Category Archives: Paintings Philadelphia

oils, acrylics, watercolor, mixed media, ink, philadelphia

Structures: Urban and Coastal Philadelphia/Maine

Erin McGee Ferrell, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery

Bluestone Fine Art Gallery142 N 2nd Street, Old City, Philadelphia, PA 19106

856.979.7588 | pam@bluestone-gallery.com |  www.bluestone-gallery.com

Philadelphia, PA –  Bluestone Fine Art Gallery is pleased to present, Structures: Urban and Coastal Philadelphia/Maine by  Erin McGee Ferrell. On view at Bluestone Fine Art Gallery in Old City Philadelphia, the exhibition runs October 4th through the 26th. The Opening Reception is on First Friday, October 4th from 5 – 8pm. The Artist Reception is on Saturday, October 5th from 2-4pm and an Artist Talk is on Sunday, October 6th from 1-2pm.

Bluestone Fine Art Gallery is a vibrant member of the Old City visual arts community. Bluestone exhibits artists whose works are original, exceptional, and appropriately priced. Fine Art is exhibited amongst unique furnishing. Art enthusiasts and collectors can find the perfect, one of a kind, work of art for their home or office. Owner Pam Regan has a knack for helping clients acquire unique works by talented artists that will impress and stand the test of time.

Erin McGee Ferrell Bio 2013

After two decades of creating large oil paintings in the public, Erin McGee Ferrell decided to bring her Painting En Plein Air to the world audience via social networking. To date she has created 12 videos capturing painting on the streets of Philadelphia and South Jersey. Not only does she stand with a 4 x 5 foot hand stretched canvas in a tourist populated Philadelphia location, but also she wears ball gowns while doing this. Her painting process has evolved into performance art connecting Philadelphia tourists to the icons within the city. People around the world can watch her paint the City Hall Occupy Philly movement or the Philadelphia Art Museum from the base of the steps. She loves combining her classically rendered oil paintings with new technology and large audiences available through the web.

Erin McGee Ferrell Artist Statement 2013

My paintings are not created behind closed doors. They are created on the streets of Philadelphia and in the woods of New England. I invite you to watch me work as I stand my easel on the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Art Museum steps, and on the sidewalks of the Italian Market. Come explore the coast of Maine and the woods of New Hampshire with my easel and me. The adventure and process of creating the art is as exciting as the product. Look for me in the crowded markets, the tourists’ destinations, and famous landmarks. While my adrenaline pumps, large colorful oils on canvas are created in these people and scenery rich places. I take time-lapse photos of my canvases while I paint. Then I create videos, which are posted on Social Networks linking the subject of my art to the place it was created, and the way I depicted it. This brings my process as an artist to a world audience; virtually traveling to the Philadelphia/ Portland area and experiencing what it is like to be with my painting on the streets.

Sharing my painting process with the public is a gift, not so much for the outcome, but for the vulnerability of the process. You bore witness to my endeavor. Together we shared in the very public awareness of a private interpretation. I created a moment of pause and wonder in the business of the mundane.

Receptions are Open to the Public. For additional information please contact:

Pam Regan Bluestone Fine Art Gallery 856.979.7588 pam@bluestone-gallery.com www.bluestone-gallery.com

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The Alchemist

Francis Tucker, The Alchemist, Memorial Art Show at University of the Arts

The Alchemist, Francis Tucker Memorial Art Show at the University of the Arts

Francis Courtland TuckerThe Alchemist, Exhibition of Paintings

Monday, November 4, 2013 to Friday, December 20, 2013, President’s Office Gallery Hamilton Hall The University of the Arts, 320 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19102

Opening Reception: Monday, November 4, 2013
5:00-7:00 pm
Presidents Office Gallery
320 S Broad Street

francistucker.blogspot.com

The Alchemist refers to Tucker’s deep knowledge of the science of making art. He taught art students how to make their own gesso with rabbit skin glue, how to grind and make their own paints, how to stretch canvas, the chemistry of mixing painting mediums like oil and turpenoid, how to clean paint brushes, how to make frames and how to be an artist.

Tucker was a special friend to me since he was one of my first art professors at the Philadelphia College of Art back in the early 70s. I was working for the phone company during the day and taking art classes at night. One of my favorite memories of that time is when I took a painting class with him in the Atlantic Building on Broad Street. I carefully, laboriously sketched out my composition with pencil on the canvas. Tucker let me finish the drawing then came to me and began erasing away my drawing. I was in shock. He then punched me in the arm, kind of hard, and said, “This is a painting class!” A lesson I’ve never forgotten and often share with others.

Tucker permitted me to visit him on his death bed, he was curled in a fetal position with oxygen tubes tangled around him, and we talked about the old days of partying at PCA. He allowed, encouraged, us to drink wine and beer in night classes. He knew we were all workers and needed a little liquid relaxation to loosen up. Until one day we forgot to get rid of the empty wine bottles and we all got in trouble. In our last moments together he said he was so frustrated that he had finally felt he had mastered his art only to have his body fail on him.

