DoNArTNeWs

Kyle Fisher at studio:christensen

Kyle Fisher at studio:christensen (detail)

Kyle Fisher at studio:christensen

The intersection of Delancey Place and 20th Street is arguably the best address in town.  Down the block is the Rosenbach Museum and Library, up the street towards Rittenhouse Square are hip restaurants and at the center of it all is Jt Christensen’s studio: christensen.  The designer has transformed the storefront into a decorator’s delight, the window constantly changing with aspirational furniture, decor, objet and art.  Jt Christensen makes a big deal out of art, the Kyle Fisher show of astounding wood panels transcribing nature into abstract art with extraordinary detail and level of craft mashed with a futuristic vibe of the design the artist extracts from the wood is just beautiful.

studio: christensen participates in the Center City Second Friday art crawl and has a Third Thursday fashion photography night, it’s so fun to watch from the street and see the photographers working with the models and a reminder of the natural sophistication of Philadelphia.

studio: christensen
333 south twentieth st
philadelphia pa 19103
Tuesday-Saturday 12-7
or by appointment
2673866036
jtdesigns2@mac.com

Photos by DoN

Urban Jungle, DoN Brewer at The Plastic Club, Urban Observations, February 2012.

DoN shoots all his photographs for DoNArTNeWs art blog and Side Arts art blog with a Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen, the third digital camera DoN has used since 2000.  DoN’s first digital camera was four megapixel resolution with a postage stamp sized screen, the current iteration with 14-megapixel resolution for stunning prints up to 30 x 40 inches.  In January, DoNArTNeWs changed advertising strategy to affiliate marketing through Commission Junction and Amazon in order to provide links to products and resources little DoNsters would benefit from most.  DoNArTNeWs now has improved ads on the side bar including an exciting advertising widget with DoN’s favorite Amazon picks for Philadelphia artists and authors including DoN’s new book Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1).

The reason DoN is promoting Kodak is because they are an American manufacturing company in Rochester, NY, USA, Planet Earth, Milky Way, they invented digital photography and they recently declared bankruptcy.  Kodak has a long history, “Kodak has made it easy to enjoy your pictures. The expression ‘You Press the Button, We do the rest’ was a common advertising slogan in the 1890s. This familiar expression was also set to music. Visit our interactive history of Kodak products to listen and see some of today’s latest digital products and our early film and cameras from the 1880s.” Kodak website.  DoN used a Kodak Brownie camera growing up and still relies on the reliable quality and customer support of Kodak for his Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen to create images for DoNArTNeWs Philadelphia art blog and Side Arts Philadelphia art blog.  So, did DoN pick a loser in Kodak as an advertising affiliate?  Coffee did shoot out DoN’s nose as the news of Kodak’s bankruptcy crawled across the bottom of Morning Joe brought to you by Starbucks.

DoNArTNeWs is using affiliate marketing, peppering the text with hyperlinks and ads, to generate revenue to move to an improved WordPress platform; clicking links and ads may take you to website for companies like Kodak which DoN personally uses in his art or blogging or to related resources like artist’s websites.  If you buy a product as a result of clicking a link in the art blog or the DoNArTNeWs sidebar a commission is generated for DoNArTNeWs.

Help DoNArTNeWs grow and support Kodak.

DoN

Kodak

Hayley Tomlinson, One Accolade I Must Achieve To Become A Successfully Working Artist, digital print featuring a hand made ribbon at Prelude Gallery, January 13th, 2nd Friday in Center City.

DoN asked Hayley Tomlinson about the eclectic collection of art objects she’s showing at Prelude Gallery including photography, prints, fiber and needle-work.  “I‘m interested in everything.  I do some blogging on Tumblr and what I really like is looking at the images on Tumblr and seeing what is trending?  What are people interested in?”  Giggles. “What I think about is, how can I capitalize on that and how can I gain popularity and become more well known.  But, also I kind of just think when I make things wouldn’t it be funny if I just made this.  Like I made a drawing of a toilet in a forest of birch trees.”  Giggles.  “I thought it was funny because I hate the thought of having to go to the bathroom in the woods but I guess if there are toilets in there but then I guess I‘d be OK.”

