MAY 2025 The Artful Mind Celebrating National Photography Month

BERKSHIRE’S MONTHLY ART MAGAZINE FOR PROMOTING ARTISTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL | IN PRINT & FREE SINCE 1994

THE ARTFUL MIND

MAY 2025

CELEBRATING NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH TWENTY PHOTOGRAPHERS

COVER PHOTOGRAPHS AND EDITORIAL BY BOBBY MILLER.

the

ARTFUL MIND

IN PRINT SINCE 1994

IN GOOD COMPANY

MAY 2025

Celebrating NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH

Twenty Photographers

Compiled by Bobby Miller

Cover photographs by Bobby Miller: Dietmar Busse

Left to right: Perfidia, Thirsty Burlington, Meg Ly,

Gandon and Diesel Lanziero... 12

JOANE CORNELL

FINE JEWELRY

Elizabeth Cassidy In Other Words | POETRY ... 33

Shoshana Candee | ESSAY

“How To Drive Your Mother Crazy”...41

Richard Britell | FICTION

Something for Over the Couch

PART 27 “The Map from New York” ... 47

Diaries of Jane Gennaro

Mining My Life EPISODE THREE “Hip Story” .... 48

Publisher Harryet Candee

Hand Forged Designs

Four Bodacious Pendants

www.JoaneCornellFineJewelry.com

9 Main St. Chatham, NY

Copy Editor Elise Francoise

Contributing Photographers

Edward Acker Tasja Keetman Bobby Miller

Contributing Writers

Richard Britell Shoshana Candee Jane Gennaro

Third Eye Jeff Bynack

Distribution Ruby Aver

Advertising / Editorial inquiries and

Subscriptions by mail: 413-645-4114

Email: artfulmind@yahoo.com

Read the online issues page to page-

Go to ISSUU.COM

YUMPU.COM

Join the FB group:

ARTFUL MIND GALLERY for Artful Minds 23

THE ARTFUL MIND

PO Box 985, Great Barrington, MA 01230

FYI— Disclaimer: : ©Copyright laws in effect throughout The Artful Mind for

logo & all graphics including text material. Copyright laws for photographers

and writers throughout The Artful Mind. Permission to reprint is required in all

instances. In any case the issue does not appear on the stands as planned

due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, advertisers will be

compensated on a one to one basis. All commentaries by writers are not

necessarily the opinion of the publisher and take no responsibility for their

facts and opinions. All photographs submitted for advertisers are the responsibility

for advertiser to grant release permission before running image or photograph.

Not responsible for photo content /copyright brought into magazine

by other artists promoting other artists in editorial on these pages.

THE ARTFUL MIND MAY 2025 • 1

2 • MAY 2025 THE ARTFUL MIND


LESLEE CARSEWELL - ARTIST

Eclectic Seeker of Visual Adventures

www.lcarsewellart.com n @carzeart n lcarsewellart@icloud.com


GHETTA HIRSCH

Hello Artist Friends! Two photos to announce my

Senior Painting Class Community projects for the

month of May 2025.

This month I choose to advertise what my students

are doing. Some of you may know that I

teach an Art Class for Seniors at Williamstown

Community Center, known as The Harper Center.

Fourteen aging but courageous students using various

art mediums were invited to exhibit at our

local Milne Public Library in Williamstown. The

Opening Reception is on May the 8th but the exhibit

will be there the whole month of May. Of

course you are all invited to admire what our Seniors

came up with.

And, as if this project was not enough, our same

class is inviting you to their Berkshires ArtWeek

project on May 24th. See the flyer below for more

information on their Senior Painting Class Art

Show from 11-3pm. Children are welcome and we

will have drinks and snacks. Come and see what

senior citizens can create and encourage them to

pursue and enjoy art. Sale proceeds help buy more

supplies for their art project.

I will also open my art studio on the 16, 17 and

18 of the month of May with informal oil painting

demonstrations. See my ad on in this issue of The

Artful Mind. Proceeds go to a Fundraising for Ukraine.

Ghetta Hirsch—

Call or text: 413-597 1716

ghetta-hirsch.squarespace.com

@ghettahirschpaintings

www.gallerynorthadams.com


CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

WITH MUSIC

Close Encounters with Music presents “A Tale of

Two Salons—Winnaretta Singer and Marcel

Proust” Sunday May 18, 4pm at the Mahaiwe Performing

Arts Center, Great Barrington, MA.

The daughter of sewing machine industrialist

Isaac Merritt Singer, Winnaretta Singer-Polignac

was a force of nature, hosting everyone from Leon

Bakst to Jean Cocteau and Jean Giraudoux to Prokofiev,

Madame Jean Lanvin, Siegfried Wagner,

Arthur Rubinstein, Arnold Schoenberg, and Edith

Wharton in her Paris salon. More importantly, she

was responsible for developing a new genre: “Great

music for a small space by up-and-coming composers”

in the words of Sylvia Kahan, her biographer,

who will join for the four-hand piano

“Bagatelle” by Winnaretta’s husband, Edmond de

Polignac. Works either commissioned by her, dedicated

to her, or that were performed in her mansion

on Rue Henri-Martin, will be featured in this onstage

“salon”: Ravel’s Pavane pour un enfant défunte,

Stravinsky’s Piano Sonata 1924, the sizzling

César Franck Piano Quintet and songs by Fauré,

Poulenc and Reynaldo Hahn. Winnaretta also befriended

Marcel Proust and his lover Hahn, who reciprocated

with an evening at their Paris salon,

inspiring a chapter in Swann’s Way. The program

is a rich tapestry in search of a certain time, place

and fascinating personages.

A tantalizing Berkshire connection to the tale of

the Princess is that her father Isaac Merritt Singer’s

business partner was Edward Clark, a wealthy lawyer

who took charge of the manufacturing end of

the business, turning it into a major success. The

rest is history as Clark’s grandson Robert Sterling

Clark and his wife Francine founded the Clark Art

Institute in Williamstown to house their personal

art collection, much of it acquired on their trips to

France.

Alexander Shtarkman, piano; Sylvia Kahan,

piano; William Ferguson, tenor; Xiao-Dong Wang,

violin; Grace Park, violin; Helena Baillie, viola; Yehuda

Hanani, cello

Close Encounters with Music—

Single Tickets, $55 (Orchestra and Mezzanine), $30

(Balcony) and $15 for students, are available

through the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center or

by calling 413-528-0100.

cewm.org

info@cewm.org

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Paradise City Arts Festival

PARADISE

CITY ARTS FESTIVAL

May 24 - 26: Spend your Memorial Day weekend

at New England’s premier show of contemporary

craft & fine art; featuring handmade home decor,

sculpture, fashion, jewelry, and more.

We’ve assembled 220 expertly curated artists +

makers from across the country. Check out our special

exhibit “Feathers & Fur,” which explores how

artists derive inspiration from the Animal Kingdom.

Our festivals are known for their diverse and

lively atmosphere—offering a weekend of live

music, tasty local eats, and a calendar of activities

for the whole family to enjoy!

As you walk the show, you’ll often come across

an artist weaving a textile, sketching out a concept

for commission, or sizing clothing for a client. At

Paradise City Arts, not only do you have an opportunity

to meet the makers and discuss their work,

but there is always a glimpse of the technique and

the inspiration behind each piece.

Rest your feet under our 12,000 square foot Festival

Dining Tent. Discover a fresh music lineup

each day and a variety of dining options from

Northampton’s vibrant restaurant & food truck

scene.

This holiday weekend Paradise City Arts presents

original music, jazz, blues, and rock by three of the

region’s favorite bands, from noon – 4pm Saturday

and Sunday and 11:30am – 3:30pm Monday.

