Category Archives: Philadelphia Art

Art in Philadelphia, PA.

Doris Peltzman presents “Joie de Vivre” @ Carspecken Scott Gallery

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November 13th Shoshana and DoN traveled to Wilmington for the opening of Doris Peltzman‘s one-person show at the prestigious Carspecken Scott Gallery at 1707 Lincoln Street.  Even though the evening was drizzly many of Doris’ fans came out to celebrate her glorious floral paintings.  With more than fifty paintings on display DoN couldn’t help but have his mood brightened by the strong colorations and confident brush-work from giddy to somber to solemn flower paintings.

“Tarte du Jour”, oil on canvas by Doris Peltzman.

“Tarte du Jour“, oil on canvas by Doris Peltzman.

As artist Sue Barnes said, “They are Doris!”  Artist and teacher Stanley Beilen stated, “Doris has solidified her skills, kind of born with a painters gifts with inborn color preferences.  Doris did all the good things in life, now her painting quality and brushwork is maturing.” 

View through the window of Carspecken Scott Gallery in Wilmington, Delaware of Doris Peltzman’s art exhibit.

View through the window of Carspecken Scott Gallery in Wilmington, Delaware of Doris Peltzman’s art exhibit.

Painting by Doris Peltzman.

Painting by Doris Peltzman.

DoN spoke extensively with gallerist Fred Carspecken on how he came to know Doris.  “Doris came in a year ago and made friends with Laurel (Fred’s assistant) and became part of a group show, when I returned some pieces to her studio in Philadelphia I expected to be there only 30 minutes but five hours later we were still talking.  Now I adore her, I love her work and that she’s created a second life for herself.  She’s done everything right.”  Since Carspecken Scott Gallery has been in business for 35 years, DoN thinks Fred knows of what he speaks.

Doris Peltzman @ Carspecken Scott

Doris Peltzman (in red) hosting her one person opening at Carspecken Scott Gallery in Wilmington, De.

Queen Anne’s Lace by Doris Pelzman

“Queen Anne’s Lace” by Doris Pelzman.  Sue Barnes told DoN Doris was visiting Sue’s shore house and instead of painting the water like all her friends she found a simple flower to study.  The restrained palette and smooth brushwork is unusual for Doris, perhaps that’s why this painting had a red dot next to it – DoN LoVeS red dots!!!

Paintings by Doris Peltzman.

Paintings by Doris Peltzman @ Carspecken Scott Gallery.

Painting by Doris Peltzman.

Painting by Doris Peltzman in the window of Carspecken Scott Gallery, this is one of Doris’s latest and largest paintings to date.  Her exhibit runs through early January – try to make the trip to Wilmington, the joyous flowers will make you forget your Winter blues. 

 

 

Bonnie Schorske @ Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville

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Fine art photographer Bonnie Schorske currently is exhibiting skillful black and white photos in the front room of Artists’ Gallery, an artist co-op in Lambertville, NJ.  Bonnie has chosen to focus on two major subjects for her show: dogs and pigeons.  DoN loves dogs so was immediately drawn into how Bonnie captured urban canines and how they patiently tolerate the conditions their masters impose.  DoN has tied up ArT DoG Katy outside of many shops and the image of a dog on a short leash really pulled on his heartstrings.

But pigeons!?! Yuk – right?  But, Schorske intersperses masterful images of the urban pests with historical factoids, shedding new light on the much maligned birds.  Did you know pigeon poop was used to invent gunpowder?  Or their important missions as information carriers before electronic communication?  Or that they live 30 years!?! 

Dog portraits by Bonnie Schorske @ Artists’ Gallery.

 Dog portraits by Bonnie Schorske @ Artists’ Gallery.

Artists’ Gallery is shared by 18 other fine artists, several of which are included in the currentAbsolutely Abstract show @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.  The group rotates exhibits in the front room with two artists sharing the space and the rest of the group displaying work in the back rooms.  DoN was surprised to see art friends Rich Harrington (who recently saved the day for the Hitoshi Nakazota lecture @ PSC).  Rich is a professor of illustration at Moore College of Art and has several masterful watercolors on display.

