Landscape Show....HUGE Success!

To everyone who came out to see Frank's new PA paintings, thank you! We saw many repeat clients, friends, family, and a bunch of new attendants that were able to finally come to the show with our new autumn date!  We thank you for eating, drinking and buying art with us, and look forward to next years event already.   Because many of you asked,  here is the recipe for the Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables that tasted so good with the maple glazed salmon that my mom and I made.

By the way, Frank and I were really happy to be invited into your homes to bring by purchased paintings so we can get a chance to see the piece(s) in the new surroundings.  It is also a chance to consult about different things, varnishing your paintings after a certain time, to see your art collection, or to see what walls you would like to adorn with another Bruckmann. So thank you to the many of you who made that possible. Please note the sign-up option at the right top corner of this page and get each blog entry delivered into your inbox.

I am posting another painting of the Kirkwood Preserve.  Let us know what you think!

Kirkwood from Whitehorse 20 x 32"

Cornfield and stormy but gorgeous sky

Cornfield 24 x 36" original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©

Still painting in PA, here is Frank's newest (still wet) gem for you to see....

The director M. Knight Shyamalan lives in these parts because it is gorgeously bucolic and he can film big productions on his property like "The Village," 2004.  And it is perfect for Frank to pull up and paint there too. As he painted from some other beautiful vantage point one morning he saw Mark Wahlberg jogging by, so perhaps an M. Knight/Marky-Mark collaboration is afoot?

Anyway, look at the paint quality of this piece! The atmosphere! That sky and that path leading you to the tree line. Nice work, Frank.

This (and many others) will be on view this weekend, more specifically at 403 Waynesbrooke Road in Berwyn PA 19312, on this Saturday night October 6,  from 5:30- 9:00 pm.  You will be fed, served and led around the house/gallery to see Frank's entire Pennsylvania collection, or oeuvre, as they say. Please email me if you have any questions at muffysroom@sbcglobal.net . 

Announcing this Year's Landscape Painting Event on October 6, 2012

Please let us know that you will be coming to join us for a wonderful (and delicious) evening!  See details below:

Saturday, October 6th, 5:30-9:00 pm

403 Waynesbrooke Road

Berwyn, PA  19312

610-647-2281

The Drama of the Rising Sun and Monhegan Beauty

Around the clock Monhegan is gorgeous in it's many painting subjects and so it is my pleasure to show off more of Frank's very recent, still wet canvasses from the past week or so. We have been given almost completely sunny days, so it is hard for Frank to resist going outside to start new work, when a rainy day would certainly give him time to finish the other beginnings. Well, some down time has been found and so here are some finished pieces to admire....click on any of the images below for a larger, more detailed view of these beauties, below....keep checking in for more work, or better yet, take a moment to jump thru the hoops and SIGN-IN to the BLOG for a direct email to your inbox. Prices? available upon request!

Misty Afternoon over Manana.  11x14" original painting by Frank Bruckmann.

Sherm's Fish House 16 x 20". Original painting by Frank Bruckmann

Sunrise and Surf under Whitehead. 9 x 12". Original painting by Frank Bruckmann

Sunrise and Main Street Monhegan Paintings. FRESH!

Odom Fish House 16x20" original oil by Frank Bruckmann©

From North End Market across the Meadow.  16x20"original oil by Frank Bruckmann©

These paintings of Monhegan village show what you would see walking down Main Street.  Standing on the ex-North End Market porch, Frank spent many mornings into the afternoon working on these.

The Gull Rock painting depicts the south east side of Monhegan, less than a mile from the village. Gorgeous formations of rock tumbling into the sea.  I love the way the morning light casts that soft pastel glow on the top half of the rock.  More paintings to be posted!

Morning Light on Gull Rock  12x16". original oil by Frank Bruckmann©

Painting from Sunrise to Sunset on Monhegan Island

Back on Monhegan, but this time it is a family venture, and for the rest of summer. With endless vantage points, it IS possible to paint from sunrise to sunset.  The sun has been rising at about 5:09am, so in order to catch it, you have to first get out of bed around 4ish.  Next you need to make coffee, then do the hike to the back side of the island, sometimes in the dark, so you can make it to your spot, without tripping and dropping all your supplies, paint as much of the background in, and wait for that reddish-orangeish sphere to appear on the horizon.  The color of the sun changes so quickly, as well of all the effects of the rising sun on the rest of the landscape, that you just have to decide which colors and values work the best, and then go for it, before the light changes everything all over again!

