Eleanor Rahim

Portraiture in Oils

2011-11-24T20:53:00.001-05:00

I recently attended a workshop at the Art Students League with classically trained painter and portraitist Brandon Soloff. The intense workshop gave me a great shove towards painting in oils. I love the fast drying time of acrylics and the challenge of taming watercolor but like the flexibility and the feel of mixing and applying oil paint to canvas. I'm not aiming to become a portraitist for the rest of my days but it is a great discipline and an incredible challenge. I have never actually done a portrait before. I copied detailed photographs of Hollywood heroes when I was a teenager (that were actually pretty darn good!) but I haven't attempted one since and have been concentrating on capturing the gesture of the whole figure in quick sketches at recent life drawing sessions. To do a detailed study of the head from life in five afternoons at the League was quite a revelation to me. My drawing skills won the day. I was able to maintain the strong and pretty accurate drawing throughout each layer of the painting. I think that helped enormously. Full credit to the model though. He has amazing character and an ability to be still and maintain a pose throughout a week. Bravo!

Another Year, Another Charity Postcard

2011-11-24T20:48:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Max who purchased my charity postcard for Incognito, a fund raising charity event that supports St. James Schools and the Great Ormand Street Hospital in London. I confess I didn't want to part with my art card called 'Body and Soul' but I'm glad it's going to a good home! There are still many beautiful art cards for sale.

http://www.stjamesartcards.com/

Au revoir Frederic

2011-11-24T20:06:00.001-05:00

My dear Parisian friend and fellow artist Frederic Choisel is heading to California after a two year stopover in New York! I will miss his company at various life drawing venues around the city, his critique and advice regarding my work, his vast knowledge of art history but most of all his humor and kindness. I feel like I am losing a friend and teacher to the West Coast! C'est la vie. New York is a transient place where many people pass through for a few years. Others, like myself, can't live anywhere else. To quote John Updike "The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding".

Here is a 15 minute sketch I did at the Society of Illustrators while he was drawing the models.

Capturing Life in Watercolors

2011-10-15T00:25:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday nights I attend watercolor class at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I'm very excited to be studying with Jacqui Morgan after discovering her work about a year ago and hearing her name again and again at various life drawing venues! I have to keep practicing so sketch night at the Society of Illustrators is a great venue for me to experiment. Here is art model and performing artist Jeremiah Van Wagenen in two twenty minute poses. He is a joy to draw and paint.

More Photos on Facebook

2011-08-01T16:42:00.003-04:00

To see more photos of my show in Kent: http://www.facebook.com/EleanorRahimFineArt

Get to a Higher Place....And You Shall Have Peace

2011-08-01T16:22:00.000-04:00

Choosing names for paintings is no easy task.....but these names (above, respectively) came naturally. They are both 6 x 24 inches. Acrylic on panel.

Exposed to the Elements in Kent CT

2011-08-01T16:06:00.000-04:00

After many hours of painting while listening to NPR/BBC and the tumultuous events around the world this year, or listening to all sorts of very loud music, my paintings for the 'Elements' series were finally finished. Bark Frameworks, based in Long Island City, expertly framed some of them in wood or aluminum. It was a great experience to work with such professionals and a learning curve for me in the art of framing. The Good Gallery is located in Kent, Connecticut and my exhibition will be up until 28 August. Many thanks to Tim Good and his daughter Sarah for their hard work, to Diane Stimson for calming my nerves and to Charles Miller for his unwavering support and faith in me.

The Good Gallery, 13 Railroad Street, Kent CT 06757, Tel: 860 927 5065

I Think I like Ink!

2011-07-16T15:43:00.002-04:00

When I started using inks, I didn't really take to them. Difficult to control and too fast drying. Now I think I like ink! They are still a challenge but I find it fascinating the way the color bleeds, allowing for interesting effects. These are twenty minute sketches that I did at the Society of Illustrators on Thursday 14th July, 2011. The models were professional and imaginative.

Back to Sketch Night - Society of Illustrators

2011-06-29T10:04:00.002-04:00

After a little break from Sketch Night due to another class falling on the same evenings each week, I dipped my toes back in last night. It was inspiring and energizing as always. The models were terrific, the jazz band exceptionally good and a larger turn out than I expected on such a warm, balmy night here in NYC. Here is a 10 minute ink sketch that I rather like.

