"Trinity" awarded Best of Show!

 THRILLED to ANNOUNCE  "Trinity" -- from my Angel Series -- was awarded First Place at the New Jersey Art Association's Fall Exhibition at Chilton Medical Center Gallery (Healing Arts Program.)  A sincere thank you to  NJAA and the Juror of Awards, Janet Cunniffe-Chieffro.

Catch the entire show of over 30 paintings now through January 4, 2025 daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gallery located at: 97 West Parkway, Pompton Plains, New Jersey. 

MESSAGES of HOPE... My Angel Series

ISOLATED DURING THE PANDEMIC, I used the time to reassess my work and begin a new series of paintings with a positive perspective. SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO: #TheArtistsMagazine for featuring a 6-page spread highlighting the results -- my newest Angel Series. Thank you also to #RobertkCarsten for writing such a great article. 

FRICK ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT GIFT of Drawings and Pastels. Artists include: Caillebotte, Degas, Delacroix, Fragonard, Goya, Sargent, Vigée Le Brun, and Watteau

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun Head of a Woman, 1784

Pastel on paper12 x 9 7/8 inches Promised Gift from 

the Collection of Elizabeth and Jean-Marie Eveillard 

Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr. 

THE FRICK COLLECTION announced the largest and most significant gift of drawings and pastels in its history , thanks  to the generosity of Elizabeth "Betty" and Jean-Marie Eveillard. 

OVER THE PAST forty-five years, the Eveillards assembled an outstanding collection of European works on paper, ranging from the twentieth century and representing artists working in France, Britain  Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. They have made a promised gift to the Frick of twenty-six of these works--eighteen drawings, five pastels, two prints and one oil sketch--among them some of their finest acquisitions. 

 Betty and Jean-Marie Eveillard have been deeply involved with the Frick for many years, both having served as Trustees. Betty is currently the Board's Chair. 

In the fall of 2022, at its temporary Frick Madison location, the museum will present an exhibition of these extraordinary works, to be accompanied by a catalogue and public programs. WEBSITE: Frick.org

COUNTING my BLESSINGS (Revisited 2021)

Spellbound, I watched in awe as a master created a magnificent work of art. Using a prismatic palette of glowing Cadmiums, rich purples, and soothing blues ranging from Cerulean to Indigo, in the artist’s hands, splashes of golden orange and pink morphed into bands of Azure blue in a glorious Acapulco sunset. 

Privy to God’s beautiful handiwork on this enchanting Christmas Eve, it gave me pause to reflect on the many gifts we artists are handed. 

Unique vision, imagination, individual ability to express that which comes from the soul, and the freedom and joy of working in a field that we love, are but a few endowments we are privileged to share. And while creativity is an enigma that can easily be taken for granted, especially on those magical days when it just flows from within through the brushes and onto the canvas, or from the chisel to the heart of the stone, reality keeps us grounded every time we struggle to find the muse or worse, get bogged down in the mire of overworked details. 

Grappling with process aside, surely we are a privileged lot! In the words of Camille Pissarro: “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” Give yourself a gift in 2021. Resolve to be true to your calling; embrace that vibrant inner vision.

Here’s wishing you a peaceful New Year overflowing with fulfilled hopes, blessings and pleasant surprises. 

Color your world,

Louise

P.S. CALLING all ARTISTS...  Please leave a comment, or share one of your favorite trade secrets for inclusion in an article that I will be writing for a magazine.

In the Arms of the ANGELS!

"ANGELS AMONG US" Oil on Linen 24 x 30

"ANGELS AMONG US" is the first in a series of paintings that I am working on during this heartbreaking time of crisis and isolation. This painting will be one of many on exhibit at my One-Woman Show this summer at Bergen PAC in Englewood, NJ.  (Date to be announced given the All-Clear.)

To paraphrase the beautiful and talented Sara McLachlan: In the arms of the angels, may we find some comfort there. 

"Branching Out" awarded Blick Art Materials Award

1. SO CHUFFED by the NEWS that "Branching Out" was awarded the Blick 1 Award at the Ridgewood Art Institute's 40th Juried Show. My thanks to RAI, and the judges. Congrats, too, to my fellow artist awardees! The exhibit will be on view through February 23rd. #ridgewoodartinstitute.

