Category Archives: One-Person Art Show

One person art shows. Philadelphia artists one person art shows.

Zoe Cohen – Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe CohenWind and Weather @ The Crane Arts Center in Fishtown.

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen‘s site specific painting/drawing continues her exploration of the symbolic power of line by taking on Mother Nature.  First the surface of the long, high walls of the main hall (which is changed out regularly with installations) was prepared like one would for a fine painting, then long, strong strokes of muted color is heroically applied in swirls, curls and stretches of balanced lines.  DoN truly sensed the mythology of the elements signified in the simple line and color palette chosen by Zoe to delve deep into symbolism and communication.

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

The Hall @ the Crane Arts Center in Fishtown, with Zoe Cohen’s Wind and Weather, connects all the venues and is an important space for artists to activate since everyone passes through; Zoe Cohen s contribution to the legacy of the space is a simple, direct connection to a hive mind memory of simple shapes informed with complex ideas, capturing the imagination and stirring memories.

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 – 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 - 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 – 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 - 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Fred Wagner An American Painter is curated by the artist’s great-grand nieces Cyndy Drue and Susan Brendlinger-Smith, who also co-authored a biography of the Philadelphia artist (available for sale at the Philadelphia Sketch Club), filling both the main gallery and the pool room with exquisite paintings of Philadelphia scenes, portraits, equine compositions and water scenes.  The Philadelphia Sketch Club looks beautiful with the incredible collection of historic paintings gathered together in a space where the artist actually worked with his friends.  An artist can only wish that their work will be preserved but Fred Wagner is cherished by his family, collectors and the art community of Philadelphia.

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 - 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Fred Wagner, The River Harbor, watercolor study, 8 x 9 ” collection of Cyndy Drue Smith @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 - 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Fred Wagner, Downtown Toms River, oil on canvas.

Fred Wagner An American Painter 1860 - 1940 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Visit the galleries at The Philadelphia Sketch Club on the Avenue of the Artists and take a step back in time to when Thomas Eakins and Thomas Anshutz encouraged artists to get out and paint, some of the original easels are still there.  This year is the club’s 150th anniversary, the oldest art club in America, the Fred Wagner show wasn’t there long but the upcoming Legacy Show offers an opportunity for collectors to buy art by Philadelphia’s current and future masters.

 

Photos by DoN.

 

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2010 – Center City West

Lauren Sweeney Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2010 - Center City

Lauren Sweeney edited her display of art for the Philadelphia Open Studio Tour so visitors could get a good grasp of her style.  Lauren is a member artist of Gallery Twenty-Two and has established herself as one of Philly’s finest watercolorists, her prints and giclee’s are high quality and affordable.  Sweeney’s studio was DoN‘s first stop on an art crawl through Center City West last weekend; this weekend is POST East of Broad Street.

Derek Jecxz @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Twenty-Two Gallery smartly participated in the annual open studio tour allowing art lovers to discover this gem of a gallery on 22nd Street; Derek Jecxz‘s large format prints are exquisite.  Jecxz is a new member of the Twenty-Two Gallery.

Derek Jecxz @ Twenty-Two Gallery

Derek Jecxz @ Twenty-Two Gallery on the Philadelphia Open Studio Tour West of Broad the first weekend in October – a new show opens tomorrow, 10/08/10, with new work by Karen S. Davies.

Jacque Liu: An Abstraction of Details 9.29.2010 - 11.12.2010  Michael Garden and AREA 919 presents:  Jacque Liu: An Abstraction of Details at CITYSPACE, 2200 Walnut, Philadelphia, 19103.

Jacque Liu @ Area 919 in Cityspace @ 22nd & Chestnut Streets.  Michael Garden of Area 919 is hosting Liu’s “drawings” made of folded mylar creating enlarged architectural details which meld beautifully into the fabulously ornate interior of the luxurious office space – Jacque Liu’s: An Abstraction of Details is on exhibit through 11/13/10.

