VISITING ARTIST: Lower East Side Gallery crawl

Sunny Sunday afternoon tour of LES side galleries with Curphey on March 18th.
Started at Canada gallery on Christie Street, naturally.

Gallery on Christie Street, focuses on contemporary American artists, 

this of the sculptural work of Michael Mahalchick.

Closeup of the decal covered Fender guitar.

Michael Mihalchick sculture piece of a glass table top, resting on stacks of gay porn,
with raw bacon pieces.

Since bacon flavoring is everywhere, why not as an art material? Decidedly a little gross.

A new interesting gallery opening here soon....

These paintings of Anja Schwoerer, that used denim as a canvas and bleach as paint were rather interesting. And reminded me a little of the ball pint pen pieces I did on denim for KS Art's show of ball-point drawings a few years back.

More of Anja Schwoerer's work at Beauchene Gallery on Orchard Street.

Michael Bauer's painting in the group painting show "Today" at Lisa Cooley Gallery.

Lisa Cooley's new space on Norfolk Street just opened a few days before.

Installation of an African-hut like large scale sculpture made of a hodgepodge of mops, legs of chairs
and other random materials by LA artist Henry Taylor.

Mop detail of the hut sculpture by Henry Taylor.

Liked the painting show "Slack Tide" of Sam Moyer at Rachel Uttner Gallery on Orchard. Paintings with textured surface that looks wrinkled or folded. 

---Monica Forrestall

Seeing MoMa's preview of exhibition of Diego Rivera murals with muralist Curphey Forrestall

One of the main museum exhibitions Curphey was interested in seeing while he was here in NYC was Diego Rivera's murals for MoMA at (of course) MoMa. We picked Friday night to go (Free Fridays, not really necessary but time convenient for both Curphey and I) which was lively (LOTS of students and foreign visitors.)
The poster in the lobby though said the Rivera show was only opening on the 13th and yesterday was the 11th. Onward we marched to see the Fluxus show and the DeKooning. The Fluxus show was fascinating, we were both most amused by the music making sculpture pieces.

On exiting the show, Curphey noticed a locked glass door view into the Rivera show and people were circulated about. We found the entrance and were told that it was only open to members as a preview evening. Luckily I had a members card on me, so in we went! The show was fantastic.

Curphey Forrestall by entrance to the Diego exhibition at MoMA.

It was fascinating to listen to what surprised Curphey about Rivera's working methodologies; like making full life size scale charcoal drawings of the murals. He expressed an interest in trying that one day. The colors were so vibrant, and his images were so powerful. Getting to see the murals, which were painted on concrete was fascinating. There was one particular mural "Frozen Assets" (1931) of a landscape of NYC, with a dozen recognizable buildings (Rockerfeller Center, The Empire State) on the top, a cityscape of NYC with above ground subway cars in the center.

A large section towards in the lower quarter of rows of sheeted figures lying down, who were homeless workers on the Depression era construction sites in NYC and finally at the bottom, a bank vault room, with wealthy people in the cages running gold through their hands. Rivera wasn't particularly subtle about his views of the wealthy and the poor in the United States. This mural, in particular felt very poignant and very contemporary in light of OWS, and a growing (unstoppable) movement to tax the rich happening in the US right now. Curphey is working on a mural for a friend while here, so getting to see the work of one of the most famous muralists was relevant.

The rooms of sculpture were interesting to wander around in. 

Curphey looking down into Carlito Carvalhosa's "Sum of Days" installation piece.

Looking down from the sixth floor landing into the center of Carvalhosa's Sum of Days piece was thrilling,
and not for those who suffers from vertigo.

