Grand Central Terminal Reflections...again

GST Reflections III
Oil on canvas
42x24 in.

One last painting to close out 2018 which features the architectural details atop Grand Central Terminal as reflected in a nearby building. I'd started this painting quite some time ago, set it aside and came back to it this summer. Work was interrupted due to an unexpected solo exhibition opportunity in August and then another unexpected event - a move to a new apartment. What with hanging, sitting and de-installing an exhibit, packing, packing and packing for a move and then the unpacking and settling in...in addition to working my part time job...well not much painting was getting done. Happy to say I was finally able to see this painting to completion. Already have a new canvas on the easel, blocked in and ready to go.

Thanks for following my blog postings this past year. Wishing my readers a Happy, Healthy and Art-filled 2019!

The Chrysler Building on the cover of CITY Journal

Mister Mark's Chrysler I
Oil on canvas
12x9 inches

I was happy to see that my painting was chosen for the cover of the Autumn edition of CITY Journal. This quarterly magazine is published by the Manhattan Institute.

There are many different ways to exhibit work and having a painting on the cover of a publication is a great way to introduce people who might not venture into a gallery exhibition to an artist's work.

Video of "Reflections on the City"

This past August I was delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit 36 paintings in a large, well-lit, street level Chashama donated space on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Sitting the show, I met many visitors who expressed real interest in my work - the subject, the style of painting and the history of the city. Several sales ensued which is always a good thing for an artist.

I had a photographer take a number of installation photos and put together a short video for those who could not see the exhibit in person.

Here is the link to a YouTube video of the installation. Enjoy!

Reflections on Henri Bendel's closing

Reflections on Fifth III (Bendel's)
Oil on canvas
18x24
1999
Sold

While listening to the news this morning I heard that 123-year old Henri Bendel's is closing up shop, no longer able to survive in today's retail climate. Back in the 1990's, when I had begun working on reflection paintings, I was taken with a store display in Bendel's window on Fifth Avenue and subsequently painted this scene. The store brightened up Fifth Avenue with some wonderful window displays over the years. I wonder if there will be yet another empty storefront come January like so many throughout the city. The building is noted for it's Lalique windows and has landmark status. For an interesting article on this building's history check out this link.

A New York Story

I thought this was a real New York story worth sharing. On Sunday morning I got up early to do laundry. Put on my "doing laundry" clothes which consisted of baggy paints and an old tee-shirt. Headed to the laundromat around 8:30am and started loading the machines. Another customer, Diane, was talking to the proprietor and I could tell right away she was not from New York, not with her Austrailian accent :-). She noticed the picture on my tee-shirt which just happened to be a painting of Sydney Harbor by Australian artist Ken Done, quite the coincidence! Well, we started chatting about art and I mentioned that I had an exhibition of my paintings currently on view and gave her an announcement card. Diane was very enthusiastic so I mentioned that if she had time, I'd be happy to take her to the show. As she was leaving to travel back to Australia later that afternoon, she said it would be great and so we planned to go after our laundry was done. She left and I headed home once my clothes were loaded in the dryer. Forty minutes later, as I was locking my door ready to go back to pick up my clothes I heard a door close on the floor above me and someone came walking downstairs. Imagine my surprise when I saw it was none other than Diane, yet another coincidence! We were both gobsmacked. It seems she had been staying in a friend's apartment for several weeks while her friend was away. Our paths had NEVER crossed in all that time and here we were, on her last day in New York, bumping into each other on the stairway in my building. We headed off to see the exhibit and being the ardent New Yorker that I am, I pointed out various points of interest along the way, a regular tour guide. Stopped in to the gallery to see the show which is normally closed on Sundays and as we were there people came wandering in. We then proceeded to walk around midtown where I pointed out many of the buildings that had appeared in my paintings such as Alwyn Court and other points of interest. Diane got one of my giclee prints and we went over to 45th and Fifth Avenue so that she could see the actual place that had inspired the piece. A passerby asked if we wanted our photo taken as she thought we were tourists but after showing her the print, she became the excited photographer, snapping photos of us on busy Fifth Avenue. Diane is heading home to Australia with many memories and even more photos. All in all it was an unexpected and delightful meeting and one that I'm sure neither one of us will soon forget.

Homestretch of "Reflections on the City"

Some installation photos of the exhibition

My exhibition is nearing completion as I will be de-installing on August 29th. Sitting at the gallery in midtown Manhattan during the hot, hazy and humid days of August has been an interesting experience. Thankfully the air conditioning is working and it is a beautiful space in which to spend time.

Had a lovely reception with many people coming by from different parts of my life - collectors, old friends, new friends, former co-workers, tourists, artists and others. Felt as if I was in an episode of "This is Your Life."

I learned that 485 Madison Avenue was once the home of CBS and that Orson Welles famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast took place there in 1938. Like so many buildings in New York, this one is steeped in history and I enjoyed learning a bit of trivia.

If you have a chance to stop in and say hello before the exhibit comes down it would be great to see you.

Solo Exhibition "Reflections on the City"

Out of the blue, an unexpected and wonderful opportunity. I was offered a solo exhibition during the month of August by Chashama, an organization providing venues for artists all around the city in which to exhibit. Of course I jumped at this chance to show a large body of work in a spectacular space in midtown Manhattan. Granted the "dog days of August" are so named for a reason, but I know there are plenty of people wandering around Manhattan who might, just might be interested in seeing paintings of the New York urban landscape, or at least I hope so.

