Richard Harrington, 1956 T-bird , gouache on paper at The Philadelphia Sketch Club“The Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial 2012 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition”.
Lisa Lawinski Buchler, Acacia Tress and Bleeding Hearts, mixed media, The Philadelphia Sketch ClubWorks on Paper 2012
Lisa LawinskiBuchler, Acacia Tress and Bleeding Hearts, The Philadelphia Sketch Club“The Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial 2012 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition”
Judy Engle,Loft Life with Ginger Cat, mixed media collage with tape at Philadelphia Sketch Club“The Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial 2012 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition”.
Judy Engle’s tape collage, Loft Life with Ginger Cat, has a depth and density that is confusingly 3D. Judy told DoN that friend’s told her that tape would deteriorate but the artist has found just the opposite. Ignoring the negative feedback, Judy Engle had both of her entries accepted into the exclusive exhibition and took home an Honarable Mention award.
Judy Engle, Philadelphia Sketch ClubWorks on Paper 2012. The reflected light is from the large window over the Winner’s Wall, you may even notice the model ship on the sill and the skylight which makes the gallery/studio so appealing for making art.
The Philadelphia Sketch Club“The Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial 2012 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition”, through January 21st, 2012, is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the variety of media, ideas and combinations of materials that constitutes art made on and with paper. Excluding photography, the show displays exquisite works by many of Philadelphia finest artists; the first place winner Harry S. Camarda’s In Thought, a magnificent charcoal drawing that recalls the era of Thomas Eakins, a PSC founder, and reaffirms the mission of the Philadelphia Sketch Club - where artists grow.
Kyle Margiotta’s paintings draw you in with exquisite technique and metaphysical content; faces emerge from the mist, beautiful women wade through pools of red, metaphorical flowers like bleeding hearts creating an intensely personal experience. DoN has watched Kyle draw in the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s workshops, his depth of knowledge, skill with tools (his pencil lines are extremely fine) and focus is an inspiration to those who share the studio with him. Margiotta’s paintings are illustrative but decorative, even though the subject is deep, the style, color and presentation are desirable.
Kyle Margiotta . . . empirical, real, metaphysical @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Stewart Room Gallery.
Kyle Margiotta . . . empirical, real, metaphysical @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Stewart Room Gallery.
Steve Iwanczuk. . . empirical, real, metaphysical @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Stewart Room Gallery.
Steve Iwanczuk is the Exhibitions Chair at The Philadelphia Sketch Club, for his own show in the venerable Stewart Room (members are chosen to show @ random), he has selected a group of drawings and photographs that are sleek, shiny, mercurially metallic and sexy. The detail is intense, the pencil marks stream of conscience-like flow are surreal and fluid, each drawing a dream of it’s own but his photos are sensual contrasts of light and dark, shiny and smooth, real and unreal, Steve’s photography is recognizable as a style all his own.
Steve Iwanczuk. . . empirical, real, metaphysical @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Stewart Room Gallery.
On a swampy Philly Summer evening, DoN attended the opening reception for artists Marilee Morris and Kay Kanayama, the steamy walk through Center City was worth the sweat. The venerable Stewart Room of the Philadelphia Sketch Club is reserved for member artists of the club who are chosen at random after a period of time as a member is met, the odds of getting a show are tough. The Sketch Club calendar says Steve Iwanzcuk is scheduled, he’s the Exhibitions Chair, DoN isn’t positive but Steve must have offered the space (which is OK by club rules) to Marilee & Kay, both devoted volunteers and aspiring painters, resulting in a beautiful show of paintings by emerging artists.
Marilee Morris is an excellent example of an artist who knows they want to be an artist but doesn’t have the technical skills to paint with oils, it’s like a science with all the emulsions, chemicals and mixtures, a lot to learn, right? Marilee starting taking workshops at the Sketch Club, working side by side with many fine artists who take advantage of the affordable studio with models and soaked up the talent around her. Many times DoN has stopped by the club and Marilee is painting alone, off hours, in the sunny studio, focused on finding her visual voice in a challenging media. The result is a collection of lush landscapes and evocative portraits of family and friends, loved ones and children, animals and trees, there is a real feeling of how much she loves her life.
Click the thumbnail for a good look at Marilee Morris‘ portrait of WWII hero and French Legion of Honor Medal recipient, Ben Cohen, one of the fine artists DoN alluded to, posing in a tuxedo with his award. With subtle allusions to the French origins of this historic moment, the painting is restrained yet emotionally uplifting; Ben Cohen is very humble about his heroism but Morris captures the true dignity, character and pride of this great man, a true American hero who saved thousands of lives in the great war, in a painterly, atmospheric, yet documentary painting. Ben is an incredible resource of information about the business of being an artist and a wonderful mentor for Marilee. This painting will live forever. And they were speaking French, DoN felt like he was back in Paris.
Reign Over You, Kay Kanayama @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
This painting is one of DoN’s favorites, the combination of portraiture and abstract expressionism is euphoric, joyful and dreamy. Kanayama is another active volunteer at the oldest art club in America, deliberate in her pursuit of atmospheric naturalism mixed with expressive bold brushwork and vivid color. She calls her part of the show Evidence and hopes her art will help bring forth evidence for you of your own perceptions and emotions. The show is emotional on many levels resonating with joyful artistic expression and thoughtful narratives in paint.