When I was a young man he told me if I wanted to be an artist I had to dedicate myself to it no matter what. But I was making good money at a boring job, so, I tried to do both. Looking back I now understand his lesson: do what you love and the money will take care of itself. I miss you Tucker and think of you everyday as I walk past your home on Fitler Square with Katy the Art Dog.

LoVe, DoN

Written by DoN BrewerPhotograph of Francis Tucker with his dog Slaughter provided by his daughter, Kathy Longwith.

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Syd Torchio

Syd Torchio, Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd TorchioMy Big-Time Art Opening, Oil Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

“Miss this and It’s probably because I didn’t do a painting of you.” – Syd Torchio

Syd Torchio, Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd Torchio, My Big-Time Art Opening, Oil Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd Torchio‘s portraits have a liveness, a sensual realness, that engages the viewer in a conversation with a character. The paintings are exquisitely composed, the figure always has an emotive expression, the backgrounds are reminiscent of 1950’s abstract painters but the subject is contemporary. There is a timelessness to the work and that Philadelphia realness vibe calls out other portrait painters with passion and bravado.

Syd Torchio, Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd TorchioMy Big-Time Art Opening, Oil Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

This is a bad photograph of a great painting. You can find better pics at Syd’s facebook page and his etsy site. The dramatic composition of the artist’s wounds being licked by a beautiful woman while a nude model glares from the studio is like Syd’s previous surrealistic paintings but now the fun house mirror is gone.

Syd Torchio, Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd TorchioMy Big-Time Art Opening, Oil Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd Torchio wisely put his paintings under glass since the space is open to the street and Vintage Wine Bar is a busy and vibrant restaurant serving the hip dining crowd along the revitalized 13th Street corridor. The paintings on the exposed brick wall and the wall covered in wooden wine crate panels looks beautiful and artistic. Portraits are a tough sell, as Syd joked about in his artist statement, but in the stylish surroundings, the portraits look accessible and desirable. The painting above is of Joe Tiborino, the connection with Philadelphia history through portraits is important and meaningful.

Syd Torchio, Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

Syd TorchioMy Big-Time Art Opening, Oil Paintings, Vintage Wine Bar

My Big-Time Art Opening by Syd Torchio exhibits contemporary portraiture with an edge, divergent style and dynamic content. The artist captures mood, action and atmospheric realism in thoughtful yet astonishing brushwork. See it for yourself, they have happy hour 4 – 6:00.

Written and photographed by DoN Brewer

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People, Places & Things

Reta Sweeney, Twenty-Two GalleryReta Sweeney, People, Places & Things, Twenty-Two Gallery

New work by Philadelphia artist Reta Sweeney July 12th through August 4th, 2013. Artist reception Friday, July 12th, 6 – 9:00pm.

“I began painting at a very young age, not knowing what I was doing of course, and minored in art in my college preparatory high school. I have continued to search for that really good painting I feel is inside me somewhere. So, in that quest I have studied at Fleisher Art Memorial, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The  Woodmere Art Museum, Bucks County Community College, Rowan University and have taken numerous workshops with well-known artists. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art.

I paint still life and plein air alla prima. But, interest in people has brought me to both my nursing career and to my love of the figure in art.  In this group of paintings I have enjoyed capturing people in their daily lives…in whatever they happen to be doing.

And the quest and the passion continues…” Reta Sweeney

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Absolutely Abstract 2013

Gary Bolton, Absolutely Abstract 2013, Philadelphia Sketch Club

Gary Bolton, Clearing, acrylic on canvas, Best in Show Absolutely Abstract 2012, Philadelphia Sketch Club

“The Philadelphia Sketch Club presents ABSOLUTELY ABSTRACT 2013, an exhibition to be held at its historic center city gallery from August 9 through August 24, 2013.  This show will present a variety of visual sensations through non-representational and suggestive subject matter in various two dimensional mediums.  The diversity of the works produces an explosion of color and form that intrigues even the casual viewer.  An Artists’ Reception will be held on Sunday, August 11, from 2 to 4 PM.  Gallery hours are Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 PM.  Admission is free.

The Philadelphia Sketch Club is located at 235 S. Camac St., between 12th & 13th and Locust and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA.  For information call (215) 545-9298 or visit www.sketchclub.org.  The Juror for this exhibition is Bill Scott, an abstract painter and printmaker who is recognized internationally for his work.” – Philadelphia Sketch Club

Juror: Bill Scott is an abstract painter and printmaker. He is represented by Hollis Taggart Galleries, New York, where he has had five solo exhibitions. His work has been included in numerous group shows. His works are in a number of public collections, including the British Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Woodmere Art Museum. Since 1999 he has made intaglio prints with the C. R. Ettinger Studio, and has made commissioned etchings for the Print Club of Cleveland as well as the Print Center and Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia. Bill Scott is a critic at PAFA in both the Certificate/BFA and Continuing Education Programs.

ABSOLUTELY ABSTRACT 2013 is an open juried art show – click here for the prospectus,

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