Category Archives: Philadelphia Photographers

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

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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 it’s 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

2nd Prize Jill Sprague

3rd Prize Louise LaFond

Honorable Mentions:  Lucy Pistilli, Robert Bohne and Nathan Irvin

Juror: Joseph Kazimierczyk.

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

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Photo by Rick Wright and 2 paintings by Reta Sweeney. 

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

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Karl R. Olsen‘s “B”. 

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

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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. 

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

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Lucy Pistilli, “Dream 2“, Pencil. 

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The winners circle at small Words @ The Plastic Club. 

 Bob Jackson  

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

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The Plastic Club @ 247 South Camac Street is hosting a new art show – small WORLDS exhibition.  All works in the show must be less than 16” in any direction including 2D and 3D works by hundreds of artists; there are 182 artworks in the show, no small feat to install.  But, the committee performed wonders in creating groupings, tableau and mise en seine drawing the visitor into tiny spaces packed with authenticity, superior craftsmanship and creativity.  Karl Olsen’s “A” is a masterful painting of his ubiquitous hat, Alden Cole entered a wildly erotic fantasy, Doris Peltzman’s “Portrait of Amber” is haunting and masterful…

small WORLDS opens February 1st – here’s a sneak peek. 

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DoN Brewer‘s “light being (Chink)“, Ellen Grenwell‘s “4:12 AM, Please Kitty“, Rob Willis‘ “Ichibano” & Hugo Hsu‘s “Tenguska“. 

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small Worlds @ The Plastic Club. 

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Alden Cole‘s “Embrace No. 2“. 

The opening reception and awards is Sunday, February 1st, 2009, 2 – 5:00 PM.

17 @ Twenty-Two Gallery

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Twenty-Two Gallery @ 236 22nd 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 Philadelphia’s 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 what’s 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 Bronstein’s plein aire paintings of Philly are true collectables, Ed Marston’s painting of a ramshackle seaside hut is filled with light, Diane Podolsky’s pastels are mysterious and haunting, Eric Fausnacht’s rooster paintings are decorative and evocative with bold color and brushwork creating a surrealistic vision of the common bird and speaking of birds, Bonnie Schorske’s 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 11th. 

Bonnie Schorske @ 22 

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

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

Ed Bronstein

Ed Bronstein @ 22 Gallery.   

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Michael Smith @ 22 Gallery. 

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Valerie Carroll @ Twenty-Two Gallery. 

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Eric Fausnacht @ Twenty-Two Gallery. 

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Diane Podolsky @ 22 Gallery. 

Through My Window @ Smile

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“Through My Window” at Smile Gallery @ 22nd & Chestnut Streets is a concept show involving repurposing old window frames donated by Lantern Theater Company’s Charles McMahon.  Member artists of Da Vinci Art Alliance were asked to take a window and create a work of art instead of the frames ending up in a dump.  Each artist presented art as diverse as drawings, paintings, photos, weaving and collage, creating a conundrum for jurors Brenda and Matt Lyons.  Each piece is desirable and delightful in they’re own right: Betsy Alexander based her composition on science fiction, Burnell Yow! created an homage to Buddha, Mike Sweeny dressed his frame in gold and silver communicating a comment on America’s current economic situation, Alden Cole’s ethereal painting draws the viewer into the spiritual realm, Girard DiFalco’s photograph of a tree is simple and serene, DoN Brewer recreated the view from the apartment he rented in Paris, Ona Kalstein based her mixed media piece on the fable of the ant and the cicada and Lilliana Didovic designed a mixed media work depicting Philly’s famous Boat House Row using, of all things. Swarovski Crystals. 

Other artists in the show include Bobbie Adams, Kim Alsbrook, Rachel Citrino, Carl Johnson, Ted Warchal, Nicole Koenitzer, Rikard Larma, Gail Kotel, Tim McKenna, Lee Muslin, Liz Niklus, Michelle Post, Gavid Carrow and Carol Wisker. 

McConnell Cortosi

Karen McDonnell and Anthony Cortosi’s “Old Woman Looking Out the Window“.  The duo currently have work on display at Rodger Lapelle Gallery in Old City through Feb.1, 2009.

Alden Cole

Alden Cole @ Smile.  Cole is included in a Dumpster Diver show at New Jersey’s Noyes Museum.

Mike Sweeney

Mike Sweeney‘s award winner @ Smile’s “Through My Window.” 

Burnell Yow!

Burnell Yow!‘s award winning composition will allow him to be part of a group show @ Smile in January 2010 – get to work Burnell!! 

Betsy Alexander 

Betsy Alexander‘s sci-fi inspired mixed media collage was a hit with the crowd creating a vibrant conversation about everyone’s fantasy favorites.  Betsy’s home was recently featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Design section, you can read the story here.  Betsy is also the mom of the famous Nora the Piano Playing Cat – check out Nora’s latest videos on YouTube.

Kathryn Pannepacker 

Kathryn Pannepacker’s simple yet elegant mixed media piece incorporates weaving.  Pannepacker recently completed an amazing mural @ Broad and Lehigh Streets depicting textile styles of the world for the Mural Arts Program.

 Don Brewer

DoN Brewer’s “Vue de la Rue Rambuteau, Paris“, colored pencil on paper at Smile Gallery.  

“Through My Window” is on display through February 7th, 2009 and by the by Smile’s Thai food restaurant is probably the best in the city – BYOB and stay a while. 

Tales of the Beginning @ CFEVA

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The Center for Emerging Visual Artists continues to match up artists with complementary sensibilities as with the current exhibit Tales of the Beginning featuring Julia Blaukopf and Elizabeth Crisman.  Each artist uses photographic techniques in intense and intriguing methodologies which exude mystery,  artistry and skill.  Beth Crisman’s The Fossil Series are based on actual x-rays which she digitally photographed on a light table then printed on six foot high fabric panels in rich inky black.  Crisman is interested in representing future fossils and how bits of information are usually all an archeologist would find at a dig; one panel only depicts a single tooth.  Beth told DoN that teeth are often the only things found at a dig and the scientist must extrapolate information from minimal resources. Even today dental records are used to resolve mysteries which may otherwise go unsolved.

Beth Crisman

Elizabeth Crisman‘s The Fossil Series @ CFEVA. 

Julia Blaukopf

Julia Blaukopf‘s Cape Girl @ CFEVA.

Blaukopf surprised DoN when she explained that the astonishing images were not created in Photoshop but in the wet darkroom by photographing and re-photographing the images then having the resulting compositions printed on fabric. DoN was particularly impressed by the decision to hang the fabric from wood branches giving the images a feel of naturalness despite the obvious amount of technical work going into each collaged image.  The exhibit is open through 1/15 at the beautiful Felicity R. “Bebe” Benoliel Gallery in the Barclay building on Rittenhouse Square.

 Julia Blaukopf 

Julia Blaukopf’s Melody Maker, Gifty 2’x2′ and Melody of Place, Gifty, 2’x2′, photographic collages printed on fabric hanging from tree branches.

The art parties at CFEVA are always fun and fascinating with fine wine and tasty treats; DoN was happy to see Donald Carter, Jean-Paul, Bob Wallner, Brooke Hine, Faith Corman, Andrew Pirie, Holly Kleeman (CFEVA director), Charlene Nolten (office manager) and Robert Smith (development director).