Painting the Soul of America

Just Up the Road (Lynn Woods) - recent painting

2010-11-12T14:22:00.002-05:00

This is a recent piece of Lynn Woods, which is as the title would suggest: "Just up the Road (Lynn Woods)"

Lynn Woods is 2200 acres of woods, water and small fields offering a plethora of beautiful views and vistas, including the Boston skyline, Atlantic Ocean, and other awesome sites, both near and far.

Paint the Parks Touring Exhibition include's Jeff's work

2010-10-12T07:56:00.005-04:00

Greetings all,

Received a bit of good news recently regarding my painting "Resurrection (Houck's Ridge) Gettysburg National Military Park" as it has been selected as part of the Paint the Parks 2010 Touring Exhibition.

The piece will tour the USA for a year as part of the exhibit, which opened October 1, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri at the Old Courthouse Gallery where the infamous Dred Scott trial occurred. Other venues that will host this exhibition include the Kolb Gallery, Grand Canyon, Arizona, and the Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth, Virginia. A full schedule as well as images of the pieces selected for this exhibition can be seen by visiting the above link. Below is the official press release.

Thanks as always for your support.

Artistically yours,
Jeff

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Rod Seel, PaintAmerica Exec. Director
For immediate release 816.806.3340
Terry Weber, National Park Service,
Old Courthouse; 314-655-1717

“Paint The Parks” National Touring Exhibition Returns to the Old Courthouse
PaintAmerica Association, a national non-profit organization to support the visual arts, will be exhibiting the Paint the Parks100 at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, MO. The exhibit runs from October 1, 2010 to January 9, 2011. Paint the Parks is a national touring exhibition of contemporary representative paintings by some of the top artists in the world, depicting America’s National Parks. The exhibit is organized by PaintAmerica, a Topeka, Kansas-based, organization to support and promote the visual arts and artists. As one of the leading traveling exhibitions in America, it features the works of many of the country’s most recognized contemporary artists, as well as several talented emerging artists. The exhibit is created annually from a national juried artists’ competition, and includes the 100 highest scoring pieces from nearly a thousand total submissions. The show can also be viewed online at www.paintamerica.org

The exhibit at the Old Courthouse will include the Grand Prize Purchase Award painting by Will Maller of Los Altos, CA, depicting Yosemite National Park. Other major juror award winners included in the exhibit are Thomas Schaller’s "Great Hall – Ellis Island"; William Silver’s "Feather Display"; and Brian Slawson’s “Spring on the Yellowstone River.” The Paint The Parks exhibit features many different mediums and illustrates a variety of regional painting styles. The showing represents the third time the Old Courthouse has hosted this popular national exhibit. Past shows have traveled around the country to venues in St. Louis, the Chicago area, Shreveport, the Grand Canyon, West Palm Beach, Topeka, and St. George, UT.

The Old Courthouse is part of the National Park Services' Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (JNEM), which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse. Visitors to the Old Courthouse can also tour restored courtrooms and history galleries, as well as learn about the historic Dred Scott trial and other significant cases that took place in the building. The site is located at 11 North Fourth Street in downtown St. Louis, MO and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free.

PaintAmerica was established to support and promote the arts, with a goal of providing scholarship opportunities for young artists, while providing a premiere, national showcase for the country’s most notable artists, as well as upcoming emerging artists. “We are delighted to partner with the Old Courthouse and the National Park Service,” stated Rod Seel, Executive Director of PaintAmerica. “This is a unique exhibit venue, with the paintings hung around the magnificent rotunda on multiple levels, and we’re proud to bring this terrific exhibit to St. Louis once again.”

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Pastels by Invitation - 2010

2010-08-08T16:50:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to drop a quick note about a national invitational only exhibit that includes my work. Hopefully if you get down to Cape Cod in Massachusetts over the next month you will be able to check out the show. Below is a brief description of the show as published on the Pastel Journal website. Can't make it? Then check out the link to see works included in the exhibit. Thanks as always for supporting my work.

Artistically yours,
Jeff

The "Pastels By Invitation" show at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, Mass., exhibits paintings by a select group of nationally recognized artists. The knockout show features work by 52 pastel artists including, Jeff Fioravanti, Frank Federico, Alan Flattmann, Albert Handell, Anne Heywood, Christine Ivers, Kim Lordier, Rosalie Nadeau, Maggie Price, Fred Somers, Sally Strand, Urania Christy Tarbet, Duane Wakeham, Jimmy Wright, and many other acclaimed painters.

M.E.G. Foundation Celebration to feature artist Jeff Fioravanti

2010-05-19T19:20:00.002-04:00

On May 20th, 5;00 - 7:30 PM I will be exhibiting a selection of works (pastel and oils) at the Marleah E. Graves building, formerly The Cliftondale School, in Saugus. Massachusetts, as part of the The MEG Foundation celebration. For those unfamiliar with this group, they are attempting to create a cultural center in Saugus. There will be music provided by the Saugus High Jazz Band and the Rosewood Strings as well as light refreshments. A portion of any sales of my artwork for the evening will go back to the MEG Foundation. Come one, come all, and celebrate the arts in Saugus!!

Artistically yours,
Jeff

“Art Blog Keeps Morgan Elementary School Art Class in Touch with Massachusetts Artist”

2009-10-22T16:31:00.000-04:00

Lynn, MA (October 13, 2009) – for just about a month now, the students of Ms Rahrig’s art class at Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio have had the unique opportunity to ask questions of artist Jeff Fioravanti, a nationally recognized and award winning pastel artist from Lynn, Massachusetts.

