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Come and Refresh at BANG!

Well it's that time of year again - BANG! - the holiday end of year extravaganza is starting this Friday evening 7-9pm with the Member Preview. Don't worry if you aren't a member of 1978 Arts Center - you can join on the night and still receive your 10% discount on all purchases that evening.

AND the hot mulled cider is on the menu again! So stop by for a cup or two, whilst you enjoy the art at your leisure. No long checkout lines, no Ho-Ho-ing Santas and not a jingle bell within earshot. bliss!

The show is in its 7th year and is still the best place in town for unique, quirky one of a kind gifts you won't find anywhere else. I had a sneak peek as I was setting up my booth this week, and the selection is better than ever.

Over 40 local artists are showing small scale original artwork, include paintings, photographs, sculptures, prints, ceramics, jewelry, note cards, drawings and more. Whether you are looking for a stocking stuffer or a special gift for your significant someone, we'll have something to delight and tempt you. Many of the artists will be there to answer your questions through the two weekends. I will be at the there 1st, 8th and 9th as well as at the opening, if you would like to stop by and say Hi

Come and take a real Art Break!

December 1&2, 8&9 2012Member Preview : Friday November 30th 7-9pmBANG! 7 : Buy Art Now Guys! 1978 Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, NJ 07041 1978artscenter.org

Studio Tour on Sunday

A unique Back Stage Pass to over 60 artists studios and local gallery spaces across South Orange and Maplewood, featuring nearly 60 painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and multimedia artists.

A great chance to see the artists in their natural habitats. To see their materials laid out, their sketches, the view from the studio window... the discarded snacks and coke cans under the drafting table...and maybe pick-up a memento or two

stop by the Preview show at the Pierro Gallery for a sampling of the work. Or plan your self guided tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

Artists Studio Tour : Jo Bradney 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

A Little More Light at the Art Fair

This little candle nub was all that was left after last years big snowstorm and 3 day blackout (whiteout?) And one last match

A small reminder to "Be Prepared"

Stop by the shows this weekend for a peek

Saturday June 2, 10-5pm (includes FREE admission to the Museum) Affordable Art Fair Montclair Art Museum 3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042 www.montclair-art.com

Select from art made by a diverse group of artists offering pieces at prices under $500. Help support local and emerging artists while expanding your own collection! Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear local musicians, sponsored by Whole Foods Market Montclair. PLUS free admission to the Museum

*Participating Artists* Luis Alves Collage, Alina Bliach, Jo Bradney, Aric Calfee, Gabrielle D’Angelo, Liz Demaree, Robyn Ellenbogen, Susan Fidlon, Michael Hart, Linda A. Ippolito, Ji Yong Kim, Wendy Letven, Maria Lupo, Cathy Pilkin, Adam Pitt, Christopher Reach, Brandon Rechten, Janice Reis, Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar, Christine Soccio, Lisa Stoeffel, Doreen Tighe, Victoria Tullo, and Julian Weitzenfeld.

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

A FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and exhibition spaces across South Orange and Maplewood, featuring nearly 60 painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and multimedia artists.

stop by the Preview show at the Pierro Gallery for a sampling of the work. Or plan and print your tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Artists Studio Tour 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

Edible Art Morsels at the Fair

There is a terrific article in the Huffington Post about the joy of "angel investing" in emerging artists. Author Hilary Harkness recommends kick starting your collection by meeting the artists, or visiting them in their studio to create a unique connection to the art. Read : Why You Should Collect Art by Emerging Artists

These little morsels will be making their debut this weekend at the Montclair Art Museum's Affordable Art Fair on Saturday and in the South Orange Maplewood Studio Tour on Sunday. And at under $100 they would be the perfect starter piece for your collection (mini easel included). These are just 4x2", and sit perfectly on your desk - a ready reminder to take a tea break

My personal budding art collection affords little moments of joy every day. When I have my morning tea with Miss Mae by Sarah Petruziello; when I clean my teeth watched by Joy Yagid's beady eyed raptors; or when I get a quirky look from one of Florence Wint's sculptures, I am reminded of the unique personality behind each creation.

Each piece serves as a reminder of a connection I share with its creator - whether it is a sense of humor, a sense of wonder or a sense of whimsy, they each have a resonate quality that reminds me of that shared affinity and bring a smile to the day. Joy and Florence will be at 1978 Gallery with me on Sunday, and visit Sarah in her brand new studio on the tour. (so jealous!)