Paradise City Arts Festival—

Memorial Day Weekend, Northampton, MA

paradisecityarts.com


CARYN KING STUDIO

Rabbit 17 h. x 8 w. Stoneware

OPEN STUDIO MAY 17 & 18

SCULPTURE & WORKS IN PROGRESS

Please stop by our Open Studio event

333 Cross Road to Canaan Valley, Southfield, MA

11- 4 pm

Instagram - @carynkingart R email - caryn@carynking.com

MARK MELLINGER

BIG STUDIO SALE!

May 22nd 4 ~ 7pm

Let’s clear the studio out!

Paintings and Sculptural Assemblages

At REALLY INSULTING PRICES. For example:

Ghost Dance. Acrylic on canvas, 48” x 30”. $3,500 $1,111 !

CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS

75 S. Church Street (room 335) Pittsfield, MA 01201

914-260-7413

markmellinger680@gmail.com | Instagram @mellinger3301

GHOST DANCE. ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 48”X30”


Untitled. Latest Work

Acrylic and mixed media 18” x 24” inches

This piece will be in the Spencertown Academy Members’ Show • Chatham. NY • May 23-25

BRUCE LAIRD

Clock Tower Artists

Business Center Studio #307

75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA

Instagram- ecurbart


LONNY JARRETT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

SCENES FROM THE BERKSHIRES AND BEYOND

413-298-4221 | Berkshirescenicphotography.com | Lonny@berkshirescenicphotography.com


CELEBRATING TWENTY PHOTOGRAPHERS

NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH

COMPILED BY BOBBY MILLER

Bobby Miller

Jerry Hall

Chris Walken

“Being a photographer and a lover of photography, it seemed like a great idea to celebrate National Photography

Month by featuring some of the photographers that I enjoy. From hard working accomplished photographers, whose

work has been shown and published around the world, to young photographers just beginning to make their mark

with new fresh perspectives, these are just a small group of the many photographers that inspire and entertain me.

I encourage you to investigate the work of this particular group that we are featuring this month.”

More on these artists visit: YUMPU.COM:

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/70343504/the-artful-mind-525-special-edition-national-photography-month


“Spooky”

Alan Mercer

Alan Mercer has been involved with portraits for over 35 years. Starting out

as a painter and sketch artist, endorsed by Andy Warhol, he decided to concentrate

on celebrity photography in 1997, and launched his website in the

hopes that he would be discovered, and it worked.

“I only really enjoy photographing people. I do shoot other things occasionally,

but it’s not a deep calling, like capturing people is.”

Beni 88

Shilah Phillips

“I’m not sure what excites me the most. I guess,

just being able to create an extraordinary look or an image for someone who feels ordinary.”


Andreas Engel

Since the 1990’s, Andreas Engel has worked as an artist and creative director in

numerous environments with a professional background in fine art serigraphy.

http://aengelart.com/

Benedict Pond

“I typically focus on photographing nature—landscapes, insects, organic textures,

and intriguing details—things that evoke a sense of wonder and encourages a second look.”

Housatonic


Daisy Noyes

Daisy Noyes is a photographer based between Melbourne Australia, and

Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She uses both digital and large format

film cameras, and works in the space between photography and performance.

Sometimes her images are records of fleeting actions or interventions

in the environment; other times they are records of interrupting the print itself.

Her current practice explores living in a body, trying to look at time,

and layering of all types. She is also into working in collaboration or at

cross-purposes with her kids. Daisy studied photography at Sarah Lawrence

College in New York and performance at The University of New

South Wales in Sydney. She is currently an MFA candidate at Bard’s Milton

Avery Graduate School of the Arts.

“I started making photos when I was a teenager 30 years ago. My parents were both photographers and

had darkrooms in a studio across the street from our house. I started on a 4x5 view camera, and learned

how to develop sheet film with my mother. I like to photograph constructed scenes, utilizing all the elements

of theater: body, scene, lights, costume, action, gesture.”

Burning Bush

Shoreham Beach

“I love images where a person is engaged in an enigmatic action or gesture.”


Darren Anthony

Darren Anthony is New York based photographer who resides in Brooklyn

with his husband Marc Pitzke. His work has been featured in books, magazines,

on album covers and has also been commissioned.

“I have a series of photographs that I call

Walkabouts. They’re snapshots of everyday life.

They usually feature a single person going

about their day. Color, light and shadow best

describe my style of work. As I said before I’m

West Indian, color plays a big part in my culture.

The contrast of light and shadow always

pull me in.”

Take Out


SC0621

Greg Gorman

Gorman attended the University of Kansas with a major in photo journalism

and completed his studies at the University of Southern California,

graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Cinematography. Gorman

has been acknowledged for his contribution to the world of photography,

from the prestigious Lucie Awards for Portraiture, the Professional Photographers

of America where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award

for Portraiture. He has also been critically recognized for his charitable

works by such organizations as The Elton John Aids Foundation, The

Oscar de La Hoya Foundation and Paws LA to name but a few. Besides

traveling the world for specialized photographic projects, Gorman continues

to work on compilations of his imagery and exhibits his work in galleries

and museums around the globe.

gormanphotography.com

“I love doing nudes, but I really started by doing portraits and that's pretty much what I'm doing today as I

love photographing interesting people but people that I find intellectually stimulating or admire but I really

don't shoot anything that can't talk back to me.”

Grace Jones

David Hockney

“When I first started shooting like most photographers, you know everyone's in search of their style

or their voice, and you know I lit everything over the camera. I couldn't afford strobes

when I started out so I was shooting with 1K quartz lights in 2K soft boxes.”


Gun Roze

Gun Roze is a Toronto-born fine art photographer, whose essential photographic

knowledge was gained throughout his thirty-five year career as a

Master Analog Printer for professional photographers and artists. His expertise

brought him work opportunities in Vancouver, San Francisco and

New York City. He has received two artist grants and has had eleven solo

exhibitions in Toronto during the past nine years. Gun’s daily practice is his

street-based photography. He also works on personal projects with various

themes and has a great passion for his portraiture sessions. Gun regards

the photo shoots with his extraordinary subjects as creative collaborations.

“Photography was magical from my first introduction to it. When all the components come together in

one image, such as: content, lighting, composition and a feeling captured- I am excited. It’s achieving

these outstanding photos that keeps my passion for photography alive. I also get excited when I have the

opportunity to photograph a person who fascinates me. I feel like a child opening a big mysterious gift

when I’m about to view the results of a shoot for the first time.”

Dundas St. W Alley,Toronto

Dundas St. W Alley,Toronto

“I photograph anything or anyone that attracts my attention. I no longer question the subject matter I choose.

Often, I feel it chooses me. Though photographing honest portraits remains my greatest challenge and pleasure.”


James Smith

A fashion and lifestyle photographer in New York City, James

is the go to Photographer/Artist in the transgender community

since 2004. The Cincinatti, Ohio born Smith moved to New

York City in 1983, working as a model, stylist and later window

designer in Soho and Untitled. In 1992, Smith studied fashion

and design at the University of Cincinnati. Returning to New

York, and after working extensively in fashion and visual arts,

Smith switched gears and began pursuing a career in photography

in 2004. https://www.jamesmithimage.net/

“I’ve developed a style based on what excited me as a kid. I adored fashion magazines and studied them

closely. I loved watching variety shows in the '70s—everything sparkled, and the dresses illuminated. Later, I

discovered they used a star filter, so I added that to my signature style. Additionally, clam shell lighting, used

by Scavullo, inspired my portrait work. I modified that technique and love backlighting through cutouts in

paper to save space, which creates a beautiful backburst using gels, depending on the desired look”

Laverne Cox

Sunsmaller


Joe Oppedisano

Joe Oppedisano grew up in a large Italian family in the suburbs of Albany, NY.

