Saturday, May 30, 2015

Bonnie Gray Solo Exhibition "I Love To Paint!"

Noted Rockport Artist, Bonnie Gray, presents her spirited artwork in the NSAA Hallway exhibition space for the month of June. Her solo exhibition, "I Love To Paint!" opens June 4 through June 27, 2015. The Opening Reception to be held June 14th, 2-4 p.m. will coincide with the New Members Show and the Opening reception for Exhibition II. The North Shore Arts Association's galleries and receptions are open and free to the public. Hope to see you there!
Enjoying the challenge of painting still life, landscapes, and florals in oil, Gray says "I love to paint! I appreciate the richness of the colors made possible using oil on canvas, and strive to create a sense of realism. A day spent painting is as refreshing as any vacation day might be. My interest in art, and love of painting is without a doubt one of the great blessings in my life, and I strive to convey that feeling in my work."
Having studied at the Massachusetts College of Art while still in high school, Gray was also a student of the late Helen Van Wyk, focusing on still life painting with a concentration in the techniques of the Dutch Masters. In addition to being an artist member of the North Shore Arts Association since 1995, Bonnie has been a member of the Local Color Artists' Cooperative in Gloucester, MA since 2008. Her work can be found in private collections on Cape Ann and around the country.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Bob Blue Gallery Walk with Ron Straka



Saturday, May 23, 2015
11 a.m. at the North Shore Arts Association

Come listen to visual historian and beloved Rockport artist and teacher, Ron Straka, this Saturday. Ron will share his deep and intimate knowledge of the work of his friend and fellow artist, Bob Blue, whose work is featured in the Gordon Grant Room of the NSAA. Don't miss this special opportunity to hear one of Cape Ann's great artists share his knowledge about artist legend, Bob Blue. Free and open to all!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Opening Day 2015 - North Shore Arts Association

Opening Day Excitement!  Three separate exhibitions mark Opening Day of the historic North Shore Arts Association's 93rd Exhibition Season, with 'MEET THE ARTISTS!' receptions for all three on Sunday, May 17th from 2 to 4 p.m.!
This year we have a full roster of exciting new exhibits and special events. First up, NSAA artist members Exhibition I, the individual artist shows of Mary Callahan and Ann Murphy and the Bob Blue Retrospective:The Works of Bob Blue, "Gloucester & Beyond".
See our blog posts "Remembering Bob Blue" and "Q & A with Mary Callahan and Ann Murphy, and be a part of the excitement that's bubbling through the NSAA this season! Welcome Summer!

Award Winners: Exhibition I (May 7 through May 30)


$500.00  BankGloucester - Charles Shurcliff




$500.00 Rosamond Smith Bouve Award - Charles Movalli




$400.00  Charlotte and Alfred Movalli Memorial Award - David Kapetanopoulos




 $200.00  Harry Ballinger Memorial Award - Deborah Geurtze





$125.00 
Jack Richeson & Co., Inc. Award - Ken Knowles






$125.00
Terry Ludwig Pastels Award - Michelle Kenna






$100.00 
Betty McMillan Memorial Award - Judy Metcalfe






$50.00 
Michael Stoffa Memorial Award - Jeff Weaver





$50.00  Popular Award - Marion Rayner

Friday, May 1, 2015

Q & A with Mary Callahan and Ann Murphy

Mary Callahan and Ann Murphy transform the NSAA Hallway Gallery this month with bold, sun-drenched scenes of Italy and France and as well as subtle and impressionistic coastal scenes. The artists took time from their last-minute exhibition preparations to answer the questions that we posed, and for their gracious cooperation, we thank them both!
Don't miss the chance to see the work of these two notable artists, Mary Callahan, working in watercolor, Ann Murphy working in watercolor, oil and pastel, who have mastered and find their finest expressions in these challenging  mediums.
The opening reception will be held on Sunday, May 17th from 2 to 4 p.m., when you'll have the chance to meet Mary Callahan and Ann Murphy in person and ask your own questions of these two fine artists!


