Join Center City Restoration in the premier First Friday opening of their new studio space at 142 N. 2nd St. They are excited to present the works of local artists, Vasil Anastasav and Lauren Rinaldi. Their doors will be open to the public for the first time on Friday, February 3rd from 6-9pm.

Committed to preserving the historical beauty of Downtown Philadelphia, Center City Restoration specializes in Historic property restoration and remodeling in the Center City district of Philadelphia. Their strengths lie in project management, meeting a deadline and a seamless project that highlights your homes existing properties. Center City Restoration’s top priority is customer satisfaction and their business plan relies on satisfied customer referrals.

For more information visit their website:
http://www.centercityrestoration.com/ | Facebook | Twitter

A little background on the artists:

Vasil Anastasav was born in Europe in family of artists. Graduated from the College of Fine Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria with a Bachelor of Art and Majored in Mural Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria. He has 25 years of experience in fresco and seco mural painting, mosaic, stained glass, icons, logos, architectural restoration, decorative painting, trompe l’oeil, interior finishes and Fine Art. He currently lives and works in Philadelphia.

For more information visit his website:
http://www.vaart.xbuild.com/#

Lauren Rinaldi is a Brooklyn born artist who has lived in Lancaster County, PA, has a BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art, and also studied at Temple University, Rome. The works on display, once described as seductively repugnant, tell intricate and personal stories exploring the meanings of encountering the unexpected through her engaging and vibrant paintings. She uses her own body and experiences to talk about issues of identity, self-exploration, gender, and very literally, the form and function of the human body. A Philadelphia resident, she lives in the Fishtown section of the city with her husband and son.

For more information visit her website:
http://laurenrinaldi.tumblr.com/paintings | Facebook | Twitter

If you would like to schedule a time to see the show please call Center City Restoration at 215.313.9301 or send an email to info@centercityrestoration.com

Penn Treaty Park is a cornerstone in the Fishtown Community of Philadelphia. They host music every Wednesday in the summer, fireworks on major events and keep the park clean for everyone to enjoy. It’s our time to give back to the park we love to walk to and enjoy the breeze off of the Delaware River.

A percentage of every sale goes to Penn Treaty Park,
please help us support them with many Side Arts Artists on January 7, 2012!

Learn More About The Slingluff Gallery Here

And For More About Penn Treaty Park Visit penntreatypark.org

For the month of December Sean Martorana will have brand new ink drawings on display at Cafe Estelle. Above is a film of Sean painting the windows for the opening reception this Friday 6:00 – 9:00.

Painters John Sasnett and Daniel Chow, and jewelry artist Jen-rung Lai are showing some of their works at a local tea cafe, Cups & Chairs, in the Queen Village district of Philadelphia. The owner of the cafe has invited a musician, Adam Rivera, to perform. Fingers crossed for opening night on 4 November 2011.

While hanging the paintings for the show, a lady whispered to her partner, “they’re so academic.” I guess she pretended to be whispering, and indeed I heard her quite clearly. I always have a come-back in response to most comments, but, alas, not without some lag time which by the time the lady would be gone beyond earshot.

No offense was taken, because her observation was correct. Nevertheless, in response to her observation I say, “no my fair lady, not just academic, they’re academic and beautiful.” Hence I’m titling this show in Italian, “Accademico e Bella!”

I think when some laypersons use the term, academic, they most probably mean amateurs, beginners, or “within-the-box”. It’s sometimes used in the context of putting down something or someone.

In the fine arts, when art works are described as academic, it means that the artist is demonstrating in his (or her) works the accumulated knowledge and technical skills he has acquired through schooling, or through his own experiences. As with writing, you also must be able to demonstrate the mastery of your language—the knowledge of your language and the techniques for proper usage. This also applies to music, cooking, or baking.

When I worked for Alan Kelly, CEO of Applied Communications, a technology public relations firm in San Francisco, he said to me that if you don’t have a passion for what you do, it will show through your work. My friend’s mother said something similar: make all the cookies you want, but if you don’t put the love in them, they won’t taste as good as when made with love.

Have you followed a recipe to the letter, and you and everyone else seem to feel that something was still missing in the final product? that something that was still missing was Love or Passion.

It’s too bad that some people use the term academic as a put-down, but there is nothing lowly about academic works. If your work was done with dedication and passion for the vocation of your choice, they will show through in your work no matter how academic—your work will intrinsically be beautiful.

If you don’t have the love or passion for it, an academic work, or any other work, is just that, just another academic work.

Please join us on opening night of Accademico e Bella! for music and art by John Sasnett, Daniel Chow, Jen-rung Lai, and Adam Rivera at Cups & Chairs Tea Cafe on 4 Novermber 2011, 8pm through 10pm!

(Daniel majored in Anthropology at San Francisco State University, and then took a detour to try a career in internet technology. He worked as an internet technology administrator for a public relations firm in San Francisco for three years, and later discovered his passion for painting and photography in Asheville, North Carolina. You can view some of his work at www.danielwkchow.com, or follow his blog at studio13.tumblr.com.)

THIS FRIDAY, October 7th, Drink Philly is yet again supporting local artistic talent, local brewers and local restaurants for First Friday! Come enjoy food and beer tastings and check out some great local art and music.

Featured Artists:
Heather Marley
Sean Martorana
Richard Tenaglia

This month, The Farmers’ Cabinet will be serving mini Bavarian pretzel bites with a pear mustard, accompanied by their very own home brew, Grisette.
ABSOLUTELY NO COVER CHARGE. (Valid ID is required, only 21+ will be admitted.)
The event goes from 5-9 PM on Friday, October 7, and you may come and go as you please.