Life Drawing and Fashion Illustration

2011-06-22T14:32:00.001-04:00

Going to classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology was liberating. Two evenings a week I sketched frantically in a fashion illustration class. The longest pose was 20 minutes but these were rare. The models posed mostly for 3, 5 and 7 minutes. I had to throw out the rule book, well a lot of it, for life drawing and adapt to fashion illustration rules. As it turns out, working so fast for fashion will help me with my fast poses in classical life drawing and the classical life drawing certainly influenced my pursuit of expression in fashion illustration. In the end, I realized that one feeds off the other. Both great disciplines to have and I have a passion for both. The class consisted of fashion design students, professional fashion designers and others with a love for fashion illustration like myself. Having written my degree thesis on the subject years ago, it was wonderful to be in the company and under the influence of a tutor who worked at Women's Wear Daily in the late 60's, early 70's.

Life Drawing at Grand Central Academy of Art, NY

2011-06-22T11:17:00.004-04:00

Finally, after far too long an absence from life drawing, I finally decided to rise above my fears and go back to classes. I started with Dan Thompson and Jon DeMartin at the Art Students League and then continued classes with Jon at the Grand Central Academy of Art. After a sticky start, I finally got into it with brilliant guidance by Jon and the input and influence of the other students. However, there is still so much to learn. Anatomy, expression, technical technique. It can feel overwhelming but mostly it is exhilarating. The classes gave me the confidence to try 'Sketch Night' at the Society of Illustrators and then embark on a fashion illustration course at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Small Works Show at Boltax Gallery

2010-08-30T08:27:00.000-04:00

Boltax Gallery is located on Shelter Island, NY. Each year the gallery hosts a small works exhibition. My painting Passion Over Reason was selected for the show. Thank you to Karen Boltax and Maz Crotty for the opportunity.

Boltax Gallery, 21 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964

http://www.boltaxgallery.com/

Ethereal Space at The Badge Building

2010-08-30T08:14:00.001-04:00

My series of paintings called Ethereal Space was purchased by The Badge Building as a permanent installation for the lobby area. Residents of the luxury condominium building (that once served as a factory in the production of police badges for New York City officers) cast their vote and the fate of Ethereal Space was sealed. Thanks to all the residents who voted, the building's board members, the building's staff, Michelle Abbani of Cornerstone Management and LICArtists.

My First Hamptons Show

2010-07-12T19:15:00.002-04:00

Thank you to Engel and Völkers real estate office in Southampton, NY, for hosting an Evening of Art. It was my first solo show. We intended to have the show in the beautiful 'Secret Garden' of the office but the weather did not cooperate! The paintings were displayed in the office but little breaks in the weather allowed us to enjoy wine and nibbles in the garden too. It was a wonderful evening and I'm sending a big THANK YOU to all those who came to the show whether they were staying in the Hamptons for the weekend or traveling from NYC for the event.

Special thanks go to Jonathan Lerner, Amadeus Ehrhardt and of course Elva Guerra of Engel and Völkers Southampton office for their kindness, cooperation and support, and to John Morales of Lieb Family Cellars for his expert knowledge of wine and his unfailing enthusiasm, support and networking skills!

Thanks also to my very dear friends Trish and Geoff who provided me with accommodation, comfort and Margaritas in their beautiful home. Lastly, thank you to all my special friends who helped me with the show and my sanity over the last three months. You know who you are......

Hurry! It's Almost Showtime.....

2010-07-12T18:32:00.000-04:00

Turmoil

2010-07-12T18:26:00.001-04:00

This painting is closest to my heart for my own personal reasons. It's bitter/sweet to sell paintings. I'm happy that collectors love my art enough to invest in it and me but it's always sad to see the paintings leave the studio. This piece in particular will be hard to part with but I do hope that it resonates with someone special for their own personal reasons. This painting is 36 x 72 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

Surface to Air

2010-07-12T18:16:00.004-04:00

I love this painting. Everything just worked right from the start. The name came to me as I was painting and it stuck. It's exhilarating working on this large scale.....48 x 72 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

Evening of Art, Southampton, NY

2010-06-02T09:18:00.002-04:00

I will be having an art show courtesy of Engel & Volkers real estate office in Southampton, NY. If you are going to be in the Hamptons on July 10, 2010, please join us for wine, nibbles and some fun in the lovely garden of the Engel & Volkers office. 5-7pm.

