Snow paintings, photography on view at Chez Alice Cafe
By Anthony Stoeckert, Packet Media Group
If you cherish the wintry scenes of Princeton that we’ve been experiencing in real life, then you’ll want to head to Chez Alice Café and Gourmet bakery for “Princeton in December,” an exhibit of paintings by Robert Hummel and photography by Brian Seidenfrau.
An opening reception is set for Dec. 17, 7-8:30 p.m., offering the opportunity to see the snowy art, listen to live music by classical keyboardist Scott Pehnke, and enjoy refreshments.
When looking at Mr. Hummel’s paintings, it’s clear that you’re looking at scenes of Nassau Street, or the tiger statue at Palmer Square. But his depictions of these scenes are playful, and alive with color.
In his painting “Christmas on Nassau Street” impossibly large snowflakes fall from the sky in front of Hamilton Jewelers. Colors in the painting include blue, yellow, and some Christmas red and green.
Even a nighttime image, “The Christmas Kitty of Palmer Square,” has lot of colors. It’s dominated by a moody blue, which sets the nighttime feel, but the orange glow from the windows of Palmer Square, along with white snow, and touches of red and green result in a colorful scene.
”I have always loved bright and colorful works of art and things over others that are not,” Mr. Hummel says. He even draws inspiration from memories of childhood toys that had bright and fluorescent colors.
He says he begins his works by painting his canvases black, then sketches a scene. Then when he starts painting, he uses the brightest colors available, and will paint an area white so that colors pop.
”I feature many moons in my work and star filled-skies with glowing windows and light posts,” he says.” It is just a beautiful time to experience Princeton and I have always enjoyed an evening walk when traveling. The colors and glowing windows and light just makes me feel good, and I imagine it does for others when they purchase my work I create.”
Over the past year, he’s also added stars, bright stars to light the sky in memory of someone special to a client, for example.
When asked how he would describe his style, Mr. Hummel first says he isn’t sure before using words like “luminous, bright, playful and fun.” But ultimately, he decides to let others who like his art describe it.
”Someone who recently viewed my work said it made them feel all warm inside, and feel good, and that was one of the nicest comments I have received recently and caught me off guard,” he says. He adds that Dana B. Lichtstrahl, who curated a show of his at Princeton University’s Lounge Gallery in Dickenson Hall, said his work was like poetry.
”She chooses only a handful of artists a year for this and I was honored when she did as she said she was a fan from seeing my work around town for years including my 10-foot night scene mural of eastern Nassau Street at the Ivy Inn,” he says.
Mr. Seidenfrau’s photos are quite different in tone, beautiful, but more serene than the paintings. But the two styles work well together.
”I do feel they complement each other and even recently invited him to join me at my studio;s annual open house this past week,” Mr. Hummel says of the event he held at his Princeton Art Impressions studio and gallery (148 Monmouth St., Hightstown, call 609-571-2200 for appointments).
”It is not easy, as I know, to get your work seen and established, and there’s a lack of places to exhibit and get exposure, so I feel if I can ever help another whose work I admire get recognized through my success I am happy to do so,” Mr. Hummel says of collaborating with Mr. Seidenfrau. “He is also an extremely genuinely nice person as all that meet his find out, so that helps.”
Another star of the exhibit is Princeton itself.
”Princeton has a bit of everything,” Mr. Hummel says, adding says that parts of the area remind him of England. He says he doesn’t just paint any building or scene, but rather chooses places that have a story or meaning behind them. It might be something historic, or an emotion he feels from the location. One example is Chez Alice. When a customer there told the artist that he went there every Sunday to have breakfast and read his paper, Mr. Hummel realized it was important part of that man’s life and, therefore, was worthy of a painting.
”(Princeton) is just so stimulatingly inspiring, and flawlessly beautiful around every corner,” he says. “I watch visitors to town stand on the corner of Witherspoon and Nassau streets in awe at the amazing flower-dressed Tudor building that houses Hamilton Jewelers and take picture after picture.
”It was that first time witnessing this that I realized this place has an attraction. There is no place like it and if you live there you never forget it and always return for visits. As an artist I would never have the success I have had (anyplace else) as there are so many successful alumni that return each year and international visitors often associated with the University or corporate centers as well as a draw from celebrities and dignitaries.”
Mr. Hummel says he has been exhibit at Chez Alice for many years.
”I feel it is a perfect match and location not far from the gates of Princeton University,” he says. “When hanging and rotating in new works, it’s a good excuse also to sit and relax, enjoy a warm beverage, and I am also addicted to his flour less chocolate cake, but trying to resist.”
Chez Alice Café is located at 5 Palmer Square West in Princeton. For information, call 609-921-6760. For information on Mr. Hummel’s art, go to www.artistroberthummel.com