Bernard Hoffman has taken his life long experience with drawing and painting to write a book to help people who claim they cannot draw, to actually create portraits!  A member of the Portrait Society of America, Hoffman has shown his work at every American Embassy in the world, plus the Whitney Museum of Art, Benjamin Franklin Institute, Metropolitan Museum, and too many to name in this introduction.  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks of his book, “Drawing Basic Portraits, Simplified”.

Bernard Hoffman starts off by telling The Rickie Report, “Drawing portraits can be rewarding and fun”.  He has devised typical proportional guides, with a step-by-step tutorial that will make it easy for any beginner or landscape artist to follow. Plus, he clarifies details for artists who want to draw better portraits.

Various portraits by Bernard Hoffman

He goes on to say, “No two faces look alike, yet everyone has two eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. They will vary from face to face, so pick your pose and begin sketching!”  He urges us to follow each step carefully, working with light strokes and then moving to darker strokes, continually adjusting our drawing to the individual features of our model.   Bernard stresses the importance of good light and paying strict attention to each minute detail.  He shares, “Draw not only what you see, but incorporate what you learn.  Remember, this is only a starting guide”.  There are many comments from hobbyists to professional artists, who have honed their skills with Bernard’s assistance.  His workbook/textbook shows that learning the relationships of facial details is not only possible, but something you can become proficient in!

Bernard Hoffman has been drawing and painting since elementary school. At age 10, he was awarded a scholarship to The Little Red Schoolhouse art classes in Greenwich Village.  At age 12, he received a scholarship to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the next year, he was accepted to the High School of Music & Art.  He received a scholarship to the School for Art Studies, followed by a scholarship to attend the Pratt Institute.  In addition, he attended classes at the Art Students League, winning many awards and exhibiting his paintings in galleries and museums.

Pastel Portraits by Bernard Hoffman

Within months of graduation, Bernard served in the US Navy Air Force during the Korean War, using his special skills for recruitment, training, and illustration of classified Navy Air Force projects.  After his service, Bernard founded Benaul Associates, an art studio in New York City. His company grew into a full strength advertising agency, where he did everything except the bookkeeping. He was also an Art Director & Production Manager for a magazine for 16 years before he retired.

In 1952, Bernard was commissioned to paint 16 original color illustrations to commemorate Benjamin Franklin’s 250th birthday.  They were produced as souvenir stamps for a historical and biographical album describing episodes of Franklin’s life. They found their way into US Embassies around the world as well as to international and national corporations. This achievement was recorded in the US Congressional Record and Mayor Wagner of New York unveiled mural enlargements of these paintings at the New York Art Director’s Club. While reproductions of Bernard’s artistry can be found in textbooks, one is also hanging next to Norman Rockwell’s  “Ben Franklin” picture.  The original paintings are part of a public collection of “The Free Library of Philadelphia”.

Since his retirement, Bernard has taught portrait painting in Pennsylvania and in Florida.  He is a member of the Portrait Society of America and has received numerous awards including the Department of Parks Art Contest, Society of Illustrators, and National AAA Poster Contest, to name a few.  Bernard’s paintings are part of private and corporate and international collections.

To contact Bernard Hoffman about his book, lessons or his artistry, please  contact him at benaul@yahoo.com, or to purchase his book go to Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com

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Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

As an abstract expressionist, Karen H. Salup concentrates on the action of painting as opposed to a recognizable concrete image. The brushstrokes act like vibrations of color to allow her paintings to come alive. Painting in her studio in Boynton Beach she concentrates on the canvas and works on paper “avoiding the pretty.” She invites the viewer to experience what seems to be her private interpretation into her landscapes of rhythm and imagery. Very active in the art world, she is on the board of Women in the Visual Arts and is involved with National Association of Women Artist, Florida and New York Chapters, Palm Beach Watercolor Society and is the Incoming President for Women in the Visual Arts. Salup has exhibited nationally and has won multiple awards for her work. The Rickie Report shares some sneak peeks and details here.

KAREN SALUP

SOLO Exhibition

Public Reception:

April 25th   3 – 5 pm

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

601 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460
561 471-2901

Parking is available on Lake Avenue or make a right on “L” Street and there is a free lot on the left.

This Event Is Open To The Public

Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Exhibit Runs April 25th Through May 23rd

“Blue Conversion” by Karen H Salup

A solo show of new contemporary paintings by artist Karen Salup will be held at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. The public is invited to the Artist Reception on Saturday, April 25, 2015, 3-5 PM. The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is located in the Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, 601 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460. The exhibit runs from April 25- May 23, 2015.For more information please visit www.palmbeachculture.com or call (561) 471-2901.

“Birthday Celebration” by Karen H Salup

For three decades, Karen H. Salup has been intriguing audiences across the country with her paintings. A native New Yorker, Karen’s work has been featured in several galleries and exhibits throughout Florida and New York with solo shows at Viridian and Jain Marunouchi Galleries.

“Mountain Stream” by Karen H Salup

Using acrylic, watercolor, and pastels on canvas and paper, Karen H. Salup creates a world that vibrates with bold colors and bright light paired with brushstrokes that evoke a strong sense of movement and energy. Her paintings begin with a theme of nature, but invariably evolve into an imaginative creation that invites interpretation from the audience. Karen’s work is influenced from Impressionism to Deconstructionism to Abstract Expressionism.

