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