Art by Peter Reis

In the time I’ve lived in Gloucester, I’ve been walking around and exploring the local stores, galleries, etc. little by little.  For some reason, I have neglected the eastern part of Main Street; I always end up walk west, on the strip from around Alchemy to the Annie. So the other day, I decided to head in the opposite direction.

One of the treasures I found is Peter Reis art space at 222 Main Street. He was about to close up, but he saw me looking in the window and invited me in.

Besides being a very friendly and welcoming person, creates beautiful works of art, ranging from paintings on canvas for hanging on the wall….

to painted wooden toy chests…

and even a beautiful bronze crucifix!

His work on display incorporates saturated colors and strong geometry, which makes it very striking (and to my taste). Although some of the paintings are straightforwardly representational, most are somewhere along the spectrum of surrealism or self-reference: paintings of fantasy space-scapes, paintings of paintings that merge into the scene, paintings that are paintings of themselves, a pool table with fruit instead of pool balls… It’s really fun to look at!

So, stop by the gallery if you have a chance. It’s well worth it.  He also has a good website: http://artbypeterreis.com/artwork/

New Jason Burroughs fishing boat painting

Now up at Pleasant Street Tea Co – Click on the pic to see more of Jason’s work. He’s been cranking it out lately, making some awesome maritime stuff –

This one’s already been sold to a friend, but gives a better idea of the newest style he’s been working in –

Nothing Aja could have done about it…

Aja’s face in the background: “Don’t ask me how they’re hands got like that… Sometimes it just has to be done.”

Artists after hours tonight at the Community Cinema

Artists After Hours 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Artist of the week!

Caroline and her book

This week’s young artist is Caroline, shown above with her book from Art Haven’s bookmaking workshop this week. Caroline has taken all kinds of art classes in everything from fractal art to summer playcamp, and she can’t wait to be a part of the Teen Artist Guild when she gets a little older. She told me she really likes to take things from around her house and make them beautiful by repainting and redesigning them!

Also, she made one of the prettiest shields on Lord of the Rings Day (not sure if that’s what you should be looking for in a shield, but I think it’s pretty great…)

Caroline and her shield

If you know of a young artist that should be featured here, email dawn.gadow@gmail.com  with a short description and a photo of some of their work!

Photoshop workshop!

There’s a Photoshop Workshop happening at Art Haven on Friday afternoon for only $20! Students in grades 7-12 can come to learn the basics or get some help with something they’ve been struggling with. Call (978) 283-3888 to sign up now.

Photoshop Workshop

Young Artist of the week!

Jason and his toolbox

This young artist of the week is a very talented boy named Jason who painted this interpretation of Winslow Homer’s Two Men in a Canoe on a toolbox that he built himself. Jason picked out this painting himself and, I think, did a beautiful job of making it his own. What a cool piece of artwork for him to have and use for a long time!

If you know of a young artist that should be featured here, email dawn.gadow@gmail.com  with a short description and a photo of some of their work!

Interview with the artist: new mural in Eco Boutique space on Main Street

As you hopefully saw last week, Cole Herbst is doing a beautiful new mural in the Main Street space that the Eco Boutique is moving into. Below is an interview with the artist (interviewed by Jason Burroughs) – the store is stocked now, so go in and check it out in the Brown’s Mall building!

Also, check out the unveiling of his other mural about a year ago:

Julia Garrison Carrying On At The Sarah Elizabeth Shop

JuliaSarahElizabeth

Dear Joey,
I love what you do. I’m writing you because you seem to be a more important source of news in Gloucester than any other blog or publication around. Many people have come in to the shop since Kathy posted Isabel Natti’s Sailor’s Valentine telling me that they came because they saw the shop mentioned on "Good Morning Gloucester". There are a lot of people who are inspired by what you do and by your enthusiasm and I want to thank you for sharing it online.
I wanted to let you know that Isabel’s son and her partner Italo asked me to carry on printing her work and my own on the Acorn Press at 5 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport. I am a decorative painter, printmaker and fabric designer and have been using her press to do my work off and on for 12 years. I grew up with her nephew Matt Natti in Lanesville and had been a friend of hers since about 2000. Right now, I’m working on restructuring the business in a way that honors the traditions of her work but also brings it to a contemporary audience. Because I have another career as a set painter for film and television, this is something I do when I’m not busy working. I plan on keeping weekend hours but directing the majority of the business to the web. Her cards and other work are being carried by The Cape Ann Historical Museum Gift Shop, Alexandra’s Bread, Toad Hall Books and Turtle Alley in addition to the Sarah Elizabeth Shop in Rockport and the website http://sarah-elizabeth-shop.com
Isabel’s work continues to be made and block printing in this area has not died with her. The press and shop are an important mainstay of the area that I am determined to keep open one way or another. So please visit the shop again and see what I am trying to do there. I’d appreciate it if people knew the continuation of her story and continued to support this very special, native craft.
This is a photo of me taken by Kathy Chapman 3 weeks ago, about a week after the family gave me the keys. I’m very happy and honored to be given the opportunity to print a very talented woman’s art as well as my own. Thank you to the Natti family for their dedication to the art and to her.
Thanks for all your good work for the community.
Regards,
Julia Garrison

School vacation is next week… are you ready?

Cool stuff going on during February Vacation at Art Haven and Pathways for Children!

Tie-DyeELEMENTARY PROGRAMS
Paint Big: Monday, Feb 20 | 9 – 11:30am
Tie Dye a T-shirt: Tues, Feb 21 | 9 – 11:30am
Lord of the Rings Day: Wed, Feb 22 | 9 – 3:30p [Check out the video below for more info]
Book Making: Thurs, Feb 23 | 9 – 11:30pm
Jewelry Making: Friday, Feb 24 | 9 – 11:30pm

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Paint Big: Monday, Feb 20 | 12:30 – 3pm
Tie Dye a T-shirt: Tues, Feb 21 | 12:30 – 3pm
Lord of the Rings Day: Wed, Feb 22 | 9 – 3:30p
Book Making: Thurs, Feb 23 | 12:30 – 3:00pm
Photoshop 101: Friday, Feb 24 | 12:30 – 3:00pm

There is a small class fee for each program, but financial assistance is available if needed. Fill out and return the registration form for more information.

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Young Artist of the week!

Ivan and his monster

This young artist of the week is a very multi-talented boy named Ivan who made this incredible embossed monster in this week’s Metal Tooling class at Art Haven! Ivan has already taken art classes in a variety of mediums, and it’s always exciting to see what ideas and creatures come out of his creative mind next…

If you know of a young artist that should be featured here, email dawn.gadow@gmail.com  with a short description and a photo of some of their work!

Have you seen? New mural going up on Main Street…

Eco Boutique mural

Word on the street is that this new Cole Herbst mural is going to be the backdrop of the Eco Boutique when it moves up to 186 Main Street! More info and an interview with the artist coming soon…

Working on Eco Boutique mural

It’s a big, big world with Martine Bamford!

New workshops running at Art Haven for little ones to learn about other cultures, languages and art all at the same time, starting with France this session on Wednesdays! Click on the picture to check out her web site and get more info.

It's a Big, Big World web site

New Art Haven classes start this week!

New classes starting at Art HavenNew classes start tomorrow at Art Haven, including a preschool class (learning French and art) and Metal Tooling. February Vacation schedule is also up on the web site – those classes fill up quickly, so sign up now!