From my Studio Door

Artist Sighting: Louise Nevelson, SOHO

2012-02-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

White Vertical WATER, Louise Nevelson, 1972

Lousie Nevelson
Artist Sighting from my New York days.

In my early days in New York, fresh out of school from the University of Iowa, I would periodically have Artist friends from out of town, drop by for a visit. Often they came to see various art shows in the city. Their art networks were very interesting, so it was always exciting to be invited to join them.

On one particular occasion, a sculptor friend invited me to join him for a party in SOHO. Soho in those days was still a very dark part of town in the conversion process from an old factory loft area to artist's studios and undocumented residences. A place you were careful not to go to, unless it was with a trusted friend or two.

After the taxi deposited us in these darkened and quiet streets, I was still a bit uncomfortable. We proceeded into the designated building, again dark inside. One small beacon of light, designated the freight elevator that would take us upstairs to our destination. I was thankful that my companion was familiar with navigating this part of town.

The elevator groaned as we were lifted to the correct floor. The door opened to a huge room filled with people and light. A gathering of artists, all famous in their own right. I remember being introduced to various artists, but the one that got my attention, was Louise Nevelson. At that moment, Louise was experiencing great frame and had to be well into her 70's. Floating her way through the crowd with her long lashes, heavy mascara and the crowning turban, she gave off an aura of who she was....and indeed very comfortable with herself.

Years later, I discovered a couple of friends here in Chester County, who had also known Louise and were good friends with her. Ritchie Beards, the owner of The Bookplace in Oxford, Pa...told me of his acquaintance with Louise. And some time later, his wife Ginny, left a poem at our house after a local writer's critique gathering.

I thought you would find this interesting so I asked Virginia's permission to share this poem........
_______________________________________________________________

Mrs.Nevelson

by Virginia Beards

Thetail lights on I-95, “burning roses,”

ofa long polished polenta pot, “Now dear, that’s beauty.”

Indifferentto utility, she savored shapes—

avelvet riding helmet for theatre going,

ablack cat for form, not for mousing.

Fromthe detritus of everyday life

shehammered out a cosmos,

ordered, harmonious, whole,

regal and compelling.

Stuffleft curbside on garbage night—

packingcrates, machinery guts,

chairstretchers, spindles

stairbalusters, finials, BB gun butts.

She nailed, sawed and glued them all

into towers, totems, labyrinthine walls—

gold and white, but mostly black:

“Sky Cathedral,” “Dawn’s Wedding Feast,” “Sun Garden,”

“Black Moon,” “Totally Dark,” “Homageto 6,000,000.”

Undulatingspires, geometric groupings, vertical coffers.

Chaostamed, anarchy framed.

Spectacularmelding of right and left brain.

All the while the rarely sober Teddystood by,

an operating room nurse

passing along the required tools—

gin, nails, advice and complaints.

Nevertheless,her empowering muse.

Exploring Black

2012-02-13T04:23:00.000-08:00


Mixed Media on paper, SOLD

I love to push the rules a bit.......this time exploring Black.

In this abstract work, I deliberately sought to push black as both color and texture. Layer on layer, it finally emerged.

"Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace, and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day." -- Winston Churchill

A fine Wine Label .....entry

2012-02-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

"Primary One", one of two companion pieces

Recently had a little fun submitting an image of a work that sold, to a wine label contest. I've not done such a thing before, so I was a bit hesitant. After some gentle urging from a fellow artist, I made the plunge. There are so many beautiful entries....but decided I had nothing to loose. Don't expect to win, but just wanted to tell you about it.

This work was one of two companion pieces. The originals are no longer available, but It and it's companion are available on my print site.

Art Donations - Artist's point of view

2012-02-10T04:29:00.000-08:00

New today:

Art Donations from the Artist's point of view

Before asking for an art donation to your favorite fundraiser, consider these business guidelines for an artist.
(See Page: Entered in the reference pages on the right)

HGTV feature

2012-02-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

A few years back I was told by the principals of my website of that time that my large work called
"Pink Petals" was featured on HGTV. I thought it was a fun story......although I never personally saw it.
So just for fun, I thought I would show you that piece.....

