Larry Francis: The City in a New Light

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Larry Francis: The City in a New Light

January 4 – 26, 2019

Opening Reception: Friday, January 4, 5 – 7 pm

Gross McCleaf Gallery

127 S. Sixteenth Street

215-665-8138

Philadelphia, Pa. 19102

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Fishing at Midvale: Oil on Canvas. 36″ X 30″



My subject is the city, the world outside my door. These paintings are straightforward representations of the things I see. There is a bit of magic in the early morning light on a wall, the cacophony of colorful signs in a shop window, or along a thoroughfare, and the reflections of light sparkling on the river. All these bits of life, and the sense of human habitation within the city, are important to me. – Larry Francis

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Many painters have captured scenes of everyday life, however, the paintings of Larry Francis are full of a glowing delight, derived from a fascination with the atmosphere of city life. Philadelphia is a frequent subject of his work, the pieces reflecting the personality of the industrial, yet often quaint, metropolis. Some of his paintings find nooks of the city that are serene; the secluded neighborhoods and parks that visitors do not always get the chance to see. Some are more active scenes; the bustling downtown areas and buildings that are more iconic to Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Francis uses gouache and oil paint to capture the light of the golden hour of the city with warm, luminous hues. He renders the most beautiful days in Fairmount Park, with crystal clear reflections of the sky on the water of the Schuylkill River. His paintings are refreshingly straightforward – nothing seems to be hidden – yet they often leave the viewer curious to learn more of the story. The joy infused into these works is infectious, and viewers might find themselves feeling nostalgic for a place they have never been. Larry Francis has been showing with Gross McCleaf Gallery since 1982, and is currently an instructor in painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he studied from 1967 to 1971.

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About The Artist:

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Portrait of Larry Francis

Larry Francis is a Philadelphia native who has painted on the streets of the city from the early part of his life in art. Larry studied painting at PAFA where he was awarded the J. Henry Schiedt European Traveling Scholarship in 1970. His first big solo show was held at the Peale House Galleries of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1979. Over the years, Mr. Francis has received a number of awards; a few are the Julius Hallgarden Prize from the Academy of Design N. Y. in 1972, Mary Butler Award from the Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 1996, Charles Knox Smith Founders Prize at the Woodmere Art Museum 2002, and a Prize for Painting at Cheltenham Art Center in 2011 and 2018. HIs work is in many public and private collections including the Noyes Museum of New Jersey, Woodmere Museum in Chestnut Hill, Federal Reserve Bank ,Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum. Mr. Francis shows his work at the Gross McCleaf Gallery, where he has had a dozen solo shows. Larry can be seen in the short film “ Larry Francis: Painting Philadelphia, by John Thornton. Larry teaches Landscape Painting and Drawing at the PAFA.

A.H. Scott: Crumblin Dice

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Crumblin Dice & Codename: Oh No

Commentary by A.H. Scott, Copyright 2018

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PIDDLER ON THE ROOF

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CRUMBLIN’ DICE

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I bet you know the tune “Accentuate the Positive”, which includes the line of ‘don’t mess with mister in between’. Well, now I want to introduce you to “Mr. Even If”. You know him, he’s the man of orange glow, who denies the rumors and then admits that they might be true; based simply on his admittance of the following: “Even if I did it…..”

He’s done this when musing on his pursuing The Moscow Tower Project and then the later payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

THE WASHINGTON TIMES NEWSPAPER – Thursday, November 29, 2018:

Faced with Cohen’s new story, the president offered a new argument of his own. He said there “would have been nothing wrong” if the Trump Organization had struck a money-making deal with the Russians during the campaign.

“Even if he [Cohen] was right, it doesn’t matter, because I was allowed to do whatever I wanted to during the campaign,” Mr. Trump said. “I was running my business. We had a position to possibly do a deal to build a building of some kind in Moscow. I decided not to do it. The primary reason was very simple — I was focused on running for president. There would be nothing wrong if I did do it.”

