Art: paintings and sculpture

Louisa Melrose Gallery has moved its retail operation to the Internet.  Our specialty remains original fine art from regional artists.
We are expanding our services to include art and design consulting for individual collectors, corporations, hotels and restaurants.  Already synonymous with customized service we are inaugurating our Gallery Goes to Work program.  Armed with an extensive video library, and the necessary knowledge and know-how we will work on site to help businesses create the image and ambience they're striving for.
Featured pastelists include  Rainie Crawford, Christina Debarry, Christine Debrosky,  Marlene B. Dubin, Frank Federico, Julie Friedman,  Claire Paisner, Peter Seltzer, Rae Smith, Tim Simboli, Jane Voorhees, Rhoda Yanow and Frank Zuccarelli. 
W. Carl Burger, professor emeritus of Kean College NJ exhibits his oils , watercolors and collages.
Oil painters include Ed Bronstein, Christian Corey,  Jacquelyn Pruiksma,  John Reilly, Luiz Vilela and William Yenkevich.
Featured watercolorists include Pat Butynski, Marge Chavooshian, Elsa Hermann, Carol Ross, Sharon Pitts and Gloria Wiernik.
Our abstract artists include Gay Billich, Nessa Grainger, Jean Kelly and Carol Staub.
Sculptors include David Bryce, Thomas Leo,  Lubomir Tomaszewski and Linda Vonderschmidt LaStella.

Please see below for brief biographies.  Available paintings from a number of these artists can be seen in the art section of the photo gallery.  Please click on the artist's thumbnail to bring up more images.  By clicking on each individual thumbnail you will see a larger image with more information. Please call us at 908 719 1301 or e mail for any further information.

CDs of currently available work from a number of these artists are also available.

Ed Bronstein
Ed was a practising ardchitect in Philadelphia for over thirty years.
Having been intrigued by his daughter's art education he returned to courses at pennsylvania of Fine Arts to begin "formal" art training.  Subsequently Ed decided to pursue painting as a new profession.
"Now as apainter, I am learning to look at patterns oflight and shade and pieces of color - the elements of what, often  inextricably, had attracted me to some of what I see around me every day- and to quickly capture the essence of the moment without going into tedious -or extraneous - detail".
Subject matter is varied and includes landscapes, both urban and rural, industrial relics, studio set ups of "objects of affection" and portraits.  Much of his work is done en plein air.
It is full of vitality and often reflects the former architect in choice of subject.

W. Carl Burger
Carl Burger’s biography is so extensive that it is difficult to write a brief summary about him. To say that he is an accomplished man whose work and teaching continues to be in high demand is an understatement for Burger. Burger is Professor Emeritus at Kean University, where he taught design and drawing for over forty years. During his long career, Burger has exhibited throughout the United States, including the National Academy of Design in New York City, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C and the Lincoln Center in New York City. He has been honored by retrospectives at both the Morris and Noyes Museums in New Jersey. His work also resides in the collections of the Newark Museum, The Montclair Art Museum and the New Jersey State Museum and in numerous public and private collections. Currently, Burger is a resident of Califon, New Jersey where he continues to paint and draw.
Carl,s latest pieces are large (50 X 50 inch) watercolors celebrating the gardens, public and private of the Garden State.

Christine Debrosky
Whether roaming her native banks of the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains, or more far flung locales for inspiration, a joyous celebration of the natural world is at the core of her work.
"Nature bathed in a glowing light is a favorite subject.  While a sense of place is important, more so is season, time of day, and the intoxicating array of color, shape and form.  Working in pastel and oil, with its rich pure pigments keeps me excited about the inherent beauty and challenge unique to the media.  Painting, communing and gathering reference material outdoors is a spiritually rejuvenating experience. It is "re-creation" in the truest sense of the word." 
Christine's love of gardens has led to a new avenue- commissioned garden "portraits".
For an example please go to the Photo Gallery and then into Christines's page.  Working from photographs or by visiting your garden Christine will capture your garden and create a lasting treasure.  Please email for more information. 

Marlene Bronstein Dubin
"I am an artist in order to express what I see and what moves me.  If an image stays in my mind and evokes an emotion or strong respponse, I want to paint it, but not necessarilynin a realistic way.  I am often intrigued and appreciate the ordinary, everyday - often gritty - parts of life, the objects we pass daily, but do not stop to really see".
Marlene often paints a series of one subject.  As a dragon boat racer Marlene has found an unusual take on the river becoming fascinated by the bridges and painting them as seen  from below. 
"Paddling towards, through, around and beneath them at sunrise, twilight and in darkness allows me to see their soaring concrete and steel pillars, jutting beams, decorative iron work, broad stone piers, dark, wet footing and structural underpinnings.
Working with pastels, my stokes, colors and compositions are strong and deliberate.  I work quickly, with great energy, action and concentation."

Frank Federico PSA
Frank began his art career as a young boy in New Oeleans.  He painted vibrant landscapes of the bayou and sketched jazz musicians.  A  resourceful and independent youth, Federico made a living exhibiting his work on city street corners and selling to tourists.
"Jazz has been the single most significant influence on my art.  Jazz has always inspired me - it has influenced the style, timing and rhythm and improvisation in my art".
Today, at home in Litchfield, Conneticut, Federico is celebrated as both a master artist and teacher.  He leads workshops locally and internationally and is admires as an empathetic teacher who reaches to the individuals needs.  Federico is also a founding member of the Litchfield Jazz Festival art show - his vibrant jazz images are licensed by the festival each year.  A master figure, landscape, mural and portrait painter, he has won numerous awards and participated in museum shows.

