The Players Club

The Players Club II (study)
Oil on panel
6x6 inches
SOLD

I'm posting one last painting before the close of 2014, a small study of the Players Club in Gramercy Park. I often pass by this building, rich in theatrical history. Founded in 1888, it recently underwent some much needed renovations. The scaffolding finally was removed and I took some photos with this painting the result. I'm thinking of doing a larger scale painting of this one as I think it has a nice feel of the neighborhood.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and productive New Year. Thank you for checking in and reading what I've been up to art-wise. Having started this blog in 2007!!! I've posted a lot of artwork over the years and hope to have a good painting year to come.

Have yourself a Merry...

Holiday Bait
Oil on canvas
28 x 24 inches

This painting is of a restaurant storefront on 23rd Street in Manhattan, created several years ago. Loved the color and glitz. I passed by recently and the windows hadn't been decorated for the holidays this year. Glad I caught the photo opportunity when I did.

For those of you celebrating the Christmas holiday, wishing you a merry and happy time.

Spreading the light at the end of the year

My studio mate Tobi Kahn conceived the idea of spreading light during the Chanukah and holiday season through a photo project. He partnered with the JCC in Manhattan and PlusLight was born. People are asked to submit their photos of light online and his hope is that thousands of images from around the world will be posted and seen by many during this holiday season. I've submitted these 3 images thus far: The tower of the Met Life building bathed in white light, The Empire State Building at night and 3 people at the fountain at Lincoln Center at night. These are photos that I've saved as possible images for future paintings.

For more information on the project go to http://jccmanhattan.org/pluslight/

CLWAC 118th Annual Exhibition at the National Arts Club, NYC

Empire Reflections III
Oil on canvas
24x24 inches

Just got back to the studio after helping to hang the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe's Art Club's annual exhibition at the National Arts Club. Some very fine work up on the walls. If you would like to stop by, the exhibit runs from December 2 - 19 at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South (@ 20th Street), New York. There is a Benefit Reception for the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday, December 12th from 5:30-8pm. There is a fee to attend the reception, other times the show is free and open to the public. This year I've entered a painting from my ongoing urban reflections series depicting the Empire State building.

Grace Church at Night

Grace Night (study)
Oil on canvas panel
6 x 6 inches

Just finished this small study of Grace Church, an iconic building on Broadway and 12th Street. A friend had given me this photo awhile ago and I thought it would make for an interesting painting. As a member of an organization that meets monthly at this location, many of us created paintings to donate for their upcoming holiday fair/fundraiser which will be held on November 15th and 16th.

Documenting New York City in paint

The New York Times featured and article, ("Before the Wrecking Ball, an Artist Captures a City," October 28, 2014, Page A26, New York edition) about Hedy Pagremanski, an 85 year old artist, setting up her easel on the Lower East side and painting buildings about to be demolished. She has been documenting the streets of the city for many years.

The link to the article is http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/nyregion/an-artist-is-chronicling-a-disappearing-new-york-city-one-painting-at-a-time.html?_r=0

I'm sharing this article as this is an artist after my own heart. I've been doing much the same thing, not on the streets themselves, but working from photos in my studio, painting "what is here today that might be gone tomorrow". Reading about this artist - 85 years old! - still working and productive, makes my heart sing. Rock on Hedy.

I'm still at work at my easel and will be posting some new paintings soon.

A view of Dutch Kills LIC

LIC Slice
Oil on canvas
9 x 12 inches

I painted a small study awhile ago of this view of Long Island City as seen from the elevated platform of the #7 train. This area, known as Dutch Kills, is undergoing tremendous redevelopment, as are so many neighborhoods in the city. Many of the small scale buildings in the foreground will be doing a disappearing act, to be replaced by shiny, glassy condo and rental buildings. I was surprised to see so much greenery as I was working on this painting. A tree does grow in Queens after all.

A quiet corner in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Diego's Place III (Greenpoint)
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Commission

Today I delivered this small commissioned painting of a former factory building in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I'm very happy with the way it turned out and loved painting the small details on this older brick building. So happy that this building is still being used and has found a new life with new tenants.

An Exhibit, An Award

Chrysler Reflections
Oil on canvas
24 x 24 inches

Two blog posts in one week! Today I received a letter informing me that my painting, Chrysler Reflections, has received The Butler Institute of American Art Award from the Allied Artists 100th Anniversary Exhibition. I always enjoy participating in this exhibition as so much of the work accepted in this juried show is very good. The exhibit is currently on view at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, with the reception and awards ceremony taking place on Sunday, September 14th, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Such a nice way to start a Thursday.

