The Week in Review

Some interesting news...

"Brill"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

Read that the Brill Building on Broadway was granted landmark status this week. Hurrah! Always great news to see some of the older, architecturally significant buildings saved and cherished. My city changes so quickly and so many buildings disappear that it's comforting to see some of the old favorites remain standing. The art deco facade is enchanting. And let's not forget all of the FABULOUS music that flowed out of that building over the years. A lot of talent walked those halls and pounded those piano keys and it is a true New York landmark to be sure.

Another interesting tidbit. The other day a friend sent a wonderful video of a short D.A. Pennebaker film of the long gone 3rd Avenue El train, set to music. It was filmed two years before the El was demolished in the 1950's and shares a glimpse of a New York that once was. To view, click the link

http://www.cynephile.com/2010/03/daybreak-express-d-a-pennebaker-1953/

And, to wrap it up, some art show news to share. I will be exhibiting several paintings in a Martha's Vineyard gallery in August. Spoke with the gallery owner who has chosen an interesting selection of work for a group show themed "the urban landscape." A good fit with my subject matter of choice. Happy to see some of my paintings "go traveling" this summer. More info to come.

A good week, all in all.

Final weeks for "Urbanesque"

Citicorp Showcases in Long Island City

Installation of 9 LIC-themed paintings

The show in the Citicorp lobby showcases is coming into the final weeks, ending at the end of March. When deciding how to install the show I decided that each of the 4 artists would have one window each for their work and the final 2 windows would be group exhibits of one piece representing each artist. I think the idea worked well and the response to the show has been good. My 9 LIC-themed paintings were hung 3 across and 3 down, and that is the way I always envisioned them - LIC quilt.


"LIC/Meeting at Brooks"
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Sold

Always nice to sell work and this painting will have a new home. A gentleman working in the building purchased this painting as he has eaten at Brooks for many years and the subject was meaningful to him.


Installation photo of 3 of the 6 showcases on view

Women in the Arts Foundation artists are represented in this exhibit. For more infomation about this organization, check out their newly designed website

Gramercy Tavern

Fine dining on 20th Street

"Gramercy Tavern Reflections"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Here's a new painting that I'm really happy with. The Gramercy Tavern on 20th Street is considered one of the finest restaurants in a city jammed-packed with thousands of restaurants, one of the jewels in Danny Meyer's restaurant crown. I've had the pleasure of eating here on two special occasions, not a place I can afford to frequent on a regular basis, that's for sure.

In this painting I was taken with the construction-looking type guy lounging outside this fancy eatery, having a smoke, while the diner's inside enjoyed fabulous drinks and food. A little New York juxtaposition, a subject I enjoy. Figures are often not as prominent in my paintings as in this one, but I have to say I had a great time working on this painting, trying to get the subtlety of the skin tones just right. I spent many years studying at the Art Students League of New York painting and drawing from the model but you wouldn't know that to look at most of my work. So this painting was a nice departure for me and I'm looking forward to exhibiting it in the upcoming fall show.