Brilliant abstracts in Woodmere teacher's solo exhibit

Posted 3/2/17

“Going Up and Down” is typical of Val’s work in its use of gorgeous shapes, angles and bold colors, reminiscent of the work of the 20th century’s greatest abstract artists.[/caption] by Len …

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Brilliant abstracts in Woodmere teacher's solo exhibit

Posted

“Going Up and Down” is typical of Val’s work in its use of gorgeous shapes, angles and bold colors, reminiscent of the work of the 20th century’s greatest abstract artists.[/caption]

by Len Lear

Woodmere art teacher Val Rossman, whose own work is redolent of the gorgeous shapes, angles and bold colors of Mondrian, Kandinsky, Jasper Johns, Paul Klee, Willem DeKooning and the other giants of the 20th century abstract art world, has a history of solo shows, awards and grants, group exhibits and art collections she's in that is longer than a list of Donald Trump's lies.

Val, 65, will have a solo exhibit of her work throughout March at Gross McCleaf Gallery, 127 S. 16th St., 2nd floor, that will open Friday March 3, 5-7 p.m. The  native of Bala Cynwyd and Penn Valley attended Harriton High School. “In high school I actually took two art classes each day!” Val said last week. “However, I didn’t imagine that I could be an artist as a career. In college at Boston University I started out as a liberal arts major but quickly knew that it was the wrong choice. I had to reapply to the School of Fine Arts at BU and begin again as a freshman. I transferred to Tyler School of Art as a junior and graduated from there.”

Woodmere art teacher Val Rossman will have a solo exhibit of her work throughout March at Gross McCleaf Gallery, 127 S. 16th St., 2nd floor, that will open Friday March 3, 5-7 p.m.

Val did her share of representational painting in art school — lots of still lifes and nudes — but only abstracts got her juices flowing uphill. Val, who previously taught at Main Line Art Center for 25 years, said she “loves teaching at Woodmere! The education director, Hildy Tow, is incredibly supportive of the teaching staff. Although there is only one studio for classes, it is very large and conducive to creating artwork. It even has that wonderful oil paint aroma! That Woodmere is a museum with easy access to the exhibits is an added bonus which provides another teaching tool for students.”

At Woodmere Val teaches adults in a class called Explorations in Abstraction. “I teach students at a variety of levels, and my goal is to help each individual find his/her own 'creative voice' in exploring abstract concepts. Watching this growth process is incredibly gratifying and rewarding. I find the students to be very enthusiastic, and for many of them this is their first foray into the abstract world. I often hear comments about how fun and freeing this experience is and how much they are enjoying the process.”

Val, whose studio is in Frankford, attended Hahnemann University after Boston U. and then worked as an art therapist for seven years. However, her unbridled passion for painting led to a full-time art career, despite the financial risks involved. “I think it is nearly impossible to make a living as a full-time artist,” she conceded. “Once in a while you hear about someone who makes it really big, but that is so rare. I think there has to be some other means of regular income —teaching, another job or another income from a partner. I am not sure if it has gotten harder or easier over the years.”

Interestingly, when Val was asked what accomplishment she was most proud of, she mentioned something that had nothing to do with her painting. “It's the 11 medals I received for running 11 marathons,” she said. “The connection to my art is that while training for marathons, I would often use the hours running alone to muse about my work. Both distance running and sustained art-making require the same mental discipline.”

The artists whom Val most admires? Richard Diebenkorn, Helen Frankenthaler, Kandinsky, Matisse, Joan Mitchell. Gerhard Richter, Miro, Klee, Howard Hodgkin, Rothko and “probably lots more.”

What was Val's most successful exhibit? “My last one at Rosenfeld Gallery in 2015. I was very proud of the body of work, and I also sold the most of any previous show. I guess many others thought it was good, too!”

What is Val's ultimate goal as an artist? “A very tough question. I want to make art that reflects my view and experience in the world but that also resonates with others. My work is not angry or political. I want to use my experiences and imagination to bring a sense of joy and peace to others without being too saccharine or goofy. Knowing that someone wants to buy a piece of mine and look at it every day completes the creative process for me … It would also be great to gain recognition and acceptance in the broader international art world!”

What would represent perfect happiness for Rossman? “Is there such a thing? It is so fleeting. Maybe just little moments in life when everything is in balance.”

For more information: 215-665-8138, valrossman@gmail.com or grossmccleaf.com

arts