The Emerald Isle Through an Artist's Eye

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 4

Candace Reed Stella Returns
Only recently returned from a trip to Ireland, local artist-teacher Candace Reed Stella has been inspired—okay, and perhaps challenged a bit, by yours truly when I asked her if she could handle an impromptu show for our upcoming "NH Wines" tasting/educational event ;)—to create a series of small canvases based on her journey. This will be her second solo show here at Ampers&.

How Beautiful!
The brushes must be a-flyin' over at Candace's because in the last couple of weeks she has painted and posted photos of several gorgeous pieces on her blog, that are hauntingly beautiful in their simplicity of palette and capture the true spirit of the Irish countryside perfectly. I've been fortunate to have visited Ireland a few times, and I found my mind pleasantly drifting back over the western coast of Ireland when I saw her new canvases.

Show Opens June 20 (sneak preview on 6/19)
In celebration of summer's arrival, Candace's exhibit officially opens on Saturday, 6/20, from 11-2 PM, with light refreshments offered. This coincides nicely with the grand opening of the Newmarket Farmers' Market (every Sat, 9-1, in the parking lot of the historic Stone Church Meeting House) and the kick-off of the Music on Main Street series—now in its second season (with live music by local musicians, every Sat. through Labor Day, from 11-2 PM at the bandstand downtown).

A sneak preview of Candace's works (and hence, my aforementioned "challenge" to Candace) is afforded those guests who sign up to attend a very special NH Wines wine tasting/educational event, featuring local wine expert Carla Snow, CSW. Click here for more info on Carla's new book: Wine & Dine with New Hampshire, featuring six NH wineries.

The show will run through Thursday, July 2, in the gallery at Ampers&, with weekday hours from 2-6 PM each T, W, & Th afternoon. Hope to see you there!

Bella Vita: Paintings from Ascoli Piceno

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 3

Only one more week before Bella Vita, the current show in my gallery, comes to an end.

Created in the plein air style, by University of New Hampshire Fine Art Graduates Jason Bombaci (BFA '07) and Kathi Smith (MFA '08), the show is a wonderful combination of works from an art history/art study class they attended in Italy during the summer of 2008.

Detail of Georgia's Window by Jason Bombaci

Pink Balcony by Kathi Smith

In addition to the 28 yummy paintings on display, visitors have also been treated to glimpses inside Smith's journals, which are works of art unto themselves.

A spread from one of Smith's art journals

It seems no one can resist the juxtaposition of Bombaci's warm and cool color palettes and his uncanny ability to portray light and shadow in his works. Or Smith's seemingly effortless and spontaneous brush work in response to changing light. Both artists have sold paintings from the show—six in total, which is remarkable given the current economy. As always, our little non-profit gallery is grateful for the public's show of support for the arts in our community.

Patricia Kaufman, master of energy and light

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 2

I've already posted one piece on an artist who inspires me, and I have plenty of others to include on that list. (That's one of the best things about running a local gallery: you get to meet so many wonderful and talented people!)

The wonderfully talented person I'm focusing on today is Patricia Kaufman. Her painting, "body of water" (below), actually hangs above the desk in my studio. (lucky me!) She surprised me with it one day—as a gift and a thank you—for opening and running the "first-gallery-ever" in our small New England mill town. I am honored to have it—and to have Patricia as a friend and neighbor, as well—and also, to be able to contemplate the truly amazing energy this painting evokes, each and every day.

Body of Water by Patricia Kaufman

One can almost meditate to Patricia's works, and feel the universal energy that flows from her mind's eye, through her brushes, and onto the canvas. (I often get goosebumps when I look at her paintings.)

Her work is special, and so is she. Patricia gives freely (both of herself, and her time) to many causes within our community, and children have always held a special place in her heart. Recently, she has made two separate pilgrimages to remote mountain villages in South America, bringing much needed school supplies to the children there. She's also offered special shows here, where 100% of profits from sales of selected pieces have gone to such causes. In return, she is inspired by the people she meets and the colorful cultures she experiences, and uses this imagery in her art to create an amazing body of work. Patricia's most recent collection of paintings and collages (to which I and two other friends were specially treated to a private sneak preview, before it was exhibited publically) can be found at the Bowersock Gallery in Provincetown, MA.

Be sure to check out her work, and see what I mean when I say her paintings show an incredible mastery of capturing energy and light. They are both radiant and humble at the same time—very much like the artist herself.

Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 1

Well, ever since I finally set up my blog, I've been flip-flopping more than John Kerry about what I should actually put up here. I've got a zillion ideas, but tend to be too orderly in my methods, which keeps me from just jumping right in.

So, I've decided to go against my usual "MO" and jump in anyway...

Hymn to the Masses by Lisa Reinke

Here's the first in a series of inspiring works by inspiring artists I've had the pleasure of knowing: meet Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire. I'm a huge fan of her work. I found this piece, entitled "Hymn to the Masses," posted on her new blog, and I hope she won't mind me including it here. After all, she was the very first artist to have a solo show in my non-profit gallery space, back in March of 2006, so it's only fitting that I begin the series with her.

Lisa's work is simple, bold and beautiful. Visit her blog and see for yourself!