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. 

LET HEAVEN & NATURE SING!

"OFF THE COAST of NORWICH" 24 x 36

"The Future of life on Earth depends on our ability to see the sacred 

where others see only the common." 

Dear Friends & Patrons 
wishing you and yours
a new year filled with 
beautiful moments, 
treasured memories, many blessings. 

Living like it's Spring

"IN THE PINK" 20 x 20 Oil on Linen
On view at Design Domaine Gallery, Spring Lake, NJ

WHISPER BREATH PROMISES of spring and new chances... anticipation!

Been packing canvases,  paints and paintings for the past few weeks as I prepare to move to a new studio space.  Living like it's spring, thought I'd post two cheery samples of nature's floral bounty that foretell my optimism for what lies ahead: "In the Pink" and "Branching Out." Looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my creative book. FEELING BLESSED!

"BRANCHING OUT" 20 x 20 Oil on Linen
On view at Artist Frame Gallery, Verona, NJ

WRAP IT UP! Holiday Benefit Exhibition

"Just Friends" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

"Fruitful Thought" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

"Tempting Treasure" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

THRILLED THAT THREE OF MY SMALLER PAINTINGS were juried into LIAFA's Wrap it UP! Holiday Exhibition. The show, curated by artist Richard Weinstein, is currently on display at LIAFA's Hersh Fine Art Gallery in Glen Cove, NY, and will run though January 31, 2016. "WRAP it UP!"  Showcasing art for a good cause, proceeds will benefit the Glen Cove Arts Council, which helps to provide cultural experiences for under-served youth and adults, including scholarships for art classes. All work is smaller than 20 x 20 inches. If you are interested in seeing the entire exhibition or purchasing  a piece, CALL 516-590-4324, or visit the gallery at: 14 Glen Street #201 Glen Cove, New York.

On it's way home to Tenafly, New Jersey with my latest patron

"Outside the Box" 24 x36 Oil on Linen

Nicole Kidman as Muse

INTERESTING TAKES… In 1999, Nicole Kidman teamed up with photographer Steven Meisel, for a Vogue Magazine feature that recreated some of John Singer Sargent's more famous portraits. Love these poses and their inspiration. LBH

Nature is Calling!

 11 x 14 Oil on Linen 

Thought I'd take a break from painting florals and still life for a while and attempt a few landscapes. To that aim, above is a small imaginary piece that helped me loosen up.  Still working on a title (Suggestions welcome). Below is the first in a trio of paintings that focus on the beautiful coastline in Norwich, UK.  For this piece, captivated by a sense of majesty, my goal was to highlight the glorious shaft of light breaking through the clouds and reflected in the water.

"Norwich Coastline" Oil on Linen 24 x 36

"The true end of art is not to imitate a fixed material condition,
but to represent a living emotion."
(George Inness)