Frank has managed to repeat the above procedure, many days in a row. I have gotten myself up to join in on the fun and felt triumphant. Nothing like the feeling that you have the island to yourself in the early morning...just you, your paints, crashing surf, the endless squawks of the gulls and that incredible briny smell of the ocean mixed with herbal bug repellent.

Capturing the Sunrise, looking at Whitehead, Monhegan Island.  July 2012

Oh Pennsylvania! We will see you in October!!

Soft Sunrise.  32x42. original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann

Dear Pennsylvania:

Frank and I and the kids are missing your soft dewy mornings, your grazing cows and sunny summer vacation, family-filled days....

Please don't take it badly that we've chosen another state for this summer's focus....should I tell you the name? Maybe you've heard of it?  The name is Maine...we are headed north this weekend, for nearly 7 weeks and will be kept busy painting craggy coastline and marine fog and things so centered on the sea, that you might not understand...

Don't worry dear, we are returning in early fall, when Frank will turn his eye back to you and paint the landscapes of Indian summer. We are planning to have our almost annual show, this year, in October. In fact,  Saturday, October 6th, which is during Colombus Day Weekend, so please, save the date.

By scheduling our show in October, we hope to reach your people who seem to spend a lot of time visiting that playful and seductive next door neighbor of yours, that good time gal, New Jersey....

We will leave you with the above image that compliments your world at dawn awakening.  Such misty softness and rich mornings you provide.  Such excellent material for this very recent painting....

We will miss you, Pennsylvania. Until the fall, adieu.

Hugs and kisses
The Bruckmann Family

Off to Monhegan for the Painting Workshop

Frank is on his way to Monhegan in the thunderstorms tonight to teach a one-week workshop to a group of students from CT.... they will have 6 days of painting instruction with Frank and some time on their own to hike, nap, read, paint more, get a massage, take a yoga class, whatever they fancy.  Later in the week, everyone pulls out their paintings up to that point, and they have a group critique which is naturally enhanced with wine and cheese....

Then, only with a workshop with Frank, do they share one last dinner feast with Monhegan lobster and whatever else they order from Shermie's Fish House....

If you'd like to know more about Frank's workshop or to be contacted before the next  one, please leave a comment below or contact me directly at muffysroom@sbcglobal.net

Swim Beach. Morning painting session.  

Frank giving Jane some pointers.

Critique evening in the early summer light. 

Figures, All Winter Long.....

What was Frank painting this winter you wonder???  Figures.  Flesh.  Nudes.  Curves.  Skin. And here is the link to his website to prove it.  A whole section of....figures.  Some have slipped away before he had a chance to post them here.  Since he is loving painting the body, he just might paint an entire oeuvre of nudes for his gallery show in New Haven next spring.

Below,  figure paintings in Frank's studio....see more on Frank's website

Nude with interior

Crouching in chair

Off the Easel! And into "Charlotte's Web"

Once they find out your kids' parents are artists......forget it!! Frank and I have been painting backdrops and props for the once-a-year Edgewood After School Drama Club productions since our first child entered kindergarten.  So far we have happily contributed to... The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Seussical, Jr., Willy Wonka, Jr., and this year, Charlotte's Web...and finally both of our kids are old enough to participate as actors!  

If you live anywhere close by, do yourself a favor and come and see Charlotte's Web.  Remember the County Fair scene when Wilbur gets judged?  The backdrop below is what Frank and I created for that very scene, based on the illustration by Garth Williams, in the classic E.B. White novel. Looks like someone is ready to walk onto the fairgrounds...

More info below!  

Friday, Mar. 30, 7pm + Saturday, Mar. 31, 2pm THE EDGEWOOD AFTERSCHOOL DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS: CHARLOTTE'S WEB  Based on the E.B. White classic, Charlotte's Web, The Musical will be the Edgewood Afterschool Drama Club's 7th production. It involves 62 Edgewood student cast and crew members ranging from grades 3-8.   Director Jaime Kane reflects: "It's fun doing a musical based on an EBWhite classic that has touched the lives of so many for so long! The authors were faithful to the story and the music & lyrics really help to bring the story to life. I chose this show for the poignant themes this wonderful story touches upon, such as friendship & loyalty, and for the variety of characters (animals & people ) it had to offer and the flexibility to add more (which I did) to make everyone feel their role (whether primary lead or ensemble member) is a special contribution to the story. Also, not only does this play involve interested & energetic children, the parents have taken on major roles behind the scenes as well, for which a production of this magnitude depends on. It is a huge team effort!! So,come out & join us...it's fun for the whole family!!"  Tickets on sale now at Edgewood School: $5 in school; $10 at the door.   Hillhouse High School Auditorium, 480 Sherman Parkway