He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from F.I.T. and started his work career

as a fashion editor for Fairchild Publications. From there he was a sought after

fashion stylist working with Vogue, L'Uomo Vogue, and Ricky Martin. He

switched careers at 30 when he decided to pick up a camera and start creating

images himself, and soon after found himself shooting for clients such as Calvin

Klein and Email Lagasse. After just one year of shooting he was approached

by Bruno Gmuender to publish his first book. Testosterone was one

of the biggest selling erotica photo books that year, and it was followed up by

Uncensored and J/O. Joe now lives in upstate New York and is working on

self publishing the next chapter in his book series.

Ck3jamesa

711V1844a

“I love to shoot beauty. Any kind of beauty. I like flowers

and exotic plants (which I love to shoot and then turn into

textile designs), but what I love to shoot most is people.”

Bikerprint300


John LeClair

John LeClair has been taking photographs since his late teens. In his 20’s

he was an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer. His real passion

is for exploring the outdoors especially early mornings and late afternoons

always searching for that breathtaking landscape. Recently he was viewing

online images of small insects which had incredibly detailed resolutions.

This piqued a whole new interest in the world of insect macro photography.

“During the last 18 months I have been creating images of small insects, amphibians and tiny fungi

using a process called focus bracketing. The exceptional fine detail achieved is mind altering.”

Brown Bag Wasp

Vermont

THE ARTFUL MIND MAY • 21

Krys Fox

Krys Fox is an American photographer based out of New York City. His

work is known for its raw, intense, dream-like, cinematic imagery and a very

strong personal aesthetic that renders his work instantly recognizable, regardless

of the subject matter. Fox's work has been exhibited in galleries

across America and the UK for 25 years.

“People. Animals. Wild People.

I love photographing musicians, fellow queer folk, artists, and people who say they aren't photogenic.

I love to show my subject's how beautiful they are in my eyes.”

40 Licks 2024


Minotaur Blues

Lynn Goldsmith and Patti Smith

Lynn Goldsmith

Over the past 50 years Lynn Goldsmith’s photography has appeared on and between the covers of Life,

Newsweek, Time, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic Traveler, People,

Elle, Interview, The New Yorker, and more.

lynngoldsmith.com

“If you want to maximize your potential for living a full life, you need to break limiting

thought patterns, bust through fear, take risks, and persistently work hard to reach your goals.”


Michael Anthony Alago

Michael Anthony Alago is best known for signing Metallica in the summer

of 1984; changing the entire landscape of rock n' roll and heavy metal. In

2005, he left music to pursue his other love: photography.

Instagram (@michaelanthonyalago)

Photo by Isauro Cairo

Gauge Chest

“The style of my work is gritty and

no-nonsense. Erotically charged and in

your face. Never glossy.”

Jason S.


Michael James O’Brien

Michael James O’Brien is a photographer, teacher, curator, poet and activist

currently based in Atlanta, GA where he is Chair of Photography at

the Savannah College of Art and Design/SCAD. O’Brien received the B.A.

in English Literature from Kenyon College in 1969 & the B.F.A & M.F.A.

from Yale University, where he studied with Walker Evans, in 1972.

www.michaeljamesobrien.com

“I wish I could be more prolific. The dry spells are hard to manage.

Happily, I teach young photographer’s and curate exhibitions to stay inspired.”

“I would like to photograph everyone.”

Sam Blueboy

Miss Guy

“I have been taking photographs with intention since my first year of grad school

when I was in the privileged place of studying with Walker Evans.”


Patrick McMullan

Patrick McMullan is an American photographer, columnist, television

personality, publisher, art collector, philanthropist, businessman, and

documentarian.

https://www.patrickmcmullan.com/

Keith Haring Photo Shoot November 21, 1986

“Every photographer who ever existed wanted to capture a candid moment. That is the great joy. That is

what keeps people coming back to photography, the chance to capture something that resonates,

that encapsulates. That is the great excitement and joy of photography.”

Fab 5 Freddy and Jean-Michel Basquiat

Anita Sarko's Voodoo Party At Palladium June 13,1986

John F. Kennedy Jr. Dec 4.1987


Pops Peterson

Pops Peterson is a Berkshire-based artist renowned for his innovative series

“Reinventing Rockwell” which reimagines Norman Rockwell’s mid-century illustrations

to reflect contemporary social issues and America’s diversity. His work

combines photography and digital painting, producing vivid, thought-provoking

pieces that challenge societal norms while celebrating inclusivity.

popspeterson.com

“Norman Rockwell is my muse as well as spiritual

mentor. I made a name for myself in the art

world by making new, modern version of his

iconic masterpieces, such as The Runaway,

Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.”

Sunday Morning (Meaning of Family)

Original composition featuring Rev. Brent Damrow, husband,

John Geldert, and their son, Jake.

“I love to tell stories with my photos. I love to bring

my inner visions to life with models, props and locations,

and produce an image that can evoke emotions

and spark compelling conversations. There is

nothing like watching someone cry when they’re

taking in your photo in a gallery or museum, or for

them to tell you how the picture changed their mind

or even their life.”

St. Joan, 2015, Inspired by "Girl at Mirror", 1954


Ric Ide

Ric Ide grew up in West Hartford, Conneticut during the 60’s and

70’s. After graduating from college he was employed as a software

writer for hydraulic and pneumatic distributors. By the late

80’s he had settled in Provincetown, leaving the corporate life for

one more centered around creativity and beauty. A few accomplishments

include his historic restorations and award winning

gardens. For the past 35 years photography has been a constant

pursuit professionally and personally. His work has ranged from

commercial advertising and product photography, to gallery still

lifes and landscapes.

“I shoot primarily in natural light and I go for

the eyes. When eyes lock, even with a photo,

there’s a pause and a thought process begins.

For a while I had the opportunity to work on the

other side of the lens and that’s when I realized

it was the creative freedom of the photographer

I wanted. That was about 30 years ago.”

Ric Ide


Rik Ide

Steffen Kaplan

Steffen Kaplan is a former award-winning supervising photo editor

and freelance photojournalist at The New York Times. After two

decades at the NYT, Steffen reinvented himself and has been a

social media and visual consultant and live stream producer for

many top organizations, non-profits, and universities -- including

AARP, The Pulitzer Prizes, and Emory University's Center for the

Study of Human Health.

On the Job

“My true passion has always been wandering

and exploring everywhere I visit. I live for street

photography. I really enjoy doing impromptu

portraits of people everywhere I go and using

the unique scenery around me as background.”

Swan Light


Tony Pinto

Tony Pinto holds a BA in Fine Art (painting) from the University of Massachusetts,

Boston, and an MFA in painting and photography from California

State University, Los Angeles. Tony is a graphic designer, and a partner

in the Vim & Vigor design studio with his wife, Adrienne Grace. He has

worked as a designer for more than two decades with clients including

Edison, Disney, and Princess Cruises.

Artist Jessica Brilli, Santa Monica, 2022

Artist Victor Rodriguez, Brooklyn, 2021

“I love to do portraits. Part of that is the interaction I have with whoever I am photographing.

Doing portraiture gives me an excuse to get to know people.”


