Missing a super short video clip on Anthony C and Karen M YouTube channel is sublime, a word DoN doesn’t get to use often. Anthony C and Karen M take their work to the street and see beyond the visual chatter interjecting their own thoughtful tags to the narrative of public art in Philadelphia. Read more about the artists at Side Arts Philadelphia art blog.
Video clip and photo courtesy of Anthony C and Karen M
David Guinn - Mural Dedication, Garden of Delight, Locust Street, between 11th & 12th Streets, Philadelphia, Friday, April 15, 2011, 5:00 PM.
Philadelphia owes David Quinn a lot for it’s friendly reputation, as you come off the Schuylkill a beautiful mural greets you, drive down Bainbridge Street and Quinn’s Four Seasons murals offer color in the depth of Winter and accents for Spring, in West Philly he’s brought together community members to form coalitions that revitalize the neighborhood and he regularly exhibits his own paintings in galleries across the city all with apparent calm and secure leadership. The new mural on Locust looks like a David Guinn painting instead of a community collaboration; Guinn has more than earned the right to decide what should be painted or maybe the community taste of the Gayborhood is more refined, either way, Friday night is the perfect time to experience a unique Philly tradition - honoring a great artist, leader and taste-maker with speeches and heart felt thanks for improving the vitality of the city with art and beauty.
An early 21st Century mural by David Guinn, his style is evolving from the cubist realism to fluid naturalism. In the new mural is a door representing the house of his parents; David Guinn opens a portal for all of us to see the world around us as home.
Photos by DoN.
Kimberly Witham @ Introduction 2011 - Center for Emerging Visual Artists New Development Fellows @ Moore College of Art & Design Widener Memorial Foundation Gallery, Feb 2nd - 19th, 2011.
Kimberly Witham told DoN people presuppose she Photoshop’s her work but her mise-en-scène photographs are real still-life compositions, elements of which have a limited shelf life. The pictures of pretty headless birds in cups and on plates dredge up memories of dead birds on the street and questions of why they fell from the sky. About half of the photos included in this ground-breaking exposition are film, half digital, a seem-less transition between mediums made transparent by Witham’s virtuosity, she’s a professor of photography at Bucks County College, a school with a long tradition of excellence in photography education. The road kill element is shocking and beautiful, a sweet, sad commentary on urban wild life.
Maggie Mills, Crops, oil on linen. Maggie and DoN got into an animated discussion about”fracking“, another painting in the show is titled Frack, the practice of injecting noxious chemicals into the Earth’s crust to break it up and release “natural gas“. This clean fuel puts unknown dangers into the families and communities who live where fracking takes place by releasing toxic chemicals into the water table, scary shit, Mills’ painting shows an adolescent crouching, head to knees, while visions of matrix-like drills descend from the sky.
Daniel Kornkrumpf uses fiber like colored pencils for his portraits of on-line social network profie pics he’s found over time - a long time since the densely embroidered portraits may take months to produce, unlike a drawing which may take an afternoon. The isolated faces floating in large blank fields of fine linen examines the connection of the isolationism of social networks and the self-portraits that make you think, “Really? That’s their best look?” Instead of attracting attention, ridicule and mockery may result, by the way Plenty of Fish often advertises in the DoNArTNeWs sidebar, please, click through, Valentine’s Day is coming up. Kornkrumpf will continue his unique fiber portraits but is pursuing drawing and painting for the upcoming show at the Ice Box in late spring.
Mami Kato created these futuristic sculptures by unraveling rope she imports from her home, Akita Japan,creating domes of fiber reminiscent of the rice fields at home after harvest and clumps of stems line the horizon. Kato surprised her audience by picking up the light weight, yet densely compact, domes, revealing the Trompe-l’œil.
On the left is Alison Stigora, represented in this show with a magnificent drawing of a giant cosmic crystalline flower in mixed media including drawing, prints, chalk and wax but is also in an awesome show at LGTripp Gallery in Old City through February 26th. Next to her is Maggie Mills, behind Mami is a collage of digital prints by Jennifer Williams that is a totally steal-able idea - who knew, collage could be so cool.
