A Piece of My Childhood

"Between Two Brothers" (8x10 oil) By Faith Goldstein

It was good to finally spend an extended amount of time in the studio; and having it to myself all day, took away any pressure I felt to actually paint something! After mostly staring out the window, and then a couple of failed attempts to paint well (or well enough!), I looked in my photo file and found comfort in some old photos. Mitch looks happy to be celebrating his BIRTHDAY, which is today... and Bruce seems almost sorry for all the trouble he caused!

It felt good to be painting again, though I'm a little shaky, a little rusty... it's good to have a place to belong! ...And speaking of the studio, it's time to start paying rent on the second year! Time, like a great blowing wind, seems to go by too quickly, lately... I'll be holding tightly to what is trusted and true, to avoid being blown (too far!) off balance!

Lake Ontario

I decided it was time for a real journey, this past weekend. I headed out after work on Friday, towards Syracuse, New York; with a stop along the way, at the wonderful Arkell Museum, in Canajoharie, in the Mohawk River Valley of Central New York. After a restful night at the Marriot, my final destination was another 40 minutes north, to visit with my amazing daughter, who is attending college in Oswego. She gave me a tour of her "home-away-from-home" in the Theatre Department in Tyler Hall. It was fun seeing where I used to take drawing classes many years ago, and all the places I never knew about - that are now a part of her life. We spent the day and that night together.......until my journey continued home by train, so that she would have her car again (long story!). Well, the train was delayed, and very long; but good things outweighed the negatives and I feel refreshed... and even have some new images to inspire new paintings!

"The Gift" (A portrait of two sisters)

"The Gift" 18x24 oil by Faith Goldstein

I LOVE this painting... and the time I got to spend with my very little girls, (who are now grown), while painting it! ...It was not accepted into a juried show, but I am happy to have painted it, just the same. It is a favorite memory, from a most beloved time in my life, as the mom of two little girls! (They are truly a gift in my life!)

The Gift

detail of "The Gift" (18x24 - oil) by Faith Goldstein fine art

I scrambled to finish this painting, that required more work, before I could submit it to a juried show. OK... I'm being calm here... it is my first entry into a show since I began painting again just one year ago! ...In this painting, both my girls are holding Birthday gifts; but, of course, the real gift is that they have each other.

It's been a rough week, that included a day spent in the hospital emergency room... and the news of needing surgery, on Wednesday! ...But there will be no whining here; I'll trust the care of others (doctors and nurses).... and accept the opportunity to calm, both , my body and my mind. I know in the end, all will be OK, and it will be just another part of this Journey.

"The Gift" - In Progress

"The Gift" - in progress (oil) (Faith Goldstein)

I'm painting this from a photo of my girls when they were small. They were sitting on a friend's step, just about to go in the house to attend her birthday party. It is such a great memory, and one I'm so glad to be painting. ...I've been thinking about how the events in our memories are so very much linked to the people we share them with. ...That a memory is just that much clearer, and happier, because of who you spent time with; attending a special event or having visited some place new. ...This painting will have both my girls in it. I am grateful to have them in my memories, and on my Journey.

Knickerbocker Ice Festival

This morning, I boxed up my paintings, dressed in warm layers, and went over to spend the day with the other AiP artists at Rockland Lake State Park. It was a chilly, but sunny day... enjoyed by a lot of people! I went on a morning walk; taking photos while enjoying the beauty of this park.

The journey today, held many lessons... enjoy the scenery ahead, trust the path in front of you (even if it is different from the one you're used to walking)... and, at least on this day, some people just can't keep their hands out of the wet paint!

Rockland Lake State Park - Landscape

"Winter Path at Rockland Lake State Park" 9x12 oil

By Faith Goldstein fine art

This is my second small painting for the Knickerbocker Ice Festival, this week-end. I really had fun, and enjoyed working out the challenges that it presented. I'll look forward to painting more small 'scapes' in the future, to continue learning on this journey! (Cold outside, cold in my studio ... I hope you see warmth in my marks!)

Check out the festival information at http://www.knickerbockericefestival.com/

Rockland Lake State Park - New York

"Picnic Table" (Winter at Rockland Lake State Park)

9x12 oil - By Faith Goldstein fine art

I am participating in an "Artists in the Parks" event, this week-end, at Rockland Lake State Park. It is called the Knickerbocker Ice Festival. AiP will have a tent set up with paintings and photographs available for purchase, and a silent auction will be held on Sunday, the 24th, with a percentage going to benefit the Parks Conservancy. If you are in the area, please come out and support this event!