Curphey Forrestall's mural in Fairview gets a feature story in The Chronicle Herald

Artist makes his mark on Fairview 
Painter’s mural tells area’s history
By EVA HOARE Staff Reporter
Tue, Sep 27 - 4:54 AM

Artist Curphey Forrestall recently completed his mural on the wall on the corner of Main and Hillcrest streets in Fairview.(MARK GOUDGE)

Fairview just got a whole lot more scenic.
A local painter with some serious street cred is putting the finishing touches on a mural that depicts the history of the western part of Halifax.
"It (is) all based on a book somebody wrote on the neighbourhood," said artist Curphey Forrestall, who with his brother submitted a proposal to the city for the roughly 1,000-square-foot mural at the corner of Main and Hillcrest streets in Fairview. (His brother did the original design for the mural.)
Forrestall has an impressive artistic bloodline, being the son of artist Tom Forrestall of Dartmouth. "He is my father and I don’t try to make any secret of it," said Curphey.
But the 44-year-old is more intent on talking about his wide-sweeping mural, done in acrylic, and telling the story municipal officials suggested be used for the artwork.
"I was interested in doing a mural with some kind of historical context."
Forrestall read The Little Dutch Village: Historic Halifax West — Armdale and Fairvew by Devonna and Don Edwards, before setting out to paint the mural, which depicts a forested scene, a train and historical buildings of the area.
"They put out a call three years ago now," Forrestall said, referring to the municipality’s streetscape design plans. "We put in a couple of submissions."
He started painting at the first of September and although he’s an experienced muralist — having painted a number for Superstore and Neptune Theatre — Forrestall admitted the Fairview project was a bit overwhelming at first. (He’s also exhibited his artworks at many galleries.)
"The hardest part is after it’s primed . . . and then you’re looking at a big blank wall and thinking, ‘Oh my God, what have I got myself into now?’ "
But he got going and then had trouble thinking of anything else. "You get to the point where you’re anxious to get back."
The artist will return to paint a small plaque on the mural telling the public about the book upon which it was based, and to include a contact number.
Forrestall was paid for the work, which took a month to complete, and is next off to New York to paint a mural inside a Manhattan apartment.
"People asked me, ‘Are you just doing this for fun?’ I wish I could afford to."
Normally pretty cynical about his efforts, the artist couldn’t help but be happy with the Fairview artwork.
"It was really fun to paint," he said.
"I’ve never had a response as I’ve had there in Fairview — tooting and honking, people coming over and chatting to me. After about 300 people come up to you and say, ‘You’re really enriching my life,’ I thought, ‘Well jeez, maybe I really am doing something good for the neighbourhood.’ "

Curphey Forrestall set painting work he's done on the Wizard of Oz backdrops charms Neptune patrons---including his daughters Jasmine and Liz

My talented brother Curphey's life shifts back and forth between a day job working with a team of backdrop artists creating sets for Halifax's Neptune Theatre performances and performing in a band with three other members, one of whom is our cousin lead guitarist Matthew Grimson. They will be performing at the bar "Reflections" this week, so stop by if you're in town. Curphey describes their sound as "70's punk."

The latest Neptune production that Curphey helped create the sets for is The Wizard of Oz, and the show is getting rave reviews from patrons. Curphey took his daughters Liz and Jasmine to see it Christmas eve, and they "LOVED IT." Curphey particularly praised how well the lighting worked with the set design and how wonderful the acting was.

http://www.neptunetheatre.com/playbill/?show=40

Nova Scotia fam time

One of my favorite family photos, that I set up in 1987. The whole family is here. From left; Renee (seated), Curphey, me (Monica), Jack, William and wife Anne, Tom Forrestall, (seated front) Natalie Forrestall (mom) and Frank.

Happy Father's Day to our dad and grand dad, Tom Forrestall

Dearest Dad,

We love you dad.  You are the inspiration and love of all of our lives, dad!
Your love and loyalty define who you are. Your talent and hard work inspires all of us every day!

We start and end with the family! (Anthony Brandt)

(from left): Monica, Renee, Jack, proud dad, our loving mother Natalie, Curphey (in mom's arms) Bobby (the bob-tailed cat) and William circa 1968.

xxxooo

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. Brad Henry


Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.

Virginia Satir 


Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.

Jim Rohn

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
Desmond Tutu

No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?

Elbert Hubbard



---Monica Forrestall

Tom Forrestall's birthday March 11th, 2010

Happy Birthday to dad!

