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Each month we feature a local artist in our gallery. You'll be in awe of the beautiful artwork created by central Massachusetts artists.
December 15 - January 10, 2008
This year at Oxford High School, art students are using their talents to make a difference.
The advanced art students are working on THE MEMORY PROJECT. The Memory Project is a nationwide program where students create portraits of orphans from around the world. This year the children are from Nicaragua. Our students receive a photo of a child, and then try their best to make a beautiful artwork that these children can have. Most of these children have nothing of their own, so our students are providing a treasure that they can call their own.
The Art I and II classes are working on the BOOKS OF HOPE, an affiliate of The Memory Project. The Books of Hope is a program for students to create children’s books for schools who lack resources to meet the children’s educational needs. The students are making books for a school in Uganda, Africa. There has been a war going on in Uganda that has made the situation very difficult. The students have seen the documentary, INVISIBLE CHILDREN, which really opened their eyes to the tragedy unfolding in Uganda. The students are excited to be able to bring hope to these children by making one-of-a-kind books for them.
We can use your support by donating your money to help us cover the costs of participating in these programs. For more information about these programs, check out their websites: www.thememoryproject.org and www.booksofhope.org.
Also, feel free to contact me at Oxford High- 508-987-6081 ask for Mrs. Taborda.
November 2007
local calligrapher & photographer
half past autumn:
September 2007
Dolores Kosciusko
'Backroads of New England'
I have been painting for over 50 years. My work has been shown in many parts of New England and Hawaii. I recently had 3 private shows and my work has been accepted in many juried shows.
From 1975 to 1990, I taught art privately to both adults and children in the Dudley- Webster and oxford area, the Quinnebaug Art Center in Southbridge and the Hitchcock Academy in the town of Brimfield. While living in Hawaii my watercolors were displayed at the Volcano National Park Visitors Center, and several local shows.
After a few years of inactivity to raise a family I have started to show my work again. I specialize in local barns and older historical homes. Included in my work, are scenes from the sea coast and back roads of New England as well as paintings from my travels. Occasionally I will do floral paintings.
Although I prefer watercolor, I also paint with colored pencils and acrylics on canvas. I am an avid plein aire artist and paint with the Massassoit pleine aire group out of Spencer Mass. I am also a member of the Massassoit Art Guild. Most recent shows include the juried Monson art show, Cormier of Spencer , Quinnebaug art Center Watercolor show in Southbridge and Celebrations in Pomfert CT.
August 2007
Helene Hartnett
A New Journey
Helene Hartnett has been drawing and painting as long as she can remember. Studying art at Skidmore College, University of Maine and Northeastern University, it was not until 2001 when she made the decision to put her education and talent to work. Leaving a job at corporate America after 22 years, she decided to teach art to children. Working at two Catholic Elementary Schools as an Art Teacher, she found time to paint and began her new journey.
“I found it so important to use my talent and began to paint on furniture, then moving on to experiment with what I enjoyed painting the most, landscapes and primitives on canvas. I can’t get away from detail and spend numerous hours making sure that everything is just right and every detail is where it should be. I often tell the children that I teach to work until you love what you have made.”
Specializing in acrylics, Helene often antiques her primitives to give them an aged look.
Helene and her husband and sixteen year old son reside in Oxford, MA. Along with her job at the Catholic Schools, she also offers children’s painting classes at her home.
e-mail: hvhartnett@verizon.net
July 2007
Joan Hume
Joan is a self taught artist/craftsman. Her work has veen shown at craft fairs, and she recently provided illustrations for a children's book, "An American Thanksgiving", awaiting publication.
Enamoured with the images inspired by Bible stories and ancient history, Joan has incorporated these and other elements in her beeswax collages. Her husband Mark, a beekeeper (Hume's Honey), supplies the beeswax. The bits of ephemera are often recycled materials or copies of famil photos, evoking a feeling of nostalgia, romance and whimsy. "Inspiration is everywhere - open your eyes, your ears, your heart - it's there."
June 2007
Susan MacWilliams
My grandfather, a naturalist and amateur artist / photographer, ignited my passion for Nature. His tagalong apprentice, I would search book and brook for the elusive bird, fantastic insect or rare wildflower among the Berkshire Hills.
His tales: of secret patches of ginseng (which he sold during the Depression to a Chinese man), of pink pussy willows, or of rattlesnakes that devour one another (which I doubt.) added mystery to our quests.
Later excursions in Worcester County and in my own gardens here became more and more mystical as well as therapeutic. I wanted to stop time in the Transitory and seize the Beauty. I found photography.
College studies with art history and later photography led to a degree in Media and Communications at Worcester State College and advanced studies at the Worcester Art Museum.
I shoot much of my work in 35 mm. A slim budget and sheer laziness led me to use available light with minimal accessories. I grew to love the intimacy of getting “up close and personal” with my subject in natural light. Two major directions of style are: nature close-ups as well as quirky emotional stills.
I have sold fine art greeting cards for 15 years and most recently offer gallery style enlargements.August 2007
Helen Hartnett
April 2007
Paintings by Karen Reid
Art has always been a major part of my life. Growing up with a mother who is an artist as well as her sister and brother creativity was a way of life.
After high school I began to forge my own life as an artist by studying at The Art Institute of Boston, the Fuller Museum in Brocton, Ma and the Danforth Museum in Framingham, Ma. It was during this time period that art took on a new meaning for me and became less of a hobby and more of passion that I wanted to build a life around. I enrolled and was accepted to the four year full time art program at The Museum of Fine Arts College in Boston. The focus of my degree program was painting, drawing and ceramics. At the same time I worked as an artist painting and designing hand painted glassware at a local studio in Framingham.
