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TJ Rinoski’s “Charmed” at Fortnight Institute

May 1 2023

A few weeks ago I went to an opening at The Fairmount House for a group show that a couple of my friends were in. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out, always a low-key gathering of friends and admirers of Philadelphia’s local art scene. It's a place where I can feel comfortable to be myself.

At the opening I realized I hadn’t seen or talked to most of the folks who I used to see regularly. Although I was surrounded by familiar faces, I couldn’t help but reflect on the dwindling sense of community I’ve felt since covid-19 came into play. I’ve grown more reclusive, focused on my own studio practice and work, and admittedly only interested in my closest circle of friends. I’ve felt my community of like-minded artists and thinkers exists mostly online. This is how I met TJ Rinoski, a painter and friend from Richmond, VA. 

TJ and I have been internet friends for a little while, I don’t think I could tell you when we started connecting - but we did, through Instagram, and since then it’s been a beneficial and budding relationship - I feel inspired by TJ and what he’s up to. He’s shown me so much in what painting can be as a form of communication and what’s possible.  He shares one of my paintings, I share one of his — we celebrate each stride we make in whatever the hell it is we’re doing.

This past Thursday, I drove to Manhattan for TJ’s opening “Charmed” at Fortnight Institute, a gallery run by co-owners Fabiola Alondra and Jane Harmon. This is TJ’s first solo exhibition and second exhibition within a year - the last one a two person show with Katelyn Eichwald at Cob Gallery in London. When TJ told me he was having a show within driving distance, I jumped at the opportunity to go.

TJ’s Paintings on Display at Fortnight Institute

I got to the gallery right as they unlocked the doors for the opening. TJ hadn’t arrived yet, so before meeting him for the first time in real life, I got a private, uninterrupted moment with his paintings. I looked at each piece with a smile on my face — it was my first time seeing TJ’s work in person, and I didn’t think it was possible for me to enjoy his work even more than I already have. 

TJ’s approach to paintings is soft and considered - each scene crafted carefully and cared for. It’s apparent through the textures in his work that he values and appreciates the precious aspects of life, and that he’s trying to make sense of the world patiently and one step at a time. His vignettes can put someone at ease. 

A feeling that shines through for me in his work, is a sense of nostalgia for moments, scenes, or imagery I’ve never experienced. He has a remarkable ability to draw a viewer in and make a connection to pictures that exude a deeply personal reflection. His scenes are hazy, sometimes coming across out of focus - but somehow are razor sharp. They are made with intention. They are a tightrope walk between abstraction and specificity. 

Most of the works displayed at fortnight were paintings on unstretched canvas, with tethered skewed edges. TJ, both in personality and his work, eliminates the sense of hierarchy - his ego is stripped down and at eye-level - leaving room for everyone to be invited in. That inclusiveness is also shared through his book of drawing for sale through the gallery - so for folks who maybe can’t afford a painting - they can take home a beautifully printed book (by Clown Kisses Press) of drawings, poems and observations for $20. Everybody can take something away from TJ’s show - spiritually, visually, and physically. 

TJ arrived at the gallery maybe 20 or so minutes after I got there with his wife Cale. When I met the both of them it felt like I’d already known them for a few years. Both of them are such welcoming and comfortable people to be around. I was and am so happy and excited for TJ and the accomplishments he’s made.

It’s a funny thing to be brought together through the internet -  to build a community that isn’t entirely tangible, but spiritually rewarding. There are so many moments when I feel alone or inadequate that I’m met with an even stronger sense of acceptance and comradery from artists across the world I relate to. Most of them I’ve never met - but when the world brings us together, it’s something to cherish. I feel so lucky that making pictures can connect me with so many interesting and genuine people - and the opportunity to build friendships. 

TJ’s show is up until May 20th at Fortnight Institute. If you’re in New York, I highly recommend you go. 

‘Organic’ at MK Apothecary Gallery

March 25 2023

This month I have a few paintings in a group show at MK Apothecary in Collingswood, NJ alongside artists Ben Howard, Kyle Confehr, Seper, Alaina Kalbfell, and Guillermo Bublik. The show will be up until April 22nd.

Photos of my work from opening night

To purchase any of these paintings or for more information on the gallery and show - click here.

