December Happenings On The Hudson

December has arrived! Thank you so much for all your support over the year. Here are a few venues that have come about this month! Good luck with all the festivities and gifting. If you are in the area please stop in and take some time "OFF" the list making and stress.

 The Nyack Library will be exhibiting 29 of my works for the month of December.

All work are for sale

Right next door is the Art Cafe with awesome cappuccinos and malawahs to die for!!!!

 The Outside In represents a group of Lower Hudson Valley artists. Offering

a wonderful, eclectic range of gifts for the holidays. There is no place like it!!!!!

 Giulios of Tappan will continue to showcase my paintings, most recently some new work in oil pastels and mixed media. Wonderful wine selection, great food - try  the fried calamari Giulio style! 

The Gift of Art Show, Reception December 8, a collection of artwork by local artists.

All artists donate a portion of sales to the library so any purchase gives a gift to the entire community.

Grace Mitchell does a wonderful job every year. This library has a beautiful view of the Hudson with such a spacious interior it beckons you to sit and enjoy the art and the vistas.

"Piermont Morning" will be exhibiting at the Manhattan Borough Presidents Office, NYC

 Artists in the Parks will feature their small works at the Bear Mountain Inn

Over 25 artists painted 5x5 format, perfect for Holiday giving!

Artists also hand painted ornaments to purchase with all monies going to install new lighting in the 

Artists in the Parks Gallery. 

The 2014 calendar of the Hudson Valley is now available thru paypal at www.suebarrasi.com at http://www.suebarrasi.com/fineartshop.html 

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

 Imagekind is now printing my work as canvas reproductions and framed prints! See http://www.imagekind.comhttp://www.imagekind.com/Barrasi-S--oil-Cotton-Candy-Skies-art

Latest work will be exhibited throughout the Hudson Valley region. Please feel free to email suebarrasi@gmail.com with any inquiries.

Happy Holidays! Thank you for visiting my blog!

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

So its that time of year again. Mark you calendar!!!

Not sure which painting above I will submit to the show. Feel free to comment!

Grace Mitchell does a wonderful job curating this show in such a lovely space with such a beautiful view of the Hudson.

If you are in the area please stop in and meet the artists of the lower Hudson Valley.

Also in December : Solo show at the Nyack Library, Nyack NY

More of my work will be exhibited at:

 OUTSIDE IN, Piermont NY 

GIULIOS, Tappan NY

MANHATTAN BOUROUGH PRESIDENT'S OFFICE Small Works, NYC Show  Reception Dec 4

ARTISTS IN THE PARKS Gallery at the Bear Mountain Inn, Harriman NY

Donata Cardona Barrasi Memorial Award

  This year the National Association of Women Artists presented an award dear to my heart. Together, we established an award in honor of my mother, Donata Cardona Barrasi, who passed away on Sunday the 11th of November, 2012.
 
  In that instant, all color faded from my world. No longer could I see purple in a shadow, a smile in a daffodil. In one moment, my world had become black and white. The magnitude of her loss, the absence of her beautiful presence, froze my soul, my heart, my breathe. How do you say goodbye to the first eyes you gazed into, the person who had been there since my forever?

  To witness my sisters, my dad, my family void of this essence, this truly larger-than-life persona, was suffocating. For countless mornings thereafter, I awakened to the phrase "Winter is eternal.” Like a mantra only I could hear, these three words haunted me.

   At the same time, I felt fortunate to have spent almost fifty years without experiencing such profound grief; being truly beyond grateful to have lived with this woman for so long, to have basked in the sunshine of her smile.

   Donata moved through the world as if strangers were just friends she hadn’t met yet. When she and my dad had their roof re-shingled, she cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for the crew, who ate each of these meals in a sense of stunned gratefulness. During her chemo she convinced her doctor to let her hem a cuff on the doctors pants that had come undone.  She did these things without effort, without thought of recompense. She saw the beauty in everyone and tried her best to make everyone feel special; it was truly the essence of her being. More than anything she taught me to shine a light in the darkness and bring forth beauty wherever and whenever possible. It is what I have taken in my heart and art.

