Blog: Jersey City

2 Tallest – Mixed Media Painting

2Tallest

New Painting inspired by the view from the Statue of Liberty towards Jersey City and Manhattan.

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On the left there is Jersey City with the tallest building in New Jersey

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on the right Manhattan …with the tallest building there…

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It is funny, when I was the first time in NYC in 2000 I took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and on the way back I took a huge amount of photos of the skyline of both cities (of course back then the skyline looked a bit different) and I really fell in love with this view, but if you would have told me then, that one day I would live right there …I would have told you, you are insane- LOL

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Here is a 15 second video of the canvas progressing

Progress of the Mixed Media Painting 2Tallest from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

I think it is fun to see the different stages, what do you think?

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The size is 18×24 inches – here are the supplies and media I used:

nSupplies



Wishing you a wonderful weekend – I am off to Oklahoma this weekend to teach workshops at My Heart’s Fancy – there are still a few spots for the friday and sunday class available – so maybe I see some of you there :) .

Nat

Comments (9)

  • Gina Sismilich

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    Fabulous painting – I really admire your ability to portray feelings when painting buildings!

    Reply

  • Barb J

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    Outstanding artist work.

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  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Such a cool painting, Nat! Seeing the progression of layers in the video is really inspiring. Funny how life unfolds and finds you in unexpected places. :)

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

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    This is one of my favorites that I’ve ever seen of your work!! I love it.

    Reply

  • stephanie

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    great piece!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    I’m so glad you made the video Nat. I can see the gorgeous background with the letters better. The letters make it soooo New York looking in my imagination. The colors are perfect. It is a beautiful piece. I so love seeing your work. And TOTALLY glad that you came to New Jersey to live and teach and create! :) I KNOW they will love your Oklahoma workshop. I was married in Ok – 43 years ago!!! Have a blessed weekend.XX j.

    Reply

  • Marg Dinn

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    Love this painting Nathalie. You are really good. I enjoy the feelings I get when I look at all your paintings. to bad you are not close enough so I could view them close up amd in person. Maybe one day when do an exhibit I will be able to com. Keep up the fantastic work. As long as you are having fun I guess it is not work.

    Reply

  • Angie

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    Very excited to have you come to OKC!!! See you tomorrow! :-)

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Funny how we sometimes end up in a place that we never imagined.
    After 12 years of being at home with my son I recently returned to work as a lunch lady since it suits my schedule. I never would have guessed that 15 years ago (I was a social worker in the mental health field).
    Life is full of surprises!

    Reply

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State of the Union – Mixed Media Painting

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Finally I finished up this canvas which some of you might remember seeing me working on in the Liquitex video. And that is how long this canvas took me – about four months. Boy it just didn’t wanna come along and play with me …

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The scene on the canvas is from Liberty State Park – at the historical Ellis Island Train Station, where hopeful immigrants not going to NYC would go on a train ride to start their new lives somewhere in the U.S. The train station is pretty much in shambles though seems to get restored somewhat. From this spot you have an amazing view of the sparkling finance world of Manhattan across the Hudson River …if you actually heave your eyes over the totally destroyed historic ferry landing area  …remains of Hurricane Sandy. You can also see the skyline of Jersey City – behind the New Jersey 9/11 Memorial .

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For me this spots represents a very powerful and symbolic place in America.

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I used lot’s of acrylic media on this 12 x 14 inch Canvas of course :)

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Here is a list of what I used

nSupplies



Have a wonderful day

Nat

Comments (16)

  • Francine G

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    Nathalie i love your canvas the textures, the details, colors combos and composition … I simple love your artwork…. Keep it going.

    Francine

    Reply

  • Mary W

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    This is awesome – giving not only the look but the feel of so much history and the life that vibrates through everything. Great work!

    Reply

  • Tina Gilbert

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    It’s absolutely GORGEOUS, Nathalie!!!

    Reply

  • Sabine Schneider

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    Fantastisch! Love all about it, besonders die Farbe!
    Inzwischen ist auch das pouring medium, ein paar Liquitex freestyle brushes und splatter brushes angekommen. Und ich hatte schon viel Spaß mit dem “splatter brush”.
    Liebe Grüße aus dem kalten und trüben Deutschland, Sabine

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Danke liebe Sabine :) YEAHH – freut mich dass Deine neuen Spielzeuge angekommen sind. Frohes Splattern- LOL. Liebe Grüße in die Heimat :)

      Reply

  • rivonda

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    That’s awesome, Nathalie! I love the colors. Pensive.