Julie Friedman PSA
Julie states "As a painter, I am continuously drawn to the emotional power of light and color.  I strive to use these elements to help me discover the inward significance of what I paint and why it moves me.  It is something I am always looking to explore.
Julie's pastel paintings have been exhibited locally and in New York at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and at the Pastel Society f America 32nd Annual Exhibition.
Julie has studied with acclaimed pastellists Christina Debarry and Wolf Kahn.  She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Mason Gross School of Art.
A prolific artist Julie also teaches at Somerset Art Association in Bedminster NJ and gives private lessons in her Morristown Studio.

Linda Vonderschmidt LaStella
A native of Baltimore, MD living now in NJ Linda has been involved in the arts her entire life.  Earthsongs studio was founded with her husband in 1993 in Metuchen.  It is a working studio where Linda is fully employed with her own ceramic work and in giving classes and workshops.
Most of her work is ceramic wall sculpture, both moveable pieces as well as permanently installed works.
Linda works with architects, designers and individuals as well as on her own unique pieces.
"While I continue to create tiles and more traditional clay objects, my current work in ceramics is very much about deepening my relationship with the medium by exploring its limits.  Working with thin slabs of soft clay, developing intricate piercings and sculptural additions, allows me to work as a genuine partner with this earthy medium. "   

J. Stacy Rogers
Roger's has spent his whole career in creative fields since graduating in 1971 from the Philadelphia College of Art (now The University of the Arts).  After stints as graphic designer and owner of an advertising agency coupled with portrait painting he is now occupied full time with painting commisssioned portraits.
"I paint what I call "heirloom paintings", that will be enjoyed for and passed down through the generations.  I work in the traditional classic design of realistic detail, sincere and warm character development with brush handling that is unique and distinctive."

Tim Simboli
A fourth generation artist, Tim was born into a family immersed in the arts and began to draw at an early age.  He became interested in landscape painting while studying with master painter, Tom Bostelle.  He graduated with a degree in fine arts from Temole University's Tyler school of Art.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Tim spent time abroad studying painting in Rome, where he worked extensively in landscape.
Tim has worked in many mediums but is attracted to pastel, which lends itselfto the richness of color he uses to depict light and shadow.

Carol Staub
Originally a professional jewelry designer and fabricator, Carol won numerous wards for creations that departed from the conventional.  She brings the same flair to watercolor, acrylic and collage.  Her improvistional fluidity is dramatic and emphasizes a passion for color.  This, combined with imagination that stretches the limits of "status quo", not only results in awards but has also captured the atention of many publications.
"I've heard artists say "I can't get beyond this blank piece of paper".  I say, "turn me loose"!  A fresh start to a new journey.  Like a composer must feel when he plays the first note which leads him to the next note and finally to a melody.  I feel like a conductor leading an orchestra.  One color leads to another, one shape to the next and so forth.  I let the painting "sing" to me.  It lets me know where to go and what path to take.  I actually "feel" what I am doing.  For me there are no preconceived ideas.  I allow my subconscious to guide me down the path and I listen to my heart!"

Luiz Vilela
Originally from Brazil, Luiz spent his childhood on a farm in the midst of a coffee plantation.  It had a deep influence on his life.  "I was also fortunate to have a family who would stimulate my curiosity for what was hidden behind the hills".  The love of imagery and all forms of artistic expression led him to Rio de Janeiro where he received a B.F.A. in Architecture and Urbanism.  While still in college he began his career working in graphics for advertising agencies and set design.
Luiz moved to NYC where he received a degree in illustration from the Pratt Institute.
"The exposure to all the information, culture and the rhthym of the city was everything I wanted".
In the fall of 2000 Luiz discovered the Delaware Valley and now works for Random House in New York whilst living and painting in the New Jersey countryside.
His paintings speak to people about a moment of beauty with images that tie people to certain places and times in their lives.

Gloria Wiernik
The artist's paintings range from impressionistic to abstract and depict  scenes from nature using flowing, graceful forms and multi-colored images.
Gloria studied at the Art Students League in New York and has had her paintings exhibited in numerous galleries and shows in the tri-state area.
"Color is what I love about painting and nature is my inspiration.  Landscapes and florals have been my focus for a number of years.  Watercolor is my favorite medium because of its fluidity and beautiful colors.  I enjoy the ebb and flow of the paint on paper which I develop into my 'impressions of nature'".

Rhoda Yanow
Rhoda Yanow is a delightful artistic woman whose media includes: pastel, watercolors, oil, drawing, and costume design. During her exhibitions here at Louisa Melrose, Rhoda has demonstrated her literacy in all of these areas, particularly her mastery of pastel. Rhoda’s formal art training includes the Parson’s School of Design, NY, and the National Academy of Design, NY. Some of her many awards include: Allied Artists of America, Award for Pastel; Degas Pastel Society, Pastel Society of America Award and the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Metropolitan Museum of Art Award. Rhoda Yanow continues to paint and take part in various art clubs and societies.

Frank Zuccarelli
Frank E. Zuccarelli is a Master Pastelist, Pastel Society of America, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. He is also a member of the Salmagundi Club, Allied Artists, American Artists Professional League and the Hudson Valley Art Association. His work has been featured in publications including Best of Pastel 2 by Rockport Publishers and Pastel Interpretations by Northlight Publications. His work has been exhibited in the United States, France, and China and is in numerous corporate and private collections." --The Pastel Journal, May/June 2002.