How does an artist from Massachusetts become part of an art class at an elementary school in Ohio?

“As a visual artist with a web site, I receive a number of queries through my contact page” mentioned artist Jeff Fioravanti. “Now the down side to that is you also get a lot of spam and scams, I want to buy your painting, please ship it to my home in South Africa, etc., etc., and so you have to be skeptical at times when you open up those web site queries” added Jeff.

“Sometimes though, you get something that is rather unique and special. I’ve gotten contacts from relatives whom I had never met, developed friendships and perhaps the most interesting thus far has been the contact from Ms. Jenna Rahrig, the art teacher at Morgan Elementary” commented Mr. Fioravanti.

“This is my 4th year teaching and I decided 3 years ago to name my tables in my class after an important artist” stated Ms. Rahrig.

“I started off using artists such as Picasso, Degas, Pollock etc. The students would at sometime during the school year, ask me if the artists were still alive and I always had to reply with a no. So last year, I taught my 4th grade class about 6 different Ohio Artists since the students study Ohio History in Social Studies” added Jenna.

“This year I decided to combine my "Happy Birthday to the Artist of the Month" bulletin board with my classroom tables. One day I was looking on the internet for this project and http://arthistory.about.com/od/artistsbdays/l/bl_feb.htm when I found Jeff’s name listed” continued the art teacher. “I investigated him and his work further and decided he was the type of artist that I wanted to share with my students. As part of that project, I started an art blog where the students, parents and staff can ask questions of Jeff” continued Ms. Rahrig.

“So far, I think it has been a most enjoyable and informative manner in which to involve the kids in art, and get them to talk to and receive answers to their art questions from a real life artist” added Jenna.

Ms. Rahrig is in her fourth year teaching art to grades 1-5 at the Morgan Elementary School, 3427 Chapel Road, Hamilton, Ohio.

Jeff Fioravanti, who is listed in "Who's Who in American Art" and “Who’s Who in America,” is a member of several nationally recognized and respected art associations. Possessing signature membership in three of the most prestigious pastel societies in America including, “The Pastel Society of America, New York, NY”, “The Connecticut Pastel Society, Meriden, CT” and “The Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Barnstable, MA”, the artist is noted for his common man, evocative and touching treatment of his subjects. He especially continues to gain notoriety for his series of works featuring the pristine landscapes important to the foundation of our nation including the “Hallowed Ground” of America’s Civil War.

For additional information about the artist, please visit his web site at http://www.fioravanti-fineart.com, or contact him via phone at 781-595-5961. Additional information may also be obtained by visiting, A.R.A. Gallery, S. Hamilton, MA, Art 3 Gallery, Manchester, NH, and T.L.G.U.T.S., Lynn, MA.

Jeff receives two awards at National Juried exhibit in New Hampshire

2009-09-20T15:18:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, The Pastel Society of New Hampshire opened its 2009 National Juried Show “It’s Pastel” at the Discover Portsmouth Center Gallery, 8 Islington Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. More than 250 works were submitted for inclusion in the exhibition, of which 77 were selected.

The event was attended by approximately 100 artists and their families, friends, members of the New Hampshire group, and many arts patrons. The evening was capped by the presentation of nearly $6,000 in awards, consisting of artist products and cash. The exhibition will conclude on October 19, 2009, and the gallery is open for viewing seven days a week from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

I was fortunate to have two pieces of my work selected for the show, and even more fortunate to have both receive awards. “Summer Repose (Belfast, Maine)” received the Richeson Pastel Award, a product award of Unison Pastels, while my second piece “Late Afternoon Surf (Bass Rock / Gloucester, MA)” received a cash award which was donated by The Vermont Pastel Society.

It was a nice evening, enjoyed and shared with family and friends. I met many new people and look forward to their friendship. If you get the opportunity, please visit the gallery and check out my work as well as the work of many of the other fine artists included in the show.

As always, thanks for your support, and hope to see you out and about in 2009 and beyond.

Ohio Elementary School Honors Artist Jeff Fioravanti for Upcoming School Year

2009-09-18T20:40:00.002-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that the Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio has honored me as one of six living artists the school will study in their weekly art class for the 2009-2010 school year.

Now one might wonder, how does an artist from Massachusetts become part of an art class at an elementary school in Ohio?

Well, as a visual artist with a web site, I receive a number of queries through my contact page.Now the down side to that is you also get a lot of spam and scams, so you have to be skeptical at times when you open up those queries.

Sometimes though, you get something that is rather unique and special. I’ve gotten contacts from relatives whom I had never met, developed friendships and perhaps the most interesting thus far has been the contact from Ms. Jenna Rahrig, the art teacher at Morgan Elementary.

When I queried Ms. Rahrig back, this is what she had to say:

“This is my 4th year teaching and I decided 3 years ago to name my tables in my class after an artist. I started off using artists such as Picasso, Degas, Pollock etc. But the students always asked me if the artists were still alive and I always had to reply with a no. So last year, I taught my 4th grade class about 6 different Ohio Artists since the students study Ohio History in Social Studies.

This year however I decided to combine my "Happy Birthday to the Artist of the Month" bulletin board with my classroom tables. I was looking on the internet and http://arthistory.about.com/od/artistsbdays/l/bl_feb.htm when I found your name listed. I investigated further and decided that Jeff was the type of artist that I wanted to share with my students.

And so, the artist from Lynn goes to Ohio to be admired, at least for this year, by 350 grade school children. A nice gig if you can get it! I am certainly happy to be a part of their school year! Thanks for the support, and hope to see you on the painting trail/scene soon.

