Category Archives: inspiring artists

:: 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 [link updated] 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 (limited sneak preview on 6/19)
In celebration of summer’s arrival, Candace’s exhibit officially opens on Saturday, 6/20/09, 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 [link removed], featuring local wine expert Carla Snow, CSW. Click here [link removed] 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, 2009 in the gallery at Ampers&, with weekday hours from 2-6 PM each T, W, & Th afternoon. Hope to see you there!

* * * * * * * *
ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in June 2009.  : :  kf, 1/4/19

Share

::  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.

Meet Jason Bombaci* and Kathi Smith
With all works created in the plein air style, by University of New Hampshire Fine Art Graduates Jason Bombaci [link removed] (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

Detail of Georgia’s Window by Jason Bombaci

Pink Balcony by Kathi Smith

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

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.

*UPDATE: It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Jason Bombaci passed away, on November 28, 2020, of cancer. He left us way too soon. His life & works truly touched so many. His obituary is posted here. RIP, Jason. ~ kf/&, 2/5/21

* * * * * * * *
ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in April 2009.  : :  kf, 1/4/19

» Find more Inspiring Artists posts …

Share

::  Patricia Kaufman, master of energy and light

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 2

Body of Water, by Patricia Kaufman

Body of Water by Patricia Kaufman

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

MEET PATRICIA KAUFMAN

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.

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. We’ve also had special shows here in my gallery, with 100% of profits from sales of selected pieces going to such causes. Inspired by the people she meets and the colorful cultures she experiences, Kaufman uses this imagery in her art to create an amazing body of work.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

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 publicly) 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.

* * * * * * * *
ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in December 2008.  : :  kf, 12/21/18

» Find more Inspiring Artists posts …

 

Share

::  Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 1

Hymn to the Masses by Lisa Reinke

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 paintings. I found this piece, entitled “Hymn to the Masses,” posted on her blog, and I hope she won’t mind me including it here. After all, Lisa was the very first Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance (LACA) member-artist offered a solo show at Ampers& (my non-profit gallery space), back in March of 2006. Seems only fitting that I begin the series with her.

Lisa’s work is bold and beautiful. Visit Sun Drenched Studio, her online art site, and see for yourself!

* * * * * * * *
ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in December 2008.  : :  kf, 12/14/18

Share