        bobbiefriedmanart |
“My artistic goal is to infuse my art with images that light up the wall with whimsy.” |
Bobbie Friedman is an artist whose exuberant and colorful personality exudes the full spectrum of the rainbow. She uses color, form and movement with unbridled spontaneity and intense emotional expression. Accurately described in the article “Bobbie Friedman: Inside Scoop on Outsider Artist” in North Valley magazine, the author Dee Dee stated, “The first thing that strikes you about Friedman’s work is the variety of vibrant colors and shapes – colors that infuse you with energy and shapes that often defy logic.” Her BS degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University, her vast experience working with her patients and her significant knowledge of anatomy have infused her art with human characteristics which she takes to an entirely new level of creative imagination. There is a child-like primitive quality to her work that is endearing and magnetic. Her universal archetypal figures reveal a personal connection that we feel and recognize instantly. She states, “I frequently identify my paintings with the names of my family and departed pets.” Her goal is to, “infuse my art with images that light up the wall with whimsy. I hope people smile when they look at my paintings.” Although the brightly hued images encourage viewers to laugh at their own quirky human traits, we also discover Bobbie, the social conscious activist. She is compelled by the desire to project strong messages in her work and build awareness about the ills of our society. For instance, in “The Ability Series,” we see Bobbie as an artist imbued with a strong sense of compassion and advocacy. In these paintings she portrays figures with physical disabilities engaged in sports activities. Her purpose is to build awareness about the abilities rather than the disabilities of the physically challenged by sharing her paintings and widely distributing her prints. Bobbie states, “There are so many “Wounded Warriors” returning home with disabilities. It would be a healing process for the families to understand that their family member can again participate in sports that the families enjoyed previous to a parent being injured. This speaks to returning normality to the family unit. Children with physical disabilities will also connect with the simplicity and uplifting nature of “The Ability Series” images. Bobbie is featured in the coffee table art book, “Art Buzz 2011.” She has appeared on Channel 3, Phoenix TV as a Featured Artist and also on the channel’s website. She was also selected by Renée Phillips, Editor-in-Chief of Manhattan Arts International’s online Reading Room as a Featured Artist. Her other achievements include being nominated for Phoenix Arts Volunteer for “Business in the Arts Awards”. Her painting “Camel Back Camel Front” was exhibited in the “Breast of Phoenix” breast cancer fundraiser at the Phoenix Art Museum. She also organized art exhibitions to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Bobbie served on the Board of Directors of the Shemer Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ and was the art juror for their annual fundraising event. Bobbie was selected as a Juried member of the statewide Arizona Art Alliance and Glendale ( AZ) Arts Council. She was a featured speaker for Hadassah “Jewish Women in the Arts” annual event. Although Bobbie is a self trained artist, her exposure to the leading museums in her world travels span China, Israel and many European countries. She also comes from an artistic family and both her aunt and uncle are included in “Who’s Who of American Artists.” Born and raised in Maine, Bobbie endearingly refers to herself as a “Maine-iac”, although she also lived in the city of Chicago before moving to her current residence in Phoenix, AZ where she lives and maintains her studio. Her constant studio companions are her Lab, Emily, and 4 cats. Bobbie is represented by the The Artist’s Alley in San Francisco, CA BIOGRAPHY 2004 & 2005: Board of Directors, Shemer Art Museum, City of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona Juried: ART SHOWS AND SALES May 2006 April-May 2006 January 2006 December, 2005 November 2005 April 2005 March -April 2005 February 2005 February - March 2004 January 2004 Private Collections: Palm Beach, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Phoenix VOLUNTEER June 2005 November 2005
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