Coney Island

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:08:07 -0400

In my dreams I go back to the source of my love of water and rocks. I wake up and run to my studio to put those images down quickly.

Then I go hunting with my camera for the real thing, water, ocean, lake or river and the surrounding rocks and trees.

I grew up in CI living there during WW2 and the 50’s. The nearness to the ocean, the Boardwalk and the amusement parks have influenced my paintings without even being aware.

By coincidence, The NY Times of Monday, August 18, 2008, has an article about the reemergence of Coney Island. So here are some memories:

Basking on the beach, casually walking in the surf looking for the boys (fooling around (no sex, pregnancy and reputation a very real issue) and getting tan, tan, tan was how I spent my teen summers.

We lived very close to Sea Gate where the rich people lived, but definitely outside. One day, after school, I was alone as usual and bored, so I decided to go the end of CI just because no one ever worried about me since I was a “good” girl. I walked very far , daydreaming and finally got to the very spit of the island, climbing over huge rocks, watching the waves crash below my feet. I could see both New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time. I paint scenes of water and rocks and sky, and the impressions from that time are imprinted forever in my mind.

Another California coast picture.

Next time about family and how we lived.

Turner Exhibit at the Met

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:08:14 -0400

Since I'm new to this, I thought that my reaction the Turner exhibit at the NYC Metropolitan Museum, might tell all of you about who I am.

I'm an artist. I paint everything. But right now, I'm painting landscapes, with emphasis on clouds and skys using pastels.

Although he is famous for battle scenes and superior rendering of ships and the sea, it is Turner's emphasis on the movement of light and shadow gives me the feeling of motion and mystery.

It's as though one was given a design project with all kinds of rules set out by the client, but at home in the studio the exploration of what's possible from your mind is what keeps you alive.

If you're in the NY area, don't miss this show.

From my trip to California.

Naomi Shriber's Open Salon Blog

Coney Island

Turner Exhibit at the Met