Landscapes are quite a challenge, for me, to paint. It is overwhelming to 'fool the eye' into thinking such a vast space exists on a small canvas! I drove out to paint in Don's studio on Saturday morning, to begin one of these landscapes. When I started it, I was terrified that I just could not do it... but after working a bit, I then became terrified because some of the marks seemed right! I welcome the day (and pray for it!), when my confidence will guide me through, without this panic. .........The cold winter landscape echoes my mood, and my life right now; I'll appreciate the warmth of a new season!

Citifield Paintings Series

"GAME FACE" (16" x 20" oil) by Faith Goldstein fine Art

Happy New Year....... a new year and a new direction in my paintings. Or is it an old, familiar style, done in oil paints instead of acrylics? (...Something I wasn't sure I could accomplish.) Time will tell, but I am excited to share the first in a series of paintings based on photos I shot at the new Citifield, located in Queens, New York. Home to the Mets, I mostly took interest in the action of the people in the stands- the fans and the vendors, and used the field as the backdrop to elicit the excitement and the memories of being in the stadium!

AiP Art Show - "JUDGE and JURY"

"Judge and Jury" at the AiP Art Show (oil, 11x14) by Faith Goldstein

Just having some fun with the title on this one! ...I really had fun at the First Harvest Show in the Overlook Lodge at Bear Mountain State Park! It was fun to hang out with the other artists, and have some surprise guests show up to support the event. Good food, good drink, good people, and a great view of the mountains, Hessian Lake, and the Hudson beyond. I'm so happy to have discovered this hidden gem, so close to home... open for catered affairs and overnight retreats. (I could use one of those!)

BEAR MOUNTAIN - First Harvest Show

Faith Goldstein fine art

announces participation

in an ARTISTS IN THE PARKS event:

"A Walk by Hessian Lake" (16x20 oil) by Faith Goldstein ..... $519 framed

Please Join Me....and the other 'Artists In The Parks' members

for

The First Harvest Show

at

The Overlook Lodge, Bear Mountain State Park

Saturday - November 21

3 - 9 PM

FYI - Parking fee: $0, Drinks from the CASH BAR: variable,

Joining me to support this event:

PRICELESS!!

A Blast from MY PAST

Spring Hat (acrylic) by Faith Goldstein Fine Art

In The Park (acrylic) by Faith Goldstein Fine Art

I wanted to share with you, a "blast from my past" today. These are 2 of the very first paintings I had ever done. If you visited with me in my studio, you may have seen my portfolio which includes photos of several of these acrylic paintings. They were painted, many years ago, under the tutelage of Don Keene; who continues to be a guiding influence in my life. Yesterday morning, I took the drive out to Madison CT, to paint with Don's Saturday morning class, in his studio. We talked first about my desire to create these same marks in oils; and my struggle to think it was possible to do. After a few minutes, I left all 'doubt' behind, and took the next step on my Journey! (Please stay tuned!) (Thanks, also, to Gina, for telling me it can be done!)

Check out Don's website at www.donkeene.com

after Open Studio event

Once again, I've had the chance to talk with some wonderful people, who came out to support the artists, during New Rochelle's ArtsFest '09. It was a cold, rainy week-end; but the warmth of human kindness and wine, were overflowing! Thank you, all, (merci, to some) who braved the weather, and the lone trolley(!), to support this event. Hope to see you, on the Journey again, soon! -Faith

Open Studio event!!!!!!!

SAVE THE DATES!!!!
New Rochelle Arts Fest ‘09
Sponsored by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts
www.newrochelledowntown.com/happeningsinoctober

October 17 & 18, 2009

(Can you tell I'm going to have a busy week-end? I'm looking forward to this Journey!)

Art On The Trail Exhibit - Invitation

My two 11x14 paintings of Perkin's Tower (Bear Mountain) will be part of The Artists On The Trail Exhibit at the Highland Falls Library. The library is located at 298 Main Street, Highland Falls, New York. You are invited, to Join Us - Friday, October 16th, 5-8pm for an evening of Nature inspired artwork, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. (I'll be there with some wine, for the Journey!)

Contemporary Still-life

"High Tea" (oil 16x20) by Faith Goldstein

This is another painting that I had started some time ago, in JC English's Traditional Still life class at the Pelham Art Center. It just needed those little red flowers on the teapot, to bring it to life! I also like my placement of that HIGH red bottle, going off the canvas. I guess that's what makes it a Contemporary still life. (Dare to be different, on this Journey!)

