A Visit To The Salmagundi Art Club

Last weekend I was in New York attending the Salmagundi Club Annual Member's Exhibition.  What a treat it was to see the show, meet some friendly New York artists and explore the historic building that houses the Art Club.  You can read more about its history here.

Some of the Club's members have included George Inness, William Merritt Chase, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Childe Hassam - to name a few - and honorary members such as Sir Winston Churchill.  Needless to say, there is much history there!  An extensive library is filled with rare books and artifacts and there is a fascinating collection of palettes used by famous artists.  

Next time I visit I will plan for several hours in this library!  Around the room you can see a few of the palettes donated to the Club by the artists who used them.

These are the original catalogues from the famous Paris Salon Exhibitions.  (I noticed that the 1884 volume that included John S. Sargent's famous Madame X was missing.)

There is also a mug collection.  In the early 20th Century these mugs were painted by artist members and auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Club.

And of course there are many paintings lining the walls everywhere you look.  I met several friendly artists as I was visiting the Salmagundi Club and was distracted and forgot to take pictures of all the paintings!  (I'll go back someday and do that.)  But here are just a few of them.

Portraits of some of the past presidents.

The Salmagundi Club is open to the public and well worth a visit!

Off To See The Salmagundi Show

"Charlotte"  (in progress)   36" x 24"   Oil

This morning I leave my studio and this commissioned portrait in progress and head off to New York City for the Salmagundi Club Annual Members' Exhibition.   I'll also visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several art galleries where I know I'll get a heavy dose of inspiration!

Salmagundi Annual Member's Exhibition

I've shipped this painting off to New York to the Salmagundi Art Club's Annual Members Exhibition.  Due to Tropical Cyclone Sandy, the Salmagundi is currently without power but hopefully things will be back to normal for the show November 14 - November 30.

This church on a hill in Arraiolos, Portugal is one I've painted several times and I always enjoy trying to capture the feeling of sunlight on its whitewashed walls and the reflected light in the shadows.

"Portuguese Church - Late Morning"   12" x 24"   Oil

Below is the original composition.  When I placed a long, narrow frame over the painting I discovered that I liked the composition much better that way, so I cut off the excess canvas on the top and bottom and re-stretched it to its current panoramic format.