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  • mary

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    We are a young nation. I appreciate seeing the work of artists who feel the tensions and can represent our history and longings. Thank you for this.

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  • nurse-ratchet

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    The colours in the sky speak to me of new beginnings and the beautiful essense of hope! Stunning !

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Nurse Ratchet – I am glad that the colors in the sky came across as they were intended to be :)

      Reply

  • windinn

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    What a fabulous painting – love the concept, and the execution!

    Reply

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99 Cent Dream

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I finished my painting “99 Cent Dream” for the upcoming gentrification: The Changing Landscape of Jersey City Exhibition.

Opening is on January 10th, 2015 – 5pm-9pm at 313 Gallery, 313 Third Street, Jersey City

Based on recorded interviews about their thoughts regarding Jersey City/Gentrification with Jersey City people on the street, 12 artists including me, created new pieces of artwork. During the exhibition you can listen to the interviews while looking at the artwork. The Jersey Journal published an interesting article about the exhibition – you can read it here.

99 Cent Dream depicts different viewpoints of gentrification. It portraits the disconnection of neighborhoods, geographies and people in Jersey City. Using acrylic mediums, the painting embodies the many layers and dimensions of gentrification deep beneath the surface.

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I cannot wait to see the other artwork by the other artists. I really enjoyed working on this project. Let’s face it, I am part of the problem of gentrification here in Jersey City and yet at the same time I come from an area in my own home city in Hamburg, Germany where I have seen the stages of gentrification over many years in my neighborhood. I can see where Jersey City is heading to and I can relate to the feelings and thoughts of people effected by gentrification. Soon, I won’t be able to live here anymore either – the prizes are climbing up as J.C. is a geographically so close to Manhattan.
The interviews were thought provoking and triggered a lot of emotions and creative input, and the concept of this exhibition is great and already leads to a lot of discussions. If you are in the area- I hope you will come to see and hear the exhibition :)
Size: 46 in x 60 in – For my Europeans: that is 116 cm x 152 cm.
Medium: Liquitex Acrylic Paint HB+SB, Spray Paint, Ink, Marker, Gesso, Pouring Medium, Gel Medium; Paper on Canvas
Nat

Comments (10)

  • andrene

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    I think this is one of my favorites. A really gorgeous piece of art. Wish I could see it in person as I am sure it is even more stunning in real life.

    Reply

  • Titbelsoeur

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    This is impressive ! I love your piece ! the way you draw is amazing !

    Reply

  • Ashley

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    Wow, this is beautiful!! I love the drippy messy background, the vibrant colourway, and the lovely detailed buildings. Fabulous.

    Reply

  • Diana Trout

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    This is both beautiful and meaningful Nat. I love the way the bits of realism are emerging/merged with the background.

    Reply

  • marciafallcreek

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    Hi Nathalie. This is really interesting work. You might be interested in a book by my colleague Lance Freeman.

    There Goes the Hood: Views of Gentrification from the Ground Up
    by Lance Freeman
    Link: http://amzn.com/1592134378

    Reply

  • srecicar

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    Love the vibrant colors and texture in your work. Stunning!

    Reply

  • rivonda

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    Beautiful and thought provoking

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  • Jackie P Neal

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    What a fabulous make Nat!!!
    Best of luck with the show- if the others artists produce half of what you have- then it shall be a huge success all round!! Awesomeness! “)

    Reply

  • yankeegirl

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    Wow….this turned out so well!!! Is this the canvas that was started and we saw behind you during your CJS video? I love it!!! Great story, sad story….the way of the world today when you live near a big city. Good luck on your next exhibition……people are going to love it!

    Reply

  • jtowndebrisno1

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    Love, love, love your art, Nathalie! I would love to come, but I might not be able to. I do go to art receptions, including one in which I exhibited and sold a series of three paintings! I also love going to other artists’ receptions. Seeing the work of other artists is interesting, fun, and inspiring!

    Reply

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In My Own World – Liquitex Video

A couple weeks ago Liquitex sent in a little video crew to film me in my studio – and here is the final Brand Ambassador video in my own world :)

It was a lot of fun and I am so fortunate to work with a company like Liquitex that supports me in so many ways! Thank you so much Adam, Sara and Jenna for making me look kind of ok and for editing my accent out ( just kidding ;) )

I am so happy I quit my paralegal job and became a full time artist!

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It has been a bumpy road at times but there was never a time I regret my decision!

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Self doubts and fears come up all the time- but it is nothing that cannot be healed with a good old painting session in the studio.

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Thank you for your support all these years from the bottom of my heart! Your comments and emails encouraged me over the years to go this road! I am a very happy camper today :)

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With Love!