  At this year’s presentation, I met the women awarded in my mom’s name, the very first recipient of the Donata Cardona Barrasi Memorial Award for Oil Painting, Diane Hillier McDonald. As we spoke I could feel Diane’s exuberance at having been recognized. At that moment it crystalized that my mother had once again touched a stranger’s life in a positive way.

  I  feel as humans, we are all broken, somehow, some way. But what’s important is that we find a way to keep moving forward, to make our light shine through all the havoc and heaviness of this world. This is what my mom did best. She absorbed everything life threw at her, yet always found a way to show some kindness. Isn't this what matters? Why else are we here?

I have never been more proud to read "type" than my daughters names on their hospital bassinets.

  This beautiful painting by Diane Hillier Macdonald,  " View From My Studio " was

awarded. The bold splash of colors, vibrant contrasts and confident brushstrokes should be applauded. I am happy with the jury results. 

  Thank you National Association of Women Artists for making this possible, especially Susan Hammond. ( a wonderful photographer )   I encourage this idea to set forward an award in honor of a cherished soul to keep their energy going. Maybe its a club, a scholarship fund, a donation to a shelter, an award at a local high school. Keep it personal and watch it grow. Our society moves so fast we often let thing go unsaid or unrecognized. At this reception four people approached me to tell me they were inspired by this act and were going to establish their own award for a loved one.
   There is no death, just transformation? For Donata is still touching the lives of strangers.
Thank you for reading my blog. May purple shadows soften your darkest nights.

Salon 561 The Art School at Old Church, Demarest, NJ Art Exhibit

Southern Skies 24" x 24" oil 

Fever along with Southern Skies will be exhibited at the Faculty Show at the Art School at Old Church, reception is this Thursday.


"The Art School at Old Church invites you to come celebrate the inspiring faculty who make this school great. Our annual faculty exhibition, Salon 561, is now on view in the Mikhail Zakin Gallery. 

Salon 561 features the evolving work of the talented faculty who have taught classes at the Art School over the last year. Due to the nature of the exhibition and variety of mediums, the work is displayed in the traditional "salon" style. Most faculty members are represented by one and two pieces of 2-D or 3-D work. A variety of collectible mediums are on view and for sale, including, but not limited to oil and acrylic painting, functional and decorative ceramics, sculpture, photography, silver and enamel jewelry, printmaking, watercolor, flame-worked glass, drawing and Chinese brush painting. 

Salon 561 is a great opportunity for potential students and art patrons to get a thorough overview of the wide range of talents and courses on offer at the Art School at Old Church. Each artist brings their own unique style to the exhibition and to the always changing curriculum at the school. Many of the exhibiting faculty members will be present at the reception to discuss the work on display as well as their classes and teaching methods.

  

We hope to see you at the opening reception on Thursday, September 12 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM as we celebrate with the artists. As always, all exhibitions and gallery events are free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. 

  

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Please call the school at 201-767-7160 for evening or Saturday hours."

"Fever" Poppy Fields

"FEVER"   oil    6"x6"  

So I have always loved painting Poppy fields. Lavender fields are a favorite of mine as well but they are different animals. It is always a challenge for me to get the red "comfortable" on the canvas. I play with the value forever , keying it up and down. After doing several attempts, I like this one best.

Salon 561 is an annual exhibit dedicated to the faculty members of the Art School at the Old Church in Demarest, New Jersey opening September 4. This will be one of the pieces I submit to show.

"Fever"   framed and shipped $300

These were my previous attempts:

 " For Grace" 

This is an attempt to redo a painting I sold last year. I usually never redo same 

composition etc., but at a friends request...

 "Who Lives Next Door?"

Poppy Sketch

Summer on the Hudson

 Giulios of Tappan will be exhibiting my works of "Summer on the Hudson"

The scene above is a view from Tallman Park, overlooking Hook Mountain and the town of Piermont.

I paint this area frequently so it was interesting to delete color and try black and white.