Thomas Evans

Thomas Evans, a renowned American photographer, is recognized for

his unconventional, gender-fluid style that pushes boundaries for both his

subjects and audience. Striking a balance between playfulness and provocation,

masculinity and femininity, as well as class and glamour, Evans

has made a significant impact. His work has been showcased in various

publications, he has directed music videos, led workshops at the University

of Connecticut, collaborated with numerous celebrities, and challenged

societal norms through initiatives like Femme the Man.

Additionally, he holds the position of Creative Director at Health Care Advocates

International. https://www.thomasevansphotography.com/

“As an artist, I delve into the gender spectrum.

I have always been fascinated by transformations

and the pursuit of authenticity. It

seems that many individuals attempt to conform

to societal norms, often losing their true

selves in the process. Those who dare to break

free from the boxes society has placed them in

are both courageous and inspiring to me.”

Olivia Monster

“Through my work, I aim to provide a fresh perspective on

gender. The spectrum is incredibly vast, so let’s unite its contrasting

sides and explore their connections. Long story

short my style is gender non-conforming, glamour, raw and

brave.”

Hunter

THANK YOU, BOBBY MILLER! THE ARTFUL MIND MAY 2025 • 31


Carolyn M. Abrams

It’s a Hard Time to be a Human

It’s a hard time to be a human.

With everything crumbling

Under your feet.

“If onlys” pop up – learned to dance, ran a mile, or performed a Burpee

You might not fall when the world comes knocking at your door.

But say hello to a stranger.

Stand up straight, do a little throat clearing,

Look them straight in the eyes

And say, “The world is a better place with you in it.”

Disrupted Inspiration Oils/cold wax medium

Visit me at the Becket Arts Center July 25 - August 17

Atmospheric and Inspirational Art

www.carolynabrams.com

MEMBER GUILD OF BERKSHIRE ARTISTS


Plant a vegetable garden

In your neighbor’s backyard.

This way you will be fed later on.

Shovel a timid widow’s driveway

When it snows for the umpteenth time.

Tips are not welcomed.

Donate your books so you know someone else

Will go on the same adventures that you took off on.

Comfort a child when they cannot find their parents at the local park.

Tell a car owner longing to make a left-hand turn

That it would be your pleasure and an honor

To let them go first.


Has the world taken away your courage?

Stand up straight, you know the routine by now

And hold the door for someone.

Put Ten dollars in a tip jar.

You do not need to blow into a paper bag after you do this.

It will come back to you.

Tell someone that their shoelaces are undone.

Bend down and tie them. You can ask them first.

Listen to how people feel. Let them talk.

Nodding your head is a form

Of aerobic exercise for the neck.

Give some time to yourself.

And take care of you.

This way you will be ready.

Because It’s a hard time to be a human.

@2025 elizabeth cassidy

elizabeth cassidy studio works

artist, illustrator, writer, poet,

peace lover

elizabethcassidystudioworks.com



Ruby Aver

Sally Tiska Rice

Fading FIre Acrylic on canvas, 20” x 24”

rdaver2@gmail.com | Instagram: rdaver2.

Housatonic Studio open by appointment: 413-854-7007

BERKSHIRE ROLLING HILLS ART

CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS

Studio 302, 3rd floor

75 South Church St, Pittsfield, MA

(413)-446-8469

www.sallytiskarice.com

sallytiskarice@gmail.com

FRONT STREET GALLERY

Kate Knapp, Grey Day Autumn Pond Block Island, Oil on canvas, 24”x 30”

Painting classes on Monday and Wednesday Mornings 10-1pm

at the studio in Housatonic and Thursday mornings 10am - 1pm out in the field.

Also available for private critiques. Open to all. Please come paint with us!

Gallery hours: Open by chance and by appointment anytime

413. 274. 6607 (gallery) 413. 429. 7141 (cell)

413. 528. 9546 (home) www.kateknappartist.com

Front Street, Housatonic, MA

So, what does the word “tenderhearted” mean to you? I asked two

smart and clever five-year-old twin sisters what it meant to them.

Islay: “It’s when you have a tender in your heart.”

Emerson: “Chicken Tenders.”

I could have waited until they were in college, but I love their innocence

and their honesty. And now I am hungry for some chicken tenders.

artist, illustrator, writer, poet, peace lover

elizabeth cassidy studio works

elizabethcassidystudioworks.com


SILVER AND GOLD DIAMOND CUFF WITH EARRINGS

JOANE CORNELL

FINE JEWELRY

The ability to create without boundaries is the

most satisfying experience.

Imagine. No limits. Free sailing.

Working in my studio, creating, is as close to a

religious experience that I can come to.

I work from my heart, not my sensibilities necessarily,

when creating new designs.

The majority of the time I’m not catering to the

expectations of others, nor the madness of the

media.

Not wondering who will or will not like my designs.

I work in the reverse.

Creations that resonate so strongly with me, and

hoping, considering I do have a retail store, that

they also resonate with the public.

I’m not mainstream. I cater to a small audience.

Women who understand sophistication.

It’s practically poetic justice when a purchase is

made.

More satisfaction is experienced from creating

designs that I’ve been commissioned to build, and

seeing the joy on the customers face.

Working with the public is also very fulfilling.

It’s a great form of socialization.

So many wonderful people have relocated to

upstate New York and it’s generally satisfying to

be able to share experiences while they review my

designs.

Joane Cornell Fine Jewelry—

917-971-4662

Spring schedule: Thurs, Fri, and Sat. 11-4.

Summer and fall schedule to be determined.

9 Main St. Chatham, New York.

www.JoaneCornellFineJewelry.com

Instagram: Joane Cornell Fine Jewelry

PROMOTE YOUR ART

HERE & RED DOTS WILL

HAPPEN

413 - 645 - 4114


TOP: RAVEN, 10”H X 9”W, STONEware

BELOW: FOREST FROG, 13”H X 14”W, STONEWARE

CARYN KING

OPEN STUDIO

SOUTHFIELD, MA

MAY 17 - 18 • 11AM-4PM

My sculptures are inspired by animals, stoneware

clay, and the rich textures found in nature. As with

my paintings and collages, I create work that tells a

personal narrative while inviting viewers to interpret

and connect with the pieces in their own way.

Each sculpture is an exploration of balance; embedding

my presence while leaving space for the

viewer’s imagination and interpretation.

Please stop by our Open Studio event, located at

333 Cross Road to Canaan Valley, Southfield, Massachusetts

on May 17 and May 18 from 11am to

4pm.

My studio partner and I will be showcasing both

completed sculptures and works in progress. Visitors

will find ceramic sculptures at various stages

of creation, as well as paintings and art prints

mounted on ready-to-hang wooden blocks. We look

forward to welcoming you to our studio and garden

filled with creativity and art.

Caryn King—

https://www.instagram.com/carynkingart/

SHADOWS AND LINES

BRUCE PANOCK

I am a visual artist using photography as the

platform to begin a journey of exploration. My

journey began in earnest almost 14 years ago when

I retired due to health issues and began devoting

myself to the informal study of art, artists and particularly

photography. Before retiring I had begun

studying photography as a hobby. After my retirement,

the effort took on a greater intensity.

My world had changed for reasons outside of

my control and I looked for something different in

my work. I wanted to do more than document what

was around me. I wanted to create something that

the viewers might join with me and experience.

Due to my health issues, I found myself confined

with my activities generally restricted. For the first

time I began looking inward, to the world that I experienced,

though not always through physical interaction.

