Extreme Magical Metal Makeovers...

"I am a self taught artist, as such, I experiment with technique, style and material going beyond the boundaries that can confine artists.

I primarily work in metal, combining recycled metals, found objects and some new materials. Much of my artwork is made from things that without my intervention would end up in a land fill. In this time of environmentalism, finding beauty and purpose in discards and being able to reconstitute them into objects of art, drive much of what I do. Except for an occasional preserving clear coat, rarely is anything ever painted. Materials are left in their original state.
Materials are heated, bent, hammered, welded, brazed or soldered in the course of being reconstructed into sculpture.

I enjoy making pieces which bring a smile to the viewer, that invite being touched, that look natural in the home or outdoors."

--William Herzfeld, 2010

William Herzfeld takes old, rusted metals and creates whimsical, eclectic, beauties. Adding embelishments to create life...no paint, no toxic chemicals, no pollutants - just beautiful, forged metal that was discarded, laying to waste!

With a touch of the hammer and solder, and slight of hand -- VOILA! a magical metal makeover is created!

William Herzfeld, an Eclectic Wonder himself, gives quality of life back to something that was thought to be junk, a throw-away. He allows those who view his work to touch the new creation of life, to feel it's energy - a thriving piece of art standing tall and proud as it shows off its new expressive look!

Perhaps we all should think twice as Bill does before discarding something and maybe, just maybe Mother Earth wouldn't be in the situation she is in right now...

Come see his extreme magical metal makeovers for yourself! William Herzfeld will be displaying his Eclectic Wonders at SoBoBo from December 1st to December 31st. SoBoBo is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday from noon to 7 pm; and Sunday from noon to 6 pm.

Just in time for the Holidays! and someone can own an original piece of art and at the same time save the environment! How wonderful that is!

Thanksgiving Today

We all know the history of Thanksgiving in the beginning. But, what is Thanksgiving today? We all sit at the table of food a plenty; passing around the mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and turkey. "Pass the corn please." "Pass the rolls." "Pass the butter." "Pass the bacon..." Bacon? Some do put bacon on top of their turkey when they roast it....so, yes, "please pass the bacon...."

These economic times have weighed heavy on us...unemployment near double digits (there are many who cannot collect unemployment anymore and we mustn't forget them); jobs are a plenty, however, one cannot survive on $8.00 per/hour; people are losing the roof over their heads; now that our job market has moved overseas and those citizens are becoming affluent we look to them to perhaps buy airplanes, and certain cars from us which are pretty much all that is left. Our clothes, toothpaste, foods, etc. are imported. Labels don't even tell you where things are made anymore - it has been changed to "distributed by:" no longer "made in." Warning labels are placed on jewelry stating "don't allow children 14 years old and younger wear this piece" because of the lead and cadmium levels....oh, yeah the heck with everyone else...So, we ask "What do we have to be thankful for?"

We are thankful for being alive, for having the ingenuity to create, for being able to develop ideas taking them to the level of products and services, for wheeling and dealing with "in kind" method of payment, for living in a country that allows us to think and create and develop and become sustainable -- we did it once before we will do it again!

Each of us may be experiencing at least one of the horrors of the economic issues taking place, but we learn of someone else's situation and we realize we should truly be thankful for what we have and we then pray for those who have nothing and see what we can do to help them.

We always were taught about the atrocities in other countries - the lack of opportunity, the lack of work, the poverty levels more than double digits, the lack of food, pure water, of the death and diseases -- that we should pray for them and if we can, help them, i.e., U.N.I.C.E.F. Do think about the countries where the companies/corporations have gone to as they take advantage of others and reap more in profits - the people, the companies/corporations' new employees, don't have the inalienable rights to think, to create, to develop ideas because of the oppression they experience on a daily basis...and think about it - putting food on their tables with the menial wages they are making is a miracle to them! In an ironic almost satirical fashion, our prayers have been answered though with great sacrifice, but they have been answered.

We did it once before we will do it again! Sure our way of life has changed, for some dramatically, but you know what?, we need to remember "Order Always Comes Out of Chaos."

So, as Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow, remember who you are, what you can do and how you can make it happen for yourself and others because its only then you will be able to "Bring Home The Bacon" so that it will be passed around at your Thanksgiving table. And be thankful that you are able to!

Many Blessings as you bow your head in Thanks for what is...

Be thankful for what you have,
for you can have less.