My attempt in this new series was to go for energy. I usually go for details so going for bolder images was quite a challenge for me!

There is so much construction going on along the Hudson due to Sandy, that it was nice to see some areas untouched.

This location is from the Pier. Its a wonderful place to jog or walk. It will be interesting to see how the view changes as the new Tappan Zee Bridge develops.

This series will be on display for the month of September. Each sketch will be matted and framed for $100.

Current Art Exhibits

June through July, I will have 125 paintings exhibited throughout the tri-state area.

Here are some of the venues! Please feel free to call or email with any questions or inquiries!

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Reception this Saturday 6:00 - 9:00

Gde does a wonderful job of marrying images. There will be 40 landscapes, mainly of Rockland County on display. Judith Peck's sculpture is beautiful!

If you are in the area stop in!

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Palisades Founders Award Annual Benefit will be having 

an Art Auction exhibiting the works of Artists in the Parks.

"Sunday's Marsh" will be on exhibit.

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The Belskie Library Museum Wall will be displaying 30 works for the months of June - July.

Portraits, Stills,landscapes and prints will be available for purchase.

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Giulio's of Tappan will continue to showcase my work through the summer.  This is a charming restaurant will so much charm! I love to stop in for a glass of wine and their house calamari. Over 40 works are exhibited.

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The OUTSIDE IN is an ARTefact gallery offering a diverse collection of fine art and hand-selected artisan objects.

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Less than 3% of the artists represented in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art section are women, but 83% of the nudes are female. This needs to be addressed!

The National Association of Women Artists, Inc presents 

"CLOTHING OPTIONAL"

This juried show gives over 50 female artists a chance to exhibit work exploring a variety of meanings either stated or implied; figurative, non-figurative, clothed, nude, covered, exposed, natural or free, perhaps even what lies beneath the skin. Join us!

RECEPTION: WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 5-7pm 

80 Fifth Ave, Suite 1405 NY NY 10011

Rockland Renaissance: Piermont Morning

Piermont Morning    oil   

This location, seen from Tallman Park is a beautiful view in every direction. One can see the marshes, the Pier, and Hook Mountain as you are surrounded by Maples, Hickory and Beech trees.  To think that the Standard Oil Company planned to purchase 540 acre of this area in 1923 to develop an "oil tank farm" is unnerving. Thanks to public opposition and support from Commissioners Laurance S. Rockefeller, George W. Perkins, and W.  Averell Harriman, the area was acquired by the Park system in 1928. There are so many areas in Rockland  that have been preserved thanks to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.

  The Hudson River School artist, Albert Bierstadt painted at a similar location in 1866. His painting, 

see below, brought attention to the areas natural beauty. 

 "View of the Hudson looking across the Tappan Zee toward Hook Mountain"

by Albert Bierstadt

This Sunday there will be an opening at the Piermont Library for the Rockland Renaissance Exhibit.

If you are in the area stop in for a glass of wine and a terrific view of Hook Mountain!

Rockland Renaissance at Vytlacil Campus, Art Student League

 Rockland Renaissance is exhibited at the Suffern Library in Suffern, New York for the month of March. This will be the fifth location on its tour, next will be the Piermont library with a reception on April 7 then Giulios in Tappan for the month of May and concluding at the Pomona Cultural Arts Center from June - July ( reception date TBA)

Summer Rains   oil    

Summer Rains was inspired at Vytlacil in Sparkill, New York.  The campus is a part of the Art Students League with spacious and pastoral settings. It is a meeting place, forum and residency for outstanding students and practicing artists from around the world. As I continued to work on the Rockland Renaissance grant, my studio space quickly diminished  as frames were ordered, canvas were completed, promotional items being delivered, so I decided to apply for a residency near home. What a wonderful experience! Gary Sussman and crew, Thank you!

 Although it rained almost everyday, I set up outdoors despite the elements and turned out paintings in a manic fashion! 