Artist Richard Harrington @ Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Artist Richard Harrington @ Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Painting by Andrew Werth @ Artists’ Gallery. Werth won an award @ PSCs Absolutely Abstract show.

Painting by Andrew Werth @ Artists’ Gallery.  Werth won an award @ PSCs Absolutely Abstract show.

Artist Gail Bracegirdle @ Artists’ Gallery.

Artist Gail Bracegirdle @ Artists’ Gallery.  Gail also has work in the Absolutely Abstract show.  Gail teaches a class called “Watercolor Anarchy” @ The Art Colony of Ty Hodonish.

Artist Carol Sanzalone shares the front room with Bonnie Schorske @ Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Artist Carol Sanzalone shares the front room with Bonnie Schorske @ Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.  Carol’s bold, fluid watercolors are a perfect counterpoint to Bonnie’s photographic realism.  The trip to Lambertville with art buddies Shoshana, Shirleen and Alden Cole was adventurous and left us each wishing we had more time to wander around the quaint village. Artists’ Gallery is located at 32 Coryell Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530.

 

 

Rik Viola, “Art on the Wild Side” @ PSC

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In the pool room of PSC on the first floor, self-taught artist Rik Viola presents a one-person show of wildlife paintings.  Squirrels, chipmunks, birds, insects, kitties, and more but DoN‘s favorite is the running wolf accompanied by a crow.  Since the wolf is DoN‘s animal totem learning that crows often will work alongside wolves to find and track food was spiritually enlightening. Viola’s exhibit is entitled “Art on the Wild Side” with a broad selection of paintings based on the theme of animal life, the exhibit is on display through 1/3/09.

Painting by Rik Viola @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Painting by Rik Viola @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Artist Rik Viola with his art @ PSC.

Artist Rik Viola with his art @ PSC.

Mona Geesa by Rik Viola

Mona Geesa by Rik Viola @PSC. 

Preying Mantis Rik Viola

Preying Mantis by Rik Viola @ Philadelphia Sketch Club.  

Absolutely Abstract Winners @ Philadelphia Sketch Club

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logo Winners

Philadelphia Sketch Club‘s Annual Absolutely Abstract Exhibition 2008

Awards:

First Prize

Michelle Marcuse, “Receiving Your Qualities”

Second Prize

Hunter Stabler, “Colander Lattice”

Third Prize

Lisa Lawinski, “FIREPIE“

Honorable Mentions:

Karen Steen, “Population Sample”

Daniel Buchler, “River“

Andrew Werth, “Figment”

Ben Cohen, “The Reef”

James Moss, “Things That Matter”

David Foss, “Black and White (K)not“

Emily Brett Lukens, “Black Fragments” Absolutely Abstract Winners @ Philadelphia Sketch Club

Absolute Abstract winners.  

1st Prize Michele Marcuse’s “Receiving Your Qualities” (center) is a digital print on wax paper then coated with more wax – so innovative.  Ben Cohen’s “The Reef” (left of center) is watercolor and metal – cool!  David Foss’ “Black and White K(not)” is from a series of new works taking him in a different direction from his past works; Foss is the director of the Da Vinci Art Alliance which has a new exhibit called Patricia X 2 with paintings by Pat Burns and Patricia O’Halloran opening December 5th.

Hunter Stabler

Second Prize winner, Hunter Stabler‘s amazing “Colander Lattice“, graphite and ink on paper and yes, it’s done by hand. WoW!!! 

Carole J. Meyers

Carole J Meyers with her monotype entitled, “Ensnared“.  The lower painting is by illustrator/painter Mark Weber.

Absolutely Abstract @ Philadelphia Sketch Club

Gallery view @ PSC before the 11/16 reception party started.  Thanks to everyone who provided refreshments including the anonymous donor who provided $50 for supplies.