Land + Sea + Air: Opens this Friday in Westport

Frank's got a new show, Land + Sea + Air, which opens this Friday at the Laura Barton Gallery; at 56 Railroad Place in Westport, CT, just across from the Westport (Saugatuck) train station.  

Join us for the artists' reception from 5:30-8pm.  Gallery Hours are Tues/Thurs 10 to 5:30 and Fri-Sat, 10 to 4:30. Gallery phone: 203-226-1240

At Rest.  18 x24" original oil by Frank Bruckmann©

"Now Read This!" Press from Frank's Show in Groton, CT

Here is the link for the article in the Hartford Courant about the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery show.  The show will be up until April 8th, just in case you find yourself in Groton and you want to treat yourself to a visit to the gallery.  Wait for a beautiful sunny day and plan lunch at Paul's Pasta (referenced in my last blog entry)

Next up, the Friday, March 23rd opening in Westport. More info coming soon!

Gabbro #20.  72x60"  Original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©

The Opening! at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery

It was a lovely night at the gorgeous Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, where the joint was in full swing with this, their first show of 2012. So glad that Frank was a part of it,  his paintings filled the room below and a few graced the adjacent hallway.

Frank had the main room and filled it with pieces from his Occupational Spirit and Gabbro Series.  I heard a few gasps at people entered the room, it looked that great.

The Gilder in the hallway at Alexey von Schlippe

First floor of the Branford House.  UConn's Avery Point Campus.

This is where you should go to eat dinner after seeing Frank's show....Paul's Pasta in Groton, on the Thames River.  They cut your pasta right there in front of you in that old silver machine on the left.  And if you have to wait 10 minutes for a table, as we did, they reach in to a milk crate and pull up a bottle of wine to pour you a glass on the counter.  Cheers!  I heard in the summer the view off the back deck is of submarines and ferries and other river life.

Frank's Solo Show Opens! Friday, March 2 in Groton, CT

The UConn's Avery Point Campus in Groton is the location for the 1st of 2 solo shows for Frank in the month of March!  The Alexey von Schlippe gallery will be showing choice pieces from Frank's Gabbro and Occupational Spirit collections.  


The wine and cheese reception is on Friday, March 2 at 6:00 - 8:00pm in the 19,000 square foot Gatsby-esque Branford House summer mansion by-the-sea, at the edge of the Long Island Sound. Also featured will be the music of the Bill Morrison & Kent Hewitt Jazz Duo.  For all the information, check out this link. The show will run from Feb 25-April 8th, 2012, just in case you cannot make it for the reception on March 2.


I will soon post about Frank's 2nd SOLO show in March, which will be held on March 23rd in Westport.  Details to follow!

The Guilder- from the Occupational Spirit Series

From the Gabbro series

Preview!

I'm assuming that we have ALL enjoyed a rather mild winter.  Though I may not be suffering and scraping ice off my windshield daily,  I still LOVE little reminders of mid summer... as in this view that Frank just completed from sketches painted on site last summer in PA.  There is something about those Ardrossan cows in the shade, surrounded by all that GREEN!  This painting is already hanging in our PA gallery, please let me know if you would like me to arrange a viewing for you, or anyone else.

Mid Summer Idyll (Ardrossan Cows)  26x38" original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©

Too Big to put into Their Stockings...

Two Bruckmann paintings were given this Christmas from wives to their unsuspecting, and then, reportedly, very happy husbands.  This first one below has never been exhibited, but painted and then very quietly presented to a couple who live on the edge of this scene....she loved it and he received it Christmas morning. O joy!

The next painting almost went home with a few suitors, but was finally purchased by a woman whom I met many years ago, when I was a mother's helper, and she and her three young siblings were my charges!  All grown up with families and art collections of their own....in which we are very pleased to be included.

Field off Newtown Road 24x36" oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©

Hayfeeder 32x42"  oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©