newsletter 2009 - North River Arts Society

NORTH RIVER ARTS SOCIETY
newsletter 2009
NRAS Revitalization Campaign Update
The overall goal
inside:
NRAS Calendar of
Events 2009
Award Winning Artists 2008
Meet Artist
Laurie Borden
NRAS Summer Art
Studio for
Children: An
Taliesin-Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Summer
Home
My Journey as an
Artist by Barbara
Peavey
HOW TO:
Gelatin
Printmaking
Good news!
The North River Arts Society’s Revitalization Campaign has taken the exciting first step in realizing our building goals.
Funds have been committed to developing
architectural plans for the renovation of
the Firehouse (sometimes referred to as the
Boathouse, but historically recognized as
the Firehouse). Campbell Smith Architects
has been selected to lead the effort, guided
by Chris DeOrsay, a NRAS neighbor,
former NRAS student, and an architect at
the firm. Campaign Committee members
Marcia Ballou, Elizabeth Welch, Ginny
Glickman, Barry Cornwall, Carmine Bruno,
and Liz Haywood-Sullivan will provide
oversight of building logistics on behalf of
the NRAS Board of Directors.
Taking this step is important for several reasons
The completed Firehouse will
establish a permanent, functional facility
for our youth program, allow us to develop
more fully art education partnerships with
our schools, and provide gallery space
for the Festival of the Arts and temporary
operations space during stage two, the
renovation of the G.A.R. Hall. This step
also publicly demonstrates our commitment
to our community, to our campaign goals,
to fiscal responsibility, and to action. And,
we demonstrate that we are worthy of the
greater support that we are seeking in revitalizing the G.A.R. Hall.
Estimated renovation cost for
the Firehouse is $250,000. We need
to raise $150,000. Fundraising is
underway on all fronts. Sponsorship
opportunities with return marketing
benefit are available for businesses.
We are approaching public and private
grant resources, cultivating individual
donations, and staging fundraising
events.
In September, a series of fund-
raising events — artsOn! — netted
nearly $13,000, attracted attendees
from a broad geographic reach, and
garnered attention from the media with
coverage in South Shore Living, The
Boston Globe, The Patriot Ledger, and
the Mariner. In December, Revitalization submitted a grant requeswt to
the Mass. Cultural Facilities Fund for
$200,000 in support of the Firehouse
How you can help
Connect us to your network
of friends and businesses. Share your
ideas … your time… and your financial support. If you have a website,
provide a link to our programming
and campaign. Ask your company to
match a donation that you make. And
do not forget that in-kind contributions
of professional expertise help defray
our costs and are a significant component of our overall campaign.
Just imagine how wonderful
it will be when the Firehouse is open
for our children’s programs and the
Festival!
Contact us and let us talk about the
possibilities!
Marcia Ballou
[email protected]
Elizabeth Welch
[email protected]
The Revitalization of the G.A.R. Hall represents a partnership
with the Town of Marshfield, which granted the North River Arts
Society a forty-year lease with the understanding that the organization will renovate the hall and adjacent building. Important
structural improvements will make our buildings safer, maintain
and revitalize a building of historic significance, and allow NRAS
to continue to thrive and meaningfully contribute as an art center
for years to come.
Additional program spaces will provide additional opportunity
for studio workshops with visiting artists, exhibits and artist-inresidence projects, outdoor activities, and expanded classes for
children.
Structural improvements and new building systems bring code
improvements, ADA accessibility, efficient heat and air-conditioning, display lighting, exhibit installations, safe storage and
parking, and service access.
The North River Arts Society is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit
organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent
provided by law.
