Paul Chojnowski "I have been burning images into wood and paper as a means of drawing for over three decades. During that time I have continued refining and experimenting with the process. Using propane torches I burn, scorch, re-burn, sand and scratch the surface of paper or wood to create my drawings. It’s become a methodology ripe with possibilities that I have continued to mine, develop, and alter to realize my ideas. My earlier work, the "Nocturne Series" was inspired by walking at night under the streetlights and neon of American cities; those drawings resembled soft focus sepia toned photographs. My recent work is a considerable departure in regard to content, execution and appearance - from those dark, abstracted cityscapes, my landscapes are light filled, carefully rendered landscapes. In early 2024, I began and continue to develop a series of narrative drawings entitled the Alternative Endings Project. "
Sam Craig
Bryan Powers Past generations valued material and resources, saving scraps for projects and repurposing items before it was known as “recycling”. We then entered an era of disposable, one time use, throw away items. Mindsets shifted from “how can I fix or reuse this item?” to “I can just buy a new, shiny one”. We have evolved again, returning to consciousness of the value of items and the earth. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has become a common in our language. Bryan Powers sees himself as a sculptural archeologist, who roams Berkshire County’s streams, forests and former farms for his next found treasures. He searches for discarded items with unique characteristics like rot, deformities, and wear. The abandoned, long forgotten, discarded items discovered give the artist a palette of color, texture and history. Bryan is inspired/guided/moved by the ways in which his materials connect to one another, letting the relationship between the material of each piece guide its development. These connections unify the material into a visually simple but thought-provoking form. The resulting art piece can seem to defy gravity, portray moving parts and show unexpected visual fluidity. The surface of the sculpture naturally patinas which provokes the idea that the piece is never complete. Bryan explores space through the discarded items he finds.
Lou Wallach "I create one of a kind pieces made from sustainable wood that are inspired by the material and the environment from which it came. Many designs reflect the natural shapes of plants, stones and water, while others draw on the classical shapes of ancient vessels. Ultimately each piece is meant to bring the nature of the Berkshires into the home. Whether for use, or simply display, they connect to trees and land. I look for the intersection of natural form and imagination that reveals itself as the piece evolves. The wood is my partner in design, it has within it a form that has to be respected and allowed to influence the finished work. Trees are not cut down for my material."
Patricia Weise: "My gouache paintings are a celebration of the routines of daily life, at the same time reflecting the uneasy recognition that these domestic rituals represent a continual struggle to stave off utter chaos. I started these paintings thinking of them as close-ups of areas of larger paintings of interior spaces, but they have taken on their own direction. Although I have been working on this series for some time, I still find compelling reasons in each painting to continue the exploration. I’m not sure what attracts me to this subject. It may be that the repetitive, meditative quality of some household tasks is not a far stretch from the actual activity of painting the scene. There is enjoyment in bringing order, even harmony, to a random arrangement of objects, shapes and colors. The drama and tension between flat shapes, lines of perspective, light and shadow and color are all played out on the picture plane. On another level, the objects depicted — teakettles, dishes, pots and pans, cups and glasses — can be seen as stand-ins for the deep human connections made in conversation in the kitchen."
Kara Zablotsky: "Having grown up among the beautiful trees of Washington, MA, I find inspiration in the natural shapes and patterns around me. As a potter trained in the creation of functional forms I explore the use of negative space by cutting decoration into my forms. As I work, I find ways to make space for light to come through. Using stoneware, I make pottery that has its place both on the dining table as well as on a display shelf."
Sally Tiska Rice was born and raised in the beautiful Berkshires and lives in a rural town with her husband and pets, where she draws inspiration from her surroundings. As a young girl, she would sit with her father as he designed and drew many blueprints. This was the start of her love for art and all of its forms. Sally was employed with Crane & Co., Inc., hand-painting stationery this including demonstrations at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. She is a spine injury survivor that finds her creative nature healing. After her forth spine surgery she decided to become an independent artist. While painting and drawing, she feels spiritually gratified, and relaxed. Sally is a multi-media artist who employs many different techniques into her paintings, using acrylic, watercolors, oil paints, pastels, and mixed media pieces. She uses spontaneity to compose artwork but also creates personal commission paintings, including people, pets, homes, and churches. Her love to travel has given Sally opportunities to further her understanding of art in all its forms. She has been able to visit many areas on the north coast ranging from the majestic mountains to the scenic shores. Sally has enjoyed art abroad, in Italy, Greece, Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean. These experiences have encouraged her knowledge and appreciation of the history of art. Sally's work has won awards nationally and internationally. She is a member of the Clock Tower Artist’s of Pittsfield MA, The Guild of Berkshire Artists, and Berkshire Art Association.
Julie Love Edmonds: "I paint in a realist style mostly in oils. My subjects are people, landscapes, and people in context. "
Luba Chizkik: "I love to draw from my dreams and fantasy: flowers, leaves, sea creatures... Hope everyone would enjoy my work."