Pittsburgh Archives - Carol Skinger

The Grandeur of Power, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Exhibition May 6- June 24, 2023

May 17, 2023

The Consequences of Losing

My watercolor and gouache cityscape painting of Seneca leader Guyasuta as he stands on pedestal in H.K. Heinz Memorial Plaza, Sharpsburg (Pittsburgh) was my submission to the exhibition:

The Grandeur of Power curated by Eric Shiner May 6- June 24 2o23.

Eric is now President of Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn which opens later in May 2023.

Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Exhibition Space
100 43rd St. Unit 107
Pittsburgh, PA 15201

HOURS: Wed, Thurs, Fri — 11AM-6PM

I was thrilled just to have a piece accepted, and then at the art opening my painting was purchased (t.h.a.n.k. y.o.u. ) by well-known residential, workplace, and hospitality interior designer and friend, Becky Jarold of B Jarold and Co.

FUN opening party! Me with Becky in first picture!

Some of these photos are by Photos by Chris Uhren.

To see the full exhibit in his photos (if you cannot go or if the exhibition has ended) scroll to the bottom of this link.

I had my painting high-res scanned so while the original is sold, giclee $75 prints are available: prints available

For the show theme Eric wrote these words:

Power is a complex notion that energizes and subjugates in equal measure. Darwin, speaking on the seismic shifts in the Andes which gave birth to volcanoes there, describes it in terms of grandeur. Andrew Carnegie, patron saint of the arts here in Pittsburgh, referred to it thus: “Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.” Of course, these two opposing notions create a central paradox: one based in human control; the other, based on the force and uncertainty of nature. Art, it seems, becomes the ideal interstitial zone between nature and culture, as it is both fully and radically free, yet it is authored by those who, by their very nature, so often oppose and protest systems of control. The selections in this juried exhibition examine notions of power from myriad viewpoints and through numerous media. In the end, they all share the common thread of urging us to question power, and ultimately to harness it to benevolent ends.
-Eric Shiner

I painted Guyasuta during a period of time just weeks before the COVID shutdown when I was busy painting nothing but paintings OF sculpture. As an artist, I don’t title paintings when I paint them, I think many artists do not. The title gains importance if I am having a show or submitting to a show, and then I have to think about it. For Eric’s show I read his words about power with interest, then looked at my pile of paintings from right before Covid shutdown till now. I selected Guyasuta, next to the annual Christmas tree in front of Guyasuta Lounge in Sharpsburg and I titled it “The Consequences of Losing.” You just have to use your imagination.

The most thorough and interesting history of the monument starting in late 1800’s, which I read after I submitted the piece, is here.

If you know where Redhawk Coffee Roasters in Sharpsburg is, you cannot miss seeing Guyasuta and as you might guess, this is not something Guyasuta actually sat for. It’s a generic “Indian Chief’. The is the third Guyasuta monument in that very spot and they are all modeled on “No. 53 Indian Chief”.

The capital of the original J.L. Mott Iron Works monument (sketch below) supported the statue of an Indian (Guyasuta) which was modeled from an original wood carving created by Samuel Anderson Robb. Born in 1851 in New York, Robb was the son of a Scottish shipwright. Robb apprenticed to a shipbuilder (probably Thomas V. Brooks) for five years, then went to work for a wood-carver, making figures for tobacco shops, and attending night classes at the National Academy of Design and Cooper Union. After his apprenticeship, he worked for William Demuth carving tobacco figures. Robb carved the generic Indian Chief for William Demuth & Co. who cast it in zinc and advertised it in his catalog as “No. 53 Indian Chief.” In 1873, the J.L. Mott Iron Works purchased the design and listed it in their catalog of statuary. In his right hand the Indian Chief holds an arrow, and in his left hand he holds a bow attached to a base near his left foot, which rests on a rock. Here’s what the first one looked like on this site in Sharpsburg (Pittsburgh). Horses, humans and dogs could drink from it.

