“A Snowy Day” by Jack Bredin. November, 2020. Special to Blogfinger.net.
ANNE MURRAY
Archive for the ‘Ocean Grove artists’ Category
“A Snowy Day” by OG artist Jack Bredin.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Artist Jack Bredin, Snowy Day by Jack on November 19, 2020| 2 Comments »
“Jean’s Kitchen” by Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin.
Posted in Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Artist Jack Bredin, Jack and Jean Bredin of Ocean Grove on May 20, 2020| 2 Comments »
“Jean’s Kitchen” by Jack Bredin. May, 2020. Ocean Grove. Photograph by Rob Bredin.
Julia Child’s kitchen is in the Smithsonian, but to Jack, friends and family of Jean, this kitchen, on Heck Avenue is a gourmet’s delight. Jack works at home, so he didn’t need to travel far for his model.
This is more than a painting of a room. Jean is there, and Jack has placed some clues to his existence as her best customer: his glasses and his tush pillow. We also see other signs of life in the Bredin house: plants, flowers and the cat.
And as a further tribute to Jean, Jack rolled back the years for his sweet partner and cook.
FRANK SINATRA with a tribute to Jean Bredin:
Willie the Cat by Ocean Grove artist MaryLou Shipman
Posted in Ocean Grove artists, tagged Cat paintings in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove artists, Willie by MaryLou Shipman on October 7, 2019| 1 Comment »
October 6, 2019. By MaryLou Shipman: “I am attaching my latest watercolor of Willie. He is my little friend from Ocean Grove’s Cookman Avenue:”
Willie. Cookman Avenue, Ocean Grove. Watercolor by MaryLou Shipman. © 2019. Special to Blogfinger.net.
NEIL DIAMOND
“Heck Avenue” Jack Bredin’s latest tribute to the village of Ocean Grove.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Heck Avenue by Jack Bredin, Ocean Grove artists on January 2, 2019| 8 Comments »
“Heck Avenue” by Jack Bredin of Ocean Grove, NJ. Special to Blogfinger. Jan 1, 2019. Photo by Rob Bredin.
COLE PORTER WITH VINCE GIORDANO AND THE NIGHTHAWKS:
OG modern history–2018: Balzac Yarn Shop opens in the Grove: a wonderful step in the right direction.
Posted in Ocean Grove artists, Ocean Grove Main Avenue news, tagged Balzac yarn shop in Ocean Grove on December 8, 2018|
Balzac brings color, class, creativity and warmth to the OG downtown. Paul Golfinger photographs. 10/10/18 ©
Russell Brent, the proprietor of Balzac, chats with Joan Ann, a Grover knitter who couldn’t wait to visit the shop. Looking on is Liz who works there and is a knitter herself. The enthusiasm is quite palpable in Russell’s “gathering place.”
By Eileen Goldfinger and Paul Goldfinger, editors at Blogfinger.net.
Russell Brent is an Ocean Grover who wanted to participate in the community by opening a shop that would be a “welcoming gathering place” for creative folks who were interested in knitting or crocheting. He is an expert in knitting, and his shop “Balzac” is now open at #50 Main Avenue in the Grove.
Balzac is a lovely place because of all the colors and textures on display. In the windows are some beautiful hangings which he knitted himself. Russell sells natural yarns (“fibers”) made of wool, cashmere, silk, cotton and alpaca. He also stocks “notions” which refer to the accessories one needs to engage in the knitting/crocheting arts.
Russell says that he “loves” Ocean Grove and was attracted by the welcome which he received when he moved here one year ago.
His shop will be a meeting place where a wide spectrum of knitters/crocheters can come to discuss their “wips” (works in progress). There is a large table in the store where customers can bring their projects and work on them there. He wants enthusiasts to stop by, have coffee, and discuss their works. Lessons will be available for individuals and groups. Spinning classes will also be held. Russell says that he will “have something for everyone—a broad range.”
The yarns come in different weights, and he buys from a selected group of independent yarn producers. For example he carries a wonderful display of fibers from The Neighborhood Fiber Company of Baltimore.
Working with Russell is another knitter Liz Scott whom some will recognize from the OG Hardware store. Both workers are enthused and happy in their endeavor.
Russell is a bit of a philosopher. He named the store after Honoré de Balzac, a 19th century novelist and playwright. “He wrote about people and treated them equally,” said Russell, so his motto for his shop is “we will create together.”
Since the store opened a few days ago, many excited fans have arrived to check it out. A knitting club “Navesink Knitters Guild” already visited, and Eileen’s group “Happy Fingers,” who meet in Bradley Beach, is planning a field trip, and Russell couldn’t be happier. He says, “The response is overwhelming. They are coming out of the woodwork.”
