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THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023
TW McClelland
Jewelry Artist and Designer PHOTOGRAPH BY TASJA KEETMAN
THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 Revision is Constructivism in the works.
JORDAN NOBUKO BAKER Classical Oil Painter INTERVIEW BY H. CANDEE ...12
TW MCCLELLAND Jewelry Artist and Designer COVER / INSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TASJA KEETMAN ...20 JOHN VISCARDI Opera Singer INTERVIEW BY H CANDEE
...30
ASTROLOGY FOR CREATIVES Deanna Musgrave - November 2023 ...45 RICHARD BRITELL | FICTION THE PRODIGAL DOG PT. 2: INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH ...47
Publisher Harryet Candee Copy Editor
Marguerite Bride
Third Eye Jeff Bynack Distribution Ruby Aver Carolyn Kinsolving Contributing Writers Richard Britell Deanna Musgrave Contributing Photographers Edward Acker Tasja Keetman Bobby Miller
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THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 1
MAURICE PETERSON TWO COLORS OF WATER "Two Colors of Water" is a heartfelt work that aims to inspire unity and combat bigotry. Inspired by a journalistic photograph taken by Gordon Parks during the era of Jim Crow segregation, the image features the actual water fountains, complete with racist signage, transformed to reflect my unique style and color palette. The Westside Legends recognized the power of this picture and chose it to be showcased as a mural at the entrance of the Riverside Sitting Park. To emphasize the message of togetherness, we incorporated the slogan, "We're Stronger Together." I extend my sincere gratitude to the models, Ashton Akroman and Jaxson Kaye, as well as my invaluable team members: creative assistant, Cindy Atkins; costume designer, Arthur Oliver; Mont Vert Studio, and photographer, Steven G. Donaldson. You can find this powerful mural at the entrance of Riverside Sitting Park, at the intersection of Columbus and Dewey Avenues.
popspeterson.com
CLOSING NOVEMBER 19
SERIOUS HOT OR ICED CHOCOLATE GOURMET GELATO AND TREATS HAND CRAFTED IN THE BERKSHIRES OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
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55 PITTSFIELD/LENOX ROAD ROUTE 7, LENOX MA 413-637-9820
ANN GETSINGER OILS • SCULPTURE • DRAWINGS
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN image - Visitation.Oil on linen, 2023
2 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Photo credit: Fred Collins
chocolatesprings.com
2666 Route 23 Hillsdale NY
BOOK A DESIGN CONSULTATION IRWINFELDDESIGN@GMAIL.COM IRWINFELDDESIGN.COM 917.699.6024 THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 3
Leaves and Door Post Photograph
BRUCE PANOCK WWW.PANOCKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
BRUCE@PANOCKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 917-287-8589
Carolyn Newberger WWW.CAROLYNNEWBERGER.COM CNEWBERGER@ME.COM 617. 877. 5672
BOUQUET OF BOYS, WATERCOLOR, 12” X 16”
4 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Ruby Aver
FRONT ST. GALLERY
KATE KNAPP, STILL LIFE
Paisley Paradise, Acrylic on canvas 24x30”
Painting classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings 10-1pm at the studio in Housatonic and Thursday mornings 10am - 1pm out in the field. Also available for private critiques. Open to all. Please come paint with us!
rdaver2@gmail.com Instagram: rdaver2.
Gallery hours: Open by chance and by appointment anytime 413. 274. 6607 (gallery) 413. 429. 7141 (cell) 413. 528. 9546 (home) www.kateknappartist.com
Housatonic Studio open by appointment: 413-854-7007
Front Street, Housatonic, MA
COZUMEL SUNSET Acrylic and mixed media 24” x 36”
DON LONGO www.donlongoart.com Facebook: Don Longo Instagram: don_longo Email: dljoseph55@yahoo.com
WINTER JOURNEY Acrylic and mixed media 16” x 32”
"I am becoming comfortable with my new technique of combining acrylic paint with enamel spay paint and alcohol. This allows me to produce a variety of color values and textures. I love the production process as each composition is unique and cannot be duplicated."
THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 5
ANYONE FOR TEA? 12 X 14”
BRUCE LAIRD Clock Tower Business Center Studio #307 75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 6 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
SHAPES ON PARADE 24 X 24”
Marion H. Grant
Join me and other Clock Tower Artists for Open Studios December 1, 5-8 and December 2, 11-4, or by appointment.
Sally Tiska Rice
Marion H. Grant Studio 305, 75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA grants3@earthlink.net insta: @marionh.grant
BERKSHIRE ROLLING HILLS ART CLOCK TOWER Studio 302, 3rd floor 75 South Church St, Pittsfield, MA (413)-446-8469 www.sallytiskarice.com sallytiskarice@gmail.com
MARK MELLINGER Paintings - Collage - Constructions
Springfield Massachusetts June First. Construction of wood and found objects. Crusade. Acrylic on canvas. 60" x 40"
Clock Tower Artists 3rd Floor 75 South Church St Pittsfield MA 914. 260. 7413
instagram.com/mellinger3301
markmellinger680@gmail.com THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 7
Erika Larskaya
Layers #13 mixed media on canvas 36 x 36”
"As an abstract artist, I search for ways to represent the invisible, subtle, and unexpressed. I am driven to lay out fleeting and intangible experiences on physical surfaces". —Erika Larskaya
Erika Larskaya Studio at 79 Main St. Torrington, CT www.erikalarskaya.art
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Bruce Murphy Brucemurphy17@gmail.com | Represented by Carrie Haddad Gallery Prices and sizes upon request | BruceMurphy/Art on instagram | Bruce Murphy on Facebook THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 9
WAKING UP TO A NEW DAY, FROM BREAKAWAY SERIES 36" X 48" MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS
KATE KNAPP, STILL LIFE
ERIKA LARSKAYA
FRONT ST. GALLERY
Confinement and Breakaway examine the mental state of struggle to make sense of our environment, both physical and psychological. I incorporate childlike drawing to represent nonconformity; the unadulterated state before we get confined by rules, commitment, insecurities, and other “add-ons.” “I distress and repair parts of the painting, as we do within ourselves. The drawings of floor plans and elevations, which I use as a starting point, create a sense of enclosure, which I expand by continuing the lines outward, breaking the structural pattern. This alters the sense of confinement, breaking away from the [rigid, static] norm”. Erika Larskaya https://www.erikalarskaya.art
Pastels, oils, acrylics, and watercolors…abstract and representational…..landscapes, still lifes and portraits….a unique variety of painting techniques and styles….you will be transported to another world and see things in a way you never have before…. join us and experience something different. Painting classes continue on Monday and Wednesday mornings 10-1:30 pm at the studio and Thursday mornings out in the field. These classes are open to all...come to one or come again if it works for you. All levels and materials are welcome. Personal critiques are available. Classes at Front Street are for those wishing to learn, those who want to be involved in the pure enjoyment of art, and those with some experience. Front Street, Housatonic, MA. Gallery open by appointment or chance anytime. 413-528-9546 at home or 413-429-7141 (cell) www.kateknappartist.com
IN THE PINK UPSCALED WEDDING FLOWERS PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC KORENMAN MODEL: @SHONDAEVETTE
DEBORAH H. CARTER MULTI-MEDIA ARTIST Deborah H. Carter is a multi-media artist from Lenox, MA, who creates upcycled sustainable wearable art. Her couture pieces are constructed from post-consumer waste such as food packaging, wine corks, cardboard, books, wire, plastic, and other discarded items and thrifted wares. She manipulates the color, shape, and texture of her materials to compel us to question our assumptions of beauty and worth and ultimately reconsider our habits and attitudes about waste and consumerism. A sewing enthusiast since the age of 8, Deborah first learned her craft by creating clothing with her mother and grandmothers. Her passion took hold as she began to design and sew apparel and accessories. After graduating with a degree in fashion design from Parsons School of Design in New York City, she worked as a women’s sportswear designer on Seventh Avenue. Deborah’s art has been exhibited in galleries and art spaces around the US. She was one of 30 designers selected to showcase her work at the FS2020 Fashion Show annually at the University of Saint Andrews, Scotland. She has featured in the Spring 2023 What Women Create magazine. Deborah Carter - Clock Tower Artists, 75 S. Church St., Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Studio 315, 3rd floor. Instagram: @deborah_h_carter, Debhcarter@yah oo.com, 413-441-3220. represented by The WIT Gallery.
Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health and in all other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough, this is what you should do. Make good art. ― Neil Gaiman
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“As I opened my eyes, the seated one waved “Hello” and stood...”
Richard Nelson
digital art nojrevned@hotmail.com “When We All Gather for Christmas” THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 11
JORDAN NOBUKO BAKER CLASSICAL OIL PAINTER Interview by Harryet Candee | Photograph of Artist above by Molly Stinchfield He says everything is alive– shells, buildings, people, fish,mountains, trees, wood is alive. Water is alive. Everything has its own life. Everything lives inside us. He says live with the world inside you. —Stanza from Roger Keyes’s poem, “Hokusai Says.” Harryet Candee: I have been enjoying the string of your artist friends on the pages of The Artful Mind this past year. Sean Hutcheon, a fine art and commercial photographer interviewed in the March 2023 issue, introduced me to Richard T. Scott, a contemporary figurative painter. Following his September interview, Richard recommended I look at your artwork. Did you meet these artists/friends while living in the city, or are they new since moving to the Hudson Valley area? Jordan Nobuko Baker: Almost all of the people I spend time with I have met since moving to the Hudson Valley in 2014. There are some fun exceptions, like my mom, who I convinced to move to Catskill in 2018, and my best friend since I was 7, Molly Stinchfield, an educator and photographer focused on social justice. Besides them, everyone I spend time with is a "new" friend (almost ten years old now!), and all of them are creatives. I have met many writers, artists, farmers, and pro12 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
fessors here. I feel abundantly lucky to be surrounded by so many talented people. Describe to us your artistic and social life now. How is it different from when living in the city? JNB: My artistic and social life has blossomed since moving to the Hudson Valley. I was not very happy living and working in NYC, and most importantly, I could not hear my creative voice, which I have since learned is very quiet. My creative instincts require lots of time, space, and quiet thought to tap into, and it was almost impossible to hear with so many compelling and competing voices in NYC. I bought my house in 2016, which afforded me the stability and space to make art in a way impossible before. Instead of making small, easy-to-clean work that did not make much of an impact on my surroundings, I was able to stretch creatively and take risks with more ease. NYC brought out my competitive side, which encouraged me to be ambitious for ambition's sake.
I realize now that was a large hindrance to my creative process and my happiness. Socially, spending time with friends here is way easier than it was for me in NYC. All my friends were so busy we could barely find the time to spend with each other! Even though we all lived geographically close to each other, sometimes it would take over an hour to get to a friend in a different borough. Living in Catskill, I can walk to all of my friends' homes, and we can walk to most of the restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. I have never lived where meeting new people and making new friends was so easy. How has your artwork developed, remained the same, and changed since living in Catskill? JNB: My artwork and process have undergone a complete 180 since moving upstate. I first moved out of NYC in 2010 to get my MFA from SUNY Albany, where I had the resources to develop my artwork that focused on feminist perspectives. I
MODERN MYTHOS show: Spring Spirits, 2023, Oil on canvas, 36” x 48”
made conceptual artwork that has less concern with the physical product and more with the ideas it represents. That was the kind of art respected by the NYC intellectual elite and the club I wanted to join. After grad school, I moved to Catskill and showed my local and NYC work. Downstate, my work was well received but could not justify high prices, so even though it sold, it was not sustainable. Upstate, my work had a lukewarm reception, and no one was interested in buying. I knew something had to change, but I was unsure what had to be done. In the meantime, I got a job as a gallery manager for Naga Antiques in Hudson, a museum-quality Asian antique store with a world-class collection of antique Japanese screens. For several years, I focused on running the company and selling art versus making it. That's when I met Richard. We were set up by some people he worked with. We fell in love on a trip to Paris (of course) and have been together ever since.