Hats off to all EXHIBITING ARTISTS in The Grandeur of Power: Ruthanne Bauerle, Gavin Benjamin, Robert Buncher, Alan Byrne, Dino DeIuliis, Dan Droz, Rebecca Einhorn, Fabrizio Gerbino, Henry Winslow Hallett, Hannah Harley, Ulric Joseph, Renee Keil, S. Kessler Kaminski, Laura P. Krasnow, Alexandra Lakin, Deborah Lieberman, Ignacio Lopez, Christine Lorenz, Penny Mateer, Ben Matthews, Richard McWherter, Brent Nakamoto, Ellen Chisdes Neuberg, Thomas J. Norulak, Emily Paige, Brian Pardini, Paul Roden, Christopher Ruane, Nicole Renee Ryan, Patrick Schmidt, Ben Schonberger, James Simon, Henry J. Simonds, Carol Skinger, Becky Slemmons, Kara Snyder, Zim Syed, Mia Tarducci, Tresa Varner, LaVispera, Thomas Waters, Suzanne Werder, Hisham Youssef, Kathleen Zimbicki

$75. 13″ x 17″ archival print on PRINT Watercolor paper

$55. 11″ x 14″ archival print on PRINT Watercolor paper

ORIGINAL PAINTING SOLD

Rustbelt Kayaking by Carol Skinger. Two kayakers heading under a truss bridge. Location is the Brilliant Railroad Bridge over Allegheny River and Aspinwall, PA

Contact me to purchase

Silly Ink PITTSBURGH Prints

Prints available in 3 sizes

LGE $100 +- Paper dimension 27” wide x 20” high

MED $55 +- Paper dimension 15 1/8” wide x 11” high

SMALL $25 +- Paper dimension 11” wide x 8 1/2” high

8 1/2″ x 11″ prints are available for $25 each.
Discount available for the set of five prints. Contact me.

Black and white ink sketch of the Phipps and Robert Burns statue, with the Cathedral of Learning behind -- part of Carol Skinger's Silly Ink Drawings collection — Phipps & Robert Burns with Cathedral of Learning

University of Pittsburgh and a bit of CMU also seen in drawing.

CMU Buggy Race by Carol Skinger — CMU Buggy Race, Carnegie Mellon University

Scene in the illustration: Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, EQT Plaza, First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, K&L Gates Center, The Duquesne Club, the Granite Building, Trinity Cathedral, Wood St. Galleries, Wood St. T Station.

A larger archival print of ‘Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh’ mis in the collection at the Duquesne Club and on display in their Health and Fitness Center. It’s also in the archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh at Trinity Cathedral, which is directly across the street from the Duquesne Club.

The Point in Pittsburgh, Head of the Ohio

2020 Paintings of Sculpture

January 7, 2020

Orange in the Woods 8 x 8 Carol Skinger

Joe Skinger’s fiberglass & wood sculpture 12 x 16 Carol Skinger

Joe Skinger’s wood & copper sculpture 12 x 16 Carol Skinger

Elbert Weinberg’s sculptures titled Procession at Rodef Shalom Temple 12 x 12 Carol Skinger

Frog Sculpture at North Truro Library 12 x 9 Carol Skinger

Forest of Forms by Carol Skinger (Thaddeus Mosley’s sculpture)

Carol Skinger painting of one of John Youngerman’s series of three sculptures titled ‘Totem Lamina Limbus’ (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden)

More Joy Please by Carol Skinger (Cantini’s sculpture, East Liberty)

Weekend Wanderers at Frick Pittsburgh by Carol Skinger (sculptural trees)

Guyasuta in Sharpsburg (so much more to know about this sculpture) by Carol Skinger

Wherefore Art Thou by Carol Skinger (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden) One of sculptor John Youngerman’s series of three sculptures he titled ‘Totem Lamina Limbus’

Purple Henry Moore by Carol Skinger (entry Carnegie Museum of Art)

Geometry by Carol Skinger (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden) Sculptor David von Schlegell’s ‘North Light’

Nighttime in the Artist’s Kitchen by Carol Skinger

Crunch by Carol Skinger, a portrait of CMOA at 57th International 2018/2019. Facade of CMOA a temporary installation y El Anatsui

Robert Burns, Neptune, Phipps, Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh by Carol Skinger

Brush drawing of Joe Skinger’s wood and steel sculpture 12 x 9 Carol Skinger

shades of green fiberglass sculpture with wood structure. abstact. white background — Orange in the Woods 8 x 8 Carol Skinger

Joe Skinger’s fiberglass & wood sculpture 12 x 16 Carol Skinger

Joe Skinger’s wood & copper sculpture 12 x 16 Carol Skinger

Elbert Weinberg’s sculptures titled Procession at Rodef Shalom Temple 12 x 12 Carol Skinger

Frog Sculpture at North Truro Library 12 x 9 Carol Skinger

Forest of Forms by Carol Skinger (Thaddeus Mosley’s sculpture)

Carol Skinger painting of one of John Youngerman’s series of three sculptures titled ‘Totem Lamina Limbus’ (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden)

More Joy Please by Carol Skinger (Cantini’s sculpture, East Liberty)