Latest Work

2009-07-19T15:04:00.003-04:00

Good Sunday Afternoon,

I do hope this finds you well, and as always send my best. Summer is finally here along with the sun. Of course, that also brings the humidity which is never a favorite of yours truly. However, I still can't complain as I lasted until July 18th before turning on the AC.

Anybody who has ever driven the Northeast coastline and especially along the Coast of Maine, you will often see the little dinghy's and skiffs tied to the dock after a days work awaiting the next day when their owner comes calling to once again venture forth to harvest the sea. The Northeastern United States along the coast also possesses a special light that only serves to add to the romance of these scenes. Belfast, Maine is about an hour to hour and half east of Augusta and maybe 3.5 - 4 hours north of Boston. It's quaint, and relaxing and well worth the trip.

Until next, I remain,

Artistically yours,
Jeff

Latest Paintings

2009-06-16T20:33:00.003-04:00

Though I’m not as diligent at this as I should, being better at the visual word than the written word, and for that I apologize, it is not without reason as can be noted by the latest works displayed herein. I’ve also been participating in an exhibit in New York that just closed, was part of the recent LynnArts auction to benefit the arts programs in Lynn, as well as a number of other art related activities.
Though I may be lax on my posts, your continued support is appreciated and I hope our paths will be found together during the upcoming year.
Artistically yours,
Jeff

New Image posted to my web site

2009-04-09T19:40:00.003-04:00

For those who couldn't make the demo that I presented on this Saturday past (04/04/09), I thought I would share what I created. The title of this piece is: September Shadows (Saratoga National Park) To see a larger version, visit my web site at www.fioravanti-fineart.com and check out the historical gallery under Saratoga. Click on the thumbnail and there you go!

Saratoga National Battlefield is first and foremost a lovely landscape, with rolling hills, open fields and a view of the Hudson. There are actually two battles that comprise the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Freeman's Farm (09/19/1777) and The Battle of Bemis Heights (10/07/1777) Saratoga is key event in the War for Indepedence as it helped to bring France into the war on the side of America.

Pastel Demo by Jeff Fioravanti at Danvers Art Association

2009-04-02T20:14:00.000-04:00

Good Day All,

I will be giving a pastel demo on Saturday, April 4, 2009, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Danvers Art Association. The demo is FREE and open to the public. So, if you want to see how I might develop a pastel painting, have questions, or just want to come and say "Hello!" by all means, feel free! Hope to see you there!

Jeff

New Images Added to my Web Site

2009-03-28T14:24:00.007-04:00

Nice sunny Saturday here in New England today. Hope you are enjoying the same. Just wanted to share a couple of new images have been added to my web site. The first of Kaaterskill Creek in New York and is in the online gallery of the site. The second is of Saratoga Military Park and is found in the historical landscape gallery.

10th Annual "Pastel 100" Art Competition

2009-03-17T16:05:00.001-04:00

I am pleased to announce that my painting “Winter’s Glow (Lynn Woods)” has been selected as part of the Tenth Annual “Pastel 100” art competition sponsored by the Pastel Journal magazine. Consisting of five categories, Landscape/Interiors, Portrait/Figure, Still Life/Floral, Abstract/Non-objective and Animal/Wild Life, with approximately twenty winners per category, the “Pastel 100” is one of the most competitive in the medium, and garners more a thousand entries for consideration and inclusion in the exhibition. Featured in the April 2009, this is the second time my work has been selected as an award winner in the landscape category.

He's Created What I Have in Mind

2009-01-31T21:03:00.001-05:00

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Spending each weekend shoveling snow, five birthdays and a 50th wedding anniversary have kept me from much time at the computer. However, it has not prevented me from doing work and creating art.

Today, I have a unique experience to share. As many of you who read this blog know, I recently created a painting of Lily/Pranker’s Pond in Saugus. It is a place at which I spent many a moment of my younger life, honing my athletic skills with ash and steel in winter’s chill, or reflecting upon a summer’s eve. Wrapped in autumn’s fire, or the clean freshness of spring! Some of you who read this spent days with me there, exploring, playing, lost in our youth in this little oasis of nature.

Tom Sheehan is a master of the written word. A fellow Saugonian, (ok, I now live next door in Lynn) Tom shares that same connection to Lily/Pranker’s pond. Like me, he ventured there, in winter, picking the pocket of an opponent about to celebrate a winning goal. His experience in summer is more of stories told to me by my mother, fishing, swimming, or relaxing with that special girl or boy, rowing a small boat, like characters in a painting by Monet.

Some of you might recognize the name of Tom Sheehan in part because my paintings “Reflections (Gloucester Dory)” and “Burnside’s Bridge” have graced the cover of his books “Epic Cures” and “Brief Cases Short Stories”

The painting “Lily/Pranker’s Pond” which debuted on this blog back in December was actually part of a third collaboration between Tom and myself; I didn’t mention anything back then because I didn’t want to jinx things. (I’m superstitious like that. You should have seen my rituals for hockey and soccer)

Qarrtsiluni, an online publication recently put out a call for submissions for a piece they were developing entitled “Mutating the Signature” Briefly, the idea was that two creative artists, from different disciplines, or similar would collaborate in a manner that would show how the other or together could influence and inspire. As part of the submission, you also had to include the process used to develop the collaboration. You did not have to know the person with whom you were collaborating, just had to describe how that person has inspired you to create a reaction to the piece. It could be sculpture, audio, video, or in our case, written word and visual.

I created the painting, and then Tom wrote the poem. And now, I am happy to say, we’ve made the cut. The piece is up and online, and if you click the little speaker under the painting, you can hear the author read the poem which serves to only enhance the viewer’s experience. I hope you like it as much I had working with Tom to create this piece.