Emily Brett Lukens

Honorable mention winner Emily Brett Lukens.

Jed Williams

Absolutely Abstract artist Jed Williams with his mixed media work, “The Fiery Tilt.”

Jed is a dual citizen of France and the US and spends half the year in France, DoN can really see the cosmopolitan experience he brings to each of his creations.

Arlene Arons 

Arlene Arons with her mixed media work entitled “Asia“.  

Emma Ehrenthal 

Artist, Emma Ehrenthal with her watercolor, “Fishing” (The small piece at the top). The color saturation in her work reveals her experience painting with oils, very little transparency for watercolor but excellent brushwork and composition.  It’s no wonder the jurors selected her piece. 

DoN wishes to thank all the artists and corporate contibutors for helping make this year’s exhibit such a big success including Dick Blick‘s on Chestnut Street for funding our catalog allowing us to produce a color cover as well providing fun-filled gift bags, Utrecht Art Supplies for providing generous gift bags and a gift card, OvernightPrints.com for their generous half off coupon and North Penn Art for their gift certificate.  The Absolutely Abstract committee truly raised the bar for future exhibitions at the Philadelphia Sketch Club. The exhibition continues through November 30th.

LoVe

DoN

All photography by DoNBrewerMultimedia.

 

Da Vinci Art Alliance @ Bartram’s Garden Gallery

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Over the Summer, Alden Cole and DoN made regular trips to Bartram’s Garden in West Philly to work on paintings for the Da Vinci Art Alliance’s “Art of the Tree” exhibit.  Today on a snowy cold day, I remember sitting in the humid heat painting the fantastic lotus in full bloom in the water Lilly pond, including in the composition an unusual tree with large thorns and small shiny leaves.  DoN wondered aloud what type of tree it was and a voice from behind said, “It’s a Toothache Tree.”  One of the many gardeners had been watching DoN paint and was very helpful in explaining the many plants in the historic garden.  The anesthetic effect of the thorns from the Toothache Tree was used by the Indians to soothe sore gums. 

Alden Cole’s DoN painting in Bartram’s Garden

Alden Cole’s “DoN Painting in Bartram’s Garden”, oil on recycled cutting board.

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Mixed media by Liz Niklus.

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Carved wood by R.J Wallner in Bartram’s Garden Gallery.

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Solid brass owl sculpture by Michelle Post.

Ken Tutjamnong @ The Enclaves.

Painting by Ken Tutjamnung

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Paintings on left by DoN Brewer, paintings on right by Victoria Necins and Alden Cole, luminary by Alden Cole.

Another day DoN painted a landscape with a Carolina Silverbell Tree with a hint of the Schuylkill River peeking through the trees; painting plein air can be intoxicating and tiring, DoN has to bring all the supplies to the location hopefully not forgetting something important.  Art friend, Aida accompanied DoN one sunny day and we both produced decent paintings.  Check out the Bartrams Garden website for the history of this amazing nature space, even better visit the garden and wander the paths along the river. 

DoN Brewer’s Carolina Silverbell

“Carolina Silverbell” by DoN Brewer. oil on canvas.

DoN Brewer’s Bartram’s Garden

“Bartram’s Garden” by DoN Brewer, oil on canvas.

 DoN Brewer’s Lotus and the Toothache Tree

“Lotus and the Toothache Tree” by DoN Brewer, oil on rag board.

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Da Vinci Art Alliance art party @ Bartram’s Garden Gallery in America’s oldest barn.

Philadelphia Skyline

Alden and DoN each completed three paintings appropriate for the show which ran the weekend of October 23rd starting with a lovely cocktail party and awards presented by Dr. Deb Miller.  Shoshana, Shirleen and Alden sipped wine and nibbled snacks with members of the Da Vinci Art Alliance and watched the sun set over the Philadelphia skyline.

DoN can’t wait for Spring and the chance to paint the beautiful flowers and trees in this lovely, restful space hidden on the edge of Philadelphia.