Ocean Grove tent colony. Interior. Paul Goldfinger . 2015.
“Maria Elena.”
Archive for the ‘Ocean Grove art’ Category
Tent colors. Maria Elena.
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove tent colony on November 18, 2024|
Portraits of Two Artists in Ocean Grove
Posted in Ocean Grove art, tagged Two artists in the Grove on August 10, 2024|
By Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger. Re-post. 2012
John Aria. photos by Paul Goldfinger
Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, June in Ocean Grove brings back the artists who love the old houses, the tents and the vibrant life in our town. Today I took a bike ride and met two painters, both of whom were feeling inspired working in the Grove.
John Aria was deep in concentration late this sunny Tuesday afternoon. The air was clear and the visuals were spectacular—John was applying the finishing touches to his scene: a row of tents. OK, the subject matter is trite, but no one will ever do it exactly like John. John Aria’s visual voice is unique–like a fingerprint, if you could look very closely. So, no matter how many photos are taken or pictures painted of the tents, artists will return to the Grove to enjoy this special place near the ocean.
John is not a professional. He is a retired school teacher who lives in West Long Branch. But he loves to paint and he loves to visit OG.
Stephen D’Amato
We found Stephen D’Amato sitting in a chair right in front of Stoke’s statue. Stephen is a professional who is working on a painting project (oils and water colors) of shore scenes in Ocean Grove, Asbury Park and Wildwood. His gaze was fixed straight ahead at another trite subject: Stokes and his wonderful Great Auditorium. Today Stephen is making preparatory drawings.
I told him some of the history of the Great Auditorium and suggested that he read the new book by Bell, Bell and Dufresne. He also eagerly jotted down two words, “Stardust Memories.”
Stephen is planning the exhibit in December at the Cranford Library. After that it will wind up in a gallery. He was wearing earphones. He likes to listen to rock when he works. He says it puts him in the mood–it was the Allman Brothers this afternoon.
“If I could afford it, I would move here,” he said. He will be coming at least once per week now to draw and paint. Stephen is especially eager to go inside the GA when he and Mom will be coming to hear Johnny Mathis.
“Oxygen Tattoo” by Stephen D’Amato
Both these artists share a love of straw hats and of the visuals that surround us, especially in special places where the light evokes emotions, and the colors and shapes resonate in ways that carry beauty, ideas and music. Here is such a song that brings to mind the quest of the artist.
By Jewel:
Springtime Founders’ Park Art Festival–separates OG from the rest of the Jersey Shore.
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, Ocean Grove events, tagged Arts show in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove lifestyles on February 28, 2024|
Ocean Grove 2005. We need more events like this. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
LOS LOBOS. “Sabor a Mi”
Pilgrim Pathway 2016. What would Stokes say? He’d say, “That’ll be the day!”
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove events, Ocean Grove historical preservation, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, tagged Ocean Grove lifestyles on July 29, 2023|
Ocean Grove at the Spring Fling. Pilgrim Pathway. 5/15/16. Blogfinger photo
Of course, when the Jersey girls in their summer clothes make their debut on the OG Boardwalk, this will seem modest. Blogfinger will be covering that story from the culture/lifestyles viewpoint.
BUDDY HOLLY and the CRICKETS from the soundtrack of American Graffiti.:
Modern OG history: Painting outdoors (“en plein air”)—-an idea that brought art out of the studio and into the light and fresh air.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, tagged En plein air in Ocean Grove on March 16, 2023| 1 Comment »
Janet Whritner in Firemen’s Park where she is painting the town red, and other colors too. Her subjects are two adjacent Victorian cottages on Mt. Hermon Way. Paul Goldfinger photo © 7/15/16 Re-post.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor of all things artsy @Blogfinger
“En plein air” has been popular since the days of the Impressionists. The French thought of it, and that is why we say, “en plain air” instead of “open air.” The idea is that the artist experiences the actual conditions of light by setting up his (or her) easel and enjoying reality. It should give the finished work a more “au naturel” look.
This Friday, July 15, 2016, we found that art professor Norma Tolliver had brought an intermediate class of acrylics painters to Firemen’s Park. We spoke to Janet Whritner of Ocean Grove who was part of the group which had set up throughout the park.