59th Street Bridge Revisited

59th Street Bridge Reflections II
Oil on canvas
24 x 42 inches

Just finished this painting of the 59th Street Bridge, a topic I've tackled before. It was fun painting the bridge once, it was equally satisfying painting it again. Some subjects can be explored more than once, and for me, this bridge is just such a subject.

The shapes created by the reflections seemed so abstract, yet when I stepped back from the easel the bridge started to emerge. Just. Like. Magic. And painting, for me, is magic.

I'll let this new painting sit for a few days to dry and to determine if I need to do any more tweaking or touch-ups, but as of now I'm putting another notch on my painting belt.

Building bridges

In Progress: 59th Street Bridge Reflections II
Oil on canvas
24 x 42 inches

An artist friend recently gifted me with several large, 24 x 42-inch stretched canvases that she was not going to use. After working on a number of smaller paintings, it was time to get back into doing some larger work. I was in the mood to do some reflections and went through my photos, finding this image of the 59th Street Bridge. Having done a painting of this bridge several years ago, I thought it was a subject well worth revisiting.

As this painting will be on the easel for awhile, I thought I'd share an "in progress" photo with you. The initial drawing is done on the canvas with burnt umber and then a wash of sepia is applied. The colors really "pop" on a toned canvas. This might not look like much at this point, but it's getting there. Stay tuned to see the completed painting.

Pearl Paint - in progress

Pearl Paint (in progress)
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches

Almost done, but not quite. Several months ago, when I heard that Pearl Paint on Canal Street would be closing their doors, I headed over with my camera and took photos. This was the art supply store where I used to love to shop for all of my nice new art supplies. The staircases were narrow, the aisles were crowded, but what an abundance of supplies to gladden any artist's heart. Spent many hours there, selecting my paints, brushes, canvases and everything else that I needed.

Many other art suppliers have cropped up over the years and the competition is tough. The passing of the bright red and white Pearl Paint building is just another fixture of my New York landscape that will disappear and I wanted to preserve the memory in paint on canvas. Still need to make a few more changes and adjustments until I sign and consider this painting finished, but I'm almost there.

A window in Little Italy

Pizza, Pasta and Prayer
Oil on canvas
24x24 inches

Fresh off the easel. I had the title for this painting before I'd even begun, which is very unusual. Worked from a photo I'd taken a few years ago in Little Italy during the San Gennaro Festival. Loved the juxtaposition of the themes of food and faith, an unusual window display to be sure. Throw in a few reflections of the buildings across the street and I had an interesting and challenging subject to tackle.

Sold!

Abstract Reflections
Oil on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Sold

I attended the awards presentation for the CLWAC Members Exhibition recently and met a lovely couple who came over to tell me how much they loved this painting. We chatted a bit and as I was leaving they found me and said they wanted to purchase it. Music to an artist's ears.

This reflection painting is far more abstract than anything I have done in the past. I believe the scene for this piece was on Fifth Avenue in the '50's. A happy experiment with a happy outcome.

Now to find homes for my other paintings!

CLWAC Annual Members Show 2014 at Salmagundi

Paramount Reflections II
Oil on canvas
24 x 24 inches

I received a call yesterday that my painting, Paramount Reflections II, has received an award in the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Annual Members Exhibition. The painting features the top of the well-known Paramount Building on 43rd Street reflected on the facade of a nearby glass building. Gotta love those reflections.

The exhibit is on view from May 24th - June 6th at the Salmagundi Art Club, 47 Fifth Avenue (12th Street), 1pm-6pm Monday-Friday; Saturday and Sunday 1-5pm. The awards presentation is on Friday, June 6th from 6-8pm.

I will be at the gallery on June 5th from 3:30 - 6pm, and at the awards reception on the 6th. Hope you can stop by to see the exhibit.

LIC Arts Open 2014

"Behind the giant Pepsi Sign"
Photo ©Sharon Florin

Yesterday I headed over to apartment 803 in the new TFCornerstone building, located at 4610 Center Blvd.to install my paintings for the upcoming LIC Arts Open festival. It was a cloudy and misty day and quiet by the waterfront. Unpacked the artwork, laid out the level, nails and hammer and got to work. The result turned out nicely, with 10 paintings hanging on the white walls. I picked out a variety of subjects - reflection paintings, LIC scenes and urban street scenes. The Scribner's II painting is an old favorite. I just LOVE that building on Fifth Avenue - so gracefully designed and a challenge to paint. Nice to have the opportunity to exhibit it.

Scribner's II
Oil on canvas
24x30 inches

There will be an opening reception on Wed., May 14, from 5:30-8pm during the Vernon Blvd Nabe Night. I, along with the other four artists selected will have pastels, photography, abstract paintings and ceramics on view, along with the spectacular views from the apartment windows. Lots of events on and around Vernon.

