Intro to LA art - Part l // Bergamot Station

On a recent visit to LA, we spent two afternoons enjoying art in LA. Day l we visited Bergamot Station in Santa Monica and afternoon 2 at LACMA. Bergamot was a very different art experience than our last LA visit when we toured the Getty.  My brother-in-law Neil, who we were visiting, planned the two days, and besides the unusual, searing over-100 degree weather, both days were terrific, and different. Bergamot Station in Santa Monica is a gallery complex that opened in 1994. The train station dates back to 1875 when the Red Line trolley ran from LA to the Santa Monica Pier. Both the Pier and the gallery site retain their original rustic and industrial feel.

First stop at The Frostig Center, to see their 2012 Collection. The 60 year old Center is an internationally acclaimed school for students with learning disabilities. When the Frostigs founded the Center, they created an ongoing series of sculpture and art, annual collections by LA artists that would help support the program. Ray Turner created these 9" sq. paintings on glass of each of the Frostig artists.

Sculptor Ken Price created this small series as a set. Unique for this collection, as he typically works much larger. We saw the Price exhibit at LACMA and learned more about his much acclaimed works.

a Frank Gehry sculpture

Leslie Sacks Contemporary had an exhibit of Charles Christopher Hill's graphic paintings. The linear paintings have "endless layers of acrylic varnish" that create depth and a beautiful texture.

Earlier works combine layers of mixed media, cloth and thread.

Loved the contrast of the next exhibit, Bill Barminski's work at the Robert Berman Gallery. Barminski, an LA artist and adjunct professor at UCLA creates work as a statement on pop and consumer culture. Barminski comments on the "nostalgia people feel towards 'classic' products in the post-war era".

A replica of the surfboard the artist had at 13 from K Mart.

Cardboard Air Jordan's.  I'm familiar with the classics - and have a limited understanding of their place in sneaker history, thanks to my son Brett.

The Lois Lambert Gallery had an interesting exhibition, Dress Code, by Gwen Samuels. Samuels creates replicas of clothing and shoes, using digital images on transperency and then hand-stitched together. She uses mixed media, combining old and new. Loved the corset...

and shoes

Then two photo exhibits. Toshio Shibata at Gallery Luisotti. These powerful images of nature are at once abstract and detailed.

Peter Fetterman Gallery specializes in 19th and 20th century black and white photography, with an emphasis on human imagery. There were two terrific exhibits, Photos de Cinema with a number of images of Jean Seberg  filming in Paris.

and Grace, by Elizabeth Sunday. For 26 years, Sunday has created beautiful images that reflect traditional life in Africa. She uses a flexible mirror to photograph "reflections that blend and dissolve the boundaries between her figures and their environment".

I was thrilled to see an iconic photograph I love in their collection, Girl in the Window, by Ormond Gigli. In 1960, Gigli envisioned this photo as he watched an East 58th St. brownstone being torn down - he placed 47 formally dressed models in the windows the night before it was demolished.

We throughly enjoyed walking through the galleries at Bergamot Station  - in the few hours we were there, we saw very diverse collections, giving us a great introduction to LA art.

Janet Mait's Recent Paintings // on exhibition in NYC

New Shoes, a collection of vibrantly colored paintings by Janet Mait is on exhibition in a striking modern office space in Manhattan.  Janet's abstract work has been evolving since she debuted the collection at a Chelsea exhibition in Fall 2010.  Mait describes her recent paintings as, " ... more spontaneous and the brush strokes more definite. I want an unstructured and spontaneous expression on the canvas...to reflect a sense of freedom”

The Art Student's Leaguein NYC, where Mait paints, works with corporate and community spaces throughout Manhattan interested in exhibiting artwork. The artist has an opportunity to present their work in a public space and the host has the benefit of rotating exhibitions in their hallways and offices.

Squire Sanders, a global law firm is hosting the exhibition of Mait's work. The NY experience begins at Rockefeller Center,

and continues as you enter the classic Art Deco building, 30 Rockefeller Center, which opened in 1933.

The elevator opens to the entry of the sleek and modern office space, which is a great backdrop for modern art.

Mait's work lines the office's long hallway of conference rooms.

