Spring Fling at Above Elite Studios!!!

Sharing is what drives me as an artist. To be able to create something and then invite people to view, comment, judge, love, hate, critique, understand, reject, accept and take home what I have decided to put on canvas. It is a very nerve wracking process. Opening yourself up to criticism and allowing people into your inner circle. It's equivalent to asking your husband if you look good in the new jeans you bought wanting to hear the truth but knowing that the truth might not be exactly what you had hoped for. The truth is...THOSE JEANS LOOK DAMN GOOD!!! With that said, you have no choice but to come and see the fabulous work created and collected for your viewing and purchasing pleasure at the upcoming "Spring Fling" hosted by the very talented artists of Above Elite Studios in Westerly, Rhode Island! This delightful 2-day Open Studio Celebration will feature work by Charles Estabrooks, Laura Gaffke, Joyita Neerkaje, Susan Stone, and Lisa Szaro of Above Elite with guest artists Millie Donovan (ME), Julianne Eanniello, Kathy Johnson, Kathleen Neal, Jaclyn Murphy and Susan W. Thomas. You will enjoy a collection of watercolors, oils, acrylic and collage paintings as well as photography and jewelry. There will also be a Reiki practioner on-site to adjust your energy! Be sure to make it a point to include this one-of-a-kind event in your spring calendar. On Friday night visitors can enjoy a posh reception with cheese and wine and on Saturday families are invited to look through the collections and indulge in a lighter fare. And don't forget that Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 9th)! I am looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Spring Fling

A Delightful 2-day

Open Studio Celebration

Friday, April 30th, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 1st, 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Above Elite Studios

181 Main Street

Westerly, RI 02891

(Over the Elite Dry Cleaners)

For more about Above Elite Studios visit

www.lauragaffke.com or www.joyitaneerkaje.com

SketchCrawl Spring 2010

I had such an enjoyable morning with my daughter this past Saturday as we walked through the quaint riverside town of Mystic. My dear friend, Laura Gaffke www.lauragaffke.com, led a group of artists through the town sketching along the way. We focused on 3 locations: the river behind the Mystic Art Center, the park across the river from the Mystic Art Center, and a beautiful glass gallery (Prescient) right on the main street in Mystic. It was 3 hours of being present in the day and enjoying each other's company. (Photo: Riverside Studiomate, Ian Newbury, sitting on the boardwalk in Cottrell Park)

As an artist I never found time to really use the sketchbook. My time was limited with home and child-care responsibilities competing with the responsibility of trying to promote and create new work. So I sketched in my head and once the idea was formed, I would jump straight onto canvas! This 'Crawl helped me put the act of sketching back in its rightful place. The books I saw by fellow 'Crawlers were full of rich ideas, notations, memories, impressions...what a delightful collection of material to fuel creative thought. I was truly inspired. (Photo: Sketches and reflection writing Taylor and I did while overlooking the Mystic River behind the MAC)

I was most inspired by my little artist who held her own on Saturday. She played with the "big kids" and showed us all that the freedom to express is not just for the said "artist" but for everyone young, old, amateur, professional, poet or not. I admire her inhibitions and confidence and the joy she brought with every observation. Bravo Miss Taylor...a true artist in the making. (Photo: the Littlest 'Crawler)

Be sure to check Laura's website at www.lauragaffke.com for upcoming workshops and any future SketchCrawls. We all hope that she makes this a regular event. Thanks again Miss Gaffke.