Newsman
06-12-2006, 01:00 PM
"Wet Paint!" - Hot Auction in Oxford
The “En Plein Air” Was Cold,
But Artists Made a Hot Auction in Oxford
OXFORD – Unseasonable weather didn’t spoil the return of “Wet Paint!”, held in the Village on Saturday, June 10th. The “en plein air” event was a fund raiser for the Colorscape Chenango Art Festival. “En plein air”, the Frenchexpression for painting outdoors in natural light, began 150 years ago, made famous by artists like Renoir and Monet. Similarly, Colorscape artists were invited to sketch or paint scenes outdoors around Oxford and donate work to be auctioned. It was a great day of fun, education, music, art, and food; and Oxford helped support the arts at Colorscape!
Like being “dressed to impress”, the LaFayette and Washington Parks were trimmed and spruced. Colorful flowers, recently planted by the Oxford Garden Club, and hanging baskets, hung by Promote Oxford Now (PON), flourished from the recent rain. Mayor Stark made sure that everything was neatly in place when nearly a dozen talented artists carried in their easels and supplies to create works of art inspired by the beautiful landscapes. Wet Paint organizer, Lisa Iannello and Colorscape director, Peggy Finnegan were on hand making sure all went professionally and smoothly. John Knapp, wood craftsman from Oxford and Colorscape exhibitor, was one of the volunteers who helped. The artists were pretty productive, despite their freezing cold hands. Whatever they were able to finish, and even one unfinished painting, was donated for the art auction.
There were two specially featured, invited artists: Walter Gurbo and David Hayles. Nationally known painter, sculptor and illustrator from Gilbertsville, Walter Gurbo displayed his portfolio; his soon-to-be-published book of witty Village Voice illustrations; and some of his original paintings. He shared insights behind his popular, “We, God’s Clowns” theme and some creative techniques. Featured artist, David Hayles lives in Oxford, but is originally from England, and has traveled the world doing his plaster restoration work. Assisted by his wife and partner, Angelique Bakalyar, the two worked throughout the day, making and demonstrating their “plaster marble” or scagliola (pronounced with a silent “g”--scay lee oh lah) castings. Scagliola, which David has been perfecting for 20 years, is a material made from plaster, pigments and glue, burnished up to a brilliant shine. They donated these architectural casts which were auctioned off with the paintings.
The live auction of the artwork was held at 3 PM, with Russ Conover, an auctioneer from Afton. (He came out of retirement for this special event.) These one-of-a-kind works of art generated much attention and excitement from both the participating artists as well as local and visiting public. One interesting bidder attracted to the auction was Elizabeth Garry, New Berlin Town Justice, running for NYS Supreme Court Justice.
Among the many artists was Jennissa Hart (Syracuse), who was working on the biggest painting (which got picked up by the wind like a sail, more than once). Needing more time, Jennissa’s painting was auctioned, unfinished, and it went for $475. She just kept on painting to finish it for the buyer. Laurie Brooks (New Berlin), had several beautifully rendered pencil drawings. One drawing of the old D.L. & W railroad depot, drew bids that went up to $100. David C. Baxter (Castle Creek), also created a stunning pastel picture of the railroad depot that sold for $65. Maryann Stow (of Oneonta), the award winning watercolorist, made some beautiful small paintings of the Creative Stamping building, the Bank building (on ‘Claybord’), and the Main Street bridge. There were a few other artists, like Ed Hettig (New Berlin) and Storm Hammond who worked in oil, the traditional medium for en plein air. Proceeds from the auction were split between the artists and Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival.
In addition to the many artists, there was a kid’s art table where a few children got creative making their own paintings. The Oxford Rotary sold BBQ chicken and displayed items for their evening auction at 4 Canal Street (-the former Whistling Swan). The Oxford Garden Club sold beautiful flowering plants in front of Bartle’s pharmacy. Ken Millett, proprietor of the Night Eagle Café, tended grill in the park, making delicious sausage & peppers, while providing the live musical entertainment from the LaFayette bandstand. Jess Prewitt, Oxford alumni, and his band were one of the performing groups whose music added great artistic atmosphere. The event was very successful.
Anyone who missed this can always see some of these artists again and many others at Colorscape in downtown Norwich, September 9th & 10th.
(Click on thumbnail photos to enlarge.)
Caption 1: Jennissa Hart captured the look of the LaFayette buildings working on a large canvas.
Caption 2: Working in pastels, David C. Baxter’s eye followed the tracks to the old D.L.& W. train depot, creating a soft image of the foliage.
Caption 3: John Knapp exhibited Laurie Brooks’ detailed colored pencil drawing of the old D.L. & W. train depot during the auction.
Caption 4: Colorscape’s director, Peggy Finnegan, personally exhibited David Hayles’ scagliola face up for bid during the auction.
