Barney Levitt
Main Level Galleries
I've always been drawn to detail and it's been the realist painters who
have been the source of my inspiration, from the Dutch Masters to
contemporary realist painters such as Stone Roberts, Scott Pryor, & Scott
Fraser. Though I prefer not to label myself a Still Life painter, still
lives figure predominantly in my work.
I work from a studio in my house selecting objects of personal interest. I
try to create a narrative from the chosen objects that will elevate and
give new meaning to their ordinariness. Symbolism plays strongly in my
work. My paintings are the result of combining photographic references,
direct observation, and imagination. I strive to create a sense of mystery
or humor from seemingly disparate objects. Inanimate objects sometimes
take on an anthropomorphic quality. Often there’s an implicit smirk or
wink I'm trying to convey to my audience.
I was raised in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York where my family helped
nurture a keen appreciation for nature. As a child, drawing seemed as
natural and necessary as breathing. Hopefully I will continue to do both
for a long time to come.
I studied under Robert Sullins and received my B.A. in studio art from
S.U.N.Y. at Oswego and am a member of Gallery Antonia in Chatham, MA,
Gallery Twist in Lexington, MA, and the Stewart Clifford Gallery in
Provincetown, MA. I'm a Master member of the Copley Society of Art, The
International Guild of Realism, The National Oil and Acrylic Painter's
Society, Oil Painters of America, American Artists Professional League, the
Jamaica Plain Art Association, and the Newton Art Association.
Newton Art Association
Lebowitz Meeting Hall, Lower Level
Dedicated to supporting art and artists, the Newton Art Association affirms
that art is based on individual expression and that all individuals have a
right to that expression. We also believe that a diversity of individual
expression makes for better art, a better community, and a better
organization.
The NAA commits to fulfilling its stated mission free of discrimination,
without bias based on sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, culture,
religion, international origin, physical abilities, socio-economic status,
or gender identity.
Art brings the community together, facilitates dialogue, and fosters
connections among people of all ages and backgrounds.
MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION:
Saturday, March 18, 2025
4PM - 6PM
Lebowitz Meeting Hall
Carol Krentzman
Main Level
Sisterhood is a longtime artistic dream of Carol’s that has now come true.
Towards the end of her daughter’s pregnancy six years ago, Carol was
inspired to make a plaster belly cast of her daughter’s amazingly
beautiful, life-giving body. Since her daughter was overdue by almost two
weeks, creating the belly cast was a fun and necessary distraction. Over
time Carol readied the form for mosaics and created Bloodline. While
working on Bloodline, Carol envisioned a sisterhood of three pregnant
women, each expressing the awesome feelings that often overwhelm women when
they are pregnant and growing a new life inside of their ever-changing
bodies. This tryptic of women: Bloodline, Fire Belly, and Earth Mother, is
a realization of a mosaic sculpture that Carol is grateful and proud to
share.
Carol’s artistic team included Jason Cheeseman-Meyer who designed and drew
the silhouettes, and Jeff Olsen who cut them out, painted, and engineered
them to hold hands on their triangular support stand.
Carol Krentzman has been creating public art for many years with a focus on
stained glass and mosaics. Carol uses a variety of tiles, individually made
fused glass tiles, clay elements, a nd other materials when fabricating her
indoor and outdoor mosaics.