Meeting New Friends : Studio Visit And Day In Asheville With Wyatt & Susanna Grant

October 10 2022

In late September, on my road trip back home to Philadelphia from my residency at Artspace at Untitled, my girlfriend MeeRee and I stopped in Asheville, North Carolina to meet with a long time internet-friend and artist Wyatt Grant for a studio visit. Wyatt and his wife Susanna had just recently moved from Chicago to Asheville, where Wyatt now has a spacious studio on the third floor of an old industrial building hugging the edge of a small river. It was great to finally meet Wyatt and Susanna and connect in person and get to know them a bit more.

I first found out about Wyatt’s art through his band Pool Holograph. The band’s music showed up on a playlist through Spotify and while I admired the music, the album art is something that I really connected with. I sent the music around to a couple friends, explaining how much I enjoyed the album art and the band’s sound. Little did I know that Wyatt had followed me on Instagram, and when I saw his page I screamed “That’s the guy! That’s the artist who made the cover for Pool Holograph! Oh! Oh my gosh, he’s the lead singer! Oh wow!”. Scrolling further and further on his page and looking at his work - I became increasingly more excited to become connected with him in some way. I appreciated what he was putting out into the world - musically, visually, and spiritually.

Before meeting Wyatt in person at his studio, we connected on the phone two or three months prior to our visit. I reached out to him on Instagram asking for advice on working for yourself full time and his experience being a freelance artist and illustrator. Wyatt, I learned quickly, is very generous with his time and eager to connect with other artists. He gave me his phone number and encouraged me to call him that night - we spoke on the phone for an hour and a half and the phone call only ended because I really needed to go inside to eat dinner. I could’ve talked to him for hours!

When we got to Wyatt’s studio, he greeted us outside the building and we went across the gravel parking lot to a quaint little cafe inside a shed on the water to get coffee. Right away we slipped into great conversation, and MeeRee and I both realized how passionate and energetic he was - I was loving his energy! We sat at a picnic table at the bank of the river and asked each other questions, we got to know each other on a more personal level. After a little while, he took us up stairs to his studio.

We were greeted with three framed prints on a wall and a desk with his laptop on the other side in what I’d categorize as the foyer or introductory space to his studio. From there we entered his more expansive work space - a big 6 or 7 foot sheet of drawing paper hung horizontally on a wall with brilliant colors and shapes laid down, Wyatt was in the beginning stages of planning his next mural.

Wyatt’s process is very physical. On his studio table were beautiful paper cut outs, all hand painted and arranged in a way that encouraged us to play with them - pick them up, spin them around, pair one piece to another — they encouraged the exercise of conversation, problem solving, or building a puzzle. MeeRee and I were beginning to gain insight on how Wyatt approaches each project or what limitations he creates for himself to successfully carry out a project. Also out on the table were manilla folders full of loose leaf drawings, sketches, and ideas. Again, encouraging play and intervention. What I loved most was seeing the similarities in Wyatt and I work - but the different perspectives and results we have. Both of us work with loose leaf paper and blue painters tape to work through ideas, images, and content - but our work is different enough where it’d be assumed we wouldn’t have similarities in approach. It was such a beautiful discovery.

What I enjoy so much about Wyatt’s work is how playful it is and how it walks the line of abstract and figurative art. His work makes you look closer. From afar, or at first glance, his shape and color compositions may seem like just that - but when you look deeper you see a face, an object, an animal, a building - he is abstracting life while letting us feel grounded in what we know. It’s impressive to me, because I couldn't think as creatively as he does when it comes to building an image. I’m very much literal. Wyatt — he is creating a universe.

I brought with me a box full of the edition of prints I just finished for my residency as well as a haul of artist books and zines I picked up in Oklahoma. I showed Wyatt the books with works by artist like DeLoss McGraw , Faith Ringold, and Nick Norman. While Wyatt looked through the books I brought, he brought out a bunch of books of artists whose work he admired. We were sharing our interests with each other, soaking it all in. It was such a blast. I found out about artists I had never heard of, and left with a list of books to buy! I especially enjoyed flipping through his book on Alfredo Volpi. Wyatt’s studio table was covered with books, drawings, prints, zines, and drinks - the sure sign of a good time.

