Friday, December 11, 2009

REMINDER - HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE THIS SATURDAY



Artist Karen Friedland will be showing her work at her annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, this Saturday, 12 noon – 5 PM at 190 Marlborough Road, Brooklyn. Original paintings in acrylic, pastel and oil, as well as prints, notecards and jewelry will be offered.

“This is an opportunity for people to give one of a kind art gifts for amazing prices. I’ve slashed my pricing to make it easier for my customers during these tough economic times, “ stated Friedland. “By giving a work of art, you are showing loved ones your own creativity and giving them something truly unique.”

The Prospect Park South sale is located near the Q train, Beverly Road station. Refreshments will be served. For directions or more information, go to the website: www.ArtistKaren.com or telephone: 718-826-1261.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

BCAT Interviewed Me About FAST

As founder and executive director of FAST (Flatbush Artists Studio Tour), I was one of the artists interviewed by independent videographer, Djenny Passey for Brooklyn cable television, BCAT. It took a while for them to broadcast, then post & for me to make it through my technological foibles to share it with you. Here it is: BCAT interview. I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille...and my 1 minute 42 seconds of fame. What do you think?

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Color and Music




Anyone who knows me knows that I just love color. I love it bright and pure, active and energetic. I've discovered another artist who loves color, it would seem, as much as I. Here is a blast of red that just makes me want to stand up and cheer.


I discovered him quite by accident as I cruised youtube. There he was -- painting to music, or rather, painting music itself, to a lively beat that corresponded to the creation of his painting. I investigated further and discovered that he paints best in performance and creates ma
ny of his paintings on demand, in front of an audience. Even his representational pictures are
painted with the same fervor and improvisational skill.

I also love that he paints big and even in circles. You can take a look at his website:www.jonasgerard.com or his video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXODxFzn9mU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Is he painting color or music?

Monday, November 30, 2009

A Weather Woman


Going through a local blog recently, I found the work of a fascinating artist, Maggie Tobin. While we have never met (a condition I hope to remedy one day) we live rather close to one another. Her website http://www.maggietobin.com/prints/calm.html demonstrates a sensitivity to nature, and the effects of weather in nature that is quite distinctive. She works in a variety of media and her paintings and prints have the same etherial quality.Her tornado print "Calm Again; The Beaufort Scale Revised 10" http://www.maggietobin.com/prints/calm/10.html just blows me away. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) But my favorite thing on her website is her flipbook "Tornado by Maggie Tobin" http://www.maggietobin.com/flip.html--really cool. Take a look & tell me what you think. Should all artists make flipbooks?

Holiday Art Show & Sale Dec.12th


Saturday, December 12th, 12 noon - 5 PM


where: 190 Marlborough Road

Prospect Park So., Brooklyn

Q train, Beverly Rd. station



GIVE AN AFFORDABLE ORIGINAL -- One of a Kind Art Gifts at Bargain Prices

Show your loved one’s your creativity and good taste with a give of art this holiday season at prices that are almost too good to believe! Paintings and prints by Artist Karen Friedland, beautifully framed and ready to hang, will make your gift truly unique. Pick handmade jewelry or notecards that will thrill those special people on your list.


Enjoy a glass of wine and some refreshments as you peruse the colorful artwork. Bring a friend & come on over!


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Studio Tour Partners



During the Studio Tour, I shared my space with two wonderfully accomplished artists, Nancy Beranbaum and Selma Cooper. Nancy makes paintings that are filled with unique and energized patterns. Selma produces soft, evocative paintings that portray her travels. I wanted to share their work with you here. The patterned piece in the photo is by Nancy, the other, by Selma. You can see more of their work on the FAST website; www.flatbushartists.org.

Flatbush Artists Studio Tour--A Great Success!






The Flatbush Artists Studio Tour was this past weekend and it was a great success! The weather cooperated with us and I believe all our visitors enjoyed strolling our leaf-strewn neighborhood in the balmy sunshine. All of us have different styles and it made for an interesting visit. I was interviewed by Brooklyn cable television , which will run in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know.