Be thoughtful towards others,
so they may not go without.

Be hopeful of the future,
so we all (including Mother Earth)
will be healthy and prosper.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Stop By SoBoBo Friday, November 19th!

Do Drop by SoBoBo
Tomorrow Night!

Greet old friends, meet
new acquaintances
when you visit.

Meet Allan Dudek,
Artist for the Month!

Enjoy refreshments!

Starts at 7:00 pm

SoBoBo Art Gallery
17 Broadway - Walnut Beach
Milford, CT 06460

"Silent Movie" - mixed media

by Allan Dudek

You might want to do a little bit of Christmas shopping! Original artwork - what a wonderful gift to give...and to think you didn't have to go into New York to get it!

BUY LOCALLY!

See you soon...

NOVEMBER'S ARTIST RECEPTION

JOIN US!!!

November's Artist Reception in honor of Allan Dudek!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2010 -- 7 PM to 9 PM

SoBoBo Art Gallery
17 Broadway - Walnut Beach
Milford, CT

ALL ARE INVITED!!

No need to travel too far

to get that unique, eclectic gift

for that someone special

BUY LOCALLY!

LAST ART STROLL OF 2010 USHERS IN THE HOLIDAYS

COME JOIN US! as we celebrate the last Art Stroll of 2010 and usher in the Holiday Season.

Firehouse Gallery is entertaining the viewers with a new exhibit "Small Works" - nothing larger than 18" x 18". This is the last exhibit for 2010! It takes place Thursday, November 11 from 6pm to 8pm. The works will be on exhibit until December 16th with Firehouse Gallery closing for 2010 on December 19th. Firehouse Gallery will re-open with a new exhibit - "Interiors" - on February 3rd, 2011.

Emily Bett, a well-known painter, printmaker and potter in the Greater New Haven area is the juror for this exhibit. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, has a BFA degree from the University of Chicago, an MFA in printmaking from Southern Connecticut University and attended graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University.

When Firehouse closes for the evening, walk down to SoBoBo Art Gallery to see a wonderful new exhibit that will WOW you...

Come enjoy lively conversations over coffee and...

SoBoBo Art Gallery is open year round - Thursdays and Fridays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Saturdays Noon - 7:00 pm and Sundays Noon - 6:00 pm...

Come in, meander about and find that unusual, unique, sublime gift for the person who has everything! "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus..."

November's Artist - Allan Dudek

"Golden Monkey" - mixed media - by Allan Dudek

"No expectations. No disappointments. Art inspired by living with humans and their peculiar ways. As a wanderer of the world I have observed many things that have no explanation. Man’s destruction of man, of nature, of oneself. Killing in the name of God. Breaking the hearts of the people you love the most.

This same man has raised families, helped strangers, built hospitals and schools. The world I see is filled with curiosities that have existed since the beginning of time. As an artist I can only record what I see. I can not create what is not there. That is for the dreamers. Mixing medias is my choice to capture the controversy. Love and hate, warm and cold, war and peace. Recycle, re-use, renew. All material is in play. No expectations. No disappointments."

-- Allan Dudek, 2010 --

"Blood Diamonds" - mixed media - by Allan Dudek

If only we all take into consideration the observations that Allan sees, perhaps we would be more endearing to our fellow man, to the environments and Eco-systems, Mother Earth. Maybe then we can see ourselves sitting down at the Thanksgiving table together giving thanks for all the creations set before us.

Allan's work is from the heart, he sees what most cannot because of his observations and he understands more than some the issues and climates of different societies of the underdeveloped nations as well as here in the United States. He brings to us in art form that same knowledge, hoping those who view it will grasp the meaning behind the images and perhaps pass along the message. All the while recycling, reusing, reducing which in turn he is renewing what was left into a work of art!

"Overdose" - mixed media - by Allan Dudek

An amazing man, amazing messages, amazing art! His creations can get a chuckle even a laugh because his humor hits the funny bone; his creations makes one ponder hoping to stir the mind to take action; his art can even bring together a room that seems to have an emptiness, connecting and bringing it to life...A must see!

Allan's work will be on display at SoBoBo for the month of November. And a reminder when the month is done he still will be exhibiting certain other work!

Visit SoBoBo to truly enjoy Allan's art. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday 11am to 4pm; Saturday Noon to 7pm and Sunday Noon to 6pm. If you cannot make it during the times Gallery is open, please call 203-906-8945 to make an appointment.