I was delighted to share this presentation with all who attended my Motherhood talk, whether at the library or online. For those of you who missed the live event, the full recording of Motherhood in Art is now available below.
Reimagining the Maternal Lens: Motherhood in Art Through The Ages
Throughout the history of art, motherhood has been portrayed through intimate images of mothers and children. Additionally, Motherhood is depicted through larger symbolic figures representing protection, strength, and hope. In this talk, Motherhood in Art, we explore how artists across cultures and centuries have interpreted these themes.
We start with sacred Madonna and Child paintings and transition to secular Impressionist depictions of every day life. Additionally, we examine modern interpretations of family, care, and identity presented by such artists as Norman Rockwell and Kehinde Wiley. Even powerful allegorical works such as Rosie the Riveter and Liberty Leading the People reflect maternal qualities of guidance and protection, reminding us that the spirit of motherhood extends far beyond the family into our broader human and cultural experience.
With Gratitude!
Thanks to David Sadoff, Programming Librarian for the Scarsdale Public Library, for making this program happen and for handling all the logistics that make this such a pleasureful experience for me. Special appreciation to my daughter, Bonnie, whose thoughtful refreshments always add a welcoming touch to the afternoon. And my heartfelt gratitude to the Scarsdale Public Library for its continued support of the arts and community programming.
Finally, thank all of you, both in-person and online, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this event. The turnout was great!
I’m delighted to invite you to a meaningful and visually rich presentation, Motherhood in Art, which I will be giving on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 from 4:30–5:30 PM EST sponsored by the Scarsdale Public Library in anticipation of Mother’s Day. Click here to register on the Scarsdale Library website.
Explore Motherhood In Art
Fra Filippo Lippi’s Mother and Child with Two Angels, 1460-1465
As both an artist and art historian, I’ve long been fascinated by how artists across time have explored the idea of motherhood—not just as a role, but as a powerful, evolving expression of care, identity, resilience, and connection. Fra Filippo Lippi’s exquisite Mother and Child (above) is one of many images
In this talk, we’ll journey through centuries of art, discovering how motherhood has been depicted in different cultures, eras, and artistic movements. From tender, symbolic representations in early religious works to intimate, everyday moments captured in Impressionism and modern and contemporary art, these images reveal how deeply motherhood is woven into the human story.
Rather than focusing solely on struggle, this presentation highlights the richness of motherhood—its beauty, complexity, strength, and emotional depth – and the enduring bonds between parent and child.
Whether you’re an art lover, a parent, or simply curious about how universal themes are expressed visually, this talk offers a fresh and uplifting perspective.
Hybrid Presentation
This is a hybrid presentation—you can attend in person or online.
Scarsdale Library – an ideal place for a talk!
Thank you to the Scarsdale Public Library for sponsoring this event. I enjoy giving talks here, which is why I keep coming back. This is my fourth talk at the Scarsdale Library, a wonderful space with a large 2 story screen that offers the opportunity to look closely at details and compositional elements in a grand space. It’s an uplifting, comfortable space with ample parking. What more can we ask for at an event like this?
Click here to register to come In-Person or attend Online. It’s especially important to register in advance if you’re attending virtually to receive the zoom link an hour before the presentation begins. And it will begin on time. Registration closes 3:00pm on Tuesday, May 6.
Bring a bit of an appetite since Bonnie, my younger daughter, is serving light refreshments. A rough head count will help her plan quantities of “bites” and drinks. The last thing we want to do is run out of food!
And how could we not serve food? It’s a long standing tradition at any Shipko event.
Bring Your Family and Friends!
This is a public event sponsored by the Scarsdale Public Library. The more, the merrier. Please feel free to invite your friends and family by forwarding this blog post.
Transportation
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, in Scarsdale, NY right off Boston Post Road in Southern Westchester Country. For those who plan to drive, parking is plentiful in the library lot and on the nearby side streets. Because of the positive response to this talk, and other simultaneous library events, parking could be more challenging than usual. Please allow extra time to park.
For non-drivers from NYC, the Scarsdale train station is on the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line from Grand Central Station. The station is fairly close (1.6 miles or 5 minutes) and easily accessible by taxi, Lyft or Uber.
Questions?
Finally, for additional information, please go to the website at scarsdalelibrary.org or call (914) 722-1302. You can always contact me directly at beverlyshipko@mac.com or 914-954-7779.