Now that Flatbush Artists Studio Tour is over, I would like to thank our many visitors who made our 2nd tour a grand success! I am grateful to the numerous volunteers who worked so hard on this event.

The businesses and individuals who lent their financial support to FAST made it possible for hundreds of visitors to enjoy the arts in our neighborhood. These supporters and sponsors demonstrated their commitment to the flourishing arts community in Victorian Flatbush. Please patronize these builders of our community.

Supporters:
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Brooklyn Hearth Realty
State Assembly Member Jim Brennan
Kestyn Real Estate
Midwood Martial Arts and Family Fitness
Midwood Wellness
Brooklyn Premier Orthopedics

Sponsors:
Almac True Value Hardware
Andrew G. Oliphant, DDS
Beranbaum Menken LLP
Connecticut Muffin
Cortelyou Road Pediatrics
Natural Frontier Market
Grace Eyecare
Greenfield Pharmacy
It's a Dog's World
Johns Bakery
Lindeman Florist
Mary Kay Gallagher Real Estate
Met Food
Namaste Yoga of Kensington
Newkirk Liquors
Nina Talbot Art Studio
Pomme de Terre
Sacred Vibes
San Remo Pizza
Sycamore
The Farm on Adderly
VoxPop.

See the artists work at: www.flatbushartists.org

Friday, November 6, 2009

FAST Celebration


Last night was the Gala Opening of Flatbush Artists Studio Tour Group Show. What a success & what a great party! Lots of food & wine complements of show supporters, Drs. Winoarsky and Lewin. Beautiful artwork artfully hung by Paul Catalanatto, Ernst Mohammed & Ana Hagan. Great crowd, somewhere around 150 attending, would be my guess. A great precursor for a wonderful weekend. (Picture of me by one of my paintings at the show.)

I am opening my home studio this weekend, 190 Marlborough Road (between Beverly & Albemarle, Beverly Rd. station on Q train) as part of the Flatbush Artists Studio Tour. Saturday & Sunday, 11AM-4PM, come have a glass of wine & some nosh & see my work. I am unveiling a new jewelry line as well. Then you can stroll the leafy streets of this beautiful Victorian neighborhood, in what is predicted to be perfect fall weather, and see the rest of the artists' work. Looking forward to seeing you then.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Flatbush Artists Gala Group Show Tonight


Tonight is the Gala Opening of the FAST Group Show, 7-10PM at Newkirk Medical Center, 1414 Newkirk Av. (Newkirk station, Q train). Preview the artists' work, wonderful food & wine, music & some of the most beautiful people in Brooklyn! The picture is by my friend, Paul Cattalanato, who hung the group show.

I will be opening my home/studio for theFlatbush Artists Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8, 11AM - 4PM. My studio is at 190 Marlborough Road (#7 on the map) where I will be joined by two of the artists that make up the 23 participating. I am the founder and executive director of the tour, so I have done the utmost to make it a great success!

Come walk our beautiful leafy streets and see the artistry that flourishes here. For the map and more info, go to:www.flatbushartists.org.

Friday, October 23, 2009

THROUGH THE GATE - MOROCCO


Part of my continuing series on Morocco, THROUGH THE GATE-MOROCCO, is acrylic on paper, 21" x 16" with special pricing for the Flatbush Artists Studio Tour of $645. You can see it on the tour on Nov. 7-8, Saturday and Sunday, 11AM - 4PM. I am #7 on the map, available at many businesses in the area and online at
www.flatbushartists.org. Also join our facebook group & see some more work there at

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=41620&id=100000234205171.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Flatbush Artists Studio Tour the weekend of November 7 – 8, 2009


Flatbush Artists Studio Tour the weekend of November 7 – 8, 2009
The second annual Flatbush Artists Studio Tour (FAST) will take place Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Our Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7-10 pm at Newkirk Medical Center at 1414 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn. 23 visual artists of ‘Victorian Flatbush’ will open their studios to the public in a weekend-long, self-guided tour throughout the park-like, historic districts of Prospect Park South and Ditmas Park. Admission to the tour is free. Tour maps, artists’ profiles and additional event information is available at www.flatbushartists.org.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

L'SHANA TOVA

BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 5770!