G.A.R. Hall Revitalization
Campaign Steering Committee
Marcia Ballou, Chairman
Barry Cornwall
Ginny Glickman
Dick Hall
Margaret Smoragiewicz
Elizabeth Welch
Advisors
Peggy and Carmine Bruno
Sue Charles
Dick and Dot Krause
Don and Mary Marks
Robin and George McGoff
D.D. Pierce
Ambassadors
Jack and Linda Borror
Robert Carr
Judith Gray
Dick and Ellie Hoehn
Karl and Viola Kaumlen
Steve Marsh
Connie Mitchell
Jim and Judy O’Gara
Diane Scott
Jean Tsokanis
Board of Directors Officers
Mary Curran, President
Jack Haran, First Vice President
Liz Haywood Sullivan, Vice President
Sandy Donnellan, Treasurer
Jody Regan, Clerk
Construction Manager
Architect Phil Hresko’s Preliminary Conceptual Rendering
for North River Arts Society and the G.A.R. Hall.
Richard Garaffo
Avary Corporation
North River Arts Society
Mission Statement
The philosophy of the North River Arts Society is to encourage and support artists and patrons
of the arts for the promotion of cultural enrichment in the community; to always keep before us the
concept of how to reflect best what the NRAS is; and to take care to ensure that all types and styles
of artwork be treated fairly and equally without prejudice for one kind or another in the classes,
exhibits, and shows sponsored by the NRAS.
Thank You artsOn! Supporters!
To our members who opened their homes and hosted fundraising
dinners...to our artists who opened their studios and shared their
work to create a beautiful exhibit at the G.A.R. Hall - and the awesome display at Webster Square...to our supporting businesses and
volunteers who gave their time and resources...Thank You!
Because of you, our first annual artsOn! was a great success.
O!
We’re already planning a second annual arts n
An Open Studios Tour is scheduled for
October 3, 2009. Mark your calendar and check our
website regularly for other activities.
Doug Aaberg
Marcia Ballou
Anne and Georg Boshack
David Brega
Maureen Brookfield
Rick and Laura Brown
Ellen Callahan
Pamela Price & Larry Carpman
Sue Charles
Nancy Collela
Barry and Deborah Cornwall
Sally Dean
Bonnie and Ralph DeOrsay
Dorit Flowers
Gwen Frazier
Chris and Chet Gillis
Ginny Glickman
Jack & Mac Haran
Laura Harvey
Silke and Bernhard Heine
Betsy and Ed Hines
Ellie and Dick Hoehn
HOLA
Laura Tryon Jennings
Karl & Viola Kaumlen
Carol Kiburis
Dick & Dorothy Simpson Krause
Rick Kyle
Barbara and Gordon Leach
Mary and Don Marks
Ann Murphy
Marshfield Business Center
Marsh’s Liquors
Lynn and Paul McElaney
Robin and George McGoff
Al Mello
Peter Nappellio
Karl Nestelberger
Sadie Ohlund
D.D. Pierce
Jody Regan
Sergio Roffo
Leo and Susan Robinson
Donna Rossetti-Bailey
Diane Scott
Mike Sleeper
Walter Steinkrauss
Liz Haywood Sullivan
Michael Sullivan
Mary Taylor
Laura Tryon Jennings
Julie and Al Uhler
Ron and Anne Uhlin
Elizabeth Welch
Uta and Roger Williams
Babs and Cary Wolinsky
Cindy and John Wright
Netta and Paul Vercollone
MEMBERSHIP
DRIVE ‘09
Its that time of year again!
Current NRAS memberships expired on January 31, 2009.
Your membership dues allow us
to continue to offer our wonderful
art programs, which help to culturally enrich our community.
Membership dues allow the NRAS
to offer art classes for adults, children and teens; special exhibits
promoting local artists; educational events; and much more!
Please show your support for the
NRAS and renew your membership using the renewal package
you received in the mail - or renew
today on the website.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED SUPPORT!
North River Arts Society
Calendar of Events 2009
march
please check website for all details
13
13
13 - 15
20-22
23
27
Deadline for Focus on Figures entries
Deadline for Artisans Applications for Festival of the Arts
Workshop: Basic Techniques in Painting Sharp Focus Realism with David Brega
Workshop: THE DYNAMIC PASTEL LANDSCAPE with Liz Haywood-Sullivan
Photography Exhibit Drop-Off 9-12 and 7-9 at the G.A.R. Hall
Photography Exhibit Opening Reception at the G.A.R. Hall. Show runs 28 - April 5.
