Category Archives: Art in Philadelphia

Art in Philadelphia

The Lightroom – Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis & John Karpinski

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Amie Potsic’s photo series – Made in China: Poor Working Conditions, Poverty, Tainted Exports & Made in China @ Lightroom Salon in the Fairmount neighborhood.  Potsic’s Asian motif pairs exquisitely with Julia Blaukopf‘s print of a collage made from her own photographic source material.  The photography takes the visitor on a trip to the Far East with a finely honed American gaze, like the Impressionists, DoN is still attracted to the shapes and color of the East.

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia  Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Julia Blaukopf, digital print on fabric @ Lightroom Salon.  Julia is a fellow of the Center of Emerging Visual Artists, it it so cool to see how the relationship building and social networking of the artist development team at CFEVA creates a great merger of styles, personalities and techniques; the synergy of the exhibit feels so personal and memorable with the vibe real friendship and cooperation.

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinski, photograph with drawing and Julia Blaukopf prints lined along the mantle.  The gallery on Wallace Street is elegant and welcoming, it’s really fun to get to see the old world architecture.

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinski – the turtle is a symbol of long life, the dream of all artists if not for themselves then their art.  The art team involves trust, understanding and strength in creating powerful narrative and clear composition; viewing a successful collaboration makes DoN remember working in teams is still possible.

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Jill Katz, Yamdrok Yso Lake en route to Gyantse, Tibet and Everest Base Camp (elevation 17,060 ft.), archyval pigment print.  The colorful scarves emanate prayers into the wind, a transcendent thought to merge with the images.

The Lightroom  Photographs by Amie Potsic, Jill Katz, Julia Blaukopf and Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinsk

Julia Blaukopf is experimenting with photography and tile – cool-hunting tip!

 

 

Photos by DoN.

Philadelphia Art Season, Fall 2010

Charles Cushing

Charles Cushing @ Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, mid September 2010.

The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival attracts artists and collectors to the famous park in Center City, the perimeter lined with white tents each artist displaying their collection in the late Summer heat.  DoN talked with Philly favorite, fine artist Charles Cushing about the large scale painting attracting crowds to his booth – he worked on the oil painting over several months creating a nose-bleed view of the ball park all the way down town.

The Philly Fall art scene explodes this weekend with Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Photography 2010 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia Images @ The Plastic Club and DoN Brewer‘s one-person show, Dark Matter, @ Bonte’s Cafe, 17th & Sansom Sts., a Photographic Society of Philadelphia event- this is the weekend to plan your art crawl carefully to experience the unique, open, accessible art world embedded in Philadelphia culture.  And the Phillies clinch fourth straight playoff berth – Go Phillies!

 

Photo by DoN, 2010.

Kodak Digital Cameras


www.DickBlick.com - Online Art Supplies

The Photograph that got DoN Banned on QBN.com

Exits & Entrances - David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery

DoN posted as donbrewer for almost 10 years on QBN.com, the design social network website formerly known as Newstoday.comDoN occasionally posted links in the public forum on QBN to DoNArTNeWs stories that he felt were of interest to not just the Philly art scene but the global art, design & culture community.  donbrewer participated in many Friday Photoshop Battles and two Newstoday Print Exchanges, sharing art with friends around the world and participating in the broad discussion about design and art.

QBN has blocked donbrewer from posting on the website and deleted his contribution to the history of the network.  DoN appeals to QBN to restore his cyber-identity; if you are on QBN and you appreciated links to DoNArTNeWs stories, please let QBN know donbrewer’s posts belong in the public forum.

The photo is a closeup of a David Foss sculpture currently on display at LGTripp Gallery in Old City, Philadelphia.  Censorship sucks.

The Photograph that got DoN Banned on QBN.com

 

 

Photo by DoNBrewerPhotography, 2010.

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.

Twelve @ Cafe Twelve – Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein

Twelve @ 12th Street Coffee - Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein

Morris Klein, Giovanni’s Room, photograph.

Twelve @ 12th Street Coffee - Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein

Mina Smith-Segal, Giovanni’s Room, watercolor.

Inspired by an art show at the William Way Gay Community Center of gay hang-outs which are no longer around – remember the Allegro?  The art power couple, Mina leads a workshop at the Philadelphia Sketch Club and Morris is VP of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, decided to create an art show of 12 locations in the modern day Gayborhood of Philly with Mina creating paintings and Morris shooting photos of the same location such as Woodies, Sisters, Giovanni’s Room and more.  Mina’s liquidy paintings paired with Morris’ filter-ific watercolor-like photos capture the essence of the famous gay district.  Bet you didn’t know there’s along history of Philly being in the forefront of the gay civil rights movement – the first gay civil rights march was held in Philly and an historic marker is at Independence Mall to prove it.

Twelve @ 12th Street Coffee - Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein

The HIV Clinic, Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein.

Mina Smith Segal @ 12th Street Cafe

Woodies Bar, Mina Smith-Segal, watercolor.

Twelve @ 12th Street Coffee - Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein

Woodies Bar, Morris Klein, photograph.

The staff at 12th Street Coffee told DoN this is the best art show they’ve had to date, with 24 images this is truly an historic exhibit commemorating Philly’s famous gay neighborhood.  Located next to the 12th Street Gym it’s a great spot to take in the art, sip some coffee and check out the hot boys coming and going from the gym.  Thanks Mina & Morris, your idea is inspiring, brave and beautiful.