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Meet the Artist
Archive from 09/10/2021 to 12/31/2021
Meet the Artist events specific Fridays at 5-6 pm
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 is usually held on Fridays at 5 p.m. on Zoom.
Meet the Artist
Art After 9/11
Friday, September 10, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
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Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Twenty years ago, did you find yourself doing art as a way to deal with the events of 9/11?
Please send photos of your work to Kcarmean@gmail.com.
Join Karen and Debbie Smith in a discussion of art in the time after the trauma of 9/11 on Friday Sept. 10.
Some of you expressed interest in making a flag to express your ideas now; please take a photo of any flag you have produced.
Meet the Artist
Mark Mellinger Video Replay
Friday, September 17, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Mark Mellinger video replay from March 26, 2021.
Mark Mellinger: "In the '60s I studied at Cooper Union Art School, later I worked in biology research; ultimately, becoming a psychologist. While continuing my psychoanalytic practice, I paint, collage and make constructions of found objects in my Pittsfield studio. I love the Berkshire art scene."
Meet the Artist
Sally Lebwohl
Pastel Painter
Friday, September 24, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
My paintings aim to capture a moment of light and are inspired by everyday life. Soft pastels enable me to create work that is gestural and saturated with pure pigment on paper.
My work contains a trace, or more, of human presence, a story unfolding in the landscape, streetscape, or interior space.
Representational landscapes and streetscapes are derived from places that are familiar to me. I have recently returned to live in Massachusetts, now making my home in Berkshire County.
The orange cone series, a repeated object in the landscape from my former neighborhood in East Cambridge MA…a symbol of human presence. Streetscapes, Interior spaces, chairs, inviting or abandoned. Landscapes grab me with their light, often mysterious, and feeling of distance or intimacy. I become more aware of the power and beauty of the world around us as I describe it with color and shape.
I majored in Studio art in college, concentrating in printmaking. I then studied architecture and worked in photography and marketing in architecture. Next, I was an archivist and worked on publications for art galleries in NYC. While raising a family in NY, CT, and NJ, I earned a certificate in Appraisal in Fine and Decorative Arts, while continuing to draw and work in watercolor, until I discovered the strength and rich pigment of soft pastel on paper.
Meet the Artist
Bruce Shickmanter
Video Replay
Friday, October 1, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Join us for a video presentation of Bruce Shickmanter's talk from November 20, 2020 with the Guild of Berkshire Artists.
Bruce Shickmanter retired in 2012 from his work as a physician in Berkshire County. After retirement he decided to pursue a long-term interest in watercolor painting. In his paintings Bruce tries to use pleasing shapes along with light and color to convey a sense of magic, mystery and movement. He uses the texture and matte finish of gouache to create a contrast with the transparent and ephemeral qualities of watercolors. The scenes he paints are often places he has come across while hiking or biking or are inspired by a photo that stimulates his creativity. Bruce’s paintings have been shown at St. Francis Gallery in Lee, MA, The Artful Mind Gallery in Lenox, MA, Chocolate Springs Cafe in Lenox, MA and in multiple group shows in various locations with the Guild of Berkshire Artists.
Meet the Artist
Michael Coyne
Friday, October 8, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Mike Coyne is a retired emergency physician whose artistic endeavors include; photography, ceramics, metalwork and, painting with inks and watercolors. Much of his work is inspired by nature, color, mountain biking, hiking, and travel. All items of his metalwork are made from upcycled metal. The artist welds, bonds, grinds, and paints each individually. Each piece is unique.
Meet the Artist
TBD
Friday, October 15, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Presentation by a member of the Guild of Berkshire Artists, or a Video. TBD
Meet the Artist
Mary Carol Rudin
Oil Painter
Friday, October 22, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
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Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
My early creative pursuits were sewing, cooking, and singing. The first two were valuable in my life and singing required no equipment.
As an adult, I have had the opportunity to explore the world and travel far and wide. I have visited historical places, museums and galleries as well as natural environments.
As an artist, my work is informed by the time in which I live, my surroundings, my travels, and my life experiences. I am also inspired by metaphors, symbols, poetry, and writing of all kinds.
I study the work of classical, contemporary, figurative, and abstract artists. I learn from the risks they have taken and that encourages me to try different styles as well as mediums; each of which present different challenges.
In Southern California, my teachers and mentors include John Strong and Ilana Block as well as various instructors at Brentwood Art Center and the University of California Los Angeles. In New York City I have taken workshops at The Art Students League, Salmagundi Club, National Academy of Art, New York Academy of Art, Chelsea Classical Studio. And, most recently webinars on Vimeo with Alyssa Monks.
I grew up in Southern California, and now live and work in New York City and the Southern Berkshires.
Meet the Artist
David King
A Christmas Journey
Friday, October 29, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Kevin O'Hara of Pittsfield, began writing Christmas stories for The Berkshire Eagle back in 1982. Since then, Kevin has written 35 Christmas columns for The Eagle. His interest began after reading "A Child's Christmas in Wales," by Dylan Thomas. Over the years, fans of Kevin's writing suggested that he should put together a collection of his favorite Yuletide tales in book form with accompanying illustrations. After many years of being encouraged to publish a compilation of his work, Kevin came up with 16 of his favorite tales and asked me to do the artwork for each one. Kevin approached Fredric Rutberg, president and publisher at The Eagle, who became keen to the idea and gave him financial backing to publish the book. Both Kevin and Mr. Rutberg wanted to keep the project local, so they picked Studley Press in Dalton to do the actual printing of the book.
I initially met Kevin on a trip to Ireland several years ago which he arranged through a travel agency in East Long Meadow. During the course of that trip I learned that there were three other local artists in the group. While at dinner one night we came up with the idea of putting together an art show based on our experiences during our Ireland journey. The show was displayed at St. Francis Gallery in Lee and was a great success. Kevin liked what he saw in the paintings I created for the show and I think that influenced his decision to produce “A Christmas Journey”.
Meet the Artist
Susan Metcalfe Honneus
Book Launch
Into the Wind
Friday, November 19, 2021 at 5-6 pm
Zoom link:
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 812 5319 8713
Password: 998958
Susan Honneus has written and illustrated a book called "Into the Wind" about a wild mustang. She is hoping to share this message with young readers and their parents because as a horse lover, she wants to draw attention to the plight of wild horses living on public lands in our Western States.