Here’s the link to the piece: http://qarrtsiluni.com/2009/01/30/hes-created-what-i-have-in-mind/

I hope you are all well and thank you for your continued support. Though I have several more birthdays’ arriving soon, including my own, I hope that I will be able to post more regularly. Until next, do take care.

Artistically yours,
Jeff

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T21:44:00.003-05:00

May the peace and joy of the season be with you and yours now, and throughout the New Year! Hope to see you in 2009. For you pleasure, I've included the following image of Pranker's Pond in Saugus, Massachusetts. I grew up in this town, and skated many times on this pond. This was painted as we like to say, "en plein air" while sitting on a bench by the pond edge. It's a small pastel, 7x9, painted on watercolor board, toned burnt sienna. It's not on my website, at least not yet, and is posted specifically for you! Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T18:54:00.002-05:00

At this time of year, when setting is just so, family and friends come to mind, of times past and yet to come. As I reflect upon these times and anticipate those yet to come, I am thankful for you my friends and family and wish one and all, my heartfelt and sincere wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Artistically yours,
Jeff

New paintings online

2008-10-25T16:47:00.003-04:00

Good Day All,

Just a quick note to let you know that I've posted a couple of new images online. They can be found at http://www.fioravanti-fineart.com/online.htm I've been busy, but mostly with placing a captcha on my web site contact page as I was getting a number of spam posts through my web site. Other things that have kept me busy is being a judge for the Danvers Art Association Autumn Show, and presenting my work to the Old Colony CWRT at their annual dinner. Lots of travel, which includes the pick=up of my work from the Connecticut Pastel Society Juried show down in West Hartford, CT., on 10/25/08. Whew! It's all good though as we travel about "Painting the Soul of America!"

I won an award in the Connecticut Pastel Society national show

2008-10-01T16:41:00.001-04:00

Well, driving through the rain has its rewards. I found out today that the pastel painting “Winter’s Glow (Lynn Woods)” which I dropped off on Saturday for the 15th Annual Renaissance in Pastel National Juried Exhibition has won an award!! I won the “Allied Artist of America” award. I guess that’s karma, since my tagline it “Painting the Soul of America” I believe it’s a cash award too; always a good thing!!

As a reminder for any who might be in the area, the exhibition is sponsored by the Connecticut Pastel Society and is held at the Saltbox and Clubhouse Galleries in West Hartford, Connecticut. Gallery hours are 1-4 PM, Thursday – Sunday, and the exhibition runs from October 2 – 26, 2008.

All kinds of hazards await the artist

2008-09-28T09:47:00.001-04:00

Being an artist is fraught with hazards, not only from the solvents and toxins which we breathe and often wear on our clothes and skin in our quest to bring inspirations to the world make-up the tubes, pans and sticks of colors, but there are of course the other hazards and challenges for finding that one angle or great image that often find themselves upon the canvas or paper. Then there are the other hazards we encounter in attempts to bring art to the people. Anybody who lives in New England and along the East Coast or anybody who might have been visiting this area of the country over the weekend will know just what was encountered as I traveled to Connecticut yesterday to deliver my painting to the 15th Annual National Exhibition “Renaissance in Pastel” to be held at the West Hartford Art League, October 2 – 26, 2008.

The normal travel time to this venue from my house is about one hour and forty five minutes. It took me more than 2.5 hours to and another 2.5 hours home yesterday as torrential downpours hindered driving, caused accidents, of which I was fortunately not involved, and turned highways into waterways. I had a tractor trailer pull into my lane without about four feet between my front and his rear, and another guy jammed on his brakes and stopped in the middle lane of the highway, forcing me to skid and maneuver into the next lane, which brought me up along side of him where I saw nothing in his front to merit such a move. The car in his front was at least four to five car lengths away. Fortunately I was even further behind him when he did this but still, it was a harrowing experience/ I had not driven in such rain since I got caught in a severe thunderstorm in Maryland on I-70.

All in all though, from what I saw, the show looks to be top notch, so I hope you get to visit. As always, thanks for your support and see you out “Painting the Soul of America!”

I'm In!!! Degas Pastel Society 12th Biennial National Juried Exhibition

2008-09-06T18:51:00.007-04:00

Hurricane Hanna is dropping its final few drops of rain as I type. Despite the storm outside, good news is sitting here by my keyboard. Today’s mail brought notice that I’ve had two of my pastel paintings juried into the 12^th Biennial National Exhibition, sponsored by the Degas Pastel Society and held at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, in Laurel, Mississippi. My works accepted into this prestigious show are “Late Afternoon Surf (Bass Rocks)” (right) and “April Surf Along Marginal Way” (below left) It’s interesting to have two works depicting the rocky coasts and surf of New England accepted into a show in the deep south.

Approximately 107 of the top pastel artists working today submitted work for the exhibition of which 80 paintings were accepted. Having two juried into the show makes it that much sweeter for yours truly. This has always been a top notch exhibition, held at some of the finest visual art venues in the south, and I am fortunate and grateful to have my work as part of the exhibition.

Though the majority of you who reads this blog live in the northeast, if you happening to be traveling on business or please be sure to make a trip to view the show! The exhibition opens on October 7, 2008 and runs through to the 15^th of November. An artists’ reception is scheduled for October 11^th, with times TBA.

The Degas Pastel Society was founded in 1983, and is one of the most respected pastel societies in the United States. The Society is aptly named in honor of Edgar Degas, (1834-1917), the artist most widely recognized for transforming pastel from a sketching tool into a major artistic medium. Pastel painting blossomed with his touch and his works have inspired countless artists.

