New Arrivals : Robert W. Stark Jr

We are very excited about the new Robert Stark paintings we have in both our Chatham and Wellesley galleires!

New Arrival: Holly Lombardo

Holly Lombardo

“I guess you could say I've been a painter my whole life.... I just didn't know it. I am a self taught artist who has painted with watercolors for almost 15 years, and more recently, acrylics. I started painting as a hobby in college after a rigorous science curriculum trumped a desire to express myself creatively. As my career has changed and free time has become more available, I have painted creatively almost daily now for several years, and started to show my work to the public since Spring 2007. I now graciously have more free time to paint subjects that inspire me. I enjoy capturing light and shadow, and always challenge myself to try something new and improve my own technique. I find inspiration in nature as well as familiar objects, and continue to be amazed at how effortlessly paint will glide over a paper surface or canvas, depositing colors and implying shapes. My impressionist goals are obvious. I am inspired by the masters, including Sargent, Hopper, Wyeth and of course, Monet, Cassatt and Renoir, to name a few, and follow many contemporary artists whose work inspires me to work harder and learn more. Painting is a passion, and I find now that when I look out the window, I am already thinking about which colors I would use to capture the sunlight on a tree, or a shadow on the snow. It is a passion, and I learn something new with each painting that I do." - Holly Lombardo CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF HER WORK! "Plum Island Berries" 18" x 18". Acrylic on Canvas

Art Restoration Flourishes at J. Todd

Repair, Cleaning and Conservation of Oil Paintings Protects Collectors’ Investments.

While many expansion and acquisition plans have been put on hold during the economic slowdown of the past few years, many institutions and collectors have turned instead toward refurbishing their better quality objects of art and antiques. In the Boston area, the result has been that art restorers and conservators are busier than ever.

A few better known organizations looking to protect their art investments recently have been the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum, The Boston Public Library, The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Massachusetts Historical Society. Several of Boston’s finest educational institutions have also followed suit in repairing and cleaning their oil paintings.

But the majority of work comes from residential collectors. Their paintings are both family heirlooms and more recent works that may have been exposed to fire, smoke, extreme heat, light, water/dampness or general neglect. The result is cracking or chips, peeling paint, mildew or staining, canvas buckling, tears, scratches or just a filmy coating of smoke or dirt from exposure to the air. Often the frames need attention as well.

Restoring oil paintings is a worthwhile endeavor. The immediate reward is a more attractive work of art, much closer to what the artist intended--not a damaged, diminished version of it. But long term, a properly restored painting will be protected from further deterioration, which will likely become more difficult (and expensive) to fix later on. And owning a family heirloom, which is likely to get passed on, comes with a responsibility to protect the investment along the way. Passing on a damaged painting is like passing on any damaged asset---maybe worse, since the recipient may not understand how (or have the financial means) to get it restored.

J. Todd Galleries of Wellesley, MA (http://www.jtodd.com/) has seen a tremendous up-tick in restoration activity. Known regionally for its fine art and conservation services, J. Todd’s Owner/Director, Robert Totaro reports a brisk business in this arena. The 30-year old company had record restoration sales in 2011. Totaro says, “We’ve had the same restorer for over 25 years. He has extensive experience, and it’s a rare occasion when we can’t bring a painting back to near-new condition. It’s a very rewarding line of work, and we love a challenge.”

J. Todd Galleries, 572 Washington St., Wellesley, MA http://www.jtodd.com/, 888-565-6554 or 781-237-3434

Karl Bronk

Karl Bronk’s early fascination with fine art began while living in France and New York City, with the study of original Classical paintings in the Louvre, the MET and other museums and art galleries in Paris and Manhattan. The magic of those artists to replicate the visual world with dabs of oil paint started him on the journey of fine art painting and art school. After receiving his education as an art major at Salem State College and Montserrat College of Art, he launched his career as an art director and illustrator for Boston advertising agencies, while continuing to paint and display his work in galleries and art associations. After leaving the advertising field, he devoted his full energies to the development of a style that uniquely defines his visceral interpretation of the physical world. Exploring the Classical style of Realism Karl is following the optical naturalism tradition of such artists as Velazquez, Sorolla and Sargent, in which forms, details and colors are based on the natural world. This high representational style has been welcomed into many awards competitions and art associations.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF HIS WORK!

Featured artists for the Summer of 2011

WELLESLEY, MA--(Marketwire - 04/26/11) - J. Todd Galleries is announcing the exclusive representation of two of New England's premier women artists, Julia O'Malley-Keyes and Marie Fischer, by featuring an exhibit of their original oil paintings through June 30, 2011.
Julia O'Malley-Keyes, one of America's most collected contemporary artists, is well known for classic marine painting. At just eight years old, she met her father's friend, Andrew Wyeth at his Maine studio, and was instantly inspired to become an artist herself by this American Master. O'Malley-Keyes' museum quality paintings are often action-packed and noted for their high degree of realism, vibrant colors and luminosity. Her nautical and beach artwork subjects include Newport, Camden, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.
Marie Fischer's artwork is whimsical and more modern than O'Malley-Keyes', providing an enjoyable contrast in styles for the gallery visitor. Her figurative paintings, still life subjects, interiors and city or street scenes have a distinctive style drawn from her lifetime of travel and varied experiences, along with her technique from a blend of training methods. Her fine art paintings depict both cherished memories and moments from her earlier years when traveling and living in Thailand, the South China Seas, and New York and clearly communicate her boundless love of life

Become our FAN on Facebook!

Our Facebook profile is now up. Click the image above and "LIKE" us to receive updates about what's happening at the gallery throughout the week!

Get to know J. Todd Galleries!

J. Todd Galleries, founded in 1980, is one of Boston's longest established contemporary art galleries. Whether looking for traditional or modern art, art appraisal services, art restoration, corporate art or custom picture framing, or just intering things to do in Boston, J. Todd is considered one of the leading art galleries in Massachusetts. It also maintains the single largest online art gallery in New England. Searchers can view artwork by subject, location or by artist, and can see a constantly changing array of over 1,200 images online and over 4,000 in the gallery. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 to 5:30 and from 1:00 to 5:00 on Sundays from mid-October to mid-April. Visit the website at http://www.jtodd.com/ or call 781-237-3434 for more detail.