6-10
17
26
Drop-Off accepted work: Focus on Figures 9-12
Figure Show Opening Reception at the G.A.R. Hall.
Show runs 18-26.
Pick-up: Figure Show 3-5 Second pick-up: April 28 7-9
5
16
22
23 & 24
Drop-Off: Jured Art & Photography for Festival 7-9 Second drop-off: May 9 10-1
Pick-Up Unaccepted Art & Photography 10-12 Second pick-up: May 18 7-9
Festival of the Arts Gala Opening Reception
33rd Annual Festival of the Arts
13 & 14
22-26
Workshop: CAPTURING LIGHT IN THE LANDSCAPE with Colin Page
Workshop: PAINT THE LANDSCAPE IN SOFT PASTEL with Maggie Price
6-10
13-17
20-24
27-31
Summer Art Studio for Children
Summer Art Studio for Children
Summer Art Studio for Children
Summer Art Studio for Children
3-7
8 & 9
10-14
10-14
Young Artists Masters Program Week I Curriculum for 2009 TBA
Workshop: THE DIGITAL WORLD with Christine Ivers
Young Artists Masters Program Week II
Workshop: PAINTING THE PLEIN AIR PASTEL LANDSCAPE with Liz Haywood-Sullivan
21-25
Workshop: PAINTING THE INSPIRED PORTRAIT & FIGURE with Johanna Harmon
3
16
artsOn! Studio Tours
Art Calendar 2011 Opening Reception.
14
21 & 22
Drop-Off: Holiday Art Sale 10-12
Annual Holiday Art Sale 10-4
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
Session I Whales, Snails & Beach Pails
Session II Bats, Cats & Witches’ Hats
Session III Journey Through the Jungle
Session IV Theatre Arts:Folktales from Around the World
Exhibit runs Oct. 17-25.
Second drop-off: Nov. 16
7-9
Membership Acknowledgements
as of December 2008
Benefactors
Ray Amorosi and Peg Tampone
Patrons
Don & Mary Marks
Lou & Jane Seoane
Carol M. Sullivan
Sponsors
Anna Gail Campanelli
Jeanne & Tim Horan
Dick & Dorothy Krause
The Russell Family
Norwin & Patti Wolff
Donors
Anne & Georg Bohsack
Sandra Donnellan & Family
Peter & Roberta Fairbanks
Liz Haywood-Sullivan & Family
Dick & Ellie Hoehn
Tom Hughes
Imants & Carol Kiburis
Don Jaffe & Marti Morrison
Charles Weyerhaeuser
Contributors
Sally Bevilaqua
Paul & Karen Biagini
Blue Heron Fine Art
Tom & Bitsy Bullock
John Cusick
John Eric Cusick
Patricia DeYoung
Charles Drea
John & Linda Eaton
George & Lya Fait
Carrie Farmer
Ruby Fawcett
Robert Freestone/The Village Framer
David & Kerri Gallaway
Virginia Gill
Patricia Gray
The Lachaise Foundation
Heidimarie Lange
John Lyons, Jr.
