Westfield Art Association

On Sunday, May 20th, the Westfield Art Association (WAA) takes you into an artist studio to present a live oil painting demonstration with artist Mark Saenger.

Mark Saengers Art Classes and landscape Painting Workshops are a hit with students. Saenger teaches in NJ and other areas.  An independent artist and a charismatic teacher, Mark Saenger maintains a studio in New Jersey.

He is a recipient of various awards, including the prestigious Copper Beech Foundation Award, from the Art Institute’s 26th Annual Juried Art Show.The winning painting, The Canal in Winter is shown above with Mark. A phone call from the HBO show, “The Sopranos” requested that his art be featured in the 2001 season. He has made appearances in numerous shows and is a member of various art associations. He aspires to maintain the respect and friendship of his peers in the art world.

As a beginning artist himself, many years and grey hairs ago, Saenger was initially motivated to paint by a college art professor who advised him to “stick with it.” The paint-along artist, Bob Ross seen on TV, fascinated Saenger. He took a workshop with this popular personality only to find, to his disappointment, but more to his benefit, that nothing which looks so easy could be achieved without commitment and skill.

From thereon, he began a rigorous study of the principles of art, having to spend long hours behind the easel and miles of canvas.
He has studied with some of the most notable landscape artists of today.

Since 2003 Mark Saenger continues to conduct plein air Painting Workshops and Art Classes in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Recently throughout the USA. Saenger enjoys helping beginners and intermediate artists get on the road to success, like his mentors had done for him.

Saenger’s goal is not only to stop time and capture a certain light effect or condition, but to ensure that the viewer can feel the warm glow of the sunset, or the bitter cold of winter.

South Avenue Arts, an art school and studio, is located at 221 South Avenue in Garwood ,directly across from Home Depot. Our event will run from 1-3pm, with refreshments served. Free and open to all (donations gladly accepted from non-members).

On Sunday, March 18,2018 there were many opportunities to delight in the arts throughout Union County. One very special event was offered to the public by The Westfield Art Association.

There was excitement and enthusiasm in the air at South Avenue Arts in Garwood when The Westfield Art Association hosted a standing room only crowd – enthralled by artist Mark Oberndorf as he demonstrated and spoke about his work.

Mr. Oberndorf, a self taught artist, told about his process and his passions. His warm conversational style of presenting encouraged the audience to participate with questions and comments. Mr. Oberndorf shared that he first focuses on capturing landmarks, buildings and signs that command our attention. He then observes the natural effects of changing light in nature and creates nostalgia filled tributes to time and place.

The artist also also told how he navigated the art world to gain representation in various galleries. His paintings of beloved New Jersey locations have helped him to establish a reputation as an iconic New Jersey painter. The New York Times has covered his artwork and many New Jersey newspapers have reviewed his exhibitions. Mr. Oberndorf’s work is in the permanent collection of three museums and you can see examples of his work on his website.

The Westfield Art Association offers presentations and events to the public throughout the year. A calendar of events, information about contributing and becoming a member can be found on our website here.

On Sunday, March 18, the Westfield Art Association (WAA) takes you into an artist studio to present a live painting demonstration and conversation with artist Mark Oberndorf.

Don’t miss this exciting WAA Learning Studio at South Avenue Arts, where artist Mark Oberndorf  will be creating an acrylic painting while explaining his process and taking questions from participants. You can’t get closer to the art than that!

Mark Oberndorf hails from Wyckoff, New Jersey. He is well known for his realist painting style, which NorthJersey.com says “captures the disappearing American landscape that dates from the nineteen-forties, fifties, and sixties.”

South Avenue Arts, an art school and studio, is located at 221 South Avenue in Garwood ,directly across from Home Depot. Our event will run from 1-3pm, with refreshments served. Free and open to all (donations gladly accepted from non-members).

We may be the oldest arts organization in New Jersey, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to try new things: Introducing a completely digital members event for January, 2018 – the launch of our new video interview series.

Who would we choose for our first member artist video? Yes, I already told you in the headline: Brooke Gardiner. Brooke is our longest-serving board member, and has over the years served as President, Treasurer, and Vice-President, making him likely more responsible for the direction of our organization than anyone else currently in our membership. Watch this short video and you will see and hear the story behind some of Brooke’s favorite sculptures.

And now about one of our newer board members, Paul Federico. Paul has written, directed, edited, and produced this marvelous video of Brooke. We look forward to more artist interview episodes in the future.

We hope you will enjoy this new approach to art appreciation and education, and that you will share it with friends both new & old.

Our organization may have begun in 1922, but we are still keeping it fresh is 2018!