Thursday, October 20, 2011

November's Artist is "Drawn" to Painting...

"I'm 'drawn' to painting. Not a philosophy - just a desire to paint - an emotion, a feeling, an intuitive moment that sparks the energy taking control of the brush and/or palette knife and before I realize it, the piece takes on a life of it's own. You ask Renee, she'll say "It was completed two days ago - you can stop working now." Compulsive Creation? Maybe, but that's not for me to know for I just paint.

-Rick Senft, 2011

November's artist, Rick Senft has a connection with his brush and/or palette knife that he is able to put on canvas what he sees, from photos of his own or from his mind's eye. He takes one on a trip through the Caribbean, the Pennsylvania Amish country, or Walnut Beach using his different styles and techniques of painting.






"Teal Cottage" - oils - Rick Senft




When you view "Amish Cadillac" you can feel the breath of the horse, hear his hooves hitting the pavement, the wheels of the carriage turning...it was captured at that moment like a snapshot.




"Amish Cadillac" oils by Rick Senft

The energy vibrates from each canvas as you walk by that it pulls you back to take a few moments to look and you are captured at that moment, feeling the emotions that had been fused into each brush stroke..."Junkanoo" gives way to hearing the calypso band playing, the drums sing as the drummer hits each note like a xylophone...



"Junkanoo" - oils - by Rick Senft


Rick's sixth sense, his intuitive feeling he gets, "draws" him to see a scape that yearns to be placed on canvas for others to enjoy. Each subject calls out to him as he walks by, he, hearing the calls, he listens to that one subject that brings his emotions to the top, the feelings ready to overflow on to the canvas, he grabs a brush, a palette knife and "IT" begins...his strokes, deliberate, yet almost melodious as he goes with the flow of the energy that has taken control....When finished, he, surprised at what he sees, starts to fine tune it instead of letting "IT BE." The reason for Renee to say "...you can stop working now..."

Rick Senft will be exhibiting at SoBoBo from November 1st to November 30th...come visit and see how you are "drawn" to each piece...picking up the energies...SoboBo, 42 Naugatuck Avenue, is opened Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 6:00 pm.

JOIN US on Thursday, November 10th for Rick Senft's Opening Reception from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm...in conjunction with the Last Art Stroll of 2011...

Enjoy the evening meeting new acquaintances, greeting old friends...

Monday, October 10, 2011

SoBoBo has Joined the Flock!

SoBoBo is now on Twitter....Join us!

@sobobogallery

Saturday, October 8, 2011

October's Artist: Elizabeth B. Wright - A Breath of Fresh Air

"I have always been an artist, but my training for life has been diverse. Currently a certified art and social studies teacher, I teach high school sociology and psychology. Leaving a full-time teaching load has ended a career of teaching civilizations and world cultures. This is OK but what to do with all of those artifacts?





My work is every day and that is my view of art, every day, everything I see, the colors, the sentimentality, the message even though private. Every day I fight the urge to stop important activities and just paint, or cut up photographs, or run around and gather materials and to just begin something meaningful to me that must be created, at that moment. I am often compelled to create something from my heart that speaks volumes, at least to me. Never enjoying painting as an assignment or theme, I express my love for a vibrant whole by attacking in layers of richness, then pattern and then trying it all together with my beloved photos. Is it collage? Perhaps. But to me it is a work of art, mine. When someone falls in love with one of my works I find exhilaration and a special connection that person.





My life has also been centered in social work, clinical and outreach. Having worked in those agencies serving women and children, my feminist vein is always highly charged. I consider myself a community activist. My art has a voice and if noticed or heard, that is my reward. I am very sentimental, philosophically positive, an activist, feminist, and usually full of "great ideas." Translating this into art makes my paintings full of stories, history and possibilities.


Time has limited my constant involvement in many areas. At this time I am dedicated to reviving the visual arts of the MFAC, and then, revisiting a commitment to open space preservation in Milford. I know that I am on the right track when little ones paint just for me, little presents of paint on paper, because they know!"



--Elizabeth B. Wright





Ms. Wright, a multi-faceted woman, has an exuberance for life, this is the precursor to her art. Her creations show this exhilaration, her exuberance, her zest for life and her love of art. For to her, art is an expression that leads everyone to a different world, a different place that only the imagination can take you if you allowed it to.


The fluidness she has in each piece creates your mood for you. One can see the movement through the strokes of the paint. In one painting it is as if the wind is blowing leaves around and you find yourself grasping hold of your sweater as to protect yourself as the wind blows by. In her still life series you can see the veins in the vase, the thorns on the roses almost smell the scent of each flower.