She says that she is at an intermediate level having taken some classes before. In fact we met “JW” last year when she and Beverly from Mt. Tabor Way had camped out at the feet of Rev. Stokes for the same sort of painting-in-fresh-air experience as now.
Norma is the artist-in-chief at the Main Avenue Galleria. Her art school provides a wide choice of classes including some for children.
In summer they may have a “paint around,” sort of like musical chairs where all the participants get to contribute at each canvas. Do they all sign the finished product? Can you imagine doing that while cooking, soloing on an oboe, or composing a symphony? But Norma must make it work—this will not be her first rodeo.
Below is a link to last year’s post:
So, when is the class over? When the light fades, of course. Then the class gets together for some close harmony below. Listen for Janet—the soprano; Beverly is the alto and Norma conducts with a brush in her hand. We do need a tenor–can someone lend us a tenor? Maybe Ron Naldi would join the group? And how about a bass? After all, it’s all about the bass.
Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainright, and the McGarrigle sisters.
Shift shaper in the Grove…
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove beachfront, Ocean Grove photographs, OG wildlife news, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove, Photography at The Jersey Shore, Photography by Moe Demby, Photography Nights in Ocean Grove, Photography: Nocturnal Ocean Grove on August 25, 2022| 1 Comment »
Ocean Grove beach. Winter. By Moe Demby, Blogfinger staff © Click to enlarge.
A.R. RAHMAN From the film The Hundred Foot Journey. “You Complete Me.”
“Twilight in the Grove” by Jack Bredin.
Posted in Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Artist Jack Bredin on January 24, 2021| 1 Comment »
Jack Bredin painting. Twilight in the Grove. Main Ave. looking west. Ocean Grove. 2020. Photograph by Rob Bredin. © Click to enlarge.
KATE HAVNEVIK from the Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs.
“AURORA” Goddess of the Dawn—-By Jack Bredin
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Jack Bredin artist, Jack Bredin Aurora, Jack Breding Ocean Grove artist on August 7, 2018| 6 Comments »
“AURORA” Goddess of the Dawn by Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin. © Click to enlarge. August, 2018. Photo of the painting by Rob Bredin.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
Jack Bredin decided years ago to paint the historic Aurora Hotel. This year he finally completed the project. Jack usually begins by photographing his subject, and when he was doing that, he saw a woman watering her lawn near the Aurora. It turns out that she is the owner of that house, and she gave Jack permission to use her in his painting. The dog walker also was present on the day of the photographs and he also gave permission.
The historic Angel of Victory statue is depicted at the lower right corner. Jack has used the famous statue in other paintings. Here is a BF link by Kathy Arlt regarding the Angel:
Jack works in oil on canvas, and his paintings often contain historic and current references. For example, Jack always admired the giant American flag hung from the Aurora at times such as the 4th of July. But the flag obscured many details, so Jack placed bunting instead.
The vacant North End is readily seen. Someday much of what Jack shows here will be considered historic For example, the “White Whale” building near the upper right hand corner, will probably be demolished in the future. And the glorious views currently available to all at the North End will be blocked by a commercialized OG North End (aka “South Asbury Park.”)
Wonderful Victorian homes are shown in the foreground, but looming behind, like some prehistoric monster, is a condominium building, the sort of place that mars the views in the Grove.
Jack insists on accuracy in his paintings, while taking some minor liberties. For example, the girl on the bike is a Heck Avenue neighbor named Jackie. And the Aurora, the symbol of the Greek Goddess of dawn, will be converted into 4 condos if the out-of-town interlopers get their way, with the gears greased by the feckless HPC (def: lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible.) and the out-of-town, don’t-give-a crap Committee.
It should be noted that although Jack’s work might stimulate political discussions, he never mixes art and politics.
You also can see that Jack has frozen the time of his subject by including the 16 story Asbury skyscraper currently going up near the ocean. You can see the giant crane on top. What effect will that huge building have on life in the Grove?