From Left: Nick Webb, Marie Webb, Renee Forrestall, Jessica Forrestall, Tom Forrestall, Gwen Forrestall, Millie Webb, Frank Forrestall

My sister Renee and her husband Nick Webb hosted a wonderful family birthday party for our dear dad at their lovely home in Halifax. My sister-in-law Diana Forrestall (married to Frank Forrestall) initiated the planning, organizing and made a lot of the food. My sister Renee emailed me in Switzerland to let me know how the party went! In her words, "We had Dad come here for dinner last night- Frank & Dianna came with their girls (Gwen and Jessica). We did a Japanese, Chinese buffet. Gwen & Dianna made a great mountain strawberry chocolate cake. Nick served warmed Saki, and made a huge tray of Sushi for a starter. Dianna & I had several Chinese dishes. Millie had strange Chinese jellies, we had fortune cookies too. Dad, Frank, Jessica, Marie & I took turns modeling- for the - Parousia Altar Piece. Millie cut Franks hair. Dianna talked about her doggie daycare plans. Nick took dad up to Charlotts and showed him the panels for the altar piece. He enjoyed himself and we all had a happy time."  

Dad's cake and dipped strawberry extravaganza.

Chips Webb and dad.

Marie Webb and her cousin Gwen Forrestall.

(above) Tom & Curphey Forrestall 

Millie Webb makes like a stylist and gives her Uncle Frank an impromptu hair trim. 

And I sent dad a catalog from a show at the Metropolitan Museum that I know he would have loved to have seen, "American Stories; Paintings of Everyday Life 1765-1915" (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications). The book is filled with lovely captured moments of family life and everyday activities. 

---Monica Forrestall

Natalie Forrestall Memorial: Remembering mom

Our sweet and loving mother, Natalie Forrestall passed away four short years ago, on March 13th, 2006. The pure love that poured out of mom's big heart for her grandchildren, children and husband of 48 years, Tom Forrestall, and everyone she ever met, was a rare and beautiful thing. We were all so blessed, so very lucky to have such a wonderfully kind woman to call mother. Beyond her endless capacity to love everyone, mom was a talented painter in her own right. Mom earned her own degree in Fine Arts from Mount Allison University, as well as a teaching degree from a teacher's college in Oromocto and, luckily for dad, had a brilliant mind for buisness. Our mother was an art teacher to elementary aged children in the early years of her marriage, helping to support the family. Mom gave up her painting career to manage our father's career and the busy household of six children and umpteen pets, so dad could focus on his painting.
Here are a few photos of mom with members of her loving family who will never, ever forget her.

Tom Forrestall and Natalie Forrestall holding Max Forrestall Schuss at Three Oaks in July 2002. 

My brother, Frank Forrestall recently found an old video on his computer with footage of mom doing some gardening with his eldest daughter Gwen. Frank writes about that special moment in time below.

"I've attached a few stills from the video. It was another of those special moments with Gwen that mom loved so much (like their time baking together). Mom loved those moments and always found little projects for them to do together. In this video they were re-potting some plants together; I don't think Gwen was of any practical assistance, but I don't think mom was seeking perfection in the task, she found perfection in the moment."

Natalie Forrestall gardening with her grandaughter Gwen Forrestall in Dartmouth.

Natalie Forrestall planting flowers in her hanging plant holders for the porch, with her grandaughter Gwen.

My sister, Renee Forrestall (below with mom) was touched by the gardening photos of mom, and had this memory of gardening with mom to share, "I love the gardening pictures! I loved that mom would put on her striped overalls for even the slightest of gardening work! I remember the first garden we put in together on the side of the house when I was seventeen - it was pouring rain - torrential - but we went ahead and did it anyway! We were transplanting daffodils that we had found growing deep in the woods at 3 Oaks. We dug a massive trench the length of the house - right under the down spout of the gutter! Never mind we had no clue what we were doing! We laughed so much - all the daffodils kept bobbing up and floating around like little boats. We kept dashing around the 20 foot trench trying to anchor the bulbs to the muddy bottom of the rushing stream we had created. The problem was we had hundreds of bulbs!

