Earth Wind Fire & Water....

Let Earth move under your feet,

let wind nudge you along,

let fire burn passion in your heart for the arts and let water quench your thirst...

...all of which will bring you to Firehouse Gallery to begin June's Walnut Beach Art Stroll. At 6:00 pm the juried show will begin its opening reception for the new exhibit Elements: Earth Wind Fire & Water.

Meet with the artists who entered their works in the show. Choose your favorite and see who finally becomes "People's Choice". Enjoy the apps and drink...meander about, talking, viewing the art...

...when you are done follow the soulful, melodious sound of the sax played by Daniel Mahroos as you head down the Avenue to Sobobo Gallery and meet June's Artist, Matt Roe whose art moves you, makes you realize your are beyond "life's process".

Besides Matt Roe, you will see works by Joan Shapiro, Paul St. Onge, William Ahern, Avery Wham, Rick Senft, Barbara Wilson, Ben Casiano, Rosemary McClain, Jan McLean, Elizabeth Wright, Richard Stephan, Betty Geller, Janet Ruskin, Hedi Minow-Pike, Smashing Worlds, Karen Macker, Sheila Pite, Paige Miglio and many more...as well as artisans Michael Brotschul, William Gallagher, Michelle Ryan, Judy Ruskin, Sam Rawls, Teru Rexroad, Spencer Gordon, Patti Clark and Carlyne Labrecque...what an array of creators and works!  AMAZING!!

Seaside Wines and Spirits will be hosting a wine tasting at Sobobo too! After trying the vino that is like velvet on your palette, stop in at Seaside to pick up that bottle to take home with you so you can enjoy it with your favorite meal...or take it with you and enjoy it while you eat at Lazy Lobster.

Wild Expressions will be filled with excitement and energy as usual, inviting, welcoming you! Smell the scents of the floral art by owner Tyyne Catapano. Yes, Wild Expressions is a beautiful balance to Collected Stories where you can find a good read to bring to the beach with you as summer approaches...

You just might want to stop across the street at Walnut Beach Creamery and try the many flavors...you might just have a favorite. What you should do is get it in a cup and go next door to Taste & See confection shop and see if you can match it with a favorite cupcake...creating cupcake alla mode!  What a wonderful way to end the evening!

Come join us as the Earth moves under your feet, the Wind nudges you along, Fire burns passion in your heart for the Arts and Water quenches your thirst!  Let's celebrate together!

A Contemporary Modernist, Abstract Even Impressionistic

 "Life is an ever-expanding evolution that has twist and turns with some up and some downs. My artwork is a direct reflection of the life process that never stays the same and is always evolving into new styles, mediums, and techniques"

--Matt Roe

"Yang" - acrylics by Matt Roe

"Yin" - acrylics - by Matt Roe

There is one thing that no one truly knows about Matt and his work....they both go beyond life's process.  Yes, we believe life's process is filled with twists and turns and ups and downs but there are so many different philosophies that no one person can say that theirs is the correct one, because no matter how it is said..."go with the flow" "Footprints in the Sand" "It was meant to be" "Que Serra Serra (what will be will be)" "Don't go the way the crow flies, can you imagine how boring your life would be if you had" "Let it be" "Order comes out of chaos" (for sure there are more sayings)...when it comes down to it, the meanings are all the same.

"Mind's Eye" - by Matt Roe



But you see, Matt goes further, he goes beyond this process. It is as if he has an "All Seeing Eye" looking into our "Mind's Eye" to a surreal world, another plane if you will that no one else sees. He can perhaps be called a Contemporary Abstract Surreal Modernist that leans to Impressionism - quite unique wouldn't you say? Not everyone can blend so many different flavors of art to create such master pieces.   

"School of Fish"
acrylics
by Mat Roe

Some critics have stated he is like Jackson Pollack, but one very astute New York art critic caught the essence "behind the scenes" so to speak and saw the the subtle movement that added to his paint drizzles making them swirl around more, move in a rotating manner in one particular painting. The ever so gentle push can be seen, nudging the foreground subjects to begin a dance on the canvas or board or metal or whatever was the palate for the day.

Matt's Dr. Suess inspiration in many of his works exemplify his ability to make art look as if it's child's play, maybe that is why so many are attracted to viewing or buying his work...does he bring the inner child out of each of us?

Even so, the impressionism he exudes in other works brings you back to time when a French art critic with a tongue-in-cheek explanation mocking the new wave of painters and their works as Impressionist.  You see characteristics of Impressionist paintings include relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes; open composition; emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time); common, ordinary subject matter; the inclusion of "movement" as a crucial element of human perception and experience; and unusual visual angles. All of these things are harbored in Matt's works. Funny isn't that what the NY critic said about Matt's work "the movement in the backgournd"? This only lends us to his ability to cross all these styles to create surreal artwork that takes us a step beyond. Surreal, unlike Dali's work, but yet a bit serendipitous in a way since he doesn't even realize how he captured the style without even trying to connecting all five styles creating his own. Quite incredible one would say!

And in the end, in order for Matt to take us beyond life's process he, himself, must go with the flow to understand Footprints in the Sand, knowing it was meant to be, and will never fly as the crow flies nor will he take for granted what will be, will be (Que Serra Serra) because he will let it be so that we all can see order come out of chaos...

You have to see Matt's work.  His work will be on display from June 1st until June 30th...His opening reception is Thursday, June 21st from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm....tying in with June's Art Stroll that begins at 6:00 pm at Firehouse Gallery!!!

Sharon Poole, Botanical Illustrator, Brings May Flowers to SoBoBo..

"I have been in love with the botanical world since I was a young child. Laying sick in bed, I would watch my mother and sister weave dandelion and pansy stems through the window screen of my bedroom window. Looking out I would watch my grandfather lovingly tend his extensive rose gardens. Since then, wherever I lived I have created gardens filled with flowers and herbs, containers and ponds, but also welcomed creatures; winged, footed, and gilled to enjoy what I do. It didn't matter where, from squeezing them onto north facing windows in Greenwich Village, to more spacious gardens at homes in Fairfield, Greenwich and Milford.

"Harbinger of Spring"

color pencil

by Sharon Poole

After I retired as a Greenwich middle school teacher, I realized I would not be traveling as I had done in my younger years, so I decided to travel to the complex and beautiful world of the garden. I began my studies of botanical illustration at the New York Botanical Gardens under the tutelage of Lauretta Jones and Kathie Miranda. They guided and encouraged me and I began to realize that my love of gardening would be joined by a new love; that of botanical illustration. The intensity of the drawing experience and love of detail completely posses me. I am, perhaps, less enthralled with the "race against death" which is the botanical artist's challenge, especially when working with live flowers. The more I work and learn, the more I am aware that a new passion had been born to join a long standing one."

--Sharon Poole

We all are not blessed with the green thumb. "Green Thumb" is a description that is used for gardeners and horitculturists because of their ability to nurture, care and create a beautiful palette of natures paints. Each flower having its own color from the color spectrum. Sharon is one who's green thumb has created masterpieces using nature's beauty whether it is the garden at the corner park where she lives, her own back yard, or her drawing pad.  She takes ever so delicate care of the earth where her "children" live. Making sure the soil is healthy with the nutrients it needs, saving it from the salt of the sound after flooding.  It seems so effortless for her as she carefully places the seed and bulbs for each new bloom to take root in Earth. Watering, feeding, weeding, watching - checking to make sure that each seed, each bulb begins to grow. A sprout appears one day, and before two days time, a blossom appears! The reward for being thoughtful and caring to bring life back into the earth is seeing their gracious beauty and breathing in the scents each flower joyously emits, thanking her for tending to them - creating a new life!

"Botanicals and Butterflies"

color pencil 

by Sharon Poole 

Sharon's green thumb has been fused into each color pencil she holds as she draws with meticulous care the delicate petals of each blossom bringing it life. As the flowers, botancials grow, Sharon captures their growth spurts with each stroke of the pencil bringing to life on paper what we admire as we visit the gardens. The pencils blending, merging, creating, replicating nature's paints of each specimen giving to us Earth's masterpieces. Just so we may forever have them holding onto to the moment when "we stopped to smell the flowers."

You can smell the scent of each, you can feel the rigidness in each pumpkin stem,

"Pumpkin Stems - I"

color pencil

by Sharon Poole

you can feel the skin of the pumpkin squash, the prick of the holly leaf; don't touch! You might bruise the petals, turning them brown!

"Pumpkin" - color pencil - by Sharon Poole

You can visit Sharon's Garden at SoBoBo during the month of May. Her botancials will be on display from May 1st to May 31st. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, May 17th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Please join us in the Garden at SoBoBo, 42 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT.  Gallery hours are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6:00 pm.

SMASHING WORLDS HITS SOBOBO!

Tonight is the night! Visit SoBoBo and meet the creators behind Smashing Worlds! Their reception begins at 7:00 pm! See then!!!!

"Smashing Worlds believes that everyone has the capability of a great artist. Art is a stimulation, a visual and emotional mental game, with many feelings and influences. What one sees as finished, practice, or not even art at all, another ...sees an opening for creation. By drawing, sketching, writing, taping, pasting and painting, and then trading those artistic statements to other group members, Smashing Worlds creates a beautiful organized noise.

The members of Smashing Worlds have been creating colorful, eclectic mixed media art pieces for over a year. However, each member had a variety of artistic experiences before they came together. From formal art training and long hours sketching, painting, and sculpting, to simply filling in coloring books and creating murals on windows and walls. Five individual experiences, styles, and personalities came together to form the organized chaos of Smashing Worlds.

The group is currently working on sharing their collaborative art and music with the community and encouraging others to embrace their own artistic side. With many open collaborative projects and works in the making, Smashing Worlds continues to create art for all eyes and ears of all ages to enjoy.

There are no ideas left unthought-of, no technique unused, and no sound beat left unrecorded. Smashing Worlds will continue to arouse the visual and emotional mentality of all who come in contact. We also hope to continue to collaborate with artists of all natures."

