What a Way to Chase the "Blues" Away...

As we entered into the Spring Solstice we found ourselves wanting change from the cold, dreary, "blue" days of Winter...and yet the cold is still here...snow is still haunting us... ...Well, there is a cure that we can all do to chase those "Blues" away! Just join in on Thursday, April 14th as we meander about Firehouse Gallery - 81 Naugatuck Avenue - taking in the new exhibit called (how appropriately) "Blues." The evening begins at 6:00 pm where awards are given and engaging discussions are abound. The artists/artisans challenge for this exhibit was "...to focus on work primarily using the color blue, reflecting the mood, the music genre, or anything relating to the definition of blue." This event will be juried by visual artist Susan Scott of Cheshire, CT. She was educated at Central Connecticut State University where she achieved her painting and art history degree. She exhibited in galleries and venues both locally and nationally. Well if there isn't cause for celebration now is the time to! Enjoy a "chaser" of the blues by strolling done the "Avenue" to SoBoBo Gallery - 42 Naugatuck Avenue - where the Exhibit Reception for April's Artist Charles Bell is happening and you can enjoy the fruits of the Art of Brewing by a surprise guest! After visiting SoBoBo you must continue on down three doors to Alpha's Jolly Jug - 38 Naugatuck Avenue - where a wine tasting will tease your taste buds, and the aroma of the scent will titillate your senses... and then end the chase at Wild Expressions and Collected Stories - 16 Broadway - where the floral scents envelope you and the aromas emitting from the fictions and non-fictions capture you will calm the feeling that you must flee and will bring you back realizing that the "Blues" of Winter are finally gone! Spring has Sprung, and Summer is just around the bend....What a way to chase the "Blues" away....

Mysticism or Universial Flow...

"I have always been interested in art. Going wayyyy back to kindergarten to my 1st classroom art course through elementary school and then in high school having the opportunity to drop "Study Hall" I was "drawn" to join art classes Painting and Ceramics. It was then that it fully captured me.

Watching countless hours of Bill Alexander with his "almighty brush" had a big influence on me, both of them. Lots of trial and error with some paintings coming out 2 inches thick with paint, but I kept at it until it was perfected.

Some of my work that was done in high school and in the early 1980's had been put into storage along with some of my property. Unfortunately, didn't keep up on the storage bill...and to make a long story short, most of my work was sold at a garage sale by the landlord. But you know, there is no reason to be sad, I wasn't, I was in awe....WOW someone bought some of what I did...cool.'

I try to find time to paint but usually end up painting in those awkward hours of the day or night. It's as if the timing of when I paint is important for when I want this to happen, it seems "this and that" take over...so I have no choice but to go with it. Because of this happening, every painting I try is an experiment for me in light, color, texture as well as the surface I paint on."

--Charles Bell, 2011--

Charlie's own experience best explains his work. Without realizing it he, by capturing that one moment in time, "...those awkward hours of the day or night...," harnesses the universal flow of energies that direct his hand and paint strokes. The same energies are filling his mind with what colors to use, how the light should play in each painting, how much paint to apply to get the textures and how when in the end you see faces, figures, that seem to pop out at you. By him saying "this and that take over...so I have no choice but to go with it..." is what the Taoist teachings tell us and Benjamin Hoff writes in the "Tao of Pooh" and the "Te of Piglet." So, scientifically, it becomes an experiment to him, but is it really? Yes, you can watch him work, but is it he who is painting? That is why one doesn't know if it is truly mysticism or universal flow that he is connected with that allows him to create the exquisite work.

"Past Days" by Charles Bell

When seeing his spacial work entitled "Past Days," one can actually see the "universal flow", the spaciousness of where all our energies can connect with if one so chooses to even if one believes in it or not. When looking at it you can see and feel the "myst" softly touching your face, you can feel your feet softly touching the earth, almost as if there is no gravity. It is like he is putting the unknown space odyssey we one day will take into visualization and we might ask "is this what it is like when we die? Or "is this where we came from?"

But as our feet return to Terra-Firma, Mother Earth, we see Spring budding as we decent through the "mysts" planting our feet firmly on the ground as if we are landing in Charlie's "April's Birth". The physical side, the matter of fact side, something we can touch, feel, see that we are real.

"April's Birth" - oils - by Charles Bell

"Helen's Day" - oils - by Charles Bell

We might think we need reality as seen in "Helen's Day" or find the need to seek the archeology of the people who have been here before us as seen in "Native Gallery" because afterall, we are tangible beings...for now that is...

"Native Gallery" - oils - by Chalres Bell

Charles Bell will be exhibiting his mystical creations at SoBoBo Gallery from April 1st to April 30th. One truly must come and see the connection between here and there created through "this and that" by Charles Bell. He truly brings the ethereal mysticism to reality.

SoBoBo Gallery is opened Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 to 4:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays Noon to 5:00 pm.

April's Artist Reception will be held on Thursday, April 14th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm - the same evening as we "Walk the Talk of the Town" and celebrate Firehouse Gallery's new exhibit "Blues."

JOIN US!!!

Sharing Space, Corroborating...Who Would Have 'Thunk' It?

