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Tom Taffel's Abstract Expressionist Paintings

On January 27, 2020, I enrolled at San Francisco State University, in Professor Chris Finley’s advanced painting class:
"The Expanded Field  –  Finding Your Voice,"  ART 530  (Contemporary approaches and concern in painting practice).

The top two, (30"x40"), paintings were painted in October, 1976 after seeing Jules Massenet's 1894 epic opera Thais in which Act III takes place in the desert.

The San Francisco Opera production, starred: Beverly Sills and Sherrill Milnes, (two very closer personal friends) ~ the inspiration for the sun burst painting.

The following oil paintings measure: 24"x36" (5), and 24"x30" (1), and were painted in 2020.

Tom Taffel's Biography

In 1962 I applied to, and was invited to attend two prestigious New York City high schools: Music and Art and Art and Design.  At the High School of Art and Design, my aptitude for photography was cultivated by one of the world's leading commercial photographers; "Yachting, Life, Reader’s Digest, Popular Photography, Motorboating, and The New York Times" - photographer, David Rosenfeld, (Assistant Principal until 1971).   He placed on permanent exhibition many of my 16"x20" black and white photos in the art gallery.   Not only did Professor Rosenfeld assign setting up the darkroom to me, he sent me home each night with his, (about-to-be-published), photographs to be spotted, before final publication.

Master sculpturer Frank Eliscu, (American sculptor and art teacher who designed and created the Heisman Memorial Football Trophy), also influenced in my appreciation for art.   David Rosenfeld chose me to take a portrait of Frank Eliscu for publication.  My artistic and photographic achievements earned college admission to New York State University.  While working part-time and carrying a full academic schedule, I taught myself the art of filmmaking and proceeded to write, direct, edit and produce my first, (award-winning), film, "From Touchdown to Takeoff" for Pan American World Airways.  My first film was purchased by Pan American World Airways, The Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration, and earned a U.S. Government Contract through the Department of Health Education and Welfare for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which received a four page writeup in "U.S. Camera and Travel" Magazine, December, 1967, pages 70-88).

While an undergraduate student at Rochester Institute of Technology, I developed a new photographic technique, (recognized by Eastman Kodak as the first work of it kind), on the Sabattier Process, in color.  Two consecutive academic years working in the darkroom resulted in replicating the Sabattier Process on color film, color paper, 16mm motion picture reversal film and transparencies.   In 1969 my film "Sabattier en Couleur,”"was accepted into the Library of Congress #74-706099.  "Summary: Explores the adaptation of the Sabattier effect in color.   Includes both Sabattiered prints and Sabattiered camera master footage.”   At Rochester Institute of Technology, I was entirely dedicated to exploring photographic film technology – and at the same time – I had the privilege of meeting the great Josef Albers, author and "father" of "The Interaction of Color."

In the military, I taught cinematography, distinguishing myself as the only instructor ever to be awarded the Commanding General's "Instructor of the Month" three times.

Under the G.I. Bill, I earned my M.A at San Francisco State University where I had the honor to study "Visionary Film" under the inimitable and iconic James Broughton …. who forever changed my perspective on life.

Upon completing a career in Government Surveillance, I enrolled in an advanced painting course, "Finding Your Voice" at San Francisco State University with a dynamic, accomplished modern painter Chris Finley.  Sadly, after only eleven classes, (January 27, 2020 to March 9, 2020), the University was shut down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic - and my first exposure to Abstract-Expressionist painting was formerly halted.   Two days prior to the final class, Professor Finley told me I had found my voice .... and a new career.

Tom Taffel
(415) 566-7673
www.TomsGroupCruises.com
.…Because some experiences in life are simply better when shared with others