Category Archives: Fine Art Philadelphia

Fine art created by Philadelphia area artists.

DoN Brewer Photography: Perkins Center for the Arts, Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery, Photographic Society of Philadelphia, The Plastic Club and The Philadelphia Sketch Club

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 Photography: Perkins Center for the Arts, Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery, Photographic Society of Philadelphia, The Plastic Club and The Philadelphia Sketch Club

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 President Bob 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.

Plastic Club Small Worlds DoN Brewer

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!

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago

DoN Brewer Photography @ Diverse Perspectives at Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery, 704 Catharine Street, South Philly.  DoN will be hosting a discussion, Search Engine Optimization for Artists, Saturday, March 5th, 2011, 2 – 4:00 PM.

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 photographer Ed 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 Photography: Perkins Center for the Arts, Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery, Photographic Society of Philadelphia, The Plastic Club and The Philadelphia Sketch Club

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.

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago

Sneak peek –  Yeoun Lee and Bud Boehringer @ Diverse Perspectives, Da Vinci Art Alliance, February 25th – March 26th, 2011 – Reception: February 25th, 5 – 9:00PM

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago.

Opening this Friday, February 25th, 2011, 5 – 9:00PM @ 704 Catharine Street, Philadelphia.  The group show is the result of the tenacity and determination of a few artists determined to keep one of the few art spaces left where they can display their work open for the winter months.  DoN was invited by Da Vinci Art Director, Dave Foss without whose help this show would not have happened, to join the group after several artists could not help Bud Boehringer, who came through with the Benjamins commitment, to pull together a show.  Bud said he would do an installation by himself but it turns out there is such a demand for artists to get their work in public view that literally overnight the group grew to eight artists – and, guess what?  The show is fabulous with a series of events planned to bring visitors to the South Philly gem of a gallery including this weekends double receptions Friday and Sunday – free and open to the public.

Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance: Bud Boehringer, DoN Brewer, Lorna Kent, Yeoun Lee, Marcy Morris, Lee Muslin, William Myers & Edna Santiago

DoN Brewer, Utter Blackness, digital photograph, inkjet print @ Diverse Perspectives.

DoN is exhibiting a new group of abstract landscape and architectural detail photographs; working to install the art with DVAA Director Dave Foss was not just an educational experience regarding the math of hanging a show but learning to see the thematic layout, abstract paintings with abstract photographs, representational work resonating with each other, a visual flow, he had it all laid out ready to install with the skill of a professional curator.  DoN had the rare experience of arranging his own work in an art gallery, a supremely satisfying experience, and helping to show the work of friends in their best light is transcendental.  But it’s nothing like the excitement DoN feels for Edna Santiago and Bill Myers for their brilliant introduction to the fabric of the art community known as Da Vinci Art Alliance, Friday night should prove to be joyful.

Edna Santiago, Art Adventure: Friday, March 4th, 4 – 8:00 PM – please visit the gallery and hear Edna’s inspirational story of the healing power of art and how she has channeled her energy into developing an art school for poor kids in a rural fishing village in Puerto Rico.

Saturday, March 5th, DoN will host a conversation, Search Engine Optimization for Artists, 2 – 4:00 PM; DoN will share tips, tactics and code to help your website be more search-able.

Like Da Vinci Art Alliance on Facebook to learn more about more DVAA Diverse Perspectives Events throughout March, 2011.

Photos by DoN.

Best Art Show Ever – A Showing of Oil & Ink and Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Best Art Show Ever - A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Best Art Show Ever A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Best Art Show Ever - A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery on 22nd Street.  DoN stopped in the artist co-op known as Twenty-Two Gallery to see the Best Art Show Ever, a collection of paintings and oil pastel drawings with a distinct regional impressionism of absorbing landscapes, architectural representation, animal images – it really makes you remember why you live near Philly.

Best Art Show Ever - A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Best Art Show EverA Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Best Art Show Ever - A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Best Art Show Ever A Showing of Oil & Ink & Oil Pastel Paintings by Harry Boardman @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Harry Boardman‘s collection of art for his one man show is not narcissistic in the least, he really has the painting skill to claim his artistic turf, desirable works of art to elevate your life-style, like a Philly MC at a rap battle – Holla Back!

Dale Levy @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Dale Levy @ Twenty-Two GalleryDale Levy was on duty for the artist run space, she currently has not just the bold abstracts she’s known for but beautiful representational paintings which display a different facet of her style.  The group show represents the work of influential Philadelphia artists who contribute to the artistic zeitgeist of the region with exuberant enthusiasm and tenacity.

Every time DoN walks down 22nd Street, a feeling of well-being emanates from the neighborhood, it’s so pretty, so accessible and friendly with cafe’s, shops and art.  Even though a couple of cool spots have closed due to this stupid recession the stroll feels very Metropolitan; DoN recently had coffee @ Good Karma to talk with a prominent Philadelphia blogger about some exciting upcoming news, even the gossip is esoteric.

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club – Eileen Eckstein, Karen Frank, Morris Klein & John Schmeichen

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club - Eileen Eckstein, Karen Frank, Morris Klein & John Schmeichen

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic ClubEileen Eckstein, Karen Frank, Morris Klein & John Schmeichen.

Eileen Eckstein, the president of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, lamented to DoN that she had failed to sign her work since the Plastic Club uses a numbering system compared to labels and she was concerned her colorful photographs would be confused with the work of PSoP VP Morris Klein.  But, have no fear, the styles of these two creative talents is unique, each expressing their own vision through photography.