Richard and I talk about art all the time, and he always supports me. In 2018, early in our relationship, I told him about an idea for a series of paintings called "Too Much is Never Enough," my version of the Dutch Baroque still life paintings. He told me, "I don't know much about the art world you come from, but I know that series will sell in the figurative art market, and if you want my help to accomplish that, I will help you." We had two date nights for which we each set up a still life of apples and painted it from life. It was frustrating at first, but Richard is such a natural teacher. I finished it on my own, and much to my surprise, it sold maybe a month after posting it on Instagram. I become more ambitious and technically competent with each painting I complete, and I am starting to be able to translate my ideas through the vocabulary of painting more successfully. I never thought I would enjoy the rigor of oil painting, but there is a structure to it that I find gratifying. Oil painting also solved the translation
problem I had before: more people can enjoy a well-painted oil painting than a well-conceived conceptual work of art. I'm finally reaching a place where my ideas and the physical artwork I make work in harmony. You're having a show with your partner, Richard T. Scott, called Modern Mythos, at the Stone Sparrow Gallery in Manhattan from November 8 to December 6. What is this show about? Where are you creating work for the show? JNB: "Modern Mythos" reflects on the narratives we hold on to culturally, for better or worse. We all have stories we tell ourselves to remind us of who we are. However, in a world where the only constant is change, these stories must be reexamined periodically to see if they still serve us. Identity is a compass, not a fixed location. Richard is inspired by Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 13
JORDAN NOBUKO BAKER CLASSICAL OIL PAINTER
Both of these are in Modern Mythos show: Vanitas: Yuletide Harvest, 2023, Oil on canvas, 16” x 20”
Greek mythology and the echoes of the Roman Empire and how he sees them reflected in the tenets of American Identity. "Modern Mythos" for me was a chance to question my Euro-centric art education. Even though I am ¼ Chinese and ¼ Japanese (½ Caucasian), I focused on American art in undergrad. After managing Naga Antiques for seven years, I couldn't escape a deep respect, appreciation, and love for Eastern art and history. Many of the trinkets my Japanese grandmother owned made a lot more sense to me after working there. As a thought experiment, I wanted to know if I could combine my love for Dutch Golden Age paintings with Japanese art. These styles are very different ways of making art! I had to think about what that would look like, and I went through 4 or 5 different compositions before landing on what is now titled "Spring Spirits." I started with a still life of seasonal flowers. The seasons represented in nature is a theme that is very common in Japanese art. I chose tulips in a vase in the center of the canvas, emerging from almost black, all of which is a call to the Dutch Baroque. Sometimes, you will find a butterfly or salamander in Dutch still-life paint14 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
ings. I decided to replace those with Japanese mythological creatures. Komainu and dragons are very popular mythological animals in Japanese and Chinese culture. I also invented a flower yokai (a Japanese spirit). I'm excited to continue exploring what Edo-Japanese and Dutch Baroque art have in common, where they diverge, and how they can be put on the same canvas. What other paintings are you working on now? JNB: I'm working on a vanitas series inspired by Pagan and Shinto beliefs. Vanitas paintings are the most recognizable from the Dutch Golden Age because they usually have a skull! Vanitas paintings are chock full of symbolism, and each item in the painting is supposed to remind the viewer of the ephemeral nature of our experiences and the inescapability of our mortality. The idea came to me when I was recovering from an appendectomy, which became infected (at the tail end of the pandemic, no less) at the end of 2022. I spent six days in the hospital, almost all of them drugged up on painkillers. When I left the hospital, reality felt different, and how I defined reality changed. Very suddenly, interiors didn't feel
Vanitas: Ostara Jewels, 2023, Oil on canvas,16” x 20”
"real," and how we keep track of time didn't feel "real." The only force that felt like reality was nature. I began investigating nature-based religions and remembered that my grandmother identified as Shinto, an archaic Japanese religion that focuses on seasons and nature. When I was a child, Grandma told me that the most important aspect of Shintoism is that everything has a spirit (kami, in Japanese), even things we don't often think of as being alive. For example, in Japan, Mt. Fuji is often referred to as Fuji-san, which can be translated to Mr. Fuji or Honorable Fuji, just like a person! This idea dovetailed nicely with my cursory reading about Pagan ceremonies around the seasons and resonated with me. While I don't have a silky smooth thesis statement about how vanitas, Paganism, and Shintoism all connect, this feels like potent ground for me, and I expect to do more of these vanitas paintings with a hope of capturing a bit of luminosity from each moment of change as demonstrated by natural objects. Despite moving 2 hours away, you still have a strong connection with the city. What about other connections with the city you still have?
Too Much Is Never Enough: Lobsters, 2022 Oil on canvas, 26" x 19"
What might those be? JNB: New York City has been and will probably always be a radiant, pulsing hub for opportunity. It is where I met friends, my family grew up and still lives, and almost all of my creative friends exhibit their artwork, perform their music, direct their films, teach classes, etc. I have fallen out of the habit since COVID-19, but I enjoy taking city trips for inspiration. There are so many worldclass shows in NYC I will never completely lose my connection to it. Before becoming a full-time visual artist, what line of work did you do, and did you love it? JNB: Before becoming a full-time artist, I was an art administrator for about 20 years. I loved it. I'm highly organized and have a head for creating repetitive systems that save people time and effort. Leave me alone with a spreadsheet and pile of receipts, and I am as happy as a clam! Particularly, I loved my last job at Naga Antiques. They sell museum-quality Japanese antiques and screens, the most beautiful environment I have ever worked in. I loved the research I did, and I loved the objects we purchased; I loved talking with
people who also appreciated Japanese art. It was an amazing job. That job taught me a lot about Japanese culture, for which I am extremely grateful and will absolutely draw on in future work. "Too Much Is Never Enough: Lobsters," 26" x 19", oil on canvas, 2022; "Too Much is Never Enough: Lemons," 20" x 20", oil on canvas, 2021; "Too Much is Never Enough: Clementines," 20" x 20", oil on canvas, 2021. Tell us your intentions with this body of work, and what will viewers realize after studying each piece more closely? JNB: This series of paintings (pomegranates are still on the easel!) is my meditation on the difference between abundance and excess. What is too much? We live in a culture in which more is more, yet studies show that this (often called the hedonic treadmill) negatively affects our happiness. As an American, I understand that our culture tells us there is no such thing as a house that is too big, a car that is too expensive, or owning too much clothing, but how do we know what is comfortable versus what is onerous? We look to the people around us, and as long as we look to others
to make decisions for ourselves, we will be unhappy. "Too Much Is Never Enough" allows me to take the stylings of the Dutch Baroque (a time and place which arguably gave birth to modern capitalism during a plague) and turn the volume up through quantity of the subject and the viewer's proximity to it to call attention to our consumerist culture. What are your favorite foods you like and dislike to eat? JNB: I love this question! My favorite food is sushi. Growing up, it was associated with special occasions. My Japanese grandma taught me to make sushi rice and assemble vegetarian rolls. Other dishes, like roast chicken and apple pies, feel very iconic to me because those were mom's specialties growing up. Food is so closely related to memory that it is a very rich subject for art, especially when examining nostalgia. I have always thought that food is a rich metaphor for art: we take in, or "consume," art by "eating" it with our eyes and purchasing it, literally consuming it as a product. Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 15
Too Much is Never Enough: Lemons, 2021, Oil on canvas, 20" x 20"
Too Much is Never Enough: Clementines, 2021, Oil on canvas, 20" x 20"
16 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Afternoon Light with Pears and Toile, 2022, Oil on canvas, 12" x 6”
I Roasted You A Chicken 2012, Cast bronze, 9" x 7" x 3"
Food and artwork with enticement- you must be lured to the dish or the art to engage meaningfully.
life isn't ideal, but it can still be beautiful, and we are in this together."
"I Roasted You A Chicken", what was the idea you had in mind for this 3D art? JNB: This sculpture is part of a body of work that meditates on the female archetype of being an endless source of love. For "I Roasted You a Chicken," I took a real chicken and roasted it, just like I would for a regular dinner, but then, instead of serving it, I cast it in bronze. I did roast you (the viewer) a chicken, but it's made of bronze so you can't eat it. This chicken will last forever, and you can own it for your whole life, but it will never offer you any real nutrition or genuine sustenance. By bronzing this nurturing act, I have also memorialized a woman's labor, which often goes unnoticed and undervalued.
What artists, past and present, do you follow and are influenced by? JNB: Louise Bourgeois for her intensity, John Baldessari for his irreverence and wit, Rachel Ruysch for her technical skills, and Ogata Korin for his compositions.
Jordan, what are your goals as an artist? JNB: Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to share moments of cultural tension with the viewer. Where there is tension, there is the potential for growth, and that can be really hard! I want to communicate to my audience, "I see this part of
What experience did you have that made you feel confident as an artist? JNB: Ha! I'll let you know when that happens! The paintings that loomed over me in the Louvre will never be erased from my memory. What memory do you have that you felt the same way about? JNB: The first time I saw Van Gogh's paintings in person, I cried. He was able to communicate so much emotion in his paintings that is simply missing from pictures in textbooks or digital presentations. I'll never forget how struck I was by his ability to reach through the canvas and wordlessly communicate emotion through his paintings.
What draws you to paint objects not typically considered to be beautiful? JNB: I don't always paint objects that are beautiful because life is not always beautiful, and I think we are better for it. If we only concentrated on positive feelings or images, we would only see life with half of the color wheel. And what do you consider beautiful, cherished, and loved? JNB: My friends and family.
jordanbakerart.com @jornbaker "Modern Mythos", Stone Sparrow Gallery 45 Greenwich Ave, NYC Opening November 8, 6-8 (mythic attire encouraged) On view November 8 - December 6
G THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 17
ELEANOR LORD
Carolyn M. Abrams
A Breath of Heaven
Artist in Paris, Pastel
Please visit—
www.eleanorlord.com To see more of the Artist’s Landscapes, Still-life, Portraiture and more.
Lenox, MA
Atmospheric and Inspirational Art www.carolynabrams.com MEMBER GUILD OF BERKSHIRE ARTISTS
e Look for me at the Guild’s Small Works Show weekends in December at the Art on Main Gallery, West Stockbridge, MA
GHETTA HIRSCH Enjoy the magic of old Berkshires barns. This one has been painted so many times that the last coat appears grey!
