that I’ve noticed in myself. Being interested in self portraits maybe I’m more hyper-aware of myself and changes I’m going through that other people might be. And being in recovery, maybe, I’m more self aware because I had to go through a whole set of processes to start fixing things. So all those things combined that when it just so happened I was getting into the abandoned thing when I turned forty.”
Sarah R. Bloom understands other photographers shoot in abandoned buildings, or shoot models but Bloom shoots self-portraits with a DIY attachment to her camera that allows her to set-up remotely, take the picture and the camera will delay, then take several shots; genius. The result is a gallery filled with emotionally raw, sexually charged, deeply personal representations of one woman but she represents all women who watch the world crumbling around us. “I struggle to show the similarities; I’m still vain, somewhat. Obviously. But this last year struggling to shoot, while be more raw in my poses and still create a nice image but not worry so much about, do I look pretty? Because that’s not what it’s about.” So how did you not fall into despair when the choice came to be generative? “I think recovery started that, I never really thought about that until now. I guess I started despair way early maybe, I mean my whole twenties were a wreck, pretty much, so then being in recovery, almost sixteen years sober, and also part of age is accepting things and having that self awareness of processing a lot of stuff. I recognize that this age is a time when I would have physical feelings of feeling different, the body doesn’t bounce back as quickly from things. I dunno, um, it was either it was a choice to decide, I don’t want to be in that place anymore. And part of it is I feel like I’m running out of time.”
Sarah R. Bloom, Totally Exposed, I Fall and I Rise @ Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery
DoN has been bustling around the studio getting ready for POST, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011. While painting walls, rearranging furniture and making new works, DoN has been absorbed in implementing suggestions made by Todd Hestand @ The Corzo Center for the Creative Economy. DoN is improving his social networking by having DoNArTNeWs art blog synergize with the various communications options available like FaceBook (DoNArTNeWs - DoN Brewer Art Review), YouTube (DoNArTNeWs - DoNBrewerMultimedia) and Twitter (@DoNNieBeat58). By simply consolidating the information on DoN’s homepage, DoNBrewerMultimedia, visitors now see all the options to connect with DoNArTNeWs and DoN’s art work. writing, information, promotions and videos in one place.
The DoNArTNeWs FaceBook fan page has been a particular challenge with interesting rewards. When DoN posts a blog on DoNArTNeWs or Philly.SideArts, part of the process is “advertising” the story on Facebook, promoting the story on as many relevant art “fan pages” and “group pages” as possible. The DoNArTNeWs fan page automatically posts a tweet on Twitter and already DoN is trending with new followers. DoN has a major photography show at the Hopkins House Gallery of Contemporary Art, the FaceBook events feature is an easy way to contact all your “friends” and estimate how many people will actually show up at the event. Here’s the rub, you may have to contact each page and person individually to “like” your page, or reciprocate your link, or comment on a post. DoN asked Todd Hestand how much time he spends per day promoting Philly.SideArts on social networks, “About two hours.”
Video will be a big part of future DoNArTNeWs reports making YouTube integral to the whole. With HD quality video built into most digital cameras and smart phones, it makes sense to take a little time to make a movie, especially now that iMovie is so easy. DoN has a cache of unseen footage that has been languishing since last Summer when he had to disassemble his video suite due to unforeseen forces. But with POST forcing a studio clean-up, soon some major stories will include video clips as well as photographs and reviews.
August turned out to be a busy, creative time for DoN, making new work, participating in art shows, published in two art books, Da Vinci Art Alliance Then and Now: 1931 - 2011 (available on Amazon.com) and 175 Years of Reflection, Laurel Hill Cemetery 1836 - 2011 (available in the Laurel Hill Cemetery gift shop, really, there’s a gift shop), well received articles at the Philly.SideArts blog and a record number of page views on DoNArTNeWs. It is such an honor to be included in two books documenting art history in Philly and to be recognized as “the press” by so many galleries and artists. Thank you so much to all the fans of DoNArTNeWs, the support and feedback inspires DoN to keep it up. Look for new and improved DoNArTNeWs and Philly.SideArts stories and if you’re on FaceBook please “like” the fan pages of the organizations you support, these pages are good resources for what’s happening on the art scene in Philly and opportunities for you to participate in our burgeoning creative economy.
