Chuck Berk's "Slice of Life" Art Blog...

Self Portrait on exhibit in NYC

2011-05-22T15:30:00.009-04:00

"Easel's Eye" by Chuck Berk

2011 • acrylic on bristol • framed 26.75" x 31.5"

(click here »»» WIP to view the Work In Progress)

self portrait on exhibit with

The National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic

~ Place: Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue

~ Dates: May 23 - June 10, 2011

NYC Charity Exhibition for Earthquake & Tsunami Victims in Japan

2011-04-08T12:29:00.004-04:00

"Job" • pen, ink & wash • by Chuck Berk
"Job (of the Bible) a prosperous man whose patience and piety were tried by undeserved misfortune...remained confident in the goodness and justice of God."
Place: National Academy, 5 E. 89th St., NYC
Dates: March 30th to April 7th, 2011

Note: Now in the permanent collection of
The Yuko Nii Foundation.

I'm pleased to report that my donated artwork "Job" sold. Final show sales were significant. All profits will go to organizations who are playing an important role to help victims in Japan through the Japan Society.

New painting to New York City

2010-05-15T14:36:00.009-04:00

"Becalmed" by Chuck Berk

2010 • Acrylic on Bristol • framed 26.5"x 31.25"

My latest genre painting will be on display with

The National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic

~ Place: Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue

~ Dates: May 24 - June 11 (1pm - 5pm)

Click here to view »»» WIP (work in progress)

http://picasaweb.google.com/chuckberk/SailingKids#

First Place International Art Award

2009-12-04T12:27:00.016-05:00

International "Money•Greed•Crisis" Competition

~ 1st Place Artists.De Popular Award & Prize ~
(More than 1,500 entries from around the world.)

Chuck Berk's award acceptance (in absentia) video.
click here for » local NJ, USA press

Asset Management ~ Award Presentation
click here for » Redaktion (editorial)
Anna Klinkhammer Gallery, Düsseldorf ~ 11/29/09

Asset Management & Artist's Statement
Anna Klinkhammer Gallery, Düsseldorf ~ 11/29/09

Asset Management ~ well attended vernissage
Anna Klinkhammer Gallery, Düsseldorf ~ 11/29/09

"Asset Management"

2009-11-25T20:40:00.001-05:00

26" x 30" framed • acrylic on Bristol • ©'09 C. Berk

1st Place Popular Money•Greed•Crisis Int'l. (artists.de) Award '09
(Klinkhammer Gallery, Düsseldorf, DE)

On exhibit with the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylics, Inc.
Gallery: The Salmagundi Club, NYC
NOTE: Click on the image to see this painting's WIP (work in progress)
and/or view the following short "concept to completion" video.

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Bear Can Art Project

2008-06-25T13:24:00.002-04:00

Bear Can Project

Artwork for a trashcan beautification project... Knowing my township's problem with bears scavenging garbage cans, I thought this would be a humorous way to encourage proper trash disposal. Click on the bear to see how and what was done.

"Standing Room Only"

2007-11-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

SRO • 27 "x 31" framed • acrylic on Bristol • ©'07 C. Berk

NYC's recently renovated MoMA now charges a $20.00 entrance fee...except for FREE Friday evenings. That's when the real show (not on the walls) begins. Everyone trying to save on their culture fix show up. Artists, eccentrics, intellectuals, low income parents introducing their children (I was one) to the "finer things in life" congregate. SRO is my humble attempt to capture that wonderful feeling.

This painting was on exhibit with the NSPCA (National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylics, inc.) 54th Annual Exhibition at The Salmagundi Club, NYC, USA. Here are the WIP (work in progress) painting stages... SEE: WIP1 and WIP2

Art Award Presentation/Reception...

2006-10-05T14:24:00.000-04:00

NSPCA Pres. Douglas Wiltraut presenting award to Chuck Berk
A good time was had by all...click below (sound on) to view the video.

