| Howard Newman | |
|---|---|
|  Howard Newman in 2016 | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | American | 
| Known for | Fine art, art restoration, invention | 
Howard Newman is an American painter, sculptor, art restorer, and inventor.[1]
Biography
Howard Newman was born in Elizabeth, NJ, in 1943. He received a BA from Miami University of Ohio, where he studied architecture, Cultural Anthropology, Sociology and Classical Literature.[2] After graduating from Miami University, Newman and his wife Mary entered Peace Corps training in a Special Forces training camp in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where the two learned fluent Spanish and Survival Training. In 1967, Newman was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 1969 he received a BFA in Industrial Design and an MFA in Sculpture with a concentration in Silversmithing under the mentorship of master metalsmith John Prip.[3]
Newman was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Italy in 1961; he and his wife Mary resided in Impruneta, south of Florence. There, Newman began making bronze sculptures.[4] In 1973 and 1974, Newman and his wife gave birth to their children, Joshua A.C. Newman and Rachel Newman-Greene.[3] Newman and his wife returned to Italy for another year between 1985 and 1986 and lived in Pietrasanta, north of Pisa, where he worked in La Fonderia Mariani, creating a series of bronzes, including two now on the grounds of the Newport Art Museum.
As of 2016, Newman continues to work at his private studio located in Newport, Rhode Island.[1]
Howard's company maintains newmansltd.com,[5] and its Youtube channel.[6]
Restoration

Currently, Newman and his staff restore a wide range of art objects made of mixed materials, including silver, gold, bronze, tin, iron and zinc.[7] Newman spent a decade working on projects for the Preservation Society of Newport County. He exhibited some of those restorations at the Century Association in New York City in the year 2000.[8] Newmans’ company is responsible for the restoration of Brown University's John Hay Library collection of marble busts.[9]
Restoration is a bit like forensics, history and archaeology all together. You work backwards until you find where something changed or broke down to understand it.
— Howard Newman, "Built to Last"[10]
Restoration of "The Trinity"
In 2008, Newman and his company undertook the restoration of The Trinity Crucifix, the centerpiece of The Church of St. Gregory the Great on the campus of Portsmouth Abbey. The Trinity was crafted by American sculptor Richard Lippold in the 1960s, consisting of a 22,000-foot web of gold-plated brass wire. The wires radiate from the hands of the cross above the head, suspending the crucifix ten feet above the altar.[11] The artisans from Newmans Ltd. carefully untangled the deteriorating wire, and restrung the five miles of wire into the original configuration, along with the restored crucifix.[12]

The restoration project received a 2009 Rhody Award for Historic Preservation by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and 2009 Honor Award for Historic Preservation from the American Institute of Architects of Rhode Island.[13]
Inventions
In 2011, in partnership with Len Katzman, Howard Newman started Sigma Surfacing LLC, an intellectual properties venture. He presently holds several patents pending.[1][14]
Fine art
 Torso #3 (Dancer), two views: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, height: 11", 1982 Torso #3 (Dancer), two views: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, height: 11", 1982
 The Violinist and Drummer Girl: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, 21" and 24", 1981 The Violinist and Drummer Girl: Bronze with black patina and highlighted edges, 21" and 24", 1981
 Avant Garde: Bronze with dark patina and acrylic washes, height: 14", 1986 Avant Garde: Bronze with dark patina and acrylic washes, height: 14", 1986
 Mother and Child #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 2000–01 Mother and Child #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 2000–01
 Mother and Child #5: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14" Mother and Child #5: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14"
 Poet #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 1998 Poet #1: Watercolor and ink on paper, 11" x 14", 1998
 Machine Head: Mixed media on masonite, 36" x 42" Machine Head: Mixed media on masonite, 36" x 42"
 Farsight: Watercolor, charcoal and graphite, 11" x 14", 1990 Farsight: Watercolor, charcoal and graphite, 11" x 14", 1990
 Constellation: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002 Constellation: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002
 Eye To Eye: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002 Eye To Eye: Acrylic on paper and Masonite, 14" x 17", 2002
 Giulia II: Bronze, length: 18", 1988 (original maquette, length: 12", 1977) Giulia II: Bronze, length: 18", 1988 (original maquette, length: 12", 1977)
 Torso #1: Bronze on bronze base with black granite base, 62", 1986, Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island Torso #1: Bronze on bronze base with black granite base, 62", 1986, Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island
 Partners: Torsos #4 & #5, cast pewter on black granite base,12.5" wide x 6" deep x 12" high, 2003 Partners: Torsos #4 & #5, cast pewter on black granite base,12.5" wide x 6" deep x 12" high, 2003
 Winter II: Bronze with dark patina and highlighted edges, height: 23", 1990 Winter II: Bronze with dark patina and highlighted edges, height: 23", 1990
Restorations
 Balinese Sword, Ivory, brass, forged steel, semi-precious stones, wood. Balinese Sword, Ivory, brass, forged steel, semi-precious stones, wood.
