August 21, 1997
"Artist moves 'Forward' at Palmyra"
by Renee L. Warnesky
WARREN - "Imagery that comes from the mind and the gut," abstract expressionist Ellen Sherman-Zinn said when using the simplest terms she could think of to describe the painting style.
Accoding to Ms. ShermanZinn of Warren, an impressionist takes a real image and makes it somewhat blurred to suggest the impression of that image, while an abstract expressionist looks at the same image and redefines it to the painter's imagery.
"Forward," the title of her newest body of work will be on exhibit at the Palmyra Art Gallery on Hamilton Street, in Bound Brook until Sept. 5.
The work consists of 18 new paintings, ranging in size, color, and emotion.
"Forward," is "a name that I chose to reflect my personal celebration of the fact that overcame a challenging part of my life recently, and that I am thinking optimistically." Ms. Sherman-Zinn said.
Two of the painting to be featured are "Out of Darkness; and "Survivor"s Garden."
"Out of darkness." has a black background, with bright colors emerging from the darkness of the canvas.
"Everything bright indicates optimism and energy," she said.
"Survivor's Garden" is "definitely an abstract version of a garden," Ms. Sherman-Zinn said. It gives a "feeling of a garden drenched in sunlight."
Also in the exhibit is a group of paintings done on paper, some which are spray painted, some done with a brush, and others, done with a tool.
David Foss, Palmyra's gallery director, said, "I was really impressed by the quality of her artwork." He said that she is an "expert painter, the way she uses color and blends color, and uses different techniques too.
Ms, Sherman-Zinn has received much recognition, including being the recipient of the Kerygma Gallery for best contemporary work in 1994 and being named one of state's "Most Accomplished Women" by New Jersey Woman magazine's collectors issue in 1993-94. Most recently she was voted into Who's Who in American Art.
Since 1966, Ms. Sherman-Zinn has participated in more than 28 group shows, including an invitational to the Nabisco Gallery in East Hanover. Since 1986, she has exhibited in about eight single shows, including an invitational to the Johnson & Johnson show in New Brunswick.
With her husband; Stephen, and her daughter. Rachel, 9. Mrs. Sherman-Zinn enjoys, not only the artist's life, but the family life as well. Also part of the family are two greyhound dogs, Beth and Daisy, and two cats, Blanca and Cinder.