Mary Callahan "Wine Country"
Ann Murphy  "Passing Squall"










 



Mary Callahan: a question and answer session


Interviewer: Please introduce yourself with a short biography or artist statement:

Mary Callahan is a director of the New England Watercolor Society, a Copley Master in the Copley Society of Art, a signature member of Allied Artists of America, NY, and also Academic Artists, CT.
Callahan is represented by galleries in the Boston area, the South Shore and North Shore as well as the DeCordova Museum in their Corporate Program.
Her free, impressionist paintings have earned over 150 awards from National and Regional exhibitions and are in the permanent collection of Bridgewater University, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as well as private collections in the US and in Europe.
Callahan teaches watercolor at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA and at the North River Art Society in Marshfield Hills, MA.



Interviewer: What themes or personal narratives are related to your work?

Mary: "I love to travel, mostly to Italy and France, and many of my paintings are the result of these trips."

Interviewer: What kinds of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
Mary: "I have a studio outside of my home and I find by going off for the day I am more productive."

Interviewer: What is the most indispensable item in your studio?

Mary: "All I need are the most obvious items - paint, brushes, water, and good watercolor paper."

Interviewer: What is the first artwork that you ever sold?

Mary: " The first painting I ever sold was the result of the first arts festival I ever entered and I was absolutely shocked!"

Interviewer: What memorable responses have you had to your artwork?
Mary: "I guess the most memorable experience was when I entered my first National show in NY and I received the Silver Medal."

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite or most inspirational place?

Mary: "I would have to choose Rome."

Interviewer: What creative medium would you love to pursue, but haven't yet?

Mary: "Actually, I have tried all painting media, as well as sculpture, but I have to say, nothing makes me happier than watercolor."

Interviewer: What is the best advice that you've ever received from a teacher or mentor?

Mary: "Keep doing what you're doing."

Interviewer: What essential lesson do you hope to communicate with your own students?

Mary: "As a watercolor instructor for twenty years now, my favorite saying is “Don’t be afraid, it’s only a piece of paper!" I think that by taking the stress out of the process people are more apt to produce a more exciting and original painting."








Ann M. Murphy: a question and answer session



Interviewer: Please introduce yourself with a short biography or artist statement:


Ann M. Murphy
grew up in Lexington, MA and York Harbor, ME, attended schools in Lexington, graduated from Lasell College and has studied with nationally recognized artists and prominent New England artists. Her love of the ocean began
as a young child when her summers were spent at her grandparents' cottage in Scarborough, Maine. She and her husband live on the southern coast of MA. The artist paints in pastel, oil, and watercolor, ranging from representational landscape and seascape to a semi-abstract series of shorebirds and sea life. The sensitive and ethereal quality of these paintings gives her work distinction.
Ann is a juried artist member of Academic Artists, the North Shore Arts Association, a signature artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists, a Distinguished Artist of the Copley Society of Art, a signature artist member of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, a Gallery Artist of the South Shore Art Center, and a former Board Member of the New England Watercolor Society.
She has won numerous awards in national exhibitions throughout her career and her work is found in private and corporate collections. Ann is a listed artist in "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who in American Women" and "Who's Who in the World"

Interviewer: What themes or personal narratives are related to your work?
Ann: " My paintings are impressions of found and imagined colors of the landscape. Using nature as my inspiration I paint mostly along the New England coast of work from my sketches, photographs or memory. Shapes, which are first blocked in with values of limited color, become more informative as the mood develops and the subtlety of colors are complete. I hope to share with the viewer the magic sense of place found in my favorite locations."

Interviewer: What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
Ann: "I have an arrangement for each medium. Oils, a studio easel and taboret. Pastels; my husband built a wall easel for pastel work. A "U" arrangement of table height holds my pastels, allowing me to work at the easel in the middle of the the "U" setup. A drafting table has become the watercolor station. It's wonderful for each medium to have its own space."

Interviewer: What is the first artwork that you ever sold?
Ann: " The first artwork sold was at a juried art festival to a couple I had never met before."

Interviewer: What memorable responses have you had to your artwork?
Ann: "(1) Your work in very subtle and gentle, but makes a strong impact. (2) Your paintings are like poetry."

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite or most inspirational place?
Ann: "I enjoy painting along the coast, marshes, -nature- especially if there is water."

Interviewer: What creative medium would you love to pursue, but haven't yet?
Ann: "Cold wax medium sounds very interesting. I love the abstract quality it allows."

Interviewer: What is the best advice that you've ever received from a teacher or mentor?

Ann: "Pay attention to your edges." "Avoid painting rocks that look like potatoes."