STEVE HOLY:
En plein air artists set up at the feet of Stokes
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, Ocean Grove lifestyles, tagged Art classes en plein air in Ocean Grove, Django Reinhardt on Blogfinger, Main Avenue Galleria, Norma Tolliver artist, Ocean Grove art lessons on March 17, 2018|
Janet (L) and Bev from Ocean Grove. On the right is Diane, the pink lady from Summit. .Paul Goldfinger photo ©. July 16, 2015. Reposted from July, 2015. Blogfinger.net
Diane from Summit sits at the feet of Stokes who probably would have liked her in his congregation. Bev holds her painting of the great man. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
By Paul Goldfinger @Blogfinger.net
They were painting outdoors on a gorgeous Jersey Shore day, right on Ocean Pathway by Rev. Stokes statue. Stokes probably would have liked this painting class in the Ocean Grove of 1870. After all, the camp meeting idea included a variety of leisure activities. In fact, Troy Messenger’s fascinating book is called “Holy Leisure: Recreation and Religion in God’s Square Mile.”
Norma Tolliver, of the Main Avenue Galleria, was conducting the class in the spirit of the French who invented “en plain air” painting—which means painting outdoors.
Janet, Bev and Diane were having a happy time being creative with their canvasses. They could kibbitz with me while making their masterpieces. It actually looked like fun.
BF article Main Ave. Galleria 2012 Click here to see a nice photo of Norma Tolliver, owner and artist-in-chief at the Main Avenue Galleria School of Art (732 988 1002) where you can take lessons, paint outdoors and even have wine and cheese during a painting event, in the spirit of Picasso who liked to drink when he met his artist friends, perhaps explaining his two headed, one eyed women subjects. (You must see Midnight in Paris by Woody–you will meet Salvatore Dali and Hemingway in a left bank bar—not exactly en plain air; more like en stale air.)
DJANGO REINHARDT “Body and Soul” 1938
Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin: “Summertime by the Sea.”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove art, tagged Artist Jack Bredin on September 12, 2017| 1 Comment »
“Summertime by the Sea” By Jack Bredin, 2017. © Photograph by Rob Bredin. Click to enlarge.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS:
Ocean Grove Artists Series: Jack Bredin
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists on September 2, 2016| 4 Comments »
The North End Pavilion Building by Jack Bredin. Oil on canvas. August, 2016. ©
MINNIE DRIVER “Ruby Adeline.”
“WILLOW” by Marylou Shipman, Ocean Grove artist
Posted in Ocean Grove art, Ocean Grove artists, Ocean Grove portraits, tagged Ocean Grove artist on September 9, 2015| 7 Comments »
WILLOW by Marylou Shipman. Watercolor/gouage. ©
Hello Paul…I love your photo of the Hemingway cat…the Siamese is truly a regal creature. I am a great admirer of cats and I have done several interpretations of Ocean Grove felines in watercolor/gouache. In the past, you took an interest in my painting of Maggie the cat (beloved Ocean Grove feline). I so appreciated the fact that you shared my artwork on your blog. I thought I would submit my latest painting of “Willow”…taking a nap on her Franklin Avenue porch. I tried to capture that “Leave me alone, I’m napping” look in her eyes.
Sincerely yours,
MaryLou
Mary Lou—this is a fine painting of a cute cat. She is the epitome of comfort—an inspiration for humans, especially those who have access to an Ocean Grove porch. Sometimes I take a walk in the Grove and pass a person who is curled up on their porch in a comfortable chair, reading a book, taking a nap, or sipping a drink. Oftentimes their legs are up on a cushion or tucked underneath. They seem so content, and I am jolted–because it reminds me that Eileen and I need to spend more time relaxing on our porch. We need to stop and smell the flowers and the ocean breezes, like Willow.
Thanks for sharing with the Blogfinger audience.
CAT POWER is the name given to recordings by singer/songwriter Charlene Marie Marshall, a Southern soul performer. This is from her 7th album —-recorded in Memphis in 2006 to great acclaim. Other than her stage name, this music has nothing to do with cats. But like so much of the music which we post on Blogfinger, it’s here because I like it.
These lyrics are a bit obscure, but the music is dreamlike and beautiful. Sometimes we can enjoy vocal music for its shear sound, ignoring the actual words. We do that often when listening to opera or some rock and roll. But that never happens when listening to Sinatra.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
“The Greatest” from the album of the same name.