Weekend Wanderers at Frick Pittsburgh by Carol Skinger (sculptural trees)

Guyasuta in Sharpsburg (so much more to know about this sculpture) by Carol Skinger

Wherefore Art Thou by Carol Skinger (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden) One of sculptor John Youngerman’s series of three sculptures he titled ‘Totem Lamina Limbus’

Purple Henry Moore by Carol Skinger (entry Carnegie Museum of Art)

Geometry by Carol Skinger (Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden) Sculptor David von Schlegell’s ‘North Light’

Nighttime in the Artist’s Kitchen by Carol Skinger

Crunch by Carol Skinger, a portrait of CMOA at 57th International 2018/2019. Facade of CMOA a temporary installation y El Anatsui

Robert Burns, Neptune, Phipps, Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh by Carol Skinger

Brush drawing of Joe Skinger’s wood and steel sculpture 12 x 9 Carol Skinger

2020 I started the year with a month of art making on the theme of including a sculpture, or what I think is sculpture in each artwork. Perhaps because my father was a sculptor and metals artist I have quite a lot of sculpture and I have an appreciation for sculpture.

The show in February 2020 was at CDCP Project Space317 S Trenton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just before COVID 19 shut everything down.

About the venue: Casey Droege of Casey Droege Cultural Productions (CDCP) expanded from the still current Small Mall space 5300 Butler St Lawrenceville into the former Percolate Gallery space Wilkinsburg in summer of 2019. The director of Percolate Gallery Space Carolyn Pierotti stayed on as a key partner in Droege’s Wilkinsburg expansion named CDCP Project Space.

You might know Casey for her programs mixing 5 minute artist presentations with chefs in various locations titled Six x Ate. You can subscribe to her Six x Ate eblast here so you won’t miss one. lor and Gouache. El Anatsui design for façade of Carnegie Museum of Art 2013-14, Carnegie International. Made and installed in Pittsburgh by Dee Briggs and community. Richard Serra’s Carnegie 1985.

Goat paintings

January 12, 2019

My paintings of goats were inspired by visits to Goat Rodeo Farm and Dairy . Their goat cheese is amazing and I learned how personable goats are. I created the paintings for a 2 day event in Feb 2019 at Artist Image Resource. The unframed original paintings (not prints) are for sale. Those already sold begin with SOLD under the image. Just send me a message if you would like to purchase one of them through my contact page .

My facebook page ‘Carol Skinger Artworks’ which I invite you to like also has a full album with dimensions and prices.

**SOLD** $150. 12″ X 18″ – ‘Minds Meeting’ pastel on paper.

**Available** **$200**.-14″ x 17″- ‘Two Goats in Snow’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**SOLD** $200.-12″ X 12″ – ‘Snow Goat’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**SOLD** $250.-12″ X 16″- ‘Four Goats at the Fence’

**Available** $200.-12″ X 16″ -‘Camoflage Goat’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $200.-8 1/2″ X 8 1/2″- ‘Goat family’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $200.-12″ x 12″- ‘Goat on a Summer Day’ watercolor & gouache on paper. itv was a rectangle when i posted this image. it is now a square with goat centered.

**Available** $175.- 7″ x 10″ – ‘Goat & Paintbrushes’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $175.-9″ x 11″ – ‘Man kicks Goat’ watercolor on paper

**Available** $175.-11″ x 14″ – ‘Goat Kicks Man’ watercolor & gouache on paper

**Available** $200.-12″ X 12″- ‘Sculptural Goat’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $175.-16″ x 16″- ‘Pat the Goat’ watercolor on paper.

**Available** $150.-12″ X 18″ – ‘Minds Meeting’ pastel on paper.

**$150**.-12″ x 16″- ‘Meeting of the Minds’ watercolor & ink on paper.

**SOLD** $350 -12″ X 18″- ‘Herd on the Move’. Prints of this are **available** as a 12″ x 16″ archival print on watercolor paper with a 3/4″ border white paper all around. It is $75. Check here for print.

**SOLD** $200.-12″ x 12″ – ‘Goats in the Forest’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**SOLD** $175. 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ Brown goat on green & blue. Watercolor, gouache, ink.

**SOLD** $200.-12″ X 16″ – ‘Goat near Barn’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $200.-12″ x 15 1/2″ – ‘Goat at Low Tide’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**SOLD** $175.-12″ X 12″- ‘Gray Goat’ watercolor on paper.

**Available** $350- 22″x 22″ – ‘White on Blue Goat’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

**Available** $175.-12″ x 12″ – ‘Three blues’ watercolor & gouache on paper.

Carol Skinger with the Goat paintings (mostly goats) painted January 2019.