It is a world where I spend more time

trying to understand what I previously took for

granted and did not think about enough. The ideas

ranged from pleasure and beauty to pain and loss;

from isolation to abandonment; to walking past

what is uncomfortable to see. During this period of

isolation, I began thinking about what is isolation,

how it can transition to abandonment and then into

being forgotten. The simplest display of this idea is

abandoned buildings. They were once beautiful,

then allowed to run down and abandoned, soon to

be forgotten. After a while they disappear. Either

mankind knocks down these forgotten once beautiful

structures, or remediates them, or Nature reclaims

the space. Doesn’t mankind do the same

with its own?

My work employs references to other photographers,

painters, as well as sculptors. The brushwork

of Chinese and Japanese artists is appealing for

both its simplicity and beauty. Abstract art has its

own ways of sharing ideas which are jarring and

beautiful at the same time. Black and white and

color works each add their own dynamic. My work

is influenced by these art forms, often using many

of them in a single composited image.

Bruce Panock—

Panockphotography.com

bruce@panockphotography.com

Instagram @brucepanock

RICHARD NELSON

THE ALPHABET SERIES FROM A TO Z: “L ”

&

Ai

ART

Digital Art

nojrevned@hotmail.com

Rick Nelson on FB


REM TRAVEL, SCISSOR DRAWING, 9” X 12”

JANE GENNARO

This is not a painting. Each element was cut out

of unique paper, including vintage pantone, and

my own hand painted or drawn on paper. Each

element is shaped by hand with small scissors

and adhered to the background paper.

The original has sold. It can be purchased as a

vibrant artisanal print in a variety of sizes at

shop.janegennaro.com

Jane Gennaro is an artist, writer, and performer

based in New York City. Jane’s work has been

widely exhibited, performed, and broadcast.

She has been featured in The New York Times,

New York Magazine, and NPR among others. Her

illustrated column, “Mining My Life” appears

monthly in The Artful Mind magazine. Jane’s art

studio is in Claverack, NY.

Jane Gennaro —

www.janegennaro.com

TAXI, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 16” X 20”

RUBY AVER

STREET ZEN

Growing up on the Southside of Chicago in the

60s was a history rich and troubled time. As a youth,

playing in the streets demanded grit.

Teaching Tai chi for the last 30 years requires a

Zen state of mind. My paintings come from this

quiet place that exhibit the rich grit of my youth .

Movement, shape and color dominate, spontaneously

combining raw as well as delicate impulses.

My recent series, Strike a Pose, is inspired by the

dance genre Voguing. Colorful feminine images

with amplified characters grace the canvas with

their mystery.

Ruby Aver —

Housatonic Studio open by appointment:

413-854-7007 / rdaver2@gmail.com

Instagram: rdaver2

JWS

WE’VE MOVED!

Welcome to JWS Art Supplies at our new location,

291 Main St in Great Barrington. We're excited

to offer a wide variety of art supplies and

craft materials for artists of all ages and skill

levels. Whether you're a parent looking for fun

projects for kids or a professional artist seeking

high-quality materials, we have something for everyone.

Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you

with whatever project you're working on. Don't

hesitate to ask for recommendations or guidance—we're

dedicated to helping you find exactly

what you need to bring your creative vision

to life.

Visit us and explore our extensive selection of

art supplies!

JWS Art Supplies —

413-644-9838 - 291 Main St, Great Barrington,

MA. info@jwsartsupplies.com


ACRYLIC ON ARCHES PAPER, 24” X 30”

BRUCE LAIRD

I am an abstract artist whose two- and three-dimensional

works in mixed media reveal a fascination

with geometry, color and juxtapositions. For

me it is all about the work which provides surprising

results, both playful and thought provoking.

From BCC to UMASS and later to Vermont College

to earn my MFA Degree. I have taken many

workshops through Art New England, at Bennington

College, Hamilton College and an experimental

workshop on cyanotypes recently at MCLA. Two

international workshops in France and Italy also.I

am pleased to have a studio space with an exciting

group of artists at the Clocktower Building in Pittsfield.

Bruce Laird —

Studio #307, Clock Tower Business Center,

75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA

Instagram: @ecurbart

KATE KNAPP, SNAKE HOLE PATH TO THE SEA BLOCK

ISLAND, OIL ON CANVAS, 20” X24”

FRONT ST. GALLERY

Pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors, abstract

and representational, landscapes, still lifes and portraits,

a unique variety of painting technique and

styles you will be transported to another world and

see things in a way you never have before join us

and experience something different.

Painting classes continue on Monday and Wednesday

mornings 10-1:30pm at the studio and

Thursday mornings out in the field. These classes

are open to all...come to one or come again if it

works for you. All levels and materials welcome.

Private critiques available. Classes at Front Street

are for those wishing to learn, those who just want

to be involved in the pure enjoyment of art, and/or

those who have some experience under their belt.

Kate Knapp —

413-528-9546 at home or 413-429-7141 (cell)

Front Street, Housatonic, MA. Gallery open by

appointment or chance anytime.

www.kateknappartist.com

RICK NELSON

Making friends the hard way. I get angry. I get

frustrated. Am I blocking myself in or keeping you

out. It’s making friends the hard way.

Time is the enemy. I’m sure of that. It produces

anxiety. Time is running out. How much time is

left? What lies ahead? There has never been a time

in my life where I have felt such despair. And I

pulled some true blunders in my aging process, I

still cringe at the thought.

I can’t comprehend the state of my home. Brink

of civil war and yet life goes on. In my current state

there is little I can do, but watch.

I get angry. I get frustrated.

Richard Nelson —

nojrevned@hotmail.com

DON LONGO

“My recent paintings have been based on how I see the

world. I wanted this painting to show the successful joining

of different groups of people together to represent harmony

and integration. Blue and orange are complementary colors

and even though they are opposite colors on the color

wheel, when combined they create a harmonious picture.”

www.donlongoart.com

INTEGRATION Acrylics and Enamel Paint on canvas board,16" x 20"


How To Drive

Your Mother Crazy

Essay by Shoshana Candee

Parenting is a career all on its own. Kids are a

handful; they are messy and, at times, destructive.

Being a parent is challenging, especially when

there is more than one kid, and it is triple the trouble

with three! As a single parent of three young

kids, ages 10, 5, and 1, it is certainly not always a

walk in the park. Despite all the wonderful and

beautiful moments that come with parenting, like

being blessed to watch my children bud into their

own unique and beautiful flowers, it feels like the

challenges of parenthood grow bigger as they

grow older. The messes become messier, the

needs are needier, the noises get louder, saying

something once turns into repeating myself 10

times, and breathing confidently through my nose

becomes increasingly harder as the kettle starts to

steam inside me. Suddenly, I find myself locked

in the bathroom, wanting to scream at the top of

my lungs in frustration. Parenting is not always

ice cream and sprinkles or sunny beach days;

sometimes, it is wishing nothing more than to hide

under a rock and never come out or to fly to the

other side of the world on a permanent vacation.

Driving mom crazy seems to come naturally for

kids, but at the end of the day, kids will be kids,

and pushing every last button we have is what

they do best.

Not listening is at the top of my button-pushing

list. The saying, “a mother knows best,” rings very

true since a mother only wants to prevent her child

from making the same mistakes she did, or she

simply knows it’s not a good idea. Puddles—having

a one and five-year-old avoid walking—or, I

should say, jumping—through a puddle with

shoes is almost impossible. Kids are attracted to

puddles like a cat is to a mouse; those little feet

will find a way into that puddle.

“Do not walk through that puddle because your

shoes and feet will get soaked.”

The sparkle of delight twinkles in their eyes as

they march on through that two-inch-deep cold

puddle, and afterwards, after the two-second bit

of fun, comes the whining.

“My feet are wet!”

“I told you!” I say, as I roll my eyes in a now

we have to stop our mission to change your shoes

kind of look.

