Posts by Tom G

Experimental artist, Susan Schwarz, will share her inspired work at the East Suburban Artists League (ESAL) meeting on Thursday, November 7.

Susan’s goal is to inspire curiosity and spark emotion through her art. Her inspiration comes from everyday observations: nature with trees, flowers, rocks, and water, the shadows on buildings, and more. Using watercolors, acrylics, and papers of different kinds, she assembles the materials in creative and unique collages on canvas, board, or watercolor paper, while experimenting with abstraction through shapes and textures.

Her works have been accepted into local and regional juried shows where she has received awards. Memberships include the International Society of Experimental Artists and the Pittsburgh Society of Artists.

Quote from Susan: “Most of us start our art experience with a box of crayons. I never put mine away. I have been making art ever since. So, now, go pick up your crayons!”

The public is invited to this free presentation which takes place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, November 7, at 6:45 pm.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm just after social time which begins at 6:15 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

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Expressive abstract artist, Dawn Johnson, will unveil her art strategies at the East Suburban Artists League (ESAL) meeting on October 3.

Recipient of numerous awards, Dawn’s current works use alcohol inks and acrylic mediums that enable her to represent emotions through flow and color.

“My creative process is about expressing my soul, my emotions, and my interaction with the world around me. My paintings are created intuitively, responding to the work as it develops. What emerges is highly personal, yet recognizable to others. My works are spontaneous, impassioned, vibrant paintings that reach out and hug your soul.”

Dawn’s inspiration comes from nature and her life experiences. “When you engage with my art, it is my hope that you will be overcome with feelings of joy and well-being, be reminded that beauty and joy can be found everywhere no matter the circumstance.”

Although Dawn obtained a degree in music, she never left her art and her creative spirit behind. Always drawing as a child, taking high school art classes in the summer while still in elementary school, and continuing to take formal, informal classes, and experimenting throughout her life have kept her love of creating alive. She worked as apprentice to painter Ben Howatt in Houston Texas, studied drawing at the Glassell School of Art and studied watercolor painting with Mary Louis Verrilla in Pittsburgh. Dawn is a member of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists.

The public is invited to this free presentation which takes place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, October 3, at 6:45 pm.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm just after social time which begins at 6:15 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

Artist J.D. Peterson is the featured speaker at the September 5, East Suburban Artists League (ESAL) meeting.

The ancient art of batik is the topic. Batik is an artform using fabric and dye to create a design. Wax is used as a ‘resist’ on fabric using one or more dyebaths to create art which can be framed, or used to make wall hangings, pillows or whatever the imagination can dream up. In the 21st century we have new materials which open new exciting options for batiking. J.D. will share her techniques and some of her designs.

In addition to batik, watercolor and oil painting, J.D. is also an author, floral designer, singer and songwriter. She is the author of the Amazon Best Seller “The American Gilt Trilogy” and is an award-winning singer/songwriter. She recently exhibited and demonstrated her floral design in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s Spring 2024 “Art in Bloom” event.

The public is invited to this free presentation which takes place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, September 5, at 6:45 pm.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

Artist, Greg Bensko, a native Pennsylvanian and graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, will share his passion for wildlife art at the November 2, East Suburban Artists League (ESAL) meeting.

Greg will discuss this very specialized art form and do a live demonstration of his techniques for painting the scenes that often accompany his wildlife paintings.

His unique hand painted turkey feathers are one of a kind and are breathtakingly crafted. There will be time for questions and answers during his discussion.

Greg has earned awards in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Waterfowl Management Stamp Contests. He also does commissions for the National Bloodhound Association as he creates memorial paintings for members’ treasured pets. His pet portraits are a perfect way to immortalize a beloved pet or showcase one’s animal spirit.

Greg also does handcrafted framing using recycled and restored Pennsylvania barn wood.

This free presentation takes place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, November 2, at 6:45 pm.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

East Suburban Artists League Meeting Features Origami Tessellation Paper Folding A type of origami paper folding will be presented by Madonna Yoder at the October 5, East Suburban Artists League Read More

Prepare to be astounded at the East Suburban Artists League (ESAL) September 7 meeting, when this month’s presenter, Tom Tholen, demonstrates his expertise as an extraordinary portrait artist. Tom has spent his varied career working for places such as Disney, Marvel, and Pixar and is an IMDb listed artist. Tom is an experienced educator and is currently in the process of creating his own graphic novel.