First Friday! The monthly art crawl in Old City has a long and storied tradition, tonight “My Philadelphia Tales“, a collection of 70+ paintings by Lilliana Didovic @ TRUST gallery in Old City, will show Philadelphians how beautiful and loved Philly is by people from all around the world. Lilliana finds inspiration in the city that gave her hope, home and solace, her award-winning paintings portraying Philadelphia in it’s best light - bright, bold, glittery and famously iconic. Recent paintings find inspiration in the mosaic murals in South Philly from the Magic Gardens of Zagar, chunky crystals mimicking the broken mirrors and crockery embedded in the walls. Series of bridge paintings harken to the Impressionists but Didovic’s paintings are current, informed by the past but assuredly contemporary.
Lilliana Didovic came to America after escaping the war in her home of Sarajevo, her family was granted political asylum in 1992 leaving property, belongings and fortune behind to find a new life with freedom from persecution, fear and danger. Maybe that’s why Didovic’s exuberant style is so accessible, her color field abstractions are huge and densely saturated with rich color but her landscapes see a beautiful new world rich in opportunity, a sweet reminder of home. Tonight is a benchmark in Lilliana Didovic’s art career, years of hard work, dedication, struggle and determination have kept her on course towards this glamorous event; friends and family from around the world will gather to experience her lavish and beautiful impression of Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Join DoN tonight not just to celebrate Lilliana’s success but your own Independence Day!
DoN Brewer @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club Art Show & Sale.
Being part of an art group and observing the social dynamics in the art world is as interesting as the art. The recent artist receptions at the historic art clubs, The Plastic Club & The Philadelphia Sketch Club, drew crowds of artists to the Avenue of the Artists in Center City to celebrate the best of the best. It is so much fun to be the fly on the wall when someone is looking at your work; having pieces in both shows was especially gratifying and when people observe to DoN they remember his photos from one show or the other show it feels so good to know they remember the images. DoN entered his digital photograph from Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Envisioning the Decameron show titled Heliotrope in PSC’s art sale (the image will represent DoN’s work in the forthcoming DVAA 80th Anniversary art book), an abstract found architectural detail photo that confounds observers - it looks like a painting but it’s a photo, Heliotrope is a color but it’s also a magic stone that was thought to cure the plague.
Meeting artists is as much fun as looking at the art and drinking wine: painter Garth Herrick and DoN chatted about how he exclusively does commissions now, Steve Iwanzuk PSC Exhibitions chair told a story about once putting Mark Zuckerberg in his place, Chick Kelly was dressed to the nines in a dashing hat, Karen McDonnell, the Queen of Hip HopGrafitti, looked HoT! in black, Scott Affleck posed with DoN for photos since our work is hanging next to each other…it was a really good art day.
Panoramic view of the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s Members Art Show & Sale - that’s PSC President Bill Patterson in the middle, it was a wonderful moment when DoN saw Bill shaking hands with Mike Guinn, Plastic Club past president, at The Plastic Club’s Members Medals show, the two leaders are essential to the success of the historic art clubs.
The Plastic Club’s Members Medals Show- center bottom row is DoN’s Rune, digital photo printed on matte paper. DoN picked this photo to go after a prize because to him it represents painting, photography and printing all at once - even though the image is glossy, the paper is matte, creating an illusion. Oh well, it’s great just to be nominated. Congratulations to Lois Schlachter for winning the Gold Medal.
Panoramic shot of the Plastic Club Members Medals Exhibit - that’s artist Yeoun Lee in both ends of the photo!
Panoramic shot of the Plastic Club Members Medals Exhibit.
Upstairs at the Plastic Club.
Both art shows end this week, DoN recommends you find time to see these important art events because they represent some of the best of Philly’s contemporary artists and what they think is their best work.