Goodbye Mary Travers


I was so saddened to learn today that Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary died this week. She had been ill with leukemia but ended up succumbing to the deadly side effects of the treatment.

Peter, Paul and Mary were there throughout most of my life. They were on the mall in Washington singing out for racial equality in 1963. Their music reached people of all ages & beliefs; the child in each of us played in Honolee with Puff, the magic dragon. Mary's distinctive voice made the trio unique and her warmth, humor and commitment to what she believed was right came through in concerts and recordings.

I was lucky enough to see her in one of the last concerts the trio would ever play, in May in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She was in a wheelchair and on oxygen but undaunted as she sang throughout the concert. Her voice was a bit reedy at times and her discourse hindered some by her breathing challenge. Yet when she was singing, it was with strength and melody, letting us hear the Mary we all loved. At the intermission, the conversation was filled with concern for Mary. It was a dedicated audience filled with long time fans. Mary with partners, Peter Yarrow & Noel "Paul" Stokke were met with rousing response to their performance; it was truly a love fest.

Mary was so well loved and I was one who loved her. She will be missed.

Read Paul & Noel's tributes to her on their website: www.peterpaulandmary.com.

Monday, September 7, 2009

LAST DAY FOR SAN REMO SHOW


Tomorrow, Labor Day, I will be taking down my show, "The Women" at San Remo Restaurant on Cortelyou Rd. Here's your last chance to take a look. Or did you see it?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

FINDING FRACTALS



In 1976, a mathematician named Benoit Mandelbrot invented an new kind of geometry called FRACTALS. Mandelbrot looked at things that appear to have endless complexity like mountains, trees, plants, veins and arteries, the clouds in the sky. He looked at them and realized that each form, when looked at from a distance, has the same structure when you zoom in and look at a small section. Each time you look at a smaller section, it will again have the same structure. Each form is endless repetition.

I watched a show on NOVA on PBS about this and have realized that art is even more related to mathematics than I thought. Artists have always emulated nature and without being conscious of creating fractals, have included this natural phenomenon in their artwork.

You can see the NOVA show and learn more yourself at: http://video.pbs.org/video/1050932219 or on my Facebook page.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Paradise By Another Name

As I sit in the palaba, a kind of gazebo roofed in sugar cane thatch, near the top of a mountain in Nicaragua, I can hear birds and monkeys, insects and frogs compete to have their voices heard in the night sky. Night falls early here in Central America, about 5:30 and the sun doesn't linger on the horizon--within moments of its descent, the colors disappear and darkness ensues.

We enjoy our last day here in San Juan del Sur tomorrow, celebrating my daughter's 17th birthday. We will have a handmade pinata and her host family as guests.

I haven't done much artwork on this trip, even though the intent was there, but I have taken many photos and breathed in the beauty of this land & its people. I have visited ancient places where Mother Nature continues to demonstrate her supremacy. I look forward to returning home & sharing the lessons I have absorded through my art.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Archway- Morocco


Crazy summer -- hot and cold, the rain seems to persist. I've been traveling - to Seattle, Victoria, Canada and Laguna Beach, Calif. and now I'm off to Nicaragua. There the rain visits daily and heat is constant, as temperature and humidity combine to make "real feel" temps as high as 112! Yikes! Not sure how I'll survive this one but it is bound to be an adventure.

The art adventure continues with this painting of Morocco "ARCHWAY - MOROCCO". Gazing through the Moorish gateway, we see a father and child make their way through the old city, the medina. I witnessed this scene but the color and creation are all my own. 24" high x 20 " wide. Acrylic on paper. $1050.

Friday, July 3, 2009

"THE WOMEN"


An exhibit of my work will be shown at San Remo Restaurant on Cortelyou Road (By Rugby). The opening reception will be held Thursday, July 9th, 6 -9PM. "The Women" will consist of some brand new work, never before shown, as well as some older favorites. "I love painting women, each time I get to tell another story of a woman's life. Each story is fascinating, mysterious."

