Musicians as Muses exhibits 14 Cape Cod artists’ renderings of 14 plus local musicians.
Exhibiting artists are some of the regular participants in painting sessions of live models at the Eastham studio of artist Paul Schulenburg. Together and with others who join them, most recently on Zoom, they are a community of artists who have formed bonds through the joy and struggle of painting figures and portraits in a fun and mutually supportive group. Although serious in pursuit of their art, during sessions the artists carry on conversations, and even sing and tell jokes with each other and with models. While a wide range of people model, Schulenburg frequently arranges for musicians- singers, guitarists, fiddlers, cellists, and others – to sit for the artists and sing or play their instruments, usually on breaks. The musicians are inspiring, but also especially challenging to paint when they cannot help but play continuously.
Among the musicians captured in the approximately 30 artworks is Tianna Esperanza, who currently is the Resident Artist at Preservation Hall. Also featured is Steve Morgan, the blues musician and leader of Steve Morgan and the Kingfish, who passed away at the end of 2022.
Others include Mozelle Andrulot, Teresa Bloemer, Natalia Bonfini, Cerise Bynoe, Tim Dickey, BT Hayes, Bruce Maclean, Emerald Rae, David Roth, Gabriella Simpkins, Mark Small, Naomi Steckman, Jordan Renzi, and Sarah Swain. Many of these musicians are represented in multiple paintings by different artists, showing their varying interpretations of the same subjects.
On Friday June 23, a number of the artists that make up "Artists from Schulenburg Studio" will paint a new model for the group- jazz guitarist and composer Dario Acosta Teich, who hails from Argentina. He has released five albums and played in 14 countries, including various venues on the Cape. The demonstration, with some music by Teich as well as a reception, will be held from 2 to 5 PM on June 23. This event is free and all are welcome!
Artist Bios
Catherine Hess, one of the artists and also a member of Wellfleet Preservation Hall’s Visual Arts Committee, curated the exhibit. In addition to Hess and Schulenburg, other artists include Maryalice Eizenberg, Taylor Fox, Jerome Greene, Kenneth Higgins, Joan Lockhart, Irene McGrath, Rosalie Nadeau, Susan Overstreet, Andrea Petitto, Carol Petretti, Dale Michaels Wade, and Robin Wessman. Artists who paint at Schulenburg Studio have exhibited portrait and figure work together at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Barnstable Town Hall, and the Eastham Public Library. Individually they have exhibited their work, including other genres such as landscapes and still life, at non-profit organizations, museums and galleries across the Cape. Information on individual artists can be found on their websites or on Instagram. Paintings and more can be found on the Facebook group Figure Painting at Schulenburg Studio, which includes work of more artists who join in the studio or on Zoom
