Nationally known artist/illustrator Cathie Bleck is featured in a retrospective of her work at the New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA), on view through April 27. There will be a reception to celebrate “Cathie Bleck: 13 Years of Artistic Expression” on February 24, from 3 to 5 pm, when the artist will be available to sign her book.
Bleck is best known for her distinctive scratchboard illustrations, involving a process similar in concept to woodblock printing. Working on clay board, Bleck carves delicate yet powerful black and white illustrations that have become her trademark.
She has contributed to Esquire, Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Washington Post, Random House and Warner Brothers Records. Bleck has received numerous national awards for her work, most notably a gold medal from the Museum of American Illustration at The Society of Illustrators in New York City.
Bleck began her career as art director for the Chicago Tribune and Dallas Times Herald , after studying under noted Chicago designer Carl Regehr at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Currently a resident of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Bleck is also co-founder of the Northern Ohio Illustrator’s Society.
The exhibition on view in the NBMAA’s Davis Gallery features more than 30 paintings, including many from the artist’s monograph, “Open Spaces,” published in 2006. Also on display will be several new works that have not been previously shown, as well as prints, drawings, sketchbooks, artist’s tools and letters to the artist.
The New Britain Museum of American Art is at 56 Lexington Street. For information, www.nbmaa.org or 860-229-0257.
