“Waiting for Class” resulted from Tulsa Ballet giving local artists the opportunity to observe on of their daily company classes and an upcoming performance rehearsal and create artworks based on their impressions of the dancers. As much as their marvelous movements impressed all of us, I found observing some of the dancers at the moment of rest, waiting for class to begin, equally intriguing.

Anke E. Dodson

Biography

Anke Dodson is a native of Germany and a naturalized citizen of the United States. She is a resident of Tulsa, OK.

Her work includes cityscapes, landscapes and marine subjects.

She enjoys working in the style of contemporary or painterly realism on a variety of surfaces such as watercolor canvas, aquabord, claybord, yupo, ricepaper and, of course, traditional watercolor papers.

She has studied painting in watercolor and pastels with nationally known artists and instructors such as Steven Quiller, Alan Flattman, Naomi Brotherton, Judy Betts, Christopher Schink and others and in recent years has added the art of printmaking, more specifically monotypes. Taking a workshop taught by renowned printmaker Julia Ayers made her want to learn more about this unique medium and its possibilities.

In June of 2011 she was invited by the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, OK to teach an introductory monotype workshop in conjunction with their “Rauschenberg at Gemini” exhibition. A solo exhibition at the Gallery of the Performing Arts Center in Tulsa in October 2011 included a large number of monotypes, portraying the change of seasons on the prairie.

The Community National Bank of Kansas commissioned her to paint historical works for seven of their branch offices. The large portraits of these communities are now on exhibit in their respective cities.

Her work was juried into the 2017 and 2018 National Watercolor USA shows.

Her paintings have been added to a number of corporate and private collections in the U.S., Germany and France, including several commissioned pieces.

She is represented by the Royce Myers Gallery in Tulsa, OK, the Eva Reynolds Gallery of Fine Arts in Leawood, KS (Kansas City) and her work can also be found in the virtual galleries of the Oklahoma Artists Coalition, the Tulsa Artists Guild (TAG) and Bauhausprairieartgallery.com.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Don Bergland’s surrealistic art is an alchemical adventure into the mysteries of his own philosophy, beliefs, and values. Each of his artworks features a theatrical set defined by a stage with actors, props, and a backdrop. He consciously places symbolic interactions and connections within the objects populating his theatrical sets, and encourages viewers to build their own narrative interpretations of these connections. In this piece called, “Belief,” we may be able to perceive the closure of exploration, trapping consciousness in a net of ordered illusion. Through the process of ritualized repetition, we seek to strengthen established beliefs and transmute them to the status of eternal faith.

ARTIST BIO

Don Bergland is an Associate Professor Emeritus of Art Education at the University of Victoria and has been an active exhibiting artist for over 50 years. During that time, he has worked through a variety of professional media, from oil on canvas to his current studio use of digital tools and techniques. He maintains an active international exhibiting career and has featured his artwork in over 170 major exhibitions throughout the world. Don has won over 80 creative & professional awards for his work which is represented in major corporate and private collections such as the Gulf Oil Corporate Collection (Alberta), the Madrona Centre Permanent Collection (B.C.), the Canadian Utilities Corporate Collection (Alberta), the Timothy Eaton Foundation Collection (Canada), the Chevron Standard Corporate Collection (Alberta), as well as in private collections in Canada, the United States, and Europe. He has published 8 books dealing with art and creative activity, as well as published dozens of articles in scholarly and academic journals. His current studio focus is in using 3D modeling environments to create surrealistic imagery for international exhibitions. He currently lives and works in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Artist  Statement

I love to do equine portraits and we had adopted this older Andalusian mare about 2 years ago.  She has a beautiful head and is so wise

that I had to paint her portrait.  I decided to show off her white head to best advantage with a dark background and her steamy breath on a cold Canadian

morning.

Biography

Laara Cassells is a contemporary Canadian painter best known for her representational paintings and portraits both human and equine.

Since 2010 her award-winning work has been shown in over 70 exhibitions worldwide.  Cassells spent a number of years as a professional

theatre designer and has designed sets and costumes for theatre, ballet, opera and film for numerous companies across Canada and Europe.

Focusing exclusively on fine art over the past 20 years, Laara has exhibited sculptures, drawings and paintings in Belgium, Germany,

Hungary, Italy, Monaco, South Korea, Poland, Switzerland and across the USA and Canada.

Painting in acrylics on canvas, Cassells considers herself a contemporary realist, or a conceptual realist stylistically.  “I try to represent my model

as accurately as possible.  Beyond depicting the observed subject, I am always looking for that invisible, ethereal quality that I perceive clearly but

that is so hard to articulate.”