After a lengthy studio visit - maybe 4 hours or so, Wyatt asked MeeRee and I if we’d like to join him and Susanna for dinner at their favorite spot Burial Brewing. We left his studio and met them at the brewery where we enjoyed great barbecue and beer (they even had a vast selection of Non-Alcoholic beers for MeeRee and I!) and, again, great conversation. Susanna Grant is such a wonderful person to be around, she is very much the outdoor type, and is looking to start her own flower business. She works outside and absolutely loves the summer time.

MeeRee and I were gifted with Susanna and Wyatt’s presence, insight, laughter, and friendship. We all connected so deeply, at one point MeeRee was even moved to tears (in a good way!). As cliche as it may sound, I felt seen by the two of them. Having only known them both for a few hours at that point, I knew I was leaving Nashville with new friends. Both Susanna and Wyatt made us feel so welcome, it was hard to leave Asheville and continue on to Pennsylvania - but comforting to know we had someone down south to look for and reach out to.

I’m excited for both Wyatt and Susanna and the adventure they’re embarking on. Wyatt has many projects coming up that I can’t wait to see when they’re completed - and I am such a fan of what he is up to and his creative vision.

An Afternoon at Art at Kings Oaks

October 9 2022

This past Friday I drove up an hour or so north of Philadelphia, to visit Art at Kings Oaks - an art gallery tucked away down a long driveway off of a tree-lined country road in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

This was my first time at this gallery, and it was a total treat. When I arrived at the entrance of the property, there were signs that directed me down the driveway, past a chapel and a house, until I met a large barn with doors wide open inviting me in to explore the art on display. I parked my car and walked up to the barn and was greeted graciously at the door by Alex Cohen, one of the co-directors of Art at Kings Oaks - a friendly person, and a wonderfully talented painter. He was very welcoming, offering me and all guests who visited a cup of cider to drink while you explore every nook and cranny of the barn turned art gallery. It was a massive space, filled with so many beautiful paintings and sculptures by a range of artists from near and far.

Parts of the space were interactive, at one point I had to tuck my head to enter a compact room and extended my neck and dipped my shoulders and looked all around to experience a sculptural installation by Stuart Shills. The paintings displayed throughout the barn were displayed on walls made of what seemed like repurposed wooden beams and (maybe) drywall? Concrete? I don’t know, I'm not so good with materials — but I absolutely adored the creativity and the solutions Alex and Clara Weishahn came up with to properly display art, but keep the intimacy and the feeling of being in a barn alive and well as you look at the works.

I admittedly had not heard of this gallery and art center that’s been operating successfully since 2012, until an internet friend of mine Stephen Evans announced he was showing in the group exhibition currently on display. I am an absolute fan of Stephen’s work - and in many way he’s inspired me and my work as I’ve embraced painting more and more in my practice. When I saw his display in the show - I was so elated. I finally was able to see Stephen’s work in person and it made me enjoy the scenes, surfaces, and narratives even more. I looked at each piece with a smile on my face, my connection to his work deepened. I got to get up close and examine each brushstroke, peaked my head around and looked at the backs and sides of the surfaces he worked on. Stephen is one of my favorite current artists.

I enjoyed fruitful conversation with Alex and a young artist Nick Potoskie, a recent graduate from PAFA. We spoke of painting and material and solving problems and what all this stuff we’re up to means to us in some way. For me, it was eye opening - to hear how Alex described certain paintings on the walls and what an artist was doing was helpful for me as I gain more interest in painting and what makes something a painting and what techniques or materials I’d like to add to my own practice. I really enjoyed talking with Alex.

After I made my rounds throughout the gallery for an hour or two, giving each piece it’s moment - I was about to leave for the day until Alex told me to check out the chapel up the driveway, the one I passed on my way in, because there were even more paintings to look at. I walked to the chapel, a beautiful stone building - it was so adorable, and walked in to maybe 20 - 30 more works on the walls. I was already impressed with the vision Alex and Clara have for creating a space and curating shows, and the display and works in the chapel further emphasized my fandom. Some notable works inside the chapel were from artists John Joseph Mitchell and Alex Cohen himself. I felt I could spend hours in both the chapel and the barn, looking at all these wonderful artists’ works and breath in the space that Alex and Clara have crafted — I would classify Alex and Clara as visionaries.

My time at Kings Oaks was so full. It was a memorable experience and I will absolutely be frequenting that space more for whatever shows or events they put on. I was welcomed by the art, and left inspired.