 English Flintlock pistol "Spencer" Steel, brass, and wood, The McBean Collection, Preservation Society of Newport County English Flintlock pistol "Spencer" Steel, brass, and wood, The McBean Collection, Preservation Society of Newport County
 Marble bust of Alexis Caswell, John Hay Library, Brown University Marble bust of Alexis Caswell, John Hay Library, Brown University
 Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island
 Candelabra, English, 19th century Silver, copper, steel and pitch Candelabra, English, 19th century Silver, copper, steel and pitch
 Bellum by Emile Louis Picault (French 1833–1915) Cast pewter, patinated copper plate Bellum by Emile Louis Picault (French 1833–1915) Cast pewter, patinated copper plate
 Decorative Column from Pequot Library, Southport, Connecticut Decorative Column from Pequot Library, Southport, Connecticut
Inventions
 Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures
 Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures; Clapboards Envelope System for Emergency and other Structures; Clapboards
 Interlocking Tile System; Folding Mat Interlocking Tile System; Folding Mat
Awards
References
- 1 2 3 Flynn, Sean. "Featured Work." NewportRI.com News and Information for Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Daily News, 7 Feb. 2014. Web. 12 May 2016.
- ↑ Mecklenburg, Virginia M. "Search Collections." Howard Newman. Smithsonian American Art Museum, n.d. Web. 12 May 2016.
- 1 2 RI Art Archive Project. "In The Studio: Howard Newman." Riaaproject.blogspot.com. N.p., 12 Dec. 2013. Web.
- ↑ Newton, Ernie. "Newport, Rhode Island’s Own Artist Howard Newman | Spring Seasons Inn & Tea Room." Spring Seasons Inn Tea Room RSS. Spring Seasons Inn, 12 May 2009. Web. 12 May 2016.
- ↑ Howard. "Home". Howard Newman. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Howard Newman - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ Bernon, Bernadette. "The Metalsmith." Design New England Sept. 2007: n. pag. Web
- ↑ "Newman Restoration Exhibit Draws Supporters to New York City." Newport Gazette, Summer 2000: n. pag. Print., No 147
- ↑ Newmans Ltd. "Cleaning and Filling of Gaps in Historic Marble Busts." Cleaning and Filling of Gaps in Historic Marble Busts. Restoration Trades Directory, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
- ↑ Sabato, Cindy. "Built to Last." Newport Life 2008: n. pag. Print.
- ↑ Thompson, Chloe. "Restoring the Spirit of a Chapel at Portsmouth Abbey School." The Providence Journal n.d.: n. pag. Print.
- ↑ Kahn, Eve M. "Wired: Preserving the Installations of Richard Lippold." The New York Times. The New York Times, 08 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 May 2016.
- ↑ Warren, Quentin. "A Cross as Memorial." Faith and Form (2013): 14-15. Print.
- ↑ Newman, Howard. "Envelope system for solar, structural insulated panel, modular, prefabricated, emergency and other structures". Google Patents. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Home". cies.org.
- ↑ "About". Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ↑ "Awards – American Academy of Arts and Letters".
- ↑ "Home". aarome.org.
- ↑ "AIA Connecticut 2013 Design Awards – AIA Connecticut".