Quantcast
Skip to content
Communities
  • North Fork
    • Jamesport
    • Mattituck
    • Orient
    • Riverhead
    • Shelter Island
    • Southold
  • The Hamptons
    • Montauk
    • Quogue
    • Sag Harbor
    • Sagaponack
    • Southampton
    • Water Mill
    • Westhampton Beach
  • NYC
  • Palm Beach
  • Home Pros
  • Digital Editions
  • Dan’s Best of the Best
  • Contact Us
  • RegisterLogin
Dan’s Papers
  • Things to Do

    Events Calendar

    View and Post Events

    • Books & Authors
    • Concerts
    • Comedy
    • Fairs & Festivals
    • Film
    • Fitness & Outdoors
    • Galleries & Museums
    • Kids & Families
    • LGBTQ+
    • Nonprofits & Philanthropy
    • Pets & Animals
    • Seasonal & Holiday
    • Shopping
    • Theater

    Dan’s Events

    Visit Dan’s Taste

  • Arts & Culture
    • Artist Profiles
    • Books & Authors
    • Galleries & Museums
    • Performing Arts
    • Music, Film & TV
  • Food & Drink
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
    • Bars, Breweries & Distilleries
    • Wine & Wineries
  • Celebrity News
  • Local News
    • Crime & Police
    • Politics
    • Health
    • Business
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Obituaries
  • Real Estate
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Style
    • Hotels & Inns
    • Kids & Family
    • Nonprofits & Philanthropy
    • Party & Event Photos
    • Wellness
    • Dan Rattiner’s Stories

→ Dan’s Taste Summer Series Presented by Wilmington Trust

Dan's Archives

Basquiat to b.j. spoke: Meet Dan's Papers Cover Artist Cindy Shechter

By Brian Cudzilo
5 minute 11/11/2017 Share
November 10, 2017 Dan's Papers cover art (detail) by Cindy Shechter
November 10, 2017 Dan’s Papers cover art (detail) by Cindy Shechter

Cindy Shechter started teaching art in a Brooklyn elementary school in the late ’60s where she taught the future graffiti artist Jean Michel Basquiat. “I like to think that I had some influence on his success as an artist,” she said when we talked to her about her work.

Cindy Shechter
Cindy Shechter

What inspired “A Tree in the Field?”
I saw a tree up in the Catskill Mountains and I photographed it. Although the photograph was in color the tree seemed to have more life and character in it than the photo revealed. I used the photograph as a guide for my painting. I feel that art should be more than just a copy of reality, and that the function of the artist is to interpret reality through his own eyes. Because of that I added lots of color and texture to bring out what I saw as the tree’s real character.

What draws you to trees as a subject?
My husband and I started spending time at our vacation home in the mountains and suddenly trees were all around me. I began to take a closer look. The trunks were a neutral gray-brown color, but the texture of the bark and the branches, the patterns, the lines and the rhythms they each presented were all unique. They each spoke to me in a different way. I brought them to life with prismatic color and emphasized their individual textures and patterns. My goal is to try to capture the expressive quality of an individual tree as well as its natural beauty.

Close

Get the Full Story

News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.
Thank you for subscribing!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

You usually express yourself via Abstract Expressionism, something casual art observers often disregard. What do they need to know in order to better appreciate the art form?
Abstract Expressionism appealed to me since the paint itself became the focus. It emphasizes shape, color, line, form and texture. It free the artist and allows him to be expressive and show emotions, spontaneity, and individual feelings. It is often hard for the casual viewer to understand Abstract Expressionism. They are looking for subject matter and often ask, “What is it?” I would tell the observer to suspend his dependence on reality and focus on how the painting makes him feel.

As a former fine art teacher can you discuss how important arts programing and education is in schools today?
Art is a universal language and a very important part of the curriculum. It’s a language for the non-verbal child; it provides a means of problem solving; it is an avenue for creative thinking and exploration; it expands one’s way of seeing; it is a way to explore the cultures of the world; and it can be a means to boost self-esteem. I have seen failing students awaken and “cutters” return to school because of art class.

What advice do you have for young aspiring artists?
Work all the time to improve your skills. Experiment with many different media and areas of art such as acrylic paint, oil paint, watercolors, sculpture, photography, printmaking, graphic arts, digital arts and don’t limit yourselves to what has been done in the past. Visit museums, try new things, explore, experiment all the time. At the same time, take art classes to learn time-tested techniques.

Can you talk about b.j. spoke gallery and the importance of artists working together toward a common purpose?
I have enjoyed becoming a member of a diverse group of artists who speak the same art language. Seeing other artists’ work, learning from them, being informally critiqued helps me grow as an artist and expand my vision. I think it helps all of our members promote the arts in the community.

Visit cindyshechter.com to see more of Shechter’s work, also on display at b.j. spoke gallery, 299 Main Street, Huntington, bjspokegallery.org.

November 10, 2017 Dan's Papers cover art by Cindy Shechter
November 10, 2017 Dan’s Papers cover art by Cindy Shechter
  • Vetted Hamptons Resources

    Hamptons Classified 

    Access our trusted network of local professionals and browse employment opportunities in the Hamptons.
    Find a Home Pro Search Jobs
  • Most Recent Articles

    life

    Victoria’s Secrets: The roller coaster of life

    Dana Trotter, The Agency Hamptons

    Dana Trotter Marks 2 Years Leading The Agency Hamptons

    American Dream, homeownership, Hamptons

    The American Dream of Homeownership

    The Atlantic Team, Douglas Elliman, real estate, brokers

    The Atlantic Team at Douglas Elliman: A Winning Formula of Teamwork, Innovative Marketing and Expertise

  • Things to do on the East End

    More local events

    Building a Dynasty: Inside Gotham FC’s Championship Culture

    Ross School
    Today, 6 pm

    Hampton Jazzfest & LTV Studios Present The Roberta Piket Solo Show

    LTV Studios
    Today, 6 pm

    HAMPTONS INSTITUTE: GUARDRAILS ON DEMOCRACY

    Guild Hall
    Today, 7 pm

    Adam Baranello “A Grunge Pop Celebration”

    southampton cultural center
    Today, 7 pm

    Hamptons JazzFest: The Piazzolla-Mulligan Project ft. Oscar Feldman

    Southampton Art Center
    Jul 12, 7 pm

    The Jackie Mason Musical

    southampton cultural center
    Jul 26, 7 pm
    Dan’s Papers

    The iconic mainstay of Long Island’s East End for over 60 years.

    Read Our Papers

    Digital Editions of Dan’s Papers are available online.
    Get our best stories right into your inbox. Subscribe
    Follow us
    © Dan’s Papers 2025 Schneps Media |
    Designed by Digital Silk
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Post an Event