In a youth crazed society, anxious about the marks of age, I am an aging white menopausal female baby boomer, WHO does not want to be EXTREMELY MADE OVER! I am a marked woman, distinguished by the topographical history of my flesh, maps of the memories of my life.
My work speaks of change, metamorphosis, and transcendence. People age. Through art, universal in its capacity to communicate, I hope to encourage dialogue about the inevitable, gradual evolution that we all must experience if we are fortunate enough to grow older. This visual conversation can elevate our awareness and acceptance of the natural process of transformation, to create an environment that will transcend the superficial, and embrace more dignified values and standards of beauty.
This work begins with photographs of myself and people familiar to me, or my face pressed directly in the photocopy machine. Multiple photocopies are then manipulated to transform the image. Hundreds of these are filed and kept. Significant to my work is the evolution of process, which intensifies the development of my vision. Through the abandonment of traditional methods of working once held so sacred, I am freed to think for myself, placing strict limitations upon my individualized methods. Self imposed restrictions of subject, tone, color, and mark-making enhance the poignancy of the content. There is a gradual breakdown of overall image, yet simultaneously the constituent parts become more specific, enhanced and real (hair, skin cracks, crevices, wrinkles, etc.). Paintings and drawings emerge concurrently, connected by process, consistency of vision, and pure obsession. It is the details that most accurately define myself and therefore, reflect in my art. It is the process that defines this work. Abstract clusters of entangled lines describe intimate glimpses of delicate mortal filigree. An obscured facial fragment emerges slowly, as I experience and choose each wrinkle, crack and crevice.
The image, intentionally conceived, analytically maneuvered, then methodically placed upon sand coated surfaces prepared with exact densities of sand to influence hue and texture, is then painted with a varied palette of sand, and finally oil. Distanced from content, after these many aspects of an extremely calculated process, the image miraculously emerges with its own voice. I can revisit these images, because the end result is always new! Despite my intensely controlled process, the image that appears eventually dictates to me, and I am happy to comply and be guided. Repeatedly, I am amazed, surprised, ecstatic, as I await the emergence of this new image with its own life and voice!
Artist Bibliography
2008 Newhall, Edith, “Face Time,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 25, 2008
2003 Fallon, Roberta, “Making Room,” Philadelphia Weekly, June 25 – July 2, 2003, 38
Donohoe, Victoria, “The Arts,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 5, 2003, L3
2000 “Artworld,” Art in America, November 2000, 182-84
Sozanski, Edward J., “New directions and some new artists,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 20, 2000, W38
Hill, Lori, “firstfridayfocus,” City Paper, October 5-12, 2000, 33
Greenberg, Adam, “Upper Dublin artist-up real close, personal,” Ambler Gazette, September 20-26, 2000, 1
“Artpeople,” Art Matters, September 2000, 34
Donohoe, Victoria, “Exhibit celebrates state of the arts on PA,” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 30, 2000, MC3
Bingaman, Brian, “Celebrations,” Reporter, July 28, 2000, B4
1998 Sozanski, Edward J, “Works on Paper,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 17, 1998, W40
1997 “Emerging Artists,” Art Matters, August 1997, 8-9
1996 Donohoe, Victoria, “The Arts,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 26, 1996, D8
Education
1997 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA MFA, Painting
1978 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
1974 Philosophy and Appreciation of Art with Violette de Mazia, Director, The Barnes Foundation, Merion, PA
1969 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA BFA, Painting; PA Teaching Certificate
Awards & Honors
2002 Irma Rosenau Memorial in Painting, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2000 The Leeway Foundation Edna Andrade Grant in Painting
Second Prize in Painting, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Juror’s Choice Award, Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists, Conshohocken, PA
1997 Honorable Mention, The William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, PA
1996 Wheeler H. Page Memorial Award, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Bibliography
2008 Newhall, Edith, “Face Time,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 25, 2008
2003 Fallon, Roberta, “Making Room,” Philadelphia Weekly, June 25 – July 2, 2003, 38
Donohoe, Victoria, “The Arts,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 5, 2003, L3
2000 “Artworld,” Art in America, November 2000, 182-84
Sozanski, Edward J., “New directions and some new artists,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 20, 2000, W38
Hill, Lori, “firstfridayfocus,” City Paper, October 5-12, 2000, 33
Greenberg, Adam, “Upper Dublin artist-up real close, personal,” Ambler Gazette, September 20-26, 2000, 1
“Artpeople,” Art Matters, September 2000, 34
Donohoe, Victoria, “Exhibit celebrates state of the arts on PA,” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 30, 2000, MC3
Bingaman, Brian, “Celebrations,” Reporter, July 28, 2000, B4
