“A Day in the Country”

Mary Mugele Sealfon

and Dennis Fanton

-Introducing Thomas Bolger in a solo exhibit-

Spring blooms at the Wallkill River School with colorful Impressionist depictions of Orange County by regional artists Mary Mugele Sealfon and Dennis Fanton. Both fine artists will greet visitors on Sat. May 8^th from 5pm-7pm. Wine and hors d’oevres will be served, event is free and open to the public. Exhibit runs from May 1-31, Tues.–Sun., 9am-6pm. Introducing emerging artist Thomas Bolger in a solo exhibit in the workshop room.

Entranced by the Hudson Valley, Mary Mugele Sealfon enjoys plein air painting, portraiture and still life in pastel and oil. She teaches at SUNY Orange and The Wallkill River School.  Her work has been featured in several shows at the Wallkill River Art Gallery, Montgomery NY and many other regional venues.   Recently, she was in “Majestic Hudson” show at the Paramount and is currently showing at the Flatiron Gallery in Peekskill, NY.  One of thirty Orange Country artists interviewed for the FreeArtinNY.org website, she was videotaped painting the quadracentennial replica of Henry Hudson’s “Half Moon” while it docked in Newburgh in November 2008.

In New York City she pursued a career as Art Director and designer for various publications and companies.  She also studied at the School of Visual Arts, the Art Students League and with noted regional artists including John Osborne at the Ridgewood Art Institute, NJ.  Her paintings and prints have been exhibited nationally and internationally and won numerous awards.

Her painting of children on the beach “Beach Memories” was used on the August 2008 cover of “Natural Awakenings” and a pastel, “Baird’s Cows” was featured on the 2004 Warwick Valley Telephone Cover.

Dennis Fanton trained at Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, Ducret School of Art, and had private instruction in oil painting, pastels, botanical illustration, and portraiture.  His style is strongly influenced by the impressionistic painters with a focus on color relationships and interesting, varied brushwork.  The balance of light and shadow are a frequent theme and his personal relationship with the changing seasonal landscapes of the Hudson Valley is reflected in his work.  Painting in ever-changing light has resulted in a focus on the emotional impact of the piece rather than simply attention to detail.  He is affiliated with Kent Art Association, Middletown Art Group, Garret Society, and Wallkill River School.

Every month, the Wallkill River School introduces an emerging artist in the workshop room. This is an artist who has never had a solo show in Orange County, and is ready to make the leap from a beginner to a semi-professional or emerging artist. This month, Thomas Bolger of Cragsmoor is our emerging artist. Bolger has been working in oil and acrylic since 1970, and has studied at the Art Student’s League, Wallkill River School, and with other artists in the region. He has exhibited regionally in group shows, and is showing  his large-scale landscapes in a solo exhibit this month.

Oil Painting with Gene Bove-Learn oil painting techniques such as mixing your palette from four basic colors, alla prima painting (all at once) and plein air techniques. Work from photos, still life, and outdoors with our most experienced oil instructor. For intermediate and advanced, some oil experience suggested. www.GeneBove.com Thursdays, 10-12:30pm $100 per session May 6, 13, 20, 27

Wish I Could Draw Like That! With Shawn Dell Joyce- Learn several methods old masters used for drawing accurately and in proportion. Demonstrations in sighting, volumetric drawing, and tools like a simplified grid system. Come without any drawing ability, leave knowing artist’s secrets from the Renaissance! Materials included $100 Fridays 10-12 May 7, 14, 21, 28

Plein Air Painting with Mary Anna Goetz- Students will combine working on plein air painting starting with a grisaille (value painting). This will provide an opportunity to concentrate on studying light and color while developing a strong focal point. A portion of the workshop will be devoted to working indoors in Kurt Seligmann’s studio to build up texture, add details and making refinements. Saturday, May 8, 9:30-4:30 Seligmann Annex $75 www.JamesCoxGallery.com

Tulip Mania Retreat with William Noonan- Day long Workshop/Retreat at the artist’s home outside of Newburgh. Sit in an enchanted garden blooming with many varieties of elegant and sensual tulips. Mingle and linger over a home-cooked lunch, and get to know other participants. After lunch class will resume and go till 4:30. Students may work in any medium they choose.  This class is appropriate for any level and promises to be a fun day of painting, good food and camaraderie. A fun, full-day getaway for artists craving spring color! Lunch provided. Sat. & Sun. May 15 & 16 9:30-4:30pm $130 ($70 one day)