30 Church Street, Williamstown, MA Call or text for more information: 413. 597. 1716 Website: ghetta-hirsch.squarespace.com “Threshold” Oil on Canvas 20”x 20”
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THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 19
TW MCCLELLAND JEWELRY ARTIST AND DESIGNER
Interview by Harryet Candee
|
Photography by Tasja Keetman and Courtesy of the Artist
“If I could make something with my hands and mind that would have a tiny percentage of the splendor and coolness of a dandelion, my career would be worthwhile.” —Tim McClelland Harryet Candee: At our recent meeting, we discussed your exquisite hand-crafted jewelry, the processes, thoughts about being a dedicated artist, and how history plays a role and sets the stage for artistic concepts and creations. Working with natural stones, gems, metals, and other raw materials found on this planet, you have been a successful jeweler for over 50 years and counting. Your gallery shop and studio are now in a charming, yellow-painted Victorian house in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. What about this building’s history and the beautiful fauna and flora that grows around it? Have you felt good vibes and energies while there? Tim McClelland (TW McClelland): I have ended up where I am supposed to be, and my profession and craft suit me perfectly. Making expressive jewelry by hand in the Berkshires is wonderful. There is a balance of culture, sophistication, nature, and casualness that lend to and provide an audience for my work. I am both sup20 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
ported by the environment here and have an opportunity to be of service to the community. When I moved out of New York City in the midnineties to raise a family, I was worried the Berkshires was a backwater. But it is far from it! There is so much interesting artistic work being done here. And very quietly and consummately. A lot of inspiration and talent in these hills. My curiosity got the best of me when I first walked into your gallery and saw the shiny, black, antique suitcase covered in travel decals before me. A fantastic “Stay in Touch” art video accompanies this 3-D art piece you created and offers depth to your artistic statement. I came in with the idea of talking just jewelry, but then I got it—how you have created a mixed media art and film project that works with and around your jewelry art. What in particular did you find most satisfying as an artist to have made this all come together? Tim: Well, I like that question. Coming from a
background in visual arts, I get carried away by the potential of creating something new and interesting and compelling. Not just jewelry, even though that is my main discipline. But I have always tried new things - sculpture, video, textile design, and conceptual art. Looking for an opportunity to be daring and original is exciting. For instance, I have many US patents for tools and designs. I go through the patent process not so much to protect my ideas, but to make the patent process part of the creative project. Getting a certificate from the US patent office with your name on it along with your creation is fantastic. One patent I have is for a devise that removes plastic bags from trees. That patent was coauthored by Ian Frazier, the author. He ended up writing extensively about taking trash out of trees. It was an incredibly fun artistic project. There is also the mural on the ceiling and the beautifully textile-designed rug on the floor. Who is responsible for these? They are fine art
You Can Take It With You Antique suitcase, decals Photograph by TW McClelland
View short film by TW McClelland and Paul Morgan,You Can Take It With You
TW McClelland Gallery Photograph by: Sadie McClelland
and crafts pieces that help to create an alluring and poetic environment. Please tell us about these. Are there others you have that you want to tell us about? Tim: The environment I show my work in is almost as important as the work itself. It is the reason I have my own place and do not show in other galleries or jewelry stores. It would be easier to let other people sell my work. But I am protective about providing a context. Galleries that show artistic jewelry are a little too plain. And fancy, fine jewelry stores are too fluffed up. Showing my work here, where I can adjust the lighting, the colors, cases, and the other elements of the display allow me to dial it just the way I want. Is that controlling? I suppose. But if the display doesn’t look good, I have only myself to blame. The ceiling mural and rug are my designs. They are based in the micro and the macro world, of which we as humans reside in between. The ceiling mural is a painting of an electron microscope’s image of a group of platinum atoms magnified
five hundred thousand times. The rug was handwoven in Nepal and is an exact version of NASA’s Max Planck space telescopic image of the cosmic microwave background of the universe. When you stand on the rug, you are standing between these two extreme worlds. It is an accurate portrayal.
signs are rehashed again and again. But the essential and original historical designs are worth understanding. I try to emulate rather than copy. I like to dabble in historical techniques to see what they feel like. Sometimes I’ll try a technique only once and then move on. It keeps things interesting.
How much influence does history through the ages have on your thought process as a designer? Tim: History is very influential in my work. Human beings have been adorning themselves with jewelry of one sort or another for over one hundred and fifty thousand years! Every historical époque and moment has its accompanying jewelry. Egyptian, Greek, Columbian, Asian, and all the indigenous cultures. Historically, every culture has its jewelry style. Jewelry design can be very derivative. Byzantine and Greek “revival” jewelry gets used frequently by designers. Like a lot of themes in fashion, de-
Do you apply academic principles you have learned in your training years to many of your jewelry pieces to maintain a certain level of good design and craftsmanship? What are some of those essential rules? Tim: There are certain principles for jewelry design – especially the type of traditional European jewelry design that people associate with “fine jewelry”. Fine jewelry usually implies expensive gemstones and precious metals. “Art jewelry” is often more progressive and less formal. There are no boundaries. Art jewelry pieces can be made from any material that says what the designer wants to say. Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 21
TW MCCELLAND JEWELRY ARTIST AND DESIGNER
Consumer Necklace Gold, silver, mastodon ivory, jade, carnelian, enamel, pearls, sapphires, silk Photograph by Starr Digital
Eye Chart Earrings Mastodon ivory, gold, brown diamond, sapphire, pigment Photo credit: Starr Digital
T Rexall Necklace Reverse carved rock crystal, paint, gold, mother-of-pearl, shark’s teeth, magnesite Photograph by Starr Digital
mieri
22 • NOVEMBER 2023
THE ARTFUL MIND
Tim at workbench Photograph by Tasja Keetman
Paper, plastic, glass, fabric, non-precious metals, and stones. When creating something from precious and expensive materials, the monetary value usually constricts creativity. People often do not want to wear expensive jewelry that is too challenging artistically. Even if they appreciate progressive design, they often choose to adorn themselves more conservatively. I like to strike a balance between these worlds – art jewelry and fine jewelry. It’s a challenge to make something that crosses over. I appreciate the jewelry piece of a sea creature in deep blue waters, the “Can’t See Sh-t” necklace, and especially the “T-Rex” necklace and “Consumer” necklace. I am drawn to these pieces because they possess a sense of humor. Tell us about these jewelry pieces, please. Tim: These are pieces that are intended to push and challenge the idea of jewelry. Usually, jewelry that incorporates precious metals and stones, is intended to be taken seriously. These pieces are more like sight gags. Maybe a bit corny or cartoon like. I am a big fan of Saul Steinberg. He was never afraid to make fun of his medium. I understand you have an interest in mythology that I find very interesting. What is the connec-
tion between any of the mythological characters and your concepts with jewelry? Tim: I am reading the Iliad again – to be honest reading it completely for the first time. In chapter 18, it describes the making of Achilles Shield by Hephaestus, the god of the forge. It is sort of a miracle because Hephaestus makes this incredible and wondrous bronze and silver shield in what seems like a half an hour. The shield has all this amazing detail depicting aspects of Greek civilization. I like this chapter it because it celebrates the art of metalsmithing. In ancient times, metalworkers had a lot of status, like working at NASA or the CERN Particle Collider. That is because metal was the main technological material. It was used for tools and weapons and of course, jewelry. It was the golden age of metalsmithing. Over 50 years as a successful jewelry designer, can you tell us about one of the most memorable pieces you’ve created and how it helped to gain a broader audience and upward development in your career? Tim: I have made quite a bit of dandelion jewelry that has been successful. I like weeds and wildflowers. There are many blossoms in nature that lend to jewelry, especially the rich yellow flowers that can be recreated in gold. Like forsythia and
sunflowers and goldenrod and buttercups. I also made a ring with a magnificent and rare Padparadscha sapphire. The gold ring mounting had leaf petals that surrounded the stone. That ring started a style of (engagement) ring I have become known for. It became a whole engagement collection that has brought people to me from all over the country, and even the world. It is hard to create something new under the sun. But that design was new and original. Have you collaborated or worked for any famous designers or masters of the jewelry trade? Tim: Well as I said, I collaborated with my friend Ian Frazier to make the plastic bag snagging device. He is quite a well-known author. And I have written lyrics with my brother, William, who is a classical choral music composer. And I’ve collaborated with my wife, Carrie Harper, who is an excellent sculptor, table wear designer, and silversmith. And I love working with Barbara Crocker and Steve Hyer, who have helped create my designs over the years. So, I guess the answer is yes. Where did you study jewelry design? Tim: I went to Boston University’s Program in Artisanry. Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 23
TW MCCELLAND JEWELRY ARTIST AND DESIGNER
Dandelion Pendant18 karat gold, enamel Photograph by: Starr digital Photograph of Dandelion by TW McClelland
Drawing of Rorschach Bracelet
Rorschach Bracelet 18 karat gold, ruby Photo Credit: David Behl 24 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Carrie Harper and Sadie McClelland Photograph by Ethan Glenn
As generally seen in decorative textile designs, I see repeat patterns with floral, organic motifs, and geometric shapes in some of your designs. When using this as a motif in your jewelry designing, do you need to use any math or science know-how? Tim: Oh Yes. There is all manner of geometry, algebra, chemistry, metallurgy, and engineering in jewelry making. I was poor in these subject in school, but I am proficient now. By necessity. Tell us about the Eclipse Ring, Rorschach Bracelet, and the piece called Tickets to Nowhere? Tim: These are rather elaborate pieces. The Eclipse Ring has a white opal about the size of a dime with a crescent cut out, inset into a background of black jade. The frame is oxidized silver that has carved cloud forms. The Rorschach Bracelet is part of a group of bracelets that were inspired by abstract expressionism. There was a challenge to freeze a design and create it in the very slow technique of jewelry fabrication. Each wire is hand forged and formed. In this piece, the mirror image pattern morphs as it progresses from on panel to the next. It is possible to evaluate a person’s mental and emotional
state by their reaction to this piece. (Just kidding!) The Tickets To Nowhere Bracelet is an homage to the old comic strip, Krazy Kat, by George Herriman. Krazy Kat was a syndicated newspaper strip in the early twentieth century and is perhaps the greatest example cartoon art of all time. It was admired by Pablo Picasso, e.e. cummings and is also a great example of modernism. My bracelet shows a landscape that would be typical of the world Herriman created, against a background of gold raffle tickets. It has inlayed rubies and niello, which is a black metal. It is a kind of abstract fantasy world. What experience in life gave you confidence to design anything you wanted, to break new ground, allow yourself to create jewelry without fear of opinions, trends, and supposed rules, well, with the exception of maybe your teachers? Tim: Well, I am a product of modernism, which is what you are describing. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. Freedom of expression was in full swing. There was already a culture of decorative arts and jewelry design that was entirely unrestricted by boundaries. It was actually more difficult for me
to find out what was more established. Those two worlds, the formal and the avant-garde, are where I try to reside. What generally works for you in getting the right mindset at the start of a new jewelry design? Tim: I have several sketchbooks that I refer to over the years. l am not terribly prolific because each piece can take a long time to make. So, when I am about to begin a new piece, I refer to my sketchbooks to see if there is something that is asking to be made. Sometimes the design has been there, in the book, for decades. If it still looks promising after many years, it is probably worth making. Other times, I get an idea and just dive in and try to make it as fast as I can. Sometimes those pieces have a lot of energy. Frequently, if they come out well, they will sell right away. How many designs can you work on at the same time? Tim: I usually have at least a dozen pieces going at once. Some sit around for a long time before they are finished. Having many pieces going at Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 25
TW MCCELLAND JEWELRY ARTIST AND DESIGNER
Fabergé Eggs
Robin Box 18 karat gold, turquoise, malachite, coral, shabuishi, silver, brown and white diamonds, copper Photograph by Starr Digital
Padparadscha Flora Ring 10.51 carat natural padparadscha sapphire, gold, diamonds Photograph by Starr Digital
TW McClelland Gallery
once helps keep things interesting between all the participants.
gold, gemstones and diamonds. I recycle them into new pieces.
