Wednesday, June 24, 2009

SAMUEL J. FORMICA ART EXHIBIT EXTENDED THROUGH JULY - by Samuel J. Formica

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Philadelphia, PA,  July 3, 2009… by popular demand PINOT, the popular wine accessories superstore in Old City, has decided to continue the  exhibition presenting the works of nationally acclaimed painter Samuel J. Formica.  A special art opening will take place on July 3rd, the first Friday in July. The artist will be  on hand signing special limited-edition lithographs prints designed exclusively for PINOT to celebrate their up-coming 3 year anniversary.  First Friday in Old City, is a monthly event that takes place on the first Friday of every month, attracting art lovers of all kinds who enjoy the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries. Most of the galleries stay open until 9 p.m. Formica’s work came to prominence in 2003 when his painting Looking to the Future became part of the Ben Franklin Tercentenary Exhibit and was lauded by US presidents, including Bill Clinton, George H.W Bush and Gerald Ford for its powerful depiction of America’s history. This stunning painting is on display at the Franklin Institute, and has been published in numerous books and magazines including Ben Franklin In Search Of A Better World by Yale University Press. In 2007 Samuel was chosen one of the top 200 painters in America by Kennedy publishing.  On June 5th, PINOT will be sharing another side of Formica’s work -- his love of wine. Formica began collecting wine corks ten years ago while working as a bartender at Ristorante Panorama, an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia with a world class wine bar. One day in 2004, he got an idea for a series of wine paintings that would utilize the corks he had collected. The result: LeQuattro Stagione del Vino, four separate paintings depicting the four seasons of wine. Each of the four paintings measures 36” x 64” and is made up of 48 small canvasses. Dense in texture and rich in color his careful composition has led him to international recognition. Eight paintings including the Quattro Stagione series will be on display at Pinot throughout the month of June; this will be the first time in more than ten years that a group of Formica’s works has been exhibited.  

PINOT is gaining popularity among Philadelphia wine lovers for its wide variety of corkscrews, stemware, wine furniture, one-of-a-kind wine caddies and custom wine cellars–- as the tagline states:  “everything but the grape.”  In 2008 PINOT, located at 227 Market Street, was awarded Philadelphia Magazine’s coveted Best of Philly ® award for Best Specialty Shop. PINOT is also home of The Wine School at PINOT, the Old City branch of The Wine School of Philadelphia.  For more information, call 215-627-WINE (9463) or visit www.PinotBoutique.com.

 

 

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Philadelphia Artist Samuel J. Formica Gallery Showing

June 5, 2009

The weather was less perfect, but the atmosphere inside PINOT in Olde City Philadelphia was warm, inviting and very exciting. On display for the first time in ten years were paintings by nationally acclaimed artist Samuel J. Formica. Creating a feeling of being surrounded by the smells and tastes of wine, ‘Le Quattro Stagione del Vino’ sets the mood for the enjoyment of wine during all seasons. Formica’s paintings are very unique in that each is comprised of 48 small canvasses making each painting 36” by 64” in size. When displayed, one is surrounded by all that is wine in every season with colors and textures of paint that is compelling. His technique brings a life of it’s own to the paintings. Fall brings an explosion of bright, deep, rich color and the feeling of a brisk, zesty flavor, winter brings the softer tones of white snow against the stark bareness of the season that just radiates cold and crisp feelings, spring comes alive with the burst of life that begins anew with a vibrant, exuberant feel and summer is gentle, warm and breezy bringing forth a smooth and comfortably lazy, hazy days of summer flair. One can imagine matching a wine to compliment each of these seasons. Mr. Formica is to be commended on taking tasting wine to the next level of sensory perception, that of wine imagery or “Wine Set To Art”.

Also on display were paintings utilizing corks that have been collected by Mr. Formica. Always one to see the artistic value of everyday items, Formica has very expertly integrated corks into another set of unique paintings. He has creatively designed the corks into geometric arrangements that compliment the paintings around them.

In 2003, Formica was recognized for his “Looking to the Future’ painting featuring Benjamin Franklin. This painting, with a wonderful historic theme, is currently on display at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Former Presidents, Clinton, Ford
and G. H. W. Bush, all have lauded Mr. Formica for capturing such historical significance through this unique painting.