Plein Air Painting at Snake Hill in New Windsor-Sundays 9:30-2pm This Sunday, Marlboro pastelist Laura Martinez-Bianco demonstrates her approach to the landscape. Beginners, intermediate and advanced welcome! Picnic lunch provided. Any 4 classes $120 ($90 members)

Pastel Techniques with Shawn Dell Joyce-Learn how to mix color on the paper, and apply color theory to pastels. Learn techniques for blending, how to create interesting effects using nontraditional materials, and experiment with different paper surfaces, and hardnesses of chalk pastels. An exciting and fast-paced workshop for beginners, and experienced artists who want to learn basic pastel techniques. Work from old master’s exercises, and still lifes. Beginners, advanced, teens and adults welcome. www.ShawnDellJoyce.com Seligmann Annex on Saturdays 10-noon; May 22, 29, June 5, 12 $120, (some materials provided)  beginning pastel kit $30

Oil for Beginners Workshop with Gene Bove-Learn the basics of oil painting like layout composition, color  mixing from four-basic colors. values-everything you need to know to  bring out the alla prima oil painter in you! (Bring your own bag lunch or order out) $40, 10-2pm ArtsWave Annex, Sat. May 22, 10-2pm.

Drawing: The New Leaf with Mariella Bisson-Drawing trees allows students to explore all aspects of the range of hand skills necessary for successful drawing; contour, texture, shade and shadow, light and life force are all expressed through drawing in pencil and/or watercolor, gouache paint. (limited to http://www.mariellabisson.com 12-4 PM $100  Sat. May 22

Watercolor Techniques with Len DeVirgilio-observe a watercolor demo from a value sketch to a complete painting by a local modern master. Ongoing private and semi-private lessons scheduled in advance on Saturdays from 10-noon for adults and teens. $30 per class

register at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or call (845) 457-ARTS

Pastel Studio with Shawn Dell Joyce- Learn pastel tips and techniques in a fun, encouraging group setting. Start with a specific demonstration; like how to capture transparent cut glass, and then paint your choice of still lifes. Class ends with a group critique with tea and cake! Advanced and intermediate teens and adults welcome. . www.ShawnDellJoyce.com  Ongoing, Any four classes $100 (do not have to be consecutive) Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm

Painting People into a Landscape with Mike Jaroszko-Learn the essential elements needed to paint a successful landscape with figures. This includes using value, color, composition and even your brushstrokes to a more creative level. $100, Saturdays 1-3pm, May-1, 8, 15, 22

Cartooning and Graphic Novels with Gerry Acerno- Did you ever have a story you wanted to tell in pictures? Learn how to lay out a comic book in panels and vary “camera angles” to bring your story to life. Taught by a veteran illustrator for Marvel, DC, Disney and others. $100 Saturdays, 1-3pm May 1, 8, 15, 22

Loose Control! Watercolor Workshop II with Alix Hallman Travis-Paint directly from a generous collection of cans and bottles taken from the shelves of her kitchen pantry. Alix Hallman Travis will demonstrate her rapid, loose and fluid painting style, employing large brushes and a basic palate of transparent watercolor. The shapes of these cylinders, cones, rectangles are the same as those found in nature. Under Travis’ guidance student artists will turn these mundane items, with their colorful contents, labels, shapes and reflective surfaces into paintings of sculptural beauty, with special attention paid to positive and negative spaces. Throughout, paintings will be displayed in mats for our critical consideration and appreciation of the various styles on display. Artists should expect to complete three to four 10×14” paintings during the five hours of painting. www.AlixHTravis.Wordpress.com Bring your bag lunch or order out. $100, 9:30-3:30 Sunday,  May 2

Plein Air Painting classes start May 2 at Snake Hill in New Windsor! Meet on location at different sites from May-Oct. every sun. 9am-noon, group critique and local foods picnic from 12-2pm. Sign up for any 4 classes $120 ($90 for members) 8 classes for $200 (170 members) or the whole season for $300 ($270 members).