John Nutter
Jim & Judy O’Gara
Linda Osborne
D.D. Pierce
Ken & Maura Rand
Joe & Diane Scott
Scott & Peggy Slade
Roger & Uta Williams
NRAS
Board of Directors 2009
OFFICERS
Jack Haran President
Liz Haywood-Sullivan Vice President
Sandra Donnellan
Treasurer
Jody Regan Clerk
DIRECTORS
Marcia Ballou
Margaret Farrell Bruno
Virginia Glickman
Judith Gray
Mac Haran
Jeanne Horan
Nicole Keiley
Paul McCarthy
Susan McCarthy
David Petty
Diane D. Pierce
Mike Sleeper
Elizabeth Welch
OFFICE STAFF
Laura Harvey
Office Manager/Education Coordinator
Susan B. Charles
Office Assistant/Webmaster
NRAS Board of Directors/Office Staff
Back Row (l to r): Mike Sleeper, Mac Haran, Ted Polomis, Judy Gray,
Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Jody Regan, Paul McCarthy, DD Pierce,
David Petty, Ginny Glickman, Laura Harvey
Middle (l to r): Jeanne Horan, Sandy Donnellan, Jack Haran, Mary
Curran
Front Row (l to r): Sue McCarthy, Sue Charles, Marcia Ballou,
Nicole Keiley
2008 AWARD WINNING ARTISTS
Congratulations to the following artists who won awards for work submitted to a
North River Arts Society Exhibit during 2008
20th Annual Members Show
Juror: Mary Moquin
Best of Show: Laurie Borden
Phyllis Kendrick Howard Memorial Award
For Floral Composition: Tina Watson
Awards of Excellence
Debbie Burnham
Eli Cedrone
Liz Haywood-Sullivan
Dorothy Simpson Krause
Rain Rodolph
Ben Zawalich
Honorable Mentions
Nancy Colella
Jane Flavell Collins
Nancy Connolly
Becky Haletky
Ken Lindgren
Mary Lizotte
Jeanne MacFarland
Polly Pyne
Diane Scott
Elizabeth M. Ryan
Gail Marie Nauen
Jody Regan
32nd Annual Festival of the Arts
Photography Exhibit
Juror: Steve Dunwell
Best of Show: Tony Andrade
Frank D. Sullivan, Jr. Memorial Award for Nautical
Theme: Thomas Dowd
Linda Movsessian Memorial Award for Humor
Liz Affa
1st Place Color: Jeffrey Albert
1st Place Black & White: Cindy Vallino
1st Place Special Effects: Paul Weiner
Honorable Mentions:
Color: Lynne Shackelton-Ford, Marie Doland
Black & White: Richard D. Lewis, Mary Schiess
Special Effects: Jack Foley
32nd Annual Festival of the Arts
Juried Art & Sculpture Exhibit
Jurors: Kimberly duCharme, Donald Mosher,
Janine Wong
Best of Show: Kimberlee Alemian
Richard B. Fawcett Memorial Award for Humor
Becky Haletky
A.A. Wills Memorial Award for Drawing
Chuck Tamulynas
Katherine M. Wolff Memorial Award for Floral Composition: Paula Villanova
Simms Brothers Marine Award for Nautical Theme
Patricia Isaac
Carolyn B. Harvey Memorial Award for Creativity
Judith Rossman
Joanne F. Regan Memorial Award for Composition
Phyllis Dobbyn Adams
Marj Prescott Memorial Award for Sculpture
Jack Nash
1st Place Graphics/Mixed Media/Drawing & Computer
Art: Viola Kaumlen
1st Place Oil/Acrylic: Nancy Colella
1st Place Pastel: Maureen Spinale
1st Place Watercolor: Betty Rogers
Honorable Mentions:
Oil/Acrylic: Sergio Roffo, Gloria Sullivan
Watercolor: Stephen H. Holland, Betty Rogers
Pastel: Susan Benoit, Donna Rossetti-Bailey
Graphics/Mixed Media/Drawing/Computer Art:
Ann Conte, Lisa Macklin
Sculpture: Christopher Jones, Mimi White
3rd Annual NRAS Calendar Competition
for 2009
Calendar Cover: Margaret McWethy
January: Diana Rousseau
February: Dorothy Simpson Krause
March: Jeanne MacFarland
April: Eli Cedrone
May: Jody Regan
June: Mary Hufnagle Murray
July: Dorit Flowers
August: Christine Gillis
September: Christine Bodnar
October: Bettina Lesieur
November: Viola Kaumlen
December: Stephen Boczanowski
Laurie Borden
Best in Show Award for “Pink Azalea, Champagne Pearls”
NRAS Members Show 2008
By Sue McCarthy
I have always enjoyed Laurie Borden’s work…..her
still lifes and landscapes….paintings of animals. Therefore,
when she won Best in Show at the North River Arts Society’s
2008 Members Show, I decided to find out more about what
inspires her to greatness! Here is what I discovered.
