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Accessed through the "Photo" link, I'm creating a section that gives major attention to the steel industry in and around Pittsburgh. Having lived here for almost forty years is reason enough for my interest (although living forty years in some Pittsburgh neighborhoods will still have you marked as a relative newbie).
More, my interest continues from a water pollution project that a biologist and friend, John Zavodni, and I conducted in 1970, while we were both on the faculty at the McKeesport Campus of Penn State. Photography from that effort provides a sharp contrast to contemporary images.
More, my interest continues from a water pollution project that a biologist and friend, John Zavodni, and I conducted in 1970, while we were both on the faculty at the McKeesport Campus of Penn State. Photography from that effort provides a sharp contrast to contemporary images.
The section on the J&L Steel Pittsburgh Works nears completion, although I intend to supply more images from 1970.
Some initial work has been done on what was United States Steel's "Carrie Furnace." Much more will be provided as time and the shooting schedule permits.
Coming for the Steel section:
-A section on the water pollution project
-Other mill sites
-Photo essays on other aspects of the industry
-A few observations of my own.
Some initial work has been done on what was United States Steel's "Carrie Furnace." Much more will be provided as time and the shooting schedule permits.
Coming for the Steel section:
-A section on the water pollution project
-Other mill sites
-Photo essays on other aspects of the industry
-A few observations of my own.
Please support these people.
Visit their great facility at:
623 E 8th Ave in Homestead, PA or their web site:
www.riversofsteel.com
Visit their great facility at:
623 E 8th Ave in Homestead, PA or their web site:
www.riversofsteel.com
Good news! I've been able to get some of Davis' drawings for the site. A series of sketches he made while in New York City in 1940. You can get to the link from the Paintings page. Enjoy!
Future developments:
The photography of W. Glenn Davis -- Davis was an influential Pittsburgh artist in the mid twienth century whose cubist drawings and metal sculpture are not well remembered but which will be exhibited in Pittsburgh in 2009. He was a casual photographer and some of his charming images will be made available to the public for viewing on this site.
I'll be offering other photo essays and paintings of my own as I get time to organize and present them.
Please drop by from time to time to check out developments.
Future developments:
The photography of W. Glenn Davis -- Davis was an influential Pittsburgh artist in the mid twienth century whose cubist drawings and metal sculpture are not well remembered but which will be exhibited in Pittsburgh in 2009. He was a casual photographer and some of his charming images will be made available to the public for viewing on this site.
I'll be offering other photo essays and paintings of my own as I get time to organize and present them.
Please drop by from time to time to check out developments.
June 11, 2008
In recognition of her outstanding academic performance, Laura Gensamer was presented the President's Award today during graduation ceremonies at Ross Elementary School. Recipients of the award must have earned a minimum academic average of 3.5 and advanced placement on reading or math in PSSA tests. Way to go, Laura!
Laura will continue to work with her dog, Pepper, who - tragically - believes himself to be a reindeer.
In recognition of her outstanding academic performance, Laura Gensamer was presented the President's Award today during graduation ceremonies at Ross Elementary School. Recipients of the award must have earned a minimum academic average of 3.5 and advanced placement on reading or math in PSSA tests. Way to go, Laura!
Laura will continue to work with her dog, Pepper, who - tragically - believes himself to be a reindeer.
The Two Hugos:
First Meeting
First Meeting
Hugo the younger seems to ask, "You sure this is safe?"
But they quickly become buddies.
If the youngster holds up his end, you're looking at about 200 years of Hugos.
If the youngster holds up his end, you're looking at about 200 years of Hugos.
- - -
Laura Ashley Gensamer wins President's Award
Laura Ashley Gensamer wins President's Award
Very exciting news: images of Esther Phillips' paintings are now exhibited here. The paintings shown will be for sale exclusively through this website.
Born Esther Phillipovsky in Russia in 1902, her family settled in Pittsburgh in 1905. From an early age, painting was the one thing she really wanted to do: a fact never accepted by her parents. From the first, she had to struggle to paint and, in spite of her talent, it always would be a struggle. In her thirties, she moved to New York to stay. There, she would paint in the face of depression and poverty eventually leading to years in a mental hospital where some of her most charming paintings were done. After leaving the hospital, she continued to paint until her eyesight failed in 1969.
Hers is a sad story but also one of great courage and passion. It is a special honor to be able to exhibit her work here.
One of her untitled watercolors appears below.