At what point does jewelry making become somewhat of a challenge? Tim: The early years of learning and making mistakes is tough. It is a long road to become a master jeweler. There are lots of blunders and unsuccessful pieces. Also, the business side is not my favorite. At the end of making a piece, I need to figure out how long it took to make it and figure how to put a price on it. That’s not the fun part for me. Are there any recyclable materials you work with in making jewelry? Tim: I use recycled gold, diamonds and gemstones whenever I can. I also use Fairmined Gold for some of my pieces, which is a program where the actual gold miners who dig up the gold get a much better deal. It is a cooperative that makes the gold I use a bit more expensive, but it is better for the miners and the environment. BTW I am happy to purchase peoples unwanted
How would you describe your relationship with the rare gems and metals that you work with? Tim: I am specifically drawn to the metal. Metal is special. Gold, silver, platinum, copper. They were created in supernovas, billions of years ago. These metals have made it all that way to my workshop. I try to honor them and work with them to create something worthy. I like gems as part of a whole piece of jewelry, not as much on their own. The great expressions of historical jewelry are amalgamations of gems and precious metals that come together as something bigger that the individual components.
26 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
I am looking at Robin’s Egg Box, one of your “singular creations.” Can you tell us about this? Is this the only one of its kind that you have made? Tim: The Robin’s Box is an homage to Peter Carl
Photograph by Ethan Glenn
Fabergé, the maker of the famous jeweled Easter eggs for the Russian Tsars. His creations were the pinnacle of opulence. There may never be any jewelry that compares to the level of hand craftsmanship it took to create them. They are both wondrous and absurd. While my box is not in that category, it is inspired by that kind of ornamental extravagance. It has a beautiful turquoise Robin’s Egg in a gold nest, guarded by three protective robins that are made from patinated copper and shibuichi, a Japanese metal alloy. It has coral worms and brown diamonds for an underground scape. The whole box is supported on silver bird feet. Inside there is a poem and a turquoise parure (which is a set of matching jewelry). Tim, where did you grow up, and how did you find your way to living in the most beautiful part of the world, the Berkshires? Tim: I grew up in Michigan farmland, not dissimilar to the Berkshires. A bit less hilly, but with many more lakes. Like many young people, I was
Eclipse Ring White opal, black jade, oxidized silver
Tickets To Nowhere Bracelet 18 karat Gold, rubies, niello
Krazy Kat comic strip published in1922
drawn to cities, particularly New York. We moved to Great Barrington to raise our kids. It was a big adjustment, but a good move. I can’t imagine a better place to live and work.
How does living here entertain and stimulate your imagination? Tim: Nature, nature, and I guess nature. Are your family members just as talented and artistic as you? Tim: Yes, even more so. I am very lucky to have all these inspired people around me. Have your goals as an artist changed now that you are working in your new location? Tim: I always try to find ways to make jewelry original and interesting. When I was design director of McTeigue and McClelland, a certain percentage of the designs were market driven and I felt lacked originality. I’m not doing that anymore. This place is all about creativity.
Has this move motivated you to explore new materials and techniques in jewelry art? Tim: Yes, I always am trying something new. I recently was asked to be in the American Jewelry Design Council. It has been a great learning experience to share techniques and ideas with the best designers in the country. If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future, and why? Tim: No, none of that. I am a wuss. I am supposed to go to Cleveland next week and I’m already worried about getting there and if the hotel bed will be comfortable. I couldn’t handle time travel.
“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”
Tim with sketchbook
Photograph by Tasja Keetman
Tim: As I said earlier, nature is the Great Designer. All grace emanates from her. My only hope as an artist is to honor nature and create something that ads a bit of my personality. I suppose my contribution would be to add some humor and devotion. If I could make something with my hands and mind that would have a tiny percentage of the splendor and coolness of a dandelion, my career would be worthwhile.
TWMCLELLAND.COM
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson Tell us the reasons why you chose this quote as an introduction to your series of your Nature jewelry. It is very beautifully said and fits well! THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 27
BERKSHIRE LANDSCAPES
LONNY JARRETT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY Berkshirescenicphotography.com 413-298-4221 |
Lonny@berkshirescenicphotography.com
Lyn Horton Every drawing and sculpture in the installation at Installation Space in North Adams in November represents the assimilation of past experience and creating new image forms to finish in a flourish of leaving behind, “branching out,” and walking away from the past into a present “line” of thinking.
20 Metaphysical Alphabet, example 10, 2022, 11 in h x 8.5 in
All Tied Up #9, 2020 Branches wrapped in faux leather and velvet tubing 76.825 in h x 10 in w x 2.325 Detail of 34 Branch Drawings 4, 2022
Opening Reception: Friday, November 3, 5-8pm On View: November 3 - November 26, 2023
https://www.instagram.com/lynhortonphotoart
INSTALLATION SPACE 49 Eagle Street North Adams, MA 02147 www.49eaglestreet.com Fall hours: Fri: 5-7 Sat & Sun: 12-5
http://www.crossmackenzie.com
https://lynhorton.net
THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 29
Photograph by Coco-Jourdana
JOHN VISCARDI OPERA SINGER
Interview by Harryet Candee
|
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist
“Behind every one of John Viscardi’s performances is a deeply rooted belief in the power of the human voice to build bridges and strengthen communities.” Harryet Candee: Reviewing the photographs of you, I see that you are an uplifting, positive thinker and creator. A very enthusiastic individual who loves life and makes the most out of every minute, whether performing on stage or working with your music-related organizations such as ArtSmart and Classic Lyric Arts, or other things. What keeps you happiest and brings you into a deep and pensive mood? John Viscardi: Why, thank you! Life is our greatest gift, and I work hard to make the most of mine every day. I'm happiest with my family, making music, or out in nature. The pinnacle of happiness is achieved when I'm doing all three at the same time! When I'm alone, traveling for work, I'm most pensive. I deeply love patterns, finding the threads that weave together seemingly unrelated aspects of life. Traveling and being alone liberate my mind to notice things about the universe that I would otherwise overlook. How did you discover the quality and power of your voice as a Baritone? JV: It's a very important story in my journey as an opera singer. I had just graduated from the 30 • NOVEMBER THE ARTFUL MIND
Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and felt down on myself and my voice. A close friend of mine knew this and suggested that I take a lesson with a teacher she had gotten to know quite well. I took her advice, drove up to Detroit, where the teacher was performing, and took a couple of lessons with her at the theatre. They changed my life! Those lessons helped me discover a part of my voice I had never known. For the first time, I connected to my "chest voice." The sound was deep, resonant, and easy! I was so happy. Remembering yourself as a young boy, did you find yourself singing, acting, performing, and feeling somewhat embarrassed when the adults peeked in on you? JV: Yes, I did. As a child, I performed and made music quite often. Getting nervous was often a part of that experience, but I was always uncomfortable singing for a small group of family members. Nowadays, these moments are when I'm the most comfortable! I love singing for my family, remembering how happy it makes them. The life of an opera singer and performer is very demanding. What are some of those de-
mands you face most often or rarely? Learning new music? Balancing rehearsal with meetings? JV: It is indeed demanding! The hardest part is finding the balance between performing, running ArtSmart and Classic Lyric Arts, and being a devoted father and husband. I am always taking a moment to look towards the horizon and then reflect to ensure the amount of time and energy I spend in each area is correct. It's a judgment call regarding the right ratio, but I figured out how to calibrate it all through introspection and an honest assessment of where I am vs. where I want to be. It's not easy, but I find the way. Where did you grow up? JV: Manhasset, New York. On Long Island. You have taken on the project ArtSmart. Can you tell us about it? How involved are you with this critical work, and what is its mission that must be challenging yet rewarding? JV: ArtSmart is one of my babies. I founded it eight years ago with my good friend, Michael Fabiano. You said it right. This work is some of the most challenging yet rewarding in my life. ArtS-
Die Fledermaus - John Viscardi as Gabriel Eisenstein, Jennifer Freye as Alexandra Eisenstein
mart's mission is to change the world through music mentorship. We provide children in underresourced communities nationwide with free music lessons from a dedicated teacher. After eight years of programs, the results have been spectacular, confirming what so many of us know about the power of MusicMusic. Our students are more likely to want to go to college, more excited to come to school, and more likely to take responsibility for their actions. The pursuit of mastery in an artistic medium has the power to transform us as human beings. As part of your performance work, you are the executive director of Classic Lyric Arts. Can you tell us about this organization? What have you experienced on the job when visiting Paris, for example? (my favorite city) JV: Leading Classic Lyric Arts has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. We provide training programs and support for young, professionally aspiring classical singers and pianists. One of our programs, CLA Berkshires, is in Great Barrington, on the Simon's Rock campus. The Berkshire program focuses exclusively on studying and performing Mozart's Italian operas. One of the great joys I experience when working with CLA in France and Italy (where we have our other two programs) is the look on an audience member's face when they hear a foreigner singing in their
language with correct pronunciation and inflection. It's a look of surprise followed by deep appreciation. Can you describe a typical day in the studio, at rehearsal, before and after you plunge into work mode? JV: For me, the studio day starts when I wake up. So much of singing has to do with your state of mind and state of body. I try my best to sleep eight hours (not easy to do with little kids!) a night. As soon as I wake up, I drink water with electrolytes, brush my teeth, and do ten to fifteen minutes of stretching and exercise. This sets me on the right path for the day and makes a big difference in my singing. Once I'm "in the studio," I start with 1520 minutes of vocal warmups. I then work on a mixture of music I'm performing in the near term and music I'll perform further down the line. Which of the characters you have played can you relate to the most, and why? JV: Cyrano de Bergerac. Not because of my outward appearance but because, for many years, I felt ugly on the inside and, as a result, unworthy of love. Traditional opera and contemporary opera, you have been in both venues. Can you describe the difference you feel about both and
Photograph by Jay Raftery
how much of their history influences how you use your voice? JV: I love MusicMusic; beautiful lyrics and stories speak to me. I also sing with one voice and one technique, regardless of the repertoire. There are some incredibly beautiful and moving operatic works being produced today. When I can perform them, I jump at the opportunity the same as I would Rodolfo in La Boheme. What languages are you fluent in? You must learn so much about language when using your voice. There are feminine and masculine languages. Do they affect your voice's quality and sound? JV: I study Italian every single day and have finally reached fluency. Next is French and then German. The language we sing in undoubtedly influences vocal quality and sound. English and German are pretty aggressive in their use of consonants, while French and Italian are much more lyric. Languages have a history, a culture, and a sensibility. All of these things are transmitted when we sing. On December 3, you will perform with Close Encounters with Music at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. "Nocturne — Night and Dreams ." Tell us Continued on next page... THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 31
JOHN VISCARDI OPERA SINGER
John is also a visual artist Meditation | A Masked Ball Pelléas et Mélisande - John Viscardi as Pelleas, as Melisande- Andrea Hill, Photograph by Lance Ozier
about your role in this performance, and are you already acquainted with the composers and scores? JV: I'm so excited about this performance! Yehuda Hanani, the Artistic Director of Close Encounters with Music, was very generous and let me design the program I'll perform for this concert. I've created a set of songs about night and dreams that span the gamut of my repertoire. From Schubert to Bernstein, I get to sing it all! While I haven't performed all these songs publicly, I know them and the composers who wrote them very well. It's going to be a great show. How long will you be in the Berkshires, and will you have enough time to venture to my favorite restaurant, Bizen, Japanese cuisine, and the local music and visual art venues? Do you already know the Berkshires from previous visits? JV: I LOVE the Berkshires! It's not hyperbole when I say that I believe the Berkshires to be the most special place on earth. There is a beauty and an energy in these mountains that I feel deep within my soul. I'll be in town for about four days surrounding the concert. I'll be sure to try Bizen, which is still on my list. I'll also make sure that I get to Patisserie Lenox, Pixie Boulangerie, and Baba Louie's. I have a major weak spot for good chocolate croissants. What art form are you most playful with, 32 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
where there are no set demands upon you other than pure enjoyment? JV: Most definitely visual art. I draw extensively on paper and my iPad. When I draw, I feel as if I'm a master of the universe. It's immensely liberating. Have you done acting on stage professionally without opera being the venue? JV: Only very rarely. Opera is my art form. It is my passion and my sole focus. Was there a particular teacher you remember that gave you enlightenment? How so? There must be at least one crazy teacher you will never forget. Where did you study? JV: My high school voice teacher, Mark Van Shenkhof. Mark opened my eyes to the beauty and power of opera and inspired me to pursue it as a profession. I remember the first time I went to his home for a lesson. He demonstrated a warmup, singing this huge, loud B flat. It rang so strongly in my ears that I couldn't help but laugh out loud. After high school, I went to NYU and did my bachelor's and master's. Following NYU, I attended the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia for four years of conservatory. I've also done residencies at Santa Fe Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Tell us about your video, The Vagabond, Chapters and Chapter Two, by Vaughan Williams
from The Songs of Travel. Why did you make this performance out in the woods? JV: It was the pandemic. We were all in quarantine, and I felt this huge desire to be free in physical space and artistic license. The Vagabond is a song cycle that speaks to me on a very deep level. It's the story of a man who leaves civilization to find himself. I saw the pandemic as an opportunity to do something that paralleled this man's journey but from an artistic point of view. I've always been interested in technology and wanted to see if I could create a music video entirely. Everything you see in these videos I did by myself, from the filming to the singing to the post-production editing. It was a spectacularly rewarding experience. Eventually, I will complete the cycle. I just need a few more hours in the day! Interestingly, these videos were shot in Worthington, MA, just over the border in the hill towns. My folks have had a home there since I was a child. It's my favorite place on earth. What dream role do you wish to play, and where would that be? If I were an opera singer, I would sing alongside Pavarotti and be the 1st Soprano with the Three Tenors, singing Nessun Dorma. JV: My dream role would be Rodolfo in La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera alongside my friend Latonia Moore. What music do you love to listen to in the car?
