Orange Abstract, c. 1957

NOTE: Originally, we thought this piece was done a few years later during her time at the Art Students' League of New York, but further conversations with Miriam have identified it during her university days.

This piece was part of Miriam's senior thesis at the University of Alabama. Though she was a fine arts major, she didn't have access to studio space at the University, so she found a room that now one was using in a building and painted there until someone kicked her out. Then she tacked her work up on a board behind the sorority house to paint. She said that she got a "B" on this piece, but didn't mind because she loved art.

This reproduction was featured prominently in the living room on HGTV's "Whose Afraid of a Cheap Old House" Season 1 Episode 4 "Harmonious Old Home" which aired Jun 11, 2024. The work was chosen for it mid-century modern, abstract expressionist origins.

When one of Miriam’s Instagram reels went viral in March 2023, Kimberly Hellem, a producer of the hit HGTV show “Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House”, contacted us about featuring Miriam’s art in an episode. Of course, we were very happy to do so.

Over the course of the next year (episodes are planned and filmed long in advance of airing), we worked with Kimberly and her team of designers led by Jennifer Salvemini to find the perfect piece of Miriam’s for a mid-century modern style renovation of a beautiful historic Italianate mansion in Cambridge, NY. A reproduction of Miriam’s work, “Orange Abstract” is featured prominently above the living room fireplace in Season 1 Episode 4 “Harmonious Old Home” which aired Jun 11, 2024. The work was chosen for it mid-century modern, abstract expressionist origins.

We were cheering and amazed at how Jennifer integrated Miriam’s mid-century art into the design and it looked fantastic. The whole renovation and restoration was inspiring as we both love history, art, and architecture. Many thanks to the Cheap Old Houses production crew for their dedication and courage to take on these old homes and bring them back to new life. Thanks Jennifer and team for supporting artists like Miriam through your amazing home restorations.