Jacque Liu: An Abstraction of Details 9.29.2010 - 11.12.2010  Michael Garden and AREA 919 presents:  Jacque Liu: An Abstraction of Details at CITYSPACE, 2200 Walnut, Philadelphia, 19103.

Jacque Liu @ Cityspace Area 919.

Moe Brooker at Sande Webster Gallery

Moe Brooker @ Sande Webster Gallery @ 2006 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.  Moe Brooker’s bold, big abstractions look fantastic in the large main gallery space, it was a nice respite to sit in the quiet gallery and take in the stunning array of masterworks before setting out to see more studios. Charles Kalick is in the salon gallery.

DoN Brewer @ Bonte’s Cafe

Of course, DoN Brewer had to stop by Bonte’s Cafe @ 17th & Sansom Streets to check out his own one-person show of photographs called Dark Matter – a Photographic Society of Philadelphia event through 10/13/2010.  The space offers PSoP members the opportunity to display their own work as long as it fits the 16 x 20″ format, the warm toned walls and intimate space is a perfect accent for the art work.

Gerard DiFalco - Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

DoN‘s last stop of the day was at #1 on the Center City POST list – Jerry DiFalco and his etching filled studio.  The bright room on the 9th floor is jammed with fabulous etchings for which DiFalco has gained wide-spread notoriety, the quality of his work is timeless and ethereal.

Jerry DiFalco - Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

Jerry DiFalco is well known for his liturgical art which graces many places of worship; as the sun set over the Schuylkill River the light poured over the large golden painting in DiFalco‘s studio while Jerry and DoN chatted about DiFalco‘s true passion – teaching art.  Jerry told DoN he was inspired by his visit to DoN‘s place last year – such a great compliment assures DoN will participate in next year’s tour.

 

 

Photos by DoN.

Exits & Entrances – David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

David Foss has a resume as long as your arm, participating in art shows all across the country and leading the venerable Da Vinci Art Alliance with grace and calm.  But, Foss’ current one-person show at LGTripp Gallery in Old City, Philly is a tour de force incorporating his recognizable style and exciting new direction in his paintings and sculpture.  The gallery is enormous and Foss activates every corner with exciting, bold abstractions from teetering constructions to heroically scaled fluid, drippy paintings to small, introspective pieces.  Louella Tripp told DoN, “I’m really excited about presenting Dave’s new work, representing a transition period.  He has been developing new work over the past two or three years in an exciting new direction with more structure including elements of formal work in terms of process; mixing solvents, chemicals and paint included in a measured way, the merging is brilliant!”

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

Throughout the gallery are a series of mono-chromatic sculptures made from found objects resembling alien habitats.  DoN can imagine climbing the ladders to find hidden technology or stored food of the gods.

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery in Old City.

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

This sculpture occupies the far end of the main gallery like a hybrid house/ship/helicopter ready to start lumbering through the room.

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

Detail of the above sculpture – organic, anatomical, gross and beautiful, the large sculpture attracts attention like a fire alarm.

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

In the back room gallery space this sculpture is reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle with the hanging ladder to safety swiftly moving just out of reach as it lurches to take off.

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

Exits & Entrances is an appropriate title for the show as David Foss gradually moves into a stylistic new realm that is more translucent, poetic and free.  Now instead of his work being dense and compact, his paintings are loose, watery and transcendent.  As Foss exits his past, he enters a future as entrancing as a dream; this painting marks a point in the exhibit where Dave begins a new exploration sure to inspire, illuminate and elucidate.

 

 

Photos by DoN.

Haus of DoN, Summer 2010

Hello my little DoNsters, the Haus of DoN, DoNBrewerMultimedia, is slowly rising from the muck of the economic melt-down of 2010 like a lotus with petals opening onto a new season of art and culture.  DoN is so grateful to the Center for Emerging Visual Artists and the Coffee Bar for the extended exhibition of his photo series titled “light beings” through the end of August, 2010. 

