The Artist in his Garden, oil on canvas, Marilee Morris @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

On a swampy Philly Summer evening, DoN attended the opening reception for artists Marilee Morris and Kay Kanayama, the steamy walk through Center City was worth the sweat.  The venerable Stewart Room of the Philadelphia Sketch Club is reserved for member artists of the club who are chosen at random after a period of time as a member is met, the odds of getting a show are tough.  The Sketch Club calendar says Steve Iwanzcuk is scheduled, he’s the Exhibitions Chair, DoN isn’t positive but Steve must have offered the space (which is OK by club rules) to Marilee & Kay, both devoted volunteers and aspiring painters, resulting in a beautiful show of paintings by emerging artists.

Marilee Morris is an excellent example of an artist who knows they want to be an artist but doesn’t have the technical skills to paint with oils, it’s like a science with all the emulsions, chemicals and mixtures, a lot to learn, right?  Marilee starting taking workshops at the Sketch Club, working side by side with many fine artists who take advantage of the affordable studio with models and soaked up the talent around her.  Many times DoN has stopped by the club and Marilee is painting alone, off hours, in the sunny studio, focused on finding her visual voice in a challenging media.  The result is a collection of lush landscapes and evocative portraits of family and friends, loved ones and children, animals and trees, there is a real feeling of how much she loves her life.

Danielle, oil on canvas, Marilee Morris @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Le Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur, oil on canvas, Marilee Morris @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Click the thumbnail for a good look at Marilee Morris‘ portrait of WWII hero and French Legion of Honor Medal recipient, Ben Cohen, one of the fine artists DoN alluded to, posing in a tuxedo with his award.  With subtle allusions to the French origins of this historic moment, the painting is restrained yet emotionally uplifting; Ben Cohen is very humble about his heroism but Morris captures the true dignity, character and pride of this great man, a true American hero who saved thousands of lives in the great war, in a painterly, atmospheric, yet documentary painting.  Ben is an incredible resource of information about the business of being an artist and a wonderful mentor for Marilee.  This painting will live forever.  And they were speaking French, DoN felt like he was back in Paris.

All About Cornbread, oil on paper, Kay Kanayama @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club

Reign Over You, Kay Kanayama @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

This painting is one of DoN‘s favorites, the combination of portraiture and abstract expressionism is euphoric, joyful and dreamy.  Kanayama is another active volunteer at the oldest art club in America, deliberate in her pursuit of atmospheric naturalism mixed with expressive bold brushwork and vivid color.  She calls her part of the show Evidence and hopes her art will help bring forth evidence for you of your own perceptions and emotions.  The show is emotional on many levels resonating with joyful artistic expression and thoughtful narratives in paint.

Kay Kanayama @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Marilee Morris, One Eye Sees the Other Feels, Kay Kanayama, Evidence in The Stewart Room Gallery @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club.

Photos by DoN.