Engel & Volkers
20 Main Street
Southampton, NY

New Website

2010-05-21T08:53:00.004-04:00

Check out my new website:
www.eleanorrahim.com

Open Studios Map and Listings

2010-05-14T14:02:00.002-04:00

http://www.licartists.org/documents/LIC-Open-Studios-2010.pdf

Passing Through, 30 x 30 inches, Acrylic on Canvas

2010-04-30T14:13:00.004-04:00

My recent painting 'Passing Through' is going to a collector in London via a gallery in Cape Cod, Sarah Jessica Fine Arts.

Open Studios May 2009

2010-04-30T11:09:00.006-04:00

DATES: Saturday & Sunday, May 22-23, 2010
TIME: 12-6pm
PLACE: Juvenal Reis Studio, 43-01 22nd St., Long Island City, NY 11103
STUDIO: #309
TRANSPORT: From Midtown Manhattan on the E, V, F, N, R, & and G subway trains. 23St-Ely Ave station on the E and V trains and 45Rd-Court House Sq on the 7 train are the closest.

This is a great opportunity for the public to meet artists inside their studios, soak up the atmosphere of this creative environment and maybe purchase a work of art. Juvenal Reis Studios is the professional home of over 200 artists from 20 nations, including painters, sculptors, photographers, installation and video artists, animators, illustrators, writers and designers. Come and discover the thriving arts community of Long Island City. Artists in other buildings in the area will also be participating.

Formation, 30 x 60 in, Acrylic on Canvas

2010-02-11T18:50:00.004-05:00

I finished my painting called Formation yesterday after braving the snow storm to get to my hot, cosy little studio. It's so full of good energy! I turned up the music and painted 'til I dropped. I had heard the trains were not going to run but I figured I could always walk home across the 59th St bridge. When you are on a roll, you just have to go with it. Thankfully, the trains were still running by the time I left.

The Grand Central Academy of Art

2010-02-04T08:15:00.004-05:00

I'm enjoying the new year and all the hope and optimism it brings. I'm also enjoying a new art school. I want to divide my education between the Art Students League and The Grand Central Academy of Art. Doesn't it sound grand? It is situated in a loft in a classical 1880's building in midtown Manhattan. The Academy, created by professional artists, provides classical training in drawing and painting. My instructor is John DeMartin who I met at the League.

Long Island City

2010-01-10T14:28:00.006-05:00

Long Island City sounds like it's miles away from Manhattan. Not so. It is literally on the other side of the East River, directly opposite Midtown Manhattan. It is a short hop on the subway and it takes me about 25 minutes from home to studio. It takes 20 minutes on my bike but it's a bit chilly for that at the moment. Come Spring my legs are going to look fantastic with the workout I will get from cycling across the 59th St bridge.

Top: Manhattan seen from Long Island City
Middle: Juvenal Reis Studios
Bottom: Gorgeous townhouses in the neighborhood

Credit Card Payments

2010-01-01T16:11:00.004-05:00

I accept credit card payments for paintings and arrange framing and shipping.

Save The Dates

2010-01-01T15:58:00.003-05:00

I'm plunging straight into 2010 with relish! 2009 was a pretty good year for me but I guess we are all happy to be in 2010 with fresh hope for the economy and job situation. I'm looking forward to my first solo installation at the Badge Building in Long Island City in January and there are also two Open Studio events coming up:

March 3 - Open Studios (An Armory Show event)
May 22-23 - Open Studios (Long Island City annual event)

I will be opening my studio door at #309 Juvenal Reis Studios, 43-01, 22nd St, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101

Studio 309

2009-07-31T10:53:00.002-04:00

Hello Juvie!

2009-07-31T10:43:00.004-04:00

I moved out of Crane Street Studios this week. I'm not sorry to leave the dust, the 5 floor walk-up, the awful loos (sorry, it's a British word but somehow 'restroom' or 'bathroom' are far too posh to describe them), my dark and narrow little studio space BUT I am sorry to be leaving such a wonderful artists community. Thankfully, I've made some very special friends who will continue to be part of my life. My studio at Juvenal Reis Studios is much nicer. It is bright with high ceilings and has a professional air about the building. It seems to be well run and clean. Now I just have to find someone to share my space and rent! It is 5 minutes walk from Crane Street so I still get to enjoy the convenience of a short commute from my home in Manhattan, the local stores and the lunchtime terrace at PS1 which is part of MOMA. Onwards and upwards!

