Category Archives: Philadelphia Artists

Artists DoN has met in and around Philadelphia.

97th Annual Members Medal Show @ The Plastic Club

Alden Cole‘s “Lucy in the Sky“, marker. DoN sees this drawing as the work of one of Philadelphia’s master artists; the combination of illustration, foreshortening, coloration, line quality, relevance and sensitivity to the subject, immortalizing the model. Then DoN realizes it’s marker pens on paper, the same as used in graffiti, popping energy and vibration, ancient and future knowledge, high and low art all vibrating from a single moment in space and time, into the gallery space. Absorbing the power of the messages being transmitted through Cole’s art is like time-tripping through art history in an instant. When you walk up the steps into the studio gallery, this is where the eye is drawn first.

Lois Schlachter, “Clown Fish“, acrylic. Super flat, futuristic, meticulous trips into the swirly world of Lois’ paintings is like a glimpse into a dream of the best amusement park ride you even went on, the kind that’s so fast and so thrilling that you can’t scream because it’s so much fun.

Marie Davis Samohod, “Ionic Table“, acylic, Naomi Rubin, “The Beauty of the Land”, watercolor.

Alan J. Klawans, Mike Guinn & Bob Jackson @ the Plastic Club’s 97th Annual Members Medal Show. Without people like these men it just doesn’t happen; the exhibition is so strong, the display so expertly installed and the experience design so inclusive, warm and inviting that it feels natural and accessible but tremendous amounts of work go into such a huge installation, these guys deserve credit for bringing out the best and making it happen. The art movement is Philadelphia is strong and determined, DoN LoVes it when people proudly tell which Philadelphia art school they went to and how organizations like the Plastic Club fill the void of the commaraderie of attending a school of art.

DoN Brewer, “Thanksgiving“, digital photo, Jeanne Coryell, “Mandala“, watercolor and Alice Meyer-Wallace, “Vrikis And Glads“, oil.

The Plastic Club’s 97th Annual Members Medal Exhibition award winners: Katherine Stanek, The Plastic Club Gold Medal, Jake Smith, The Plastic Club Silver Medal, John Benigno, The Zeigler Prize, Ben Wilson, The Dorothy Invernizzi Guinn Memorial Prize.

Art on Rittenhouse Square @ Church of the Holy Trinity

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Deborah Anne Horsting, “Two From New Hampshire”, oil on linen. The red of the fruit is so warm and juicy, the fancy napkin celebrates the impending deliciousness; the spare assured brushwork isn’t so much impressionistic as it is signified realism, loads of information in each placement of paint.

John Baccile, “American Graffiti“. Isn’t this captivating? Especially in the baroque interior, this mash up of male icons, presented in a strong, masculine, agressive style really make Baccile’s work stand out in a crowd.

Arthur Ostroff’s painting of Boathouse Row incorporates a subtle glitter, not in a crafty way but in a naturalistic use of an unusual material in a traditional landscape. The sparkle enhances the magesty of the iconic scene bringing to mind evening drives down Martin Luther King Blvd, even the matte has luster.

Anders Hansen, “Jersey Meltdown“, watercolor & ink. DoN recognizes the facilty and unbridled exuberance with brush and paint Hansen injects into his paintings. The piece in the Holy Trinity show is emblematic of Anders style: limited color palette, wet in wet brushwork, zen-like meditations on energy fields either real or imagined, impeccable scale to object aspect ratio, contempory art vibe and real-world un-obtrusive presentation.

DoN Brewer, “Memorial Hall from Laurel Hill Cemetery“, oil on canvas and “Column of Light” oil on canvas tryptych mounted in wood. Photo by Daniel Chow.

Thanks to the art team at the Church of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Ritten house Square for hosting such a spectacular event. It was really fun promoting the show with Jym Paris in the Flower Market, DoN walked around handing out flyers while Jym holla’d, “Buy a raffle ticket, your entree into owning a work of art!” – with a Dalinian mustache curled on his face. Mina Smith-Segal was spotted painting in the square and ladies dressed up like lemons carried cupcake pans filled with lemon halves and lemon candy straws. Direct marketing to people is a curious aspect of art, you have to be a huckster sometimes even if it’s to get people to go into a historic building with Tiffany stained glass, 100 works of art by 50 artists and music by Curtis School musicians – a wealth of riches for the taking. One guy asked if DoN was a “schmearer?” The answer is, “Yeah”.