 The blue grey walls, the open space and light, all make the work stand out

The employees we spoke with enjoy having the artwork, from the halls to each of the four conference rooms.

Mait's work is about color and composition, she "thinks a lot about color combinations but so often that changes and the beginning does not dictate the end." In talking about her work and the way it has evolved, the artist likes the freedom that abstraction provides. After studying and spending time as a sculptor of bronze figures, Mait feels she can express herself  in abstraction in a way that a structured composition or sculpture doesn't allow.

The exhibition will be at Squire Sanders through October 1st.  It's an enjoyable walk through the classic NY architecture of Rockefeller Center, and a modern office space filled with Mait's lively abstract paintings - people tell me that Janet's color drenched paintings 'make them smile"!

Abstract Works by Xanda McCagg // at Comerford Collection

Xanda McCagg’s energy and enthusiasm about her work is evident from the moment you start speaking with her. We met at an exhibit opening a few years ago in The Chelsea Arts Building, at Spazio 522. Xanda’s studio is there as well, and soon after, I visited with her and was immediately drawn to her work.

In McCagg’s canvases you can see her background in traditonal figurative work, and yet as her work has evolved - the line, composition and color have abstracted into her unique form of expression.

"Although abstract, my work is influenced by formal principles. At the core of my work is a fascination with the human experience. As an artist, I am observing and commenting on the human condition on both a global and an intimate level ... Central to my work is the analogy of line to form; to light; to color; and to the spaces these describe."

Judy Ross, of Judy Ross Textiles introduced me to Karen Comerford, owner of the beautifully edited home decor shop, Comerford Collection, in Bridgehampton, NY. Karen brought  Xanda’s work into the store, a wonderful compliment to Comerford’s aesthetic of “modern handcrafted furniture and design”.

The shop is "Modern,"  but Karen's goal is to "strip it of its implications of austerity and imbue it with a comfortable, uncomplicated simplicity."  The store has achieved that, it's fresh and modern but warm and filled with unique and beautifully designed furnishings (many pieces of her own design), accessories, and art that compliments.

Xanda's work ranges from small, intimate 12"x12" canvases

to the larger-scale canvases like Pearling, 72"x60"

There are colors, textures and always enticing furnishings throughout the shop (and in the window...as in this photo)

I enjoy meeting with both Karen and Xanda in her Chelsea studio each spring to make selections for the summer at Comerford.

In April when we met, Xanda shared some highlights of her experiences at two artists residencies last fall in Europe. First at CAMAC, Centre D'Art, Marnay-Sur-Seine, France and then at the American Academy in Rome - visiting artists and scholars program.  Xanda talked about the exhilerating experience of working and living among a community of scholars and artists for several months.

Next up, will be an exhibit in Paris this fall, in October. In the meantime, if you are in the Hamptons this summer, stop in to Comerford Collection for the beautiful selection of both home decor and art ...

Welcome to RE // new artists & their work

I launched the Romanoff Elements site 6 months ago, wanting to share some of the talented artists who I have come to know and work with. Recently, I updated the site to include several new artists as well as adding new pieces to existing collections. The RE site is a beginning - there is much more to look at, and to talk about regarding each artist who is represented. I am drawn to their work, to their stories and want to follow and share the progress of their art as it evolves.

Andrea Bonfils is a very creative and multi-talented artist.  She works with and explores various media;  from painting, to encaustic wax, photography and mixed media.

Regardless of medium, Andrea's artwork all begins with nature.  She renders interesting compositions from what she sees and experiences around her. Her colors are rich and layered and the final work is always textural and beautiful.  I have blogged about Andrea before, when Nest Inspired Home exhibited her work in April.

I was recently re-connected to Tracy Burtz, we hadn't seen each other for many years. Tracy is an accomplished artist and teacher who has exhibited extensively.  She works from life; she creates still lifes in oil, charcoal drawings and oils of women, pastels of seascapes and summer life.  I blogged about Tracy as we prepared an exhibition of her work at Table D'Hote recently.

The depth and range of Tracy's colors are beautiful, whether she's painting a floral arrangement or a portrait. We spoke about her varied subject matter, and the thread through her work is always the same, regardless of the subject, it's "...all about picture-making, and what makes a great painting; composition, color, darks, lights, value, line and texture.”