 

 

Nat

Comments (24)

  • jackiepn

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    Loved your video Nat!! So glad that you followed your true calling- it is best to ignore those critics!
    Your studio photos are so full of inspiration and the picture of you is awesome! Merry Christmas to you! xo

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      thank you so much Jackie! Merry Christmas to you too!

      Reply

  • Deborah A. Pierro

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    Hi Nat. Wonderful video and great art studio. I love your honesty and humility. I’m so happy that you are following your artful bliss!

    Reply

  • Chris

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    How awesome that you found art as a passion and as a career! I believe everyone has a creative part of them and you just have to find it and nurture it. You go girl!

    Reply

  • Gayle Kush

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    Wonderful video. Congratulations on following your dreams and making them come true.

    Reply

  • Rebecca Buchanan

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    Bravo Nathalie! You are an inspiration.

    Reply

  • JoAnn

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    Wonderful video – very inspirational.

    Reply

  • cindykl2006

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    This is so awesome Nathalie! I am so happy for you!

    Reply

  • julie m

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    So happy for you.

    Reply

  • Kathryn

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    Nat;
    I am also soooooo glad that you have become a full time artist! I find your message to be so inspirational and totally agree that any bad day can be improved with a little time creating.
    Thank you
    Kathryn

    Reply

  • Brenda

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    Love how you have displayed your lovely artwork around your studio. Beautiful view to be inspired by.

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    A great film and what a fantastic light room you have to paint in. Your work really rocks.

    Reply

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Stroll Through The Hood – November 2014

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Always fun to take a stroll through the hood here in New Jersey- here is what inspired me since my last post :)

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Bathroom humor …good one ;)

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beautiful new street art- this one is by faith47

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And another one that I love by Sean Lugo .

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spent a fun afternoon at Mana Contemporary- awesome the building

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and dreaming of spending an afternoon in the silk screen room

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getting all over those amazing colors (I stink, I lost the paper that has the name of the artist scribbled on – and I couldn’t find the information on Mana either )

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Indulging seen colors by cooking a stew with American fall veggies …because…I don’t wanna be a starving artist- you know ;)

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spending every possible but rare moment in the last couple weeks in my studio and on the deck !

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Sometimes though just taking a bike tour to a close by secret beach in JC

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Learning of the existence of Horseshoe Crabs 

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and starting to dread the coming winter already …

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But as long as artists like Mr. Mustart bring some color to my hood – like here changing the look of an ugly construction wall- I will be good and see lots of inspiring things on my strolls :)

 

Have an inspiring day

 

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Sandi Miaskoff

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    Nat, don’t let the winter deprive us of your beautiful pictures, it will only bring another view of the same sites – just as beautiful

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love your studio and so much natural light!
    Horseshoe crabs were a part of my childhood growing up in Gloucester, MA and finding them on the beach. Nice photo.

    Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

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    Nat, Your strolls are always inspiring! I love your colorful veggies and your photo of studio and deck- oh beauty! All of the art on the walls, so nice to see, art and not just random scribbles and unsightly words-
    and as for the impending winter- my hub thinks it will be an easy one- he is usually right. We live upstate close to Lake Ontario, so right in the snowbelt-, we’ll check back on this in the spring! heehee xo

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    WOW! How awesome is all this! You are truly one artist with the camera, too! And I have always been fascinated with horseshoe crabs! TFS, Nat! Started my day off happy seeing this post!

    Reply

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The Crucible – Canvas

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I love living in this old Pencil Factory. There is always something new to discover when you walk around here. You see old chimneys, walkways that connect the buildings, old safes in the basement, screws and bolds, and traces of times long forgotten. Recently I found some old office chatter  publications from 1927  from the old factory in the Public Library. You wouldn’t believe the things they used to write about colleagues and bosses . Pretty Mean – I am glad that doing this in print is not acceptable anymore.

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I wish I could ask Mrs Heather about the red and white onions though…I have no idea what the wow-factor could possibly be.

Reading these things make me always wander off in my thoughts- all the stories that are part of these buildings. I find it fascinating.

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These and my own stories that I connect with those buildings go through my head while I am painting. It makes me feel connected with them.

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Here is a supply list of what I used in the painting:

nSupplies



Wishing you a day that is filled with awesome stories :) 

 

Nat

Comments (7)

  • Maura

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    Great canvas! I’ve been enjoying seeing your paintings emerge. Now, those sayings you ran across? Whoa, those are something else!