Thanks for listening, and see you out “Painting the Soul of America”

New Paintings Online

2008-09-06T18:27:00.009-04:00

Just a quick note to let everybody know that I’ve added some new images to the online gallery at my web site; they are located toward the bottom of that page. Each image is noted by the word “New” in Red; two seascapes and two landscapes. Of course, all four images contain certain elements in common, most notably water, and three have rocks. These are areas that people have always appreciated about my work, so I hope you enjoy the latest creations.

Thanks for listening, see you out “Painting the Soul of America!”

It's time to walk away

2008-09-03T21:22:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to make a relationship work, without a willing partner you are doomed to fail. This is of course true in both a person’s personal and professional life, and often when you find yourself in such a scenario, your best move is often to just walk away.

My parents raised me on principles that espoused respect, honesty, dignity and integrity. You work hard, and good things happen. They taught me it was only common courtesy that if somebody called you on the phone and you missed the call, you owed them a return call. If not immediately, within the next day unless extenuating circumstances, such as, you’re on extended vacation, in the hospital, etc. prevents such a quick response, you offer sincere apologies at the delay and place the call. In modern terminology if somebody takes the time to send you an email, you owe it to them to respond, following the same ground rules as to the timeliness of the reply. (anybody who knows me, knows I am quick to reply)

The lessons taught me by my parents were further enhanced and strengthened through the friendships I have developed and enjoyed over the years. By the teachers who have guided me from my first days of first grade through to college and beyond. And finally from my coaches on the ice, baseball and football fields, and the soccer pitch.

I was taught that basically people are good. That belief and the path of values upon which much of my life has walked, have for the most part served me well. Sometimes, it has not served me so well. You believe, or want to believe, that those with whom you are in a relationship share the same values, the same vision, and that can at times, like love, make you blind to the truth and the failings of the relationship, the lack of sincerity of the partner. When that occurs, you have to learn to walk away.

Recently I had posted that Gallery 30 had asked me to remove my pastels from the gallery. They still wanted to carry the prints, which were selling, and were interested in carrying my oils, but they felt the pastels weren’t selling and needed to be removed. Though disappointed, I wanted to make the relationship a success and though I offered options, I never received a reply and made arrangements to retrieve the paintings in mid-August.

Just over a week plus I ventured south to do just that. Upon arriving at the gallery what struck me was, that though I could be wrong, but experience tells me that it is often difficult to sell an item when said item is not on display. The majority of the paintings were squirreled away upstairs and completely out of view. Discovery of this prompted me to take my first steps to walk away. Further investigation into the situation revealed that the reason they weren’t on display, the new owners do not particularly care for the battlefield. This would not bode well for the oils since they too depict the battlefield. More steps. Finally, though not least, and this may just be me, but, if somebody asks you to come to pick up your paintings from their gallery, you would think they would be more accommodating in their removal? I was told through a third party, on the day I arrived at the gallery to pick up the paintings, to come back tomorrow, they were too busy. Let’s see, eight hour drive, at their request, and they’re too busy? Maybe I’m overreacting, but I don’t conduct business in such a manner, and don’t expect the same in my business relationships, thus I thought it best at this time to take those final steps and walk away.

I still find great beauty and inspiration in the landscape of Gettysburg. I see it something more than a battlefield; it calls to me. I shall continue to paint its pastoral vistas and my irons remain in the fire and I may yet find a location to once again display my current and future works of that pristine field as well as other fields upon which the foundation of our country was formed. So, keep an eye on my web site, and this blog as we continue our journey “Painting the Soul of America”

Reminder - Two Art Exhibits

2008-08-14T19:35:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note to remind those who might be traveling in Connecticut near Danbury, or in Bennington, Vermont area that my work can be viewed in two current art exhibits.

The Signature Members of the Connecticut Pastel Society juried exhibition is on display until August 23rd at the Gregory James Gallery, located at 13 Main Street in New Milford, Connecticut. Contact the gallery at 860-354-3436. I am fortunate to have two pieces in this exhibit Lone Guardian Against the Storm and At Days End.

The Bennington exhibit, Impressions of New England, is at the Bennington Center for the Arts, 44 Gypsy Lane, in Bennington, Vermont. This exhibit features artists from all over New England offering the very best imagery of the six state area. Once again, I am fortunate have two pieces in this exhibition, Gloucester Surf and Red & Blue Dory. This exhibit runs through November 30th, and would make perfect stop during leaf peeping season.

(of course, in addition to these exhibits, you can also always see my work at the Art Research Associates Gallery in S. Hamilton, Massachusetts, or Art 3 Gallery in Manchester, New Hampshire)

Well, that’s all for now. See you on the other side of the easel as we going Painting the Soul of America

Hunting & Gathering (or chasing the muse)

2008-08-11T19:35:00.002-04:00

To be an artist, one thing you need to do and that is, you need to experience the subject matter which you hope to capture.

When I first started seriously painting, I worked mostly in painting still life. In my process of developing the still life, before I would ever develop the composition, I would pick through each item, hold it, twist it; look at it from every possible angle and in different types of light in order to get an understanding of its properties and character.

Before I create a landscape or seascape, you’ll often find me trekking all over, climbing, crawling, becoming infested with ticks, which is always a risk, as I venture to seek that perfect light or special angle; to see something from a direction not previously considered. By doing so, it keeps things fresh and interesting for me and for you.