We always had a good chuckle when the daffodils would come up every year. They still come up - I always think of this fun time with mom  when I see daffodils." 

My brother Curphey didn't have any photos to share, but writes "Still miss her, still speechless."

Renee Forrestall and mom, Natalie Forrestall August 4th.

Family gatherine in Karsdale, Nova Scotia Summer 2005. From left, back row: Monica Forrestll, Winkie deVries, Kitty Forrestall, Tom Forrestall, Miles DeVries, Natalie Forrestall, David DeVries (back) Nick Matyas (front), Nicoline DeVries . From row, from left: Pierson Matyas, Max Forrestall Schuss, David Matyas, Jack Matyas (holding) Duff.

Natalie Forrestall, Tom Forrestall and Prime Minister Trudeau. 

Back row, from left: Curphey Forrestall, Anne and Bess Forrestall, Natalie Forrestall, Marie Webb, Tom Forrestall, Rachel Forrestall, William Forrestall. Sitting, from left: Jamie, Gwen Forrestall, Jasmine Forrestall, Diana and Jessica and Frank Forrestall, (foreground) Millie Webb, Renee Forrestall.

Natalie and Tom Forrestall.

William Forrestall, Natali Forrestall, Monica Forrestall, Tom Forrestall in front of the family home in Fredericton, New Brunswick on University Avenue where we all grew up as children.

Fam photo taken in Point Pleasant Park in 1977. From left: Curphey Forrestall, William Forrestall, Natalie Forrestall, Tom Forrestall, Renee Forrestall, Frank Forrestall, Monica Forrestall, Jack Forrestall.

Family brunch at The Digby Pines (mom's fav place to go in the summer) in Summer 2005. From left: Tom Forrestall, Natalie Forrestall, Max Forrestall Schuss, Monica Forrestall.

Background from left: Kitty Forrestall, Renee Forrestall, Natalie and Tom Forrestall. Front: Monica Forrestall (holding) Marie Webb, John Distefano at The Farm in the Annapolis Valley.

At The McDonald Museum in Middleton, Nova Scotia for a family exhibition opening. Back row, from left: Diana and Jessica Forrestall, Jaimie, Jack Forrestall, Natalie Forrestall, Tom Forrestall, Frank Forrestall. Front row, from left: Gwen Forrestall, Renee Forrestall, Kristin Grimson, Nico, Kitty Forrestall, Matthew Grimson. 

Nat & Tom Forrestall  (above)

Tom and Natalie Forrestall, Renee Forrestall and her eldest daughter Millie Webb.

Above: From left: Marie Webb on her uncle Curphey Forrestall's lap, Natalie and Tom Forrestall, Millie Webb, Monica Forrestall on Christmas morning in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The girls are wearing matching burgundy velvet dresses mom bought for them. 

When mom was in the hospital, Millie and Renee smuggled in Millie's pet rabbit Humbug, because mom loved her own pet rabbit so much, who passed away. Mom's cranky rabbit was only sweet for her.

 

Natalie and Tom Forrestall on their wedding day, Friday, September 13th.  

---Monica Forrestall

Curphey Forrestall's latest Theatre work

The third oldest son of the Natalie & Tom Forrestall clan is the multi-talented Curphey Forrestall, who lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Curphey has been doing amazing murals and set and scenic painting on movie and theatre production for a number of years. This week he has been working on "Munchipelosa" a traveling children's show in Nova Scotia. Next week another project. He has worked on everything from helping to paint a re-creation of a Viking village for a huge American movie set in Nova Scotia, to murals in stores and on the sides of buildings. With traditional brush-and-paint techniques Curphey creates painted vistas, professional faux-finish, texturing and trompe l’oeil mural installations sing a sophisticated technique of repeated glazing and layering to achieve an evocative sense of depth and luminosity to his work. He is very talented, and can paint quickly--important for contract set work. Although he usually works on sets with others, he has collaborated with his dad, Tom on a couple of large public painted mural projects.