Karin van der Plas      

 My inspiration comes from an interest in history, tribal art, people, different cultures, books and my observations in life. My aim is to bring stories to life on canvas and to pass on the enjoyment and passion that art gives me. By using bright colors, dramatic movement and elaborate compositions including 3D collage I have achieved my own style. Once I have chosen a subject I collect information and immerse myself in the painting. As part of the narrative and communication I use symbolism, humor and different art styles to represent the research and the greater meaning and truth of my work. This series of paintings was inspired by collages using fashion magazines. I enlarged the images and combined it with my favorite Bayeux Tapestry art. Karin van der Plas was born in The Netherlands. She lived in New Zealand and Australia where she was exposed and inspired by Maori and Aboriginal art.This mostly self taught artist now lives and works in London UK and is a member of the Contemporary Folk Art Collective Wild Old Women (WOW)

 You can see more of Karin’s work on www.karinvanderplas.co.uk

 Sue Kreitzman

I have had a long and successful career as a food writer, but several years ago I suddenly stopped writing and cooking, and began drawing and painting instead. It was almost as if a violent fever had overtaken me (a fever which still rages), made all the more mysterious by the fact that I had never done such a thing before. My work is completely untutored and raw (as far as technique and materials are concerned, I make it up as I goalong), intensely personal, and involves colour, food, freedom and the female landscape. I fashion imagined goddesses, glimpsed strangers, close friends, personal female heroines, both real and mythological, and selfportraits. I paint on paper and found wood, with nail varnish, enamel, and acrylic, and sometimes embellish the paintings with buttons and other bits of interesting junk. Deeply moved and inspired by tribal art and religious iconography of all kinds, I believe that images and objects that have been created with passion can take on immense power. The more I produce, the more I am driven to produce; I often work right through the night. I was born and brought up in Washington Heights, and spent the first years of my marriage here. For 25 years I have lived and worked in England; now I divide my time between the East End of London, and Cabrini Blvd, New York City.

www.suekreitzman.com

www.wildoldwomen.info

suekreitzman@yahoo.co.uk

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we at Off Broadway Boutique have decided to present a wondrous display that is pleasing to the eye and the soul. Designed with the love that symbolizes this holiday, we truly believe that you’ll love our windows. This is why it is our pleasure to introduce you to Sue Kreitzman – our friend, our customer, as well as a prolific cookbook author, lecturer, teacher, and television personality. Much to her surprise, she was seduced by Art in the second half of life. It was a coup de foudre, coming upon her “… violently, inadvertently…” Despite completely dissimilar backgrounds (Sue has no training, showed no early talent, and had, until ten years ago, “never so much as doodled,”) they’re enjoying a joyful, passionate, and productive relationship…the fruits of which we share in our windows this month.

Paintings and constructions of “powerful and colorful female figures, imagined goddesses, personal heroines, glimpsed strangers, and self portraits” line her walls, fill her shelves and obsess her imagination. Favorites include Eve, Josephine Baker, Frida Kahlo, Wonder Woman, Carmen Miranda, and Medusa, whom Sue feels got a bad rap living as a strong, singular and magical woman at a time ruled by men.

Her iconic “Memory Jugs” continue a tradition gong as far back as memorials to the dead created by African slaves of the deep South, and as differently motivated as a kind of three dimensional scrapbook female hobbyists would put together beginning in the Victorian era. Memorials were made by emptying the pockets of the deceased and embedding these small objects with others of a personal nature into a clay or putty covered jug. Decorative pieces would be fabricated by pressing on found objects-thimbles, marbles, bits of broken jewelry, buttons, toys…and then, sometimes, painted gold.

Sue’s indomitably cheerful and completely unique modern day interpretations of this genre are richly decorated with “fascinating and profound junk gleaned from charity shops, salvage yards, and flea markets.” Each is topped with a head or head and torso – from mannequin to doll or action figure- representing the essence of the character being saluted. Most of these are embellished as well. The work sings of her zeal. Its confidence, energy, and mythological presence galvanize emotion and tickle one’s spirit.

If you’re interested in commissioning or selling Sue’s work, do feel free to e-mail her with your inquiries. Should you want to learn more about her international Outsider Art Group, you can check out their official website for more details. Meanwhile, we invite you over to Off Broadway Boutique to get swept up in the enchantment of our amazing display this Valentine’s Day!

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