Like Daughter, Like Mother!

Well, it's no surprise that Calista turned up as a witch one year.  Look at me at Maple and Main Gallery of Fine Art on Friday night, October 29, 2010, when Chester treats all the Tricksters with goodies!    I love the red leaves on the tree in front of EO Art Gallery in contrast to the green ficus and the framed orange ones behind me.

This is only one of Barbara Rossitto's many wonderful photos of the evening that you  can see at 

http://picasaweb.google.com/brglast315/MapleAndMain?authkey=Gv1sRgCIy8g_6h3uuL8AE&feat=directlink


(Thanks so much for the use of your photos, Barb!) 

Ishita's Thoughts on Immortality and Happy Halloween! :-)

Immortality is not a topic I would have thought I'd be writing about on my blog today; however, Ishita Bandyo's blog post which I just read has got me thinking about it.  I was struck by what she said:

"But after thinking about it long and hard, it turned out that all I want to do with my art is to leave a part of myself in this world. Most of us just leave dust and ash but I want to leave a part of my soul in this world. I think immortality is not living forever physically, but leaving a part of our psyche. If another person feels connected to my art then I live through them. All who had left a mark on this world through their art are immortal." (see www.ishitabandyo.com.)

In trying to put into writing what MY art--and the process of creating it--means to me, I have struggled to express myself clearly. It DOES have something to do with IMMORTALITY, but in a different way than Ishita's, perhaps. I want people to look at my paintings and see what I see: the beauty that is all around me. Ultimately, I hope that people who enjoy my paintings will realize that beauty is all around THEM too and appreciate this gift we are all given.

Tonight's All Hallow's Eve--or Halloween, so Happy Halloween Everyone!   We've had a total of eight kids come Trick-or-Treating so far tonight. Guess it's getting too late for many more.

However, Friday night Maple & Main Gallery of Fine Art joined with other businesses in downtown Chester to host a parade of Trick-or-Treaters.  What fun!  Barbara Rossito took some GREAT photos of the good time which was had by all.

This witch was not one of them!  (I have difficulty believing that my own daughter can look this scary!)

Ishita, Barbara, and I are members of Maple and Main Gallery of Fine Art in Chester, Connecticut.  Please visit the gallery website to get a taste of our work: http://mapleandmaingallery.com.

Messerschmidt's Pond III



Messerschmidt's Pond III, Plein air oil on stretched canvas, 10" x 20"

This lake near me is surrounded by Connecticut state land and has a small boat launching area.  Often when I drive past, I see folks fishing, kayaking, and/or canoeing here.  One of many peaceful spots in Connecticut where residents can enjoy the wonders of nature first hand, it's a favorite of locals. 

When I began this painting last Monday, the sky and trees and reflections at Messerschmidt's looked like this.  The next day, however, when I returned to this location, the reflections were considerable changed, since the sky was overcast.  Nevertheless, I stayed with what I remembered from the day before.  What with the rain and wind we've had on and off lately, the colors have changed considerably since I painted this.

I'm no Peter Poskas, but I do love Connecticut farms!

I am so grateful to Jay Babina of the Madison Art Society for introducing me to Peter Poskas yesterday.  Six of Mr. Poskas's landscape paintings are available for sale at the Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut, for $25,000 each--and I can see why.  They evoke the spirit of  typical Connecticut farms, which unfortunately seem to be growing fewer each year.  Here is the link that Jay sent me.  If you to visit this website, I suspect you'll be as overwhelmed as I with the incredible beauty of these landscapes: 

http://www.cooleygallery.com/american-paintings-new-acq.htm

I was so excited to see these paintings that I took Jay's suggestion to look up Peter Poskas's book, The Illuminated Landscape.  I found it on line at Amazon.com last evening and just got an email from them saying that it's been shipped already! I  can't wait till my copy arrives.  I know I'll be in for a treat!  

A few weeks ago I spent two days painting at Tiffany Farm in Old Lyme.  This is the result.

If you are interested in this 10" x 20" oil on stretched canvas, please contact me.

I'd like to go back to Tiffany's and repaint this scene after I have a chance to read Mr. Poskas's Illuminated Landscape.

The Grand Opening of Maple & Main

I'm incredulous that I haven't posted for over a month!  I am promising myself to do better in the future. 

This beautiful photo shows Roger surrounded by (from left to right)

Jennifer & Jeff Juke (our lovely daughter-in-law and son) and their friends Bill & Melissa Hart.

The Gala Opening was absolutely crowded with guests enjoying the art, the conversation, and--of course--the excellent food and drinks!  Visitors who had attended our initial opening on September 17th were amazed at the number of paintings that are available for purchase in our LOWER gallery, which is now officially open.  We were delighted to sell three more paintings during the evening!  Hooray!