Now the question for me is how is to organize and edit a large amount of material on this epic topic into 45 minutes….! I’m up for the challenge!
Come to the Scarsdale Library to celebrate Mother’s Day with a new visually exciting perspective on motherhood through the lens of art. Following the formal presentation, I will be available for questions (and chatting, of course!). I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, May 5th at 4:30pm EST!
What began as a joyful oil painting — full of sunlit highlights, lilac shadows and thick impasto paint — has taken on a new life. My first cake painting now appears on the retail book cover of This Is Not About Us! by Allegra Goodman, just released by Penguin Random House.
Seeing my work printed, wrapped around a novel, and sitting in the world of books at Barnes and Nobel feels like an exhilarating crossover — where visual storytelling meets literary narrative. For an artist who paints desserts as memory, celebration, and metaphor, this feels like a sweet and meaningful milestone.
And how exactly does the cake tie in? Penguin Random House says:
When their beloved sister passes away, Sylvia and Helen Rubinstein are unmoored. A misunderstanding about apple cake turns into a decade of stubborn silence. Busy with their own lives—divorces, dating, career setbacks, college applications, bat mitzvahs and ballet recitals—their children do not want to get involved. As for their grandchildren? Impossible.
I am quoting the publisher since I haven’t read the book yet. However, it certainly sounds like an excellent selection to present at my book club! Maybe I’ll even invite Allegra Goodman as a guest speaker…
A Rocky Balboa Moment (with Two Books!)
And yes… I had my Rocky moment.
Finally, channeling Rocky on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, I held two copies overhead in triumph. If you’re going to celebrate your first retail book cover, you might as well do it properly.
Hope you see the resemblance – in the spirit anyway!
There is something wonderfully dramatic about holding not one, but two books — proof that painting can leap mediums and still carry its color, energy, and story with it.
How did this come about?
By far, the most common question is, What did you do to get your painting on the cover?
Honestly, I didn’t reach out to anyone. Donna Cheng, the talented art director at The Dial Press (an imprint of Penguin Random House) who created the book cover, reached out to me and asked to do a mockup using my painting.
Now you’re asking: How did she find you, Beverly? Who did you know at the publisher?
The answer is: I wrote a blog about my cake paintings in 2020 with lots of SEO tags. That’s all. I believe Donna discovered me as a result of the tags attached to this cake blog written during the pandemic, entitled Virtual Studio Tour – with Cake!. This entry showed the evolution of my cake paintings over time using 3 paintings, beginning with the Bundt Cake.
Ah, the power of the Internet! Maybe I should take that Coursera 5-class certification on SEO search… What do you think?
Behind the Camera: Thank You, Aileen!
My friend, Aileen Riordan (and local real estate agent extraordinaire!), enthusiastically documented the moment. Every artist needs someone who says, “Yes, let’s do this,” and means it.
The laughter and the sheer improbability of it — that’s what these photographs hold for me. Not just a book cover. A shared milestone.
This IS About Us!
And while the title says This Is Not About Us…
For my fifteen seconds of fame, it absolutely was about us!
Finally, signing off with gratitude for the journey — and this unexpectedly pleasureful chapter! I’m still a bit amazed.
Local community newspapers provide vital functions
When the local newspaper, The Rivertowns Enterprise, folded in January, 2024, I was a lost soul. The paper that supported the RiverArts Studio Tour, and my art through the years, was gone.
I depended on that paper for local news and weekly events listings summarizing happenings in all the Rivertowns – Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Irvington, NY.
Suddenly, I missed my connection to the community. Unexpectedly, I didn’t know what was going on. From art exhibits, concerts, farmers markets, local elections, to road closures – and even thefts! Plus I disconnected from the schools and sports events.
Fortunately, this was temporary.
Thank you for resurrecting the paper!
Luckily, in May 2024 The Rivertowns Dispatch replaced the Rivertowns Enterprise, suspending operations after 49 years in business. The still-defunct sister paper The Scarsdale Enquirer, which operated for 123 years, was not so lucky.
As a community, we are grateful to have our paper back. A special thank you to the Publisher, Alison Schulte, and Editor, Tim LaMorte for stepping up to fill the gap with The Rivertowns Dispatch, and for bringing other staff members back, like Listings Editor, Jennifer Gold.
As we move into 2026, The Dispatch needs our help building a solid subscriber base to stay in business long term!
Did you hear about a 280,000 sq. ft. warehouse on 9A?
