DoNArTNeWs

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

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.

Sibylie Pfaffenbichler, Sailor on Leave, oil.  The artist explained to DoN her inspiration came from the forties and the famous images of sailors returning home.  The painting is so exuberant, vibrant and distinctive it really makes you wonder why we don’t dance in the street when our soldiers make it home.  Pfaffenbichler is chair of The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s Annual Flower Show.

Paul Davis Jones, Enigma, acrylic.

Gail Morison-Hall, The Burning Bush, mixed media & Elise Arnold, Untitled One, acrylic.  With 199 works of art, Small World @ The Plastic Club would have been even bigger if more artists understood that presentation is half the battle, the exhibitions committee refused several pieces (DoN spotted a few suspect entries who passed muster).

Nick Brown, Orange Juice Cup & Mug, stone ware.  Brown brings unfired pottery to life study workshops at The Plastic Club and sketches directly onto the clay, often you can hear him scratching grooves into the design to prevent the glaze from spreading when applied.  The resultant objects are like ancient vessels found at an acheological dig - future meets ancient.

Lee Mamaluy, Popping Blooms, oil, Kathryn Russo, At Ease, mixed media and Jeanne Chesterton, Dots, oil.

Robert Stauffer’s photograph, Thorazine Can Kill The Human Spirit, with broken glass in a mirror lined shadow-box frame is like a history of modern art all mushed up like DuChamp meets Warhol meets Ansel Adams.  The broken glass reads like disaster, the desert scene feels like being stranded and the infinite reflections on all sides have secret hidden images to uncover.

 Alden Cole, Now n Then #3, Mother & Child, wax/clay, 2010 & 1964.

Bob Makoid, Avian Capers,markers.  Makoid told DoN this drawing is extra special to him because his kids surprised him by having the design made into a stained glass window.

Michele Jenkins, New Glasses, oil.  DoN LoVeS this painting!  Timeless, super-fun, nostalgic, funny, happy and executed with aplomb.

Anders Hansen, Earth Goddess, ink/watercolor, Lois Schlachter, Queen of the Night, acrylic and Joseph De Fay, The Cafe’, ink-jet print.

Lois Schlachter, Balloon Release, acrylic.  DoN appreciates Lois’ combination of real & unreal, abstract & illustrative, signs & significations - cool.

Alan Clawans, Small Shed, photograph, DoN Brewer, light being (Farrah Fawcett), photograph (it’s not DoNArTNeWs without some DoN news), Sylvia Schreiber, White Flower, acrylic, Susan Wierzbicki, Saim, acrylic and Elise Arnold, Cats, acrylic.  DoN is so pleased to have his entries placed so strategically in the beginning, #3, and the end, #196 - the magic of 3.

Photos by DoNBrewerMultimedia Photography.

Crocheted abstractions from Rachel Udell @ The Various & Sundry Group Exhibit in the Skybox Gallery, 2424 York Street.

Hana Cho, photography @ The Skybox.

The group show at the Skybox had a carnival air as 50 artists and their friends mingled in the huge space called the Skybox Gallery, part of a new artist studio complex at 2424 York Street.  Some of the work was a bit on the creepy/grotesque side with nods to horror flicks, HR Giger and Manga but a lot of the work by the young artists was thoughtful and hopeful.

As the 2424 website states, “Located in Fishtown at the corner of York and Gaul streets, right off of I-95, and convenient to public transportation, 2424 Studios consists of over 100 work studios and/or office suites that range from 350 to over 6,000 square feet. The rents start at $399 per month and units are now available! Also located within 2424 Studios is the “Skybox,” an unparalleled and climate controlled event space of over 6,200 feet that is for tenants’ use, for community use and for rent to the public. 2424 Studios is now open to the public so please feel free to come by any time to take a look. If you are interested in leasing options, please contact Jessica at 215-284-8804.

It’s interesting how the arts community moves into neighborhoods, transforming them into desirable destinations to visit and live; it’s almost become cliche to take a downtrodden district like Fishtown and restore the area to a creative, affordable, vibrant place to live and work.  2424 York Street is anchoring new development, drawing a younger crowd and offering affordable studio/office space for artists as they get pushed out of neighborhoods they helped to revive - think Manyunk, Old City, South Street, Northern Liberties even Walnut Street used to be lined with galleries.  The neighborhood where 2424 York Street is situated also has other art galleries such as High Wireand Proximity, it’s definitely worth the trip to Fishtown to check out the fringe of the Philadelphia art scene.