Education

1985 MFA Set and Costume Design University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta

1982 MFA Sculpture Cranbrook Academy of Art, Michigan

1980 Diploma Sculpture (Honours) Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver, BC

1978 Diploma Fine Art Capilano College, North Vancouver, BC

1971 Higher National Diploma Business Studies Central London Polytechnic, London, GB

Recent Awards

2019 2nd Place Painting, 3rd Place Winner overall, “9th Annual “Figurative” Online Competition, Light, Space, Time Gallery 2019 4th Place in Painting, “All Women’s Art Competition”, contemporaryartgalleryonline.com, Annapolis, MD. 2018 Artsy Shark Featured Artist Award, Carolyn Edlund, Founder, Artsy Shark, NY, NY. 2018 Top Featured Artist Award “Herstory” Exhibition”, Manhattan Arts International, NY, NY. 2018 Third Place Award, “International Society of Acrylic Painters 1st Annual Master and Signature Artist Show” 2018 Best Overall Acrylic, “7th Annual PleinAir Salon Dec/Jan Exhibition”, PleinAir Magazine. 2018 First Place Award, “Retro” Online Juried Exhibition, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, B.C. 2018 Honourable Mention, “Women Artists”, International Quarterly Group Online Art Exhibition, Fusion Art. 2017 People’s Choice Award, “Miracle of the Portrait” Competition, Portrait Society of Canada 2016

