Category Archives: Pastels

art created with pastels

It’s a small, small World @ The Plastic Club

The opening reception at the Plastic Club this past Sunday for the small Worlds exhibition was very entertaining. The membership of the club is so welcoming and warm, the food and wine so delicious and the art so extraordinary that its impossible to not have a good time. With over 180 works in the show, virtually every Philly fine artist, whether aspiring or accomplished, was present; DoN said, Hi, to Doris Petzman, Sue Barnes, Reta Sweeney, Pat Monaghan and Cyna, Karl Olsen, Jym Paris, Eileen Eckstein, Morris Klein, Art Ostroff, Mina Smith-Segal, Rob Willis, Deb Weber, Mike Guinn, Bob Jackson and many more familiar faces that it will take DoN a while to remember all the names.

The awards were dominated by younger artists which DoN finds very satisfying considering the concentration of art schools in the hood.

1st Prize David Golas, Self Portrait, A Closer Look

2^nd Prize Jill Sprague

3^rd Prize Louise LaFond

Honorable Mentions: Lucy Pistilli, Robert Bohne and Nathan Irvin

Juror: Joseph Kazimierczyk.

1st Prize winner David Golas is an intensely personal self portrait.

Photo by Rick Wright and 2 paintings by Reta Sweeney.

A superb plein air by Sue Barnes; the scudding clouds warning of an incoming storm at the Jersey shore.

Karl R. Olsen‘s “B”.

Irma Shapiro‘s “It’s Just A Story“, acrylic.

Susan DiProno‘s “Smokin’ Claudia III“, photo. Bob Jackson talked to the crowd about the importance of excellent presentation, this piece tells the story with a simple frame, unobtrusive mat and non-glare glass not to mention the stunning composition.

Karen Frank’s, “Duck, Meet Unicorn“, prismacolor. DoN LoVeS this one.

Lucy Pistilli, “Dream 2“, Pencil.

The winners circle at small Words @ The Plastic Club.

Bob Jackson cooking delectable tidbits for the party on the new stove in the Plastic Club’s basement kitchen – YuMMy!!!

It’s A small World After All

17 @ Twenty-Two Gallery

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Twenty-Two Gallery @ 236 22^nd Street in Philadelphia has a long history of exhibiting (and selling) excellent paintings and since the showcase has become an artist collective the bar has been raised even higher. Owner Shawn Murray collaborated with artist Diane Podolsky to install a group show of superior quality with some of Philadelphias best artists. Plus the artistry with which the work is displayed makes viewing even more enjoyable with excellent lighting, thoughtful groupings and perfect eye level hanging; with the huge front window offering a glimpse of whats inside, the gallery is a great place to show and be seen. DoN stopped in the gallery last Sunday to meet many of the artists and was truly impressed by the variety and quality of the art.

Artists included in the show are Alison Altergott, Ed Bronstein, Valerie Carroll, Eric Fausnacht, Megan Greenholt, Nancy E. F. Halbert, Carter Leidy, Dale Levy, Ed Marston, William Middleton, Bruce Murray, Sr., Diane Podolsky, Bonnie Schorske, Jerome Schwartz, Michael Smith, Lauren Sweeney and Reta Sweeney. Ed Bronsteins plein aire paintings of Philly are true collectables, Ed Marstons painting of a ramshackle seaside hut is filled with light, Diane Podolskys pastels are mysterious and haunting, Eric Fausnachts rooster paintings are decorative and evocative with bold color and brushwork creating a surrealistic vision of the common bird and speaking of birds, Bonnie Schorskes pigeon photos are a hoot especially when you learn the history of the urban pests.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday noon to 6:00 PM, the Members Exhibition at Twenty-Two Gallery is open through February 11^th.

Bonnie Schorske‘s pigeon photos @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Ed Marston‘s oil painting @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Ed Bronstein @ 22 Gallery.

Michael Smith @ 22 Gallery.

Valerie Carroll @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Eric Fausnacht @ Twenty-Two Gallery.

Diane Podolsky @ 22 Gallery.

Women’s Creative Alliance @ Zeidler Gallery

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Catherine Zeidlers eponymous gallery at 2207 South Street has become the Womens Creative Alliance featuring the art of Philadelphia area women. The current exhibit features 3D work by Dorothy Roschen, jewelry by Barb Baur as well as pastels and paintings by Patricia Woodruff. The theme throughout the show is how spirituality is filtered through the creative arts. Roschen, who taught art in high school for many years, creates mysterious sculptures of glass, clay and objet trouve suitable sitting on a table or hanging on the wall. Dorothy develops designs exploring positive and negative space, hard and soft surface and translucence vs. solidity.

Woodruffs drawings and paintings depict sprites, spirits, fairies and gods of old in fluid, sensuous lines and serious color, her high school friend Barb Bauer creates designs reminiscent of Lord of the Rings or Celtic knots in silver. Both Woodruff and Bauer enjoy spending time in Floyd, VA, and a vibrant arts community enabling them both to find expression through the sense of community and variety of artists who migrate there. Bauer has begun experimenting with hard metals such as steel and is developing a series of pennular brooches appropriate for clasping an ancient cloak or a modern scarf.

The art party Friday evening brought out a good crowd even though it was only 19 degrees outside but with warmth and friendship found inside this great art space on South Street.