Saturday, November 9, 2013
Thursday, March 8, 2012
New Arrival: Holly Lombardo
Saturday, January 21, 2012
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
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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. Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Featured artists for the Summer of 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
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Get to know J. Todd Galleries!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
New Arrivals: Marie Fischer

Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wellesley Kitchen Tour: Coming in May
J. Todd Galleries is excited to be the sole fine art sponsor in the upcoming Wellesley Kitchen Tour of six beautiful Wellesley homes being put on by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women's League. Tickets will be available for purchase at Roche Bros (Linden Street in Wellesley) and at Jarvis Appliance (Route 9 in Wellesley) begining on May 1, 2010. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. Visit their website for more information on the tour and how to purchase tickets.
The WHJWC is a volunteer organization dedicated to community service. Four fundraisers: the Wellesley Phone Book, the Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival, Luminary Night and the Wellesley Kitchen Tour, provide scholarships for Wellesley students and support many area charitable organizations. In 2008-2009, $115,000 was awarded to 55 students in amounts ranging from $750-$6,000 with an average award of $1,800. Another $96,000 was donated to 52 agencies.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
New Arrivals 3/3/2010
clockwise from top left: William Ternes, Janis Sanders, John Terelak, Alexandra SheldonSaturday, February 6, 2010
Alexandra Sheldon
"Indian Rug" by Alexandra Sheldon. Mixed Media. 10" x 10"Friday, February 5, 2010
Robert Cardinal
"Two Boats" by Robert Cardinal. Oil on Cavas. 20" x 24"
Robert Cardinal, originally from Montreal, has been living in New England, in the midst of the landscapes he loves to paint, for most of the past fifty years. In the late 1950's, he left Canada and moved to Greenwich Village. From there, he followed fellow artists on their spring pilgrimage to New England. He was trained to paint at La Grande Chaumiere Art School in Paris.Cardinal has always been fascinated with art history and those who painted before him in the Realist and Impressionist schools. Some of his favorites being Goya, and the more contemporary, Maxfield Parrish and Edward Hopper, whose influence is predominently evident in Cardinal's painting. Cardinal looks for harmony between nature and what is man-made. He searches for simple scenes: isolated beaches, lighthouses, lonely Cape homes. He stresses color, light and mood in an effort to acheive a moment in time. Usually he paints at sunrise or sunset- when the light offers him the drama and mood he is looking for. These times offer striking combinations of color- although closely related in value, they are bold and vibrant, and even somewhat shocking in hues. He often returns to the same subject over and over, as they never appear quite the same twice.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF ROBERT'S WORK
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Robert Cipriani
"I still haven't found what i'm looking for" was the title of the solo show by Robert Cipriani at the Cape Cod Museum of Art which just closed. Many of the pieces that were featured in that show are now available to see and purchase at J. Todd Galleries! We will have these works as well as numerous other paintings by Cipriani, an artist whose work is constantly evolving in new and exciting ways. Few artists can work so proficiently in multiple styles, but Cipriani is equally comfortable painting beach grasses as he is painting beautiful abstractions.Here is a little of what the artist has to say about his work and process:
Thursday, February 19, 2009
New Artists + New Works!
30" x 40". Oil on Canvas