Recent Exhibitions

l2019 2nd Place Painting, 3rd Place Winner overall, “9th Annual “Figurative” Online Competition, Light, Space, Time Gallery 2019 4th Place in Painting, “All Women’s Art Competition”, contemporaryartgalleryonline.com, Annapolis, MD. 2018 Artsy Shark Featured Artist Award, Carolyn Edlund, Founder, Artsy Shark, NY, NY. 2018 Top Featured Artist Award “Herstory” Exhibition”, Manhattan Arts International, NY, NY. 2018 Third Place Award, “International Society of Acrylic Painters 1st Annual Master and Signature Artist Show” 2018 Best Overall Acrylic, “7th Annual PleinAir Salon Dec/Jan Exhibition”, PleinAir Magazine. 2018 First Place Award, “Retro” Online Juried Exhibition, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, B.C. 2018 Honourable Mention, “Women Artists”, International Quarterly Group Online Art Exhibition, Fusion Art. 2017 People’s Choice Award, “Miracle of the Portrait” Competition, Portrait Society of Canada 2016 1st Prize for Painting, “Con Corso Buenos Aires 8”, International Competition, Milan, Italy 2016 3rd Prize, First Annual All-Members Online Exhibition, International Society of Acrylic Painters 2013 Award of Exceptional Merit, Scottsdale Biennale, Scottsdale, AZ 2013 Holbein Award, 16th Annual Open International Exhibition, International Society of Acrylic Painters 2013 Medicine Hat Cultural Development Grant 2013 Award of Merit , 2013 National Juried Exhibition of National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society 2013 Editor’s Choice Award, “Portraits V”, Artist Portfolio Magazine 2013 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant 2012 Certificate of Merit, “Miracle of the Portrait” Competition, Portrait Society of Canada 2012 Honourable Mention, 4th Annual Open Show , International Society of Acrylic Painters 2011 Canada Council Grant – Alberta Creative Development Initiative 2010 Certificate of Excellence for outstanding achievement in Fine Art Portraiture – 2010 Canadian Portrait Competition 2008 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant 2003 Medicine Hat Cultural Development Grant 2003 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant 2002 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant 2001 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant 2000 Award of excellence – Manhattan Arts International, New York 1989 Alberta Historical Resources Foundation Research Grant 1989 Alberta Culture Visual Arts Travel Grant 1989 Canada Council Explorations Grant 1984 University of Calgary Graduate Scholarship 1983 University of Calgary Graduate Scholarship 1983 Province of Alberta Graduate Scholarship 1982 University of Calgary Graduate Scholarship 1982 Banff School of Fine Arts Scholarship 1981 Canada Council Travel Grant 1981 BC Cultural Fund Scholarship 1981 Cranbrook Academy of Art Scholarship 1981 Banff School of Fine Arts Scholarship 1981 Michigan Foundation for the Arts Award 1980 Cranbrook Academy of Art Scholarship 1980 Helen Pitt Award 1980 BC Cultural Fund Scholarship 1980 Helen Pitt Graduate Award 1st prize 1980 Emily Carr College of Art Merit Award laara cassells resume 2 juried art exhibitions (* catalogue) “All Women’s Art Competition” – 4th Place Painting Group 2019 Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Annapolis, MD “Open International Juried Online Exhibition” Group 2019 Society of Canadian Artists, Calgary, AB “Canvas Unbound”, Federation of Canadian Artists Group 2019 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC “Retro” Online Juried Exhibition, FCA Group 2019 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC “Limitless”, online exhibition, FCA Group 2018 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC “Summer Showcase”, Federation of Canadian Artists Group 2018 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC “2018 Art Competition” IALHA Group 2018 International Andalusian Horse Ass., Birmingham, AL “Herstory” Manhattan Arts International Group 2018 Manhattan Arts International, NY “50th International Open”, Soc. Of Canadian Artists Group 2018 Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills, Toronto, ON “Painting On The Edge”, online, FCA Group 2018 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC “Contemporary Portrait 2018” Group 2018 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “ISAP 1st Annual Master and signature Artist Show” Group 2018 Cathy Kline Art Gallery, Parkville, MO “Go Figure”, Federation of Canadian Artists Group 2018 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC “90th Annual International Juried Exhibition” Group 2018 Art Assoc. of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA “Healing Power of Art and Artists” online exhibition Group 2018 Manhattan Arts International, NY, NY “Colours”, International Online Exhib. Group 2018 Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA “Canvas Unbound”, Federation of Canadian Artists Group 2018 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC “Retro” Online Juried Exhibition, FCA – First Prize Group 2018 Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC “Artist’s Spotlight” Online Solo Exhibition Solo 2018 Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA “Artists’ Choice”, Federation of Canadian Artists Group 2018 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC “Women Artists”, International Quarterly Online Group 2018 Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA “2018 Active Members Juried Exhibition” FCA Group 2018 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC “Miracle of the Portrait, 2017” Group 2017 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “2nd Annual All Members International Online Exh. Group 2017 Internat. Soc. of Acrylic Painters, Pasa Robles, CA “89th Grand National Exhibition”* Group 2017 American Artists Professional League, NY, NY “30th September Exhibition” Group 2017 Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA “7th Annual PleinAir Salon-April/May exhibition” Group 2017 PleinAir Magazine, online “Contemporary Portrait 2017” Group 2017 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “2017 Spring International Open Exhibition” Group 2017 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “after” Solo 2017 Open Art Milano Associazione, Milan, Italy “Miracle of the Portrait, 2016” Group 2016 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “Con Corso Buenos Aires 8”* Group 2016 Open Art Milano Associazione, Milan, Italy “1stAnnual All Members International Online