Wish I Could Draw Like That! With Shawn Dell Joyce- Learn several methods old masters used for drawing accurately and in proportion. Demonstrations in sighting, volumetric drawing, and tools like a simplified grid system. Come without any drawing ability, leave knowing artist’s secrets from the Renaissance! Materials included $100 Fridays 10-12 May 7, 14, 21, 28

Plein Air Painting with Mary Anna Goetz- Students will combine working on plein air painting starting with a grisaille (value painting). This will provide an opportunity to concentrate on studying light and color while developing a strong focal point. A portion of the workshop will be devoted to working indoors in Kurt Seligmann’s studio to build up texture, add details and making refinements. Saturday, May 8, 9:30-4:30 Seligmann Annex $75 www.JamesCoxGallery.com

register online at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or call 457-ARTS

Beginning Photography with Mary Ann G. Neuman-Unleash your creative genius! Learn basic digital techniques, and new ways of seeing using your film or digital camera. Topics covered include how to use a digital camera, choosing your subject, lighting, composition, exposure and the use of color. For beginners, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to improve their photographic skills.  Bring your camera, manual, photos, a bagged lunch. No experience necessary. Seligmann Annex, March 27, 10am-3pm, -or- WRS, April 17, 10am-3pm $75

Loose Control! Watercolor Workshop with Alix Hallman Travis-Paint directly from a generous collection of colorful fruits and vegetables fresh from the market and piled in front on the table in front of the painters! Alix Hallman Travis will demonstrate her rapid, loose and fluid painting style, employing large brushes and a basic palate of transparent watercolor. Travis will demonstrate, then guide the students in their early paintings, finally painting alongside the workshop artists. Throughout, paintings will be displayed in mats for our critical consideration and appreciation of the various styles on display. Artists should expect to complete three to four 10×14” paintings during the five hours of painting. www.alixhtravis.wordpress.com $100 (bring a bagged lunch or order out) 9:30-3:30 Sunday, March 28

Wish I could Paint Portraits! With Shawn Dell Joyce-a one-day class covering the basics of how to do a portrait. Learn the rules of proportion of the human skull, tricks portrait artists use to create a likeness and make a portrait based on your own photo! (bring a photo and art supplies) $50 1:30-4:30 Seligmann Annex Sat. Apr. 3

Shoulders of Giants – Art History an Artist’s Study Group with William Noonan- Studying from master paintings is a time honored tradition of learning.  From Raphael to Renoir… these guys have done the heavy lifting – you can learn from their achievements. This class will devote time to looking at masterpieces of Western art history then students will spend time creating studies from them. Learning by not simply copying but extracting from the original an understanding of the elements of color, design and proportion. This class is a fun as it is rewarding and is appropriate for any level artist. Mondays 6-8:30pm Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26 $130

Oil Painting with Gene Bove-Learn oil painting techniques such as mixing your palette from four basic colors, alla prima painting (all at once) and plein air techniques. Work from photos, still life, and outdoors with our most experienced oil instructor. For intermediate and advanced, some oil experience suggested. www.GeneBove.com Thursdays, 10-12:30pm $100 per session April 8, 15, 22, 29

Painting Animals Into a Landscape with Mike Jaroszko-Master the art of mixing colors so that all the elements of the painting harmonize and work well together. Learn how to use the focal point and composition for maximum effect. $75 Saturdays 1-3pm, April-10, 17, 24

Wish I Could Draw Like That! With Shawn Dell Joyce- Learn several methods old masters used for drawing accurately and in proportion. Demonstrations in sighting, volumetric drawing, and tools like a simplified grid system. Come without any drawing ability, leave knowing artist’s secrets from the Renaissance! Materials included (bring lunch or order out) $60  1-4pm Sat. Apr. 10

Register at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or call (845) 457-ARTS (2787)

Sunday, April 18, 10-4:30
$70 Fee for this one day workshop (includes a pizza lunch)
Students enrolled in the Italian workshop may participate for free

contact: williambn@yahoo.com or Laura at  rojobarn@aol.com

Cartooning and Graphic Novels with Gerry Acerno- Did you ever have a story you wanted to tell in pictures? Learn how to lay out a comic book in panels and vary “camera angles” to bring your story to life. Taught by a veteran illustrator for Marvel, DC, Disney and others. $100 Saturdays, 1-3pm Feb.27, Mar.13, 20, 27.

Stained Glass Basics with Jerry Levinstein-Learn how to cut and join stained glass to make elegant, luminous art works. $200 (materials included) Tuesdays, 10-noon, Mar. 2, 9,16, 23

March

Botanical Art Workshop with Roberta Rosenthal-Learn drawing and watercolor painting from live botanical subjects. Measure accurately, learn proportion, perspective, shading and light source with proper drawing and painting techniques for realistic watercolor renderings. Bring lunch or order in.
Wednesdays, 10-3PM $130 (for two days) March 10, 17 –or- April 14, 21 –or- May 5, 12 –or- at ArtsWave May 8, 15, -or- at Seligmann Annex April 10, 17, -or- May 1, 22