My penchant for seeking such uncommon or not recognizable versions of known vistas is in part why I carry a cell phone. My wife was afraid I’d end up at the bottom of a ravine unable to call for help. I keep reminding her, if I’m at the bottom of a ravine, I’m probably dead, and wouldn’t be able to call for help anyway.

Of course, her fears are not unfounded as she and my daughter have seen me fall into a river in Virginia, off a rock and a fence in Pennsylvania, and sustain numerous cuts from branches up in Maine. Thankfully they don’t usually go with me when I’m out and about in Massachusetts as they would have recently seen me almost take a face plant into a swamp as I balanced on a rock to get that cherished resource material for a future painting.

I’ve mentioned this before, that while it perhaps is the most important component; it’s not just the imagery that makes the painting, but rather the total package and experience. Sight, sound, smell, all the sense play a part, as well as the weight of the air on a humid day, the spray of the surf into your face, or the pollen from the fully blooming flower.

While all the sense certainly play a part, there are a few times when two or more senses will work in tandem, offering equal weight, to create a truly magical moment that if harnessed can lead to fantastic results. I believe I experienced one such moment this past Sunday, while out walking Minute Man National Park.

I had been out gathering resource material and seeking possible places to paint “en plein air” when finishing up the day, thunder storms started to roll across the park. I was walking the trail that parallels the route taken by the British when a flash of lightning caused one to believe they were there amongst them, the musket flash, and thunder playing the part of the volley. I had a similar experience once before, while walking Antietam National Battlefield, which resulted in my painting "Burnside’s Bridge” I can only hope that when I settle in and create a work of Minute Man National park, the results are equally as satisfying.

Until next my friends, see you around the easel and out and about as we go “Painting the Soul of America”

15h Annual "Renaissance in Pastel" National Juried Exhibition

2008-07-28T15:57:00.001-04:00

The sun is shining today! I’ve just received word via the USPS, that my pastel entitled “Winter’s Glow (Lynn Woods)” has been juried into the 15th Annual “Renaissance in Pastel” National Exhibition sponsored by the Connecticut Pastel Society. As the number in the title would indicate, this is one of the longest running and I might add, most prestigious exhibitions for the pastel medium. It annually attracts the top artists working in pastel. I’ve been fortunate to participate in this show on several occasions and have also won numerous awards during my tenure, including the top of honor of “Best in Show” and I was one of two judges of awards for the 8th exhibition.

As it was last year, this year’s exhibition will be hosted by the West Hartford Art League, at 37 Buena Vista Road in West Hartford, Connecticut. This is a gem of a gallery set on lovely ground not far from downtown Hartford.

The exhibition opens on October 2, 2008 and runs through the 26th of that same month. An artists’ reception is scheduled for October 12th, from 2 – 4 PM. I hope that your travels will find you stopping in for a peek at what is sure to be top flight art exhibit.

Thanks for listening, and see you out “Painting the Soul of America”

Occasionally a little rain does fall

2008-07-27T11:30:00.002-04:00

When I decided to create this blog, it was done with the full intention of keeping you informed of my activities as they related to my artwork. I decided, that the information I would share would be both the successes and the failures, of course, hoping that the failures are few and far between. I don’t think you would want it any other way and I think that because you are signed onto this blog, you above all others will help to celebrate the good, and understand about the not so good.

If you live in the Gettysburg area or plan to visit that area soon, and you want to view, and of course purchase, some of my original pastel paintings, I would recommend that you make a point to stop in at Gallery 30, located on 30 York Street in Gettysburg, just off the town square.

Ok, with that now said, and now that I’ve perhaps added another stop for your itinerary while in that area, here comes the rain.

The reason I suggest that you get to Gallery 30 to take in some of my pastels is because it may be the last opportunity to see them in the Gettysburg area. I received word from the new gallery owners, new in that they have only owned the gallery less than a year, but they have recently sent me word that they would like me to come and remove my pastels from the gallery.

They currently still intend on carrying reproductions of my work, which have been selling really well and they would also like to show the few small oils that I’ve thus far created depicting the battlefield, so those are positives. Still, this is not written without a bit of sadness as anytime incidents such as this occur it is not without a bit of sadness, but upon reflection, they’ve occurred in the past, and I’m sure they’ll occur in the future. It’s the nature of the business. You use them make you stronger and become more determined.

I’ve been showing my pastels at Gallery 30 for approximately four to five years. During that time, I’ve found many new friends and supporters of my art, which of course, includes many of you who are reading this. For that I am grateful, and I look forward to continuing that friendship, and hopefully seeing all of you again at an artistic event in the near future.

Under the previous owners, I was consistently one of the top selling artists in their stable, especially during the annual History Meets the Arts weekend. The new owners unfortunately have not enjoyed that same success when it comes to selling the pastels. They’ve been much more successful with the prints but with the originals, not so good. The reasons for this could be anything, from the down economic times shadowing the country, a change in focus/philosophy at the gallery, a lack of education on all fronts as to what is and what is not a pastel.

Those familiar with the art world would know how the pastel medium has exploded over the past fifteen years, and I’ve been fortunate to be a part of that explosion with many sales including a recent sale to the Bank O f New Hampshire, an article in a major art magazine, several recent successful one man exhibitions, and my participation in a number of national juried exhibitions, resulting in many top honors and awards in those shows. However many galleries and/or their staffs have not kept pace with this explosion, and often those visiting galleries can’t get past the idea that a pastel is one of those craypas we all encountered in elementary school art class.

