News & Exhibits
“My current show of paintings and works on paper is focused on the joys of experiencing gardens and nature. For many years prior to this show my artwork has been very geometric, organized, hard edged and high gloss. I have created numerous paintings in this genre, however, throughout my 40 plus years of making artwork I have found that over time I eventually need to pivot and find a new and different way to find my place in the world. After several years of experimentation this new and very organic series began to emerge. It was quite unexpected….especially because it is more closely tied to reality than my previous artwork. For me, the surprise in my art practice is what energizes me and motivates my creative process.
This body of work is about color relationships, mark making, light and energy. These paintings are vibrant, direct, and spontaneous. I strive to create places for viewers to enjoy the experience as one would in the presence of a beautiful outside space. My sheer love of color has always been a key element in all of my work. I am excited to share my jubilation and invite viewers to bring the “OUTSIDE IN”!”
I am still excited about my time as a recipient of the Artist in Wilderness Grant in Aspen, Colorado in 2015! Here is a wonderful video about my time there and some of the artwork that I produced on site. It's great to see some of my inspirations!
My exhibition at Griesing Law encompassed a large body of recent work including acrylic paintings on aluminum and pastel drawings. This video by John Thornton highlights most of the 40 pieces that were on view. Please enjoy seeing my artwork and hearing about my process.
My paintings and drawings are
on view at these locations:
Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Longview Gallery, Washington DC
Val Rossman, Unexpected Interference, New Paintings.
Artist Val Rossman exhibits two different but related bodies of paintings at her 3rd solo show at Gross McCleaf. She talks about her work, both the process and the philosophy that animates her.
2026 - Outside In
Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2025 - The Hues That Guide Us
The National, Philadelphia, PA
2024 - Slow/Fast/In Between
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Bedford, PA
2022 - "Unexpected Interference"
Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2019 - "Color Works"
Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2017 - "Making a Mark"
Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Val Rossman's paintings and drawings are a blend of chance and careful planning; a process which the artist considers an apt metaphor for life. She says of her recent work,
"Each painting or pastel drawing is a map leading to an adventure of color, mark, and space. The making of the mark whether expressive, aggressive, lyrical or exuberant is crucial....I embrace the unpredictable interferences as interruptions to the luscious color and controlled lines. Taking risks as part of my creative process energizes my work and keeps it fresh and exciting."
Many of the atmospheric, nature-inspired pastels in the current exhibit are the result of a recent residency (Art in the Wilderness) in Aspen, Colorado which brought the artist directly into contact with an unfamiliar and untamed landscape. However, Rossman's primary interest is in capturing the feeling of a particular location, not the actual observation. In the pastels, soft but intense background colors recede into indefinable depths and are criss-crossed by subtle marks that bring the viewer back to the surface - marks that are reminiscent of jet-trails or cirrus clouds.
In addition to the pastels, Rossman is showing a series of bold, calligraphic acrylic paintings in which the expressive gesture of the artist is dominant. The paintings have an urban, graphic quality to them - reminding the viewer of the artist's roots at Tyler School of Art in the 1970's and the influence of other abstract painters such as Klee, Kandinsky, Frankenthaler, and Mitchell.
Regardless of the medium, there is always a sense of spontaneity in Rossman's work - the pastels and paintings seem controlled but are never overworked. She says of her process,
"My work always starts out very scribbly and free.... As I work, there is a conversation between me and the piece...with questions asked and answers given. It is very intuitive and organic. I love that process! I always know when a work is finished because it just feels like everything is in the right place. It is as if the work just grew out of the surface and always existed like that. There is nothing that is nudging at me to say that it doesn't belong. There is a perfect harmony within the piece."
My paintings and drawings are on view at these locations:
MUSE Gallery
52 N 2nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19106
@musegalleryphila
https://www.musegalleryphila.com
111 W.Lancaster Avenue, 2nd Floor
https://www.werringcontemporary.com
Past Exhibition History:
2025 - The Hues That Guide Us, The National, Philadelphia, PA
2024 - Slow/Fast/In Between - Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Bedford, PA
2022 - Unexpected Interference - Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021 - Southern Allegheny Museum of Art
2019 - Color Works, Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2017 - Making A Mark, Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015 - Works on Paper and Acrylics on Aluminum, West Branch Gallery, VT
2015 - Earth, Air Color, Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 - Finding A Balance, Greisling Law, Philadelphia, PA
2013 - Acrylic on Aluminum and Pastel On Paper, Rosenfeld gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2011 - Annual Small Works Show, Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2011 - 3C: Create. Connect. Collect, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
2011 - Recent Paintings and Drawings, Windsor Whip Works, Binghamton, NY
2011 - Extravagant Color, West Branch Gallery, Stowe VT
2010 - Acrylic on Metal and Pastel Drawings, Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa
2009 - Landscape Revisited, West Branch Gallery, Stowe, VT
2008 - Red Dot Art Fair, New York NY
2007 - Recent Work, Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2005 - Noyes Museum of Art, Oceanville, NJ
2005 - Paintings and Drawings, Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia,PA
2004 - The Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia, PA