Archive / Philadelphia & South Jersey
Philadelphia & South Jersey
Painting on location, 2004–2012
With continuing regional work
From 2004 to 2012, Erin McGee Ferrell lived in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, with Moorestown, New Jersey as her home base. Painting in public became central to her practice: the streets of Center City and the Italian Market, the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, the fountain at Logan Square, and the neighborhoods of South Jersey.
Watch: painting the Italian Market · At the Art Museum · Sam Katz’s Philadelphia: The Great Experiment — watch Erin’s interview
Selected paintings & photographs
Erin McGee Ferrell, City Hall Philadelphia, 2010. Oil on canvas, 48 × 48 inches.
Erin McGee Ferrell, Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park, 2010.
Erin McGee Ferrell, John’s Roast Pork, Philadelphia, 2017. A later work continuing her Philadelphia painting practice.
Erin McGee Ferrell at her easel by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Artist’s archive, published April 23, 2013.
Erin McGee Ferrell painting outdoors. Photograph published in Moorestown Patch, October 24, 2012.
Erin McGee Ferrell, Philadelphia Art Museum. Oil painting, published in the artist’s archive in April 2013.
Erin McGee Ferrell, Philadelphia Skyline. Oil painting, published in the artist’s archive in April 2013.
Moorestown’s Main Street, painted by Erin McGee Ferrell. Artwork published in Moorestown Patch, October 2012.
Frank Letto’s Barber Shop, Moorestown, painted by Erin McGee Ferrell. Artwork published in Moorestown Patch, October 2012.
Sam Katz’s Philadelphia: The Great Experiment
Watch Erin McGee Ferrell on Street Inspiration · 1:44
An interview for Philadelphia: The Great Experiment, published by History Making Productions, founded by producer Sam Katz. Ferrell discusses painting in different Philadelphia locations. Published January 17, 2013.
Eagles & Phillies
Philadelphia’s sports culture was another recurring subject, including original paintings of the Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, and the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies painting in the gallery dates from 2010.
Explore the artwork and print listings: Philadelphia Eagles Football. Lincoln Financial Field · Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park.
Painting in public
Market stalls, neighborhood businesses, landmarks, and everyday street life provided a changing outdoor studio. Working on location brought the painting process into conversation with the people and places around her, from Philadelphia’s Italian Market to Moorestown and Collingswood.
Exhibitions & community
Ferrell exhibited at the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show in 2011 and 2012. Her regional work also included Bluestone Fine Art Gallery in Philadelphia, Nash Gallery and Artfully Yours in Moorestown, and artwork displayed at Tortilla Press in Collingswood. Her Bluestone relationship continued after her move to Maine, including a solo exhibition and Philadelphia Open Studio Tours in 2013.
She created Philadelphia prints, posters, and magnets for the LOVE Park Visitor Center, where her CV records a 2010 solo exhibition at the Fairmount Park Welcome Center. Her artwork was also sold at Sarcone’s Bakery in the Italian Market, and her prints at John’s Roast Pork. Paintings entered private collections, including that of Philadelphia Flyers player Kimmo Timonen.
Teaching & study
In 2011, Ferrell completed the University of the Arts’ two-year post-baccalaureate Teaching Artist Certificate program, joining its first graduating class. The program focused on integrating the arts into K–12 teaching. She also took numerous classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, taught at Perkins Center for the Arts, and worked as an artist in residence in Moorestown schools.
On location: selected films
Short films from Erin McGee Ferrell’s YouTube channel document the paintings as they developed in public.
Painting Logan Circle · 1:32
Selected press
Philadelphia show draws dozens of fine artists
Alan J. Heavens, The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 18, 2011.
Moorestown Artist Selling Off Work Ahead of Move
Moorestown Patch, October 24, 2012.
Moorestown artist exhibits in Philadelphia
The Moorestown Sun, September 27, 2013. Coverage of the Bluestone exhibition Structures: Urban and Coastal Philadelphia/Maine.
Additional print coverage listed in the artist’s CV includes South Jersey Magazine, “Names to Know” (November 2010) and “Top Artist South Jersey” (July 2011), and The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Whatever your pleasure” (January 13, 2006).
Places & events
South 9th Street Italian Market · Italian Market Festival · Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show · John’s Roast Pork · Sarcone’s Bakery