Recently, I read the following Letter to the Editor in The Dispatch (Dec. 17. 2025). The subject is an “alarming” 280,000 square foot warehouse under serious consideration by the Town of Greenburgh. At a quarter mile long, it is way out of scale for the area and a narrow, fragile two lane 9A road. Plus the location is right across the street from my apartment!
What a nightmare this is in its current form – with all the truck traffic! Not just for me, but for anyone trying to use 9A to access the I-87 entrance and exit, the village of Ardsley, Rivertowns Square in Dobbs Ferry, and even Home Depot or Stew Leonards.
No one has heard about the warehouse since they are not subscribers to The Dispatch.
My next blog will provide more information on how our voices can be heard.
In the meantime, you can start the new year by subscribing to The Dispatch, and be informed consumers (a la Crazy Eddy. Remember him? I can hear him yelling: Informed consumers are our best customers!)
From The Rivertowns Dispatch on How To Subscribe
The Rivertowns Dispatch is your new local news source covering Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson and Irvington. We report on local politics, environment, arts, high school sports and community voices through our weekly print paper, website, email updates, podcast and social media. We also have a special for-kids-by-kids section, The Little Dispatch.
Subscribers receive the print edition delivered to their doorstep each week, along with access to our full archive online.
And if you’re not sure if you’re already subscribed, just email us at hello@rivertownsdispatch.com, and we’ll check for you!
______________________________________
Stay informed!
Calling all residents of Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Irvington: Show your support by subscribing to The Rivertowns Dispatch.
Information is power.
In summary, give yourself a present that will pay dividends. The Dispatch is vital to preserve the quality of life in our community. Additionally, it gives us choices to fully experience the rich variety of Rivertowns activities available. Finally, please forward this subscriber information to your families, friends and neighbors.
The annual RiverArts® Studio Tour is almost here — and I’m thrilled to be part of it once again!
About the November 8th/9th Exhibition
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 8 (11am–5pm) and Sunday, November 9 (11am–3pm), and join me in Ardsley for a weekend of food, flowers, and fun.
In partnership with RiverArts® 2025 Artists Studio Tour 📍 The Lofts at 423 Saw Mill River Road, Building A, 3rd Floor Club Lounge, Ardsley, NY
Come take a bite out of life (and yes, an Oreo — gluten-free too!)
Additionally, I’ll show a few early “pre-dessert” works to answer one of the most-asked questions: “What did you paint before desserts?”
Kid-friendly show → Bring your children and grandchildren!
🥂 Then Food and Gifts
Again, thanks to Ginsberg Development Corporation (GDC) and The Lofts, we’ll have the spacious 3rd-floor lounge — with shelves, light, and room to show more art than ever. And yes, there will be food!
Sunday (12–2): Bagels, cream cheese, Danish, mimosas + more
Plus, Oreos for snacking — maybe your bite will appear in a future painting.
Holiday gift shopping? I’ll have note cards (including Riviera’s slanted birthday cake), small drawings, prints, and panel paintings available.
🌸In Addition, Flowers
Now in my 6th year of ikebana, I’ve begun weaving its harmony and balance into my painting practice.
A video will feature some of my favorite Sogetsu Ikebana arrangements from weekly classes.
I’ll display at least one live arrangement — For me, ikebana is like painting with flowers.
Small floral paintings (Lotus, Orchid) and floral note cards will also be on view.
🤝 Finally, Fun & Community
Equally important, you’ll find like-minded people here.
Also expect the unexpected. I’ll be sharing some of my experiments with AI in art — and I’d love to hear what apps and tools you’ve tried too.
🗺️ Specifically: Tour Maps & Logistics
Over 80 artists across the Rivertowns (Hastings, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow) are opening their doors.
📍 I’m #19 on the map (Ardsley section)… currently in the middle of Saw Mill River Road. Oops! My neighbor, talented still life painter Linda Friedlander, will also be showing in Building C (#18) — just a short walk 2 buildings away (at the most southern building at The Lofts). A two-for-one stop!
The Lofts complex sits right on the border of Ardsley/Hastings. Use 423 Saw Mill River Road or 5 Mill River Lane in your GPS to get to the red-trimmed building at the northern end of the complex. Parking is available in front, or at the southern end in the rather hidden lot next to the maintenance shack.
The Lofts is located about 30 minutes north of Manhattan by car. The complex is located on the west side of Saw Mill River Road, one mile south of the Lawrence Street exit (#16) off the Saw Mill River Parkway.
