CLWAC Annual Members Show 2014 at Salmagundi

Paramount Reflections II
Oil on canvas
24 x 24 inches
SOLD

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.