I first saw Elena Lyakir’s work at ABC Kitchen, the Jean-Georges restaurant in ABC Home in NYC.  I loved the ethereal quality and compostion of Elena’s naturally - inspired work and how it enhanced the farm-to-table restaurant's decor.  I met Elena shortly after that and saw the variety and depth of her work.

Each image, whether birds, foliage or landscape, evokes a quiet, a calm - that I find simple, serene and beautiful.

A mutual friend introduced me to Christine Wexler, wanting me to see her Bramasole photography, but also knowing we had similar backgrounds as textile designers. Turns out Christine and I sat down for coffee that could have lasted for many hours as we talked about how and where our creative interests began and the paths we have taken.

I share Christine’s love of the ocean, particularly Montauk. Her photos taken on the Eastern end of Long Island, throughout the Hamptons and other beautiful spots, in California, Mexico and in Italy, capture the natural beauty of the ocean - you can feel and sense summer life in her images.  Christina has exhibited in various venues in the Hamptons. It's the perfect time of year to introduce her photographs to RE and we'll be bringing a collection of her work to exhibit in Westchester at Nest Inspired Home in Rye in June.

More work from each of these artist is on the RE site.  I'll be showing a selection of new work by some of the original RE artists in my next post.

Celebration of Mothers! // at Table D'Hote

Table D’Hote is a welcoming boutique filled with beautiful tabletop and decorative accessories. The shop is off the beaten path, so it feels like a great find, even though it has been in Armonk for 8 years. Owner Jennifer Katz has put together an enticing assortment of dinnerware, beautiful glassware, and assorted products that reflect her casual, yet refined, taste and style. Jennifer transitioned from a career in social work as she sought a more creative outlet. She continues to work with people, but now uses her skills to help her customers style their tabletops with her sophisticated selection of high end ceramics, glassware, home accessories and a wide variety of hostess gifts from Juliska, Simon Pearce, Terre Provence, Aletha Soule and Terra Firma, among others, and she is always on the search for new products.With a love for beautiful things, Jennifer, “... likes to sell high end pieces that her customers will have for a lifetime, mixing, matching and adding to over the years.” Table D’Hote, is a French phrase, that literally means "host's table".  The reference for Jennifer, is to the casual style of Country French that she was initially drawn to and inspired the shops aesthetic.  The shop has transitioned to a more modern style in recent years. She now offers an eclectic selection, responding to the way she, and her customers, shop and live.Jennifer and I knew each other years ago, we went to summer camp together,  so when we reconnected it was with great shared memories of summers in New Hampshire at Camp Merriwood. We quickly learned of our present mututal interest for home decor and bringing together beautiful products with our customers.We have also both been fully immersed into medical issues in the past few years, and share the impact this has had on our families and our lives. Jennifer’s son Alex was diagnosed with Leukemia in April 2008 and received a life-saving bone marrow transplant in August 2011. My husband Howard was diagnosed in 2007 with Pulmonary Fibrosis and successfully received a life-saving double lung transplant, also in August 2011.

Jennifer has always wanted to bring art into her store - Mothers Day seemed like a perfect time  to begin - so we started planning, to combine art and shopping  - and to invite mothers, wives and daughters, to celebrate the gifts of life and health and family.

Jennifer was immediately drawn to Tracy Burtz' beautiful artwork  - her subject matter, mostly women, still lives and seascapes are well-suited to the home decor shop. We began by meeting at Tracy's fabulous studio barn to learn more about her work.

After making the selections, an assortment from Tracy’s large body of work, we were thrilled by how beautiful it looks in the store. The butter-colored walls are a perfect backdrop for the artwork.

Reverie welcomes customers at the entrance

and for the occasion, we love  Mother and Daughter, surrounded by seascapes

Mah Jongg is in a great corner complimented by colorful ceramic pieces by Jill RosenwaldWe look forward to a Celebration of Mothers! on Thursday, May 10th, 6-8.  These and more of Tracy’s artwork wil be on display through June 21st. We will share information about Organ Donation, and a percentage of all proceeds of the evening will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Tracy Burtz // An Artist's Exploration of Women

I was recently re-introduced to Tracy Burtz, a mutual friend suggested we meet.  As I read the email introduction, Tracy's name and face appeared from the past, bringing back memories of high school art class. Tracy and I knew each other from our early art training. I looked forward to meeting at her studio, especially after visiting her website and seeing what an accomplished artist she became since those initial art days.