Exh.” Group 2016 Internat. Soc. of Acrylic Painters, Pasa Robles, CA “_after”* Solo 2016 Thames Gallery, Chatham, Ontario “_after”* Solo 2015 Gallery Stratford, Stratford, Ontario “_after”* Solo 2015 gallery@501, Sherwood Park, Alberta “2015 Spring International Juried Exhibition” Group 2015 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “after”* Solo 2015 Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “2014 Fall International Juried Exhibition” Group 2014 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “Contemporary Portrait 2014” Group 2014 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, ON, online “As Human As..” Group 2014 Galerie Carré Doré, Monaco “2014 Spring International Juried Exhibition” Group 2014 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “relocation” Group 2014 Centennial Hall, Medicine Hat College, AB “Past, Present, Future” Group 2013 Linus Galleries, Los Angeles, CA “Strokes of Genius” Group 2013 Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD “2013 Fall International Juried Exhibition” Group 2013 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “85th Grand National Exhibition”* Group 2013 American Artists Professional League, NY, NY “Scottsdale Biennale 2013” Group 2013 Wee Gallery of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ “Journeys” Group 2013 California Art League, San Fernando, CA “16th Annual Open International Exhibition” Group 2013 Internat. Soc. of Acrylic Painters, Pasa Robles, CA “Portraits V – 2013” Group 2013 MyArtContest.com, Artist Portfolio Magazine “Annual Juried Exhibition 2013” Group 2013 National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Soc., online “Nordart 2013” Juried International Exhibition * Group 2013 Kunstwerk Carlshutte, Budelsdorf, Germany “Annual Open International Exhibition 2013” Group 2013 International Society of Acrylic Painters, online “Miracle of the Portrait, 2012” Group 2012 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “America: Now and Here” Group 2012 America: Now and Here Project, Curator: Eric Fischl “84th Grand National Exhibition”* Group 2012 American Artists Professional League, NY, NY “4th Annual National Figurative Painting Group 2012 Lore Degenstein Gallery, Susquehanna University, and Drawing Competition” Selinsgrove, PA “64 Arts 2012 National Juried Exhibition”* Group 2012 Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL “4th Annual International Online Show” Group 2012 International Society of Acrylic Painters, online “Part and Parcel: The Deconstruction of Group 2012 Arts Guild of New Jersey, Rahway, NJ The Female Form in Contemporary Art” “International 2010/2011 ARC Salon” Group 2011 Art Renewal Center, Port Reading, NJ laara cassells resume 3 art exhibitions (continued) “64 Arts 2011 National Juried Exhibition”* Group 2011 Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL “Library Thoughts” Group 2011 Raday Konyveshaz & Gallery, Budapest, Hungary “Viewpoints” Group 2011 Aljira Center for Contemporary Art, Newark, NJ “51st International Award Exhibition” Group 2011 San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA “The Art of Canadian Music” Group 2011 John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Ontario “Mask/Masque” Group 2011 Cultural Centre Gallery, Medicine Hat, AB “Ex Arte Equinus 4” – 3rd Place Group 2011 International comp. Art Horse Magazine, Mar. 2011 “Miracle of the Portrait” Group 2010 Portrait Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario “Art Takes Miami” International Juried Exhibition Group 2010 Online exhibit, Miami, Florida, “Artist Residency Exhibition” Group 2010 Duna Gallery, Budapest, Hungary “Bestiary”* National Juried Exhibition Group 2010 Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio “Exchange” National Juried Exhibition Group 2010 Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, Boston, MA “64 Arts 2010 National Juried Exhibition”* Group 2010 Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL “42nd Open National Juried Competition” Group 2010 Todmorden Mills Gallery, Toronto, Ontario “e. strange” Solo 2010 Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Whole Being” Group 2009 Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Resonance” Prairie Collective VII Group 2008 Reeve Theatre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB “12/01” Group 2007 Medicine Hat Cultural Centre, Medicine Hat, AB “New Works” Group 2006 Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Signals from/about Central Europe” Group 2006 Central European Cultural Institute, Budapest “Momentum” Group 2005 Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “River Meditation” Prairie Collective VI Group 2005 Reeve Theatre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB “As I Am” Performance 2 person 2005 Big Secret Theatre. Epcor Centre, Calgary, AB “New Works” Group 2005 Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Present Participles” with Davida Monk 2 person 2004 Dancers’ Studio West, Calgary, Alberta “Identity Crisis” Group 2004 Claypool-Young Art Gallery, Morehead, KY “International Artists’ Residency Exhib” Group 2004 Vizivarosi Gallery, Budapest, Hungary “Connective Tissue” Solo 2004 Squared Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Heading to East” Group 2004 Sori Center for the Arts, Jeonju, S. Korea “International Artists’ Residency Exhib” Group 2004 Vizivarosi Gallery, Budapest, Hungary “Connective Tissue” Solo 2004 Squared Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Heading to East” * Group 2004 Sori Center for the Arts, Jeonju, S. Korea “Body Politic” Solo 2004 Talley Gallery, Bemidji, Minnesota “The Feminine Eye” * Group 2004 Heuser Art Center, Bradley University, Peoria, IL “Life and Death” Group 2004 Delta Center for the Arts, Stockton, California “Bodies” 3 person 2003 Robert A Peck Arts Center, Riverton Wyoming “Indelible Shadows” Solo 2003 Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Burned” Solo 2003 Medalta Historic Kilns, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Paper Road Group 2003 Centre d’Art-En-L’Ile, Geneva, Switzerland “her” 3 person 2003 Olin Hall Gallery, Roanoke College, Virginia “Body Politic” Solo 2003 Penn State University, Altoona, Pennsylvania “New Works” Group 2002 Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Material Witness” 3 person 2002 Main Gallery, Central Michigan University, MI “Figures” 3 Person 2002 Triangle Gallery, Dayton, Ohio “4th Triennale Internationale du Papier”* Group 2002 Musee du