Before DoN met Todd Hestand of www.Philly.SideArts.com @ a Corzo Center for the Creative Economy event, he had already been posting blogs on the popular free artist’s website with it’s cool blog, great writing by local artists and educators, bio/portfolio pages for artists and Philly social networking. Linking to the Philly.SideArts.com web site drives web traffic to DoNArTNeWs, posting a blurb on the site stimulates interest in all types of social, art, education, business and opportunities. The catalog of artists who post their bios and art images on Philly.SideArts.com includes great painters like Arthur Ostroff and Karl Olsen, fine art photographers like Angelo Benedetto and digital artists like Lee Muslin, their database is superb.
Philly.SideArts.com has launched a grand new venture offering artists enhanced services such as art opportunities and expanded portfolio space at a really reasonable price, the same free site is still available and they are expanding to other cities with the same business model. The possibilities of connecting artists, galleries, collectors, educators and business people in an easy to use, immersive design experience is really cool. Imagine? The Philly art scene is a model for other cities.
Art-trepreneur,Todd Hestand of Philly.SideArts.com gave away extended free memberships to artists whose business cards were pulled from a bag. Jed, you left too early!
To celebrate the launch of the new site, Todd Hestand hosted a party at the Dark Horse Pub near Head House Square with a silent auction benefiting Philly Aids Thrift, so many artists offered donations that many had to be turned away, yet, there are still several fine art pieces available at the on-line auction including DoN’s “light being (Joey Ramone)“. All the proceeds go to Philly Aids Thrift, please bid, there is some really cool art for a great cause. The party drew a crowd of artists, friends and the art-erati such as Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Lilliana Didovic, artist/entrepreneur Jed Williams, the master Arthur Ostroff and Art in City Hall’s Guru, Tu Huynh - Todd did a terrific job explaining the benefits and services for the new and improved siteand really mixed it up with the crowd. Visit the Philly.SideArts site to see how vibrant, inspiring and diverse the Philly art scene really is and follow the progress of a thoughtful, intuitive idea to help artists connect in a meaningful way.
The silent auction sponsored by Philly.SideArts benefiting Philly Aids Thrift.
Through April 26, 2011 at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, in collaboration with the Da Vinci Art Alliance, presents “Envisioning Shakespeare“ an exhibition of art by 24 members artists relating to the works of William Shakespeare in the lobby of Wilson Hall which houses Rowan’s Pfleeger Theatre.
Artists in the exhibition include:Bobbie Adams, Betsy Alexander, Rosalind Bloom, Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Alden Cole, Lilliana Didovic, David Foss, Linda Dubin Garfield, Sharri Jerue, Carl Johnson, Ona Kalstein, Marie Keane, Rikard Larma, Carla Lombardi, Karen McDonnell and Anthony Cortosi, Deb Miller and Ray Costello, Liz Nicklus, Patricia O’Halloran, Francine Strauss, Ted Warchal, Carol Wisker, Burnell Yow!
Click the thumbnails for panoramic views of Envisioning Shakespeare - a Da Vinci Art Alliance Event @ Rowan University, Glassboro NJ.
Envisioning Shakespeare @ Rowan University. Da Vinci Art Alliance is an 80 year old art gallery cooperative located in South Philly; the expansive show of art gleaned from Shakespeare themed art shows from the past examines images, themes and ideas from Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet and Henry IV, Part 1 by artists working in all types of media.
Lilliana Didovic - Envisioning Shakespeare - a Da Vinci Art Alliance event @ Rowan University.
Carl Johnson@ Envisioning Shakespeare - a Da Vinci Art Alliance event.
DoN Brewer and Mina Smith-Segal - Envisioning Shakespeare - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ Rowan University.
Envisioning Shakespeare - a Da Vinci Art Alliance event @ Rowan University. Thank you to the great work by the Da Vinci Art Alliance team for installing the exhibition; director Dave Foss, board members Alden Cole and Ted Warchal transported and hung the show in a coherent, flowing retrospective in the handsome lobby of the Pfleeger Theater with each artwork resonating and reinforcing the messages from the works in proximity. But, Dr. Deb Miller, Da Vinci Art Alliance Board President is the master-mind behind the series which has brought this collection of Philadelphia artists together in a bright, welcoming setting where the art can be seen by theater-goers and students at Rowan University. The on-going series of theme shows allows artists to interpret Shakespeare in their own styles and media, most recently interpreting A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Black Box Gallery at the Lantern Theater Company.