Our address is:
239 Chestnut Street (3rd & Chestnut)
Second Floor, Unit B
Philadelphia, PA 19106

"Artemis"

August 2 – September 30, 2011 | Solo art exhibition at The High Point Cafe, 602 W. Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA; 215.849.5153.

September 2-17, 2011 |  Wawapalooza 5: Fringe Festival production at the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA. Features an on-screen art show of local artists, including work by Lynnette Shelley, inbetween theatrical performances.

September 10-11, 2011 | Brandywine Festival of the Arts, Brandywine Park,  1001 North Park Dr., Wilmington, DE 19802. Lynnette’s tent will be located at Booth Space #37. Link to festival map.

October 1-8, 2011 | Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) Group Art Show atCrossroads Coffeehouse, 6156 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA.

October 1-31 , 2011 | Solo show at Schang-Hai Gallerie, 4136 Creamery Road, Creamery, PA 19430; (610) 454-0504. Reception is on October 7th.

October 1, 2011 | 20th Annual Oktoberfest, on Butler Pike between Main Street and Lindenwold Ave., Ambler PA. 10 AM to 5 PM. Rain date is Oct. 2, 2011.

October 9, 2011 | Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival, Germantown Avenue, between Willow Grove and Rex Avenues. 11 AM to 5 PM. Rain date is Oct. 16, 2011.

"Totem I"

November 4, 2011 through January 6, 2012 | “Animalia” Solo Art Show at the Painted Bride Art Center, Cafe Gallery, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. First Friday Art Receptions: November 4 and December 2, 2011 from 5 to 7 pm. This is an Inliquid-sponsored art show.

Please visit www.lynnetteshelley.com to view more of Lynnette’s upcoming art shows as well as view her artwork gallery and available works for purchase.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Having a great love animals, fairytales, and world mythology, Pennsylvania artist Lynnette Shelley fuses these influences into her strikingly unique illustrations. Her artwork strikes a primal chord in many viewers, with almost Jungian associations to the colors and shapes. Her animal art and creature illustrations are both primitive and sophisticated, and have been likened to images from an undiscovered ancient civilization or culture.

“One of my primary interests has always been exploring legends and stories from around the world. Why are certain motifs ubiquitous across cultures and continents? These archetypal stories are told repeatedly in different guises throughout myth and folklore, and animals are often used to convey these mysteries. Whether painted on cave walls, portrayed as omens or worshiped as personifications of the gods, animals were a favorite theme for our ancestors. My artwork takes a closer look at this archetypal animal kingdom. Reinterpreted through abstraction, decorative element and contemporary vision, these creatures speak to our collective unconscious.”

"The White Buffalo (and the Red)"

10-hour, outdoor, live visual art competition with a backdrop of musical performances and DJs!!

AUGUST 27th from 12pm-10pm

Back for the 2nd round!! The Battle of the Canvas is a live painting competition that encourages the involvement of emerging and professional visual artists to paint under a theme that will promote social change through artistic images. In addition to fusing diverse artists with different skill levels together, appreciating visual arts out of galleries and museums is our goal since this free event will allow the public to connect with and interact with artists as they paint.

Where is it?? – The Artists Piazza | 2nd and Germantown Ave. 12pm-10pm | Free |Kids Corner

Watercolor Original Paintings by Sean Martorana

“I often talk to people who appreciate my work but can’t necessarily afford it. So I decided to start a line of more affordable art. Instead of simply offering prints as a lower-cost product (which many people balk at, because they want something original), I began creating one of a kind originals on 11×17 watercolor paper utilizing watercolors, ink and what ever else is near by. They’re quick strokes of inspriation that anyone can afford. I will be releasing them three at a time over the next several months.” – Sean Martorana

All artwork is signed by Sean Martorana and shipped in between cardboard to keep it safe.

You can pick them up as well as other artwork by clicking here.
(The paper was not previously stretched so it might have wrinkles and be a little bit warped which is all a part of Sean’s spontaneous process.)

A glimpse into the Art and Designs of Sean Martorana that have been applied to his fashion and apparel line.

Only a select 100+ tshirts were chosen for this film and is here to be viewed in 39 seconds.

Available designs here: STUDiO_Apparel

“I am always inspired between the collaboration between the artist and the viewer. The interaction between fashion and the person wearing it is an amazing thing to me. That’s why I dabble in jewelry and apparel. I enjoy the look of a hand drawn design especially when it’s teamed up with apparel. Most of my designs in my STUDiO_Apparel store are hand drawn elements from sketchbooks & paintings. I do also include a variety of digitally produced designs as well. This is a “look book” video I produced just to show a small portion of a larger t-shirt portfolio that I have created.” – Sean Martorana

Purchase available shirts here: STUDiO_Apparel

Sean Martorana has some artwork hanging in the new shop down on 712 S 4th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, Community Bikes and Boards. Stop in to see his work along with long boards, bike parts and apparel. To learn more about Community Bikes and Boards check out their website: http://communitybikesandboards.com/

Community Bikes and Boards Brotherly Love Hook up: Community Bikes and Boards is all about giving back to the “Community” and this rad city we grew up in! “In order to capture a city, first capture the heart of the people”.

Visit Sean’s website at http://seanmartorana.com/ for more paintings, digital studies, designs, photography as well as custom products and merchandise.

@seanmartorana

https://www.facebook.com/inthestudio

http://seanmartorana.com/