The president said he has often “joked” about being the only presidential candidate in 2016 who was simultaneously trying to run a business. He said he had to consider the possibility that he might lose the presidential race.

(Source: Dave Boyer at The Washington Times – Thursday, November 29, 2018 –  https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/29/donald-trump-says-cohen-weak-person-asserts-he-was/)

2 PRESIDENTIAL TWEETS VIA TWITTER – Monday, December 10, 2018:

(First of 2 tweets)

“Democrats can’t find a Smocking Gun tying the Trump campaign to Russia after James Comey’s testimony. No Smocking Gun…No Collusion.” @FoxNews  That’s because there was NO COLLUSION. So now the Dems go to a simple private transaction, wrongly call it a campaign contribution,…” – 5:46 AM – 10 Dec 2018

(Second of 2 tweets)

….which it was not (but even if it was, it is only a CIVIL CASE, like Obama’s – but it was done correctly by a lawyer and there would not even be a fine. Lawyer’s liability if he made a mistake, not me). Cohen just trying to get his sentence reduced. WITCH HUNT!” – 6:00 AM – 10 Dec 2018

(Source: Twitter @realDonaldTrump – Monday, December 10, 2018)

To me, it’s bad enough that he lies as easily as he breathes. But, what takes it to another level is his vile ability to turn the tables of what’s real upside down with coming right to that edge of justification in saying, ‘even if’. He just has the stones to say that with a verbal shrug, realizing the members of his Republi-Cult will keep their mouths shut, ears closed and minds stilled in fear of retribution by him.

And, as for the Democrats who are taking the majority in January, they seem scattered on what they want to do. I’ll give this to the Republicans (and, it’s sad to acknowledge it), but when they focus on one thing, they move in unison as a fist. I chuckle sometimes for the Democrats who always find a way to try to be fair; even when being fair means coming out on the short end of the stick.

Democrats in the House Leadership shouldn’t be squeamish in bringing up discussion of impeachment.

During Watergate, there were three of five Articles of Impeachment against President Richard Nixon that passed:

Article 1 – Obstruction of Justice

(Cover-up of Watergate break-in)

Article 2 – Abuse of Power

(Improper administration of justice)

Article 3 – Contempt of Congress

(Failure to comply with subpoenas)

In the matter of President Donald Trump, the possibility of the fifth article that failed during the Watergate scandal could possibly pass through committee today:

Article 5 – Failure to pay taxes

(What’s in his tax returns?)

As days pass and the apathy from the Republicans continue, it proves that Richard Nixon ain’t got sh*t on Donald Trump. I bet the Quaker from Whittier is scoffing from his perch in the afterlife at this ongoing travesty.

The breadth of what surrounds the Trump investigation makes the Watergate scandal seem like tiddlywinks, because of one difference; a foreign nation has their hooks into our democratic process. And, for that alone, impeachment should be first, second, and last on the list of things needing to get done from the incoming Congress in January 2018.

To the House Democrats, I have something to say: “If President Trump wants the Wall. Give it to him. USE THE BRICKS OF IMPEACHMENT TO BECOME THE WALL OF JUSTICE!”

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“CODENAME: OH NO”

Caught with his hand in the cookie jar

He’s Mr. Even If

You know him

Starts off as a denier of truth

Yet, as time shakes the crumbs from his hand, he flips the response again and again

He’s Mr. Even If

That’s what he said

Because, Even If he had done it, it wouldn’t be at all bad

Mr. Even If is a droplet of mercury

Look at him slide

And, he does it with a furious thumb or snickering pride

“No Collusion!” is parroted like a reflex

Tower of proposal brushed with invisible paint

He’s new to this line of work, so don’t hold his feet to the fire

And, his ex-fixer has gotta be a liar

But, Even If he wasn’t, this is just about sex

“No Sex With Them Broads!”