Laurie comes from a very artistic family and is largely
self-taught. Her work, although sometimes painterly, sometimes
highly resolved, she describes as realism. Laurie enjoys trying
new approaches, mediums, and surfaces. Although she occasionally works in pastel and watercolor, and has recently rediscovered the fun and challenges of charcoal and graphite drawing,
Laurie works mainly in oil on linen canvas. Her pieces have a
wide range of sizes, including miniatures as small as one inch
square, done on piano key ivory.
Laurie Borden has a background in advertising and
commercial art, and enjoys taking courses and workshops from
artists whose work she admires and respects, including Jared
Clackner, Paul George, John Kilroy, David Brega, Frank Strazzulla, Jr., and her late father-in-law Clement Micarelli. She feels
one of the greatest things about creating art is the endless potential for growth and diversity…and states that she learns something new every time she paints. Because some paint colors are
prone to fading, cracking, and yellowing over time, Laurie uses
a limited palette of colors picked for their lightfast rating and
archival qualities and chooses painting surfaces for their unique
textures and archival qualities, as well. She stretches her own
canvases and prepares her own boards.
I discovered that Laurie works almost exclusively from
life when painting still-lifes and landscapes, but when painting
portraits of children and animals, she works from photo references she has taken and color studies she has made on location.
She also works from provided photos, when necessary. Her
influences are eclectic and include Whistler, Homer, Sargent,
Liljefors, Klimpt, and Waterhouse, whose books she pores over
for inspiration and enjoyment whenever she gets the chance.
In each of Laurie’s paintings, she “strives for a timeless
quality that captures the mood and personality of the subject whether it’s a child, a pet, or just a pear…if I achieve that, I feel
the painting is a success.” In addition to her Best in Show at the
2008 Members Show, she has won awards at the NRAS Festival
of the Arts, South Shore Art Association’s Arts on the Common,
Duxbury Art Association’s Winter Juried Show, Cape Cod Art
Association’s New England Juried Show, Concord Art Association’s Annual Roddy Competition, the Miniature Art Society of
Florida’s Annual International Miniature Show, and Pembroke
Art Association’s Summer Art Show.
continued on page 9
NRAS Summer Art Studio for Children:
an Update
by Jody Regan
Art Studios for Children, held each summer at
North River Arts Society, marked its second annual foray
into theater last August with a production of Shakespeare’s
“Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Art Studios for Children runs
during the morning for four weeks in July and August. The experienced teachers design their classroom curriculum to coordinate with
the weekly theme. The
themes this past summer included “Down
by The Sea,” “Pirate
Party,” and “Animals
Mild & Wild.” Students
range in age from 6
– 11 years old, and
can be seen painting, creating mosaics,
clay, collage, printmaking, and much more! The final week
of Art Studios worked
a little differently these
last two years, under
the guidance of Art
Studios Director Nicole Keiley. The students undertook
Shakespeare’s comedy ”Midsummer Night’s Dream.” They designed and created sets, props, and costumes,
while memorizing their parts for the performance, which
was open to the public on the final morning of the week. Shakespeare might seem a bit ambitious for twenty-three
children from kindergarten through fifth grade who meet for
a total of 15 hours during the week, the last given over to
the performance. However, just like last year’s plays
based on Greek Myths,
this year’s extravaganza
was again a joy to behold. In front of a lusciously
painted backdrop depicting night in the forest with
a distant castle against
the starry sky, the large,
sparkling crescent moon
suspended above, the
young thespians performed
their three-act version of
Shakespeare’s enduring comedy to a packed house.
