Staff Pick: Sculpture by Rebecca Rich

By Jacki Coleman

Ceramic Set, 2014

Rebecca Bella Rich does it again with this beautiful eye catching sculpture set.  This piece of art embodies Rich’s lively and empathetic spirit. The tactile quality of pottery allows Rebecca to capture tranquility through the methodical process and display freedom through her expressive construction. 

The craftsmanship is distinctive and her evident use of pressure builds abstractions of the deconstructed human form.  The largest sculptural form is reminiscent of  a woman’s silhouette, exaggerated extremities mimic dancing arms swinging freely in the air; freedom and independence are themes often visited in Rich’s work. The two additional figurines are not equal in size, but when placed in close proximity with the main sculpture provide balance and pathways for the viewer’s eyes to travel over the three pieces together. 

Rebecca’s choice of muted tones makes these pieces visually stunning while the relationship of the hues creates a tranquil sense. The yellow demands attention on specific planes while the blue and purple create a sense of a soft form.  I purchased this piece after instantly falling in love with its both dreamy and energetic composition.

Surprisingly dark, imaginative, and autonomous themes can be seen throughout all of Rich’s work. This set of sculptures is a well executed sample of Rich’s ability to juxtapose the softer, more compassionate side of life to the often harsh reality she faces.  Rich’s work gives her the outlet to express herself freely and without prejudice.

Gateway Artist Fran Brown Participates in Panel Discussion at Cotting School!

By Jenine Shereos

Earlier this month, Gateway Artist Fran Brown had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at her Alma Mater, Cotting School in Lexington Massachusetts.

The “Visions of the Future” panel was held on Wednesday, April 2^nd in the Cotting School auditorium. The visiting panel of alumni and other adults with disabilities shared with current students their experiences with the transition process, independent living and working, post-secondary education, transportation and recreation and other aspects of life after high school.

Fran gave a wonderful power point presentation with many photos about her life after graduating from Cotting in 2005.  The presentation included her many hobbies, adventures with family and friends, expreiences living in a group home, her life-long love of art, and her current employment and success as an exhibiting artist at Gateway Arts! 

Barn, colored pencil on rag paper 2013

The Northern Lights, watercolor on rag paper, 2013

After giving her presentation, Fran did a great job answering questions from current Cotting School students in the audience. Way to go Franny, we are so proud of you!

Artist of the Month: Matthew Treggiari

By River Cortes

Matthew working in the Up the Ladder Studio, December 2013.

Hybrid characters, careful detail, and many, many cats can be found in the increasingly popular work of Matthew Treggiari. The subject matter he devises may find its way onto pillows, sculptures, bowls, stretched canvases, clothing and printed fabric, but drawing is his most natural medium.

Untitled, hand-stitched felt and cotton puppet, 2012

A native of Salem, Massachusetts, Matthew is a born artist. He began attending Gateway in 2005 but has been drawing for much longer. Matthew is captivated by a rotating array of subjects, often derived from movies, television and video games. He alters these subjects according to his whims. . . which often means that he combines them with cats. Despite the mischievous humor found in his themes, Matthew takes his work very seriously.

This duality is reflected in his personality. A deceptively quiet young man, Matthew experiences emotions intensely. Whatever his feelings, they rarely interfere with his need to create.

Emperor Krill, acrylic and paint marker on canvas, 2013

Catman, acrylic and paint marker on canvas board, 2014

Matthew's work has been shown at the Gateway Gallery in Brookline, MA, Drive-By Projects in Waltham, MA, the New Art Center in Newton, and at the Mall at Chestnut Hill in Chestnut Hill, MA.  See more of Matthew's work here. 

Staff Pick: Painting by Molly Piper

By Courtney McKenna

Molly Piper is a self educated woman who stays abreast of current events and political agendas. "Molly goes to heaven, the building blows up, and Timothy McVeigh goes to hell" is the telling title of a painting completed in 2002. The reactive statement immediately addresses Piper's unique understanding of the events that took place in Oklahoma City.

The full, yet deliberate composition allows the viewer to observe the events as understood by the artist. Piper's frankly, playful, line use is informative.  She illustrates a mass of people seemingly floating in air, surrounded by shapes reminiscent of pieces of the building or bodies.  Piper creates a sense of depth by varying the sizes of the bodies, some with smiles, some with no faces at all.  Her select use of color, applied in forceful marks, provides insight to her emotions tied to the events.  

Acrylic paint marker on canvas, 32 x 20 inches, 2002. 

For Piper, understanding the specifics of the event is difficult.  She gives these bodies anonymity and smiles; who these people are is a mystery to her.   The setting is hinted at in the title, and there is one rectangle, perhaps the top of a building, on the right hand side. The lighthearted execution of the painting presents the event in a honest, unfamiliar way.

