Category Archives: Illustration

Art illustration. Illustrations by Philadelphia artists.

Moth

Black Moth Tattoo and GalleryRiot, Pen and ink on paper, David Jablow

Black Moth Tattoo Parlor and Gallery

Black Moth Tattoo and Gallery, 18 East Lancaster Avenue Ardmore, PA 19003

David Jablow  Further Adventures 

March 1st – March 31st

On first glance, my drawings are clearly narrative. What is often and easily missed is the very specific platform on which all of them are made. The drawings originate on vintage ‘doodle pad’ sheets from 20th century.

I collect and utilize these somewhat risqué novelty drawing pads. These mass-produced pads of paper feature incompletely drawn women (and occasionally men) with instructions to complete- or doodle in- the missing parts. And that’s what I do.  As a lifelong fan of the art and craft of illustration, representational drawing, comics, and cartooning, I use pen and ink to complete the incomplete images to make them my own.

The practice of ‘repurposing’ items from the past is quite popular. We’ve all seen the cable TV shows and passed by boutiques that take old antique doors and turn them into coffee tables, or crafters who take old military artifacts and turns them into lamps. Giving new life to objects left for dead is fun, quirky, and often times environmentally considerate.

What I’m doing with these old sheets of paper is ‘purposing’ them. I’m doing exactly what the printers had in mind when they originally produced and distributed them. I like the idea that I’m doing this decades after they were made, after they’ve been sitting in drawers until someone decided to post them for sale on eBay or Etsy. Perhaps ‘retro-purposed’ would be a more appropriate term for what I’m doing with these old doodle pads.

Regardless of they’re called or how they originate, I’ve found them to be ideal for my creative process.  When artist’s face a complete blank canvas or paper, they face that paradoxical problem of endless possibilities.  Too many options can often be constraining.

I sidestep this with the help of my muse. I simply access that part of the brain that we use when we play the game of charades. “What could she be doing.” my mind asks. Ideas then flow. I mentally sift through them and make loose sketches to narrow down the options. Which would make a drawing that I’d want to make?  What haven’t I done before? Maybe something funny, maybe macabre, or maybe I feel like challenging myself with some complex perspective angle. I get to draw it all..foliage, animals, technology, different eras of human history.  That’s half the fun. It’s always the same challenge and always new and different. –David Jablow

Free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/622854208172944/

Black Moth Tattoo and GalleryAttack #3, Mixed Media on Wood, Wendee Yudis

Works by Wendee Yudis

April 1st – 30th

Wendee Yudis is a serigraph mixed media artist whose paintings and prints have been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries in NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia since the mid-1990’s. The females in her work become icons that reoccur in new contexts and combinations to create a visual vocabulary. Many times they question the females’ role in society as well explore the various roles within ourselves. By juxtaposing various images, nuances are implied and tension is created to imply and explore new meanings. She primarily uses printmaking along with painting rather than printing in edition because it allows her more freedom to create spontaneously and to explore the subtleties of printmaking. Yudis typically print images or icons in combination with other images to create not only a dialogue between the images but also to create an illusion of being camouflaged by translucency, patterns, and layers to explore relationships seen and unseen.

Free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/628873590917632/

Black Moth Tattoo and Gallery

“A new fusion of custom body art and curated exhibitions brought to Montgomery County by local artist, Steve Martin. Expect more of the great ideas you have come to know me for. With 9 years professional experience I cover a range of disciplines in tattooing; from mandala and geometric designs, Japanese, neo-traditional, traditional Americana, custom lettering, as well as black and grey realism.

Celebrating 2 years in historic Ardmore, we’re turning heads with its premier tattoo parlor. I look forward to bringing to you, the art enthusiast and collector, a select presentation of custom tattoo designs as well as some of the finest works of art month after month. You can expect the professionalism, mindful customer service, attention to detail, and quality products in a clean and safe setting that you have known from me all these years.”

www.BlackMothTattooandGallery.com

18 East Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
P. 610-642-1500

Thank you to Steve Martin for the content of this post.

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Snowflake

Snowflake Salon @HBHQ

Snowflake @HBHQ : Fourth Biennial Invitational Winter Show

EXHIBITION: Saturday, January 14, 2017 through Friday, February 24, 2017

Heavybubble is pleased to present our fourth biennial winter invitational. Artists are invited to contribute up to two pieces of their work and to invite an artist they respect to participate. Artworks are no larger than 16 x 16 inches. See the works of more than 60 artists.

