Blog

 

According to my mother, when I was an infant in arms, she would hold me up to the kitchen cabinets where there were colorful decals of flower baskets, Bowls of fruit, and butterflies. She told me that I would point to them and laugh and giggle. I, of course, didn't remember that but it made me wonder what it was about those little pictures that I found so interesting and amusing.

 

When I was older, but still pretty young, my parents took me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (we lived in New York). I vividly recall looking at the large Velasquez and Raeburn full figure portraits and marveling at them. They seemed superhuman! How could a human person do that with paint, I wondered.

It was mind-boggling to me. Those paintings and others left an indelible impression.

 

Velasquez

 

Raeburn

 

In Junior High School another student and I would take the subway from the Bronx to the Museum of Natural History to draw the taxidermy animals in the dioramas of the African Veldt.  Museum visitors would peek over our shoulders to watch us draw. Later, I attended a special art high school and then went to college for graphic art and became an art director on Madison Avenue in New York.

 

Like many other commercial artists, the fine art career flame kept burning in my heart. At that time, the thought of actually making a sustainable living in fine art seemed pretty daunting but I was determined to make it work.

 

My dream had two parts though. The first was to create a career that would allow me to paint what I wanted, the way I wanted. The other goal was to paint in a way that would gain the respect of my peers.

 

This week I was notified that Oil Painters of America conferred on me their highest honor, making me a Master Signature Member.

 

Morning in Giverny 24 x 30 oil by Howard Friedland OPAM

 

 So… one might think, “well then, now I've “made it”!

There is only one problem with that. In art, there is no “IT” to “MAKE”!

A painter is only as good as his or her last painting so I know I must get back to work and not rest on my laurels!

 

In the end, we are all just trying our best to produce work that makes sense to us and communicates our vision to others as best we can.

 

As Wayne in Wayne's World would say: “ Party On”! In this case “PAINT ON”!

 

Sometimes life jumps up and surprises us when we least expect it! This is one of those experiences. This weekend, the American Impressionist Society Annual National Exhibition Opening Reception was held in Kirkland, Washington at the Howard Manville Gallery. Patrons and Artists from across the country gathered to celebrate this outstanding Show. Kirkland is a lovely town, nestled between the shore and mountains. The gallery is gorgeously spacious, beautifully displaying the amazing paintings. 140 paintings were juried into this show and it is stunning. As the artists gathered Thursday evening there were hugs and sighs as old friends embraced and new friends were introduced. It was hard to know where to look first: the fabulous paintings or the familiar faces of artists and patrons. Soon it was time for the Award Ceremony to begin. The president of AIS is Debra Groesser, an excellent artist that holds the helm and guides the AIS Ship, began the ceremony. As Debra read off each award, the crowd clapped with joy. The end was nearing.....All that was left was the top awards. Then the Second place winner was announced and Howard looked at me with wide open eyes! His name and his paintng had just won! The crowd immediately started cheering and clapping! Howard made his way up to Debra and the judge Calvin Liang, Smiles, handshakes and photos then Howard headed back to join the audience. No sooner had he rejoined my side and his name was called again!!!! Still reeling from winning Second Place, neither of us knew why he was called again... This time Howard was receiving the coveted "Artists' Choice award" WHAT!?!?! Two ribbons for Howard! What an amazing surprise that will be embedded in our hearts forever! Thank you American Impressionist Society, Calvin Liang, Debra Groesser, her amazing volunteers, Howard Mandville Gallery and all our friends that are cheering him on!