SHARING EXCITING NEWS: International Recognition for "Rhapsody"

 Thrilled to announce that my painting "Rhapsody" (Oil on Linen 24 x 36), was chosen from amongst 4,300 entries representing 73 countries as a finalist for inclusion in the prestigious 14th Art Renewal Center Salon (ARC). The ARC Salon is the largest and most influential competition in the world dedicated to 21st Century Realism.

TIEPOLO IN MILAN: The Lost Frescoes of Palazzo Archinto.

Preparatory Works Reunited for the First Time 

LAST CHANCE TO SEE the paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs related to Giambattista Tiepolo’s (1696–1770) first significant project outside of Venice, the series of ceiling frescoes, painted in 1730–31 for Palazzo Archinto in Milan, was tragically destroyed during World War II. Presented by the Frick now through July 14, 2019, Tiepolo in Milan: The Lost Frescoes of Palazzo Archinto brings together more than fifty works from collections in the US and Europe to tell the story of this important commission. 

As the Frick does not loan objects purchased by the institution’s founder, the New York museum is the only place where these works can be displayed together. Several complementary drawings and books illustrated by Tiepolo are included, alongside documentary photographs, taken between 1897 and the early 1940s, which are the only surviving records of the finished frescoes. The exhibition is organized by The Frick Collection in collaboration with the Azienda di Servizi alla Persona Golgi-Redaelli, Milan, and curated by Xavier F. Salomon, the Frick’s Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, with Andrea Tomezzoli, Professor at the University of Padua, and Denis Ton, Curator of the Musei Civici in Belluno. 
INFO: https://www.frick.org/interact/app

'TIS THE SEASON FOR: "Holiday Salon -- A group Show" at Mark Gruber Gallery

HAPPY to ANNOUNCE that four of my paintings have been juried into the Holiday Salon Group Show at Mark Gruber Gallery in New Paltz, NY.   Along with two landscapes: "Bridging the Gap" and "DreamScape III," selected other pieces include "Asian Beauty" (as seen in the flyer above - top right), which was awarded the prestigious Betty Kaytes Floral Award at the 29th Annual Regional Open Juried Show, Ridgewood Art Institute. My fourth piece is a small still life (See below.)  Its title,  "Nannie's Pansies," was inspired by the affectionate name (Nanny Pansy) given to my mum by her grandchildren.

"Nanny's Pansies." Oil on Linen 12 x 12. louisebhafesh.com

Honored to have my work included in this show along with a fine roster of contemporary artists and a treasure trove of artful gifts. The HOLIDAY SALON will run through January 28, 2019. If you are in the area, do check it out!  www.markgrubergallery.com.

On Exhibit at The National Arts Club in 2019

"Stop and Smell the Roses" © Louise B. Hafesh Fine Art

HAPPY to ANNOUNCE that MY PAINTING, "Stop and Smell the Roses," (Oil on linen - 16 x20) was accepted into the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Exhibition at the National Arts Club in NYC!   

The Galleries, which are located at 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY, are open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 to 5pm. Show dates will run from January 8 -25, 2019.  Call the National Arts Club to confirm Saturday and Sunday hours, as they fluctuate in consideration of public and private functions. Phone: 212/475-3424.

A Sad Farewell to an Amazing Gallery!

EXTENDING A SAD FAREWELL to Rich Timmons Fine Art Gallery, which over the span of its years in business exhibited an awesome collective of contemporary artists. Aware of the devastating health concerns that Rich and his wife Julie were facing, it was a sad day when I made the trip last month to pick up my remaining canvasses. 

Ever proud to have been affiliated with this exquisite Doylestown, Pa. establishment since 2015, my thoughts and prayers are with this wonderful couple and their family. God bless!  

"Moroni: The Riches of Renaissance Portraiture"

IMAGE: Isotta Brembati, ca. 1553, Oil on canvas, 63 x 45 1/4 inches,
Fondazione Museo di Palazzo Moron, Bergamo - Lucretia Moroni Collection. 

In the winter and spring of 2019, The Frick will present an exclusive look at Giovanni Barrista Moroni (1520/24 - 1579/80) as a portraitist through paintings and objects from International collections.