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club - Eileen Eckstein, Karen Frank, Morris Klein & John Schmeichen

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic ClubEileen Eckstein, Foto One Dollar O $3 Pescoes, photograph.

Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club - Eileen Eckstein, Karen Frank, Morris Klein & John Schmeichen

John Schmiechen, Carman’s Country Kitchen, oil & Keeping Watch Over Manayunk, oil @ Downstairs Gallery @ The Plastic Club through February 25th, 2011.

The former basement is now a swanky gallery with a hearth, a tricked out print room and a big kitchen where Bob Jackson prepares some of his famous feasts.  The gallery is intimate with the feel of a hidden treasure that you only learn about by being part of the art-erati.   The multi-media show features work by member artists whose names are drawn randomly from a hat during a ceremony, usually by a cute kid, the artists then each show about five works.  DoN‘s name did not get drawn from the hat but due to unusual circumstances he now has the opportunity to participate in the next show opening the same weekend as the Diverse Perspectives show @ Da Vinci Art Alliance, February 26th, 2011 DoN will have art on display at four local art galleries simultaneously including the on-going PSoP show @ Bonte’s and the Photography 30 show @ Perkins Center for the Arts.  You may ask why DoN is being so conceited in a story about his artist friends?  It’s because the work of the people at the Plastic Club and the Photographic Society of Philadelphia: Eileen, Morris, Bob, Mike, Alan, Cynthia… help to keep DoN‘s creative fires burning.

 

Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Barbara Keough Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Barbara Keough, Three Out of Four Ain’t Bad, mixed media @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.   The Plastic Club has 36 new members and a low attrition rate due to the warm, welcoming laid back vibe of one of the longest running art clubs in America.  The New Members show is exceptional in the wide variety of media from fiber arts to painting, drawing and photograph; you would think there would be a tipping point but the leadership of The Plastic Club is sensitive to the needs of artists and makes every effort to help them develop through leading workshops, critiques, Salons, and monthly exhibitions including the Downstairs Gallery (the subject of DoN‘s next post on DoNArTNeWs).

Barbara Keough‘s painting embodies the spirit of the new group joining the club, her painting is witty, fun, cheerful and beautiful – a small painting which lights up on it’s own especially in the newly refurbished Plastic Club Gallery.  And the number 42, of course, is the answer to the ultimate question posed in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  The Plastic Club uses a unique numbering system which requires visitors to refer to a printed guide but also allows seeing the work for itself without being influenced by the cult of personality or reputation of the artist.

Chick Kelly Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Chick Kelly @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art ExhibitionChick Kelly‘s wonderfully ebullient and erudite character shines through his paintings combining contemplative color palette with stinging symbolism and strong story telling.

Maria Viataki, Alexandra Pinero, Burton Greenspan @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Maria Viataki, Dreams of Havertown, acrylic, Alexandra Pinero, Amaris Is Hazel, oil, & Burton Greenspan, Sun Lee, oil @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.  Doesn’t this look fabulous?

S.F. Pfaffenbichler Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

S.F. Pfaffenbichler, Rock I & Rock II, oil @  Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.

S.F. Pfaffenbichler Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

S.F. Pfaffenbichler @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.

Bob Jackson & Alan Klawans un-scrolled Sylia Pfaffenbichler‘s action drawing from the Plastic Club‘s on-going series of workshops called the Moving Model, the model slowly changes poses over a period of twenty minutes forcing the artist to quickly see and commit the image to paper, the results are evident in Pfaffenbichler‘s great, joyful paintings of jazzy dancers.

Michael B. Tantaros & Yeoun Lee Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Michael B. Tantaros, What, graphite & Yeoun Lee, Over the Rainbow, mixed media – DoN loves seeing these works together, the fine drawing is of Bill Myers, fellow photographer and Yeoun Lee who are both in the group multi-media art show Diverse Perspectives @ Da Vinci Art Alliance, reception February 25th, 2011, 5 – 9:00 PM, featuring the work of eight Da Vinci Art Alliance member artists.  DoN will be presenting Search Engine Optimization for Artists , Saturday, March 5th @ 2:00 PM, as part of the Diverse Perspectives exhibition running throughout March in the historic gallery in South Philly.

Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Past president Michael Guinn and current president Bob Jackson address the new members who have joined the Plastic Club, their leadership has improved participation exponentially and upgrades to the historic building are continuous – the back yard parties are infamous, too.

Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Jane J. Wilkie, Blue Sky, acrylic, Reta Sweeney, Snow on Stewart Lake, oil, Cara Kendric, Song of the Dawn, mixed media and Denise Romano Bright, Wisteria in Bloom, hand colored photo @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition through February 25th, 2011.  Welcome to the New Members and thank you to The Plastic Club team for providing a venue for artists to grow and develop without feeling intimidated.

By the by, DoN has been updating the Album pages on the Plastic Club website, it’s a work in progress but the pictures will bring back many memories.

Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Michael B. Tantaros, Who, graphite @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition; DoN is particularly drawn (no pun intended) to Tantaros‘ descriptive drawing and atmospheric naturalism.  The Plastic Club is famous for it’s inspiring workshops where artists can work with a live model for 3 hours really cheaply, an important factor in creating great art.

Don McPartland Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Don McPartland, Secession man, Weather Report & Free Range, mixed media @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.

Bill Myers Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition

Bill Myers, Dead Squirrel on My Bed, photograph & Robert Heiler, Winter’s Evening, watercolor @ Plastic Club New Members 2011 Art Exhibition.  Bill Myers surrealistic photographs will be on view at Da Vinci Art Alliance February 25th – March 26th, 2011.

Photos by DoN.