**Available** $200.-12″ X 18″ – ‘Mid Century Lamp on New Years Day’ pastel on paper.

I did this on the first day before I realized I wanted to make art about goats all month.

**Available** $200.-12″ x 18″ – ‘Abstract totems’ watercolor on paper. (a couple days I needed a break from goats)

Aspinwall Painting

December 16, 2017

“Aspinwall” original painting by Carol Skinger 24″ x 31″

“Aspinwall” a painting of the rooftops of Aspinwall from Route 28 is original painting by Carol Skinger. It is a watercolor, gouache & ink painting on 400 lb watercolor paper, $500. It was created for my 10 month solo art show (now ended) at Cooper Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel, PA May 14, 2017- March 15, 2018.

Prints available in two sizes 11″ x 14″ printed on watercolor paper $55. Larger prints suitable for a 16 x 20 frame are $80. To order a print or purchase the original painting contact me

Larger prints than that could be made.

I don’t want to delete the image above, but this post was created before I had a high res scan made of the painting. Therefore the image below is more like the print.

Where Brilliant Railroad Bridge meets Aspinwall is the beautiful new Aspinwall Riverfront Park which recently received some awards. Art critic Mary Thomas reports the awards in Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Architect Eric Fisher won the AIA People’s Choice Award for his design re-purposing the Aspinwall Marina. AIA awarded this project a Certificate of Merit in Historic Preservation.

Details of my painting are seen below.

Detail from my full size painting “Aspinwall”

At left the chateaux style yellow brick building is on Maple Avenue in Aspinwall, PA. It is a former convent of Saint Scholastica Church in Aspinwall built in 1925. The architect of the former convent Edward J. Weber was a native of Cincinnati who studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and traveled throughout Europe. He came to practice in Pittsburgh, where he had a number of Roman Catholic commissions, of which this convent was one. Weber clearly loved the medieval period, even writing in 1927 that this was when, “art was at its best.” In this convent, he seems to have been inspired by the 15th century Château du Moulin in the Loire valley, which clearly was the inspiration for Central Catholic High School in Oakland. Information on the architect thanks to historian Frank Kurtik, Docent at Heinz Memorial Chapel and a former Heinz family archivist. Very near it is Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (formerly called St. Scholastica School), and Saint Scholastica Church.

Detail from my full size painting “Aspinwall”

The red brick church sitting more or less in the center of the painting is the Aspinwall Presbyterian Church. Everything but the church’s tower burned down in 1999 and was rebuilt immediately. The sanctuary a KSBA Architects design has a wood-beamed ceiling and interior cross plan with a wide center aisle and holds a 40 pipe Luley type organ. Four large Hunt Studio designed stained glass circular windows illuminate the sanctuary.

Brilliant Railroad Bridge a truss bridge spanning the Allegheny River beyond, was built in 1904 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a bypass of the narrow tracks around downtown Pittsburgh. The rail line has been out of use since the Azcon Metals scrapyard on the outskirts of Aspinwall ceased functions around 2010. It connects Aspinwall with Highland Park. On the Aspinwall side it lands at the Aspinwall Riverfront Park and at the other end is very near Choderwood, a house was built by the Corps of Engineers in 1905. The property is a unique private residence that sits on the Allegheny River at the Highland Park Dam. Choderwood is an “ideal space for individuals planning smaller scale events and gatherings. Perfect for intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, family reunions, special events, birthday parties, corporate retreats, or relaxation.”

D.J. Bryant, a designer at AE7 Planners and Architects, proposed a bike and pedestrian use for the Brilliant Railroad Bridge an ambitious new idea—the Brilliant Branch Rail-to-Trail—in a July 2017 Next Pittsburgh article. It would increase connectivity and access to safe, affordable transportation options for several communities in the city. I hope this becomes a reality. Open link for exciting renderings.

An ongoing discussion of road access to a future Riverfront 47 development has activated public involvement and interest and is under discussion. To clarify things the folks at Aspinwall Riverfront Park created this statement.

Hydroelectric power could be fueling the homes and businesses being developed in the Riverfront 47 project along the Allegheny River in Aspinwall and Sharpsburg by 2020.

The current issues in December 2017 are a new PennDot proposal and gathering public input around entrance and exit isPennDot prosues between Highland Park Bridge and Route 28.

At far right in the painting is Highland Park Bridge. Approximately 57,000 vehicles use Route 28 in the area of the bridge every day. There are discussions about an improvement to access to the bridge from Route 28.