 Italian Market by Nevio Celestino @ Deptford Municipal Building.

 Even though Deptford, NJ is only 20 minutes from Center City by car many art enthusiasts won’t cross the bridge; DoN blames the news media for branding Killadelphia as a scary place and the Philadelphia Parking Authority will get you by hook or by crook.  But the art community builds neighborhoods by going where others fear to tread and many towns have turned to artists to bring culture and art to their citizens.  But it takes special people to take the initiative to make these things happen; in Deptford, Pauline Jonas has assumed the role of art curator for the Deptford Municipal Building @ 1011 Cooper Street with ongoing art exhibits by local artists, art trips to museums and movie viewings about art and artists.  Recently, South Jersey’s newspaper,The Courier Post, ran a story about Jonas’ efforts and the impact she has made on the community.  The current exhibit includes Nevio Celestino, John Echtermeyer, Lolly Grilli, Jerry O’Donnell, Stefani Ramberg and Lawrence A. Vassallo with pottery by Harold N. Schaeffer.

30th Street, Lolly Grilli @ Deptford Municipal Building.

Autumn on Berkley Road, Lolly Grilli, pastel.

Lawrence A. Vassallo @ Galleria Deptford.

Elfreth’s Alley, John Echtermeyer, pen & ink @ Galleria Deptford.

Pottery by Harold N. Schaeffer @ Galleria Deptford, Deptford Municipal Building.

The current exhibit is on display for a few more days to be followed by the Annual Photography Exhibit; DoN is proud and honored to be included in the show since Deptford is his home town.  Alden Cole, an art star of the fabulous Philadelphia Dumpster Divers, is displaying his Night Lights for Adults in the cabinet outside of the court room.  Pauline saw DoN’s art at Alden’s gallery/museum/studio - you can imagine his surprise when he was offered a place in the show and discovered the venue is where he graduated high school in 1971 with an award for “Most Artistic“!  The opening reception is Sunday, December 6th, 2 - 4:00 PM.

DoN opened his studio to the public again this year with hundreds of other Philly artists participating in Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.  Visitors signed the giant “Hello My Name Is…” sign that he received as part of Newstoday Print Exchange 4.  DoN’s MoM, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends stopped by to view recent drawings, paintings and prints.  POST is a great way to meet other artists and make new friends as well as sell some art.  Thanks so much to good friends Shoshana and Alden with their help and support; it’s a lot of work.  KaTy the ArT DoG and her pal Doofie, the St. Bernard/Chihuahua mix greeted visitors with wagging tails and lots of slobber.  This year the tour started West of Broad Street so DoN didn’t get to visit friends such as Paul DuSold or Betsy and Burnell but DoN’s MoM did and is still talking about how Nora the Piano Playing Cat plinked out a tune for her - thanks Nora!  Panoramic shot of DoN’s Nude Room.

East of Broad Street was super-exciting with dumpster diver Alden Cole’s spectacular display of drawings, paintings, luminaries and found object constructions.  Alden has returned to his painting roots and is producing interesting compositions packed with metaphors, narrative and deeply personal spiritual art works.  Obviously it’s too much to see all the studios in one wekend but I’m sure if you contact Alden he would be more than happy to allow you to explore four floors of art.Panoramic shot of Alden Cole’s kitchen gallery.  Cole is having an exhibition at Smile Gallery in November. 

Robert Stauffer in his quirky alley gallery @ 7th & Federal.  Stauffer’s mixed media, paintings and photos were super-fun especially viewed in one of Philly’s famous narrow alleyways.

Dr. Doris Peltzman with friend Reta Sweeney at Morris Street Studios deep in South Philly.  Peltzman is having a one woman show at the prestigious Carspecken Scott Gallery in Wilmington as well as a group show at Artist’s House. You go girl!!!  Doris is truly gifted and dedicated to producing work that stretches her limits with brilliant coloration, bold brushwork and subtle compositions.

Painting master, Francis Tucker, also at Morris Street Studio displayed just a few of his masterworks and demonstrated his proficiency at framing.  Tucker was DoN’s first painting mentor back in the day when UArts was still PCA and still teaches emerging artists skills involving materials and technique.

Artist Arthur Ostroff, also of Morris Street Studios, explained to DoN his plans for a one man show which has turned into a retrospective of his lifes work.  The exhibit, Arthur Ostroff Then and Now, will be at Montgomery County Community College West Campus Art Gallery, November 1 through December 19, 2008.