How about opening toys in the car, only to later

find the toy and all the wrapping forgotten on the

floor after telling them to “wait until we get home

to open it." Well, that was a waste of money. And

what about eating in the car? The only way to

have a somewhat peaceful car ride is to provide

snacks. But sometimes I wonder if they actually

eat or just enjoy crumbling up the food and watching

as it gracefully falls to the car floor. Oh, and

don’t forget that the car floor is considered a garbage

can and I, the garbage man.

Discovering a pile of coats thrown on the floor

and shoes scattered around really revs my engine,

especially after saying, “When you get inside,

make sure to hang up your coat and put your shoes

neatly by the door.” Finding stinky, dirty socks all

over my home is a common occurrence. I usually

find them wedged between the couch cushions or

sporadically tossed on the floor, but occasionally,

I discover them carelessly placed on the kitchen

table or the counter. This is almost as irritating as

finding little turds floating in the toilet.

Taking kids to the grocery store feels like gearing

up for battle. I have the “NO’s” ready to fly

off my tongue like bullets the moment they start

asking for everything they see. Forget about taking

them to Marshall's or Walmart—the toy aisle

is my enemy. Then there’s the jumping out of the

cart and racing around the store like a playground.

“Boy, do you have your hands full,” I hear at least

four times during a single grocery trip. That’s

when I wish I could hide under a rock.

Standing in the checkout line is the worst. Little

one-year-old hands reach for candy, gum, or really

anything within arm's reach, and when I finally

manage to pry it from their grip, that is when the

wailing begins and tears start streaming down.

Everyone in line stares at me, and I can’t tell if

they’re judging my child for acting out or me for

taking the candy, and that’s when the thought of

hiding under a rock becomes incredibly tempting.

Enjoying a meal at a restaurant is impossible.

Having any meal, whether at home or out, is out

of the question for me. Spilling drinks, throwing

food, bickering, not sitting still, getting out of

their seats, and running around— the worst part

is the feeling that everyone is staring at us like we

are a wild group of monkeys. Honestly, I do feel

like my kids are wild monkeys sometimes. Once,

my daughter pulled the fire alarm at a Mexican

restaurant we ate at. Impatiently waiting for the

rest of us to leave, she pulled the red handle, most

likely not fully aware of the consequences, but

very quickly realized the mistake she had made.

Humiliated, we rushed out the door, trying to

avoid the glaring eyes of other customers as the

fire alarm blared. That was an unforgettable trip

out.

Ever notice that kids get EXTRA loud when

someone is on a phone call? There is nothing

more frustrating than trying to have a conversation

on the phone and being interrupted by bickering,

yelling, and/or abnormally loud laughing;

it’s like they do it on purpose.

Listening to my children bicker back and forth

drives me insane. They quarrel over absolutely

anything and everything, from how one incorrectly

sang a song by two words to who has the

better-colored socks. If they are randomly getting

along, then I start to worry. I will usually find

them getting into something they aren’t supposed

to, like my makeup, drawing on the walls, or

dunking their Barbie dolls in the toilet, pretending

it’s a pool.

When there is bickering, there’s a high chance

that tattle-tailing is right around the corner, they

simply go hand in hand like peanut butter and

jelly. “Mommy, Sissy poked me!” “Mommy,

Sissy looked at me!” “Mommy, Sissy pulled my

hair!” This continues most of the day, and eventually,

I have to activate my selective hearing ability.

No matter how much I clean my home, it’s always

messy. I call them the little undoers because

they just un-do everything I do, like walking minitornadoes

that follow my every cleaning move.

Clean floors? Yeah, right. After I mop or vacuum,

the next minute, there’s crushed Goldfish or milk

everywhere. I tidy up the toys and put them away,

and in the next second, they’re right back where

they were. There are smudgy, dirty fingerprints all

over my walls and windows because no matter

how often I tell them not to touch the white walls

or windows, that’s where their little peanut butteror

sauce-covered hands seem to love going. Their

rooms? I’m not even going to get into that horror

show.

But in the end, somehow, magically, and harmoniously,

at the end of the day, no matter how

crazy my kids make me feel, when I lay my exhausted,

overstimulated head down on my pillow,

I can’t help but feel blessed and grateful. Even if

I had to hide in my bathroom and imagine sipping

a margarita on a beach on the other side of the

continent because my nerves were at their wit’s

end, or, I refereed bickering kids for the majority

of the day, wiped away tantrum tears and changed

wet shoes and socks, always, at the end of the day

a sense of accomplishment washes over me. Raising

kids is not an easy task, but anything in life

that is worthwhile isn’t easy. The intentional button

pushing, annoyance, frustration, and yes- the

public embarrassment, ultimately, in the end, the

love outweighs the chaos.

—SHOSHANA CANDEE

2025 — ENGLISH 101-02

PROFESSOR GRACE VON MORITZ


janet cooper

Matt Bernson

Wall Tapestry

www.janetcooperdesigns.com

"Momma Death" Acrylic on canvas, 24"×36" 2025

ArtByMattBernson.com

matthew.bernson@gmail.com | Instagram@MattBernson.Art

RICHARD TALBERT

The Flight of The Green Turtles, Florida, 2025, photograph

richtalbert1@gmail.com

| Richardtalbertdesign.com



DURING THE STORM, MID PANEL FROM SNOWSTORM,

ALFORD VILLAGE, TRIPTYCK

STEPHAN MARC KLEIN

I have been sketching and making art for all my

adult life, since my undergraduate education as an

architect in the late 1950’s. What interests me most

at present about creating art, besides the shear visceral

pleasure of making things, of putting pencil

or pen or brush or all of them to paper, and of manipulating

images on the computer, is the aesthetic

tension or energy generated in the metaphoric

spaces between the abstract and the representational,

between individual work and reproduction,

and between analog and digital processes. I enjoy

creating images that result from working back and

forth between the computer and the handmade.

My wife, artist Anna Oliver, and I have made

our home in the Berkshires for the past three years

and I am still entranced with its beauty. I think

much of my work is in part a kind of visual rhapsody

to the area. The idea for Snowstorm, Alford

Village, came from an interest I have had in exploring

the dimension of time in the plastic arts.

Also, I love snowy winters.

Stephan Marc Klein —

stephanmarcklein.com

smk8378@gmail.com

Member 510 Warren Street Gallery, Hudson, NY

JANET COOPER

THE ART OF FIGURING OUT

WHAT KIND OF ARTIST I AM

Fabrics, anatomy, stitches, colors and bricologue

are words, imbued with intense emotionality for

me, a maker, collector and lover of objects and

places.

My first love was clay, so basic, earthy and obsessively

compelling, I adored making pottery

shapes and objects, resembling torsos. A period

of fascination with vintage tin cans, bottle caps

and junky metal discards followed. Metal was

sheared, punched, riveted and assembled into figurative

shapes. I began to use fabrics with these

works and eventually abandoned metal for hand

stitching doll sculptures, totems and collages, all

with second hand or recycled fabrics.

Lately I have introduced paint and waxes into

my work. I also am using animal bones, those armatures

of mammal form. I am recycling old

works into the new, a kind of synthesis of who I

have been with whom I am now.

I am also returning to jewelry or ornament making.

as well as fashioning a collection of garden

and street wear art aprons.

Janet Cooper —

janetcoop@gmail.com

www.janetcooperdesigns.com

CIRCLE OF SERENITY

SALLY TISKA RICE

BERKSHIRE ROLLING HILLS

Born and raised in the captivating Berkshires,

Sally Tiska Rice possesses artistic prowess that

breathes life into her canvases. As a versatile multimedia

artist, Sally seamlessly employs a tapestry

of techniques, working in acrylics, watercolors, oil

paints, pastels, collages containing botanicals, and

mixed media elements. Her creative spirit draws

inspiration from the idyllic surroundings of her

rural hometown, where she resides with her husband,

Mark, and cherished pets.