Jump! Photo Credit - Efrain Solis
JV: Super eclectic and largely dependent on my mood. Often pop and singer-songwriters like AJR, Avicii, Regina Spektor, or Billy Joel; almost equally as often instrumental classical, and when I'm in the car with my kids, a lot of Disney, Raffi, and Scatman John. When I'm learning a new role, I listen to recordings of it that I respect on repeat. Part of what I love about playing piano is when I have mastered a piece like Albeniz's "Leyenda" and become compelled to find something more complicated and challenging to work on next. Sometimes, getting there is more valuable than the final product. Do you find this true as well? In what instance can you tell us about it? JV: I believe strongly that the journey is the destination. Of course, I'm a fallible human seeking instant gratification and recognition. Yet, I have learned that the steps we take to get to where we want to be make us who we are. The most powerful example of this in my life has been my journey to achieve vocal mastery. My path has yet to be a straight one. From tenor to baritone and back to tenor, I have followed my heart and mind, taking the steps I need to become the most expressive and technically secure singer I can be. It's been an incredibly difficult journey, but it's shaping up to be the most rewarding of my life. If you were to time travel, would it be in the future or the past? JV: The very distant future.
Tell us a bit about your family and how they are supportive and involved in all your work. JV: My wife, Molly, is my greatest champion. She is my rock and my trusted advisor. We have two wonderful children: our daughter Noa, who is five, and our son Jack, who is seven. Molly, Jack, and Noa are my inspiration. They fuel my drive to be the best person and motivate me to make the most of this life. Their support means everything to me. I'm also fortunate to have parents who have always pushed and supported me to pursue my dreams. What lyrics in music can you share with us that speaks to your soul, and why? JV: The lyrics from the first song in The Songs of Travel, The Vagabond. There is a drive towards true liberation and freedom in all of us. These words encapsulate that drive more powerfully than any other I've had the privilege to sing. Give to me the life I love, Let the lave go by me, Give the jolly heaven above, And the byway nigh me. Bed in the bush with stars to see, Bread I dip in the river— There's the life for a man like me, There's the life forever.
Wealth I seek not, hope nor love, Nor a friend to know me; All I seek, the heaven above, And the road below me. Or let autumn fall on me Where afield I linger, Silencing the bird on tree, Biting the blue finger. White as meal the frosty field— Warm the fireside haven— Not to autumn will I yield, Not to winter even!
See John at his upcoming performance: Close Encounters with Music-Nocturne—Night and Dreams Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-0100 December 3 @ 4:00 pm-6 pm.
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Let the blow fall soon or late, Let what will be o'er me; Give the face of earth around, And the road before me. THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 33
IRWIN FELD
ALL TIED UP #4, 2020 BRANCHES WRAPPED IN FAUX LEATHER AND VELVET TUBING 24.25 IN H X 46.5 IN W X 21 3.8 IN D
OPENS DESIGN GALLERY/WORKSPACE
LYN HORTON
SYNTACTICAL SHIFTS My installation, Syntactical Shifts, is designed to codify the psychological overtones of dealing with the trauma of moving away from my home of forty-two years, making sense of an urban world, and restoring peace to my life. Every drawing represents the assimilation of past experience, creating new image forms and perceiving them in as many ways possible to finish in a flourish of leaving behind, “branching out,” and walking away from the past into a present “line” of thinking. Syntactical Shifts, will be on view November 3 - November 26 with an opening reception on Friday, November 3, 5-8pm. The Installation Space is located at 49 Eagle Street, North Adams. Massachusetts. Installation Space www.49eaglestreet.com; Fall hours: Fri: 5-7, Sat & Sun: 12-5.
“I think it’s important to remember that making art is a process. It is never finished. The occupation itself is one of process, exploration, and experimentation. It is one of questioning and examining.” — Mel Robson
FIREFLIES AND SHINY PENNIES MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER
MARION H. GRANT Artist Marion H. Grant is a member of Clock Tower Artists, and can be found most days working in her studio (no. 305) at Clock Tower Business Park, 75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her current work in mixed media on paper and canvas combines textural materials, hand-painted papers, acrylic paint, and fabric in abstract compositions that that explore colors, patterns, and shapes. About the work, Grant says, “My recent pieces reflect my ongoing interest in the interplay of geometric shapes, color relationships, and embellishments such as texture and drawing. Viewed as a whole, the paintings have unity; viewed up close, every element stands on its own as a unique passage.” Grant’s studio at the Clock Tower is open to the public the first Friday and Saturday of each month April through December. Public hours on first Fridays are 5-8 and first Saturdays 11-4. Private visits to the studio can also be arranged by contacting the artist directly. Marion H. Grant 413-446-7979, web: www.mariongrantart, insta: @marionh.grant, email: grants3@earthlink.net
With more than 25 years of design and retail experience, Irwin Feld, Hillsdale, NY resident and custom furniture designer, is bringing his home design business, Irwin Feld Design to the Hamlet. Located in the historic Althouse-Higgins house, a restored 1845 home at 2666 State Route 23, Feld intends to expand his design and consulting business and offer items from his extensive vintage and custom home furnishings collections. “This is a dream now realized. This space was created exactly to fit my needs” says Feld, who also maintains a presence in Manhattan’s New York Design Center. “I label myself more of a home design coach or consultant and really rely on the client to make decisions. The key to a successful relationship is a mutual exchange of thoughts and ideas. My goal is to assist in the creating an ideal home environment, blending my design expertise with the client’s vision, and tailor them in a thoughtful, practical way”, says Feld. In addition to vintage furniture and accessories, select pieces from Feld’s custom furniture line, CF MODERN, will also be available. Irwin Feld Design 2666 County Route 23 Hillsdale, New York 917-699-6024; Hours: By Appointment & limited weekend hours (to be posted) through the fall. Irwinfelddesign.com; irwinfelddesign@gmail.com.
“You really learn a lot from this teacher.”
Conversational Spanish Learn the fundamentals of conversational Spanish. All levels. ONLINE —Facebook-Messenger, Zoom, Skype and other platforms for computer for easy online communication
Instructor Esteban Valdés estedelfin@yahoo.com.mx Author of the acclaimed book: Con Permisito Dijo Monchito (AMAZON.COM) Highly recommended • References available • $15.00 p/ hour Send Sr. Esteban an e-mail to begin learning conversational Spanish! 34 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
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PUSH THE TALK, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24” X 24”
TYRINGHAM 2, 48" X 48"
BRUCE LAIRD
SARAH HORNE SOIL PAINTINGS
At dawn, after waves of fog melt into blue air, the land ahead rises into view. Gently parting the curtain, the land - fields and pastures, begin to glow with dawn’s gentle entrance. The light is soft as the deep crimson as the barn slowly rises into view. This exhibit is about the mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, and liquids - the alchemy that makes soil. I made these Soil Paintings because soil is elemental to the environment that keeps us alive: soil and its nutrients are fundamental to growth. It is the earth beneath our feet. I feel that our souls, our beginnings, and our endings lie low in the soil. This is the earth that I sink my hands into when I make a garden. This is the same mud I tromp through in high boots in rain and snow. Dark, light, dense and soft, the soil moves and changes, getting caught in an eddy, sliding into a river, trod on by horses, dogs and humans. The love of the earth comes to me in the quiet, as I walk the land, kick at the ground, taking time to really look. These paintings are a representation of what I see when I look directly down at soil - soil in rain, soil in drought, soil on the best of days and on the worst. The paintings are multi-layered, complex and earthy. I am lucky enough to know two extraordinarily beautiful working farms that serve as the inspiration for these Soil Paintings: Spring Hills Farm in Dalton, Pennsylvania, and Woven Roots Farm in Tyringham, Massachusetts. Both are organic farms, placing high importance on the health and beauty of soil. While making these paintings my artistic references were inspired by other abstract landscape painters. Helen Frankenthaler’s vast atmospheric, color field paintings of water, sea and mountains, Joan Mitchell’s large-scale canvases alive with raw, gestural mark making, and Tim Hawkesworth’s energized oil paintings which search for primal meaning in our overdeveloped age. My paintings are made with acrylic, acrylic ink, matte and gloss mediums on canvas. The framed paintings are made with acrylic, acrylic ink, matte medium and glue on paper. Sarah Horne sarahhorne29@gmail.com.