Hopefully the building door will be open. If not, type Beverly into the directory to reach me so I can buzz you in. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
Taking the train? Catch the MetroNorth Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal to Hastings-on-Hudson → then taxi/Lyft to The Lofts.
🎉 Why Come?
In summary, this is always a joyful, party-like event with art, food, conversation, and connection. Whether you’re a foodie, flower lover, or curious about art, please stop by the weekend of November 8th and 9th, and share in life’s sweetest surprises.
Bring your friends, family, and curiosity. Please feel free to share this event on social media. See you soon!
Finally, if you have any questions, 📧 contact: beverlyshipko@mac.com 📸 Instagram: @beverlyshipko, Facebook: Beverly Shipko, Artist
P.S. In addition to the main Tour weekend, there are two Preview Shows.
Sunday, October 26 from 3-5pm at Hastings Village Hall Gallery, 7 Maple Avenue (for artists from Hastings, Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley). I will have a vending painting in this show.
Sunday, November 2 from 3-5pm at Shames JCC, 371 S. Broadway (for artists from Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow)
Did you miss my October 7th art history talk at the Scarsdale Library? If so, you can now watch the full recording below, A Magnificent Menagerie: Animals in Art.
Join me for a delightful journey through art history’s most memorable creatures. You may never look at animals in art the same way again!
Featuring Animals in Art Through the Ages
From prehistoric cave bulls to Tang Dynasty ceramics, animals have always inspired artists. Later, in the Middle Ages, they appeared in illuminated bestiaries. Moving forward, we see them in Degas’ racehorses and Jamie Wyeth’s pig. Today, they even show up as beloved stars of Instagram feeds.
Across time, animals have been featured not only in paintings but also in sculpture, architecture, children’s books, advertising, movies and more. Often, they serve as symbols, companions, and sources of joy.
Special thanks to David for suggesting this meaty topic, and to Claudette who encouraged my first talk on A Bite-Size View of Food in Artat the Scarsdale Library. I appreciate your support and inspiration.
Finally, thank you to the Scarsdale Library for hosting this event and supporting the arts in our community. It was a joy to share this talk in such a welcoming space. Plus the library features a large format screen so we can see details. In addition, the large screen allows for multiple images, stimulating a visual dialog.
This is my third art talk to the Scarsdale Library community. Previously I spoke on Food in Art and Flowers in Art. While my personal focus has been on painting food, and more recently making Ikebana flower creations, I have returned to many other subjects, including animals, periodically. And I am thrilled to be revisiting to my art history roots once again with this exciting journey through a magnificent menagerie of animals in art – both fantasy and real!
Registration Requested
Click here to register to come In-Person or attend Online. It’s especially important to register in advance if you’re attending virtually to receive the zoom link an hour before the presentation begins. And it will begin on time. Registration closes 3:00pm on Tuesday, October 7.
Bring a bit of an appetite since Bonnie, my younger daughter, is serving light refreshments. A rough head count will help her plan quantities of “bites” and drinks.
And how could we not serve food? It’s a long standing tradition at any Shipko event.
Bring Your Family and Friends!
The more, the merrier. Please feel free to invite your friends and family – especially animal lovers both kids and adults – by forwarding this email with the link. This is a public event.
Hope to see you this Tuesday, October 7th at 4:30!
Transportation
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, in Scarsdale, NY right off Boston Post Road in Southern Westchester Country. For those who plan to drive, parking is plentiful in the library lot and on the nearby side streets. Because of the positive response to this talk, and other simultaneous library events, parking could be more challenging than usual. Please allow extra time to park.
For non-drivers from NYC, the Scarsdale train station is on the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line from Grand Central Station. The station is fairly close (1.6 miles or 5 minutes) and easily accessible by taxi, Lyft or Uber.
Questions?
Finally, for additional information, please go to the website at scarsdalelibrary.org or call (914) 722-1302. You can always contact me directly at beverlyshipko@mac.com or 914-954-7779.
Now the question for me is how is to organize and condense a massive amount of material on this epic topic. We’ll be covering a lot of ground, from prehistoric times to the present. I hope you’ll let me know how I did afterwards…
As always, I am looking forward to seeing you on October 7, and ushering in the fascinating world of animals!
