Artists of the Month - March 2017

by Judie Apablaza

Girl Gazers, Devorah Friedman

We always expect the finest watercolor portraits and figure work from Devorah Friedman, our blue ribbon winner. Devorah works from photographs and often takes her camera with her to travel spots as well as everyday locations to capture friends' informal poses.
     
Her current winner, titled “Girl Gazers,” was of two male retirees on a park bench, both intent on making hushed comments and critiques of unsuspecting feminine strollers. The whimsical scene required artistic expertise in capturing the interaction and spirit of the conversation between two friends. 
     
She stated that she prefers the color palate of Charles Reid, a teacher, artist and author known around the world. He uses clean colors and captures the light reflected on his figures with freshness and spontaneity. While she attempts to be aware of every feature in her portraits, Devorah states that “it is vital to catch the spirit of the person.” Although she has been working with international artist Fealing Lin for many years, we all feel that Devorah would also make a wonderful, accomplished teacher and mentor. She has so much to share.

Musical Starry Night, Rosina Maize

Rosina Maize was our second place winner, with an oil titled, “Musical Starry Night,” an interesting theme with inspiration from Van Gogh. Rosina usually paints “plein air” or still life. The take-off from Vincent van Gogh allowed her to intently study the brush strokes and style of the Dutch post-impressionist painter. Many artists have stretched their abilities honed their skills by learning from the masters. She is also planning an exciting trip in June to the Netherlands to sketch at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. 
     
Rosina is not a hobbyist, but a dedicated student of the arts with an interest in sketching, oils and watercolor. She paints three to four times a week in her studio or plein air. Although she mentioned that she has ancestors that were museum quality painters, she states that “art is hard work” and requires hours of practice to make true progress. 
     
She never passes up an opportunity to be in galleries or shows. She will be submitting work for the Sierra Madre Art Fair in May of this year. She especially enjoyed being in a show at the Creative Arts Group in which florists chose paintings and paired them with their floral arrangements in a vignette format. The results were spectacular.