Saturday June 2, 10-5pm (includes FREE admission to the Museum) Affordable Art Fair Montclair Art Museum 3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042 www.montclair-art.com

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

stop by the Preview show at the Pierro Gallery for a sampling of the work. Or plan and print your self-guided tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Artists Studio Tour 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

Rainbow Sprinkles at the Art Fair

Rainbow Sprinkles : oil on paper : 9x12"

They may be Yesterdays Donuts. The icing may have dissolved and smeared a little, the sprinkles may have smushed in to one blob of multi-color...and yet they still smell good enough to eat. So good that my hand stretches out for them involuntarily

Stop by the shows this weekend for a taste

Saturday June 2, 10-5pm (includes FREE admission to the Museum) Affordable Art Fair Montclair Art Museum 3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042 www.montclair-art.com

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

A FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and exhibition spaces across South Orange and Maplewood, featuring nearly 60 painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and multimedia artists.

stop by the Preview show at the Pierro Gallery for a sampling of the work. Or plan and print your tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Artists Studio Tour 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

Red Velvet Ruffles at the Art Fair

A very dainty pile of pink ruffles and frills - I just love the scalloped edges with touches of icing and the delicate transitions from rosy carmine through crimson to deep burgundy. Yum

Almost as tasty as creating the pile in the first place

Stop by the shows this weekend for a peek

Saturday June 2, 10-5pm (includes FREE admission to the Museum) Affordable Art Fair Montclair Art Museum 3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042 www.montclair-art.com

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

A FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and exhibition spaces across South Orange and Maplewood, featuring nearly 60 painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and multimedia artists.

stop by the Preview show at the Pierro Gallery for a sampling of the work. Or plan and print your tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Artists Studio Tour 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

Art Weekend Extravaganza

Lots of delicious new work for the two art shows next weekend - (2 shows in one weekend - I must be loony!) I will be posting a new image every day until then, but I hope you can stop by at least one of the shows to taste them in person

Saturday June 2, 10-5pm (includes FREE admission to the Museum) Affordable Art Fair Montclair Art Museum 3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042 www.montclair-art.com

Studio Tour : Sunday June 3rd 11-5pm

A self-guided tour of artists’ studios and exhibition spaces across South Orange and Maplewood, featuring nearly 60 painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and multimedia artists.

stop by the Preview show for a sampling of the work or plan your tour on the spiffy new website www.studiotoursoma.org

Artists Studio Tour 1978 Maplewood Arts Center 1978 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, New Jersey www.studiotoursoma.org

Preview/Post View Pierro Gallery Baird Center 5 Mead Street South Orange NJ 07004 www.pierrogallery.org

Poofs in Porcelain

I am really happy with the texture and brushstrokes in this little still life. The cheez poofs are good and crunchy and the slick sparkle of the china bowl is captured in simple clean strokes of paint

I didn't over noodle my Cheez Doodles

And I LOVE painting this bowl - I have a feeling this will not be its last appearance

Cheez Doodles with Great Auntie Win

My Great Auntie Win worked through two world wars and was a "wear your pearls to the beach" kinda gal - nothing should be saved for best. So I think she would approve of her delicate china being filled with only the best cheesey puffs for the ultimate movie time snack - such elegance!

Part still life, part family portrait, this one is not for sale. This one is just for me

Primary Primer with Pears

It seems to have taken an age for this grumpy old badger to shake herself awake from an extended Christmas hibernation. And of course after all that snoozing the painting muscles needed to be warmed up, eased back into shape and given just a little gentle stretching. I went back to the basics by "paring" down my palette to concentrate on color mixing The slightly aging yellow pear left in the fruit bowl after the festivities, has been immortalized in these 4 quick oil studies painted using just 3 colors - Permanent Alizarin, Ultramarine Blue, Cad Yellow - & White. ** If you need a primer on your primaries, check out the cool video at the end brought to you by Sesame Street, and by the colors Red, Blue and Yellow

These paintings are on gessoed watercolor paper which I like to use for studies and experimental pieces. I snap up the watercolor paper pads on sale and then add 3 coats of gesso to protect the paper from the oil in the paint.

You can see larger images of the paintings on Etsy - click the pic to see a close up of all that juicy brushwork Or if you are interested in owning one...or perhaps A Pair?

Yellow Pear III - small oil painting - 9x9"

Yellow Pear IV - small oil painting 9x8"