Bundt Cake, Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, Beverly Shipko
There’s something magical about seeing a painting take on a new life beyond the canvas, and this collaboration feels like the perfect pairing. Just as I love capturing the joy and nostalgia of desserts in paint, Goodman’s stories explore the layers of life with the Bernstein family in rich detail and depth.
You can read more about the upcoming 2026 publication from Penguin Random House here.
Stay tuned for the book’s release — and next time you see it on the shelves, you’ll also be getting a little taste of my art!
Spring fever is in the air! Every year colorful blossoms slowly emerge, bringing us happiness and joy.
This year I’m excited to be welcoming spring with a talk on flowers and art. This upbeat subject will inspire and uplift us all.
You are invited!
The Scarsdale Public Library graciously invited me to return to present Creativity in Bloom: Flowers and Art on Tuesday, March 25 at 4:30pm. The event will last an hour – 45 minute talk plus questions, followed by refreshments.
The flowers topic is a bit of a change from my previous food presentation at the library called A Bite-Size Talk of Food in Art, which was well received, and included an exhibit of my food paintings. Edward Patrick Grigg will be exhibiting travel related pieces at the library during the month of March.
Registration Requested
Click here to register to come In-Person or attend Online. It’s especially important to register in advance if you’re attending virtually to receive the zoom link an hour before the presentation begins. And it will begin on time. Registration closes 3:00pm on Tuesday, March 25.
Bring a bit of an appetite since Bonnie, my younger daughter, is serving light refreshments. A rough head count will help her plan quantities of “bites” and drinks.
And how could we not serve food? It’s a long standing tradition at any Shipko event.
Transportation
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, in Scarsdale, NY right off Boston Post Road in Southern Westchester Country. For those who plan to drive, parking is plentiful in the library lot and on the nearby side streets. Because of the positive response to this talk, and other simultaneous library events, parking could be more challenging than usual. Please allow extra to park.
For non-drivers from NYC, the Scarsdale train station is on the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line from Grand Central Station. The station is fairly close (1.6 miles or 5 minutes) and easily accessible by taxi, Lyft or Uber.
Questions?
Finally, for additional information, please go to the website at scarsdalelibrary.org or call (914) 722-1302. You can always contact me directly at beverlyshipko@mac.com or 914-954-7779.
Now the question for me is how is to organize and condense a massive amount of material on this epic topic. I hope you’ll let me know how I did afterwards…
As always, I am looking forward to seeing you on March 25, and ushering in the delightful world of flowers!
I am exhibiting the whole body of dessert paintings in my collection from Riviera Bakehouse, formerly in Ardsley, (now known as The Bakehouse at Tarrytown) this coming weekend:
To help you plan your action packed Artists’ Studio Tour weekend, click here to see a printable map of the 70 participating artists located in the 6 river towns on the Tour – Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
An interactive map is also available here on the RiverArts Studio Tour site. You can search by village.
Personally, I find the paper map much more useful at this point for planning purposes. You can see the visuals for each artist at one glance. Then you choose the studios you want to visit based on your personal taste. The interactive map might be more useful on the day of the tour as you drive between locations.
Finally, I will have some printed maps available this weekend. And I’m happy to help you plan your tour. Please feel free to email me at beverlyshipko@mac.com if I can help in any way.
GDC and The Lofts has graciously offered up the 3rd Floor Lounge for the show. It’s a large beautiful space with shelves, where more paintings can be shown than in my apartment. GDC (Ginsberg Development Corporation) will be providing food and drinks both days.
Saturday from 2-4 Cheese, Charcuterie and Wine & other non-alcoholic beverages
Sunday from 12-2 Bagels and Cream Cheese, Danish, and Mimosas, and other drinks
Notecards will be available for sale, including Riviera’s signature slanted birthday cake.
Of course, Oreos will be provided for biting (GF Oreos too!). Maybe your bite will turn up in a future painting…
Flowers – video, small paintings and fresh
There will be a running video of my favorite Sogetsu Ikebana arrangements from my weekly online zoom class. Plus I plan on showing at least one Ikebana arrangement – a creative activity that began during the pandemic and is still going strong. It’s like painting with flowers!
Also, some small flower paintings like the Lotus and Orchid will be exhibited, and featured on notecards scattered among the sweets.
Fun – a community of like minded people and a taste of AI
Expect the unexpected. Are you using AI (artificial intelligence)? Hope you’ll share your favorite AI apps with me. And I’ll share what I’ve learned since last year.
