Sherrie McGraw Demo At The Salmagundi Club

Last week I was lucky enough to see Sherrie McGraw do a portrait demo at the Salmagundi Club here in New York City.  I've seen Sherrie demo many times out in Taos, but it was great to have an event close to home.

It was a packed house and I was about half way back so the pics I was able to get are not great, but I know I have many Sherrie and David fans here, so I decided to post them as I thought you guys would like to see the demo.

The Art Renewal Center exhibition was also hanging, so it was great to see that.  I had seen many of the paintings online, but it is so different seeing them in person.

Tim Newton, Chairman of the Salmagundi Club, introduced Sherrie to the audience.

Sherrie told us a bit about what she was going to do, and then got to work.

The block in.

There were screens set up so everyone could see exactly what was happening.

On the model breaks we were able to check out the exhibit.  There were so many beautiful pieces hanging.

The model, Henry, during a break.  Such a great costume!

Here is the finished demo.  Sherrie is amazing.  This was done in less than two hours while answering questions.  It would have taken me that long just to do the block in.

I'm so glad I got to see this, especially as I am headed out to Taos to take a workshop with David, Sherrie and Jackie Kamin very soon.

Next up at the Club is the American Masters Show.  David and Sherrie, as well as many other great artists, have work in the show.  Check it out if you are in the area, but if not, I will have a post here soon.

American Artists Professional League 86th Grand National Exhibition

Last Sunday was the reception for the American Artists Professional League's 86th Grand National Exhibition.  The AAPL was formed in 1928 to promote traditional American art.  Every year they stage a Grand National Exhibition.  Artists from all over the United States submit their work for review by a jury. My painting, Purple Flowers And Oranges, was chosen for the show.  This was my second year in a row exhibiting with the AAPL and I was thrilled to be chosen for this amazing show.

The reception featured a demonstration by Thomas Torak (he was also the winner of the Best In Show award).  Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the demo to show you because the reception at the Salmagundi Club was so crowded that I could not get close enough to get any shots!  The gallery was packed with visitors.  I was so happy to see that many people interested in the art.  Sometimes, especially in New York City, it can be hard to find interest in traditional art.

I was truly amazed at the quality of work in this show.  Every place I looked I saw something beautiful.

Purple Flowers And Oranges, 12x16, oil

Thank you to the AAPL for a wonderful show and to the Salmagundi Club for hosting a great reception.  I had a fabulous time and judging from the size of the crowd, many others enjoyed the afternoon as well.

Mentoring With The Masters At The Salmagundi Club, 2014

It was quite the weekend at The Salmagundi Club here in New York City.  It began on Friday night with the opening reception for the members and masters show.

The club members had their paintings displayed in the main gallery.  Also on display were paintings from the artists who would be participating in the mentoring event on Sunday.

Self portrait by Gregg Kreutz

Painting by Sherrie McGraw

Painting by Leah Lopez (mentor from the 2013 event).

In the club's upstairs gallery, there was a separate show of paintings from the four artists who would be painting with us on Sunday.  

These paintings are by Jacqueline Kamin.  I was unfamiliar with Jackie's work before the show, but she is an amazing painter and a lovely person.  As you know I love florals and Jackie's are incredible.  

These are some of Gregg's paintings.  Of course, I've seen them in his studio, but it was great to see them all framed and hanging in a gallery setting.  

And here we have a painting from the man we all descended from, David Leffel.  David is the master artist and teacher and we were so lucky to have him at the club for this event.  

There were also some paintings from Sherrie McGraw, but my shots did not come out very well.  If you have a chance, check out this exhibit.  It was unbelievable to see these four artists exhibiting together.  

On Saturday, David Leffel did a portrait demonstration in the gallery.  I was devastated to miss this and believe me when I say there is only one person on the planet who could have kept me from this event.  I was very lucky, however, to be able to observe on Sunday when David came back to work on the painting.  

You may have noticed some video and lighting equipment around.   The demo was being filmed and I hope at some point it will be added to the video library that David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw and Jacqueline Kamin have made available through The Artist Guild and Brightlight Publishing.  

On Sunday morning we arrived at the club bright and early for the Mentoring With The Masters portion of the weekend.  The set up was the same as last year.  There were models in several rooms at the club and the mentors and students could move around to paint or observe anything that was going on.  

As I did last year, I stayed in the basement pool room the entire time.  I'm happy to report that this year I  worked on a bigger canvas (11x14 as opposed to 9x12) and got more of the painting done.  As you know I am no daily painter, so getting a somewhat finished painting in one shot is unusual for me.  It is not finished by any means, but I was happy at the end of the day.  

This is the view I was painting.  I was lucky that I had some experience after being there last year and I think that made it easier for me.

This was my original block in.  As you know, perspective=hell for me, so I spent quite a bit of time just getting the angles of the pool table right.  

This is where I ended up at the end of the day.  Definitely not my usual fare, but you have to step out of your comfort zone every once in awhile and try something new, right?

Painting by Gregg Kreutz

Sherrie McGraw with a student

When the painting portion of the day was concluded, the instructors gave us a critique and David Leffel  talked to us about painting (what an incredible treat, I could have listened all night). 

Sherrie giving a critique

David Leffel talking to us about art and painting

Whew! I think this is the longest post I have ever written, but there was so much to tell you I wanted to get it all in.  I had a fantastic time and I must give special thanks to Gregg Kreutz, David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw, Jacqueline Kamin, Robert Pillsbury, Tim Newton and the staff of the Salmagundi Club for an incredible, art filled weekend!