Kay Kanayama @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Marilee Morris, One Eye Sees the Other Feels, Kay Kanayama, Evidence in The Stewart Room Gallery @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Lois & Steve have collaborated as the co-chairs of the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s Exhibition Committee for years, lately Lois is focused on her own art career, continuing to volunteer but now making new art, showing in galleries and entering competitions. Schlachter has had the unique experience of viewing virtually thousands of artworks submitted to the venerable art club’s competitions and exhibitions and now is creating her own memorable art, fractured planes, vibrant color, dreamy narratives like a mix of Charles Dumuth and Takashi Murakami. Steve Iwanczuk teaches graphic design but his drawings are surreal and photographs technically exact, in this show he shows three sides of his persona, each piece strange and deep.
Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Mina Smith-SegalPhiladelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Deborah Ann S. Horsting @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne - Gift Shop! Many of the artists brought prints, cards and posters to sell, Art Space’s lay-out is multi-purpose and really fun to wander through. Art Space is a major component in the art vibe of Lansdowne, many of the locals came out to the show, the support of the neighbors is so important if art is the force communities use to stay vibrant and relevant.
Dorothy Roschen @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
John Schmeichen @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Karen McDonnell & Anthony Cortosi @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit@ Art Space, Lansdowne. Karen & Anthony are collaborative by nature, often taking on responsibilities others don’t want to do ensuring art events can jump off. The duo work together on their art, drawing and cutting stencils, spray-painting and decorating their canvasses until layers of memes, myths and memories are mashed-up like a DJ Shadow mix.
Rich Harrington @ Philadelphia Sketch Club Volunteer Art Exhibit @ Art Space, Lansdowne, 2011.
Volunteering is a good way to make friends, learn new things, experience different ideas and stretch social skills; sometimes it feels really good, sometimes it’s hard work but in the end people working towards a common goal, solving problems, creating opportunities, being selfless and inclusive is an art form unto itself. Thank you so much to the Philadelphia Sketch Club and Art Space, DoN LoVeS seeing his work flanking Lois Schlachter and Steve Iwanczuk’s art, to be included in their company is an honor. Not all the volunteers are represented in this blog post many other artists are in the expansive show, take the drive out to Lansdowne to see the show, support the volunteers and the view of the city on the drive back is spectacular, a fine reward.
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.
Eric Hall, Collimation No.40 (Harbor 3) @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Arthur Ostroff, A Patch of Spring @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club on theAvenue of the Artists.
148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Patrick Monaghan, Roses and Mango @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club. Monaghan’s presentation is among the best with the black wood frame and gold liner drawing the viewer into the moment, accentuating the painting with it’s own light, really tasteful and desirable.
Jon Redmond & Sybylle-Maria Pfaffenbichler, 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club
Jurors James J. Himsworth III, Julien Robson & Alexandra Tyng managed to include two thirds of the submissions with a mind blowing presentation of contemporary regional oil painters represented in a wide variety of styles; the exhibition committee is to be commended on the wonderful narrative the show communicates with vignettes, groupings and highlights.
Peter Schnore won a special abstraction award in The 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club. DoN found the minimalistic, boundary busting, in your face simplicity of this simple block of color to be true genius.
David M. Stallings, Summer’s Last Eve @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Albert Tacconelli, Daniel’s Dilemma (Reflections on 9-11) @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
The award winners of the spectacular 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club; it’s like the American Idol of the Philadelphia Art Scene - who’s your favorite painter? DoN often jokes that when a Susan Barnes or a Doris Peltzman painting is entered in a show then you know where at least one prize is going; DoN has observed these fast friends grow from art class buddies into accomplished Philadelphia artists with gallery shows, awards and sales, it’s so cool to see them winning!
Philadelphia Sketch Club president Bill Patterson takes great pride in this show, it’s his baby; DoN eves-dropped on a conversation Bill was having with a visitor and heard him say, “I’m interested in helping these artists sell their work.” DoN saw some red dots, too; awards are great but sales is the ultimate reward and compliment for an artist. Patterson is generous, supportive, energetic and business oriented assuring the stability of a major Philadelphia art institution many artists rely on for exposure.
Faith Corman @ 148th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club. Faith is not a painter, she’s a loyal art patron and accomplished jewelry designer, Faith Corman is selling her custom “Sun earrings” to benefit Japan relief efforts. She didn’t want her picture taken (pretty women never do) but DoN thinks she’s fabulous!
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.
Fred Wagner An American Painter is curated by the artist’s great-grand nieces Cyndy Drue and Susan Brendlinger-Smith, who also co-authored a biography of the Philadelphia artist (available for sale at the Philadelphia Sketch Club), filling both the main gallery and the pool room with exquisite paintings of Philadelphia scenes, portraits, equine compositions and water scenes. The Philadelphia Sketch Club looks beautiful with the incredible collection of historic paintings gathered together in a space where the artist actually worked with his friends. An artist can only wish that their work will be preserved but Fred Wagner is cherished by his family, collectors and the art community of Philadelphia.
Fred Wagner, The River Harbor, watercolor study, 8 x 9 ” collection of Cyndy Drue Smith @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.
Fred Wagner,Downtown Toms River, oil on canvas.
Visit the galleries at The Philadelphia Sketch Club on the Avenue of the Artists and take a step back in time to when Thomas Eakins and Thomas Anshutz encouraged artists to get out and paint, some of the original easels are still there. This year is the club’s 150th anniversary, the oldest art club in America, the Fred Wagner show wasn’t there long but the upcoming Legacy Show offers an opportunity for collectors to buy art by Philadelphia’s current and future masters.
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.