Pays et Val de Charmey, Switzerland “Search; Pause; Play ” Prairie Collective V Group 2002 University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta “Landscape” Group 2002 Atlantic Gallery, New York, NY “The Reddish Show” Group 2002 Globe Gallery, Roswell, New Mexico “Women’s History Month Juried Exhib.” Group 2002 Boise State University, Boise, Idaho “Women: Struggle, Survival, Triumph” Group 2002 Ayer Lofts Art Gallery, Lowell, Massachusetts “23rd National Paper In Particular” Group 2002 Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri “A Body of Work” 2 person 2002 Adams Gallery, Dunkirk, New York “The Mystery of the Body” 3 person 2001 Univ. of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana “Embodied” 2 person 2001 Profiles Gallery, St. Albert, Alberta “Honouring the Crone” Group 2001 Womanmade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois “Torsos” 3 person 2001 Pearl Conard Gallery, Mansfield, Ohio “Pulcheria Arte” * Group 2001 Palazzo S. Pietro, Piacenza, Italy “Ages and Stages” Solo 2001 Maison des Femmes, Brussels, Belgium “Unfolded, Unrolled, Unpacked ” Group 2001 International Chopin Hall, Duszniki, Poland “Art by Theatre Designers” Group 2001 Mezzanine Gallery, University of Calgary “Body Politic” Solo 2000 Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Chicago Postscrip Group 1999 Suomi College of Design, Michigan “When Butterflies Dance” Solo 1999 Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta “Freedom to Dance” Solo 1999 New Gallery, Calgary, Alberta “Silent Dance” Solo 1999 Generations Gallery, Stony Plain, Alberta laara cassells resume 4 collections 2015 Esplanade Museum and Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta 2010 Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta 2010 Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat, Alberta 2009 School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 2005 Esplanade Museum and Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta 2004 Jeonju Historical Museum, Jeonju, South Korea 2003 City Hall, Balatonfured, Hungary 2001 Maison des Femmes, Brussels, Belgium 1998 Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat, Alberta 1985 University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 1980 Broadway Medical Clinic, Vancouver, BC. visiting artist 2019 Invited speaker for “after” exhibition, Whyte Museum of the Rockies, Banff, AB. 2015 Invited speaker for “after” exhibition, Gallery Stratford, Stratford, ON and Art Gallery @ 501, Sherwood Park, AB 2015 Invited speaker for “after” exhibition, Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, AB 2005-2014 Invited artist for mask creation for Leadership workshops, Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta 2007 Invited juror for “CLOTH: mind and body” exhibition for Surface Design Assoc., ACAD, Calgary, Alberta 2005 Invited artist for Prairie Collective VI, an inter-disciplinary collaboration at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 2004 Invited speaker “Export Marketing Workshop”, Cultural Human Resources Council, Calgary, Alberta 2003 Invited artist for International Artist’s Residency by Hungarian Multicultural Center, Balatonfured, Hungary 2002 Invited speaker for Panel discussion “Challenging images of the Body”, Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, AB 2002 Invited artist for Prairie Collective V, an inter-disciplinary collaboration at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 2001 Invited speaker and set designer, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta 1994 Invited artist, Canadian Society for Aesthetics, Calgary, Alberta 1994 Invited artist for Prairie Collective V, an inter-disciplinary collaboration at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 1994 Invited artist, Association for Canadian Theatre Research, Calgary, Alberta 1991 Invited artist, Dept. of Clothing and Textiles, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta 1990 Invited artist, Centre for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan 1990 Invited artist for Prairie Collective IV, an inter-disciplinary collaboration at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 1989 Guest Graduate advisor, Teaterskole, Copenhagen, Denmark 1988 Invited artist for Prairie Collective III, an inter-disciplinary collaboration at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 1986 Invited artist, Art Dept. Capilano College, North Vancouver, BC 1983 Invited artist, Art Dept. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 1982 Invited artist, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC Publications Nov. 2018 Featured in Oct/Nov 2018 Issue of Spotlight Magazine, Publ. Circle Foundation for the Arts, Lyon, France. Sept. 2018 Featured in September 2018 issue of Artists Magazine, publ: F + W Media Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA May 2018 Featured in “AcrylicWorks 5: Bold Values”, publ: North Light Books, Blue Ash, OH, USA Apr. 2018 Featured in Winter 2018 Issue of Circle Quarterly Art Review Magazine, Lyon, France. Dec. 2017 Feature article on “_after” series in “Acrylic Artist Magazine”, Dec. 2017. Apr. 2017 Featured in “Equine Art Today” in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Feb. 2015 “Laara Cassells : _after”, Catalogue by Esplanade Art Gallery, gallery @501 and Thames Art Gallery Oct. 2014 “Studio Visit Magazine, Vol. 28” publ: Open Studios Press, Boston, MA, USA Sept. 2014 Fetaured in Lorena Kloosterboer “Painting In Acrylics: the indispensable guide”. NY: Firefly Books, 2014. Aug, 2013 “Artist Portfolio Magazine” Issue 12, publ: Issuu, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA June 2013 “Nordart 2013 Catalogue” Oct. 2012 “International Painting Annual 2” publ: Manifest Press, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA March 2011 “Ex Arte Equinus 4” publ: Art Horse Magazine, Beaumont, Texas, USA April 2011 “International Contemporary Artists” publ: ICA Publishing, NY, USA Oct. 2011 “Art Renewal Center Salon Catalogue 2010/2011” publ. Art Renewal Center Port Reading, NJ, USA Nov. 2011 “Canadian Who’s Who 2011” publ: University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada professional affiliations Member, Portrait Society of Canada Member, Portrait Society of America Signature Member, International Society of Acrylic Painters Member, National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society Member, Alberta Society of Artists Member, Federation of Canadian Artists