“I think about things I desire and things I fear like how can I be a better artist?  And how can I be a more successful well known artist which is what the photographs are about.”  DoN noted the portraiture with ribbons and how they stand out.  “There are four ribbons First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention.  These two are Third Place and Honorable Mention, I think they’re the two photographs that have been most successful and most successfully represented my Adobe Photoshop skills.  I was thinking, I‘m in Philadelphia and what do I need to do in Philadelphia to be more well known.  And one is being featured on the art blog.  And that ended up happening.  I had an article on the art blog and they showed that photograph.  The other photograph is about the blog Tumblr which I think is very important for contemporary art, especially young people in art.  People see my work on Tumblr and really respond to it, then that will really help me get my name out.”

Hayley Tomlinson, 627 Reblogs on Tumblr, handmade ribbon with photograph at Prelude Gallery.

Read more about Hayley Tomlinson and Prelude Gallery at Side Arts.

Photographs by DoN
Kodak Easyshare Z981

Alden Cole, Down the Intervale No. 1, oil, Downstairs Gallery at The Plastic Club

Alden Cole, Down the Intervale No. 3, oil, Downstairs Gallery at The Plastic Club.

Downstairs Gallery at the Plastic Club features the work of Sylvia Fine, Phyllis Weldon, Irma Shapiro, Naomi N. Rubin and Alden Cole.  Artist, Alden Cole makes sure he dedicates time in his life to be surrounded by Nature.  Born and raised in New England, Cole makes several trips a year to the Northeast, lugging his paintbox and canvas’ on the train to visit his family farm or the homes of his friends, always returning with a reminder of the beauty and tranquility of the land he came from.

Photos by DoN

Kodak

2012 DoN Brewer

ps Alden designed this book.

Tecu’Mish Munha’ke, Put on Your Big Girl Panties and Cowgirl Up, three assemblages at The Plastic Club.

Tecu’Mish Munha’ke submitted three assemblages for the New Members 2012 exhibition, Put on Your Big Girl Panties and Cowgirl Up, Out of Order (a large assemblage sculpture that grabs your attention) and Feed Me.  Take that all you Untitlers out there!

Cary Galbraith, Frog Hollow, oil, at The Plastic Club New Members 2012

At first glance DoN thought this languid landscape was by Robert Daniel Bohne’ but then DoN overheard someone say that she, Cary Galbraith, painted with Bohne.  The cross influences artists have on each other is one of the best parts of being involved in an art group like the Plastic Club and is a hallmark of the Philadelphia art scene.

Leon Graff, Parkside, acrylic, at the Plastic Club New Member 2012

“Leon Graff was born in South Africa and was trained in South Africa and London. He has lived and exhibited in London, Seattle, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. His paintings hang in many private collections in New York City, Philadelphia, Canada, Florida and Europe.”  - Fine Art Liasons website

Leon Graff’s paintings capture the vibrancy and fun of the thriving Philadelphia art scene.  Congratulations to the New Members of The Plastic Club.  Learn more about the art club in DoN’s interview with Bob Jackson on the Philly Side Arts blog.  Member’s of the Plastic Club looking to expand their web presence and consolidate their social networking links may consider an artist portfolio page on Side Arts.

Photographs by DoN Brewer
Kodak Digital Cameras

.

Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change @ University of the Arts, Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative, Broad and Pine Streets, Philadelphia.

DoN walked past the sculpture vitrines in front of the University of the Arts and it appeared one of the sculptures had been pulled loose.  It was January 3rd and the Mummers Parade crowd can get pretty rowdy, generally Philadelphians are art friendly but you never know.  DoN felt anger and disgust that someone had damaged a public art piece, especially since some very beautiful and ephemeral pieces have graced the vitrines over the years with no vandalism.

But, this piece looks like it was moved across the plaza.  In the light of day the reality of the installation came together - the sculpture had actually pulled itself loose from it’s mooring near the grand stairs to the Temple and crawled to the garden wall leaving a trail of wire and debris behind.  In the garden, pod-like ceramic pots are birthing televisions and computer monitors, while the master motherboard hovers nearby protecting the brood.  Smaller pots have already invaded the farther reaches of the Japanese-ish stone garden connected by umbilical cords of red wire to the mother pods.  Kevin Lehman’s studio is in Lancaster PA.

Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change @ University of the Arts Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative.

Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change is the artist’s MFA Thesis Exhibition through January 15th, 2012.  For more information on the Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative contact jgirandola@uarts.edu

Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change @ University of the Arts Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative

Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change @ University of the Arts Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative

Photos by DoN Brewer

Laurentiu Todie, The One @ Art Ability Bryn Mawr Rehab Center, Malvern, PA.

DoNArTNeWs finally appears on page one in Google for the search term “Philadelphia art blogs“, thank you very much!   DoN has written more than four hundred reviews, interviews and promotions about the Philadelphia regional art scene for DoNArTNeWs.  The most frequently accessed pages include the term “Philadelphia art” in the web site statistics, “art” is the number one search term.  Philadelphia art is a search term that thousands of people are investigating because the Philly art scene is, as Mayor Michael Nutter stated at the West Collects press conference, “Strong!”  Great art has become synonymous with Philadelphia because of the high end cultural institutions like PMA and the innovative neighborhood artist enclaves, clubs, alliances and collectives that pervade the city and the region, creating an amorphous idea of what is Philadelphia art?  Is it the great art speak that PAFA teaches it’s students?  Is it the gritty allure of Fishtown, Northern Liberties or Germantown and the satisfaction of getting in early on something bohemian, eclectic, outrageous or controversial?  Is Philadelphia really the sixth borough of NYC?

Art is strong and vibrant in Philadelphia with wonderful resources but DoN has heard institutional leaders say the majority of public dollars get directed to the top tier while smaller groups compete for shrinking grant money and must endure its grueling paperwork.  Rachel Zimmerman of InLiquid, one of the oldest artist profile websites of its kind in Philadelphia, told DoN this past Summer that artists have three jobs: making art, selling art and the job to pay for buying art materials.  Artist Gregory Prestegord told DoN there are more like seven jobs to get to what he calls “a state of meditation“, the time he actually gets to spend making art, a broad circle of activities, many unrelated to art production, must happen to get to the moment of meditation when art appears out of seemingly nowhere. Art and the creative economy is enormous in Philadelphia, the competition for money is daunting, yet artists keep pushing against the obstacles and work hard to be known as a Philadelphia Artist, the second most popular search term for DoNArTNeWs‘ Philadelphia art blog.

Search Philadelphia art, who knows what you might discover?

Happy New Year!

LoVe

DoN

Read more about Art Ability at Philly.SideArts art blog and DoNArTNeWs art blog.

Beverly Kohn, Resting Deer, Art Ability International Juried Exhibition of Art & Fine Craft @ Bryn Mawr Rehab Center.

Beverly Kohn won Honorable Mention in the category of Fiber Arts, Glass and Fine Crafts at the Art Ability Exhibition.  The gorgeous piece of a fiber wrapped deer feels so modern, like Jeff Koons or DuChamp, not crafty at all but using simple, nostalgic materials and shapes, the sculpture mixes media in a delightful and desirable design.  Click the thumbnail for a close up.

Elizabeth Core at Art Ability International Juried Exhibition of Art & Fine Craft @ Bryn Mawr Rehab Center.  The balance of color, hue, tone and textures mingled with sophisticated pattern and composition is exuberantly engaging.

Click the thumbail to check out Sriharsha Sukla, Bombay 01, collage.  The artist lives in Cuttack, Orissa, India, and has been a part of Art Ability International Juried Exhibition of Art & Fine Craft @ Bryn Mawr Rehab Center for many years, submitting fascinatingly detailed collages, so painterly and naturalistic they appear photographic from a distance.

“The Art Ability Program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is a year-long program which serves as a showcase for, and celebration of, artists with disabilities. Through art, we hope to inspire patients to reach beyond their limitations, and to encourage people with disabilities to explore their own creativity.

Established in 1996, Art Ability includes the following major components: an annual international juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts produced by individuals with disabilities; community outreach and education opportunities including satellite exhibitions and interactive demo days; our permanent collection of artwork and the incorporation of artwork into the patient experience; and a corporate art acquisition program.

