Le retour.

Yes! I have been absolutely abysmally awful awful awfully terrible about posting here over the past 9-10 months or so. Yikes. There's been a lot of life change going on, a breakup, an apartment move, a broken ankle, some sadness and some happiness and some painting (but never enough!!!) Anyway, I'm going to try for a quick recap here, and then let's move forward in the second half of 2013 with some hardcore productivity, shall we?

The Converge exhibition in NYC last November was terrific! A great show, a great collection of work, fun opening. Since then I've shown in another group show at Artists' House in Philly this past April, the "Year of the Woman" show. Again, great work, great people!!

Me with some paintings that I sold at Artists' House's "Year of the Woman" exhibition, April 2013.

(Photo by Charles Walsh)

I also went to see some other people's art... here I am at Eleanor Ettinger in NYC (photo by Daniel Maidman):



I also met some new artist friends at the annual Portrait Society Conference in Atlanta, Georgia - here I am with Quang Ho of Denver, Colorado (photo by Melissa Gann Burgess):

Some artist friends in Philadelphia hosted some artists friends from NYC around the time I was still on crutches with a broken ankle - here's some of our merry crew in Rachel Constantine's studio before heading out for dinner (l-r: me, my studiomate Stephen Early, Rachel Constantine, Victoria Selbach, Nancy Bea Miller and her husband Paul Downs, and Alexandra Tyng. The incomparably awesome Daniel Maidman is the one taking the picture, and somehow we managed to not get Garth Herrick and art conservator Lauren Cassady in the photo!! Whoops.)

Speaking of awesome artists from other cities, earlier in the spring I finally had a chance to meet the amazing, super-wonder-magical artist couple of Rory Coyne and Lauren Levato, visiting New York City from Chicago, Illinois!! A bunch of us met up and it was groovy (l-r: me, Rory Coyne, Lauren Levato, Chris Leib, Daniel Maidman, Reiner Hansen - photo taken by David Kassan):

In addition to hanging out with artists, I've been sitting for some artists, too... here's a painting done of me this spring by the awesome and amazing Fred Danziger:

And here's a painting sketch of me in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts cast hall by David Shevlino:

Here's a drawing of me by Scott Burdick (CHECK OUT THAT HAIR!!! This does not occur in nature, I assure you):

Here's one little one by my studiomate, Stephen Early:

  

And, OF COURSE, I've been doing some painting of my own, as well... not as much as I'd like, but that's the way things go when life is kind of crazy and ankles are broken and other life stuff gets in the way. Boo. Anyway, here's one of friend and incredible artist Felicia Forte:

force of nature, oil on panel, 8"x16"

Also, I've done a sketch of Matthew, who helped me to not lose my mind during my period of convalescence with the broken ankle:

sur la terrasse, oil on panel, 12"x12"









More soon! Really. I swear it won't be another 9 months before I update again. For REAL. But just in case, you can always find me on Facebook... I'm very update-y over there.

Peace out for now. Keep painting, y'all.





















Other people's studios.

Been busy painting lately, both in my usual location and in other people's studios. For example, I'm subletting a friend's studio for part of the summer, and the change of scenery is definitely nice... not to mention the large amount space and the beautiful north light. It's pleasant, and there are new things to paint, yay! Including this chair:

chair sketch

Back from a break, but not broken.

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted here... probably because it's been super duper crazy busy. In a good way! Ok, so let me try to get you up to date as quickly as possible: first, John and I went to Paris...

...and also to Colmar...

...and I showed some paintings in Wilmington...

...and went landscape painting with friends...

...then I went to the Portrait Society of American conference here in Philly...

...then John and I adopted some kittens...

...and John and I went to NYC to see some artist friends...

...and have gone to see some art here in Philly as well...

 

Daniel Garber painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

 

...and all the while I've been working on some of my own paintings, of course...

 

sketch of smm, oil on birch panel, 9"x12"

 

...including some larger paintings...

 

first draft of an eye painting, a BIG one, for me - 36"x48"

 

So... been BUSY! But in a good way, as you can see.

More in-depth updates soon, once I have a moment!

Surveying the landscape.

One wonderful part of the weekend before last was getting out to paint outdoors again, for the first time in a while (I don't do well outdoors in winter, even in a mild one). Here's a little sketch I did while out in rural Pennsylvania two weekends ago:

Prescott - a sketch, oil on panel, 6"x12"

Beyond "The Expedition and Beyond"

Oh Internet, I am so giddy with happiness after a weekend spent with my fabulous fellow artists of “The Expedition and Beyond” exhibition down in Alexandria, Virginia… first, at the opening, then afterwards on a mini painting retreat out in semi-rural Pennsylvania. Ahhhh!!! Here are some photos from the opening:

 Steve Kantor and Alexandra Tyng

 Principle Gallery client and Rachel Constantine

 Sadie Valeri, Ali Ringenburg, Rachel Constantine

 Terry Strickland with the collectors who now own her painting of "The Three Fates" for which Sadie Valeri, Alia El-Bermani and myself were models

 Sadie Valeri, Alia El-Bermani, Rachel Constantine, Stefani Tewes

 Sadie Valeri, Diane Feissel, Alia El-Bermani, Rachel Constantine, Stefani Tewes

 My painting of Rachel Constantine at left, at right the painting of me (and a kitten) by Alia El-Bermani

