Category Archives: Philadelphia Abstract Art

Non-representational art in all media including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, prints, video, on-line, writing, etc.

Through My Window @ Smile

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Through My Window at Smile Gallery @ 22^nd & Chestnut Streets is a concept show involving repurposing old window frames donated by Lantern Theater Companys Charles McMahon. Member artists of Da Vinci Art Alliance were asked to take a window and create a work of art instead of the frames ending up in a dump. Each artist presented art as diverse as drawings, paintings, photos, weaving and collage, creating a conundrum for jurors Brenda and Matt Lyons. Each piece is desirable and delightful in theyre own right: Betsy Alexander based her composition on science fiction, Burnell Yow! created an homage to Buddha, Mike Sweeny dressed his frame in gold and silver communicating a comment on Americas current economic situation, Alden Coles ethereal painting draws the viewer into the spiritual realm, Girard DiFalcos photograph of a tree is simple and serene, DoN Brewer recreated the view from the apartment he rented in Paris, Ona Kalstein based her mixed media piece on the fable of the ant and the cicada and Lilliana Didovic designed a mixed media work depicting Phillys famous Boat House Row using, of all things. Swarovski Crystals.

Other artists in the show include Bobbie Adams, Kim Alsbrook, Rachel Citrino, Carl Johnson, Ted Warchal, Nicole Koenitzer, Rikard Larma, Gail Kotel, Tim McKenna, Lee Muslin, Liz Niklus, Michelle Post, Gavid Carrow and Carol Wisker.

Karen McDonnell and Anthony Cortosi’s “Old Woman Looking Out the Window“. The duo currently have work on display at Rodger Lapelle Gallery in Old City through Feb.1, 2009.

Alden Cole @ Smile. Cole is included in a Dumpster Diver show at New Jersey’s Noyes Museum.

Mike Sweeney‘s award winner @ Smile’s “Through My Window.”

Burnell Yow!‘s award winning composition will allow him to be part of a group show @ Smile in January 2010 – get to work Burnell!!

Betsy Alexander‘s sci-fi inspired mixed media collage was a hit with the crowd creating a vibrant conversation about everyone’s fantasy favorites. Betsy’s home was recently featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Design section, you can read the story here. Betsy is also the mom of the famous Nora the Piano Playing Cat – check out Nora’s latest videos on YouTube.

Kathryn Pannepacker’s simple yet elegant mixed media piece incorporates weaving. Pannepacker recently completed an amazing mural @ Broad and Lehigh Streets depicting textile styles of the world for the Mural Arts Program.

DoN Brewer’s “Vue de la Rue Rambuteau, Paris“, colored pencil on paper at Smile Gallery.

Through My Window is on display through February 7^th, 2009 and by the by Smiles Thai food restaurant is probably the best in the city BYOB and stay a while.

New Members Exhibit @ The Plastic Club

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Sunday DoN attended the New Members exhibit at The Plastic Club on Camac Street, the historic art club formally women only but now an exciting studio, meeting place and gallery for artists of every stripe. New members include John Baccile, Donna Blichasz, DoN Brewer, Patrick Crofton, Joann Doneen, J.D. Gibson, Katelyn Greth, Susanna Habecker, Karen Hagen, Dorothy Kajani, Jerry Katzenstein, Bob Makoid, Janice R. Moore, Victoria Nevins, Colleen O’Brien, Samantha Stella Reis, Kathryn Russo, Lois Schlachter, Susan A. Stromquist, Debora Miller, Mike Roberson, Patricia Wilson-Schmid and Tristan Wright.In order to become a member of the club one must prove their artistic mettle by submitting several pieces to be considered by the board, not all are immediately approved including DoN who had to submit work completed outside of the club’s workshops in order to join the ranks. The rewards of membership are tremendous including guaranteed exhibitions throughout the year, terrific parties including Bob Jackson’s delicious last Friday workshop dinners and a great group of artists that DoN now considers friends.

Susan Stromquist and Debora Weber @ The Plastic Club.

John Baccile‘s American Graffiti.

Donald Meyer of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and former Plastic Club president Mike Guinn.

Joann Doneen’s Inseparable, oil/encaustic.

Lois Schlachter’s Stadium Line.

Donna Blichasz‘ Fairy Tale Land.

Works of art @ The Plastic Club’s New Members exhibit.

DoN Brewer with his drawing @ The Plastic Club’s New Members exhibit.

Mike Robertson’s Plastic Palette and DoN Brewer’s Camp #9.

The Plastic Club’s New Members Exhibition runs through January 24th, 2009.

Patricia X 2 @ Da Vinci Art Alliance

Legacy Show & Sale @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

The Green Exhibit @ Art in City Hall.

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October 23rd, Alden Cole and DoN attended the opening of the Green Exhibit at Philadelphia City Hall, the 56th group exhibit for local emerging and professional artists with the exhibit focussing on concerns about our environment. The art display cases have been updated with improved lighting and larger exhibition space allowing the 45 participating artists to show their own take on what it means to be green. Carol Cole has always reused cast away objects to include in her striking sculptures which appear to made of metal and stone but usually turn out to be styrofoam and plastic – so clever.

Sculptor Carol Cole @ The Green Exhibit.

Dolores Poacelli @ Art in City Hall’s Green Exhibit. Dolores reuses used aluminum printing plates which she dumpster dives for even though the rats scare her. These two amazing pieces still reveal traces of the imagery that came before she sanded, rusted and glued the panels onto wood.

Gregory Farrar Scott‘s Mask # 40 and Mask # 41 @ The Green Exhibit.

Junk Mail Shag by Valerie Linhart created with shredded junk mail. DoN LoVeS iT!!! The Green Exhibit @ Art in City Hall runs through January 23, 2009. Support your local artists and go buy some art since their are no commissions and the quality is so high. DoN even got to say,”Hi!” to Mayor Nutter.