This painting, La Sposa, has stayed with me since first seeing it.  It's a more recent work and filled with all that Tracy expresses as an artist.

We reminisced about Mr. Blackburn and Mrs. Sperber, our art teachers at New Rochelle High School, that we both had spent a summer at RISD and how that began to shape the creative directions we both took.

From the early years exploring drawing and painting, Tracy never stopped.  She studied at Boston University School of Fine Arts and followed with an MFA at Queens College.

Her drawings reflect her incedible skills of composition, line and form

After grad school, Tracy left NY for 5 years in Paris, She studied with a variety of artists, Elaine DeKooning, James Weeks, Leland Bell and more, and describes these years as “fascinating and bohemian”. The influence of those years are evident in her work.

Back in NY, Tracy started teaching and showing her work, in NYC at Hoorn-Ashby on Madison Ave , and assorted galleries in Chelsea, Westchester and CT and exhibitions in Taos and Paris.

Her subjects are varied; portraits of women, couples, still lifes and seascapes.  We spoke about the themes that tie it together - the traditional training emerges,  it’s “all about picture-making, and what makes a great painting; composition, color, darks, lights, value, line and texture.”

You can’t help but feel Tracy’s love of women - her life is filled with 3 sisters, a daughter, Milena Corin, who has been the artist's favorite model throughout her life, and many women friends. She explores their beauty, their sexuality and their everyday lives.

Tracy’ s work is extremely personal. Talking and walking through Tracy’s home and studio (a picture-perfect Victorian barn, c.1850's, with 20' ceilings and fabulous light in South Salem, NY) is like passing through different moments in her life, each piece tells a story, about herself, about her models and their connection, about motherhood, marriage, divorce and the moments and emotions in between them all.

Time spent in Nantucket, Hawaii, Morrocco are expressed in small beautifully executed oil pastels.

and classic Still Life's express simple moments; the kitchen table filled with fresh flowers, coffee, cookies and chocolates

Each piece brings you to a different part of Tracy’s life, and the stories about them.  Color is what strikes me the most about Tracy's work, and why I come back to La Sposa, it's quieter than most of her work - but in it's subtlety is depth of color, expression, form and line - all the traditional components that Tracy focuses on.

and then another favorite, Blue Girl, about color and yoga - a part of Tracy's life and also how we re-met, through Linda Kreisberg, our mutual friend and yoga teacher.

Unconventional Nature // Paintings by Andrea Bonfils

Andrea is an award-winning artist whose paintings offer an innovative and unique approach while reflecting her life’s experiences.  Andrea's inspiration comes from the natural world. She breaks from artistic traditions, yet, certain influences can be seen in her work, such as the colors of Wolf Kahn, the water of Monet or movement of Van Gogh.

We met last year and I was immediately drawn to her creative artwork and unique applications of traditional painting materials. Andrea’s unconventional techiniques results in beautiful color, depth and texture in her paintings.  With a reverence for the organic, Andrea utilizes mostly oils and encaustics with some mixed media to realize her individualized look.

Using unconventional hardware, a blow torch, iron and other heated tools, along with paper and natural materials, she emulates her subjects' movement, drama and complexity as she glazes or layers wax over photographs, photo transfers or meticulously renders subjects lost in a waxy fog. Andrea's uncommon painting techniques and personal style results in work that are intense, mysterious and ethereal.

Andrea paints what she enjoys most in nature, skylines, water, divers, surfers, trees and horses.

Nest Inspired Home in Rye, NY, a beautifully edited home shop, will feature Andrea’s work at an event they are sponsoring, along with Serendipity Magazine and Crop Organic Vodka  for the Westchester Children’s Museum.  Bets Miller, Wendy Williams, and Aly Drew of Rye, opened the home decor shop in November and have created a wonderful environment to sell home furnishings, accessories and art. I am thrilled, along with Andrea, to be participating in this event, along with Nest Inspired Home and the sponsors.

Here are a few of the paintings on display this week among the beautiful vignettes at  Nest Inspired Home.