Upon graduation I continued to work as an artist professionally while growing my portfolio of my own personal work which has evolved as has my life and career.
I currently reside in Oxford, Ma with my husband and two young girls, ages 8 and 5. I am employed as a free lance painter for Vaillancourt Folk Art in Sutton, Ma and continue to work on my own pieces when time permits.
My personal portfolio which has grown and evolved over the past ten years has led to the pieces I am showing. “How my work has evolved was taking subject matter, be it landscape, still life, or figure and transform them into a world where I am capturing more than just the beauty of the object. I am representing the vibration of their life force and the energy that comes from within.”
March 2007
Helene Hartnett
A New Journey
Helene Hartnett has been drawing and painting as long as she can remember. Studying art at Skidmore College, University of Maine and Northeastern University, it was not until 2001 when she made the decision to put her education and talent to work. Leaving a job at corporate America after 22 years, she decided to teach art to children. Working at two Catholic Elementary Schools as an Art Teacher, she found time to paint and began her new journey.
"I found it so important to use my talent and began to experiment with what I enjoyed painting the most, landscapes and primitives. I can’t get away from detail and spend numerous hours making sure that everything is just right. I often tell the children that I teach to work until you love what you have made."
Specializing in acrylics, Helene often antiques her primitives to give them an aged look.
Helene and her husband and sixteen year old son reside in Oxford, MA. Along with her job at the Catholic Schools, she also offers children's painting classes at her home.
e-mail: hvhartnett@verizon.net
February 2007
Ruben Brito
Textures
Ruben paints as a hobby and has participated in Start on the street '06 and Holiday Arts at the Station '06. He enjoys painting visual interpretations of photographs. He also loves encorporating multiple types of geometry into his pieces.
January 2007
LESLIE GRAFF
Branching Out
"Branching Out" is a collection of my paintings which explore a few organic themes in a variety of styles. I am constantly experimenting and exploring various ideas and symbols in my art. I am prompted to paint by visual variety.
In my work with children, I am constantly encouraging them to"try something new", "create a variation on a theme" or "push yourself to do something challenging". As an artist, I hold myself to the same standard. It is not just about creating something beautiful, but about developing a greater mastery over the medium and growing your ability to create. I feel no artist should be confined and expected to produce to a singular style or theme. As I explore various ideas and return to old series, I am energized by the changes and my work stays fresh and thoughtful. Like the seasons of the year, each particular group or style has it's own distinct elements and beauty.
I was introduced to acrylics twenty years ago and have loved them every since. I employ the use of various mediums, application techniques, and gold leaf to achieve a variety of visual affects. I hope that those who view my pieces will find something they drawn to.
December 2006
A Winter Eden
Pamela Lang Redick
This group of paintings and drawings is inspired by the abundant beauty that surrounds us. My approach to doing landscapes is to look at them as metaphor, a means of expressing something about the emotional forces that shape a person and their world. The altered book pieces were done in the wilderness. These are travel journals using old Reader’s Digest books as the sketchbook. The paintings made with car spray paint are realistic in a different, more spontaneous way. I use hand made stencils and natural materials to do them, relying on accident and the effects of the metallic paints. All of the pieces were done with a focus on nature, looking especially for images that give us peace.
November 2006
ALONG THE WAY 2
Artist Susan Champeny
A series of watercolors from her travels along the local roads.
October 2006
Flower of the SUN
September 2006
Spirit of Whimsey
Lori Gooch -- About the Artist
Lori Gooch has been a life-long lover of drawing and painting, experimenting over the years with classes in stained glass, portraits, watercolors and most recently acrylic paints. Her work is recognized for her bold use of vibrant colors and her love for painting with children's themes. She is a working mother of two small children, which leaves spare time only to devote to her artwork. Still, she has been inspired to paint more regularly since 2005 when she began exhibiting her work with the Northeast Connecticut Art Guild. She lives in rural Thompson Connecticut.
Her art can also be seen at The Arts & Framing Sochor Gallery in Putnam CT, Celebrations Gallery & Shops in Pomfret CT., Heart & Home in Danielson CT., and Grasshopper Children's Boutique, Woodstock CT.
Thomas Menard--About the Artist
Thomas Menard, a self taught artist, was born in Utica NY and has been painting since 1968. He traveled throughout Europe in the Navy, and then explored the eastern United States. In 1982 he settled in Connecticut and lives now in Putnam, sharing his life with his two daughters.
Thomas paints in acrylics and oils. The quaint little towns of New England have provided his greatest inspiration. In paintings defined with such intricate detail that a viewer might spend hours gazing at each image, he captures the simplicity and beauty of small-town life. "I create art that encourages happy feelings about life in a small town and I hope that the feeling of peace I have discovered living in New England will be passed on to those who view my art" says Tom.
Increasingly recognized regionally, Thomas Menard's art is also replicated in full-color print editions by Aaron Ashley Publishing of New York, NY. His art work is represented on the labels and in the showroom of Taylor Brooke Winery of Woodstock CT, and is on display at the Savings Institute Banks throughout northeast Connecticut. He is a member of the Northeast Connecticut Art Guild and displays his work in their exhibitions as well as many area galleries.
August 2006
The work included in this exhibit will include a series of paintings on found materials; portraits of friends and strangers as well as self portraits.
A number of framed, limited edition, signed prints created from my original paintings will also be on display.
July 2006
Nancy Bryant
May - June 2006
John Redick - Summer Song
| I do abstract paintings and landscapes that portray the wildness of nature in the mountains, the sea and the wonderful forms of windswept sand dunes. I use a non-traditional technique. It is important that the paintings not show the technique, to look natural without noticeable drawing or brushwork. The effects of controlled accident or chance are fundamental to this process. I use acrylic enamel. |
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April 2006
Home Again