Sharing Space...Do you remember having to share your bedroom with an older or younger sibling? Do you remember how at times you ended up sharing the bathroom with them? Do you remember when you had to share your seat with them because there always seemed to be one seat short wherever you went? Or, even the same blanket? Do you remember how during those times, even if you at that split moment - you rolled your eyes and thought "do I have to?" Yet, when you look back at those times, you remember with a smile those exact moments enjoying the memories because you remember the GOOD, FUN times....

Well, hold onto those smiling memories.....

Sharing space was at one time a thing that everyone tried to run away from, because "each of us needed our own space." So, houses were starting to be built further apart, the size of the lots started to become larger to bear the size of the new larger, spacious houses. Businesses became competitive buying each other out so their space in the market would be on top...a greedy situation wouldn't you say?

Well, hold onto those thoughts...

Corroborating became a word of deceit, "corroborated with a witness to tell the same story.."; a word of fear because some didn't know what would take place because of the corroborating of others to take down the character of someone, to commit a hostile take over of a business...a greedy situation wouldn't you say?

Well you can dispel all of those feelings of needing your own space, of needing to be number one in the market, of fearing the actions of others trying to "take you down..." because there are two very special people who have disproved all of those thoughts, and feelings....

Two very successful businesses owned and operated by two separate people have CORROBORATED together to SHARE THE SAME SPACE, and even THE SAME CHAIR to create a wonderful, magical space that spews fragrances that simply, delicately envelopes every sense and at the same time opens the covers of stories leading you into worlds of imagination - feeling the emotions of the characters, enjoying the adventures and history of so many whether they are biographies or fiction...

Collected Stories of Walnut Beach has done just that...opened their space to share with Wild Expressions creating a fantabulous world of scents and adventures!

You must visit and meet Susan Shaw/Phil Givens owners of Collected Stories and Tyyne Catapano owner of Wild Expressions! Their idea is an interesting strategy in conducting business.....

ENJOY meeting new acquaintances, greeting old friends! when you drop by at the

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION AT

16 BROADWAY

WALNUT BEACH - MILFORD, CT

ON SATURDAY - MARCH 26TH AND SUNDAY - MARCH 27TH!

WELCOME THE "NEW BUSINESS" TO THE AREA! It begins at 11:00 am on Saturday the 26th and continues on Sunday with a raffle being held on Sunday at 4pm.

Can't wait to meet up with you there....

Walk the Talk of the Town:Walnut Beach Art Stroll

"Shabby Sheep" - oils - by Marcia Wiltsie

Join us as Spring is being ushered in by the March Winds and Winter ends...thank heaven! Walk the Talk of the Town : Walnut Beach Art Stroll on Thursday, March 10th!

The evening begins at 6:00 pm at Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue. When the reception winds down, meander down Naugatuck Avenue to SoBoBo at 42 Naugatuck Avenue where the exhibit reception for Marcia Delane-Wiltsie, March's Artist, will be taking place, starting at 7:00 pm. She will be there for you to meet as well as Lara Sendich, ...featured artisan...Learn more about them and their talents...

As soon as you are done, you must stop at Alpha's Jolly Jug for their wine tasting. Enjoy the aroma of the wine has it hits your tastebuds...perhaps purchase a bottle for home....

Afterwards...head down Naugatuck to the stop sign and take a right onto Broadway...Make sure you listen, you may hear music playing...and without realizing it you will end up sitting in Wild Expressions and Collected Stories!

You see, magical things happen when the March Winds blow!!!

Enjoy the evening, enjoy meeting your friends, and enjoy the fact that Winter is ending and Spring is beginning!

March Winds Were Definitely Encircling...

"I began beading as a resurrection from sitting and not talking to my husband who had been undergoing problems from Parkinson's disease. I have always loved the fine seed beads and decided to see what I could come up with. I made my first necklace from black and brown matte seed beads and I was hooked.

I have made numerous necklaces and numerous designs. Every time I start out I always choose the beads I am going to use in making the pattern. I embroider for a while, then look, at the necklace to see whether I like it. Many times I do not like it and then I have to start again with the beads. This is the most important part to beading a necklace. You have to like what you are making! Choosing the pattern, design comes later. Choosing the color of the beads is the hardest of all. After you have chosen the beads you are on your way to making someone happy."

-- Lara Sendich, 2010 --

"Blue Gerdan" by Lara Sendich

The winds where whirling around Lara at a time change was afoot, creating a whirlwind similar to that of the Phoenix's ashes, you know how the Phoenix rose from the ashes. Her experience was what spurred her to go forward to create; breathing life into her work, making each piece come alive with a spark.

"Red Gerdan" by Lara Sendich

Lara's work is impeccable. The color and design choices create a world of yesteryear. When speaking with her you can feel her energy, you understand how loving what you do brings happiness to others just by creating a thing of beauty. Gerdan, a Ukraine term, or embroidered beading - frames one's face, accentuating the beauty in each one who wears it.



Lara Sendich, March's Artisan, will be exhibiting her creations at SoBoBo from March 1st through March 31st. She is a constant at SoBoBo. You will be able to see her work too during the Art Stroll taking place on Thursday, March 10th. Starts at Firehouse Gallery at 6:00 pm!

SoBoBo Gallery Hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturdays & Sundays: Noon to 5:00 pm

Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays: By appointment only

Come and see the exquisite, intricate works of Lara!