Wishing You a Happy & Healthy New Year!
On View Now
Joan Becker: Pursue | January 17 - February 15
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 18th, 1 - 4 pm
215-665-8138 / Inquiries: info@grossmccleaf.com
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Julie and Joey, 16" x 12", Watercolor
Joan Becker: Pursue
Gross McCleaf Gallery is pleased to present Pursue, a solo exhibition of new watercolors by Joan Becker. The show features her signature, large-scale botanical paintings and a collection of intimate portraits, each showcasing Becker’s mastery of detail and her ability to evoke both the vitality of nature and the complexity of human character.
Becker’s botanicals are composed without preparatory sketches as she works directly from live plants. Each painting grows organically across the paper, layer by layer, capturing the fleeting beauty of flowers and foliage while creating densely layered compositions. Her approach balances careful observation with an intuitive sense of design, allowing the plants to feel both precise and alive, thriving in an imagined yet naturalistic environment.
This same attentiveness extends to Becker’s portraits, which reflect a dynamic engagement with her human subjects. “There is a special relationship created between the model and the painter,” she notes. “Life stories and ideas are shared, which is a great privilege.” Whether painting a friend, acquaintance, or model, Becker brings each sitter to life through vivid color and thoughtful composition. These portraits carry both a sense of humor and humanity, sensitively developed in moments of connection exchanged in her studio.
Joan Becker Studio Image, featuring The Hissing Garden and Four Seasons
Art Sync: Interview
That Takes The Cake: Conversation with Joan Becker
Elizabeth Johnson: Both the botanical pieces you sent me and portraits Julie And Joey and Jenny In The Swamp contrast wintery, dark or pale bits of design with more summery, colorful blossoming ones, and the viewer unconsciously absorbs nature and the person within as bridging many seasons. I love the abstract decoration behind the portrait of Thom with his bike in The Cowboy and in the woman’s dress in At The Soothsayer. What does it feel like to switch from portraits that suggest personality in the design to “allover-design” botanicals? Are personalities of people and plants aligned as analogous challenges with the show title Pursue?
Joan Becker: The ten small paintings prepared for this show are studies in a “series.” Several of my favorite painters have completed series of friends and acquaintances. Unlike individual portraits, a series has rhythm with which I wanted to experiment. The title of the show, Pursue, has to do with me pursuing the plants, the people, and the places: the search for meaning.
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John Thornton's Artist Film reviewing Scott Noel's Eternal Recurrence – Scott Noel – Large Figure Compositions 1982-2024
Scott Noel featured in John Thornton's film Scott Noel, To Paint This Fleeting World
Video Description: "On November 13th, 2024, I drove up to the Wayne Art Center to view a remarkable exhibition. Scott Noel was showing a selection of monumental figure paintings that he has created since the 1980's. As always, getting to see Scott's work and talk to him was a feast for the eye, mind, and heart..," - John Thornton.
We have moved! We’re delighted to announce that Gross McCleaf Gallery has relocated to the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, in The Mill Studios - just off Main Street at the Belmont exit from I-76.
This new location meets the moment in today’s shifting art market while benefiting GMG, our artists, and loyal clients. At its 3rd site in 55 years, Gross McCleaf will continue providing a comfortable, convenient setting to engage with your favorite art & artists and now includes free and easy parking!
Don't miss Gross McCleaf's fabulous Winter exhibitions:
Joan Becker: Jan 17 - Feb 15
Joesph Lozano: Feb 21 - March 22
Lydia Panas: Feb 21 - March 22
I am excited for Gross McCleaf's new phase and look forward to seeing you soon in our new location!
Rebecca Segall, Director
Gross McCleaf Gallery
Gross McCleaf Gallery is pleased to present Pursue, a solo exhibition of new watercolors by Joan Becker. The show features her signature, large-scale botanical paintings and a collection of intimate portraits, each showcasing Becker’s mastery of detail and her ability to evoke both the vitality of nature and the complexity of human character.
Becker’s botanicals are composed without preparatory sketches as she works directly from live plants. Each painting grows organically across the paper, layer by layer, capturing the fleeting beauty of flowers and foliage while creating densely layered compositions...
Click the image to read further.
Elizabeth Johnson: Both the botanical pieces you sent me and portraits Julie and Joey and Jenny In The Swamp contrast wintery, dark or pale bits of design with more summery, colorful blossoming ones, and the viewer unconsciously absorbs nature and the person within as bridging many seasons. I love the abstract decoration behind the portrait of Thom with his bike in The Cowboy and in the woman's dress in At The Soothsayer. What does it feel like to switch from portraits that suggest personality in the design to "allover-design" botanicals? Are personalities of people and plants aligned as analogous challenges with the show title Pursue?
Joan Becker: The ten small paintings prepared for this show are studies in a “series.” Several of my favorite painters have completed series of friends and acquaintances. Unlike individual portraits, a series has rhythm with which I wanted to experiment. The title of the show, Pursue, has to do with me pursuing the plants, the people, and the places: the search for meaning.
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