Moroni: The Riches of Renaissance Portraiture will be the first major exhibition in the United States to focus on Moroni's portraiture. As a painter of portraits and religious subjects, Moroni is celebrated in the northern Italian tradition of naturalistic painting that includes Leonardo da Vinci, the Caraccis, and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. This exhibition, to be shown exclusively at The Frick Collection from February 21 through June 2, 2019, brings to light the innovation of the artist whose role in a larger history of European portraiture has yet to be fully explored. https://www.frick.org

Shout out to Geary Gallery

A sampling of my still life and landscape paintings on exhibit at Geary Gallery

SO PLEASED to ANNOUNCE that my work is now exhibited at Geary Gallery located at 576 Boston Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, along with an impressive list of widely-known artists.

For 32 years, as proprietors of their preeminent Fairfield County gallery for representational art, Anne and Tom Geary have offered a lively schedule of art exhibits that rotate approximately every five weeks.  Love my display wall and Anne and Tom's choice of that blue background color! For a closer look at individual pieces, please check out this link:  www.gearygallery.com/?artists=louise-b-hafesh

In the News...

Thrilled that BC the Magazine chose to highlight my artwork in their Winter 2017 issue. An 8-page spread, it features some of my still lifes, florals and landscapes. My thanks, Sharon, Steven and Nayda.

THE ARTIST'S LIFE... Still life in Process

Finding Solace and Inspiration in Cherished Treasures.

A CLEAN SLATE…  Whenever I begin a new painting, I clean shop. For me at least, sweeping away traces of my last oeuvre by cleaning my palette, brushes, tools and work space is tantamount to wiping back a canvas to make room for fertile possibilities and the promise of fresh starts. As T.S.Elliot said, “To make an end is to make a beginning."

MY WALL of TREASURE

Capturing the soul of a vision... I especially enjoy taking simple objects: timeless vintage vases, colorful blooms, all manner of reflective surfaces, nature’s bounty, and giving them human qualities; creating a storyline that people can respond to emotionally, visually, intellectually and/or spiritually. Sometimes a concept springs to life on its own. Like stream of conscious poetry that flows from within fully realized, such serendipity is a welcome blessing. More often, though, themes and compositions need to be coaxed into fruition. That’s when I look to my trusty treasure trove of props, music, favorite writers and artists for inspiration.

Guided by the Light…  With a goal of introducing beautiful imagery through incisive compositions that have the capacity to entice, involve, provoke, inspire, I scour my stash for subjects that speak to me. Arranging objects in ways that draw the viewer in via luminous north light, I choose what best describes my inner vision, take photos for perishable references and, finally, engage the canvas.

INITIAL SET UP

FINAL SET UP

Note the comparison of my initial idea and the final set up. In the final, I have strengthened the narrative by pumping up the light stream, adding a small American flag and a Veteran's poppy and pin.

Building Blocks…  Underpainting Sketch: First Pass of Color.

Underpainting

Using a mix of ivory black and cadmium red, I begin by doing a sketchy drawing. Massing in large dark shapes and wiping out the lights, I address color once the first layer is dry. As the work progresses, I may add or modify elements for the integrity of the painting. (Note the heightened vase, addition of the US flag and the pin in the final painting.) Eventually I will glaze and push back certain elements, as in this case, the leaves.  I will also work on strengthening the light flow across the box from right toward the left.

Favorite Accoutrements…  Having heard fellow artists persistently praise EdgeProGear’s versatile pochard box, I have happily joined the ranks. Easy to set up (I’m using my own tripod), I love its sleek, grey-toned glass palette, practical magnetic accessories and the fact that when taken down it is so portable. It's the size of a portable computer. Using it now in-studio, but can't wait to add it to my  plein aire toolbox. Brushes: Rosemary & Co. and Robert Simmons; Michael Harding and Gamblin oils.

WORK in PROGRESS: (Oil on Linen 16 x 16)" HEART of my HEART"  is homage to my US WWII Air Forces father and Royal Air Force mum. Trying out my new EdgeProGear PaintBook and LOVING IT! SHOUT OUT to  The Artist's Magazine for highlighting my process in the March  2017 issue.