Category Archives: Mixed Media Art

Mixed media art by Philadelphia artists.

Art Sphere at Jed Williams Studio

Kristin Groenveld, Art Sphere at Jed Williams Studio

Kristin Groenveld explained to DoN, “Art Sphere is a non-profit education program for low income youth here in Philadelphia. It started in 1998, it’s a grass roots organization that works with all volunteers and we focus in on educational art programs that actually make a difference in neighborhoods.”

Kristin Groenveld, Art Sphere at Jed Williams Studio

“At the Jed Williams Studio we’re exhibiting artwork on the theme of envelopes and, this is a version of the theme that I’m doing, but we do do in West Philly with students for years. We use envelopes as a metaphor for getting good news, getting bad news, and how we deal with it in our lives. And we also do that similar theme with the oysters and the oyster shells and how we make a pearl out of that piece of sand that really hurts us or irritates us in our life. With the intention of trying to transform difficult times into positive times.”

Kristin Groenveld, Art Sphere at Jed Williams Studio

Kristin Groenveld continued on, “That’s the magic of art for me and for Art Sphere. Other things Art Sphere does is we clean out neighborhood parks, we remove all the trash, remove broken glass, paint over graffiti, paint murals, and then we paint everything from benches to trash cans to make it really fun to go spend time there.”

Written and photographed by DoN Brewer

Absolutely Abstract 2012

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John Styner, Kerovac, digital painting, Absolutely Abstract 2012 at The Philadelphia Sketch Club

As a little DoNster, DoN dreamed of becoming an abstract artist. Stop reading if you’ve heard this story before but when Donnie was in the second grade he announced one evening at dinner he wanted to be an abstract artist when he grew up. Life magazine wrote about Jackson Pollack with color pictures of the wild action paintings seemingly anyone could do, Maynard G. Krebs was a beatnik icon on TV and American in Paris was a dream life-style for an artsy little boy. DoN‘s parents were appalled.

Kenneth Weiner, Quarks, acrylic, Absolutely Abstract 2012 at The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Abstract art is popular and accessible because it takes elements of reality and transforms them into something new allowing the viewer to see and feel whatever the image is transmitting. A mid twentieth century invention, abstraction is now everywhere in modern culture, how then do artists invigorate the style. Kenneth Weiner‘s Quarks layers colors in deep tones and lifts up through complementary films of washed on tones interjected with slashes of fire red in animistic actions and impressionistic light. This style of painting is recognizable as abstract yet has a narrative explained in color.

Su Knoll Horty, Deception in Pink, oil on canvas, Absolutely Abstract 2012 at The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Alan Fetterman, Area, oil, Absolutely Abstract 2012 at The Philadelphia Sketch Club

The Absolutely Abstract 2012 show represents a particular vision of the state of the art of abstraction in The Philadelphia region, a school of thought that permeates the show with many styles, techniques and media. Alan Fetterman‘s dense layers of color and multiple dimensions reads like a compendium of thought on the once controversial now ubiquitous style, easily drawing the viewer into an imaginary world where paint can do anything. The mastery of paint and brushwork, the illusory landscape, surreal dreamscapes still inspires the artistic memories of a little boy who wanted to grow up to be an abstract artist.

Absolutely Abstract 2012 at The Philadelphia Sketch Club – click the thumbnail

Look Mom & Dad! Little Donnie grew up to be an abstract artist after all. light being (Frank) appears to be the only photograph in the show, it is an honor to once again be included with the fantastical abstract paintings filling the historic gallery at The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

The artist reception and awards ceremony is Sunday, September 9th, 2012, 2:00-4:00pm, 235 South Camac Street, Philadelphia, The Avenue of the Artists.

Written and Photographed by DoN Brewer

Reborn/Reconfigured – Rosalind Bloom Paintings and Works on Paper

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Reborn/Reconfigured Rosalind Bloom Paintings and Works on Paper

Rosalind Bloom describes the title and theme of her show Reborn/Reconfigured this way, “All of the pieces are made from pre-existing bits of this and that. That either belongs to work that I triaged out of inventory or found material that I have saved thinking that I would use at some point. That includes fireplace ash, dried leaves, some of the pieces I stained with tea…so it’s all things that existed in the world in one form and I’ve transformed, they’ve been reborn as something else, into a new life.”

Reborn/Reconfigured Rosalind Bloom Paintings and Works on Paper

“They are the parts of old paintings, for me it’s always been about transformation and how things change from one state to another. I’ve gone back to what was my way of working for many, many years where I don’t have an over-riding concept or narrative, I’m allowing myself to just play. Each piece becomes whatever it wants to become.”

Roz continues, “The two series that came before this series, there was a theme, a narrative, a concept that kind of dictated the way things would go. I didn’t do that this time…I have given myself permission to just let it be, to play and whatever happens, happens.”

Reborn/Reconfigured Rosalind Bloom Paintings and Works on Paper at Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery, 704 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA – click here for dates and hours.

Written and photographed by DoN Brewer

Gesshel at Jed Williams Studio, Printmaking Demonstration

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Gesshel at Jed Williams Studio, Printmaking Demonstration 8/22/2012

Philadelphia artist Barbara Gesshel is a printmaker who combines excellent drawing skills with multiple printmaking processes. Old planks of wood become reliefs carved with images of nature in reverse, an old headboard is repurposed and carved away to reveal a family portrait, mono-prints become statement pieces…at Jed Williams Studio, 615 Bainbridge Street, Gesshel will demonstrate several printmaking techniques tonight, August 22nd, followed by refreshments and question and answer session. You may get a chance to even make your own print plus you will get a preview of Gesshel‘s upcoming solo show at Jed Williams Studio in October. Tickets are $7.00

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club

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Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Wayne Franks, Row House Rose, transparent oil on panel

The Art of the Flower show at The Philadelphia Sketch Club usually coincides with the Philadelphia Flower Show in March while it’s still cold and drab outside after the long Winter. But moving the annual celebration of floral art to the dog days of Summer is a good reminder to appreciate the gorgeous gardens in full bloom during this withering weather. The Art of the Flower show is a favorite of the member artists, it’s theme of natural splendor a motif filled with evocative beauty and drama.

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Ruth K. Fackenthal, Day Lilies, acrylic on linen

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club click the thumbnail for larger image

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Kathy C. Lin, Hugging, oil

This painting just makes me happy. The way the composition flips back and forth from abstract to still life to impressionist to naive expressionism is just plain fun.

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Elizabeth MacDonald

Betty MacDonald’s piece is multiple mono-prints on paper transferred from common paint stir sticks. The sense of storytelling and descriptive imagery ties together a lifetime of experiences. References to painting as utilitarian and decorative practices, flowers as design and symbols of nature and inferences to embroidery, handwork and decorative art creates a narrative of how art influences our lives and nature influences our art.

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club click the thumbnail for large image.

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club

The gallery at The Philadelphia Sketch Club is brimming like a huge bouquet of flowers of all kinds presented in all manner os media but to my eye painting is dominant. Whether watercolor, oils, or acrylics, artists find flowers irresistible for study and painting, images of flowers were found buried at Pompeii and have long been symbols of personalities or special occasions. You can’t help but feel good when you see all the exuberant color, fluid shapes and sensuous compositions interpreted by serious artists.

Art of the Flower at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Pearl Mintzer, Magenta Blossom, acrylic

The Art of the Flower show is only on exhibit through August 18th check the website for gallery hours and experience the many interpretations and inspirations of floral art.

Through SideArts.com, DoN is offering online and in-person one-on-one consulting services to visual and craft artists and art businesses. Read all about it here.

Written and Photographed by DoN Brewer

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