The painting, STARLIGHT, above, is a new creation. It is 26" x 20", watermedia on yupo synthetic paper. A foray into a new support, yupo, is like painting on a flexible sheet of plastic. Nothing absorbs into the paper, therefore all colors sit on top, making them even more vibrant.
Part of the STAR series, I am exploring using words in my artwork.

"THE WOMEN" EXHIBIT AT SAN REMO RESTAURANT OPENS THURSDAY, JULY 9TH

Sunday, May 17, 2009

More Springmaid







Just a few more pics from Springmaid. The busy shot gives those of you not there some sense of our work environment. Good light, lots of tables & people diligently engaged in creating. The Atlantic Ocean just beyond.

The other pictures are from gallery night. Here's a good shot of the whole group. The grey haired gentleman surrounded by all the women is our teacher extraordinaire, George James.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

MODELS IN OUR MIDSTS








The art never stopped the week we were in Springmaid for George James' workshop. Even at night, we were diligently at work at our art.







On Wednesday evening, a group of us negotiated with the models to return so we could do

some more drawing. Unfortunately, the regular models never showed up. But never fear...our ever resourceful artists took the situation in hand! Cathy and JoAnn stepped up (literally) and had a go. They really got into it, striking some rather fetching poses. It was hard to get much drawing in with all the laughing. But it was a very productive night, nonetheless. Great friendships forged and solidified--and a lot of fun!

Do we think there's a career opportunity here? Don't give up the day jobs just yet, girls!

GALLERY NIGHT

Our final night of the workshop is always Gallery Night. Each class displays selections of the work completed during the week. It was really a fabulous group that we had this time and the work reflected it. I only captured a few of my friends here with their work that night, everyone was so busy during the cocktail hour showing. (That's me up top with my work.)


We ate and drank all too well that week but tried to burn it up a bit with nighttime forays to the gym with Kathleen & Cathy and walking the beach with Nancy Bilbro .
Had a chance to be with my buddy, Nancy Beard and had a ball with new friends, Cheryl & Susie, pictured here with their work.

I tried to get a picture of my whole class with George but whoever took it must have been having way too good a time, as two versions of the picture were out of focus. Hard to do with a point and shoot.

We had a wonderful party that evening and made plans to get together this summer in NY and the Poconos. I'm still working out dates.

I really miss the people and working in a studio setting. All I learned from those around me, especially my great new friend, Cathy Hegman, was truly a gift. Being with dear friend Kathleen Conover is always an uplifting experience. I love the intensity of it all, the ever stimulating environment. I cherish sharing the work, the accomplishment and frustrations, the energy. It's a synergistic experience. Coming back is always difficult, this year it seems harder than ever. In many ways, I feel closer to my painting buddies than to my friends at home. There's a bond.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Models Start The Process





We were fortunate to have models come in to our workshop at Springmaid. It is fairly unusual and we were lucky enough to have two terrific models. This was not their primary livelihood, but rather just a side interest. They came with fun clothing in different silhouettes, filled with pattern and color. I just love drawing clothed models, something that's very hard to find, especially in New York. They provided lots of material to work from for the paintings.

More George James Lessons

George spent another lesson working with scale. He drew the two front figures in a way that you saw their totality and so they related to one another. He then added the head and neck of a woman, quite large behind them. To the left, he added a large hand. Since the picture plane is 2 dimensional, one need not be constrained by the precepts of reality. The large head and hand add a lot of interest to the design, filling the space with something unexpected that makes the viewer puzzled and pondering about the picture. George used the opportunity to demonstrate how he sculpted the features of the face.

George And The Women

As we were lucky enough to have models, George was able to do his demo with subjects we had all shared. He drew to the figures with water soluble pencil and proceeded to lay in grey tones to develop the value pattern and design. I loved watching him do this as it is so different from the way I work. I constantly find myself lost in Mid-value Land, where the colors bright and intense, mostly seem to live. I know value is probably a better way to design and I am willing to learn intellectually but my artistic self is reluctant.

George established the values with greys and then went back and added color based on that pattern. I have not tried the grey thing; perhaps that is a means for me to learn this lesson.