Reception + art party + sale: Saturday, January 14, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Closing TEA PARTY + sale: Saturday, February 25, 2017 4 – 6 pm

Participating artists:

Alice Austin
Kristin Balmer
Sara Bakken
Nancy Barch
Richard Begbie
Rosalind Bloom
Sarah Bloom
Agustin Bolanos
Elena Bouvier
DoN Brewer
Keith R. Breitfeller
Kevin Broad
Therese Brown
Corliss Cavalieri
Damini Celebre
Rachel Citrino
jacintha clark
Amanda D’Amico
Brian Dennis
James A. DePietro
Marie Elcin
Terri Fridkin
Mike Gamble
Rebecca Gilbert
Mary Gordon
Marjorie Grigonis
Naren Gupte
Marguerita Hagan
Kala Hagopian
Vikki Hall-Webster
Nina Hopen Klein
Gregg Krantz
Andrea Krupp
Pam Lethbridge
Fred Lisaius
Robert Magana
Laura Marconi
kellianne mccarthy
Angela McQuillan
Lesley Mitchell
Michael Moffa
Nanette Noone
Alexis Nutini
PD Packard
dolores poacelli
Amie Potsic
Diana Prescott
Donna Quinn
Amy Ralston
Susan Richards
Maryann Riker
Colleen Rudolf
Kristin Schattenfield-Rein
Christopher Smith
Lisa Sparling
Brian Spies
Pierre Trombert
Stella Untalan
TJ Walsh
Ashley Wick

Snowflake Salon @HBHQ, DoN BrewerTiberino Odalisque, oil on canvas, 11″ x 14″, 2016, $300.00, DoN Brewer

Painted last Summer at the Tiberino Sunday art workshop, Tiberino Odalisque is one of my favorite paintings. Completed in five hours, the painterly quality and atmospheric naturalism is my goal when I paint. The environment at the Tiberino Museum in West Philly is so accepting, vibrant and creative and represents the world I live in; a world filled with art, companionship, encouragement and love.

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Paper

Domenic DiStefano Memorial Works on Paper Open

Call For Entry

Reminder….Please join us for our next open juried show at the historic

The Philadelphia Sketch Club

2017 Annual Domenic DiStefano Memorial Works on Paper Exhibition

  • January 6th – 28th, 2017
  • Enter online HERE
  • See Prospectus Works on Paper Prospectus 2017
  • Entry Deadline: Sunday Dec 18, 2016 at Midnight
  • Notification: Dec 21, 2016
  • Delivery: Weds Dec 28, and Friday. Dec. 30, 2016 1-5 PM
  • Reception: Sunday Jan 15, 2017 2-4 PM where cash awards and PSC medal will be presented to the winners
  • Pickup: Jan 29 and Feb 1, 2017
  • Chair : Lauren Sweeney (ljsweeney1@verizon.net)
  • Faad Ghoraishi , PSC Exhibition Chair 

“The Sketch Club responded to the educational needs of the arts community in the early 1870’s when the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts was awaiting completion of its new building and was without instructional facilities. Under the auspices of the Club, life drawing classes were conducted with Thomas Eakins as instructor. Lectures on anatomy were also delivered. When the Academy opened its new building in 1876, Eakins, an honorary member of the Club, volunteered to take over its life classes, undoubtedly utilizing his teaching experiences gained at the Sketch Club. By 1894 the Sketch Club had 400 active members, including many instructors at the Academy. Thomas P. Anshutz, who succeeded Eakins at the Academy, was President of the Club from 1910 until his untimely death in 1912. When World War I forced the world famous illustrator and etcher Joseph Pennell to leave Europe, he returned to Philadelphia and served as President of the Club in 1921.” – The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Biography Domenic DiStefano

“Domenic B. DiStefano (1924-2011)

Born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Domenic DiStefano was especially known for his marine and landscape watercolors of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. During most of his career he lived and taught in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania; but he spent his summers painting and conducting workshops in Rockport and Gloucester, Massachusetts.

A Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society and a member of the Salmagundi Club in New York City, he was also a long-time member and past president of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and a member of the Rockport Art Association and the North Shore Art Association

Information provided by Patricia Morfesis, a family friend.” – AskArt

The Philadelphia Sketch Club

235 S. Camac Street, Avenue of the Artists, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5608

215-545-9298
sketchclub.org

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Phillustration 7

Phillustration 7, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Tom LeonardPhillustration 7The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Tom Leonard, Sea Mammal Alphabet Book Cover, acrylic on illustration board

Phillustration 7, Illustration Exhibition at The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Phillustration 7 is an exhilarating exhibition dedicated to illustration in the historic art studio at The Philadelphia Sketch Club. The room is filled with information packed works, pulsing with memes, telling tales and making artistic insinuations to stir the imagination. The top prize went to Tom Leonard for Sea Mammal Alphabet Book, it’s cool to see a Philadelphia artist and educator win since the show has entries juried in from around the country. The panel he created is exquisite in it’s magical realism and information design.

“In the past seven years Tom Leonard has focused his work on children’s books usually with a view toward nature. His recent work combines a folk-art sophistication with a scientifically realistic interpretation. He has illustrated five books for Hyperion and Golden.