ArtFirst @ University of Princeton Medical Center

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“Tiffany Wallops the Drome” by Bridgette Riversmith won an honorable mention award; DoN LoVeS the idea of whacking a monster with a frying pan, demonstrating the strength, fearlessness and determination of people living with disabilities.

ArtFirst is an artshow in it’s 7th year, developed with the intention of promoting artists living and working with disabilites; the show in the University of Princeton Medical Center was well attended by patrons resulting in sales and support for talented artists using art to express themselves whether they have to paint holding a brush with their mouth, reach out from a wheelchair or struggle with pain. The term disabled seems to be a misnomer when the quality of the art stands on it’s own – DoN is honored to be included in this outstanding cadre of talented artists.

Musician Adam Parker-Lavine entertained the crowd with beautiful, unobtrusive music -if you need a musician for an event, this artist has a wide repertoire sure to entertain your guests.

The ArtFirst team put together an outstanding party, drawing patrons to the medical center to enjoy an open bar, fabulous food and dedicated volunteers who helped to make sure that the art sells.

Philadelphia artist Clifton Anderson’s still life paintings are brilliantly colored, expertly painted and visually captivating. Clif is an art teacher in Philly, a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and a cello player with the Jefferson orchestra – this is one brilliant artist who doesn’t let a wheelchair keep him from doing anything. DoN was so pleased to see a friend at the show and to hear that he was explaining to patron’s that DoN‘s photos are award-winners, surely helping to make some sales. Thanks, Clif!

Elayna Alexandra is a self taught artist working in digital media; her work incorporates drawings, photographs, digital manipulation and her own x-rays. Elayna won 2nd prize; DoN is inspired by her mixed media works and her willingness to expose the inner beauty of a disabling physical problem. The two of us kept high-fiving as sales, prizes and compliments came our way.

“Girl with a Mirror“, sculpture by Arnie Segal. DoN & Arnie are developing a website for Philadelphia area artists with disabilities called NUVISIONS for Disabled Artists. Arnie encouraged DoN to participate in the show; it’s difficult to “out” oneself as a disabled person but this show is such high quality, so well managed and supported by kind and understanding leaders and patrons, it’s easier to deal with the stigma and continue to create art.

Etching, “Each to it’s Own Kind” by Michael Jameson.

DoN chatted with a patron about the symbiotic relationship between crows & wolves, how they are totem animals and work together to find food. DoN advised her to buy it; at first she said she couldn’t afford it but all of a sudden she decided she couldn’t leave without this fine, expressive etching. The first rule of sales? Ask for the sale!

DoN Brewer’s “light beings (Dora & Pablo), light being (Leo Seeger) & light being (Barbara Gittings)” @ ArtFirst, University of Princeton Medical Center.

Take Action: Save Arts and Cultural Funding in Pennsylvania!

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Last year DoN participated in a round table discussion sponsored by Innovation Philadelphia @ DiBruno Brothers on Chestnut Street along with Matthew Fisher of Night Kitchen Media, Howard Blumenthal of MIND TV, Nicole Newman of DiversePhilly, Bernadette Lawler of TheMixedCompany and several others; Innovation Philadelphia had recently completed a study determining that the creative economy in the Philadelphia region was second only to the bio-tech industry in creating revenue and jobs. Now, the Pennsylvania Senate is calling for ZERO funding for the arts in the 09-10 budget. Consider what is happening on South Street with artists coming to the rescue of the business community, replacing failed businesses with art galleries, drawing visitors who spend money on the beleaguered hip strip. What the…?!?

Visit the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website to make your voice heard; Philadelphia is not only a creative hub for the region providing jobs and revenue for struggling businesses, it actually brings in more revenue than sports, retail and medicine. How about taking back some of the $40 million tax break Comcast recieved to build that monstrosity downtown or the money spent on the sports stadiums that are used less than 12 times a year. Cutting grants to the very industry that draws visitors to Philly is not only short-sighted, it’s insulting to our intelligence.