Artist Statement
I am an abstract painter and mixed media artist, living and working in Philadelphia. For the past 8 years, I have been a full member of the 3rd Street Gallery and also exhibit at several other venues within the area.
Primarily an oil painter, I also incorporate found objects, mixed media and collage into my work. Drawn towards the element of texture, I enjoy experimenting with layers of fabric, random materials, printmaking and layering the surfaces of my paintings. The end result may range from a rough impasto build up to a smooth silk surface.
Throughout the years, my work has been strongly influenced by urban living in surprising ways. For example, when I first moved to the city I was struck by conversations overheard during my daily walks. I collected random words spoken by strangers that struck a cord in their sound, emotion and message. Unedited, and cumulated over the course of a year, I ended up with a series of paintings and drawings entitled, “Talk on the Street.”
This series depicted raw and spontaneous emotions. Many of which suggested feelings of frustration and isolation; such as one painting entitled, “Is anybody Listening?”
Over the years, the city continues to shine with gems of inspiration. Objects may range from the color of rust reflected in the sun off an old shop window, to cracks in the sidewalk, and family trophies displayed in the front window of a row house.
One example, from a photo I took of a plastic white swan nestled within a cinder block wall of a back yard melted my heart.
Within my life and work, I try to follow the words of the poet, Mary Oliver…
“Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”
EDUCATION
Rutgers University - Camden, NJ
BA Art and Education, Painting Emphasis
Certifications: Art/High school, Early Childhood, Elementary
University of the Arts - Philadelphia, PA
MAE, painting emphasis
Master’s thesis: “Exploring Meditation & Its Effect On Creativity”
Zen Arts Intensives, retreats and workshops in the Arts.
Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, NY.
Ongoing practice for several years as a member of the Mountains and
Rivers Order of ZMM.
NAB (Norristown Arts Building) - Norristown, PA
Residency for 4 years
Continuous workshops with Timothy Hawkesworth
Tyler School of Art - Temple University, Phila., PA
Painting workshops
Pottery workshops
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila., PA
Visual Arts Teaching Programs
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS
High School Art teacher - Collingswood, NJ, 25 years
Philadelphia Red Cross
Volunteer as a DAT (disaster alert teem) responder.
Taught art classes to children at the Red Cross House
And other homeless shelters in Phila., PA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Gallery at St. Asaph’s - Philadelphia, PA 2020
“Urban vibes and other inspirations”
Griesing Law Exhibit - Philadelphia, PA 2018
“Talk on the Street”
3rd Street Gallery - Philadelphia, PA 2017
“Bella and Sharkey Reflections of the past”
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2020
Group Exhibition, “Transition”
3rd Street Gallery - Philadelphia, PA 2019
“Inside-Outside”
Salus University Art Exhibition, Elkins Park, PA. 2018
Group Show
3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA - 2016
“ Changes Space & Other Oddities”
Srd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Post 5th Annual Members Exhibition - 2015
NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery- Norristown, PA
19th Annual Exhibition 2015
University of the Arts - Philadelphia, PA
“Making It Alumni Exhibit” - 2015
Off the Wall Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
“But Is It Art?”
Community Juried Exhibition: Award: Best In Show- 2014
Off the Wall Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
“On the Grid”
10th Annual Juried Exhibition 2014
8rd Street Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
4th Annual Exhibition 2014
3rd Street Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
“Assemblage: A Convergence of Art”
Members Exhibition 2014
NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery - Norristown, PA
18th Annual Exhibition 2014
The Philadelphia Sketch Club - Philadelphia, PA
“Domestic & Wild”
Members Exhibition and Benefit for the Philadelphia
Welfare Society 2014
The Philadelphia Sketch Club - Philadelphia, PA
Works on Paper
Juried Exhibition 2014
The Philadelphia Sketch Club - Philadelphia, PA
150th Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings
Juried Exhibition 2013
Group Exhibitions
The Philadelphia Sketch Club - Philadelphia, PA
Absolutely Abstract
Juried Exhibition 2013
NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery - Norristown, PA
Annual Exhibition - 2013
NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery - Norristown, PA
Community Group Show 2012
Exhibitions prior to 2012
Stedman Art Gallery, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
NJ Burlington County Art Guild
Mt. Laurel Art Guild
Community Arts Center, Swarthmore, PA
Honorable Mention
University of the Arts Continuing Ed. Art Exhibitions
The Philadelphia Orchestra Art Exhibition, Kimmel Center,
Phila. PA
Art Reach Exhibition and Auction
Private Collections
Professional Affiliations
Art Reach Art Exhibition and Auction
National Art and Education Association
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Barnes Foundation
Related Work Experience
Adjunct Professor (Art Education for 3 years), Rutgers University
Guest Speaker, Rutgers University
“Artist in Society”
PUBLICATIONS
Handbook of Drawing - By Nathan Goldstein - Feature published drawings
Delaware Valley Journal of Poetry. - Poetry published with honorable mention