I plan to exhibit 36 paintings in this large and well-lit street level space located at 485 Madison Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets from August 3-29 with a reception on Wednesday, August 8th from 6-8pm.

There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in a very short period of time but this artist is up to the challenge.

If you are in NYC please stop by to see my exhibition, "Reflections on the City."

Here is a link to the Chashama website with more information.

And here is a link to a write-up in Fine Art Connoisseur's Fine Art Today Newsletter

Upper West Sider

Miss Martha
Oil on canvas
16x12 inches

My friend Martha passed away at the end of March after a long and difficult hospital stay. We met 23 years ago in an ovarian cancer support group and became fast friends. You wouldn't know when visiting her Upper West Side apartment that you were in Manhattan and not somewhere out in the Wild West. You see, Martha loved everything western themed - cowboys, cowgirls, etc. and decorated her apartment, top to bottom, with all sorts of ephemera relating to that very topic. I so enjoyed visiting her there, always noting the plastic pink flamingo she had perched outside on her windowsill.

Martha was one of a kind. One of the wittiest people I have ever known. Quick on the draw - verbally - and always her zingers made me laugh out loud. I so miss being able to talk with her and share the absurdities of life, especially now, during these dark and trying times.

I had taken a photo of her sitting at her desk - she was an editor by profession - and decided to do this painting. Although my paintings usually revolve around architecture, buildings, reflections and the urban landscape, I do at times attempt a portrait or figure study. While I was working on this painting I was comforted by many memories and found it a cathartic process in which to remember my friend.

Reflections around Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle Reflections
Oil on canvas
24x18 inches

A new painting to share today. This one was tricky. I actually started working on it several months ago then set it aside as it was proving to be a struggle. I chose to work on other paintings, something I rarely do. But, as I do like to finish projects that I've started, I went back to the easel determined to finish this painting and I'm happy that I've accomplished that.

There is a gleaming mini hemisphere near Columbus Circle with of course, new construction surrounding it. I was drawn to the colors of the buildings contrasted with the dark metal reflection of the rounded globe.

A House Upstate

A House Upstate
Oil on canvas
16x20 inches
Sold

Recently completed this commissioned painting of a home in upstate New York. Definitely not the bustling city urban landscape I often tackle. Although this subject is somewhat different from what I usually paint, I have to say I really enjoyed working on this painting. The collector was thrilled with the result, gave me a big hug when he saw it, and I know this piece will be installed and treasured in its new home. Commissions are ALWAYS welcome for a working artist as they definitely help to pay the bills.

Seduced by Steel, Glass Concrete - Sharon Florin and Allan Gorman

9th Avenue Reflections Worldwide
Oil on canvas
24x42 inches

I am pleased to announce this new exhibition, a two person show with paintings featuring the urban landscape as portrayed by artist Allan Gorman and myself, curated by Jessica Porter of Porter Advisory. This exhibit can be seen at The Yard, 116 Nassau Street, 5th and 6th floors, a corporate workplace near City Hall, Monday - Friday, 10-6.

There will be an artists reception on Thursday, May 17th from 6-8 pm. If you are in town, hope you can stop by.

For contact and additional information, here is a link to the press release.

https://www.porteradvisory.com/exhibitions/2018/5/17/seduced-by-steel-glass-concrete-sharon-florin-and-allan-gorman

Springsteen on Broadway!

Springsteen on Broadway
Oil on canvas
12x9 inches

Put the finishing touches on this new painting depicting the Walter Kerr theater featuring the wonderful production of "Springsteen on Broadway." I had the great pleasure of seeing this show and it was nothing short of magical. Being an artist and a long-time Springsteen fan, of course I had to do a painting to add to my ongoing New York urban landscape oeuvre. So, here it is.

Ah, the wonderful Chrysler Building

Mister Mark's Chrysler II
Oil on canvas
16x12 inches
SOLD

I just finished this painting, another view from on high featuring the always magnificent Chrysler building. Loved the light and the soft golden glow that was cast on the buildings when this photograph was taken. A big thank-you to my friend Mark for sharing his photograph, the inspiration for this painting.

Small Works/Baruch/2018

Brooklyn Bridge Looking East
12x12 inches
Oil on canvas
SOLD

This painting has been included in the Small Works annual exhibition at Baruch College's Sidney Mishkin Gallery, located at 135 East 22nd Street in Manhattan. The exhibition is open to the public Monday-Friday from 2-7pm and the opening reception is on Thursday, February 15th from 6-8pm. On view from February 16-March 16, 2018. This large exhibit features a variety of small scale works in all manner of mediums and styles.

Giclée prints available through TurningArt.com

Flatiron Bird's Eye View
Oil on canvas
24x18 inches

I am often asked if I sell prints of my paintings and I have just started doing just that.
https://www.turningart.com/ is a site that creates giclée prints in varying sizes. Collectors can sign up, browse the collections and search for specific types of work, rent and/or purchase prints and can purchase the original artwork if they so wish.

The definition of giclée printing is a technology for fine art or photograph reproduction using a high-quality inkjet printer to make individual copies. Many galleries, corporate art consultants, museum gift shops and others often sell these hi-end reproductions of original art.

This is a good opportunity to have my work accessible to many more collectors with varying budgets and I hope you will take a few moments to view my paintings. https://www.turningart.com/artist/sharon-florin