Register online at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or call (845) 457-ARTS (2787) __._,_.___

Pet Portrait Workshop with Carrie Jacobson-Anyone who loves animals can paint them! In this daylong workshop, we will use photographs to make two expressive paintings of pets. Discover how your love and knowledge of animals can translate into bright, fun paintings. Any skill level is acceptable. Bring a photo, lunch or order out, and your favorite painting media, supports and brushes. 10am-3pm $60 THIS Sat. Feb. 20

Palette-Knife Painting Workshop with Carrie Jacobson-Learn to use the palette knife to make expressive and dynamic paintings. The knife helps a painter focus on the large shapes and the light in a scene. It liberates you from detail and offers a way to speed your work, too. Participants will be using oils, and some oil experience is helpful. (bring oils, canvas, lunch or order out) 10am-3pm $60 THIS Sun. Feb. 21

Solving the New York Times Crossword Puzzle with Ed Stein-This hands-on session given by veteran crossword solver-constructor Ed Stein promises to make you smarter about puzzle-solving. You’ll get time-tested strategies and pointers, learn how to read a clue, and how to keep your mind flexible when solving.  Finally, together we’ll solve a brand new Sunday Times crossword edited by Times Puzzle Editor Will Shortz! THIS Sunday, 1-4pm $30  Feb. 21

Flintknapping with Ben Waring-Learn an ancient method of chipping away crystalline stone to create a practical tool or primal artwork. Understand basic stone structure, geography, and connect with primal processes that ensured our species survival! Great workshop for fathers and sons, no experience necessary. $40 (materials included) NEXT Sunday, 1-4pm Feb.28

NOT IN THE BROCHURE! Beginning Watercolor with Louise McCutcheon!

Learn the basics of watercolor painting from color mixing and brushwork to how to paint realistically from life. Louise McCutcheon is a represented artist with the Wallkill River School, and also leads the wildly-popular Drop In. Tuesdays 2-4pm, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23 $100 (materials included)

Register at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or 457-2787 (ARTS)

Register at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com or call (845) 457-ARTS

The Wallkill River School’s Annual Member’s Exhibit will feature works by 144 regional artists and offer the handmade wares of 12 local artisans. This exhibit will showcase the cultural diversity and deep talent pool of Orange County’s first homegrown arts movement. The exhibit fills the entire exhibition space of the Wallkill River School and Art Gallery from Dec. 1^st through 31^st. The opening reception is Dec. 5, from 5-8pm.

In conjunction with the reception is a “Handmade for the Holidays” gift bazaar of handmade goods from local artisans. Twelve fine crafters will be set up around the gallery and workshops space. Visitors can sample crisp apple cider, and pumpkin bread while strolling through a marketplace of local craftspeople displaying everything from hand-knitted scarves, unique jewelry, and Victorian trinkets. Why buy from China when you can choose one-of-a kind hand crafted gifts made by your friends and neighbors? Bazaar hours are from noon-8pm, Dec. 5^th. Have an intuitive tarot card reading while you shop by Frances Barmann for $20 which benefits WRS.

Artists represented by the Wallkill River School are offering a “Starving Artist’s Sale” for the whole weekend, 9-6pm. Members are also participating in the workshop room gallery.Just in time for the holidays get original artworks painted by local artists, not made in Chinese factories on assembly lines like other sales in hotels. This sale benefits the artists directly.

If you come on Sunday, you can pick out the perfect frame to accompany your Starving Artist original. Local framer James Douglas Gallery will be offering ready-made frames bargain priced on our glassed-in porch. Bring your gift list and enjoy one-stop shopping at the Wallkill River School.

The Wallkill River School is a nonprofit artist’s cooperative that runs a gallery and a full art school in Montgomery, NY. The WRS promotes local artists and integrates art into the people’s daily lives. Part of the organization’s mission is to preserve dwindling open spaces and promote small scale farms and our agricultural heritage. The artists often partner with historic sites such as Sugar Loaf Village, organic farms like Phillies Bridge Farm, and nonprofits like Black Rock Forest Consortium to build benefit art auctions, giving participants a chance to sell their work, and help raise money for nonprofits that preserve open spaces. The WRS published a local foods cookbook based on what our farms grow, in season, and where to find it. Look for the cookbook at farmers markets in 2008. The WRS offers plein air workshops on location throughout Orange County from May-Oct, and year-round art classes in the Montgomery gallery. The WRS is committed to buying local, and all our events are zero waste, handicapped-accessible, and carbon neutral.