Goodbye to Crane Street

2009-07-20T16:50:00.001-04:00

With much sadness I have to say goodbye to my old studio at Crane Street. Back in April there was a terrible accident when the stairs (pictured in one of my older posts) collapsed with a fellow artist falling from the forth floor. Miraculously, she survived and I send my very best wishes to her and her family. The building was closed and although it may reopen, I can no longer afford to wait for that to happen. I will be relocating to the Juvenal Reis Studios at the beginning of August. I am sad to say goodbye to Crane Street as it was such fun for a while and I made some lovely friends there. However, I am excited about my new studio and look forward to meeting more wonderful artists in that building.

Open Studios May 2009

2009-07-20T16:39:00.000-04:00

My Open Studios Experience

2009-07-20T16:27:00.000-04:00

This year I had my first Open Studios. The first, at my studio in Crane Street was in March and was an unexpected success. It was a last minute affair as we were asked by The Armory Show organizers to participate at rather a late stage. Nevertheless, we threw open our doors and there was quite a buzz about the place. Given that it was a Friday night, I was very pleased with the turn out. I sold a painting called 'Towards Land III'. I was happy and sad to see it go! However, the new owner loves his painting and that makes me very happy indeed.

The second Open Studios took place at the Juvenal Reis Studios in May. This was a two day affair and again I was surprised by the large showing of art enthusiasts. I also had moral support from friends Lisa, Carla, Susan, Roon and Charles. I was also lucky enough to be sharing space with three very experienced artists who were members of LICArtists. I learnt quite a lot from them over the weekend. Again I sold a painting so I can claim another successful Open Studios! Thank you to LICArtists for organizing the studio space after the closure of Crane Street Studios.

Towards Land II

2009-04-01T21:20:00.000-04:00

Towards Land II (2008, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in.) is now on display at Yoga Studio 6 LIC. The yoga studio is located in the Arris Lofts Condominium, 27-28 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City. Founder, Alicia Bustamante is keen to promote artists working in Long Island City and visited Crane Street Studios during the Armory Show weekend. Information about Yoga Studio 6 LIC can be found at www.yogastudio6lic.com.

Open Studios May 30-31, 2009

2009-03-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

Save the dates!

Studios will be open from 12-6pm. All the major studios and institutions in the area will be participating in the event. The Queens Council on the Arts is planning arts and cultural events over the weekend in conjunction with the celebration of the centennial birthday of the 59th Street Bridge. There will also be a performance event at the back of Crane Street Studios (in Davis Street).

LICArtists Holiday Show

2009-03-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

LICArtists

2009-03-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

I joined LICArtists last year. It was founded in 1986 by a small group of professional visual artists. I participated in their annual Holiday show. Thanks to all those who helped organize the event and the opening and closing receptions.

http://www.licartists.org

Crane Street Studios

2009-03-03T10:14:00.000-05:00

Ah, bliss...

Open Studio March 6th 2009

2009-03-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

From 2-8pm on Friday March 6th Crane Street Studios will be throwing open it's doors to the public. This is part of 'Queens Night', a special event tied to the Armory Arts Week. As I have not even been to an 'open studio' event, it will be a learning curve for me. I will be there all day to welcome anyone who trots into my studio!

Crane Street Studios

46-23 Crane Street

Long Island City

(Floors 2-5)

www.CraneStreetStudios.com

http://www.armoryartsweek.com/public_events/calendar.cfm

Beneath the Surface

2009-03-03T09:46:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on canvas, 36x36"

I love this painting. It is my favorite so far and now I wonder how I did it. It was fun working on a larger scale and I hope at some point to be working at twice the size.

2008-10-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

'St. Peter's Reef' is a small painting that I did on a recent vacation to Barbados. The snorkeling on the west coast of the island is pretty good in places and that's where the inspiration for this and some other small scale paintings came from. October is a rainy month in Barbados so I had time to sit on the terrace and experiment. The next step is to try it on a large scale. Should be interesting....not to mention, messy.

Acrylic on paper 8.5 x 6 in.

St. Peter's Reef

2008-10-13T11:34:00.000-04:00