Blogfinger has been looking forward to more shops in the Grove that will promote the arts and be geared towards the residents as well as towards tourists. Because fine knitting stores are fairly rare, this shop should attract enthusiasts from elsewhere, so it is a win-win situation for the Main Avenue downtown.
And, by the way, the coffee shop “Odyssey” should be opening in November (next to Comfort Zone’s small store.) We plan to interview the owner. He has placed some fine literature in the window, probably from the 8th century by Homer, so the cultural indicators seems to be rising in town —a welcome change.
That’s me taking the photo and waiting for the door to open. 10/10/18
Eileen is crocheting a pumpkin. She says it’s orange. This is an unfinished work of art. Her hook is on the left, but she is no hooker. And please, no knitwit jokes. ©
FRANK SINATRA: From the movie What Women Want.
“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
OG artist Jack Bredin: “A Cottage by the Sea.”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Artist Jack Bredin on July 25, 2017| 3 Comments »
“A Cottage By the Sea” by Jack Bredin. This is an Ocean Grove scene, and Jack continues his series of paintings of our town. Photo by Rob Bredin. July, 2017.
Jack Bredin continues his series of Ocean Grove scenes. His paintings of our town are famous, and lucky is the art lover who has one hanging in his home.
Editor’s note: You can feel the life of the seashore in this painting by Jack. The breezes are blowing the flag and the trees, and you can smell the ocean. The young couple are perhaps planning their evening. Maybe they will go to a dance. Do they still have dances? Well, let’s assume that they do, and he may approach others, but he wants to have the last dance with her; and then he’ll take her to Days for an ice cream soda.
And that’s where the cottage by the sea comes in, because he hopes to take her there, under the watchful eye of her parents, of course, and they’ll sit on the porch and maybe there will be some music in the air. Which brings us to our song below:
PATRICK RIGUELLE AND JOHN TERRA with a song made famous by the Drifters in 1960.
Portrait of a great tenor: Ronald Naldi
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove artists, Ocean Grove Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove lifestyles, Ocean Grove Musical Event, tagged Ronald Naldi in Ocean Grove NJ, Ronald Naldi on Blogfinger, Ronald Naldi sings in the Great Auditorium Ocean Grove on April 19, 2017| 1 Comment »
Ronald Naldi in the Great Auditorium of Ocean Grove. By Paul Goldfinger , undated. ©
RONALD NALDI performing “Mattinata” from his album Torn A Surriento–Neopolitan Songs and Romances
Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin unveils his latest painting depicting the destruction of the ocean liner, SS Morro Castle.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Jack Bredin artist, Morro Castle by Jack Bredin painter, Morro Castle tragedy on November 19, 2016| 2 Comments »
SS Morro Castle on fire in 1934 off the Asbury Park shore. Painting by Jack Bredin, November 2016. © Photograph by Rob Bredin.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
Jack Bredin is a well known artist who specializes in scenes of Ocean Grove. His work is on display at the Ocean Park Gallery on Cookman Avenue in Asbury park. Here is a link to another recent work of Jack’s from this past summer:
Artist Jack Bredin: The Auditorium Pavilion in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
The SS Morro Castle was an ocean liner in the 1930’s. It ran back and forth between New York City and Havana. On September 8, 1934, during a return trip from Cuba with 571 passengers and crew on board, the ship caught fire about 8 miles off Long Beach Island. Very quickly it became enveloped by the flames. The crew was ill prepared for a shipboard fire, and many people jumped into the water. In the end, about 137 people died of drowning or fire. Some bodies floated ashore at Pt. Pleasant and Manasquan.
After the ship was empty, an attempt was made to tow it away, but it drifted loose and went aground near Convention Hall in Asbury Park. It stayed there for about 6 months where it was a tourist attraction. Then it was towed away and scrapped.
Jack Bredin’s folk-painting style is to add a bit of poetic license to his works, so the facts may not be exactly correct—thus the ship burning off Asbury Park.
Here is a video which is quite interesting:
www.aphistoricalsociety.org/morro_castle.html
The Morro Castle was returning from Cuba, so here is a sample of the sort of music that the band on the ship might have played on that fateful night:
DON AZPIAZU and the HAVANA CASINO ORCHESTRA
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.”
Artist Jack Bredin: The Auditorium Pavilion in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove architecture, Ocean Grove artists, tagged Artist Jack Bredin on July 19, 2016| 2 Comments »
The Auditorium Pavilion on the Ocean Pathway. By Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin. July, 2016. ©
Jack Bredin has been interpreting scenes of Ocean Grove on a regular basis. His unique and creative take on our town is making him famous as a Jersey Shore artist. His work is on permanent exhibit at the Ocean Park Gallery on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ. Jack’s paintings are best described as “folk art.”
Here is a link to our 2015 post about Jack’s work celebrating the success of the Together Campaign in the Grove:
Music for Jack by THE MIDNIGHT SERENADERS: