Absolute Abstract is proud to present its monthly “Work in Progress” benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. What do you get when you take a local Philadelphian artist, station him in the window of a storefront on 13th Street, ask him to create a work of art, and then auction off the finished piece? You get “Work in Progress” - an interactive painting exhibition benefiting Philadelphia charities. Work in Progress occurs on the First Saturday of each month, from Noon to 5pm. Bidding on the work of art will start the moment the artist begins painting, and will end two weeks later at noon. Proceeds from the sale of the featured painting benefit The City of Hope organization. Since opening in March of 2006, we have been fortunate to have met many wonderful local artists from Philadelphia. Some of these artists are graduates, others are still in school at one of Philadelphia’s Art schools, others paint full time, and some lead full-time careers outside the art world, yet paint with passion on the side. Saturday June 7th from 2-7PM we featured John Stango - Philly's own Pop artist. John painting a Philadelphia image titeld "Union Trust" which is now live for bidding up until Saturday 6-21st at 5PM when it will go to the highet bidder.
 | Nicholas Skally was the featured artist for our 12th monthly Work in Progress, celebrating one year of live painting exhibitions. Nick's work is created under the studio name of "Let it Drip". Each painting is developed by layer, over several weeks and develops "organically". To complete his Work in Progress in the one day sitting, Nick used a special fan to assit him in the drying process. Nicholas' final piece, titled "Hyacinth's Pond", sold for $175 on July 28th to a visting family from Tallahassee, Florida. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center. | | | |
 | Rose Marie Stripolli created not one but two live pieces for "Work in Progress" 11 on June 9th, 2007. Her painting style preferrence is flat rather than with the use of an upright easel. Rose's Work in Progress piece titled "Asian Garden" was purchased by an anonymous bidder. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center. |
 | David Michael Sullivan returned for his second Work in Progress and took inspiration from cave drawings centuries old. His completed piece, titled "Old Pajamas" was bid on and taken home by a young couple as an anniversary gift. He went to college at LaSalle University in Philadelphia and majored in Art History. David Michael Sullivan currently works behind the scenes at The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Pennsylvania.
All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
 | Jed Williams joined us on January 13th, to kick off the first Work in Progress for 2007. Jed graduated from the University of the Arts (BFA in Painting and Drawing, 2000) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Certificate in Painting, 2005), both located in Philadelphia. Jed works on his images using a variety of media, including acrylic, ink and collage. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
 | Darrin Bowers completed his second live exhibition painting for the December Work In Progress VII, taking inspiration from Robert Indiana's LOVE series. Darrin had also participated on a collaborative LOVE piece that was done for the FOX 29 Good Day Philadelphia show, which may be viewed on the front page of the website. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center. | | | |
 | Colin Powers, who was our first Work in Progress painter, returned for his second round and once again broke the mold. He crerated a series of four tile like Graphic designs, that included his unique imagery applied to an acrylic background. In addition he merged the four pieces so that the completed piece hangs one atop the others. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
| Work in Progress VI was led by David Michael Sullivan on November 11th. His finished art was named by those gatherred to watch him put the finishing touches on his piece. Titled "We Will Never Grow Apart", his work was stunning. David has since been commissioned to paint for a Regional office of a local Corporation in Philadelphia. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
| Work in Progress V featured Galit Aura Weiss, who painted a piece titled "Dark Lit Opportunity", which measured 6' x 3' on October 14th. Galit works with colorful organic forms, acrylic paint, and most of all, mixed media. She creates many abstract pieces using burlap, various textiles, natural and synthetic fibers, wire, wood, and found objects. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
 | Work in Progress IV featured Dennis John Flynn on September 9th. Dennis painted a cityscape of Philadelphia in oil over acrylic. Titled "Deco-Delphia", the painting is a real gem, being colorful and warm it showcases City Hall and the Liberty Towers in a dusk setting. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |  | Work in Progress III took place on Saturday August 12th, and featured Darrin Bowers. His Work in Progress Piece "Pink Fusion" was purchased by the highest bidder/s, which just happened to be his colleagues at Wachovia Bank Philadelphia! They pooled their money and we donated $280 to Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Mazzoni Center. Way to go Darrin and Wachovia! Pink Fusion will be rotated around the Bank Offices so that everyone can enjoy it. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |  | Work in Progress II featured Jacob Pooler, who collaborated with Colin Powers on an original piece that was titled “School is out Forever”. Jacob has been drawing and painting since he was a child, and he plans on making a career out of it because he is very passionate about it. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |  | Work in Progress I featured local artist Colin Powers. Born in Piscataway NJ in 1984, Colin has been an active street artist, painter and graphic designer since 1999, and a Philadelphia resident for the past 3 years. Colin uses his art to communicate a wide variety of personal, social, and political problems he observes in life. He fuses his love for street art and graphic design with fine art to produce a distinctive style. All funds raised are donated equally to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mazzoni Center. |
 James McManaman presents the first monthlu check to Nurit of Mazzoni Center and Linda of Big Brothers Big Sisters if NE PA.
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