I plan to experiment with AI and see what happens. AI has evolved a lot in the last year. This is something relatively new for me. Your guess is as good as mine about how this will come out. Come see for yourself!
Logistics
Tour Maps For the RiverArts Studio Tour Weekend
Over 70 artists in the Rivertowns (Hastings, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, and Sleepy Hollow) will be participating in this event. You can download a printable map here and plan your strategy. My location is #23 on the map in the Ardsley section, and the other talented, realistic artist in my apartment complex is #22 on the map, Linda Friedlander. Linda is a short walk away in the 3rd Floor Lounge of Building C (1 Mill River Lane). So this stop is a twofer (two artists for the price of one!).
I’ll be updating this post with new information as it become available. I’ll have a few printed maps on hand, and will be happy to help you plan your route.
GPS Directions and Entry
GPS apps can be quirky. If the address in bold above comes up as being in Hastings-on-Hudson, that’s correct. The Lofts complex is on the border between Ardsley and Hastings., about 30 minutes north of Manhattan by car. As if it wasn’t complicated enough, there’s a second address for the building that you could try – 5 Mill River Lane.
The Lofts is located on Saw Mill River Road (west side), one mile south of the Lawrence Street exit off the Saw Mill River Parkway. Go to the northern building in the three building complex (the Lofts has red trim). Park anywhere in front of the buildings, or in the hidden lot on the southern end of the complex by the maintenance shack.
Hopefully the building door will be open. If not, type Beverly into the directory to reach me so I can buzz you in. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
.If you’re coming by train from Manhattan, take the Hudson Line of MetroNorth to the Hastings-on-Hudson train station. Grab a cab or Lyft to The Lofts at 423 Saw Mill River Road. Call me if you have questions.
____
Please note: For those of you who have been coming to the Studio Tour in April for many years, Sunday hours end earlier at 3pm.
Feel free to contact me with any questions through email at beverlyshipko@mac.com. You can also reach me on Facebook (Beverly Shipko, Artist) and Instagram (@beverlyshipko).
2024 Studio Tour | Preview Shows
In addition to the main Tour weekend, there will be two preview shows.
Sunday, October 20 from 3-5pm at Hastings Village Hall Gallery, 7 Maple Avenue (for artists from Hastings, Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley). I will have a painting in this show.
Sunday, October 27 from 3-5pm at Shames JCC, 371 S. Broadway (for artists from Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow)
____
This is always a joyful event. It feels like a big celebratory party! Hope you can make it. Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to forward this invitation.
Finally, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you art lovers and foodies, and exchanging ideas. See you soon!
For those of you who were unable to join us in May at the Scarsdale Library or on zoom, I invite you to watch the video below of my talk, A Bite-Size View Of Food in Art.
As you will see, the talk covers many highlights of the long standing, irresistible tradition of incorporating food in art, going back thousands of years to the present, including my own work. This bite-size view provides the context of how I see my own paintings, with a brief nod to Ikebana.
A Bite-Size View of Food in Art with Beverly Shipko
This video marks the inauguration of my very own YouTube channel. It was surprisingly easy to set up with Bonnie’s help. Thank you for leading me into the 21st century!
So come take a byte out of my YouTube Channel! You’ll have good time salivating over numerous food images and won’t put on any weight by watching. And as I promised a gentleman in the audience, it won’t raise your insulin levels.
Calling all foodies! You will love this show of over 60 delectable paintings and prints – 90 if you count all the little mounted 5 x 7 and 6 x 6 panel paintings. In a way, it feels like a retrospective. You’ll see everything your heart desires – from cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, candy, vending snacks, fruit, vegetables – except meat (I’m working on that…)
Here I am at the Scarsdale Public Library, enjoying the fruits of my labor.
Thank you to Webmaster Laura for taking this lovely photo when you visited the Scarsdale Public Library last week! When Laura walked in and looked around the big room, she was visibly surprised, almost stunned (which surprised me!). She exclaimed, Wow, Mom! This is great…. This is a giant room and you filled it! …It’s like seeing old friends.
Laura was happy that she came up from the city (she was virtual for the May 7th talk). And you can’t help but be happy at this show. Everyone walks away smiling! 🙂 Especially little kids.
Webmaster Laura with one of her favorite paintings, Patisserie (oil, 36 x 48 inches).
This is a family friendly exhibit. Bring your kids and grandkids, who will be captivated. What smiles they had! Wish I had taken photos. However, permission would have been needed to post them.
