Painted Bride:

An exhibition of recent paintings by Anna Breininger.

September 3rd-October 16
Gallery hours: Tues – Sat 12-6, First Fridays noon – 7

……if this your mother knew is an exhibition of paintings exploring the relationships between heirlooms, domestic memories and the decaying effects of time. Her work is made through a process of layering wax, fabric and other materials; then peeling away at the final surface. The destructive effects of time and exposure to the elements are built in, allowing the exploration of the imperfect relationships we have with these precious things.

Drink Philly First Friday Exhibit:

Drink Philly is supporting local artistic talent, local distilleries and restaurants for First Friday! Come enjoy cocktail tastings from Philadelphia Distilling, featuring Blue Coat Gin & Penn 1681 Vodka, FREE food from Continental Old City and check out some great local art and music! ABSOLUTELY NO COVER CHARGE. (Valid ID is required, only 21+ will be admitted.)

In addition, Drink Philly’s new neighbors make Video Games! Cipher… Prime will also be opening their doors to let everybody try their games!

Already a First Friday-addict? Perfect! Stop by and say hi! Never tried it before?? Here’s the deal: On the first Friday of every month the art galleries and a few other venues in Old City open their doors and welcome you to eat, drink and enjoy the galleries FOR FREE!

Location: 239 Chestnut St. 2nd Floor. Unit B

Other Notable Sights to see:

Meg Coonelly is showing select works at the Pita Pit (16th street between chestnut and sansom)
Jannalyn Bailey is showing select works at Milkboy Cafe located 2 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003-2226

Don’t forget to check out MELT also open 5-8 for First Friday as well!

Have a case of Mondays?  Actually, no, I can’t help you there, but if you continue to have those Monday blues feed into Tuesday come cheer yourself up with some delicious art as MELT is open to the public from 5-8pm.

Weds Hump?  We’re open again 5-8pm.

First Friday!  With so much amazing art happening this Sept. be sure to make the James Oliver Gallery one your stops on your First Friday map (Along with Drink Philly’s fantastic First Friday show as well!).

Saturday the gallery will be open 1-6.

MELT Flyer - Dennis Beerley

With the opening of MELT happening tonight; I’m sure you are wondering what you should expect.

If you think MELT is a show about food: painted pretty, looking sweet, and making you hungry; you’re only about 35% right.

The truth is MELT has become something more (Horray!).  These artists have unknowingly put together a show that starts off sweet and sincere in delicacy; eventually diving into a transition reflective of an aggressive ocean of brush strokes, thicker paint, and an expression of much more than blackberries, bell peppers, meat, spaghetti and Hershey hugs.

Upon first glance you walk into MELT and are immediately greeted by Meg Coonelly’s Salt Water Sweet and the series called “Hugs Not Drugs.”  A Theibaud influenced series that continues to reflect upon relationships and relatives through simple composition and bold lines and strokes.  You will then explore the illustrations of April Kuhn, Millie Landis, Jeremy Goodfellow,and Lisa Conn.  A romantic root beer float that reminisces a third date is demonstrated Kuhn’s soft “Whatever Rootbeer Floats Your Boat.”  Landis temps the taste palette in “Try it Once,” a seemingly innocent piece reflecting a couple who’s female counterpart entices her male partner with some foreign cuisine.

Nearby you will be taken in by “The Morandi Project” by Jannalyn Bailey.  Bailey explores simple composition, line making, and apples in the Morandi inspired collection.  As the apples bob, you will come across Amy Kitzinger’s Bell Pepper Paintings that reveal duel personalities and an energy reflecting ease as you come to face with Tiffany Diorio’s “Hallow Quest.”  This piece showcases vanity in my mind, and when you view it you will see why.  Which is similar to what the graphite drawings by Melanie Springer show.  These highly detailed drawings of carcasses hold a delicate beauty.  As you move through the gallery you are then focused on the pieces by Dominic Doyle, his grafitti style suggests overindulgence as “May Death Come to All Who Oppose Us” showcases figures that appear to be vomiting.  Moving past these pieces you come to view “Serrated” another piece by Diorio.  An involved piece of blackberries being cut by a knife with its reflection on the bottom.  This piece is a perfect transition into the quartet of pieces by Britt Miller.  Miller’s movement and brush strokes evoke a sense of celebration, which is exactly what the TBD Artists is about.  Be sure to end your viewing by feasting your eyes on the 9′x7′ “Melting Gelato” painting by JWecks.  New work from the artist while she studied in Venice through NYU.