It is wonderful to see the stage at the historic G.A.R. Hall
used again for theatrical performances. The energy and
creativity of our young artists is indescribable. Keep an
eye out for this summer’s Art Studios’ schedule. Another
great week of theater and other exciting themes are
guaranteed. We hope you join us this upcoming summer! Taliesin – Frank Lloyd Wright’s
Summer Home
by Paul F. McCarthy
In the gently rolling hills of southwestern
Wisconsin, in the town of Spring Green, the Wisconsin
River meanders through small wooded valleys in a
pastoral landscape evocative of England and Wales.
Indeed, the
Lloyd Joneses, maternal relatives
of Frank Lloyd
Wright, the
self-described
“Greatest
Architect in
America,”
settled there
because of its
similarity to the dales of their Welsh birthplace. It
was amongst his mother’s kindred that he felt peace
and connection. The natural beauty of his childhood
surroundings and his teacher mother’s relentless cultivation helped him to develop into a remarkable artist,
interior designer, and architectural genius.
In 1910, Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney,
the wife of one of his Oak Park, Illinois, clients, abandoned their respective families and children and sailed
to Europe. While abroad, Wright began the design for
a summer refuge in Spring Green, on land given him
by his mother. He intended to live there with Mamah
until the furor over their relationship died down. He
called this refuge Taliesin, a Welsh word meaning
“a shining brow.” Frank Lloyd Wright’s credo was
to design buildings that
would compliment nature
and give the inhabitants
spaces that connected
them with the outdoors
without insulting the harmony of the building site.
Wright purposefully made
Taliesin part of the natural
landscape rather than a
prominent appendage. He built Taliesin on the brow of
a hill rather than at its top, believing that a hill ceased
to be a hill if you lived directly on top of it. Taliesin
was a work in progress, which Wright developed in
its entirety over the course of 60 years. It consists of
numerous buildings on different parts of the 600-acre
property.
Inherent in Wright’s philosophy of building in
concert with nature are the building materials that
are used throughout the Taliesin complex. Dolomite
limestone, locally quarried, and Wisconsin River sand
mixed in with the mortar tie the design into its surroundings in a way that suggests the buildings are
outcroppings of the natural landscape. Every part of
Taliesin bears Wright’s signature style. Frank Lloyd
Wright designed all of the window treatments, frames,
sashes, glass, and trim; the doors, gates, fence posts,
entry ways, gardens; furniture, fireplaces, lighting
fixtures, and accessories to complement his unique
vision and to agree thematically with the entire presentation of buildings, walls, and structures. All who
enter his creation will immediately know they are in
a place unlike anything they have ever experienced.
His imagination engulfs you and you become one with
the artist’s vision. You may or may not like a particular
element, but you realize that the element in question
was well thought out and pleased its creator, and that
everything in the design was done purposefully and
never superficially. Taliesin was included in the US
Register of Historical Places in 1976 and a visit is only
a pleasant three and a half hour drive from Chicago.
Tours run from May through October and it is advisable to make reservations in advance. All tours start
at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center, which is
also the only restaurant he ever designed, and is a
perfect place to have a delightful lunch while seated on
Wright- designed furniture overlooking the Wisconsin
River he so loved.
“Every time I come back here it is with the feeling
there is nothing anywhere better than this.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright
Laura Borden (continued)
You can see Laurie’s work at the Christopher Gallery in Cohasset, MA, and T. Benjamin Fiske Fine Art in Milton, MA. Her
paintings are in private collections throughout New England,
as well as California and Florida. Laurie’s work will be
featured in an exhibit sponsored by the NRAS at the Ventress
Library in March 2009.
Laurie Borden works from her home studio in Hingham, MA, which she shares with her husband Domenic, her
son, and several cats.
Visit the SWITCH Gallery
Located at the G.A.R. Hall, this new venture was created
as a cooperative gallery for NRAS member artists, the goal
being to provide a professional gallery setting in which to
exhibit and sell works by established local artists, as well as
those created by emerging newcomers. Occupying the front
section of the
G.A.R. Hall (in
the space formerly known
as “The Little
Gallery”), this
gallery accommodates
approximately
25 pieces of
artwork. This
is a cooperative effort, so engagement and participation
in the process is essential for the gallery to thrive. The
Switch Gallery will evolve as participating members work
to improve it.