Though my pastels will no longer have a home in the Gettysburg area, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment, not just in the friendships I’ve developed with many of you, but because, in many ways, until I entered the fray, people interested in purchasing or owning a piece of artwork that offered a lasting impression of their visit to those pristine fields in South Central Pennsylvania, the peace and serenity, people who sought that reconnection, were out of luck. The majority of historical art, or art relating to Gettysburg is typically full of blood and anger and many people, though they may or may not know the history, don’t leave the battlefield with that memory. To that end, I think with my pastels, I offered something refreshing, something new, something soft and gentle of the battlefield. I think my approach to the battlefield has also helped to inspire other artists to pursue the same approach, as I’ve certainly seen, in my recent travels back to the battlefield, more and more artists painting the land for what it represents, a beautiful landscape, and second, lands upon which something traumatic occurred. Hopefully I continue in that vein with my oils.

My time at Gallery 30 is not over, just scaled back. I will not say that it isn’t disappointing though, for it is, however as already mentioned, it is not unusual in this business and I shall persevere. I will not cease to work in pastel either, and I hope that you won’t look on these latest events adversely. A little rain has fallen, which I shall merely gather, to drink when my throat is parched, or to feed a flower that might fall beneath my eye and upon my canvas. It is water in the stream as it gently strolls through the forest, or upon the rocks of New England’s shore. It is a rain that brings inspiration to grow in other and exciting ways. So off we go; exploring onward, around the next bend, through the open field, in our continuing quest for the colors and stories found in “Painting the Soul of America”

Just what is a pastel...?

2008-07-25T17:02:00.000-04:00

When most people hear the word pastel, they often think of it in the terms commonly used in cosmetics or the fashion industry. The name pastel, actually originates from the French word “pastiche” because pigment used to manufacture a pastel is ground into a paste, by adding a small amount of gum binder. Once in paste form, they are rolled or shaped, often by hand into sticks. As a result, there are an infinite number of colors in the Pastel palette, ranging from soft and subtle to bold and brilliant.

Pastel is often incorrectly called a chalk both by those unfamiliar with the medium, and sadly, some who should know better. Chalk is a limestone substance, while Pastel is pure pigment taken from the earth which is the same pigment used in the making all fine art paints. Because it is pure pigment, and because it has very little binder, a Pastel, when applied to an archival ground, and framed properly is the most permanent of all media. There is no oil which can cause darkening, yellowing, or cracking, and likewise, there is no other substance or medium added which can cause fading or blistering.

Pastels from the 16th Century, which is when the medium we know today was said to be invented by the German painter Johaim Thiele, those Pastel’s are as fresh and vibrant today as the day they were painted.

It is Rosalba Carriera, a Venetian woman artist, who is credited with making first consistent use of the medium. Chardin and LaTour soon followed her lead, and they in turn were followed by such famous artists as Copley, Millet, Manet, Renoir, Toulouse-Latrec, Whistler, Childe Hassam, William Merritt Chase, and Mary Cassett. All of these artists created finished masterpieces using Pastels. But perhaps the best known and true champion of the medium is Edgar Degas who created many of his more famous ballet paintings in Pastel. In 1983, two of Degas’ Pastels sold at auction for $3,000,000 each; both of these were created around 1880. Cassett, a protégé of Degas, is credited with introducing the medium to the United States while in Philadelphia and Washington.

Today, many of our most renowned living artists, including portrait artist Daniel Greene, and landscape artists Albert Handell, Alan Flattman, Frank Federico, and Massachusetts’s own Anne Heywood, amongst others, have distinguished themselves in Pastel, and enriched the art world with this beautiful medium. ( I hope that I can follow in their footsteps)

A Pastel is created by laying strokes of the dry pigment across an abrasive ground, thus embedding the color in the "tooth" of the paper, sandboard or canvas. When the ground is completely covered with Pastel, the work is considered a Pastel painting; leaving much of the ground exposed creates what is considered a Pastel sketch. (my work is considered painting)
Techniques on applying Pastel vary per each individual artist. Pastel can be blended or used with visible strokes. Many artists favor the medium because it allows a spontaneous approach. There is no drying time, and no allowances to be made because a color has changed while drying.
Care of Pastel PaintingsAs with any fine work of art, piece of fine furniture or collectible, it is advised not to place a Pastel painting in direct sunlight. When under glass, the heat of the sun can create humidity, which could cause moisture damage to develop. Also, when cleaning the glass of a Pastel, one never sprays cleaner directly on the glass, but rather, lightly spray onto a soft lint free cloth, and then wipe the glass, from top to bottom. Whenever transported or not in a hanging position, a Pastel painting should always be face up. (it should go without saying; the no heavy items should be placed on top of the glass)

Pastel is an exciting medium that has become more and more widespread, and has gained interest daily. Why, in just the past ten years, the number of pastel societies and exhibition spaces dedicated to Pastel has grown immensely and continues to prove the medium a favorite of artists and collectors alike.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little bit of background on the Pastel medium. As always, thanks for listening, and see you out “Painting the Soul of America!”

Connecticut Pastel Society's Signature Members Juried Exhibition

2008-07-23T20:36:00.003-04:00

Just a quick reminder for anybody who may live in or be visiting the Danbury, Connecticut area in late July through late August, or anybody who may live on the CT/NY line, or northwest CT/MA line, that the signature members juried exhibition of the Connecticut Pastel Society will be on display at the Gregory James Gallery in New Milford, Connecticut. Included in that exhibit will be two paintings by yours truly. An opening reception is scheduled for August 2nd from 5-7 PM. I hope to attend, providing my car is out of the auto body shop due to a lady forgetting that when the car in front of you is stopped at a stop light, you should stop too, and well before you hit the back of that stopped car. I was the stopped car. Anyway, hope you can take in the show!