1998 Sozanski, Edward J, “Works on Paper,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 17, 1998, W40
1997 “Emerging Artists,” Art Matters, August 1997, 8-9
1996 Donohoe, Victoria, “The Arts,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 26, 1996, D8
Publications
2012 InLiquid Calendar
2011 Cover art, book of poetry,
2006 Catalog, Northern Liberties NOW, Philadelphia, PA
2000 Catalog, The Leeway Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
1997 Catalog, Fine Arts, Museum of American Art, Philadelphia, PA
Collection
Linda Lee Alter, Founder, The Leeway Foundation, Philadelphia, PA David Marshall, Entrepreneur, New Hope, PA Ivy Silver, Chair, Board of Trustees, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA Works are also included in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe
Affiliation
Cerulean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA Old City Jewish Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
Professional Experience
2010 Interior design/renovation of 1200 Square foot space, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Adjunct Editor, Yiddish Yoga, by Dr. Lisa Grunberger
1992 – 1994 Certified Healthcare Designer, Milcare, A Herman Miller Company, Horsham, PA
1984 – 1992 Design Manager, Designer, Joseph Rothbard & Company, Philadelphia, PA
1981 – 1982 Teacher, Painting, Drawing, Creative Movement, Cheltenham Art Center, Cheltenham, PA
1972 – 1973 Art Teacher, Hanover Public Schools, Hanover, MA (Massachusetts Teaching Certificate)
1969 – 1971 Teacher, Art and English Conversation, Seoul, KOREA
1966 – 1969 Portrait Artist, Louis’ Artist Village, Atlantic City, NJ
1965 – 1985
Vocalist, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, NY
Lectures and Talks
2008 Meet The Artist, Cerulean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2005 Visiting Artist, Lecture and Critiques, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
2003 Visiting Artist, Lecture and Critiques, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
2000 Panel Discussion: four Leeway Foundation Grant Recipients in Painting, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibitions
Solo
2008 Fragments: New Moments, Cerulean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2001 Decompositions, Community Gallery Solo Series, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
1998
ART NOW, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Group
2012 Self…Portrait…Self Portrait, Old City Jewish Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA 3 Person Exhibition
51 Mitzvahs, Old City Jewish Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Because, Old City Jewish Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Dear Fleisher, 4×6 Inches of Art, Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Cerulean Arts’ 2nd Anniversary Exhibition, Cerulean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Home Show, with Busy Bee Design, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
2006 New Work, Feed Your Soul LLC, Corporate Headquarters, Jersey City, NJ
2005 Gallery Artists Group Show, Projects Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
A Papered Approach, Projects Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2003 M.O., Project Room, Philadelphia, PA
2002 Annual Juried Show, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2001 15 Exposures, The Alumni Association of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Conjunction with US Artists: American Fine Art Show, 33rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA
2000 The Painter’s Eye, Nexus/Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA
Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2000, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Open Juried Exhibition, Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists, The Galleries at Schuylkill Printing Plant, Conshohocken, PA
60th Annual Juried Exhibition, The Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Annual Juried Exhibition, Artforms Gallery, Manayunk, PA
1999 Annual Juried Show, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
Works on Paper 1999, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
Wayne Art Center 1999 National Spring Open Juried Exhibition, Wayne, PA
1998 100th Annual Fellowship Award Winners, Museum of American Art, Philadelphia, PA
1998 Juried Art Show, The William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, PA
Works on Paper 1998, Beaver College, Glenside, PA
IDENTITY, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
1997 Pushing the Limit, Artforms Gallery, Manayunk, PA
Works on Paper, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
The Unbroken Line, 1897 – 1997: The Centennial Exhibition of the Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Museum of American Art, Philadelphia, PA
Emerging Artists Exhibition 1997, Artforms Gallery, Manayunk, PA
Master of Fine Arts: Thesis Exhibition, Museum of American Art, Philadelphia, PA
1996 Contemporary REALISM ’96, Philadelphia, PA
35th Juried Exhibition, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Other
2012 InLiquid benefit v.12, IceBox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
2008 A Show of Hands 18, MANNA Art Auction, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
2007 A Show of Hands 17, MANNA Art Auction, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
2005 The Drawing Center, Portfolio Review with Curator and Painter, Luis Camnitzer, New York, NY
2003 The Drawing Center, Slide Registry, New York, NY
2002 7th Annual Art Auction, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
