Art and Artist Are in the Spotlight Studio Artists Set
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol.2 No. 1 Winter 2009 Art and artist are in the spotlight Studio artists set ashington, DC will be a L Wilson’s personal items featured in the painting, for gallery show Wspecial place for Studio such as the microscope, Incamminati Founder and Artistic are planned for he first-ever gallery show dedicated permanent display at the Director Nelson Shanks this year. Tto showcasing the works of Studio Smithsonian Institution. Both, his artwork and the artist Incamminati artists is set for June at the Bucks Edward O. Wilson Gallery of Fine Art in Newtown, PA. The himself will take center stage there. Nelson Shanks On April 25, Nelson receives Oil on canvas catalog show is further evidence of Studio 2008 – 2009 Incamminati’s growing reputation in the art the Portrait Society of America’s 50” x 46” M most distinguished honor, the world. In the past few years, the studio’s artists Gold Medal, at a special ceremony increasingly have been garnering prestigious during the group’s annual Art awards and commissions. of the Portrait conference. The It also illustrates the studio’sgrowing presence Gold Medal is awarded to artists in Bucks County.Working with the Central Bucks who have made a significant Chamber of Commerce, Studio Incamminati has contribution to the art of the already enjoyed a successful art auction and sale portrait. Previous award recipients and a landscape-painting workshop. include Andrew Wyeth, Jamie “This is another step in our growth,” said Wyeth and Burton Silverman. Executive Director Jay Pennie. “We are very Then, Nelson’s portrait of excited to be working with the Bucks Gallery esteemed American naturalist and of Fine Art in this important first step Pulitzer Prize winner E. O. Wilson for Studio Incamminati.” will be included in the upcoming National Museum of Natural ARTISTS OF STUDIO INCAMMINATI Opening reception I Sat., June 6 I 6 - 9 p.m. History exhibition “Ants,” running from May 30 – Oct. 10. The portrait was painted in Boston at Bucks Gallery of Fine Art I Fenway Studios and at Nelson’s 201 South State St. Newtown, PA 18940 215-579-0050 home studio at Chelwood. for high school students. In addition to our ever- The excitement continues popular Intensive Painting and Advanced ven as I catch my breath and reflect on Many of them will explore full-time studies here. Portrait workshops featuring demonstrations by Ehow exciting 2008 was here at Studio On March 14, Instructors Kerry Dunn and Nelson Shanks, we have new offerings featuring Incamminati, it is clear 2009 is shaping up to be Stephen Early present to members of the Greater Sherri McGraw and Jon deMartin leading more of the same. Norristown Arts League. April 25, Nelson drawing workshops and Dan Thompson Our recent approval to join the Shanks receives the prestigious Gold Medal from teaching figure painting. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor the Portrait Society of America. I’m eagerly looking forward to this event- Information System eases the path for foreign Our artists show their work at new filled 2009 and sharing it with all our old artists to study here. We have already welcomed exhibitions at the Church of the Holy Trinity on and new friends. a woman from India as our first-ever full-time Ritttenhouse Square in May and at the Bucks student from abroad. Gallery of Fine Art, Newtown, PA, in June. On March 27-28, we welcome artists from Our summer workshop schedule kicks off around the country at our annual Open House. in June with our new Emerging Artists workshop Executive Director Studio Incamminati welcomes your support. For information, please call Executive Director Jay Pennie at 215.592.1918. 340 NORTH 12TH STREET I SUITE 400 I PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107 I www.StudioIncamminati.org I 215.592.7910 First-year students: diverse backgrounds, shared passion to paint W ILL D ICKINSON J ASON E SPEY S ARAH F REDERICKS PENNY H ARRIS Previous life: National Park Service, Architect Previous life: Construction worker, art student Previous life: Office administration in cosmetic dentistry and in the Previous life: Painter U.S. Senate uring a marathon painting session at an ason discovered Studio Incamminati on the enny, an experienced artist and Pennsyl- D art league in Virgina, Will asked people JInternet while attending an art school “out esearching art schools led Sarah to a visit P vania Academy of Fine Arts grad, says she where he could pursue a daily schedule of west.” Reviewing the Studio Incamminati R to Studio Incamminati. had reached a wall in her artistic development. intensive painting. The near-unanimous website, the Huntsville, AL, native was Though she had heard positive comments answer: Studio Incamminati. He has been impressed by the