April 3rd – 26th

PII Gallery presents a Mother / Daughter Show

TWO

ALINE A. GEIST
JUDY GEIST

Paintings and Sculptures

Opening Reception:
Friday, April 3rd, 5-9pm

Aline A. Geist (1925-2019) was raised in San Antonio, Texas, enthusiastic for art, music, acting, dance, and writing. As a child and adult, she exuded boundless creativity. She would later meet her future husband, an Air Force Lt. sent to San Antonio for navigation training in preparation for flying missions during WWII. Mike survived harrowing experiences. After he returned to NY, they reconnected. He began his career as a fashion designer in NYC. They married, grew a family, moved a few times until settling in a Long Island split-level home that could house a family of five, and have room for music and art. Finally, Aline set up her easel and began to paint. Her style evolved, painting her subjects more abstractly. During her last painting phase, she used the palette knife more often, adding thickness and dimension to the canvas. She was prolific, accomplished, and admired. By the late 1960’s, Aline took on sculpture. She studied with Alfred Van Loen at C.W. Post, then attended his home workshop in Huntington, NY. Aline excelled at carving stone, wood, and acrylics. She could transform solid blocks and rocks into bending, turning, twisting forms. She threw herself, her emotions, and her dance sensibility into her work. She won several top awards in competitions, was invited into the prestigious Silvermine Guild of Artists in 1980, was a member of other long standing Sculpture Guilds, and her acrylic sculptures were recognized by the NY Institute of Technology as transcending the 3rd dimension in sculpture and design, for being “see-through.” Besides all the accolades she received, Aline was beloved by her students. She started the Aline Geist Sculpture Workshop attracting students from all over Long Island and NYC. By the late 1970’s, Mike retired and supported Aline in the workshop and shows. They became a team. He made bases, pedestals, and mounted and moved sculptures. For her many students and special guests, Aline formed the Contemporary Sculpture Group, having presented at least 13 exhibitions, a huge undertaking. As with painting, Aline was prolific as a sculptor. She was an active and inspirational presence to her students, family, and collectors. So many of Aline’s paintings and sculptures are in private collections.

Judy Geist (1951- ) pursued two life passions: painting and music. As a musician beginning to play the violin at age 7, she progressed into an accomplished performer. As a visual artist, her childhood drawings foreshadowed an artistic signature visible today. She drew pen and inks for 10 years, wanting to paint but waited until she felt ready. After moving to NYC in 1977, Judy attended the Art Students League in NY while freelancing. There she studied Dutch-inspired portraiture, figuratives, and still lifes with master painter, David Leffel. In 1983, after much success painting and playing, Judy Geist left NY to play in The Philadelphia Orchestra. Jumping ahead, she recently retired from the orchestra, there for 41 years. Throughout her career as a musician, she continued painting in old world and contemporary styles. She was a member of the Da Vinci Art Alliance and the 3rd Street Gallery. She painted portrait commissions of people’s pets, exhibited, and gave music concerts and art presentations simultaneously in galleries to enhance people’s appreciation of abstract art and modern music. She appeared in the documentary, Music from the Inside Out, featured as an artist and musician. She continued painting various subjects, her dogs and cats, series, and abstracts with an emphasis on color combinations, repetition, and variations. As an artist/painter, Judy Geist has leaned towards specific ongoing series. Lately, she is combining more than one series, creating a hybrid of sorts. These new works are offered in this show. As a painter with musical insights, she has described her work as visual counterpoint.