Lilliana Didovic has participated in each of the Da Vinci Art AllianceEnvisioning Shakespeare exhibitions and won First Prize this time for her painting in theEnvisioning A Midsummer Night’s Dream (the dreamy blue night scene above). Lilliana is dedicated to Da Vinci Art Alliance, volunteering her time and creating art even as she worked at achieving her Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago this Spring.
Nadia Kuntz was thrilled to be exhibiting for the first time with Da Vinci Art Alliance for the Envisioning A Midsummer Night’s Dream art show; Nadia’s construction is a whimsical interpretation of the famous play created with found objects.
Envisioning “A Midsummer Night’s Dream“ @ The Lantern Theater’s Black Box Gallery. DoN know’s that’s Ted Warchal’sPuck in the middle but he needs help identifying the others, if you know who’s who in any of these photos please comment so credit can be given to the artists.
Envisioning Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Black Box Gallery at Lantern Theater. See the Da Vinci Art Alliance Facebook page for more photos. Thank you to the Lantern Theater for giving DoN exclusive access to the gallery, normally only theater-goers get to see the art show, the underground gallery has a bohemian vibe synchronizing with the eclectic artist collective’s esthetic, Da Vinci Art Alliance has been invited back for next year’s Shakespeare production.
Since DoN’s last post he stopped by the Philadelphia Sketch Club to meet with executive director Barbara Murray who manages the constant whirl of activity at America’s oldest art club and catch up. Barbara was on the phone so DoN went upstairs to preview the Art of the Flower show and Professor Rich Harrington of Moore College of Art and Design was organizing the extensive catalog and labeling system required to mount a major exhibition. Rich was multitasking to such an extent that DoN was flabbergasted, during the take-in of art there was a numbering glitch requiring the team of volunteers to justify the entries by removing and replacing dozens of art works, he had recall of virtually every entry and where the piece was in the room, 100s of different images! DoN can recognize some artists’ styles & work by sight but Harrington knew all the artists and he’s also going through finals at Moore with students bombarding him with presentations. The catalog that results from all the hard work is a a collectible, many artists save in their files - to be juried into the prestigious art show is exciting, having a beautiful, informative memento is like a confirmation of acceptance in the art world.
Philadelphia Sketch Club, Art of the Flower 2011 - the reception & awards is March 6th, 2 - 4:00 PM.
DoN popped into the Plastic Club to preview the gigantic Small Worlds exhibit and his own mini-exhibition, part of a group show including Diane Podolsky, Burton Greenspan, Mervyn Kline & Cara Kendric in the Downstairs Gallery, and found all the numbering and information sheets completed and ready for the show. The Plastic Club uses a numbering system instead of labels which is less cumbersome, the Plastic Club allows all member artists to include their work in most shows and the Philadelphia Sketch Club usually shows a selection from a mass of entries, the tradition of a name tag is expected. Either way, there’s someone at a computer organizing Excel spreadsheets or Word docs or Photoshop files to create the information design of art show memorabilia and advertising. It takes a village and organizing volunteers is a job unto itself, join in, helping is fun.
Gallery sitting can be a drag, Saturday DoN invited friends to visit the Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery to talk about Search Engine Optimization for Artists which easily made two hours pass in a flash; DoN loved the bemused information overload on the artists faces after the discussion, asking them to think about their brand, what people think of them, how they want to be recognized and then how to make it appear on page one in Google. Creating an event, inviting friends and designing an experience really helped to bring people into the gallery; opening receptions are expected by the art crawlers, keeping people coming back to the gallery is the challenge. Thanks to all the volunteers who make the Philly art community thrive and grow. Visit your local art gallery today, you might make a new friend.