Green Cay Journey II

"Green Cay Journey II" (16x20 oil) by Faith Goldstein

I bet you never expected to see a new post so soon! If you visited my studio during New Rochelle's First Artwalk on August 6, you might remember seeing this painting unfinished. Well, I finally went back to it ... so here it is! I am working hard at choosing the elements I want to include in a painting, and editing the rest out. It is a challenging task, but I am the most pleased with the paintings that I have done this with. (See "Pool View" in an earlier post.) I hope you enjoy this "journey", and your own, today!

Lake George Boats

"America Boat, Lake George, NY" (18x24 oil) by Faith Goldstein...$450

I'm happy to report that I've survived my most difficult challenge! This is the largest oil painting I've done to date. Since it was too large to complete in just a few sessions, it was almost like painting several paintings, within a painting. I would say that I had the most fun with the water.... and today, repainting the mountains and the sky to better suit the painting as a whole, was a pleasure! OK... the boat in the foreground was quite a challenge! Do you think I pulled it off?

Artists in the Parks, Bear Mountain

Today was the first day of exhibiting paintings as part of the "Artists on the Trail" Outdoor Art Show. All images represent Bear Mountain... and some were painted on this very day! I was not feeling brave enough to paint on location, but painted instead, in my studio, from photos taken earlier this summer. I enjoyed the walk along Hessian Lake and was able to shoot quite a few photos for future reference in the studio. It was a beautiful day in the park. (My work will hang in this show through tomorow (Sunday), but I will (attempt to) spend the day painting!

Bear Mountain - This Saturday & Sunday

I'm getting my paintings ready to show at Bear Mountain, this week-end. (They will be priced at only $200 each!) I am looking forward to great weather, and meeting the other artists involved in this program. The Art Show will be taking place on the playing field, near the parking lot. Look for the white and blue pop-up tents... and enjoy the day's Journey! -Faith

(See PAINTINGS of Perkin's Tower in an earlier post.)

"Pumpkins at Weed Orchards"

" Pumpkins at Weed Orchards" (14x18 oil) by Faith Goldstein

If I titled this "Little Pumpkin" at Weed Orchards, would you have known which pumpkin I was talking about? Many thanks to my new friend, Jennifer, for allowing me to reference my photograph of Joshua for this painting. I loved the image so much, that I couldn't wait to paint it. I'm learning so much about oil paints with each new work; this one was so much fun... yet challenging, and filled with lessons for me.

Last night was an informal Open Studio in New Rochelle. Since I am back to my 'day job', I needed to be painting... but I thought there was no reason not to keep the door open for visitors. I just want to say how much I enjoy meeting people; and perhaps forming some life-long friendships. There is no place I am more comfortable, than in the studio, sharing our journey through art! (Next Open Studio is October 17 & 18. Please come by and say Hello!)

Perkin's Tower, BEAR MOUNTAIN

"A Walk by Perkin's Tower, Bear Mountain State Park" (11x14 oil) by Faith Goldstein ....$200

"Perkin's Tower, Bear Mountain State Park" (11x14 oil) by Faith Goldstein....$200

I am a member of the Artists In the Parks program for the Pallisades Park Conservancy, and have been invited to participate in their "Art on the Trail" event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 19th & 20th. Due to my still shaky plein air skills, I got a head start by painting these two in my studio, from reference photos I shot earlier in the summer. I'm not sure if I will paint on Saturday, but these two should be on display with the other participant's work, on SATURDAY AFTERNOON & on SUNDAY. (A portion of the purchase price is donated to the Conservancy.) Bear Mountain State Park holds a special place in my heart. It is one of my earliest memories... probably because of the very tiny photo, I have, of me there, when I was only 3!

(Still to come... Lake George boats!) Whew... what a busy summer! Time for my daughter to begin her own journey, away at college, for the first time! ........I'll be back soon!

Late Night of Painting

"Pool View" (16x20 oil) by Faith Goldstein fine art

I am back from a vacation in Lake George, NY. I shot so many photographs that I'm thinking of making small notecards with some of them........others will be used as reference photos for future paintings. Although I brought my supplies with me, it just didn't feel right to take out the oils. I did, however, do some planning on this painting. I really did paint it in my head all week, before actually putting brush to canvas!

(It's 1 o'clock in the morning... so I think I'll just post and go to sleep now!)

Check back in 2 weeks...

Going out of town for the week. I'm bringing my painting supplies with me... but we'll see how that goes! (I really am planning to use them!) Please check back in with me in a couple of weeks. I promise to have a new painting or two to post. I'm still energized from the awesome Open Studio last week! I can't wait for the next time......... October 17 & 18 from noon to 5 pm.