The Program’s goal is to foster a better appreciation of people with disabilities through the achievements and stories of our artists. As art enriches their lives, we hope their creativity, talent and exuberant spirit will enrich your life.” - Art Ability

Read DoNArTNeWs report about Allen Bryan, Art Ability Artist

Read more at Philly Side Arts

Photographs by DoN Brewer shot exclusively with

Thoughtful Frog, Sheryl Yeager, pastel on paper.

Sheryl Yeager won First Prize for Works on Paper, an award in memory of Jaqueline Van Handel, presented by Jeanne B. Fisher at the Art Ability International Juried Exhibition of Art and Fine Craft made by people living with disabilities.  Even though Sheryl usually shows her work in western Pennsylvania, three years in a row Sheryl and DoN have met up at the Patron’s Reception, a swanky event with fine food and wines for collectors, supporters and artists.

“I guess they like frogs?“, Sheryl said to DoN, commenting on the top award she received for her enchanting pastel drawing of an amphibian.  Sheryl Yeager develops strong color fields which resonate pleasantly, the strong shapes and descriptive drawing evoke the wonder of finding a frog on a sunny pond, a happy sensation.  Creating a good pastel is not easy but to rise above the competition in a crowded field of gorgeous contenders, presentation is key, Sheryl’s balanced mat and contemporary framing present the art beautifully.  The genuine good vibes emanating from the image may have had a touch of magic for the judges, too.  Sheryl tipped off DoN that she is producing a line of greeting cards featuring her animal art.  Sheryl Yeager states in the impressive catalog Art Ability produced that, “She loves the texture of pastels and the artistic control she gains from it.  She enjoys drawing animals because it makes her feel free and one with nature.”  That’s what Thoughtful Frog made DoN feel like, too - at one with nature.

Art Ability is in the Bryn Mawr Rehab Center in Malvern Pa, there are hundreds of artworks created by people living with disabilities on display, the center is warm and welcoming - it’s a rehab center, they’re very friendly - and is free and open to the public daily.  Supporting the efforts of the Art Ability team by buying artwork benefits not just artists like Sheryl Yeager but yourself; being present in a place of healing, sharing smiles and seeing art from the perspective of artists facing persistent challenges is life affirming.  Art makes a great gift.

Photographs by DoN Brewer shot exclusively with

Allen Bryan, digital photograph collage

The Art Ability International Juried Exhibition of Art and Fine Crafts show at Bryn Mawr Rehab Center in Malvern is an annual event that DoN looks forward to for many reasons.  First, Art Ability is a great art show with outstanding work by hundreds of artists from 35 states and seven countries in all kinds of media from painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, sculpture and DoN’s personal interest, photography.  Secondly, this is the third year DoN has been included in the show, “light beings (Lorraine and Charles)“, an abstract landscape photo dedicated to my late Great Aunt and Uncle, was selected by the esteemed panel of jurors from hundreds of entries.  DoN is honored to be included in the annual exclusive art event, being featured in the excellent glossy catalog and to be treated to a wonderful evening of dining, meeting artists and collectors at the Patron’s Reception held November 5, 2011.

Photography is well represented in the show, when DoN delivered his piece to Bryn Mawr Rehab he got a sneak peak at the art intake and right away was taken with several large photographs by Allen Bryan.  The wide aspect ratio and densely detailed dream-scapes have all the feel of reality but with unnatural elements, transitions and oblique views, kind of like waking up from a dream.  Indeed, the photo collage Open Box Story won Best in Show, the Charles W. Hennessy Artist Award with proceeds from the Charles W. Hennessy Art Ability Endowment Fund, selected by judges Teresa Jaynes, John Ollman and Ingrid Shaffner.  DoN spoke with the artist at the reception and he confirmed the surrealist work is created with his own photographs which he expertly manipulates with Photoshop, the large format print and subtle frame are exquisitely crafted.  The photo above is not the winning piece but if you visit his website, or better yet go to the show which is free and open to the public daily through mid January 2012, you will experience a masterful artwork that will confound and intrigue the senses.

Read more about DoN’s Art Ability experiences at Philly.SideArts and watch for more reports about this expansive art exhibition.

DoN Brewer

Photograph by DoN Brewer shot with: