STEVE ARNISON

MATTHEW BROCKETT

Matt Brockett, president of Brockett Creative Group and a Clinton native, is committed to supporting the local community.  He is Vice President of the Clinton Chamber Board and launched villageofclinton.com in 2003 to highlight Clinton area merchants and events.  As a graphic designer, he has helped to  create the Art Rocks logo and brochure.  Being a lifelong artist, he enjoyed
stepping away from his computer to embellish a 2008 Art Rocks chair.

JAN BURKE

Jan Burke is the Owner and Director of Neptune Studio and Muree M Bronner Gallery in Utica, NY.

Jan holds an AAS in Fine Arts from FIT – NYC and an AAS in Advertising Design and Production, with a certificate in photography; from MVCC – Utica, NY She has also studied Visual Art at Syracuse University. Informally, she has studied extensively with her mentors; landscape and portrait artist William Elston and expressionist, figure painter, Charles Emerson - both widely received West Coast artists.

Portrait painting with a modern expressionistic style is her current
pursuit while doing her best to maintain a fluid grasp of her primary
passions figure drawing and printmaking.

While deciding how to paint this year’s chair, I considered various
general ideas.  I thought of attaching objects to a chair, and I
explored the idea of creating a pattern or image that would be
considered strictly abstract and pure art . . . In the end, I have
determined that what I personally enjoy most about working on these  chairs is the opportunity it gives me to work with techniques which are more illustrative in nature and allows me to create with imagery that is less cerebral; something that reflects a less serious, and more relaxed ideal, since a rocking chair is all about relaxing.  Once I had come to the decision that I wanted to create something that reflected a relaxed feeling. . . I merely had to settle on a subject that conveys a fun and relaxed concept.  This chair design is the manifestation of how that concept translated in my mind.

ALBERT CASATELLI

Albert attended classes at Munson Williams Proctor Institute of Art, from an early age. He graduated in 1966 from the School of Art  at Syracuse University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture and did his graduate work in Secondary Art Education.  He was a high school art teacher for 32 years at Poland Central School.  Albert has exhibited his work at the Kirkland Art Center, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, winning People’s Choice award for painting at the annual side walk show, The Gannett Gallery and his work has been bought and sold in shops and galleries in many parts of the US and in England.
Albert’s art is a Fusion of techniques, subjects and media, that is consistently changing.

MICHELE  CHRISTELER

Michele Christeler is a local artist living in Clinton, NY.  She graduated with a Bachelor  of art degree from San Francisco State University in 1982.  She has always had an interest in drawing the human form and her early work focused predominantly on portraitures.  Initially much of her work was done in pencil, but eventually her interest shifted more towards working in  mixed media such as a combination of watercolor, fabric and glass beads, in an effort to cultivate a looser style allowing for greater spontaneity.  Michele has completed two murals at the Alexander Hamilton Inn in Clinton and worked with several other artists
on a mural at the Clinton Town Pool.  Michele returned to college in the 1990’s and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from Utica College in 1996.  The anatomy courses she took while working towards her second degree served to enhance her understanding of the human musculoskeletal system.  She currently is planning to combine her skills as an artist and science background to create a series of drawing illustrating some therapeutic exercises to be used as a learning tool for patients to promote wellness.

FRANK CITTADINO

“SPIRIT OF THE WEST HILLS”

“My work reflects my love of what are the two most beautiful places on our planet: central New York and Italy!

There are so many areas within a two minute journey from the Village Green that inspire me. Certainly, the rolling hills and patchwork quilt just south of the college is such a place and provided the inspiration for this work, “Spirit of the West Hills”. It reflects the rural heritage and beauty that is so quickly disappearing from the American landscape.”

“I love living in Clinton with my wife Faye and our family while celebrating the rich beauty and history of central New York and Italy through my art.”

Currently: President of the Clinton Historical Society,
Professor of Art and Art History at Utica College, and adjunct at Hamilton College.
Education: Graduate of The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, Rhode Island School of Design’s Graduate Honors Program, and the University of New York.

KARRY FULLER COMFORT

I am currently completing my Master of Art Teaching Degree at SUNY Oswego. My work has been exhibited and sold in the CNY Region for nearly 20 years. There are collections of my paintings and drawings in various upstate locations including Buffalo, Oneida, Stockbridge & Rome. I have won Juror’s Choice awards several times for the MWPAI Jurried show and have graced the cover of Artwork for Women In Motion Magazine five times. 

WILLIAM EICHINGER

About 10 years ago my wife bought me a sketchpad and a set of charcoal pencils.  After a long day at work I found that drawing still life and nature was wonderfully relaxing.  I soon discovered some hidden talents and enrolled in art classes at MWPAI and continued with Ralph Murray at the Kirkland Art Center. Since I began painting I have had individual shows at local venues and had my
artwork selected for the Summer Sidewalk Art Show at MWPAI.

Besides painting I enjoy photography and dabble in pen & ink.

Within the next few months my works can be viewed on the Internet at:
"http://www.terracehillstudio.com" "www.terracehillstudio.com".

Now about my chair Adirondack chairs were designed to sit lakeside and view the surrounding mountains.  However, when I first approached the idea to paint the chair, I envisioned a different “mountain range” – New York City Skyscrapers.

I have chosen landmarks that clearly define the city.  All you need to do is sit back and somehow enjoy the view you are sitting on!

I live in New Hartford with my wife Cindy, Eddie the beagle and our feline pets, Ernie and Madeline.  I am a financial planner with Wachovia Securities.  Hope you will enjoy the chair.

RICHARD FARGO

A native of central New York, I have spent most of my life in  the small village of Oriskany Falls where my childhood was spent fishing, hunting and roaming the woods and fields.  I did not have to travel far to find something that sparked an interest for a painting.
Having always had some talent for the arts it wasn’t until I began losing interest in doing manual labor for the rest of my life, that sent me back to school.  I first attended a local community college where I graduated with honors then transferred to Syracuse University.  While at Syracuse I developed a style and learned to hone my skills.  I was lucky to be mentored by an artist I have always admired, John Thompson, whose series of “Grandpa and the Kid” illustrations in Field and Stream magazine inspired me to be where I am today.
I have not yet exhibited all over the world, or even nationally.  I haven’t been published either.  But I am optimistic that in time everyone will be able to enjoy my work and appreciate the outdoors the way I do.
 
SUZANNE FIRSCHING

Born, raised and educated in Upstate New York, Munson Williams Proctor Institute in Utica, New York has played a large role in Suzanne's love for the arts. In her younger years Suzanne moved out west and dabbled in the arts at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona. Later she moved back to upstate New York
and took up the arts once again at Munson Williams Proctor Institute (now known as Pratt @ Munson Williams Proctor Institute). Suzanne took up pottery, jewelry and figure sculpture. Over the years sculpture was the most intriguing. She took short courses at Mohawk Valley Community College for figure sculpture and a
summer 2006 work shop under Master Sculpture Philippe Farant. Suzanne has served on the board of Sculpture Space...a worldwide art organization for four years.

Suzanne has been working with Mohawk Valley Artist self study open studio for quite a while at the Kirkland Art Association. Suzanne's studio is in Frankfort, New York where she works on self study. Suzanne also teaches workshops at the Art Center in Old Forge, New York.

Suzanne is very flexible with her sculpture...she works mainly with stoneware clay - fired at cone six and glazed at cone six - let your fingers do the talking she says!! Rodin has influenced Suzanne with working on the human form.

Suzanne has won many awards for both her realistic sculpture and herabstract masks. She has done four solo shows and many regional shows.

Suzanne's work is always one of a kind....she does not use molds so each piece is very unique. Art is truly her greatest passion and sharing art with others is another.

Look for Suzanne's sculptures in  May 2009 at The Rome Art and Community Center and the Gannet Gallery in Utica in the fall of 2009. Suzanne's chair for Art Rocks is made out of wood, glass and fiberglass titled Adirondack Starry Nights.

ANITA FITZGERALD

LAURI FUSKO 

I’m a self taught artist and have been painting for 14 years.  It
was at the time when I had lost my mother to illness, that there was
emptiness in my life that needed to be filled.  I took a decorative
painting class at a friend’s house and from then on I was in love with being able to create something magical out of a blank white void. 

I now own and operate an Antique Shop and Art Studio, called Ridge Street Depot. I do custom painting and offer decorative painting classes for all levels and ages.  I display my art work amongst the antiques and collectibles that I have for sale in my shop. I am entering my twelfth year in business at the Ridge Street location.

My favorite medium is acrylic paints. I have acquired many of the
techniques I use, from books and tapes purchased at various outlets.   I have painted on everything from old window sashes, to wooden toys, family heirlooms, metal items like mailboxes, as well as many other everyday items that my customers use to decorate their homes and summer camps.  

My most memorable painting project was of a farm scene using a
photograph of the barn from which the piece of wood I was painting on had come from. It was to be a gift from my customer, to her 95 year old Aunt, who had grown up on the farm from which the picture was taken. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful I felt when I saw the look of joy on the nieces face when she picked up the painting.

The one thing I stress to my students most of all, is that there are
no mistakes in painting, paint from your heart; it is a wonderful
source of relaxation and enjoyment.

SALLY GLOUSE

LYNN HALL

I am a graduate from the College of St. Rose with a B.S. in Art Education with a concentration in photography, and an M.S. in Special Education. I have been at Clinton Central Schools since 1993.  I have taught Studio in art, Photography and Advanced Photography classes. I am currently the elementary art teacher and I am serving as the Art Department Leader. I create artwork in a variety of mediums including watercolor, photography,  jewelry, oils, and collage. In recent years, I have been painting the wonderfully decorated store fronts of the village of Clinton.  I have always been impressed with the artistic flair of the village shops.  Many of the shop fronts change with the seasons displaying snow covered skates and hearts, flower boxes overflowing with color, and flags that wave in the summer heat.  I have spent almost my entire life in Clinton and have fallen in love with its quaintness.  The purpose of my art work has been to share my passion for the
area.  My art work has displayed at Altera Village, the Kirkland Town Library, Barnes and Noble, the Kirkland Art Center, and the 2007 Clinton Arts and Music Festival. You can also find my artwork for sale at McHarris Gifts and Krizia’s.

As a resident of Clinton, I am thrilled to be able to participate in “Art Rocks for the second year.  It is just another wonderful opportunity to show my support and love for our community.   

WENDY HUMPHREYS

EVA KELLY

Statement About The Chair
The painting design was inspired by a visit to Paris last summer. Along the streets of the trendy Le Marais district, an exquisite masquerade shop may be found, full of hand-made porcelain masks.  Each uniquely beautiful mask hints at a persona to be taken on by the wearer.  I selected the theme "hide behind no
one" to empower the sitter in the chair to become whoever they wish to be, even in front of the mask.  


 THE KIRKLAND TOWN LIBRARY STAFF

Lois Lemmer, Betsy Billiter, Jean Bohling, Elizabeth Bonomo, Jillian Bova, Yvonne Brady, Ruth Cosgrove, Anne Debraggio, Helen Dick, Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Ruth Melvin, Catherine Page, Alison Slattery, Gail Strout, Cate Thiele, Anne Tickle

The Kirkland Town Library staff concluded that it would be
fitting for our chair to feature words, so each staff member
contributed quotes or lines from a favorite book or film.
We are excited to be part of this community event! 

MELISSA LAMENDOLA

I am a self taught artist and avid birder. My favorite bird is the pileated woodpecker and the bird that graces my chair. I paint nature as I see it.
I own the pilates center called Anatomy in Motion located at 7 Kirkland Ave. I am certified in Stott pilates.

ANDRÉE LEIDIG

A native of Montreal, Canada, Andrée Leidig received her education and began her art studies in that city.  The artist continued her art studies at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.  She has also studied at the Kirkland Art Center and the Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute.

Ms. Leidig has exhibited extensively in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and
Ypsilanti, Michigan as well as Montreal, Canada and Rome, Clinton and Utica, New York.

KELLY LEWIS

Kelly has an extensive background in art and education with a B.S. in Art Therapy and a M.Ed. with dual certification in School Adjustment Counseling and Art Education from Springfield College in Massachusetts.

Today, Kelly and her husband are living out their dream of residing in New England, where Kelly is the elementary art teacher for grades K-6 at the Thetford Elementary School in Vermont.  Her students are a constant inspiration for the personalized art she creates for her own company, Bumblebug Designs, featuring “happy artwork for children of all ages.
"http://www.bumblebugdesigns.com" "www.bumblebugdesigns.com"

Kelly is excited to participate in Art Rocks 2008 as the guest artist with a "Clinton Connection."  Her parents Carol & Bob Renauld reside in Clinton and operate The Arbor Inn at Griffin House. 

BRENDA LOMELLI

"It is an honor to participate in "Art Rocks" "

Having never before worked on furniture, let alone a rocker I turned to my times of walking through museums seeing ceramic jars and vessels formed into animals and humans, thrones with lion heads and tables with clawed feet for inspiration. 

The rocker was to become something else.  Being an artist of today and living near a golf course the game of golf was to become my iconic symbol.

I put away my paintbrushes and clay for saws, chisels and wood stain. I hope you enjoy "19th Hole" 

STEVE MILLLER

SUE MONAGHAN

Making art has been a dream of mine for a long time.  I started my college years at Rochester Institute of Technology in Art and Design but art went on hold when I married and relocated to Oneonta, NY where I finished school as a teacher of children.  I spent 33 years as an elementary classroom teacher until retirement and widowhood sent me back into art as a painter and art quilter.  I am excited by paint and fabric and creating pieces of work. My wish for my work is to be seen, touched and enjoyed by someone.

CATHY MOSHER

W. RALPH MURRAY

W. Ralph Murray, a Waterville artist and teacher, has been teaching classes at the Kirkland Art Center since 1969.  He also teaches watercolor classes in Cooperstown and Hamilton.  For 11 years, he taught at the Munson Williams Proctor School of Art.  He is an Active and Past President of the Central New York Watercolor Society and also a signature member of the Philadelphia Water Color Society.  He maintains a gallery in his home.

DIANNE O'NEILL

I am Dianne O’Neill and I reside in Vernon, NY.  I have lived there with my husband for 45 years and we have four beautiful daughters and eight grandchildren.

I am primarily a porcelain artist.  I attend College in Cazenovia every year for intense training and new techniques, which is run by PPAA (Professional Porcelain Artists Association) of which I am a member.  I also belong to WOCP (World Organization of China Painters) and New York State Federation of China Painters.  I have been China Painting for about 20 years.  I have had the honor
of having a piece entitled “Noah’s Ark” chosen to be on display for one year in the World Museum located in Oklahoma City.

My work can be viewed at Clinton’s Farmer Market every Thursday during the summer.

HOLLY PARKER

Art Teacher
Myles Elementary
Bradley Elementary

 
TIM PRYPUTNIEWICZ

I am a life-long resident of Central New York and now reside in Franklin Springs.  I spent my younger years growing up on the family potato farm which explains why one of my favorite subjects to draw are old, weathered barns.  As they age, much like people, they take on a unique character and become more interesting.  I am also drawn to interesting and unusual architecture, but why so many bricks?

Since I have traveled extensively the variety of scenes and subjects are carried over to my varied artistic style. Presently my favorite medium is pen and ink with its crisp, sharp contrast of black and white. I also enjoy the simplicity and honesty of pencil drawing. I do also enjoy color.  Our beautiful Earth is filled with bold, brilliant colors that cannot be exactly duplicated.  When I work with color, I tend to exaggerate the color to loosen up because it is a welcomed break from working on black and white detailed drawings.

For me, the Adirondack Rocker is a real challenge!  It is not a flat
drawing surface and it forces me to expand my work. It’s a great
opportunity for artists to get exposure and fun to see people react and comment on a chair.

I also specialize in custom work such as house and architectural
renderings.  I do numerous shows throughout Central NY and I am a regular at the Clinton Village Farmer’s Market.

TIM RAND

I am an up and coming artist born and raised in Clinton, New York. A 2006 graduate of CCS, I am now pursuing a degree in the fine arts in New Hampshire. I had my first show at the Kirkland Town Library in the summer of 2005 and I’ve featured in the Munson-Williams Proctor Institute of Art Sidewalk Art Show twice.
    I chose the image of a ship for many reasons. A ship represents travel. As you sit on the rocking chair you feel the waves undulating underneath, gently rocking. You may be still but you can watch the world around you, one cloud at a time. I hope you enjoy the show.

PETER RASHFORD

NANCY ROUILLER

My name is Nancy Rouiller, I grew up in Clark Mills and still live there today.  I attended Clinton Central Schools and graduated in 1979.  I became disabled in 1984 with a rare condition.  I started doing small crafts with my father for a few years, after he passed away, I began to teach myself to paint.  I paint in acrylics on mostly wood (that my father-in-law now cuts for me) from welcome signs, furniture, oars, just about anything.  I mostly paint Adirondack scenes, animals, but I have painted just about everything at one time or another.

I have painted for several stores and have sold many pieces all across the United States.  I have been selling my work on Ebay now for the past few years along with many commissioned pieces.  I am still disabled today, but continue to enjoy painting when I am feeling well.  I thank God for giving me this small talent.

ALBA SCOTT

As an artist, I find creating comes naturally, wherever I am, my sketchbook is with me.  The dramatic lines of buildings in cities or towns, the peacefulness of lakes and mountains, or just ordinary people doing ordinary things are a challenge to me.  My drafting and technical background have been a great asset in all of my artwork.

My thoughts for paintings develop through my sketches and with time, these have become a medium in themselves.

I am an oil painter, and work with a palette knife; this allows me powerful strokes and the illusion of a third dimension.

Each summer, I join the teaching staff at the Old Forge Arts Center in the Adirondacks to paint and draw what I feel about the area, and to help others express themselves through the arts. 

CLAIRE DALEY SWEETLAND

My name is Claire Sweetland, and I am 16 years old.  The design for my chair is drawn from my portfolio of “Body Art”.  As a young aspiring artist, I am honored to have the opportunity to be involved in "Art Rocks"

My art has been shown in Clinton Schools, at the New York State School Boards Association in Rochester, NY and is also available for purchase at the College Street Café.

In college I plan to do something in the field of photography, which is one of my favorite hobbies.

CATE THIELE

I write the dream that wakes me.
I read stories to children and laugh.
I dig in my garden and stand up with pink knees.
You tell me about your weekend.
I tell you about mine.
I kiss my son and smell his hair.
I kiss my daughter and count her freckles.
I talk on the phone with my daughter and can tell she is in love.
I make a salad and then eat it with potato chips.
I paint a picture I glimpsed in my head while I did these everyday things.
It makes me laugh, it makes me proud, it makes me sheepish.
I experiment with new ways to be okay with the way things are.
I fail one day, hoping to succeed the next.
I think about words and pictures and how my toe hurts.
I wonder how a feather boa would look on Walt Whitman,
Then I read a few of his poems.
I neglect housework—it should be neglected, and often, no?
I sneeze from the dust and wonder why I was blessed with so much.
Dust?
I’m just trying to keep the dust off me.

TOM TOWNSLEY

Tom Townsley has been exhibiting his thickly textured portraits and abstract paintings throughout the region for nearly a decade. He has taught classes in expressive figurative and abstract painting at the KAC and elsewhere. He also teaches art appreciation and history classes at Utica College. 

 
LINDA TURK

My name is Linda (Humphrey) Turk. I am a native Clintonian and now reside in New Hartford. I graduated from CCS, where I enjoyed art classes taught by Howard Chaney and Frank Cittadino. After my children were born, I took classes from Arline Brennen.

I like to paint almost anything, especially portraits and scenery. I have never shown any work, but I have my own private gallery - my parent’s home. I have some work at my house, my favorite being a 9" x 16" mural I painted of the Green Bridge and Moose River, a place near and dear to my heart.

My love of drawing and painting continues to grow. I appreciate this opportunity to participate in the Art Rocks program. 

LUCIE WELLNER

This Art Rocks chair suggests the play of shadows cast from the leaves of a tree.
While drawing or painting, I find that the background static, the mind’s busyness which we all share to some degree, recedes a little and opens a space for my work. Through focus and concentration, and the elimination of self-doubt, I find immense enjoyment in this fulfillment of aesthetic desire. After a few hours work, I feel rested, fresh and ready to make more.
And the more I paint, the more I understand the subjects I’m observing or thinking about. The more art I produce, the more other artists’ work appeals to and communicates to me. Thanks to them and my own work, my eye is sharpened, my spirit refreshed and I find myself on the threshold of new understandings in the immediate world.

CATHARINE WESTLAKE