Lewis Colburn, The Pursuits of a Gentleman, mixed media installation with ten photographs and steamer trunk. This assemblage was a fave of Spike Howard, Philly’s finest wind farm engineer, for it’s sense of time travel, irony and elegance. DoN loves how CFEVA treats photographers as true artists who belong at the table with painters and sculptors.
Arden Bendler Browning @ Introduction 11
A Fishtown native who’s studio is in the Crane Arts Center, Browning obviously takes full advantage of the large work space to create massive paintings, this color field of speeding urban images, like you see out of the corner of your eye as you zoom down the Expressway, is abstract expressionist yet a kind of contemporary cubism with obtuse angles and cracked spacial warps. DoN easily sees Arden Bendler Browning taking the opportunity of the fellowship that CFEVA offers and running with it, her work is complex yet accessible, perfect for contemporary collectors.
DoN inquired of new fellow Don Edler as to how he came to win the CFEVA fellowship and he generously explained how he meticulously researches grants and awards, looks at winners of previous competitions, discovers which other awards or grants they’ve received and applies for them, too. By making applying for grants part of his business plan, Edler makes it almost sound easy and is proof that persistence, patience, targeted yet broad research into funding, exhibition and publicity works like a charm.
Congratulations to the new fellows!
Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Arts Center in Fishtown.
Zoe Cohen’s site specific painting/drawing continues her exploration of the symbolic power of line by taking on Mother Nature. First the surface of the long, high walls of the main hall (which is changed out regularly with installations) was prepared like one would for a fine painting, then long, strong strokes of muted color is heroically applied in swirls, curls and stretches of balanced lines. DoN truly sensed the mythology of the elements signified in the simple line and color palette chosen by Zoe to delve deep into symbolism and communication.
The Hall @ the Crane Arts Center in Fishtown, with Zoe Cohen’s Wind and Weather, connects all the venues and is an important space for artists to activate since everyone passes through; Zoe Cohen s contribution to the legacy of the space is a simple, direct connection to a hive mind memory of simple shapes informed with complex ideas, capturing the imagination and stirring memories.
Collage walls by Dan Welch @ OCDan on Fitzwater Street. The handy-dandy POST guide says,”surreal, alchemical, flux.“ Yup! The first stop on a beautiful Saturday was a third floor walk-up to OCDan’s trippy studio he shares with Emily Smith, their art resonates on different vibes but the space has room for both.
Emily Smith, watercolors. Smith says she does a lot of self-portraits because no one will pose for her. she likes to mix beauty and the grotesque because people are monsters yet beautiful. “I like it when people hate my work, take away what you want.”
Mosaic mural near South Street - we tried to get into the Magic Garden but it was crowded, this little diversion helped satisfy the urge.
Nancy @ Nangellini on South Street makes Dream-Catchers from hand pulled, hand died yarn; the shop carries artisanal yarns made from exotic threads from near and far. Although not part of the POST tour, Nangellini is a welcome stop on South Street to take in a heady mix of art and fashion.
Studios @ The Purl, 1138 South 9th Street - jewelry, clever scarves, photography created by a five artist collective in that strip along the Italian Market waiting to become cool, on the other side of Washington Ave.
Studios @ The Purl is a good example of how many smaller galleries and collectives participated in this years art crawl, in this tough economy we have to band together to keep the dream alive. Philly has a rich heritage of art and culture requiring support if we are to survive as a hub of the regional creative economy. Studios @ The Purl includes Jurgita Centuke, Zivile Pupinyte & SoulPurl 77 Design.
DoN is working on a separate story about 1241 Carpenter Street and his Sunday tour of Kensington area studios and galleries.
Photos by DoN.