Today there are receptions at both the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Plastic Club on Camac Street, the Avenue of the Artists, both are free and open to the public. The Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery is open today, too, artist Yeoun Lee will be gallery sitting for the Diverse Perspectives group show even though she’s included in the Art of the Flower show with two gorgeous paintings and the Small World’s show. Please stop in the historic gallery in South Philly and tell her how much you like her work, Yeoun and Charles are becoming quite the art power couple around town, both volunteered to help install the massive Small Worlds show at the Plastic Club, too. Art work isn’t just painting after all, it’s real, hard, tedious work designed to make people feel good about themselves and the world around them. Enjoy!
DoN is running this town just like a club! Art clubs, that is - with fine art photography in open and juried art shows in five major art spaces in South Jersey & Philly. The Art of the Flower show @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club is a juried competition with an enormous turnout of talented artists; DoN feels great relief that his decision to include an inkjet print photograph collage of Carnivourous Plants @ Bartram’s Garden has been recognized by the jurors to be included in the highly coveted show.
DoN Brewer, Carnivorous Plants @ Bartram’s Garden, digital photograph, Photoshop collage, inkjet print @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s annual Art of the Flower Exhibition, a blind juried competition of all types of art.
DoN helped install the Small Worlds show @ The Plastic Club; the team of volunteers hung over three hundred small images through out the old town house, each room, gallery and hall is filled with a myriad selection of art. The tremendous trove of work is smooshed in but exhibitions chair Alan Klawans foresees a day when cuts will have to be made. And, listen to DoN when he says - prepare your art properly for installation and rough handling, DoN had an artist’s piece literally come part in his hands and Plastic Club PresidentBob Jackson spent extra hours kindly adding wire to art submitted by artists, after spending two days logging art by hand in the log book and then hanging work on the walls Bob really doesn’t need to prepare your work for you. Really, if they have to make cuts, the first to go will be poor presentation, artist Art Ostroff & DoN griped about the lost skills of presentation. Ironically, DoN was a wire offender but took his work home to fix himself - if Bob Jackson wired your art for you to be in a huge show like Small Worlds, you owe him a big favor. Speaking of favors, DoN doesn’t know who dropped out but he has five photographs included in the Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club, a prestigious honor bestowed only on members in good standing. DoN is presenting a group of abstract landscape photographs from his series, light beings, several new images have been added to DoN’s on-line gallery.
DoN Brewer, Panama Street, digital photograph, Photoshop, inkjet print, 8 x 10″ @ The Plastic Club’s Small Worlds art extravaganza.
The opening reception for Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance was super fun, DoN will write a separate review of the group show in South Philly. The group that came together organically and easily, organized an art show that DoN is proud to be a part, truly diverse, artistic and eclectic - just like DoN!
The Perkins Center for the Arts Photography 30 Show is almost over, it has been such an honor to be included in the exclusive annual photography event. The show is truly inspirational, aspirational & astounding - no kidding. As photographer Bonnie Schorske said, “…it’s a feather in your cap!“ Thank you to Uncle Dave and Aunt Barbara, Cousin Carla & friends, Shoshka, Lola, Rob, Bonnie and all my friends & family who cheered me on and braved the snow to visit the beautiful mansion in Moorestown, NJ. You got to tip on the tightrope!
DoN has a new piece on display @ Bonte’s, 9th & Walnut that is a departure from the abstraction he’s known for, a church lady hat store window titled South Street Chapeaux, a documentary still life composition that Shoshka will love. The on-going show promoted by the Photographic Society of Philadelphia is a cool spot to show along with fellow photography enthusiasts; the PSoP events @ The Plastic Club are always informative, the recent talk by photographerEd Snyder and graphic designer John Bacille about how to produce your own book was inspiring and a recent field trip to the Wistar Institute for the Nikon Small World show is exclusive and informative.
DoN Brewer, South Street Chapeaux @ Bonte’s Cafe, 9th & Walnut Streets. Thank you so much to the good people at the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, The Plastic Club and Da Vinci Art Alliance for providing the art opportunities, diverse creative outlets and intellectual peer support in the heart of the coolest city in the world.
Author and art-marketing consultant Alyson B. Stanfield, of ArtBizCoach.com, focuses on sharing the artwork directly with potential buyers through electronic and traditional communication outlets—in a manner that is comfortable, not artificial. Artists match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of their art careers.
The book includes online worksheets and downloads.