Logistics
Additionally, the flyer below has all the details. The library is open 7 days a week, and until 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Finally, parking is plentiful. Just in case you want more information, click here for the Scarsdale Library website.
So please stop by to take a bite! The good news is that you have 6 more days to visit. If you would like, I can meet you at the library. Just let me know when.
P.S. This has been a wonderful few weeks. My only regret is that the show has to come down… as all shows do…
I hope you can join us for my Bitesize View of Food in Art Talk and Solo Art Exhibit at the Scarsdale Public Library on May 7th from 4:30-6pm (54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583).
This is a chef’s tour of food in art history from prehistoric and ancient times, the Golden Age of Dutch Still Life, to contemporary art. All in 45 minutes. So are you up for the challenge? I promise it will be entertaining. Only I’ll put on my artist’s beret instead of a chef’s cap. Plus I’ll tap into my aspirations to be an art history professor.
Along the way you’ll see how I view my own work in this context.
A reception will follow the talk. While the official event ends at 6pm, I’ll hang out at the library until 6:30pm.
The exhibit will run from Wednesday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 22.
Registration
Click here to register and scroll down to the bottom. Select your preferred option. Note you can come back and change this if needed, or re-register.
While we are asking you to register, please don’t let this stop you from coming the last minute. Just come right over. The more, the merrier! If you don’t receive the zoom link by 3:30pm on May 7th, please call the Scarsdale Library Reference Desk at 914-722-1302. They will email the link directly to you.
Parking
It’s plentiful!
With Gratitude
Thank you to the Scarsdale Public Library for hosting this event. I’ll begin with a shoutout to a very special lady and friend, Claudette Gassler, Programing Librarian. A year ago, Claudette came up with the idea of a combination talk and solo show. And she waited patiently for my torn meniscus to heal. In addition, thanks to Roberta Ham-Stein, Support Services Administrator/Librarian who helped coordinate the logistics. Last but not least, kudos to David Sadoff, Programming Librarian, who creatively used his tech abilities to make this a hybrid event and bring me out from behind the podium, onto the stage, and into my comfort zone.
Now I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my daughter, Bonnie Sloofman. After a hard day’s work, she is providing refreshments following the talk at the reception.
As always, I appreciate hearing from you. So please let me know if you have any questions, comments or ideas about the topic.
I look forward to seeing you – one way or another – on Tuesday, May 7th at 4:30pm!
GDC and The Lofts has graciously offered up the 3rd Floor Lounge for the show, a large beautiful space, and will be providing food on Saturday from 2-4 and Sunday from 12-2.
Work-in-process will be included.
Of course, Oreos will be provided for biting (GF Oreos too!). Maybe your bite will turn up in a future painting…
Flowers – paintings and fresh
I’m working on a few small flower paintings, and plan to assemble at least one Sogetsu Ikebana arrangement – a creative activity that began during the pandemic and is still going strong. It’s like painting with flowers!
Fun – a community of like minded people and a taste of AI
I plan to experiment with AI (artificial intelligence) and see what happens. This is something new for me. Your guess is as good as mine about how this will come out. Come see for yourself!
GPS apps can be quirky. If the address above comes up as being in Hastings-on-Hudson, that’s correct. The Lofts complex is on the border between Ardsley and Hastings. As if it wasn’t complicated enough, there’s a second address for the building that you could try – 5 Mill River Lane.
The Lofts is located on Saw Mill River Road, one mile south of the Lawrence Street exit off the Saw Mill River Parkway. Go to the northern building in the three building complex. Park anywhere in front of the buildings, or in the hidden lot on the southern end of the complex by the maintenance shack.
Hopefully the building door will be open. If not, type Beverly into the directory to reach me so I can buzz you in. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
And the bonus is that another talented realist painter, Linda Friedlander, is a short walk away (#22 on the map) in the 3rd Floor Lounge of Building C (1 Mill River Lane). So this stop is a twofer (two artists for the price of one!).
____
Please note: For those of you who have been coming to the Studio Tour in April for many years, the switch to November is permanent. Also Sunday hours end earlier at 3pm.
Feel free to contact me with any questions through email at beverlyshipko@mac.com. You can also reach me on Facebook (Beverly Shipko, Artist) and Instagram (@beverlyshipko).
____
This is always a joyful event for me. Hope you can make it.
I look forward to seeing all of you art lovers and exchanging ideas. See you soon!