Meg Saligman re-imagined the mural (the previous two artists Bill Friedman & Sam Donovan were unavailable) @ Broad & Vine Streets incorporating LED lights that will morph the painting into a multimedia art installation that is one of a kind in the world. The three panels tell a story about nursing from personal care to record-keeping-to technological expertise in the dreamy style Saligman has developed in her many beautiful walls through the city but this one lights up - Cool!. The Mural Arts Program has twenty-two separate events throughout October, Jane Golden said there are thousands of sites seeking murals. The mural @ Broad and Vine is dedicated to Florence Nightingale and all nurses everywhere.
Many local nurses are portrayed in the enormous painting; DoN has always relied on the kindness of nurses, his favorite Aunt Fran is a nurse, still helping even in retirement. Meg Saligman made sure to invite all the participating artists and models to take the stage with her, the platform was crowded with volunteers and artists alike, a testament to Meg’s ability to make people team up and the crowd cheered their achievement.
Jane Golden introduced Mayor Nutter to the crowd attending the dedication of the mural; Philadelphia’s Mayor addressed the crowd to celebrate the mural and it’s importance to the city, he praised Jane Golden and her team of artists at the Mural Arts Program and the value of nurses and medicine to Philadelphia. DoN really likes Mayor Nutter and his support for the arts in Philly but in a surreal twist, the mayor’s speech was cut short by protesters from ADAPT, a very organized group of demonstrators of disabled people trying to close nursing homes and encourage group home living instead.
This mural @ 13th & Ludlow Streets is a handmade woven mural, master-minded by Super-Artist Kathryn Pannepacker in association with the Mural Arts Program, using mats made by homeless and disaffected people living in shelters. When people start weaving they start to heal and learn a skill, find self satisfaction and hope. The piece was created as part of the Finding Home Project gaining Katheryn and the project kudos on NPR’s Dr. Dan Gottleib, Volunteers of America website and American Craft Magazine. You can help by shopping at the handmade by the homeless Gallery on South Street and talking to your representatives about rights for people who can’t help themselves.
detail of the woven mural @ 13th & Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia.
Photos by DoN.
Diane Keller @ The Dumpster Divers Gallery on South Street near 7th; the gallery is temporary contemporary like some pop-up shop for art. Keller’s paintings of little girl outfits is sweet yet disconcerting, looking back to a time when kids weren’t covered in logos.
Diane Keller created these pillows by combining digitally printed fabric she designed at Philadelphia University as the result of an award she won at Da Vinci Art Alliance. The artist combined vintage fabrics she’s been saving with her own painterly pattern with a lush cushion meeting the demand of the art being created with recycled materials. Diane told DoN she recently re-created her mural of The Rizz @ The Italian Market as the result of a building rehab, the muralist says with the new paint and techniques ol’ Frank looks better than ever.
Photos by DoNBrewerPhotography
Steven L. Spathelf created a mural sensation in Dunedin, Florida when the long-time muralist started painting oranges on garage doors late at night ala graffiti tagging or Obey stickers. Soon the artist started noticing signs on garage doors asking for an orange to be painted there; the community recognized his contribution to the reputation of the art enclave in North Tampa and commissioned the “Welcome to Dunedin” mural. Currently, Spathelf is working on undersea scene murals for a children’s hospital and managing the artist studios at 608 Vine Avenue, an art center with gallery/studio space for local artists similar to Spring Garden Studios in Philly, The Goggleworks in Reading or the Banana Factory in Bethlehem.
Mural by Steven L. Spathelf, Dunedin, Florid. The artist is working on three separate panels simultaneously to be stretched and framed for exhibition in a children’s hospital. Steven & DoN chatted about how important and calming art is for kids (and grown-ups) who are being wheeled into hospital exam rooms. Spathelf is very familiar with Philly’s Mural Arts Program since he’s done private and public murals in Florida for decades, it’s not surprising Philly has a good reputation for public art.
Steven L. Spathelf’s studio in Dunedin, Florida housed on the second floor of an office building with many solo and shared studios throughout the large art space. The art scene in Dunedin is integrated into the community just as much as the Baseball Spring Training season with Second Friday events, lectures and art events happening though out the village.
Steven L. Spathelf of Sterling Art Studios, 668 Vine Ave., Dunedin, Florida.