Pink Petals, Acrylic on canvas.

I feel that this piece represents the middle ground between my realism and abstraction. Enjoy.

Inspired by Gerhard

2012-02-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

An Artist for all seasons...

A few years back, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, featured the works of Gerhard Richter. As an artist, he addressed both abstract and realism. Often delving into photography and other zones. Mr. Richter was a real renaissance artist of our own times.

As I look back, I realize that this was a turning point in my career as well as many other artists of these times. It was no longer necessary to have just ONE vision as an artist.

My guess for the future?
More of us will embrace the modern concept. We no longer will be bound by our regional location or geography. We can show in regional galleries, shows, our studios, even online. Always looking for the best place for our own personal vision. And best of all, ALL of our meanderings and journeys as artists will be celebrated as the "footprint" of our artistic careers.

Thought of the day

2012-02-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

Prairie Memories, Oil on Panel

Thinking about my mid-western roots as a landscape painter......

"Because the prairie is very stark, paintings of it tend to convey an abstract feel of color and light. They are the middle ground between landscape and contemporary abstraction. ..unknown author

New Blog : How it works

2012-02-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Lots of Changes....Now up and running!

In "FROM MY STUDIO DOOR".......I am looking forward to some fun stories about my life as an artist.

This blog will be a companion blog site to my regular website (link above). I have spent a lot of time thinking about the needs of consumers in this ever changing world of ours. I have attempted to address some of them here. In addition, I hope to put a personal face on all of this....and perhaps a bit of humor from time to time. Hope you enjoy the information, and come to understand why I am so devoted to having an online presence with my art ......along with the traditional local shows and gallery circuits.

HOW IT WORKS

New posts...Sign up for regular E-mail if you like.

Pages (on the right) will be edited periodically, since they are designed to be a stationary presence. I think you will find them to be helpful in art selection, planning for art and design in your life. And also loaded with gift selections for those special occasions.

The Silberman Studio facebook link (above) will keep new happenings in the market place and the museum world of art and design at your fingertips. I will refer to them from time to time. Currently, you will find an interesting link to one of my favorite artists: Gerhard Richter. Check it out. Join this page if you are comfortable with Facebook.

Prints (see link above) My prints are largely from sold works from the past. In some instanced, there might be current works that are available as an original and a print. If there is something you are looking for that is not currently showing, it may be in my password protected files. Contact me.

Contact information is in the "Total Profile" at the bottom of the page. Would love to hear from you!

Now........back to the studio!

Hydrangeas: The seeds of a series.

2012-02-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hydrangea on Yellow, 12" square

Lavender Hydrangea, 16" x 20" frame

When we moved to our farm, there was an unloved, hydrangea bush in our backyard. As a part of the initial clean up, I clipped it back. The pruning brought lots of new growth. I waited patiently to see what might unfold. I was thrilled when a gorgeous old fashioned hydrangea appeared. The initial flower was white. Then is moved into a pink and green mode....and eventually toward a wonderful soft brown in the fall.

Since then, Hydrangeas have been a periodic source of inspiration for me. The colors ramble all over the color palate. The structure of the vegetation changes. Size, mediums, abstracts, realism, and experimental modes.
It has become a "muse" of sorts.

I always have a few in my studio.
and a few prints of this early works on my print link.

Inspired by Rea Redifer, an early teacher

2012-01-29T06:27:00.000-08:00


Abstract Floral, 12 inch square, Oil on Canvas

There are some days in my studio, that I simply put the jazz on, and see where the paint will take me. When I work this way, I am thinking about my early studies with Rea Redifer, a brandywine regional abstract watercolor artist.

I still remember all those serendipity moments with his brushes. He demonstrated often......and inspired many an abstract artist in this region. Rea was not your typical watercolor artist....he loved integrating white pigment into his works, and loved the "let it flow" approach. He was a huge fan of, and studied under the Wyeths. When we showed up for his classes, we frequently had to stand back as he splashed his brushes to clean them in his huge bucket of water.

Each night after class, I would go home a play back all of his lessons in my dreams. To this day all these years later, I still find moments that remind me that he is still with me in spirit. This piece, is an example of that.