Faith Goldstein fine art

"Serenity Buddha" oil, 16"x20"

I began this painting in a traditional still-life class, taught by JC English, at the Pelham Art Center. In preparing for last Thursday's Open Studios, I wanted to work on it a bit more, and have it ready to show. "He" was still so wet, I wasn't able to frame him out in those great dark brown lattice strips I cut and stained personally! I'll make sure he's 'fully dressed' for the next event... or you may see him hanging in the local area somewhere! (I'll let you know if that happens!) In any case, this is 'his' internet debut! I hope you enjoy him as much as I do!

( please e-mail me at faithart1@aol if you are interested in purchasing any of my paintings!)

New Rochelle's first ArtWalk & Open Studios

That's me in front of my little "Gallery" at the end of the day!


Two of my 3 GREAT studio-mates, Janet & Michele, and me, with Mayor Bramson!

(Thanks, Ross, for taking such a great photo!)

What an awesome experience! I spoke with so many wonderful people. Actually talked more than I ever have in my life on any given day... and it was so much fun! If you are new to my Blog, and I met you yesterday... thank you so much for stopping in to see my paintings, and to say hello! You all made my day; and for an artist who'd (thought she'd) rather be painting, that's not easy to do! (You all know what I mean!) I wish I had taken photos of everyone who came in to visit my studio space... but I hope you enjoy these for now. And I hope to see you again on October 17 & 18 for the next Open Studios event! (I heard it's going to be really big!)

Thanks for 'stopping in' on my Journey! -Faith

OPEN STUDIO event - Thursday, August 6, 2009

Announcing :

New Rochelle's first "Art Walk" on Thursday, August 6th, from 4-9PM!

http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/

I hope to see you there! -Faith

New Rochelle Business Improvement District (BID)
41 Westchester Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 (www.newrochelledowntown.com)

CONTACT: Ralph DiBart, Executive Director
914-960-1460 and 212-866-0191
ralphdibart@rcn.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2009

THE ARTS TAKE HOLD IN DOWNTOWN NEW ROCHELLE

New Rochelle’s emerging downtown arts district is being introduced to the public on Thursday, August 6th from 4:00 to 9:00 PM during the New Rochelle BID’s first Downtown ArtWalk. Ralph DiBart, Executive Director of the BID stated, “Downtown New Rochelle is becoming an attractive center for artists, dance studios, music, film and galleries. We hope to introduce many of these arts to the public during our first ArtWalk. We will also and celebrate the opening of BID Gallery 542, an art gallery in the former New Rochelle Trust Building at 542 Main Street. The space has been loaned to the BID by Cornell Pace Inc. Additional ArtWalks are scheduled for the Fall”

In addition, nearby studio spaces at 81 and 82 Centre Street developed in conjunction with the BID’s Artist Spaces Program will introduce new art arrivals to downtown. These include Ballet Atlantic (formerly of Pelham), Westchester Yoga Arts (formerly Pelham Yoga), and many artists from throughout Westchester who have rented studios in downtown, including Faith Goldstein, Janet Rogow, Judie Benzer, Leigh Ann Rooney, Louis Netter, Michelle Lewis, Moira McCaul, Nancy Miller, Peridot Smith and Steve Brock.

(OK... I "bolded" my name... I can do that, it's my Blog!)

"Barn at Hilltop Hanover Farm"

"Barn at Hilltop Hanover Farm" by Faith Goldstein (11"x14"), oil

I just couldn't call this painting finished... until now! There are so many lessons to learn in painting the landscape; I realized I missed a few that helped me to see this as a more complete scene. My "thanks" go to my daughter, Katie, for shooting a few reference photos of me painting plein-air, which included more of the landscape than I initially thought to include in my painting. "Thank you", also, to my on-line mentors, who guide me daily on this journey. (And a special "thanks" to Laurel Daniel for taking the time to respond to a recent e-mail I sent her! Check her out at http://www.laureldaniel.blogspot.com/ )

"Geraniums" and lattice strips...

"Geraniums" by Faith Goldstein (11"x14"), oil

This posting is a little bit out of the order in which it was painted; which is probably 2 months ago. I have been busy today, cutting lattice strips to frame my canvases. It's amazing how nice something looks with a frame (or mat) around it! I hope this is a good, but simple way to "finish" my work. ............I should say that I have a bit of a facination with geraniums. I love catching the buds as they are about to open. I shot several reference photos to paint from in the future; as I'm not done with this subject yet! (I guess we can say that "geraniums", and "framing them out" are two stops on my journey!)

"Green Cay Journey"

"Green Cay Journey" by Faith Goldstein (12"x12") oil

I did a marathon painting day in my studio-space, yesterday. After a devastatingly bad first try at plein air, I needed to go back to basics and put more thought into the painting before I actually picked up the brush. Drawing a value study, and deciding on my color palette ahead of time is the best way to approach a painting. It may seem obvious to some, to do more "thinking" ahead of time; with perhaps, a little less emotion (right brain) for now. In the future, maybe, the thinking part is faster ........and the "emotional marks" will fly!