--Smashing Worlds

Come On A Walk To Remember...

Put on your WINGS, your WHEELS or hang on to the RUDDERS of your boats or planes and join in the Walnut Beach Art Stroll!

Firehouse Gallery's opening reception for the new exhibit "Wings, Wheels and Rudders" will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 12th. See the amazing modes of travel! Choose one and travel down the Avenue and enjoy pizza at Alfa's Pizza, or a snack and drink from The New Town Deli.

Make a STOP at SoBoBo Gallery where you will go on an amazing walk through Milford, Providence, Nova Scotia, The Valley, Paris, Madrid, and New York.

Richard Stephen, John Iorio, Arlene Capozzi will take you through Milford; Patricia Brundage will take you on a misty trip to Nova Scotia; Michael Voytek will bring you to Providence; Beth Pite will take you to Paris, Madrid and New York! Rosemary McClain will take you to Ohio, and The Valley. Karen Macker brings you on an excursion through the woods. Charles Bell brings you through a lens of a cardboard camera and pinhole photography.

Marshall Cetlin will bring you from shores to the heavens as does D'Antonia. William Ahern takes you on a modern contempory trip as does Joan Shapiro and Matt Roe.

Smashing Worlds takes us on a different ride...it can be through the city or even a small town....you decide where you are as you view their art on brick walls!

Elizabeth Wright brings you to Block Island and a space to sit back and enjoy the fruits of the vine. Lakshmi brings hot coffee. Paul St. Onge brings peaches picked fresh from the tree. Andrea Roth-Moore brings watermelon and wine. Karen Macker brings pears. Hedi Minow-Pike and Betty Geller bring kiwi and raspberries....all delightfully teasing your palette! Rick Senft and Richard Stephen bring you to the table to rest.



After resting at the table enjoying food and drink head down to Alfa's Jolly Jug to pick-up the drink you desire. Continue down to Broadway and turn right to Wild Expressions and Collected Stories. Pick up one of Tyyne's beautiful designs to dress your table! Pick up a book to read. When you are done visiting head across the street to Taste & See what will satisfy your cravings!


It truly is a walk to remember!

The Walk To Remember...Walnut Beach Art Stroll - Thursday, April 12th

Firehouse Gallery's new exhibit "Wings, Wheels and Rudders" is an outstanding display of an array of modes of travel. Starts at 6:00 pm....Enjoy as each piece takes you on a ride to the next! Enjoy the time with the artists who created these works! Awards given! and don't forget to choose you favorite of the evening!

What would you like to travel on? Put your wings on? Attach wheels to your feet? or If you prefer boating attach to the sails, hang on to the rudder, or do all the work and bring your oars! Enjoy the evening as you fly, roll, or float down the Avenue, Naugatuck Avenue.

Get pizza a Alfa's Restaurant, get a snack at The New Town Deli....

"My Koso" - pastel painting - by Beth Pite

STOP at SoBoBo, 42 Naugatuck Avenue, meet April's Artist, Beth Pite....a pastel artist she will bring to you the vibrant energy of many places she has been, wrapping around you the beauty of each spot along the way! You will meet others as well...new artists Joan Shapiro, Paul St. Onge, Barbara Wilson, and jeweler Spencer Gordon; not to mention some of our own, Rick Senft, Arlene Capozzi, William Ahern, Patricia Brundage, Rosemary McClain, Sheila Pite, Jan McLean and more....

This month you will see first time art by the members of the Milford Senior Citizen Center. Enjoy speaking with them as they tell you their experience and how they are now loving every minute of creating! They were taught by Michael Voytek - you will even see his work too.

To truly make the evening pop, we have a group of young artists known as SMASHING WORLDS - five young artists with different art backgrounds - Megan Pisco, Chris Dumas, Jeff Slobodien, Amanda Erardy, and Tim Zercie - collaborating, creating awesome art!

"Please Believe" - by Smashing Worlds

While at SoBoBo make sure to stop by and see Laurie from Jolly Jug as she will be on hand offering a taste of different wines....try one and see if it will satisfy your palette... As you stroll down around the corner STOP at Jolly Jug proper to pick up the one you like!

Alfa's Jolly Jug - 38 Naugatuck Avenue


Wild Expressions - 16 Broadway

When you make it around the corner, STOP and smell the flowers at 16 Broadway, WILD EXPRESSIONS and see what Tyyne has designed for the upcoming special days we all celebrate, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Birthdays. Have a special event and you want Tyyne's designs to grace your space? While you are there you might talk and find out more!...Her floral artistry is GORGEOUS and the scents will make your senses alive! You might even hear Tim Payson play his melodious tunes!

COLLECTED STORIES just might have that book you couldn't find in print anymore...since everything seems to have gone so electronic on us these days!

Taste & See - 17 Broadway

Be sure to STOP across the street at 17 Broadway to TASTE & SEE how the gourmet cupcakes and confections will satisfy your cravings!

For this evening will truly be a walk to remember!