FALLING LEAVES, 16” X 24”
DON LONGO
I’ve been recently concentrating on new work that allows me to become more abstract in my interpretation of design. I am using acrylic enamelbased paints that have more fluidity than normal tube acrylics. These paints allow me to give a smooth solid color in either a static position on the canvas or an unfixed, moving position. I am still overlapping the colors into one composition as I have done in previous paintings. I believe that an artist must always progress and experiment with color, application, and technique. I want to stay fresh with my work and see what develops each time I paint. Don Longowww.donlongoart.com Facebook: Don Longo Instagram: don_longo Email: dljoseph55@yahoo.com
I am an abstract artist whose two- and threedimensional works in mixed media reveal a fascination with geometry, color and juxtapositions. For me it is all about the work which provides surprising results, both playful and thought provoking. From BCC to UMASS and later to Vermont College to earn my MFA Degree. I have taken many workshops through Art New England, at Bennington College, Hamilton College and an experimental workshop on cyanotypes recently at MCLA. Two international workshops in France and Italy also. I am pleased to have a studio space with an exciting group of artists at the Clocktower Building in Pittsfield. Bruce LairdClock Tower Business Center Studio #307 75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels. — Francisco de Goya
THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 37
OTHERGLOW
ANN GETSINGER
THE GARDEN OF CURIOSITY This is truly a “moment”. Never before in my now long career have I witnessed an exhibit like this one where I’ve presented a huge body of work and literally hundreds of viewers have expressed so much to me, personally. Many engage quietly with the work, some discuss it with companions, and many even tell me what it brings up in them. Some return to look again and bring friends. I attribute this partly to the blend of intimacy and spaciousness of the three galleries themselves and the overall graciousness of the setting - Berkshire Botanical Garden. But I also know that over my lifetime of commitment to the painting process, while I continue to paint for myself, my “self” has somehow expanded into a more universal space, accessible to anyone with curiosity. I’m exceedingly grateful for this experience. On an expanding spectrum of reality and abstraction, my work asks what life looks like and feels like. Both science and mysticism are welcome, actually, everything’s welcome. With minimal conscious direction, I rely primarily on trusting the gut and the process to guide me directly to the most interesting and meaningful choices. “Otherglow,” (above) is a reinvention of nature. Could it be a question about change? With forty-six mostly new oil paintings, three new ceramic sculptures, and maybe the oddest piece of all, a mixed media drawing, “The Garden of Curiosity” continues through Nov. 19. Open every day. Ann Getsinger anngetsinger@gmail.com
FABIO BIDINI
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTIST
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH MUSIC MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Close Encounters With Music explores Music of the Night – from West Side Story to Schumann, Debussy and Fauré, and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachmusic in its original instrumentation on Sunday, December 3, 4 PM at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Nuances of the night are explored in this multifaceted program, “Night and Dreams.” Release from the brightness of daylight, from consciousness into sleep and dreaminess, the night’s seductive, mysterious potion-like allure has fascinated artists throughout the ages. Lullabies celebrate repose, the restful charm; serenades celebrate love. Other works mark the fear of darkness, the unseen and what may lurk beneath the veil of night. Composers from Mozart and Schubert to Borodin and Bernstein have been transfixed, lulled, soothed and aroused. Beethoven evokes the enchantment of the moon in his iconic “Moonlight” Sonata; Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is a perennial favorite and will be performed in its original scoring. Lieder by Schumann, Debussy, Fauré, arias from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet and selections from favorite musicals (West Side Story and Man of La Mancha) demonstrate the universality of the theme. Performers are Italian pianist Fabio Bidini, baritone John Viscardi, violinists Kobi Malkin and Grace Park, violist Luke Fleming, double bassist Lizzie Burns, and cellist and artistic director Yehuda Hanani. To paraphrase Walt Whitman, only the darkness of the night reveals all the stars—in the Heavens and on stage! Tickets, $28 and $52, can be purchased at mahaiwe.org
EARLY WILLIAMSTOWN FALL, 2023 OIL ON CANVAS, 28"X32"
ARTFULMIND@YAHOO.COM What are you waiting for! Time to show your art! ...413. 645. 4114 38 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
GHETTA HIRSCH
I am sharing a remnant of our fall foliage with you today. This painting was chosen to be featured as a banner on Spring Street in Williamstown during the EYES ON ART TOWN exhibition. The real painting is exhibited at the Spring Street Cafe on that same street. I hope you have a chance to see it in real life on the walls of this very pleasant Cafe. The exhibition is sponsored by the Town of Williamstown, the Williamstown Cultural District and the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. More is happening in my artistic life as I will have some of my work exhibited at The Southern Vermont Arts Center until the end of December during their Winter Exhibit. SVAC is in Manchester, Vermont. I will also exhibit at The Gallery at Spencertown Academy, Spencertown, NY. A lovely gallery with interesting artists. This will also be for November and December, so inquire if you wish at spencertownacademy.org. At this time of the year, I often have visitors looking for ideas for gifts. They are never disappointed as my works vary in size and price to meet your fancy. Art is a great gift; something that lasts, and I hear often of how my paintings found a happy new home. I hope to bring a bit of the Berkshires landscapes out-of-state as often as possible. Check my website to ask questions, negotiate price or request for direct shipping to another state. Also check my website for an open studio date on Thanksgiving weekend. Last year, someone living in Singapore had a painting delivered to a family member in MA. That was such a good surprise to the recipient. Ghetta Hirsch 413- 597-1716, ghettagh@gmail.com, ghetta-hirsch.squarespace.com,
Mary Ann Yarmosky “Each person I meet intrigues me with their different stories and life experiences. My paintings are a dance of spontaneity and intention based on observation. With each stroke of my brush, I try to create a feeling, a story, a challenge to the imagination of the viewer.”
Acrylic and Pastel on Canvas 20” X 24"
Madam Butterfly: Friends called her Madam Butterfly because she could never lite in one place or with one person for very long. She liked the name and took to wearing a butterfly in her hair.
2
2
Mixed Media on Canvas 16” X 20”
The Wink: She made a great audience for those who like to talk about themselves because she feigned undivided interest. When she turned to wink, they never noticed because they were too self absorbed.
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Hidden Beneath a Hat: She has been dumped by her lover and has no where to go. She needs a friend and a bed to sleep in for the night as she'll be gone in the morning.
Acrylic and pastel on canvas framed 17 1/2” X 21 1/2”
maryannyarmoskyart.com | maryannyarmoskyart.shop THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 39
MARY DAVIDSON
Stamped Series #2
KEITH DAVIDSON
Keith and Mary original artwork for sale www.davidsondesigncompany.net Studio appointments, please call 413-528-6945 Studio/Gallery, South Egremont, MA.
40 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Solitude
Gallery
ART BY THE GUILD SMALL WORKS SHOW WEEKENDS NOVEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 24 Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11am - 4 pm 1st Show: Nov 17 - Dec 3
Nancy Harrod Marion Grant Karen Carmean Sarah Morrison Margie Skaggs
2nd Show: Dec 8 - Dec 24
Lori Bradley Amy Pressman Carolyn Abrams Susan Sabino Barbara Patton
Art on Main Gallery 38 Main Street, West Stockbridge, MA 01266 info@berkshiresartists.org Presented by the Guild of Berkshire Artists
INCOGNITO WITCH GINGER ANXIETY UNEXPECTEDLY SHOWS UP AT MOLLIE KELLOGG'S ART STUDIO. PHOTO BY T. COLLINS LOGAN.
MOLLIE KELLOGG
BAKSHEESH. CONSTRUCTION OF FOUND OBJECTS. 16"
MARK MELLINGER
Practicing art for 60 years and psychoanalysis for 40, Dr. Mark Mellinger’s careers concern what can be spoken of and what transcends language. In painting, collage and constructions of wood and iron he is drawn to the physicality of materials. Avoiding predictability of style, Mellinger explores the possibilities of matter and media. Our lives and our world are transient. We must seek meaning in truth, creativity and connectedness. Mark V. Mellinger, Ph.D.914-260-7413, 71 S Church St, Pittsfield MA, instagram.com/mellinger3301
Since 2009, Creative Sorceress Mollie Kellogg’s Incognito Witch Project has celebrated hidden magick through fine art, short film, dance, and music. Kellogg’s Incognito Witch mixed-media artwork reveal her subject’s hidden psyche, too often suppressed in order to meet society’s expectations. Mortals become magickal beings draped/semi-draped in mysterious fabrics, adorned with jewels and leaves, often wearing messy makeup with a signature flash of color and sparkle under the eyes. These figures evoke a Mother Nature archetype of power, strength, attraction, empathy, and vulnerability. Mollie views the current phase of her project’s development as an opportunity to see where her magickal beings will run off to play (or cause mischief) when given permission. Mollie Kellogg artist@molliekellogg.com, www.MollieKellogg.com. See Mollie’s most current work on facebook: Artist.MollieKellogg, and instagram: IncognitoWitch.
Scents by Skanda creates fragrances using only the rarest and finest ingredients. We offer private olfactory consultations in order to find a fragrance that best suits you. Perfumes Attars Incense Essential Oils and much more!
f Reach us at (413) 717‐2498 Shop at scentsbyskanda.com and etsy.com/shop/scentsbyskanda 42 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
LONNY JARRETT BERKSHIRE SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHY My initial memory of awakening to the creative impulse was hearing the first chord of the Beatles, Hard Day’s Night, when I was six years old. I knew something big was happening at that moment, and I had to get on board! I began studying at the Guitar Workshop, the first guitar school in America. I’ve performed music most of my life and play jazz fusion with my band Redshift. My interest in photography blossomed as an electron-microscopist publishing neuro- and molecular-biological research out of UMASS/Amherst and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx in my early 20s. As a lifelong meditator, martial artist, musician, and photographer, everything I engage with comes from the same unified intention toward engendering the true, the good, and the beautiful. I endeavor to capture the light that seeps through everything in landscape and nature photography. Lonny Jarrett Community: Nourishingdestiny.com Books: Spiritpathpress.com Art: Berkshirescenicphotography.com Teaching: Lonnyjarrett.com
"THE RENEGADES", 72"X 60"
LINDA MASON
LOVING HANDS, PENCIL 11”X 14”"
SALLY TISKA RICE Born and raised in the captivating Berkshires, Sally Tiska Rice possesses artistic prowess that breathes life into her canvases. As a versatile multi-media artist, Sally seamlessly employs a tapestry of techniques, working in acrylics, watercolors, oil paints, pastels, collages containing botanicals and mixed media elements. Her creative spirit draws inspiration from the idyllic surroundings of her rural hometown, where she resides with her husband Mark and cherished pets. Sally’s artistic process is a dance of spontaneity and intention. With each stroke of her brush, she composes artwork that reflects her unique perspective. Beyond her personal creations, Sally also welcomes commissioned projects, turning heartfelt visions into tangible realities. Whether it’s capturing the essence of individuals, beloved pets, cherished homes, or sacred churches, she pours her soul into each personalized masterpiece. Sally’s talent has garnered recognition both nationally and internationally. Her career includes a remarkable 25-year tenure at Crane Co., where she lent her hand-painted finesse to crafting exquisite stationery. Sally is a member of the Clock Tower Artists of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Guild of Berkshire Artists, the Berkshire Art Association, and the Becket Arts Center. Sally’s work is on the gallery walls of the Clock Tower, Open Monday-Friday 9:005:00pmfor self-guided tours. 75 South Church Street, 3rd floor, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Soma’s Aroma’s, 81 East Street, Pittsfield. Thurs and Fri 3-8pm, Sat and Sun 10am-6pm, Closed MTW. First Saturdays Open Studios, 11am-4pm or call to set up a studio appointment at the Clocktower Business Center, 75 South Church St., third floor, studio #302, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 413– 446–8469. Sally Tiska Rice https://sallytiskarice.com
My art is an expression of my love for and interest in the people who populate my world. Therefore, my paintings and installations aim to bring people and communities together to create thought-provoking results and, as in the case of portraiture, capture the beauty of the individual. I plunge into the painting or mixed media piece, and I am surprised by the path the art takes. I often freestyle body paint people, photograph them, and use the photos as inspiration for my artwork, or incorporate them into the art. This method evolved from my background as a makeup artist in Europe and the US. As a makeup artist I was allowed a lot of freedom on photo shoots and developed a freestyle makeup method on the models that trained both my eyes and hands. Linda Mason linda@lindamason.com, www.lindamason.com
UNVEILING #2, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 18” X 24”
RUBY AVER STREET ZEN
Growing up on the Southside of Chicago in the 60s was a history rich and troubled time . As a youth, playing in the streets demanded grit. Teaching Tai chi for the last 30 years requires a Zen state of mind. My paintings come from this quiet place that exhibit the rich grit of my youth . Movement , shape and color dominate , spontaneously combining raw as well as delicate impulses. Ruby Aver Housatonic Studio open by appointment: 413-854-7007, rdaver2@gmail.com, Instagram: rdaver2
THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 43
ARTIST MARY ANN YARMOSKY We long for a way to be heard from the moment we are born. For some, words suffice; for others, there needs to be a deeper form of expression. That is how artists are born. Where one might send their message through an instrument in the form of music, another might write poetry or prose. Still, others speak in something more tangible through painting, photography, pottery, or sculpting. Words only bring us so far…art is the language of longing…a longing never fulfilled. I have always found expression through art. At age five, I began speaking through the piano that sat waiting expectantly in our den, an instrument that brought me peace throughout the years. Later I took to creating through fashion design, dreaming up and constructing costumes for the Boston Opera Company and outfits for the fashionable elite of Newport, Rhode Island. From there, my path took many twists and turns as I lived as a wife, mother, caretaker, and professional career. When my youngest son passed away unexpectedly several years ago, my longing to be heard returned with a vengeance. Words did not suffice. There are no words to express grief and hope for what is lost. On that journey of anguish, I met other women who had or were experiencing their style of pain. I marveled at their resilience and ability to go on despite different types of loss or simply dealing with the uphill complexities of life’s challenges. I began to recover my voice through paint and a bit of canvas, but it was not just my voice. The women I create in paint are a composite of the many amazing women I have met and continue to meet. I paint their humor, joy, hidden heartbreak, and longing. These women do not exist except on canvas, and their stories are yours to imagine. Hear them. Mary Ann Yarmoskymaryannyarmoskyart.com maryannyarmosky.shop
It was brought to our attention that David Palmieri was the photographer for this image of Gary in our October 23’ issue. Gary Capozziello, Violinist October 2023 Issue of The Artful Mind artzine
44 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
MILES WITH GREEN SCARF, DIGITAL ART The tears have stopped and been replaced with a bitter sweet smile . Miles Champion Snuggler!
