Miriam Schulman’s uniqueness comes from her mastery of watercolor which she handles in experimental ways both on paper and on canvas using very contemporary techniques making her art both relevant and modern. Having tragically lost her father to cancer when she was only five years old, her family had to be uprooted and she changed schools many times throughout her childhood. Schulman used art as a means to comfort herself and to gain acceptance by her peers. It was her fourth grade teacher who first noticed Schulman’s talent and helped the shy new girl in her class get respect through her art.
The artist studied art and art history while at Dartmouth College. To support herself in college, Schulman worked at the Art History department and was also paid by the college to create posters and t-shirts to promote campus events. As a senior, she had a solo show which was funded through joint sponsorship of student groups. She graduated Dartmouth with the Adelbert Ames Fine Arts Award. Although she never gave up her dream to become a professional artist, Schulman accepted a scholarship to pursue a Masters degree at M.I.T which led to an exciting career on Wall Street. Still, she painted and took up watercolor by studying with noted watercolorists Elise Morenon, Mel Stabin and Charles Reid. Eventually, she left the financial world behind in order to pursue her passion for art full time.
Initially, Schulman focused on portraits and the figure. In “A Brush with Life”, Scarsdale Inquirer 2007 Debra Banerjee writes, “Whether her subject is penguins or people, it's personality that moves the paintbrush of artist Miriam Schulman. Schulman's charming portraits, both human and animal, express individuality with both humour and dignity.” (full text of article) The artist immediately won prizes for her portraits in local art competitions and her professional career as an artist took off. One solo show followed the next as Schulman curated displays of her art in Rye, Larchmont, Greenburgh, Bronxville, Elmsford and Greenwich. With each solo show came praise from the press and her artwork was published in The New York Times and other New York newspapers. Her painting of a raccoon was chosen as a cover for an issue of the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, the artist’s watercolors were in accepted to many prestigious juried exhibitions. Schulman utilized her training in computers to master the art of online selling and promotion and developed an international collector base.
As Schulman matured as an artist, she became interested in more than just portraiture and figurative works. Schulman’s most recent series uses sheet music as a collage medium on canvas mixed with watercolor. The notes from the music give the composition energy. In a floral series the notes appear as bugs buzzing over the flower whereas on a landscape of birch trees the musical notes look like knolls on tree bark. The artist enjoys working with eco-friendly and recycled materials. The sheet music incorporated into her paintings delights art and music lovers alike.
Schulman’s beloved artwork is collected internationally and is included in private collections throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Israel, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Dozens of her commissioned portraits grace prestigious homes in the New York area. Her art is also included in the permanent collections at Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, New York and Goodwood Flying School in West Sussex, England. Schulman is currently represented by Tappan Z Art Gallery in Tarrytown, and Art Rent and Lease that sells, rents and leases artwork to corporate, healthcare and hospitality clients in the US.
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