MELT runs through September 4th.

TBD Artists is an organization focused on exposure and inspiration to artists and those who view the art.  Come out tonight for a great time housed by memorable works of fine art.

Meg Coonelly's "Salt Water Sweet"

With only days to go before the opening of “MELT,” the new show by the TBD Artists, those involved are now being announced:

Britt Miller
Meg Coonelly
Jennifer Weckelsblatt
Jess Colarette
Dominic Doyle
Tiffany Diorio
April Kuhn
Melanie Springer
Millie Landis
Amy Kitzinger
Jannalyn Bailey
Lisa Conn
Tom Gabor
Jeremy Goodfellow

A new batch of artists come together to create delicious works of art. Come join us Friday at the James Oliver Gallery.

Don’t forget! Our new show “MELT” is opening in JUST ONE WEEK! Be sure to come out to the opening on August 27th for some boxed wine, PBR, and good people!

I’m just going to keep painting, work on more for MELT, and see where the road of life takes me.

In two weeks I’m finally heading to New York to check out the Starn brother’s “Big Bamboo” at the Met. Me = SUPER EXCITED!!!!

I have known Jenn since Arcadia and have always been jealous of her ability to create a glowing light unlike anyone else. Her change from working smaller to larger seems to thus far be a good transition; allowing her to create larger, more expressive strokes in her works.

Food.
Meals.

It is the basis of many still lives by most, if not all, artists at one time. To you it could be what nourishes you. To another it could symbolize a struggle with vanity. Some don’t have enough, while others decorate and decorate creating elaborate pieces of art to catch your eye.

Please take this theme in the most abstract of ways if you must.
I look forward to see what you come up with!

Submission cost: $20.00
Deadline: August 13, 2010

Send all submissions (also include a self address stamped envelope) to:
Megan Coonelly
2908 Elbridge St
Philadelphia, PA 19149

Please include:
Artist Name, artwork title, medium, price, email, website and phone number

Any questions please email at tbdartists@gmail.com

As the inaugural post I think it’s important to know where the TBD came from. We will focus this week on Founder, Meg Coonelly. Due to the fact that I am Meg Coonelly and I am writing these entries, I will not be speaking in the third person. Sorry to disappoint anyone.

I have considered myself many things over the years, but the most important title to me is the title of artist. I remember all through college my Dad asking me what I planned to do as an “artist.” My response was always simple “I would figure it out.” The truth was I had no idea. I almost took the Forrest Gump approach to situations responding with an “oh, ok.” Just move forward with the idea and execute it; one thing will always lead to another. That is how TBD Artists was formed. It was an idea on a whim and it is through the support and confidence I have in the TBD and its fellow artists that keeps us moving forward.

Education wise I attended Arcadia University, and I could easily be identified as the person with paint all over her clothes, literally. Researching artists was a pleasure and it was how I found my “all-star” team of artists and influences. My All Star Team Includes: Paul Cezanne, Wayne Theibald, Frank Auerbach, and John Singer Sargent. Theibald’s cakes and carnival prizes intrigued me and while many thought of his work as “pop,” he merely painted of nostalgia. I look to that in my recent works (pictured above). To a normal eye they are studies of fruit “paired off”. To me they are studies of relationships. I attempt to continue to pour myself in my work whether finding inspiration in fruit, desserts, or a coffee cup.

Why a Thrift Store?
Why do people show in coffee shops? Is it for the exposure? Is it for the diversity in clientele? Probably both.

Why have I been involving different organizations in the TBD as of late? I think it is important for us not to only look out for ourselves and our abilities and our mission of being seen, but also that we can make a difference with other organizations with a similar cause. How are our causes similar? We desire exposure to be noted as either an artist or as a vessel to do good and make a difference in a community. Art can change communities, it can empower them no matter where they are seen. Art is alive everywhere and should be viewed everywhere. Whether it is at the small coffee shop, the thrift store, or the swanky gallery in Chelsea.

If you would like more information regarding this show, or any other upcoming show please contact Meg at: tbdartists@gmail.com

Keep Creating!!