Is It FINISHED?

"Distant View" by Faith Goldstein (12x12), oil)

(detail) "Distant View" by Faith Goldstein

My studio-mate and I had a discussion, yesterday, about 'finishing' a painting... and how hard that is to do! My earlier acrylic paintings were made with quick marks, and only included the "important" information. My oil paintings are more representational; but why should they include more details than needed?? I think this painting says what I wanted it to say... my marks are becoming looser with each painting! (That's a good thing!) -Faith

Happy Independence Day!

Green Cay I by Faith Goldstein(11"x14"), oil.....$250 framed

This is how I spent my day... preparing for a plein air class by painting my first landscape. I used a reference photo taken at Green Cay Nature Preserve. The palette shows here more intense than the actual painting which is a little softer.
Overall, I am very happy with the result! What a fun way to spend the day!

A Visit with Don Keene in Studio 302

On Friday, June 19th, my studio-mates and I had a very special visit with Master-Artist, (and our mentor), Don Keene!

It was an amazing evening of critiques and connecting through art!..........We also enjoyed homebaked cookies (thank you, Kt!), and my favorite wine from the Hopkins Vinyard in CT. Thank You, Don! It was truly an honor to have you visit our studio!

Still on the Journey

I hope you weren't worried about me... I'm still on the journey! I've been very busy! We celebrated my daughter, Samantha's, graduation from Iona... and her new job! It was fun helping her shop for her new wardrobe; I'm just hoping I can get her to pay the credit card bills now. I fear that paying for her Chevy Avalanche, that she bought to replace the one that she did a double-flip in, may come first! Oh, the first truck didn't survive... but Sam walked away, only a little bruised. Amazing. (I was in shock for a week.) Anyway... I've been working, painting, taking classes and setting up my studio space. I even had a chance to spend a great afternoon with my aunt and uncle in Brooklyn. Angela is not continuing her art studio lease... and so, allowed me to take a few things for my own space. Already, a wonderful table that Carl made, is put is place, and waiting for me to paint on it! (Maybe I'll "hand it back" to one of their six grandchildren, some day!) ...still to come on my journey... a trip to Florida, painting again, with Jeanne, when I return......... and some exciting news from the Studio in New Rochelle! (And I promise to finish, and post paintings soon!)



Thank You, to Katie, for pushing me to BLOG today!

STUDIO #2

Are you there, God? It's Me...

...Faith. I am pleased to announce that I will be sharing an art studio with 3 other artists, beginning May 1, 2009. Am I dreaming? (I'll let you know, when I wake-up!) -Faith

African Violet/Blue Pot

"African Violet (blue pot)" by Faith Goldstein (11"x14"), oil

Sometimes our Journey is spent waiting for the paint to "dry". (...other times it is spent waiting for the perfect day to paint!)

Gladiolus

"Gladiolus" by Faith Goldstein (16"x20"), oil
(e-mail me at faithart1@aol.com to purchase)

Only my second painting; I'm finally ready to call it finished. (Minus the signature, which presents another problem to be resolved, in the future!) The "glads" started as a still life set up in my Saturday workshop. I chose to crop a small section of the 3 displayed, and enlarge them onto a 16x20 canvas. .......It was almost the one that got away. I stared at it for days, and was not content with the background. I have to thank Samantha (my 21 year-old daughter) for supplying me with "the ledge to jump off of", to re-work it. She is a motor-cycle-riding, big-truck-driving, brave soul; who occasionally lets you ride along on her journey through life!

Rough Week...

This last week has been filled with ups and downs. I was trying to rent a shared studio space, but the other artist changed her mind; deciding to continue working at home. It's an important decision... you have to be ready. I am ...ready to stop painting in my kitchen......ready to have all my supplies in one place.... ready to get the dogs nose (and ears) out of the paint I left out! ...I finally made time to paint, late Friday night. What a high that was!

first oil painting

For those of you that don't know, I've started painting again. To hold my brushes, feels like saying "hello" to old friends that I haven't seen for a while! I signed up for an Oil Painting workshop, with a wonderful teacher named Jeanne. It is exciting to paint, for the first time, with oil paints. I am looking forward to the process...and the Journey!

Getting Started

Well, I have to admit that I'm terrified to "get started!" (Every computer-capable person in my home has abandoned me, right now!) I'll seek the courage I need from other artist bloggers, and embark on this new journey. (If it's meant to, It will Be!) -Faith