Legacy's Life Takes Us on a "Third" World Excursion

"I have been looking through a lens all of my life. The way I see the world drew me to a career of making movies that spanned 20 years and taking pictures since I was twelve.

The camera never lies.....it is a journey of discovery and understanding, of honesty and soul. I celebrate feelings of wonderment and splendor as I view reality through a lens.....a moment speaks, the shutter clicks and alchemy takes place.

The paradox of the lens removes me from what is taking place on the other side as it connects me to what it touches inside myself. As the stage of life grabs my attention, time is frozen, my heart melts, and the story is told.

The legacy in my pictures is my perspective on life. Legacy's life on me? Someone will need to take my picture...."

-- Joanne Watkins

"Passage" - photograph - by Joanne Watkins

Joanne's discovery of the "third" eye through a camera's lens has opened more than one door to a "third" world that we hadn't expected. Each legacy that is formed from peering through this third eye definitely has an impact on you.

Joanne's connection with the subject through the lens continues to the viewer, a string of life that connects the three together - perhaps the String Theory working? This can only explain what is experienced when each piece seems to come to life; an osmosis, a chemical reaction of the energies takes place and you become one - finding yourself standing inside the photograph - experiencing what was captured at that one moment in time.

As you look at Resting, you find yourself tilting your head to look at Buddha face to face - almost as if you will lie down next to her.

"Resting" - photograph - by Joanne Watkins

Prayer: You find yourself floating, peering down at the woman, watching her as she prepares to pray, you can smell the incense and hear the chant.

'Prayer" - photograph - by Joanne Watkins

As you continue on your journey riding the connection that is so eloquently stated, make sure to stop, look, and listen to what is being said to you for there is a message that is hidden that can be deciphered if you would take the time. Joanne Watkins' will be exhibiting at SoBoBo during the month of August - August 1st - August 31st. Visit us and get lost in this world she is sharing with us as she takes you on an excursion around a "third" world learning about legacy's life through a "third" eye.

SoBoBo located at 42 Naugatuck Avenue, in Milford, Connecticut is opened Noon to 6:00pm Thursdays through Sundays. If you wish to view the art during Monday through Wednesday please call 203-906-8945 to make an appointment.

On August 11th, an exhibit reception will be taking place "connected" to the art stroll that is planned. The reception begins at 7:00 pm, you will be able to meet with Joanne and perhaps learn about her life's legacy.

A Message From The Sea....

As you put the conch to your ear you can hear the ocean...however, there is a message from the sea, just listen very, very closely for it is telling you something about tonight's event....

"You must get out and come to the shore this evening, come to Walnut Beach and see the works of local artists and artisans at Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue. Enjoy "seaing" how differently each artist has perceived our home. From reality to euphoria, from actual to mystical using modernism, contemporary, abstract, collage, realism, and impressionism! Each piece has you delving in and you find yourself visiting us at the bottom of the sea!

Go with the flow as you float down to SoBoBo Art Gallery, 42 Naugatuck Avenue and sea paintings by Paige Miglio, Benjamin Casiano, Rick Senft, Cindy Rifkin, William Ahern, Matt Roe and must not forget artist for the month, Janet Ruskin; mixed media pieces by Jan McLean, Susan Frey, Betsey Wright, Wes Swanson; photography by Karen Allen, D'Antonia, Angie Scott, Hedi Minnow-Pike; sculptures by William Brill, Michael Brotschul and Rosemary McClain; and artisan (jeweler) for the month, Kate Davoli, plus Susan Frey, Lara Sendich, Sylvia, Sam and Keelin Brett.

So much to sea! To give yourself a change of venue, stop at Alfa's for pizza or the Alfa's Jolly Jug for a taste of the vino, Lazy Lobster for the lobster roll you have been craving and top it off with ice cream from Walnut Beach Creamery!

Then you must continue the flow to Painted You, 12 Broadway - a fresh new gallery exhibiting face and body art and of course, Wild Expressions at Collected Stories, 16 Broadway who might have Tim Payson playing sweet melodious music! Pick up a bouquet of flowers from Wild Expressions designed exclusively with you in mind by owner/designer Tyyne Catapano...

Come to the shore, come to Walnut Beach and enjoy an evening from the sea!"

This message was brought to you by "Conch" by Paige Miglio and "Precious" by Jan McLean

SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY, AUGUST 11TH

Can't go a month without something happening soooo, take a peak below and see what will take place (an art stroll)...on Thursday, August 11th

Firehouse Gallery will be joining us they will be open from 6pm to 8pm so you can enjoy the art that is on display..."From the Sea" Enjoy "seaing" how differently each artist has perceived the title of the exhibit. From reality to euphoria, from actual to mystical using modernism, contemporary, abstract, collage, realism, and impressionism! Each piece has you delving in and you find yourself at the bottom of the sea!

Photographer Pam Landry will be exhibiting at Wild Expressions/Collected Stories. You must see her fine art. Pam, born on the shoreline in New Rochelle, New York and now living on the shoreline in Milford, Connecticut, one of Pam’s favorite photo subjects has always been anything beach related. Pam has had photo exhibits at 116 Crown in New Haven and Café Atlantique, and contributes a daily “Morning Meditation” photo to Milford Patch.com. Her work is a must see!

