The Fancy Diner

August 7, 2009 | Filed Under Artists, Restaurants, Rhonda Hartis Smith | 11 Comments

Yesterday, I mentioned that I’d met Rhonda at The Students Art League. We had lunch at a place, right across the street from the school, called Brooklyn Diner, USA. Interesting name for a diner located in Manhattan. I recently fond out that this eatery has another location in the Times Square area. In addition to the standard hot dog and hamburger, the diner serves various American ethnic foods found in Brooklyn, like Jewish, Jewish, Italian, Romanian, Hungarian, Cuban cuisine and more.

The last time I went to this diner (many years ago), it was a spacious and comfortable place. However, when I went with Rhonda, I found it had turned into a very cramped place. The owners have tried to fit as many diners in there, as possible. Not very comfortable. We both ordered a Greek salad, which was presented in a very fancy manner. Despite the presentation, it tasted good. Rhonda what did you think of the salad? Do you remember?

Paz

The Art Students League of New York

August 6, 2009 | Filed Under Art Schools, Artists, Rhonda Hartis Smith | 15 Comments

A couple of months ago, blogging friend and artist Rhonda Hartis Smith came to New York to participate in a special workshop held at The Art Students League of New York. This art school, located on the West Side of Manhattan, has provided classes to artists and amateurs for over 130 years. It’s rich in history in the art world. Several well-known artists and teachers have walked through its doors.

For many years, I had passed the building several times but never went inside. Meeting Rhonda there gave me the opportunity to do so. I liked the active, yet relaxed atmosphere inside. I saw lots of students, ranging from kids to adults.

I had a chance to stop by Rhonda’s classroom during her break. Lots of easels carrying works-in-progress were crammed into the small studio space. In the front of the class, a model sat patiently, waiting for the students to return to continue painting her.

Inspired by all the artists listed in my blogroll section (go check out their links!), for the longest time, I’ve been wanting to take a drawing/sketching class. I may take a class here.

Paz

The owl on the window sill looks so life-like. He’s intently watching the activity on the sidewalk and street below.

A detailed portion over one of the windows of The Art Students League of New York building.

Cave Paintings

July 15, 2009 | Filed Under Artists, Elliot Sperber | 12 Comments

The Janitor

Last Friday, I went to the art exhibit of my friend, Elliot Sperber. It’s called Cave Paintings.

The above painting is my favorite — because it has a dog in it.

Jetboy

Elliot’s artwork is on display at the Chashama Harlem Gallery

2016 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (7th Avenue, between 120th and 121 st Streets)

July 11 – August 5, 2009

(Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)

1p.m. – 7p.m. and by appointment.

For more info, you can go www.elliotsperber.com & www.chashama.org.

Shadow Shot Sunday: Courtesy of Lamp Posts

January 11, 2009 | Filed Under Artists, Bloggers, Christine Mercer-Vernon, Christine Mercer-Vernon Fine Art blog, City Streets and Sidewalks, Photo Blogging Theme Day, Shadow Shot Sunday, Shadows, Stand Pipes | 24 Comments

Watercolor painting by Christine Mercer-Vernon, where I noticed a nice shadow.

Not long ago, I’d been keeping an eye open for shadow shots but didn’t find any — Not one shadow shot to contribute to Hey Harriet’s Shadow Shot Sunday photo blogging event. As Sunday approached, I grew desperate. Then, I happened to look at Christine Mercer-Vernon Fine Art. Artist Christine had posted a wonderful watercolor painting of a pear. I noticed two things — the pear looked good enough to eat and it had a big fat juicy shadow.

Shadow shot!

I planned on photographing it and making it my shadow shot contribution! However, Christine wondered if taking a photo of a scanned image of a painting off the computer screen would count as a shadow shot. Hmmm… I supposed she had a point. After some thought, I’d say it’s still a shadow shot. What do you say, Harriet?

Anywho, the next day, after work and after walking my dogs, I took my camera and went looking for shadows to shoot — in the dark.

Luckily, I found some shadows courtesy of the lamp posts. Yay! So here they are.

After you’ve checked out the various shadow shots from all over the world on HEY HARRIET‘s, visit Christine Mercer-Vernon’s blog to see some really cool art work.

Paz

Shadows on the sidewalk

Shadow shot of an iron fence railing.

A stand pipe, to which fire fighters connect their hoses for water, and its shadow. They’re normally red in color but I’ve noticed a few with different colors, like this yellow stand pipe.

Meeting at Neue Galerie New York

February 14, 2008 | Filed Under Artists, Bloggers, East Side, Fifth Avenue, Gustav Klimt, Marrakech Destination Guide, Merisi's Vienna blog, Museums/Galleries, My Marrakesh blog, National Geographic Traveler, Neue Galerie, The House in Marrakesh blog | 13 Comments

Neue Galerie New York

I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth of The House in Marrakesh, in person, during her visit to the city. By the way, her blog and Maryam’s have been mentioned in the March 2008 of National Geographic Traveler (Marrakech Destination Guide). Congratulations, ladies!

We decided to go to the Neue Galerie, a museum that features early twentieth-century Austrian and German art and design.

Near the museum entrance, I walked up to a lady who seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Elizabeth?" I questioned the woman tentatively.

She looked at me with a hint of recognition. "Yes."

"Hi! It’s Paz!" I leaned forward and gave her a hug.

She hugged me back.

When I pulled away from her, I said, "It’s great to meet you!"

"It’s… great… to see you, too." Hesitation censured her voice and a look of slight confusion colored her face. Wait a minute, something was wrong. I could feel it.

"Are you Elizabeth?" I could feel my brows furrow in consternation. I think the look my face mirrored the look on hers. "Are you Elizabeth … ?" I asked again. This time, I mentioned Elizabeth’s last name.

"My name is Elizabeth but that’s not my last name. You asked me if I was Elizabeth and I said yes. Also, you looked familiar. I was trying to place your face."

We both laughed at the mistake and I wished her a good day. Only in New York, can you go hugging strangers and then laugh about it. She got a free hug from me.

Minutes later the ‘right’ Elizabeth showed up. "Paz!" She rushed over and gave me a big hug.

First we stopped at one of the museum’s two cafés — Café Sabarsky. They serve authentic Viennese specialities and traditional Austrian dishes. We talked over hot chocolate and a light meal of ham with mustard spread, on country bread with crispy crusts. Delicious! Relaxing in the café reminded us of Merisi’s Vienna for Beginners. It made us feel as if we were really in Vienna.

Then we set out to see the Gustav Klimt exhibit, which is mesmerizing. The art pieces and drawings are housed in a large renovated Louis XIII-style Beaux-Arts building on Fifth Avenue. With the exception of the lobby, bookstore and design shop, unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to take photographs in the Galerie.

We’d planned to go to nearby Central Park, afterwards, to take photos in the park, but the weather was extremely cold that day. Actually, it was one of the coldest days in the city. So, we cancelled those plans. All in all, we had a good time together.

You can find Elizabeth’s New York photos here.

Paz