Mixed media collage by Art Ostroff.

Painting by Charles Cushing and sculpture by Carol Cole @ 915 Spring Garden art studios.

Frances Galante’s studio was humming with activity and filled with masterful landscapes and still iife paintings. DoN asked Galante about including architecture in her works, “I like to include architecture because it shows the human element and gives scale to painting.”  This past summer Frances painted at Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine at an artist’s colony.

Frances Galante’s Sailboat on the Delaware.

Ana B. Hernandez’ flamenco inspired hanging sculpture.  Ana tells DoN her work, “… attempts to capture the movement and energy as a visual vocabulary of the skirt of the dancer.”

Ana B. Hernandez @ 915 Spring Garden.

Wendy Wolf has a system of layering paint and then scraping away bits to reveal the layers, she then saves the bits in little boxes as a separate art object.  Wolf is also a jeweler producing beautiful necklaces and bracelets, she says, “…life is charmed.”  An MFA graduate of Tyler Art School, Wolf has been at 915 Spring Garden for more than two years.

The left over bits from a Wendy Wolf painting displayed in clear plastic boxes. 

Peter Cunicelli’s studio @ 915 Spring Garden.  Each piece is handmade from slabs of clay allowing Peter to create space-age style ceramics perfect for contemporary interiors; Peter is working on producing multiples so he can offer table wares in his unique style.  Cunicelli was included in this summer’s Art of the State exhibit in Harrisburg. Congrats!

Brooke Hine’s studio displayed her ubiquitous organic ceramics; always interesting, delicate and absorbing sculptures in a style all her own.  Hine recently curated a fabulous show at the Center for Emerging Visual Artists and was also included in the Art of the State show in Harrisburg.  DoN LoVeS Brooke!!!

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DoN All photos by DoNBrewerMultimedia.

The Hopkins House Art Gallery is hosting a facinating exhibit of contemporary art by established and emerging Philadelphia area artists curated by Bruce Garrity of Rutgers University featuringBobbie Diamond Adams, Mark Donahue, Melissa Quinter and Ted Warschal.  The gallery is located on the banks of the Cooper River in Camden NJ in an historic old stone house with sculptures on the lawn (shark fins swim through  the grass) and sailboats glide on the river.  The art  assembled by Garrity in the warmly sun-lit space includes mixed media sculpture, experimental papers and innovative printing techniques on fabrics.

Bobbie Diamond Adams creates collographs on pigmented handmade paper, beautifully presented in hardwood frames, the creativity and craft of fine art prints is evident in each unique piece.  Adams also has a “gaggle” of ceramics which the artist refers to as “organized chaos”.

“Ancestral Sands“, pigmented pulp with lithograph and xerox printing by Bobbie Diamond Adams @ The Hopkins House.

 Bobbie Diamond Adams “gaggle of pottery @ Hopkins House.

Artists, Mark Donahue and Bobbie Diamond Adams @ Hopkins House Gallery.

Mark Donahue’s sculpture installation is composed of fiber and hydrocal without any armitures; Triffid-like the constructions seem infused with energy as if at night they creep about in the dark. Donahue includes ready-made plaster objects in the installation insinuating wit and satire into the mysterious fabrications.  Paired with Melissa Quinter’s enormous orange panel on the wall, the room is like an alien landscape.  More about Donahue later.

Melissa Quinter created each of the fabric patterns in her psychedelic quilt by various methods including scanning images, patterns and batiks then changing the colors and saturation in Photoshop and finally printing and quiltmaking.  Boldly, the artist splashed day-glo green plasticized paint over the delicate handwork, obscuring and illuminating the pulsating patterns.

Melissa Quinter @ Hopkins House Art Gallery. 

Mellisa also has several mixed media pieces in the show; working with fabric, collage and other media, she brings craft and fine art together in vibrantly luminous objects of desire.  Working towards her Senior Thesis at Rutgers, this artist has pulled out all the stops mixing materials, techniques and media with abandon and enthusiam.  Alden & DoN LoVeD the trippy, drippy paintings, Shoshka was eyeing up the wacky quilts - all of us were inspired by the inventiveness and clear sense of direction found in the art.