    Reply

  • Deborah A. Pierro

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    Hi Nat–I absolutely love your paintings of buildings and cityscapes! This one is so good.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Yes, I like to make up stories for the folks who used to be in an area where I am now. Beautiful canvas and the story-making reminds me of The Whatevers. Have a brilliant day:-)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Sue, yes- I guess thinking about these stories is something I find very intriguing ;) You should write those stories you make up down, Sue, I bet they are good :)

      Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

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    Fabulous painting Nathalie! And I love the post! geesh- some people can be very rude indeed!
    What fun it must be to live in such a building- I envy you for your city life!! hugs Jackie

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Jackie. I know- insane about the gossip section. Don’t envy me about the city life- there is many things that are to be envied off living not in the city!

      Reply

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Kickstarter Campaign for Gentrification Exhibition

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‘gentrification’ is an audio-visual exhibition opening on January 10, 2015 at 313 Gallery in Jersey City, NJ and I am part of it :)

It is a show about the changing social and economic landscape of Jersey City. For the exhibit, Jersey City artists  use recorded audio interviews with locals as a basis for new work exploring the virtues and detriments of the inevitable ‘gentrification’ of Jersey City.

Of course in order for this show to be successful, we need audio equipment. In this KickStarter Campaign we ask for your support in order to make this happen. We need 650 Dollars. Here is the video with the pledge:

Any donations exceeding the goal will go towards creating an exhibition catalog. Any proceeds exceeding 1000$ will go towards a local charitable organization TBA.

Participating artists include:

Narciso Espiritu

Nathalie Kalbach

Norman Kirby

Gabriella Perez

Sam Pullin

Fabricio Suarez

Sarah Veloso

Olivia Wilber

It would be wonderful if this would work out – maybe you would like to add a little token to it :) I will keep you updated on the process of the painting and the exhibition itself – maybe you are in the area and want to come and see/hear it .

Thank you and have a gorgeous day

 

 

Nat

Comments (1)

  • Sue Clarke

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    Looks like an interesting experience to be a part of.

    Reply

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In The Same Boat? Canvas

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One of my favorite views in Jersey City at Liberty Landing . At least the view is accessible for everyone :)

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I played with different paint viscosities to achieve a different kind of texture. Fun.

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Here are the materials I used:

nSupplies



What is the place with your favorite view?

Nat

Nat

Comments (9)

  • Ursula

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    Hallo Nat, – super eingefangen. Ich sehe mich schon wieder auf dem Boot, die Skyline abfahren – LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Gina Sismilich

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    Absolutely gorgeous – you get better and better!

    Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

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    Nat, Absolutely stunning is what I have to say!
    My favorite view is from a bluff over looking Lake Ontario- up North of where I live- I’ll send a picture next time I go! “)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      That sounds like an amazing view!!!! Yes I wanna see :)

      Reply

  • Stephanie Schütze

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    Nat, das ist ein wunderbares Bild! Tolle Farben und die Boote sind der Hit! Es passt einfach alles! Toll! Liebe Grüsse über den grossen Teich, Stephanie :-)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Stephanie, vielen lieben Dank :) Ganz liebe Grüße zurück über den Teich- hoffe der Herbst lässt sich gut an :)

      Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    There are no words coming to me that adequately express to you how much I adore your amazing city scapes!!

    Reply

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Exhibiting at Jersey City Art & Studio Tour 2014

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Super stoked that my art work will be part of the Jersey City Art & Studio Tour 2014. My work will be in the

City Hall of Jersey City, Downtown – Venue Number 19

  • 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, New Jersey

 

You can find a map here.

This event is in it’s 24th year and I loved taking it last year so much- that I really wanted to participate although I do not have a studio which I could easily open to the public. Huge thanks to JCAST for having me exhibit my paintings in the Jersey City – City Hall.

The 2013 JCAST featured over 700 participating artists exhibiting in over 120 venues, with thousands turning out to embark on the tour. The flagship location, The TenMarc Building on 430 Communipaw Avenue, housed 17 separately curated exhibitions with over 450 pieces of art, theatrical performers, visual artists, and musicians. TenMarc also hosted the much anticipated community kick-off party which was enjoyed by hundreds and sponsored by Hendrick’s Gin, Art In The Age, NJ Beer Company, and many more.

Maybe some of you will join this – I would love to see you or hear how you liked it :)

Have a wonderful day

 

Nat

Comments (2)

  • lynnk50

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    Congratulations!! That’s wonderful. Have a great time at the event! Hope you post photos!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Glad to hear that it worked out for you to show your art.
    Looks like quite the event.

    Reply

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