*Complete resume by request.

Artist Statement

I am a passionate mixed media fiber artist and photographer inspired by nature and global travel. My intention in creating art is to share my personal vision and engage the viewer while transported to a special moment in time. “1000 words” was captured through the lens while walking in Lisbon Portugal. The graffiti and newsprint became my muse as I contemplated the phrase, “A picture is worth 1000 words”… “Though we travel the world to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bio/Resume

Mary-Ellen Latino studied photography at Univ. Of Maryland (BS, MA), photography and fiber art at Worcester Center for Professional Crafts in Worcester, MA and most recently digital design at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI. My current work has transformed into mixed media combining all these elements. I have exhibited both nationally and internationally over the last 20 years. My work is in both private and corporate collections. I am a SAQA Juried Artist Member and a member of the Surface Design Association, Art Cloth Network, and Cape Cod Art Center. I’ll be giving a “Lightening Talk” at Lowell Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA 1:00pm 4/6/19

Recent and Upcoming Exhibits

Connecting…Worlds, SAQA GLOBAL AZ-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson 10/19-2/20

Metamorphosis, SAQA GLOBAL, AQS , MI, KY, SC, 8-9/2019

Metamorphosis, SAQA GLOBAL, Ottawa, CANADA 6/12-15/2019

Explorations in Creativity, Urban Sanctuary, Lowell Quilt Museum, MA 4/2-6/23/19

Metamorphosis, SAQA GLOBAL, Chicago, IL, 3/2019

Textile Posters, SAQA GLOBAL,, 6 venues AUSTRALIA, 2-9/2019

Stepping Inside the Outside, Bristol Art Museum, Bristol, RI, 2/1-3/10/2019

Color Affects, Austin-Bergstrom Interna’l Airport, Austin TX, 1/10/19-5/3/2019

Unbound, Pacific NW Quilt Fiber Arts Museum, La Conner, WA, 1/9-3/24/2019

Juried Members Show, Brush Art Gallery, Lowell, MA 11-12/2018

Metamorphosis, SAQA GLOBAL, Houston, TX 11/2018

Power of Women, Special Exhibit, Houston, TX 11/2018

Stepping Inside the Outside, Highland Hall, Falmouth, MA Fall, 2018

Context:Text…SDA Got Eggs? Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA 10/2018

Fantastic Fibers 2018, Avalanche Yeiser Center, Paducah, Kentucky, 4/2018

Material View, Miami Interna’l airport, July-Oct. 2017

Recent Publications

“Artscope” Magazine review by Michelman “Got Eggs?” p.18 1/2/2019

“Explorations: Jouneys in Creativity…Studio” SAQA Wilbur pgs.8-13 2018 (Amazon)

“The Space Between” B.Schneider “Remembrance” Blurb, Art Cloth Network 2018

Artist Statement About the Work

Artist Resume

Biography/Artist Statement:

Push is a triptych of stills from a body interactive performance. It deals with the transient nature of identity, and explores the moments, both uncomfortable but necessary, where growth and change occur. During the performance, a body walks into the frame and encases itself with a cocoonesque pod, made of silicone and reflective glass beads, that sits wrinkled on the floor. The body moves and manipulates inside the pod until it has ripped itself free. The body exits the opposite way it approached, leaving the shed pod behind. 

Through glass, the body, mixed media, and alternative processes, I examine the transient natures of identity. I create flexible sheets of glass and glass textiles through a process of fusing and the addition of silicones, to explore glass as sheets, skins, and screens. I reconcile with material and memory to convey stories about identity, perception, and comfort.  The objects I create become body interactive to directly explore ipseity – a sense of self-ness, how others perceive me, and how society perceives others. 

Gracia Nash is a glass and multi-media artist from western New York. She received her BFA from Alfred University, and is currently a Glass Masters of Fine Arts candidate at Rochester Institute of Technology School of American Crafts. Her work explores the body, identity, and perception. 

Resume

EDUCATION

Rochester Institute of Technology School of American Crafts, Rochester N.Y.  Aug 2017 – May 2019 (current)

• Glass Masters of Fine Arts
• Full Scholarship

New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred N.Y.  2009 – 2014

• Bachelor of Fine Arts, Education Minor, with Honors
• Alfred University’s President’s Scholarship, Honor’s Program, Dean’s List

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Master’s Class – GLASSPOINT Studio, Riga, Latvia “Illuminated Frit and Flame”

March 2019

Graduate Assistant, RIT, Rochester N.Y.

“Glass Processes” Fall 2018

“Glass Processes” Fall/Spring 2017-2019

Teacher’s Assistant, Alfred University, Alfred N.Y.

“Public Art”, Spring 2014

“Glass and Metal Casting”, Fall 2013

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS/RESIDENCIES

Artist in Residence – Aichi University of Education in Nagoya, Japan. June – July 2018

RIT/Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass Partnership Scholarship July 2018

Windgate Fellowship Nominee  February 2014

EXHIBITIONS

• “Congressional Art Show”, Larking at Exchange Building, Buffalo, N.Y. April-May 2008
• “Post Present”, Hornell, N.Y. December 2013
• “MISE-En-Scene”, Robert C. Turner Gallery, Alfred, N.Y. February 2013
• “Senior Show Exhibition”, Alfred University, Alfred, N.Y. May 2014
• “Young and Loving”, S12, Bergen, Norway August-September 2014
• “No Man’s Land”, Politits Art Coalition, The Yards, Rochester, N.Y. March 2018
• “Drawing from the Same Well”, Davison Gallery at Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester  N.Y. May 2018
• “RIT x AICHI Collaboration”, Library Gallery at Aichi University of Education, Nagoya, Japan  July 2018
• “LinGLASStics”, The Yards, Rochester, N.Y. December 2018
• “Open a New Year 2019”, Bauhaus Prairie Art Gallery, Juried Exhibition, 1st place.

January 2019

Artist Statement

Howdothingscometogether – when they often start apart?

Over a lifetime, our brains monitor and absorb upwards of 997 Terabytes of information. How we process and piece together the cumulative stimuli informs our thinking, behaviors, perceptions, emotions and decisions. And as those pieces fall into place, our life’s bigger picture begins to reveal itself.

