I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Dubin Garfield last year while I was participating in a group show at Da Vinci Art Alliance. Right off the bat, I could tell she was a passionate leader in the art community. A few months ago, I happened upon an ARTsisters Exhibition at Henry Gallery on Penn State’s Great Valley Campus in Malvern, and it reminded me to reach out to her again. If you’ve ever pondered the idea of pursuing a passion later in life but were afraid to make a move, Dubin Garfield’s story may be the inspiration you need to get yourself in gear. She spent close to forty years working as a guidance counselor with the Philadelphia School District before retiring and becoming an artist. But that’s not all…
During a studio visit with Artist Linda Dubin Garfield, she described her journey.
The Journey: "I wanted to be an artist since I was six. I majored in art in high school but my parents would not let me go to art school or major in art in college. It was the early 60’s and the hippy and drug culture scared them. I always took art classes and was an avid hobbyist. In the early 90’s, I discovered printmaking and was hooked. I few years later I added collage and mixed media to the process. When I retired in 2002, I started making art full-time and soon after decided to become the professional artist I always wanted to be. Now I am living my dream!"
The Inspiration: "Most often I am inspired by travel; what I see and what remains in my mind’s eye. I am interested in the mystery of memory and the magic of place."
The Process: "I prefer monotype which are one of a kind prints. I see something that intrigues me and play around with it in the studio until I am satisfied with the results. I usually create in a series based on an idea I get from what I’ve seen somewhere. And, it doesn’t have to necessarily be somewhere exotic. I just finished a series I titled Green Hills, inspired by the lush greenery on the Pennsylvania Turnpike going from Philadelphia to Reading."
Paying the Bills: "I am retired on a pension and luckily do not count on my art sales to pay the bills!"
Community Engagement: "I started ARTsisters in 2005 because I missed having colleagues who were doing what I was doing. We are a group of professional artists who support each other and the community through art. I also started smARTbusinessconsulting.com which helps individual artists and small artist groups with the business side of art. We have organized many art exhibitions to give artists an opportunity to display and sell their work. I am also a past president (2016-2019) and active board member of Da Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia."
The Mantra: "How did I get so lucky to be making art like I am?"
You can see Garfield’s work in person beginning Sept 15th at Wayne Art Center where she will have four pieces in the ARTsisters exhibition “Better Together.” A reception will be held that day from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Gallery. For additional information on Garfield, visit www.lindadubingarfield.com, www.artsisters.org, www.smARTbusinessconsulting.org, www.lindadubingarfield.blogspot.com, www.toooldtodieyoungblog.wordpress.com
This week in West Chester, Church Street Gallery is hosting artist Kassem Amoudi who will be on hand to talk about his life and work on Friday, Aug. 30th starting at 7:00 p.m. His solo exhibition "The Way Home" ends on Aug. 31st. If you didn’t see it yet, and you’re passionate about his vibrant abstract works, now’s your chance. His color palette alone will bring a smile to your face.
Did you hear about the art exchange between Oxford Art Alliance and Chester County Art Association? This is a great way to familiarize yourself with new artists. In Oxford, OxAA, a CCAA exhibit is on view now at Oxford Art Alliance. Works by CCAA members’ Gwenn Knapp, Annie Patrizi and Jim Lawson among others, are on display. A closing reception will be held on Fri. Sept. 13th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Beginning Thurs. Sept. 12th OxAA members’ work will be on view at CCAA in West Chester. A reception kicks things off there from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The show runs till Oct. 3rd.
Other shows worth checking out this week: Station Gallery’s "Summer Group Show" which ends on Friday, Sept. 30. "Faces + Places" is on exhibit at Gallery Duo thru Labor Day. "Group Show" with a variety of styles & media featuring paintings, wood collage, ceramics, art glass and jewelry at the Station Gallery closes Friday, August 30.
Summer Hours: Monday – Friday 9 – 5
Be sure to support the arts!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
Loading...
Comments