As reiki energy would have it, the Photographic Society of Philadelphia‘s long running series of solo member exhibitions @ Bonte’s Café, 17th & Sansom Streets is hosting DoN Brewer‘s “Dark Matter” a collection of images gleaned from the on-going 16 x 20″ show @ the other PSoP venue @ 9th & Walnut Streets and photographs from the “light beings” series.  The exhibition is being installed Thursday, September 9th, 2010 @ 4:00 PM, it is so cool to continue to show DoN‘s art in the heart of Center City.  Thank You so much to PSoP for their confidence end enthusiasm.

light being (Dennis), digital photograph, 2010, DoN Brewer @ Bonte’s Cafe, 17th & Samsom Sts.

From Downtown Center City to Bartram’s Garden in West Philly, Friday, September 10th, 2010 @ 6:00 pm at the Bartram’s Garden Gallery, the Da Vinci Art Alliance is hosting, “What’s the Buzz?”, a DVAA Members Event based on bees; Bartram’s Garden is now cultivating bees and it’s the Honey Festival, too.  Mmmm.  DoN will be gallery-sitting Saturday, September 11th, 2010, 10:00 AM – 2:00PM in the delightful art space in the oldest barn in Philly, stop in for a curated tour by artists participating in the weekend-long show.

Pemberton Street Garden, digital photograph, 2010, DoN Brewer @ Bartram’s Garden Gallery, September 10th – 12th, 2010.

Later that evening DoN will be at the opening of “Through My Window“, a Da Vinci Art Alliance event at The Perkins Art Center in Collingswood, NJ.  The group show’s only caveat was include an old window, each artist visualizing their own view of reality into a work of art – the show has been exhibited at Smile Gallery in Center City Philly and the Renaissance Riverfront Center for the Arts in Millville, NJ. 

 

DoN Brewer & “Vue de la 22 Rue Rambuteau“. colored pencil drawing.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010 @ 2:00 PM DoN will join the party for the Absolutely Abstract 2010 juried exhibition at The Philadelphia Sketch Club, it is such an honor to have abstract landscape photograph from the “light beings” series included in the exclusive art collection for the third year in a row.  Read more about the exhibit @ DoNArTNeWs.

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light beings (Sid & Nancy), digital photograph, DoN Brewer @ The Philadephia Sketch Club’s Absolutely Abstract 2010.

DoN‘s blog, DoNArTNeWs, continues to grow in popularity with a DoN‘s eye view of the gallery scene in Philly.  Thank you to all the artists who share their work, their stories and their passions with DoN; creating a narrative of the warren of alleys in the Philly art world is fun and frustrating with so many exciting and inspiring events to participate in and attend. 

This Fall, DoN is included in the Art Ability art show at Bryn Mawr Rehab Center in Paoli, the huge exhibit of hundreds from artists from all over the world is a juried exhibition of art by works by people living with disabilities.  DoN is also helping to brand Vision for Equality, Inc , designing custom SEO code, resulting in the non-profit organization, which advocates for and monitors people with intellectual disabilities, a page one ranking in Google!  DoN is also writing blog posts for NUVISIONS for Disabled Artists and Diversified Art blog is featuring DoN‘s “light being (Mary)” on their gallery page.  DoN also posts stories on PhillySideArts , QBN and is the Reporting Secretary for the Vitruvian Quarterly art newsletter for the Da Vinci Art Alliance.

light being (Walt), digital photograph, DoN Brewer @ Art Ability this fall.

For now, my lovely DoNsters – the Haus of DoN has withstood the attack of the latest distortion wave in the time space continuum, with super-friends at CFEVA, Da Vinci Art Alliance, The Plastic Club, the Philadelphia Sketch Club, PANMA and The Philadelphia Council for Community Advancement helping DoN survive the money bomb of the Great Recession.  With the LoVe and support DoN feels from comrades & cohorts, making art, communicating visions, telling stories and realizing dreams is now back in fine focus.

Thank you President Obama and Mayor Nutter, without your programs and plans for the people, the Haus of DoN would have collapsed like a house of cards; DoN has been dealt an exciting second hand and has big plans for the future in Philly.

LoVe

DoN