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.

On the West Coast...Tua Bella Studios

It seems like artistic appreciation and creativity run in the family for our very own Marie Laudini. Her son Michael, who has become one of our biggest fans, is a professional photographer and founder of Tua Bella Studios located in Seattle, Washington. Michael's photographs appear online and in publication, most recently in Playboy Magazine. His passion for artistic glamour photography is evident by his stylized images of the thousands of clients/models he has photographed throughout the years. Michael's work challenges us to see ourselves in a different light, to understand the diversity of beauty, and the complexity of sensuality. You can follow Michael's career by checking out his website, TuaBella.com; follow him on his blog; or by becoming a fan on Facebook.

"Sprung from the Soil" Poems and Inspired Images

Our very own Ian Newbury will be on display during the month of April with the opening of "Sprung from the Soil." Ian worked closely with friend and colleague, David Madden, to help him produce a beautiful book of poems written by David and inspired by Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. The text and prose is rich in history and romantic in nature. Beautiful imagery painted by Ian accompanies David's words. Books will be on hand for sale and signatures by the writer and artist. David and friends will also be reading some original poems and any and all are welcome to participate in an open mic format following the featured guests. So be sure to stop by for some art and entertainment during the opening on:

Friday, April 2nd (April 2nd-May 5th)

from 5-8 p.m.

at The Riverside Artists Studio & Gallery

8-12 Broad Street

Westerly, RI 02891

This event is presented in conjunction with Wild Animal Publishing. www.wildanimalpublishing.com

Miracle & Joy

This month at The Riverside we have the pleasure of showing work by friends Joy Neerkaje of Elite Studios and Millie Donovan of The Riverside who have collaborated to bring you a collection of their work inspired by female archetypes. Both artists had been working independently on various painting and writing pieces and discovered that they drew inspiration from similar sources essentially trying to work out "What it is to be a woman" on paper, canvas and through various other media. Please join us in the discussion! Opening will be during the monthly Westerly Art Stroll. Refreshments will be served. See you at The Riverside.

What: Opening Reception for "Miracle & Joy"

Where: The Riverside Artists Studio & Gallery

12 Broad Street, Westerly, Rhode Island

When: Wednesday, March 3

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Be sure to start your stroll at the Westerly Artist Co-op from 5-8 p.m.

at their NEW location on Canal Street, Westerly!

If you liked Eric the first time, here are a few shows to consider attending...

Eric Sturtevant, friend and recent illustrator featured at The Riverside, has a couple of upcoming shows in the New England area. Be sure to check out his work at the following events.

The Foundry Artists Association Holiday Show: www.foundryshow.com

Show & Sale

Friday, December 4th, 12-8pm
Saturday, December 5th, 10-8pm
Sunday, December 6th, 10-6pm
Friday, December 11th, 12-8pm
Saturday, December 12th, 10-8pm
Sunday, December 13th, 10-6pm

The Southend Open Market: www.southendopenmarket.com

Opening Sat. & Sun., May 15 & 16, 2010

Holiday Cheer at The Riverside...

The merchants of The Riverside are collaborating once again to bring you a fun and family oriented holiday event. Wednesday, Dec. 2nd we will be hosting our annual "Holiday Open House" from 5-9 p.m. all taking place during Westerly's Art Stroll Night. The night includes music by Georgette and her kids company, wine tasting by Langworthy Farm, art displayed at The Riverside Artists Studio & Gallery as well as Wild Animal Publishing, yummy holiday treats by The Bean Counter Coffee Shop, and special shopping offers from the new TLC Boutique (formerly In Due Time Boutique). Stop by for some live music, food, fun, wine, art, shopping and dinosaurs! Bring the whole family!