Thanks for listening and see you out Painting the Soul of America.

Brief Cases / Short Spans

2008-07-21T15:47:00.003-04:00

In Webster’s Dictionary, they define the word Treasure as “money/jewels/gold” I often find myself using the word “treasure” when describing the lands of our America and how they and the stories they often have to share with each of us inspires me in my work.

Though walking upon these lands, absorbing my surroundings, breathing in the life about me instills in my heart the creative spirit, I have also often found inspiration in the written word. Many times, it will be the written word, something I have read in a book, a magazine, in an online article, that speaks to me and compels me to create a piece of artwork. One source of writing I find myself turning to for inspiration is the writings of a local author named Tom Sheehan. Tom is a true treasure in his own right. He is a master storyteller who creates yarns of interest and substance that are full of wonderful characters. Much of his work focuses on his family, friends, buddies with whom he served in Korea or on the playing fields of the hometown we share, Saugus, Massachusetts.

In addition to both being graduates of Saugus High School and members of the Saugus Athletic Hall of Fame, Tom and I also share a creative spirit. And, while inspiration from Tom’s written words can often be found in the strokes of color in my paintings, I have also found myself tied to Tom’s work in other ways; including having been a character in one of his stories, and having one of my paintings grace the cover of his book “Epic Cures” published by Press 53.

In October 2008 I will be fortunate once again to be a part of Tom’s work when my painting “Burnside’s Bridge” will find itself on the cover of his new collection of short stories “Brief Cases Short Spans” also published by Press 53. I’ve included for you here, an advance copy of that cover. I hope that this brief introduction of Tom and the image of my painting will inspire you to pick up a copy for yourself, for family or friends and discover this author who is a treasure. Perhaps with a little prodding you can get the author and artist to sign your copy.

Thanks for listening. Until next, see you out “Painting the Soul of America!”

2008 Paint the Parks - Top 200

2008-07-14T19:52:00.002-04:00

With nearly 1000 total entries, and trust me, that’s a lot of entries for an art exhibition, yours truly has learned that my submission, "Acadia Overlook II "(sorry, blogger won't allow me to upload the picture, but you can get to it by clicking the title ) has been selected and honored as part of the top 200 paintings for the 2008 Paint the Parks. Considering this is my first time entering the competition, it’s not a bad showing at all. To think, if it weren’t for my friend and fellow artist Lisa Harman mentioning the event, I would not have entered at all. I had heard about it in the past, but had pretty much forgotten about it until Lisa sent me an email and encouraged me to enter – Thanks Lisa! Of course, now I’ll have to really get cracking in an attempt to crack the Top 100 next year!!!

Thanks for listening and see you out “Painting the Soul of America!”

The fraternity

2008-07-12T16:57:00.002-04:00

There is a short video some might even call it a commercial, which often airs between programs on the local PBS channel. In the video, the music from “Dances with Wolves” plays as a camera pans across the landscapes and landmarks of America. Text begins to fade in and out over each new image that simply states “This is Yours!”

The message implied is not easily lost, that each of us has a stake in this country. That we as a people own this land, that it was left to our charge, to protect it for our children and for those that Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain might call “the generations that we know not of” so that they might walk upon the fields, along the banks of rivers and the shores of lakes and oceans to ponder and to dream.

Something about that video always stirs and inspires in me my creative juices. Perhaps because much of my work echoes the same sentiments I try to instill into my paintings; it always makes me want to get out my paints, pastels, camera or easel and capture those feelings of pride in our country, the spirit of place, of belonging to the earth and to the country that we all share and own.

With creative implements in tow, and as I step across the sun drenched fields, or enjoy the serenade of the waves upon the rocks along the Northeast coast, I am truly humbled as I attempt to capture in strokes of color, the sights, sounds, aromas, and sense of place; a fraternity of feelings and emotions to which I am eternally pledge in hopes that by my creating it and then sharing it with each you, it will leave you equally as breathless and inspired as I, in the beauty that resides outside our doors.

Thanks for listening, and see you at the easel “Painting the Soul of America”

Artist Jeff Fioravanti enters the blogosphere

2008-07-07T20:04:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine recently reminded me to write what you know as I prepared to develop this blog. I don’t know much, at least I never felt like a fountain of knowledge but a lack of knowledge hasn’t stopped me in the past, so why start now! So, here it goes my foray into the cyber realm that is blogging.

I will start this by stating, that your guess is as good as mine as to where this might lead. Frankly, I don’t know what to expect by blogging!?

In my conversations with people, as an artist and about being an artist, I have often gotten the sense that people’s expectations of artists is that they possess some profound wisdom; anyone who has met me knows that not to be true. Personal experience also tells me that artists or creative people who tend to take that ivory tower mentality thus propagating the idea that we artistic folks do reside on some ethereal plain aren’t what they pretend to be, and so, neither should you that them as such.

Conversely, I shall pretend to be nothing more than somebody who wishes to share his gift for seeing, light, shadow, tone, space, etc., with each of you. I shall share with you, the inspirations and meditations, the insights and feelings that prompted me to paint a specific scene, or moment. I state here and now, it is not always profound, but rather, just an instinct that it feels right.

Well, blogs are supposed to be short, and I can get rather long winded, and who wants to be putting people to sleep on the opening day? So, if you’re ready, so am I. Let us journey together, along rocky shores, through pristine fields, up the sides of mountains, and along cool running streams. Let us discover the world that is outside our doors, the stories that can be found in such treasures, and let us venture forth on a journey that will find us “Painting the Soul of America”