 Angela Cunningham, Alia El-Bermani, Shannon Runquist

 Mario Robinson with a self-portrait by Rachel Constantine

 Diana Cobb Anstey and Alexandra Tyng

 Alia El-Bermani, Rachel Constantine, Stefani Tewes and Angela Cunningham

 Katherine Lofft and Rachel Constantine

 Cindy Procious and Mario Robinson

 Mia and Veronique Bergeron

 Cindy Procious and Linda Tracey Brandon

 Terry and Carly Strickland

Mia Bergeron and Cindy Procious

L'exposition "Expedition"

Because I'm certain I haven't posted enough about it yet, I'm going to remind you-all out there on the Internets that "The Expedition and Beyond" is opening this Friday, April 13, at Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA! Check out Principle's blog post on the show at this link, and the image below, an ad featured in this month's edition of American Art Collector:

Aaaaaaand... there is more! We also have an article in this month's American Art Collector - here's a sneak peek:

Some of my fellow artists in the exhibition have written about the upcoming exhibition - we're all looking forward to it, and to seeing you there!!
Alexandra Tyng's blog
Alia El-Bermani's blog
Carly Strickland's blog
Katherine Stone's blog
Linda Tracey Brandon's blog
Sadie Valeri's blog
Terry Strickland's blog

MORE! Here are some kindly other writers and artists who have posted regarding the show:
Matthew Innis
Paula O'Brien
Tricia Ratliff

Underpaintings.

I wanted to take a moment to extend thanks to fellow artist Matthew Innis for his coverage of the upcoming "The Expedition and Beyond" show on his blog Underpaintings, which celebrates excellence in representational art. Click here for a link to the post: http://www.underpaintings.blogspot.com/2012/03/expedition-and-beyond.html

The art community is lucky to have as talented an artist and writer as Matthew regularly sharing commentary, research and exhibitions pertaining to representational painting. Definitely check out his blog on a regular basis!

Cataloguing the "Expedition" exhibition.

I am so pleased to announce that the catalogue for the "The Expedition & Beyond" exhibition is now available for purchase! I'm also happy to report that my painting of fellow artist, fellow expedition participant and fellow Philadelphia resident Rachel Constantine is featured on the cover of the catalogue, yay! You can order your very own copy at the following link:

http://www.matterdeeppublishing.com/books/the-expedition-beyond

The Expedition and Beyond: a video sneak preview.

Greetings! As I mentioned in my previous post, things are gearing up for the April exhibition at Principle Gallery - "The Expedition and Beyond." Participating artist Terry Strickland has created the following video preview of the show, a collection of work by 13 artists who painted and lived together for a week in November 2010 on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina (just outside of Charleston). Enjoy the video:

On Expedition!

I'm happy to announce that the kind folks at Principle Gallery will be hosting an exhibition opening just two months from now, including works inspired by the Charleston, SC painting expedition I participated in with 11 other wonderful artists in November 2010! More information on the painting expedition can be found at this link - and some preliminary information on the upcoming exhibition "On Expedition" can be found at this link.

The artists on the 2010 expedition have developed and maintained strong connections during and since the trip; the friendships and comraderie fostered by the trip have inspired an ongoing dialogue about life, painting, and women's role in contemporary representational art.

The painting below is one I will have in the show, stay tuned for more!

guest (portrait of artist Susan Lyon), 9"x12", oil on panel, 2012

The unbearable likeness of being.

Just a reminder - three days until the opening of a fantastic portrait show here in Philly! I'm honored to be included in a show alongside some great people and amazing artists, including alumni and faculty of PAFA and Studio Incamminati, as well as artist Alexandra Tyng, whose portrait of Louis Kahn was recently acquired by the National Portrait Gallery (see my post on this here). Hope to see you at the opening this Thursday night - here are the details again:

"Likeness"
A group exhibition showcasing portraits - curated by Brooke Hine, sponsored by InLiquid
February 1st - March 28th, 2012
Opening Reception: February 2nd from 5:30 - 7:30

Location: Philadelphia Board ofEthics
The Packard Building
1441 Sansom Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Participating artists:
Rachel Constantine
Kerry Dunn
Stephen Early
Diane Feissel
Katherine Fraser
Amy Kann
Jon Laidacker
Carlo Russo
Alexandra Tyng
Lea Wight

smoke, 20"x20", oil on canvas, by Diane Feissel

Principle Opening - "From What I Remember/From What I Forget"

Despite unexpectedly wintry weather in Alexandria, VA, there was a great turnout of wonderful people for the Broad Street Studio-curated exhibition "From What I Remember/From What I Forget" at Principle Gallery! Here are some photos from the reception last Friday night - if you missed it, the show is up through the middle of February, check it out! Here are some photos from the reception:

 Artist Elsa Muñoz with her painting "Half-Light"

 Me, at left, with Mario Robinson and his painting "The Novelist"

 L-R: artists Scott Kiche, Mario Robinson, Alia El-Bermani

 L-R: Artists Mario Robinson and Judith Peck, and a guest

 Artists Elsa Muñoz and Alia El-Bermani

L-R: Artists Diane Feissel, Jason John, Mario Robinson 

 L-R: John Feissel, Diane Feissel, Alia El-Bermani 

Painting by Jason John to the left of the fireplace, painting by Josh Suda above the fireplace

Thanks so much to Principle Gallery for hosting this great event, and to Broad Street Studio for putting together a great show! I was super-honored to be included!