"Sweetheart Bouquet" - mixed media - by Elizabeth B. Wright





The vibrancy of each color she uses reflects the energy she carries with her and can be felt when she enters a room....like a rush, a breath of fresh air!








"Old Chair" - mixed media - by Elizabeth B. Wright





Ms. Wright's concerns for the environment is shown in her work, the open space she strives to protect for others to enjoy in the future. She meticulously labels each tree she paints with its correct name making sure the viewer knows each and where these trees are found. You know you have connected with her energy that somehow absorbed into each brush stroke, each painting when your senses go reeling as you look at it.









"Island" - mixed media - by Elizabeth B. Wright



Because you find yourself in the exact spot where she stood painting them, taking in the scents of the surrounding foliage, flowers, grass, water, and air. Oh, the open space how precious! And that is what she wants you to feel, to accept whatever message is being given to you...





Ms. Wright's work is filled with messages, each piece just as multi-faceted as she. There is much more to her than what is seen. Her art work reflects this as well. The only way to experience this is to join us as we celebrate her -- Thursday, October 6th - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm -- meet Elizabeth Wright and learn more...


Elizabeth B. Wright will be exhibiting her work from October 1st through October 31st at SoBoBo Gallery. A must see to truly understand...An opening reception will be on Thursday, October 6th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, in conjunction with October's Art Stroll and Firehouse Gallery's opening reception for their new exhibit "Four Seasons." An added event...enjoy the horse and buggy rides that will be available by Maple View Farms from Orange, CT.





SoBoBo Gallery is located at 42 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT. Gallery hours: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6:00 pm. Monday through Wednesday please call for an appointment.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Art Stroll is Happening! Thursday, October 6th.....

Autumn has fast approached us. The trees are just starting to change their color, but with all of the rain and heat we had so late into the summer, you wonder if they are going to change at all...but you know what ...October's Art Stroll will be happening on Thursday, October 6th.



Enjoy an evening around Walnut Beach area via horse and buggy! Patti Clark (artisan of SoBoBo) and her husband of Maple View Farms, Orange, CT will be joining us that evening...WEATHER PERMITTING that is...if it rains, the rides won't be taking place.









But you know the route, just head to FIRE HOUSE GALLERY, 81 Naugatuck Avenue and see the four seasons change before your eyes! Their new exhibit is "Four Seasons" and the opening reception begins at 6:00 pm. A juried show so awards will be given...don't forget to choose People's Choice Award!





Meander down to SOBOBO and check out October's Artist, Elizabeth B. Wright's exhibit. The vibrancy of her work, the energies, a breath of fresh air you feel is stunning. Besides Elizabeth, we have new artists Warren Bryant, Simone Doroski, Kimberly Pisco, and Karen Macker...new artisan, a wood turner - Steven Fortier. Steven works in reclaimed wood only! The wood carvers, Bill Gallagher has returned with his Santa Clauses all hand carved out of bass wood as well as William Brill. The intricacy of each stroke in the wood is amazing. We have jewelers, Sam Rawls, Patti Clark, Carlyne LeBreque, Simone Doroski, Analiese, Lara, Susan Frey, and Teru Rexroad, Keelin Brett....SO MUCH TO SEE, SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM TO GIVE AS HOLIDAY GIFTS, even birthdays, anniversaries, new home...





When you leave make sure to stop in ALFA'S JOLLY JUG at 38 Naugatuck Avenue...start stocking up for the holidays! They may even have something for you to taste...and perhaps you will add it to your favorites...




Don't know if LAZY LOBSTER will be open since it is the end of the summer season...but check them out anyway...





PAINTED YOU is a wonderful place to stop at...see the beauty in the work...no it is not tatoos, it is body painting, very different...there is also the possibility of making arrangements for face painting at an upcoming event you may have....






WILD EXPRESSIONS, oh the scents that envelope you as you enter... the floral art that Tyyne Catapano designed...EXQUISITE!!..maybe musician Tim Payson will be on hand to play his wonderful sounds...




COLLECTED STORIES, of course has that book or books you couldn't find elsewhere...think about the Holidays!








And last but not least stop at WALNUT BEACH CREAMERY....they will be closing for the season on Halloween - October 31st (and will re-open next Spring)....which means the Walnut Beach Witch will be arriving soon!



So much to do and have fun in the mean time....think about the Holiday Season, as it, too, is fast approaching...house warming gifts, hostess gifts, Christmas gifts, Kwanzaa gifts, and Hannukah gifts...


See you soon!