DoNArTNeWs

DoN had the opportunity to interview artist Niki Bombshell and learned she’s a neighbor!  You never know.  Bombshell is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design  and is not only a fine artist/illustrator & designer, she is also a curator producing exhibits for James Oliver Gallery, SAGE Projects Gallery & Salsita Studio.  DoN also learned Niki prefers to use found objects and recycled materials to produce her work, unless someone provides her with a canvas to paint.

The party @ Salsita on South Street sounds like it’ll be a blast!  Attached is Niki’s resume.

Niki Bombshell Resume

Niki Bombshell Artist Statement

Claire Alta Elliott’s one person show at the Beauty Shop Cafe is like a trip to the woods with drippy, trippy oils painted thick and loose into verdant landscapes which pop beautifully off the new citrus colored walls of the popular coffee shop.  The big windows really sell the art as you stroll by or drive down Fitzwater Street; The Beauty Shop just celebrated their 2nd anniversary, offering a great opportunity for many local artists to have an art show of their own.

Claire Alta Elliott is a blogger, too - the painter likes spreading her imagery over the Internet, tracking her progress in a disciplined yet cheery manner.  Recently, DoN was discussing how American it is to be a multimedia artist with Dexiang Qian, former director of The Fine Arts Academy of Guangzhou - he was surprised at how many artists work in a wide spectrum of media from drawing and painting to photography and web design.  Qian explained, via his translator, that in China and many other countries that art is a discipline dedicated to a particular media like painting.  Claire Alta Elliott epitomizes the fresh, new, young generation of American artist, armed with a plan, a path, the savvy, attitude and talent to be recognized as a fine artist and taste-maker.  Surprisingly, this is Elliott’s first show considering the sophistication and depth of the art; thanks to The Beauty Shop Cafe for continuing to promote exciting new talent.

2008 has been a big year for DoN: co-chair of the Absolutely Abstract committee at The Philadelphia Sketch Club, membership in the Plastic Club and the Da Vinci Art Alliance, paintings, drawings and photos included in shows at Off the Wall Gallery @ Dirty Franks and First Impressions in Salem NJ, a one-person show at The Beauty Shop Cafe, produced videos for Paul DuSold, Henry Martin and the Philadelphia Sketch Club, DoNArTNeWs is part of Culture Pundits and a successful open studio as part of Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.  

DoN with his grand-niece Jaelyn in Florida for the holidays. 

DoN has made so many new friends in the art world and is grateful to all who have supported his artistic ambitions.  A new member to DoN’s family along with Katy the ArT DoG is Doofie the Saint Bernard/Chihuahua mix who came to live with us because GadFly left our plane of existence to pester angels in the afterworld.  It was a difficult decision made quickly to include such a large animal in a tiny row house but Doof has brought so much love and affection to Katy and DoN that all the dog hair is worth it.  In these tough economic times it’s so important to help rescue animals from shelters; KaTy the ArT DoG is a rescue and the love she shares and the protection and safety DoN feels in her company is worth any price.Thanks and LoVe to Shoshana, Aldy, lola, Dee, John, David Foss, Barbara Murray, Mike Guinn, Lilliana Didovic, Karl Olsen, Anders Hansen, Mina Smith-Segal, everyone @ Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Helen & Joe, Debbie, and many others including my family who have whole-heartedly supported DoN throughout the year.

Peace & LoVe

DoN 

The Beauty Shop Café consistently displays forward thinking art, curator Jon has transformed this formerly dingy corner to a really nice hangout for locals.  The recent art opening for hobo orona, two art girls going to PAFA, each with their own distinct point of view, is quirky and deep.  The happening was fun and thoughtful, bringing out friends and neighbors to hear a local musician (whose name escapes me – I’ll get it soon.) The journals by Jamie with the repurposed book covers with lovely papers inside are cleverly displayed.  Her mom told me how a potential customer asked her to create wedding invitations from the pages of a love story, sadly the project was too big but is a wonderful meme.  The drawings and collages by Tate O are clever and thoughtful.

Jamie’s journals with repurposed book covers. 

Paper cutout with collage - cool. 

Art party @ The Beauty Shop Cafe for “hobo orona”.