Ted Warchal’s wall-hung open boxes filled the first floor gallery space with dark, spooky combinations of images, objects and symbols.  Dada-like and surrealistic, the found art constructs are each packed with synthetic narrative, poetic streams of consciousness and dream-like combinations of thought patterns.  DoN has viewed several of Warchal’s art works at Da Vinci Art Alliance shows but this collection of variations on a theme is wildly unexpected in it’s intensity and drama.  Warshal is expert at combining materials to create the elusive objet trouve.

“Fetish I“, mixed media, Ted Warshal @ Hopkins House.

Hopkins House is only 15 minutes from Center City; DoN suggests you scoot on over to Camden and check out some very cool art by established and emerging local talent. 

Spirit of the Artist

SOTA (Spirit of the Artist) on Pine Street in the heart of famous Antique Row only sells art and crafts made in America by artists owner Frank Burkhauser knows personally.  A simple concept; socially conscious business practices benefiting the community, artists and the gallery, creating a vibrant, entrancing art experience.  DoN and Shoshana joined artist Alden Cole as he replenished his stock of unique luminaries - lamp-like art objects created from new and old parts fitted with energy efficient LED bulbs which magically change color.  Burkhauser has been a long time supporter of Cole’s art including his paintings, DoN could tell their friendship is long and deep with great mutual respect. 

SOTA Gallery owner Frank Burkhauser with artist Alden Cole (that’s Alden’s latest luminaries on the shelf over his head - very cool!)

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After the lecture DoN and artist Aida Berzins zipped over to the Philadelphia Society of Free Letts’ Celebrating Latvian Arts show.  Berzins was represented with five works but was joined by an impressive array of fine art from paintings, photography, digital design and sculpture all by Latvian artists. 

Latvia (historically Lettonia, or Lettland), officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in Northern Europe. Latvia shares land borders with Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south - and both Russia and Belarus to the east. It is separated from Sweden in the west by the Baltic Sea. The capital of Latvia is Riga (Latvian: Riga). Latvia has been a member state of the European Union since May 1, 2004 and a member of NATO since March 29, 2004.  Read the Wikipedia article to see why so many Letts emigrated to America, Aida spent many years in a German refugee camp as a child before moving to the U.S.  

Berzins’ artwork is a result of faithfully pursuing her passion and is quite prolific and well respected in the Philadelphia arts community. 

Drawings and paintings by Aida Berzins and Ugis Nigals @ the Latvian Society.

Acylic painting by Ilmars Rumpeters @ the Latvian Society.

Digital art by Ugis Nigals @ the Latvian Society.Sunday, DoN and art enthusiast/couturier Shoshana Aron attended the opening of the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s prestigious 145th Annual Small Oil Paintings Show.  The show is an eclectic mix of landscapes, still life, abstraction, atmospheric naturalism, impressionism, portraits and more - a fine example of the work by Philadelphia’s best painters.  DoN is honored to be included in such good company. 

DoN Brewer’s Odalisque and Richard Harrington’s ‘62 Falcon @ PSC. 

Artist Kyle Margiotta with his entry (top center) @ PSC’s 145th Small Oil Paintings Show. 

 Arthur Ostroff with Pearl Garper (Arthur’s entry is upper left) @ PSC opening. 

First Prize Winner, Allison Miller @ PSC Small Oil Paintings Show.

The First Prize winner, Allison Miller’s, The Domino Effect is a moving, expressive minimalist piece with the pentimenti of the drawing clearly visible causing an emotional reaction to the viewer especially in this modern age with so much violence in our culture.  This show is a must see art event through April 27th.

DoN and Shoshana left the party early to attend the Artek and Piffaro, the Renaissance Wind Band’s A Musical Pastiche from Early 17th Century Germany concert at the Lutheran Church, 2110 Chestnut Street.  Artek and Piffaro are both early music ensembles and the combination of voices, early instruments such as recorders, shawms, sackbuts, dulcians and even a hurdy-gurdy was exquisite and transcendent.  From dark pieces such as Alma Afflitta (a diddy about aflicted souls) to Mirtillo hat ein Schafelein ( a song about a sheep who needs a spoon of potion so she could calm down to be sheared) the afternoon concert was deeply affecting and rewarded by a standing ovation.  

Piffaro’s wind instruments on display at intermission.

DoN would like to make a correction to an earlier post regarding the work of Leslie Pontz and Ruth Borgenicht recently on view at the Crane Arts Center; the collaborators are represented by Snyderman-Works Gallery, 303 Cherry Street, Philadelphia.