“Untitled Landscape” by Karen H Salup

Karen tells us, “As with artists of every era, I suppose I’m searching for a kind of underlying unity and order that takes into account the materials on hand, a method, and a fairly clear personal point of view. Form, space, content and especially the qualities of colour and light. As a painting evolves, I find myself making changes which when made, then reveal and suggest other possible directions. Thus, there is an ongoing shift of centers of interest, if not in the basic structure itself.  The works vibrate with color, come alive with brushstrokes, images fight to appear and references to nature seem apparent. The freshness of the gesture allows the viewer to feel the painting develop as though we were making the decisions to add, subtract, change colors and play with the space.”

“Crystallize” by Karen H Salup

Karen studied at CW Post and the School of Visual Arts in New York City.  Her mentor, artist and sculptor, Jerry Okimoto, motivated her to become an “action painter”.  Her main artistic influences are Jackson Pollock and Willem de Koonig.  Karen is extremely active in the art community, serving on the Board of Women In The Visual Arts (WITVA)as Incoming President, membership in the Palm Beach Watercolor Society, National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) and the Boca Raton Artist Guild Association.

“The Storm” by Karen H Salup

Karen’s artistry has been exhibited nationwide, with many awards as well as SOLO and Group exhibitions.  Most recently, her work has been seen at “Continuum”, part of Art Palm Beach/Art Synergy; Northwood University; Coral Springs Art Museum; Armory Art Center and ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale. Her artwork has been included and reviewed in numerous national as well as local publications.  Karen’s artwork is in Corporate Collections of Reynolds Metal Inc., VA; Boston Corporate Art; Merchants Bank of New York City; Amalgamated Bank of New York City;  and Paintingsdirect.com when she was selected to be involved at the beginning, of an online source of  art exposure and sales. 

For more information about Karen’s artwork, please visit:

http://www.karenhsalup.com

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Stanley Dornfest’s rich landscapes are being exhibited at the Linda White Gallery in Artists Alley located in Delray Beach.  The Rickie Report met Stanley at an “On the Avenue” event and was drawn to his tropical artwork.  Artists Alley’s monthly Open Studios is December 19th.  We hope you will stop by and meet Stanley and relish in his work!  More details are in this article.

Stanley Dornfest

Artists Alley

OPEN STUDIOS

Thursday, December 19, 2013

6 – 9 pm

Stan Dornfest

Stanley Dornfest’s paintings are being exhibited at the Linda White Gallery located in Artists Alley in Delray Beach.  Each month, on the third Thursday, all of the Artists’ Studios and Galleries are Open to the Public.  Enjoy refreshments while you walk from one studio to another, meeting the artists who create everything you are seeing.  The next Open Studios takes place on Thursday, December 19th from 6- 9 pm.

“Springtime Begins”

Stanley received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Cooper Union. While pursuing his career as a Creative/Art Director in the New York Advertising Industry, he continued to explore his passion for painting.  In New York, Stanley’s SOLO shows include: The Donald Gallery (Dobbs Ferry, NY) and Heritage Frame  (Tarrytown, NY). Stanley was also a member of the Faculty at Parsons School of Design.

Stanley shares, “I have always felt most spiritual when I am physically and emotionally enveloped by a landscape. The mystical state of mind that these inspiring locales transport me to, is what I strive to reflect in my painting”.

“Green Cay”

“For me, rather than merely documenting topography, painting is more about expressing the spiritual journey that the world of nature transports me to”, he says.

TRR:    Do you prefer oil or acrylic? 

SD:

I paint in Acrylics because I actually like the quick drying time, the versatility of the mediums and the quick clean up time which fits into my life.

TRR:  What did you teach at Parsons? 

SD:

I developed and taught a course for design students called:”Art Direction-Expanding Your Options” . The course explored different career paths that Design/Art  students could take.

“Spring Awakening”

TRR:   Were you artistic as a child? 

SD:

My elementary school teacher summoned my mother to the classroom to explain to her that she felt that I was very talented in Art. She offered to loan me her oil paints over the summer so that I could continue painting. My mother explained to her that she could afford to purchase a set of oil paints for me. Not only did my mother buy the paints, but she researched and found courses for me to take on Saturdays at The Brooklyn Museum Art School and Brooklyn College, which nurtured my life long passion for painting.

From an early age, I was always painting. After High School, I was fortunate to get accepted to The Cooper Union Art School. After Cooper, I pursued a long, successful career as an Advertising Creative/Art Director but during that time – I continued to paint. As my advertising career tapered off-my painting endeavors expanded.

“Across The Pond”

In Florida, Stanley’s paintings have been exhibited at The Boca Museum of Art, The Coral Springs Center for the Arts, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Center, Lighthouse ArtCenter, The Armory Art Center and the Rosen Museum Gallery.  He was also featured in Travel Host Magazine.   He is a Participating Signature Member of the Boca Museum Artists’ Guild and a Founding Member of the Florida Scape Artists. Stanley’s work is represented in both Public and Private Collections.

For more information about Stanley Dornfest’s paintings, please visit   standornfest.com or call  561-865-7077

ARTISTS ALLEY is an independent group of accomplished artists collaborating to establish a grass roots working colony with a vibrant marketplace for “Art created in Delray Beach”. This exciting new, warehouse arts area is in the Pineapple Grove Arts District in downtown Delray Beach. Check out the website- ArtistsAlleyDelray.com

LOCATION – The alley runs north and south between NE 3rd and 4th Streets, east of 3rd Avenue and west of the RR tracks.

EASY DIRECTIONS – From Atlantic Ave. go north on Federal Hwy., go west on NE 4th St., cross the RR tracks, go 80 feet and make a left into Artists Alley. Make your second or third left into the warehouses. You can print a map at www.CacaceArt.com

FREE PARKING – in the city lot on NE 3rd Avenue just south of NE 4th St. This is the best parking for our events. It’s a well lit parking lot a half a block away.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291