Using the minimum of materials, the artist will craft a portrait of an ESAL member, as we view the process unfold before our eyes. With explanations of the techniques and strategies involved, Tom will offer tips for those interested in the challenge of portrait drawing, and inspire those who see the blank page transformed into a human form.

The public is invited! This is a great opportunity to see the art and techniques of this skilled and talented artist.

This free presentation takes place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, September 7, at 6:45 pm.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

Kurt has been professionally producing artwork since 1977. Many of those years was working as a graphic designer, illustrator, and advertising agency owner. However, oil painting exhilarates him, as he explores texture, energy, and vibrant color, with brush and palette knife. “I lose time when I have a brush in my hand”.

Kurt will share his journey on becoming a successful artist. He will show and explain a representative sampling of his work. There will be time for questions about these as well as his expertise and knowledge of the art world.

The public is invited to this free presentation.

Members share in an art “Show and Tell” at 6:45 pm. The hour-long program begins at 7:00, with the business meeting beginning immediately after a brief break.

Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, in the lower-level meeting room, on Thursday, April 6, at 6:45 pm.

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

For more information call Nancy Dalverny at 412-373-0711 or visit ESALart.org

“Artificial Intelligence & Art” Discussion by East Suburban Artists League​ As if we haven’t enough to consider in this high-tech life, artists will have even more to ponder at the Read More

Do you wonder HOW a Jury chooses art for an event?

Do you wonder WHAT a Judge looks for when judging an event?

We will discuss these topics and how you can use this information in your journey in the art community. Please bring a piece of your artwork to the meeting.

Ann McCartney is an oil painter from the South Hills of Pittsburgh who has been involved in the Art Community for the past 25+ years. Her mission is to draw from her broad range of experiences to enhance the growth and success of individuals and groups with their goals.

Not only has Ann been an Art Event Judge, but her personal work has been juried and judged as well. She has overseen and organized over 20 art shows in various venues within the South Hills. She has taken and led workshops; instructed and facilitated for the Primary Colors Art Guild for the past 10 years; and exhibited and curated for JCC South Hills for 7 years. All that and more!

Bob’s use of pen and ink has won accolades in many artistic circles. While demonstrating his unique approach to his art, he will explain his techniques. Examples of his numerous pen and ink drawings will be on display. Subject matter includes sports & entertainment figures, animals, barns & structures, inspirational themes, and “joy rides”. He has even promised to share one of his prints with all of those who attend.

Nicole C. Brown Demo Found Materials Artist Nicole C. Brown Celestial Suns (detail) by Nicole Brown Glendon Hyde Creating art from discarded materials:  An outstanding artist and ESAL member, Nicole C. Brown, willguide Read More

“Creating the Perfect Mats and Frames for Your Artwork”

Our own Eileen Yeager has vast experience in matting and framing and will share her knowledge with our group at the Thursday, April 7, 2022 in-person meeting, at 7pm at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville. This is our first in-person meeting since March 2022. Arrive early if you want to socialize.

Eileen’s demonstration addresses the following issues facing most artists:

Are you overwhelmed with all the mat and frame choices available?
Through design, we will determine what the best look for each project is.
Do you want to have a professional framing presentation for your artwork?

Come to the April 7, ESAL meeting and I will teach you tricks your local framers use – and what I do.

If you are ready to save money by learning how to mat and frame the proper way for your artwork, I am teaching Matting & Framing Workshops at the Greensburg Art Center in April and May. I will also be offering smaller classes at my home in Murrysville in the near future.

At the April ESAL meeting, I will discuss the following:
• Fundamentals of matting and framing. Why do we frame?
• Design principles – creating harmony among all the elements
• I will bring matted and framed artwork samples to show design principles.
• Choosing the correct materials. Both museum quality and regular materials are shown and discussed.
• Designing your own project. Selecting mats and frames.
• You can bring a piece of art, and I will bring mat color samples so you can put your new knowledge to our goal of Making the Artwork the Star!

ESAL, composed of photographers and artists working in all media, aims to foster arts and crafts and to educate, inspire and encourage artists and patrons in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

Show & Tell December 2021 Demonstration