Letty's Blog

Mr. Roberts Painting

The painting of Mr. Roberts has been getting a lot of attention so we thought we would take today to talk a little bit about the piece.

It was painted in 2009 for Nowak's first solo NYC exhibition with the Hal Bromm Gallery at 90 West Broadway and Chambers Street, NY. Before painting the piece, Nowak had known Mr. Roberts for about seven years. He lived in the same Key West neighborhood, Bahama Village, as her gallery at the time, The Lemonade Stand Art Studio. Almost everyday Roberts would stop in, pulling a hibiscus flower from his matte black bicycle's basket. Inside the studio he would peek his head asking, "Is my friend here?" Then inside he would come handing Nowak her flower for the day.  "He was always well dressed in slacks, a button down shirt, and cap" remembers Nowak. "Besides his daily visits to the studio, he would come to all of the openings I had at the gallery as well." Throughout the years Nowak would take photos of Roberts for a painting she knew one day she would make.  Sadly, a few months before her Hal Bromm exhibition, Roberts passed away. "When I heard the news, I immediately started his painting," says Nowak. "It was going to be the center piece of my first New York show. Also- recently- almost four years since my Mr. Roberts visits, I was going through a chest of drawers from the Lemonade Stand and found a little piece of paper I had written on. It said, 'Always be happy. Never be sad. You will live a much better life.' -Mr. Roberts."

Nowak Joins The La Jolla Art Association

Nowak has recently been accepted to the La Jolla Art Association, after presenting her work to the committee chairs. Nowak is proud to be a member of an organization of such dignified artists that was formed in 1918.

New Subject- Maya Gabeira

This week Nowak traveled to Encinitas to photograph Maya Gabeira for one of her next paintings. "I feel the photos I got of her yesterday will make a strong piece. It was a great Southern California overcast afternoon light. Maya is a super strong individual and it was interesting how the mood of the day almost contrasted her and the photo session," says Nowak. "I'm excited to see what happens in the painting."

The Band Wooster Visits The Studio

In town for their show last night in Ocean Beach, Wooster stopped by Nowak's La Jolla studio this morning to check out the progress of the Faces of Surfing project. The band, a diverse medley of soul, rock, funk, and reggae is on their way to a show in Phoenix, AZ followed by the much anticipated 2011 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX.

The Studios of Key West Celebrate Their Fifth Anniversary

Saturday March 2nd marked the 5th birthday celebration for the Studios of Key West, Nowak who was in attendance held a studio with them for 3 1/2 years. Prior to the celebration Nowak's longtime friend Hal Bromm was the guest curator for the exhibition Abstract Realities, sponsored by Rent Key West. It was an exciting evening for TSKW due to the progression in their artist in residence program, which now from a successful 2011 campaign enables the studios newly renovated conch cottages to host 40 artists from all over the world each year for one-month residencies. “The idea behind our residency program is simple: we want to give the gift of Key West to artists, while giving the gift of artists to Key West,” explains Jay Scott, executive director. “We believe that by planting the seeds for a creative exchange between artists and our community, we will positively impact the culture of the island for many years to come.”

Announcement of La Jolla Shore’s Exhibition

Nowak is proud to announce the Faces of Surfing Series I will be on exhibition from April 23rd- May 6th, 2011 at the La Jolla Art Association Gallery located at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, Suite B in La Jolla, California. The quaint gallery is situated in the beautiful La Jolla Shore, a favorite of the artist, and is open daily from 11am-5pm. For private appointment please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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