If you want to see a truly joyful Art show go visit the Joseph Raffael show at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery at 520 West 27^th St in Chelsea New York. The show will be there until January 10, 2010. Go soon since you might like to go back a second time.

Blossoms and Sky by Joseph Raffael

Visiting this show brought such a burst of the voluptuous joy of color and passion to an otherwise gray day that I was compelled to share it with others.

Joseph Raffael douses himself in his watercolors. His colors flood and pool in the most controlled display of virtuosity I’ve ever seen in this medium. Though in this show his subject matter seems to be primarily flowers, his style is the antithesis of botanical illustration.

As a matter of fact, Elisabeth, my fellow Artist friend and I gallery hopped to this show on the heels of a visit to the ASBA (American Society of Botanical Artists) show at The Horticultural Society of NY. The contrast of two exquisite art forms, both employing watercolor and using flowers as subject, was astounding.

I made a video from some images I took at the show and posted it on YouTube in case you’d like to get an idea what to expect.

For an extra treat I would suggest visiting Joseph Raffael’s website and taking some time to view the meditative videos of him as he paints.

Take a moment to calm down and become immersed in the process of Art. It will make your day. It always does so for me.

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