On Saturday, May 17th, the Spring Stroll along Vernon Blvd. will take place - a giant block party. Here's hoping the weather cooperates, though it is a rain or shine event.

If you are planning to come out to LIC anytime during the festival, just let me know and I'll be happy to meet up with you. I plan to be busy, checking out the art exhibits, the street fair and of course, meeting folks at my exhibit in apartment 803. Hope to see you there.

Click here for a comprehensive festival guide.

The NEW LIC and the 2014 LIC Arts Open

Diego's Place II
Oil on canvas
12x9 inches
Sold

A few months ago I completed a commission for a LIC building owner. He then asked me to create a painting of another property he owns in the neighborhood. This is new construction on a side street filled with older buildings, formerly the scene of much manufacturing of goods. This building does stand out with it's angles, brick and large glass windows.

I continue to wander around Long Island City, camera in hand, amazed at all the development that continues on non-stop. Speaking of new development, I am one of 5 artists who will be exhibiting artwork in the upcoming Long Island City Arts Open 2014 in spanking new studio apartments in a brand new T.F. Cornerstone building on the waterfront. There will be a reception on May 14th during Vernon Blvd Nabe Night and the exhibit will be up throughout the festival. Fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as some wonderful artwork on display. More info to come soon.

LIC East River Photo
©Sharon Florin

"An Alternate Vision" at the Morris Museum

This week-end I paid a visit to the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ to view An Alternate Vision: National Association of Women Artists, Inc. 125th Anniversary Exhibition, 1889-2014.

My painting, Flatiron Bird's Eye View was one of the pieces selected for this exhibit along with artwork from both current and former members of this longstanding group. The work was very varied, from realistic to abstract, paintings, works on paper and sculpture.

The other exhibits in the museum were pretty interesting. I especially enjoyed the exhibit featuring work of New Jersey high school students. There is a lot of budding talent out there and and I was heartened to know that the art education in NJ schools is strong. Sadly, that is not the case in many of the New York City schools these days, a terrible shame. Art adds so much to a child's development, just the opportunity to think creatively with pencils, paint, clay, whatever. I was so fortunate to have some really fine art teachers while I attended school, a big factor in my becoming a working artist.

The field trip to Morristown with old friends was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The exhibit is on view through June 15, should you find yourself in the neighborhood.

New York circa 1979

Outside Madison Square Garden
Oil on canvas
22 x 28 inches

Time to do some studio spring cleaning. I pulled this painting out of the racks and once again enjoyed the color and activity of a busy street scene in Manhattan circa 1979. Seventh Avenue just outside of Madison Square Garden was teeming with passersby then as it is now, with many places to eat lining the opposite street and a glimpse of Macy's on the far corner. This painting has a simple, natural wood lattice strip frame. I offer this painting for sale to those of you who would love to have a colorful urban scene hanging in your home or office. It's an oldie but a goodie.

For the ebay link, click here.

Grand Central Centennial Quilt Exhibition

The New York Transit Museum located in Grand Central Station is hosting a wonderful exhibition through July 6, 2014 - quilts celebrating Grand Central's Centennial. The City Quilter in New York and American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine organized the competition and the 30 finalist quilts on view are spectacular.


Time Flies But We Take The Train by quilter Amy Krasnansky, was the grand prize winner and it is a masterful quilt indeed.

Another favorite of mine was Ligaya Siachongco's marvelous quilt, Grand Central Terminal Mandala. Took my breath away. I had so many favorites, I just stopped counting and enjoyed each quilt as I came upon it.



I took a stab at this competition with my quilt GST II. As a fairly new quilter, I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with an idea. I used a pattern New York City Streets as a background and here is the result. After seeing the quilts on view in the exhibition, I know I have a lot to aspire to and I'm ready and eager to keep learning and honing my skills. I hope one day to be able to create quilts as stunning as the those that I saw today.

An LIC artists hangout

Diego's Place I
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Commission

Checking in as it has been awhile. I recently finished this commissioned painting of a building in Long Island City that is home to many artists studios. When I first came to LIC, artists were spread out in individual spaces. When an Open Studios event was held, visitors would walk from studio to studio to check out the artists works and explore the neighborhood. In recent years, several large buildings have been converted to primarily studio spaces for artists, so that now floor after floor are filled with people making art. Other businesses co-exist in these buildings as well, but much of the small manufacturing enterprises that were once prevalent in the neighborhood are long gone.

As Long Island City continues its rapid redevelopment - there are projects large and small underway on the main avenues and side streets - I continue to create a painted history of the neighborhood. I've only to look out of my window to see several new buildings under construction. No end in sight.