The gallery is open during office hours (Monday-Friday,
9-12), or by appointment.
We encourage all artist members to participate. Entry fee
is only $5. Visit the website for information regarding the
THANK YOU
to all who participated in the 26th NRAS Annual
Holiday Art Sale! The weekend of November 22 &
23 was full of activity and goodwill as NRAS member
artists submitted works of art for purchase. In addition
to these artists, the Art Sale was
made possible with help from
many volunteers.
SPECIAL THANKS to
TORI BREGA and
MaC HARAN for making this
year better than ever!
Opportunities to Exhibit at
the North River Arts Society
“The philosophy of the NRAS is to encourage and support artists and patrons of the arts for the
promotion of cultural enrichment in the community; to
always keep before us the concept of how to reflect
best what the NRAS is; and to take care to ensure
that all types and styles of art work be treated fairly
and equally without prejudice for one kind or another
in the classes, exhibits, and shows sponsored by the
NRAS.” In keeping with our philosophy, the North
River Arts Society is pleased to offer many opportunities for artists to show their work throughout the year.
North River Arts Society’s Juried Shows
such as the Festival of the Arts - Fine Art & Photography Exhibits (May 2009), and the Art Calendar
Exhibit (October 2009) and Focus on Figures (April
2009), offer open entry to all artists. These are competitive shows, juried by a panel of or a single juror,
and only a portion of the work entered is accepted
for exhibit and given awards. Open Shows, such as
the Members Show (February 2009) and the Photography Exhibit (March 2009), invite North River Arts
Society current members to show their work in a noncompetitive setting. All work submitted is displayed
and prizes are awarded in the Members Show.
Through our Invitational Exhibits, we offer
artists the opportunity and venue to show their work
in solo, group, or themed invitational exhibits. Artists
must be a current a member of NRAS and exhibit
their work in the annual Members Show. A committee views the work on display at the Members Show
and chooses artists for these exhibits. The Ventress
Library Gallery in Marshfield and the Dolphin Gallery
at the Hingham Public Library offer individual artists
a gallery type space to professionally show and sell
their artwork. The library gallery exhibits run for six to
eight weeks. NRAS is pleased to offer the exhibiting
artists a reception in their honor to open the exhibit.
The GAR (Main) Hall Gallery & the Switch
Gallery also offer member artists the opportunity
to exhibit. Exhibits in the Main Hall are hung for a
shorter time, are smaller in size (60 or less pieces)
and must be kept to the perimeter of the room so that
daily art classes can continue without major interruption. The exhibits can be open shows, or curated,
ie, by invitation. These exhibits are organized from
start to finish by the originator, with the guidance of
the NRAS staff. NRAS is accepting proposals if you
have an idea for one of these two spaces. Please
bring your proposal to the attention of Laura Harvey
or any member of the Arts & Exhibits Committee.
My Journey as an Artist
by Barbara H. Peavey
My life began in Brooklyn, New York. My
grandparents came to New York from Norway in the
early 1900s and had one child, my mother Helen. My
father left before I was born and my mother died tragically in a fire when I was nine. Very shortly afterwards,
my grandfather and great uncle died as well. Without
a doubt, my grandmother was my salvation and, so I
was told, I was hers.
Throughout my childhood, I loved coloring,
drawing, or painting and found it to be a welcome
activity when visiting family or friends and everyone
around me was speaking Norwegian. I always had my
crayons, coloring books, colored pencils and paper to
keep me company.
I took art classes only through the eighth
grade, but in high school, learning the violin earned
me a place in the high school orchestra. In any other
subject where I could exercise my use of drawing or
painting, I took the opportunity. Illustrating book report
covers always bumped my grade to an A+. I always
felt my challenge was to do a job well and, whenever
possible, make it beautiful.