The Dunedin Fine Art Center is the hub of the art scene with workshops, galleries and exhibits in a modern, thoughtful art center designed to draw the community together with art. The center has galleries for special shows, faculty exhibits and most importantly student show spaces with professional lighting and installation.
DoN regrets he doesn’t have the artist info on this piece but it reminded him so much of work by the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers with the use of old bundt pans, their memetic nostalgia vibrating with the wacko sculpture. Visiting the art center in Dunedin really made DoN homesick but a studio/gallery near the Gulf of Mexico is really attractive. The artists DoN spoke with all praised the support they’ve received from the public and their community; art is the glue that holds a town together, creating conversation, developing personalities and opening lines of communication.
Jo Schmidt, 3 Feathered Friends, acrylic @ Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Mary E. Haas, The Dream, stone @ The Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Barbara Kampe, Tu Jest Przyjemny Widok, acrylic and Carol Y. Bardes, Incan Kitchen, colored pencil in the hall of the Dunedin Fine Art Center. The art center used all viable space to exhibit art without seeming crammed.
Student gallery @ Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Carol Ann Loven, River Rock, fiber and Stephen Decaire, In The Drink, mosaic @ The Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Bill Renc of The Painted Fish Gallery paints dreamy tropical landscapes from plein air and memory as well as managing a large gallery & frame business. It’s a wonder the gregarious artist gets any work done since he’s more than willing to chat with all the customers wandering through; even though it was a Monday afternoon there was steady foot traffic through the art district.
That’s Bill Renc on the left, his colorful painting of the quirky Dunedin street signs is available as print and cards, the informative and fun sign posts point in all directions at once. The variety of interesting and colorful object, especially all the bright color which feels so alien to DoN’s city eyes, comment on the lifestyle of the Tampa Bay area.
Bill Renc of The Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin Florida.
Ira Burhans ceramics at Clay and Paper Gallery of Art are award-winning collectibles with avid clients, the ceramicist sells his work wholesale! Yet also manages a lovely gallery and interacts with his collectors. Burhans was familiar with the Philly art scene since he comes to trade shows here but the warmth and clear light of Dunedin is a great place to make art. The gallery represents about 25 local artists as well as Ira’s beautiful pots. If you’re ever in Tampa, DoN recommends visiting this enclave of art culture in the midst of beach life, it’s a great mix.
David Guinn & Jim Hinz, Hairy Chinese Landscape @ University City Arts League Gallery.
David Guinn & Jim Hinz both painted on the huge paper scroll simultaneously; according to Guinn the idea was to make a mess, not worry, not think about it or make it look good. Working with big brushes they flowed with their stream of consciousness and let each other paint through and over each others contribution, fearlessly resulting in an abstract expressionist pan-cultural tour de force spanning an entire wall of the gallery. Jim Hinz told DoN it’s rewarding to work with David Guinn because he’s so easy, willing to mix aesthetics, brings lots of collaborative enthusiasm and let him, “do whatever I wanted to do.”
Recovery, Psychedelic Birthday @ Facing the Void, works on paper @ University City Arts League Gallery, Jim Hinz & David Guinn.
Purple Sandpiper, David Guinn. David is famous for his bird paintings whether you know it or not; as one of the most popular muralist in Philly he almost always includes birds in his wall paintings such as the Four Seasons series, the Morris Animal Refuge Mural and the dual mural @ 34th & Baltimore Streets.
Jim Hinz, Because You Have To Say It, digital print.
Jim Hinz, The Big Man, digital print from brush & ink on paper.
Mythical Mountain Fountain by David Guinn & Jim Hinz echoes the collaborative paintings the duo created including architectural elements, blobby swirls and real liquid dribbling wetly over the ceramic bowl as if one of their paintings materialized fully formed out of their imaginations.
Jim Hinz & David Guinn @ the opening of their collaborative exhibit, Meadowlark, @ University City Arts League. The team worked well together because they made no mistakes, felt free to experiment and fail - a lesson we can all learn from.
DoNArTNeWs
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