Sally's artistic process is a dance of spontaneity

and intention. With each brush stroke, she composes

artwork that reflects her unique perspective.

Beyond her creations, Sally also welcomes commissioned

projects, turning heartfelt visions into

tangible realities. Whether it's capturing the essence

of individuals, beloved pets, cherished homes, or

sacred churches, she pours her soul into each personalized

masterpiece.

Sally's talent has garnered recognition both nationally

and internationally. Her career includes a

remarkable 25-year tenure at Crane Co., where she

lent her hand-painted finesse to crafting exquisite

stationery. Sally is a member of the Clock Tower

Artists of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Guild of

Berkshire Artists, the Berkshire Art Association,

and the Becket Arts Center. Follow on YouTube,

Facebook, and Instagram.

Sally’s work is on the gallery walls of the Clock

Tower, Open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 pm for

self-guided tours.

SallyTiskaRice@gmail.com

www.sallytiskarice.com

https://www.facebook.com/artistsallytiskarice

Fine Art Prints (Pixels), Twitter, LinkedIn

Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

Where ordinary charms become wearable magic —

keychains, bracelets, earrings, boot charms and more.

Find a charm that speaks to you!

www.TheCharmBug.etsy.com

I saw the angel and carved

until I set him free.

—Michelangelo

44 • MAY THE ARTFUL MIND

PATAGONIA, ACRYLIC, LATEX,

GRAPHITE ON CRESCENT BOARD, 40”X 30”

BETWEEN THE LINES 2023,

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 36.5” X 31.5”

JAYE ALISON

MOSCARIELLO

Jaye Alison Moscariello harnesses water-based

mediums like acrylic and watercolor, influenced by

a creative upbringing and artistic journey. Through

abstraction and intuitive color selection, she captures

the interplay between forms with lines that articulate

deep-seated emotions. Her art resonates

with joy and upliftment, transforming personal and

worldly complexities into visual harmony.

The artist is passionate about creating art, painting

on flat, smooth surfaces, and using environmentally

friendly materials.

Moscariello's work has been exhibited nationally

and internationally and has appeared in print, film,

television, the web, and Off Off Broadway.

Transforming personal and worldly complexities

into visual harmony. In celebration of Jaye's new

studio, enjoy 10% off large paintings and 30% off

small paintings.

Jaye Alison Moscariello —

310-970-4517

Studio visits by appointment only:

Pond Shed (behind the Buggy Whip Factory),

208 Norfolk Road, Southfield, Massachusetts

jayealison.com

jaye.alison.art@gmail.com

FLEUR LIBRE - DEBORAH H. CARTER

REPRESENTED BY THE WIT GALLERY.

CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS, PITTSFIELD, MA

DEBORAH H. CARTER

Deborah H. Carter is a multi-media artist from

Lenox, MA, who creates upcycled, sustainable

wearable art. Her couture pieces are constructed

from post-consumer waste such as food packaging,

wine corks, cardboard, books, wire, plastic, and

other discarded items and thrifted wares. She manipulates

her materials' color, shape, and texture to

compel us to question our assumptions of beauty

and worth and ultimately reconsider our habits and

attitudes about waste and consumerism.

Since she was 8, Deborah has been a sewing enthusiast,

and she learned her craft by creating clothing

with her mother and grandmothers. Her passion

took hold as she began to design and sew apparel

and accessories. After graduating with a degree in

fashion design from Parsons School of Design in

New York City, she worked as a women's sportswear

designer on Seventh Avenue.

Deborah's art has been exhibited in galleries and

art spaces around the US. She was one of 30 designers

selected to showcase her work at the FS2020

Fashion Show annually at the University of Saint

Andrews, Scotland. She has been featured in the

Spring 2023 What Women Create magazine.

Deborah H. Carter has been featured in The Artful

Mind, Berkshire magazine, and What Women

Create magazine and was a finalist in the World of

WearableArt competition in Wellington, New Zealand,

2023.

Deborah H Carter —

413-441-3220, Clock Tower Artists

75 S. Church St., Studio 315, 3rd floor

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Instagram: @deborah_h_carter

Debhcarter@yahoo.com

ARTFULMIND@YAHOO.COM

LESLEE CARSEWELL

My artwork, be it photography, painting, or collage,

embraces a very simple notion: how best to

break up space to achieve more serendipity and

greater intuition on the page. Though simple in

theory, this is not so easy to achieve. I work to make

use of both positive and negative space to create interest,

lyricism, elegance, and ambiguity. Each element

informs the whole. This whole, with luck, is

filled with an air of intrigue.

Breaking up space, to me, has a direct correlation

to music. Rhythm, texture, points of emphasis, and

silence all play their parts. Music that inspires me

includes solo piano work by Debussy, Ravel, Mompou,

and, of course, Schubert and Beethoven.

Working with limited and unadorned materials, I

enhance the initial compositions with color, subtle

but emphatic line work, and texture. For me, painting

abstractly removes restraints. The simplicity of

lines and the subsequent forming of shapes is quite

liberating.

Lastly, I want my work to feel crafted, the artist's

hand in every endeavor.

Leslee Carsewell—

Prints available, please inquire.

413-229-0155 / 413-854-5757

lcarsewellart@icloud.com

www.lcarsewellart.com


46 • MAY 2025 THE ARTFUL MIND ARTFULMIND@YAHOO.COM

Something For Over The Couch

PART 27

“The Map of New York”

It was the first warm day in March. The air was filled

with strange expectation, and as soon as I was out of

the house I felt an intense desire to go somewhere, anywhere,

if only it could be far away. Along the edge of

the street those perennial slabs of dirty ice still clung to

the curbs, and you could, with great satisfaction, snap

them off with your shoe, as if crushing the last remaining

evidence of winter into tiny fragments. Every year

without exception one could find those ice shelves holding

on to the curbs of the city streets, ready and willing

to be crushed, a child’s welcome to spring.

It was Saturday morning, the day for my weekly trip

to the Italian cafe for an Espresso and an eclair. I had a

special important project I was working on, a homemade

map of Manhattan. It was just the uptown portion

of the east side, and I had marked all the galleries and

museums I planned to go to. A homemade map of these

places was hardly necessary, since any guide book

would provide the same information, but it was simply

my own way of coming to grips with such a daunting

and frightening project, my first trip away from home,

by myself. I had figured out the distances between the

various important locations, and how long I thought it

might take to get from one to another.

Hannah had given me a list. You remember Hannah I

hope, although I have not mentioned her recently. She

had been my high school art teacher, and my mentor.

She knew everything there was to know about New

York City, and I had her list of places, some underlined

once, some twice, some with stars, and some with exclamation

points.

My map was completed but I kept going over it, because

I really wanted to memorize it. It was my way of

dealing with my terror of New York and what I imagined

were its terrible dangers.

When I arrived at the cafe things were strangely different.

The old couple who ran the place had been away

for a few weeks, they had gone to the old country on a

buying trip. The girls were running the place with no

supervision, and so inside there was a relaxed and cheerful

atmosphere, as if a hundred years of strict religious

and cultural repression had disappeared overnight.

But the most unusual thing was this! There were three

new tables with sets of chairs that had been placed outside

under an awning. Perhaps this was an annual thing,

I didn’t know, but after a distracted and preoccupied

Claudia waited on me, I went outside and sat down at a

little red cast iron table, took a sip of espresso, bit into

my pastry, and set to work studying my map, and considered

if I might, all on my own, add some destination

to the map not suggested by my teacher.