Tom Leonard now lives in Philadelphia and teaches illustration at the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia. He regularly goes to schools to discuss his work. His work has appeared in the Graphis Annual and several times in the Society of Illustrators.” – University of the Arts in Philadelphia

Illustrators are interesting people because they communicate visually using the languages of color, character and composition. Making metaphors and messaging with mark making, they possess a skill that is so rarified and refined their influence is felt throughout contemporary culture. For a unique opportunity to experience an exhibition of fine art illustration and an historic Pennsylvania landmark, go see Phillustration 7.

Phillustration 7, Philadelphia Sketch ClubPiya Wannachaiwong, Ymgarl Genestealer, digital and pencil, Phillustration 7, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

In researching this post I visited the websites of the artists, each one is as exciting and entertaining as any magazine. The breadth of media employed to achieve an artwork that stands on it’s own and promotes an idea, product or position is truly astonishing. The Philadelphia Sketch Club has a long history of presenting fine art exhibitions, providing illustration it’s own venue to share the art and adventure of creating effective commercial art is important.

Piya Wannachaiwong (that’s P-ya Wanna-chai-wong) was born in Yonkers, New York. He misspent his childhood drawing dinosaurs on paper, kitchen tables, windows, school books and living room walls. He earned his B A in Studio Arts from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA in 2001. Looking for a more thorough art education, he suddenly found himself at the Admissions office of the Academy of Art University in the City by the Bay (San Francisco). Three years later, someone gave him a piece of paper with the letters MFA 2005 on it, tossed him out the door and told him to be useful and get a job.” – Piya Wannachaiwong

Phillustration 7, Zachary Manbeck, Philadelphia Sketch ClubPhillustration 7, Zachary Manbeck, Something Wicked, digital, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

“I am currently studying Illustration at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts and will be receiving my BFA in Illustration in 2018.  I enjoy creating art that tells a story while being both playful and imaginative. Often in my images I ask myself “What is the narrative within the narrative?”, opening the door for multiple colliding stories packed into one fun image.  It is this thought process that keeps my illustrations unique and amusing, allowing their viewers to jump in and get lost in my imagery.” – Zachary Manbeck

Phillustration 7, Jacqueline Hines, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Phillustration 7, Jacqueline Hines, Ichabod the Autumn Spirit, graphite and Photoshop CS6, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

“Earning their nickname due to their physique, choice of clothing, and a life goal to achieve green skin, Jacqueline a.k.a The Gothic Stringbean is a highly caffeinated, award-winning illustrator currently working on their BFA in Illustration at Moore College of Art and Design. Upon graduation, they plan to travel, listen to some good tunes and be content with a simple life of making good art.

Outside of illustration, some may notice them silently stalking around Philadelphia, PA in colorful polyester and yellow aviators. Otherwise, they like to drink tea, listen to their ever-growing record collection and learn about the wonderful world of the spooky paranormal.” – Jacqueline Hines

Phillustration 7, Pat Achilles, The Philadelphia Sketch ClubPhillustration 7, Pat Achilles, Ghost Tour from ‘Let’s Visit New Hope’, acrylic paint on illustration board, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Pat Achilles captures that magic moment you always experience when you visit New Hope, the arts community along the Delaware River north of Philly. The atmospheric limited palette and shifty shapes immediately draws the viewer into a story, a ghost story. Sparking the imagination and telling tales is the goal of illustrators, to take us on a trip through a different realm.

Pat Achilles is an award-winning illustrator with over 20 years of experience in corporate, advertising, book and editorial illustration. Her styles range from highly realistic to humorous cartoons to children’s literature. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, where she was taught by the delightful Beth and Joe Krush and Bob Byrd. Pat is a co-founder of the Bucks County Illustrators Society and gives presentations on ‘What Authors Should Know about Book Illustration,’ geared especially for children’s book writers, and ‘Marketing for Illustrators.’ She is an adjunct professor in the illustration department at Moore.” – Pat Achilles

Phillustration 7, The Philadelphia Sketch ClubThis kid, Phillustration 7 through November 27th, 2015, The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Robert Bohne told me a story about when he was a kid an uncle took him to the Sketch Club and he knew right away he would be a member one day. Now Bob monitors a popular costumed life model workshop on Thursday afternoons, guiding and advising some of Philly’s finest artists that come to the club to draw and paint. I was drawing at Bob’s workshop last week and the energy and excellence of the artwork around me pushed me to really see what I was looking at and make marks that mean something. The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s President Rich Harrington chaired the exhibit and achieved a level of excellence that, for me, is transformative in it’s exploration of fine illustration.

The Philadelphia Sketch Club Gallery hours: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 235 South Camac Street, Philadelphia PA, 19107

Phillustration 7 through November 27th, 2015.

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Written and photographed by DoN Brewer except where noted.

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small Worlds at The Plastic Club

Small Worlds, The Plastic Club

Small WorldsThe Plastic Club

Over one hundred and seventy small works of art no bigger than 16 inches in any direction. Opening Reception, Sunday, March 3rd, 2013, 2:00 – 5:00pm at The Plastic Club. 247 South Camac Street, Philadelphia PA 19107.

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