Ain’t you heard what he done said

Yet, then again, Mr. Even If flips it off one more time

Even If he paid ‘em off, he said that ain’t no crime

Crumbs on his fingers

Crumbs on his soul

Crumbs on the resolute desk are getting out of control

Mr. Even If is playing his role

“CODENAME: OH NO” might fit his name

But, the truth is that his tongue is staked by another in the global game

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Dazhe Yesli

This is “CODENAME: OH NO’s” proper moniker

Google Translate will show you the way

With Mr. Even If, what’s real and fake is in constant shift

Now let the crumbs of obfuscation make your intelligence drift

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About The Author: A.H. Scott is a poet based in New York City and frequent contributor to Tony Ward Studio. To read additional articles by A. H. Scott, go here: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/a-h-scott-piddler-on-the-roof/

Bob Shell: The Evolution of Photography

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Louise Daguerre

 

 

Bob Shell: Letters From Prison #30

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Letters by Bob Shell, Copyright 2018

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THE EVOLUTION OF PHOTOGRAPHY

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When and where was photography invented? The standard story you will find in books on photographic history is that a Frenchman named Daguerre first fixed an image on a silver plated metal surface. The negative/positive process that became the standard for so many years is credited to William Henry Fox Talbott, an eccentric Englishman. Those are the standard stories.

Long before photography artists were using the camera obscura (literally dark room), a device which projected an image onto a surface. Someone had observed that in a darkened room with a hole in the wall an upside down image of the world outside was projected onto the wall opposite the hole. Fitting a lens into the hole allowed focusing of the image and made the image sharper. Fixing that image became an obsession of many, but none succeeded. Artists at first just tacked a sheet of paper to the wall and drew the scene. Later, the lens was mounted on the front of a portable wooden box with the glass plate at the other end. The artist would put his paper against the glass and observe and draw the image seen through the paper. At some point it was discovered that a mirror could be mounted in the box at a 45 degree angle to the lens axis and the glass plate moved to the top of the box. This made the image upright, but left to right reversed. This worked great outdoors so long as the artist was in the shade or had an assistant holding an umbrella (literally little shadow). Some brilliant person invented a leather or wood hood that surrounded the glass and blocked off excess light. I’m not sure at what point it occurred to someone to mount the box on a tripod, but the whole apparatus was then nicely portable. Thus, by the time of Leonardo most of the elements of a photographic camera already existed. The camera obscura revolutionized perspective in art and we begin to see paintings like those of Jan Vermeer that look remarkably like photographs. Although there’s no proof, I’d put money on Vermeer’s use of the camera obscura. Before photography, the camera obscura also became a popular attraction. There is a beautifully preserved Victorian one at Hove/Brighton on the Sussex coast. It is a round building with a big lens on top that projects a wonderful panorama of the surrounding. landscape onto a big bowl-shaped screen that you walk around and look down into. If you’re in the area, it is well worth seeing.

Who solved the problem of capturing the projected image chemically rather than artistically? In Russia you will be told that photography is a Russian invention. In Brazil you will hear that it is a Brazilian invention. And in China … And so on. maybe a lot of folks got the idea. I’ve seen pictures of ancient Chinese plates that have images on them looking for all the world like photographs, so maybe photography is much older than we’re taught in class. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone found photographic images in an Egyptian tomb. There’s an old saying: There’s nothing new under the sun.

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About The Author: Bob Shell is a professional photographer, author and former editor in chief of Shutterbug Magazine. He is currently serving a 35 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter for the death of Marion Franklin, one of his former models. Shell was recently moved from Pocahontas State Correctional Center, Pocahontas, Virginia to River North Correctional Center 329 Dellbrook Lane Independence, VA 24348.  Mr. Shell continues to claim his innocence. He is serving the 11th year of his sentence. To read more letters from prison by Bob Shell, click here: http://tonyward.com/bob-shell-family-of-photographers/

 

Kiera Roberto: Saving Daisy


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SYNOPSIS
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Text and Video by Kiera Roberto, Copyright 2018
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Saving Daisy will pick up where the Netflix film “Audrie & Daisy” left off.  This short documentary will follow Daisy Coleman’s journey of healing from lifelong trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, through treatment using EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) Therapy. 