Enlightenment  oil   6" x 6"

Symphony  oil  30" x 30"

This piece was exhibited with the National Association of Woman Artists at the Silvia Wald and Po Kim Gallery in NYC winning the Leeman Memorial Award for Best oil on canvas

Twilight    oil    12"x18"

This piece was also exhibit at the Hopper House Art Center in Nyack, New York

Evelyn's garden   5" x 7"

The grounds of Vytlacil were cared by a wonderful artist, Evelyn. She tended to a beautiful hydrangea tree every morning. I would wake up to the sound of her snipping away as she sculpted this tree into her own majestic masterpiece.  Everywhere, the grounds were sprinkled with her magical touch and was an inspiration in itself.

Daybreak   oil   6" x 6"

I would encourage all artists to apply to this residency. It was a wonderful experience that I will always cherish and hope to return again!

Tappan, New York

"Awakenings"    oil 

This painting was inspired while I was scouting for locations of the Hudson River School paintings. I spent the day dragging my youngest daughter up Tallman Mountain, around Piermont, and into Sneden's Landing in hopes of establishing a site that corresponded to an Albert Bierstadt painting. It had started snowing heavily so we retreated to the car. As I returned home to Tappan, seeing her charming face in my rear view window I decided she needed a reward of some sort for all her patience. Of course hot chocolate seemed the best idea in my book, so I turned around in the DeWint House (one of the oldest surviving structures in Rockland County)  to head to the local Starbucks...a sweet caramel hot chocolate seemed what I needed as well. As we drove down the lane we were surrounded by trees dusted in pink snow signaling the end of the day. At that moment she announced the trees look like cocoa.....!!! Guess we were thinking the same thing!!!

I thought to post this painting as yet another snow storm 
is blowing our way today!

It is on exhibit at The Outside In  
at 249 Ferdon Avenue in Piermont New York.  

Please call 845 398 0706 for pricing and details.

Rockland Renaissance: Piermont Haze

Piermont's Haze  12" x 18"  oil

      I spend alot of mornings in Piermont. There are so many spots to take in the view. I like to visit in the morning when the fog has rolled in and all is still quiet. This particular morning, I stood staring trying to figure out the color. The tree had spectacular yellow leaves but veiled with the fog, it took awhile to figure out the hue. It was also a challenge to avoid contrast and keep all the colors the same value.  I did many versions of this scene but think this one worked out best.

 I had just been reading on Jasper Francis Cropsey and remembered his "Hazy Afternoon." I was not able to pinpoint the exact location but did find out he painted in Piermont, so I took artistic license to match "Piermont's Haze" with "Hazy Afternoon."

 "Hazy Afternoon"   by  Jasper Francis Cropsey    1873

Rockland Renaissance: Haverstraw Bay

"Haverstraw Bay"    oil   6" x 11"

I  find it very difficult to drive along the Hudson. I constantly want to pull over and sketch, start a painting and photograph. The sun was just setting as I was coming from Bear Mountain from a meeting with Artists on the Parks, a plein air group that is devoted to painting the area parks. The sun just shimmered along the water. I tried to get that feeling of movement....of the light making its way across the water. I loved the muted tones of the town in the background. I had fun trying to make the yellow and blue tones work together without incorporating any green.  I'd like to revisit this scene and do a larger painting....soon......

Sanford Robinson Gifford   "Morning on the Hudosn, Haverstraw Bay"  1866

Rockland Renaissance: To Be Or Not To Be Indian Point

"TO BE OR NOT TO BE"      oil      16" x 29"

In researching locations for this grant, I was amazed how many area parks are still preserved thanks to the efforts of the Palisades Parks Conservancy, Palisades Interstate Parks Commission, Keep Rockland Beautiful and other efforts of the Rockland community. I did feel it neccessary though, to include this visual. As I sketched it, I realized I wanted to do something to push the idea a bit further, hence, I decided to paint on stainless steel. The areas left unpainted show the galvanized metal.

Francis A. Silva  "Late Afternoon on Haverstraw Bay" 1871

This show is now moving to the Nyack Library in Nyack NY for the month of February.