Artisan, Joanne Watkins will be at SoBoBo for the month of August. Come on an excursion throughout the world! You will have a different look into a "third" world!

Also, a new genre or it should be said old genre of art will be exhibiting at SoBoBo Art Gallery. Local writers of prose and poetry will be displaying their works.

D'Antonia, an adjunct professor of English, teaches at area universities - UNH, Quinnipiac and, Sara Eliza Johnson whose poetry has appeared in a variety of places online and in print, including the New England Review, Shenandoah, Iron Horse Literary Review, and Best New Poets 2009. She is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer's Award, a Winter Fellowship from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, a work-study scholarship to the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and an AWP Intro Journals Project Award. She holds a BA from Cornell University and an MFA from the University of Oregon.

A new gallery and studio just opened at 12 Broadway - Painted You. A new form that the area has not seen! A new venue that has been added to the strolls.

Alot to see, and much to eat and drink...The Lazy, Alfa's Pizza, Alfa's Jolly Jug, Walnut Beach Creamery....Oh, my!

SAVE THE DATE, MARK YOUR CALENDAR! COME ENJOY AN EVENING WITH US!

Thursday, July 28th - From Sea Shells On The Sea Shore To...

"She sells sea shells on the sea shore;
The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure.
So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore,
I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells."

Let's see, can you it say 3X's fast! Remember when you could do just that? If you join us on Thursday, July 28th for the Walnut Beach Art Stroll, you will have to try to say it 3X's fast in order to enter -- just kidding....

Make sure you bring your snorkel and flippers because you just might need them as you enter The Firehouse Art Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue, at 6:00 pm. You will find yourself exploring the ocean with a new exhibit “From The Sea,” that was juried by Bridgeport native, painter and graphic designer, Bob Perkowski.

Mr. Perkowski, a Paier School of Art graduate, majored in fine art and illustration. He started his own graphic design company in 1991. An award-winning painter, he is a signature member in the American Society of Marine Artists, The Hudson Valley Artists, The Northeast Watercolor Society, The Connecticut Watercolor Society and The New Haven Paint and Clay Club. His love for the sea and New England is reflected in a majority of his recent works. He paints seascapes, still life and landscapes. He is represented by The Gallery at Firehouse Square, New London, CT.

Artists entered works of art that are of or pertain to the ocean and the variety of life it supports, either real or imaginary.

Enjoy your snorkeling adventure and when you come up for air, swim down to SoBoBo and see a very different genre of art by Janet S. Ruskin the Artist for the Month.



Meet with Judy & Jill Ruskin to learn all about our colleague. You will also see many other artists' works and might bump into a few creators -- new artists, Paula Rogers who works in sea glass, Rebecca Krassner sea glass chimes, Alice Fredericks watercolors bring you to the shore, Edie Francoeur's photography in a shadow box, Karen Allen, Angie Scott, Hedi Minnow-Pike, Dale Pombrio to name a few William Ahern adds to the Modern side as does Matt Roe, Cindy Rifkin and D'Antonia -- New jeweler, Susan Frey and must not forget Jeweler for the Month Kate Davoli!

After visiting us continue your sea fairing journey to Alfa's Jolly Jug to add flavor to the evening, even pick up a bottle of your favorite wine or whatever your heart desires and

head to the Lazy Lobster and "sea" what they are offering up for dinner.

You just might want to stop there first to begin your evening ...

A new gallery and studio just opened at 12 Broadway - Painted You. A new form that the area has not seen! Body art. A must see!

Check out Wild Expressions and Collected Stories to "sea" what is happening, don't know what they have planned but they may have musician Tim Payson playing music as they have many times before, and...

perhaps they might be receiving the walkers or "swimmers" who will mill about enjoying the evening. You can even pick out a bouquet of flowers so exquisitely designed by Tyyne Catapano for that someone special! Make sure to view the many different works of arts that are pleasantly decorating the space and you can purchase some of them, even read an excerpt from a book

End your evening swim at Walnut Beach Creamery who will have wonderful gourmet ice cream flavors for you to try.

A cool way to wind down the evening before heading home!

She sells sea shells on the seashore...

"Sea" you there!

Kate Davoli Takes You on a Jeweled Journey

"When I design a piece of jewelry I consider first the color that most describes my mood and then a complimentary color.

Texture and form is also a consideration and for me to create a piece that I truly love the texture and form must co-inside with the color and that creates the feeling of the design.

When I am in a quiet state the colors tend to be soft tones and usually monochromatic, however, I truly love the elegance of silver and black and so I will design often with those colors.

For me the journey is the thing and not the result. I approach all art in this way."

-- Kate Davoli, 2010

When trying on Kate Davoli's designs, you can see the object of her creative process. You can imagine in your minds eye her working on each piece of jewelry as it is designed and ultimately created.

Her designability takes you on her journey from picking the main piece, the center piece of her design to each added touch that enhances it; whether it's the type of bead, the color, or the cut you feel she picked it just for you, as if she had somehow known what you were looking for.

An exhibit reception for Kate is taking place on Thursday, July 28th - Yes the Art Stroll! Swing by SoBoBo and meet Kate, an intersting woman, who can take you on her journey as you listen to her when she speaks of her creative process. You must come to see what she has made for you!

See you soon!