Over the last nineteen years, Piper has developed a strong artistic voice that addresses social and political events with a touch of humor and an obvious desire to understand.  Learn more about Molly Piper and her art work at her artist page!

Farewell, Elaine!

By River Cortes

Elaine whoops it up at her retirement party. 

Elaine Abboud, one of Gateway Arts’ longest-standing artists, has retired after thirty-seven years of wonderful artwork and unflagging enthusiasm.

Elaine has explored nearly all that Gateway has to offer since she first came in 1976. She worked in ceramics, made countless drawings and paintings (often featuring her distinctive, elflike figures), developed her impressive knowledge of embroidery, and wove many unique scarves. Elaine also participated in the drama group and performed in numerous plays, and she impressively bolstered her reading and writing skills in the Adult Education group. She exhibited her artwork in many venues.

On February 20, Gateway celebrated Elaine’s career. Gateway artists, staff, Elaine’s good friend and fellow Gateway artist Nancy Cunningham, and Nancy’s brother Jack and his wife Judy attended the festivities. Elaine was sent off with love, gifts, and songs. We will miss Elaine’s beautiful artwork, her enthusiasm, her joyful and resilient spirit.

Elaine with her quilt, which took several years to complete. 

One of Elaine's whimsical drawings.

Emmanuel Preston croons at Elaine's send-off party, with Peter on guitar. 

Elaine with her dear friend, Gateway artist Nancy Cunningham.

Thanks for your dedication, Elaine! We will miss you. 

Staff Pick: Card by Susan Shepp

By Stephanie Schmidt

Susan Shepp created this beautiful 5”x 7” drawing of a special animal in my life- my cat Scottie. I commissioned Shepp to make the card, giving her a photograph I had taken of Scottie when he was just a kitten, relaxing in his circle bed. After a few weeks, Shepp presented me with this expertly rendered drawing. She managed to capture his unique characteristics: white fluffy collar, stripe pattern, stretchy back leg, and relaxed overall look.

I'm very pleased with this card, and I have enjoyed looking at it as a special work of original art. Shepp first drew the image with a pencil to map it out; then, she filled in the outlines with black Sharpie, and finally used colored pencil to give the black pen more depth. Notice the pink shadow underneath his body, which delineates the soft pillow receding below his fur. The toothy paper adds texture to the fur and fluff. Her final gesture on the page is her signature, a trademark of all her drawings.

Shepp was one of the first artists to attend Gateway’s studio “58 A”, now called Studio A, where she expresses her artistic voice through drawing. Shepp draws all types of animals, usually working from a photograph for reference; she is inspired by her own pets, those of her neighbors, and wild animals she observes while on vacation.

Shepp also finds inspiration in popular culture, and stays updated on the trendy fashions of famous mainstream women. She loves to design stylish outfits. Shepp is an accomplished photographer; she has combined her photography and drawings to produce unique environments, which have been made into distinctive calendars. Work by Susan Shepp, including a 2014 calendar, is currently for sale in the Gateway Crafts Store and Gallery.

Staff Pick: Sculpture by Ken Reynolds

By Peter Laughlin, Folk Art Studio Supervisor

Photographs by Melanie Bernier

Ken Reynolds has produced lots of amazing artwork over the years, but recently, his sculpture career has taken a meteoric rise due to an exciting new series. For this body of work, which he simply refers to as “Sculpture,” Reynolds engulfs found objects with thousands of colorful glass beads strung on thin wire.

Part of what makes these works so amazing is the sheer volume of beads contrasted with their miniscule size. At 20 beads per inch of wire, this sculpture has more than 50,000 seed beads affixed to a repurposed armature. Laid end to end, the beaded wire would span the seventy yard line from one end-zone of a football field. This piece summons powerful insights on time and space as each bead, just a seed of a moment, is repeated in cycles at subtly varying scales.

It must be mentioned that Reynolds performs this intricate work persistently, but without ever seeing it.  He creates his sculptures entirely through the “sight” of his two sensitive hands.  The process is unimpeded and swift; Reynolds can produce about two meters of beaded string in a 60- minute sitting.  When he decides to create a new sculpture, Reynolds naturally selects looping objects, such as a primitive harp and scraps of a chair. 

A fascinating man in so many ways, Reynolds has acute attention to calendar time, even possessing the rare ability to forecast numbered dates with their corresponding weekday. Through his quiet persistence, he offers us work that can be enjoyed in hand and on display. The first work in this series was sold in Gateway Gallery’s winter show, 100 and Under, while another will be included in a spring exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum, titled Shine a Light.