Outsider Art comes to DavidsShadow
Zingewli A. Weaver (c. 1890-1975) was a dairy farmer in Center County Pennsylvania who liked to paint. He'd use cardboard as a support, sometimes the backs of signs or notices, and create landscapes from his environment in acrylic pigments.
Apparently, he didn't say much about his paintings. They came to light only recently, in 2006, when his son sorted through Mrs. Weaver's estate and found the box in which they had been stored and forgotton.
Its a joy to bring six of these paintings to you now. With luck, more will follow.
Apparently, he didn't say much about his paintings. They came to light only recently, in 2006, when his son sorted through Mrs. Weaver's estate and found the box in which they had been stored and forgotton.
Its a joy to bring six of these paintings to you now. With luck, more will follow.
I've been meaning to put up some of my drawings of Pittsburgh jazz artists done mostly at the Balcony in Shadyside and JJ's at 21st and Carson on the Southside. I'm glad to have finally done it. Sadly, both venues are now gone.
In most of these drawings, I kept the pencil moving with the groove being laid down by the band. Once I got used to this approach it was so natural that it was difficult to do anything else.
Hope you enjoy them.
In most of these drawings, I kept the pencil moving with the groove being laid down by the band. Once I got used to this approach it was so natural that it was difficult to do anything else.
Hope you enjoy them.
The Illustrated Poet
October 25, 2008 – It’s a delight to bring to you the work of Bill Davis, a Pittsburgh painter whose daughter, Rose, calls him The Illustrated Poet. A native of Pennsylvania, Bill studied watercolor at the Corcoran in DC, graphic art at the Ivy School of Art, fine art at Carnegie Mellon University and art history at the University of Pittsburgh.
During the eighties and early nineties Bill made a living in art restoration but constant exposure to harsh chemicals nearly killed him. Rejecting advice to receive a liver transplant, he threw all his medications into the trash, deciding he’d either die or get better. Fortunately, he got better and felt an energy unlike anything he had experienced before.
Almost immediately, he began to paint in a new way: drawing on inspiration from Charlie Parker, Bill began to transform his poetry, expressing it in visual compositions of color and word. These are the images that David’s Shadow is proud to display. Enjoy!
Art Displayed on DavidsShadow.com
November 4, 2008 - When I first started to put up the Paintings section of this site it was to make some of my work available to a wider audience. That, and provide a sensible alternative to lugging around a portfolio to galleries.
Then, thanks to my friendship with Pat McArdle, a very knowledgeable Pittsburgh dealer and collector, I had a chance to display some of the wonderful work that I love from Esther Phillips and W. Glenn Davis, artists with a strong connection to Pittsburgh. Soon, the "outsider" work of Zingewli Weaver followed. None of these added artists is still alive.
Next came contemporary Pittsburgh artists. Bill Davis was the first of these. Soon, works by Amir Rashid and other artists will be added.
Today, marks the first appearance of work by a member of Pittsburgh's famed Warhola family, Paul Warhola. Paul is Andy's older brother and very much still alive. I'm looking forward to meeting him in the near future. Gradually, I hope that work by other family members will appear here as well.
November 4, 2008 - When I first started to put up the Paintings section of this site it was to make some of my work available to a wider audience. That, and provide a sensible alternative to lugging around a portfolio to galleries.
Then, thanks to my friendship with Pat McArdle, a very knowledgeable Pittsburgh dealer and collector, I had a chance to display some of the wonderful work that I love from Esther Phillips and W. Glenn Davis, artists with a strong connection to Pittsburgh. Soon, the "outsider" work of Zingewli Weaver followed. None of these added artists is still alive.
Next came contemporary Pittsburgh artists. Bill Davis was the first of these. Soon, works by Amir Rashid and other artists will be added.
Today, marks the first appearance of work by a member of Pittsburgh's famed Warhola family, Paul Warhola. Paul is Andy's older brother and very much still alive. I'm looking forward to meeting him in the near future. Gradually, I hope that work by other family members will appear here as well.
More Outsider Art!
February, 2009
Political Commentary now in "Whatever" link.
This is the space where I’m going to write about some of the things that drive me up the wall. This is more about me blowing off some steam than educating or changing minds.
If you want to react to what you find there, please use the Contact link. I'll read your email and will respond as time permits but no flames, please.
Political Commentary now in "Whatever" link.
This is the space where I’m going to write about some of the things that drive me up the wall. This is more about me blowing off some steam than educating or changing minds.
If you want to react to what you find there, please use the Contact link. I'll read your email and will respond as time permits but no flames, please.