RICHARD NELSON
The legitimacy of the digital medium as a bona fide art medium has always been a bit of a conundrum for me. The technology is designed so that ANYBODY can make something that looks and functions as art. So, really how much of a masterpiece can it be. It’s just shapes and colors arranged in a pleasing manner. The objective is to transcend the “AnyoneCan-Do-It” art and make it YOURS. Finally, today, I convinced myself that, had I drawn Miles at that crucial moment in pastel, or oil paint. Would there be more emotion or love put in it, and I can finally say for certain, “No!”. I’m growing up! Ghost Series…Page 11 in this issue...As I was relearning how to draw, my daily exercise was to photograph whatever I was watching and draw it. I would take the picture and zoom in on the television image. I decide to take the whole room and draw over it, keeping the television image and making it part of the room. My daughter has a little bit of a shine, Stephen King fans know what I mean, and frequently she sees shadow figures. Never malicious or anything , just there. I am not sensitive, but I do believe, plus I watch horror movies endlessly. I believe there are spirits about. I have been witness to one or two, shall we say unusual events. That’s what these images are about. Now it is time for me to show my work. I hope you enjoy it. Richard Nelson nojrevned@hotmail.com Send me your feedback!
MY NEW HAT SERIES #10 ACRYLIC, 42” X 34”
MARY DAVIDSON Announcing exciting news: Mary Davidson will be in the Spencertown Juried Regional Show for the month of October. Mary Davidson has been painting regularly for the last 16 years. Davidson’s paintings are a twodimensional decorative visualization of line, color, design, shape, patterns, and stamping. As you begin to study the paintings, you will find that the foreground and background tend to merge with overlaid patterns. “I love the intense complexity and ambiguity of space and dimension.”. The effect can be startling: the longer you look at the piece, the more you see. Davidson’s New Hat series consists of 70 paintings. “I start with a basic drawing, building with color and shape, coming to life with gesture and flow. As the title suggests, the hats are important, and the millinery designs emerge. There is much joy in their creation, and my passion for playful designs is reinforced by their bright colors, linear rhythms, and patterns leading our eyes around and through the painting. My newest series is even more abstract, with an even stronger emphasis on design. I do like to use stamping, along with painting, because I love the result. When I finish with a painting, I adhere the canvas with mat gel to gator board, creating a nice tight surface. My paintings are always framed.” Mary Davidson 413-528-6945 / 413-717-2332, PO Box 697, South Egremont, MA mdavidsongio@aol.com marydavidson83155@gmail.com www.davidsondesigncompany.net
ASTROLOGY FOR CREATORS
Astrology for Creators November 2023 “Rainbows Appear During Storms” (Western Tropical Astrology. Time Zone EST/EDT) Deanna Musgrave
Overview The first week of November offers a rainbow but, first, we will have a bit of stormy weather. Between November 2nd-4th 2023, the Sun in Scorpio will oppose Jupiter in Taurus, on November 3rd-5th Venus in Virgo will oppose Neptune in Pisces and on the 3rd Saturn will go direct. That is a lot of oppositional energy happening while Saturn shifts into a direct expression. An example of how this could manifest is secrets (Scorpio) coming into awareness (Sun) that highlight restrictions (Saturn) connected to health (Virgo), the sea (Neptune) and the environment (Taurus). There are many other combinations this could manifest as however, if it brings you down hold onto the November 5th-9th transits. Through November 5th – 7th Venus in Virgo will Trine Pluto in Capricorn, Venus will enter Libra on the 8th and on the 8th-9th Mercury in Scorpio will sextile Pluto in Capricorn. This is a lot of positive energy to rebalance what happens at the beginning of the month. One example of how this could play out is the support of structure through an institution (Capricorn) promoting harmony (Venus) about health (Virgo) while having positive energy supporting it (Venus in Libra). There may additionally be a communication (Mercury) that promotes transformation (Scorpio) in institutions (Capricorn) such as the government. The New Moon in Scorpio on the 13th will be a mixed bag. From the 12th – 18th Mercury in Sagittarius will sextile Venus in Libra bringing positive luck between beliefs and relationships in the collective. This positive energy will be moving alongside a volatile Sun that is becoming conjunct with Mars which is opposing Uranus in Taurus. What that feels like to me is an unpleasant shock or positive surprise having to do with the arts, affordable housing, the environment or money. My hope is that the positive energy of Mercury and Venus working together could encourage kind words and harmony building with whatever comes forth. If there is something upsetting, the new moon could be a time to plant metaphoric seeds that bring it back into balance. I’m feeling very positive about November 15th – 18th as the Sun will not only become conjunct with Mars in Scorpio but, these two planets will both trine Neptune in Pisces. The Sun becoming conjunct with Mars is going to bring passionate energy to what shines in Scorpio and this will bring the blessing energy of a trine angle to what is being manifested with Neptune in Pisces. For the collective, I could see this as a positive revelation that transforms the sea, water, pharmaceuticals, spirituality, the arts or involves the UFO/USO/UAP phenomenon. For cre-
ators, this energy is great to use to bring fiery passion and light to your intuition and creativity. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 27th could bring some challenges that if overcome can build a positive structure. On November 22nd – 28th Mars in Sagittarius will square Saturn in Pisces and soon after on November 26th – 28th Mercury in Sagittarius will also square Neptune in Pisces. These squares feel like passionate or angry communications about a boundary in water, the UFO/USO/UAP phenomenon, AI Art, pharmacy, or something spiritual. The Gemini Full Moon is right in the middle of all of that. Gemini is often associated with the media and communications so, I expect something unsettling to be discussed on those Saturn and Neptune in Pisces themes.
Rising Sign Analysis for November— Aries After the 8th, you may find blessings coming in relationships and partnerships. Be mindful of how you share with others, money, and intimacy around the New Moon on the 13th. This may all build to examining your communication style, learning, your local community, and/or short-distance travel on the Full Moon on the 27th. Taurus This month will bring some positive energy to your daily routine, work, coworkers, health, and/or small pets. Be aware there will be both challenges and positive luck when dealing with your networks, larger communities, and future dreams. Be aware that the Full Moon is bringing you a rebirth around values, possessions and/or money. Gemini You may feel blessings in your area of creativity, joy, and children after November 8th. This month is leading to a new awareness of self or clarity around your body for the Full Moon on November 27th. Be aware that there will be both challenges and positive resolutions in your public life, career, or legacy. Cancer You may enjoy beautifying your home this month and/or you may experience positive relations when you nurture. There is something around the Full Moon that involves your spirituality, mental health and/or retreats. You may have some challenges this month in terms of your belief systems, life philosophy or long-distance travel but, there are also blessings on the way. Leo You may find it easy to speak beautifully or that your words are soothing after November 8th. Be ready for something to end and begin in the areas of your larger community or future dreams around the Full Moon on the 27th. Be conscious about money and your values this month, there are both challenges and blessing energy here. Watch out for scams. Virgo You have a beautiful energy blessing money, possessions, your self-worth or values this month. You may find both tension and positive energy as you focus on self-love versus the needs of others and relationships. Pay close attention to how the Full Moon is bringing endings and rebirths to how you shine in the public eye, your career or legacy. Libra After the 8th you might find that you feel infused with the energy of beauty, kindness, and glamour
this month. Don’t be surprised if you are thinking of new ways to make changes to your aesthetic appearance. Beautiful items of clothing or jewellery might mysteriously find their way to you. It is right for you to enjoy this energy! If you are a creator, this is a great time to showcase your work and attract. Scorpio This is a great month to use to your advantage with your creativity. You will have positive energy pulling you towards introspection in your creative practice. You will have some challenges with your creativity early on in this month but, there are blessings coming later. If I had a creative project I wanted to share, I would do it on the 15th – 18th. Sagittarius After the 8th there will be great energy blessing your networks and I advise using it to create connections that will build towards your future dreams. There may be some challenges early in the month having to do with how you are seen in the public eye or your career however, later on in the month you will receive blessings that will nurture your home life and give you time to retreat and spiritually reflect. You may find there is a closure to a relationship or partnership around the Full Moon on the 27th. Capricorn You have good energy this month for your public image that you should use to your advantage. Be aware that between November 15-18th you have powerful energy blessing the way you communicate to a larger community that may bless your future goals. Pay attention to any big changes around your service, work, coworkers, health, or pets around the Full Moon on the 27th. Aquarius This would be a great month to do some long-distance travel or expand your knowledge in some way. You have blessings coming between November 1518th that will involve what you do in the public blessing your self-worth, money, and/or possessions. Pay attention to your creativity and children around the Full Moon on the 27th. Pisces You may find that a relationship is challenging to your sense of self at the beginning of the month however, you have some powerful energy coming to you November 15th – 18th that could expand your mind, bring a long-distance trip and/or involve something foreign. The Full Moon on the 27th will involve beginning and ending having to do with the way you nurture and/or your home. I would love to hear how these predictions manifested for you or what you noticed in the world that aligned with the planet’s transits. Please share them on the Facebook group “Astrology for Creators” (URL: www.facebook.com/groups/astrologyforcreators/). It helps me to know what you would like to receive in my column. Do you prefer it when I focus on world predictions, horoscopes for the rising sign, or both? If you would like to offer feedback, please email me at: astro_dee@yahoo.com Please join the discussion at: www.facebook.com/groups/astrologyforcreators/ Dee Musgrave is an artist, energy worker and hypnotherapist. You can contact her through her email and websites at: astrodee@yahoo.com / www.artisthehealer.com
a THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 45
ART ON MAIN GALLERY
SMALL WORKS SHOW ON WEST ROAD ENTERING THE VILLAGE, ALFORD, MA INK DRAWING
STEPHAN MARC KLEIN
I have been sketching and making art on and off since my undergraduate education as an architect in the late 1950s. What interests me at present about creating art, besides the shear visceral pleasure of making things, of putting pencil or pen or brush or all of them to paper, of manipulating images on the computer, and of making models, is the aesthetic tension generated in the borderlands between the abstract and the representational, between uniqueness and reproduction, and between analog and digital processes. I am also interested in art that engages the social, the political and the visual. Since my wife, artist Anna Oliver, and I made our home in the Berkshires six years ago, I have been entranced by its beauty. My work is, in part, a visual rhapsody to the area. Stephan Marc Klein stephanmarcklein.com, smk8378@gmail.com.
