Whimsical Windows - E Street Gallery

As a member of the local small Valley Arts Council, I like being part of this artist's group - not an artist (actually the organization's Treasurer), but an admirer of art. The gallery just moved one storefront to the left, so for the weekly meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I thought that the unpretentious portals and panes were a perfect subject this week. The new sign shows the name change to E Street, and should you be in the neighborhood of 35 Elizabeth Street in Derby CT, stop in an see the little arts council that holds its own with the fine work of local artisans...

Ruby Tuesday Too - Watercolor Class

It has been awhile, but I am happy to be back at Ruby Tuesday Too again. This week we showcase the always lovely Patti at a watercolor class taught by our wonderful artist Friend, Rich DiCarlo of the Valley Arts Council based in nearby Derby (CT). At the Derby Public Library, DiCarlo, these art classes are offered them free to young adult patrons. Patti is learning and enjoying the finer points of watercolor artistry...

WW - Students and Teacher

Our artist friend Rich DiCarlo of Derby CT is also an art teacher, holding a watercolor class recently where the students are creating their artistry... see WW and WW

Shadow Shot Sunday - Touched up

Concentric Sun and Shadow from 1936

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 returns us to this oft posted view from wheelchair height of classic almost art-deco 1936 Dodge. However, our artist friend in Derby, Rich DiCarlo, continuously requested to add some flair to this view in order to display it at our favorite Gallery@37 in Derby. So this pic was transported via flash drive to his care...and a cool rework of the original. Now minus the reflected photographer, the shadowy arcs highlight the crescent shaped light beam that travels around the whitewall tire. I like the changes he wrought...it remains unsold, yet the non-artist in me is happy that this wheelchair view may yet have commercial possibilities :)

Whimsical Windows - Arts Center

Toby hosts the always fun architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors where interesting items are noted. This recent view was taken in front of the Valley Center for the Arts in the small (13,000) city of Derby. This opened in 1924 as the Hotchkiss Hose firehouse - of course, as firetrucks grew in size and the population increased, a more modern building was needed.

Instead of letting a building sit idle, the municipality ultimately deeded it to the non-profit Valley Arts Council in 2008 for its endeavors and hosts art classesclasses with offices are leased to a variety local artists. Patti captured herself and the building with the fire company engraved above the once doors. A solid old building thus has been re-purposed for an excellent organization...

Whimsical Windows - Our favorite little art gallery

Entrance of Gallery@37, Elizabeth Street, Derby, Connecticut

Toby hosts the fun Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, where we look for portals of seriousness or mirth. My post today includes pictures from yesterday's small town (13,000) Derby Day street festival. The subject is the lower Naugatuck River valley Gallery@37, the showplace for the Valley Arts Council. I'd say that an @ symbol makes the door a bit delirious - and elicits a smile :)

We are also members, and this unpretentious gallery makes it a fun group. Patti in fact has started a blog to showcase the artists and personalities that sometimes inhabit the space. Art is not just available in the toniest districts, but also in our midst!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Bikes and more

Steve and Rich early on

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back - and we have been on the look for shadowy art, and most of the time we need not look to hard on our hunt.

The tools of the painters

Last Sunday Patti and I attended the Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes in downtown Ansonia, in its second year.

Besides vendors along the Main Street, there were bicyclists riding up steep hills from New Haven who arrived with a police escort to the finish line - see Patti's blog post with video. A fun time for riders and spectator alike. 

Joel and Rich continue

Valley Arts Council members were painting a mural prior to the arrival of the bikes. In the second, colors were mediums were mixed in a variety of shades. I think outdoor wood stains were mixed with outdoor paint for durability.

Lallement was a Frenchman who lived in Ansonia for a time where he received a patent for the pedal bicycle in 1865. He did not get rich for his discovery, a fate that often befalls the inventor whose invention would be very common after their lifetimes.

Although there are no natural shadows in this view (but check the mural), the picture was taken 2 hours later as the artists continued. The weather was brilliant until the rain that appeared later in the afternoon and the mural taken down, with work to continue. A great day full of action, art and shadow!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Opening

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back, the theme is simply shadows and we happily comply! 

Last Saturday was an opening of Steampunk (Victorian era futuristic fantasy art) at our favorite venue, Gallery@37 in Derby. For a small gallery, it was packed with visitors - happily the unpretentious gallery was full. Patti even had two photo entries on the wall :)

The outdoor sign for the venue over the tent placed there for the overflow of patrons - nighttime shadows are cool as I don't always associate night and shadows. The view inside was taken during a lull, and shadows are inside too.

An unpretentious gallery, art for the masses...see shadowy art from all about at the fun shadowy SSS2! 

Shadow Shot Sunday - Old vs Modern

Old mechanical vs New Digital

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 reappears, and we are always on the lookout for shadows. expansive to small, normal to not so. Like today. 

At our local art venue, Gallery@ 37 in Derby, there is an exhibit opening this month referred to as The Art of Futures Past: A Steampunk Exhibition. Patti notes: "Think retro, think steam-powered (before electricity), think unique contraptions and you have the formula".

We don't really have anything that suggests Victorian era modernity. So I decided to create something that maybe bridges the eras, such at the old metal tools, solder, fasteners and machined parts that clash with the sleek MacBook laptop. 

No Assy. Req'd

Well, I will defer to the opinions of others as to what constitutes serious art.

However, shadows that follow the shapes are all over. The light fixture adds reflections and shadows too. show up all over the place. 

So, shadows act as an artistic medium too...The edited picture will be placed in an old style frame for exhibit. I am not sure what art ought to be to a serious non-artist, except that it has been fun...