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 Fourth 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

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

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

Yas Reven, collage giclee, Dan Eells, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Untitled, Zach Whitehurst, ink on paper, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Cube, Max Lefko-Everett, cast glass and found object, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Lilliana Didovic, Something Red 1, Something Red 2, acrylic on canvas paintings, Sarah House, Mimic, porcelain, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Wes Valdez, Blur, blown and mirrored glass, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Raphael Fenton-Spaid, Ode to Bernini’s Rape of Proserpina #1, acrylic on mylar adhered to masonite, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Raphael Fenton-Spaid, Ode to Bernini’s Rape of Proserpina, detail, acrylic on mylar adhered to masonite, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Third Friday in Millville NJ is ten years old, the art crawl has become a nexus of art and culture in South Jersey.  A model for other towns using art to revitalize the downtown, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts is a multi-use art space with galleries, gift shop and artist studios creating a hub of artistic activity.  Liz Nicklus, the interim Director of RRCA, and a founding board member said to DoN, “I was very honord when the board asked me to come back and be the interim director here and it’s working out to be wonderful so far.” Emergence is the first show at RRCA since Nicklus has assumed leadership, she says, “I have a wonderful Assistant Director who curated most of the show in the main gallery, Brandon Smith, a glass artist from Wheaton Arts so he has assembled a lot of artists that he knows.  Of course, we have Lilliana Didovic from Philadelphia, as well.  On the other side we have the center’s member artists and I think it’s a very successful show.  The artists in the main gallery are from all over from as far as New York and Philadelphia, in the other gallery are artists from all over South Jersey, they’re our Center artists, some are from Millville, some are from farther away.  This gives them an opportunity to show what they’ve been working on.”

“Benefits to joining include, besides getting to show, you have opportunities to take classes, reduced rates on entries to other shows, a reduced commission, there are a lot of benefits to being a Center member.  It’s a good place for people to get their feet wet if they’re just starting out in the art world.  Folks say ‘How do I get a chance to show my stuff?’  Well, here’s a place to start, and Center membership is not as expensive as being an associate member and also you don’t have to be juried in.”

Liz says, “I’m a big fan of mixed media and I love to see what people do with found objects.  That’s my first love anyway.  Every piece in Emergence you can walk up to and become absorbed in whether it’s because of the process, or just the reflections, or the detail, it’s a very captivating show.”

DoN Brewer

Photographs by DoN Brewer

Kodak Digital Cameras

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.

DoN Brewer is proud to announce the publication of his first book, Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1) available now on Amazon.  Paintings by Lilliana S. Didovic and a collection of blog posts by DoN Brewer on the Philadelphia art blog Philly Side Arts, a tech start-up web site for artists and DoNArTNeWs DoN Brewer Reviews the Philadelphia Art Scene art blog with an introduction by Professor Dexiang Qian, Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1) is more than an art book, it is an affirmation of love, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Her biography, written by Lilliana S. Didovic and DoN Brewer, based on interviews, e-mails and conversations, is an unimaginable and fascinating adventure of one artist’s journey toward creative self-actualization.

Red, 48″ x 60″. mixed media on canvas, page 17 of Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1)

Philadelphia Loves Lilliana!

Cover of Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1)

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).

www.lillianadidovic.us

www.DoNBrewerMultimedia.com

sidearts.com

Read more about Her Philadelphia Tales at Side Arts Philadelphia art blog.

LoVe DoN

Sibylle-Maria Pfaffenbichler, Yes Indeed, acrylic & pastel, “The Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial 2012 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition”, at The Philadelphia Sketch Club through 1/21/2012.

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 Club Works on Paper 2012

Lisa Lawinski Buchler, 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 Club Works 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.

Harry S. Camarda, In Thought, charcoal, The Philadelphia Sketch Club Works on Paper 2012

Harry S. Camarda, In Thought, charcoal, The Philadelphia Sketch Club Works on Paper 2012

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.

Read about New Wave Art Fine Art Products on Side Arts blog.

DoN © 2012

Photographs by DoN
Kodak Digital Cameras

Blick Art Materials

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