Ruth Borgenicht with the installation at The Crane Arts Center,

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All photos by DoNBrewerMultimedia Photography except where noted, all rights reserved. 

DoNArTNews - Paradise City Arts Festival, PAFA, Latvian Society, Philadelphia Sketch Club Small Oils, Piffaro the Renaissance Music BandDoN started off the weekend at the Paradise City Arts Festival held in the cavernous hall of the Armory on Drexel University’s campus.  An impressive number of exhibitors, including friend of DoN Armond Scavo of Earth Light Images, presented an abundance of beautiful objects, wearable art, paintings, sculpture, crafts, collectibles and more.  The teapot exhibit was enchanting with pieces gleaned from many different artists, not just ceramics artists, delightfully playing up the theme of tea-time with quilts, jewelry, constructions as well as real yet unusual pots. Founding director Linda H. Postincluded artists from the Philadelphia region, New England and far away as Canada.  At Scavo’s booth DoN had a long conversation with visitor’s from Scotland who found Philly beautiful and fun.  Fine Art photographer Armond Scavo of Earth Light Images at Paradise City Arts Festival, the Armory, 4/4/8. 

Paradise City Arts Festival Founder, Linda H. Post with artist Vitek Kruta from Massachusetts.

Quilt artist, Carol Lee Heisler, Lorac Designs of East Norriton, PA.  Paradise City Arts Festival.

Mark Jeremy Gleberzon’s acrylic paintings on canvas are real eye-grabbers; yeah, Mark’

 s Canadian. Paradise City Arts Festival. 

Album Cover Art recycled into handbags by Bethlehem PA’s AlbumCoverHandbags.  Paradise City Arts Festival

DoN thinks the handbags recycled from old album covers are divine, especially the B52s; DoN reminded ACH that Frank Sinatra is dead. 

High energy art by Don & Cheryl Olney of Louise’s Daughter of Rochester, NY.  Paradise City Arts Festival.

DoN was drawn into Louise’s Daughter’s dreamy world of good karma, peace and joy; Don & Cheryl are a delightful couple, married 20 years and doing work they both enjoy - does it get better than that?

Dennis Guzenski of J.P. Design’s Lightweight Paper Sculpture.  Paradise City Arts Festival.

Jeanne Petrosky of Pottstown, PA’s J.P. Designs creates wall art that looks like stone but is light as a feather; perfect for creating a dramatic interior design without the worry of wrecking your walls.

Natalie Blake develops tile multiples of ceramic which can be arranged and rearranged at your whim.  Paradise City Arts Festival.

Natalie Blake’s art allows the collector to mix and match to their heart’s content and Natalie Blake Studio’s website is pretty cool, too.  Natalie is from Brattleboro, VT - the town that passed an ordinance proclaiming they would arrest President Bush or Dick Cheney if they set foot in their town?  DoN LoVes Brattleboro.

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Scott Ruesswick of Turned Wood Art from Canterbury, NH where beards are essential.  Paradise City Arts Festival.

Scott E. Matyjaszek, photographer from Rochester NY @ Paradise City Arts Festival.

Scott Matyjaszek and DoN had a fascinating conversation about photography and the inherent idea of the unlimited potential of spreading art around the world.  Scott prices his work very reasonably so they are accessible but we both agreed if you want to own a limited edition photograph expect it’s going to be in the four figure and up range.  Matyjaszek creates photographic images with 3D techniques that are intriguing, inspiring and affordable.

Saturday DoN and about fifty others attended a lecture by Philadelphia’s finest artist, Paul DuSold at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art’s Cecelia Beaux exhibit.  DuSold is a favorite teacher of many local painters and brought his depth of knowledge of painting to the work by the pioneering woman artist.  Recognized by her peers as “the greatest woman painter that ever lived,” Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942) was a trailblazing artist who achieved international acclaim painting portraits of prominent figures of her day. 100 oil paintings, works on paper, decorative objects, and archival documents (PAFA website).  Paul DuSold explained how warm and cool temperature tones, dark and light color choices, ambiguous edges compared to crisp line, even brush size choices helped make Beaux one of the most successful female artists of her time and a favorite portrait artist of many aristocrats.  DuSold brought some lucidity to what may have seemed to be a conventional portrait exhibit.  Paul DuSold is represented by Gross McCleaf Gallery and teaches painting and drawing at Fleisher Art Memorial and Woodmere Art Museum.

Artist and teacher Paul DuSold @ PAFA’s Cecelia Beaux exhibit.