Meet the Artist
Archive 01/01/2022 to 06/01/2022
Fourth Tuesdays at 3 pm and Select Dates and Times
Join the Guild in celebrating one of our fine artists in an informal presentation of their work, process, inspiration and tools. Raise a glass! You will be able to ask questions. The program was formerly held on Fridays at 5 p.m.and will now be offered at a new time on Zoom (see individual programs for times.)
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Please refer to the Calendar​ for details about specific upcoming events.
Meet the Artist
Laurie Rando
Oil Painter
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Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
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Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 088958
"From the time I could hold a pencil I was doodling, drawing, or sketching. I grew up on a farm in Chester Co. Pennsylvania not far from the fields painted by Andrew Wyeth.
I was fortunate that my creativity was encouraged and entered Philadelphia University where I earned a BS in Textile Design. For nearly 20 years I employed my creativity as a Lace Designer.
When textile mills in the US moved to China, my career shifted. Most recently my work has centered on the need for environmental and social change in textile supply chains.
This work; with its principles of reuse, repurpose, recycle and restore aligned closely with wisdom taught to me by my parents. Being the daughter of a farmer, I know the importance of taking care of Mother Earth. As Dad would say, they are not making any more land.
My art is about capturing the gift of earth’s beauty. I allow the subject to direct the interpretation rather than me directing the subject. My current work is a study of her resiliency. She has an incredible ability to repair herself, if just left alone. "
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Meet the Artist
Hank Kearsley
Oil Painter/Black Cowboy Series
Video Replay
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Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 4-5 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
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Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
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Hank Kearsley has lately been drawing and working on his Black Cowboy series and the current issues of racial injustice.
Hank Kearsley is an artist and educator who makes his social vision aesthetic. His life spans an America prior to the civil rights movement, through an America still struggling with
racism and a world where oppression continues to exist. Hence, the social issues addressed in Hank's paintings and drawings are the result of ongoing personal experiences. Simplified in the use of primary colors, the paintings achieve variety by color contrast, rich painting surface, and layers of pure color over one another. The intensity of spatial color relationships allows the viewer to see a much wider range of color.
Many of the paintings are figurative, evolving from people and places Hank has known. The drawings evolve from sketches that become vehicles for paintings.
Hank blends together aesthetic and historical issues with formalist painting in a strong social vision, striving to find the truth, but most importantly raising questions for the viewer. Hank’s most recent endeavor, the Black West series, was exhibited several times in New York and Boston.
Hank studied with Hale Woodruff, Estaban Vincente, Helen Frankenthaller and Louise Nevelson. Exhibits include one-person shows at Museum of the National Center for Afro-American Artists, Goddard College, Long Island University, CREON Gallery, and group shows that include the International Juried Show: NJ Center for the Arts (Best of Show Award), Abney Gallery, II Designing Women Gallery, Michael Stone Collection, Mellon/Boston Company, Newton Arts Center, Vermont Studio School, Westfield State College, Kottler Gallery, New York University, The Jewett Art Center: Wellesley College, The Piano Factory, Natick Arts Center, International Exhibit: Tokyo, Japan, Hudson River Museum.
Hank’s work may be viewed at Babson College’s Reynolds Campus Center as part of their permanent collection. Hank works in Newton, MA, South Egremont, MA, and Litchfield Beach, SC.
Meet the Artist
Peggy Reeves, Chemigrams
Video Replay
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 4-5 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
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Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
This a video replay of the April 30, 2021 Meet the Artist presentation by Peggy Reeves of her chemigrams, hybrids of chemistry-based photography and painting, inherently involve a process of gradual deterioration that leaves behind visual remnants of this creative history. Subsequent digital editing finalizes these landscapes, creating what Reeves considers “a metaphor for natural and man-made forces on the environment.” This latest body of work concerns itself with the physical and geographic challenges faced by refugees attempting to cross the United States’ southern border. In lieu of human figures, Reeves places her emphasis on the obstacles and barriers presented by the land and nature which inhibits these migrants’ safe crossing.
Meet the Artist
Shany Porras
Abstract Painter
Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 3 pm
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Co-Presented with:
Lenox Library, Lenox
Bushnell Sage Library, Sheffield
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Ramsdell Library, Housatonic
Mason Library, Great Barrington
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
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Meeting ID: 811 2314 7255
Password: 609196
Shany Porras' abstract paintings visually translate what one experiences through music. She started studying classical music when she was young, allowing her to enjoy music into her adulthood. As a visual artist, she "sees" music as an abstract language, and she translates music to paintings, much in the same way she would translate one language to another.
Shany chooses music that is inspirational to her, selecting topics such as today's popular or politically charged music, orchestral and chamber music, or music from her home country of Venezuela. Each painting is unique to each musical piece. Her selection of mediums, including acrylic paint, graphite, wax crayons, ink, spray paint, found objects, etc., hinges on her interpretation of the language of music.
Her art is deeply influenced by Bauhaus and the American abstract painters of the 20th century, borrowing from their techniques and applying them as needed to interpret music.
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Shany Porras has a B.A. and a B.F.A. from Rice University in Houston, Texas. At Rice, Shany started as an architecture major, then transferred into the Fine Art program after her sophomore year. She focused on painting and lithography, establishing a foundation of abstract art.
Shany's paintings have been selected into juried shows such as the Connecticut Academy of Fine Art's annual juried exhibition and Fountain Street Gallery's annual call for art. Shany currently maintains a studio in Pittsfield, MA, and actively shows across New England and New York City. Shany is an associate member of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA). Fountain Street Gallery in Boston represents Shany Porras, and her artwork may also be seen at www.ShanyPorrasArt.com.