LoopeyLala
Art on Main Gallery is a member gallery of the Guild of Berkshire Artists. The Guild is a vital, active, nonprofit visual arts organization that supports and promotes its members through education, exhibits, community events and the gallery located at 38 Main Street in West Stockbridge all while contributing to the cultural life of the Berkshires. This year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and are kicking it off early with a Small Works Show during the holidays at the gallery. All work suitable for gift giving is created by local artist members of the Guild. Participating artists in the Small Works Show are: 1st show Nov 17 - Dec 3: Nancy Harrod, Marion Grant, Karen Carmean, Sarah Morrison, Margie Skaggs. 2nd show Dec 8 - Dec 24: Lori Bradley, Amy Pressman, Carolyn Abrams, Susan Sabino, Barbara Patton. For more information about the Guild please visit our website, and consider joining us at one of our many exhibits, programs and workshops. Guild of Berkshire Artists www.berkshireartists.org
PITTSFIELD STATE FOREST WATERCOLOR
MARGUERITE BRIDE COMMISSIONED WATERCOLORS Are considering gifting someone you love with a personalized painting for the holidays? The process is easier than you might imagine. Is this a surprise for someone? I love surprises and do it all the time! I can be very stealth at taking photos. Or are you nervous that the scene might not be exactly what the recipient wants? A gift certificate is perfect, then I will work directly with the recipient. Here’s how it happens for a house portrait…if you are local to the Berkshires, I will visit the home, take many photos and do a few sketches on site. Drawing is the next phase and where your input is valuable…what to include, what to leave out or move, season, time of day, pets in or out? So many fun things to consider when creating and personalizing your treasure and future heirloom Next you view the drawing and decide if it is exactly what you were hoping for and give it your approval. Or not, and we work together until it is perfect. Once the drawing is approved, I paint. Once the preparation phase is done, the painting process will take about a week….most of the time is spent in the preparation phase before the painting begins. Be in touch and I will answer all your questions. Check out the “House Portrait” pages of my website….lots of information and details. And to see a visual representation of the steps, go to this page: margebride-paintings.com/2016/08/24/interested-in-a-house-portrait/.) Marguerite Bride – Home Studio in Pittsfield, Massachusetts by appointment only. Call 413-841-1659; margebridepaintings.com; margebride@aol.com; Facebook: Marguerite Bride Watercolors.
Find charms that delight and fascinate. Hand-made beaded jewelry, plus there’s so much more to see on Laura’s online site! Please visit: www.LoopeyLaLa.Etsy.com Perfect gifts to show
friendship and love! Custom pieces welcome! 46 •NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Prodigal Dog Part 2
Into The Jaws of Death When the clown brought his unsuspecting dog and the rooster to the cock and dog fighting ring in the woods, he only hoped to introduce his two companions to the audience as a kind of entertainment. After that, he planned to pass his hat among the crowd. Judging from the response from the circus audience, he expected some small reward for his efforts. He did not plan to use the entire skit but only the conclusion, where the cock attacks the dog. That part of the skit had been expanded somewhat so that it could be presented by itself. The dog and the bird, intelligent beyond the clown’s meager understanding, were capable of keeping up their mock combat as long as the situation required. The audience loved the moments when the cock, riding on the dog’s back, would give a sharp peck to the dogs hind quarters, just one simple sharp peck, and Otis would freeze in his tracks and assume that questioning expression so charming in a dog's repertory of ‘looks,’ as if he had just heard some distant noise he could not fathom. Then, just a moment later, the bird would give the dog a good dozen pecks all at once. When a mouse attacks a cat, who does not take the side of the mouse? The situation was especially of significance to young children. Some six year old in the audience, preoccupied with licking some chocolate from his fingers, or finding something to eat on his shirt would suddenly become struck dumb by the spectacle of a bird attacking a dog. There he might sit with his mouth open, and look on bewitched. Then, as the fight continues, the child begins laughing, and finally becomes hysterical and his eyes fill with the tears of delight. We must also say something about the child’s mother, she is not really interested in the clown, or the dog and bird, she likes the gymnast who rides standing up on the back of a galloping horse, but there is nothing that gives a mother greater satisfaction the the unbridled and uncontrollable laughter of their child. But not all audiences are the same, and what might entertain one group of spectators might simply confuse or offend another. The cock fighting ring had no six year olds, or indulgent mothers, far from it, just the opposite. Jaded elderly geezers, with saliva dripping from their chins, wanted to see suffering and death. So, when the rooster and
Otis made their appearance unexpectedly, it aroused only some mild curiosity. Their fight, perhaps comic enough, produced almost no laughter, and when it ended, Raymond’s attempt to pass the hat in the crowd was nearly a complete failure. As Raymond walked among the crowd with his hat held out, the rooster jumped up on the edge of the wall that formed the enclosure of the tiny amphitheater, and stood there looking every which way, like birds always do. First he looked to the left and then to the right, then he looked up and then he looked down, and finding nothing of any particular interest to gaze upon he began scratching his neck with his left foot. For the time being, while the hat was being passed among the crowd, and the rooster scratched his neck, Otis was left, unattended and forgotten, in the center of the pit. After a little while, a door opened in the wall of the pit. The door slid straight up with only a rusty scraping sound, and into the ring walked a small bulldog. The bulldog's name was Max, and he was an especially ugly dog. He was mostly a kind of dirty white color tending to yellow, and he had a lot of asymmetrical black and brown spots of various sizes. His spots were not the only thing asymmetrical about him. His wide mouth was also crooked and hung down in a sad way on one side as if he had suffered a stroke. Max, seeing another dog, walked over to him, as if to make his acquaintance. Dear reader, I know that you are aware of what is going to happen next. You know that Max is going to attack Otis, and will attempt to kill him. But Otis has no idea in the world that this is about to happen to him. He is an innocent, an only child, separated from his loving mother not long after he was born. His only memory of her was a vague recollection of being carried about some meadow by the scruff of his neck. He never even had the pleasure of being attacked by brothers and sisters, whose playful wrestling would have prepared him for what was about to happen. So Max leaped upon Otis, and seized him by the ‘scruff of the neck,’ and Otis had absolutely no idea what was happening. At first, as a matter of fact, he found the sensation to be pleasant, it somehow recalled a childhood memory, but after a second or two, when his adversary began to tighten the grip on his throat, he began to have difficulty breathing, and he finally understood, that something terrible was happening to him. But nothing really terrible or frightening had ever happened to him in his entire life. On the contrary, the clown was always kind to him, and living in a circus, he was the favorite of the entire troup. Everyone loved him, everyone he met had a good word to say to him, he was constantly being grabbed by his ears, and having his head shaken back and forth and spoken to lovingly. Otis could have very well defended himself, but he was in the throws of an existential crisis of the first magnitude. Death is always a far off reality, but when being struck by a bus is not some possibility, but a sudden reality, the mind stops functioning, and does not have the tools to comprehend the situation. So Otis reached the point where he could no longer breath at all, and still, the rooster stood there stock still on the edge of the wall, and continued looking this way and that, when suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the
predicament of his friend, and in that instant understood what he had to do. The Rooster plunged into action. He jumped from the wall onto the bulldog, and he dug his claws into his back. He made a careful examination of Max’s head. He noticed a little tan spot, about the size of an apple seed, and decided on that spot for his target. The spot in question was moving left and right, and up and down with great violence, but, choosing the exact moment, he drove his beak into the skull of the bulldog. The beak of a rooster is exactly three eighths of an inch long, as sharp as a razor, and it is said to be harder than carbon steel, of the type used in jet engines. The skull of a dog is exactly a quarter of an inch thick at its most dense aspect, and is no match for a rooster beak. So, the beak was able to penetrate into the dog’s brain by just under an eighth of an inch. It just so happened that the part of the brain the beak penetrated was a lobe, just in front of the occipital lobe, responsible for the creation of dreams. The penetration of this part of Max’s brain caused his dream mechanism to fly into action, and so, for several seconds it seemed to him that he was standing in a big open field somewhere in the fjords of Norway, where he had never been in his life. He dreamed he was standing on a high cliff in a storm. There were thich dark gray clouds, so thich and so dark that it seemed to be the middle of the night although the dream was unfolding in the late afternoon. Though it was black as night all around, still everything was lit up by the constant flashing of lightning bolts that went on and off like a light bulb that is burning out, yet keeps on flickering. Then, right in the very middle of this terrifying dream Max was having, when in actuality in real life he was biting Otis’s neck, he was struck by lightning. It was one of those lightning strikes, where the flash and the thunder are not six or seven miles away, but the thunder is contemporaneous with the flash, signifying that the lightning had come down from out of the clouds to the very exact spot where he was standing. This sensation of being struck on the head by lightning, was created in his mind by a second, more violent, and deeper strike of the rooster's beak. Immediately after being struck by lightning in his dream, the rooster proceeded to administer the “woodpecker,” to Max. The woodpecker is a series of rapid violent strikes, about fifteen or twenty in the span of a second. During this brief period of time Max dreamed that he was repeatedly being struck by lightning over and over again, and when it ended he started to dream that he was at the roulette table in Monte Carlo, and had just won a hundred kroner on the double zero. In the middle of this pleasant dream he saw a strange white light that seemed to beckon to him at the end of a distant tunnel, and then he fell over dead, and Otis leaped out of the ring, and ran off into the woods. Otis did not run very far, and the moment he felt safe, he sat down under a tree, thought about what had just happened, and decided he was going to have to run away from home. —Richard Britell, November, 2023
h THE ARTFUL MIND NOVEMBER 2023 • 47
EDWARD ACKER PHOTOGRAPHER
Time Flies • Get Pictures EdwardAckerPhotographer.com 413-446-8348
48 • NOVEMBER 2023 THE ARTFUL MIND
Head Dress Upcycled Wedding Flowers
Deborah H Carter @eric.korenman.photography @shondaevette Represented by the WIT Gallery Clock Tower Artists, Pittsfield MA