PINOT is located at 227 Market Street in Philadelphia and is a fascinating wine specialty shop featuring ‘everything but the grape’ for the wine lover. Pinot is also home of ‘The Wine School at PINOT’, the Olde City branch of The Wine School of Philadelphia.
Visit PINOT at www.PinotBoutique.com.
Visit Samuel J. Formica at www.samuelformica.com

By: Barbara Garton www.timeforelvis.com

Sunday, May 3, 2009

AN ART EXHIBIT TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: - by Samuel J. Formica

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AN ART EXHIBIT TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: SAMUEL FORMICA FINDS A USE FOR THOSE OLD CORKS. Philadelphia, PA, June 5, 2009… PINOT, the popular wine accessories superstore in Old City, announces a special exhibition presenting the works of nationally acclaimed painter Samuel J. Formica. The art opening will take place on June 5th the first Friday in June. First Friday in Old City, is a monthly event that takes place on the first Friday of every month, attracting art lovers of all kinds who enjoy the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries. Most of the galleries stay open until 9 p.m. Formica’s work came to prominence in 2003 when his painting Looking to the Future became part of the Ben Franklin Tercentenary Exhibit and was lauded by US presidents, including Bill Clinton, George H.W Bush and Gerald Ford for its powerful depiction of America’s history. This stunning painting is on display at the Franklin Institute, and has been published in numerous books and magazines including Ben Franklin In Search Of A Better World by Yale University Press. In 2007 Samuel was chosen one of the top 200 painters in America by Kennedy publishing. On June 5th, PINOT will be sharing another side of Formica’s work -- his love of wine. Formica began collecting wine corks ten years ago while working as a bartender at Ristorante Panorama, an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia with a world class wine bar. One day in 2004, he got an idea for a series of wine paintings that would utilize the corks he had collected. The result: LeQuattro Stagione del Vino, four separate paintings depicting the four seasons of wine. Each of the four paintings measures 36” x 64” and is made up of 48 small canvasses. Dense in texture and rich in color his careful composition has led him to international recognition. Eight paintings including the Quattro Stagione series will be on display at Pinot throughout the month of June; this will be the first time in more than ten years that a group of Formica’s works has been exhibited. The artist will be signing special limited-edition lithographs prints designed exclusively for PINOT to celebrate their up-coming 3 year anniversary. Wine and cheese will be served.

PINOT is gaining popularity among Philadelphia wine lovers for its wide variety of corkscrews, stemware, wine furniture, one-of-a-kind wine caddies and custom wine cellars–- as the tagline states: “everything but the grape.” In 2008 PINOT, located at 227 Market Street, was awarded Philadelphia Magazine’s coveted Best of Philly ® award for Best Specialty Shop. PINOT is also home of The Wine School at PINOT, the Old City branch of The Wine School of Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-627-WINE (9463) or visit http://www.pinotboutique.com/.

Pinot Boutique Invitation

Friday, March 6, 2009

Selling Art Has Never Been Better - by Samuel J. Formica

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 Drowning in Debt

 It’s a great time to be an artist. I know your saying to yourself, “is this guy a nut” the economy is terrible. Precisely, and with the Stock Market so volatile, the banks going belly-up and the world economy in the crapper these are good times to sell. Now is the time to convince all those investors that your work is a safe haven for their money. If you have a track record of consistent sales, a list of achievements and a long history of work, you may be in a position to capitalize on this bad economy. Let’s face it; people need an alternative place to invest their money, why not your art? Changing the way I think about art sales has benefited my life. Don’t think about sales the way you always have and don’t rely on someone else to do it for you. And above all else don’t let this horrible economy pass you by. 

Samuel J. Formica

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Friday, December 19, 2008

Merry Corporate Christmas - by Samuel J. Formica

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Merry Corporate Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.

 

 

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Saturday, December 6, 2008

American History 4 Sale - by Samuel J. Formica

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Philadelphia, PAArtist, Samuel J. Formica, looks to the future and chooses to sell his acclaimed life-sized painting, Looking to the Future, in a manner that all indie artists with a vision should do—on his own. Looking to the Future chronicles more than one hundred scenes of historical triumphs and tragedies. The sweeping detail surrounds an image of Benjamin Franklin, the painting’s robust centerpiece. An omniscient Franklin peers through his window while on his cell phone in the five by seven foot, oil on canvas painting that took Formica three years to complete and can be viewed in person at The Franklin Institute at 220

North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or online at www.samuelformica.com. Purchase inquiries should be directed to SJF Sales at 215-200-6007 or sjfsales@samuelformica.com.

Looking to the Future has been lauded by US presidents, including Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Gerald Ford, for its vigorous depiction of the history of America. “It’s a wonderful portrayal of American history,” said President George H. W. Bush after viewing Looking to the Future. And Frank R. Wolf, Member of Congress, House of Representatives stated, “The painting is truly an original with phenomenal meaning.”

 

Formica’s work is highly collectible; he paints only two to three new works per year.  Dense with allusion and vibrant colors, his careful composition has led him to international recognition. In 1985, Formica was discovered by the late artist agent, Ola Jones, who had a keen eye for recognizing self-taught talent. She encouraged him to trade in his syringes for brushes. Twenty-two years later, Formica is still drug-free, and his paintings have since been exhibited in international solo shows; published in Art Now, Art Matters, The Pew Trust, and American History Magazine; collected by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Jimmy Carter, and Donald Trump; and recently honored by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary commission and placed in the official Ben Franklin Tercentenary exhibit catalogue, In Search of a Better World (Yale University Press).

I'll Be Back

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