Then several extraordinary and extremely strange

things began to happen all at once. The first of these

strange things was Claudia herself, who came out from

the cafe and stood looking off down the street as if waiting

for a taxi. She was clearly impatient and anxious

about something, and so she didn’t notice me sitting

there a few feet from her, taking the opportunity to admire

her profile. When the ride I thought she may have

been expecting did not appear she took a few steps back

and bumped into a chair, it was the other chair of the

table I happened to be sitting at. I thought to myself,

“what if she goes and sits down?”

She was oblivious to my existence as I sat there, but

then if you have been reading my account of my hopeless

infatuation with her, you know already that I really

did not think she even knew I existed, even though she

had waited on me for several months in the cafe. Finally

she sat down with her back to me, and I had no idea

what I should say or do. She was just inches from me,

and I thought if I did anything it would frighten her, and

if I did nothing it would be… it would be what? I ask

you, would it have been inappropriate to say nothing?

Is that what you think?

I would have been happy to just sit there looking at

her face in profile for the entire day. You simply cannot

imagine how much more interesting her neck and cheek

was to me at that moment, than my homemade map of

New York that was trembling in my fingers. But then

she turned in her chair just slightly and her knee came

in contact with my knee under the table.

The instant her knee touched mine I pulled away from

her so suddenly and violently that I nearly overturned

the little table we were sitting at and managed to spill

coffee all over my map. As she realized that she was sitting

practically on top of me she leaped up just like

when a woman sees a rat or a snake. She didn’t scream

or anything like that, but even before she was all the way

out of her chair, I could see in her face that she understood

how rude her reaction was. After all, I was there

first, she was intruding into my own private personal

space, it was I that should have been… But I am sure

you can understand, she could see that she had insulted

me, hurt my feelings, perhaps she even understood that

I liked her.

But our little encounter had ended, she said ,”sorry,”

in a perfunctory way, and then went back into the cafe.

I was in no mood to leave, and so I just sat there for a

long time looking at my coffee stained map, and then

Carlo, Claudia’s boyfriend, pulled into the parking space

right in front of the cafe. He parked his car like a person

who is unbelievably angry, like when someone parallel

parks in six seconds and with a lot of tire screeching

noises. He didn’t slam his car door however, and he approached

the door of the cafe with slow measured steps

just as a man does who knows it’s essential to control

his anger.

The screaming and yelling did not start all at once

when he got inside. There were a few minutes of mock

civility, followed by sarcastic civility, and then finally

the real yelling started.

I had no idea what they were arguing about but I assumed

that Carlo and Claudia were breaking up. I did

not know for certain that he was the boyfriend, but it

was the most likely explanation. I was overjoyed with

this situation, and the louder and more intense it became

the happier I was. Since I was outside, I had no idea

what was being said, I couldn’t even tell if it was an argument

in English, But it was definitely an “Italian,” argument.

I had been witness to many Italian arguments

when I was younger and traveling around collecting insurance

payments with my father. Actually, it seemed to

me that for Italian couples loud arguments were their

preferred method of conversation.

It was a classical argument, with standard elements.

For example, at one point Carlo appealed to Claudia’s

sisters for support for his point of view. Carlo, apparently

thought that his view of the situation was so correct

and so obvious that anyone would have been able

to agree with his notion of how wrong Claudia was.

Isn’t that how it is in one of those extreme and bitter

arguments. Men especially, can be dumbfounded that

their views are not universally accepted. In extreme

cases a person will even resort to the appeal to strangers,

for confirmation, so right do they think they are.

But the sisters were no help to him, on the contrary. In

Claudia’s voice could sometimes be heard, sorrow and

regret, and even sympathy, but not when the sisters

joined in. Claudia fell silent and her sisters began yelling

at Carlo in unison, and then poor Carlo had one of

the most devastating experiences it is possible for a man

to have, the sudden realization that he was hated by

those he always had assumed liked him.

The end came suddenly and unexpectedly. The “Unforgivable,”

thing was said. I don’t know what the “unforgetable,”

thing was, but Carlo said it and it was followed

by total and complete silence.

Even so, Carlo did not realize that the argument was

over. One could hear his plaintive voice which seemed

to be pleading for the argument to continue. He said

something, then something else, then a categorical summing

up of his position but each statement was met with

silence.

He issued an ultimatum, then an elaboration of the significance

of his ultimatum. The ultimatums also were

received with silence.

Finally the door of the cafe opened with a scraping

sound, and poor Carlo came out onto the sidewalk. He

stood there looking down at his feet, or rather his shoes,

and he happened to notice that one of his shoes was untied.

He stooped just slightly and began to bend over to

tie it, but suddenly changed his mind. Carlo’s situation

was so awful that he could not even see any reason to

tie his shoes. For a moment I felt truly sorry for him,

and even as he walked to his car, you could see just from

his back, how distraught and crushed he was.

Some time after the argument ended Claudia came out

onto the sidewalk and walked up to me and asked me if

there was anything else I wanted.

I could see she was just trying to be polite. It was those

few seconds just before a waitress begins to take away

your cup, plate and silverware. Noticing my map of

New York she asked me what it was and so I explained

to her, as she stood there, how I was going to New York,

and this was a map of the places I was going to see.

Then she said, “Will you go to the Empire State Building,

will you see the Statue of Liberty?”

How was I going to answer the question, which was

the beginning of our first conversation?

Claudia asked me if I was going to go and see the Empire

State Building when I went to New York City, but

it wasn’t really a question, and before I could even answer

her she took my plate and cup from the table and

headed to the door, apparently not expecting me to answer

her question.

I was hurt by this offhand treatment, and I suppose

that is the explanation I gave myself for the impertinent

thing I said to her as she opened the door to go into the

cafe. “So, did you break up with your boyfriend?” I

asked her.

Before I tell you about her reaction to my question, I

have to say that to ask her such a personal question was

entirely out of character for me and something I would

not ever do, but something I would find deeply offensive

if someone else did it. It was the behavior of a supercilious,

rude and insensitive person, and all I can say in

my defence was that it was an indication of the effect

Claudia had on me, to knock me out of my usual character.

She stood at the cafe door, but she didn't open it. She

came back to my table and stood in front of me and said

bluntly, “Carlo is not my boyfriend.” Then, after a silence

she said, “Why would you think that?”

She certainly expected an answer to her question and

it even seemed important to her. When I said nothing

she set my cup and plate back on the table and sat down

across from me with her arms folder, and looked at me

with angry expectation.

What a dilemma.

Claudia sat across from me, outside, at the small cafe

table and with her arms folded, waited for an answer to

her question. She wanted me to explain how it was possible

that I would assume that Carlo was her boyfriend.

Actually, she seemed to be so extremely offended by my

remark about Carlo that suddenly I understood that there

was something obviously stupid about the assumption.

But how was I going to answer her question?

—RICHARD BRITELL, APRIL

2025 PARTS 1 THROUGH 26

SPAZIFINEART.COM/SHORT-STORIES/



BRUCE PANOCK

Clouds and Imagination

Panockphotography.com

bruce@panockphotography.com

917-287-8589 | Instagram @brucepanock

Deborah H Carter

Korenman.com

@joyderose.music

Represented by the WIT Gallery

Clock Tower Artists

MAY 2025 The Artful Mind Celebrating National Photography Month - MAY 2025.

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MAY 2025 The Artful Mind Celebrating National Photography Month - MAY 2025.

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