Owner ,plans to reopen care - Southington Library and Museum

LIVIN
Artist evolves through many media
by +l rJor e Low
for The Observer
Serf-taught artist Rudy Ravassio
has a photographic memory for fine
detail,
"I worked on a farm as a youngster."
he asld, "This helped in my
later life with the execution of my
paintings of rural and wildlife
While attending Meriden High
School. Ravasslo had amhitlons to be
an engineering_ draftsman. World War
II intercepted these plans. Ravassio
was drafted to serve tn the U.S
Army.
Returning in 1946. he was
employed by Napier dewelry Co. In
Merlden as a designer and model
maker and remained there for I0
years.
In 1959, he moved to Southing.
ton and began his own venture in
the Jewelry advertising business. He
created and designed for comvartles
such as McDonnell Douglas. AT& r.
We$cr lcctrlc. Martin o
name a few, Advertising Jewelry Is
used by companies as awards and
in sales and promotions.
Rav sslo said he would receive
the actual telephone, gun or other
object from the company to copy in
exact detail. Photos of fighter planes
and missiles were used as references
to reproduce in miniature size suitable
as a pin. Ue clasp or money ellp.
The most prestigious commis, on
came from NASA. The lunar lander
also known as the "LEM" was reproduced
from 32 pieces of carving in
both bronze and gold plate. Ravassio
carved these works entirely by hand
in metal or silver, then sent them to
be plated in Providence. RA.
He also did the original Tel-Star.
and in commemorative Jewelry. the
100th space shot. commissioned by
Vandenburg A r Force Base in Cali.
fornia.
This independent business was
conducted from Havasslo's home for
20 years. In 1979. RavassIo found a
need for a bobby and turned to
painting.
"When I began to paint, people
wanted to buy." he said. "At first I
worked in oils. then dry brush technique,
using watercolors."
The School of Art and Design in
Wethersfleld where Ravassio studied
for three semesters between 1972
and 1974 influenced his painting
style, which resembles the work of
Andrew Wyeth.
Sales and commissions for his
paintings have been his sole source
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of support since "79. During the win-
,or months he works /n his studio
f 'om early morning to midnight.
From May to October Ravassio
ex_rtihits in outdoor shows from Portland.
Maine to Cherry Hill, N.d. He
ira.rues and mats all his own work.
This mass exposure has been
most beneficial. Cathy Needle Craft
inc. has. over a 12-year period, used
20 Ravassio paintings of Audubontype
birds and charming rural
scenes for needlework kits. The),
have been adverrlsed in P'am y Circle
and Good Housekeeping magazines,
Scofaturnabene An Publishing
Company has reproduced 10 of
Ravasaio's paintings as prints in the
past seven years on a royalty basis.
In 1969. Ravasslo photographed
barns throughout New England to
use as inspiration for later watercolor
paintings. Many of the barns no
longer exist. In 1979, he painted
from his own photos of New England
lighthouses.
*Drawing is most Importanl to a
painting.* said Ravasslo. "I llke to
paint from experience. I also enjoy
helping other artists with constructive
advice." Ravasslo taught art
InstnteUon after .h.!a three ."mcsters
In Wethersfleld and emphasized
strong drawing then.
Currently. Ravassio is concentrating
on historic paintings. He has
IeCe[ved many commissions from
various New England towns and
enjays this above anything else. He
Is most interested in Southington
history and plans to paint re-creations
of Southtngton as It was in
the past.
, One of the Southington branches
of ConnecUcut Bank & Trust Company
has three Ravassio paintings
on display as part of a large commission
from CBT His work appears In
many of their banks. Over the years
Ravassio has received over 50
awards, including "Best In Show"
and numerous purchase awards,
throughout New England.
"I wish 1 had more time to accept
the many invitations to art shows
that I receive." said Ravassio. Currently
he Is working to complete
paintings for up-coming major
shows. In addition. Ravassio is affiliated
with Marion Gallery in Monroe,
Conn.
We Are Interested
In Recent
Cblor
Photography
Which You
I/ave Taken
•A FAMILY GROUP = LANDSCAPE o INDIVIDUAL
•FLOWERS * MISCELLANEOUS
To Reproduce On 7he Front Page Of
T!-!E OBSERVER
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Enclosed ts my cok r prmt/transparenty for your ttmsideration!
- _ I
IADDRESS
PHONE.,
I
THE OBSERVER I
COLOR PHOTO EDITOR |
P.o. Box 648 I
SOUT INGTON, Cr 06489 I
THE OBSERVER,
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1989
Scheely, Matta to marry
Burlington. Conn. residents Mr.
and Mrs. August Scheely have
announced the engagement of their
daughter, Donna Marie Scheely, to
Mark W Matta. son of Mr and Mrs.
Michael Matta of West Center Street.
Scheely is a graduate of Ramapo
High School in Rockland County, N.Y.
and Central Connecticut State Unlversity
in New Britain. She is employed as
an auditor at Travelers Insurance Co.
in Ha-nford.
Matta is a graduate of St Paul
Catholic High School In Bristol. In
addition, he graduated from Central
Connecticut State University in New
Britain. He is employed as a quality
engineer at Fenn Manufacturing Co. in
Newington.
An October wedding is being
Mark Matta, Donna Scheely
Glass, Walton are wed
Nadine Lee Glass and John B. Walton
were united In marriage on April
22, 4"30 p.m.. at Prospect Unltegl
Methodist Church. The Rev Philip
Schnell. pastor of the church, officiated
at the ceremony.
The former Nadlne Glass Is the
daughter of Ethel Glass and the late
John Glass.
Walton is the son of the late Mr.
and Mrs. Gerald Walton
The bride was given in marriage by
her brother and sister-in-law, Brian
and Nancy Glass Tracy Grabowski
served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids
were Laurie Uttaro, Teresa Benvenuto.
Kelly Patterson, Guylaine Roufliard and
Nancy Gagne Junior bridesmaid was
Angela Uttaro Flower girl was Erica
Walton.
Tony Uttaro,served as best man.
Ushers were Loren Ireland, Donald
Fekler. Jimmy Walton, Kenny Nielsen.
and Brooke Tegge. Craig Glass was the
Junior usher and ring bearer
Nadine Glass Walton graduated
from Bristol Central High School and
Morse School of Business. She is
employed as a secretary at Capitol
Erectors.
John Walton graduated from
Southington High School He is
employed as a partsman at Peterbflt of
Conn.
Mr. & Mrs. John Walton
Following a reception held at
Nuchle's Restaurant in Forestville, the
couple left for a wedding trip to
Nashville and Memphis. Tenn. They
wltl reside in Southington.
Congratulations /
Lewis Farms
on your
NEW Showroom
Best Wishes
for your continued
Growth and Success!!
from
Joseph M. Angelillo