What do the rectangular shapes represent in this abstract mind?Compartmentalization? Our mind’s absolutes? The proverbial rhyme and reason? And what about the rest of the painting? Is it the curious mind, hungry for more knowledge? The creative, right cerebral hemisphere? Or is it the critical missing piece that completes the overall puzzle?

I leave that to your interpretation.

Biography

As a very little girl who loved to create, Leslie’s first ‘work of art’ was simple: her medium was colorful yarn on white plaster walls.

Her discovery that the yarn’s fibers stuck to the heavily texturized walls led to murals/graffiti all over the house. To this day, she still

seeks opportunities to be creative with her surroundings and her art. Leslie’s professional background is in advertising/PR and marketing. She currently lives

in Colorado and enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding and travel.

Artist Statement

‘In or Out’ is one of a series of images where Marcia explores the images shown from reflected and transmitted lighting.  She became interested in what she saw when looking in store windows on busy streets.  Her interests were enhanced by store windows that had strong angles which enhanced or manipulated the things behind the window by the reflections from the streets.  The unpredictability of action on the street, light from the street lamps and sunlight contrasts with the fixed objects within the store along with customers provides opportunities for viewing interactions that are both spontaneous and predefined.  It is that interaction that holds Marcia’s interest.

Artist Biography

Marcia grew up in Brooklyn, NY.  As a child her poor eyesight, meant she couldn’t see the things her friends could.  Buying her first camera, at 10 years old, opened a new world to her.  for the first time, she could see the world clearly.  From that moment to the present, she has always had a camera close at hand.

In high school, she found she had a love for science.  After graduating from Brandeis University, she went to work as a chemist.  But, her interests in learning led her to spent her career moving from one field to the next.  Her focus on technical fields affected her creative work as well.  Her photography consisted of capturing the literal world around her, with an emphasis on landscapes, structures and architecture, and waterscapes. 

When Marcia retired, she searched for new activities to occupy her time.  Her approach was to take adult eduction courses in subjects she didn’t know anything about:  abstract photography, drawing, and painting all captured her enthusiasm. Since then, she has devoted her efforts to all 3.

Today, Marcia spends her time creating art to express her vision of the external and internal world she experiences.  She uses her photography to convey the beauty and patterns of her physical world, her ‘fractured fotographs’ convey the possibilities of manipulating the physical world to show new patterns and possibilities and her paintings create original work that conveys emotions, feelings and mood.  Marcia’s goal in all her work is to convey, to the viewer, her reactions to the world and everything it contains.

Marcia’s photographs and paintings have been juried into shows at the Cambridge Art Association, and several online juried galleries including Bauhaus Prairie, Heaven Art Gallery USA, LightSpaceTime.art, Contemporary Art Gallery Online, and Fusion Art Gallery – Palm Springs.  Her work, in the last 6 months,  has been judged from ‘Juror’s Choice’ to  ‘Honorable Mention’.

Artist Statement

“The job of the artist is to deepen the mystery.” ~ Sir Francis Bacon

For me a straight photograph is rarely enough to capture the essence of what I am seeking to express. Don’t get me wrong. I have a deep appreciation for the pure photograph as art. I think that Dorothea Lange or Ansel Adams or Edward Weston are extraordinary artists and a “simple” color or black and white image can have the impact or beauty of any great work of art. However, for me I generally want to make the art of creating an image a process that goes beyond the simple art form to what I have termed a “dreamlike quintessentialism” designed to spark an emotional response from the viewer. Even now as the words escape my figurative lips they seem contrived, arrogant – an affectation. Yet, for the life of me I can’t find a more apt way to explain either the process or the outcome when I undertake to create an image. Perhaps it is a measure of my own failing as an artist. The fact that I can only rarely capture an image that I find satisfying without my intervention.

 Often when looking to create an impact I find myself torn between trying to disguise my treachery and flaunting it. Sometimes I choose to disguise it and sometimes I chose to flaunt it – ignoring perfect straight lines and making them rough and imperfect. It usually works for me, it may not work for you or you may find it as compelling as do I.

 That’s what makes the world an interesting place and that’s what achieves dreamlike quintessentialism in my own universe.

 “Spring’s Dance of Form” is an image that rises to this level. Perhaps that is why it was chosen by the Bauhaus Prairie Gallery for the honor of 1st place in their 2018 Still Life Competition. On the day I photographed the Skunk Cabbage that became Spring’s Dance it was the first real warm day in the shadow of Rattlesnake Ridge in New Hampshire where I live. Anyone who goes out on that first warm day will find almost nothing growing . . . nothing, that is, except Skunk Cabbage which has thrust it’s green leaves into the cool spring air. While its color does indeed provide a stark contrast to the browns, beiges and muted greens of the landscape the color is less important than the form. Not to say that I didn’t try by creating an image titled “Spring’s First Blossom” which creates an image where color is equally important to form. Yet the simplicity of Spring’s Dance makes it both more simple, pure and stunning at the same time makes it more compelling still.