student work and the Talking with instructors and school about Studio Incamminati, it was a Nelson impressed by the studio’s approach of curriculum. Seeking more intensity and focus administration, she found that her intense Shanks painting demonstration that prompted measuring everything in visual terms. Simple in his art studies, he felt this was the next step interest in figurative work would be satisfied. her to enroll. The experience here has been forms and shapes competently drawn result in in his career progression. Even though the Sarah, who commutes daily from outside “incredibly challenging and exhilarating,” she the understanding of complex forms. There isn’t instant gratification, workload is daunting and the goals seem far off, he says, the Baltimore, MD, says she hasn’t been disappointed because the school says. “I’ve learned more in these few months than I ever have before.” he notes, it takes time, endurance and focused concentration. instructors’ knowledge and guidance assure him that he is achieving has changed the way she thinks about light and forms and the rhythm artistic mastery. of the figure. A LISYN K UNTZ M ONICA L EVINE A DELE M CCOY E LLIE M CC ARDELL -S AMUELSON Previous life: Mother, homemaker, graphic designer, illustrator, set Previous life: Interior designer in Chicago Previous life: Taught art education in public and private schools, Previous life: high-school student designer, creative director for her husband’s corporate administrative roles. software company n Open House was all it took to llie’s prep school art teacher recognized a A convince Monica that Studio ager to jettison corporate life, Adele’s art E talent that she felt could best be lthough she had attended a studio Open Incamminati was the place for her. Almost E background led her to research art schools sharpened by attending art school full-time. A House, it was a classroom moment in immediately, she says, she saw the students’ where she was intrigued by the painting- Her teacher knew of Studio Incamminati’s instructor Robin Frey’s class that was the work, felt the positive energy and “knew I had intensive atelier approach. That, of course, led reputation and steered Ellie there. After impetus for enrolling full-time, says Alisyn. to be there.” She continues to be inspired by her to Studio Incamminati. Adele says she is visiting the studio and speaking with While she is enthused by the mission of the upper-level artists who, she says, keep her continually amazed at how basic concepts, instructors and students, Ellie knew it would bringing realism to the forefront of art, she focused on working hard and progressing to executed with lots of easel time, elevate her be the best opportunity for her. says it is the passion and generosity of the people in her classes that the next level of achieving her own artistic goals. work. She is equally excited by the sense of community, brought by have affected her most. teachers and students, which makes the time productive and enjoyable. C HRISTINA ROSE S AKIKO S HINKAI J AY VARMA C AROLINE W EITZMAN Previous life: Freelance illustrator and graphic designer Previous life: Office worker Previous life: Owned and managed an advertising studio, a publishing Previous life: Student at Brandeis University, earning a B.A. in art company and a pub. history in 2008. he Florida transplant says she knew akiko wanted to improve her painting T about Studio Incamminati, but it was S through the intensive study of light and ay came from India to study fine arts at the aroline decided her goal of becoming a mutual friend of hers and instructor Kerry shadow and by mastering the contrasting JUniversity of Michigan, but discovered Cpainter could best be realized in an Dunn’s that prompted her to take evening and values of an object and the surrounding area. Studio Incamminati on the Internet, and came atelier. She chose Studio Incamminati at the weekend classes. That led to enrolling in the Studio Incamminati, she says, has given her to Philadelphia. recommendation of Rob Liberace, a former Portfolio program. She is surrounded by that opportunity. The native of Japan, who instructor at the school. The skill and inspiration and her art has improved most recently lived in Hawaii, says she is He has been moved by learning the core generosity of the instructors, and the diversity dramatically, she says: especially impressed by the way the advanced principles of the gesture in the human figure of their methods, approaches, and styles, has students are eager to help the newcomers. The studio develops all the and how the artist moves from big shapes to smaller ones, keeping made a dramatic impact on her painting, she says. “You just have to come with determination, focus and an open mind.” artists, she says, and “No one is left behind.” refinement of the line until much later.