After graduating from high school, my formal
education ended. Despite my dreams of becoming
an illustrator, or perhaps a commercial artist, going to
college was not a practical choice for me at the time.
I had taken typing and stenography classes in school,
so I took a job as a clerk/stenographer for the Navy
at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. It was there that I met
Sheldon Peavey who was an MP in the Army.
While working at the Army Base, I had my first
experience painting with oils. After buying the necessary supplies, I enrolled in a class with a local framer
who was offering evening classes. For our first class,
he set up a still life and walked us through the beginning techniques of painting, which I found very exciting. I still have that first painting! After that, I entered a
couple of art shows at the Army Base and even won a
few ribbons. Then I married Sheldon, the best prize of
all!
We married in January 1964 and moved to
Massachusetts. While raising three children, I began
decorative painting, including many designs on slates
and thousands of Christmas ornaments for the Ocean
Spray Visitor’s Center Gift Shop. I was commissioned
by Ocean Spray to paint a scene for their Corporate
Note Cards. In addition, Plymouth Plantation purchased many wooden items from me with pilgrims
painted on them.
In the mid to late 1970s, I took a series of
painting classes with a well-known marine painter,
Marshall Joyce, of Kingston. Marshall was a major
influence in my career as an artist, and I was always
impressed by his welcoming manner and humor, not
to mention his skillful handling of oils and wonderful
use of color.
I continued to learn by watching artist demonstrations, attending workshops and going on countless trips to art museums. Reading art books and
receiving tips from fellow artists were also immensely
helpful. All of these things contributed to my artist
education, and through the years, I joined local artist
associations, entered work in juried shows, and became a Copley Artist. I have found that knowing what
to paint is a concept that comes from within.
In 1989, I was invited to show my work on
Nantucket Island and my Fine Art painting really took
off. Finding the island to be a never-ending wealth of
inspirational beauty, my paintings of various Nantucket scenes are so numerous I have lost count of them.
As is true for everyone, my life experiences
have helped shape who I am today, and I like to think
a part of who I am is reflected in my paintings. I am
proud of my determination to pursue my dream of
becoming an artist and will continue on this “art walk”
I so dearly love. Sometimes it is joyful and sometimes
agonizing, but I am happy to be on this journey. There
is always an opportunity to learn more, create new
paths, and paint the beauty that comes from within.
HOW TO:
GELATIN PRINTMAKING
by Mary Taylor
Utilizing the humblest materials, gelatin printmaking is an inexpensive, non-toxic
way to quickly create beautiful one of a kind prints (monoprints).
Beginning with water and gelatin (unflavored food grade KNOX or commercial ballistics gelatin). A solid block of gelatin is made in a mold such as a flat-bottomed
pan. Once the gelatin sets it is ready to be used as a printing block or plate.
The print block/plate is then inked with water soluble inks rolled on to the surface
with a brayer then with the use of textured materials such as lace, leaves, bubble
wrap, stencils etc. created lightly imprinted images on the block. Soft paper is then
pressed gently down onto the surface of the ink and when pulled away the image is
transferred/printed onto the paper.
Negative and positive images can be created and with multiple layers of imagery
printed to the paper more complex prints can be developed.
The gelatin can be cut to shapes, inked and used like a rubber stamp, stencils can
help with repetition of patterns, the only limitations are your imagination. Use of
sharp materials with ruin the gelatin plate quickly and so working with soft flexible
materials allows the plate to last for weeks at a time. It is necessary to refrigerate
the gelatin between sessions and bring it to room temperature to work with it again.
I use the process to create an abundance of unique collage materials that I later
integrate into art pieces including artist’s books. Sometimes I photograph the inked
plate and incorporate those digitally captured images in my digital collages. The
process is relaxing, free style mark making that allows me to work out color and
texture relationships without stressing over laborious set up and clean up required
for other printmaking techniques.
To learn more about this process you can visit my website instruction page: http://
marytaylorart.com/FAQ/FAQ%20Gelatin%20Print.htm