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."
Handbook of Drawing, by Nathan Goldstein Feature published drawings
Delaware Valley Journal of Poetry Poetry published with honorable mention
Professional Experience
High School Art teacher, Collingswood, NJ
Philadelphia Red Cross, Philadelphia, PA Art instructor for children at the Red Cross House and other homeless shelters
Rutgers University, Camden, NJ Adjunct Professor, Art Education Guest Speaker, Artist in Society
Professional Affiliations
3rd Street Gallery Art Reach Art Exhibition and Auction National Art and Education Association
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 Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, NY Zen Arts Intensives, retreats and workshops in the Arts Ongoing practice for several years as a member
NAB (Norristown Arts Building), Norristown, PA Residency for 4 years Continuous workshops with Timothy Hawkesworth
Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA Painting workshops Pottery workshops
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA Visual Arts Teaching Programs
Selected Exhibitions
Solo 2022 Lines Numbers & Guests, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2020 Urban vibes and other inspirations, Gallery at St. Asaph’s, Philadelphia, PA
2018 Talk on the Street, Griesing Law Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Bella and Sharkey Reflections of the past, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Group 2020 Transition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2019 Inside-Outside, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2018 Salus University, Elkins Park, PA
2016 Inside-Outside, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015 POST 5th Annual Members Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
19th Annual Exhibition, NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
Making It Alumni Exhibit, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2014 But Is It Art?, Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA Juried Exhibition; Best In Show
On the Grid, 10th Annual Juried Exhibition, Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
4th Annual Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Assemblage: A Convergence of Art, Members Exhibition 2014, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
18th Annual Exhibition, NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
Domestic & Wild, Members Exhibition and Benefit for the Philadelphia Welfare Society, Philadelphia, PA
Works on Paper Juried Exhibition, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
150th Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Absolutely Abstract, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA Juried Exhibition
Annual Exhibition, NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
2012 Community Group Show, NAB Arts at Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
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 University of the Arts Continuing Ed. Art Exhibitions The Philadelphia Orchestra Art Exhibition, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA Art Reach Exhibition and Auction Private Collections