Millions of people from all over the world came to learn about Daisy’s sexual assault when her story went viral and was followed by a feature length documentary.  But that was only the beginning of her journey as a survivor.  With this film, Daisy has joined forces with a team of filmmakers and fellow survivors to follow her vulnerable PTSD recovery process, in an effort to inspire other survivors and their families in recovery.  We will follow her through her EMDR treatment to unlock the layers of trauma from her assault, the tragic death of her father prior to the assault, as well as the recent sudden loss of her younger brother.  Daisy has faced more trauma in her 21 years than anyone should ever be faced with in a lifetime, but this film will prove to survivors everywhere that healing is possible.

This film will become part of the learning tools offered by SafeBAE, the national organization that Daisy helped to found in 2015, which works to prevent sexual assault among teens. 

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Please donate. Link to Kickstarter fundinghttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200266748/saving-daisy

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Kiera Roberto: Fimmaker/Producer. Hollywood
Kiera Roberto: Fimmaker/Producer. Hollywood

About The Author: Kiera Roberto has been pursuing film for a couple of years with a few music videos and short films under her belt.  The most important part of the film platform is that she is able to fight issues she firmly believes in.  In addition to this film, Ms. Roberto is on the board of a non profit SAFEBAE that creates educational videos for students in grade schools. This is Kiera’s first contribution to Tony Ward Studio.

 

 
 

A.H. Scott: Piddler On The Roof

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Illustrations and Text by A.H. Scott, Copyright 2018

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PIDDLER ON THE ROOF

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Artwork by Thomcat23 for Tony Ward Studio. Copyright 2018
Artwork by Thomcat23 for Tony Ward Studio

 

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He piddles here

He piddles there

When he piddles, inhabitants of the Earth better beware

Is it so hard to ask for a man to be of class?

To the Piddler On the Roof, his core is crass

Piddler, oh Piddler, we all are screwed!

Piddler, oh Piddler, why do you do what you do?

He moans and howls of how there are no connections to the bear

But, around every corner the sounds of coins and linkage are heard

Not some grand conspiracy it has to be

Just coincidence of business ties that bind the Piddler On the Roof to the neighborhood of the Black Sea

Piddler On The Roof keeps parroting that there is no proof

He must think we’re fools and we’re all goofs

If we all were asked right in this moment where we get our pay, I bet we all could answer that question without delay

Yet, for Piddler On The Roof, he avoids that question and turns reality to sway

I’m a rich man he boasts, again and again and again

But, as the truth is exposed bit by bit, it proves he’s gotta bow to those who butters his toast

His affinity for strongmen is known near and far

But, if you ask to see his tax returns, he’ll tell ya’ that’s going a bit too far

His allegiance to business is damningly raw

Just ignore that tale of the bone saw

Maybe the royal one had it done

Or, maybe some rogue element went off the script

Either way, Piddler On The Roof has gotta defend the ties that bind

If you ask him about morality, he’ll say that’s a bore and a grind

Howling at the moon from the roof of the house of white, he piddles with delight

He cares not of what others think

But, he should, for the hunt for justice is on the brink

A man of stature and focus is on your tainted trail

Better wise up, Piddler, ‘cuz your phony act is about to fail

That yearning of yours to keep up appearances is swirling swiftly down the drain

Uncorked!

Unplugged!

Unhinged!

Bought & Sold!

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About The Author: A.H. Scott is a poet based in New York City and frequent contributor to Tony Ward Studio. To read additional articles by A. H. Scott, go here:https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/a-h-scott-the-devil-and-the-catholic-church/