The “En Plein Air” Was Cold,
But Artists Made a Hot Auction in Oxford
OXFORD – Unseasonable weather didn’t spoil the return of “Wet Paint!”, held in the Village on Saturday, June 10th. The “en plein air” event was a fund raiser for the Colorscape Chenango Art Festival. “En plein air”, the Frenchexpression for painting outdoors in natural light, began 150 years ago, made famous by artists like Renoir and Monet. Similarly, Colorscape artists were invited to sketch or paint scenes outdoors around Oxford and donate work to be auctioned. It was a great day of fun, education, music, art, and food; and Oxford helped support the arts at Colorscape!
Like being “dressed to impress”, the LaFayette and Washington Parks were trimmed and spruced. Colorful flowers, recently planted by the Oxford Garden Club, and hanging baskets, hung by Promote Oxford Now (PON), flourished from the recent rain. Mayor Stark made sure that everything was neatly in place when nearly a dozen talented artists carried in their easels and supplies to create works of art inspired by the beautiful landscapes. Wet Paint organizer, Lisa Iannello and Colorscape director, Peggy Finnegan were on hand making sure all went professionally and smoothly. John Knapp, wood craftsman from Oxford and Colorscape exhibitor, was one of the volunteers who helped. The artists were pretty productive, despite their freezing cold hands. Whatever they were able to finish, and even one unfinished painting, was donated for the art auction.
There were two specially featured, invited artists: Walter Gurbo and David Hayles. Nationally known painter, sculptor and illustrator from Gilbertsville, Walter Gurbo displayed his portfolio; his soon-to-be-published book of witty Village Voice illustrations; and some of his original paintings. He shared insights behind his popular, “We, God’s Clowns” theme and some creative techniques. Featured artist, David Hayles lives in Oxford, but is originally from England, and has traveled the world doing his plaster restoration work. Assisted by his wife and partner, Angelique Bakalyar, the two worked throughout the day, making and demonstrating their “plaster marble” or scagliola (pronounced with a silent “g”--scay lee oh lah) castings. Scagliola, which David has been perfecting for 20 years, is a material made from plaster, pigments and glue, burnished up to a brilliant shine. They donated these architectural casts which were auctioned off with the paintings.
The live auction of the artwork was held at 3 PM, with Russ Conover, an auctioneer from Afton. (He came out of retirement for this special event.) These one-of-a-kind works of art generated much attention and excitement from both the participating artists as well as local and visiting public. One interesting bidder attracted to the auction was Elizabeth Garry, New Berlin Town Justice, running for NYS Supreme Court Justice.
Among the many artists was Jennissa Hart (Syracuse), who was working on the biggest painting (which got picked up by the wind like a sail, more than once). Needing more time, Jennissa’s painting was auctioned, unfinished, and it went for $475. She just kept on painting to finish it for the buyer. Laurie Brooks (New Berlin), had several beautifully rendered pencil drawings. One drawing of the old D.L. & W railroad depot, drew bids that went up to $100. David C. Baxter (Castle Creek), also created a stunning pastel picture of the railroad depot that sold for $65. Maryann Stow (of Oneonta), the award winning watercolorist, made some beautiful small paintings of the Creative Stamping building, the Bank building (on ‘Claybord’), and the Main Street bridge. There were a few other artists, like Ed Hettig (New Berlin) and Storm Hammond who worked in oil, the traditional medium for en plein air. Proceeds from the auction were split between the artists and Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival.
In addition to the many artists, there was a kid’s art table where a few children got creative making their own paintings. The Oxford Rotary sold BBQ chicken and displayed items for their evening auction at 4 Canal Street (-the former Whistling Swan). The Oxford Garden Club sold beautiful flowering plants in front of Bartle’s pharmacy. Ken Millett, proprietor of the Night Eagle Café, tended grill in the park, making delicious sausage & peppers, while providing the live musical entertainment from the LaFayette bandstand. Jess Prewitt, Oxford alumni, and his band were one of the performing groups whose music added great artistic atmosphere. The event was very successful.
Anyone who missed this can always see some of these artists again and many others at Colorscape in downtown Norwich, September 9th & 10th.
(Click on thumbnail photos to enlarge.)
Caption 1: Jennissa Hart captured the look of the LaFayette buildings working on a large canvas.
Caption 2: Working in pastels, David C. Baxter’s eye followed the tracks to the old D.L.& W. train depot, creating a soft image of the foliage.
Caption 3: John Knapp exhibited Laurie Brooks’ detailed colored pencil drawing of the old D.L. & W. train depot during the auction.
Caption 4: Colorscape’s director, Peggy Finnegan, personally exhibited David Hayles’ scagliola face up for bid during the auction.