Painting demo, gallery reception and art award presentation.
~ Painting: “NY Spice” 26”x 30.5” framed acrylic on Bristol, ©2006
~ Art Organization: National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic
~ Award & Prize: 2006 Judy & Elias Newman Memorial Award -$1000.
~ Art Gallery: Binney & Smith Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

J & E Newman Memorial Award

2006-07-20T11:30:00.000-04:00

"NY Spice" • 26" x 30" framed • acrylic on Bristol • © 2006 C.Berk

I am the honored recipient of the 2006 Judy & Elias Newman Memorial Award presented by the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylics.
This "NY Spice" painting was on exhibit with the NSPCA show at:
Binney & Smith Gallery, Bethlehem, PA, July 22nd - Sept. 17th
NOTE: If you click on the painting's image you will see
its WIP (work in progress) developmental steps.

NYC Retro...a painting video clip

2006-07-10T12:37:00.000-04:00

Okay here's my first attempt to create a short video. If it works, this could be a valuable tool to demonstrate painting technique. Please keep in mind that it may take some time to load. If you can view it, I would appreciate hearing what you think. Oh yes, be sure and turn-up your sound.

Color-Massing Technique

2005-12-05T12:15:00.004-05:00

COLOR-MASSING TECHNIQUE (a brief explanation)...

Color-mass painting is the exact opposite of drawing. Just because artists use brushes, doesn't mean that they're painting. However, when scrubbing with a brush, from the center moving out, an edge can be created by juxtaposing one color spot next to another.

Placing a light against a dark, a cool against a warm, vague next to defined, a contour will emerge.

Without filling in between lines, colors truly interact and the paint develops a visual life of its own...breathing undulating until each color functions to the individual artist's temperament.

Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Drawings

2005-11-01T04:06:00.000-05:00

I try to do some quick sketches before a day of painting. Many of them turn out better than the painting itself. Click on this sketch to view other drawings. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Studio Paintings

2005-07-25T14:37:00.001-04:00

Sometimes, when I don't like a pose, I'll paint fellow artists painting the model. Here the studio is not a class. There is no instruction...just fellow artists sharing the cost of a model. Click on this painting to view other studio work. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Pencil Sketchbook

2005-07-25T14:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some pencil sketches that I thought would be of interest. Although a few, due to delicate line, were difficult to digitize, I still felt them important to post. By clicking on the above portrait, you'll find examples of contour, gesture, value, volume, etc. ...traditional exercises practiced by many artists. Feel free to add your comments or questions.

Portrait paintings

2005-07-25T14:17:00.000-04:00

When a model has an interesting expression, I may paint a portrait. Over the past 25 years, I’ve done many contemporary portraits, often of the same model. Click on this portrait and you’ll find some models who have aged in paint. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Pen, Ink & Wash

2005-07-23T17:00:00.001-04:00

There are times when I will work with ink...these paintings are fast, intuitive and utilize a wet in wet technique. Click on this painting to view other Pen, Ink & Wash. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Figurative Paintings

2005-07-22T14:40:00.001-04:00

If the model takes a pose with attitude I’ll concentrate on body language. It’s not easy finding an interesting pose that’s natural without being self conscious. These paintings are done live...never from photographs. Click on this painting to view other figurative work. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Summer Strings

2005-07-20T21:13:00.000-04:00

"Summer Strings" • 9" x 12" unframed • acrylic on Bristol
© 2005 C.Berk
Today's painting...an alla prima acrylic on Bristol.
I cropped this grouping from an entire orchestra because of the intensity of these guys warming-up. Some bold colors with loose brushwork are used, in hope of enhancing kinetic energy that anticipates the evening's performance.

Painting Demonstration

2005-07-19T08:17:00.000-04:00

Retro Bar NYC • acrylic on bristol • 14" x 17" unframed • ©2006 C.Berk
Okay, here's an online attempt to demonstrate how I paint by using the Direct Massing in Technique. By clicking on this painting, you will be taken to a (simplistic) six step process. Please leave any comment or questions below.

On Exhibit at Salmagundi Club, NYC

2005-06-14T16:28:00.003-04:00

This painting will be on exhibit with the (NSPCA) National Society Of Painters In Casein And Acrylic at their 52nd Annual Show...
>>> Place: SALMAGUNDI CLUB, 47 5th Avenue, New York City, USA
>>> Dates: JULY 8th - 22nd, 2005
Five years ago I submitted, to the same show, an earlier portrait of Harvey that received a nice award from Philip Pearlstein. You can view that painting too by clicking on the following link. >>> Harvey 00