Biography – Publications

Books & Columns:
New: *Sacred Trust, a Novel*
“The Monkey Wrench Gang Meets the Third Industrial Revolution”

https://thesacredtrust.blogspot.com/

Asquamchumaukee – Place of Mountain Waters

A Spot on the Porch – Rumney at 250

Washday – An Homage to Humanity’s Shared Tradition

The View from Rattlesnake Ridge
A bi-weekly column by Wayne King on New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism website

Art:

*The Best of Wayne King* – The Artist’s Best Selling and favorite images.

Join the mailing list to receive occasional news about upcoming events and new images by Wayne. Join now and you’ll receive a free PDF version of Asquamchumaukee – Place of Mountain Waters, a photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of NH by Wayne.

Artist Statement

GLOBAL WARMING . . .. it is now a reality

Many of us around the world are very much concerned about this rather disturbing and serious trend. At first, I personally thought it might have been somewhat exaggerated but after much review of scientific research, I feel strongly about the protection of our fragile planet Earth. Most of the leading scientific organizations in the world acknowledge the existence of GLOBAL WARMING and that it is not a natural occurrence.

Whether you call it climate change or GLOBAL WARMING . . IT IS HAPPENING. Scientists say that we are already experiencing impact, and they are likely to increase. The impacts include the effects of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heat waves, ice storms, hurricanes, but also increased threats from infectious diseases and armed conflict. Scientists have documented the rise in average temperatures worldwide since the late 1800’s.

Recognizing that there is little doubt that human activity. . .largely through the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels is responsible for the current pace of GLOBAL WARMING.

Motivated to express my genuine concerns, I decided to creatively render my interpretation and representation in my image of the gradual heating of the Earth’s surface oceans and atmosphere.

Biography/Resume

Robert Michaels  has been a successful professional artist, photographer, graphic designer, and author for many decades now. He has specialized in high resolution Fine Art Photography and Graphic Design through COMPUTER ENHANCED IMAGING. Photography, digital photo-illustration, and fine art creation have dominated my professional career.he has been providing professional photography since 1974 for print, advertising, and multimedia. Based now in Sedona, Arizona, Michaels is a photographer, artist, and graphic designer servicing commercial clients with PHOTO-ILLUSTRATIONS for ADVERTISING, EDITORIAL, and other print work including CATALOG and MAGAZINE COVERS for international publications, brochures, and various periodicals.

 Corporate clients have included among others:

National Geographic, Polaroid Corp, Hewlett-Packard, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, AGFA, Fujifilm USA, American Airlines, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Marriott Hotels, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Sunset Magazine, U.S. State Department, United States Air Force, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Del Coronado, International Spy Museum, University of Southern California (USC), Personality Hotels of San Francisco, Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, Sunset Magazine, Camera & Darkroom Magazine, UCLA, United States Postal Service, Los Angeles Zoo, Signet Scientific Corporation, Computer Artist Magazine, Photo Electronic Imaging Magazine, Rapidocolor Corporation, Management Graphics, Photo Lab Management, Fargo Electronics, Winona Schools, AAA, Mohegan Sun, Afflink, Andromeda Software, New Media Magazine, Lasermaster Corporation, AQ-Automotive Quarterly, Concours d’ Elegance (NY), etc.

 Fine Art Exhibits (Partial Listing):

Los Angeles Center For Photography (special exhibit on Venice Beach, California)

Artworks Gallery, Santa Barbara, California

Mann Gallery, Los Angeles, California

Shoreline Gallery, Malibu, California

2008 Hamptons Concours D’ Elegance, New York

2008 Velocity Art in Motion- exhibit in Minnesota

Award winning book published: “Shine to Rust – an Appetite for Vintage Cars and Trucks” 2005.

2014 book published “Monumental Visions-The Fusion of Old World and Contemporary Art”

Created several other fine art photography books currently in worldwide distribution (“Legions of Clay” and “Icons Among the Ruins”, etc.)

Images have appeared on the cover of over 100 magazines, catalogs, and periodicals.

Award winning book published: “Shine to Rust – an Appetite for Vintage Cars and Trucks” 2005.

2014 book published “Monumental Visions-The Fusion of Old World and Contemporary Art”

Created several other fine art photography books currently in worldwide distribution (“Legions of Clay” and “Icons Among the Ruins”, etc.)

Images have appeared on the cover of over 100 magazines, catalogs, and periodicals.

Professional Memberships have included:

ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers)

PMA (Photo Marketing Association-International)

Malibu Art Association

Conducted, through ASMP, Workshops for pro-photographers.

SAGA (Sedona Area Guild of Artists) Master Signature Artist

Received numerous photography and fine art awards in Los Angeles County.

Studies include degrees in commercial art, fine art painting and photography from:

Los Angeles Art Center of Design,

University of California at Los Angeles

Otis Art Institute, Los Angles, California.

Workshops and classes with Ansel Adams.

Currently involved with the integration of FINE ART PAINTING and PHOTOGRAPHY through COMPUTER ENHANCED IMAGING.